(Finally) announcing: My new book!!!

I know I've been keeping you all in suspense lately with this "super-secret surprise."

Well, I can finally tell you:  I've been working on a cookbook, and it's coming out in a week!!!

Real Food for the Real Homemaker is a labor of love written by me, Jami Balmet (of Young Wife's Guide, A Biblical Marriage, and Homemaking from Scratch) and Elsie Callender (of Richly Rooted, formerly Back to the Source).

We've written this cookbook to be a resource for young homemakers (like us), who are learning how to cook real, wholesome foods for their family. Besides recipes, it includes eight non-recipe chapters on everything from freezer cooking and frugal grocery shopping to hospitality. It's also packed with recipes (nearly eighty of them!) and photos to guide you in making simple, delicious real-food recipes from scratch. This book will also be great for college students and singles looking to cook better for themselves and their friends (all the recipes can be adapted to serve one or two people), as well as families with lots of children (there are lots of kid-friendly recipes and they can also be adapted to serve six, eight or more people).

The book will come out immediately as an e-book in PDF form, and it will also be available on Amazon for Kindle. And (this is what I'm really excited about), shortly after the e-book comes out the book will be available in a physical paperback copy from Amazon! That means you'll get to hold this book in your hands, add it to the collection of cookbooks on your shelf, and let it get used and loved.

Visit our website to find out more information about the books (and how to become an affiliate for it!), as well as to sign up for e-mail updates so you can find out as soon as it's out!

Also be sure to like our Facebook page for updates. We'd love to get to know you!

I'll have more to share with you later this week. If you have any questions, feel free to email me, comment on this post, or visit Real Food Cookbooks or Living in the Light on Facebook!

Paying it sweetly forward

I'm so terrible with these things.  Lindsey Brackett gave me this award two weeks ago and I'm finally doing a post myself.

I have to be honest with you: I don't always pass these on.  Sometimes they feel like those emails that guilt-trip you into forwarding them to 10 friends.  But this one was different.  Lindsey described me as "the sweetest girl I don't know in real life."  Awwww.  That made me feel special. :)  And Lindsey, it would be lovely to actually get to know you in real life!  Someday. :)

Anyway, there are a few rules that I'm passing on from Lindsey's blog:

• Thank the Super Sweet blogger who nominated you
• Answer 5 super sweet questions
• Include the Super Sweet Blogging award image in your blog post
• Nominate 12 other bloggers

Thanks again to Lindsey for her thoughtfulness!  It's lovely to be recognized. :)

Super Sweet Questions:

1. Cookies or cake?  Honestly... it depends on the cookies and cake!  Generally, though, I'll go for the cake if I'm given a choice.  I like both, but I LOVE cake.  Of pretty much any kind.

2. Chocolate or vanilla?  Chocolate.  90% of the time, anyway!

3. Favorite sweet treat?  Just one?!?  This is going to require some thought... I'm very, very fond of cheesecake.  Especially if it contains chocolate.  And caramel.  And toasted pecans.  So... I guess, turtle cheesecake would be way at the top of my list of favorite sweet things. :)  Then there's Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.  I love cinnamon.  And my mom's frosted cutout cookies... and homemade brownies... see, I told you I can't just pick one!

4. When do you crave sweet things the most?  Usually in the evening, when I'm hanging out with my hubby.  If there are no sweets in the house we usually whip up a batch of homemade brownies!

5. Sweet nickname?  My brother's godmother--a dear friend of our family--started calling me "Jaimiekins" when I was little.  Twenty-plus years later...she still does!

Now for a shout-out to the sweetest bloggers I know!  These are all wonderful ladies who are such a blessing to me, whether I know them in person or not.  Stop by their blogs and leave them some sweet comments!  (Also, ladies, don't feel obligated to continue the Super-Sweet award... but just know I think you're awesome!)  P.S.  These are in no particular order. :)

Jami from Young Wife's Guide--a good friend who I've never met.  Her blog is inspiring and encouraging!
Amy from A Contented, Common Life--I love her encouraging posts and meal plans!
Jamie from See Jamie Blog--I enjoy reading about her family and homeschooling (what is it with all these Ja(i)m(i)(e)'s?)
Julia from black tag diaries--I know Lindsey already nominated her but this is another of my best blogging buddies who I've never met!  Love doing Thankful Thursdays with her!
L from All Glorious Within--a beautiful sister in Christ whose love and passion for Him is in every post she writes
Lora at eager hands--an artist who makes beautiful things and gives her Creator the glory
Cari at Life as We Know It--a new wife and mommy-to-be who I met in college, loving following her pregnancy journey
Shaye at The Elliot Homestead--a hilarious writer, whole-living inspiration, and dear sister in Christ
Elsie at Back to the Source--another dear blogging friend and sister in Christ (who I get to meet in person this summer!) whose recipes inspire me in my cooking
Ashley at Stay-at-Home Daughter--a beautiful woman who encourages me in my faith and is on an amazing missionary journey right now
Elisabeth at a blissful simplicitea--a real-life friend who shares my passions for tea, Jane Austen, and Jesus
Nikki at Kindred Spirits--another dear real-life friend who inspires me in so many areas of life: marriage, homemaking, cooking, and living for Jesus

