God's blessed me Again

As some of you know, I have been longing for a cello for quite some time. 

A Beautiful cello with a flamed back.  That sings with a low, vibrating voice.  So I can play with Sarah on her violin.  So I can play with Mom on the piano.  So I can play with Sarah on her violin and Mom on the piano.  So I can “jam” with friends. (is it jamming when it is more of an orchestra? )  To just play for myself and learn a new instrument……..

Did I say for quite some time?  Let’s just say that my Sister bought some books for me.  Two books, in fact, on how to learn the cello.  Did I say when she bought them?  Back at Christmas.  Yup, so for 9 months I have been longing for a cello.  Well, that’s not true.  I mean, she did buy books at Christmas for me, but she bought books because I obviously wanted to find a cello then.  So for at LEAST a year I have been longing for a cello.

Over a year.

I have been watching Craigslist like a hawk. 

Searching, looking, listening, drooling, dreaming, asking questions of everyone I know….gaining all the information that I can about cellos.  I had even gone so far as to call a local cello teacher to see when she had openings for lessons. 

Are you getting the picture?  For over a year. 

As I looked, however, I just wasn’t finding it…..all the cellos on the internet didn’t have the flamed back that I desired so badly.  They just didn’t look nice at all.  That, or they weren’t in my price range.  Did I say that I had a price range?!?!  Did I say how much a good cello costs?!?!

Impossible hurdles.

Something would have to give.  I would need to drop my list of “wants”.  That flamed back?  Well, it didn’t have to be.  A better brand?  Well, how about one that just plays well and sounds nice.  Not beautiful, but nice. 

In other words, “Quit being picky, Rebecca.”

It’s not like I want to go play onstage.  I just want to enjoy it for myself.

Are you caught up now?  Do you understand how much I was longing for this, the battles of “should I, or shouldn’t I” that I was going through?

Due to life, I had stopped checking Craigslist every other day.  For some odd reason Mom had been on and found a couple of cellos listed.

Did I just say a couple?!?! When I couldn’t find one?!?!  :sigh:  Mother’s can ALWAYS find things…. :D

So I called and set up times to go look at them.

Option #1 was a cello that came from a good, well-known place in town.

Option #2 came with a hard case.  With Blue lining.  (Did you know I love the color blue!!??)

Being the wise woman that I am (yup, I’m tootin’ my own horn….) I begged my sister to come along…..at the price of Panda Express. (Which she loves. and I don’t. J)

We went and viewed option #1 first and although it was a lovely cello, it was just “eh”. 

After we walked out Sarah tells me, “It’s nice, but it has such-and-such which could be an easy fix or a more complicated one.”

Onto cello option #2.  Wait, did I mention that I was going to go look at this cello on Sunday?  But the lady called and said that it was gone?!?  You should have heard me Saturday night when I heard the news.  I was pretty torn up about it.  Very torn up.  Ask my siblings.  Or the friends we were with that night.  I couldn’t stop talking about how bummed I was!

Well, that deal fell through for the lady, and the cello was again on the market!  The lady called, and I scheduled to go look at it with Sarah after we had played the option #1 cello.

As we were getting directions to her house, she was so cute and said to come through her gate which was a “hobbit” gate to her little house which she called the “Shire”.  Cute, right?!?!  And I do like LOTR, so it was a little “plus” to the day.  Makes you smile.

We walked inside to view the cello. 

And it was gorgeous.

With flames

Beautiful flames on the back and sides.

Did I say FLAMES!!!!

:big grin:

The lady told us she had just tuned it, and I asked her to play it for us. 

It was love at first sound.  I didn’t want to admit it because I wanted to just really listen and use my discretion and not be fooled into buying something just because it was beautiful. 

But it was.

Beautiful AND sounded so well!

I told my family that I was NOT going to make a decision tonight, but that I would come home to sleep on it. 

That didn’t happen.

After the lady had played it, Sarah had played it, and I had played it, I looked at my sister and mouthed “what do you think” while the lady’s back was turned.  She nodded an emphatic “yes”.  But I couldn’t believe she had said that!!  So again when the lady turned her back I looked at her and asked “yes?!” and she nodded very hard and mouthed “yes”.

