Where the Heart Remains

A Sweet Surprise!

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I have the most wonderful big brother…

Truly…

He is kind, compassionate, loving, and someone who I can share just about anything with…

Yesterday, being Valentine’s Day, he decided to do something very special for me and my mom. We came home to find two beautiful bouquets of roses. {I told you he was wonderful!}

One had a note that said, “To my amazing Mother!”

and the other said, “To my wonderful sister!”

Both our hearts melted, to say the least! We immediately picked up the phone {my brother was out of the house at the time}, and called him with huge smiles on our faces.

All I could think of was… “Wow, I am so blessed!”

I’m sure every one of you have experienced a moment like that…

A moment where you feel sooo thankful to God for His goodness and love…

A moment of true gratitude to the One who gave you life’s most sweetest and precious gifts!

Isn’t it wonderful just to ponder on the memories of life and the joy that God brings to us. Even the tiny things are sometimes the best… Like my brother blessing me with a bouquet of roses this Valentine’s Day.

Though it was a simple gesture of love, it meant the world to me.

Thank you, Tyler… ♥

This Valentine’s Day…

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Today, many people will celebrate Valentine’s Day… Giving cards and candy, and thinking of those they love most. But what about God? Where does He come into play? After all, God is love!

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
{1 John 4:8}

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”
{1 John 4:16}

Though receiving cards, eating delicious food, and spending time with our loved ones is wonderful in many ways, we must not forget to glorify God and praise Him for the love He has given us.

May we all remember, today and always, that God IS love!

A Cute Tutorial: Make a Fabric-Covered Letter

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Today, I want to share a really fun DIY project with y’all. I found it while browsing one of my favorite blogs, Elm Street Life. The author, Whitney, is so creative and has great tutorials. Be sure to check out her “DIY projects” page… It is over-flowing with amazing {yet simple} projects.

This particular project caught my eye, not only because it was adorable, but also because I knew it would look perfect in the corner of little Jessa’s desk.

Here is the link to Whitney’s tutorial:

Make a fabric-covered letter

The only things I changed were 1) instead of buying a pre-cut letter from a craft store, I cut my own using a piece of cardboard from a cardboard box. {My letter is not as sturdy as one from a craft store, but it works none the less!} And 2) I also added a little embellishment, using a small piece of ribbon and a button.

Please let me know if you decide to try your hand at this project… I would love to know how yours turned out!

And remember… Be creative! :)

Happy 18th Birthday…

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… To a very special person…

Someone who is kindhearted and generous…

Someone who supports me in everything I do…

Someone who has shown me a wonderful example of a godly young man…

Someone who I am blessed to call not only my friend, but also my brother…

Today is his big day, and I just want to take this brief moment to say “Happy Birthday” to an amazing young man. May God immensely bless you today and always, Tyler! I love you! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

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“Now therefore, Our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.”
~1 Chronicles 29:13~

As we delight in a wonderful meal, share memories and laughter with the ones we love most, and give thanks for all that we have, may we remember the One Who gave us all of those precious and wonderful things.

May you and your family have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

A Wonderful Giveaway!

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I would like to share something very exciting with you all today. Mrs. Fuentes, over at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, is hosting a wonderful giveaway on her lovely blog! Vision Forum has generously decided to give away three gift cards for their online store to three blessed winners. I certainly encourage you to head on over to Mrs. Fuentes’ blog, and enter for a chance to win.

Vision Forum is a great company, and their online store is filled to the brim with products such as Christian books, videos, audio tapes, homeschooling resources, and even toys for the children in your homestead. I have been blessed by several of their products, and I am sure you would be as well!

The giveaway for the gift cards ends on December 3rd, so be sure to enter soon!

Have a blessed Monday!

Has It Already Been a Month?

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I must admit… I have not been the best blogger recently. It has been a busy season here at our house, to say the least. With a full school schedule and the holiday season approaching, I have not been able to put much time in on the computer. Though it is always nice to take a break from such things, I have to say that I have missed y’all.

Before I go on, I would like to say “Thank You” to all of my readers who left a sweet birthday note on my Sweet Sixteen post. They truly made my birthday all the more special! :)

I would also like to say “Happy Anniversary” to my dear parents. Today, they celebrate 22 beautiful years of marriage. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful parents, and pray that God will continue to bless them in the years to come.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
~1 Corinthians 13:4-7~
NIV

Several days ago, I found out that I was nominated for Best Encourager as well as Best Photo Blog on the Homeschool Blog Awards website. I am so thankful for this amazing honor, and would like to thank those of you who have voted for me!
Voting ends tonight, and if you have not yet voted, you can click the link below. There are so many wonderful nominations!

I will leave you with this encouraging Bible Scripture…

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
~John 1:16~
NIV

May the Lord pour rich blessings upon you and your family this coming week!

In Awe of God’s Glory

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I am still speechless, just as I was when I walked out our back door and saw this beautiful sunset… God is SO good!

Sweet Sixteen!

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In celebration of my 16th birthday on the fourth of October, my family and I went on a Caribbean cruise. It was such a blessed trip and one that I will never forget… Great memories were made, indeed!

Our first stop was Key West, Florida. We didn’t plan any excursions at this port, although we did visit the beautiful Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.

As we entered the large conservatory, we saw hundreds of gorgeous butterflies fluttering around, all from various places of the world!

Jessa was very eager to hold one of the delicate beauties…

… And I was as well!

Discovering my dear mother’s hand :)

This little fellow was in another section of the conservatory… He and his friend wore the most vibrant colors!

“O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of your possessions-
This great and wide sea,
In which are innumerable teeming things,
Living things both great and small.”
~ Psalm 104:24-25~

After Key West, we visited the Grand Cayman Islands, and then went on to Ocho Rios, Jamaica the following day. The above photograph was captured in Jamaica. I must say that Ocho Rios is incredibly beautiful! Looking out my window the morning we arrived, I saw lush hilltops and blue water… My jaw dropped, to say the least! :)

This photo was taken on our way back home. God’s creation is so magnificent, isn’t it? He never ceases to amaze me!

I am so thankful we had the opportunity to go on this cruise. It was certainly a very special and memorable “sweet sixteen!”

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
~2 Corinthians 9:15~

“Book Bliss” Photography Contest

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I find photography contests to be quite fun! That being said…

I have decided to enter Miss Raquel’s “Book Bliss Photography Contest”. I was very excited to see that the focus is on books… There are so many creative ways to capture a book and it’s beauty. If you would like to enter this sweet contest {and would like the chance to win one of three lovely prizes} click on the button below!

Here are my two entries:

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
~Proverbs 30:5~

I pray that your day is blessed with His great and miraculous love!

Pure Bliss

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“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.”

~ Psalm 35:9~

Sin – The Inevitable

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Yes, unfortunately it’s something we all do and something none of us can avoid…

“For in a way, sin is like the layers of an onion: when one layer is peeled off, there are always more layers beneath.”
{Quote from The Light and The Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel}

I find this quote to be so true. Sin can be a real stumbling block in life, and there is no way around it. There’s always going to be a new one entering our lives.

Facing our sin is a real challenge. Satan finds the perfect time to tempt us, and then our human nature says “That sounds wonderful!” It may sound “wonderful” in the beginning, but as we continue to deal with what is actually sin, we find that we were very wrong.

Realizing our wrongdoings can be very discouraging, but aren’t you glad that we have a Creator Who is there for us… A God Who loves us… A Savior Who died for us? I know I am!

I sometimes find myself wondering where I would be without Jesus Christ in my life. I think about how blessed I am to call Him my Lord. Because of Him, I have been forgiven! Because of Him, my sins have been washed as white as snow! Because of Him, I am FREE!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
~1 John 1:9~

“As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
~Psalm 103:12~

Lil’ Country Girl

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Last week, Jessa asked Tyler if they could go horseback riding together. Tyler gladly accepted, and I was quick to grab my camera and follow!

