After a loong break, I am back to continue writing on Singleness. I read an excellent, excellent book this weekend- Did I Kiss Mariage Goodbye? by Carolyn McCully. While you might think it was about marriage, it is really about godly, single living. It really taught me how to become a single Proverbs 31 women. Read it! Its fantastic.
So, this weekend I was blessed to recieve my grandmother's old Hope Chest. She had bought it when she was single, and I am not quite sure what she used it for. However, it is cedar, and quite quite beautiful. On the way home we had it in the bed of my dad's truck, and made quite a few stops. We all kept on joking about the "bad sign if your hope chest get's stolen!" But, we, and the chest, made it safely home.
I think the reason I wanted a hope chest is because not only is it beautiful, it signifys me getting ready to one day be a homemaker. Whether that home will be made with a husband and children, or with roommates, or even in a small hut in the jungle, my hope chest will have cherished things in it for me to decorate and use in my home. Each time I learn a new skill- sewing, cooking, cleaning, or a "spiritual skill" I plan to put a small something in the chest to remind me of my new found skill.
So, there are a few things I have decided to put in the hope chest, which I thought might be interesting to those of you who are thinking of getting your own chest:
- Christmas Ornaments. Every Christmas I plan to buy one and put it in the chest.
- A Recipe box, filled with favorite recipes from my mom, grandma, and other godly women in my church. Also, at potlucks it is possible to pick up some delicious recipes, so I hope to pick up some there as well. My mom has these lovely wood boxes, filled with pretty index cards and recipes.
- A large, beautiful Bible to be used for family readings. This will probably be a large investment later in my life. However, I think I will like to have a Bible on my coffee table no matter where I live.
- A baby quilt and assorted baby clothes. I've started learning how to quilt, and am working on a quilt for my current room, but I want to make a baby quilt next. And baby clothes? Come on. There are so many sales, and they are sooo cute!
I'm off to work on filling my chest! :)
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Modesty Survey/Happy Valentines Day!
The Rebelution has finally published the modesty survey! There are answers from 1,500 plus Christian guys on modesty. Every godly girl needs to read this survey. www.therebelution.com It is currently on the front page.
Also, Happy Valentines Day! What a great day this has been. My dear loving Daddy got me 4 pink roses, in a bouquet, in a vase, with a small bear hugging the vase. Its so pretty. Then, I got up early (5:00) and made a yummy breakfast of heart shaped pancakes, canned yummy cherry sauce, and berry-pineapple-yogurt parfaits. I set the table nicely, and my mom and dad were so suprised and blessed. Plus, my other V-day gift, the Modesty Survey, came out, so I was blessed by that.
A few more ideas to serve others:
Send your friends an e-card! Daysprings.com has some lovely ones that are perfect for sending to all of your friends.
Offer to babysit for a couple from your church. Yes, its a little late now, but I'm sure they would still appreaciate it greatly, especially if the babysitter has cancelled, or they have not been able to find one.
Put some chocolate kisses on your brother's and sister's pillows before they go to sleep tonight. They'll be thrilled to find it there as a sort of, last valentine of the day type thing.
Happy Valentines Day!
Also, Happy Valentines Day! What a great day this has been. My dear loving Daddy got me 4 pink roses, in a bouquet, in a vase, with a small bear hugging the vase. Its so pretty. Then, I got up early (5:00) and made a yummy breakfast of heart shaped pancakes, canned yummy cherry sauce, and berry-pineapple-yogurt parfaits. I set the table nicely, and my mom and dad were so suprised and blessed. Plus, my other V-day gift, the Modesty Survey, came out, so I was blessed by that.
A few more ideas to serve others:
Send your friends an e-card! Daysprings.com has some lovely ones that are perfect for sending to all of your friends.
Offer to babysit for a couple from your church. Yes, its a little late now, but I'm sure they would still appreaciate it greatly, especially if the babysitter has cancelled, or they have not been able to find one.
Put some chocolate kisses on your brother's and sister's pillows before they go to sleep tonight. They'll be thrilled to find it there as a sort of, last valentine of the day type thing.
Happy Valentines Day!
Friday, February 9, 2007
Singleness
I mentioned Valentines Day in my last post, and I've been thinking more about creative ideas for this upcoming day.
1. My first suggestion is to make a special dinner for your family! You could make a salad with bright red cherry tomatoes, maybe a quiche of some sort that's heart shaped, potatoes cut into hearts, and then a bunch of yummy deserts. Set the table really pretty, with tablecloths and candles. What a great way to serve your family, and maybe while you and your siblings eat your parents can have a nice evening out together.