(Did I mention how wonderful my sister is??  She didn’t have to give up her valuable time to go trekking across town to look at cellos after a day at work.  She didn’t have to be there to support my decision and be that person to confirm what I knew.  Because if she hadn’t gone, I would still be at home wondering if I really should….but she did.  And I am so thankful and grateful for her!)

I now own a cello.

After over a year of waiting, dreaming, and praying, I own a cello.  With a hard case!  That is lined in blue…

God once again showed me how He loves to lavish us by giving me THE desire of my heart!!  He had no reason to, I was going to be happy without it, but He did!  He doesn’t do it all the time. There are times when He knows better than we do, and we don’t get it.  I just needed to hear it this week, needed to know once again how the God I serve is a God who loves me and DESIRES to show me His love.  I needed to watch Him orchestrate me finding a cello……

A beautiful cello with a flamed back.  That sings with a low, vibrating voice.  So I can play with Sarah on her violin.  So I can play with Mom on the piano.  So I can play with Sarah on her violin and Mom on the piano.  So I can “jam” with friends. To just play for myself and learn a new instrument……..

*pictures to follow.....

Mature Femininity- Mark Hamby

I received this in my inbox this morning and just loved it!  Of course, it also hit me over the head.....but we won't mention that part.

At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman's differing relationships.

-What’s The Difference? by John Piper

I have read this quote again and again and still have not been able to fully understand what Piper was trying to convey. What does he mean by 'mature femininity frees a woman to nurture strength from a worthy man'? I really hit a wall when I tried to unpack this so I asked one of the women on our staff if she could help. Here’s what she wrote: I think it means that it is freeing for a woman to support the strength and leadership of men rather than taking on the leadership role herself because it allows her to participate in the goal in an essential way, yet without the burden of final responsibility that I think God made only men to carry. This role is carried out in different ways, according to the relationship the woman is in: a wife, daughter, sister, or secretary all are different positions where a woman can serve and support the leadership of the man in that relationship, in the ways most appropriate to her position. I have experienced that in my own work: when I am in a position of too much leadership, it is a burden that hangs heavily on me because I'm a supporter, not a leader. But when I am in a supporting role, although it may be more limiting in some ways since I have to follow the leadership of whoever I’m working under, it is ultimately freeing because it takes away that burden of responsibility and enables me to focus on what I do best…nurturing the idea and bringing the details to life in a way that only I can do. When we as ladies want to usurp these areas which God has designed more particularly for men, it takes away from our ability to affirm and nurture… it takes strength and wisdom to recognize our calling as women and to delight in it; this is ‘mature femininity’. But if we can delight in it, we’ll complement the leadership of men in such a way as to enhance our own calling to the fullest.

Making ready a people prepared for the Lord, Mark Hamby  What are your thoughts on this?  Do you agree?  Have you read John Pipers book? If you haven't, I highly recomend it!  ~Rebecca *SO* excited!  Mark Hamby is coming to this years CAPE convention!

It's Here!

It's Here!  Remembering the Alamo  has finally made it!  My dear Friend's 4th published book (this one's a novella) will be entering the world today.  If you are looking for an enjoyable read that isn't heavy, yet isn't boring light fluff go check it out.

The Synopsis:

When Pastor Mark Siegler takes his youth group on a midsummer vacation to San Antonio, he anticipates teaching them about honor and sacrifice at the Alamo. But arrival at the historic landmark brings cutting disillusionment. A troubled teen is determined to make things difficult - and spread his embitterment to the rest of the group. 

Mark has two choices: give up or try again. Midst his own discouragement, he decides to give them the story behind the legendary Alamo. And his perseverance results in the unforgettable.

The sweeping events of the Alamo comes to life through the eyes of an 1800's wheelwright named Silas Edwards. As his tale unfolds, his decision becomes a difficult one. Is defending the Alamo so important? Or are the principles behind opposing General Santa Anna worth sacrificing everything for?

Join Private Silas Edwards, David Crockett, William Travis, and Mark's youth group to discover the gripping events behind America's battlecry: "Remember the Alamo!"

Alicia Willis is a homeschool graduate and avid historian. From an early age, she has had the desire to write family-friendly, accurate books about the past. When not writing or doing endless historical research, she enjoys singing, being a church pianist, and teaching music. She and her family live in New Mexico.





