New Year, New Post!

Hi blogging world!  Long time no post;)  I honestly have no excuse, except maybe that I couldn't make up my mind where I wanted to go with my blog, and what sort of posts I wished to write...  

Well guess what!  I think I've made up my mind now:)  I'm not going to over think my posts anymore.  (or stress over them either:)  

Instead, I'm just going to post about my life, little bits here and there of what God is teaching me, and believe me, I'm a slow learner!

But most of all, I'd like to post my thoughts about things.  I hope you don't mind?  If you do, speak now or forever hold your peace.  (fake cricket chirping in the background;)

All I hear is the roaring of our wood fire, and the clicking of my keyboard, so...

speaking of posts about my life...

What I've Been Up to on "My New Adventure"

- Learning to drive

- Working on starting my own online business (I'll tell you more about it later)

- Learning French "Merci beaucoup!" with a new free app called Duolingo.  Try it!

- Making messes in the kitchen, but cleaning them up too:)

- Writing letters to two new pen-pals:)  Having fellowship with other like-minded girls through writing has been such a blessing!

- Writing...writing...and of course more writing!

- Playing board games in the evenings with my siblings

- Memorizing Isaiah 55 (I just like it:)

- Tending sick critters that, (thank God) are all well now!

- Knitting Scarves for "Knit Together in Love"

- Finally Taking down our Christmas tree.  (It was time;)

- Getting up earlier in the morning so I can drink a cup of tea (usually peppermint) while I read my Bible and KBR magazine!

- Reading "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis with my brother Andrew

- Feeling better than I've felt for years!  What a gracious answer to prayer!

- Trying to be "strong and courageous" (1 Joshua 1:9)

- Enjoying life with my family

- Growing in God as I climb out of my comfort zone one step at a time.

- Wondering what lies ahead...

How about you?

What's kept you busy this year?

Have you made any plans for the new one?

Heritage of Grace: Interview a Blogger Challenge

      Rebekah from "Heritage of Grace" blog invited me to join in her "interview a blogger challenge."  For the challenge I answer some questions about myself, (nothing too personal) and post them right here on my blog! Want to join the challenge?  Simply go to http://heritageofgrace.wordpress.com/2013/05/17/interview-a-blogger/#comment-596
and leave a comment answering the questions!  Everyone is invited!
   
      Now for the questions!

• What is your favorite hymn?

      My favorite hymn is definitely "Amazing Grace."  (I know all the words!)  It is a beautiful song, written by a very sinful man who had much to be forgiven, and thankful for.  

• What do you consider to be the most difficult book of the Bible? Why?

      Leviticus was the hardest book for me to finish because I found the laws, and ordinances, and measurements of holy things to get rather dull.  Still, I am very glad I read it!

• A character trait you most admire in people?

      What I admire most in people has to be the trait that makes a teenage guy play with a little toddler, a friend give you a hug, (just when you really need a hug) a preacher preach to a half-empty (he would say half-full) church every Sunday, a police officer give a bike to a teenager so he won't have to walk to work, and a nice girl befriend another girl who really needed a friend. . . A trait called Christ-love. 

• What do you like most about your family?

      Laughter:  I love laughing with my family, because we all have the same silly sense of humor.

• What do you wish you could do more of?

      I would love to be more active, and swim more, but I don't feel very well most of the time, so I can't as much as I would like.

• Favorite author and book?

My favorite all-around author is C. S. Lewis, but my favorite book is most definitely 
"The Hobbit!"

• Do you prefer active/outdoor activities or creative/indoor activities?

I enjoy outdoor activities like camping, canoeing, hiking, swimming, and bike riding.

• Do you keep a journal/diary?

I have in the past, and I am re-establishing the habit.  It helps free my mind.

• What is your favorite healthy food or recipe (ex: blueberries)?

      This is a tough one, but probably homemade ice cream.  (Yes, it can be healthy!)

• Do you think music is neutral or does it have an influence on those who listen?     

       I think music has an influence, but perhaps more on a person's mood than worldview.  Any thoughts, or ideas I get from music usually wears off when the song is over, but an upbeat, uplifting song does tend to lift my spirits considerably.

• Which historical person (besides Biblical characters) do you most admire?

Perhaps President Ronald Reagan, because he stood up for what he believed to was right: (Although he wasn't perfect.)  He was also a great president, and a good actor! 

• What do you like best about blogging?

I love being able to share opinions, connecting with other Christians, and WRITING of course!

A New Adventure

      Finally, after all those bitter winter months, it is the beginning of Spring... and it has snowed.  Oh well, at least the first day of Spring was warm and Springy!  I am so excited about Spring, it's my favorite time of year... well, at least until allergy season arrives, but none of us want to think about that, do we?  I am making garden plans, playing with the four goat kids, studying, writing lots, and thinking even more.
      Spring is such a bright, happy time of year, when all things seem newer, and better than ever before.  Spring is a good time for me to reflect, and think about where I am headed in my life, where I want to go, and where my Heavenly Father wants me to go.  It can also be a restless time, when I just want to make up my mind, so I can plan out my entire life one minute, and then I want to leave the whole an open blank page the next... a blank page waiting to be filled with adventures!  Did I mention I love adventures?
      Sometimes though I feel kind of trapped, held down by my past sins and former habits, so that I can't move on, and do what Jesus wants me to do.  I felt that way recently, when I read something which helped me to believe that the trap I illusioned, was an illusion.  I am not being held down by past mistakes, because their ties no longer have any hold on me.
      For sin shall not have dominion over (me) : for (I am) not under the law, 
but under grace. Romans 6:14 
      (I am) a new creature: old things have passed away; behold all things are become new.  
2 Corinthians 5:17
      As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed (my) transgressions from (me.) 
Psalm 103:12
      Do you know how far the east is from the west?