2. Make valentines and send them to your grandmother, or other elderly ladies. I've heard of some gentleman that get a single red rose for both there grandmothers. I find that very sweet, and good preperation for the future. :)
3. Write a letter to your future husband. I plan to do this, and have all ready picked out the perfect valentine for him. I'll listen to some romantic music and write my heart out on Wednesday.
More to come..
1. My first suggestion is to make a special dinner for your family! You could make a salad with bright red cherry tomatoes, maybe a quiche of some sort that's heart shaped, potatoes cut into hearts, and then a bunch of yummy deserts. Set the table really pretty, with tablecloths and candles. What a great way to serve your family, and maybe while you and your siblings eat your parents can have a nice evening out together.
2. Make valentines and send them to your grandmother, or other elderly ladies. I've heard of some gentleman that get a single red rose for both there grandmothers. I find that very sweet, and good preperation for the future. :)
3. Write a letter to your future husband. I plan to do this, and have all ready picked out the perfect valentine for him. I'll listen to some romantic music and write my heart out on Wednesday.
More to come..
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The Gift of Singleness
I'm sure someone (or most people!) will groan when they see my title for this blog. Yes, I know it is overused. I know its annoying to hear when you are longing for someone to love. I know its annoying when Valentines Day is approacing in one week. I understand that. And I know this subject is talked about a lot, often by married or "in a relationship"people. I'm single! However, I have really begun to appreciate the gift.
But really, singleness is a gift. For the next few blogs, I'm going to be telling why.
First off, the single women is (hopefully!) "obsessed" with the Lord. A healthy obsession, where God is the one she thinks of when she is alone, working, and going about her daily tasks. There are no worries such as raising children, serving a husband, cleaning up after others, or any other things that can distract her from the Lord. Her focus is serving the Lord, and growing in her knowledge of Him. As a single women, you can get involved in so many ministries! I am going to start helping out in the meals ministry at our church, so I can practice my cooking skills. I also plan to start working in the nursery. I'm involved in the outreach ministry, where we do various things. I have a large amount of people in my life to share the gospel too. My married mother on the other hand, does not have all these opportunities. She focuses mostly on serving me and my father, keeping our house organized (no easy task!), and other things of a married women. (She also works part time.) I in no way want to put down being a mother, for it is a wonderful and high calling, but as a single girl, I have a lot more opportunities.
So ladies, get involved! Figure out what your gifts are, what your good at, and then figure out how to serve with it. Maybe serving for you looks like just staying home with your siblings. Learn to love them, spend time with them, and serve them. Do things for no reason. Or maybe you have an elderly neighbor- go hang out with her! Bring a plate of cookies. For those of you who have easy acsess to transportation, there are many opportunities. Take advantage of them. Cherish the time you are single. Do Hard Things.
Love In Christ,
Natasha
But really, singleness is a gift. For the next few blogs, I'm going to be telling why.
First off, the single women is (hopefully!) "obsessed" with the Lord. A healthy obsession, where God is the one she thinks of when she is alone, working, and going about her daily tasks. There are no worries such as raising children, serving a husband, cleaning up after others, or any other things that can distract her from the Lord. Her focus is serving the Lord, and growing in her knowledge of Him. As a single women, you can get involved in so many ministries! I am going to start helping out in the meals ministry at our church, so I can practice my cooking skills. I also plan to start working in the nursery. I'm involved in the outreach ministry, where we do various things. I have a large amount of people in my life to share the gospel too. My married mother on the other hand, does not have all these opportunities. She focuses mostly on serving me and my father, keeping our house organized (no easy task!), and other things of a married women. (She also works part time.) I in no way want to put down being a mother, for it is a wonderful and high calling, but as a single girl, I have a lot more opportunities.
So ladies, get involved! Figure out what your gifts are, what your good at, and then figure out how to serve with it. Maybe serving for you looks like just staying home with your siblings. Learn to love them, spend time with them, and serve them. Do things for no reason. Or maybe you have an elderly neighbor- go hang out with her! Bring a plate of cookies. For those of you who have easy acsess to transportation, there are many opportunities. Take advantage of them. Cherish the time you are single. Do Hard Things.
Love In Christ,
Natasha
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Die to Christ
As you know, I have been reading Jesus Freaks, published by Voice of the Martyrs. It is really great, and absolutly insipiring. But what I've been thinking about lately, is today, if I am living as a godly person, I will be dying to Christ today. I will be dying to Him in my sinful wants, dying to Him in my temptations, dying to Him in everything that is ungodly and unbiblical.
I wish to die to Christ in everything. I wish Him to reign and not me. I wish that my desires would align perfectly with His, however, that does not always, or often happen. Me dying to Christ will not ever happen without His beautiful, beautiful grace. I would be so, so, so lost. Christ's beautiful, tender, loving grace. Readers, we should feel that we can, nor are we expected to, go about anything alone! The Lord gives us the grace to die to Him.
