Semper Reformanda

Christmas Cookies and Candy Canes

2012-01-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

Wintertime often comes with a lot of baking. After doing some ourselves, on Christmas Eve, Mom, some siblings, and I, put together some "Cookie Platters" for our neighbors. We had fun creating and delivering them!

Christmas Breakfast...

Hope you all had a great Christmas and may you have a very Happy New Year!

Candy and Sisters Go Together Like...

2012-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hairsyles

2011-12-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

What do you think? (You know, I really love having younger sisters to "test-try" hairstyles on, even thought they may not appreciate it as much as I do. :-)

So do you have any thoughts on true beauty?

"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express."

Thank-you Mykaela and Keturah for being my models!

2011-11-09T18:41:00.000-08:00

Proud thoughts and actions are very displeasing to God. Pride, in it’s most simple meaning, is the root of most, if not all, sin. The weak, in trying to build themselves up, grow weaker by it; the strong grow helpless through it.
Shall we then say that there is an “air of pride” in God’s word as He speaks? No! What is pride but to bring glory to ourselves? What is glory, (that forever shall be) but our Maker of whom we give praise?

It is Jesus Christ in who’s image we are made, and He who deserves all the glory and all the praise and adoration that we, mortal humans, can scrounge up in our small, sinful minds.
What is pride? Why is it wrong to bring to ourselves glory? It is wrong because the one and only deserving of praise is God, our Father, for nothing we gain can be done without Him. Shall the clay praise himself for the way in which he has been crafted by the Potter? Shall all creation worship itself? Shall the fox glory itself in its cunning, or the bear, her strength? The birds their song, or the lion, its sleek mane?
For why do we live at all, but to bring glory to Christ?
What! Have you great wealth and gain? Power and might? Honor and Freedom? Talent or a self-given feeling of “worth”? Do you look upon yourself, praising, in your mind, your heart before the Lord? These tiny efforts are but filthy rags! We are nothing and He is everything.

Emmanuel, God with us, Jehovah Jireh, our provider!
Praise be to our Lord and savior, Christ Jesus, our Father and friend to whom be the glory both now and forever.

Pax Christi,
Kelsey

Perspective in Randomness...

2011-11-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

“Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14

"Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Col. 4:6

Simply a little perspective on two random pictures...

A Turah, Kayla, Kelsey photo shoot

2011-10-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

2011-09-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Kels, over at "A Ray of Sunshine" is having a photo challenge. The theme is siblings. My entry is below. :-)

The Ultimate Sacrifice

2011-09-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

I believe I was nine or ten years old at the time. I was walking through the kitchen and noticed that Mom, after getting off the phone with Dad, looked upset and worried. She gathered the four oldest, (Josh, Jeremiah, Jonathan and I) into the living room to talk to us. My first thought was that something bad happened to Dad or maybe a friend of ours. When she explained what happened to the twin towers and the terrorist who flew those planes, I was a little relived. In my young mind, I couldn’t comprehend this terrible attack that had happened in our country. “Why does it matter to us?”, I thought. Bad things happen all the time… As I heard more and more about it, I began to realize what a major attack this really was, but it was only within the past few years that I have really begun to realize the full extent of what happened; but I don’t think I can ever know completely, unless I was there.

September 11 2001 marks a tragic day. Tragic, because of the many, many lives that were lost. But through all of the destruction, death, and pain, there were those who grew stronger through it, and many who’s lives were changed by it. Was your life changed? Did you live differently, think, or act differently after 9/11? Life keeps moving on, as time will stop for no one, but as that time goes by, did we continue on as if nothing happened, or did America pull together, to work as one nation, under God, by whom we live and breath and have our being this day? What do you think? What have you done?

Thank-you to all the firefighters, policemen, and workers who gave their lives for us. Thank-you to those who did not stand by, but acted in a way that would help others. Most of all, thank-you to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself as the ultimate sacrifice for we who are unworthy of his amazing grace. Never forget what He has done. Do not be afraid to tell of it, and never stop fighting to defend it.

Some Antique Fun

2011-09-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Sunset

2011-08-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Turah

2011-08-09T16:59:00.000-07:00

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CFA Movie!

2011-08-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

Anybody out there Chick-Fil-A fans? Here is a hilarious commercial my brothers and I made a while back. CLICK HERE to go to my brothers blog to watch it. It's short, but I guarantee it will put a smile on your face!
(Oh, and make sure you watch all the way through, even after the credits!)

Running in the Rain!

2011-07-22T09:50:00.000-07:00

Daddy is home!

Scooter preferred to stay inside...

Josiah walked up and down the puddle stomping his feet. :)

Slideshow

2011-07-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

Hello All! If you are interested in seeing the slideshow my brother made for my graduation, as well as a bit of his editing skills, feel free click here to be directed to his blog to watch! Enjoy. :)

Miss Kayla on the Swing

2011-07-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Turah!

2011-06-22T19:59:00.000-07:00

So what do you think? :-)

The Deception

2011-06-07T11:51:00.000-07:00

The furious wind rushes against me, and everything that dares to block it’s path.

I sit on the swing and attempt to pull myself higher upward. Gazing into the distance I watch the Arizona smoke settle onto the rugged mesa in the New Mexico plains.

I say a prayer for all of those really living this nightmare; the wildfire out of control just over our border; for those left to stand back and watch certain disaster rage in bright roaring flames over their homes; it’s black, unbearable smoke engulfing their surroundings like an evil vapor.

My muscles are straining, against the steady wind, as I try to pull myself up into the sky, now an ugly grey. I wince- the smell of smoke plunging itself throughout my senses, the dust flies, the winds rage, and the warmth of the day seems, somehow, out of place… Looking into the darkened sky, I think of how much the grey clouds look simply as if they might pour forth rain… Only this grey darkness is not full of moisture but dry, elusive poison, and the winds, only feeding the fire that I have not yet seen.

