tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17034832958908251392024-03-05T09:08:36.572-08:00AR blogAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-71876806645463041112010-06-04T12:11:00.000-07:002010-06-04T12:11:18.783-07:00The time has come!Hi there!<br />
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I've switched to Wordpress.com....yes. I finally did it!<br />
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So here's the new blog:<br />
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www.abigailrosy.wordpress.com<br />
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Hope to see y'all there! :)Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-21363895940335007152010-04-16T20:38:00.000-07:002010-04-16T20:38:03.475-07:00Etsy finds! :)Here are some random things I saw on Esty.com just right now...<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44272453/abc-alphabet-letter-square-tiles---bight">Alphabet Letter Tiles in bright colors</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44566094/emerald-green-floral-print-sundress">This Dress</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44889224/sun-hat-baby-baby-sun-hat-baby-bonnet-bo">This hat</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44917750/you-pick----3-reusable-cloth-sandwich-an">These really amazing reusable sandwich bags</a><br />
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:)Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-48126488679766737032010-04-13T16:00:00.000-07:002010-04-13T16:00:11.059-07:00Chocolate Cake, anyone?<div>Yesterday I was reading this fantastic <a href="http://books.google.ca/books?id=V3ZUeIAHZEYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=baking+with+agave+nectar&source=bl&ots=fTJPfI2EsZ&sig=IYzgjg_tq7LCPtG0TS-HZn4NwzQ&hl=en&ei=I-_ES7ulNISotgO1lt3lDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false">cookbook</a> that has brought me much joy(it contains my all-time favorite truffle recipe, which I'll have to share with you once I get some more chocolate). And guess what I found??</div><div><br />
</div><div>FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE!!! :) </div><div>It contains no gluten and sugar. I find that a lot of chocolate cakes can be really dry(Like, it clogs up your throat unless you soak it in milk. Overnight. Ick.), especially if they're healthy. </div><div>Well, as you might know, I am eating gluten-free because I've had joint problems for a few years. And eating gluten-free holds symptoms at bay if one has anklosing spondylitis(arthritis that affects the back, arms, hands, feet, etc). I also got my blood tested and found out that I have an extreme deficiency in Vitamin D(my level was 54, it's supposed to be about 250)- and the result of Vit. D deficiency is joint pain, among other things. So that's probably much of the reason, but because I was getting results with eating gluten-free as well, I decided to keep going with that just in case. </div><div>Anyways, I got a bit off-track there. Where was I? So. I'm eating gluten-free, and also sugar-free because, well, sugar is pretty much poison. haha :) </div><div>And this cake is JUST perfect! It makes me happy. :) </div><div><br />
</div>So, without further ado, as you requested, my friends, here is the recipe!<div><br />
</div><div><i>Flourless Chocolate Cake(Gluten-free, sugar-free)</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div>1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces</div><div>8 ounces(squares) unsweetened chocolate, chopped into small pieces</div><div>5 large eggs, separated</div><div>Pinch of sea salt</div><div>1 cup light(or blue, or amber) agave nectar</div><div>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Lightly butter or oil a 10-inch round cake pan.</div><div>2. Place the butter and chocolate in a double boiler and melt over lightly simmering water, or in a saucepan. Stir well to melt the chocolate completely(but don't burn!)</div><div>3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, salt, 3/4 cup of the agave nectar, and the vanilla extract. Set aside.</div><div>4. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of agave nectar and continue to beat the egg whites until stiff and glossy, but not dry, approximately 1-2 minutes. </div><div>5. Stir the egg yolk mixture into the chocolate mixture, then gently fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate, until no white streaks remain. </div><div>6. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 75 minutes(1 hr 15 min), until cake is set. Remove from the oven and turn out the cake onto a large plate. Carefully invert again onto a cooling rack so that the top side is up. Cool until just warm. Slide the cake onto a serving plate using 2 large spatulas. </div><div>7. Serve warm with any combination of sauce*, whipped cream**, and ice cream.</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>*Hot Fudge Sauce(Gluten-free, can be vegan)</i></div><div>3/4 cup light/blue/amber agave nectar</div><div>1/4 cup water</div><div>1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder</div><div>2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped</div><div>2 tbsp unsalted butter(or substitute)</div><div>1/3 cup heavy cream(or substitute)</div><div>1 tsp vanilla extract</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. In a small saucepan, bring the agave nectar to a boil. Decrease heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. 2. Stir in the water. </div><div>3. Return to a boil and add the cocoa powder. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. </div><div>4. Add the unsweetened chocolate, butter, and cream and bring back to a boil. </div><div>5. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. </div><div><i>This sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks; to serve, just warm in a saucepan on low(or microwave for 1 minute), stir well, and serve. </i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div><i>**Agave Nectar Whipped Cream(Gluten free, too!)</i></div><div>2 cups heavy cream</div><div>5 tbsp light/blue/amber agave nectar</div><div>1 tbsp vanilla extract</div><div>Pinch of sea salt</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Beat all ingredients with mixer until stiff peaks form, approximately 2-3 minutes. Can be stored in fridge for 2-3 days. </div><div><i>Tip: My Gram often adds cream of tartar to her whipped cream, to thicken it. </i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div><div>I was going to try the fudge sauce and whipped cream, but I didn't have enough unsweetened chocolate, and I didn't know that we had cream. So...if you try it, can you let me know how it turns out? Thanks! :) </div>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-28488128487592862962010-04-02T12:05:00.000-07:002010-04-03T12:30:47.213-07:00Nothing but the Blood of JesusThis Friday we remember the day upon which the Blood of the Lamb of God was spilled, poured out for the forgiveness of <i>our</i> sins. When we come to know the Lord and confess His Lordship over us, we are washed in the blood of the Risen King- Jesus. His blood washes us from all iniquity- and because we are covered in the blood of Jesus, we are justified, redeemed, and passed over. We are cleansed from our inherited sinful nature.<br />
