Alright. I just have to say...

Spring Sensations tea is not springy, nor is it sensational. It is in fact sedative. Don't drink it if you are looking for energy!

Knitting Fever

The knitting bug is creeping up on me again. I can't help it. I always end up giving it up though, because I take on big projects that require more time than I have and by the end of the season, the summer sweater I want to make is halfway done and won't be finished until winter! Same goes with hats and gloves. I started a pair of gloves last year and wore them halfway done. I wonder if I'll ever amount to anything more as a knitter than stuffed elephants and bunnies.

That's it...

I'm stepping out of the boat with Peter, and leaving the walking on the water to HIM!

The "Glory Box"

Many of you may be taken by surprise by the statement I'm about to make, while others may not be: Today was the first time I have really been introduced to the idea of a "Glory Box" as they call it in the Land down Under (or a Hope Chest - or to some a "Hopeless Chest" LOL in the States).

With an ever-growing desire to be a virtuous wife (I've already acheived motherhood!) someday, I was so excited when I heard about this whole idea. For those of you who don't know what the idea is, basically a young woman collects things that she hopes to use in her own home someday after she leaves her parents and is (finally) united with her husband.

While reading through an article about this very matter, I started thinking about how I've not prepared quite like I might like to for my future home! (Oh, how I wonder what it will look like!) My perspective is forever changed when I happen to lay my eyes on that beautifully crafted wall-hanging at the farmer's market or perhaps heirloom seeds for my garden (if they last that long? That is something I will have to look into...)!

Also, Ava has a beautiful antique black with gold trim wood chest with her name painted on the front by a friend of ours and I've been using it as a toy box for her, somewhat reluctantly because of how beautiful it is. I now know exactly what we will use it for once she becomes a young woman! I may even start putting things in it for her that she can go through when she becomes a little lady.

I just love how sweet the idea is and can't believe I hadn't heard of this before. Or maybe I had but wasn't listening...

I look forward to finding items to fill in my "Glory Box" (I really like that name better) so that I can begin to put things away for the day that I am able to be the glory of my husband (Proverbs 12:4) and to pass on this wonderful tradition to my children and theirs!

Before closing, I do want to make mention that the reason I'm doing this is not because I want to be caught up in materialism but because I want to have things for my home when the time comes so we aren't without, and as I put these things in my box I can say a prayer for my future husband and family! What sweet memories lie ahead!

"I dream of the day I’ll walk down the aisle
In a pure white dress with a beautiful style!

I pray for my man that he’ll be righteous and true,
Hard-working, faithful and really “true blue”!

I pray he’ll love children and have a father’s heart
And from our marriage covenant never depart!

I will wait with patience for this godly man
And while I am waiting I’ll prepare and plan.

I’ll make myself ready in every way
Purifying my heart and character each day.

I’ll seek to be honest in all that I say
To keep my marriage from going astray.

I’ll fill my “glory box” with goods for my home
And make it a place from where we’ll never roam.

I will gather treasures, useful and rare
To make our home a place that is fair.

I will be ready to make my home a delight
Filled with God’s presence, His love and light,

Enhanced by the assets I save in this chest
To make our home a “glory”, the very best!"

By Nancy Campbell
AboveRubies.org

Just because..

I just changed the layout of my blog and I must say that I like it much more than the previous one. It may be pre-fabricated by someone else but it sure saved me a lot of time to put together and is pleasing to look at.

Ah, this reminds me of my most recent reading subjects (aside from my reading from The Complete Tales & Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh) - natural healing, eating organic and other things of the like...

It's so much easier to go to the store and buy something that someone else made in a factory, packed a bunch of GMO's and preservatives into a box so it can sit on a shelf for seven years without growing fungi, and sit down and enjoy the flavor of the enhancers that are going to kill us. Why would someone want to actually take the time to make something that is not only nutritious, but is possibly going to help with other ailments in their life?

Why are we so dependent on instant gratification? Because we are lazy and uneducated!!!

(Funny how this started out as a quick post about my new layout and turned into a rant by an aspiring health nut.)

Another Shot at This...

I haven't posted in a REALLY long time. I miss writing and am going to try to be more consistent with blogging about my thoughts and life - even if no one out there feels like reading it.

Here's a quick rundown...

Lately I've been filled with a lot of joy - more than I've ever experienced before. The blessings of the Lord are abundant and I'm beginning to see them in areas I never saw before. I'm so thankful for my relationship with Him.

One of these areas of blessings I've been especially focused on is my daughter. I just love the person she is. She is going to be a funny woman as she is always doing silly things and making everyone laugh. She listens to me as best as she can and desperately wants to please me. I'm so thankful for her!

Work has increased and I've actually had to outsource some work lately. I was able to pick my help so I handpicked a family member! It's definitely nicer to work with someone I know than a complete stranger oceans away.

Spiritually, I've been growing as well. In a search for what book I should study, the Lord sent someone along to open up the book of Romans for me and point out the three main aspects of the book: Salvation, the Mercy of God, and Service, each broken down by chapters and verses. I look forward to my continued growth in Him through this study. I will post more later as I'm able.

Sorry for the sporadic and short post (if anyone reads this anymore)...

Until next time...

~ Courtney

Timing...

I am in complete awe of the perfect and undeniable timing of God. He never ceases to amaze me!!!

Over the past few months I have prayed countless prayers about my future and that God would open doors He wants opened and that He would close doors He wishes to be closed in my life. I realize that prayer is not answered instantly in many cases, but when it comes to my future, many times have I prayed a prayer that God would let me know "beyond a doubt" about a specific subject, and nearly every time, within minutes, my eyes are opened a little bit wider to God's will in that area of my life.

I am so thankful to have a faithful and real God who answers my prayers - sometimes almost instantly! He is full of awesomeness! =)