Summer with a purpose: Week Nine!

Greetings dear sisters in Christ! I hope you all are well and had a lovely day!

Another week of summer has passed on and I’m left to ponder how well I used it. I did not have a very productive week at home this week, but I did get a few things done.

Reading: This week I’ve been trying to work away at Are You Serious About Marriage? by Susan Zakula. This book is filled with godly wisdom and I have really enjoyed it so far. One particular section spoke greatly to me. It reads,

“Similarly, young women who have been in the working world have a difficult time changing their focus. They may make a great effort at finishing the ‘housework’ so they can go on to the more seemingly important things in life. They do not realize that making a happy home and meeting their husbands’ needs are the important things in life. As a woman grows in the Lord, she begins to realize that what her husband thinks is important IS important.”

 p. 26,27

I know that I have often struggled with the “I must get the cleaning done so I can do things important to me” mind set. I’m reminded of a saying which says “If a things worth doing, its worth doing well.” Ah, how true this is! How many times have I hastily dusted the furniture, skipped over changing my sheets, and put off the laundry? Too many times. I believe that part of training to be a godly woman and helpmeet is to diligently apply myself to these important things! I am so thankful the Lord has opened my eyes just a little to this important lesson and I hope I learn it well!

Anyways, it is my great hope to finish this book this week!

Cleaning: I was able to tidy up my room and go through a few of my decorations. This was such a blessing because my dresser was starting to collect more junk than pretties. I’m very excited because it is now orderly! :o)

Special Things: This past week I was very blessed to start working full time at a nearby day-care. God was so faithful and timely in giving me this job and I am learning so much! One thing God has been teaching me is to love little children. To many people this comes very natural, but I struggle with impatience and the unkind thought “If these were my children.” :(  I confessed these feelings to Momma and she gave me some lovely advice: Talk to Jesus about it. Jesus already knows my struggles and faults and He can help me. And you know what? I prayed about it, and I felt a love and patience the very next day! God is so faithful! I know this all may sound silly, but patience and gentleness is something I need to learn. I feel like this job is God’s way of trying to teach me! While learning this lesson I was reminded of Titus 2:4 which reads,

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”

I had never given that part of the verse much thought. To love their children? That seems so easy, but is it really? Is it really easy to truly love anyone who is disobedient and sometimes selfish? For me it isn’t. But as Jesus loves me, though I am often disobedient and selfish, so I need to love others. And what does it mean to “love their children?” I feel like I have much to learn from this verse and am very excited!

One extra special thing is that I was able to go on a float trip with my family today. I was very blessed to be given the day off and truly enjoyed God’s beautiful creation and my family’s company!

Well, that is about it for my week.  I hope you all were able to be more productive than I. God bless your night, dear sisters, and let us continue pressing on towards Christ!

With love,

Frannie

Picture Credit: This lovely painting was created by Helen Allingham.

Summer with a Purpose: Week Eight!

Hello dear sisters,
 Another week of summer has passed and it is time for me to report on my productivity. :o)  This past week has been very busy, although I didn't get much done. Earlier this week Momma, Jeremiah, and I spent 3 fun-packed days near St. Louis at Six Flags. We were kindly invited by my Aunt Joy and it was alot of fun! Thank Aunt Joy, Carley, and Carson for thinking of us!! While we were away, we were able to visit another dear aunt. She had recently been very ill, but praise the LORD, she is up and doing much better. It was such a blessing to see God's miraculous healing power and love. We were also able to go to a Good Will store and Momma and I found a few dresses, skirts, and sweaters. I was so blessed because I have a difficult time finding store bought clothes which modestly fit me. (I'm trying to stock up on a few articles before I begin school. . .cheaply). So our trip to St. Louis turned out to be a rewarding one!

After getting home, we spent most of Thursday recooperating our worn-out selves. :) Too much fun wears one out! And today I was able to accomplish a few things such as: finish an application and mail it off, sew a button onto my sweater, make ooey-gooey-butter-bars, and I was very blessed to go for a little end-of-the-season party where I worked. It was such a blessing to share snacks, laughs, and enjoy good company. And the highlight of the night? We had a little dance party where we attempted to line, square, swing, and waltz. It was a lovely time of exercise and fun. The greatest part of the whole evening though, was the fact that my dear brother came to be my dance partner. He and I are both fairly shy, but he even more so since he didn't know my fellow workers. I begged and begged him to go (he is not fond of dancing), and I was very thankful that he agreed. I had a blast trying to dance with him and was very blessed by his extreme kindness which he showed. Truly, there is a kind and good man growing up in our home! 