So many amazing bloggers.  Go visit them now! :)

Quiche {Foodie Friday}

Fridays are "Foodie Fridays" here at Living in the Light!  If you're new here (especially if you're visiting from the A to Z Challenge)--welcome!!  I'm so happy you're here.  Check out my "About Me" page HERE, some of my favorite posts on marriage HERE, and my two most popular posts HERE and HERE.

One wouldn't think that "Q" would be an easy letter about which to find a topic, but since it landed on Friday, my first thought was "Quiche"!  (I also considered quinoa, but I haven't had much experience cooking with that yet.)

Quiche wasn't something I ate much growing up, but just a few months ago I came across this recipe on Elsie's blog, Back to the Source.  I was inspired.  Here is a dish that is simple to make, requires virtually no measuring (which I rarely do anyway), is extremely adaptable, and can be suited to anyone's taste and refrigerator contents.  Plus, it's a meal in itself, incorporating all the food groups into one dish.  And it doesn't require meat (although that can be added), making it a very frugal meal as well.

Photo credit: Back to the Source

The basic components of quiche are these:

Eggs

Cheese/other dairy

Optional meats

Vegetables

Seasonings

Click HERE for Elsie's "recipe" (the post is titled, "How to Make Quiche Without a Recipe") and specific instructions, as well as mix-in ideas.

Here's how I usually do it:

The pie crust I use is Betty Crocker's recipe, except I use white-whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose and sometimes coconut oil in place of the shortening.

I use 4-6 eggs, depending on how much of the "other stuff" I want to mix in;
about 1 cup milk;
1-1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (any combination at all, but I usually use cheddar and whatever else I have)
1/2 cup yogurt or cottage cheese
1 cup or more spinach, either fresh or frozen (if using frozen, thaw first)
1/2 cup tomato, chopped
basil, oregano, and/or tarragon, about 1 tsp total
salt and pepper to taste
sometimes some onion, about 1/4 cup, chopped fine
1-3 cloves garlic, minced

Beat the eggs, milk, and yogurt.  Fold in the cheese and vegetables.  Mix in seasonings.  Pour into prepared pie crust and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.  The cooking time will depend on the consistency of your egg mixture.  Keep an eye on it, and after about half an hour check every five to ten minutes.  When it no longer "jiggles" in the middle, it's done.

We like this for breakfast, lunch OR dinner, and the leftovers are always great, too!

Have you ever eaten or made quiche?  What do you like in it?  What other foods can you think of that begin with "Q"?

Book Launch: "Single Girl" by Ashley Schnarr (and GIVEAWAY announcement!)

I'm so excited, honored and proud to announce that my friend Ashley has just released a new eBook:

"Single Girl:

the single woman's guide to life, liberty and the pursuit of godliness"!!

Ashley’s book is full of wise, Scriptural encouragement for the single woman.  She dispels commonly-held myths about singleness, but her message isn’t “I’m so sorry you’re not married, let’s all feel bad for ourselves.”  Neither is it “Singleness is the best thing ever!  Never get married!  Who needs husbands?!”  She honestly says, 

“I don’t pretend to pray that I remain single for the rest of my life either.  Marriage and family is something I deeply desire and want very much.  Like every girl, I long for the companionship and security of a marriage.  And yes, I’m one of those hopeless romantics that’s been dreaming about my wedding since I was five.

So why am I writing this book?  It’s not because I’ve got everything figured out but rather the Lord has brought me through some trials and taught me a few things in the middle of it all.”

Ashley is a young woman who has done a lot of learning already in her life.  She’s a stay-at-home daughter and is busy preparing to be a wife and mother herself someday.  But that does not mean she fails to look for ways that she can serve God by serving others as a single person.  She has practical tips in this book for skills a single girl can learn, ways to make money and have a job without going to college, alternatives for gaining education without going to college, ideas for ways to volunteer and serve in one’s church and community, and fun and helpful tips on beauty, modesty, and relationships with guys.  More importantly, she has suggestions and encouragement for young women on how to grow in their relationship with Christ.  Ashley is passionate about the Lord, and she wants to share that with those who read her book.

