Musings of a Missionary Girl

Free Pictures

2012-01-25T08:02:00.001-08:00

So I made these verse images like 3 years ago I'm not sure why I didn't do this sooner if any of you amazing bloggers wants to put these on your sidebar, in a post or whatever you want to use them for they are yours. It would be nice though if you use them to let others know they are free to use also.

Have at it.

Tutorials and Pinterest!

2012-01-25T06:53:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or does anyone else get flips in their stomach, voice get high pitched with excitement even the thought of putting together an amazing craft?

Hmm must run in the family. Well here at my house we LOVE to make things. Anything. And by anything I mean anything. You wouldn't believe some of the stuff they come up with. Goat carts from scratch (made with wheels off an old bike, actually several, :) tin cans spray painted then new home for beautiful dead flower/herb bouquets, pony blankets made from old shirts, cookies monster suit with a hooded face from a fluffy blue robe and the list goes on.

So now my newest weakness is Pinterest.com It is so amazingly wonderful, so imaginatively kicking the 'mid- January- boredom' that I cannot help but waste so much time on there!! It's full of ideas, craft projects, do it yourselfers (yes that probably isn't a word.) Hair style ideas, beautiful pictures of ideas to decorate up your home. But I WILL WARN YOU, there can be language and sensual picture issues. I suggest you use your own discretion, I personally don't look in the humor section just because the language is so foul.

Anyway I thought I'd share some project ideas I want to do. I try not to procrastinate but life just gets in the way!

**I do not own any pictures or web address, ALL credit goes to the links found under the pictures**

How about these nails? So cute I want to try them.

Find it HERE

Are these cute or what? This tutorial has great pictures. Easy to understand.

Must do this. Find it HERE

Okay total deer in the headlights here! Why havn't I thought of this before?

This one I might even attempt this afternoon.

Find it HERE

I've always wanted to do legwarmers and

because of this wonderfully put together tutorial now I can!!

find it HERE

Slow to Anger, Slow to Wrath

2012-01-24T08:15:00.000-08:00

Do you believe sometimes the Lord allows hard things to come in out lives as a test of faith, attitude and our actions? I know I do. For those of you who know me personally you know the trial we went through this summer. I have to say in all the hardship I have seen blessings fall out of the bad and through that hard time it has blessed me and my walk with Him.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth .

If ye endure chastening

God dealeth with you as with sons;

for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?

Heb. 12:6-7

Count it all joy my brethren when ye fall

into divers temptations, knowing this that the trying of your

faith worketh patience.

James 1:2

Strengthening the souls of the disciples,

encouraging them to continue in the faith,

and saying that through many

tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Acts 14:22

Currently the Lord is showing me my need for patience. I have 9 siblings and I have to say we get along good. But there is one that I am particularly close to that we have just been butting heads lately. Through this I can see the Lord might be using this to my advantage. I have been learning PATIENCE.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man

be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:19

I've been reminded of this verse daily. This one sibling ticks me off so bad I just want to fly off the handle and punch him in the arm as hard as I can! I am sorry but I am pure human. Obviously the Lord has seen this and does not approve so He is teaching me every day to be slow to wrath. I can see with each passing day it is getting better. Not perfect, no one is but I am learning.

Praise the Lord that when we are saved and born again

He does not just leave us here to fend for ourselves.

Praise His name 'cause I wouldn't be very far at all.

Love-Gifts to God

2012-01-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

So I was chatting with a young lady the other day and we were talking about our new years resolutions and I brought up one of mine and it was to do little things to help teach my little sisters in biblical womanhood and also life skills. And she said to me "Yeah that sounds good but I don't want to have to raise my siblings, that's my mom's job. I'll have my own kids to raise someday."

I was a little taken aback at that because us as older siblings have a wonderful ministry opportunity to minister to our family and parents by taking the little ones under our wings and investing in their lives. I've never once thought of it as just an extra chore or "oh boy here's another thing to put on my to-do list." I personally think of good works as love-gifts to my Reedemer. Just small tokens of my love and appreciation for what he did at calvary for me. Remember not to do your good works in vain commit it all to the Lord.

2 Corinthians

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Ephesians 6:6-8

Not with eyeservice as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ,

doing the will of God from the heart.

With good will doing service,

as to the Lord and not to men: knowing that

whatsoever good thing any man doeth,

the same shall he receive of the Lord,

whether he be bond or free.

Have a good week!

Kisses From Katie

2011-12-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

Katie Davis is one of my hero's in life. I admire her heart for the lost and needy. She is a woman of grace, she is a woman who is not afraid to serve God with her whole heart and with everything in her. I encourage you to take a look at her blog HERE

12 days of Modest Fashion Day 2

2011-12-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

Well this is my first time doing a modest fashion challenge. So I'm learning here. :)

I had this post all ready to go yesterday but blogger wasn't letting me publish it! So I guess I missed Monday.

What I'm Wearing:

Cardigan~ American Eagle, thrifted @ Goodwill for 6$! (my score of the month :)

Jeans~ The Hailey Jean from AE

Uggs~ Airwalk

Lace tank~Walmart

A tradition in my family is we always watch the "Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer" premier on T.V. that's always a treat.

Senior Pictures part 2

2011-11-28T06:10:00.000-08:00

Whew, what a full 3 weeks it's been around here! So sadly I have to say my craft show didn't go so well. But Ptl I made back my show money fee so at least I didn't lose money. I guess we live and we learn.

Small testimony from this week I want to share.

It was really late and I usually listen to the bible out loud as I fall asleep (but I havn't done it in a while.) I said to myself "I'm really tired and it's really late I'll read or listen to the bible tomorrow." But I heard God tell me "Tiffany is your sleep more inportant than me?" I said "No it's not and I turned on the speakers and 2 Thessalonians 1 came on and in there God showed me a verse and that whole chapter has blessed me so much this week. It just goes to show that God wants to show us Himself. There are things He wants us to know but are we too tired? Is it too boring for us? Are we too busy?

Have a great day ladies.

Senior Pictures~

2011-11-07T19:21:00.001-08:00

Well here's some of my pictures I've gotten so far. ;)

Christmas is Coming!

2011-11-07T19:09:00.000-08:00

This is such a beautiful song! So Christmas-y. :)

So actually I'm starting classes in December which is a big blessing from the Lord because I was a little nervous as to how I would do that and prepare for my big craft expo coming up the 3 days after Thankgiving. ( I will hopefully have some pictures to post.)

And also there was the issue of the funding. ;) But with the Lord's provision I will have it by December. SO He always works things out better than we ever could!

Love in Jesus,

Tiff

Starting CNA classes!

2011-11-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

So this past summer I've been praying to find a way to start a nursing school, class or whatever is out there. The Lord has convicted and told me that I need to take some nursing classes, First Aid, CPR and such to take on with me to the mission field. Right now I have no idea what He has planned for me in the next 5 years but I have to say that being prepared for what is to come is a good way to be filling up extra time.

So on Sunday a friend handed my Mom a newspaper clipping with a phone number for some CNA classes starting on Thursday. I called and sure enough there was room for me. So I will be starting classes tomorrow and have to give all the glory to Him!

I'm super excited and a little nervous we'll see how is goes on Thursday!

-Tiff

What should the Unmarried Woman be Doing?

2011-10-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

So who else out there will be turning 18 (or is already) and is trying to figure out where the Lord is leading them! Whew, what a lot of tears and prayer. In my readings of scripture I find that the unmarried woman (and also the Prov. 31 woman, but that's another post ;) was always out and about SERVING others, using the gifts and talents that the Lord has given her to BLESS people.

1 Cor. 7;34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

So that brings us to, "What are the THINGS OF THE LORD?"

*SERVING

*BLESSING

*HELPING

*GROWING IN CHRIST >TO SET AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD

*MINESTERING TO THE LOST

*BECOMING A PRAYER WARRIOR

*HOSPITALITY

Something Debi Pearl wrote in her book 'Preparing to be Helpmeet'

"You need a life, a vibrant life, before your man comes on the scene. A clingy useless wife that lacks drive, goals, ambitions or dreams is just that - useless

(And one of my favorite quotes in this book.)

"When a man is looking for a help-meet, he will notice girls who are busy HELPING. A girl who is ENTHUSIATICALLY involved in projects and activities exudes an energy that makes her attractive. A young man of energy na dvision who plans of conquering a little portion of the world and making a difference is going to find a partner WHO IS ALREADY ENGAGED IN THE SAME. He is not going to want to marry a liability, a high maintenance wall hanging. When he sees you aggressively helping at church, in camps, at home, friends, etc, he will take notice."

Make your life a light, a bright shining candle to the world. If you want a godly man then you need to be a godly woman yourself. PRAY and ask the Lord to show you what his plans are for you. "How can I serve you today Lord?" Place the people in my life today who need HELP, ENCOURAGEMENT, or maybe something as simple as a HUG today.

It could be someone like your Mom, maybe you could help her with extra organizing, laundry ect. Maybe your Grandma could use some help cleaning! Maybe you could practice SERVING your Dad by having a bucket a hot water to soak his feet in?

No matter what it is COMMIT IT TO THE LORD don't serve in vain.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ...whatever you do, do do all to the glory of God.

-Tiffany

What I'm up to

2011-10-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I've been super busy as of late. Keeping up with my Etsy shop , school, friends and family. On Sunday having my senior pictures taken! Which I am super excited to see soon and will be sharing some here soon!

Also I am thinking of starting some tutorials. Maybe crocheting techniques, maybe an herb tutorial, makeup or hair?? (Not that I am an expert in any of these areas but its always nice to get ideas for stuff ;) Any thoughts?

Here are some tid bits from my past few weeks.

I came up with a new slipper pattern! I am selling them on my shop in all sizes.

I also came up with this little owlette this week. Isn't he cute!! My little sister has affectionately dubbed him "PooPooBuns" Cute.

And another hat I made for someone. I really like the colors so I just had to get a picture. (Heehee definitely not the best of me ;) ;)

And i'd like to share something I've been thinking about these past few days.
Simply that as human beings, and even as christians we should be living everyday to it's fullest potential. There's a big world out there. A world full of people who need to hear the Good News, and world God has created for us to enjoy and glorify Him in.
I know it's Tuesday already but I challenge everyone who reads this (me included) to just take time to smell the roses! Take time to glorify and thank God for all he has given us this beautiful October! What a gorgeous fall it has been so far.
Tell everyone you care for that you LOVE them. You never really know when the next time you will be able to do that is when you really think about it!
So go out there and LOVE like CRAZY, DANCE in the rain, THANK GOD for the beauty of his creation, and LAUGH often! Then come back on next Tuesday and tell me about it!! Let's PRAISE Him this week.

Listening to God's Prompting

2011-08-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

I just want to share and encourage you all with this little testimony.

I was at the lake yesterday, watching my siblings take a dip. And this lady was sitting on the bank watching her son splash and play in the water. I quietly felt the Lord wanted me to talk to her. I was nervous but I felt really bold, normally it's hard for me to just strike up a conversation with a complete stranger but I felt a lot of peace and I knew the Lord wanted me to.

So I walked over to where she was sitting and I tried to make a little small talk, lucky for me she was a very talkative person! I finally asked her if she died tonight where did she think she would go? She thought for a moment and then finally said "I don't know." I said to her that there was a way she could know and that I had gotten saved 2 yrs. ago.

I felt really tounge tied like I didn't know what to say next. She was getting ready to leave and I just encouraged her to read her bible and challenged her to think about where she would go if she died today.

Who knows what point she is at in life. Maybe she is trying to find and 'alternative route' in life. Maybe she really seeking the Lord. Maybe she is totally antagonistic. But this I know that the Lord will use us in any way if we will listen to His call and prompting.

They Shall Run and Not Be Weary....

2011-08-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28,29and 30

These verses are like sweet balm to my soul. They are so powerful and mean so much to me. My family and I have been going through a hard trial. But we are slowly making it though by His grace alone. We know that the Lord is still good and Holy no matter where we are in life. He has not forgotten us and he will lead us through the trials and errors of life if we TRUST that He will!

