You're Gonna Hear Me Roar

Wow! This month has been filled with adventure, and it's not even over yet! I made it through my first year in college! I feel excited for next semester to start because I feel I will be more prepared. For Mother's Day my friend and I took our moms to the spa and just had a good girls' day. I've spent a lot of time with family and friends. I've also been working at the pregnancy center and reading books on my summer book list.

Then, on May 10th, my Papaw had a stroke and we had to take him to the hospital. The stroke affected both sides of his brain and he had to go into a nursing home for a couple of weeks. My grandmother has been cleaning the house and making it "walker proof" like crazy. My papaw will be home on Thursday, but this isn't going to be an easy road. Prayers are very appreciated!

 

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. A lot of people will be having cook-outs and be with friends and family. I did some research, and did you know that Memorial Day use to be called "Decoration Day"? It is a national holiday. It is for the remembrance of Soldiers who have died. It started after the end of the American Civil War. It also marks the beginning of Summer. Some things you could do to give back are:

*Decorate a Soldiers grave

*Give to the Wounded Warrior Project

*Donate a Bible at Family Christian Bookstore

*Take food to a family who recently lost someone to war

*Pray and be thankful!

 

For my Summer I've been spending time with my dog Titus. I got him from Brother Wolf almost two years ago and he is the sweetest dog! He's spoiled rotten and I love him so much! About a week ago, we added a new addition to our pet family. A cat someone had thrown out on the side of the road had found refuge under the porch. She is very friendly and has been letting me take care of her. I've named her Esther and she is expecting kittens soon. I'm not going to be able to keep her, so I am taking her to a no kill shelter. I've grown attached to her and it's going to be hard to give her up, but it's best for her. If you are interested in adopting an animal, here is the link to Brother Wolf

I recomend checking out The American Bible Challenge on The Game Show Network. It's a great show!

 

These guys who call themselves Rhymz with Grace were on it and I love this music video they did:

 Lastly, please continue to pray for Nigeria. The government is very corrupt there and the schoolgirls still have not been found. There has also been bombings. The Prayer Warriors need to unite and really be praying for this country!

Other Women of the Bible- part 1

 

Okay, so I've been doing a "Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible" series. I started thinking we could learn something from all of the women in the Bible. So here is another branch in the "Proverbs 31 Women in the Bible" series called "Other Women of the Bible". We will be looking at all the other women who I didn't put as a Proverbs 31 Woman. Some of these women are good role models and others are not, but we can learn something from them all.

Eve: She was first woman. God made her from the dirt and with one of Adam's ribs. She got to enjoy the Garden of Eden and talking to God. She got to see a time when there was nothing but peace in the world. She made a mistake and sinned by eating fruit from a tree God told her not to eat from. As a result, she and Adam had to leave the garden and live a hard life. She knew how perfect the world was before sin and she had to watch the world become a sinful place. Nonetheless, she was a big part of history! (Genesis chapter two.)

 Lot's Disobedient Wife: Lot and his wife traveled with Abraham and Sarah. Lot picked the land of Sodom and Gomorrah to live because it was the best land. But this land was filled with a lot of sin. God spared Lot and his family. But Lot's wife loved the place where she lived, a place filled with sin, so much that she disobeyed God and turned into a pillar of salt. Lot's wife loved the world more than God.

Keturah: She was the second wife of Abraham and she had six sons with him. At times Keturah probably felt like she could never be good enough. She did have some big shoes to fill after Sarah. But Abraham loved her too.

Leah: She was Rachel's older sister. She obeyed her father and married Jacob. What was her reward for this? She lived her whole life knowing that her husband loved her younger sister more than her. I can't imagine how that felt! God blessed her though by giving her children. Out of her children came the Israelites line of Priests and the family tree of Jesus Christ.  It's quite obvious God showed Leach how much He loved her!