This book is Ashley’s gift to other young, single women.  She’s sharing with them what she has learned.  This is her testimony to how God has worked in her life, it’s her witness to her faith in him, and it’s her call to other young single women to be all that they can be, and embrace their life just as it is.  She writes, “I firmly believe that if the Lord is gracious enough to teach you something, you should be thankful enough to share it with someone else.  So that’s what this book is all about, me sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned, and continue to learn, during this journey of singleness.”

I highly recommend this book to any and all single women, no matter what your age.  This book is also excellent reading for anyone who is friends with or ministers to a single woman (e.g., pastors, teachers, youth ministers, counselors, and parents, just to name a few).  If you are in any of these categories I encourage you to get this book and use it for your own edification and to enable yourself to better encourage and instruct the single women in your life.

As a special gift to her readers during the book's launch week this week, Ashley is also hosting a giveaway of a fantastic set of beauty products!

Head over to Ashley's blog to enter the giveaway and buy the eBook--only $4.95 for a pdf version, OR you can get it on your kindle or nook!

Also, I'm excited to announce that next week I'll be giving away a copy of Single Girl right here at Living in the Light!  Ashley has graciously offered one of my readers a copy of her book.  So if the giveaway last month, for married people only, wasn't for you--this just might be!  Stay tuned!

Planning and Consistency

Do you like consistency?  I like consistency.  No, not as in texture, although that's a good thing too.  I mean a pattern, a regular schedule, something predictable.  Sometimes it's fun to stray from the pattern, but it's comfortable to keep to it.

I've been thinking about this for a little while, and I want to establish a pattern of sorts in my posts.  I like alliteration too, and I like sharing in others' good ideas, so this won't be entirely original, but I'm going to be posting on a (fairly) specific topic each day of the week.  Several of these correspond to themed link-ups that I like joining, but I won't do that every day.
Here's the plan:

Marriage Mondays (with The Alabaster Jar, and others)--posts having to do with my husband, our relationship, and/or my role as a wife
Click HERE for today's post!
Titus 2 Tuesdays (with Far Above Rubies, Time-Warp Wife, and others)--posts having to do with Godly womanhood
Into the Word Wednesdays (with Upward Not Inward, and others)--posts having to do with Scripture and our walk with Christ
Thankful Thursdays (with black tag diaries and others)--posts having to do with how God is awesome, and how thankful I am for who he is and what he does
Foodie Fridays--posts having to do with my experimenting and eating

I recently posted a poll on my Facebook page asking for feedback on what kind of posts my readers are interested in.  The most people asked that I write about marriage and homemaking.  Other topics--like Godly womanhood, cooking, and frugal living--fall under those.  I'll try to focus on those topics in particular, especially since they're the ones I have the most knowledge about.  If you haven't taken the poll yet, hop over to my Facebook page and do so, and click "Like" while you're there!

Finally, I'm excited to announce that I will be participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge this year!  I heard about this massive blogging party a few months ago, and it's been simmering in the back of my mind a bit since then.  The premise is simple: every day in April, except Sundays, your blogging topic must start with a letter of the alphabet--A on April 1st, B on the 2nd, and so on.  Hundreds of bloggers participate in this, so I'm excited to get to know a lot of other people!  I don't intend that this will interfere with my weekly topic schedule.  In fact, I'm looking forward to finding topics that coincide with both things.  These next two months will be brainstorming and planning for that!

If you'd like to participate in the A to Z Challenge, just read all the instructions, follow the hosts' blogs, and sign up!


What kind of posts would you like to see the most on Living in the Light?  I want to write what YOU want to read, so talk to me!

Look to the Cross

This morning during my Bible reading I read Psalm 22.  This psalm is one of the clearest Old Testament prophecies of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  It includes many details which Jesus' passion would fulfill many hundreds of years later.
"All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 'He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.  Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.'" (v 7-8)
"I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint.  My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.  My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.  Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.  I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.  They divide my garments among them and cast lost for my clothing." (v 14-18)

A little later this morning I read a blog post by my friend Sara, discussing one of my favorite hymns, Water, Blood and Spirit Crying.  She quotes Stephen Starke, who wrote the text, and who said in his explanation of it, "To look for God we need look no farther than the cross."

I mentioned to Joshua while we were eating breakfast that it seemed that I was being led to focus on Good Friday today--interesting since it's a foggy, damp Monday.  Joshua replied that every day is a good day to ponder the events of that Friday so long ago.  He's right.

What Jesus did for me that day should be in my heart and my thoughts every day, because it was that sacrifice of his that makes it possible for me to live each day in his grace, and to have the hope of eternity in heaven.

The horrors that Jesus experienced aren't pleasant to think about.  I'm not suggesting that I let the awful details of his torture and death pervade my thoughts constantly; I would never be able to think about anything else if I was only focused on that.  But the reality is that Jesus' death, and his resurrection, are the reasons that I have God's forgiveness--and it is only because of that that I can love, obey and serve him.