Very Good Video!

2011-06-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

I'm still alive!! I will get better at posting, I really will!

This is such a good video. Praise the Lord for these preachers who will get up and say what needs to be said!

A Testimony..

2011-05-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

I just want to share a testimony of what the Lord has done in my life and what he is leading me towards in my future.

When I was 15 I was helping an elderly friend by staying at her house a few times a week. During that time I was really struggling with the Lord with the issue of staying single or marriage and which one he had in mind for me. I've always wanted to get married and have a family but I was really wrestling with the Lord because he was saying to me "Tiffany if I wanted you to stay single and serve me, would you?' It was more of an obedience issue, at the time (though I didn't quite realize it) he was challenging me, he was challenging my wants and plans for my future and asking if I would be willing to give them up in service to him if he were to ask.

Then I met Beth through this elderly lady I was helping out.

She was 30 yrs old, still single and she wanted to get married. She was using all her time and resources in service to the Lord. She was a teacher and had taught over seas in many countries she had such a passion for God and was truly seeking His will and not her own.

She still believed the Lord had marriage in mind for her but she was patient and keeping busy I must say! She was a big encouragement to me.

I finally realized that God was challenging me and wanted to know If I would be willing to lay down my wants for Him. I finally gave it to the Lord and said that I would do it if he asked me and I felt so much peace! I gave it all to him and I knew that if that was what he wanted me to do I would be in his will! What a wonderful place to be.

As to date He has not asked me to stay single in fact he has told quite plainly that I am to marry a missionary. I now know that if I do not marry a missionary man then I would absolutely be marrying out of His will and plan for my life. It defiantly has given me clarity for the future ahead of me. I am excited to see His work in the coming years.

Bless and Curse Not..

2011-05-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

I have had to shut down my blog for a little while here. Me and my family are going through a really tough time right now. Lets just say we are all learning a lesson on these verses -

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not. and

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you and persecute you and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly, for my sake. rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.

Matthew 6:14-15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Let me tell you that it is so hard to not let hateful thoughts fill your head when you are being wrongly accused by someone, or better yet accusing your family members. But as soon as those thoughts start creeping in I have learned to just start praying for them and love them because Jesus loved me when he had all the reason in the world to throw me in hell for eternity. Hate is one of the strongest forces know to mankind BUT at the same time so is grace and love!

I can never begin to imagine the vast length, measure and depth of his LOVE for human kind. How can we be hateful, spiteful or hard to those who hate us? We can only love them.

In His LOVE,

Tiffany

Product Photography is Here!

2011-04-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

We sent a bunch of our hats down to Florida to SofiBellaPhotography and here are some of the beautiful photo's we got back!!

Our Living Water and our Daily Bread..

2011-04-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

*Sigh* someday I'll have enough time to actually blog on a regular basis.

So what have I been up to.. lets see... setting up my new Etsy shop, cleaning for my sisters b-day party in Sunday, planning my first (real) photo - shoot for a friend, upgrading my camera equipment, planning for camp this summer, being sick (yeah we were really sick last week),

and in the midst of all this and a ton of other stuff I have not read my bible I have to admit, I kept saying "i'll do it later" or "while I'm eating lunch" and then I keep pushing it aside because something else comes up. Well then pretty soon it's time for bed, I cuddle up in the cozy covers and think "gasp I didn't read my bible today!" but by then I'm too tired to get up and read so I'll tell the Lord " I promise to do it in the morning". And then the next day, same story.. :)

Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is it's really important to read our bibles every day even a little bit because it's our daily bread and living water. It would be really hard not have a drink of water every day wouldn't it? Our bodies need it, our mouths crave it and it's pretty hard to ignore it all together.

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Thought of the day

2011-03-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord!

How often do we give praise to the Lord, I mean verbally, out loud proclaiming and telling all how wonderful your God is to you! I have a friend and she was telling me a few months ago about how whenever someone compliments her about a talent she has she was convicted of just saying 'praise the Lord'! I mean he has given us every special gift and talent we have how could we not give ALL the glory and praise to him? So why don't you Praise the Lord today!

My Camera!

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

Yes this is sooo old I promised to get some pictures for you guys like last year and heehee here I am now posting this ... :p

This is my awesome Nikon D40. I got it 2 years ago and am still in love with it :)

One of my favorite features is the huge LCD screen, and all the settings there are on it whoohoo!

My Favorite Books List!

2011-03-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

This one is so amazing. I love this book and want to read it again when I have the chance.

I read this book 3 times after I got saved. This is one of THE BEST books for getting on fire for wittnessing and sharing your faith (besides the bible).

This is one of my all-time favorites! This has taught me sooo much about preparing now for my future family and husband and how to be a good wife someday ;) Definatly a must read for every girl who wants to get married some day.

This is a book full of various heart wrenching stories of orphans from the Liberian Civil War

I have read it at least 3 times.

This is a beautiful story of a girl named Adelina and her courage and bravery for her people and her God.

This book is the best herb book and I have read it cover to cover. Very informative!

I have so many more but Google Images doesn't have picture's of all my books ;)

I would love to hear from you, what are your favorite books?

2011-03-18T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! I just want to say THANK YOU my blog hit 10,044 hits today! :)

2011-03-16T08:04:00.001-07:00

Today I ~ am cleaning and crocheting

I am feeling ~ good ;)

I am wearing ~ nothing unusual

A song that's stuck in my head ~ You're Beautiful - Phil Wickham

A prayer of my heart this week ~ for Japan!

I am creating ~ party invititations and owl hats :)

I am reading ~ Judges (Bible) and Jesus Freaks-DC Talk

I am thinking ~ that it was about time I changed my font on my blog :P

A verse I want to share ~ Let no man decieve himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1 Corinthians 3:18

A picture I'd like to share ~Here's our little babies Libby and Sawyer!

Quick Post..

2011-03-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hi all, I'm going to have to keep this short. I've been super busy lately so this blog has been a little neglected.

Anyway I changed the backrounds and font and I'm debating whether to change the font because I am thinking it's a little harder to read? What do you think, should I change it to something a little easier to read?

Here's a verse I'll leave you with, I've been meditating on it this week -

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:15-16

In Jesus Love,
Tiffany

1 Corinthians 15:58

2011-03-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking and praying about Liberia minestry and how one should go about it. Particularly children's and girls minestry. I was looking back at how we operated our kids clubs and things we could change and ways the kids would understand better etc. Then I was thinking about this girls ministry I want to start and it's hard to reach these people, you are always wondering 'are they listening at all' 'are they comprehending what I am saying?'

It can become discouraging but 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

So I was asking the Lord 'How do I properly and effectivly reach these girls?' and for a while I struggled and prayed and he said quietly 'by being closer to me. Love me with all your heart, soul, streangth and mind and this is how you will reach these girls..' And I was like it really makes sense, how are you going to draw people close to the Lord when you arn't all that in- touch yourself? And the Lord is teaching me to give all and everything I have to Him, which btw isn't that easy but the fruits of it are good!

A lot of children there are born out of wedlock to young girls and teens. This is one of Ma, Ruths daughters.
Her name is Jolene she's 17 now and had a baby boy last year. It is very common for the girls to have many children with different fathers.

Children wander aimlessly around the neighborhoods with nothing much to do during the week. Boredom is a big problem with these little guys.. I think I would like to not only do bible clubs on Saturdays but during the week also.

Another Giveaway -

2011-02-17T08:07:00.000-08:00

And yet again another great giveaway from Life's too Short Not to Wear Red Shoes

Here's the giveaway post : http://fashionandmodesty.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-day-giveaway.html

There's some really cute jewelry so hop on over! Oh and hurry too the giveaway ends the 21st!

One of the Most Beautiful Things..

2011-02-16T08:23:00.001-08:00

Liberia seems like a thousand light-years away from me sitting here in frigid MN.

Yes I miss that place horribly, and yet it is such a hard life over there, just thinking about it makes you wince and never want to have anything to do with that country again, but of course that is the flesh. Don't get me wrong Liberia has so many wonderful things about it, you can tell it was a beautiful country before the war tore it up, (it still is in some ways.)

Here are some pictures of one of the most beautiful thing about that country.

What I've been up to..

2011-02-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

So lately me and my Mom have been setting up our Etsy shop so we have quite a few things for sale over there so go ahead and stop by sometime.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/thelittlepeashoppe

You can also follow our Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Little-Pea-Shoppe/139675909426737

And we have completely updated our Little Pea Shoppe blog which has most of our things unlike the Etsy shop. http://www.thelittlepeashoppe.blogspot.com

Here are a few monkey hat's I've been working on.

An Afternoon with the Swensons

2011-02-07T09:54:00.000-08:00

This is Tiffany's Mom doing a guest post for Tiffany. We were blessed to spend the day with our good friends the Swensons on Thursday. I have been blessed beyond words with the friendship of my good friend Laura.

Tiffany and Isabella

Peyton out playing hockey on their homemade rink

Aren't these the cutest aprons you've ever seen? I'm planning on making a few for myself and the girls.

My Daybook

2011-01-27T10:38:00.000-08:00

Today I'm ~ doing school

I'm feeling ~ smiley

My outfit is ~ skirt and hoodie

A song that's stuck in my head ~ My Savior My God - Aaron Shust

Something that has inspired me recently ~ One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill

A prayer of my heart this week ~ for wisdom about the future

I am creating ~ stoller toys

I am reading ~ 40 Years in the African Bush

I am thinking ~ that I really like the movie Dispicable Me :)

A scripture verse that has stuck out to me this week ~ Galations 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

A spiritual lesson I'm learning ~ to step out of my comfort zone and share Jesus even if I don't feel like it, but I will be reaping rewards in heaven.

A picture I'd like to share ~

Aidan, me, Bethany and Molly at Winter Retreat

Giveaway

2011-01-14T09:59:00.000-08:00

Head over to Polka Dot Girls blog for a truly amazing giveaway!

Fingerless Gloves

2011-01-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

Hello All! Here is my own fingerless glove pattern. They are super simple, fast to make and

they are wonderful for when doing school, typing on the computer or anytime you need your fingers!

I was thinking of doing a picture tutorial of the pattern would anyone be interested in that?

This one is just a little shorter.

Story Book Lodge Winter Retreat and Winter Retreat +

2011-01-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

So I guess I need to update this poor neglected blog. I went up to Story Book Lodge way up north MN for Winter Retreat we were up there from the 26th of Dec. to the 31 then we came home for a small break and went back up the 1st to the 5th. Me, Jakin and my friend and her brother went up there together. It was super fun :)
Here are some pictures!

Me and Aidan decided to ask her brother to drill a hole in the ice so we and a bunch of other kids could go in the sauna and then jump in the lake! We were planning on doing it Thursday evening but we decided to leave a day early becase there was a really bad snow/ice storm on the way and didn't want to stay through the weekend... anyway so we didn't get to but the people who stayed did and they say it was COLD!!!

Fun, fun for Minnesotans!

Inspired Young Womans Daybook ~

2010-12-20T07:30:00.000-08:00

Today I ~ am going shopping to pick up some things for camp (yay) :)

I am feeling ~ content

I am wearing ~ jeans, gray tank and green long sleeve

Outside my window ~ really cold cold weather :)

A song that's stuck in my head ~ Mary did you know

Something that has inspired me recently ~ Amy Vest's Loving the Lord Ministries.

The Lord is really using her ministy to reach a lot of girls who are seeking 'more' in the Lord.

Click here to go to her website

Prayer of my heart today ~ for Jesus to help me to be a little kinder to my siblings.

I am creating ~ oodles and doodles of fingerless gloves!

I am reading ~ Ezekiel (very very interesting book of the Bible!)

I am thinking ~ that I spend way too much time on facebook... :(

A scripture verse or passage for today ~ 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ An audience of one when it comes to God.

A picture I'd like to share ~ frost on the window

Have a merry Christmas everyone!

