Joy in the Waiting // Baby Love Part 3

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It's a snowy, gray day in March. A day made for inside activities, cocoa and good conversation.

 

But there's something missing.

 

Or rather, someone.

Sweet reader, you've walked through my inner thoughts and learned about my love-hate relationship with children (hehehe .... that sounds so intense) and then discovered the beautiful (in progress) work God has done in my heart -- I no longer fear having babies and instead find a growing desire for them. To finish our series I want to write a little on what happens when you want a baby but it seems to not happen.

 

That someone missing is a little squirming bundle, a happy toddler making messes, cluttering the apartment with wipes and toys and a hundred pacifiers. A child of our own.  

 

From my perspective waiting on anything is hard. We want to grow up, marry, keep our own homes, become missionaries, have babies ... contentment is a hard thing especially when we are waiting for something good. We cannot imagine that there could be joy in the waiting.

 

All my life I have struggled with anger, frustration, sorrow and discontent when it seemed God was saying, "Not yet, dear one. Wait on my timing. And in the mean time, find joy."

 

It was and has been very difficult.

 

But, praise God, it is possible.

Over the course of my twenty-five year long lifetime I've unearthed a few ways to practice contentment; simple steps to finding joy in the waiting:

1. Realize that it is okay (and normal) to be struggling.

 

This. Is. Huge.

 

The first step to contentment, I've found, is realizing that it is okay to hurt, want and ache. If it is a good thing (marriage, children, using your likes and talents to save the world ;) then it's okay to want it. You are not bad for desiring a good thing. After you've realized that it is okay to struggle remember that ...

 

2. God is enough in the meantime.

 

(This is also huge ;)

 

When we forget that our relationship with Jesus is more then enough we become shipwrecked on an island of self pity, anger, jealousy and a nonstop struggle to get what we want.

 

I've been there. Countless times. And, friend, it is no picnic being stuck in such a terrible place.

 

If you find yourself forgetting that God is more then enough take a step back. Practice thankfulness. Thank God for your life, the sun outside, the clothes on your back. Bless you parents. Bless your spouse. Bless anyone and everyone. Being thankful is the key to remembering that God is more then enough. And when you've remembered that you really can be happy without getting what you want ...

 

3. Pray and prepare.  

 

Ask God for your heart's desire; ask in faith and with courage. The Bible tells us to do this!

 

And, while you pray, prepare.

 

Do you want to be married? Discover what makes an excellent wife and study that. Do you want to be a mother? Learn about childbirth, medicine and observe other awesome moms. Do you want to go to college or step out on the mission field? Prepare yourself by serving in your local area; study, learn, grow. Don't fool yourself into wasting the time God has given you; if He has given it then it is for your good.

 

Once you have remembered that it is okay to hurt, that Jesus is more then enough, and to pray and prepare you will discover joy in the waiting.

 

It isn't easy (and does not always feel good) but choosing contentment over frustration will prove to be a blessing every time.

 

 

Question: What have you been waiting for? Have you discovered any beautiful blessings while you wait?

 

With lots of love, blessings and snowflakes!

Awfully, Painfully, Terribly Awkward // Baby Series Part 1

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I have a love-hate relationship with children.

I love the idea of children, the joy they radiate and the feelings of motherliness I get when I tend to them.

But I struggle with the real deal, the in-your-face with peanut butter and jelly stains, rambunctious and sometimes naughty reality of children.

p.s. I'm laughing as I write this article. Just so you know, I don't hate children (at all). But I am terribly, awfully, painfully awkward around them ... let's proceed with examples.

Growing up, my sister and I babysat as a team. Allie was the fun, game playing, diaper changing, order-keeping sister. And while she kept the children at bay I enjoyed cleaning the house. Having inherited my dad's fear of holding small, plushy babies I didn't learn how to properly change a diaper until I was nineteen and hired at a daycare. (Can you imagined my boss' thoughts when she learned her employee didn't even know how to change a diaper!? HA!) At twenty-five I battle being irritated with the quirks of students.

Some women seem to love everything about children ... I get cranky after one hour of babysitting.

My mom encourages me that it will be different when I have my own children. And while I am grateful for the encouragement I can't but wonder what I can do to change. How can I learn to thoroughly enjoy children, to discover the joy in the mess? How do I change a twenty-five year old habit when I'm serious minded and more prone to adult conversation than play?

Prayer and time.

I'm convinced that these alone will change my attitude. I don't want to just be tolerant -- I want to accept unreservedly.

Coming up, I will share how God has been changing my heart toward children. I'll also write a little something on the patience in waiting for a child. Both are relevant to my life today.