<blockquote>"And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."</blockquote><blockquote> -Exodus 12:13</blockquote><blockquote>"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His Blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed."</blockquote> -Romans 3:23-25<br />
<blockquote>"for this is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."</blockquote> -Matthew 26:28<br />
<blockquote>"In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us."</blockquote> -Ephesians 1:7-8a<br />
<blockquote>"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."</blockquote> -Hebrews 9:22<br />
<blockquote>"knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the Blood of Christ."</blockquote> -1 Peter 1:19<br />
<blockquote> "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean, sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more then will the Blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God?" </blockquote><blockquote> -Hebrews 9:13-14 </blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote>Oh, praise the Lord for His unmerited love and grace towards us!<br />
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<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">What can wash away my sin?<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus;<br style="font-weight: bold;" />What can make me whole again?<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Oh! precious is the flow<br style="font-weight: bold;" />That makes me white as snow;<br style="font-weight: bold;" />No other fount I know,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div></span></blockquote><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">For my pardon, this I see,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus;<br style="font-weight: bold;" />For my cleansing this my plea,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">Nothing can for sin atone,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus;<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Naught of good that I have done,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">This is all my hope and peace,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus;<br style="font-weight: bold;" />This is all my righteousness,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">Now by this I’ll overcome—<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Now by this I’ll reach my home—<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">Glory! Glory! This I sing—<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus,<br style="font-weight: bold;" />All my praise for this I bring—<br style="font-weight: bold;" />Nothing but the blood of Jesus.</div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-51706378525782125882010-03-20T19:15:00.000-07:002010-03-20T19:15:57.769-07:00If you were at our house tonight, this is what you'd be served.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXdwWy_3XMmXtGibg4OlOXlV53BpNpVJvYl17LSLyQRKMXewO9ICkj4B4e_oZZpxMgft6gsOcF_jjI5INlLQLEbF35JUqf6tUAb8LuuNv6z2btMWJIKc1HJzAK-qHugP9DeNGT2hkrzVs/s1600-h/DSC_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXdwWy_3XMmXtGibg4OlOXlV53BpNpVJvYl17LSLyQRKMXewO9ICkj4B4e_oZZpxMgft6gsOcF_jjI5INlLQLEbF35JUqf6tUAb8LuuNv6z2btMWJIKc1HJzAK-qHugP9DeNGT2hkrzVs/s400/DSC_0168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i>Creamy Alfredo(this is a favorite of ours- and it's vegan too!)</i><br />
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1/2 cup raw cashews<br />
1 tbsp unbleached white flour<br />
1 tbsp all-vegetable chicken-flavored boullion<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/4 tsp onion powder(we never put this in because we never have it/can't find it)<br />
1 1/4 cups water<br />
1 tsp basil<br />
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1. Pour cashews, flour, seasoning, onion powder, and salt into blender/food processor. Add water and blend until creamy.<br />
2. Pour blended mixture into saucepan and bring to a slow boil.<br />
3. Add basil and remove from heat.<br />
4. Ladle over cooked noodles(fettuccine, etc) or serve with steamed broccoli pieces. You can top with white cheddar cheese if you so desire.<br />
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<i>Salmon</i><br />
1. Prepare your salmon.<br />
2. Slather butter on it- generously.<br />
3. Sprinkle brown sugar all over.<br />
4. Shake dry mustard on top<br />
5. Squeeze lemon juice over all.<br />
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OR, after butter, cover the salmon with onion slices. We sometimes do half the salmon with the brown sugar/mustard stuff, and half with the onions.<br />
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Anyway, I'm in a food-making mood so I expect you'll be seeing more recipes on here.Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-50967597007380072062010-03-19T21:30:00.000-07:002010-03-19T21:30:58.348-07:00Greek Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pICfdVFvdVYWI6cUOYH76CN1HevHwg5R8PXgqWQu_VBBWiVNgo5vDT7WPDCkAmeROpPZb7Ml0wVG3kjpbFJv-giXZX8OMNm6h1Gz5ir7wcAGff3J6jcqeezM6cvfvU6p-FcQ8A_czyvm/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pICfdVFvdVYWI6cUOYH76CN1HevHwg5R8PXgqWQu_VBBWiVNgo5vDT7WPDCkAmeROpPZb7Ml0wVG3kjpbFJv-giXZX8OMNm6h1Gz5ir7wcAGff3J6jcqeezM6cvfvU6p-FcQ8A_czyvm/s400/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Salad:<br />
-1 Tomato<br />
-1 cucumber<br />
-A bunch of fresh sprouts<br />
-A handful of fresh, organic olives<br />
-Feta cheese, however much you like<br />
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Dressing:<br />
-1/8 cup balsamic vinegar<br />
-1/8 cup cold-pressed olive oil<br />
-A couple shakes of oregano<br />
-Garlic, to taste<br />
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Mix...and eat! Quick and easy!<br />
(Makes enough for two servings)Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-46734290768612435372010-03-16T22:29:00.000-07:002010-03-16T22:29:26.720-07:00Leaning on the Everlasting Arms<i></i><br />
<div style="font-family: serif;"><i>What a fellowship, what a joy divine,<br />
Leaning on the everlasting arms;<br />
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,<br />
Leaning on the everlasting arms.</i></div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif;"><i>Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;<br />
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.</i></div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: serif;"><i>O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,<br />
Leaning on the everlasting arms;<br />
O how bright the path grows from day to day,<br />
Leaning on the everlasting arms.</i></div><div class="chorus" style="font-family: serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="font-family: serif;"><i>What have I to dread, what have I to fear,<br />
Leaning on the everlasting arms;<br />
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,<br />