Here are a few of the photos I captured…

Miss Fanny May

Tyler’s such a great big brother! :)

… Enjoying every single minute of her ride!

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But deliverance is of the LORD.”

~Proverbs 21:31~

{I wanted to thank those of you who left a comment on my last post… The sweet birthday wishes meant so much to Jessa!}

Happy Birthday, Jessa!

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To my sweet and beautiful sister,

For such a long time, I dreamed about you and prayed that you would come. It’s truly amazing how God orchestrates everything in our lives. After much time of waiting…

And waiting…

God blessed our family with you ~ A beautiful, intelligent, and sweet little China baby!

The first time I saw you, my heart was filled with so much happiness! Finally… I was blessed with a little sister! Each year, I have become more and more grateful for you. We have spent so much time together, and the memories are so sweet!

{Jessa at 15 months old; photo taken in China}

Now today… You’re 5 years old! {May I add that time flies!}

It’s been almost four years since those elevator doors opened and I saw you for the first time. As I sat looking at photographs of you last night, the memories started flooding my mind… I was reminded of God’s love, and how He gives blessings to those who are patient.

{Jessa at 5 years old; photo taken today, September 8th}

Being your big sister has been one of the greatest things in my life, dear, and I will always love you… with all of my heart! ♥

Love Your Big Sis,

Jenna

Look Who’s Reading…

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The other day, Little Miss Jessa read Go, Dog, Go! {a 64-page beginner book} to me! As she read each page, her face lit up with excitement!

Her words were filled with such enthusiasm… What a great accomplishment for a four year old!

I had to share the big news with you all…

May the Lord bless you on this lovely Thursday!

Beautiful Lavender…

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Miss Kelsey, at Flip-Flop Farmgirl, is hosting a photography challenge and giveaway over on her sweet blog. The theme is flowers, and I have decided to enter the following photograph…

If you are interested in entering Miss Kelsey’s photography challenge, you may click the button below!

{The challenge ends on August 24th}

I pray that you are having a very wonderful and blessed day, dear readers!

A Blessed Vacation

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In early June, my family and two sweet friends visited the beautiful state of Georgia. We had a very blessed time together, hiking, swimming, visiting the zoo, and so much more!
Here is a little glimpse of our week in the mountains…

As you can see, the flowers were absolutely magnificent, and truly
displayed the beauty of our Lord’s creation!

The beautiful Amicalola Falls

Visiting the Atlanta Zoo was a lot of fun! For those of you who don’t know, they have panda bears there {which happen to be my favorite animal}. Seeing pandas for the first time was such a wonderful experience!

Meet Po, the baby panda,
and his mother…

We also visited the giraffes…

…As well as the gorillas.
They have the funniest personalities!

The Reptile Exhibit was fascinating…

… And maybe just a little bit frightening!
{Cottonmouth Rattlesnake}

Our last stop was my little sister’s favorite…

The Flamingos!

A *very* happy little girl with her favorite animals!

Our vacation to Georgia was such a joy, and I am so thankful to God that He enabled us to go and visit!

“He stood and measured the earth;
He looked and startled the nations.
And the everlasting mountains were scattered,
The perpetual hills bowed.
His ways are everlasting.”

~Habakkuk 3:6~

To My Beautiful Mother

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Today is a very special day… My dear Mother’s birthday!

A mother holds a very special place in a child’s heart, do they not?
My heart overflows with joy when I think of my mother… A woman who fears the Lord, teaches and guides her children, honors her husband, blesses those surrounding her, and is filled with love.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.”
~Proverbs 31:28~

Happy birthday to My Best Friend … My Teacher … My Mother!

{I shall be posting again soon… I have had a very nice break from writing on my blog, and am now looking forward to posting again more often. Thank you for your patience!}

~Joy~

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“Rejoice evermore.”
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16 ~

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
~ Proverbs 15:13 ~

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
~ Proverbs 17:22~

… A reminder of how important it is to have a joyful countenance always!
May the Lord abundantly bless you on this lovely Wednesday!

My Little Blessing

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She brings such joy to my heart…

Silhouette Photography Contest

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Miss Lucia and Miss Raquel are hosting a photography contest together and the theme is Shadows and Silhouettes. This will be my first time entering a photography contest online, and I am quite excited.

Here are the two photographs I am entering…

Thank you, Lucia and Raquel, for hosting this unique and delightful contest!

A Virtuous Woman

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“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

~ Proverbs 31:10 ~

~To my sweet Mama~

Thank you for being the beautiful and godly woman you are. Your love for the Lord shines brightly, and is evident to all who know you. I am incredibly grateful to God for blessing me with such a wonderful mother.
I pray that you had a very blessed Mother’s Day!

“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

~ Proverbs 31:30 ~

A Clean Heart

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Recently, I was playing “doctor” with my dear 4 year old sister. I was the patient, and as she placed the stethoscope to my heart, she said, “Jenna, I am going to clean out the dirt in your heart.”

Her statement really made me think about myself and my life. What kind of fruit is my heart producing? Is my heart clear of worldly sins, and am I giving my heart fully to the Lord? I at least pray and hope so.

“… For You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men.”

~ 1 Kings 8:39 ~

Everyday, we get caught up in worldly sins, and it is those sins that can cause our walk with God to start to dwindle. We must strive to live our lives for the glory of God, so that we can avoid the stumbling blocks which confront us.

“Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

~ 1 Chronicles 16:29 ~

“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give glory, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.”

~ Psalm 115:1 ~

As followers of the Most High God, it is our responsibility to exemplify spiritual maturity, and veer away from the patterns of this world . The Bible warns us that we cannot be both of the world and of God…

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

~ 1 John 2:15-17 ~

So, what can we do each day to fill our hearts with thoughts that are focused on the Lord alone?

Pray- Encouragement from the Lord is just one prayer away. The Bible says to “pray without ceasing” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Speaking with God each day is so important, and we must make it a priority in order to set our minds on things above. {Colossians 3:2}

Read- God’s Word is filled with an abundance of knowledge and truth. The Bible is truly extraordinary. It “is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” {2 Timothy 3:16-17}

Personify- By praying to God and reading His Word, it should not be a challenge to personify Christ. As for myself, I want people to recognize me by my godly actions and words. I want to strive to be a mirror image of Christ.

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 ~

What a sweet promise… That we will be transformed into the image of Christ. Each day, God is preparing us as we reflect Him, and this is why we must endeavor to personify Christ… So that we may be transformed!

I pray that the Lord will work in each of your hearts, and that He will guide you to become a faithful servant of His.

I pray that God will clean the “dirt” and sin out of our hearts, so that we can be fully focused upon Him.

May your heart remain steadfast upon the Lord!

“Girl” by Roberto Ferruzzi

~Class Of 2011~

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My dear brother, Tyler, will be graduating from high school next month. I am still in amazement that the time has already come for him to graduate. He has achieved so many things throughout his life thus far, and has certainly made our family very proud.

As his sister, I am so impressed by his accomplishments. Throughout the years, he has worked so diligently and gained much knowledge. Most importantly, his walk with God continues to strengthen as he has chosen to run with patience the race that is set before him, as the Lord tells us to do in Hebrews 12:1.

All in all, I feel immensely blessed to have Tyler as my brother!

Happy Graduation, Tyler! May the Lord bless you as you venture on a new journey in your life! I am so grateful for you, big brother!

The Spring Frolic

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This past weekend, I was blessed to attend a local event at an old pioneer settlement. The day was filled with delightful fellowship, photography, music, and contra-dancing… Yes, ‘twas a wonderful day, indeed!

The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather, which enabled me to take lots of photographs! Enjoy…

The “Urban Garden” was filled with so many beautiful flowers and plants…

The Lord’s creation never ceases to amaze me!

The old Log Cabin was filled with so many neat things…

The table was adorned with a beautiful tea set…

… Still curious what this is! :)

{God’s Holy Word resting upon the night stand}

Making a broom…

{Decisions, decisions!}

{Tools for printing}

It was wonderful being able to see the old settlement, although the fellowship with friends is always the best part!