The text of the hymn Water, Blood and Spirit Crying is worth reading in its entirety:

Hymn Text:  Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying (Lutheran Service Book 597)

1. Water, blood, and Spirit crying,
    By their witness testifying
    To the One whose death-defying
       Life has come, with life for all.

2. In a wat'ry grave are buried
    All our sins that Jesus carried;
    Christ, the Ark of Life, has ferried
       Us across death's raging flood.

3. Dark the way, yet Christ precedes us,
    Past the scowl of death He leads us;
    Spreads a table where He feeds us
      With His body and His blood.

4. Through around us death is seething,
    God, His two-edged sword unsheathing,
    By His Spirit life is breathing
       Through the living, active Word.

5. Spirit, water, blood entreating,
    Working faith and its completing
    In the One whose death-defeating
       Life has come, with life for all.

Let us rejoice in Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross; and let us live every day in the joy which his forgiveness gives us.

I may be crazy...

Bath products.
Makeup.
Cleaning chemicals.
Personal care products.

What do all these things have in common?
They're generally made from things that aren't very good for your body or your health.  They're expensive.  And I think I can do better.  With some help, of course.  I have already gotten started:

-For cleaning, I already use white vinegar, mixed with water in a spray bottle for general cleaning and sanitizing.  That's about it.
-I tried making homemade liquid soap--which I haven't used up yet, and I may or may not try this technique again.
-I've just started using the baking soda and apple-cider-vinegar hair cleaning method.  (More on that in a future post, but five days in, I love it!)

I've been reading ideas and recipes for all sorts of natural, homemade products to replace conventional ones.

The reason I'm interested in making homemade versions of products that most people spend a lot of money on, is mainly the simplicity of it.  There are more frugal alternatives to commonly-used products, more all-purpose products (like vinegar and baking soda), and homemade versions that I think work just as well or better than the "store-bought" versions.

(Please understand, I don't have a problem with people who use shampoo, Lysol, Windex, etc, etc.  I'm just excited in researching alternatives for myself and my family.)

I have found several bloggers who have embraced this kind of "homemade" lifestyle, and I wanted to compile some of my favorite ideas of theirs that I have found--for my future reference and your benefit.

From Shaye at The Elliot Homestead:
Castile soap and all its amazing uses--shower soap, hand soap, shampoo, general household cleaning, and more!
A variety of what Shaye calls "cleaning products for the poor," starting with my friends vinegar and baking soda.
And a list of all Shaye's homemade products, including baby items and lip balm.

From Thank Your Body (the writer has more of a "hippie" lifestyle/mindset than I will ever have, but she has some great ideas and recipes for a lot of things):
Homemade hand soap (different recipes than I used, including one that's yet another use for Castile soap).
Natural "bleach"--hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice!
Homemade deodorant--this one sounds nice, although probably not something I'll need to make for a long time--my body doesn't need deodorant much anyway, so it takes me ages to go through a regular stick.  I have got to invest in some coconut oil, for a ton of reasons!

I also want to invest in less refined foods--like raw honey and real maple syrup, all whole wheat flour (and ground oats, and other non-white-flour grains).  I want to start using healthier fats, like high-quality butter and coconut oil.  I have all these dreams, plans, and ideas... but I keep reminding myself, I'm doing pretty darn good for a young, year-and-a-half married, college student on a little bitty budget!

Bottom line, I want to use the gifts God has given us to the best of my abilities--to honor God with our bodies, which includes the way we eat and the chemicals we use in, on and around our bodies.  I want to make the best use of the resources we have, especially food.  I want God to be glorified in all aspects of our lives, and that means not making all this stuff into a god, but focusing (there's that word again!) on THE important thing in my life: not health, not money, not food--GOD.

Rekindling Romance eKit {Giveaway}

Update: This giveaway has closed.

Want to spice up your and your spouse's love life?

A Biblical Marriage is giving away THREE copies of their Rekindling Romance eKit!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Jason and Jami (of Young Wife's Guide) have designed this absolutely beautiful kit full of fun and unique ideas and activities for married couples to add a little more spice and romance to their lives!

"With this kit you can crate a romantic night in, play a fun (& sexy) game, develop a romantic gift basket, create a romantic and fun coupon book, and more!"

The kit includes:

• 13 page eBooklet with date and gift idea details
• Coupon Book Printables
• Romantic Gift Basket Checklist
• A Strip Newlywed Game
• 10 Things I Love About You Printables
• 10 Quotes on Love and Marriage Printables
• Scavenger Hunt Printables
• Romantic Night In Printables
• Mix CD Cover Printable

You can print out whichever components you would like to use, and personalize them for gifts and fun dates with your spouse!

http://abiblicalmarriage.com/rekindling-romance-ebooklet-printables-kit/

Note: This kit is designed to be used by married couples only.  It includes components which would be inappropriate for use by any other couple.

