A Young Woman's Walk with God

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Growing More Like Jesus....what does that phrase bring to the forefront of your mind? When I hear the phrase "Growing More Like Jesus" I think of my walk with Him and how I could improve it. A Young Woman's Walk with God by Elizabeth George has indeed improved my walk with God. Through this book, God has touched my heart and has really started to make me think about my walk with Him, and my role as a young woman. Do my words, actions, beliefs, cloths, attitudes, etc. glorify God?
In this book Elizabeth George goes through the Fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) and studies Jesus and the fact that He had every one of these qualities in abundance. She also talks about the fact that we, as young christian woman, should also be a shining example of these virtues. Here is an excerpt from the back cover of the book;

"Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are qualities Jesus possessed--and He wants you to have them too! Bestselling author Elizabeth George takes you step by step through the Fruit of the Spirit to help you get the most out of your life. By paying attention to your journey with God, you'll be able to...be positive as you interact with your family and friends, have peace regardless of the pressures of school and relationships, experience joy even when facing difficulties, find the strength to come through on your commitments, and get control over bad habits. As you walk with Jesus your life will be more exciting and fulfilling every day...in every way."

My walk with Jesus has been more exciting and fulfilling every day and in every way since I've gone through A Young Woman's Walk with God. In fact, I went through it with a friend and we corresponded over e-mail about what we had read that week! It was an edifying experience and I very much so enjoyed it!

Books

Goodness, it seems like ages have passed by since I last wrote! I have been extremely busy with school and activities that I've completely forgotten about my blog(s). There are many things I want to post about but to post about them all at once would require a long post so, I guess I'll just post about what books I'm currently reading.
Simple Secrets to a Beautiful Home by Emilie Barnes. This is, so far, a really good book. It talks about some interesting tips to create a welcoming, peaceful environment in your home.

Loren Cunningham by Janet and Geoff Benge. This book has been very interesting. I don't really know how to explain this book without typing the chapters out! :-)
Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally. This book is absolutely amazing! I recommend it to all young ladies!

Sir Kendrick by Chuck Black. I'm reading this book aloud to my mom. We are both really enjoying it!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. All I have to say about this book is that Jane Austen was a talented author!
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I am reading The Fellowship of the Ring and as I explained in the post below this one, I immensely enjoy every word!

Well, I believe that's all the books I'm reading right now!

Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings

Wow, that's a mouth full! :) One of my recently added subjects is Literary Lessons from the Lord of the Rings by Amelia Harper. This is, I believe, a high school course, but since I am fascinated with Tolkien's work my Mom thought it would be great if I just did it along with my brother! She was right. These are my subjects;
~Math
~Spelling
~English
~Science
~Music
~Reading
~Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings
~History

Out of all the above listed subjects, Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings is my absolute favorite!
It is my most time consuming subject and with the exception of Math, my hardest. (My hardest because of the time consumption) This is my third day doing it and I've enjoyed every moment! Tolkien's work is literally enthralling! When I'm reading his books, my mind is no longer in this world. I sit amazed at his excellence in writing! I can finish a whole chapter and feel like I've only read two pages. If any of that makes sense?
This is, so far, an amazing course! I would recommend to all literature fans! Or, especially Tolkien fans.
I believe Amelia Harper also wrote work books for the Narnia series, Anne of Green Gables series, and Little House on the Prairie series.
Come and get 'em book worms!

A Belated Post

In my Christmas post I told you that I would post about my Christmas morning. I know its been a while since Christmas, but here it goes......
Of course, in order for Christmas morning to progress I had to get out of bed. So I got out of bed, got ready for the day, and walked into the living room. We weren't able to open gifts right away because we were taking care of some friends' goats and dogs. While the men were off to take care of that responsibility, the women were at home cooking breakfast and answering all the "Merry Christmas" phone calls. When the men finally returned we opened our gifts. My parents insisted on my brother and I opening first. This Christmas wasn't like normal Christmases. My brothers gift and my gift were in the same box. So, as we tore into the paper we began to realize what it might be!!!! My brother had been saving for a djembe for quite some time and I had been wanting a beginner harp. To our surprise, a djembe and a harp were in the box! All my brother could say was "NO WAY...NO WAY... NO WAY!!!!!!" I was completely speechless! We love our gifts and will be eternally grateful. Next were my parents. I gave my mom a scrapbooking thingy she had been wanting, and I gave my dad a Home Depot gift card inside of a Malt Ball Candy box. (Yes, the malt balls were still inside the box....minus a couple ;) ) I gave my brother some money, by his wishing, inside of a series of boxes that keep getting smaller and smaller! Mwhhhaaa!!
After gifts we read the Bible, and watched the Nativity Story. We then got prepared for some friends that were coming over.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM AND DAD FOR MY BEAUTIFUL HARP!
Here is a picture of my harp!

Purity -- Part Two

In the last Purity post I left you with an un-answered question. How can a commitment to Purity be a freedom? What I mean is a freedom from the bondage of sin, and a freedom from the ungodly ways of the world. I have explained my commitment and why I made the commitment, now let me explain additional things.
I love the fact that I am saving my first kiss etc. for the man that God is preparing for me, God willing. I have been to a few weddings and know a few people who have done the same and their wedding was richly blessed and was a testimony to others. This commitment is pleasing in God's eyes. Words cannot express my overwhelming joy in thinking that I am pleasing God with this commitment! But my brothers and sisters in Christ, others may not understand why you would even think about entering into such a commitment. I have been asked many, many times if I have a boyfriend and my answer remains the same. 'No, I am not ready to get married and therefore I don't need a "boyfriend" and besides I am waiting on Gods timing.' And trust me, Satan will do everything in his power to break down your commitment, but you must stay strong. Rely on God and pray. Stay the course!
Don't think for a second that your commitment means nothing. It mean everything! Besides you never know when God may call upon you to share your commitment with others as He has done with me.

A Change of Plans and A Recipe

First off, thank you for your prayers! It turns out that my Mom and I won't be going to California. :( She is still feeling ill and we don't want to take the chance of her getting worse on our way there, getting anybody else sick, or me coming down with when we get there. (I have a tendency to do that when we go on vacation etc.) At first I was very disappointed, but I have prayed and asked God to give me contentment, and He has. My Mom reminded me yesterday that God is sovereign. If He doesn't allow us to go, it's because He has a purpose. Please still be praying for my Mom's healing.

Crunchy Onion Chicken

Ingredients:

- 2 cups French's original french fried onions
- 1 egg for each breast, beaten
- (5 oz.) boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions:

1. Finely crush French fried onions.
2. Beat egg(s). For each serving, dip chicken breast into egg; then coat with onion crumbs. (The more onion crumbs the better! :D)
3. Bake chicken in a 400 degree F. conventional oven for 20 minutes or until 165 degree F. internal temperature.

This is my favorite dish! It is so good, you really need to try it. It's easy to prepare and quick. It says that it takes 20 minutes ti bake but it usually takes 40. If you have to bake it over 20 minutes here is a tip; after the first 20 minutes lay a piece of foil over the chicken so that the onion crumbs don't burn!
Trust me this is delicious!