Wednesday, January 28, 2009

10 Sure Fire Ways to Avoid Being A Missionary...


Livingstone as a Missionary Reads the Bible to African Natives
print from allposters.com


1. Ignore Jesus' request in John 4:35
that we take a long hard look at the fields.
Seeing the needs of people

can be depressing and very unsettling.
It could lead to genuine missionary concern.


2. Focus your energies on
socially legitimate targets.
Go after a bigger salary.
Focus on getting a job promotion, a bigger home,
a more luxurious car, or future financial security.
Along the way, run up some big credit card debts.


3. Get married to somebody who thinks
the Great Commission is what your employer
gives you after you make a big sale.
After marriage, embrace the socially accepted norms of
settling down, establishing a respectable career trajectory
and raising a picture-perfect family.


4. Stay away from missionaries.
Their testimonies can be disturbing.
The situations they describe will distract you from embracing
whole-heartedly the materialistic lifestyle of your home country.


5. If you happen to think about missions,
restrict your attention to countries where it's
impossible to openly do missionary work.
Think only about North Korea,
Saudi Arabia, and other closed countries.
Forget the vast areas of our globe open to missionaries.


6. Think how bad a missionary you would be
based on your own past failures.
It is unreasonable to expect you will ever be any better.
Don't even think about Moses, David, Jonah,
Peter or Mark, all of whom overcame failures.


7. Always imagine missionaries as talented,
super-spiritual people who stand on lofty pedestals.
Maintaining this image of missionaries
will heighten your own sense of inadequacy.
Convincing yourself that God does not use ordinary people
as missionaries will smother any guilt you may feel about
refusing to even listen for a call from God.


8. Agree with the people who tell you
that you are indispensable where you are.
Listen when they tell you that your local church
or home country can't do without you.


9. Worry incessantly about money.


10. If you still feel you must go, go out right away
without any preparation or training.
You'll soon be home again and no one
can ever blame you for not trying!



I found this list in Mom's documents and wanted to share
It was originally shared at Standing in the Gap



It was great timing when the Lord let me read this!
My passion for going to the mission field,
I admit, can sometimes get rather small,
even though I know the Lord's called me
and I've made that commitment.
It's sad how so many times Satan tries to
distract us with our own desires .

Even ones that may not seem, necessarily, 'bad'.

For example, I thought it would be nice
to be a nuclear chemist working with
radioactivity and extensive energy research.
Does that seem bad? No... not really.
However, it's NOT what I know God's called me to do!
It's my own selfish desire!
I know that I need to be constantly on my knees begging
Him to keep my soul on fire and to avoid distractions.

I've heard of too many people (so many)

that know the Lord's called them somewhere,
but they've gotten distracted and never went.
I pray very hard I do not become the part of the 90%
who say God's calling them, but go their own way.

I strongly encourage others to really seek God's will.
Teen years( and even before and after) is a very important
time to be seeking and determining what God is calling us to do.
Who knows, maybe He's calling you to a mission field?
The question is, if He is, am I willing to 'die to myself' and go?

Let's not take the advice of the above 10 points...
I'm sure they'll keep anyone out of the mission field!


"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature."
Mark 16:15


"Say not ye, There are yet four months,
and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you,
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields;
for they are white already to harvest."
Luke 4:35


Monday, January 26, 2009

A Young Maiden's Daybook...



Today…
January 26, 2009

Outside my window…
The gray clouds are covering up the sun

I am thinking…
the hearty oat loaf I made is a yummy breakfast!

I am thankful for…
God's tender mercies

I am wearing…
A khaki skirt and blue flowered shirt,

barefeet, and my heart monitor

I am reading…
1 Samuel, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, & 1 Corinthians {KJB}

I am creating…
nothing currently, except this blog post :)

One of my favorite things…
DOVE dark chocolate covered almond eggs

For education this week…
all of the usual subjects

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning …
baking (more oat loafs this week) :)

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…
diligence

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
charity

Scripture I am memorizing…
continuing to work on 1 Corinthians 13

I am praying for…
spiritual guidance and strength

For the rest of the week…
I have an endocrinologist appt. today,
piano lessons I teach tomorrow,
and lots of homeschool work.