{Dear Friends}

{Sweet Miss Shannon}

{Lovely Miss Jean Marie}

{My skirt and boots}

Thank you for visiting!

I pray that you are having a very blessed Wednesday!

1 John 3:1-3

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“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.”

~1 John 3:1-3~

{ESV}

The Horse’s Strength

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“Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?”

~ Job 39:19 ~

A Quote For The Day

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“That little bird has chosen his shelter. Above it are the stars and the deep heaven of worlds. Yet he is rocking himself to sleep without caring for tomorrow’s lodging, calmly clinging to his little twig, and leaving God to think for him.”

~ Martin Luther ~

Edifying Words

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As I captured the photo above, I first thought of how brilliant our Creator is, but then my mind traveled to a different subject ~ The tongue.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…” -James 3:9

Controlling our tongue is something very difficult, and unfortunately after the words come out, we are unable to press the rewind button. I have found myself in many situations where I wish I had not said what came out. It happens to all of us, and because of the Lord’s love, we can be forgiven of it! Though this is true, there is a way that we can prevent from speaking wrongly as often. The directions to do so come from the Lord’s Holy Word.

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” -Ephesians 4:29

I have pondered this verse many times, and am so thankful for it. Paul speaks to us in this verse, telling us to flee from speaking corrupt communication, and only allow communication which ministers grace unto the hearers to be spoken. As for myself, I have been guilty of doing just the opposite… Sometimes I struggle to minister grace through my words, and later on I feel dismayed because of my wrong doing. Thankfully, the Lord is full of love and forgiveness.

Using only words that minister grace is difficult at times, is it not? We, as believers in Christ, need to set an example to those who have not come to know the Lord yet. If we speak kindly to them, I am sure that they will be able to see our passionate love for God.

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12

May we strive to set a Christian example to others, and allow only good communication to come from our tongues.

A Few Pondered Thoughts…

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Recently, I have had the privilege of reading “Before You Meet Prince Charming” by Miss Sarah Mally with a dear friend of mine. Though we have not quite finished yet(with only a few chapters left), I have thoroughly enjoyed the book thus far. I have gained much knowledge and understanding on purity, and would highly recommend reading this book, if you have not done so.

Through reading “Before You Meet Prince Charming”, I have been encouraged and uplifted, as well as challenged. The topic of purity is one that is very seldom discussed in our day. This book has made me realize how important it truly is for us, as young maidens in Christ, to use our time wisely and devote our lives to God as we wait on the Lord for the things in our future. He has ordained a plan for each of us, and promises to give us an expected end.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

~Jeremiah 29:11~

I know for certain (and you should as well) that the Lord is planning something marvelous for each of us, whether the outcome turns out as we planned or not. Are you trusting in HIS plan?

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

~Romans 8:32~

What a comforting promise He gives us in Romans 8:32! He has provided us with all the armor to live our lives diligently for Him. We are His children, and we have been given a responsibility to shine our lights for Jesus Christ! In these eminent years (no matter what age you are), we have to seek God and serve Him with our whole hearts, rather than thinking upon things that are frivolous and unimportant, or trying to change God’s plans.

We all (I included) struggle sometimes with persistently serving the Lord. Although this is true, we need to strive to give our best to God, and to use our time wisely for His glory!

{A lovely purple flower along with a beautiful sunset just beyond it}

Be sure to take some time and view my newly added page entitled, Wonderful Websites!

~He is God~

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“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

Through each trial and tribulation in our lives, remember to be still… And know that HE is God.

Announcing The Winner!

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I am sure that many of you have been anticipating this moment… The post where I announce the blessed winner who receives three Marie Madeline Studio sewing patterns! Before I do so, I would like to thank you all for entering my giveaway. I reached a total of 273 entries! And if you are curious, yes, I wrote every single one down on a slip of paper! :)

I would also like to thank the sweet Long ladies from Marie Madeline Studio, for sponsoring this special giveaway! They have been so kind and generous.

I suppose I will not keep you in suspense any longer!

The winner of my {sew sweet} giveaway…

Who will receive these three beautiful patterns…

is……….

Jaime

A Princess In Purity

Congratulations, Miss Jaime! I have already contacted you, and look forward to hearing from you soon! I pray that these three patterns will bless you greatly!

Ladies, I encourage you to visit Miss Jaime’s blog. It is very sweet! Head on over, and congratulate her!

Thank you all for entering my giveaway! Receiving so many entries truly blessed my heart! I hope to do more giveaways in the near future, so be sure to visit often!

May the Lord bless you, dear readers!

A Little Reminder!

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Hello Dear Friends!

I wanted to remind you that my {sew sweet} giveaway will be ending this evening at midnight EST. If you have not yet entered, you may do so by clicking HERE or by clicking the giveaway button on my sidebar!

I look forward to announcing the blessed winner of the three patterns tomorrow morning!

Many blessings to you and your family!

{Can you believe that we have 231 entries thus far? Thank you, everyone… Keep them coming!}

Sew Sweet! {A Giveaway}

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I am very excited to announce that I am hosting my second giveaway here on Where The Heart Remains, and it is sew sweet! The Lord has certainly blessed my blogging journey thus far… I have met many wonderful young ladies in Christ, and have gained so many sweet readers and followers!

I would like to thank my dear readers for all your encouraging comments and emails… Each one is special to my heart and a blessing, indeed!

Without further ado, I will now announce the giveaway prize! I was greatly delighted when the lovely Long ladies, from Marie Madeline Studio, agreed to sponsor my giveaway…

One blessed winner will receive the following ~

One Route 66 Skirt Pattern

and

One Street Fair Skirt Pattern

and

One Summer Shade Jumper Pattern

Yes, the dear Long ladies have generously donated three of their wonderful sewing patterns to one of my readers!

This bundle is sure to make the winner very happy! :)

Here is how you may enter this lovely giveaway ~

Mandatory Entry:

Please leave a comment including a way for me to contact you if you win. (email or blog address)

Extra Entries:

• Follow my blog.

• Blog about this giveaway on your blog, leaving a link to this particular post.

• Visit Marie Madeline Studio, come back here, and let me know what your favorite item is.

• Tell me what your favorite Bible verse is, and why!

You have five chances to win this sweet prize!

Please leave a separate comment for each entry you complete… That would greatly help me!

This giveaway is open internationally!

I will be closing the giveaway on March 14, 2011 at midnight EST, and Lord willing, will announce the winner the following day!

I look forward to all your comments… Be sure to spread the word!

Many Blessings From Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

The Brilliance of Our Creator

2011-02-24T13:14:00.000-05:00

As I walked upon the beautiful ocean shores this past weekend, I found myself amazed by everything… The incredible sea life, the rippling waves, the delicate sand. It was all so beautiful and majestic. As the wind blew through my hair, and my skirt flowed freely in the salty air, I couldn’t help but think about how intricate God made each thing on earth. As He painted this life, so much love and beauty was instilled. It is impossible for man to observe creation without admiring all of its loveliness.

As I captured the following photographs, I truly saw that loveliness in our Lord’s creation!

“There is no peace more wonderful than the peace we enjoy when faith shows us God in all created things.”

~ Jean-Pierre de Caussde ~

Happy Valentine’s Day!

2011-02-14T14:05:00.001-05:00

For God so loVed the world

That He gAve

His OnLy

BegottEn

SoN

That whosoever

Believeth In Him

Should Not perish

But have Everlasting life

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest valentine of all… Remember to give HIM thanks for the love He has poured upon you and your family!

♥ Many blessings from our family to yours ♥

A Tiny Seed…

2011-02-08T21:53:00.001-05:00

…Can grow into a wonder of divine beauty…

Praying that you may continue to grow in the Lord, as you embark on a journey to serve our mighty God!

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 3:14 ~

God’s Beauty

2011-01-24T13:53:00.001-05:00

There is vast amount of joy which enters my heart as I photograph God’s incredible artwork. How astounding His creation truly is!