This kit will help make your Valentine's Day celebrations extra-special, or lend a romantic touch to a date night.

If you don't win, you can purchase a kit for yourself and your spouse for just $4.99.  This would also make a great gift for newlyweds!  Check out A Biblical Marriage's post for more information and ideas.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Linking up at The Alabaster Jar, The Better Mom, What Joy is Mine, lowercase letters, A Proverbs 31 Wife,  To Love, Honor and Vacuum

Men and Women: There SHOULD be a difference!

Alexandria at Vintage Muse + Modern Views recently wrote an article that I found because a friend shared it on Facebook.  I think what she has to say is extremely important, even though among most people of my generation (and even my parents') it's not popular in the least.

Bottom line?  I am a woman, and I want to be treated like one, plain and simple!

Gaining Equality or Losing Identity?

Image from Vintage Muse + Modern Views

of friends, old and new

In the last week I've been blessed to spend time with family and friends, to talk with other family and other friends on the phone, and to get to "know" some new blogging friends!  There are many women who have been a blessing to me through their words, but this week two ladies in particular have blessed me in several ways.

This is Jolene, from The Alabaster Jar, and her husband Eric.

Practically every post of hers that I've read so far has had me nodding in agreement, fighting back tears of happiness, relief, and/or conviction, and quickly sharing the post with friends on facebook.  She has SO many good, Gospel-filled things to say, and she's been a personal encouragement to me lately as well.  I highly recommend that you stop by her blog and read around for a while!

This is Monica, from The Atypical Housewife.

She is another sweet lady whose blog posts have been encouraging, inspiring, and convicting to me lately--AND she's another woman with a passion for homemaking, being a godly wife, and not conforming to the standards of society when it comes to womanhood.  It's such an encouragement to know that there are others who share the same passions I have.  PLUS--I'm guest-posting for her in a few days, and I'm so excited for the opportunity!  (I'll let you know when my post goes live on The Atypical Housewife.)

These are two sweet "new friends" who I dearly wish I could meet in person--but we're sisters in Christ, and that's what matters most.

Other sisters in Christ who I am SO thankful for this week...

My mom, Paula

My mother-in-law, Debbie

My brother-in-law's girlfriend, Whitney

One of my very best friends, Sara

My grandma, Carol

My other grandma, Dottie

My "new" friend, Ashton (we've known of each other for a while but we're finally getting to really know each other now)

Today and always, I'm thankful for the wonderful women (and men, of course!) in my life.

Trusting in God, who gives me what I REALLY need.

I was reading part of the book of Job today.  I want to read more the rest of the day, and then go over it again in the next few days.

Reading Job is at once humbling and encouraging.  "Who are you," God (basically) asks Job, "to think that you can criticize me or judge me for the way I do things?  Were you there when the universe was created?  Do you control the weather?  Do you know how everything holds together? NO.  So let me be God and you just trust me to take care of you."  That kind of sums up the several chapters of God lecturing Job.

That really got me thinking.  A journal/scrapbook my friend Sara made for me includes several quotes, pictures, poems, Scripture verses, etc, with room for me to add my own.  At the top of the first page it says "Psalm 103."  I looked that up and read it, and came across this verse:

"The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love."  Psalm 103:8

He is ALWAYS compassionate and gracious.  That doesn't change, ever.  It's not necessarily our definition of compassionate and gracious.  But God always shows us his perfect love.  I wrote at the bottom of that page in the journal,

"Trust in God is not conditional.  He doesn't say, 'Trust me when things are going well.  Trust me if you have everything you think you need.  Trust me when life is easy.'  No.  Trust is based on faith, and faith trusts always.  God says, 'Trust Me.'  Period."

Jon Acuff wrote on his blog today,

"Since the dawn of time, the enemy has tried to play just one trick.

Though it has a thousand different variations and a million different manifestations, it boils down to the same lie every time.

God is not good.

He's holding out on you.

There is something more you are missing.

Time and again, this is the trick the enemy comes back to."

I commented on the post,

"So true. God always blesses us. Not in the ways we THINK we need blessing. Not usually in the ways we expect. But he gives us what HE knows we need.
I'd add one thing. God never guaranteed that following him would be easy. We ARE called to give up ourselves when we follow him. The disciples gave up everything in order to be Jesus' disciples.
But they never went without food. They never went without shelter. They always had clothes. They always had what they NEEDED. But life wasn't easy. 