A picture I’d like to share…

(photo copyrighted by HsKubes' Gal)
"Oh that I had wings like a dove!
for then would I fly away, and be at rest."
Psalms 55:6






To find out how to participate click HERE

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Hearty Oat Loaf



2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 Cup Oats
1/4 Cup Sugar
3 tsp Baking Powder
2/4 tsp Salt
1 Egg
1-1/2 Cups Milk
3 TBSP Oil

1. In a large bowl, combine flours, oats,
sugar, baking powder, & salt.

2. In another bowl, combine the egg,
milk, and oil.
3. Stir wet mixture into dry ingredients
just until moistened.
4. Spread into a greased 9in. round baking pan.
(I used a 9x9 square one.)
5. Sprinkle with 2 TBSPs of oats.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes
or until a toothpick inserted near center
comes out completely clean.
7. Cool for 5 minutes before removing
from pan to a wire rack.
8. ENJOY!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

My Big White Day!


Can you belive it?!
It's SNOWING!
Here in coastal NC!!
This is the first time in 8 years, I've been told
(other than 1 very quick & light flurries this past Nov.) !
WOO HOO!
(We must've brought it back with us from Michigan, ay?)

We got LOTS (well, for us anyway)...




Today we also watched the
inauguration on the computer...

It was neat to witness a historical event.
We do need to be sure to pray for our country.

Anyway, I was busy most of my day
doing loads of schoolwork.
I came down and made supper
along with a 'Hearty Oat Loaf'...

I've wanted to try it for a long time
and just got around to it :)
(I'll post the recipe soon!)

Anyway, I hope you all are having a great week.
Before I stop, I thought I'd share a funny.

My mom...



LOL...
I love you mom!

Monday, January 19, 2009

A Young Maiden's Daybook...


Click HERE to find out how to participate


Today…
January 29,2009

Outside my window…
The sun is shining brightly!

I am thinking…
I need to start this earlier in the mornings :)

I am thankful for…
Living on base with no water bill!
(I can take as long a showers as I like!)

I am wearing…
My khaki skirt and
multicolored tutleneck.
(I would usually wear a dress,
but with the heart monitor I
need to wear skirts/shirts for a month.)


I am reading…
Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah,
2 Corinthians, and "The Hiding Place"

I am creating…
a crocheted afghan.

One of my favorite things…
My instruments!

For education this week…
Lots of schoolwork.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning …
baking (beating egg whites to stiff peaks!)

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…
Humility

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Charity

Scripture I am memorizing…
1 Corinthians 13

I am praying for…
America!!

For the rest of the week…
Piano lessons cancelled,
Dentist appointments for Mom & Beth,
lots of schoolwork, lots of resting.

A picture I’d like to share…

My silly Fluff...
she doesn't like it too much when I
need to clip her wings!

Have a great week!


Please let me know if you participate!





Saturday, January 17, 2009

Health Update...

for those curious and those that are praying...

Wednesday I went to the cardiologist.
(For the heart palpitations and flutters,
trouble breathing, chest pain, etc...)

He did an EKG and said he thinks I may have
something called Orthostatic Intolerance.
Which is, basically, a 'fainting problem

that is adrenaline related.
He said that he thinks I am what is called a 'near-fainter'...
though I haven't actually completely lost conciousness,
I've been very close and get bad heart flutters
and dizziness very frequently.
He also put me on a heart monitor for a month,
to see if he could pick anything else up.
He also said he really wants to put me
on a beta-blocker... which we're praying about,

and would appreciate prayer in this decision making.

My rheumatologist appointment was on the 2nd.
I had 14 x-rays, tons of blood drawn,
and he said he sees no signs of arthiritis

or any sort of rheumatism (thankfully!),
but did see some signs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
but chose not to diagnose me with it.

I also have another endocrinologist appt.
the end of this month.
Last they checked, my thyroid levels were
back to normal, but I was still feeling terrible
so they doubled my dose of thyroid medicine,
Now I'm going to get checked up on.

Anyway, just thought I'd share.
I thank all of you who have been praying.
Lately, I've been, surprisingly, feeling pretty good!