God’s Instruction

2011-01-21T19:20:00.001-05:00

This afternoon, as I was completing my dictations in English, my mother read to me this verse from the Bible:

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 ~

As I pondered these words, I thought about the direct instruction Paul writes to us. I had heard and read the verse before, but today, the words had a greater effect in my heart.

In verse fourteen, Paul says:

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

In this verse, Paul is telling us to warn those who are stubborn and disobedient, to comfort and encourage those who are disheartened, to give strength to the weak, and to be patient toward all men and women of this earth.

What a difference it would make if we, as Christians, would follow the example that Christ set for us… To shine the light of Jesus, and show God’s love in this broken world.

God challenges us to share His Word with those who are in need of it, and to encourage those who are depressed. He asks us to make strong those who are unsure and weak, and to be patient to all.

Verse fifteen says:

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

Paul tells us in the verse above to set an example to those who are unkind. Have you ever been in a situation where someone is inconsiderate to you? All of us have. Rather than showing a hard and unfriendly heart, act as Christ acted… Be patient, forgive, and ask for God’s guidance in the situation. God will reward those with a kind spirit.

Onto verse sixteen:

“Rejoice evermore.”

Paul writes very simply to rejoice in God, our Heavenly Father. He has saved us, and has an unfailing love for each and everyone of us. Paul similarly writes in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

God deserves our highest praise. Thank Him daily for the wonderful things He has given you: your family, your friends, your abilities, etc.

Verse seventeen says:

“Pray without ceasing.”

In this verse, Paul shares with us the importance of praying to God continually. Although we cannot spend each hour of the day in prayer with God, we can make godly decisions, and think godly thoughts throughout the day. Psalm 55:17 says, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.”

My dear friends, if you are feeling disheartened today, go to God in prayer… He hears you, and He will listen. Always remember that He knows what is best for your life.

Paul writes in verse eighteen:

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

You may be curious at this point and be asking yourself how it’s possible to give thanks in everything. It is sometimes difficult to give thanks in the midst of certain circumstances. We are to thank God for His presence and power, even through hard trials. Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We have so much to be thankful for. We, as God’s beloved children, are immensely blessed… We are gifted with the greatest prize of all ~ the love of Christ in our hearts. Let each of us continuously give thanks for the treasure that God has bestowed upon us… The treasure of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer!

I pray that you have been encouraged, and that God has spoken to you through the words of this post. May He continue to remain steadfast in your heart, my dear friends!

Miles of Smiles!

2011-01-11T19:38:00.001-05:00

I always enjoy capturing Jessa’s winsome and adorable smile through my lens. I was able to have a “mini photo shoot” with her the other day, and I could not resist sharing the photographs here on my blog!

She is full of joy…

And loveliness…

And laughter…

And energy {for sure}…

Maybe some silliness…

All in all, she is a blessing…

My little blessing for Heaven above!

I am eternally grateful…

For the gift of sisterhood…

And for God giving sweet, little Jessa to our family!

A Sister

2011-01-03T13:27:00.001-05:00

“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.”

~Isadora James~

~A Bright New Year~

2011-01-01T12:06:00.001-05:00

Dearest Readers,

I pray that you and your family have a very blessed and delightful new year. May the Lord fill your new year with His abundant supply of love, joy, and peace!

~Welcome, 2011~

A Wonderful Year

2010-12-31T17:50:00.001-05:00

Hello Dear Readers!

I am continually amazed at how quickly this year has passed, but so thankful for the many blessings {both big and small} that the Lord has given to me and my family. As 2011 is approaching us, I have set a few goals that I would like to complete. It seems as though I do this every year, and use the excuse of being too busy. I have to come to realize that the more busy you are, the less productive you become.

Some of the things that have been pressing on my heart to do more of include…

• Reading my Bible more often~ God’s Word is full of so much knowledge, and I know that I can always use that in my life. What a difference His guidance makes in a person’s life.

• Helping around the house more often~ My dear mother can always use some help, whether it’s cleaning, cooking, or watching sweet little Jessa. I am so thankful to have a mother who can teach me all about homemaking in preparation for my future.

• Reach others to our Savior, Jesus Christ~ What a need there is these days to teach the people of this world about Jesus. There are so many ways to spread the good news of Jesus to those who need the encouragement.

• Stay positive throughout everyday life~ It is sometimes difficult to have a good attitude in all situations. With the Lord’s help, I know that I can conquer this struggle in life.

•Be more patient~ This is a matter that most everyone needs to work on. As for myself, I seem to get most impatient with my little sister and school. I would like to strive to be more patient in these two areas and in others as well.

• Completing more projects~ Oh, how I greatly enjoy projects, including sewing, scrapbooking, and writing. I don’t know about you, but to me, the best part of a project is completing it… The feeling of completion is so wonderful and at that point, you can acknowledge what you have accomplished.

• Enrichment of literature~ A good book along with a hot cup of tea is so delightful. Just through reading good books enriched with knowledge, my vocabulary certainly progresses.

And most importantly…

• Growing in my walk with the Lord~ Our relationship with God is most important in life. He is full of love, and has His arms wrapped tightly around each and every individual on this earth. By praying to God, reading His Word, and listening to His commands, my spiritual life will grow indeed.

As we enter into a new year, let us all strive to make a difference in the world, whether it’s by doing something big or small.

May the Lord bless you and your family in 2011!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T20:35:00.001-05:00

Dearest Friends,

I pray that your Christmas has been richly blessed with the Lord’s immense love! May the joy of this season brighten your family’s homestead, and may you remember our precious Savior’s birth throughout the whole year.

“And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

~Luke 2:10-11~

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

~Isaiah 9:6~

Three Wonderful Years!

2010-12-10T12:34:00.001-05:00

Three years ago, on December 10th, 2007, we met our sweet Jessa for the very first time… As we walked out of the elevator, excitement and joy entered our hearts. There she was at 15 months old, looking a bit confused, as she stared into our eyes. The nanny handed her over to my mama, and Jessa let out a little whimper. Mama began to comfort her, and the small whimper came to a stop. From that moment on, all she wanted to do was cling to my mama’s shoulder.

Our adoption experience was incredible, and I am so thankful to God, that He directed our steps throughout the whole process.

Jessa is a bundle of joy, and a sweet blessing to have. She keeps our homestead jolly and cheerful, and always brings a smile to your face!

We love you, dear Jessa! May God continue to bless you with that beautiful, shining spirit He has gifted you with!

A Sweet Blessing

2010-12-03T15:08:00.001-05:00

“Children are a heritage from the Lord.”

~Psalm 127:3~

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T09:49:00.001-05:00

~Happy Thanksgiving~

For flowers that bloom about your feet;

For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee;

For all things fair we hear or see;

Father in Heaven, we thank Thee!

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Happy Thanksgiving, Dear Friends!

Thankfulness

2010-11-23T18:42:00.001-05:00

“ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. ”

~ 2 Corinthians 9:15 ~

Thanksgiving Day is approaching, and I am looking forward to the wonderful time planned with family. I am thankful for so many things, although there is one thing I am immensely grateful for… That is Jesus Christ, God’s indescribable gift to all of us. Words cannot begin to describe how much He did for us, and how much He loves us. This Thanksgiving (and everyday), remember to express gratitude towards God and those who surround you… Have a merry and cheerful heart, one that shines the love of Christ!