Skidding myself to a stop, my feet set a large billow of sand free for the wind to feed on. Something catches my eye. I think it’s the moon! It is a bright, florescent pink, yet hazy, hiding slyly behind the ever looming wisps of smoke. Or is what I see, the sun? I cannot tell…

I come around the other side of my swing, to face a different direction. Pushing myself to a start, I begin to pull myself higher and higher, my position providing me with less friction than before; I fly to the sky. I see it is now sooty grey, and the pink circle of light has vanished; just swallowed up and gone. The wind picks up and the noise, a furious rushing and an ever relentless pull, this way and that, seems to be crushing my ears.

I feel we are surrounded; the darkness slinking, the wind, pulling, the smell of smoke, strong and deceptive. When shall it all end?

Halting my swing, I stand up, and bear my face towards the wind.

May God bring about His will in all of this, come what may, and I pray we turn our faces back to Him, as he purges us of evil to bring His love to a dry and desperate land.

“If only my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turns from their wicked ways. Then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Hand of a Woman - A Commentary on Judges 4

2011-06-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

By: Kelsey Hoppman
Written April-May of 2011 -

The Hand of a Woman

Judges 4 is a well-referenced chapter. Many people love the story of Deborah remembering how she and Barak were led by God to defeat Sisera. I think there are some important points that we can take away from this chapter.

“And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.

2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” (Judges 4:1-5)

This was not a joyous time for Israel. They disobeyed God and were experiencing His displeasure for their actions. The children of Israel were in bondage by the hand of Jabin, and they felt that oppression. This was not necessarily new for them though. If you read through your Bible in the Old Testament, you will see that, more then once, Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and suffered the consequences. (I often think it reflects so well how we must look to God sometimes.) But there is something unique here. The person judging at that time was a woman, Deborah. What makes this unique? This is the only passage of scripture in the 1189 chapters in the Bible, that specifically mentions a women being a judge. Deborah also was called by God as a prophetess. So for what reason is she mentioned here? Let’s take a look at that for a moment. As I already mentioned and you can see in this passage of scripture, Israel was not following God. Can you think of another passage of scripture that mentions women being in leadership in a time of rebellion?

Isaiah 3:12:

“As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee causes thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”

Clearly, the fact that a woman was ruling, (In Isaiah 3) was a sign that the people had strayed from God. The different roles God ordained the men and women to play were all mixed up. Shame was on the region that had a woman in leadership! Let us go on.

“And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. (Judges 4:6-8)

Two things seem pretty clear to me here:

1. Deborah was in a position of power as a judge and prophetess, but she was where God wanted her to be.

2. Barak was a coward.

I sometimes wonder if Barak’s attitude was that of most of the other men in his community at that time. God commanded Barak to fight, and looking at this passage, it seems Barak was scared. He wanted God’s prophetess to come with him. Deborah was following God, and at Barak’s pathetic request, went with him. Though, looking for a moment from Barak‘s perspective, he was just told by Deborah to go against a large army, their oppressors, not to mention one that came with “900 chariots of iron”. Of course, that is no excuse, and as Jonah learned, when God tells you to do something, you better get on to doing it! Barak did half. He said “I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.” So Deborah did, and if you have read this before, you know what's coming.

So, the battle began. It’s not completely clear in chapter 4, but if you use both chapters 4 and 5 as a reference, it looks as if a strong, torrential rain plagued Sisera’s army.

“The earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel…The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river...”

One of the strong points of Sisera’s army were the chariots. He could charge with the 900, and simply trample anyone or anything who dared to crawl in its path. But there was one problem with this grand scheme. Two, actually.

One, God wasn’t on Sisera’s side, he was on Barak’s. Two, this rain would really cause some problems for the chariots. How could they expect the scared horses to pull the chariots, while navigating through severe mud, and blinding rain?

Long story short, they were slaughtered. Every bit of Sisera’s army wiped out- (“And all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.”)-except for one person-Sisera himself, who fled from the battle. (Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.”)

“Some may trust in horses, and some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God!”

Yeah, I suppose Sisera was a bit of a coward himself although he didn’t have God on his side, so really, what can you expect?

Now back to Deborah. Where did we last leave her? "And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him." So Deborah, complying with Barak’s request, went up with him, but not without consequence. “And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.”

Wow, tough break for Barak. He still has to fight, but now he won’t receive any glory for the awaited victory. So we then have Deborah and Barak, side by side, as they fight the army of Sisera, right? Wrong.

"And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him." (Judges 4:14 emphasis added)

Did you catch what just happened here? If not, pay attention because this is important. Deborah sent Barak to lead the charge and fight against their enemy, Sisera. From what I grab out of this verse, Deborah did not do any fighting. She stepped back and after giving Barak a reminder of Who goes before him, she sent him to fight in the battle the Lord would give over to him. Do you see it differently? We hear of Deborah who went on to fight with Barak but in actuality, Deborah went with him to meet Sisera‘s army, but did not lead the charge, or fight. What did Deborah do? She gave Barak the bolster of courage that he needed, (Which ultimately came from the Lord) and strengthened him for the fight: “Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand:”

Let’s get back to Sisera where we left him, fleeing the battle.

“Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.”

In those days, women often stayed in a separate tent from their husband. (Since the men would often take multiple wives for themselves, it would provide each of their wives’ with their own “private quarters”, so to speak) It is likely that Sisera decided Jael was a safer bet to help him, then her husband, Heber. He knew that he should be safe, since there was peace between his king, Jabin, and Heber, but he was still taking a chance.

“And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.

19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.

20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.”

Something interesting that was pointed out to me here was the fact that Sisera was asking Jael to put her life on the line for his sake, making this “great leader” of Israel’s enemies look more cowardly than before!

