August in Books
August 31, 2009 at 2:10 pm | In A's Posts, Books, K's Posts, S's Posts | 2 Comments
Kayla – Being A Girl Who Leads by Shannon Kubiak Primicerio ~I liked the general idea of this book, even though some parts were not exactly my cup of tea. Shannon emphasized the importance of standing alone as girls and using the power we have in the marketing world for good. I was personally encouraged not to settle for what the world has to offer, but stand up for truth and purity. Following tendencies come naturally to all of us, but our example Jesus led in a meek and humble way, not tolerating low standards.
Being A Girl Who Loves by Shannon Kubiak Primicerio ~ Learning to love like Jesus loves was my goal at the beginning of this book. Sadly, genuine, Christlike love is one of those qualities I as a sinner was not born with. Shannon shared many practical ways girls can learn to love others, especially those who are unlovable. Her personal stories of things she has done to show love to others and ways others have shown love for her were especially impressive on my heart. First Corinthians 13 is one passage the Lord has been using in my life lately to show me just how vital love is to the Christian life, and Shannon brought up some neat insights from it that I hadn’t seen before.
Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty ~ This summer, as I was anticipating the start of my freshman year as an English major, I decided it would be a good idea to read a few books on how to write effectively. Plus, this one just looked like it would be a fun read. I got it on CD from the library and listened to it while cleaning my room or working on other random projects. I found the “quick and dirty tips” to be both entertaining and thought-provoking and certainly learned a lot about the writing world.
Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark ~ This was another writing book I enjoyed reading this month. It was similar to Grammar Girl’s book in format. Each tip had it’s own short chapter and was explained in an easily-understood way. There were also many examples of literature passages showing real life application. I was especially delighted to see Mr. Clark use the end of a Nancy Drew chapter to explain how cliff-hangers worked. :)
A Chance To Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot ~ Another kind of book I was craving this summer were missionary biographies. Since I had never read anything about Amy Carmichael, I thought this one would be a good idea. And it certainly was. The stories of how God worked in the lives of Amy and the Indian orphans were incredible. Amy’s resolve to keep prayer the core of her day really encouraged me to do the same. Her high standards, amazingly close relationship with Christ, and humility (as described by Mrs. Elliot) caused me not to uphold her as a saintly standard, but to look to Christ to work those things in my life. I was also deeply motivated to give my whole being to whatever task God calls me to, whether that be mothering orphans in India or washing dishes at home.
Stephanie – Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy ~ This book really challenged and exhorted me to have a more intimate relationship with the Lord. Leslie shares her testimony of how she had to “throw out the trash” in order to cleanse her “inner sanctuary” and make that happen. I would recommend this book to older readers. See also Kayla’s review of it here.
The Clue of the Tapping Heels by Carolyn Keene ~ We loved reading aloud the 16th Nancy Drew book at our tea parties this month. 
In it, Nancy solves the mystery of stolen cats and a strange tapping sound in an actress’s house.
Allison – I didn’t finish any books this month other than Nancy Drew.
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Lovely Little Box: A Tutorial
August 28, 2009 at 9:17 am | In Craft Projects, K's Posts, Photos | 1 Comment
Now isn’t that cute? Whether you are giving a gift or looking for a way to store your earring collection, I have an idea for you! Make this adorable paper box… it won’t take you more than ten minutes.
First, start out with two pieces of coordinating cardstock, one measuring 7″ x 3″ (on right in photo below), and one 4 1/2″ square (on left).
Score the 7″ x 3″ rectangle three inches from each side lengthwise, then fold. (As pictured below)
Cut one inch into each edge of the square piece and score the rest of the way down. (As pictured below)
Using the adhesive of your choice (glue or scrapbooking tape works well), assemble box. Adhere square paper to bottom inside of rectangle, folding the four flaps inside.
Add finishing touches. I rounded the corners of the lid and added ribbon to close it. The possibilities are endless. Have fun!
“You who judge do the same things”
August 26, 2009 at 2:51 pm | In Bible Verses, S's Posts | 4 CommentsTherefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. ~ Romans 2:1
When I read this verse recently, the Lord brought to memory someone I had been judging the wrong way. In my mind, the person was simply annoying and had many things they needed to change about themself. But this verse showed me how wrong I was.
I wrote down a list of the faults the person that annoyed me had. When I looked over them afterwards, I tried checking off the faults that also applied to me. To my surprise, I ended up checking off every one. I encourage you to try doing this if you find yourself judging others. It will definitely put things into perspective.
Kelly’s Birthday Party
August 24, 2009 at 10:02 am | In Craft Projects, Events, Family, Photos, S's Posts | 1 Comment
The birthday girl with Mom
Playing a get to know you game
Tea
The boys at their table
Kiwi, Kelly's favorite fruit.
The scones, which turned out a bit sour, look better than they taste.
Carolyn making cards
A friend with her notecards
Strawberry cake with chocolate frosting
Blowing out the candles
A group photo
A New-Old Treasure
August 19, 2009 at 9:33 am | In Baby C, K's Posts, Photos | 3 Comments
While cleaning out Grandma’s attic last week, we found a box filled with old little girls’ clothing that my mother and aunt wore. Among other cute items, there was this adorable lavender, hand-smocked dress – just Charity’s size. After washing and ironing it, we put it on her for church last Sunday. We just had to take some photos.
July in Books
August 12, 2009 at 10:45 pm | In A's Posts, Books, K's Posts, S's Posts | 2 Comments
Kayla – Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant ~ This book was given to me as a graduation gift. While I’d never been a fan of Amy Grant or even listened to her music, I was interested to read her testimony. Her book was filled with nuggets of things the Lord has taught her over the years, and overall, I enjoyed reading it.
Extracting the Precious From Galatians by Donna Partow ~ This was a short devotional book going through the book of Galatians verse by verse. I was very excited to find it around the same time I began reading Galatians in my daily Bible reading. The more challenging passages had me puzzled, so I was eager to delve deeper into their meaning with the help of Mrs. Partow’s book. While the Lord used the study questions in the book to bring me to a better understanding of the Scriptures, I didn’t completely agree with all of the doctrine presented in it.
Paul Harvey’s The Rest of the Story by Paul Aurandt ~ Mom recommended this book to me recently as she remembered enjoying it when she was younger. It is a collection of short, interesting “Rest of the Stories” behind famous people, foods, places, holidays, etc. While reading them, I found my eyes jumping to the bottom of the page to find the big clincher.
Multiple Blessings by Kate and Jon Gosselin ~ In case you haven’t heard of them, the Gosselins are a Christian family who have twins and sextuplets, totaling eight children. Their testimony of how the Lord brought them through the rough “early days” when the sextuplets were newborns was inspiring to me. It reinforced to me the truth that God gives us more than we can handle in our own strength so that we are forced to lean on Him.
What He Must Be…If He Wants to Marry My Daughter by Voddie Baucham ~ Okay, I know by the looks of the title, this seems like a strange book for an 18-year-old female to be reading, but Mr. Baucham actually recommended that daughters read it as well as their fathers. It was excellent! I loved the way Mr. Baucham clearly described the characteristics of a godly man found in Scripture. I was encouraged to keep my standards high and also help my brothers develop the same characteristics.
The Mystery of the Moss-Covered Mansion by Carolyn Keene ~ This was a Hills Girls Tea/Coffee Party read aloud. We love the Nancy Drew series, especially the cliff-hanger chapter endings! This mystery was a delightful read as usual. Why wouldn’t it be with that spunky, stylish, titan blonde sleuth?
Stephanie – I also read Multiple Blessings and The Mystery of the Moss-Covered Mansion.
Allison – I too enjoyed reading the Nancy Drew mystery with my sisters this month.
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Thought For the Day
August 7, 2009 at 10:22 pm | In K's Posts, Quotes | 1 Comment
“Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Whiter Than Snow
August 3, 2009 at 5:39 pm | In S's Posts | 1 CommentA couple of weeks ago when I was folding laundry, I noticed that Kayla’s white shirt was no longer perfectly white. Instead, it had turned a faint pink color. Then I found the culprit — a tie-dyed shirt. It had bled during the washing and contaminated Kayla’s top. Immediately I was frustrated. Something I had taken the time to wash and expected to come out clean was dingy.
With a sigh, I continued folding, but I had to laugh a minute later when I found myself unconsciously singing the hymn “Whiter Than Snow.” The words definitely fit the laundry mishap. I realized then how the Lord must feel at times.
Christ cleansed us with His blood, but sometimes we let things in our lives that compromise the purity of our whiteness. Be it wrong attitudes, motives, words, or focuses, they make us “dingy.” They damage 1) our relationship with the Lord and 2) our witness to the world. Remember my frustration when the shirt came out dirty? Think of how hurt our Savior must be. He who “took the time” to purge us from our sins is sad when He sees it coming back into our lives.
Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain,
Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain;
To get this blest cleansing I all things forego;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow; yes, whiter than snow;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole,
I want Thee forever to live in my soul;
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
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