If you enjoy reading, if you enjoy history, if you enjoy historical fiction; then purchase your own copy- here.

The only thing missing?  That perfect cup of tea or coffee!!!  
~Rebecca

God's Love

As some of you who follow me on Google+ know, I was lucky enough to go with my dad to a trip to Portales.  He went to work a booth with his job at the NM Ag Festival, and I went along for the fun and to spend time with him.

I really like traveling, going places, seeing things, meeting people, and being with the ones I love.  That's why our bull sale season is always a fun time for me (travel!).  On top of the travel and time with Dad, I was really looking forward to the Ag Fest.  I mean, anything to do with cows has got to be good, right?!

Unfortunately, it was pretty slow there.   Maybe the beautiful weather had everyone home doing odds and ends before NM’s windy spring hit.  Who knows?  But it was very, very slow.

When you are in a situation like this (at least for me) you start thinking about ALL the things you could be doing at home!  Especially with the lovely weather!

BUT

(Yes, that was a huge conjunction with no sentence for my dear, English-loving friends!)

BUT

God had something in mind for me.  He blessed my socks off!

Josh and I have been working together on my horse Queenie.  We took her to a trainer for about a month, and now she is home for us to finish her training.  I must admit I am proud of her.  For all the bad things we did (unknowingly!) when she was younger, she has a lot going for her.  Still, she is a green horse (green meaning untrained) being trained by green trainers!  We had some GREAT help from a friend, and she gave us a lot of great exercises to be working on.

However, we were getting to a point that we had learned almost all those above-said exercises.  We were almost to a point that I didn't know how to move forward.  I know what kind of a horse I want by the time we are done- one that can work cattle easily, listens to what I want, and responds right away and enthusiastically.  However, getting that horse from point “A” to point “B” was something I didn't know how to do!!

So what does my Loving God do?

He opens the doors for me to go to Ag Fest with my daddy, in spite of battling a cold a few days before leaving.

He places me at a slow-paced Ag Fest where the sessions looked more interesting than just sitting there.

God gives me a session called- get this..........“Advancing the Green Horse”.

Yup.  That’s right. “Got a green horse?  Want to keep working it but don’t know how?”!!!! "

I was able to sit for about 4 hours watching and listening as this great horse trainer showed us several different exercises for getting your horse from point “A” to point “B”!   They all made so much sense- get your horse to do this in the pens, and he’ll then do this in the pasture.  So exciting to this Cowgirl!

God even blessed me with time to ask a question about an issue that Queenie was struggling with and getting it personally answered by him!

Really, this story isn't about horses, or horse training, or Ag Fest.  It is about God who is a loving Father and took the time to show me that He is watching me, taking care of me, and staying one-step ahead of me!

Are you there right now?  Are you in a situation where you have no idea what to do next?  Where to turn?  Keep your eyes open.  What may look like a boring, wasted ride somewhere may be your ticket of answers.  With God, who knows!

And if you are on that boring, wasted ride and nothing happens.  Look around you.  Maybe it was NOT what you needed but that you needed to go in order for someone else to be blessed.   My dad really had a pretty wasted trip when he could have been at the office working on some big things- but it is what I needed.

As God showed us in Christ’s Birth, God doesn’t mind moving a whole nation to get one person somewhere!  Keep your eyes open, you just might see something.

In Christ’s Love,

Rebecca

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.  

A day filled with roses, flowers, chocolates....and Love.  

Our family celebrates Valentine's Day differently then most folks.  We take turns pairing up to cook the family a special dinner!  We hang curtains all around the kitchen so no one knows what is being made.  We decorate the table and make beautiful menus/place cards.  Then we all dress up and enjoy an evening with our family (grandparent's included!).

A HUGE reason I love this is it really focuses on one of the true meanings of Valentine's Day- love.  Love is not about getting what I want, but showing others how much I love them.  I value this family tradition and plan to continue it for as long as I can! 

What is your Valentine's tradition?

Now, while I am not an overly romantic person, it is hard to see this day.  If it I let my mind linger, I feel stabs of pain that I don't have someone to share this day with...yet.  I mean, who (being single) doesn't?!?  Truly deep down we want to.  Here is a great blog post by a friend that I thought really hammered in some good points about the day.  Some I hadn't thought about but make so much sense.