Jael did a bit of acting here. Sisera asked for water, and Jael went above and beyond that, giving him milk instead, a show of respect. She also hid him, and, comforted that he was in safe hands, Sisera fell asleep. How could have Sisera known, while Jael treated him like royalty, that she had plans to kill him?

“Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.”

Okay…Good bye Sisera. Do you see what just happened here? Deborah’s prophesy to Barak, “the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” came true. However, that “woman” was not Deborah, as we may assume, but Jael.

An interesting side note here, Deborah was the one by the battle field, but Jael, at home in her tent, was the one who God used to kill Israel’s enemy.

(It was very common for women in Bible-times, to know how to build tents, and that would include using a tent peg and a hammer.)

Jael was no soft stomached lady. She knew what needed to be done, and did it.

“And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.

So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.

And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.”

Now, there was something very specific I was trying to point out in this chapter, as I’m sure you noticed. As I mentioned at the beginning of this paper, Judges 4 is a much-referenced chapter. I think people often use Deborah as justification for women to be in the work-world or in politics. I believe though, that this chapter proves quite the opposite. Here we have Deborah, a judge in Israel, in a completely non-normative situation, but within the will of God. We also have Jael, in her tent, going about her day like any Israelite women in her time, and on account of Baraks’ fearful attitude, she was forced to take action against her enemy. Something that should have been done by Barak. It is clear that, in this passage of scripture, God was disgracing Israel for the fact that the men were too cowardice to lead.

So for what reason do I have a problem with a conservative, even, Christian, woman in a leadership role?* It’s not necessarily the lady in leadership that I have trouble with, it’s all the hundreds of men out there who aren’t rising up to the challenge. Leadership takes courage, and courage, true courage, takes a willing heart, ready to serve God. The world is raising up a generation of complacent, fun-seeking hypocrites. If someone were to record the state of America, I think it would say, just as the Bible said about Israel so many times, “And the people did evil in the sight of God.” A huge “Thank-you” goes to all the guys out there, young and old, training to lead, and training to fight for God’s word and all that is good and true. I pray for all the men who are being raised up in this generation, and who have a challenge to lead. May they hear the voice of the Lord as Gideon did. “The Lord is with thee, mighty man of valor!”

I also pray for all the women out there; that they would be ready to hear God’s voice, ready to be an Esther against the Haman’s of this life, if God calls them to it, and be ready to stand behind the guys and encourage them in manhood, rather then seeking to take their place. May we be reminded of this challenge, as we think of Jael and Deborah, with their willingness to follow God and the courage they had, to stand alone.

***Specifically referring to politics. A “leadership role” in the work-world would be in reference to women who are in leadership positions over men, and who are out of God’s will by working away from the home.***

I know this is a controversial topic to cover. Please don’t be afraid to let me know your thoughts as well.

A Few of my Sources:

Cozy on a Rainy Day

2011-05-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

This is an older photo I took of (at the time) 4 year old Keturah.

I entered it in the little somethings photo challenge. :-)

(You can check out her blog by clicking the box below!)

Photography Contest

2011-05-12T06:56:00.000-07:00

Just for fun, I decided to enter a photography contest hosted by Miss Lucia and Miss Raquel You can check out the contest blog button on my sidebar! ()Just scroll down a bit)

Here are my two entries:

Short Movie

2011-04-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Check out this six and a half minute movie my siblings and I made together, and let my brother or I know what you think! You can watch it on his blog, here. Pictures are below. Have Fun. :-)

The Chains Are Broken!

2011-04-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

Praise God for what happened on the Cross of Calvery. May you all have a blessed Resurrection Day!

When They Thought We Weren't Looking...

2011-04-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

This is what our pet's do behind our backs! :)

The King Eternal!

2011-04-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

^"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Sweetness

2011-04-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Our mini horse, Chiquita. :-) Cutie isn't she?

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 7! (Finally)

2011-04-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, so our camera USB is working again!... I'm not sure why it started working, but it is so I'm happy! :) Hope you enjoy the last day (Late though it may be) of the Feeling Feminine Challenge! (Funny thing is, Kayla and I are wearing the same outfit today that we wore when these pictures were taken-not planned!)

Keturah is wearing a dress we got at (Guess) Savers. Oh, and the apron is from Target. :)

I think her hair was in a ponytail...

Mykaela was wearing the same brown skirt that she wore on day three, Thursday, and the shirt was given to her. :)

I wore a sweater/shirt (They are actually one piece) which was given to me, as well as the skirt I wore on Tuesday, day one which Mom and I made. :)

My hair was done up in a bun.

RANDOM PHOTO OF THE DAY:

So long till next time!

May We Seek Thy Presence O Lord!

2011-03-31T16:37:00.000-07:00

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Psalm 51:10-12 kjv

Jehovah

2011-03-28T21:49:00.000-07:00

I'm having some camera troubles, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait for todays Feeling Feminine post, and I'll see if I can recover the pictures. I hope you instead take to heart the words of the hymn in this post.

O the deep love of Jesus, our human minds shall never comprehend! We serve an awesome God. Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider!

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Vast unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current
Of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to
Thy glorious rest above!

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth
never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own
how for them He intercedeth, watcheth
o'er them from the throne!

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'Tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me
And it lifts me up to glory, for it lifts me up to Thee!

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 6!

2011-03-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

Well, we're getting there, and have almost made it to the end of the week! Here are the pictures for day six. As you'll notice, Mykaela and I both changed a bit later after church because we were rather hot! (Especially playing hockey outside)

Mykaela wore a dress which I believe was given to her-but I'm not totally sure...
Either way-it's cute! :)

I did her hair up in two french braids. (More or less, I don't do french braids often so I'm not great at it...)

Now on to your truly! :) I wore a white blouse, (Hand-me-down) and a skirt which came from (Can you guess?) Savers.