Psalm 29:2

2010-12-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been a long time sine I posted. I hope everyone has had a wonderful thanksgiving!
And soon to be Merry Christmas too! I'll be posting again soon :)

Young Womans Daybook

2010-11-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

Find out how to do this HERE

Today I am ~ Creating 'Facial Scrubbies' it's the new way to be 'green'! ;)

I am feeling ~ A little lazy

My Outfit is ~ Jeans and a pink and white long sleeve shirt

Outside my window ~ Naked tree's and 50 degrees

A song that's stuck in my head ~ You're Not Alone by Meredith Andrews

Something that has inspired me recently ~ I might have to come back to this one :)

A prayer of my heart this week ~ That God would train and mold me into the very best helpmeet I can be one day.

I am creating ~ washcloths for my hopechest (I seriously need some new patterns though)

I am reading ~ Stepping Heavenward (again) by Elizabeth Prentiss

I am thinking ~ about how hungry I am

A scripture verse or passage that has stuck out to me this week~ Definatly Hebrews chapter 11, the 'great hall of faith' chapter. :)

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ submission and obedience :) not sure how good I'm doing though?

An attribute of God I have seen this week ~ Patience

A picture I'd like to share ~ btw that's our dog standing there.

Putting our Trust in the One We Love

2010-11-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Today I am so filled with Jesus! He is truly everything I have ever needed and a hundred fold more! I feel bad because lately I haven't been feeling like this at all, just like life wasn't being very nice to me and only me. But that cannot be the case when Jesus is my joy and my strength to keep going!

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:

in thy presence is fullness of joy;

at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 16:11

It is hard (and from experience I know this) to live all sorry for yourself and in such a pitiful 'poor me' attitude. You are truly doing yourself a disservice. It's always always best to be optimistic and never feel sorry for yourself because you and me have so much to be thankful for!

There will probably never be a time in our lives that we will have a reason not to be thankful. No matter how bad things got at least we could be thankful for breath and life! Maybe not even good health but the fact that we were even alive!

Surely mercy and goodness shall follow me all the days of my

life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6

What a beautiful thing it is to put your full trust in him everyday! To lean on him. He's right there he's waiting for us, he loves his children, how could we not love our father!

God Bless you!

Liberian Gospel Music

2010-11-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

I remember listening to this all the time when we were in Liberia, it brings back too many good memories. They're style of music is very different from what we westerners listen too. Drums, Saw-saw's and LOUD things are what they like, they like they're music LOUD!!
Anyway here are two of my favorite Liberian songs.
These video's are not mine.

Serving at Home ~

2010-10-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well me and my friend have been going through Debi Pearls' book Preparing to be a Helpmeet, using the study guide. It has been so encouraging reading through with her.
Recently I have been praying for God to give me a ministry and something more to do to serve him outside the home. I had been mopey about my chores and not having things to do etc etc.
But then it hit me that God wasn't going to give me a ministry to others outside the home until I could learn to serve him and my family at home and cheerfully!

I have realized in reading this book and reading Proverbs 31 that I am serving my future husband now by staying at home and serving my family and it is training me to serve him one day.

It's not easy it's hard and discouraging at times but I know that God sees even the littlest mundane task and honours it. I just want to encourage all young girls out there that your works at home and church do not go unnoticed! Even if people do not see it God sees it and will reward you.

Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.

Psalm 100:2

Do Dogs Pray?

2010-10-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

They do - well this one does!
So cute!

A Trip to the Zoo

2010-10-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Well this is long over due we went to the zoo in August after Jakin got home. While we walk the grounds he would point and say in his thick accent 'oh yeah we have girraffe in Liberia and we have lion too' and our eyes got as big as golf balls! Wow and we lived there? Of course the animals are not going to wander into the city but to even know that they are in the bush is kind of scary!

Introduction Guest Post: Aidan Juvlund

2010-10-05T13:17:00.001-07:00

I have asked my good friend Aidan to do a few posts on my blog, this one if more of an introduction. I am sure you will be hearing more from her soon!

Hi, my name is Aidan and I am 15 yrs. old. Tiffany has given me the
privilege to put a post on her blog. So I thought I would just tell you a
little about my family.

Here goes........I, as you know, am 15. I have a
wonderful family of 7 people.
Lee and Peggy, otherwise known as mom and dad, are very different but at
the same time a perfect couple. He is a command man and she is incredibly
merciful. I have an older brother who is 18 yrs. old and the best big
brother you could have. He carts me around everywhere I need or want to
go...and buys quite a lot of hamburgers for me.

I have three younger
siblings: Jacob, who is 10 and very sweet...sorry, he would like me to
say cool. I have a younger sister named Katherine. She's 4 and the
prettiest thing I ever saw. Then; last, but definitely not least, the
newest member of the family is Elizabeth (Lizzy). She is now almost 20
weeks old. Boy time flies. She was born at home. She sleeps, eats and
laughs when you make odd faces at her.

We are saved born again Christians
and are seen as oddities to the world. When I say something I am usually
seen as extreme. So if there are any other Jesus freaks out there who
haven't been blinded by the world I would love to hear from you.

I met Tiffany a looong time ago at a piano recital. Then again after
they had gone to Africa and they came to our small Bible believing church
in Rockford. And then we had them over for dinner...........which was
pretty awkward because I didn't know Tiffany barely at all. Then one day
while I was sort of complaining about how I didn't have any friends, I
received a letter in the mail asking if I would be a pen pal with
Tiffany. It was sooo encouraging. I have been e-mailing and writing
Tiffany for quite a while now and have become great friends with her. We
have a lot of the same views on things, like......I plan on being a
keeper of the home. I love kids and I plan on having a lot of them. She
was the first person that didn't think I was crazy when I said that. And
she even seems to want the same thing. I love the book, "Preparing to be
a Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. To any young girls striving to get married,
keep the home and have a lot of kids, I suggest that book. That's all I
have to say.......I could say more but then I would just be taking over
her whole blog. (heehee). Hopefully she will ask me to post again when I
have a thought on an issue.

*~*Aidan Elizabeth Juvland*~*
peglee1@juno.com

Holy Holy Holy!

2010-10-03T11:07:00.001-07:00

Holy Holy Holy Lord God almighty

Early in the morning our son shall rise to thee

Holy holy holy merciful and mighty

God in three persons blessed trinity

Holy holy holy all the saints adore thee

casting down they're golden crowns around the glassy sea

cherabim and seraphim falling down before thee

who was, and is and evermore shall be.

Holy holy holy though the darkness hide thee,

though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow'r, in love and purity.

Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty,

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth, and sky and sea;

Holy Holy Holy; merciful and mighty!

God in three persons; blessed trinity.

Jakin Lifting a Bag of Rice with his Teeth!!

2010-09-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

2010-09-23T16:09:00.001-07:00

Who can find a virtous woman for her price is far above rubies

Proverbs 31:10

Stephanie's Second Giveaway!!

2010-09-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

Head on over to her blog to find out more! Go here: Stephanie's Saga
And if you do go over there comment and tell her Tiffany sent you because that gives me an additional entry!! So hurry on over so you can tell you're own followers to go over there and give YOU an extra entry (if you enter :)

It's Good Having You Home...

2010-09-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent photo of all of us except Francesca.
This is the first photo of all of us together since 2008.
We love u Jakin.

Proverbs 1:20 - 33

2010-09-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

She crieth in the chief place of the concourse, in the openings of the gates:

in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

How long ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand; and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When you're fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whilrwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

For they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Inspired Young Womans Daybook ~

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

Find out how to do this HERE

Today I ~ am going to dig up dandelion roots :)

I'm Feeling ~ alive!

I'm wearing ~ Capri's and sweatshirt

Outside my window ~ sunny but very chilly

As song that's stuck in my head ~ Better than a Hallelujah - Amy Grant

Something that has inspired me recently ~ Well I have been really more encouraged by my friend Aidan J, she is a super sweet friend and she's really refreshing! Ha ha can I say that :)

She's a lot like me in that she's really different and so am I so we can give each other the 'ugmf' to keep going!!

A prayer of my heart this week ~ for understanding and knowledge in life.

I am creating ~ well I want to create a book about our family and all the funny things we did when we were littler, but we're not done having good times yet so I will just have to wait until we're old and gray!

I am reading ~ Preparing to be a Helpmeet, again!

I am thinking ~ that I am feeling really cold, and a cappuccino would be really nice right about now. :D

A spiritual lesson I am learing ~ That when we ask God for something we had better be ready to recieve it! :)

An attribute I have seen of God this week ~ Giving and Loving, he loves to bless his children!

A picture I'd like to share ~

This is my adorable little sister Francesca!

My Cute Kitten

2010-08-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

His name is Milo :)

Let Us Watch and Be Sober ~

2010-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

Wisdom, sounds so old fashioned, I mean you don't hear a lot of teens these days saying that along with all of our 'cool' words.

There is almost a whole book of the bible full of verses about gaining wisdom and understanding, and using it! Proverbs is a gold mine of verses about getting wisdom.

I think our teen generation needs to wake up and get some wisdom and some soberness! If that makes any sense? :) We need to read our bibles and listen to what it says and not shrug it off thinking well I'm okay in this area, I'm comfortable with what I'm doing, it's not wrong, my parents don't think it's wrong. Sometimes even though everyone else is doing it and maybe even your parents you got to make your own choices from what the Holy spirit is telling you an showing you in his word.

1 Thess. 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Titus 2:4 and 6 is telling the young women and young men to be sober.

We teens need to turn off the cell phones, ipods, radio's, t.v's, computers, and facebook, and get out of the worlds TRAP of this ME centered world!!! We need to be Sober and vigilant for our adversary the devil walketh about seeking whom he may devour. We should be out preaching, praying, ministering, helping, volunteering, and growing up!

We need to get some wisdom and understanding about the future, and the present.

We need to be using our precious time for the Lord!

We need to be sober in our daily life, around our friends, when hanging out with the opposite sex. There is not one issue or place in life where being sober will not help you make wise decisions.

Well I'll get off my soap box now. XD I'm just talking to myself here:)

Welcome Home Jakin

2010-08-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

It's so good to have you home!

We sure have waited a long time and now you're finally here.

The Lord is so good!

~ Charlie and Me ~

2010-08-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

So I have been telling everyone that I am getting pretty sick of our big nasty goats, but I still enjoy our little baby goats.

This little cutie is Charlie he is half Oberhasli and half Alpine.
He and his sister are both orphans as their poor mama had to be put down
after birth because her feet problems were so bad.

Anyway I was playing around with a bunch of effects.
Here are some of them.

Delivered by the angel of the Lord.. a testimony from Liberia!

2010-08-17T07:03:00.001-07:00

Above Jakin 11 years old on the mission in Liberia. Look at that sad little face.

Hi I am Tiffany's Mom Stacy and Tiffany has asked me to write a series of posts on her blog. Before I do can I just brag on Tiffany a little? I just returned from Liberia on Thursday. I left her and her brother in charge while her Dad worked. I came home to a clean house and 10 cheerful and happy children. Tiffany is the most selfless and loving daughter. She loves Jesus and she loves her family and she has laid down her life and her rights many times for the sake of someone else. We are so proud of her and thank God for her every day. She is the epitomy of the verse Behold children are a heritage from the Lord and the fruit of the womb is His reward Ps. 127:3

The following is a testimony of my last trip and it is long but I beg you to just take 15 minutes or so to read it all and I know that the Lord will be glorified through it. It is a miracle of how God saved my life and Jakin's and finally delivered our long prayed for and hoped for son home to his family.

The night before Jakin and I were scheduled to leave Liberia we still had not received the proper documents to leave the country. I had gotten a verbal okay that the Ministry of Justice would write the exit clearance and we could pick it up in the morning but I have been around the block enough to know that I very likely would not receive the letter til it was too late for our flight.