Rachel: She found her true love in Jacob. But she had to watch as her sister married him first. When she finally married Jacob, she had to split her time with him with her sister for the rest of her life. Then Rachel found out that she could not have children, but her sister could. It had to be hard on Rachel to watch her husband with another woman and seeing her sister's children when she couldn't have any herself. But instead of relying on God she got competitive and caused more fighting with her sister. She played a big role in history and was blessed with two sons of her own.

Bilhah and Zilpah: These two women were the servants of Leah and Rachel. I can not imagine how these women felt when they were giving to Jacob as "wives" just to produce babies! Yes, they were taking care of but it was still probably very hard on them knowing that their children, in the eyes of society, belonged to someone else. I do admire them for willingly doing what Leah and Rachel told them to do and having hearts like a servant. God rewarded them by allowing their children to be a part of Israel's heritage.

Dinah: She was Jacob's daughter. Leah was her mother. Not much is said about her. But the Bible does tell us that she was raped by the prince of the town her family was staying in. The result of this was that her brothers killed all the men in the town. Dinah had to live with what happened to her and probably would not find a husband because of this. I wonder what Dinah was thinking going out by herself. Had she grown up a tomb-boy because of her twelve brothers? Did she think she could take care of herself because, maybe, her brothers had taught her a little self-defense? Ether way, Dinah became a silent victim.

Tamar: She was Judah's daughter-in-law. Her husband sinned and died. Keeping to the law, her brother-in-law married her. But he sins and died. Now Judah did not want to give his other son in marriage for fear of death. But he wouldn't help Tamar by arranging for her to marry someone else. Tamar didn't rely on God and took matters into her own hands and tricked Judah. She kept the family line alive, but we can learn that if God has a plan HE will see it finished. We just need to have faith and not try to fix it ourselves.

Potiphar's Wife: This woman probably had everything money could buy. After all, her husband worked for Pharaoh in a very high position. But maybe she didn't feel loved and cherished. Maybe her marriage was having problems. Potiphar could have been working long hours and not being there for his wife like he should have been. Ether way, what Potiphar's Wife did was not the way to handle things! She found Joseph attractive and she tried to get him to sleep with her. Had she tried this before with other servants? We don't know. But the Bible does tell us that Joesph said no. I believe the lesson we can learn is that no marriage will have a chance of truly being happy without God in the center of it.

Mom: A Gift From God

"Above all, love one another, because love covers over a multitude of sins." ~1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

Okay, so it is Mother's Day weekend. That means that there will be a lot of blog posts about mothers. At first I thought about not doing a post about mothers, but then I thought, "My Moma does so much for me and has been there for me through everything. How could I NOT write about what an amazing gift God has given me?!" So, needless to say, I'm writing a post about Mother's Day.
The dictionary defines a Mother as: a female parent. one's female parent.  a mother-in-law, stepmother, or adoptive mother. a term of address for a female parent or a woman having or regarded as having the status, function, or authority of a female parent. a term of familiar address for an old or elderly woman.

