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

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

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

Pampered Chef

Yes, yes, I haven't been on in a while.  hopefully you missed me.  :)  If you didn't, I guess it was my fault....

I am now a Pampered Chef consultant!  I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to seeing what God does with it.  :) It has kept me very busy between the actual shows and all the training for my hosts, plus my training and learning how to do things.  It has been a wonderful, and yes, trying experience. 

Some reasons that helped me decided to become a consultant were;
1.) You do it on your time.  Pampered Chef is very good to tell you to take your calendar and cross off dates that you have things going with your family.  THEN you set up appointments with people.  I really appreciated that.  Especially since that is the second thing in my heart- my family. :)  (God is first)

2.) They do have a minimum to meet, but it is very small.  If you want to go and become a big director and make lots of money- then go for it!  If you want to just make a few bucks here or there, then do that.  They encourage you to really make it, but they don't force you too.  I liked it because that means when CAPE convention rolls around I probably won't do as much the week before, of, and after.  When we are weaning and preg-checking, I can take the week off.  When I don't feel good, I just take a few days off without having to call anywhere and tell them I'm sick.  Sure, that doesn't mean I can just slack and not do shows because I will, but that also builds character, right?

3.)  I really love their stuff.  They have wonderful items that last a long time.  And their stoneware is amazing! (Ok, I will confess.  It will be very hard for me to not buy everything in their store!  I will have plenty of opportunity for learning self-control. :D)

4.) It gives me something to do.  I notice that when I don't have things to make me fill my day I can sit on the computer the whole time.  I find I just become unhappy.  Not all the time, but there is nothing like the feeling of your life just doing.....nothing.  Sure, there are things we do all the time in the house, on the ranch, just life- but it doesn't fill my day up. 

When I was chatting with Mom and Dad one night, mom brought up a good question.  She asked me if I would tell her when my business became something more than just a side job. When I wanted to push full ahead and make it a career that I just loved and didn't want to let go of it- would I tell them so that they could become my prayer warriors in that area?  Although I wanted to say "of course" and shrug off the question, it is a good one.

 Just like anything I don't want to let this become my idol.  I don't want this as a career.  I just want to be doing something and heck, make some money.  (wouldn't it be so nice to get married with some money to my name!) My heart is still to be married and have a family.  But I also want to be realistic in that though I dream my marriage will happen tomorrow, it may be several years down the road, or never.  I don't want to sit at home twiddling my fingers waiting for it to happen and then become a worrisome spinster that others need to take care of. 
I want to be a part of my family, yet not become a loathsome person to where I hate myself.  Although this job won't fix that it will help me stay active. :D

Does this make sense?  What have you found in your life to help you through these years of being at home?

Rebecca

What's a Girl to do? Part 1

I have a question.  What is the Highest calling a girl/young lady/woman can have? 

For the longest time my answer would have been; To be a wife and Mother. 

Is that really the answer?  Is that really the highest calling a female can have- no matter the stage in life?

After much thought (and lots of conversations with Mom and Sarah!!) I would now answer that question;

To Serve God where ever He needs me. 

God doesn't call us to be wives and mothers.  He call us to serve Him.  Now, I would believe that the greatest thing would be to serve Him by being a wife and mother.  That would be my greatest joy!  That is what (I think) is the desire of my heart!!!  For all of you who are wives and mothers, treasure it.  As a single girl, I envy you, but God has been cultivating my heart to realize that that may not be right on my horizon.  It may be in the future, or it may never be.  What am I to do now?  The answer has changed over the years.  (It will probably keep changing as I add experience to my answers.)

I know a wonderful woman who is now in her 30's and teaches school.  She is single.  She does not live at home.  She hasn't lived at home in years.  She felt that God was calling her to be a teacher. 

Now, although she doesn't live at home she seeks her parents guidance in all things.  She knows she is always welcome at home and there is always a bed for her.  She is honoring to her parents.  She is honoring to God in her actions.  She follows God- not her heart.  The key in her situation is that she has not removed herself from her father's authority, protection, and leadership. 

Is she in sin? 

I think not.

She does the things we as homeschoolers and Christians have been preached against doing for years.  She doesn't live at home.  She isn't staying at home wearing denim skirts and "serving her father". 

In reality, she is serving her Father. 
Which one is better? 

I believe that she is doing right.  We don't have a surplus of Christian men ready for marriage.  What are we young ladies supposed to do? 

I think my friend has an answer.  Not THE answer, but one of the many answers.  Do something, but do it serving your Father first, than your Daddy second.  Honor both of them.  Seek His counsel and his counsel.  If there is ever a time when you are holding back from telling your parents something, then you should wonder why.  If you don't want to tell your father, question if it is truly good.  There is probably a reason that you don't feel comfortable.  It probably isn't right.  (for the most part)

Make sure you are accountable, and then go.  Go serve your Father and your father.  Go be a blessing!  You don't even have to leave home to do it.  Your singleness is a blessing.  Someday when you have children you won't be able to work at your local hospital comforting hurt ones.  Someday when you have a husband who needs you at home you won't be able to go to the Seniors center and play chess.  You won't be able to pursue some fun things you like often.  You won't be able to serve in your community as often.  You won't be able to help some women with young children.  It is harder to do that in the marriage stage of life, not impossible but harder.  When you are married your focus is your husband and children.  It should be!