If you are a courageous person, read it here.  And great job to Desarae!  It was a hard post to write, but truth was in every word!  Thank you for sharing it with us!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rebecca

Why Hello 2014

Well, I laugh that I really have not spent as much time blogging as I thought I would.  Life I guess has just been beyond me! haha!  I am looking forward to a new year with me setting aside the time to blog more.  I have millions of blog posts floating around my head just waiting to be snatched up and written.  

I think part of my problem was the concern of hurting or wounding others with some of my thoughts.  While that is a burden every blogger should take into consideration, I am not going to be hindered by it this year.  Instead I will ask God for a special grace of words to put my thoughts in a loving way.  

So, that is what is going on in my life!  I am looking forward to January being my time to really sit down and decide what "things" are my top priorities of the year.  There are several activities that I want to do that thus decisions need to be made on them.  That is sometimes the hardest part- there are so many good things out in the world that you have to decide what is best for you.

What does your 2014 look like?

Rebecca

Fun Pinterests

A few Pinterests I have that make me laugh every time...... Enjoy!

And my favorite.......

Have a Fantastic Day!

~Rebecca

Happy Birthday!

20 is a big age and one that feels like you are finally "making it".  Sarah, though, has never needed to "make it".  She shows it in her daily life.  Some words that describe her and that I love about her?

Drama Queen
Lovely
Spunky
Fun
Fiesty
Sweet
Discerning
Kind
Loving
A Good Friend
Fiddler
Violinist
Guitarist
Pianist
Singer
Writer
Daughter
Sister

and last but not least,

Godly Woman.

Happy Birthday to you!  I pray that this year is wonderful and that you grow even more like your Lord and Savior!

~Remember I will always pick you up when you fall down........after I stop laughing!

A New Day Has Dawned!

This was the devotional I found in my inbox from Mark Hamby today.  I thought it a great post full of food for thought!  How privileged we are!  God is the ONLY God who has Risen from the grave and conquered death!  He is Risen!

Have you ever considered why Mary Magdalene was the first to enter the tomb after Jesus's resurrection? Early in the morning she approaches the tomb; she stoops as she enters and weeps. There she sees two angels, one at the foot of where the body had lain, and the other at the head.

The mercy seat in the OT had also had two angels, that were made of gold, one on the left and the other on the right. The priest, the only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, sprinkled blood upon the mercy seat. Even he entered with fear and trepidation, because if he did not follow the specific requirements laid out by God, he would die. They may not have realized it at the time, but they were enacting one of the most important scenes yet to occur in human history.

And who would have thought that the first to enter the holiest of holies in the NT would be, not a righteous ceremonial cleansed priest, but a woman who previously dirty, unclean, and whorish, whose actions give us now a picture of true holiness. And there as she stoops, weeping, you have the two angels, one on the right, the other on the left, and the blood stained clothes of Christ left behind in the center.
 

This once-defiled woman is now stooping in a posture of humility and worship in the Holy of Holies, replacing the privileged priest. A new day has dawned! The doors have now been opened to come into His presence. All who are willing to stoop in a posture of humility are welcome.

Blogs I have recently Enjoyed

I stumbled upon a couple of blogs/blog posts that have been very good.   The first is a blog you should just follow.  This woman has a love for singles and being an encouragement to them.  The two posts that have been neat to me are;

Why Women and Men Can't be Friends
(Watch the video at the bottom- it is pretty eye-opening!)
and
Single By Choice

These blog posts have brought up questions I haven't thought about- which is a good post!

The other blog post is by Lady Abigail at Lady Abigail's Soapbox.  It is on the;
patriarchal movement and our daughters.
Lady Abigail really wrote this post well- it is a controversial subject and can easily step on toes.  Although she didn't waver from her opinion, she said it in a very gracious manner- something few bloggers do!  She did a great job of presenting what she has seen over the years.  I value her words as she is someone who has and is living them out.  Rather than someone who has had no experience in the matter.

Go read them and leave a (nice!) comment letting them know what you think! (That is what we all want- lots of comments!!)  Then come back and tell me what you thought of the posts.  :)

~Rebecca

Make 'Em Laugh!