21 Blessed Years

2010-11-18T17:01:00.001-05:00

Today is my parent’s 21st Wedding Anniversary. My heart fills with joy as I think of the beautiful love they have for each other.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

~~~

Daddy and Mama,

The Lord has blessed you with 21 beautiful years of marriage. The incredible love you have for each other shines throughout you, and it is a blessing to see. May the Lord continue to strengthen your marriage, and may He bless you with many more joyful years!

With Much Love,

Jenna

Dress Pattern

2010-11-13T10:56:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much, dear friends, for all the thoughtful comments on the Feelin’ Feminine posts! I had a delightful time participating!

Some of you were wondering which pattern I used to sew the dress I wore on Day Seven… I used New Look 6910, which is a Simplicity pattern. Here is a link to the pattern online:

New Look 6910

I made dress D and also lengthened the bottom a little bit, due to my height! I’m sure you can find it in most sewing/fabric stores… I purchased the pattern from Jo-Ann Fabrics. Please let me know if you have any other questions! May the Lord bless you, dear friends!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

Feelin’ Feminine: Day Seven!

2010-11-10T18:04:00.001-05:00

Today is the final day for the Feelin’ Feminine challenge. It has been such a delight to participate! I would like to thank Miss Eden for hosting this challenge. I’ve had such a blessed time taking part in this wonderful challenge!

I have been eagerly anticipating Day Seven of this challenge, so that I could share a photograph of my new dress that I sewed!

Today, I am wearing…

~ A brown and white floral dress with matching headband, sewn by me.

~ A jean jacket, purchased from Gap.

Thank you, dear friends, for all of the sweet comments you’ve left me… They mean so much to me!

Many Blessings,

Jenna

Feelin’ Feminine: Day Six!

2010-11-09T18:02:00.001-05:00

I have had such a wonderful time participating in the Feelin’ Feminine challenge this week, and I am so grateful to Miss Eden for hosting this lovely challenge!

Today, I am wearing…

~ A black short-sleeve turtleneck, purchased from Ross.

~ A black and white skirt, purchased from Ross.

I am looking forward to sharing my last outfit with you tomorrow! May the Lord pour His sweet and abundant blessings upon you!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

Feelin’ Feminine: Day Five!

2010-11-08T11:31:00.001-05:00

Today is day five of the Feelin’ Feminine challenge! I have had a wonderful time sharing photographs of my modest outfits each day! Thank you, dear readers, for the many sweet comments… They mean so much to me!

Today, I am wearing…

~ A beige turtleneck, purchased from a local consignment.

~ A purple skirt, purchased from Goodwill.

~ My favorite flats… They feel like slippers! (Lindsay Phillips brand)

Have a very blessed day, dear friends!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

Feelin’ Feminine: Day Four!

2010-11-07T17:24:00.001-05:00

Today is day four of the Feelin’ Feminine challenge I am participating in. I have had such a wonderful time taking part in this fun challenge. Thank you, Miss Eden, for hosting this!

My sweet little sister, Miss Jessa, has decided to join me for day four! I am so delighted to have her participating with me!

Today, I am wearing…

~A polka-dot skirt, purchased from TJ Maxx

~ A brown shirt, given to me by my grandmother.

~ My black boots.

Jessa is wearing a brown, long-sleeved dress with pink leggings underneath. For some extra fashion, she put my mama’s pink scarf on!

May the Lord pour His abundant blessings upon you, dear friends!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

Feelin’ Feminine: Day Three!

2010-11-06T08:52:00.001-04:00

Today is day three of the Feelin’ Feminine challenge, being hosted by Miss Eden. I have had a wonderful time sharing photographs of my modest outfits each day with my dear readers.

I will be attending an event with some good friends of mine this afternoon… I am greatly looking forward to the sweet fellowship, food, and contra dancing!

Today, I am wearing…

~A brown turtleneck, purchased from Ross.

~ A tan jacket, purchased from a local consignment.

~ A brown floral-print skirt, purchased from a local consignment.

~ A scarf, purchased from a local thrift store.

~ My mama’s black boots.

Also, today marks one year of blogging here on Where The Heart Remains! I have met so many wonderful and sweet young ladies through blogging. I have been greatly encouraged by many lovely blogs as well! Thank you so much, dear friends, for making my blogging experience a wonderful and blessed one!

May the Lord bless you and your family!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

Feelin’ Feminine: Day Two!

2010-11-05T20:16:00.001-04:00

Today is day two of the Feelin’ Feminine challenge, and I am having a delightful time so far! Thank you, sweet friends, for all of the thoughtful comments on my previous post. I would also like to thank my dear friend, Eden, for hosting this challenge!

Today, I am wearing…

~A black long-sleeved turtleneck, purchased from Ross.

~ A long jean skirt, purchased from Goodwill.

~My mama’s black boots.

~A pink scarf, which was given to me.

May the Lord richly bless you, dear friends, and may the light of our Savior shine upon you!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

P.S. Will you please keep my grandmother in your prayers… She is battling acute leukemia, and having a very rough time right now. We are praying that the Lord would heal her and perform a miracle in her life. Thank you so much! Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Feelin’ Feminine: Day One!

2010-11-04T17:57:00.001-04:00

I am so delighted that I’m able to participate in the Feelin’ Feminine challenge being hosted by Miss Eden, at Growing In Him. Dressing modestly is very important to me, so I am looking forward to sharing photographs of my modest and feminine outfits this week!

For today, I have my new brown dress on, which I purchased from Goodwill yesterday! I decided to wear my hair down.

May the Lord bless you, sweet friends… Continue to shine your bright lights for Him!

Your Sister In Christ,

Jenna

To My Sweet Father…

2010-11-02T18:53:00.001-04:00

Dearest Daddy,

I would like to wish you a wonderful and blessed birthday. I am so thankful to have you as my father, and I cherish every moment of time we spend together! You are a kind, gentle, and godly man, and I thank you for the guidance you have given me in my life. May the Lord continue to bless you immensely, and lead you on His path. I love you with all of my heart…

~Jenna~

~Beauty~

2010-10-26T17:50:00.001-04:00

How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.

~Psalm 104:24-25~

A Lovely Little Lady…

2010-10-22T17:25:00.001-04:00

…Sweet…

…Gentle…

…Loving…

…My Baby Sister…

Delightful Dishes

2010-10-19T15:53:00.000-04:00

I would like to share a few delicious dishes with you today. I always enjoy sharing our recipes with others!

~Chicken Noodle Soup~

{A crock pot chicken noodle soup recipe}
Source: Internet

Ingredients:

• 2½ to 3½ pounds chicken pieces
• 4 cups water
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste, depending on saltiness of broth
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 leek or small onion chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• ¼ cup parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon dried marjoram or basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 6 ounces noodles

Preparation:
Place all ingredients except noodles in the Crock Pot. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. Remove chicken and bay leaf from pot; take meat from bones, dice and return to broth, and add the noodles. Cook another hour or until noodles are done (about 1/2 hour on high). Or, cook the noodles separately and add them just before serving. Enjoy!

~Drop Biscuits~
Source: A Beka Family / Consumer Sciences
Yield: 1 dozen

Ingredients:

• 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ cup cold butter
• 1 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Grease baking sheet with shortening.
3. Combine dry ingredients.
4. Cut butter into dry ingredients until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Gently stir buttermilk into flour mixture just until moistened.
6. Scoop ¼ cupfuls 2" apart onto baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

~Ranch Turkey Roll-Ups~
Source: my aunt
Yield: 30 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 ounce) package regular cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8 ounce) package chive and onion cream cheese, softened
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
• 11 (8 inch) flour tortillas
• 22 thin slices deli turkey (or ham)

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and salad dressing mix until smooth. Spread about 3 tablespoons over each tortilla; top each with two turkey slices.
2. Roll up tightly and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm. Unwrap and cut into 3/4-inch slices.

~Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Pecans~
Source: my aunt
Yield: 4 to 6

Ingredients:

~Salad~
• 8 ounces fresh torn spinach or baby spinach
• 1½ to 2 cups cleaned and sliced strawberries
• ½ cup pecan halves or pieces, lightly toasted
• 2 to 3 ounces goat cheese or blue cheese, crumbled (optional)

~Dressing~
• ¼ cup Canola oil or other salad oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¼ teaspoon dried tarragon