(as long as I don't overdo it)
I've felt quite stronger, I've been able to do housework,
climb the stairs without much problem,
and I'm even walking without any problem!
I praise the Lord for this surge of feeling well!
I know it's a great result from lots of prayer
that people have given for me over the past few years!
It's can be frustrating being in and out of doctors
and having them not figure out much.
But the Lord has really used this time to draw me
much closer to Him... and any suffering is worth that!
I'm very thankful for His grace to help me get through this
and for always being there to comfort me
and to be my strength in my weakness.
I thought I'd share some verses that really encouraged
me through my trail and I hope will encourage you

through any trails or testing you may be going through:


"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God."
1 Corinthians 2:5


"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us."
Romans 8:18

"...weeping may endure for a night,
but joy cometh in the morning."
Psalm 30:5

"And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God..."
Romans 8:28

"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee:
he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Psalms 55:22

"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
Isaiah 41:13

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13


Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Neapolitan Cookies...

I was aching to get baking,
so I took a look
at what I could cook :)

After seeing recipes I was tossed between two,
but decided I would try making something new:
They turned out so grand,
I just could not stand,
not sharing the recipe with you :)

{lol... okay, moving on from my corny poem}


NEAPOLITAN COOKIES:
These eye-catching cookies may look complicated,
but they're actually quite easy to prepare!
YEILDS: 12 dozen

1 Cups Butter, softened
1-1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla extract
2-1/2 Cups Flours
1-1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Almond extract
6 drops Red food coloring
1/2 Cup Chopped walnuts (optional)
1 Square Unsweetened baking chocolate,
melted and cooled.

1. Line a 9in. x 5 in. x 3 in. loaf pan
with waxed paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar
and butter until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Combine flour, powder, and salt;
gradually add to the creamed mixture.
5. Divide the dough in thirds.
6. Add almond extract and food coloring
to one portoin; spread evenly into pan.
7. Add nuts to one portion (I didn't);
spread evenly over first layer.
8. Add melted chocolate to third portoin;
spread evenly over second layer...

9. Cover with waxed paper; refrigerate overnight.
10. Unwrap dough; cut loaf in half lengthwise.
11. Cut each portion into 1/8 in. slices...




12. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheet...


13. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are firm.
14. Remove to wire racks to cool.
15. ENJOY! (Caution: Do NOT skip this step!)


(recipe from The Taste of Home Baking Book)

These have turned out to be so good!
They came out of the oven yestermorning,
and they're half gone tonight!
These were so fun and easy, (as well as eye-appealing!)
I think I've found my dessert tray
for our next church fellowship :)
If you happen to try them,
I'd love hearing what you think of them :)

I hope you're all enjoying your week!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Young Maiden's Daybook



Today…
January 12, 2009

Outside my window…
The sun is up in a bright, blue sky

I am thinking…
that I'm going to go to bed earlier tonight!

I am thankful for…
encouraging and convicting sermons.

I am wearing…
my blue nightgown.

(My blue checkered dress is about to be ironed and worn)

I am reading…
Psalms, Proverbs, Jeremiah, 1 Corinthians;
"Courtship of Jeff McLean"

I am creating…
a crocheted afghan.

One of my favorite things…
birds!

For education this week…
a busy, busy time!
Advanced Biology, Economics, Literature,
Modern Greek, Government, etc...


A keeper at home skill I am using/learning …
crocheting.

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…
meekness.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…
charity.

Scripture I am memorizing…
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth"

I am praying for…
God's strength in my weakness.

For the rest of the week…
Lots of schoolwork, piano lessons that I teach,
my cardiologist appointment Wednesday,
Homeschool Park Day on Friday,

and deciding a date for graduation!


A picture I’d like to share…

... I'm not the only sleepy one!
(Our dog Suzie- photo copyrighted by hskubesgal)


Click HERE to learn how to participate
in A Young Maiden's Daybook.

Be sure to let me know if you participate
by adding the direct link to your post
in the Mr. Linky below! Ü
(Comments are welcomed, too)




Saturday, January 10, 2009

Week In Review...

This week was a stay-at-home week!
(Except for church and piano lessons I teach)
I made a schedule so I can be done with school
towards the beginning of May...
so I can be sure to graduate by June!!!

Other than studying and such,
I had fun doodling a muscle fiber sacromere...

I decided not to draw all 5 stages of
the muscle contracting; just the basics :-)

Here's some work from the children after
our family Bible reading in Proverbs 5...


Thursday was my 'baby' sister's special day!
Our friends came over for lunch and cupcakes...