To be discreet and make a long story shorter after trying to retrieve some personal belongings from the house that Dan and I have there in Liberia, confusion broke out between Jakins family and I. Prior to this in talking with Dan and getting his instructions before the trip and what I felt like God was telling me NOT to go back to the house on 72nd. I felt such a demonic spirit even more I felt like there was a legion of unclean spirits there at our house. The instant I got on our road I felt it. It overcame me with the feeling of wanting to vomit. I should have turned back but I did not.

That episode of being on our road that night and in our house was maybe the most horrible experience of my life and a time where I felt the biggest warning from God I have ever felt. I cannot share more details of that publicly and it is hard to convey what went on in that house there that night but it was the most demonic thing I have ever seen. I left our house with Jakin so shaken and went back to where I was staying.

I was staying in a man's house who is a friend of Dan's ministry partner Bestman because it was a secure house with a wall, gate, broken glass, steel bars on the windows and steel doors on the Congo Town Back roads which is a pretty good area. Dan, Bestman and Jakin agreed before I came to Liberia that I would not be safe there on 72nd, so Bestman had chose this place for me and Dan gave the okay.

The man who owned the house assured me he had never had problems with criminals before. The man's house did not have one stick of furniture in it so we were sitting on the floor trying to process what I had just seen. I wanted to pray but I felt so bound and devastated I could not.

I knew if I could pray my way through it I could pray this demonic activity away. Dan and I had done that so many times before but I flet overcome. Dan interjects (I was praying and interceeding on the same time line back in the U.S.).

At about 11:00 we heard pounding at the gate. Instantly I knew there was serious trouble. In Liberia no one goes out after like 9:00 or 9:30 because it is very dangerous and normally even if you come to someone they will not want to let you in even if they know you for fear that the criminals are using a person that you know to get inside your house. It was Bestman. The man of the house reluctantly opened up the gate first standing over the door with a machete "just in case".

By that time I was already on the phone with Dan even before I even knew what Bestman was going to say telling him there was BIG trouble.

When Bestman got inside he told Dan over the phone that Jakin's Aunt and Uncle had come to Bestman so angry and wanted to let him know that in the morning they would be going to Star Radio and to the police and all the Ministries saying that I had come to kidnap Jakin out of the country and that they were going to have me arrested.

Dan and I legally adopted Jakin two years ago and the family had relinquished custody of him to me a year prior to that. SO for the last three years I have been Jakin's mother and legal guardian and the one who has provided for him with the knowledge, blessing and consent of the family.

Jakins parents are dead and it is only his aunt and Grandma that remain. We have always had a good relationship with with the family and this whole thing was a shock to us. Because there is a massive amount of contention in the country right now about adoptions their accusations and suggestion that they have me arrested was very very serious even though I was totally innocent.

This was exactly the kind of information the enemies of adoption want to hear. But far far worse than jail- here I am less than 24 hours before I my flight leaves Liberia witn NO legal papers to take Jakin with me and knowing if the family did what they said they were going to do Jakin would not be leaving the country.

Bestman told Dan that as soon as daybreak we would go back to the house and make ourselves like fools to these people begging the family to reconcile and have mercy. Before Bestman showed up I was shaken beyond words but now words are not sufficient to tell how I felt.

Jakin and I got down on our knees and I covered my head with a sheet before I praying to show whatever evil was out there that I was under the authority of my husband and my spiritual head was back in America paying in unity with me the same thing. I prayed like I never prayed before. I felt Jakin and I were in bodily danger but I could not say why. I prayed all night like that.

I begged God saying "Lord prepare me a table in the presence of mine enemies Lord." I reminded Him of all that Dan and I have been through and prayed verses that He had given me on the plane and I had committed them to memory at the time I had no idea why I wanted to memorize those verses:

Blessed is the man that considereth the poor for the Lord shall save him in time of trouble. He will preserve him and keep him alive and He shall not deliver him unto the will of His enemies! Psalm 41:2

I reminded God of these verses and said "God I need you now! Your all I got!" "If you deliver Jakin and I we will be delivered and if you do not we will perish Lord!" I wrestled with God throughout the night like that and He replaced the demonic activity all around me with His power and His might.

I used the bathroom that night and saw flashlights shinning on the wall like someone was looking in the house. I heard machetes scrapping and clanging together but I don't think too much of these things because these were somewhat familiar sounds of the neighborhood watch team that patrols at night for criminals.

I prayed all night like I never prayed before . Dan was praying back home and both he and I called other people to pray for me. I felt their prayers and I felt the might and power of God.

As soon as daybreak came it was pouring driving rain but I felt like a stick of dynamite to get over to that house and stop that family from going to the radio and police. I had less than 12 hours to satisfy a furious family, get my remaining documents and get my son out of that country. After praying all night God had strengthened me and I felt like mother lion ready for war. My son was coming home with me.

God told Dan and I that Jakin was ours and this time we were taking what belonged to us. The man of the house opened up the house. It takes a long time to get out of a secure house in Liberia. You have to unlock a series of doors and once outside there is several more locks on the gate of the yard.

I waited impatiently when the door swung open we saw the car sitting in front of us damaged and broken into. Exploring further we saw the evidence that more than one person entered the fence armed with machetes.

At first I thought no big deal after all it was impossible for them to enter the house. Bestman came by while I was getting ready with his hand laid over his mouth in shock "Sis Stacy, criminals entered this house last night looking for you come and see!" I went in the kitchen to see that a hole had been chopped in the outside of the house near the tin roof where there is a little wood and they had climbed up in the rafters of the house and then cut another hole in the ceiling of the kitchen and entered.

In all my time in Liberia and after people telling us over and over and over again if they ever get in your house they will violate and damage the women and torture the men and if they think you are hiding money they might even kill you. And it is true because I know many people that this has happened to and it is on the radio there all the time.

I looked up into that hole in the ceiling and I knew that I had escaped only by God's hand!

In thinking it over: Whoever did that had planned that attack, they watched that house and planned just how they would do it and what they were going to do. It took them a long time to get over the fence which probably cut them and then it took a long long time to cut into that house without being heard. They had to make sure we did not hear them because if we were to scream for the neighborhood watch team or call they would have come and killed them. We have seen dead criminals dead on the road so many times there in Liberia. Even the criminals themselves risk their lives to enter a house so they know what they are doing before they break in.

So after all of that and that get into the house okay.....hurray...we're in now we can carry out our wicked plan. If they just wanted to steal they usually do not enter the house because they are professionals at getting things out of windows with long hooks and even threatening people through the windows with guns and such.

Everyone assured me they planned to do bodily harm and I tell you I had very little money on me and they would never have believed that an American had only that little bit of money.

So why in the world after all of that did they not even so much as try the handle of my door?? Or anyone's door in the house? No one knew that they were there that night.

Do you know that:

The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them. Ps. 34:7

And again:

Blessed is the man that considereth the poor.....for the Lord will not deliver him to the will of his enemies!!!! Psalm 44:2-3

God saved Jakin and I alive that night thank you Jesus and I will never fail to let that testimony be forgotten from my lips.

Our God is mighty and able to save neither is his ear heavy or his hand shortened.

Okay...............but...............I still had now less than 12 hours to leave the country and the family still wanted me in jail and no documents to take Jakin with me!

I ran out to beg a car and resolve these impossible problems. I got to our house with Bestman and sat down with a very angry family. I managed to spend the next hour and a half talking to them and in the end they were satisfied by me turning our house and all of Dan's and my property over to them.

When I went there I felt God fill me with might and power. I felt demonic stirrings around me but it was if they were touching a mighty armour on me and I was not moved. Like a feather against a steel armour.

God was going before me fighting for me to give me the son that belonged to us.

When I left the family I had about 6 hours to get the documents. I went and sat down at the Ministry of Justice and after sitting there for about an hour and a half some angel came out and put the last document in my hand!!

I grabbed Jakins arm and we ran out of there. I still had not confirmed my flight yet and that meant that in this very heavy travel season I could be bumped from my flight without even knowing it. After going to Brussels Airline to confirm my tickets they told me I had to pay $50 in airport taxes! Big problem I did not have $50 usd! Where was I going to get $50 out of thin air in a poor country in 5 hours time??

I had a very few things that were worth just a little bit of money and I sent Jakin and Bestman out on the road to sell it quick. Jakin and I were so hungry we didn't even have any money to eat but I knew they would feed us on the plane.

Praise God! Jakin came back with just enough money to pay the taxes just in time to leave for the airport and I had a few Liberian dollars to buy him a pair of socks at Elwa junction because his shoes were in terrible shape and the plane was so cold.

I could see the Red Sea parting in front of us. God was doing it. All I could think of is all the friends that I had had turned back with their kids at the airport and I would not let myself rejoice not at all. I had been warned so many times that the airport was where they liked to cause all the trouble. I watched and I prayed.

We arrived at the airport and I paid my airport taxes leaving me $1 usd. We made it threw each check point and they did not even really go through my documents.

Words cannot express how Jakin and I felt getting on the plane and soaring over Liberia. We thanked God together. I tis God that has done this.

I have heard well meaning friends say to me and Dan that if God wanted Jakin in America with us he would be here. God always wanted Jakin where he belongs with his family but Satan did not.

God knows the plans that he has for Jakin for good and not for evil. For those of you who do not know. Jakin has been adopted and lived with us in Liberia and we returned to finish legal documents to bring him here and due to tragedy in the country we could not bring him here and we have spent the last two years grieving for him. Our family has been ripped apart by this and tears have flowed from every member of this family for their brother Jakin and Dan and I have wept bitterly so many times for our son. But God be praise He has turned our mourning into dancing!

He has given beauty for ashes. Thank you Jesus for all you have done for us and thank you for saving Jakin and I alive that night. I know it was you. You alone (Jesus) are God and there is no other!

Me (Stacy) and Jakin.

Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please Read!!! :) :) :D

2010-08-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

I am so happy!!!!!!! My Mom and Jakin are on the airplane coming home!!!!!! Finally after 3 1/2 years he is coming home!!! I just can't believe how good the Lord is!!!!
For those of you who don't know; Jakin is our adoptive Liberian son [brother] he just turned 16 years old in July and we have been waiting 3 years for him to come to America. In 2008 we went there for a year to minister to the people of Liberia and so on. And the Lord is finally bringing him home!!!!!!!!

SMILES SMILES ALL SMILES HERE!!!!!!! :) :) :) I CANNOT STOP SMILING!!!!!! LOL :)

Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO OVERFLOWING WITH JOY I COULD BURST!!! :) :) :)

Cheeto's and Shaving Cream

2010-07-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

I was able to go up to Story Book Lodge at the end of July to be a junior counselor for Girls Camp. I was so glad to be able to minister to the girls up there.

Isenja B. was the Sr. Counselor, She is so much fun :) We had a cabin full of 7 bubbly girls ages 11 - 14, and they were all related in some way or another [almost all of them!] My favorite part out of that whole week was being able to talk to each girl individually and talking and asking about their own relationships with God.

The Lord really opened my eyes that week just showing me that every girl I am around whether it be in the grocery store or the farmers market is hurting in some way, is looking for something better than what she has now [If she does not have the Lord] and that I have a huge mission field around me everywhere I turn, and that I should not blind my eyes to the girls who are in front of me, that I should go out of my way to befriend them to say 'hi', get to know them and then tell them about the Lord. Anyway that's what I learned .. :D

Anyway about the title: Cheeto's and Shaving Cream :D

Thursday night all the junior counselors paired up in teams and lined up down the dining hall isle and one partner would wear a poncho or shower cap, with 2-3 inches thick of shaving cream on her head and the other would have a bowl full of cheeto's and try to throw as many cheeto's onto the parterns head as she could in 90 seconds! [My partner was Annie W. :] Anyway that was all fun but then after the contest was over all the girls and counselors started taking shaving cream off of our heads and smearing it all over anyone within arms reach!!!! It was a disaster!!!!!

Everyone was full of shaving cream and cheeto's! It was a mess all over the dining hall and leading outside! It was insane how messy it was!!! Then all the jr. counselors had to clean it up because we started it heh heh .... :s

Well here are the pictures, I didn't get so many because I was so busy.