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 garlic powder
• dash dry mustard

Directions:

1. Toss spinach with sliced strawberries, pecans, and cheese, if using.
2. Combine dressing ingredients in a jar; shake until well blended. When ready to serve, drizzle dressing over the salad and toss lightly.

These are four of my favorite dishes that we've made recently. Please let me know if you try any of them! I would love to know if your family enjoyed them!
Well, I had better go and start preparing the "Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Pecans" for dinner!
May the Lord bless you and your family. Thank you so much for visiting!

A Thought for the Day

2010-10-07T22:13:00.000-04:00

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

~1 Timothy 4:12~

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them."

~Ecclesiastes 12:1~

Both of these verses have been on my mind recently. Each year, as I turn another year older, I wonder what God has planned for my life. I continue to trust in Him and seek His name more each day. I know that whatever the future holds for my life will be directed by the LORD...

"A man's heart deviseth his ways: but the LORD directeth his steps."

~Proverbs 16:9~

"The LORD shall guide thee continually..."

~Isaiah 58:11~

I am so thankful to God for taking care of me, and loving me. I shall completely trust in Him during this season of my life, and I pray that you will as well!

**A few new recipes soon to come**

God's Beautiful Creation

2010-09-29T18:02:00.000-04:00

Today, I enjoyed a short amount of time outdoors with my camera, admiring God and His artwork. It is always such a blessing to be able to roam around our property, taking pictures of the many beautiful creations of God! Here are some of the photographs I captured on this lovely Wednesday...

Playing around with Self Timer...

Love and Blessings,

Jenna

Encouragement For The Day

2010-09-28T15:48:00.000-04:00

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

~Romans 15:4~

I am so thankful for the knowledge that God has given us through His Word! May He continue to bless you!

Happy Birthday Papa!

2010-09-26T14:07:00.000-04:00

It is my dear grandfather's birthday today!

Dearest Papa,

May the Lord bless you on your special day! I love you with all of my heart, and I am so thankful to have such a wonderful grandfather! You are a great husband, father, and grandfather, and I thank you for the happiness you have given me in my life!

I wish you many more happy years, Papa!

Love,

Jenna

Autumn Has Arrived

2010-09-22T09:16:00.000-04:00

Oh, I am so thankful for Autumn...

The cool and crisp air and the change of color in the leaves.

The birds are chirping and singing in the trees, and the squirrels are scampering on the fence posts.

Oh, Autumn is such a wonderful season! I love the brilliant color that God gives us in Autumn...

May the Lord bless you and your family during this new season!

Your Sister In Christ,

Important!! Homeschool Get-Together THIS Afternoon!!

2010-09-16T09:10:00.001-04:00

Hello Dear Friends!

Eden, from Growing In Him, has changed the time frame for the Skype get together to today! I hope you all can make it! :)

You can find the time below...

You're invited to the Homeschool Girls Get-Together! We will be discussing how we as young ladies can use our time wisely to help our home and Christ's church.

When?

Thursday, September 16th at 4pm EDT (3pm CDT, 2pm MDT & 1pm PDT)

Where? On Skype

What: Homeschool Get-Together

Who's Invited? Christian, homeschooled girls age 13-20

How to Join? Send Eden an email here: http://kontactr.com/user/Eden. Put "Homeschool Girls Get Together" in the subject line and include your Skype username.

{For those of you who don't know what Skype is... It's a chat program very similar to Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger. You do not need a web camera or a microphone to use Skype, and you can download it for free by going to http://www.skype.com/.}

Many Blessings,

School Project!

2010-09-15T16:21:00.000-04:00

I am blessed with "Total Language Plus" curriculum for my English course, and I am in the midst of reading Anne Of Green Gables! Oh, what a wonderful book! Today, I completed a project, and I wanted to share it with you. The question I had to answer was:

“Whom do you know that you would describe remarkable? Why do you believe (s)he is exceptional?”

Here is what I wrote...

re•mark•a•ble

1. Worthy of notice.

2. Extraordinary; uncommon.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”

~Proverbs 31:10~

As I read the question I was to answer in my English, I knew immediately who I was going to write about…

“Whom do you know that you would describe remarkable? Why do you believe (s)he is exceptional?”

As I pondered this question, I thought of one special person who has affected my life drastically… My dear mother! She is beyond remarkable, and I feel so blessed to be one of her children. She is a precious treasure in this world, a woman who is very uncommon to find. She spends her time teaching her children at home, so that they may reach their highest goals. She honors her husband, no matter what, and supports him with her whole heart. Most importantly, her love for God shines throughout her, like a coruscation of light. Her deportment is sweet and caring, and she is ingratiatingly officious. All in all, she is a true personage in my life! Thank you, mama, for everything you do, and always know that you are a remarkable woman in my eyes! You will always be loved by a myriad of people because of your good deeds and your kindness!

Something To Think About...

2010-09-12T21:03:00.000-04:00

I love what Romans 12:2 says in God’s Word…

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

As I ponder this verse, I think of God’s plan for my life. Even though I am not able to know God’s plan for my future during this season of my life, He still knows it. It is so encouraging to know that I don’t have to worry about what the future holds, because God already holds it in His precious and loving hands! He knows where I am going to be in 30 years. He has already formed and shaped my adulthood… He has perfected each one of our lives, so don’t be discouraged through hard moments! God knows of every difficult time, and also of every wonderful moment! He has orchestrated each of our lives. We are all a different and amazing work of art, created by the Master Designer!

Fun At The Beach!

2010-09-12T11:41:00.000-04:00

In celebration of my little sister's 4th birthday, we went to the beach! We had a wonderful time, and most importantly, sweet Jessa enjoyed herself!

I brought my camera along with me, and took many pictures while there...

The Lord's creation is so beautiful!

...Holding a conversation! :)

The time of relaxation was so nice!

All in all, Jessa had a wonderful and fun-filled birthday! At the end of the day, she opened a few gifts and enjoyed eating her cake...

... Made by me and my dear mother!

(It was our first time making an eight layer castle cake!)

Thank you all for the sweet comments, wishing my sister a happy birthday! She definitely had a wonderful day!

Oh, how I've been aching for Autumn and it's brilliant splash of color to come! For now, I must be thankful to the Lord for this 90 degree weather! :)

Have a blessed day, filled with the Lord's abundant blessings! Always remember to shine your light for His glory!

Your Sister In Christ,

Happy Birthday, Jessa!

2010-09-07T17:51:00.002-04:00

Sweet Jessa,

Thank you for the vast amount of joy you have given me. I feel so blessed to be your big sister. Your darling hugs and kisses just melt my heart. I am so thankful to have a little sister like you!

Thank you for all the wonderful moments you have shared with our family. Your sweet humor always makes me laugh...

I am so glad that God has allowed you to come in to our lives and be a part of our family. You have been a true blessing (and cutie!) ever since we brought you home from China...

Words cannot describe how blessed our family truly is.

You are a loving, humorous, kind, and sweet girl, Jessa!

May the Lord guide you on His perfect path throughout your life... I know that He has wonderful plans for you, dear!

I Love You,

Jenna

Homeschool Girls Get Together!

2010-09-06T16:09:00.002-04:00

*Updated Age Range*

Hello Dearest Friends!

My sweet friend Eden, who blogs at Growing In Him, has decided to host a "girls get together" on Skype! Here is a little information on it...

You're invited to the Homeschool Girls Get-Together! We will be discussing how we as young ladies can use our time wisely to help our home and Christ's church.

When? Sunday, September 19th at 4pm EDT (3pm CDT & 1pm PDT)

Where? On Skype

What: Homeschool Get-Together

Who's Invited? Christian, home schooled girls age 13-20

How to Join? Send Eden an email here: http://kontactr.com/user/Eden. Put "Homeschool Girls Get Together" in the subject line and include your Skype username.

May the Lord bless you in many wonderful ways. Thank you so much for visiting my blog, Where The Heart Remains!

Your Sister In Christ,

Blessings...

2010-09-05T18:37:00.001-04:00

Hello Dearest Friends!

First of all, I would like to thank you all so very much for your continuous prayers for my grandmother, who is battling acute leukemia. She had her bone marrow biopsy on Monday, and we received the results on Wednesday... Her results came back great! The doctors were hopeful that the leukemia in the bone marrow would be 5% or below, and her results were 2%! What a blessing!