Leaning on the everlasting arms.</i></div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">"There is none like the God of Israel, Who rides the heavens to your help,</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">And through the skies in His majesty.</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">The eternal God is a dwelling place,</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">And underneath are the everlasting arms;</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">As He drove out the enemy from before you..."</div><div style="font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;"> -Deuteronomy 33:26-27</div>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-83585572158670138722010-03-03T20:53:00.000-08:002010-03-03T20:53:25.000-08:00Provision and Protection Essay Contest Winners Announced!<div style="text-align: left;">Over at Vision Forum, they've announced the <a href="http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/essaycontests/cover2010/">winners of the writing contest</a>! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Here is <a href="http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/essaycontests/cover2010/Childers.aspx">my favorite essay</a>, which won honorable mention.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So...if you so desire, why don't you check it out? :) </div><div style="text-align: left;">Have a good day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-53404491823335330132010-02-14T18:55:00.000-08:002010-02-14T18:57:38.722-08:00Happy Valentines Day! :)Bless you with a happy day resting in the Father's vast, immeasurable, love for us!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGGanAZ2IwM">Click to view "Love is Here" by 10th Avenue North</a><br />
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<blockquote> "See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him."</blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">- 1 John 3:1</span></blockquote><br />
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<blockquote>"Beloved, let us love one another, for <i>love is from God</i>; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." </blockquote> - 1 John 4:7<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><i>picture from:</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://vanessaleighsblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/the-power-of-the-cross.jpg"><i>http://vanessaleighsblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/the-power-of-the-cross.jpg</i></a></span></span>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-88637049551141966402010-01-23T19:04:00.000-08:002010-03-16T22:25:39.215-07:00Decreasing...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5d2c04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Often when I read John’s Gospel, there’s one verse that jumps out at me. It’s found in chapter three, verse thirty:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>“He must increase, but I must decrease.” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>This time, instead of just admiring it and leaving it to it’s own self, I decided to study it.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Decrease is defined in Webster’s 1828 dictionary* as:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“DECREASE, v.i. [L. To grow.] To become less; to be diminished gradually, in extent, bulk, quantity, or amount, or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, the days decrease in length from June to December.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>DECREASE, v.t. To lessen; to make smaller in dimensions, amount, quality or excellence, &c; to diminish gradually or by small deductions; as, extravagance decreases the means of charity; every payment decreases a debt; intemperance decreases the strength and powers of life.” <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>(Italics mine)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>Lets look at some of these points. Decrease means to:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>-become less,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>-be diminished</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>-lessen</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>-made smaller in...excellence</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The first step to take in our journey of decreasing ourselves and increasing Him(Jesus) is to look at the Lord. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>When we turn our eyes from looking at ourselves, to looking up at the Lord, any supposed greatness in our lives pales. We see how great He is, how amazing, how majestic, how much more He is than we are. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Isaiah found this out:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“And one called out to another and said ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory. And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>“Then I said, ‘Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”** </div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Calvin says in his Institutes:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“It is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he has previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself.” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Once we have looked on God’s glory, we cannot think ourselves to be glorious or worthy of fame and honour. The example is told of a man standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, staring out into that great creation, and then, folly of follies, sticking out his chest and declaring, “Look at me! How amazing I am! How lofty! How great!” </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>It’s just too ludicrous- we cannot, in our right mind, after beholding the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, glory, and majesty, stand in awe of anything but Him. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>C.J.Mahoney, in his book Humility (which I highly recommend), suggests that every time we are prideful, we lift ourselves up against God and say that we are greater, more important, etc. That is definitely not decreasing and lessening ourselves!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></span>When we are in the process of decreasing, we increase Him. As less and less of me is left, more and more of Him is in me and my life. “You cannot serve two masters,” says Jesus, and although He was referring to money, the same can be applied in our study of John 3:30- I cannot serve myself and God at the same time. Someone must defer. And it cannot be God. It must be me! </div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,” -1 Peter 5:6</div><div style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 18px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">*if you can’t afford to buy Webster’s 1828 dictionary, like me, you can still use it- check out<a href="http://www.1828-dictionary.com/" style="color: #a31500; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">www.1828-dictionary.com</a> - yay internet!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">**Isaiah 6:3-5</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">God bless!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Abbie :)</div>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-83319692941087452402009-11-26T14:09:00.000-08:002009-12-05T16:04:26.043-08:00Daydreaming(and the dangers thereof)<span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: 'Times CY', 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dl.ket.org/webmuseum/wm/paint/auth/morisot/morisot.julie-dreaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.dl.ket.org/webmuseum/wm/paint/auth/morisot/morisot.julie-dreaming.jpg" width="256" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">painting by Morisot, from</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">www.dl.ket.org/.../</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><wbr></wbr>morisot.julie-dreaming.jpg</span></span></span><br />
