Twelve Things

I've been tagged by Eldarwen. Thanks Eldarwen! With this tag I'm supposed to tell you twelve things that I enjoy doing or things that I enjoy. So, lets begin....

~1~ I enjoy spending time in books that help me grow spiritual. Example: The Bible, A Young Woman's Walk with God, Do Hard Things, etc.

~2~ I enjoy singing. I started choir a few weeks ago. It has developed a whole new love for singing.

~3~ I enjoy writing. I am writing a book about a virtuous daughter right now.

~4~ I enjoy horseback riding. This is a true passion of mine.

~5~ I enjoy going to our family integrated church. Learning about God, and spending time with your family and friends, what better thing is there?

~6~ I enjoy spending time with my family. Family worship, playing Wii, talking, riding amusement park rides, shopping, you name it!

~7~ I enjoy going to the beach with family and friends. Going to the beach with some church friends and with your family is really fun!

~8~ I enjoy baking and cooking. I personally think that being in the kitchen is really fun!

~9~ I enjoy being around animals. Being around God's creatures is so cool. My favorites are a dog, cat, and horse.

~10~ I enjoy going to tea rooms with my mom, going on date's with my dad, and driving to piano class with my brother. (My brother has a license.)

~11~ I enjoy being out in the country.

~12~ I enjoy sewing.

I now tag:

Taylor

Bria

Moriah

Fort Rock Trip

The first stop we made was at Buc-ees! That place is awesome.

Seven hours later we made it to Arkansas!
Opps... I put Arkansas before Oklahoma. Sorry!
Fort Smith is almost right on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. We made it to Fort Smith at 12:30 P.M. on Friday. We would be really early to Fort Rock, so we decided to spend some time at Fort Smith Historic Site which turned out to be a lot of fun!
My dad and I at Fort Smith still.
Me in front of Judge Parker's court room and jail house.
Jude Parker's Court room and jail house! It was really interesting. Judge Parker was known as the hanging judge. He sentenced 92 people to hang 'till dead. I think he lived up to his nickname!
On Hwy. 23. This is the road to Fort Rock!
There she is! Fort Rock!
When Dad and I got there we were early still so we decided to go on a walk down the horse trail. We ran into so many spider webs.
A creek we found while walking.
Ah...... this place was gorgeous!
Ending our walk with a picture in front of the fort. This is my dad.
This is me.
This is Saturday morning! When I woke up and looked outside I saw the mist and the sun and thought 'What an awesome picture that would be!'.
Sitting on the front porch in the morning.
This is me horseback riding. My horses name was Jinger/Ginger. I don't know how they smell it.
This is my dad. His horses name was Angel.
My dad doing archery.

Me doing archery! Susan Pevensie and Legolas make it look a lot easier than it really is!
At first I was a Gwyn/Susan, then my luck ran out and I started to do horribly! This pic was taken in my Gwyn/Susan time. Actually, one of the girls started calling me Gwyn and Susan!
Annie Oakley! That's what my dad started calling me when we were at the rifle range. I did better there than at the archery range.
Getting harnessed up for the zip-line!
Sitting down and getting ready to jump off and fly!
I believe I can fly!!!!!!!
Weeeee........!!!!!!!!..........eeeeee......
This is how tall it was.

We actually went canoeing down the Mulberry River, but I didn't get pics of it! Even though I didn't get pics of it I can tell you about it.
We rented a canoe and on the first rapped we flipped over. I was so scared, but of course I lived with only a scratch on my knee from all the rocks. The second rapped came and yet again we flipped. I lived through it too, but I lost my flip flops, my camera got wet, and I got more scratches and bruises. Then we finally figured out that my dad needed to kneel in the back in order for us to stay in the canoe! We didn't flip for a while but one time the current was so strong that we ended up flipping! I lived through it again, but today I am sore! The third time was the last time we flipped, thank God! My dad hurt his wrist and his toe, and I just got a lot of bruises and scratches. That is our canoeing experience. Even though I have a bunch of bruises and scratches I would do it again!

My dad and I had a wonderful time! Fort Rock is an amazing place! I really recommend to take a trip there.

Leaving for Fort Rock

We, my Dad and I, leave for the Fort Rock Father Daughter Retreat today! (Thursday)
We will go canoeing, horseback riding, rifling, archery, zip line, and more. This camp is all the way in Arkansas so we have a long drive ahead of us, but it will be worth it and fun! We will get back Sunday afternoon/evening. Until then, Good bye!

Trials for a Purpose

"Trials for a Purpose". What does that mean? What are trials? Why do trials happen? What is the purpose behind a trial? How should I act when in a trial? Were do trials come from? In this post I will answer the following questions using scripture and other resources.

~What does 'Trials for a Purpose' mean and What is the purpose behind a trial?
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

When we meet trials it is a testing of our faith. Trials are "tests" that challenge faith. When trials occur, one should count it all joy- not meaning mere worldly temporal happiness, but rather spiritual, enduring, "complete joy" in the Lord who is sovereign over all things, including trials.

The purpose of a trial is to test our faith. To help us grow stronger in the Lord our God. Testing of your faith defines the meaning of a trial for the Christian: as Jesus was "tested" in the wilderness, so believers are tested.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

What are trials?

The act of trying, testing or putting to the proof.

When we are in a trial it is God testing us to see if we will trust in Him. The story of Abraham and Issac is a wonderful example.
God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mt. Moriah. Abraham did as God asked of him, but when Abraham was on the brink of sacrificing his son, God stopped him! God was testing Abraham's faith. It was a horrible trial for Abraham, but he trusted God.

Why do trials happen?