I chose to leave my hair down today. (Although playing hockey, I did pull it back in a ponytail) :D

I really should try smiling when I take my own picture. I tend to forget. :)

Now onto Keturah!

As you can see, she is wearing a blue flower covered dress and a light blue shirt, both of which came from either Savers or was given to her. The bracelet was made by her Aunt, and the watch from her sister, Mykaela! (I normally would have Kayla to ask about where she got her clothes and where Turah's, came from but I'm doing this so late, they're both in bed. :( Sorry about that.)

Cutie Pie

Later, after Kayla and I changed and are about to play some hockey with our brothers and Dad!

Kayla:

...And me... (and no, I did not play hockey with the hat on, I wore a helmet. :)

Random Photo of the Day No.1:

Who doesn't love a good cupp'a tea?

Random Photo of the Day No. 2 (Remember, I had to make up for yesterday)

Talk to you all tomorrow!

Kelsey

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 5

2011-03-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to day five of the Feeling Feminine Challenge! I have some Saturday cleaning to do, so I'll try to keep this short. :) Enjoy the pictures!

We were happy that little Turah is feeling better today! :)

Today I am wearing a shirt which I believe was a hand-me-down, and the skirt which I love, came from Savers.

My hair is in a braided bun.

Mykaela is wearing a purple dress and the shirt were given to her. :)
Her hair is done up in a bun.

Cutie

Keturah is wearing a dress that was given to her as was the shirt.

Keturah chose this herself. :)

I'll add the random photo in a later post. So Long!

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 4

2011-03-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

So are you all having fun so far? We are!

Today Mykaela is wearing a skirt which came from Savers, and the shirt, from her cousin. :)

Her hair is up in a ponytail.

Today I am wearing a pink shirt, which was given to me, and a skirt we got at Savers.

My hair, like Kayla's, is in a ponytail.

Poor Turah...She's feeling a bit under the weather...

Random Photo of the Day:

(Just in case this picture has you puzzled, I'll tell you that Copper is holding a skate wheel in her mouth, one of her favorite things to play with!)

Until Tomorrow, So Long!

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 3

2011-03-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to day three of the Feeling Feminine Challenge! We had a lot of fun this morning with the pictures. Hope you have fun looking at them! :)

Today Keturah chose to wear a dress she got at Savers, and the shirt came from Mykaela. Today, she is leaving her her down.

Oh, here's Eunice. :)

...And Poppy...

...And Bella Rose!

Today, Mykaela is wearing a shirt which was given to her, and a skirt that Mom made for me and was passed down to her!

Her hair is a "ponytail braid"

Below is Eunice and I. :)

...And Bella.

(Bella does love having her photo taken.)

Today I am wearing a turtle neck which was passed down to me from Mom, and a skirt which came from Savers. (We love that place!)

I'm not sure what you would call my hairstyle for today, but basically, you put your hair in a bun and pull the twisted hair down a bit. (It's what your bun does when it falls out) :)

Me N' Copper! (She was giving me dog kisses)

RANDOM PHOTO OF THE DAY:

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Kelsey

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 2

2011-03-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

Hello All! We are entering Day two of the Feeling Feminine Challenge!

Keturah is wearing a blouse which came from Mykaela, and a skirt which also came from Mykaela! She chose to wear her fancy black shoes with this outfit. :)

Her hair was partly pulled back.

Today I wore a skirt which I made with my Grandmother, a black turtleneck which I've had so long I don't know where I got it, and a sweater that was given to me. (It was a tad chilly this morning but warmed up a bit as the day wore on.)

Keturah and I match in our hairstyles today. :)

Mykaela wore a purple shirt, which was given to her, and the skirt came from Savers.

Her hairsyle is a tucked-in ponytail. (After putting your hair in a ponytail, simply part the hair right above the hair band and flip the hair through the split hair.)

Random Photo Of the Day:

(The Turah "I just woke up" look)

Till' later!

Kelsey

Feeling Feminine Challenge Day 1

2011-03-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hello All! Once agian, I will be participating in the Feeling Feminine Challenge. Mykaela and Keturah will be joining me as well. You can visit my cousin Emily's blog here , and my Aunt Maellens blog, here. They are also doing the challenge, although I'm a day late, and they're on day two. :-) We'd love it if you would join too!

First off, Keturah! She is wearing a pink skirt which came from her older sister, Mykaela, and a shirt which came from Savers. As you can see, her hair is done in a braid.

Abby K.

Next off, yours truly! :) I'm wearing a shirt which also came from Savers, a denim skirt Mom and I made, and my hair is done in a braid. Simple, and easy!

Last, but not least, Mykaela! She is wearing a shirt which was given to her by her cousin. :) The skirt came from Savers. Kayla chose to put a bit of her hair back today, though not all, as a ponytail.

I've decided I will have a "Random Photo of the Day" each time I post this week, so you can look for it in each post! Hope you all have a blessed week!

Kelsey

Random Photo of the day:

Snow!

2011-02-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

New Mexico really doesn't recieve a whole lot of snow, so we enjoy it when it does come. :-) Hope you enjoy these pictures.

So, how much snow have my blogger friends been getting?

Dominus Illuminatio Mea

2011-01-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

Below is a beautiful poem and unfortunately, the writer is anonymous:

________________________________________________

ANONYMOUS

I N the hour of death, after this life’s whim,

When the heart beats low, and the eyes grow dim,

And pain has exhausted every limb-

The lover of the Lord shall trust in Him.

When the will has forgotten the lifelong aim,

And the mind can only disgrace it’s fame,

And a man is uncertain of his own name-

The power of the Lord shall fill this frame.

When the last sigh is heaved, and the last tear shed,

And the coffin is waiting beside the bed,

And the widow and child forsake the dead-

The angel of the Lord shall lift this head.

For even the purest delight may pall,

And power must fail, and the pride must fall,

And the love of the dearest friends grow small-

But the glory of the Lord is all in all.