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I just read an <a href="http://www.old-paths.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=26">article on emotional purity by Brooke Wayne </a>. Here is the beginning paragraphs that I thought were particularly good:<br />
<blockquote>"The dream of a prince coming at last to ask your father for your hand in marriage holds a mixture of yearnings, hopes, and trepidation (as the possibility might seem so slim) and these dreams can almost be intoxicating for young women. In that time of youth before marriage, hopes of that romantic relationship can be so strong that many young women begin spending time—in fact, great quantities of time—thinking and dreaming about their “prince,” just who he will be, or what he will be like, or how he will come. At surface glance, these daydreams might seem harmless enough, but sadly, they are often tearing down the young woman’s strength to remain emotionally pure, and in fact, could be pictured as the pretty flower beds leading down the wrong path of romantic loves outside of marriage.<br />
</blockquote><blockquote>What is this concept of emotional purity? It is reserving the affections of romance, not giving your heart and thoughts over to another to whom you are not married (or committed to marry). It is living in each aspect of your personal and private thought life—your dreams, hopes, thoughts, eyes, conversation, with the utmost of purity before the Lord. As 1 Timothy 5:2 indicates for the young men to treat the young women as sisters, the young women should treat the young men as brothers, not as possible romantic pursuits, even if only in the mind."<br />
</blockquote>Guarding of the heart and mind is a day-to-day thing...it is NOT easy. I don't think it ever(the path is narrow that leads to life)is...<br />
But know this: God is bigger than our weaknesses. With Him nothing is impossible- and He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us! Isn't He so good to us?!! :)<br />
<br />
Philippians 4:7-8,<br />
Matthew 5:8,<br />
Psalm 46:1,<br />
John 14:16<br />
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God bless!Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-12427276612591591382009-11-11T09:31:00.001-08:002009-11-11T09:37:32.852-08:00Happily Ever After?I just read an <a href="http://fathersforumonthefamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-if-god-designed-marriage-to-make.html">excellent, thought-provoking article by Steve Riddell on his blog</a>. Mr Riddell talks of the Disney cliche "and they lived happily ever after"- but he challenges us with the thought that perhaps the purpose of marriage isn't to make us happy, but holy. <div>And how true it is! If the purpose of marriage, according to God's word, was to make us happy, then I think it would be perfectly fine to find a new spouse whenever you get tired of your present spouse. However, the Scriptures tell us differently... but, have no fear- I won't ruin it for you, read the article yourself. </div><div><br /></div><div>May God bless your week!</div><div><br /></div><div>:) </div>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-44540594021541134742009-10-13T19:14:00.000-07:002010-03-31T20:43:38.380-07:00Some thoughts.....<div>Occasionally I like to do an assignment from a program called Polished Cornerstones. I don't know if you've heard of it before, but I highly recommend it. It's a study on what the Bible says about women, etc. </div><a href="http://www.doorposts.com/images/products/pc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.doorposts.com/images/products/pc.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 212px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
Anyway, my Polished Cornerstones assignment today was to study the Proverbs 31 woman. One of the categories was what that chapter says about her relationship with her husband.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I kind of expanded on it, taking what I found and drawing from other sources in the Bible.</div><div><br />
</div><div><ul><li>She does him good and not evil all the days of her life- BEFORE and AFTER marriage. She prepares for marriage by praying for him, by not obsessing about who he may be and when he may come, by keeping her body and mind pure, etc.</li>
<li>He trusts her -She guards their relationship, as a keeper of the home; He will have no need of spoil because she guards their money carefully; He has no lack of gain; She guards their time, her mouth, and he can trust that she will follow him and won't argue with or shut down everything he suggests or says! </li>
<li>She is a woman who fears the Lord- and as a result, so that the Word of God(Jesus) is not dishonored, she submits to and follows her husband in the Lord. She is a keeper of the home and loves her children, too. Her home and family is her major priority. </li>
<li>Her husband is seen in the gates- she promotes and builds him up; helping him to advance God's domain. She is not seeking places of leadership in the gates, etc, instead, she supports her husband in all God has called him to do and be. As she does that, she is being what God has called <i>her</i> to be. :) She encourages him, helps him, and builds him up. As a result, her works praise her in the gates. Behind every great man is a praying/supporting woman. </li>
<li>Her husband praises her and acclaims her. God knew it was not good for him to be alone- her husband needs her, loves her, protects her, and cherishes her!</li>
</ul><div><br />
</div><div>More to come!</div><div>God bless,</div><div><br />
</div><div>Abbie :) <br />
<br />