This coming week, I'll be busy helping at a day care (something I love to do). Perhaps I can also finish my dress, catch up on some reading, and yes, finish my letters. :o}

I wanted to quickly add a lovely quote by Miss Corrie ten Boom. It reads, "Mama's love had always been the kind that acted itself out with soup pot and sewing basket. But now that these things were taken away, the love seemed as whole as before. She sat in her chair at the window and loved us. She loved the people she saw in the street-- and beyond: her love took in the city, the land of Holland, the world. And so I learned that love is larger than the walls which shut it in. " (The Hiding Place). I just love this because it  demonstrates the woman that I hope to be. The kind who reaches out and ministers to the poor and lost. I do hope to be this and I know by Jesus' grace, I can be!



I hope you have a blessed week with Jesus. I hope to really focus on Him this week, for I know my week is worthless without Him as my God and Leader! I also want to say how thankful I am to have you all as readers. I have been very blessed by your comments. They really are encouraging to me!

With love,

Summer with a Purpose: Week Seven! (and we have a winner!)

Greetings dear friends,
 I hope all are having a lovely day today. I cannot believe it is Friday already! This past week I've had my times of business and my times of utmost laziness. :o(  I think I struggled with lying around because I went from my full working schedule to a seemingly empty one! But I did get a few things done.

Cleaning: I was really blessed to be able to mop our entire house this week. We have either wood or tile and I was so thankful to get them fresh and sparkling. I also was able to dust most of the furniture and some of our blinds. . .which means less dust! :) We have a labradoodle (a sweet dog which doesn't shed. . .hehe, well that's what they told us) which sheds extremely well. :o)

Projects: I am earnestly working on a cross stitching project I started, um, two or so years ago. I've really been enjoying working on it and pull it out whenever we as a family watch tv or talk. This is what is will eventually look like (I hope!) :)

Reading: This past week I've been reading a little bit of everything (ah! the old habit strikes again!). However, I've dedicated myself to refreshing some school subjects which I've neglected. So if you were to peek in on me these next few weeks, you might find me battling a pre-algebra book, refreshing my penmanship, reading some science books, and adoring an old McGuffey Reader. I've also decided to try and read Charlotte Mason's Companion, a homeschooling book which I believe will be a real blessing to me.

One of my highest goals in becoming a teacher is that while teaching children about God's wonderful world (math, English, science, history and so on. . .) I will be able to teach and encourage godly character. This desire has really been impressed on my heart lately, and so, I am wanting to prepare by refreshing my mind and working my character.    

Other Special Things: Yesterday, we were blessed to go and visit a dear aunt who was in the hospital. It was such a blessing to be able to visit with her, and hopefully, we were a blessing to her!

This week I hope to tackle unfinished letters, stay on my cleaning/reading schedule, and maybe finish my dress. It amazes me how projects can drag themselves out for so long! (After all that talk of good character, maybe I should learn some self-dicipline and how to be prompt? Oh dear.) :)

On a delightful, seperate note: While having fun at an antique store with Allie and Jeremiah (see the below photo. . .yes, that one of those crazy mirrors) I finally found a prize for the winner of "Guess What I Am?" and she is. . .Laura from Sharing His Love! Congratulations Laura for guessing what was. . .an airplane food tray holder! I had lots of fun looking at all your answers, so thank you all for participating! While at the antique store I found a lovely doily with roses embroidered along its edge. I hope you like it Laura! :)  

Well, I hope that you all have a blessed weekend. With love and thoughts!

Allie and I having fun. :o)

Allie and Jeremiah. . .ew, his cone head! :)

Summer with a Purpose- Week Six!

Greetings friends! I hope this finds everyone well and rejoicing in the Lord. This week has been a very fun, good productive week.


Projects: Well this subject will include a few non-projects, but still good things. First of all, I spent the first part of my week working my seasonal cooking job. I was so blessed; I asked the Lord to please help my day go well, and amazingly (Why should I be surprised, He says He will answer if we ask?) it went great! I had the two smoothest days of this past season, and guess what? This was my last week for the season! :) While I love my job and greatly appreciate it, I'm looking forward to helping and being at home more often. So I'm excited!
This week I also spent a day and a half helping some friends do hay. I was very nervous about this, since I am not very strong, but, praise the Lord!, I was able to lift those bails! It was my first time doing hay, and boy, it was hard, hot work. I did not know I could sweat that much! :D But I loved it! It was such a blessing to be a help, to see the work slowly get done, to excerise my body, and to have sweet/fun fellowship with other Christians while working in the field. In short, it was great! :)
Something I found interesting is that I learned how to be thankful for just a breeze. When working in the hot sun, a little breeze can make all the difference. I am so thankful that God kindly gave us many breezes; I found in this experience that God knows all my needs and is faithful to meet them! 