// Click here to head on to part two //

Question: Do you relate well with children? If not, how have you learned to overcome? I'd love to learn from you --  and laugh with you too!

With love, coffee and blessings!

              

 

p.s.s. My friend Angel wrote an excellent piece on this very topic so if you love children, want to learn to love children or love random wedding pictures do check her site out. :)

 

p.s.s.s. If you're reading this and I've babysat your children before ... please don't freak out thinking I hated watching your precious babies! Ha! Not true. Every child I have watched (and there have been many) are special bundles of personality that I love and appreciate and I look forward to watching in the future.  

 

How to Make a Date out of $8 | Hyvee Magic

 

Around here, budgeting is a big deal and something my husband is *really good at.* We set aside money for fixed expenses including utilities, tithe, rent, gas, food and odds-and-ends. Budgeting was a little tricky in the beginning, but for the most part, we've learned what we need and how much money should go into each "area." We then save what is leftover.

 

Sometimes the end of the month can be really tight so when we discovered an extra $40 left in the gas budget (thank you $1.78 gas prices!) we knew we could have a little fun. First, we put $20 away for end-of-the-month emergencies (things like a low gas tank or unexpected necessaries) and decided to spend $20 on something fun. :) The first $12 went to lunch at a local eatery and the remaining $8 was split evenly between us ... and we went for a "spree" in the Hyvee grocery store. :)

 

Now, if you've never been to Hyvee let me have the honor of introducing you.

 

It's a place where fairies are born and every possible ounce of goodness is manufactured and wrapped in the fairest packaging. I'm fairly certain happy hobbits stock the cheese shelves themselves ... of course, they use ladders because the shelves are tall and lined with every kind of cheese. And my! I can't tell you how lovely the bakery is -- bagels, doughnuts, freshly baked bread and every delicious pastry sits behind glass covered cases. I'm convinced the very best baker of all the bakers found his way into the kitchen of Jefferson City's Hyvee.

 

Which is funny when I tell you who the "Muffin Man" is ... did you catch my nursery rhyme? 

 

The kind man who waited on us was a mustached gentleman named Guy who has worked in the bakery for thirty years.

 

And this tall, mustached, jolly man who has baked for thirty-years is pretty magical in my opinion.

 

We walked about for an hour deciding how to spend our fortune. Dalton was attempting to choose between a slab of meat from the butcher, a special protein drink or a deliciously large grapefruit. I was struggling over a $3 African Violet or visiting Guy and his bakery.

 

 

Needless to say, Dalton settled on $4 worth of thick-sliced bacon and I decided on a $1 crème horn, a $1.50 specialty brownie, and a $1.50 salted caramel mini cupcake.

 

Satisfied with our spree, we journeyed home. The cupcake was thoroughly enjoyed between us (and a fresh cup of coffee!). Bacon has been on the breakfast menu all week. 

And that, my dears, is one way to make a date out of $8. It really doesn't cost a lot to make memories and have fun with your spouse -- even if you haven't got $8 to your name, enjoy strolling your favorite grocery store, country lane or downtown park. :)

Have you ever been excited over a little bit of money? How did you spend it? Or, maybe you have a really good (and cheap!) date idea. I'd love to hear all about it!

With love and a yummy crème horn!

 

Meg + John | Really in Love and Really Realistic

 

 

I'm not sure if there is a more enjoyable, entertaining group of words than Louisa May Alcott's description of Meg and John's first home. Join me in laughing over this descriptive, life-like look into a first home. ♥♥♥

 

"... And speaking of sentiment brings us very naturally to the `Dovecote'.

 

 That was the name of the little brown house Mr. Brooke had prepared for Meg's first home. Laurie had christened it, saying it was highly appropriate to the gentle lovers who `went on together like a pair of turtledoves, with first a bill and then a coo'.

 

  It was a tiny house, with a little garden behind and a lawn about as big as a pocket handkerchief in the front. Here Meg meant to have a fountain, shrubbery, and a profusion of lovely flowers, though just at present the fountain was represented by a weather-beaten urn, very like a dilapidated slopbowl, the shrubbery consisted of several young larches,  undecided whether to live or die, and the profusion of flowers was merely hinted by regiments of sticks to show where seeds were planted. But inside, it was altogether charming, and the happy bride saw no fault from garret to cellar. To be sure, the hall was so narrow it was fortunate that they had no piano, for one never could have been got in whole, the dining room was so small that six people were a tight fit, and the kitchen stairs seemed built for the express purpose of precipitating both servants and china pell-mell into the coalbin.

