Everything Changes.......

Growing up is so strange. I can't get used to everything I used to dream about happening (you know.......wayyyyyy in the future) actually happening.

For example: 2 of my brothers are married.

Ben and Brittney are having a baby in May.

I graduated a year ago.

My parents 25th wedding anniversary is in June.

Sarah is in high school.

Next year will be 10 years since 9/11

See what I mean??? This stuff isn't supposed to be happening now. I'm supposed to still be a little girl whose favorite toys are her siblings, who loves playing blind man's buff, making huge tents in the house, eating sugar ants, writing on walls with feathers for pens and berries for ink, climbing trees, trying out roller blades for the first time, thinking I was a big kid if I stayed up till 10 o'clock...................*sigh*

Those were the days.........................and I do kinda miss them.

Those were my childhood memories, now will be my niece and nephews memories, then will be my children's memories.

Is this post too melancholy? I don't want it to be. I'm just in a reminiscing mood today.

My childhood days are over, so for now I'll remember the past, take joy in the present and look forward to the future. Knowing that my God is in control of everything and, no matter what changes, HE is the same yesterday, today and forever.

WOW

Benjamin and Brittney are having a BABY!!!!!!!!

I'm officially an aunt. Yeah. Still letting that one sink in.

Oh my........................I can't wait to meet the little one.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

Thank you Lord, for blessing our family with a miracle.

Ta-Da!

After spray painting multiple times.................................................

I lurv it!

Evangeline?

I have been wanting a picnic basket TERRIBLY. So.................we went to a huge yard sale and I found this.

I wasn't very thrilled at first, so I just passed on and left. Then I got to thinking about it..............and I came back and bought it for $6.

I took it home and sanded it down. Then I took a can of spray pain to it................................

I'll post the results tomorrow. ;)

Mirage

I wish I were as nice as people think I am.

You know how when you first meet someone they don't know any of your bad quirks, moods or habits yet? Wouldn't it be great IF there was nothing for them to find out?! IF your family and closest friends said that you were as sweet as your acquaintances say you are? IF you were only nice, accommodating, selfless, helpful and loving all the time? If, if, if, if, if. Yes. Indeed, it would be wonderful, but perfection is not exactly feasible since we are fallen creatures. What is our goal then? It should be to try to prevent those mess-ups that will happen, and to repent quickly when they do happen.

Sometimes I do get depressed with how plain awful I am though. Do you? I think about all the mean things I've said, all the time I've wasted, all the laziness, all the sin, and think I'll never get it right. But! I know that there is still hope. Here's some inspiration for you and me:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5-6

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. 6:9

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matt. 6:33

So, just for a little recap. We will make mistakes, but it is not hopeless. When we do fail we should look to the Lord for guidance and try to learn from our mistakes. Learn why we made that mistake, so we can keep from making the same one twice. Like they say, "If you fail the test, you'll have to take it again." Let's try to pass the test the first time, so we don't have to keep taking it over and over again.

P.S. Sorry that I haven't done a real post in a while. Forgive me?

Life Goes On

I am a terrible blogger. Sorry. I really don't have much I want to say. It's been extremely busy lately. With weddings, camp, visitors, and everything else under the sun, we're just now settling into normal life again. Normal without Ben and James, that is. Strangely, it's not that weird without them here. The house is quieter, there is way less laundry, and we cook half as much. But they were already gone a lot before they got married, so it was a pretty easy transition from here sometimes to gone. Don't get me wrong. I miss them, but I'm quite satisfied with how life is moving on.

Today is my grandmother's birthday. It's been three years since we lost her. I miss you, Toots.

(I stole the picture from my aunt. Thanks Aunt Eve ;)

Bittersweet days

The rehearsal was last night. The preparing is this morning. My brother is getting married today.

Just me and the snowman now.

Fireflies

Last night I saw lightening bugs for the very first time this summer. And guess what I did. I actually squealed with delight. Naturally, my brother and I went out to catch some and put them in a Mason jar. Brought back great memories of when I was little. *happy sigh*

Not Yet

I'm not going to post about the beautiful wedding until I have some pictures. Aunt Nicole is editing and tweaking them now. So, I'll just post a picture of my sister.

