COURAGEOUS Movie Trailer

Courageous opens in theaters this weekend, September 30th! The opening weekend is what counts at the box office. This is one to spend full price on!

"180" Movie

This is not for the younger set, but it is a must see for teens and above! You can use this to reach the unsaved or the unthinking on abortion. A 33 min. video.

The Chicken Coop From Start to Finish

Silas drawing up the plans

Getting it just right

Monty cutting with Daniel and Nicholas

The framing begins

Nicholas and Daniel on the roof

Nicholas, Daniel and Emily building the pen

Silas works on his special door

The door from the outside

The rigging

The Coop -- Ta-Da!

First Egg!

Pippin- our newest addition to the flock

The ladies hanging out indoors

Some prefer it outdoors

Yummy eggs!

Going Home

This is a beautiful song about going home to Heaven. It is going to be SO amazing!!! Praise God!

"Marrying Well" Give-away

Western Conservatory is holding a webinar on Mondays evening, beginning August 15th, on marrying well. How does a young, Christian person find that special someone God has planned for them? What is the courtship process like? How does one truly love another like Jesus loves? There will be many questions answered and much advice given! I am excited! And now there is a give-away for a family to be able to attend the webinar free. Go here and read the rules to enter.

Topics include:

- Preparation for marriage starts early
- What the Bible says about courtship
- What about betrothal?
- Why strong brother-sister relationships are essential, in families and between families
- Dominion, discipleship, and life mission: Marry for the same reason you live your whole life
- Love like Jesus: Selflessly
- Risk management in relationships
- The deadly danger of worry
- What to think about emotions
- How do I know this is the right one?
- How to determine God’s will
- The place of faith
- Maintaining peace and harmony between families
- When to skip courtship altogether
- Engagement periods
- Wisely reforming American wedding ceremonies

Each session will provide opportunity for participating families to submit live questions and get live answers about forming gospel-centered marriages and families.

To get more information and/or to register, click here.

Training Up Girls

Training up girls to be the Proverbs 31 woman – to be keepers at home and true help meets for their future husbands, is not an easy job. I’ve had some conversations with other ladies about this recently, as well as having listened to some speakers talk on this subject. I’ve compiled a list of things that shouldn’t be forgotten, when raising our young ladies for the Kingdom. Let me know if you seen anything I’ve missed.

Home Economics

Fiber Arts (Sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, weaving)

Culinary Arts (Meal planning, shopping, 5 course meal, cake decorating)

Cleaning

Decorating (Painting, wallpaper, seasonal décor, furniture styles and placement)

Cosmetology (Hair cutting, styling, nails, make up, clothing styles/ appropriate dress)

Canning

Childcare (Child development, diapers, CPR, discipline)

Gardening (Planning, herbs, flower arranging,

Card making

Hospitality (Etiquette, tea parties, entertaining)

Home management (Grocery shopping, scheduling)

Raising animals

Soap/candle making

Kitchen organization

Home Repairs

Women’s health

Sleep

Exercise

Nutrition

Childbearing/ breastfeeding

Finance/ Biblical Economics

Budgeting

Bill paying

Debt/ debt-free living

Home Business

Theology

Biblical Law

Systematic Theology

Worldview

Other

Communication Skills/ poise (Toastmaster’s International, speech, debate)

Computers

History

Suggested Books

Teaching Your Daughters to be Keepers at Home (7 yr. curriculum) by Mrs. Craig (Ann) Ward

Future Christian Homemaker’s Handbook

Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills

Needlework by Rebecca Wilson (?)

Christian Light Curriculum

Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola

Beautiful Girlhood Plus companion guide

A Young Ladies Guide to the Harmonious Development of Christian Character by Harvey Newcomb

Letters on Practical Subjects to a Daughter by William B. Sprague, DD

Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Malley

What He Must Be by Voddie Baucham

Daughters of Destiny compiled and edited by Noelle Wheeler

Raising Maidens of Virtue, A Study of Feminine Loveliness for Mothers and Daughters by Stacy McDonald

So Much More by the Botkin sisters

The Beauty of Modesty by David and Dianne Vaughan

The Undressing of America by Pollard

Parenting books by Trumball and Fugate

Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God

Tod-kah

Emily Post’s etiquette book

Dave Ramesy’s Fiancial Peace University course/ book

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 6

Saturday! This is my last Feelin' Feminine post. I hope others will join Emily this next week. Post a comment on her blog each day, and let her know how you are participating.

Today I'm in my blue and white check skirt with a white short-sleeved top.

My hair is up in a clip (it's going to be windy today).

Have a beautiful day!

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 5

Emily's Feelin' Feminine Challenge continues...

Work day! Today is a denim skirt I just got at the secondhand store, and a red T-shirt from Target.

It is Red Friday today - where we wear red to honor of our troops. Thank you to the men and women serving our country and putting your lives on the line for our freedoms!!! God bless you all!