 

 But once get used to these slight blemishes and nothing could be more complete, for good sense and good taste had presided over the furnishing, and the result was highly satisfactory. There
were no marble-topped tables, long mirrors, or lace curtains in the little parlor, but simple furniture, plenty of books, a fine picture or two, a stand of flowers in the bay window, and, scattered all about, the pretty gifts which came from friendly hands and were the fairer for the loving messages they brought."

 

Little Women, chapter 24

Pregnancy Tests and Baby Blues

It can be a very personal subject and one I haven't known how to discuss. Pregnancy troubles. Or, more specifically, struggling to get pregnant. 

It's been a hard journey to be on and one I hesitate to share with others; I've only been married for ten months, have not dedicated myself to certain timing methods, and am very healthy and well. I've been afraid to share because we haven't visited a doctor or even bought prenatal vitamins -- but when you're as newly married, healthy and young as we are sometimes doctor visits don't seem appropriate yet.

But, regardless of the circumstances, it has been hard.

And I want to talk about it because I think it will help.

This past week I had been hope-filled and dreamy-eyed. I thought I was pregnant. Nearly every classic symptom of pregnancy appeared to be taking its course so, with a hop and a skip and a merry heart, I bought two pregnancy tests.

The boxes tell you not to read the test after ten minutes but my sister, who has a beautiful 5 month bouncing, baby boy, read a positive only after the set time limit. So I assumed it was okay. Ten minutes after the timeline, a faint positive became visible in the tiny, plastic circle and with the visibility my heart leapt. I had thought I was pregnant at 3 different times within our short marriage so I was used to disappointment. But this time was different. I had a teeny-tiny-faint positive.

And my heart secretly soared.

I waited till the end of the week to try the second test. Like the first, it came out negative; in an effort to move on from my sadness I busied myself with prayer and tidying our house. Twenty minutes later I returned to find that a huge, big blue positive line had appeared. I began to plan how I was going to tell my husband the special news and began to put baby names together.

And then the bleeding began. I told myself it was simply the implantation phase; the natural process of the fertilized egg nestling into its new home. Natural. Good. Expected.

After waking up to the beginning of a normal period, I spoiled the surprise, nervously dressed, held hands with my steady man while picking out three tests and headed home.

The reading?

Negative.

I felt so stupid. How could I convince myself that I was pregnant after two originally negative tests and traditional pms symptoms? How could I be crying over my naivety? How could God have let me believe that I was pregnant? With the sweetness and goodness of a true man, Dalton held me, encouraged me, blessed me, and reminded me that birth is in God's capable, good hands. Of course, I knew that; I had faith in God and His timing.

But then I realized something very important.

Faith isn't faith unless it can withstand the valleys, mountains, and struggles.

Remember the Israelites and their journey through the desert? Very few of their company could be called men of faith; men of faith journeyed knowing that they would get to the Promised Land even when the food bags were sagging with emptiness and the last watering holes were three days backwards. Men of faith knew that the God Who had parted the sea would also keep His word. Men of faith didn't lose heart. And today, this very faith in God is demanded of us.

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; " Hebrews 3

Doubt is a very natural response to life's struggles and I am thankful to know that even our Lord Jesus was tempted with it and understands us. There is no condemnation in struggling with unbelief; but, for me, I wasn't doubting God's ability or timing in giving us a baby. I was doubting His goodness and His love. My inner man cried out saying, "Why, when I am living a life following Him would He deny me my heart's desire?" And that is where I want to encourage you, sweet one, if you are in the same boat.

Remember that God is good. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him -- words the psalmist wrote long ago still ring true today. God is good even when life has disappointments and the way is long and the road full of pot-holes and steep ditches. He is good even when your pregnancy tests say positive but the science says negative and He is good even though your week-long dream becomes another example of your vivid imagination.

So yes, it has been a long journey.

A long, marvelous, God-filled journey.

And I am okay ... at least I will be.

I don't mean for this to be a sad tale or turn into a pity party; there are so many sisters in Christ who are struggling with this issue (and in much more painful ways). I also don't want to be accused of being foolish for not visiting a doctor. Like I said before, I am healthy and well and at this time I am more than okay with letting time take its course. I may change my mind but for now I am happy and content with that.

I just want to be able to talk about it and not feel silly. Because this pain I feel? It's real. And it affects both Dalton and I.

More than anything, I want it to be a growing experience. I want to walk away from these difficulties and be able to say that my faith grew, my heart expanded, and my love multiplied.

With love, blessings, and coffee,

p.s.

Sometimes learning to talk out your feelings can be embarrassing and really, really hard. Thankfully, I have an amazing husband ready to encourage my heart and dry my eyes, family who love no matter what, and friends like you ... who bring authentic sunshine into my life. :) Blessings to you!