Reading: This week I have had a blessed time reading my Bible. (Yes, I know, such a simple thing, but oh so wonderful!) Lately, I've been reading over Romans 6, that is such an encouraging and lovely chapter! I've also been trying to read The King's Blooming Rose, a Christian girl's magazine which is oh so helpful! This one is on prayer, and I have found it so timely, so powerful! 


Memorization: Yay! I'm so excited! I had purposed last week to memorize 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7. These few verses have been such blessings to me! While I do not have the whole thing memorized, I'm getting there! :) 
(I had not made memorization a big priority in the last few years, and so, even a few verses is a lovely thing!)


Music: I just got my new fiddling book in the mail (Hurray!!) and spent a little bit of time working on a new song. I hope to spend this coming week on that as well! :)

Well, I think that's it. This week I hope to concentrate on finishing the dress (that I started  awhile back), finish my letters (that I started awhile back), and help around the house. I hope you all have a lovely week trust ing and resting in the Lord.
Lord bless your day!

Summer with a Purpose: Week Five! Along with some Ramblings and Thoughts

Greetings dear sisters in Christ! I hope this finds you all well and blooming in the Lord. He is such a kind and loving  Father!

Summer with a Purpose:
 Whew! Week five already? It feels like my week has flown by and I've hardly noticed! I know today is Saturday, but I'm going to include the few things I did. :o) Altogether, I'm not really sure if I did anything productive this week. :( I worked this week, and that takes up my time and energy. Besides that, I went to a nearby town where my sister will be renting an apartment! While there, we found a very cute and sturdy dining table with chairs and moved that in, as well as a very sweet pale green shelf. I may be moving in with her too, gulp, and so I've been job searching. . .a job in itself!

As I think back over this week, I would say that today was my most productive day. Why? Because I spent time with my Jesus. This past month, I've been struggling with reading my Bible and praying; I'm not sure why, but I've fallen back in my Christian life. But today was so meaningful and precious as I spent time with my Lord and Savior, allowing Him to cleanse my heart from sin, strengthen my faith, and remind me of His faithful promices. He is so faithful and loving, and it is my desire to be holy like Him! So as I go about this coming week, I am, by God's grace, trying to memorize 1Thessalonians 4:3-7 which reads:

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness."

and

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 9:5.

 I also hope to read and finish a neat book titled "Are you Serious About Marriage?" Some sweet friends graciously lent it to me and its time I gave it back! :o) I've browsed through it and am excited to get started! I also hope to get my letters done (yes, that was on week four's list!).  

My Ramblings and Thoughts:

This topic may sound strange, but I feel so deeply and strongly about it I must share! :) 

Tonight, I had a conversation with a godly young man who told me that he had suffered verbal/emotional abuse in his past. . .one of them was by a girl whom he was in a relationship with. He still struggles because of the painful marks left on him. As we went on talking he casually told me, "Not to worry my pretty little head off." He then asked me if I thought that was dirogitory and explained that other girls had been upset and mad at him for using  that and similar silly little phrases. Sisters, I cannot tell you how shocked and appauled I was to hear  this. We are women, created to be sweet, encouraging, and loving helpmeets. How shameful that this young man has had to deal with ladies who were verbally unkind and so easily offended! If we cannot use self-control and learn to love others in our speech and if we take up offence at the silliest things now, we will do so when we are married. And we will destroy our husbands and marriages at the same time. We must seek to speak only godly things: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. I struggle with my controlling my tongue, it is a sin. But through Jesus' power and love, I can gain victory over sharp, unloving, and negative words. I also struggle with being sensitive. I must learn to love others despite their hurtful (or seemingly hurtful) remarks and trust that my worth is great in God's eyes. I should not be so easily offended and instead loves others through Jesus.

 I pray, that as we grow into godly young women, that we can be encouragements to our fellow brothers (spiritually and literally!). May we never be found pulling others down through words, actions, or attitudes! 

"That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified" 1 Thessalonians 4:6

Well, thats that! :o) I hope you all have a lovely week and Lord's day. I am taking a break from blogging for a little bit, but when I come back I will announce the winner of "Guess What I Am?" and the prize she will be recieving!

With lots of love,  

Summer with a Purpose- Week Four

Greetings dear sisters in Christ! I hope you all are having a day filled with sunshine both outside and inside.