If you are wanting a few laughs, make sure you are comfortably seated and watch these videos!  They have become our favorites in a short time!

The first is a comedian, Mark Lowry.  Just hilarious!  Some comedians tend to mock others to be funny and I don't appreciate that.  Mark Lowry doesn't mock (that I've seen), but rather puts things as they are- using himself as an example.  He absolutely loves his momma, which always puts stars for me when they love their family.  :)  He never married and just enjoyed being a gift of laughter to others and using his gifts for God.

Ever heard the song "Mary Did You Know"?  Well, here is the author.  :)

This is my favorite video of his- because it is too true!   It is clean, so grab your siblings to watch.  You know they will hear it and come running right at the middle anyway, so just start out with them!!!! Oh- and your mom because she will appreciate it the most!  Introducing Mark Lowry in "Mommas Had Enough!"

My second video is one we just found today.  We have already watched several of their videos and love them!  Too cute!  Again, these are very clean and your whole family will enjoy them.  :)

Well, let me know what you think!  My family has really enjoyed them and has to almost say "only 3" or else we are online all day long watching them!

~Rebecca

Welcome Home!

Unless you have already read my sister's blog post, you don't know that we have a new little addition to our family- one that doesn't talk and won't ever talk though.  :)

He didn't like me at first, he cowered behind the one he did know.  But soon he was off playing, checking things out, listening to noises and seeing what they were.  Within minutes he was chewing on my hair, and licking my face, hands, arms- chewing involved as well.

He is pretty small, but for a 3 month old he is doing well.  A bundle of energy aptly describes him as he is "off on an adventure" every 4 minutes!!  He hasn't learned yet what "housebroken" is, and constantly keeps us on our toes.  He is sleeping (mostly) through the night which is greatly appreciated by Sarah and I as he shares our bedroom.

Bandit, is not too sure of him yet.  Bandit keeps hoping that if he just ignores "it", "it" will go away.  Bandit is warming up though, and we hope to see them the best of buddies soon!

Well, I'm sure you've guessed it by now- we have a new puppy!!  He it shall remain, though, as we haven't named it yet.  Names sometimes take a while.  And it is hard as he is a cute, adorable, fluffy, funny, spunky, little puppy right now but will hopefully grow into a dashing German Shepherd mutt someday!!

We aren't sure what all he has in him, but it is definitely German Shepherd- we are thinking maybe some husky as his tail curls real cutely.

He fell asleep in Caleb's arms so I quickly pulled out my camera and flash and snapped some shots.  So you don't get his whole body or the whole swagger thing he has going.  Or the tail.  You will just have to wait for another shooting time!!!  :D

 

Isn't he the cutest?  I really wish I could show better his personality (personal photo challenge I guess) but he has the "I own the world" walk, run, and play!  We will see how long that lasts with another, older, more mature, male in the house.  :D  But he is pretty cute!!  We are in love and just have to come up with an "official" name for him!  

~Rebecca

ABC Drama Group

Just wanted to pass along information that ABC Drama Group is starting their 5th season!  We are pretty excited at our house and ready to get
rolling!

Go check out www.abunchofcharactersdrama.blogspot.com to see some of the latest updates.  :)  Hey!  Blogspot works when you don't want to mess with a website!!!!!  :D:D

I have a funny Christmas story to tell.....For Christmas, everyone either has or got a Nerf gun as a present. (image from walmart.com)   Well, we all have had fun blasting each other with these Nerf guns- which hurt enough to know you've been hit, but not enough to keep us from still going at it! 

Josh and I were having a rousing game of it the day after Christmas and both of us decided to do a "sneak" attack.  Me doing a run-by shooting and Josh crawling on hands and knees.  Well, as we both went to "get" the other one, I started running, going to shoot into his alley way, and lifted up my Nerf gun right into his nose!!  Poor guy!  He has a nice little cut on his nose -though I bawled much more than he did.  In fact, he didn't shed a tear while I shed several, feeling like the crummiest sister alive.  I do think it will heal nicely, maybe a little scar. 
I have yet to pick up a Nerf gun yet, while Josh has done more than his share this morning!  Tell me who was really scarred........ :smile:

~Rebecca

Happy Birthday, Rebecca!