Fall Decorating | On A Budget

 

Fall is rapidly approaching -- beautiful, cool evenings are closing warm, harvest-filled days, chestnuts are covering my favorite sitting spot, and leaves are changing into their very best. 

 

Happily, the fun doesn't stop outside the door! I love bringing Autumn's beauty into our home: creating a place full of comfort, peace, and refreshment simply by decorating. However, no matter how much I love browsing Hobby Lobby's aisles, we , as newly weds endeavoring to stay faithful to our budget, couldn't convince ourselves to spend $40 on one wreath (no matter how cute it was!).

 

What's a girl to do?

 

Hop over to Pinterest, browse DIY books, and put her creative genius glasses on, of course!

 

Join me as I share my joys of decorating on a newly wed's budget ... if anything, you'll have fun chuckling at my attempts!

 



My momma always decorated her front porch with the seasons ... a tradition I cannot break! Utilizing an old pair of mud-boots, pinecones collected on a neighborhood walk, a sprig of fabric leaves, and your own chalkboard greeting is a fun way to welcome guests in.

 

Oh, and then there is our very important friend, Owl. He was very delighted to be given the seat of honor (protecting the basil, of course). To add some spice and texture I used a few of the tree rings I asked Dalton to cut for me last year. :)  

 

Collected chestnuts are scattered gingerly along the living room windows and splashes of orange and red leaves (and the occasional flash of golden rod) help tie the room together. Of course the coffee table has a few books begging to be read but this time they are accompanied by the ever-available (and free!) chestnuts, leaves, and Dalton's beautiful black bean candle. We had collected wax from previous candles planning on reusing it for some craft. Earlier this week, my beloved had a blast drizzling wax over the dried beans --the way the wax melts round the beans creates a very beautiful and unusual candle. :) 

 

The hope chest in the dining room is covered with our beautiful table runner given as a wedding gift along with various jars tied with twine and filled with chestnuts and tealight candles. Beside the candles is the adorable harvest blessings pumpkin we found in our local Walmart. We also bought a white pumpkin from Aldis --this is Dalton's favorite purchase! He absolutely loves it!

 

(Pssst ... want to know how to drive your husband nuts? Buy into the idea that using tree branches as a floral arrangement is cute, ask him to gather said branches, then place the arrangement in a prominent place of the house. Say, the dining room table. (See above.) I promise you, if he is anything like my man, he will never run short of  hate-speech against your super cute, totally DIY, free, fall find! And, if you're anything like me, you'll be sure to get a good chuckle ... because you know its not going anywhere! ;)

 

Remember the fabric balls my mom and I made for Fourth of July? I recovered the balls with a different fabric and gave them a home on the bakers rack. It's a super easy, fun, and affordable way to bring splashes of color into your home.

 

I am so thankful for the many blessings Autumn brings and I cannot wait to see what the coming months surprise us with. In the mean time, I hope that our home and all my little, sometimes silly, touches create an atmosphere that speaks of love, peace, and most importantly,  a God who loves.

 

What are/were some ways you made your house a home when you were a newly wed? (Or a poor college student, or a single mom, or a stay-at-home daughter ... ;)

 

I'd love to hear about it!

 

Frannie

 

|| This week I linked up with A Blossoming's Life's Monday blog hop ... Wow! Big things are going on! ;) Head on over and see what other amazing, crafty things are happening around the world. I know I will be! ||

My Misunderstandings of the Character of God

As a Christian have you ever felt dried out, broken or bitter toward God when following His will and Word is difficult to do or at least feels like it?

            I have.

            Until I was struck with a very important, life-changing idea.

            God is love and He loves it when I obey Him.

            See, I had a very misconstrued concept of who my Abba Daddy was. Even though I proclaimed God to be a loving Father I saw Him as a displeased, distant judge. Even though I knew He was the Good Shepard I believed His hands were the heavy-handed kind, not given to the gentle touch I often need.

            I haven’t always had this view of the character of God but lately I have struggled with huge amounts of condemnation, fear, and doubt. I knew I loved God but felt like I didn’t feel love. And sadly, when I don’t feel something I often have a hard time doing it even if it is the right thing. Besides, if God is a severe ruler who will not be pleased, why try? I’ve had employers who would not be pleased with my best efforts; their attitude made even the most pleasant tasks unenjoyable and difficult to follow through with. I felt like God resembled those same employers … and it made me want to quit.

            Thankfully, God changed my view. I have been reading through Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling and came across a very powerful page which read,

            “Relax in My healing presence. As you spend time with Me [God], your thoughts tend to jump ahead to today’s plans and problems. Bring your mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal. Let the Light of My Presence soak into you as you focus your thoughts on Me. Thus I equip you to face whatever the day brings. This sacrifice of time pleases Me and strengthens you. Do not skimp on our time together. Resist the clamor of tasks waiting to be done. You have chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from you.”