When we are weak and dying, we can put all our hope in Him.

When we are gone and forgotten in other's eyes, Christ will never forget us.

When have been swallowed up by death, He picks us up, taking us to heavenly glory.

When we are nothing-Christ is everything.

Are We Giving Thanks?

2010-11-24T20:48:00.000-08:00

So many verses in the Bible talk about how we are to give thanks. The more I try to thank God for what he has blessed me with, the more my eyes seem to be opened to his amazing grace and mercy. Do you take time to thank him for the simple things? It’s easy to thank God for the obvious; and we most certainly should. If He has been working in our lives, we should take the time daily to thank Him! It’s not so easy though, to remember to thank him for the seemingly smaller things. Things such as a breathtaking sunset, making someone smile etc (and I‘ll let you think of some of your own).

We are blessed so, so richly, and as much as we try to thank God for it, we still take it for granted! I know I do! A phrase comes to mind: “You don’t really appreciate the things in life, until they're gone…” It’ raises some things for me to think about. Do I take my siblings for granted? When will they be gone, with families of their own? Do I take my freedom for granted? Will I only realize to the fullest extent of what an amazing blessing I have, when it’s taken from my grasp? Do I take what God has given me for granted? An able mind and body, a wonderful family, environment to live in, a place to rest my head at night? Then, there is the question- Can I thank him in trials as well. Do I thank him for every hardship that comes my way? If I do not, I pray he grants me the ability to thank him for every situation and place he put’s me in. I've seen Him at work through tough times, and I know He works all together for His great good and pupose. Praise God for all He has done and will do!

I pray you all have a wonderful, God filled thanksgiving.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Kelsey

"The tests of life are to make, not break us. Trouble may demolish a man's business but build up his character. The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the inner man. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure that the real peril, the real trouble, is that we shall lose if we flinch or rebel."

-Maltbie Davenport Babcok

New Movie!!

2010-11-13T19:05:00.000-08:00

Please take some time and check out a movie my brother, family and I have been working on, and are so excited to say: "Finished!". If you'd like to learn what this movie is about, click the text below ("Relive the movie") The movie will be on this site as well. It's my brothers movie blog, and if you don't follow it yet, go ahead and do it! We still have so much to learn, in the movie making field, but by God's grace, we're planning to learn! I hope you enjoy this movie. Please leave a comment for my brother and/or I, to let us know what you think!
Thank-you so much and I sincerely hope you enjoy!
Soli Deo Gloria!

Kelsey
RELIVE the movie

It's Been Too Long!

2010-09-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

I know, I have not been posting much. Time stops for no one! (Unless of course, you are able to capture a bit of it on camera.) :) Anyways, I thought it was high time for a post and since I don't have a whole lot of ideas, I'll simply post some random photo's. (My favorite kind!) Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
God Bless,

Kelsey

What I Learned At TeenPact Survival Part 2

2010-08-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Often when you are about to experience something new, you come up with your own expectations of what it will be like. The week I spent up in Glorieta exceeded my expectations! It was exciting, challenging, and I learned so many things, as well as being reminded of other things I had forgotten.

Real quickly, I’d like to share with you something that may not seem like a big deal, but really touched me. During TeenPact Survival, the students were taught many different things, such as navigation, how to make a water still, using and sharpening knives, making a sun compass, how to create a solid shelter, and so forth. The day came, later that week, when we were to apply a lot of what we had learned, by “setting up camp“. Some of the staff took the different teams to various places they had chosen, a bit farther out in the woods (more secluded then we were, when by our cabins) and left us for a while, as we prepared our campsite. Our team of eight seemed to work really well together, (Of course, I am biased) and we finished our set-up early. While making sure everything was just right and waiting for the staff to show up and check on us, one of the members of our team suggested we pray together, for our week, that the rest of it would go well, we would work well as a team, and glorify God as we work together that whole week. We gathered by the shelter we had made, and had sort of a mini “prayer meeting”, since most of our team members ended up praying as well. I think it really helped our team bond together, whether we realized it or not. There we were, out in the woods, among all of this beautiful creation, and offering up our own simple prayers to the Maker of it all; what a blessing!

Here are some other thoughts I brought back with me from Survival.

Working As A Team

When you get some people together, they could be referred to as a gang, community, assembly, team, group and so forth; so what marks the difference between a group of people and a team of people?

Think about it for a moment. Anyone could gather together a group of people-but it takes some effort to build a good team. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you have a common goal in site, and everyone in your team knows what they are to do, and does it cheerfully.

-1 Corinthians 12:5-11

Now, there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

So what are some ways to build a good team?

When you work as a team we all need to know each others strengths and weaknesses. God has a purpose for where he has put us, and we need to fulfill that purpose, to the best of our ability. The Team mentality applies to many things in life, such as siblings, the work world, marriage,the church and so forth. Right now though, I'd specifically like to mention the church.

- 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

As I previously mentioned, we have all been given gifts from God, but they are not going to be the same gifts. Although this may seem basic to you, I think it’s important to say this; God made us all different. We are given talents to use to the glory of Him, and we should not spend time looking around at others and their “wonderful talents and gifts.”

When you complain about the gifts you have been given, you condemn the God who gave them.

Strive to glorify God with the gifts you have been given, and look around you at the strengths and weaknesses of others. In the church, we are to work together as the body of Christ. Each member should do their job as we all work together to further the kingdom of God. Let’s take a look at:

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

“For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

Something else mentioned during my week at Survival, was that we shouldn’t be only willing to fill the place in the area that “we are good at.” Maybe “your” position is already filled. Be teachable and willing to serve others in a place that maybe you don’t think you’re the best at. God knows what He’s doing and the body of Christ won’t function if we have two or three of the same member, and at the same time, lacking of another member.