This blog has been hacked!!! Oh yes, and just in time, too! :-) This is Becca's favorite sister here, popping in to tell all of her lovely readers that TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY! So, please be sure to drop a line to wish her a happy one. :-)

Now, just so that she'll hopefully forgive me for doing this to her, I'll insert a bit of my sweet personality and charm to this post. :-) (All the picture below were taken during our vacation last month..)

Dear Rebecca,
   I want to wish you a very happy birthday. You have been an amazing sister to me. We've been through a lot together, but the good times blot out the bad.
  Thank you so much for being my wonderful older sister. I so appreciate when you're interested in my thoughts, ideas, wishes, dreams, interests, etc. You have been such a pillar in my life.  A pillar of strength, calm, endurance, and joy. You have always been one to calm me down a bit when I get 'over excited' (that sounds SO much nicer than 'mad'.).
   You are such a wonderful, Godly woman, my dear!! I pray that God will continue to bless you and that He will continue to guide you down the road He has for you. May you always love and follow Him with all the grace and beauty that He has given you.

I love you so, so, so, so, so, so, so much!!!!!!
Love,
Sarah

Absentminded or Absent?

Yes, I have been "gone" a while.  Whether from Absentmindedness or just being absent, you decide. 

Life has been good.  Correction.   My Lord has been good!  He has been very gracious this season and Blessed us abundantly!  

"What?!?!" you ask, "Isn't He ALWAYS good and gracious"??  

Yes, pat yourself on the back for noticing my sinful ways and let me finish.

Thank you.  :D  

For those of you who know us, there have been some tough times in our past.  Not awful, for that would be putting down those who have had worse.  Just plain ole tough.  
Between the possibility of losing the ranch, the economy being unstable which made Dad's job unstable, to relationships really struggling, the loss of a beloved Bampa, and the struggles of new phases in life, it hasn't all been "hunky-dunky".  

I wouldn't go back and change any of the lessons we have learned, though, for they have all been lessons we needed to learn and hear.  You cannot be made into a pot without losing a bit of clay.

Our Lord, as He always does, was gracious enough to make that season only a season- though not a "season" of 3 months only!  He is gracious to bring the rain and the sun that beats its rays upon us to grow for our time, but then summer settles in where there is the slightest of breaks.  The fall will be upon us soon, and I long to see the results of His work that He has done upon us!  

Or have they already come.  No one knows but One.  and I am sure for each it is a different season.  

In the meantime, our time has been most delightfully spent.  The ranch is now in a stable condition.  (yay!)  We now cannot say we own any part of it.  It is truly the Lord's ranch!!! 

Psalm 50:10

"For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills."

He has taken care of it just as He gave it to us.  But of course, it wouldn't have happened without us doing our hard work and part of it.  Joshua has truly stepped up this year and taken on the brunt of the labor, allowing Daddy to be faithful to his work.  
Josh has matured so much this year- both physically at a strapping 6 foot- and in everything else.  He has stepped across the threshold and left boyhood behind in the way it was planned. We couldn't be more proud of him!  He has such a servant's heart I don't know where there is room for anything left in his body....

With the ranch doing well, we took off over Thanksgiving weekend to spend a much needed vacation!!  For this family that hasn't had one in 6 years we were all in ecstasy!  :D  We drove out to LA, California and spent some delightful days seeing the sights and just relaxing with our family.  :sigh:  (see some pics here)

~We just got back from a delightful party at a friends house, and instead of just doing boring introductions, the hostess asked that we share what God has been teaching us lately.  

I have been thinking about that a lot (actually before the party, but that party brought it to the front of my mind if you know what I mean).  I think what He has been teaching me can be summed up in a beautiful hymn that I have been memorizing.

    Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Thou art the potter, I am the clay. 
 Mold me and make me after thy will, 
 while I am waiting, yielded and still. 

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Search me and try me, Savior today! 
 Wash me just now, Lord, whiter than snow, 
 as in thy presence humbly I bow. 

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Wounded and weary, help me I pray! 
 Power, all power, surely is thine! 
 Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! 

 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! 
 Hold o'er my being absolute sway. 
 Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see 
 Christ only, always, living in me! 