            I realized, quite suddenly, that God could be pleased. Even before I was born He loved me. He had called me out of this world to be His daughter … surely, He wouldn’t show such care if He in fact did not care. And while my own good works were not enough to deliver me from death His were. Thank the Lord He does not see my own efforts but Jesus Christ’s, the Son of God who died and rose again for me! Not only has He delivered me from the power of sin but He has given me work to do and He is pleased by my obedience and love! What a good God we serve!

            I know that these concepts are very basic. But if you are one of God’s people who struggle with condemnation and even anger with the difficulty in obeying God’s commands then realizing that He truly loves you and cares for you can make His ways light and a delight to do.

            I can testify that “blessed is the man … whose delight is in the law of the Lord.”

                        With so much love!

                                    Frannie

^{Greetings friends! I hope this finds you all very very well in our Lord! I am so thankful because we are in our new home and have finally finished packing/moving out of our old one. Truly, the Lord is faithful in keeping us together and by meeting our needs through various friends! Hopefully, :) I shall have pictures up soon. But until then I thought I would leave you with Psalms 145. This Psalm has been a real blessing to me lately and I hope it is to you too!}

¹I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

 ²Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

 ³Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

 ⁴One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

 ⁵I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

 ⁶And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

 ⁷They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

 ⁸The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

 ⁹The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

 ¹⁰All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

 ¹¹They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

 ¹²To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

 ¹³Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

 ¹⁴The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

 ¹⁵The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

 ¹⁶Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

 ¹⁷The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

 ¹⁸The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

 ¹⁹He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

 ²⁰The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Have a blessed day friends! And remember, "Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever."

In Christ's love,

                                                               

Being Single

   Greetings friends! I hope this finds each of you very well and rejoicing in the Lord; "For the joy of the LORD is your strength." Much has been going on lately, but I wanted to share a story with you. I hope that you are blessed. :)

Abigail Henry eagerly opened the letter her brother brought home; she loved receiving letters from her dearest friend Lacy. Often the treasured notes held bits of godly encouragement and humor as the two early-twenty cousins shared stories about home, siblings, missions, sewing, and other girlish adventures. With vigor Abigail flipped open the floral stationary and began to read. But today Abigail's brown eyes came across something different, something delightful ... Lacy was beginning a courtship with a godly young man in her church!

Emotions of joy and excitement bubbled up inside Abigail's heart, yet another emotion also rose to the surface--sadness. But before she could address this unwanted feeling Abigail quickly left her room to share Lacy's good news with the rest of the family.

The next morning, beautiful with sunny skies and spring temperatures, found Abigail spending most of her time serving around the house. But while the day spoke of joy, Abigail's heart ached with sorrow. It was not until she jumped into her little car and left for an errand that Abigail began to discuss her troubles with the Lord, something she often did in the privacy of her own car. Out loud, the young woman shared her heart ache with her loving Saviour and Creator.

"Lord, you know I am excited for Lacy ... she deserves a godly husband and the blessing of having her own family. She will be a wonderful wife--but, Lord, why is it that I am still single? Why is it that no one has asked for my hand? Father, am I even worthy of love? Will anyone ever find me lovely and worthy enough to be his wife? Jesus, I feel passed over and forgotten. Am I?"

Dejectedly, Abigail let out a loud and helpless sigh. At that moment, her Lord began to speak to her heart. And Jesus said, "My dearest daughter, I love you (Rom. 5:6-8). I find you beautiful; I hand-made each of your freckles, every strand of your hair, and I chose even the features you dislike so that you may know and love me and that I may be glorified (Ps. 139:16,17). These hands of mine formed you in the womb, they stretched the heavens, and bled on Calvary so that you may have life ... and these very hands hold you safely now (Ps. 104:2, John 3:16). I know you feel forgotten but I have a perfect plan for you, a plan which will bring so much beauty and joy from your life (Jer. 29:11, Rom. 8:28). A plan which will bring others to Christ and glorify my Father's name--if you will only accept it (Isa. 49:5). Abigail, part of that plan is for you to be single right now. I know you want to be a wife and mother, but Dearest, if you cannot cheerfully and obediently accept my the plan I have for you now you will struggle to accept it later. Remember, being single is a gift from God; it is a time for you to 'care for the things of the Lord, that you may be holy both in body and in spirit:' (1 Cor. 7:34) . It is a time in which you can have the freedom to serve others ... do not waste it pining over day-dreams and in self-pity. Only after you accept single-hood as a gift will you be able to truly enjoy and fulfill the calling of marriage. Daughter, remember that I am the Giver of Good Gifts (James 1:17). I have given you the time of being single, therefore, this time is a good gift; I would not give it to you otherwise. And finally, my Beloved, know that you are loved; draw nearer to me and you will realize that I can meet your every need (Ps. 37:4)."