I would now like to talk a bit about cohesion. In Webster’s 1828 dictionary, “cohesion” is defined as:

“The act of sticking together; the state of being united by natural attraction, as the constituent particles of bodies which unite in a mass, by a natural tendency; one of the different species of attraction.”

Cohesive is defined as:

“That has the power of sticking or cohering; tending to untie in a mass, and to resist separation.”

Something we talked a lot about at Survival, was how to work together as a team. Team members are to be unified together as a group that is cohesive. Or, “glued” together. An example used was, one piece of wood being held off of the table by two other pieces of wood on either end. A student was called up to break the wood. He successfully karate chopped it in half. The student was then given two pieces of wood, of which he broke as well. Then, he had the task of breaking three pieces of wood in half, and although a bit more difficult, he was able to do this as well. Then, he was given two pieces of wood, only this time, they had both been glued together; the student had a harder task of breaking the two pieces then before. Lastly, he was given three pieces of wood, all of which, were glued together.

These three glued pieces, cohered together,he was unable to break.

The point of this demonstration? The closer you are as a team, and the better the members work together, the stronger you will be, simple as that. When little pieces of wood were stuck in between the blocks of wood, about five pieces at a time, they were more easily broken. There were large gaps in between each piece.

A team, the body of Christ, siblings, couples, and even families in general, will encounter occasional difference of character and disagreements and conflict or strife. This comes with being human, unfortunately. The important thing is knowing how to work through these conflicts in a way that honors and glorifies God.

How do we respond when accused of doing something wrong? How do we respond when there is conflict that we have involuntarily been brought into, or maybe had nothing to do with at all?

When accused of something we have or have not done, what we should not do, is get uptight, angered and defensive. Instead, talk with your accuser and, if wrong has been done on your end, make it right.

Sometimes though, we have nothing to do with the conflict; but maybe, as a leader, it is your job to get involved before great disruption and separation creates those nasty little wedges in your team. In this case, talk with the person one-on-one, and if nothing is resolved, bring one or two people, who both disagreeing parties respect, to help resolve the conflict. Almost nothing breaks a team faster, then one, rife with disagreements, or people who do not know how to properly, and biblically deal with them.

Let me give you a warning though, taken from Proverbs 26:17 :

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”

In other words, be prudent in the arguments you choose to step into. We are to be wise as serpents, gentle as doves. Pray that God gives you the wisdom to know when you should speak out, versus when you should step down and choose to settle into a meek silence.

Something else we discussed at Survival, was witnessing. What are some ways we do this? Do we throw out a bunch of “good arguments”, statistics, proof and data to “convince” this person that the Bible is real, and God exists? Do we convince the nonbelievers that if they ask Christ in their heart everything will be “sunny days and rainbows"-happy all the way? Now, I don’t want to go around, telling you “the sure-fire way to witness to a nonbeliever” because, quite frankly, none exists. There is no “formula” for witnessing. We should be careful however, with our words. Facts and data have their place, but you don't want to go overboard.

If you can "convince" someone into Christianity, they can be convinced out of it.

Also remember, this person has a heart, and we are no better, if not worse, then they in our sin. Thankfully, we have been introduced to a God who can help us overcome these sins, or He will work through us despite them. (And even using our sin to bring about His perfect will!) But I don’t want to get off track here, (as I am very good at doing!) and this topic could lead into a whole other paper.

Most of all though, make sure your life is one that pleases and honors God, giving glory to Him in all that we do. We are reflecting Jesus Christ, and our light will show only if we are living a life that is pleasing to God.

Since we’re on the subject of witnessing, there’s something I’d like to mention.

There have been times when I feel God gently tugging at my heart to witness to someone and tell them about the gospel. Some of those times I have listened, and, although I can’t think of specifics now, shamefully, I know there have been times when I did not respond to that gentle call. Why? Is it fear? Pride? Probably both. Something that I must remember though; If I feel the Lord is telling me to witness to someone, then I shouldn’t worry about what words will come out, or how I will sound. God presented the need, and gave me the job to fill it. If I don’t, or make excuses, I become a disobedient child, a quivering Moses, a proud and conceited individual, unwilling to yield to God's call, as well as, in my eyes, a person who is wholly inadequate to fill this need; Well, I AM inadequate and I cannot do it on my own! What pride must be lurking to think that it is all of my doing, when telling others about Christ?

No! May I be a willing child, teachable, in the hands of a God I am not worthy to serve. May we all be humble- moldable as clay in the hands of the potter.

So to sum up my week at Survival- Challenging, engaging, thought-provoking, entertaining, inspiring, and much, much more! You’ll just have to go and check it out for yourself!

God Bless,

Kelsey Anne

Should Young Ladies Earn a Degree "Just in Case"?

2010-08-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

. Before you read this though, I want to say that I am not attempting in any way to "condemn" or "judge" those who go to college. It is a decision you and your parents need to make. This is simply my thoughts on the subject. Also, continuing your education is not a bad thing. Take every opportunity to learn what you can from the home. (Online courses are another option!)

My 15 Reason's/Comments Why I Think it is Unbiblical.

1. If you trust in the sovereignty of God, you shouldn’t have to worry about all of those “What if’s”

2. Prepare for the “most likely” scenario, not the unlikely ones.

What would life be like if we went through it worrying about all the possible "bad things" that could happen. We would be misirable. Be prepared-yes, but don't be unwise and rash.

"Some of your hurts you have cured,

And the sharpest you still have survived,

But what torments of grief you endured

From the evil which never arrived."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. We should strengthen our arms for work and prepare at home.

4. It is not the ordinary neither a fitting role for women to work alongside men in public as their equals, or in their same sphere of dominion.

5. The Word of God is full of biblical examples on how to care for the widowed, sick or needy. For the young lady-preparing to be a potential widow and earning a degree based on that-is not the right thing to do.