It's been such a blessing watching her grow!
(BTW, I made and decorated the cake:)

Also, Thursday night I had fun with some pictures.
Here's a good one of mom...

:-)

And the parents together...

I thought this one was particularly funny!
By their face expressions, they don't seem
to like the bugs very much! :)

And then, my personal favorite...

I sent this picture to her with an email :)

God is so good in everything!
Here's a passage He led me to
that I really appreciate...
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God,
even our Father, which hath loved us,
and hath given us everlasting consolation
and good hope through grace..."
2 Thessalonians 2:16

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Monday, January 5, 2009

A Young Maiden's Daybook



Today…
January 5th, 2009

Outside my window…

birds are singing on a cloudy morning.

I am thinking…

I'm excited about this daybook meme
and about what I'm going to do when I'm finished here.

I am thankful for…

my wonderul family :)

I am wearing…

my green checkered dress.

I am reading…

Proverbs, Psalms, Jeremiah, & Romans;
'The Courtship of Jeff Mclean'.

I am creating…

a crocheted afghan for future selling.

One of my favorite things…

good, godly music.

For education this week...

getting back on track from my December off.

A keeper at home skill I am using/learning…

crocheting.

A spiritual lesson I’m learning…

submission.

A godly character trait I plan to work on…

charity.

Scripture I am memorizing…

1 Corinthians 13.

I am praying for…

spiritual guidance.

For the rest of the week…

lots of schoolwork,
getting out to teach piano tomorrow,

& Carolynne's 5th birthday on Thrusday.

A picture I’d like to share…


copyrighted photo by hskubesgal

Click HERE to learn how to participate
in A Young Maiden's Daybook!

Be sure to let me know if your participate!




A Young Maiden's Daybook Beginnings...

I am excited about beginning a meme this year.
Mrs. Peggy at The Simple Woman
has had The Simple Woman's Daybook meme
and I had thought it would be wonderful
to have something similar for us young ladies.
So this year, I am beginning A Young Maiden's Daybook!
(Thank you, Mrs. Peggy, for your permission
in using this idea and some of your prompts. What a blessing!)




If you would like to join me in keeping
A Young Maiden's Daybook...

* This is for young, single maidens living at home,
under the authority of their parents.

* Click on and save the graphic above
and post it in your daybook post,
linking back to me.


* Highlight and copy the below prompts,
personalizing it by finishing them.

We'll do a new post each Monday morning.

Today…
Outside my window…
I am thinking…
I am thankful for…
I am wearing…
I am reading…
I am creating…
One of my favorite things…
For education this week…
A keeper at home skill I am using/learning …
A spiritual lesson I’m learning…
A godly character trait I plan to work on…
Scripture I am memorizing…
I am praying for…
For the rest of the week…
A picture I’d like to share…


* Please add your daybook entry to the Mr. Linky
that will be at the bottom of each weekly post
and, please, be sure to leave me a comment. Ü


I look forward to the accountability, the wonderful fellowship,
and the fun in hosting/participating in this!



Saturday, January 3, 2009

All-Youth Night...

I mentioned in a previous post,
that this past Sunday was our All Youth Night service.
All Youth Night is when the youth of the church lead the service
(music, ushering, offeratory, message, etc...).
I thought I'd post some videos and pictures.
(the background music can be stopped in the sidebar)

After the first congregational song,
the children sang 'Hold the Fort'...


Then Stephani and I sang...







A few more congregational hymns followed,
and then we had offeratory, which Will was the usher for...

I thought he looked so handsome and he did such a good job!
He loves to serve the Lord!

For offeratory, Stephani's sister played her flute
and then Pastor's youngest son and I played
an arrangment we composed on our violins (I did the harmony:).
(This video was too long to upload completely, so the ending is cut off.)






After another congregational hymn,
Stephani and I sang "What a Day That Will Be",
which was too long to upload.
Then Steve, Pastor's youngest, preached a 10-15 minute message.

Afterwards we had a 'goodies' fellowship :) Yum!
I already look forward to next year's youth night!
(Or I should say, this year's :)

I hope everyone's first week of 2009 is going well!


"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.."
Ecclesiastes 12:1


Thursday, January 1, 2009

2009...



Wow, I haven't posted since last year :) lol

I just thought I'd pop in and say Happy New Year!
I hope your year is filled with growing closer to the Lord,
happy days, and exciting events!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin