The Truth...and how beautiful it is

It's a fact that chickens have to eat. It's a fact that cell phone and insurance bills need to be paid. It's a fact that gasoline is sometimes needed. Well, it's also a fact that I have to find money somewhere. I have been blessed with some small jobs helping a couple ladies with their house-keeping, and have enjoyed that immensely. However, I feel I need something more, since I am barely keeping up and I want to start saving a lot more. Well, I filled out and dropped off a few applications in Monroe. One of them being at Chik-fil-a. Well, a few days passed and I was called back for an interview.

During the course of my second interview, which was with the store operator, he asked me a very profound question.

"So, what would you say your long-term goals are? What is your goal in life?"

I was dumbfounded. Not because it was an unusual question, but because I knew my answer would stun the poor man. Thoughts and words raced through my mind and I was strugging for words to say. "Oh Lord", I thought, "what am I supposed to say to this?"

I sure couldn't say, "Well, I am going to attend college and pursue a career in ______."

What was I going to say? Oh dawg this was hard!

about ten seconds passed while all this was going through my head, I looked the man in the eyes, and told him the truth.

"Well, um, to glorify God, and um, to one day be a godly wife and mother, Lord willin'."

His eyes did not drop. His brows did not furrow. His face did not take on a skeptical expression at all. Instead, a smile spread across his face. A smile crept across mine, and I continued....

"I know you probably don't get that answer too often, but it's true, and those are my goals."

His smile lingered, and he said, "Well, I think that's great."

Now, I was very blessed to get this person and I am so thankful for his kindness.


But ya know. Think about it. I am a 19 year old un-married, un-spoken for female, and my desires, my goals, everything I want to be, well, it's so RIDICULOUSLY different than what everyone else around me wants. I see other girls my age, and all they can think about is education and career. Or maybe their boyfriends. Or maybe going to that party next weekend. I see what they want. And I see what they're getting. And I don't want it. But what about what other folks want for me? When they ask me questions similiar to that asked by Mr. Store Operator, they expect a good answer. They expect a smiling gal like me to tell them of the college I am attending. They expect me to tell them of my latest boyfriend, and how that's going. They expect me to tell them of all the things I am learning in my classes. They expect to hear how I hope to grow in the career they think I must have chosen. After all, I am a smart gal.

I stand there, wondering how on earth to respond. My mind is criss-crossed with a million thoughts. How would they respond if I told them I have absolutely no desire to attend college, and that I don't think it's necessary for everyone. Especially for me. And if I were to tell them, well, that one day I hope to have as many children as the Lord sees fit to give, well Lord have mercy, some folks might just faint. How are they to understand that my heart is yearning and praying for my future husband. And they sure don't wanna know the kinda books I've been reading!! (see previous post ;)

It's a hard thing. It really is. And all you girls out there with similiar convictions-- I am sure you've been placed in the same situations.

I dunno. I'm done. I am done with it. I am done with being afraid to share what my desires really are. I am done with standing there, struggling for things to say so I won't offend anyone or I won't confuse or astound them with my radical "goals." I am not ashamed. Nope. That's it. This is my life, for God's glory. And if anyone ever asks me (and good gracious I know they will), well, I will tell them. With a huge smile on my face. A sincere smile. And certainly with peace in my heart. "I think the Lord has called me to be a daughter and sister for now. And one day, (oh glorious day!) I will be a wife and mother."

They shout for joy, they also sing...

"Which by His strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power."



..."Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: Thou settlest the furrows thereof: Thou makest it soft with showers: Thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop abundance....


...They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side."

Psalms 65:6; 10-12

A Few Good Books...

Well, after reading sooo many good books over the last year and especially in the past several weeks, I thought I may as well do a post on what I have been reading lately. First of all, let me say, that this post is directed to my female followers. :P Just so ya'll know.

I am not a fast reader. Sadly. But it's true. But at the same time I truly enjoy reading, especially information books.

After reading Debi Pearl's new book Preparing to be a Helpmeet, my eyes were really opened as to how important reading is. I am specifically referring to the chapter on knowledge. Wow! She makes some awesome points and some pretty good book recommendations. However, there are so many more on my list---either that I have already read (long ago or recently) or am planning to read, and so I thought I'd share those and get some of you girls' feedback.

Well, the main categories Mrs. Pearl lists are wonderful, and she lists some outstanding resources, but like I said, I have a few that I would like to recommend to fellow young women like me, who are preparing and waiting on that glorious day of becoming more than a daughter & sister. (meaning wife & mama.) =)

First of all, in regards to health & herbology, some that I have found useful are Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phylis Balch and Dr. Christopher's Herbal Home Health Care. I really do like Dr. Christopher's works, I took an online course through his School of Natural Healing and enjoyed it immensely. Though they are not Christians, it has some wonderful information. Ms. Balch's book is just a plain ol' must- have. I don't have much to say about it other than the fact that you need it. :) And there are a million others out there that are just wonderful. I just wanted to list these two specifically since Mrs. Pearl did not.



These next few categories I am going to combine. This would include womanhood/marriage/courtship/etc.

Of course, and even though it's mentioned in the book, Created to be His Help Meet just goes without saying. Personally I think it's a great book for young women to read, even if they are unmarried. I would love some feedback on this one. ;) But seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a great deal from it. I actually read Created before I read Preparing, and I have to honestly say that I liked Created the best. I highly recommend it and will read it several more times.

Another recommendation is this: Fascinating Womanhood. (Yes, another book for married women, but as I said, if you are of marrying age and your parents approve, I think it's extremely beneficial.) You will have to read it for yourself--and tell me what you think! It is similiar to Created in some ways, but it is MUCH more detailed and I learned quite a bit. It is remarkable.


Now, there's no need to list all the books out there regarding courtship, but there is a small one that she failed to list: Of Knights and Fair Maidens. Certainly a must-have. Along with a million others.

This next part is geared toward the knowledge you'll need in preparation for the blessing of children. :)

First of all, I say start with anything and everything by Dr. William Sears. Specifically Christian Parenting and Child Care and The Breastfeeding Book.

Another good one is Attachment Parenting, by Katie Granju. I highly, highly recommend this one! =)



...and of course...you simply can't go without reading Mrs. Nancy Campbell's outstanding, compelling, positively awesome book-- Be Fruitful and Multiply.

I wish everyone in the world would read that book. I really do. Just imagine.


Hopefully this list will help some of you choose what you wanna get at the library next. =) Or maybe you can grab one of these off your Mama's bookshelf. :) Either way, go start reading! And gain some good knowledge too!


(I wanna mention here that books are books, written by humans. The only book I believe in with ALL my heart is the one written by God. So, do realize that I may not agree with every single little tiny thing in some of these books. As with everthing in life, you gotta savor the meat, but spit out the fat. ;)