A few moments silently passed as Abigail took in all her Saviour had spoken. It was difficult for her to accept the idea that being single equated a gift. And yet, the teary eyed girl knew her Father was right.

Later that night, Abigail sat nestled in the couch across from her dear parents. The three were spending a few moments before bed visiting and sharing the events of the day. After gathering her bravery, Abigail spilt her tale to her wise counselors. She shared the sorrow that came from Lacy's jubilant letter, the discouragement that over-whelmed her in the car, and the sweet response the Savior gave. Smiling, Mrs. Henry spoke, "Abigail, your desires for marriage and motherhood are good desires ... something for which you ought to be thankful. But you are right in that they must be met in God's timing and way. Trust in Christ to meet your every need. Resting in Christ will not always be easy and you will still struggle with feelings of sadness and loneliness. When those times come, turn to Jesus and know that your obedience will help change your emotions." "Remember,' spoke Mr. Henry, 'to allow Jesus to fill your heart with joy over Lacy's happiness. Your contentment in being single will enable you to bless and encourage others."

As Abigail climbed into bed that night, she thoughtfully recalled all that she had happened that day. Quietly she prayed, "Dearest Lord, by your grace I want to accept and delight in the gift of being single. Be my Joy and Companion and according to Your will prepare me for all that you have planned ... whether that be marriage or not, I will delight in you." 

Dear friends, if you are a boy reading this {I congratulate you!} you may not relate to the main character of this story. If you are a girl, I believe you may have understood  some of the fears and doubts which went through Abigail's heart. Sisters, let us learn to be content in the here and now; let us allow Christ the righful place in our live's and He will ease the pangs of lonliness and worry. 

May the Heavenly Father bless you as you press heavenward!

Oh the Joys

Greetings! I hope this finds each of you well and rejoicing in the love of Jesus. These last few days have been quite full—a good full. And the business we have been experiencing in our household has me smiling with joy. Over what, you may ask? Over the joys of home making. I hope you will not mind, but I feel like creating a list containing the joyful aspects of being at and serving the home. Here I go!

Freshly mopped floors, pulling frozen desserts out of the freezer,

finding a special organized place for each object, washing windows and seeing a sparkle of sunshine enter,

sweeping the front porch on a chilly winter day, changing decorations to match the season,

coffee brewing, seeing the furniture fresh and smiling after a long-needed dusting,

making time to make cards,

candles giving comforting scents and light, white curtains in a feminine room full of morning rays, making time to read a good book,

being able to cook a good meal for a hungry family, being able to whip up no-bake cookies, :o)

resting with family members after a busy day, answering phone calls, an impromptu trip to the bakery with Mommy-dearest,

Christmas lights through a window, poinsettias on the hearth . . .

Have I said enough? :)

Oh, I know there are many struggles and difficulties with keeping a home, but can you not agree that there are also many simple, lovely blessings as well? Truly, God was kind and wise in making girls to be help-meets and, if He wills, keepers of the home?

What blessings do you enjoy when helping around your home? Would you like to share?

May Jesus bless you!

With love,

 Frannie

The lovely photo was found at graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

A Long Week, A Good Week

Greetings friends! Today is a beautiful day in Missouri; a day full of sunshine, flowers and greenery, and a light breeze. I hope everyone is having a sunny day too, if not outside than in your heart. :)

Well, as the title suggests I had a very long week. I work at a Christian camp as a cook and spend my day preparing and serving breakfast and luch as well as preparing for dinner. You wouldn't think cooking could be hard, but it is! I really enjoy my job for the following reasons- I work with godly people, I am able to be a blessing to campers and fellow staff, and I am learning valuable lessons (both physical and spiritual) I can use later in life. I find peace and joy because I know this is where God wants me to work. Why? Because He found and brought me to it! We had been living in Missouri for a few months and had been visiting a church in town. I was hoping to apply as a waitress at a nearby resteraunt, but a dear lady suggested I apply at the camp. Well, I didn't; I procrastinated for a few weeks (feeling guilty the whole time). But praise the Lord I eventually ended up with an interview. And it went on from there! I know that my finding the camp was by God's grace and I am so thankful to Him!