I am super excited because, while this is the fourth week in "Summer with a Purpose," it is my first punctual reporting time! :) These past few weeks I have stayed pretty productive. But this week, I'm sad to say, I slowed down quite a bit. First, we spent the July 4th in Wyoming and arrived back home Monday night. And since then I have been spending my mornings working at camp,

making breakfast and being on the cleaning crew. After getting home though, I would go into relaxation mode. :o( While I was not very productive I was able to do a few small (but blessed) things. I was able to dust my room, make a blackberry/blueberry cobbler, spend some time visiting with some dear friends, and I have almost finished Eight Cousins. 

I still have the following things on my list: write letters, practice my violin, finish Eight Cousins, and make a birthday card, and help with supper! :)  

I hope you all had a better week than I did! 

May the Lord bless your weekend, 

P.S. The sweet picture of Eight Cousins can be found right here. And the lovely picture of the blackberry cobbler can be found here. 

Summer with a Purpose- Week One!

Oh dear! My third post for the day. . .I guess this is what happens when one procrastinates. :)
However, I am very excited about this post. :)

Emily Elizabeth from My Life Belongs to Him has set up a challenge titled "Summer with a Purpose." She wrote on how summer time will often bring out the idle, bored, or lazy side in her life and I must say that that happens to me too! Lately, after getting home from work, I have been getting into the bad habit of zonking out onto the couch or I will sit and "rest" for the rest of my day. In short, I struggle with being idle and lazy during the summer; my to-do list lays unchecked and my days are not used to their fullest.  I greatly desire to honor my Lord by obeying His word which says, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" Psalms 90:12 and "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil" Ephesians 6:15,16. I know that properly managing my time is an essential and good skill I need to learn whether I am blessed to marry or not. So, if you cannot tell, I am whole-heartedly joining in with this challenge. Every Friday I will link up to Emily Elizabeth's blog telling one productive task I accomplished that week. For this first week I am to set some goals in the following catergories. Here I go! 

  Edifying Videos...

As a family we do watch tv and movies. It is my goal to only watch movies which lift up the standards of the Lord in what I (Though none go with me, still I will follow . . .) watch. (What I mean by that little line is that I cannot change the standards of anyone, I can only change myself).

Cooking/Baking...
This summer I hope to learn and practice the skill of canning, make granola, and try a few new recipies. Lately, I have been interested in preparing nutricious foods; I hope to pursue that in my cooking/baking this year.

Reading...
Oh, so many books to read so little time! I hope to make a booklist for this summer and follow it! My goal for this month is to read Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Malley and The Power of Crying Out by Bill Gothard along with reading my Bible.

Exercise/Health...
Using Emily Elizabeth's exact words, "(I tend to lean toward the side of going to bed late and sleeping in late. That makes for a very unproductive day, and makes me feel very sluggish. We plan to exercise and eat right... with little sleep and not enough healthy foods, we're not going to want to do anything!)"

This is exactly me! It is my goal to go to bed early, so that I may rise early (and joyfully!). I especially need my sleep while working and find it very difficult to efficiently and clearly function when I haven't gotten a decent amount of sleep. During this summer I also desire to eat healthy. I so desire to be a godly example in every area (even in my weight) of my life and I know eating habits are one of them! And finally, I hope to exercise by walking at least three times a week! "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms" Proverbs 31:17.

Scripture Memorization...
I greatly desire to be the person God wants me to be and memorizing His Word will help me in every way! At this monet I am trying to memorize a chapter in Psalms and also the Book of James. I hope to apply myself to this subjest greatly this summer!

Cleaning...
It is my goal this summer to apply myself to our cleaning schedule and stick to it! A clean home can help it be a happy home and part of being a keeper of the home is presenting a tidy and clean home to your husband. Since I am not married I am still in training and what better opportunity to learn the skills of cleaning and homemaking!

Biblical Womanhood...
This summer I desire to learn and apply godly virtues to my life, virtues which make women godly. Part of this is looking into God's Word and seeing what He says a godly woman is and does.

Music...
This summer I will apply myself to bettering my violin playing. After ending my lessons two or so years ago, I love to play. Like Emily Elizabeth said, I hope to be able to teach my children one day and so I better prepare myself! This summer I will apply myself to mastering (as much as I can) my Suzuki songs while working through the new fiddle book I bought!

Projects...
There are a few projects I need to do this summer. First on my list is to sew some jumpers; at this moment I have two fabrics I need to use.
Secondly, I need to repair a few of my dresses. I have not done this before, but this summer I will apply myself to fixing clothing.
Being blessed with stamps and card making equipment I hope to make several cards this summer.
And finally, I one emroidery project that has been neglected for a few years. This summer I hope to finish it.

Well, that's my summer! If you are one who struggles with being productive during summer, I'd encourage you to join (especially if you need a little accountability like myself). The button on my sidebar will take you to Emily Elizabeth's blog. Have a wonderful day sisters!