[Edit: Okay...so I haven't posted the "more to come." that's because I got sidetracked! SOOO...just so you know. Thanks for reading!]</div></div>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-88772537020586555312009-10-10T12:50:00.000-07:002009-10-10T12:54:25.705-07:00Applesauce<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1K-9scrZJKl_7FxLcK0aQO20cKspb0ZuBFraPjYiGi56JUoPdgkTRdFo0WIQRJhr9zLioH2Pz2RzPyptVo8GAdEWL5zywh_xr5ujqMDiFd8Uz9qQC4lGoOEjKefw9eMGCLElx7DdOxHcV/s1600-h/DSC_0668.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391061507400644898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1K-9scrZJKl_7FxLcK0aQO20cKspb0ZuBFraPjYiGi56JUoPdgkTRdFo0WIQRJhr9zLioH2Pz2RzPyptVo8GAdEWL5zywh_xr5ujqMDiFd8Uz9qQC4lGoOEjKefw9eMGCLElx7DdOxHcV/s400/DSC_0668.JPG" /></a> Yummm....fresh applesauce!<br />It was so easy to make:<br /><ul><li>Juice apples in Champion juicer without strainer. </li><li>Put product(applesauce) into a bowl and eat!</li><li>For a bit more flavor and sweetness, drizzle with raw agave nectar and sprinkle with cinnamon. </li></ul><p><br /></p>Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-4108866561552928782009-10-03T10:27:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:56:17.323-07:00Random NewsIt's been such a long time since I've written anything! My apologies :)<br />Just thought I'd give you a headsup on what we've been doing lately. Here's a recent family photo for your enjoyment.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.abbie-rosephoto.blogspot.com"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388426994372303730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwmE0PWWNAoRHyJRpjs3IP9f0mOpWmRBb0pXh_ZIeDxXO7HjIIXP9r-rLVEdQVT0cDnFAH8P49J9ee_X8LRtwKYkeaXZEPp29DYuxVjymikrcNpjW7afsRFwSizXHH2G_JuCPXlnux07Z/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" /></a><br />Dad and the boys have been hard at work on our *new-to-us house* and are making it look soooo beautiful. :) When we move in, I will try to post before and after pictures!<br />In the beginning(or middle?) of August I developed carpal tunnel and tennis elbow from my violin playing so haven't been able to play since then...God must have something else for me to do right now, I can only figure. Hopefully, Lord willing, I will be able to pick up the violin again sometime this month. Or next.<br />Mum and I have been researching healthier eating habits and I'll try to post something on that too. We've been trying to cut out most meat, sugar, and processed foods.<br />Oh, and we made a HUGE book order which I am really excited about :) Books ordered include ones by Martin Luther, George Meuller, John Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, Saint Augustine, R.C. Sproul, and some fiction by A.A.Milne, Sir Arthur Conan Dyle, Baroness Orczy, and Charles Dickens, to name a few!<br /><br />So anyway, there's some random news about our family.<br />God's blessings and peace!<br />AbbieAbbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-33224543313528750822009-08-23T14:45:00.001-07:002009-08-23T14:59:56.432-07:00The Lord is Good!Aren't we so blessed with the King of Kings, Who reigns and rules supreme and sovereign over the universe, but Who also loves and cherishes us and desires for us to have a joyful relationship with Him? :)<br /><br />Have you ever desired an older brother? I have for a while now. I have several friends who have older brothers, and watching them and their interactions, I just SO want an older brother! (Don't get me wrong- I reeeeaaaally love my younger brothers!!)<br />Then just the other day my Mum reminded me of the wonderful, amazing fact that Jesus is our older <span style="font-weight: bold;">brother</span>!<br /><br />One of my greatest desires is to be a wife and mother. Of course with that desire comes the great temptation(and giving in to temptation) to obsess over being a wife especially. Another amazing fact: Jesus is our <span style="font-weight: bold;">husband</span>! How precious and wonderful! He is my lover, my protector- thank You Jesus!<br /><br />Recently I was quite a disheartening situation with some friends- and God, through my mother(as He often speaks to me, through my parents) reminded me of His wonderful love for me and that He is my <span style="font-weight: bold;">friend</span>. How wonderful!<br /><br />And lastly(but definitely not least!) He is our <span style="font-weight: bold;">father</span>! Whenever we may be having hard times with our earthly fathers we can run to our Heavenly Father.<br /><br />I just wanted to share this with you because God has been showing it to me lately. It is so important to be wholly satisfied with the Lord and trusting in Him- because if we're <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> satisfied with Him and Him only, we will never be truly joyful and satisfied. I love to think of being satisfied as the warm, rosy cheeks of a baby after nursing. So satisfied and full! This is the wonderful, blissful satisfaction that Jesus gives us when we trust in Him and lean fully on Him.<br />We cannot be look to man(whether in form of a husband, friend, sibling, or father) to provide this satisfaction, safety, or joy- because they are human, and to put such unrealistic expectations(that they would be able to fill our needs) is wrong...God is the only one that will ever be able to fully satisfy us and give us wonderful contentment!<br /><br />Praise the Lord!<br /><br />Love,<br />Abbie<br /><br />P.S. Keilah E has started a blog called <a href="http://www.101daysofpraise.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">101 Days of Praise</span></a>. I encourage you to visit it!Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-20487029462925896622009-07-18T13:35:00.000-07:002009-07-18T13:39:15.574-07:00Photo Tag!Okay...<a href="http://www.photosbykeilah.blogspot.com/">Keilah</a> tagged me, so here I go!<br />I have to post the sixth picture in my sixth photo folder. Here it is:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bxEF9gPSDz8OFsZKNZcaPxv-J7tJ19TSG9F6nFh6bWoHJxB39ZrkFI7dVJG95L0y84Hwi_BM6fDrU7zivTQGQHp7xIm6rXD9tPLptmKl_Ny3iYFeGR9o3_I-yXIGHb_vwKvwq5Bdb5sP/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bxEF9gPSDz8OFsZKNZcaPxv-J7tJ19TSG9F6nFh6bWoHJxB39ZrkFI7dVJG95L0y84Hwi_BM6fDrU7zivTQGQHp7xIm6rXD9tPLptmKl_Ny3iYFeGR9o3_I-yXIGHb_vwKvwq5Bdb5sP/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359902323331963362" border="0" /></a>It's my Dad, signing the papers for our new house! :)Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-67801851077443390502009-06-26T18:29:00.000-07:002009-07-06T12:48:42.637-07:00The Pearl of Great WorthSome of you may be wondering if perhaps you've come to the wrong blog, but you haven't(unless, of course, you weren't looking for Becoming Proverbs 31 in the first place).<br />The reason for my blog-name-change is, well, I've been thinking. And what I've been thinking is there is a lot more to Biblical womanhood than just Proverbs 31. So, now, the focus of this blog is seeking God's Kingdom in every area of life. Not simply seeking to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, but totally forsaking all the world may have to offer to purchase the Pearl of Great Worth(one of Jesus' parables).<br />Now you know! :)<br /><br />God bless!Abbie W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06261870055771752123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-35611190537988001582009-02-03T14:14:00.000-08:002009-02-03T14:36:48.960-08:00Modest Clothing...I have found some (new to me) modest clothing places! <br /><br />Here they are- enjoy!