Color/Career Test - fun!

So my Mother, brother and I took this test yesterday and it is SO much fun!! :) And just so weird how they can tell what careers are "best" for you by your favorite COLORS! That's right - the colors that you choose, show your personality and what kind of carrer/job would be good for you. Crazy!! Now the results might not be totally accurate. For me, they actually were pretty good/close to what I would really enjoy doing.

So, my test results were:

Favorite color: Yellow
Least favorite color: Orange

Top 10 best careers for me:

1. Service Sales Representative - yeah, I think I would enjoy doing this
2. Postal Clerks and Mail Carriers - what my Dad is!! :) *haha* And no, I don't think I'd really enjoy delivering mail...clerk, yeah, maybe
3. Bible Studies - YES!!
4. Horticulture - I'm not *too* good with plants, but I think I would enjoy this
5. Farm and Ranch Management - oh my goodness, yes!!!! :)
6. Veterinary assistance - Yeah, I would enjoy this!
7. Religious Music - oh my goodness, yes!!! :)
8. Business Data processing/ Computer Operation - mmm...maybe
9. Insurance Sales Work - mmm...maybe :)
10. Cashiers - yeah, I think I would enjoy this!

Okay, let me know what YOUR results turn out to be!! :) Should be fun! Enjoy!

Link: www.colorwize.com

Lustful Thoughts

I found this article on TheRebelution.com...written by the oldest Harris - Joshua (best known for his books on dating/courtship, boys/girls, etc. "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", "Boy Meets Girl", "Love isn't the problem - lust is", and many more). This article is just so powerful! When I read it...okay, to be completely honest, I cried when I read this (towards the end of it, anyway). Tell me what you think!

“Lustful Thoughts”, By Joshua Harris

October ‘06

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the mysterious array of black filing cabinets. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lust,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

Blog Party! Ready for some fun?

Now some of you may be wondering what the button at the top of my sidebar is all about. :) Well, Abigail Kraft, is having a blogging party! Starting March 1st-March 8th. (Click on the button to learn more about it.) Anyway, when you "sign up" for the blogging party, you need to answer the following questions. I know...it's about time I answered mine! :)

Here goes!

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why?: Evening. Family devotions, sometimes dessert, sometimes a movie...can read and write while everyone is going to sleep. :)

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?: Wow! Let's see. Probably...pizza :)

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?: That abortion would not be allowed to happen.

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?: One of my pet peeves - when people use "is" when it should be "ARE"!!!

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?: Any movie based off of a Jane Austen book :) OR the Love Comes Softly series. Oh, and I would be a *lady* :)

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?: *Superb* musical and/or acting abilities! :)

7. If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?: France, England or Hawaii.

Paris, France

Cheapside, England

Somewhere in Hawaii :)

8. If you were a really good singer, which genre would you sing?: Well, people tell me that I have a really good voice (not trying to brag) and I think I sing best in: Contemporary Christian style.

Jaci Velasquez

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what [store] would it be?: Oh my goodness!! Hmmm...Ross? Target? Goodwill? JCPenney? Macy's? Yikes! Too many to choose from!!

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?: The Regency Era!! *sigh* Or the pioneer/Western years.

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?: Purple!

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?: (Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy, Sleepy, Bashful, Happy, or Dopey) Okay, to be *completely* honest...I have never watched "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves"! Sorry! So, I can't answer this question.:)

13. What's the last album you listened to?: A mixture of songs...the last song was Wes King's "Life is Precious".

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?: I am such a *random* person!! Some people think I'm so random that I'm actually weird. :( You see, I like the regency era, and I like western things. I like Civil War ear, and I like some sci-fi. I wear dresses, and I wear pants. See what I mean? I don't know if that's exactly surprising, but...that's what popped in my head right away! :)

Hope you had fun reading my answers! :)

Blessings!!

Beautiful Morning!

"Tomorrow is a new day. Fresh; with no mistakes in it."

~Anne Shirley's teacher, Miss Stacey

(repeated later by Anne in the second movie)

This morning is just *beautiful*!! Even though there is a chill in the air, the sun is coming over our hill and lights up our yard beautifully!
When days begin like this, my heart and step are lively and cheerful! :) As I was heading out the door for morning chores and milking, I was singing (probably at the top of my lungs :), a song by Wes King (Christian artist who does not sing anymore due to throat infection) called "Life is Precious". The lyrics are, as follows:

Life is Precious

Verse 1:

Sometimes I drive to fast,

Sometimes I risk it all.

Sometimes I'm reckless

And act like I'm made of steel.

But I'm just flesh and bones,

A product of the fall.

Still I have purpose,

And this I know to be real...

(CHORUS)

Life is precious, life is sweet

Like the earth beneath my feet.