Well, now that we know that let me tell you a little about my mom. My moma is beautiful, smart, loving, caring, and wonderful! Growing up I remember she would do it all and she was (and is) one of my biggest role models! I remember seeing her work with people who had special needs and how caring she was for them and their family members. I remember her ALWAYS being there when my family needed her! She has
always been on my side and been my biggest support!
Now on March 10, 2012 something amazing happened in our lives that helped my moma become, not only SuperMom, but also my best friend. We had been on a mother-daughter cruise and had heard the author Karen Kingsbury speak. We had stopped at a truck stop in Georgia where a young casheir was telling every costumer her problems. Moma had been tuning the girl out, but I had been listening to everything she said and my heart broke for her. When we got ready to check out the girl told us her problems and I was moved by the Holy Spirit. I asked the girl if I could pray with her, so that is what I did. That night my moma renewed her relationship with God!
My moma and I have been through some pretty crazy adventures together. Most of which people wouldn't believe even if I told the stories to them. But other adventures have been really nice in just having someone there to support me. My moma helps me try to brighten peoples' day at the pregnancy center by coming up with crafts that we can do for them to let them know we appreciate them for being moms who want to raise their children right. She understands that God might be calling me into trying to help put an end to sex trafficking. It scares her, but she supports me. She also supports me and cheers me on in my dream to become an author.
I believe the closest a person can come to feeling loved like God loves us is from the love of a mother. I believe He gave us moms so that we will always have an earthly taste of what His love is like, but also to remind us to multiply that by a million times more. So this Mother's Day tell your mom you are thankful for her and give her a hug. After all God knew you would need a SuperMom, so he placed a gift in your life, the woman you call Mom.
Now, I don't  want to end this post on a sad note, but I have to write what God has placed on my heart. Let me start by saying this: "The Lord gives His people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." ~Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keeo on praying for all the Lord's people." ~Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
I'm blessed to be getting to spend Mother's Day safe and sound and with my family. But the girls from Nigeria do not have their mothers there to comfort them. At the same time their mothers are grieving because they can not hold their daughters. So please, on this Mother's Day weekend, and all through the rest of this hard time for the people in Nigeria, pray. Pray for their Spiritual life and that God will bring the girls home safely and soon. Help spread the word to get on our knees and to pray "BRING BACK OUR GIRLS!"
Here is something that Victoria over at Miss Tadoodles Corner wrote that I really think everyone should read. He Is Mighty To Save: Bring Back Our Girls!
Again, I hope all of you have a happy Mother's Day! God Bless!

Bring Back Our Girls!

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all the people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." ~1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)
Let me tell you a story. Today I took the advice of someone and wrote down every Bible verse from my Bible apps. You know, the ones that send you random verses everyday. I was going to look back on them tonight and write about what God did in my life today in my journal.
Well, I went to math class and then went to my volunteer job. While at my job, I got an email for the daily Air1 Radio Bible verse. The verse is the one quoted in bold. I didn't think anything to special was going to come out of this verse, but I wrote it down anyways. I came home and my mom told me the latest family drama. I thought of other verses I had wrote down this morning but not 1 Timothy 2:1. Next I got on Facebook and I saw that TobyMac had shared the picture that says "Nigeria, Let's lift them up." I shared this picture thinking that maybe a natural disaster had hit or something.
Scrolling on down through my newsfeed I came to a picture from the End It Movement page. It talked about girls being taken and had the hashtag "Bring Back Our Girls." Naturally I was curious so I did a little research. I found out that on April 14th, 234 young girls were kidnapped by terrorist from a Nigerian school and that they are being held hostage! I wanted to help! So, I shared the info on my Facebook. But I didn't feel like that was enough!
While I was thinking of what else I could do, I realized something. I'm a writer and a blogger! I truly believe God has given me a gift of writing, and it may be for this purpose right here. We use social media everyday! So the perfect way to get people's attention about this issue is to share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, anything! But bloggers can take it a step farther. We can WRITE about it and get it out  there to the people who read our blogs!
So that is what I am doing. I'm also going to bring the issue to my church tonight and ask everyone to pray. I have made a week long prayer schedule that can be repeated every week. I am a believer in prayer and all the Prayer Warriors need to get in our fighting positions (on our knees) and pray. I believe that alone can bring these girls home!
So, I know this is my second post in a week and I haven't even done my Saturday post yet. But this is close to my heart and we need to help anyway we can.
Info on the Nigerian kidnapping and how social media IS helping

BLESSED: The Liebster Award 2014

 

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." ~Philippians2:4

So I am posting sooner than I normally do. That is because I have be nominated for the Liebster Award by Melissa over at Joy Faith & Dirt. Thanks so much Melissa!

Here are The Rules:

1. Post the award on your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.

3. Write 11 random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and has less than 1,000 followers.

5. Answer 11 questions posted by your presenter and ask your nominees to answer 11 questions.

My 11 Random Facts:

1.  I'm an only child, but have three younger cousins.

2. I try to memorize a Bible verse each week.

3. Starting today until July 7th I am going to memorize all of Romans 12.

4. My Bible verse I am memorizing this week is 1 Peter 4:8.

5. I am two days away from finishing my first full year in college.

6. I do not like math!

7. I'm obsessed with Pintrest.

8. I want to double major in college (Journalism and Divinity.)

9. I have over 20 journals.

10. I love animals and have a pet dog named Titus.

11. I volunteer at a pregnancy center.

The 11 questions Melissa asked me:

1. "If you were stranded on an island, what one thing would you want to take with you (no people)? My Bible so that I would have some link to God.