<br /><br />http://koshercasual.com/ (Jewish, I think) <br /><br />http://www.junees.com/ <br /><br />http://www.diviinemodestee.com/ (I think this might be Mormon)<br /><br />http://www.hannahlise.com/<br /><br />http://www.limericki.com/ (not all of this is modest)<br /><br />http://www.jenclothing.com/ (definitely Mormon)<br /><br />http://www.shadeclothing.com/?utm_source=affiliate2&utm_campaign=affiliate<br /><br />http://www.mikarose.com/<br /><br />http://www.vintagehem.com/ (slips that lengthen your skirts' lengths)<br /><br />http://www.greatlengthsshorts.com/<br /><br />http://www.makeitmodest.com/onlinestore/scripts/default.asp?idaff=86<br /><br />http://www.tznius.com/ (Jewish, I think? Nice dresses)<br /><br />http://www.liliesapparel.com/ (some nice dresses)<br /><br />http://www.modestworld.com/products.asp?cat=9 (has some nice skirts)<br /><br />http://www.simplymodest.com/ (really inexpensive!!)<br /><br />http://www.christa-taylor.com/<br /><br />There's a few for you. :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-63225273851384987432009-02-02T12:32:00.000-08:002009-04-05T13:42:42.783-07:00A RequestIs there anyone out there who could fulfill my requests? I'm looking for as many as possible...so tell your friends and family please!<br />I need...<br /><br />1. Fairly short answers to these questions: <br />Why do you want to be a wife and mother?<br />What do you love most about your father?<br />What do you love most about your mother?<br />What do you love most about your brother(s) and/or sister(s)?<br /><br />2. Photos of:<br />Joyful siblings together<br />Father/Daughter<br />Mother/Daughter<br />Sisters<br />Little girls together<br />You doing everyday, productive things :)<br /><br />So...if you can help me in this way, I'd much appreciate it! Thanks so much. <br />Blessings!<br /><br />Oh...please email your pictures or answers to:<br /><br />weightofglory@gmail.comAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-66277222266299167322009-02-02T12:23:00.000-08:002009-02-03T14:37:27.140-08:00AmericaWell, we're in America! This is our first real family vacation, so we're super excited.<br />This weekend was spent in Washington. We started out on Thursday morning and spent that night in Maple Ridge with our cousins. Friday we drove into America. At the border we took opportunity for a True Homeschooler Moment(aka THM) and sang 'O Canada' before crossing. That night we spent with a host family from a Household of Faith Church in Seattle. If you don't know what HOFCC is, please check out their website...<br />www.hofcc.org<br /><br />These people are so amazingly gracious and hospitable...and have been SUCH blessings! We had such a great time. Under my Blog list you'll find some new blogs... Keilah's Photos and Ophelia's Blog are both from the Seattle area. <br /><br />Saturday we drove onward to Vancouver WA. On the way we stopped at Krispy Kreme where we saw the donuts being made. Good thing I'd already ate a donut before seeing how they made them, because I doubt I would've after. It was disgusting. So unhealthy! We met some other HOFCC folks who are so sweet too. In fact right now we're staying with a family with four children, and they have had us last night and night prior.<br /><br />Sunday we went to a HOFCC in Gresham. There I got to meet Christa Taylor(www.christa-taylor.com) and some other girls who were so friendly and welcoming. Sadly I didn't get to meet Mrs. Harris(Gregg Harris' wife), who was there with two of her younger sons.<br />After shared meal at Gresham, we left to go back to Vancouver WA, where we churched at another HOFCC. It was great, too, and we stayed for the shared meal. Finally we headed back to the Swanson's home(our host family) and spent the evening with them before crashing on our slumberspots. <br /><br />Some good books I brought along or found here:<br /><br />A Christian's Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith<br />Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss<br />Be Fruitful and Multiply by Nancy Campbell<br /><br />Well, so long. Hopefully I'll get some pictures up soon!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-7910844095814604302008-10-14T12:49:00.001-07:002008-10-14T12:52:26.424-07:00Slay or Strength?That which doesn’t slay me, strengthens me.<br /><br />I agree with this statement; please allow me to defend my view. <br />Let us pretend there are two women. Both are in the same predicament: they are married to drunkards, are weary from ‘living’ in their terribly poor conditions(they both dwell in the slums), and to provide for their children, do laundry for those in better financial circumstances than they. <br /> The first woman, her name being Polly(meaning great sorrow), is a Christian in the sense that she believes in her Lord Jesus, who has saved her from her sins. But, she doesn’t read her Bible often, and knows nothing therefore of her Savior’s plan for His followers- that they have hope! As a result, she is a bitter woman, who despises her husband and his addiction, complains about her children being so terribly burdensome, is always wishing and wishing and wishing for a better life, and who simply longs for the end of her life. <br /> The second woman, allow me to dub her Betha(meaning life), is a Christian who studies her Heavenly Father’s Word. She knows a lot of it by heart, and has found that Jesus came to give her abundant life. She avoids complaining, knowing that it could very well slay her, and drag her down into the deepest of pits, like her poor friend Polly. She pities Polly, because she has such a hard life and always looks so ragged. She loves her children, and is glad she is able to support them and not ill. She avoids looking into the past and future and wishing she could have a better life instead of the one she has- really, her life doesn’t seem so bad compared to those around her.<br /><br /> Both women are going through the same thing, but each has chosen a different way to react to her circumstances. One chose to believe it is a punishment, disgrace, and horror. She wallows in her depths of self-pity and the expansive mud of her shallow dreams. Polly, for it is she we are talking of, does not know her Savior’s true wishes- that she would live an abundant life.<br /> Betha, on the other hand, has laid hold of a great promise we have been given- that Jesus has come to give us life! She believes that the trials she goes through are simply God’s chariots that carry her to the higher places. She knows that although her husband is sinning, his sins are, once they touch her, are God’s will for her life. Betha rejoices in everything, and although her life is hard, the hardships are dimmer in the light of God’s hope, which overshadows her circumstances and gives her strength for each day. Because she has hope and feels like her life is not that terrible, she can help those around her who are even in perhaps the same circumstances. <br /> So you see, that we can let our circumstances slay us or strengthen us by the choices we make- we can believe God’s promises for our lives, or sink far into the wallow of promises broken and dreams dashed. <br /> It is a choice we all have to make sooner or later.