 This song speaks to me of how I must be willing to be as wet, yielding clay in His hands if I want to be made into a vessel for Him.  It shows me that He is powerful, so powerful, yet gentle with me.  :sigh:  It has been a good song to learn for me in this season of life.  I also love the melody (which you can hear here!) as it is very calming. 

The Lord has been showing me more about Him as He truly is.  Not just who I have made Him in my mind.  He has been asking me to be willing to give all up to Him- something very hard to do for a first-born perfectionist, type-A personality!   

Ahhh!  If I can only put into better practice what I learn from my Master!  

Well my friends, it is a late night and to bed I must go.  I pray the Lord is Blessing you abundantly this Christmas season!  May He remind you of what you need to remember, and show you what you need to be shown! 

~Rebecca   

Modest Fashion Week

My Sister and her friend are doing a "Modest Fashion Show" where you have fun trying to match your wardrobe with what the "theme" of the day is!!  If you haven't already, join in!  It is going to be lots of fun with prizes at the end!

Today was Flowers.  I actually had quite a few clothing items that have flowers on them, but they are usually pretty small- background designs.  Sarah actually told me what I should wear...and I did.  :)  What can I say, having a fashion diva in the house is pretty nice at times.  It was really handy when I went shopping.  I just let her have free reign bring me clothes.  Although some of them I really didn't care for- weren't my style- I did try on some I normally wouldn't have and really liked!  They are in my closet thanks to her.....:D

Here is my outfit for today.

 

Sweater- Target (LOVE it!)

Tank Top-Walmart

Skirt- Roamon's

Shoes-Shoe Dept

Hat- Walmart

Earrings- Avon (My cousin just became a consultant!)

Better close up with the earrings.  Don't you love how Sarah posed me?  She did such a great job taking my pictures!!  We just both got our outfits on and took each others pictures.  :D:D

 

The Shoes.  Aren't they fun?  Mine are Clarks which are ALWAYS very comfortable
and last a loonnnggg time.  Can't go wrong there.  :D

That's all for me.  I have a couple of posts in mind, but it will have to wait. Did you do the fashion show?  

Love,

Rebecca

Mark Hamby- The Process

Here is yet another piece of golden wisdom from Mark Hamby.  I have had the pleasure to meet the man, and although very focused and not your "soft, sensitive" fellow, he follows the Lord completely and with such humbleness!!  There is much to learn from a man of God like him and I hope you enjoy this tidbit of wealth from him as much as I.   ~Rebecca

The Process 

Today I was reading a devotional written by Oswald Chambers and it smacked me right between the eyes. So if you don't like someone taking a swing at you, you may not want to listen any further. If you can take it, then this is what Chambers had to say:  

"Often, Christians think that if Jesus Christ compels them to do something, He will lead them to success in the endeavor, if only they are obedient to Him. If you agree, then you are in for a rude awakening; our dreams of success are not God's ultimate purpose for us. The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is not of primary importance. What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God often sees as the goal itself.

If I can stay calm, faithful and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish-- His purpose is the process itself.

God's purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now. If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present. However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience and trust are the goal, then each moment as it comes becomes the real standard of success."

I think it was Theodore Roosevelt who said that success was failure upon failure with great enthusiasm. He may have been closer to the truth than he realized.

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own" (Philippians 3:12).

The Company of the Committed-Mark Hamby

Once again, Mark Hamby of Lamplighter Publishing, hits the nail on the head!  

The Company of the Committed

Elton Trueblood begins his 1961 book, The Company of the Committed, with a sobering question: "What reason is there to suppose that our civilization, in contrast to civilizations which have preceded it, will endure?"

The Roman Empire, one of the powerful regimes of all times, was brought to its knees by a small group of people, known as the Way. They were not merely professing believers who viewed Christianity as something which is merely lived out in church attendance one day a week. Rather, they were focused, energized, and passionate about their faith; in a word, they were committed.

Why are the masses discontented with the church? Trueblood writes, "they are looking for a bold fellowship, and what they find is a complacent society concerned to an absurd degree with its own internal politics or so unimaginative to suggest that the world can be saved by three hymns and a sermon or a Mass."