6. Women are creative. You can easily find ways to make money from the home

7. Staying at home had a different meaning/connotation in the past, then it has today.

The phrase "staying at home" in our modern world today usually comes with a bad connotation. We picture idle hands, or girls "wasting" their time away learning how to do laundry and bake cookies. A keeper at home, or a stay at home daughter, however, provides great opportunity for service, work, education, and so much more, all from the home!

8. You should develop and use your life skills in everyday life-not something useless stored away “Just in Case”

9. Learn how to be a successful entrepreneur; and don’t be afraid to try new things!

10. Learn and develop skills that can benefit others in your day-to-day-life, as well as skills that you can use for your own entrepreneurial spirit.

11. Being a single young lady in the home is not a time to be idle. Find work for yourself around the home, or in your sphere of dominion.

12. You don’t need a degree to make money.

Although simply stated, it is very true. You can make good money without a degree.

13. Obtaining a degree generally cost’s you 100,000 + dollars. (Not counting the time involved)

Think about it. Really and truly, can you honestly say all the time and money it takes to receive a degree is worth it? Especially if it will be simply sitting on the shelf for in case of a "what if" situations?

14. Fathers will often send their daughters off to college because they don’t trust them to be useful nor diligent in the home.

Daughters, home is not a place to be idle! It is a place where you can be creative, learn to work well with your family, make your hands busy, and get first hand experience with things you wouldn't normally be able to do!

15. Even a degree is not a “foolproof plan“, and it will bring you either to poverty great debt, or both, getting a back-up plan.

I will now end my list by quoting from an article by Anna Sophia, and Elizabeth Botkin, on which my list was based. (You can visit their blog by clicking here. )

“ The times certainly are uncertain, and more may be required of us as things become more unstable. Three things, however, remain certain:

- We cannot rely on earthly promises of security (degrees, “stable” jobs) - only on biblical promises of security (the blessings of God upon obedience and diligence) In these unstable times, we will need to rely less on those things that will change and more on the things that will never change. The benefits of government accreditation, paychecks, personal peace and affluence, and the illusion of stability could pass away; the value of hard work, ingenuity, and faith will not.

- Faithfulness is blessed; compromise is not. We will not deserve the blessing of God if we respond to fear.

- Work is noble, and required of every person - “Not having to work,” or eating the bread of idleness, are not for Christian women. Every girl in every situation should strive after the example of the fruitful Proverbs 31 woman.

- Both those who put their trust in a comfortable, easy lifestyle and those who put their trust in worldly pragmatism have reason to fear “what ifs“; but a productive, creative woman full of faith will have no lack of gain. Let us then strengthen our arms, work willingly with our hands, and smile at the future ”

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

I am well aware that this is a very controversial subject, so if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask and I'll answer them to the best of my ability! I would also really appreciate any imput you have on the subject.

God Bless you all on your journey to glorify our Lord Jesus!

Kelsey

It's a Birthday Party!

2010-08-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

A couple days ago we celebrated Josiah Ezra's 6th birthday! As his "main gift" Dad made him a fort with a slide. (or play house- whatever you want to call it!) Dad started late morning, and was able to almost finish by 6 ish in the evening. Though, it was a challenge to keep it a secret from the excited Josiah! I hope you enjoy these photo's. :-) BTW- Mom made the cake (Pictured above)

It was a birthday full of.....

Preparation...

Entertaining....

(AKA "horsie" and "The Itsy Bitsy Spider")

Creating...

Goofing around...

Suprises...

Laughter and Smiles...

Cake...

And of course...

Presents...

Happy Birthday to my cutest little brother! Love you Josiah!

Random Notes From TeenPact Survival

2010-08-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Kelsey Hoppman

TeenPact Survival SW 2010

Last week I had the incredible privilege of attending Survival SW. Since all that I learned there made such an impression on me, I thought I would share it with you all as well. Of course, I’ll *try* not to say too much, since I think you should experience it for yourself!

Kelsey Hoppman Written on 7/21/10

The Stage of Forming: By Curtis Whatley

What our team needs to do in order to thrive:

1. Put God first; He should be our foundation

2. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and your team members.

-The typical way the world operates in the job industry:
                                                        -
                                                       --
                                               CEO/BOSS

                                            ----------------

                                           Vice President

                                         -----------------------

                                       Small Team Leaders

                                    ------------------------------

                                  People who do the real work

                            ---------------------------------------------

The Way It Should Be:

                             -----------------------------------------------------

                            Team members having greatest impact

                                  --------------------------------------

                                        Small Team Leaders

                                        ------------------------

                                        Leadership Team

                                            -----------

                                           LEADER
                                                ---
       ________________________________________________________

             GOD           GOD               GOD

     -____________________________________________________________

                    ------------------------------------------------------------

Some Survival Plant Info:

Calsey’s Butter Root- Yellow Flower

Scrub Oak- Used for tanning hides

Palmate- A lobed leaf

Douglass Fir- Use to make pine needle tea-simmer the needles

Yucca- The flowers, if young, are edible-You can use it to make a poultice, or use it to make a rope.

Decocting is simmering tea

Ponderosa: Group of two needles, young, dark bark, get’s darker with age. Smells like citrus, long needles, downward spikes at the end of a pinecone.

Starving out in the wilderness and your not sure if this particular plant is poisonous?

Testing Toxicity:

1. Take a piece and rub It on the inside of your elbows. If no rash-

2. Touch it to your lips and tongue- wait 10-15 min. If no problems-

3. Prepare. (Cook if at all possible-simmer-boil-etc) Chew a small bit, and leave it in your mouth about 15 min.

If no problems- Enjoy!

Some Tips When Making a Fire:

-Use dry bark as a platform for the fire, if the ground is wet.

-You need sun access.

-For wind, dig a trench that funnels down to the fire.

Rabbit/Small Animal Trap:

* Circles on the sketch represent notches. You would make the notches with a pocket knife or something similar.

We are to “Die to self”- work as a team member, willing to do the task God has called us to do, not our own selfish desires. Do not be envious of other team members, but don’t ignore them either. They are there for a purpose and they are needed. Play your role well. We (I) need to be a servant of all. That (Or the lack of it rather) will build or break a team. Doing only “My share” is not enough.

Curtis Whatley

TeenPact Survival SW

2010

In a Conflict:

Restore the Other

Look at the possible plank in your own eye

Support each other

Don’t think more highly of yourself then you should.

Appeal to a higher authority. (God!)

Be humble

Ask for forgiveness (Even in it was not “Your fault”)

Most of the time conflict arises on account of a misunderstanding.

When trying to resolve a conflict-

Ask questions. It may have been a misunderstanding.

Bring some people/parties who are respected, to help resolve it.

We will fail sometimes. Mistakes are what you learn from.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens the continence of others.”

Do not “Throw the baby out with the bath water” Accept correction. Don’t dwell on the criticism. Learn from it and simply go on.------

Authority/Power

Power is taken

Authority is given

New Definitions:

AC - Authority current

DC - Dictator Current

Our Authority is given by God. We should not attempt to gain power.

Below is a story Mr. Whatley told the students. I don't think I got it exactly right, but you'll get the idea. :)

There was a boy who really wanted this boat in the shop window. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the money on hand to by the boat. After some encouragement from his father, the young boy worked all around the neighborhood doing odd jobs, until he had the money he needed. Happily, he went to the store, and bought the boat. He loved sending the little boat down the stream, watching it float a ways, and then, with his stick, bring the boat back to him, and start all over again. One day, as he played with it in this manner, it had rained the day before, so the current was stronger, and the river fuller than usual. As the boy, after watching his boat float downstream, reached his stick out to take his boat back, the current had pulled his boat farther out then the little guy could reach. Helpless, the boy watched, as his little boat, which he had slaved over the buy, floated away. Days later, the boy went back to the store with his father. Kind of bored, he looked around the little shop. His eye’s widened with surprise as he spotted something pushed off in the corner. It was his very own boat! Excited, he ran over to his father and the shop owner. “It’s my boat!” he tried to explain. The shop owner said, “It’s in my possesion now. If you want it, you’ll have to buy it back.” The little boy just loved his boat, and so, once again, he worked hard doing odd jobs around his neighborhood, until he had the money to buy his boat back. Excited, he walked over the store, and bought it back. Gently holding it, he began walking to the shop door. Now, if you were there, you might have heard him talking. He said, “You were mine before, but I had to buy you back, so now your twice mine.”

Well folks, thanks to what the Lord did for us on the cross:

We’re twice His.

We are twice-God’s.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------

God has delegated authority to different people. They need to stay in their spot of authority, and give all the glory to God-because authority-is given.

Our faith shows understanding of authority. We trust others, work as a team, and trust each other.

GIVEN pride will stand alone, and fail.

Real faith is submitting our lives completely to God. If we are really trusting in God, we have nothing to fear.

Do not “Be your own power.” Stay under God’s, and follow His authority.

Hey all, let me know what you thought of what you just read. I’d love to hear your opinions as well. Glad you took the time to read! Also, I'll be posting some more of my own thoughts later. :-)

God Bless,

Kelsey

Eggplant Zucchini Casserole and an Award!

2010-08-03T16:09:00.000-07:00

Remember the photo contest I mentioned a while back, over at Rachel's blog? Well, one out of my four pictures took second! Thank-you so much Rachel and to all who voted!

Now, on to other things...

Eggplant Zucchini Casserole

Even if you don't care for eggplant, don't run away yet! I'm not a huge fan of it but I really love this recipe. A wonderful bonus is: It's A vegaterian dish! OK, here's the recipe. Try it out and let me know what you think!

Three 8oz cans of tomato/spaghetti sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp oregano

2 cloves garlic minced

1 eggplant-peeled and cut into 1/4 m. slices

2 medium zucchini unpeeled - 1/4 in. slices

1 cup uncooked spaghetti broken into pieces

3 stalks celery chopped

1 green pepper chopped

8 oz. mozzerella grated or cut in slices

(Or combo of Swiss and mozzarella)

Combine tomato sauce/water/worcestershire sauce/salt/oregano/garlic.

Mix well.

Arrange 1/2 of eggplant in single layer in greased casserole dish.

Arrange 1/2 of zucchini/1/2 of sphagetti/1/2 of celery/1/2 of green pepper on top of eggplant.

Add 1/2 of cheese on top of that and Romano/or parmeson cheese.

Spoon on 1/2 of tomato mixture

Repeat layers

Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours at 375 degrees.

*Casserole will keep in oven for additional hour with heat turned off-depending on how you cook it, you may need to let it sit before cutting and serving.

This tastes even better the 2nd day! Freezes very well!

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HAPPY EATING! :)

A Song from the Suds

2010-07-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

By: Louisa May Alcott

A Song from the Suds

Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,

While the white foam raises high,

And sturdily wash, and rinse, and wring,

And fasten the clothes to dry;

Then out in the free fresh air they swing,

Under the sunny sky.

I wish we could wash from our hearts and our souls

The stains of the week away,

And let water and air by their magic make

Ourselves as pure as they;

Then on the earth there would be indeed

A glorious washing day!

Along the path of a useful life

Will heart's-ease ever bloom;

The busy mind has no time to think

Of sorrow, or care, or gloom;

And anxious thoughts may be swept away

As we busily wield a broom.

I am glad a task to me is given

To labor at day by day;

For it brings me health, and strength, and hope,

And I cheerfully learn to say-

"Head, you may think; heart, you may feel;

But hand, you shall work always!"

Louisa May Alcott

Hope you all have and excellent weekend!

Kelsey