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">This was a school assignment for a program we're doing by Sonlight, called History of God's Kingdom. I recommend it. </span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-20415718717294580782008-10-04T17:40:00.000-07:002009-04-05T13:42:00.072-07:00My Heart Belongs to Daddy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyJzW7BInvLXsFzqa_CWT4ZpIc9eTGYPPTlnWKsOxoq3djcwqRxOH0vEpCj3PLT3HQ_s2rDdBJtOjwRW_EYJkCm6CNfDoTkH1hy-_cuUgS1dqoaHIPlokJj6i6-rUR-I8EGNpfzsTUnA/s1600-h/April+17+to+May+6+08+154.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyJzW7BInvLXsFzqa_CWT4ZpIc9eTGYPPTlnWKsOxoq3djcwqRxOH0vEpCj3PLT3HQ_s2rDdBJtOjwRW_EYJkCm6CNfDoTkH1hy-_cuUgS1dqoaHIPlokJj6i6-rUR-I8EGNpfzsTUnA/s320/April+17+to+May+6+08+154.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253464555438572418" border="0" /></a><br /><pre><blockquote></blockquote>"If I invite a boy some night<br />to dine on my fine fin and haddie,<br />I just adore his asking for more,<br />but my heart belongs to Daddy.<br /><br />(Chorus:)<br />Yes my heart belongs to daddy, so I simply couldn't be bad,<br />yes my heart belongs to Daddy,<br />Dad dad dad, dad dad dad, da da dad.<br />So I want to warn you, laddy,<br />though I know that you're perfectly swell,<br />that my heart belongs to Daddy,<br />'cause my daddy - he treats it - so well."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span> -Cole Porter(1938ish)<br /><br /><br />Does your heart belong to your daddy? There is such safety<br />and wonder in giving it to him to care for! It is most precious<br />when a girl entrusts her heart to her godly father,<br />who in turn keeps it until the wedding of his daughter-<br />when her heart is given <span style="font-style: italic;">by her father</span> to <span style="font-style: italic;">her husband</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /></pre>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-22398240747798943082008-09-25T21:16:00.000-07:002008-09-25T21:21:30.835-07:00The Art of Being Cheerful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdFxs9OabXrhtch7xMOqcOT-wiI_tVx5Ad6e7HYnhyHkysJ_u-diDeTktWaPeyvR3J7upbfWkFXntDCoyrXg3Djnj3SAq2g44e-z4uPhXyetgiLZrVAAJq9HEnTNapAm6tZTCko57bng/s1600-h/mr+cheerful.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdFxs9OabXrhtch7xMOqcOT-wiI_tVx5Ad6e7HYnhyHkysJ_u-diDeTktWaPeyvR3J7upbfWkFXntDCoyrXg3Djnj3SAq2g44e-z4uPhXyetgiLZrVAAJq9HEnTNapAm6tZTCko57bng/s320/mr+cheerful.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250180352074076946" border="0" /></a><br />A genuine smile never ceases to brighten one’s day. Think of the last time you were flashed a joyful smile, ‘for no reason.’ No doubt it prompted you to smile, too!<br /> What does it mean, this ‘cheerful’ existence? According to Encarta Dictionaries, the word cheerful is 1) happy and optimistic; 2) bright and pleasant...causing people to feel cheerful; and 3) willing and unresentful...complying. WorldBook likewise defines cheerful as being 1) full of cheer; joyful; glad; 2) bringing cheer; pleasant; bright; and 3) willing.<br /> So we know what ‘cheerful’ means. But now the question is: how? How exactly do we be cheerful, pleasant, optimistic, joyful, bright....? How do we go about bringing joy to others?<br /> May I propose to you that, when done through the Holy Spirit and the way the Bible says, being joyful is simple. I must add: note that I said simple, not easy. It is absolutely not easy to rejoice always, as 1 Thessalonians says. Definitely not- but, Biblically, it is very simple. The Word maps it out continually and simply for our reference.<br /> Of course the first step is having our LORD Jesus in our lives, and giving Him control over anything. When we fully surrender every single little bit of our lives, right up to the spiritual state of this world and right down to our morning schedules, we will be most joyful. There is no joy in constantly worrying, moping about wishing for what can’t be. It’s just that simple.<br /> When we are not worrying about the past, present, nor future, we can concentrate on serving Him and bringing His joy and hope to the world. That is another thing that helps us be cheerful- focussing on the hope He has given us, of eternal life with Him! There is truly nothing on earth that can compare with that. That hope overshadows anything in our circumstances!<br /> We also need to abstain from complaining. Or, let me rephrase that accordingly: we must not touch complaining with an one-hundred foot pole! It is perhaps one of the most widely-used tactic that the devil uses to cause us to stumble. When we complain, we drag ourselves down. It brings us low and more prone to being attacked! Philippians 2:14-15 commands, “Do ALL things without grumbling or disputing, that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...” If we are abstaining from complaining and grumbling, we will be bright- a shining light- in this dark world! Please note that one of the definitions of cheerful is bright. Cheerfulness is a light! It shows the world that being a Christian is not a lifeless, joyless existence. It is life!<br /> Another important point to remember is that self-pity is not godly whatsoever. It is complaining’s mother. Before complaining comes self-pity, and before that comes pride! Pride breeds self-pity because we think to ourselves, I am worth more than this. Or, I don’t deserve this! The fact is, we all deserve worse than we get! For, ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” Self-pity wonders why we are ill or why it had to happen to us. It questions God’s will. No doubt you have heard of the ‘pity-party.’ That is precisely what the world wants us to have! A pity party in which we focus on ourselves and not those around us, who are in need of a Saviour- our LORD! We wine, we grovel, we complain. We grumble and seep farther and farther into the sticky mud that only God can get us out of. It is related to that ‘Me-ism’ religion the world is encouraging. It’s all about you! You don’t deserve that. And so on.<br /> We must consider ourselves blessed! There is no room for self-pity, complaining, or any of that, when we remember that we are so blessed! Instead of complaining about the fact that we are ‘stuck in this stuffy home all day’ or ‘mocked continuously,’ we should stop and think about those in other countries who would give their right arm to have a roof over their heads, who live in cardboard boxes and who worry about being shot at when they wake in the morning. We should think about those who watch their children starve to death, who have seen their parents murdered before their eyes, who are constantly on the run escaping from those who would seek their deaths. It certainly puts our circumstances into a different perspective! Suddenly we have nothing to complain about. Suddenly we feel ashamed that we would even complain! Note that, however, if we can find nothing to be joyful for, there is always the fact that we are alive. Well, I assume that you are alive if you’re reading this. Take a breath! Feel your pulse! How fortunate, how blessed we are, and how amazing it is that God has given us life! Or if we are dying, how blessed we are that He would want us home to be with Him!