He goes on to say that, "...Many contemporary seekers cannot abide in the Church [sic] as they see it, their dissatisfaction arising not from the fact that membership demands too much, but rather from the fact that the demands are too small."

As Trueblood sees it, American Christianity has trivialized the community of the committed by reducing the focus to a place, a time, and a person. If America is to endure according to Trueblood, we must become fully committed to Christ and His cause by reintroducing the power, wonder, truth, and beauty of God in all of life, not solely on Sunday.

Where in your life are you too complacent?  I read somewhere that sometimes it isn't what I got out of Worship, it is what did God get out of Worship.  Ouch.

 

I know I thirst for more, but I don't always know how to go about it- or I am scared to be seen as a "radicalist" and strive harder than the rest.  

 

What do you think?  Are Mark Hamby's words true?  Are we too complacent as a Church?  

 

Love,

Rebecca

Mother's Day Brunch

We had a most delightful Mother's Day Brunch this past Sunday!  We used our easy family favorite recipes Oven Omelet, and Butterscotch Sticky Buns, some fruit with sweetened whipped cream, and bacon.  The china was brought out, some teacups placed on the table, cloth napkins used, and just plain old had a fun time dreaming this brunch up!

Oven Omelet is a recipe from a friend which has become a favorite- especially as it is so easy to mix up and you can add meats and/or veggies to make a bigger meal of it. 

You can find it HERE.

Our roll recipe is one we use on occasion as it isn't very good for you....Is so delicious we have to eat it sparingly!

Butterscotch Sticky Buns
From Aunt Donna


1 package cook and serve butterscotch pudding
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
24 white, frozen dinner rolls (the kind that you bake 
1 stick of butter, melted


Grease a Bundt Pan with oil spray.


Combine pudding mix, brown sugar, and nuts.

Layer Rolls in pan, sprinkling each layer with pudding mixture. Drizzle melted butter evenly over all and cover with saran wrap.  Refrigerate over night, then bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

We have done this recipe in the bundt pan as well as a 9x13 or a bit smaller.  It depend on if you want the rolls all covered in sticky stuff or somewhat less of it. 
We especially love the make it that night and wake up to turn on oven and pop them in!  Makes the morning so easy.  :D

After our guests left we loaded up in the car and went bowling in town.  It was a very nice relaxed afternoon.  What did you do?

Rebecca

Pug Figs- Mark Hamby

Ever wondered why Jesus cursed the fig tree that did not bear fruit?  Now you can know!!!  Mark Hamby is with Lamplighter Publishing.  I highly recommend joining his e-mail list!

Pug Figs   

"One of the puzzling miracles of Jesus' teaching was the cursing of the fig tree because it didn't have fruit; yet the text in Mark 11 states that it wasn't the time for figs. It seems to me, at least on the surface, that the poor tree didn't have a standing chance. I have speculated for years about this unusual scene but recently I found the answer as I was walking through Herod's coastal seaport of Caesarea.

When I arrived in Israel to make preparations for our Lamplighter Guild-Israel tours,it was early spring. When Jesus came upon the fig tree it would have been during this same season. It is true that spring is not the time for figs but the first fig tree I saw was full of figs. You see, in early spring a pungent and bitter fruit appears known as a pug fig. In Hebrew, pug means premature baby. (1) The leaves would be sparse at this time of year but these early pug figs would be in abundance.

Pug Figs in Israel (Photo by Mark Hamby)

Pug figs were also the forerunners of the later sweet figs that one could eat. (2) If there were no pug figs there would be no edible figs in the fall. (3) Poor people or those who were very hungry would eat these first fruit figs though the taste was not desirable. (4) When Jesus comes on the scene he is hungry but finds only leaves--no pug figs.

The reason Jesus curses the tree is because the tree was not functioning as it should by providing fruit for the poor and hungry. Another reason is because the tree was full of leaves which represented a life of hypocrisy--it looked good on the outside but had no fruit within.

The fact that Jesus performs this miracle right on the heels of cleansing the hypocrisy of the temple now makes perfect sense; it also serves as a reminder that our lives need to be in a perpetual state of fruitfulness. We never know when God may need to pluck a few figs for some hungry travelers who need our assistance."

In Christ,

Rebecca