I feel that so many times we don't give God enough credit. We feel that it is up to us to follow all biblical commands. And if we don't, well, we might as well give up. We don't understand that this is not for us to do alone.
So readers, pray. Pray for God's grace to show through you. Pray that you will accomplish all that HE wills for you. And pray that you will die to Christ.
Oh, just a note, today is my first spiritual "birthday". Praise the Lord for one wonderful year spent with Him!
I wish to die to Christ in everything. I wish Him to reign and not me. I wish that my desires would align perfectly with His, however, that does not always, or often happen. Me dying to Christ will not ever happen without His beautiful, beautiful grace. I would be so, so, so lost. Christ's beautiful, tender, loving grace. Readers, we should feel that we can, nor are we expected to, go about anything alone! The Lord gives us the grace to die to Him.
I feel that so many times we don't give God enough credit. We feel that it is up to us to follow all biblical commands. And if we don't, well, we might as well give up. We don't understand that this is not for us to do alone.
So readers, pray. Pray for God's grace to show through you. Pray that you will accomplish all that HE wills for you. And pray that you will die to Christ.
Oh, just a note, today is my first spiritual "birthday". Praise the Lord for one wonderful year spent with Him!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
College
College. What seems to be the most important thing in deciding what to do with your life-college seems to be the first point on actually "having a life."
I read a very long post today on The Rebelution about girls going to college. It was very interesting, and I would post the link, but you have to be a member to read, so I won't. But there were many different views.
Personally, I've been struggling with the idea of college for a while. I don't know whether or not God wants me to go to college. All I know is that right now I'm striving to get the best grades possible, and keep an open mind and heart.
One reason that stuck out to me was that a women is supposed to be a wife and mother. She is called to be a keeper at home. Someone argued that spending time learning to do that is better spent then going to college. Also, they suggested that learning is perfectly accomplished at home. It's possible to learn a great many things with the Internet and a librarey.
Another thing is that a daughter is supposed to be under her father's protection. Of course, if my dad still lived here, and worked at TMC, then I would probably still live at home.
So anyway, I'm still saving money and getting good grades in preperaion. Pray for me if you think about it, that God will give me wisdom and guidance, and that I will trust him.
I read a very long post today on The Rebelution about girls going to college. It was very interesting, and I would post the link, but you have to be a member to read, so I won't. But there were many different views.
Personally, I've been struggling with the idea of college for a while. I don't know whether or not God wants me to go to college. All I know is that right now I'm striving to get the best grades possible, and keep an open mind and heart.
One reason that stuck out to me was that a women is supposed to be a wife and mother. She is called to be a keeper at home. Someone argued that spending time learning to do that is better spent then going to college. Also, they suggested that learning is perfectly accomplished at home. It's possible to learn a great many things with the Internet and a librarey.
Another thing is that a daughter is supposed to be under her father's protection. Of course, if my dad still lived here, and worked at TMC, then I would probably still live at home.
So anyway, I'm still saving money and getting good grades in preperaion. Pray for me if you think about it, that God will give me wisdom and guidance, and that I will trust him.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Just Do IT
The famous Nike logo. Just Do It. Its amazing how this can apply to our Christian life as well.
I know in my own life and the people I know, we read our Bible's. We read many Christian books. We pray. We go to youth group, church, and spend time with our Christian family's. In any situation we face, we know what we should do. We know what it is that God wants us to do. But, in our own sin, we don't do it. Whether it be laziness, sin, or whatever, we don't do it.
My challenge today is to just do it. Just do it with a good attitude. Just witness to that person. Make yourself do it, whatever it is that you're not doing. Pr. John was preaching a few months ago on how when we read a command in the Bible we should just do it. Pray. Evangelize. Repent of that sin. Whatever it is, just go out and do it.
"Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, do all for the glory of God."
-Natasha
I know in my own life and the people I know, we read our Bible's. We read many Christian books. We pray. We go to youth group, church, and spend time with our Christian family's. In any situation we face, we know what we should do. We know what it is that God wants us to do. But, in our own sin, we don't do it. Whether it be laziness, sin, or whatever, we don't do it.
My challenge today is to just do it. Just do it with a good attitude. Just witness to that person. Make yourself do it, whatever it is that you're not doing. Pr. John was preaching a few months ago on how when we read a command in the Bible we should just do it. Pray. Evangelize. Repent of that sin. Whatever it is, just go out and do it.
"Whatever we do, whether we eat or drink, do all for the glory of God."
-Natasha
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