a place for women to be encouraged in their walk with Christ

Our new year began in a most wonderful way.  Friday night, January 1, our family traveled to the airport to meet Lee Parish, who has been courting our daughter, Julia.  Lee had only met Julia, up to this point, and so it is probably pretty safe to say that Lee was nervous getting off that airplane, and we were nervous, as we stood there waiting for him.

Three days later, he and George had a heart to heart talk for several hours, and less than 30 minutes after they returned to the house, Lee and Julia took a little walk, and ..well, what do you know..they came back engaged. Maybe one of these days Lee and Julia will write their courtship story, but until then..I must say they both have shown amazing maturity and faith in God throughout this process.

We are very happy to welcome Lee into our family.  We are confident that he and Julia will be do wonderful things together in service to our Lord.

In some ways it seems like it was yesterday, and in other ways it seems like such a long time ago. In 1992 we began our homeschool journey with Julia. Now, 17 years later, we are graduating Lindsey. It has been awonderful time of learning for all of us, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything. But where has the time gone? Preschool papers are no longer strewn here and there, with wobbly attempts at ABC’s. No more dissections of frogs and cow eyeballs at the end of our dining room table. These memories and many more are forever part of our family. We have loved the journey with our children thus far, but our adventures are not over! Our children have been a joy in our lives, and they continue to be a delight to us.

Our special congratulations to Lindsey, who has put her nose to the grindstone, and is now finished with her high school course of studies. She plans to continue her volunteer work at the medical clinic, operated by the Smelsers, and will do some secretarial work for George at ACSOP, as well as continue work with the various mission activities in which we are involved.

Here is a picture of my latest finished work.  I purchased the fabric when we were in the states last year. It is a very simple pattern, using rectangles.  The quilting was done in the ditch.  Now it’s a little too warm most nights to use a quilt, but it will be nice when our next cold season rolls around.

Here is a photo of Lindsey’s quilt – could be a lap quilt or baby quilt.  This was one of her school assignments, given to her by her dear mom.   I really like the colors she chose.  She also took the scraps that were left over and made a quilted handbag.  Hmm, maybe extra credit is in order?

Here are some pics of a couple of projects that I’ve recently completed.  Baby quilts are a great quilting project that don’t take too long, and thus, can give you the satisfaction of a finished project much sooner than a bigger quilt. I was pressed for time, so chose patterns that could be pieced together rather quickly.  I am just now getting comfortable with branching out a bit on my own, as far as piecing goes….  Now, on to those three bigger quilts that need my attention!

I have been part of a preacher’s family all of my life. I grew up with the privilege of my father being a gospel preacher. Nine months after our marriage, my husband decided to devote his life to being a full-time gospel preacher. More recently, he decided to focus on foreign missions, so in 2007 my husband and I, along with our four children, moved to Tanzania, East Africa.

My husband and I are a team. However, with any team, there must be a leader, and God has assigned the husband to fulfill this role (Eph. 5:23). He understands that his decisions greatly affect the rest of the family, and he continually demonstrates thoughtful consideration to making decisions that will be the most beneficial for us spiritually. He values my input, and asks for it frequently. He is the head of our home. My work in Tanzania is the same as it was in the United States. I am a help meet to my husband; a keeper at home (Tit. 2:5). This has been God’s design from the beginning (Gen. 2:18). Therefore, my work is to help my husband be the best missionary he can be.

God, in his infinite wisdom, designed the family structure to be universally applicable. God expects husbands and wives in Africa to follow the same biblical pattern as he does of husbands and wives in the United States. For good or for evil, missionary families will make an impact on the culture in which they live, through their example as a family, including the roles that each family member assumes. If we want to make a positive impact on those people with whom we are sharing the gospel, we must also be role models for the family as God has designed it.

One of the blessings that I received while growing up was sitting at the kitchen counter, visiting with my mom while she cooked. Watching her and helping her in the kitchen was great preparation for my future. Over the past 24 years of marriage, I have spent countless hours in the kitchen. Unlike some women who consider preparing meals a necessary evil, I enjoy cooking for my family. Fortunately, I learned to cook “from scratch” years ago, under the tutelage of my mother. I hardly realized then that these skills would be put to use in Tanzania!

Cooking in Africa can present quite a challenge, but we certainly do not go without. We may have different choices, but we do not lack for anything. There is an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables. The meat often leaves something to be desired, but thanks to the hunting skills of certain family members, our table has seen some very nice game meat.

Another food item that my daughters and I make regularly is bread. Granted, there is rarely a bag of flour that does not have at least one bug in it, at least that we know about. We must sift each bag of flour carefully, and hopefully we catch most of them. We’ve enjoyed wheat bread, white bread, banana bread, pumpkin bread, biscuits, muffins, cinnamon rolls, corn bread (thanks to those thoughtful care packages), French bread, etc.

Preparing bread or other home cooked treats can be a great way to serve others. New mothers, elderly people, bereaved families, shut-ins, your children’s Bible class teachers, and to anyone, just to say “I was thinking of you.” Beyond taking someone a loaf of bread now and then, Christians need to revive the art of hospitality. It is one thing to treat someone to a meal at a local restaurant, but it is quite another to invite someone into your home and share a meal at your table.