Brianna

Amy in the middle plus Jaden [not in the picture] and me cleaned wayside bathrooms all week.

Yeah not the most pleasant job in the entire world but I was glad to help! :D

Here's Maria on 'P' Night where everyone could dress up with colors starting with P. But we decided to wear pink or purple and then wear the P's ourselves!

Here we are in chapel. Starting left to right is Emily, Cassie, Haley, Maria, Brianna, Haley and way at the end is Beth.

Haley

Emily

All the girls on 'P' night

Maria on Banquet Night

Cassie on Banquet Night

Me and Hannah on Banquet Night

Hannah and Brianna

Bloggy Break....

2010-07-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

Well I am going on my first 'blogging break' here. I am leaving for camp Tommorow and will be back next Saturday and then after that I will be extremely busy with fair projects, gardening and everything else that has to be done in a fmily of 11 kids!!
So I will probably be back to blogging in mid August.

See ya later!

~ Tiffany

Dedicated to all Minnesotans

2010-07-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

The 10 commandments Minnesotan style

1. Der's only one God, ya' know

2. Don't make dat' fish on yer mantle an idol

3. Cussin' ain't Minnesota nice

4. Go to church even when yer up nort

5. Honor yer folks

6. Don't kill. Catch and release

7. Der's only one Lena fer every Ole. No cheatin !

8. If it ain't yer Lutefisk, don't take it!

9. Don't be braggin' about how much snow ya' shoveled

10. Keep yer mind off yer neighbor's hotdish

Ahh ..my computer won't let my space out sentences!! Sorry about that.

I have no idea who wrote this but whoever he was was one true Minnesota born, enthusiast!

Cute Pictures

2010-07-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Look at this poor baby! We were taking pictures today for our product blog which you can see HERE. Anyway she sure is cute, and a little spoiled, hey what can you expect from the youngest of 11 kids!?

Inspired Young Womans Daybook

2010-07-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

Find out how to do this HERE

Today I ~ am trying to stay cool it's humid here!!

I'm feeling ~ Excited, camp is in 1 1/2 weeks!! I will be counseling a Girls Camp up at Story Book Lodge

My outfit is~ Skirt and a tee shirt

Outside my window ~ gray skies, were under a severe thunderstorm watch!

A song that's stuck in my head ~ Chris Rice Nothin but the Blood

Something that has inspired me recently ~ My Dad has inspired me, we were downtown Minneapolis a few weeks ago at a park handing out tracts and wittnessing, and there was such a diverse group of people there, Mexicans, Muslims, blacks, whites all types of people. ANd my Dad started to preach and after only about 5 min. of preaching the police showed up I had never seen them come this quickly before!

And it's not against the law so they have nothing to back them up to put a stop to the preaching, yet! Anyway my Dad has inspired me to stand up for what matters most to you in life, and never stop at any point for the sake of the gospel!

A prayer of my heart this week ~ for my brother Jakin who supposedly will be coming home soon!

I am creating ~ a blog post?

I am reading ~ Still reading - Joshua Harris' book 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye'

I am thinking ~ about Stephanies giveaway that ends tommorow

A scripture verse that has stuck out to me this week ~ Revelation 13:16-17

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to recieve a mark in their hand or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that hath the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Those verses just make me think of the RFID or the Veri-Chip, after watching some video's on youtube it really makes you think that we are really in the end times!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNPDgudPmXE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpj4HRmJFiU

A spiritual lesson I'm learning ~ Phillipians 4:19 But my God shall supply all thy need according to his riches and glory by Christ Jesus. Just learning that he means what he says but you have to have the faith that he will do it!

A picture i'd like to share ~ Happy 4th

A creative goal for next week ~ memorize at least 6 verses [I am up to James 4:7 now!!!]

Giveaway!!

2010-07-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Go on over to Stephanie's Saga and enter in her giveaway!! Hurry up because it ends July 14th!
I hope I will be able to do a giveaway when I get up to my 100th post too!

Wow my backround is really 'bling, bling' I might change it again after i'm tired of looking of it!
All that blue had to go though!

Please Visit my Friends Blog!

2010-07-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

My dear and sweet friend Isabella Swenson started a blog not to long ago, please go and take a look and keep watching for more posts!

Living For Jesus Ministries

P.S
Happy birthday Ireland Swenson!

What I've Been Up To - Fun Fun Fun!

2010-07-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Well I had this idea that I would make iPod slip cases to sell at out farmers markets!
If I don't do well I think I will open an etsy shop. I am going to be making covers for cell phones, iPones, and other things like that I think.

Aaannnddd I also made iPod's for kids too! They are really fun to make. The pictures are at the bottom.

So I have been having fun lately!

25 Things To Do When You Are Bored...

2010-07-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

I was bored so I made a list of things to do when you are bored... :)

1. Start your own blog

2. Go to the library and get a book on medicinal plants and herbs and spend the afternoon walking around your yard identifying what you have.

3. Learn to crochet

4. Start an encouragment group for girls in your neighborhood

5. Raise money for orphans in Africa - ways you could do this: sell jewelry at craft fairs, etsy etc.

6. Make pretty flower pins to put in your hair, get a bobby pin or barrete and secure a flower on there with glue or string.

7. Write a letter to you Grandparents no matter how close or far away they lives from you. They always like getting things from their grandchildren

8. Help out a Mom with young kids that you know of for a day. Mom's always can use the help.
Offer to sweep, scrub, vacuum or just hang out with the kids so she can have a break!

9. Start an herb garden, I used an old bathtub and filled it with about 15 gallons of dirt and transplanted some things from various places so I could see what kind of flowers or fruit they produced.

10. Enter in the Open Exhibit in your county fair, you could enter your crocheting, sewing, knitting, baking, colletions, art, stories, photography, flowers, really anything that you made yourself!

11. Try a new recipe

12. Give Mom and Dad breakfast in bed even if there is no occasion, it is so fun.

13. Go garage saling for a day

14. Gather all your friends and play volleyball, winners get a secret surprise such as buckets of freezing, cold water over their heads!!! Or just think of something nice =)

15. Make a claymation movie

16. Go take a hike

17. Go to your nearest farmers market, there is a lot of good, fresh produce and alot of other stuff too.

18. Google: Pen-pal kids in Africa, and find an organization that does this and start pen-paling

19. Learn a new instrument

20. Start a Book-Swap with your friends what you do is everyone brings at least 1 book that they have already read and make sure that everyone writes their name on the inside cover with their email address or home address and then in 1 month do this again and have everyone return the books to the lender, and then everyone can choose a new book

21. Set monthly goals for yourself, and at the end of each month reward yourself.

22. Watch this short funny video HERE Very clean btw

23. Go to THIS website and see how many awesome things you can do to your photo's

24. Collect perfectly circle rocks [I do!]

25. Read your Bible through in a year

Count Your Blessings...

2010-06-16T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is my 'note-to-self post' :)

When we are having a plain old bad day let's take a moment and look at these.. the people of Liberia.

When the children are sick with a cold, be thankful they are not suffering from intestinal worms..

When the roof needs a little patch job, be thankful it is not full of holes and cracks, and that you don't have to line the ceiling with newspaper like these..

When you have to get up in the night and use the restroom be thankful you do not have to squat over a hole and the whole time have to worry about the snakes, scorpions and spiders...

When you had a bad traffic jam on the way home from work, be thankful that you did not have to drive through this..

When you're craving for a soft drink be thankful you don't have to drink from this...

When you are feeling tired and a little worn out be thankful you have a clean, comfy mattress with a comforter to sleep on instead of this...

1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and rainment let us be therewith content.

Make A Stand For the Lord

2010-06-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking lately about how us teenagers these days live and all that is in our realm of thinking. We think about how we look and what we wear and how our social life is turning out and our friends and our i-pods and cell phones and basically all we sometimes think about is our own life, and that's it! Is there any thing else to life other than 'me'? We spend our time dwelling on shallow non-eternal things, sometimes constantly, if not all the time. I have been guilty of this too.

There is so much more to life than just 'me'. There is so much we can accoplish for the Lord at these times in our life's. There is a battlefield out there that needs to fought. Strong men and brave women are needed for this army. Prayers and DOING are what we need.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, decieving your own selves.

The army is calling all born again young adults! to come and fight in the Lords army! Teens who are willing to grow up and not stay little clinging on to the excuse that 'everyone else is doing it'. The world pulls at you from every side, Satan tries to suck you in using the most innocent things, check yourself, your consience, are you in His will? Are you doing what He wants you to do and not just what feels good?

Are you willing to make a stand? Are you willing to be wierd in the worlds eyes and even your friends? Because you will be, if you take a stand, the bible says so.

John 15: 18-19-20 If the world hate you-know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Romans 12:2
And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What you wear, what you watch, what you DO says everything I mean everything about you! Be careful make sure you are sending a good message and not a bad one. Make sure you are saying to the world "I am different" "I have something that you should have too."

Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our savior Jesus Christ.

I think us teenagers as a generation need to grow up! Our culture and society has told us that we don't have to and that it's okay to just play around until reality and life hits us and then we find we are not prepared! We are not mature, we have not prepared ourselves for the days when we will need wisdom and understanding. We will be on our own, being able to do what ever we want to do. And most often we are not spiritually mature or ready to face all the choices and decisions that you will have to made, we are just not ready for life!

We all need to grow up and start fighting in the Lord's army NOW! We need to man-up every one of us and put on the armour of God. Read Ephesians 6:11- 18. Take that literally. Read your bible, pray diligently for wisdom and understanding for the Lord.

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Proverbs 19:8

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 3:13

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired and are not compared to it. Proverbs 8:11

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a preverse heart shall be despised. Proverbs 12:8

Yay My 3rd Blog!!

2010-06-04T11:58:00.001-07:00

Yes I went and made a 3rd blog called The Simple Herb Girl I want to make herbs simple for beginners and really anybody who is interested. Herbs are simple but some people can make them complicated. I am really excited about this blog so I hope you stop by and keep watching for more posts!

~ Tiffany

Go here: The Simple Herb Girl

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

Today [Memorial Day] most of us kids were slightly sick so that kind of messed up our plans we had with other people! So we decided to just go to a beach and swim for an hour. Here are some pictures.

By the way my brother DID actually decide to finish #3 of the Mellow Yellow Commercial so here's the link HERE

BTW my mother does not allow my brothers to drink mellow yellow because she knows how bad it is for them [us]! [She made me say this!] :] :]

Have a great week!

1 Peter 1:5-8 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperence; and to temperence patience; and to patience godliness;

and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness chairity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Save the Earth ... it's the only planet with chocolate!!!

[I love that one!]

An Inspired Young Womans Daybook

2010-05-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

To find out how to do this go HERE

Today I ~ sold at the farmers market

I'm feeling ~ very hot it's around 80 degrees

I'm wearing ~ nasty old gardening skirt and a tee

Outside my window ~ Sunny, and hot

A song that's stuck in my head ~ Tammy Wynette Stand By Your Man

Something that has inspired me recently ~ I can't rly think of anything?

A prayer of my heart this week ~ For my brother Jakin

I am creating ~ crocheted teddy bears

I am reading ~ I kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

I am thinking ~ About this past week

A scripture verse or passage of scripture that has stuck out to me this week ~ Revelation 3:5

A spiritual lesson i'm learning ~ Patience!!!!!!!!!!!

A picture i'd like to share ~ Us girls at the farmers market

A creative goal for next week ~ memorize at least 5 verses

Did I complete my goal from last week? Yes

Mellow Yellow Movie #2

2010-05-28T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yep Ashton got #2 on Youtube. And he said that he is not finishing number 3 and 4 because he says they are stupid. It's hard to convince him that something is not stupid when he thinks it is! :]

I am trying to give Ashton's video's some publicity so make sure you comment on his video's!!!
He is a rly good director though! I am very surprised at how some of his video's have turned out rly well!!