Anyways, this week as been long and hard due to the humidity, the size of the group (about 45 expectant, hungry mouths), and the fact that this was our first, official camp of the season. I had to adjust from my easy winter work apron and quickly jump into my busy summer apron (figurativly speaking :). However, this was such a rewarding and beautiful week! God is so good in taking us when we cannot offer any more and, by His grace, making us into beautiful sacrifices reflecting Him. I was blessed by my sweet camper's thankfulness and kindess, the kitchen crew's willingness and diligence in their work, and by supportive family and staff. God was so good! One special thing the Lord taught me this week was not to fear man and not to worry about my reputation. 

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Prov 29:25

When you are facing a difficult task do you fear tainting your repuation and what other's will say? I do. For example, on Monday I was to make 1 1/2 batches of sausage gravy and two boxes of biscuits. I wish I could say I went about my task with trust and joy in my heart and a peaceful smile on my face. But I didn't. Instead, I ran about the kitchen like a mad woman, fretting and stressing.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-8

My stressing and fretting were and are sin. Why am I stressing out--because I am afraid of what other's think of me. "Will they think I'm a good cook" and so on. This is sin and indeed, the fear of man does bring a snare. Phillipians 4:6-8 speaks of the wonderful and Fatherly love of God. He cares about every tiny detail in my life (Yes, He knows I don't want the hamstrips to burn and yes, He knows how badly I want the gravy to turn out). God heard my every sigh, praise, and grumble this past week and all the while He wanted me to know that He alone controls this universe and yes, that He alone is in control of my kitchen!

"The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them" Psalms 89:11

If only I could learn to trust in Him I know my day would be not be nearly as troubling or stressful.

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psmams 37:3-5

Beyond the fact that God is in control, he loves me and lovingly uses every success and failure in my kitchen for my good.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28.

Yes, every over-boiled hotdog and every not-enough-marshmellows crispy treat is ultimately for my good. And this week I have seen how He has used my failures and successes for my good.  Humility, which I find helpful when defined as "Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life (James 4:6)," seriously lacks in my life. God sees this and He desires to work it into me and He will use the kitchen as His tool! He is so good! :)

I cannot name all of the blessings which came out of this difficult week. I began to see God for who He is--my loving, caring, and in control Father and I also made sweet friends with some campers who I am going to sorely miss. Yes, it was a long week, but it was a good week.

May the Lord bless you friends. He is a true and living God and I am so excited He wants to change us!

With love, 

P.S. The definition (which I love!) for humility is taken from Bill Gothard's list of character qualities. Please go check it out at this link.

Praise the Lord I'm done!

Hello dear sisters! I hope this day finds you all well. This is such an amazing time in a my life, a time of spring, a time of being with my family (either physically or in heart!), a time of cleaning, and a time of growing in the Lord (although I must say that He is the gardener, not I).


I'm happy to say that I am officially done with my first year in college. For many of you who don't know, with the blessings of my parents and the urgings of the Lord, I have been taking classes with the hopes of becoming a teacher one day. This past school year I have been taking classes from a local satellite school two days a week. My momma has even been taking classes with me and tonight I took my last test! Praise the LORD! I also want to congratulate my dear momma who also is done with this year and also finished her associate degree! Congratulations Mommy-dearest!

A second announcement is that I will be attending College of the Ozarks starting this January. I recently received their letter of acceptance. This whole thing is pretty neat because I had applied once before and was not accepted. After applying the second time I felt that I was going to be accepted and was very disappointed when I was not. However, our God works in mysterious ways. You see, during this time I was developing a feministic and "independent of my authorities" attitude which I believe is very dangerous and outside of the will of God for a woman and daughter. So, when I was not accepted for the second time I saw that my heart was in danger and that I desired things outside of the will of God. By God's grace I asked Him to show me the meek, quiet, submissive, and home-keeping heart I knew He wanted me to have. And praise the Lord He did! So, you see, it is no coincidence that I was accepted only after the Lord did a work in my heart. No, I believe that God knew exactly what He was doing and I praise Him for it. . .even though it involved disappointment in the beginning!

In the mean time I am purposing to become more and more the Christian girl, sister, and servant I ought to be. Sometimes I get so off track! But God’s love is amazing and He pulls me back through His discipline and love. A few goals I have for this summer are: To be a productive and encouraging servant at Discover Ministries, the Christian camp where I work as a cook. To learn home duties and spring clean! Learn how to can and can some things. Write my sister Allie who is working in Wyoming. (Allie we miss you and I hope you are having a splendid time) To grow in the Lord and becoming a godly woman.
And to be a blessing to my family!

Well, off I go to look for some ideas for the give-away. Please don’t forget to vote!
May the Lord bless you all, dear sisters. Have a wonderful day!