The beautiful Mrs. Benjamin Nelson

Sorry

I have not posted anything in forever. Sorry. The thing is, I don't really have anything to say. My brother is getting married in 6 days and things are pretty busy right now. So..............I'll just post a picture. Here is the bride and groom to be.

May We Never Forget

May we never forget

the cross and the blood,

The price that was paid

so that we might live.

May we never forget

the cost of this love,

He'll never forsake us

He'll always forgive

May we never forget.

I sang this song this morning at church.

May we never forget.

Shoe Fever.................and Books

So...................Tuesday I took my little friend to Wal-Mart. While we were there we happened to pass by the shoe section. Ok. So we didn't pass by. We stopped, looked, and tried on shoes for quite some time. I ended up buying 4 pairs of shoes and 1 pair of boots.

Wednesday I took my little friend to the library, where I ended up purchasing 10 books.

Thursday................I went with a different friend back to Wal-Mart. Where I found more shoes and ended up buying 4 pairs of flip-flops and 1 pair of flats.

Wanna guess what I payed for all of this???????????

$22.50 (tax included)

And now I will show you my happiness in photos.

Tuesday finds:

Black Boots- $6

Pink Flats- $3

Gray Shoes- $2

Red Flats-$3

Blue Flats-$1

All together :)

Wednesday Finds:

2 of the books were bought for my little friend and she had already taken them home.

Reson for a picture of 8 instead of 10.

Thursday Finds:

Clear Flip-Flops -$.50

Black Swim Shoes- $.50

Yellow Flip-Flops -$.50

Orange Flats -$3

Pink Flip-Flops -$.50

All together ;)

Can you sense my happiness?!?!?!?!

*sigh*

Thunderstorm

Thursday night or rather, early Friday morning a big thunderstorm came to visit me. Thunder, rain, lightning, hail............the works. Of course this storm blew through just a couple of hours after I had drifted off to sleep (with plans to get up early the next day). To cut to the chase, I didn't rest well that night. Now, anyone in my family knows that when I lose sleep I tend to get grumpy. So, the next day my mother got the brunt of my grouchiness. Everything anyone said was wrong, ridiculous, crazy...................basically anything but the right thing was said (at least that's what it sounded like to me) and my mother got the most of my wonderful attitude. All of this simply to say...................................I AM WICKED! I have a deceitful and desperately wicked heart. Just because I lost a little bit of sleep I turned into godzilla. Is that how a Christian young woman should act? No! She should do her best to be kind and patient, no matter what the circumstances. This is one of my goals now: To not let myself be rude and selfish just because everything is not going my way. Okay, I got that off of my chest now. Sorry for venting.

O Snap

Hey Everyone. My best friend, Brianna, has started a photography website. So................all of you need to check it out. She's got some cool shots. If you need a photographer, email her.

Here's the link. http://osnapphotography.yolasite.com/

Cherish the Moments

If you or any of your siblings have moved out, you know what I am beginning to feel. Time together is precious. Two of my brothers are getting ready to move out and start their own families..........I'm getting ready to let them go. I know now that our days in the same house are coming to an end, and that makes me sad. But, I can be glad for all the time we've had together and excited for them starting new families! Now they will have children (Lord willing) to grow up together and love one another like we got to do before them. So, I guess my thought is this: love every moment you have together because there may not be many more. Don't spend your time together being selfish or spiteful. Be selfless and encouraging. Show them you love them and don't have any regrets. Life is but a vapor.

Sorry this was such a rambling post.

Oh! My friend is having an awesome giveaway. Head on over to her blog to read about it. The prize is sure to be awesome!!! http://euphorichappyniess.blogspot.com/2010/02/extra-terrific-tuesday.html

Wonderful Day

Saturday was GLORIOUS! Beautiful weather, yummy fruit, my goodie-good friend and my sister, hay loft, pictures, reading, horsie, SUN................it was good. It made me want summer even more, and yet made me content to know that summer WILL come. I was beginning to doubt :).

Was y'alls Saturday beautiful too???