At the present time, my grandmother is fighting off an infection. We are praying that the Lord will heal her body as soon as possible!

This past week, I have been spending a lot of time outdoors with my camera! The Lord's creation is so wonderful and beautiful. Here are some photographs I have taken recently...

I have also taken some sweet shots of my little sister Jessa, who is turning 4 on Wednesday, September 8th! :)

Have a blessed day, dearest friends! May the Lord shine His beautiful light upon all of you!

Your Sister In Christ,

An Update!

2010-08-27T16:08:00.000-04:00

Hello Dear Friends!

I apologize for my lengthy absence from blogging! My brother and I started school on August 2nd, and ever since then, we have been quite busy.
As most of you know, my grandmother was diagnosed with acute leukemia several weeks ago. She is now in a wonderful hospital, which is approximately two hours away from our home. For seven days, she received chemo therapy treatments non stop. Tuesday was her last day of treatment. The side affects of the chemo have now come, and we are praying that the Lord will help her body recover. We talked to her through Skype yesterday, and she seems to be doing quite well... Praise the Lord!
We found out some wonderful news on Wednesday. My grandmother needs to have a bone marrow transplant, and to do the operation, she needs a donor who's bone marrow matches hers. My great uncle (my grandmother's sweet brother) had a blood test done almost two weeks ago, to see if his bone marrow would match hers.

FACT:
Siblings have the highest chance of being a match for bone marrow. With that being said, there is only a 25% chance of a sibling being a match!
If the sibling doesn't match, the patient has to try and find another donor. The statistics shown on a "stranger" being a match is 1 in 100,000.

The Lord is so good... My great uncle IS A MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are all so grateful to the Lord for His goodness. We have been praying so much lately, that God would perform a miracle in my grandmother's life!

To perform the bone marrow transplant, her cancer has to go into remission... Next week, she will be getting a bone marrow biopsy, which will tell us if the chemo therapy took her cancer away. *Praying hard that the cancer will be gone!!*

If the cancer is in remission, the doctors will complete the bone marrow transplant right away. If the cancer is not in remission, the doctors will give her more chemo therapy treatments.

God has a wonderful plan, I know that is the truth. We are trusting in Him completely! Thank you all for your prayers, and I will update you all on my grandmother after the bone marrow biopsy!

I plan on posting some recent photographs sometime this weekend!

Your Sister In Christ,

Applesauce Muffins

2010-08-11T19:01:00.000-04:00

Hello Dear Friends!

First, I would like to thank you so much for your sweet comments you left on my previous post. Each and every one of the birthday wishes blessed my mama greatly. She really enjoyed reading them!

Before I share the Applesauce Muffin recipe, I would like to give you all an update on my grandmother. As most of you know, she was diagnosed with acute leukemia about two weeks ago. She will be going to a hospital tomorrow to get a heart test, and also a bone marrow biopsy. On Tuesday, she will be going in to start her treatments. She will be in the hospital (which is a few hours away from our home) for a few months. If everything goes smoothly with the treatment, she will then receive a bone marrow transplant. We are praying that the Lord will heal her through this treatment, and that He will lessen her pain through the whole process! Thank you all for your prayers. I would appreciate it if you would continue to pray for my sweet grandmother! Thank you so much!

Now, I would like to share a recipe with you that I made yesterday in my Home Economics class. The recipe comes from A Beka's Family Consumer Sciences book.

~Applesauce Muffins~

Oven Temperature: 350°

Bake Time: 20 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup chunk-style applesauce

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Topping Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°

2. Place paper liners in a muffin pan.

3. In small bowl, combine topping ingredients; set aside.

4. Combine dry ingredients, except topping ingredients and raisins; set aside.

5. Combine wet ingredients- oil, applesauce, and egg, mix well.

6. Add wet ingredients to dry, mix just until moistened.

7. Fill cups 2/3 full; sprinkle with topping.

8. Place muffins in the oven; Bake for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Your Sister In Christ,

Happy Birthday...

2010-08-09T10:05:00.000-04:00

...To my dearest mother!

To My Sweet Mama,

May the Lord bless you on your special day. You are such a wonderful mother and wife, and I am so thankful for you! Thank you for all your love and support. You are a true example of a Proverbs 31 woman... A beautiful woman who loves God with all her heart, and who raises her children as God wants her to. Daddy is so fortunate to have you as his wife. May the Lord continue to immensely bless you, dear Mama. You are so very precious to my heart!

Your Daughter,

Jenna

My Sweet Little Sister...

2010-07-30T11:48:00.000-04:00

Hello Dear Friends!

First of all, I would like to thank you so much for all of your prayers for my sweet grandmother. She seems to be doing alright, though the treatments make her feel very weak. I know that God is in control of the situation, and I am trusting in Him completely!

Today, I would like to share a few recent photographs I've taken of my darling little sister, Jessa! As most of you know, we adopted her from China in 2007, and she has been such a blessing in our family. She is almost four years old, and is a bundle of joy! I am so thankful to have her as my little sister!

Jessa in her Smart Glasses, as she calls them!

Jessa in her new apron that I sewed for her!

I embroidered Jessa's name on the pocket!

Playing Run From The Camera!

All dressed up, and ready to go to Church!

Too cute!

Jessa, I love you with all of my heart! Thank you for being such a wonderful sister!!

Many Blessings,

Prayer Request...

2010-07-28T20:48:00.000-04:00

Hello Dear Friends,

My wonderful grandmother was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia. I would really appreciate your prayers as she is going through a harsh treatment called chemo-therapy. She is a strong Christian woman, who loves the Lord with all her heart. She and my grandfather have been married for 47 years. She is such a blessing in my life!

Thank you for your love and prayers, dear readers! I am completely trusting in God during this hard period of time...

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~

{Photo found on Google}

Your Sister In Christ,

God's Amazing Creation

2010-07-26T21:58:00.000-04:00

Enjoy the photographs and Bible verses below!

The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey comb.

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and keeping of them there is a great reward.

Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

~ Psalm 19 ~

May we all remember to stay in God's precious sight and to always serve HIM with our hearts! Have a joyful day, filled with the Lord's abundant blessings!

Your Sister In Christ,

Why Modesty Is So Important To Me...

2010-07-24T21:15:00.002-04:00

{This post is a continuation of "The Desires" post, which I wrote in the month of May. If you have not read that post, I encourage you to click HERE and read it.}

The topic for my post today is on modesty; A subject that I enjoy pondering. Modesty is so important to me, especially in this generation. I feel as though the Lord has called me to dress in modest apparel for many reasons. Whenever I think of modesty, I think of two particular verses from God’s Word…

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“ In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.

But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. ”

~ 1 Timothy 2:9-10 ~

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This Bible verse has really spoken to me throughout the past year. As I grow up to be a young woman, I realize more and more each day, that it is so important to shine my Godly light in this dark world. By dressing modestly, I feel a sense of obedience to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Obeying Him is my number one goal in life. Pleasing my Savior and knowing that I have followed His commands makes me so happy. I have a very cheerful heart when God comes to me and says… “Well done, child, well done!”

Another reason why modesty is so important to me is because when I dress in feminine and modest apparel, I feel that people can see more of my inner beauty, rather than my outer beauty. That is very comforting to me. I would much rather be recognized for having a good spirit, and not for other non-Godly reasons.

Not only do I wear mainly skirts because of the reasons above, but I also wear them for comfort. I feel very free and feminine in a skirt.

Before I say anything further, I would like to answer a question that some of you may be asking yourselves. You may be wondering how you can complete some activities in a skirt. Of course, some things require a pair of pants. To me, wearing a pair of loosely-fit pants is not being immodest. Although I would prefer to wear a long, flowing skirt, an activity like horseback riding is much easier in a pair of jeans. (Well, unless you prefer to ride side-saddle!) I just wanted to clear that up in case some of you were curious.