Contentment-A Goodly Virtue

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Greetings my dear sisters in Christ. I hope this finds each one of you growing in our Lord and King. I'm doing well. . .simply enjoying spring, our good friend Mr. Rowland's visit, and spending time with my family. This post deals with contentment because that is exactly what I am being taught during this season in my life. I've never thought of myself as a discontented person, but oh, how I was wrong. first, let me start from the  beginning  . . .

Part One- "The Beginning"
We had been living in Missouri for about eight months in a small, but sweet rental home in the middle of Ozark country. Even better, we were settled nicely in Round Springs state park. It was very lovely and I believe God used that close space to bring us closer together. We were a walk away from a spring, river, and cave. . .surely, one would think I'd be content. But we're so far from town and the road is so curvy! 

Part Two- "The Nice Home Near Town"
This was my complaint and as we began house searching it became louder and louder. Daddy and Momma wanted a nice house with some farm/hunting land, (and we did too) but it was difficult to find those things within our price range. So after some time we found a nice home settled neatly by town, with a garden, a good amount of space, and it was very convinient. Yes, we had found the one (or that's what some of us thought). We eventually did buy this nice home in town and are here to this day. I was so happy. . .at least for awhile. I began to think of farmland, chickens, a milking cow, and sheep and began to dislike our nice home. Its not nice enough, we we can't have a cow, no fruit trees, why did we buy this house? This was my self speaking and through the sin of discontentment I began to grumble and complain.

Part Three- "An Opportunity"
After living in this nice home for about six months or so, we recieved a phone call from an old friend of mom's. "We have a home for sell with 37 acres, surrounded by conservation land, located near the highway, with ponds on it; why don't you come down and take a look at it?" Imagine, dear friends, our excitement as we went to look at the inviting prospect. First Daddy went, and when he got home his eyes sparkled as he told me not to get too excited. We visited a few times and left wanting it more and more.

An Intercession- "The Realization"
This is where I have to stop, dear sisters. It is during this time that I learned what true contentment is. My discontentment had made me very unhappy during this time. My unthankfulness made me grumble, and most likely, unpleasant to be around. As I stood looking out our dining room window the Lord helped me realize that "If  I'm not happy here I won't be happy there." Ooh. . .such a true thought. If I cannot be happy with the good that I have now, will I be if I have good later? I'm afraid the answer is no. I should have been happy in our nice little rental, I thought I would have been happy with our nice home by town, and now I think I will be happy with something else? No, if we are not satisified with what the Lord has given us, we won't be satisfied with anything else. The Lord gently led me to a place where I realized that I needed to be happy now. . .and I can thankfully say He has helped me!

Part Four- "The Grace of God Brings Joy"
Here I am sisters, joyfully happy with where we are living. I don't know if we will move, but until then, by God's able and faithful grace, you'll find me happily sitting in this home that's becoming dear to me. Now I can say,  "Oh how nice to be near a grocery store, where I'm able to become friends with the stockers and the cashiers. What an opportunity to witness to my lost neighbors, and to bless the widows nearby. How good it is to have a garden we can 'practice' at without having to work new ground. What a blessing to have a sweet country home which has plenty of room for us and guests, is comfortable, and very hardy. And the smallish kitchen I use to dislike?. . .it is so sweet to have a kitchen where every decoration has a nook to rest in and it is nice to be able to work closely with my dear family as we cook up a meal." Can you tell the difference God has wrought in my heart? Maybe we will never move, and at this time that is okay with me. We are here for a reason and I want to make the most out of it.  

The Conclusion- "A Few Points"
I still have much to learn on conentment and I can say that I do not always apply it like I should. But isn't God good to help us start? I wanted to share a few points real quick concerning contentment.
~ Nothing will ever fill our hearts except Jesus. We often seek for happiness by buying/sewing clothes, visiting friends, going shopping, eating, and so on, but these things never fill our hearts up. If we allow Jesus to become "all we need" He will bring peace and joy.
~Let us remember that conentment is a good trait we need to practice now--before we get married. For most of us, our parents have provided plenty to eat, a comfortable home, and nice clothing and that is a blessing. But when we get married, dear sisters, life will have challenges. Our husbands will be just starting out and life is difficult. I know my parents had hard times when they began.  So let us learn to be content now, so that, Lord willing, we may be a sweet and happy blessing to our future husband.

Let us continue pressing heavenward as we learn to become the content and joyful maidens God desires us to be. I have much to learn, but God is faithful!
With much love from a sister,

P.S. The above sweet picture I found at brandie-life.blogspot.com. If you would like, pay Brandie a visit--her blog is very sweet!