Losing, Forgiving, and Car Radios

I never listen to the radio.

No really. Whenever I'm driving in my car, I listen to my favorite CDs. But would you believe that one day God made a bunch of different things happen so that I would listen to the radio?

I was going through a very difficult conflict with a close friend. Hurtful words had been slung; I was frustrated, angry, and beyond hurt. On this particular day, I had to go into town to teach a few piano lessons. But my car was at the shop getting some new tires. So I had to drive my mom's car. Since I was in her car, I decided to just listen to the radio. Which I rarely ever do.

As I was driving, a song came on I had never heard before. It was "Losing" by Tenth Avenue North. (If you haven't heard it yet, go listen to it. Right now.) As I listened to the words of that song, I started to cry. It was as if the writer had written it specifically for me and the situation I was going through. As the tears came, I realized that God had sent me that song right then because it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Slowly, I went through the journey of finding forgiveness towards the friend that had hurt me so. It was not easy. But I firmly believe that song was one of the biggest factors in helping me move towards forgiveness. I listened to it over and over again over the next few weeks. But looking back, I cannot help but be amazed in God's provision, and how He worked everything out just right. First of all, the day my car was going to be in the shop had been picked weeks before, before anything had even happened between me and my friend. Then I had decided to drive my mom's car, then I had decided to listen to that particular station at that particular time. Then that song had just happened to come on at the moment I needed it most.

God always knows exactly what we need. And He always gives us just what we need just when we need it. He loves you so much He will rearrange things to give you the comfort, peace, and provision you need! 


Even if it takes making your car go to the shop so you'll listen to the radio.

Keep Pressing On

Hello readers. I hope this post finds you all doing well. I just want to bring you a reminder today. If you are going through a storm right now, please don't lose hope. If life keeps throwing you one problem after another, and it feels like it will never end, keep pressing on. If the road is rough and the end is nowhere in sight, keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know how difficult things can be. But we serve a Mighty God, who knows our every need. He will not let us fall. He will give us strength and peace and comfort and rest. He will sustain us. A wise man once said, "God would never give us something to do that we could not carry out."
Remember, this is not the end. You have a goal bigger than this life - a goal of heaven. Do not despair - give your worries to God and leave it in His capable hands.
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." -Isaiah 40:31
Be encouraged friends!

Visionary Womanhood: A SAHD Link for You

Hello dearest readers. Lately a couple of posts about stay-at-home-daughterhood have sparked a LOT of feedback, both good and bad. I'm sharing with you a link to a wonderful, amazing post on the subject. It expresses absolutely everything I feel about SAHDs. It talks about the exact things that I strive to do.
Also, if you are truly interested in the SAHD movement, I suggest Joyfully at Home by Jasmine Baucham. It is by far the best resource on the subject.

Visionary Womanhood: Taking Dominion by Washing Feet

Enjoy! =)

Being a Stay-at-Home Daughter Means...

Being a Stay-at-Home Daughter Means:

Doing laundry. Lots of laundry. In fact, doing more laundry than you thought 4 people could generate.

Sometimes trying to help with the cooking. Even if it does take you twice as long as your mother, and you make even a bigger mess than your father.

Cleaning: Vacuuming, polishing, and dusting. And trying not to break anything in the process.

Driving your brother around when your parents can't.

Spending time writing that story that you just know will be a national bestseller someday. ;)

Teaching lots of piano lessons. And realizing the interesting ways God answers your prayers for patience.

Babysitting & nannying for church families. Getting invaluable experience for when the kids you spend time with are your own. : )

Playing the piano for an hour at a time...just because you can and you love it.

Getting to know Jesus more and more every day.

Realizing that God's plan and timing are PERFECT.

Making new friends and cherishing old ones.

Realizing that no family is perfect, not even yours, but yours is pretty amazing anyway.

Diving deeper into God's word.

Communicating with God daily through prayer.

Realizing that as great as your dreams and plans are, it's not about you. It's about bringing glory to God.

Second Best to Barefoot

My five fingers. 

Recently I have been getting a lot of attention when we go into town. Because of my shoes. ;) I have five fingers - which are my absolute favorite! But many people have still not heard of them. Many times when I mention them I get, "Five fingers?? What are those?"
Five fingers are absolutely great. They are great for running, biking, walking, and just everyday activities. I have many friends who run in them regularly, but I am not a runner so I can't speak about that personally. I love them because I really prefer to be barefoot. Well five fingers are really the next best thing. They are so comfortable. Studies have actually been done that show being barefoot is the best thing for your foot, and five fingers mimic this.

To answer a few of the most common questions I hear:

"Are they really comfortable?" - Yes!!! They are extremely comfortable. It takes a couple of weeks to "break them in," but once you do they are wonderful.
"Do you like them?" -Absolutely!! I love my five fingers and during the summer almost wear none of my other shoes.
"Where can you get them?" -Any store that sells sporting equipment will probably have them. Otherwise you can always order them online. They come in many different styles and colors.

Now you know about five fingers! :)

Spreading the Gospel Through Social Media

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love social media. Facebook, Twitter, and of course blogging. ;) It makes it so easy to connect with people who might even live far away. It can be a very useful tool. But in fact, I recently was convicted that it can be an incredibly useful tool for spreading the gospel. I read something that really made me think. (Paraphrasing a bit) it pointed out how we have all sorts of different media where we can say absolutely anything we want, and we end up using most of that to talk about ourselves. I was challenged by this idea. Why not use these outlets to talk about Christ, God, and spread the gospel?? This idea stuck with me. I also have a good friend who uses social media (specifically Facebook and Twitter) to do this. This inspired me to do it as well. You would be amazed what just posting an encouraging status can do. It can lift up other Christians. It can help them have the courage to speak out as well. It can be a witness to unbelievers. It can possibly help them see Christianity in a different way. It can help you to stay focused on God as well. It helps you to be thinking of something more than yourself. It might be a small thing, but you never know how big God will make it as He uses you. Try it; you might just be amazed.

Why I Won't Go to College

This post is specifically for all those wondering why I haven't gone to college, or why I'm not making any future college plans.
I have committed to living at home with my parents, specifically under my father's headship, until I get married. Lord willing, I would someday like to get married and raise children of my own. I am waiting on Him to provide that for me in His timing. Until then, I feel it is very important to stay under the leadership of my father until he gives me away to my husband. That means I am not going to move out on my own. I also am not going to go away to college. There are other reasons that I don't want to go the traditional college route, but I won't get into them here.
So yes, I am almost 20 years old, and still living at home. And I currently have no plans of moving out. I love my family. I love being with them during these years. I love serving them. I love the lessons that both of my parents teach me. I love knowing that my father is here to provide for me and protect me. It would be much harder for him to do that if I decided to leave his household.
No, I am not just sitting around the house, twiddling my thumbs and waiting for Prince Charming. I am doing laundry, doing the dishes, cleaning the house, making my best attempt at cooking (which is getting better), teaching piano lessons, and numerous other things. I am trying my best to use the special years to serve. 
So that's why I'm not going to college. The Lord has called me to serve where He's placed me.