However, when you are single you can go take fun baking and cooking classes.  You can learn photography.  You can learn sign language.  You can get a job and store up money for when you get married- and bless your family by buying groceries once a month while you live at home.  You can serve mommas in your area by cleaning the house with them.  You can pursue higher academic learning.  You can learn an instrument.  You can teach your siblings. You can volunteer at the hospital.   You can help your family more...........

The possibilities are endless!  Above all Serve God.  He will show you and your parents what He wants you to do. 

Alright, I wrote up more, but you will have to wait for me to post part 2 later. 

In His Perfect Love,
Rebecca

Warrior

I want to be a Warrior.

Yes, I am a young woman, but I want to be a Warrior.  I want to be highly trained and good at what I do.  I want to fight! 

You have probably guessed it, I want to be a Prayer Warrior.  Although I am still in the learning stages, I am being trained by The Best Warrior out there.  I have personal training with Him whenever I am ready to listen. 

 I fight things that sound scary, things that should be in books.  But they are in a Book.  I am told to fight them. 

Ephesians 6:11-12
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Vs. 18
"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints..."

Even though you may never see me in battle array, I am constantly covered in it.  Even though you may never see me fight, I do.  Even though I am a woman, I fight- and I hope I fight well!  I do it with a large company.  I do it by myself.  I am a Warrior.

Even writing this up I get a stirring of heart to "go to battle!" with the call of my Lord wringing in my ears.

A favorite song of mine which I can't seem to find online, (we have the CD) is Battle Song by Holy Smoke.  It is a stirring song that depicts what we do in everyday life- we go into battle. 

I know who my General is and which side will Win- do you?

A Warrior For the Victor of victors, Lord of lord's, and King of king's,
~Rebecca

180 Movie

Did you know there is a holocaust going on in America today?  We talk about it all the time.  We don't use that word for it, there is another term used to make it "politically correct". 

If you don't know what I am talking about, watch this video.  (for age 14+ unless edited by parents.  Talks about adultery, etc.)

Molotov Mitchell

If you haven't ever watched this guys video's, you should.  He is great!  He gets a good point across with his sarcasm making it hilarious!  Take the time to watch a few of his video's, he is funny. 

This is one that I thought was funny as well as good.  Sometimes we make Jesus out to be this big sissy when He truly wasn't.  I thought Mitchell makes a good point about it.

Tell me what you think of him?!

Love,
Rebecca

Puppies anyone??

Last night, Lady finally went into labor.   In looking for a place to have her puppies (for some reason, the box we picked out just didn't appeal to her) she almost got herself stuck in the barn. Thankfully Josh was able to unstick her.  She wanted outside all the time so we had to watch her to make sure she didn't got to the barn once again.  Finally after dark we put her, her box and lots of good wishes on the porch.  Last time she just needed to be stuck somewhere to just have them.  It worked this time as we were watching our movie and we heard this hi-pitched squeak from the porch!  Pup #1 made his appearance!  Slowly she had another one, and another one, and another one, and another one!  By this time it was midnight.  Lady was looking pretty tired and happy and all the babies were up and nursing.  I figured we were done, made sure everyone was comfy and hit the sack.

I was awakened by my sister telling me we had....  Are you ready?? 

11 puppies!!!  

Yes, our dog that had had 1 pup her first time had 11 the second!  We are a bit in shock and absolute delight.  Right now Momma dog is wiped out and snoring heavily while pups either sleep or fuss.  We are going to give momma a much needed bath, move everyone out of the disintegrated cardboard box (water and cardboard don't do well together) and onto a clean space. 



Please be praying that we would find good homes for these guys.  They come from friendly, friendly parents but look like a good guard dog.  And of course, they will be little time for them to be left to themselves to get nasty habits.  :):) 



Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday!  We are off to drama later on.  After we do some cleaning.  We are re-arranging rooms.  :D
Rebecca

Inspired Magazine

This is a magazine that I am a part of as a photographer.  It is a Christian magazine for young ladies somewhere in their teen years.  (although they are letting me on the team, so I am sure they would love to have older ladies as well. :) )  They are just getting started and should have their first mag out about April.  They are not printing, just sending it via e-mail. 

If you are a young lady that would be interested in sending in writings, helping edit, doing photography, or any web design, they are still on the lookout!  Just go here and check out their application form.  I really think this will be a neat magazine, and the more people you have helping make it the better it will become, but you also need someone to read it!  So go sign up!!!    Here is the bio they have on their webpage...

About Us

Inspired magazine is a magazine for Christian girls ages 13-19. The magazine is free, online, and will be sent directly to your inbox. The magazine will be filled with things from devotionals, recipes, short stories, testimonies, and more. To get more updates about the magazine and learn about the behind the scenes of the magazine, check out our blog at inspired-magazine.blogspot.com

How Inspired Started

Inspired magazine was started by Maggie in August of 2010 when she noticed a need for wholesome, Christian magazines. Maggie hopes to see the magazine grow as it is in God's hands and also be able to expand the magazine as the minitry continues to grow.

Mission

1. To encourage girls in their walk with Christ and teach them to glorify the Lord in everything they say and do.

2. To create a magazine in which girls all over the world will enjoy and share with their friends, sisters, mom, and more.

3. To inspire girls to reach out and accomplish their dreams for the honor and glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

 

Blessings,

Rebecca