I've been realizing lately that the best gifts God gives aren't ones with monetary value. They're things like family. Friendship. Being hugged and kissed by one's spouse. A sweet summer breeze. Love. And most importantly, God's forgiveness, love, and grace. When a person has all that...what more do they really need?"

My mother-in-law posted a verse of a beloved hymn on my facebook wall this morning:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus;
look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of his glory and grace."


When life is frustrating and confusing...when circumstances are out of our control...when things seem hopeless and there is no end in sight...

We can trust God.
Because he is always good and he always has our bests interests in mind.
And in the meantime...
we can focus on what he's already given us.
Because it's SO much.
We already have everything we need.
And when we focus on Christ,
the things of this world seem less important.
Because they are less important.

When we have Christ, and his love, forgiveness, mercy and grace... (and we do)...
we have all we need.

 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."  -1 Peter 1:3-5

what my friends teach me about God

"I have found that - amidst laughing, crying, sharing - it is in conversations with people I care about that God tends to reveal some of his most profound truths and realize his love most powerfully."

My friend Sara wrote that.  (She just started a new blog, and this is me giving her free advertising, because she's wonderful and a fantastic writer and you should follow her.)   She is so right.  She's one of the people with whom I have that kind of conversation, on a regular basis.  Our visit last week was like a three-day conversation of that type.  It was absolutely wonderful.

In the previous week or so, I've had talks with several lovely people that helped me realize some amazing truths about God and the way he works in our lives.
Emily.
Sara.
Brett and Ashton.
Lisa, and Nora.
Joshua.

Some things these people have helped me realize:

God gives us friends to help us know that we're not alone in this crazy thing called life.  No matter how unique our circumstances might be, there is always someone who understands something about us, and can relate and sympathize and comfort us.  We all have so much in common, if we just take the time to talk and figure it out.

Marriage, when done God's way, is one of the most glorious experiences this temporal life can offer.  It is a beautiful picture of the relationship God desires with his people, his Church.  It is never perfect because we are all sinful people, but God's forgiveness and love are life-changing, and life-giving to marriage.

God provides for us constantly, and in ways that we might not expect.  Sometimes he asks for our teamwork, like with a garden.  We plant, he grows, we reap, we give thanks.  Green things coming from seeds buried in damp dirt are a miracle.

It is good to always keep a glimmer of the little-girl in me.  That glimmer emerges when I have handmade Barbie clothes placed in my lap, and when I give the voice to a little-girl Barbie doll whose mother-doll is moved about by a five-year-old.

Why shouldn't I get as excited by little things in life as a small child?  Things like dolls and dinosaurs and rocks that are really dinosaur eggs and a butterfly garden all my own.  Thank you, Nora, for what you teach me.

I am not a failure.  We all sometimes feel like one.  Satan has dirt on all of us, that he waves in our face and accuses gleefully, "Look at all you've done wrong.  Look at all these roles you have that you haven't filled properly.  Look at all the ways you've messed up."  We can tell Satan off, because we don't have to listen to that junk.  My mother used to tell me, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."  That's in the Bible, I learned eventually, and it's not my mother's words.  It's GOD'S.  "I am baptized into Christ," Sara and I sang together while doing dishes last week.  I have the Holy Spirit living in my heart.  I am a saved, forgiven and loved child of God.  There's nothing Satan can hold against me, because Jesus destroyed all my sins on the cross.

In fact, I am beautiful.  I am a good wife.  My husband tells me this over and over; perhaps that will help me believe it better.  I am a good cook, thank you Jordan for reminding me of that last week.  Despite those rare instances when the lasagna has waxed paper on the bottom because I didn't have any tin foil to line the pan.  Thank you Brett and Ashton for being such good sports.  The lasagna tasted fantastic anyway.

Sara and Emily and a handful of precious others tell me I am a good friend.  I do try.  I think half the time I take over the conversation with my confounded habit of talking too much.  But I do hope I'm understanding, encouraging, and loving.  I'm working on being a better listener.  Stick with me, girls.  I'll get there.  Being a good friend to you is the least I can do for the incredible blessing you are to me.

My husband is the dearest man in the world.  This isn't something anyone has taught me, I'm just realizing it myself more and more every day.  I could go on and on about how wonderful he is, but I don't want to embarrass him.  He doesn't like the spotlight, and that's okay.  Suffice it to say that he is wise, caring, understanding, and loving, in a myriad of ways, and I am blown away by the blessing he is to me.


I hope I can have more "laughing, crying, sharing" conversations with people this week.  I hope you can, too.  How has God blessed you through the people in your life?

 

guest posting @ Young Wife's Guide

I'm guest posting today!It's extra-exciting because it's at one of my favorite blogs, Jami Leigh's Young Wife's Guide.She and I have a fair bit in common--we have the same name (just spelled differently), we're both young wives, we are sisters in Christ, and we live near our husband's family (for now; she and her hubby and moving soon).Here's a preview of my post:

Since I was a little girl, getting married and being a wife has always been at the top of my list of what I wanted to be.  One of my favorite dress-up dresses was a bridal outfit.

