I miss her...

Prayin' for you, my dear cousin! I'm so excited about all the things God has been teaching you! All the things you have been learning, you prolly wouldn't have learned if you weren't right where God has you! I love you and realllllly miss you! (I'm so glad that you've been able to make frequent phone calls back here, tho ;)

Having you gone has just made me even more thankful for you.

Don't know what I would do without you, girl!

Erica's visit

Last weekend, Erica made a special trip to Omaha for a visit and Jess was able to join us for supper at Golden Corral. We brought a deck of cards with us and stayed for 4 hours!! :)
FUN times!!! :D

The love of the Lord...

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15)

..........

I am so far from being "lovable", but He loves me still.

He never gives up on me, He is and always will be faithful.

Oh praise Him! What a joy it is to give my life away to HIM!

I love You, Lord!

The book review I promised you all. :)

So here's that book review I told you all was coming. :)

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If I had to pick one single book other than God's Word that has impacted me more than any other, it would be this one. If you are looking for something more then mediocrity, if you feel God's calling on your life to rise above "normal expectations" and live a life poured out for others instead of self, then this book is for you.

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So many young Christian women/girls are sitting around waiting for "Prince Charming" to come around, wasting precious single years that they may never get back. They are caught up with the idea that they "gotta get married" quick because they won't be truly be fulfilled until they are. You know, life doesn't really start until you're married, right? Wrong. God created each one of us to be completely satisfied and content in Him alone. "And until we are content with Him alone, we aren't truly ready for an earthly romance that will stand the test of time."

When Christ is not our all in all, we try to find lasting satisfaction and fulfilment in an earthly romance, but we never will. Even the most godly man cannot satisfy the deepest longings and desires of my heart. Only Christ can. So if I expect to find my completion and satisfaction in man and not in Jesus Christ, he will always disappoint me!

---

So, what do we do? Am I saying marriage is wrong? NO! But I AM saying that getting married before you've become completely content in the Lord Jesus, can bring major disappointment and disillusionment.

---

Surrendering everything to the Lord is so important! All your dreams, desires, wishes...

---

"...God [wants] everything, even the "good" desires of [your] heart."

---

Excerpt from the book:

"No matter how our selfish, fleshly side feels about it, laying everything on the altar before our King, and allowing Him to do with our lives whatever He sees fit, is where true Christianity begins.

Our desire for marriage must be no exception. Let us not fall for ear-tickling, lackadaisical messages that require less than absolute abandonment to the One who gave His very life for us. He took up His cross, and He asks us to do the same.

Never forget...on the other side of surrender, we will find the greatest joy!"

---

So many girls spend their high school years pining away for "prince charming", so when the first one comes a'calling, they snatch up their chance to live their childhood dream of being a wife and mother. A beautiful dream that when not fulfilled in God's way and in God's timing can bring heartache. It is true, that for most girls, it is God's will for them to be married and have a family.
But not for all. And for many girls, God has called them to singleness, whether that would last a year or a lifetime.

---

What are you doing with your single years? These years are a gift from God and for most of you they won't last for long.

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While you are single, you have special opportunities to accomplish great things for the kingdom of God that you may not be able to do when married.

1 Corinthians 7:34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

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Don't waste these years. There are so many needy, hurting people in this world.

What can YOU do to make a difference?

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This review has only touched "the tip of the iceberg". There is so much more that Leslie Ludy discusses in the book. I would really recommend reading it. You can borrow it from me if you like, or you can order it from Amazon for under $11.00 including shipping.

Warning: You won't walk away from this book the same person.

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I would love to hear feedback, especially on this post. Even if you disagree with any of the points I've made, I would love to hear response!

To learn more about the Set-Apart Girl ministry, you can visit: http://setapartgirl.com/home.html

WHOOPY!!! :D

YAYAYAYAY!!!! I'm SO excited that FALL is here!!! My favorite time of year!! :) sigh.
I just had to get that out there! :D Are you excited for fall too?
Some of my favorite things about fall...
-hay rack rides
-pumpkins
-bonfires
-crisp air
-changing colors
-sipping a steaming hot cup of pumpkin pie spice while curled up with a good book :)
-crunchy leaves ;)
-pumpkin pie bars
-Nebraska football games
-playing football with family and cousins
-apple cider
So anyway, I love fall. Just wanted to say that!

What are some of YOUR favorite things about fall? It would be fun to hear from everyone!

The cry of my heart...

Holy Spirit Have Your Way

Long after the tears fall I'm still your child

I put down my defenses and lay down my pride

Love and forgiveness flow in deep and wide

So I run to you and surrender all!

[CHORUS]

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

.

In times of trouble, though trials may come

The rock of ages is standing strong

I'm fighting battles, but the war is won

So I'll run to you and surrender all

[CHORUS]

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You and less of me, God

More of You overflowing

[CHORUS]

As I lay down my life

And pick up my cross

What a joy it is to give my life away to you

All that I need, All that I seek

Is You here with me

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

Holy Spirit have Your way in me!

Amen.

Here is the song on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR156yJZFUY

Wow, if I had to sum up all of the things God has taught me this year into one song,

this song would do it well.

To live a life poured out for others,

forsaking all my own wants, wishes, and dreams

(getting married someday, having children and a family, going on a missions trip, traveling, etc)

Yes, that means even surrendering God-given desires back to Him!

-living for the One who gave ALL for me.

If this is all I accomplish in my life, then I will have lived well.

God is teaching me that right here,

right now, I need to find complete fulfilment in HIM.

Life is not all about ME, but all about HIM.

After much prayer, God has shown me His will for this time in my life.

I just need to obey.

In obedience, there is great joy!

If you think of it, please, pray for me!

From Grace's library...

-Sacred Singleness-

This is what I have been reading lately...

So far, I have been so tremendously

blessed/convicted/encouraged/changed/excited/

by the message of this book!

Be looking for my summary soon! =)