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 4

Emily's Feelin' Feminine Challenge is picking up steam! Some ladies have contacted her to let her know they might be or will be joining her soon. If you want to join her, check out her blog and read about the challenge, then go to her newest postings to see what she's been doing. Leave her a comment in her comment section and say hello!

Today is Day Four: I am wearing a black and white skirt with kind of a palm leaf design that I got at Christopher & Banks, and a black long-short sleeved top from Target. Again, I am in my black flats.

My hair is curled and down.

We are going to a funeral today, for a young woman who was in her 30's. She is the sister of a friend of mine. I just want to use this time to remind you (and me) that life is short. We have no idea the day or time of our death, only that it is inevitable. Are you ready to die? Do you know where you will go in the afterlife? All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We must repent and allow Him to move in our lives and change us. The Holy Spirit may be speaking to your heart right now. Listen! Be ready. It is only by His grace and mercy that we are saved.

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 3

Okay- enough of the pictures already! We have to take about 10 or 15 to get a halfway decent one! Oh, to be young again! (I know- vanity, vanity!)

Day 3 has me wearing my denim skirt- great for around the house, anytime, anywhere. I also have on my favorite blue pull-over shirt with white polkadots. It is a little bit stretchy, and very comfortable. Both the skirt and shirt were given to me as hand-me-downs. On my feet... black flats. When I go out to work in the garden later, I'll change to my sneakers.

My hair is pulled back in a clip Monty put in my stocking for Christmas. Simple. (Looking at this picture makes me realize it is time for a hair cut! Gotta trim those raggedy edges off!)

DONE!

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 2

It got chilly today, so I pulled out my sweater set. (This weather is crazy! From near 80's to the low 50's....) Day 2 of Emily's challenge has me wearing a tan, LL Bean skirt and red sweater set from Target. I am wearing my brown, super comfy flats from Payless Shoes. My hair is down. It was supposed to be wavy, but it seems the wave fell out as soon as I stepped outside into the humidity. (Yes we have some humidity today- it actually rained a little bit last night!) So, oh well. That was the plan....

If you want to join Emily's challenge, and wear a skirt or dress everyday for a week, or, as she is saying, two weeks, go to her blog and let her know. Leave a link to your blog or Facebook, where you are posting. If you don't have either, then just describe what you are wearing and what you've done to your hair in her comment section. She'd LOVE to hear from you!

Feelin' Feminine Challenge - Day 1

Here is day one for the Feelin' Feminine Challenge, that Emily is holding. I have a hard time doing different things with my hair, so this is it for now.... Today I am wearing a blue and white check skirt, with a blue pullover top. I added a white tank top underneath, because the blue shirt is a bit too low. I have on my black flats.

My hair is pulled back on just one side (one of my sons thought I hadn't finished 'doing' my hair) in a barrette.

Well, that's all for day one, folks!

Why don't you come on and join us! See here for details.

Feelin' Feminine Challenge!

(Above picture is from a past 'Feelin' Feminine' challenge Emily participated in, when someone else hosted the challenge.)

Emily is holding a challenge for all ladies, young and old! Come one, come all! Check it out here.

The challenge is to wear a skirt or dress everyday for two weeks and to do you hair in a new hairstyle daily. Then you post pictures and a description of what you're wearing and what you did to your hair each day on your blog or even on FB. Come back to Emily's blog daily to see what she has posted, and to add your link to her comment section for that day.

Don't worry if you are seeing this late - you can join in at any time! I will be taking part in her challenge. I hope you all do too!

Go here to see Emily's blog.

Move with the Music

Monty and I have been taking dance lessons the last couple of weeks, thanks to a Christmas gift given us by our eldest son. We've been having the time of our lives learning the waltz, foxtrot, merengue, two-step and country swing. It has been a lot of fun going on 'dance dates' each week.

I am learning to follow my husband's lead. It is not always easy. He is learning to not step on my toes. That is not always easy either. I feel these dance lessons go right along with life. As Christians, we believe that God ordained the husband to be the leader of the family unit, and the wife is to be the helpmeet. She is to follow her husband's lead. He is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, which means not crushing her toes. We need to be counting the same beat and moving in the same direction. We need to be dancing the same dance.

We are both figuring out our roles on the dance floor, as well as always working on bettering ourselves in the marriage roles that God has put us in. I am continually fighting the urge to lead. Monty is trying not to step on my toes. We are moving with the music- together and in sync- and making our lives a beautiful dance.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here is a link to a blog I love, called Raising Homemakers. They are speaking about purity in our children (specifically girls, but I believe it applies to both) and the influence we older women can have on them. There is also a giveaway. Check it out here!

Family

I've just got to say, I've got the best family anyone could have! No, they are not perfect, but each one of my children is learning and growing and doing their best. They are reaching out to the Lord for their needs and wants and for direction in their lives. They are dependent upon Him- what more could I ask? My husband is also growing and reaching more and more toward Christ for his every question and need. He has developed a strong desire to serve our Lord and Saviour and in doing so, to serve his family as well! He works hard to provide and does his best in leading. I've just got to say, I've got the best family anyone could have!

God is in Control!