I never expected, or planned, to get married as young as I did.  I never dated in high school—mainly because the guys I was interested in never asked me out, and the only person who ever asked me on a date was someone I had no interest in at all.  So when I met my husband, on our first day at college, I definitely didn’t see where it would all go, especially not as fast as it did.

Head over to Young Wife's Guide to read the rest! :) 

Seven x Seven Blog Award!

Thanks to sweet "L" at All Glorious Within for picking me for this bloggy award! :)  You should hop over and visit her lovely blog.  Now I'm passing on the fun and love!

Rules:

1. Link back to the blogger who nominated you. ("L" at All Glorious Within!)

2. Share 7 facts about yourself.

3. Share 7 blog posts that fit into 7 categories.

4. Nominate 7 award-winning blogs/bloggers.

 

 

7 Facts:

1.  I work at a campus library and a college cafeteria.

 

2. I have been to three foreign countries on two continents (Asia and America).

 

3.  I had seven bridesmaids when I got married.

 

4.  I was born, baptized and married in the Missouri Synod Lutheran church (LCMS).

 

5.  I can bake biscuits from scratch, by memory (without using the recipe).

 

6.  One of my favorite things to do is to feed and entertain guests.

 

7.  I am 1/8 Italian in heritage, and most of the rest of my blood is German (with Polish, Norwegian and French mixed in somewhere).

 

7 Posts:

1.  Introducing...My Man!

{photos}

 

2. May He

{poetry}

 

3. A Political Victory, or a Spiritual Tragedy?

{politics}

 

4. Why Do I Write?

{writing}

 

5. A Work in Progress

{homemaking, walk with God}

 

6. One of My Passions: Homeschooling

{homeschooling}

 

7. What's Better Than "Happily Ever After"?

{marriage}

 

 

7 Blogs:

Nikki @ Kindred Spirits

Anne @ The Modern Mrs Darcy

Lindsey @ Grits and Grace

Jami @ Young Wife's Guide

Julia @ Black Tag Diaries

Amy @ A Contented, Common Life

Ashley @ Stay-At-Home Daughter

Thankful Thursday: The Everyday

It's been a while since I did a Thankful Thursday post.  But there is, as always, so much to be thankful for!!

-My hubby decided, last night, that we need to go on a little getaway.  So this morning he made reservations for us for tomorrow night (since Valentine's Day weekend is usually more expensive) at a little bed and breakfast here in town.  I am SO excited!!! :)  He is AMAZING.

-Hubby also did laundry for me today.  Again! :)

-I love my job at the library.  And the people I work with.  And the people I see while I'm here.

-I'm really enjoying ALL my classes.  I think this is a first!

-Full fridge. Full cupboards and pantry.  Clean laundry.  Clean bathroom.  Now to clean the living room and bedroom... :)  I love having a home to keep clean!

-I have AMAZING friends.  Friends I keep getting to know better.  Friends I love like crazy. :)

-Brats for supper tonight (YUM)

-Mint tea

-Coffee this morning

-Lots of meat on sale at the grocery store today (I stocked up!)

-Plans for friends over for dinner on Saturday

-Spending Sunday with Joshua's family for the Superbowl

...and so much more. :)

Three New Poems

They can be found at my school/writing blog, Read. Write. Live.  It's been a while since I posted anything there, and these are poems I'm fairly pleased with.

{If you read them, please let me know what you think}

Loved By God, Just the Way I Am

I've come to a place where I can accept, and like, the person I am.  I'm not exactly satisfied with that person, but maybe I'm not supposed to be.  There's always learning, growing, becoming to do.  God still has a lot to teach me, so "who I am" will never be completely finished.  I'm not a static being.  I don't like the word "evolving" (for the evolutionary connotations) but that's a fairly apt description for how I'm changing.

Part of the reason that we're not supposed to be quite comfortable in the skin we're in is that there's something more coming, something better--a glorified body.  One that's sinless.  Flawless.  Perfect.

That's a weird concept...to think of myself as perfect.  Because I am so not.  I beat myself up a lot--figuratively, of course--about my imperfections.  The list is long: selfishness, thoughtlessness, faithlessness, worry, discontent. I could go on.  But I've come to terms with the fact that I'm going to stay sinful, and there's no use fretting about it.

That is NOT to say I shouldn't try not to sin!  There are a lot of bad habits I could and should work on breaking.  There are so many things I have yet to learn.