Anyway enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o0RE6M92FA

Mellow Yellow Commercial

2010-05-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

My brothers Ashton, Peyton and their friends Bryce and Eric made a movie on Sunday and they did a pretty good job I have to say!

I will just have to give the link instead of posting it here. You would not believe how slow our Internet is today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA9QOT7mHFE

More are on the way! I think there is a 2, 3, and 4??!!!

When you're done go over to Ashton's BLOG [who is also the director] and tell him what you thought of his movie??!!

The Blue Award and Random Thoughts

2010-05-25T06:07:00.000-07:00

O.k. I got this from Stephanie - yes I know I get everything from Stephanie! [Thanks girl!]

Rules for the award; answer the 10 questions your tagger has made up make up 10 questions

of your own and award 6 other bloggers.

Here are Stephanie's questions for me!

1. Would you rather take 5 quizzes or 1 big test? Probably 1 big test

2. What do you usually say when you answer the phone? "Yo yo what's up?" Actually I would never say that :] I always say "Hello"

3. Would you ever consider reading the dictionary when you 're bored? Yes I have actually done that a few times.

4. What's you're least favorite chore? I have just sat here for 7 min. I can't think of one!?

5. What instrument do you [if you] play? None. Although I have a mandolin.

6. Have you ever written on your pants with a sharpie? No

7. What is your favorite thing to make/ create? Photograph's and I like decorating cards

8. M&M's or skittles? M&M's

9. How technologically literate would you say you are? I have to say that I am pretty good with anything electronic!

10. Have you ever taken a cooking class? Nope

And here are you're questions!

1. Have you ever lived in a foreign country?

2. Favorite summer past time?

3. How many years have you been blogging?

4. Drama or Suspense? [for a movie]

5. Have you ever milked a goat?

6. Volleyball or Ultimate Frisbee?

7. What's your favorite thing to do on a Saturday?

8. How many words can you type per minute?

9. Favorite bible verse

10. Do you own an ipod, i touch, i - anything?

Have at it! If you have not received this before than please take it! [Plz comment first though]

Anyway enough of that. On Saturday I got to see my very good friend Ruth F. who I have not seen in forever!! Here's some good pictures!

Awww you're so pretty Ruth!

It was soooo hot yesterday! We worked all day in the garden in the 90 degree blistering sun! Man talk about global warming! :] Felt like 100 degrees in the direct sunlight!

My Mom says that we should be used to the heat and humidity from when we were living in Liberia but it's so cold in Minnesota that you just get used to being cold!!

I am so glad garage sailing season is here! Finally it's time to really start being thrifty! You can find so many things for dirt cheap whereas in Goodwill or Savers etc. they ask way to much for just basic things. Especially the clothing is way too much; for me anyway! I like garage sailing much better.

Well I guess I better stop now I have goats to milk now...

An Inspired Young Womans Daybook

2010-05-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

To find out how to do An Inspired Young Woman's Daybook follow this link:

http://vividry-melody.blogspot.com/2010/02/inspired-young-womans-daybook.html

Today I ~ am planting in the garden

I am feeling ~ Kind of dreary we are supposed to have isolated thunderstorms till Thursday of next week!!

My outfit is ~ mid length jean skirt and a pink shirt

Outside my window ~ yucky, nasty gray skies

A song that's stuck in my head ~ Fist City by Loretta Lynn

Something that has inspired me recently ~ Debi Pearl's book Preparing to be a Help meet

has inspired me to not only think of all the wonderful qualities I want my future husband to have but to also be thinking about what kind of girl does my future husband want to marry?

A prayer of my heart this week ~ that the Lord would give me wisdom for every area of my life.

I am creating ~ A crocheted tea pot set

I am reading ~ Extreme Devotion by Voice of the Martyrs

I am thinking ~ about my friends I am going to see tomorrow that I haven't seen in 3 months! And that's a long time for me!

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ just learning to get closer to the Lord. Learning on reading my bible more often and truly believing what I read and putting it to action!

An attribute I have seen of God this week ~ We were street preaching in St.Cloud this week and there was a lot of mockers and scorners and people who were just plain upset or angry I should say. And I was thinking about how God loves all these people but they have resisted and rejected God and he is going to bring judgement upon them. They need salvation!

I guess the attribute is Love and Judgement.

A picture I would like to share ~

Have a blessed weekend!

Blog Awards!

2010-05-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

I got this one from Stephanie. This is hilarious!!!

If you are homeschooled please take it...

And if you love to write than take the 'Prolific' Award!

I Love Herbs!

2010-05-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

Yes I am really into herbs. It is so fun learning something that our generation knows so little about especially in this day and age.

There are about 6,989,123 plant species in the world. Of course we can only guess. I don't think there is anyway to know exactly how many. But wow that is a stinkin' lot!!

Genesis 1:29

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Wow EVERY herb he gave to us! Does that include poison ivy, poison hemlock etc? If anyone knows if there are any medicinal or useful purposes of this poison stuff let me know!

Ahhh yes herbs and plants are so interesting!

Garlic.

Let's talk about some garlic.

Garlic is one of the most valuable and versatile foods on the planet! Garlic has the most appropriate nickname "King of all Healing Herbs". And rightfully so! I have even seen and used this myself. The results of garlic is simply amazing. Read up about it on -line.

Here's a few interesting facts:

Garlic helps strengthen your body's defenses against allergies.

Garlic also promotes increased bile production to help reduce levels of fat in the liver

Garlic pills help ward of coughs and colds. I eat garlic when I am sick with little colds and if I am constant and diligent my cold will go away. I have done this many many times.

I could go on and on. Anyway you should read about it when you have the opportunity.

Just google 'health benefits of garlic'.

Next time I am going to talk about a little yellow flower that millions of Americans would call a 'nuisance'. But you literally have medicine growing in your backyard!

One Year of Salvation

2010-05-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

On Wedenesday was my 1st spiritual birthday! One year ago I was saved from all my sins by the Only Living God who Lives Forever and Ever!! Praise the Lord!!!!

For God hath not appointed us to wrath; but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:9

Niether is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

And all flesh shall see thou hast given me shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. 2 Samuel 22:36

But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
Pslam 13:5

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
Titus 2:11

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that believe Him. Hebrew 5:9

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man can number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tounges, stood before the throne, and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in thier hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb. Revelation 7:10-11

Please read my salvation testimony below!

When I was 5 or 6 years old I think I can remember giving my heart to Jesus. And I was baptized. But when I was 12 I remember thinking that I was unsure of my salvation. Then I was 13 and 14 and I thought I might be saved but now I know for sure that I wasn't.

As I was faced with choices that I had to make in life despite that I wanted to do the right thing I at times felt powerless to choose right. That really made me doubt even more. When we got back home from Liberia I kept telling myself "I know I am saved I know I am saved." I was always trying to reassure myself that I was saved then finally I knew I wasn't when I heard the testimony of Shalom (Pearl) Brand's husband who is actively ministering for the Lord just got saved a couple months ago. I was so shocked by his testimony I thought "how is it possible that he wasn't saved?" After that I saw another testimony of a man who grew up in a Christian home and seemed to be walking with the Lord when he too realized that he was not saved. Those testimonies just confirmed in my heart what I already knew.......that I was not saved.

Every morning when I woke up and when I went to bed I was always pestering myself with the question "am I saved? am I saved?" I was so sick of waking up every morning and thinking about it. I was even afraid to go places because I knew if I died I would probably go to hell. Then I knew I was not saved. Then I told my parents that I didn't think I was saved. So they talked with me and then I started thinking "O.k. I am fine now I love Jesus and Jesus loves me I am good to go". But then after two weeks or so I started getting scared again and I just knew I WAS NOT SAVED! But for some reason I didn't want to bow the knee and repent. I obviously thought I was a good person. And that I hadn't really done anything wrong. But I had done wrong. I was proud, too proud to ask Jesus to forgive me.

I grew up in a godly home my parents brought their 10 kids to Africa to be missionaries! My dad was a street preacher. He was always witnessing to people. I knew all the bible verses I knew what you had to do to be saved, and yet I wasn't. I was ashamed of Christ I knew that if I were to get saved everybody would know and I thought people would look down on me and scoff and laugh because here was the missionaries daughter getting saved. And my friends! What would my friends think? I was afraid to lose my friends.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.

I thought I was o.k. But God knew I was not o.k.

On May 12th 2009 I finally knew I could not work my way to heaven or earn my way to heaven but that I had to let Jesus into my life and take control. As I lay in bed that night I just silently cried and prayed to Jesus to forgive me for being proud and arrogant and asked him to forgive me of all my sins. Past, present and future. And he did!! I suddenly started imagining in my mind as I cried out to God my heart being made white and clean and fresh! It was amazing. Thank you Jesus!!!!

I now know that I am saved I am forgiven and redeemed in the blood of the lamb. Jesus really did that for me? Why would someone so perfect let his ONLY son down from heaven to this wicked sinful earth for all human beings. To take all the sins of the world onto himself and be crucified on a cross. How much love is that my mind cannot even fathom how much he loves us! I now and realize what a loving, caring God he is but he is also a just God.

I used to have to literally force myself to read my bible but now I can't get enough!

Thank you Jesus!

After I got saved I still was a little hesitant to write this post and even tell people but then I read the verse

2 Timothy 1:8 Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord .... be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

And I think that if I had never heard Justin Brand's testimony I might never had gotten saved. Maybe I would have but that had a BIG impact on me coming to the Lord.

When I ask people to describe me I want the answer to be " Totally sold out for Jesus!"

I am now bathing in God's goodness and mercy everyday with joy in my heart. I pray this testimony has strengthened or encouraged you to do the right thing.

Matthew 16:24 -Jesus said unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me.

My Random Yet Busy Week

2010-05-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

On Sunday after church our family decided to grab something for dinner at a grocery store. So we eventually decided to take the whole family inside. Wow! 10 kids and 2 parents that is a lot!

So as if we were not drawing enough attention already, in the check out isle Joe and Nathan [age 3 and 5] start singing as loudly as they can " And they will know we are Christians by our love; by our love; yes they'll know we are Christians by our love!!!!"

Ha ha ........

On Saturday our beautiful Nubian doe had twin girls!! They are really cute and I am very pleased with they're markings they are really beautiful!

By the way, happy mothers day to each and every mother out there!! You have an important mission field in front of you! Pray pray pray.

On Saturday we had our 2nd farmers market of the year. We have named our little business 'The Little Pea Shoppe' We crocheted lots of little play toys for babies but our main thing is little pea's in the pod and they are so fun!

We also have another farmers market on Thursday's too! And that starts this week so we are busy!

Here is the unfinished advertising flier that I am trying to make [left] It's not done but it's a start!

Well have a great week!

Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that preverteth his ways shall be known.

"Sticks and Stones..."

2010-05-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

The other day Daniel, my brother [age 7 above] said this to Peyton [age 10 picture below] and he was dead serious too!

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me; thats a bible verse Peyton!"

Cute.

Here's Peyton

Pure in Heart Award ~

2010-05-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

I recieved this from Stephanie over at Stephanies Saga. Thanks so much!

If you are tagged

1. Post about the tag

2. Pick 10 bloggers who deserve this award

3. leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged letting them know they were awarded

4. Answer the questions along with your post

1. Apples, Oranges or Banana's? Banana's

2. How many siblings to you have? 10! 6 boys and 4 girls [not including me :]

3. How old are you? I am sixteen will be 17 then end of this year.

4. Do you live on a: prarie, woodland, swamp, city or other? I guess you could call it woodland

5. Scissors or glue? scissors

6. Describe your dream house? A really old farm house very antique-y like. With oh I suppose 20 + acres for a few cows, goats and maybe a llama or two? Beautiful.

7. Is your room clean? It's fair right now.

8. If you could be a movie character for a day who would it be? Lizzie Bennet from the newer Pride and Prejudice. Or Margaret Hale from North and South.