James 1:2b
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Trials occur to test us! To see if we truly trust in God. They also occur to help us grow in Christ more.

How should I act when in a trial?

Acts 16

Paul and Silas are another perfect example! They were beaten, thrown in prison, and put in stocks, yet they praised God! WOW! We lose a pair of socks and we go ballistic! Paul and Silas' life was on the edge of a knife and they prayed and sang to God. So how, my friends, should we act when in a trial. We should be calm, and trust in God. From losing a pair of socks, to losing a loved one we should trust in God, knowing that He has a purpose.

Were do trials come from?

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

God places trials in our path! For the purpose of growing and trusting in Him. James 1:12 goes back to all of the questions in this post.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Prayer Chain

A girls', Izori, father has cancer and is going to start Chemo treatment. If you want more information click HERE. We are going to do a prayer chain for her father and his family. If you would like more information on how the prayer chain is going to work click HERE. Our God has wonderful plans for our lives. He will put trials in our lives to help us grow in Him. Now matter the trial keep your eyes on Him. Join the chain and please pray for Izori's father. Thank you and God bless.

Awards

Against the Flow Award! I award this to: Zac, Leah, Josh, and Michelle.
Cowgirl At Heart Award! I will award this to: Leah and Michelle
I Ride Western Award! I award this to: Leah
I Love Mammals Award! I award this to: All my mammal loving followers.

Random Things

Okay, I'm not that great at doing random posts so you'll have to tell me if I did good or not.

~ Father Daughter Camp is this week. It will be in Arkansas. Tops a thirteen hour drive for us.

~ We watched my five year old cousin last week. Her mom is in the Hospital so we had to watch Breiana (my cousin) Monday-Friday. As most of you know we are homeschooled. She, however, goes to public school. So, we were, as my mom would put it, 'tied to the public school schedule'. Then she got sick Thursday.

~ I have started Piano.

~ I have started Choir.

~ I sprained my shoulder. I have a mild sprain to the AC joint. (I think that's how it's spelled.) It will hurt for six to eight weeks, but it will be gradually getting better in that time. I'm SO glad it's not a break.

~ We went to see The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry. You HAVE to go see it! It awesome.

~ I have started Math, History, English, Science, Reading, and Wordly Wise in school. Still to come is, Spelling, and Literary Lessons through The Lord of the Rings. (There may be more to come, I'm not sure.)


Well, that's it for now.

Oh, one more! My brother got a drivers license and today we (My brother and I) went to our piano lesson. He drove. My mom and dad decided to let us go alone (for the first time)! It was AWESOME!

Pics of My Fourteenth Birthday

Okay, I just got up when these pics were taken so I look horrible... sorry! I had a pancake cake.
Blowing the candles out! YEAH. Oh, I actually did get both candles in one blow! mwahahaha.
GIFTS! Pride and Prejudice! AWESOME!
Nikon Coolpix Camera! AMAZING!
Looking at it. I had been guessing that that's what I would get. My mom can't hide presents from me. I always guess them.
My birthday cake at Woman of Grace.
Hahaha! One of my friends decided to switch the candles... very funny!
Cutting the cake!
Another celebration at our friends house! Cake decorating.
Rachel (right) and me (left).
Opening gifts!I got a package of cake decorating tips! THANK YOU!
Opening gifts.

More pics to come!

A Tag and an Award/Tag

Thanks Calico Zak for tagging me!

Do you like Blue jeans or black jeans better?
Well, define blue. If you mean dark blue jeans I wouldn't like either, but if you mean light blue jeans I would say blue. If you mean blue in general I guess I would say blue! Confused...good!

Do you like Casting Crowns or Jump 5 better?
Casting Crowns by far!

Do you like change?
Well, it depends on what's changing as to whether I like it or not.

Do you like Math or Science better?
SCIENCE!!!
I AM HORRIBLE AT MATH!

Do you like this Random tag?
Sure

Do you like Random stuff?
OF COURSE

What kind of internet browser do you use?
Firefox

Do you like it?
Definitely


This should be over soon- it's not that hard, right?
Not at all

Do you like the title for your blog?
Growing in His Amazing Grace! Of course I do.

Do you enjoy chatting?
Yes, most of the time.

Happy now? Because it's over!
I guess I don't mind that it over.

And now I tag:

Merilwen

Lucie Manette

Marissa

And now for the Award/Tag!

1. Say thanks and link to the person who gave you the award. (Thank you, Hannah!) :)

2. Share ten "honest" things about yourself.

3. Award this to seven people who's blog design/content you admire or who have encouraged you, and inform them of their win and of the rules of this award.

Thank you Lindsay for awarding me!

1. I'm a country girl not a city girl.

2. I've broken my arms five times! Twice on the right and three times on the left! Fun.

3. I've never (repeat) never been stung by a bee or wasp.

4. I love to act.

5. I have made a commitment to purity. My heart is for the man who God has for me.

6. I think everybody who knows me knows this but, I LOVE to read.

7. Horses= AMAZING I really like horses. Though sometimes I'm afraid of them.

8. I have never crashed a 4-wheeler, but I'm sure I will someday, but hopefully not.

9. I actually have naturally curly hair. I'll have to post a pic of my curly hair.

10. Why is the last one always the hardest...... I used to hate jeans. Now I really like them.

I award/tag:

Maiden of Purity

Katie

Allison

Leah

Callie

Haley

Michelle

Well, that's it for now.

Giveaway

One of my friends is doing a giveaway in honor of her 100th post. Here is a link to her blog.





It's a cool giveaway!

Awards

Queen Lucy Fan Award! I award this to: Lucy
Queen Susan Fan Award! I award this to: Lucy
Horses Freedom Award! I award this to: Elrania