As for blouses, I prefer to wear something that covers quite well. Wearing a blouse with a higher top is what I try to aim for. I don’t want to have to worry about holding my top while bending over. To me, it is so much nicer not having to worry about these kinds of issues.

Well, I suppose I should come to a close now. I really enjoy discussing topics like this, and I hope that you were able to get something out of the words above.

Although I think dressing modestly is the right thing to do, you may disagree. God says in His word…

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“ To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. ”

~Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~

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Maybe your time has not come yet… But I sure hope that God will speak to you on this very subject. Only you and God know what is right for your life!

Have a joyful day, and remember to follow the Lord with all your heart!

{I plan on taking one subject from my list of desires each week and talking in depth about that particular subject! I hope you enjoy reading them. My next subject will be on constantly observing God's creation!}

Your Sister In Christ,

Summer With A Purpose: Week Six!

2010-07-23T10:55:00.000-04:00

Hello Dear Friends!

I am amazed that it is already the end of July. This summer has gone by so quickly!

It's week six of Summer With a Purpose over at Miss Emily's blog, My Life Belongs To Him. If you are interested in joining in for the last few weeks, just click HERE!

This week has been quite relaxed, yet productive at the same time. Here are some of the things I've accomplished this week...

~Baking~

In my previous post, I shared several photographs with you. One of those photographs happened to be of the homemade oatmeal muffins I made. Today, I would like to share the recipe with you!

This recipe comes from the cookbook, "From the Kitchen of Two Sisters", one of my favorite Vegetarian cookbooks!

~Light Oatmeal Muffins~

Makes 1½ dozen muffins

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Wet Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

3 cups rice milk or milk

2 eggs

2/3 cup honey

1/4 cup unsalted butter- melted

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat pastry or spelt flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

~Directions~

1. Combine the wet ingredients using a wire whisk.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.

3. Add both mixtures together.

4. Pour the batter into greased muffin pans.

5. Bake at 400° for about 20 minutes.

Let me know if you make these! I would love to know how they turned out! I sure thought they were delicious!

I also made some homemade apple butter with a dear friend of mine this past week. I had a wonderful time making it, and it tastes scrumptious!

~Photography~

I shared some of my most recent photographs in my previous post. If you would like to see those, just click HERE.

~Lovely Fellowship~

This week, my dear mother and I were invited to a tea party, hosted by some dear friends. They decorated everything so beautifully!

Simply wonderful!

We had a delicious lunch, which was prepared by many loving hands. The tea tasted just lovely as well.

A beautiful teacup!

We had a small devotion, and then did some handwork. I enjoyed learning to crochet from a wonderful friend of mine! Thank you, dearest Emily!

Also, one of the hostesses is celebrating a birthday soon, so we all sang happy birthday to Miss Lauren!

Happy birthday, dear friend!

We had a delightful time together. I am so thankful for the many friendships God has given me!

~Embroidery~

I was able to embroider a bread towel for one of my dear friends this week.

I just love embroidering different things. I feel so blessed to have a sewing machine that embroiders. I hope to learn by hand sometime in the near future!

~Bible Reading~

Although I haven't focused on memorizing a Scripture this week, I have been thinking about the Proverbs 31 woman a lot. My goal is to be a wife and mother in the future, if the Lord so chooses. I pray each day that God would mold me and guide me throughout my teenage years... That He would help me in preparing to become a Proverbs 31 woman.

I am so thankful for His Promises and for His Word. I am immensely encouraged by what the Lord has to tell me in His Book!

I suppose this concludes week six of Summer With A Purpose here on my blog. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope and pray that I've encouraged you today! Have a joyful day, filled with many summer blessings!

Your Sister In Christ,

Recent Photography...

2010-07-21T11:24:00.000-04:00

~Animals~

{Our neighbor's horse}

{Woodpecker}

{Blue Jay}

~Flowers~

~Baking~

{Homemade Oatmeal Muffins}

{Homemade Apple Butter}

~Old Fashioned Attire~

Please let me know which photograph is your favorite!

Have a wonderful day, filled with an abundance of summer blessings!

Seeking HIM With All My Heart,

And The Winners Are......

2010-07-20T11:27:00.000-04:00

Before I announce the two winners, I would like to thank you all for entering my 100th post giveaway.

Words cannot describe how blessed I felt to receive 92 entries!

The Lord is so good!

Without further ado, I will now announce the winners!!

The winner of Prize One is.......

Libby, at This 'n That!

Congratulations, Libby!

___________________________________________

The winner of Prize Two is.......

Livvy, at A Daughter's Heart!

Congratulations, Livvy!

_________________________________________

Libby and Livvy, please send me an email with your name and address.

You can email me at:

wheretheheartremains@gmail.com

I am so happy for both of you! I will send your packages as soon as I can!

Thank you again, dear readers, for entering my 100th post giveaway! I had a wonderful time planning it! I hope to do another giveaway in the near future!

Have a blessed day. May the Lord immensely bless all of you!

Your Sister In Christ,

Just a Little Reminder...

2010-07-19T10:03:00.002-04:00

Hello Dear Friends!

I just wanted to remind all of you that my 100th post giveaway will be ending this evening (July 19th) at 12:00 A.M. EST. If you would like to enter, please click HERE.

The more, the merrier!!

Thank you to those who have already entered. I feel so blessed to have 84 entries so far!

Also, be sure to view my giveaway page. I usually update it weekly. There are some wonderful giveaways going on at the moment!

I will post the winners tomorrow! Have a blessed and joyous day!

Your Sister In Christ,

Summer With a Purpose: Week Five!

2010-07-17T19:03:00.001-04:00

_______________________________________

Reminder:
My giveaway will be closing on July 19th at midnight. If you would like to join in and try to win some wonderful goodies, please click HERE!
_______________________________________

Hello Dear Readers!

I cannot believe that it is already Saturday! Time certainly goes by quickly. I have had a wonderful week, and I hope you have as well. As you all probably know by now, I have been participating in Miss Emily's "Summer With a Purpose" challenge. I have had so much fun, and I feel as though I've accomplished a lot throughout the past five weeks of summer. If you are interested in joining Summer With a Purpose, just click HERE.

So, this week, I didn't accomplish a large amount of projects. I was still able to do quite a few things though!

1. Foster Care Ministry

One of my mother's dear friends recently started a foster care ministry. Our family decided to get involved with this wonderful project. I will explain to you what the ministry is all about...

Each month we receive donations of children's (newborn to young adult) clothing. We take one day out of each month, and open up a "store" at our church. Foster families come in that day, and the foster children are able to choose about five outfits each for free. We also have a toy table displayed, where they may choose some new toys to bring home with them.

It is so wonderful to see the children's faces light up as they walk out the church doors with full bags of clothing and toys.

July 9th was our first night opening the "store" to the foster families.

The Lord definitely blessed the evening, and made the children happy as they left the church! I feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful ministry. I am also earning volunteer hours as I help the ministry! I am very thankful to be apart of such a wonderful program!

2. Photography
I have been practicing my photography skills a little bit, although I am going to post the photos in a different post, which I will post (hopefully) sometime next week!

3. Bible Reading
I am working on some computer designing for my daddy right now. He and I are trying to find the perfect verse for what I am working on. I have enjoyed looking at certain topics in the Bible and studying them. The Lord teaches us so much in His Word. I am just so thankful to God for His wonderful promises.
I have also been reading a few chapters from the book of Psalms this week. Psalms is a true encouragement. I have enjoyed reading bits and pieces throughout it this week!

4. Sewing
Although I haven't completed any sewing projects this week, I am hoping to start a new project next week. I will be sure to let you know what I will be making!

I pray that you have a blessed evening, dear readers. Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and remember... If you would like to enter my 100th Post Giveaway, please click HERE.

Many Blessings To You,