9. Italy, Greece, France, Spain or England? England

10. What denomination are you? None.

11. Do you sleep with a stuffed toy [Be Honest!!!!] No I do not.

12. Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans? Well I like chocolate better but I chew gum more often.

13. What is your favorite book? It is impossible for me to choose 1 favorite book. The Bible is first and then maybe One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven by Mark Cahill.

14. Favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie dough!

15. If you had to eat one type of food for 2 weeks what would it be? Pizza

16. What is your favorite Olyplic sport? Ice Skating and Skiing

17. If you woke up one morning and discovered you had turned into Miley Cyrus for the day, what would you do? I would shoot myself. [Not literally just mentally!] :] :] :] :]

18. Describe yourself in three words. Happy, Saved and probably too serious most of the time. That's what my Mom says anyway :]

19. What do you hate? I really really dislike unkind words, backbiting, and unkind speech about other people. I really really hate that.

20. If Elmo came into your room with a gun, what would you do? Ha ha... I would say " What would Big Bird say if he saw you right now.....?

I tag...

Alyssa
Amy
Ana
Melody
Livvy
Kelsi
Miss Zara
Mrs. Kristy
Natasha
Bethany

Have Fun!

Tag

2010-05-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

I got this tag from Stephanie over at Stephanies Saga- http://stephanies-literay-saga.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules of the tag. Tag five people and do not tag the person who tagged you. If you would not like to answer a certain question, simply change it to the one you like and answer that.

I tag all my lovley followers.

1# What songs are you currently listening to? At The Foot of the Cross by Kathryn Scott

2# What books are you currently reading? Debi Pearls Preparing to be His Helpmeet, The Devil Came on Horsback by Brian Stiedle, and True Discipleship by William MacDonald.

3# What did you do that was fun today? We did our first Farmers Market of the year! It was really fun except for that it was sooooooo windy!!!

4# Do you sing a lot? not really but I should :]

5# Sweet or Salty? Sweet!!!

6# What is your favorite hobby? I think it is impossible to for me to choose my favorite I love all my hobbies!! The one I probably enjoy the most is photography.

7# What books have you read at least 3 times? None! I really only need to read a book once! there are so many books I need to read I don't have time to re-read any!!

8# What sites do you always visit when you go online? My Blog, Wcco, Youtube, My Email, and Craigslist.

9# What was the last thing you bought? Hair products :]

10# Favorite earliest memory? Swimming in the pool with my Mom when I was 2 or 3.

11# What do you do to change your mood? I read a verse from the book of Proverbs!

12# What was the last meal you ate? I can't remember...... [just kidding !] :] :]

13# Do you want to learn another language? Yes. I want to learn Bassa. It is a Liberian tribal dialect. It is also a tonal language which is a hard one to master!

14# 5 things you can't live without? Jesus Christ, The KJV bible, my family, my camera, Luke my dog, [and I am going to add a 6th!] My friends.

15# Find the closest book and flip to page 53. What is the first sentence of the first paragraph? From The World Atlas Reference Dictionary "The political system has all but collapsed in Afghanistan." ..... o.k. that was wierd...??

16# What is something you would like to say to someone right now? Don't Drink and Drive :]

17#What are you looking forward to? Tomorrow. It's my great- grandparents like 60th wedding anniversary!!! Wow!

An Inspired Young Womans Daybook ~

2010-04-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

Find out how to do An Inspired Young Woman's Daybook Here
http://vividry-melody.blogspot.com/2010/02/inspired-young-womans-daybook.html

Today I ~ Worked on planting

I'm Feeling ~ Lethargic - O I hope i'm not getting sick!

My Outfit is ~ brown tee shirt and a middle calf skirt

Outside my window ~ gray skies, little shoots of green grass and finally the tree's are starting to bud!

A song that's stuck in my head ~ Amazing Grace - LeeAnn Rhimes

I am creating ~ trying to get together VBS type stuff for a camp in June so I am creating a small VBS curriculum type deal.

I am reading ~ Small Miracles of the Holocaust

A scripture verse or passage that has stuck out to me this week ~ Psalm 35:9 And my sould shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his Salvation.

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ Being Joyful

An attribute of God I have seen this week ~ Pure LOVE

A picture i'd like to share ~

A creative goal for next week ~ memorize 7 verses

Did I finish my goal from last week? Yes I did.

Spread The Disease!

2010-04-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

Are you like me ? Probably not. But maybe you have the same struggles as I have. I have been struggling with just being Joyful. I am learning that because of what Jesus Christ has done we should be overflowing with joy it should be so obvious that we are so happy! It should and can spread like a disease if we let it!...
I call it the Joyful Disease.

Note: on all bible verses emphasis mine throughout this whole post.
And my soul shall be JOYFUL in the Lord: it shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 35:9

Psalm 145:5 Let the saints be JOYFUL in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Literally? Should we literaly be so Joyful that we sing on our beds as we are falling asleep? We should be so joyful and so full of Jesus that we cannot stop singing his praise!!!!

Isiah 61:10 I will greatly REJOICE in the Lord, my soul shall be JOYFULL in my God; for he hath CLOTHED ME IN THE GARMENTS OF SALVATION!..
God has given us the clothing of Savation he has given us life he has given us the ability and opportunities to share Jesus with everyone we see so we can spread this Joyful disease!

Proverbs 15:13 A MERRY heart maketh a CHEERFUL countenance: but by the sorrow of his heart the spirit is broken. Do you have a merry heart? If you do you will have a cheerful countenance! But if you are sorrowful, whiney, pouty, you're spirit will be broken. And you will not LOOK merry! To the outside world who are looking in at us Christians they are looking at us to see what makes Christians different from Hindu's and Buddihsts and other religions out there. So what does make us Christian different? We have the ONE and ONLY LIVING, BREATHING GOD! The one who gives us life and salvation the one who gives us every golden sunrise and every majestic sunset. He has given us life for eternity, he has given us a promise!!

So my point is are you so overflowing with joy that you can hardly contain yourself???

You just have to tell everbyody what is wrong with you!

Do YOU have the Joyful Disease?

More Baby Goats!

2010-04-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

One of our mama goats kidded last week. She had twins, a girl and a boy. I for one think they are really cute. They are half Oberhasli and the other half is Alpine.

You Know Your In Africa When..

2010-04-15T09:19:00.000-07:00

I also copyed this from my Mom's old blog. My Mom is so creative! All this is true though and we expierienced this in our day to day lives and brings back so many fond memories!
I'm gonna cry now... :]

You Know You're in Africa When:

- You've been invited to dinner and are given toilet paper to use in place of a napkin.

- You get in a motorbike accident and the people around you are more shocked to see the color of you're skin than you're injuries.

- You're only tolerable sleeping arrangements are the concrete floors to beat the tropical heat.

- You're pillows are stuffed with cut up foam squares.

- You are now buying your undergarments from the big scary man pushing the wheelbarrow.

- An extremely strange animal walks through you're yard and everybody in the neighborhood agrees it's a witch.

- You can now tell what hour of the morning it is when the candle burns out.

- The man spinning around in your garbage hole singing in Bassa at the top of his lungs isn't dangerous either he is just the local autistic man mining for diamonds!?!

- You wake up in the morning to a monkey hanging from the bars on your bedroom window talking and chattering demanding food.

- People look at your white baby and say he is that color because he is dead!?

- You see on your living room wall a large spider having the leg span of a large hand and a body size of a .50 cent piece.

- All the bars on the windows of your house solidify the fact that you are now an animal in a zoo complete with spectators looking through to see what you are doing. After about 6 months or so you learn to behave much the way animals do in a zoo; totally oblivious to all the attention.

- You call out every morning "who's going to feed the monkeys!?'

- You are told you have to apply to the government for a licence that states that you are now able to preach the gospel in any village between certain hours of the day without the "Town Devil' coming out to bother you.

- You are now buying gas out of mayonnaise jars.

- You hear over the radio that a group of students have been taken to the hospital sustaining injuries from a demon that entered the school and blinded several students.

- You are pricing armadillos on the side of the road.

- You're kids come and ask you for flashlights to use the bathroom.

- It's a compliment to say " My you are looking very fat today!"

It's Okay to Call People Fat in Liberia!

2010-04-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

I was bored so I copied this from my Mom's old blog she had when we were in Liberia.
It's pretty funny! Enjoy.

Here in Liberia if you call someone fat it's no big deal. I was over at Alita's house sitting in their "front room" examining their baby. Alita's mom was admiring Madison and looking fondly at her and said "Your fat.. just like your mother." Madison gave her a blank look and then [to my embarrasment] gave her the most vicious look I had ever seen! Alita's mom looked very confused and then said "okay your not fat, your not fat!"

I have explained to Jakin how calling someone fat in Liberia is a very big insult. Last night I was laughing telling them how upset Madison was with Alita's mom for calling her fat. Jakin looked over at Maddie laughing and said "Maddie you are fat." Poor Madison she burst into tears sobbing hysterically. Jakin was like "You've got to be kidding!" They cannot believe how Americans respond to this. Maddie is laughing now and knows I am going to post this and it is okay with her.

Talking to AB he was trying to point out his wife to us he was pointing and saying "you know my wife the cook, she's the fat one!" This has sparked a lot of hilarious conversations between us and some other Liberians. I was telling them how I would be very unhappy if Mr. Daniel pointed to me and said "my wife - the fat one." Dan was telling them that in America if you call someone fat you could slapped or punched! My cook Esther is so funny, she says "if someone tells me I am fat that's okay maybe I will reduce then. I woundl't punch them or cry." It is a compliment to them it means that you are healthy. They say that if they go to America and come back they want to be fat it shows that they are eating good.

Well I hope you had a good laugh! Tune in next time for "You know you're in Liberia when.."

:] :) :] :0 :] :)

An Inspired Young Womans Daybook

2010-04-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

Today I ~ am going to visit my elderly friend Shirly

I'm feeling ~ Tired, didn't go to bed till' 1:00 a.m. yes I'm a night owl.

My Outfit is ~ A jean skirt and a black tee shirt

Outside my window ~ The sun is just coming up

A Song that's stuck in my head ~ He's Always been faithful by Sara Groves

Something that has inspired me recently ~ Our friends that are still street preaching down in Texas.

A Prayer of my heart this week ~ For my brother Jakin who is still in Liberia

I am creating ~ I have been editing photo's lately

I am reading ~ Kirk Cameron's auto-biography

I am thinking ~ about our really mean goat buck!

A scripture verse that has stuck out to me this week ~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ Diligence - hmm is that more of a character thing?

An attribute of God I've seen this week ~ Faith fullness!

A Picture I'd like to share ~

A creative goal for next week ~ memorize 7 verses

Did I complete my goal from last week? Yes!

Baby Goats!

2010-04-06T13:22:00.000-07:00

Yay! One of our 5 pregnant goats had her kids last Friday. Are they not adorable!

An Inspired Young Womans Daybook

2010-03-26T12:27:00.000-07:00

Find out how to do An Inspired Young Womans Daybook: http://vividry-melody.blogspot.com/2010/02/inspired-young-womans-daybook.html

Today I ~ crocheted things for the famers market in May!

I am feeling ~ lazy

My outfit is ~ a jean skirt and a 3/4 sleeve tee.

Outside my window ~ brown grass and trees

A song that's stuck in my head ~ Be thou my vision by Selah

Something that has inspired me recently ~ Hmmmm I guess I havn't been very inspired this week!

A prayer of my heart this week ~ For our friends who went down to Texas to street preach.

I am creating ~ Lots of crocheted animals!

I am reading ~ the Bible

I am thinking ~ many many things... I am always thinking!

A scripture verse that has stuck out to me this week ~ John 15: 4

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ Well lately I have been upset because I felt like I havn't been bearing good fruit. Such as the fruit of the spirit [Gal. 5:22] and then I read John chapter 15 and I relized that I can't like make myself 'be good' or take on character myself. No I have to abide in Him and He in me.