Lamour

Saturday night, Holly came over to our house. She got out of the car and her mother told her, "Go have fun!". She skipped up to the porch, where James was waiting on her, and then entered into her engagement setting. Candles galore, roaring fire, sentimental objects...................the works. She was then proposed to by my brother James (quite eloquently, I might add), and very happily said "YES!". They have been nothing but smiles and proclamations of their love for each other since then. They spent all day together yesterday, producing a very happy Valentine's Day for them. They are going ring shopping as soon as they can to pick out the perfect ring. And so.....................James and Holly are ENGAGED! You'll have to ask them for all of the details. I still don't even know them all :)

Pure Hearts

Today's post is about..............................BOYS!

Now you're interested, aren't you?

Actually, today I'll be writing about keeping our hearts and

minds pure in our relationships with guys.

I have three main thoughts on how to keep your focus off

of idle daydreams about boys and on the Lord.

1) First of all, we should be making the most of our single years by serving God and our families (1 Corinthians 7:34). If we keep our focus on the Lord and serving others, we will be far too busy and content to sit around daydreaming. So, how do we do this? Start with reading God's Word and praying daily (if you're already doing this, good for you!). It's a lot harder to get distracted or tempted by worldly things when you are constantly seeking God. Next, apply yourself to serving your family. Help your mom out in the house more, encourage your dad as the head of the household and ask him if you can do anything for him, spend time with your siblings doing what they want to do. These things can all be difficult at first, but will grow easier with time and practice.

2) Secondly, we need to give our hearts to our fathers. We need to tell him that he has our heart and then prove it by: telling him our thoughts and dreams, sharing whatever is on our minds, asking him to pray for us in whatever area we are struggling in, telling him that you trust him and that he's the most important man in your life right now.

3) Lastly, pray for the young men in your life, and their future wives. Pray that they would become mighty men of God and do wonderful things for the Lord. And of course, pray for YOUR future husband!

One thing that always hits me pretty hard is that only one man will be my husband, and every other man is going to be someone else's husband. That means that every time I talk to a young man, I am talking to someone else's future husband. Am I thinking about those young men like I want other girls to be thinking about my husband? If that doesn't help you guard your thoughts, words, and actions concerning young men, I don't know what will.

I have thoroughly convicted myself now.

I've got work to do, but thank the Lord, He will help me every step of the way.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Philippians 4:8

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Since when has respecting our parents become an occasional thing? Why do we only treat our parents the way we should on their birthdays, Mother's Day and Father's Day? I'm not just talking about others either, I'm talking about myself. So often I'll put on my to-do list, "Respect my parents", and then just kinda forget that I was going to do that today. But, if respecting parents is so important to God, should I not do my absolute best to show my parents respect, honor and love? Think about it............"Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee". The first commandment with a promise was about children honouring their parents. Does that not show it's utmost improtance in a clear enough light?

So, for practical application on how to respect our parents and show it.

1) How about starting by praying for them and letting them know that we are. It's much easier to be kinder to someone when you're continually lifting them up in prayer.

2) Next, try obeying them immediately. My parents have always taught me that, "Delayed obedience is the same as disobedience".

3) Finally, just do little things for them that you know makes them happy. For instance, my mother loves for her fire to be kept going at all times, so I'm going to do my best to keep it stoked for her. Maybe even put a log on it every now and then. I don't think it'll kill me, do you?

Well, now I'm all motivated and ready to go! May the Lord give us grace to obey His commandments with a ready heart and willing hands!

My favorite

"I Surrender All" is pretty much my favorite hymn of all time. I mean, I love "Amazing Grace", who doesn't? But, "I Surrender All" played a big part in my conversion, and that's probably one of the reasons that it is so special to me. Have you ever really listened to the words? They're so powerful!

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to Thee, my blessed Saviour,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow;

Worldly pleasures all forsaken,

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to thee, my blessed Saviour,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine;

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to thee, my blessed Saviour,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to thee, my blessed Saviour,

I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,

NOW I FEEL THE SACRED FLAME;

O THE JOY OF FULL SALVATION!

GLORY, GLORY TO HIS NAME!

I surrender all, I surrender all;

All to thee, my blessed Saviour,

I surrender all.

Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!

Books.............