<br /> Now we come to the next question: Why would we want to be cheerful? Is there any point to it? Why should we?<br /> Firstly, we are commanded to. James 1:2 says, ‘Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.’ On the word of Galatians 5:22, ‘...the fruit of the Spirit is...joy...against such things there is no law.’ 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 commands us to, ‘Rejoice always;’ This should be reason enough for us to be cheerful! After all, if our good Lord says to, then we very well should rejoice in everything! And yet He has given us more Biblical reasons to be cheerful.<br /> Secondly, God gives us joy! Isaiah 52:9 declares, ‘Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.’ He has redeemed us! He has comforted us! He has saved us! What a reason to rejoice! Again in chapter 51 verse 3, we are told, ‘Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places...Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of a melody.’ The LORD is truly our comfort in whatever happens to us! Whatever comes our way, we can rejoice and rest in Him and His comforting arms! Praise Him! Psalms 21:6 also says, ‘For Thou dost make him [the king] most blessed forever; Thou dost make him joyful with gladness in Thy presence.’<br /> Thirdly, cheerfulness brings healing! How amazing! I have found Proverbs 17:22 to be true- for it states, ‘A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.’ Indeed, in illnesses, when I keep a joyful spirit and thank the LORD for His goodness to me and even for the illness I would be experiencing, it has brought healing quicker and even helped me feel better! I repeat, how amazing!<br /> Our fourth question, as we come to it now, is When are we to be cheerful? Why, always, of course! For in Philippians 4:4 we are commanded to, ‘Rejoice in the LORD always; again I will say, rejoice!’ In 1 Thessalonians 5:16, as I already have quoted, we are told, ‘Rejoice always.’ They are strong commands! In Philippians, Paul, who was inspired by God, knew it was an important point, so he emphasized it- Rejoice...again, I will say, rejoice!<br /> Always? Could it be? But yes! Always. What does always include? Well, every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every...and so on and so forth. Does this include the sad times? Some would say not, but that’s quite unlogical! Of course ‘always’ would include the sad times! And they would include the good times! The hard times! The frustrating times! The painful times! The delightful times! The depressing times! The terrifying times! Every little bit of time on this earth that the LORD blesses us with, we are to praise Him! We are to rejoice!<br /> I suppose this calls for another definition- this time, of rejoice. According to Encarta Dictionaries: 1) be happy, and 2) make somebody happy. WorldBook says, 1) to be glad; be filled with joy...and, 2) to be joyful at. So we are to be joyful at every circumstance! We are to be glad and be filled with joy! How wonderful a command! It is ever so much more delightful to rejoice than to complain, and to have joy rather than sorrow!<br /> Here is another query to close with, my friend: Where are we to be cheerful? I guess everywhere! For if we are to rejoice always, that would mean wherever we are!<br /> This means at home- where we perhaps least feel like rejoicing, when there are dirty diapers to clean, or wailing babies to soothe, or screaming children to be gentle with, or school to do, or laundry to do, or people to serve, or fights to calm, or relationships to fix, or any of those other ‘distasteful’ things!<br /> This means at church- where there is perhaps strife, or irritating folks, or dissensions, or people who hate you, or unbiblical principles.<br /> This means at work- where you are perhaps weary of doing it, but it has to be done, or where there are unkind people, or disasters, or unpleasant experiences.<br /> This means during everywhere- where you are hated, or kicked, or hit, or spit upon, or despised, or ignored, or persecuted, or unloved, or rejected, or abandoned, or disregarded, or disrespected.<br /> “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” As Philippians 4: 13 and 19 say, when God gives us a command to do, He supplies for us the grace. He has given us the grace and strength to do this. He supplies all our needs when we obey Him! We cannot dust off this command, to rejoice always, simply because we think we have no grace for it or we have not been convicted. We simply obey!<br /> Our LORD has given us immeasurable hope and love and grace. How wonderful is He who has delivered and redeemed us!<br /> Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> Give thanks to the God of gods, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> To Him who alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting...<br /> Who remembered us in our low estate, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> And has rescued us from our adversaries, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> Who gives food to all flesh, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> Give thanks to the God of heaven, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.<br /> Psalm 136<br /><br /> We have been so blessed that our LORD, who reigns over all, would consider and remember us, in our lowliness! What a wonderful reason to be cheerful!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1703483295890825139.post-37468123803691670562008-07-25T09:13:00.000-07:002008-07-25T09:22:47.644-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSssebpO_bsAOea-ufjQ4UYY8ISWdEERZkR3zOgOpHCrFOflJHs-EVnHDUXygmyiP0tqb2XICrhl3iVgwACBYGo2eUfCgLtl917c4Ql1AF_8fcFfgswBn65HWJC8UERhvryusoyuXV0E/s1600-h/DSC_1000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSssebpO_bsAOea-ufjQ4UYY8ISWdEERZkR3zOgOpHCrFOflJHs-EVnHDUXygmyiP0tqb2XICrhl3iVgwACBYGo2eUfCgLtl917c4Ql1AF_8fcFfgswBn65HWJC8UERhvryusoyuXV0E/s320/DSC_1000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226986171895243106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JrW8p8hk8HupkJHhvhlZkFIMjNbJrfPtnNsBKnTmg_Q6KqN3HaHUreX71jljcPKbEcHv3Iu7b7SC-X7ifzpaXhoNWC77LSCZ3kFx9EX21j_5lbQArXKVmWEIWZTy6_EQkPoFdO6qA1E/s1600-h/DSC_0971.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JrW8p8hk8HupkJHhvhlZkFIMjNbJrfPtnNsBKnTmg_Q6KqN3HaHUreX71jljcPKbEcHv3Iu7b7SC-X7ifzpaXhoNWC77LSCZ3kFx9EX21j_5lbQArXKVmWEIWZTy6_EQkPoFdO6qA1E/s320/DSC_0971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226985913943788482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: courier new;"><br />These pictures were taken by my younger brother T, who is an AMAZING photographer and valiant young man of God.<br />I was busking at my paternal grandparents' garage sale, and we made a fair amount to be donated to some Mexican orphans!<br /><br /></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08961433267023636911noreply@blogger.com0