But God won't love me any more, if and when I try to become a better person, than he does right now.  He can, will, and does use even my worst faults for his own purposes.  He gives me jobs to do for his kingdom. He loves me unconditionally, and forgives me constantly.  I'm beautiful and holy in his eyes--so who am I to put myself (or others) down?  We're all worth more than that.  We're priceless: creations of the God of the universe.

That's another huge concept to try to wrap my mind around, but when it comes down to it, that is what is most humbling and most encouraging to me.
The GOD
of the universe
loves/made/forgives/redeemed
      ME.

Sounds insane. It should be.  But it's true.  And that's what gives me hope, purpose, joy, life!  Being a child of God is the greatest blessing in life.  I'm more thankful for this than anything else.

Compared to him, my flaws are pretty minor.  They're not to big for him to handle.  They do't get in the way of his love for me.  And-
Nothing.
Ever.
Will.

The Vivid Grace of God

Vivid:

The realization, once again, of how much my husband loves me.  He demonstrates it in so many ways.  He says it without words.  He tells me verbally.  He gives me loving looks.  His love is a huge thing in my life.

Vivid:

The way God works.  It's not always this clear.  But there are times, like this week, when it nearly knocks me over how bold and grace-full and loving He is.  Putting people where they need to be, when they need to be there, with the people with whom they need to be.

Vivid:

My happiness singing in choir this week.  I missed it SO MUCH last semester.  It's such a joyful thing, lifting my voice in song, praising God, reminded of his goodness and forgiveness in the words I sing.

Vivid:

The kindness of God demonstrated in the kindness of others: my in-laws for taking us to Minnesota to get the car tomorrow, co-workers at the library covering for me, my boss in understanding when I got my schedule screwed up.

Vivid:

The way God blesses us beyond my wildest dreams.  And even when it seems like we need more...we always have enough.

Vivid:

My peace despite circumstances that often cause worry.

Vivid:

The love of God shown me in hugs from a friend, a note from my mom, and so many ways from my husband.

Linking up today with Your Thriving Family, finding joy, and The Gypsy Mama.  These are my friday favorite things, written on for five minutes based on the word "vivid"!

Thankful for my husband

I realize more and more every day how blessed I am by my husband.  It's so terribly easy to take him for granted.  But lately I've been intentional about looking for ways to praise and honor him.

I'm learning how to listen better when he talks, and how to get his attention properly when I want to talk to him.
He has communicated to me how much he likes having me home, and how much he doesn't like it when I have to be gone in the evenings for work or class.  I know this is him saying, "I love you and I love spending time with you."

In the last week, he has:
had chocolate cake made (with homemade chocolate frosting) when I got home
had steak on the stove and rolls out of the oven the next day when I got home
taken down the Christmas tree and packed up a lot of decorations so I didn't have to do that depressing task
picked up and organized the bedroom AND made the bed properly for once (the next day he poked his head in the bathroom when I was taking a shower and asked if I was going to wear the jeans that were on the bedroom floor, because if I wasn't they needed to go in the hamper, not on the floor.  I about fell out of the shower.)
helped me with dishes WITHOUT BEING ASKED
taken care of bill-paying, a job I detest
taken initiative to get us to the DMV today to get his license renewed and get me my first Nebraska license
worked it out with his parents to get the four of us to go get our car on Saturday (finally!)

Yeah.  My husband is awesome.  And I could add other things to that list. ;)

How often do I look at the negative things about my husband instead of the positive?  How much do I put him down instead of praising and honoring him?  How much do I talk back to him instead of respecting him and submitting to him?
A lot.
Which is not how it should be.
But how often does he forgive me and let me try again?  How often does he love me in spite of my faults?  How often does he put up with my quirks?
All the time.
So today, I'm thankful for my husband.  He is my greatest gift--God is so good to both of us!

You know what's a blessing?

So many things are blessings today!

Twenty followers!  (One doesn't show up on the blog, just my owner's "dashboard.")  THANK YOU!

Comments and encouragement from new people, wonderful people, sisters in Christ.

Bloggy link-ups leading me to people I needed to find, words I needed to read.

Most amazing of all... the realization, while reading all these lovely people's words, how far-flung the family of believers is.  I'm reading the words of women all over the country--all over the world!--and they're going through the same struggles I am, they're encouraging me in the ways I need it most, they're looking and longing to serve God too.

What a wondrous thing this blogging community is!  Bringing together people from all backgrounds and walks of life--but with a shared, common faith.


All these people whom I'll probably never meet in this lifetime are people I'll be sharing eternity with.  How incredible IS that?!?

If you're reading this, please leave a link to your blog--only God knows who needs to read it today.  And visit at least one other person who commented, so that you can be a blessing to them as well!  I pray that God will make all of us a blessing to each other, as he uses our simple words to speak His glorious truth.

In His peace...