I just spent a good deal of my money on new books. I'm very happy with this decision. A couple of the books I ordered have been on my book list for a very long while, some of the others were new ones that I've recently discovered and want to read, and some were really good books that I have already read, but do not own. And so, I have bought (or rather, ordered) new books and cannot wait to get them in and devour them!!!! My father has always taught me that books are our friends, and you should treat them with respect. I've loved books for as long as I can remember (probably because I've always been surrounded by them), and truly can't imagine life without them. I can imagine life without TV and movies, and don't think I would really miss it that much. However; God chose to speak to us in book form, does that not automatically make you love books? It does me.

Oh. Here is what I ordered:

To Have and To Hold
So Much More
The Beauty of Modesty
Verses of Virtue
Be Fruitful and Multiply
The Ministry of Marriage (CD)
Fathers and Daughters (CD)
What Our Father Taught Us About Boys (CD)

Kinda Funny

Okay. James has been working a lot on my laptop these last couple of weeks, taking practice tests and the like for his insurance license. Well, today he set my laptop up in front of Mum's old desktop computer, with the old keyboard out. I was on my laptop earlier trying to name a file I wanted to save and it would NOT type!!!!! I kept clicking on it with my mouse and then trying to type again, but it just wasn't working. Anyways.......as you have probably already guessed, I was using the old desktop keyboard and trying to figure out why in the world it wouldn't show up on my laptop screen!!! When I did FINALLY figure it out, I felt extremely stupid. However; later today I realized it was pretty funny, and so I am over my embarrassment and have pushed the keyboard in, so I won't try to use it again. Do y'all have any embarrassing stories to share?

Present Happenings

Last night I went to a Jason Crabb concert and had a great time. God has truly gifted the Crabb family with musical talents. Jason's voice is truly like no other I've ever heard AND he's a wonderful guitarist. He was accompanied by his brother, Adam, who has an amazing voice also (not to mention he can TEAR UP a harmonica). Their father was there also, and is a great songwriter (he wrote most of the songs that were sung last night).

Today, we've been busy getting ready for Grandma's birthday party, cleaning, and I'm about to get all the clothes ironed for church.

Tomorrow night we are going to hear Bro. Voddie Baucham preach. I'm always encouraged by Bro. Baucham and am very excited about going tomorrow night.

This coming week we will be practicing hospitality (one of the things on my goals list) by housing Bro. and Sis. Weaver at our house while he preaches at our church. Bro. Weaver will be speaking on church government at the Church of the Living God this Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night. I love listening to Bro. Weaver preach the word of God and can't wait to hear him. All of you are welcome to come.

Well, that's what's going on in my life right now. Hope you all have a wonderful night!

Men & Joy-Sticks

Why is it prevalent in our society to find 20, 30, and 40 year olds wrapped up in playing video games? Is it a regression into childhood? Is it a refusal to grow up and mature? Is it a way of escaping reality to experience a fantasy world? These may be correct answers, but I believe they simply surround the true issue and don’t pierce it to the heart. I believe the reason grown men are playing video games, is that they have a God-given desire to conquer and dominate.

Let me explain what I mean by this. In every man is placed by God, the desire to dominate, to overcome, and to be the best. We see this in the “manly” pursuits of hunting, sports, and exercise. Men have a desire to outsmart nature, to challenge their comrades, and to be the strongest they can. This may manifest itself in different ways and to different degrees in all men, but it is, nonetheless, there. And that is why I believe so many men are consumed by the gaming industry. It is one of the few places where they are allowed to, “get to the next level”, or to “be the hero”.

In our feminized culture, where the genders have been blended to near indistinguishableness, men are not permitted to be men. In the work place they are surrounded by women and are being controlled by them. In the home there is a co-governorship; where the authority and breadwinning has been split between the husband and the wife 50/50. In the Church men have taken the back seat to women and have gladly given up their responsibilities. Men are constantly degraded and put down (obviously and subliminally) by TV, comics, and music. They are portrayed as the “stupid” sex. And they have accepted it more than they are willing to admit.

And so, in our society, where men are not expected to grow up, and are never required to; they never do. They have quietly and gladly given up their responsibilities to whoever would take them. But, still deep in them is the desire to lead, to conquer, and to take dominion. And where does this manifest itself in our feminized, effeminate culture? In the millions of men who are obsessed with staring at a screen for hours! Men have found a pitiful place where they can have some semblance of leading, of being the hero, and of conquering new things; however childish their means may be.