Though I know I'm passing through,

I know I belong to You.
Life is precious, life is sweet

And this truth makes it complete:

Knowing Jesus died for me,

Life is precious...

Life is precious, life is sweet.

Verse 2:

I can't see past myself,
When I get depressed.
I take for granted
This life You've given me.
There are a million ways
I've been so richly blessed!
I can't imagine,
Not being able to see

(repeat Chorus)

Bridge:

And this life I live in the body,
I live by faith in the One
Who gave Himself for me.

(repeat Chorus)

It's a fast paced song and so fun to sing - the words and music put together are just so uplifting and put a smile on my face as I sing! :)

How is your morning going so far? Even if it's not going well, remember that God loves you. He has a plan for your day. :)

May your day be blessed!!

New blog look!

Okay, I know that the poll isn't over for another 5 hours or so, but I just couldn't wait to do a new blog makeover!! :) So?? How does everybody like it? Let me know if there's anything I should change...

Reading through Philippians...want to join me?

I just received a very encouraging e-mail from a 56 year old Nana in the UK, saying that she would love to join with me in reading the book of Philippians. I had recently written a post about reading through 1 John (scroll down and see post: "Wonderful Way to Study God's Word"). Mrs. Allen's e-mail really encouraged me to maybe start a challenge with some of my followers here on God's Daughter! Would any of you want to join me in reading through the book of Philippians for the month of March? If so, I'll post some "rules" about joining the challenge and reading through the book. Let me know asap! March has already started!! :)

My photo entries...

...for Hannah Paige's photography contest!! Click here to read more about it.

So, the theme for the photos is supposed to be "color". :) I didn't have too much time to think of colorful things that I could take photos of, but these are two photos I found in my folder that I thought were pretty colorful. :) What do you think? I don't think they'll do too good, but hey! It's worth a try! :)


"Book Bliss!"

My devotional book shelf...

"Raising Maidens of Virtue", "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God", "Let Me be a Woman!", "Passion and Purity", "Dear Princess", "In His Steps", "Shadow of the Almight", "How to be a Lady", "The Courtship Story of Sarah McLean"...yeah, you get the idea. :)

"Grandfather's Egg-work"

This is a goose egg shell (don't worry...the egg itself is blown out :) that my Grandfather painted. Isn't it amazing? This one he did especially for me. :)

Another contestant (and dear friend :) is Lindsay at "Content in Christ". You should see the photos she's entering! Fun, fun!

Fun times + fun cousins + fun photos = fun memories :)

These are photos from a photo shoot that I had with my second-cousins: Hananh (16), Timothy (not picture - 14), Thaddeus (Tater - 12), and Zachary (Zach - 9). And then, of course, my sisters had to join in the fun. :)

~*~*~

Hannah & me (I know, isn't she gorgeous? :)

Zach, Hannah, and Tater (Timmy's missing :(

The girls :)
L-R: Lydia, me, Grace (I know...she looks as if she's saying "I'm annoyed with all these photos!" :), Hannah, Eunice, and Prisky

Miss Andrea ~ Featured Femina

My dear, sweet friend, Andrea, was featured as the "Featured Femina" at Feelin' Feminine for the March issue!! Look up her interview at the link below...

http://feelinfeminine.com/?p=4055

PS: If you have a femina in mind who you would like featured, e-mail: contact@feelinfeminine.com and let them know! Be sure to put "Featured Femina" in the suject line.

Labors of Love

These are two blankets that I made for two of our dear family/friends.

The I.'s blanket (color: Monet)

The M.'s blanket (color: primer)

These were so much fun to make! They were Christmas gifts to these two families. "Labor of Love", Mrs. M. called them. :)

Which one do you like the best? :)

Blessings,

My little sister, Grace

With Mother expecting a new baby, the excitement in the house has grown for the new little one. We're all excited to have this next baby born in our home again (like Grace was) and are ecstatic to be able to watch the birth again.

But I will never forget the moment little Grace was born. After 4 years of not having a little one in the house, she finally came! :)

She is growing so much, though. :( She'll be 2 on July 29th (6 days after Mother is due!). I cherish the pictures that I have of her. Following are two of my favorites. :)

Taken at our grandparents' house, earlier this summer.

I had just gotten back from working for my uncle at (I think it was) the State (Oregon) Fair and my parents had picked me up and we went to Mother's parents' house for a little while. I hadn't seen Grace for a few days, so I took her outside and we spent some quality bonding time - the biggest sister and the smallest sister. :)

A picture that Lydia (10) took of Gracie and me in my room a couple Sundays ago...in our Sunday best. :)

How old is the youngest in your household? Do you hope your mom has more? What are some fun activities that you enjoy doing with your siblings? Don't take this special time with them for granted.

Blessings!