2. " What's your biggest accomplishment to date?" Getting accepted into Campbell University.

3. "What place do you most want to visit?" Italy and Israel.

4. "How do you find material for your blog?" I find most of my material on what I am studying about in my Bible.

5. "What made you want to start a blog?" I just wanted to see if I had something worth writing that people wanted to read.

6. " Have you always been a writer?" I think so. My mom says that when I was in second grade I could tell you a story I made up and it was good. I think I've always been a story-teller.

7. "What's your favorite outdoor activity?" Probably swimming and playing with my dog outside.

8. "If you could convince everyone of one particular thing, what would it be?" That God is real and that He loves all of us!

9. "What is your favorite time of day and why?" Late afternoon and night because I just seem to be more awake during those times.

10. "Are you a chocolate or vanilla type of person?" Chocolate.

11. "If you had to become an animal, which one would you choose and why?" A horse because they are so beautiful.

My 11 questions for my nominees:

1. Why did you start your blog?

2. Who is your favorite author and why?

3. What is your favorite quote and why?

4. Where is your favorite place to study your Bible?

5. What is your favorite Bible verse?

6. When were you saved?

7. Who is your favorite Bible character and why?

8. Your favorite vacation you have ever been on?

9. A place you want to travel to?

10. Favorite blog post you have read so far?

11. Favorite things to write about?

My Nominees:

1.  Kalin Ann at Modesty Is My Policy

2. Victoria W. at Miss Tadoodles Corner

3. Kayla Peel at My Wandering Heart

4. Jamilya at Be His Girl

5. Sara Jayne at Growing In Gods Image

6. Lindsay at Magnify

Proverbs 31 Women of the Bible- part 4

 

Well, it's time to explore more women of the Bible! So here we go.

Ruth: She was a woman who didn't really know much about God. But she trusted Him and followed her mother-in-law to a new place. She left everything and everyone she knew just so her mother-in-law wouldn't be alone! She worked to provide for the two of them and she didn't ask for any help, she just trusted God! She was known as a woman of noble character by many. Finally, the book of Proverbs came after Ruth in the Hebrew Bible. So the Proverbs 31 woman was Ruth! Therefore, Ruth fits EVERY verse! Her story can be found in the whole book of Ruth.

Hannah: She was a woman who just wanted a child. So she prayed to God and told Him that she would give the child back to Him. She  became pregnant and sure enough, she kept her promise and gave her child back to God by letting him be raised in the temple. She fits verses 11, 12, and 30 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her story can be found in 1 Samuel chapter one.

Abigail: She was an intelligent and beautiful woman. Her husband had no compassion and all of his household about died because of that. Abigail saved her household by preparing food and asking for forgiveness. She fits verses 17, 18, 20, 26, and 27 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her story can be found in 1 Samuel twenty-five.

A Shumannite Woman: This woman and her husband opened their home up to Elisha. This woman asked for nothing in return. But Elisha wanted to give her something for her kindness. So she asked him to pray that she might have a child. Sure enough, she had a son. But one day her son complained of a headache and he died in her arms! Did this woman cry and blame God? No! She put the boy's body on Elisha's bed and without telling her husband that their son was dead she went and found Elisha. When Elisha asked her how everyone was she told him they were all fine! I think this is because she knew God was going to save her son, she had unshakable faith! Elisha went back with her and sure enough God, through Elisha, raised the boy from the dead. What did the woman do when this happened? She got on her knees and PRAISED God BEFORE she went to her son! Wow! She fits verses 20, 22, 28, and 30 of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her story can be found in 2 Kings chapter four, verses eight through thirty-seven.