In our fast-paced, self-centered society, there is often the temptation to think “I just don’t have the time.” But inviting someone into your home is more than just filling their belly. It is about building relationships. It is taking time for people. We need to make time to get to know our brethren, beyond shaking hands in the vestibule and the occasional potluck. Have you ever invited the elders or preacher and their families into your home? How shocked would your neighbor be if you invited them over for a meal? What a wonderful opportunity for evangelism.

Some of the vivid memories I have of my childhood involved guests that have sat around our table. The food didn’t have to be fancy; it may have been a big pot of beans and a pan of cornbread. The food is not really what I remember, but the fellowship that was enjoyed. When is the last time you extended hospitality in your home? Challenge yourself to expand your comfort zone, and use your home and your kitchen to minister to others.

George and I have been praying from the time we were married for our children, and for their futures.  A couple of our children have reached adulthood, and the other two are almost there.  It makes sense then, for George and me to look at various young people with closer scrutiny – “Could this be a possible mate for one of our children?”

It saddens me to see the lack of personal conviction and spiritual depth of many who have chosen to open their lives up for display via avenues such as facebook.  People are revealing far more than they intend to.  Facebook can be a great way to keep in contact with people.  It also provides an instant window into people’s character, which otherwise may not be discovered so quickly.   Additionally, it has made us, as parents, keenly aware that we must remain vigilant in the standards we have set for our children.

Sometimes parents get the reputation of thinking that no one is good enough for their children.  Truly, George and I don’t want to be unreasonable, and expect the impossible.  But don’t we have the right to expect future mates to measure up to certain standards?  Some might claim that we are too strict in our qualifications.  Are we, as parents, asking too much, regarding standards we expect for the future mates of our children?

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to keep their mouths from course jesting, bywords, and speech that does not give God the ultimate honor and respect that He deserves? (1 Tim. 4:12)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to demand the same clean speech from friends? (1 Tim. 5:22)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to demonstrate careful discernment about the music they listen to, the movies they watch, and t.v. programs they choose to view? (Phil. 4:8)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to dress their bodies in such a way that they do not show to the world what ought to be saved for only a future husband or wife to see? (Matt. 5:28;1 Tim. 2:9;

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to save their sexual expression – both physically and mentally – for the institution of marriage? (1 Tim. 5:2; Heb. 13:4)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to demonstrate the ability to handle money wisely:  both in generous giving to God, as well as wise stewardship of what remains? (2 Cor. 9:7)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to show proper respect for authority?  (Rom. 13:7; Eph. 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:17)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to be people of prayer? (1 Thess. 5:17; James 5:16)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men/women to be students of the Word, not because they are expected to, but because they want to grow in knowledge and increase their ability to discern good from evil, right from wrong, and be able to discern the teachings of God from doctrines of men? (Col. 2:6-8;  Phil. 1:9; 2 Pet. 3:18)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young men to act like men – prepare to be spiritual leaders of their homes, prepare to love their wives like Christ loves the church (which means he will act honorable to all young women), and prepare themselves to provide for future families? (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 5:23; 1 Tim. 5:8)

•    Are we asking too much to expect young women to behave with a gentle and quiet spirit, to demonstrate a submissive attitude, and to show an earnest desire to develop skills that will help them be keepers at home? (1 Pet. 3:4, Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5)

Are we asking too much? I think not.  We are asking no more than God does.  We are not looking for perfection; none of us can lay claim to that.  However, these character traits that we expect in young men or women who may be interested in a relationship with our children are not negotiable.  Those individuals who end up as life-long mates to our children will have great bearing on whether or not our children, our children’s children, etc. go to heaven, and that is something that we do not take lightly.

Broader than our concern about future mates for our children, we have great concern about many young people who claim to be children of God.  The evidence is clear.   Many have become so saturated by today’s culture that they do not even realize they ought to be ashamed.  (Jer. 8:12).

So, I challenge you:  when you are alone, be completely honest with yourself.  Lay down the pieces of your life next to the Scriptures.  What do you see?  Is there a stark contrast, or are you a mirror of godliness?  Are you willing to make drastic changes if your life doesn’t measure up?

It is time for a revolution against the culture of today, which promotes self-indulgence.   Be willing to transform yourself so that Christ can be seen in you, “to which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (2 Thess. 1:11,12).   Are we asking too much?

Another homeschool resource that you might enjoy taking advantage of can be found at http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/  .  Every weekday there is a new item offered for you to download – FREE!   You can subscribe to an email list, so that you will receive a notice about the upcoming week’s free items.  Here is a sample of what has already been offered over the past few days:

• George Washington’s Rules of Civility
• Grammar Land
• Powerful Ways to Sharpen Your Memory

“Powwerful Ways to Sharpen Your Memory” is today’s freebie.  I’ve already downloaded it, and if I happen to remember that I now have it on my computer, maybe I can improve my memory!

Some of you may be interested in a site that is a great homeschool resource.  CurrClick offers a free product to download every week, as well as many other great deals.  All you have to do is create a free account, and then you will receive an email every week, informing you of the free product of the week.