How far is the east from the west?
'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been,
rising up in me again.
In the arms of your mercy I've found grace,
'cause you know just how far the east is from the west,
from one scarred hand to the other.
- Casting Crowns

      No matter how far I walk east, I will never reach the west.  My old ways and habits have passed away, and sin no longer has dominion over me.  I can choose to be a new creature this new Spring season, and make the old part of the past winter.  With God's help I can make new choices, build new habits, and make Him, (not myself) the center of my life.
      It isn't that our sins are holding us back, it's that we are holding on to our sins!  We feel so safe in our past, comfortable because we know what to expect, but if we never leave we will never fully realize our true God-given potential.  If we never travel forward, into the dangerous unknown road called "change" then we will never know what we're missing.  We'll be standing still, gazing down the road, while life passes us by, wishing we can follow, and see what lies ahead.  There are no chains that can bind us, so what are we waiting for? 
      Life is an adventure, and a ride we don't want to miss.  I am going to try and let go this Spring, and see what God has in store for those who are brave enough to change.  I'm going on an adventure!
 

- What about you? 

 - Are you holding yourself back? 

Share your thoughts below

  

Yay!!!

Spring is here!!!

      

     Well, not exactly..... but something a lot like it!

       I mentioned in the "About" page that I keep goats.  They are called, "Nigerian Dwarf" dairy goats.  They are very small in size, and are usually docile in nature. 
      One of my female goats, or "does" named Hetty, was due to have a kid/kids on Saturday, and it being Tuesday, my mom and I were talking that morning about needing to keep an eye on her.  We knew that when she started to look different, and act strangely, that it would be only days, or even just a few hours before she kidded.  I hadn't noticed anything different yet.  

      So I went out to the barn to feed, and check on my critters.  When I came back, I told my mom,

     "I forgot to check on Hetty yesterday, but she definitely looks different today."

     "Oh she does?"

     "Yeah, she's thinner."  Still no reaction.

     "She's a lot thinner."

      My mom gasps.   "Do you mean?"

     "Yeah!"

     "Well, how many?"

     "Teeny, tiny, fuzzy, little, brown-eyed twins!"

     "Oh!"

       So, we ran back out to the barn to go see them.  They are as cute as a button, and both of them are girls!  Of course, this was so exciting I just had to share it with ya'll!  Hetty is a very good mama, and has had kids before.  In fact, she is my best milker.  Here is a pic of her (sleepy,) brand-new kids!

(Ain't they cute? ;)

Stuff God Does For Me

   

      About a week ago, I sat down with my notebook and decided to make a list of the things God does for me.  I thought I would only be able to think of a few, so I was surprised to fill the entire page with things!  I thought I would share it with you.  

I hope it inspires you!

        

     God...

• Loves me
• Knows me
• Wants me
• Teaches me
• Wrote to me
• Saves me
• Believes in me
• Made me
• Planned for me
• Suffered for me
• Lived for me
• Died for me
• Came for me
• Left for me
• Wills me
• Builds me
• Watches me
• Guides me
• Helps me
• Shows me
• Chastens me
• Forgives me
• Gives me
• Crowns me
• Sees me
• Heals me
• Comforts me
• Fills me
• Quenches me
• Fulfills me
• Befriends me
• Strengthens me
• Frees me
• Provides for me
• Is there for me
• Makes me more like Him 

My Country Girl Life

Me, lately...

Waking up a little late because it's not milking season yet, (and the goats can wait;)

Picking out seeds for my new garden

Helping mom make dinner

Writing a story that will be every bit as fantastic as "The Hobbit"

Searching the web trying to find an affordable chicken coop suitable for Silkie bantams

Dancing around the house trying to avoid my sisters "quilts in progress" scattered all over the floor

Reading my favorite book "The Hobbit" to see if it's as good as I remember, only to discover it's even better

Watching an old "Roy Rogers" movie with "Trigger" and "Dale Evans"

Planning one project only to be instantly distracted by a new idea

Mucking stalls to prepare for new "goat kids" that are due to show up any day now

Learning to make soap so I can sell it at my local farmers market

Reading the book of Peter in my Bible and being amazed at how eloquent and plain spoken that small town fisherman was, and feeling like we're related because my dad is a fisherman too :)

Waiting patiently for Monday (my favorite day in the week) when Blimey Cow's new YouTube video comes out

Dreaming about Neverland

Learning about world geography through pinterest

Practicing "Amazing Grace" on my guitar (when I remember to)

Eating my mom's homemade ice cream for breakfast (okay, we don't do it that often;)

Wishing that every like-minded young girl my age didn't live so far away

Watching the sun set over the creek in our backyard

Listening as my brother describes his latest Lego creation, or favorite game

Learning to love and respect my mom even more as she teaches me about what she knows

Playing with my red and white dachshund Toby, who is my "best friend"

Breathing in the delightfully salty air that comes from living near the Chesapeake

Planning plans, and dreaming dreams, and all sorts of other things

Wondering what God's plan is for "My Country Girl Life"

What is your life like?