An attribute of God I have seen this week ~ Longsuffering

A picture i'd like to share ~ gotta love that :]

A creative goal for next week ~ James 2: 1-7

Did I complete my goal from last week ~ ALMOST!!! but not quite.... I am going to try so hard to get it right this week!

Princess Award

2010-03-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

1# Thank the person who gave it to you: Thanks Alyssa!

2# Name an author you love: God

3# Name an author who's writings you hate: Joyce Meyers, any doctrine written by a woman!

4# The book you love: well I lovethe bible but I also really like the book "One thing you can't do in heaven".

5# What always moves you, or what makes you excited? dark chocolate, romance movies, really good photography.

6# Something I hate: unkind speech

Give the award to 7 blogs. Well Alyssa over at Days to Remember gave this to anyone who is a reader of her blog so if you read my blog then you can have it!

Ashton's Birthday

2010-03-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

On the left: me and Ashton - rly bad picture though.

Ashton turned 14 this month so Dad took all 4 of us older kids bowling for the first time in our lives! I love bowling now! We all had a lot of fun!
My score [with bumpers] 119 and without 53.
Yeah...really bad but hopefully i'll get better!

Peyton, Madison and Ashton

Opening his gifts.

I think he got a clay pigeon thrower and a few books. He loves to read- like crazy!

Happy birthday Ashton

Blog Button Give Away!!!

2010-03-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hannah over at Aspire is having a blog button give away! I hope I get it I would really like to have a button! I tried making one myself but it was really hard I could not figure out hotmails and things like that so I hope I get chosen!!! Anyway she has a neat blog you should go check her out.

Young Woman's Daybook ~

2010-03-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

Find out how to do An Inspired Young Woman's Daybook follow this link http://vividry-melody.blogspot.com/2010/02/inspired-young-womans-daybook.html

Today I - am singing happy birthday to my brother Nathan. He's 5 years old today!

I'm feeling - Neutral

My outfit is - I will always say the same thing.. It's Saturday morning I am still in my jammies!

Outside my window ~ The ground is almost bare the tree's are naked - spring where are you!

A song that is stuck in my head ~ Liz on top of the world from Pride and Prejudice

Something[somebody] that has inspired me this week ~ Isabella S. my good friend who has a true heart to please the Lord in everything she does. She is such an encouragement to me!

A prayer of my heart this week ~ For the Lord to help me to be a sweet and lovable person!

I am creating ~ A ministry video of Liberia

I am reading ~ Extreme Devotion from Voice of the Martyrs

I am thinking ~ About this post

A scripture verse or passage that has stuck out to me this week ~ Definatly James 1 1:21 I have been memorizing the whole book so I am constantly thinking about those verses.

A spiritual lesson I am learning ~ A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

And attribute of God I have seen this week ~ The best friend you will ever have because he is where ever you are you don't have to go email or call him or set up a time to visit with Him he is right there with you always!

A Picture i'd like to share ~ Very funny!

A creative goal for next week ~ Memorize 12 verses again!

Did I complete my goal from last week ? ~ YES! YAY !!!...hurray for me :] lol...

My Banner is Clear

2010-03-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

My Banner Is Clear
The inspiring commitment of a young African pastor from Zimbabwe

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power, my die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me-my banner will be clear.

The Hope Chest and Missions....

2010-03-09T07:23:00.000-08:00

Who here has a Hope Chest? Hmmm I see a few hands.... If you do, do you know what to put in it? Do you know what the purpose of having a hope chest is?

I had most of my questions answered when I read Rebekah Wilsons' book "The Hope Chest"

If any of you girls out there has a hope chest and you havn't read this book I suggest you get a copy. It will really help you. Of course I think that what you put in your hope chest is really your taste of preference. Are you a sewer and not a knitter? What kind of lifestyle do you foresee yourself in. Where do you think you may be living?

Is there any other girl out there who like me thinks that there might be a possibility of one day being a 'missionary mother'? She wouldn't be living in our comfortable or easy living accomadations as we have here in America. What I am trying to say is what does a girl who thinks she could be might be called to missions with her husband, put in her hope chest? And what are some good skills she might want to learn?

Well I have thought about this and here is what I have come up with so far.

And this also goes for any girl out there who's family is headed to the mission field.

I think that some good skills may be:

1. Learning another language even if your not going to the country that speaks it, it will help you learn they're language easier because you have learned one before.

2. Learning to cook outdoors especially if you are going to Africa!

3. I would personally like to have some expierience in children's minestry because as a female and a daughter I can't really be going around preaching and teaching, [not that I would want to]but I think that doing some small bible clubs with neighborhood children is a neat way to shine your light in a dark world. And it gives you an opprtunity to share Jesus in a simple way.

4. I would definatly say that if you are going on the mission field you really need to know how to

put on the full armour of God [Eph. 6:11] You will suddenly need to pray like you've never had to in your life.

Ephesians 6:12 says For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. You will need to be on your guard always. Read 1 Peter 5:8. The devil hates the gospel of Jesus Christ going forth into the world.... he tries everything to stop it and he will attack you. He will put doubts in your mind; he will make you crabby or stubborn when the Lord is leading you to do something. I do not know exactly how the devil might attack you but you will know when he is if you truly have the spirit of God in you and you will have to fight back with praying and maybe fasting. What I am exactly trying to say is the devil is smart he is not some stupid little devil with a pitchfork sitting on your shoulder. No he is the god of this world and he hates God and His word and He does not want it to go forth and win souls for the glory of God.

1 Tim 6:12.

Pray, pray, pray.

5. Expierence with herbs and medicines will come in very handy especially if it is all in your head and you don't have to go run throught a medical book to know how to treat and identify it. Although it is good to have a few medical books on hand and close by.

It totally depends on what country you are going to.

And since we can't see the future just do your best.

Pray for God to help you.

Here are some things I might and have put in a chest:

1. Pictures and small scrapbooks. It is nice to be able to look back at some good times and also to show your new friends what kind of lifestyle you are used to living in as opposed to the one you are living in now..

2. I am making up a good crocheted and knitted wash cloth set. I am also embroidering a nice dish towel set.

3. Well if you are going to Liberia or anywhere around there I would get a good knife set because you can't really get good sharp knives.

4. Here is something that gets me. If you are going to a hot country you won't need quilts and afghans so what then do you need for bedding? Sheets and pillowcases! You could sew a few sets and then you could monogram or embroider the tops and edges of them. But then if you are going to a cooler country then you would need quilts and blankets so I would just make like a few quilts and afghans etc. And since we can't see the future I would just do a bunch of everything! Keep this in mind your beautiful handiwork will never go to waste. Say you do go to a hot country just leave your quilts and things like that in a parents attic and take them out when you come for visits or furlough.

5. Journals. Your old ones, new ones and everything in between. Journaling is an inportant thing. It will help you keep track of events and things that have happened. You can look back at old ones and see how you have grown in the Lord and new ones full of emty pages just waiting for someone to put they're life story in it. [hmm getting a little poetic here lol..] I pesonally would put in maybe 2-3 empty jounals depending on how much of a writer you are. If you are not a writer I would suggest then just getting one and keeping it handy or by your bed to record the days events. I promise you will not regret 'wasting your time' writing. One day you will look back and be so glad that you did or you might have completely forgot that day etc.

6. Good cook books. The ones you and your mom use. You will be happy you did get a copy and store it away for when you will feed your own littles.

The possibilities are endless the options are limitless. This is just a small list to help anyone start a chest.

Also feel free to email me if you have any questions about 'life on the mission field' or anything about Liberia etc. loveforliberia@yahoo.com

I hope that this has helped somebody out there.

God bless you,

Tiffany

Really Cute Picture!

2010-03-05T14:41:00.000-08:00

I took this of my sisters hamsters yesterday. She was cleaning their cage and put them in this bucket. They are Toooo Cute!!!!!!

Ology Tag

2010-03-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed? right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? No

What is the last heavy item you lifted? My arm????

FOOD-OLGY

What is your salad dressing of choice? Ranch or Bacon

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Perkins

What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? Taco's and dark chocolate

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? YYEESSS!!

DUMB-OLOGY

How many pairs of flip flops do you own? Maybe 2?

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?... funny

Last person you talked to in person? My family

Favorite Month? June and December

CURRENT-OLOGY

Mood? happy and impatient

What are you listening to? Mighty to Save - Hillsong

Watching? The computer screen... lol

Worrying about?

Our last pregnant goat who hasn't kidded yet?

RANDOM-OLOGY

What’s the last movie you watched? Race to Witch Mountain

Do you smile often? Oh yes you can't live without smiling!

Do you always answer your phone? probably if I had a phone!

If you could change your eye color what would it be? hazel or blue

Do you own a digital camera? Oh my Yes!

Have you ever had a pet fish? No and I hope I never will!

Favorite Christmas song? None, don't celebrate Christmas!

What’s on your wish list for your birthday? Well my birthday is still too far away to start a wish list.

Can you do push-ups? Yeah

Can you do a chin up? I might have tried once

Ever been in a car wreck? No... but close!

Do you have an accent? No but I can do pretty good Liberian English!

What is the last song that made you cry? By His Wounds

Plans tonight? Go to bed

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Sure

Name 2 things you bought yesterday I didn't go anywhere yesterday

You ever been given roses? no

Met someone who changed your life? yes

What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? 'wow what a wierd dream!"

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house? 1

Do you have an iPod? Yes

I tag anyone who comments on this post!

An Inspired Young Womans Daybook

2010-03-02T12:43:00.000-08:00

To find out how to do the Inspired Young Womans Daybook use this link

http://vividry-melody.blogspot.com/2010/02/inspired-young-womans-daybook.html

Today I - Am cleaning out the goat pen!

I'm Feeling - Energetic

My Outfit is - my jammie pants and a tee, hey it's Saturday morning... :]

Outside my Window - Lots's of snow and bare tree's

A Song That's Stuck in My Head - Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus - By Selah

Something That's Inspired Me Recently - My Parents

A Prayer of My Heart This Week - For our African friends that are having some hard times.

I am Creating - Pictures

I am Reading - I havn't been reading anything lately except the Bible.

I am Thinking - How nice it would be to go out shopping today!

A Scripture that has Stuck Out to Me This Week - Psalm 37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

A Spiritual Lesson I'm am Learning - Trusting in the Lord that he knows our future's and he knows the plans he has for us.

An attribute of God I have seen this week - Goodness and Mercy

A Picture I'd Like to Share - This is my Dad in Liberia with Margaret.

A Creative Goal For Next Week - Memorize at least 12 verses from James. I am memorizing so I can get my drivers liscense!

God Bless!

Tiffany

They're Back!!!!!

2010-02-26T09:20:00.000-08:00

YYYYAAAYYY!!!! Mom and Dad are back!! So we are sad and yet we are happy! They brought back lots of pictures and video's it brings back many memories and it makes me miss Liberia all the more. One day I hope to see the people I love again.

Anyway here are just a few of the pictures they took while they were there. And be sure to keep checking our family's Youtube channel for video's from Liberia.

Here is Dad Ma, Ruth and Mom

Mom and Jakin

Jakin's cousins and his Aunt

These ladies walk around with these fish selling them house to house.

This is how they sweep up the cooking area's

Jakin's crabs that he decided to disect and torture - how lovely

The church that we regularily attended when we were living in the country.

Ironing with a coal iron.

Dad, Mom, Jakin and Jakin's Grandmother.

Ma, Ruth is cooking here.

Palm Nuts for palm butter and shrimp soup which you put over your rice.

This is where all the garbage goes. To the side of the road.

This is what Liberia looks like all over the place.

It's so bad in he markets that you have to walk through it.

Jakin with his dead bird he found. What are you going to do with it Jay?

Lovely.....

Mom helping Ma, Ruth read her bible.

Aletha our laundry girl and her two kids Winston and Margaret

Some kids listening to Dad preach

Looking for a place to street preach.

Mom drawing water from the well.

Ma, Ruth and her Mother.

Liberian puppies

Hanging out the laundry to dry.

Cutting potatoe greens

More to come...