It is time that the church stood up and called men back to their “true” calling. And that is to use their God-given desire to dominate in the ways that God has set forth. It’s time they put the joy-sticks down, pick up their Bibles, and lead their families in God’s word; not in the newest playstation and Wii games. It’s time they took their eyes off of the screen and looked at God’s vision of taking dominion of the world for Christ. In short, it’s time they stand up and show themselves to be men, using their God-given desires to do what He put them there for.

"...Be thou strong therefore, and show thyself a man." 1 Kings 2:2

Written by: Ben Nelson

Woman of the House!

Today I have the whole house to myself. Everyone else is either in Birmingham or at the furniture store. So, I have made a list of things to do with my loneliness (accompanied by music of course).

Here it is:

Reading: My Bible, the latest "Answers in Genesis" magazine, Upgrade by Kevin Swanson.

Bake homemade bread (I'm going to try again. My last attempts were complete flops.)

Cleaning: Sweep and mop the kitchen and dining room, vacuuming, dusting, clean my room (including the closet), clean the bathrooms, laundry

Go visit my Grandma and spend some time with her.

Exercise: Dips, ab workout, squats, and lifting dumbbells.

Search the web for new recipes.

Think of outings and activities that Sarah and I can do together.

Practice the piano.

I've certainly got my work cut out for me, so no more blogging. Time to go get BUSY!!!

Grandma

Today my grandmother is 80 years old.

I'm so thankful that the Lord has let her make it to this milestone,

especially since she's had so many health problems this last year.

I am about to go spend some time with Grandma

since I've been gone all day.

I need to show her more often how much I love and appreciate her,

and what better time to start then on her birthday!

Happy birthday, Grandma!!!

Be It Unto Me

"Be it unto me according to thy word". Luke 1:38b

This passage in Luke has always been a favorite of mine. Mary was so willing to submit to the Lord's will. She didn't need to be coaxed into believing the angel. He told her and she believed, simple as that! I wonder if I would have done the same as Mary did. Am I prepared to accept my Lord's will, no matter what the cost, not matter how impossible it seems? Was that why the Lord chose Mary, because she completely trusted in Him and his sovereignty? I honestly don't know if I would've been able to say without hesitation, "Be it unto me according to thy word". However; I pray that the Lord would make me willing, no matter what He asks of me, to trust in Him completely.

Dear Lord,

Let me learn from Mary's example. Give me a trusting spirit and let me never question Your perfect plan for my life. Let me always be willing to say, "Not my will, but thine be done, oh Lord". In Jesus Name. Amen.

I sang this song one year in our Christmas program at church. I love the words, especially how they are drawn from Scripture.

Be it unto me according to Your word

According to Your promises I can stand secure

Carve upon my heart the truth that sets me free

According to Your word, oh Lord, Be it unto me.

Goals for 2010

At the beginning of 2009, I set yearly goals for the first time. I didn't get half as much accomplished as I wanted to do, but it really did help knowing what I wanted to get done.

So this year I have set some goals again. My list will probably get a lot longer as the year

goes by, but here it is for starters.

1) Delight in my Lord no matter what (this going to be a main focus for me).

2) Serve my family joyfully

3) Practice hospitality

4) Become best friends with my siblings

5) Improve my cooking skills

6) Eat healthy and exercise regularly

7) Become a good role model for Sarah

8) Learn to play the piano

9) Memorize Scripture

10) Go through Charm Course with Mum

11) Improve posture

12) Learn how to run a household effectively

13) Get up early in the mornings

14) Improve sewing skills

15) Respect and honor my parents

16) Pray for my future husband (if the Lord wills that I get married)

As I said before, this is just my starting list. It will probably get a lot longer. Can y'all think of anything that I should add?

Totally new

Well, I have finally created my very own blog. I don't know how good I'll be at this, but I'm going to try to be faithful to it. I probably won't be that good at writing (it's not my strong point), but I'm going to do it for the practice anyway :). Just bare with me y'all. Is anyone reading this?

I hope that this blog will be, at the least, entertaining. Maybe even uplifting every now and then.

And so, the first post ends.

~Hannah~