September 24, 2013

Proverbs

The book of Proverbs contains much wisdom and insight.
It is composed as a book of instruction from a father to his children. Often the book of Proverbs is read in a month reading the corresponding chapter with the day of the month. One of my favorite chapters in Proverbs is chapter 31, describing the virtuous woman. I desire to be an honorable woman, who fears the Lord above all else and is fully devoted to the Lord. Two key themes of the book of Proverbs are: Wisdom and the Fear/Reverence of the Lord. I desire to be a godly Proverbs 31 daughter. May the Lord give that desire to each one of you that you will seek Him with your whole heart.

Proverbs 31:10-31

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Description of a Worthy Woman

10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with her hands in delight.
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And portions to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
And makes her arms strong.
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at the future.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates.

September 23, 2013

Joni and Friends Family Retreat 2013

Dear Friends,


Thank you for all your prayers and support as I served at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat in MN again this year. You are all such a blessing. The Lord provided an opportunity for me to ride up to camp with a group from near Minneapolis. My church was such a wonderful blessing in providing the financial support needed for the trip again! May the Lord be praised!
The Lord answered many prayers and gave many blessings, including meeting some fellow volunteers from Iowa (whom I hope to get to know better this year), serving again with some wonderful friends, meeting new friends, meeting a new friend who loves composing music and playing piano, spending time sharing a love of Scripture memory with a new friend, spending time with a new camper this year, spending time with harp and piano with my camper from last year during break time, and seeing God work in awesome ways!!, and being able to hear Pastor Kempton Turner’s sermons this year (last year as an elementary worker, we did not get to hear the sermons). I loved hearing the testimonies of how God had worked in the lives of the families and campers. On Sunday, in the young adults small group, many of the campers shared about their faith in Christ and what Jesus meant to them. It was such a beautiful time of testimony to the faithfulness of God!
There were also several challenges as well. :-) It was an unexpected change to work with the young adults instead of the elementary or junior high students, trying the climbing wall this year, and being “compelled” to participate as the “STM target” in the “olympic games cheeto head toss” (that was a very stretching and “interesting” experience) :-).
Last year, the Lord reminded me how special every person is and that it is important to get to know the person for who they are inside not for what they look like or act outwardly. This year the Lord reminded me that I must trust Him fully that His purposes are best, sometimes the best way to serve is to wait on the Lord. I don't have to be “busy” serving, but peaceful, joyful, serving is also commended. It is more important to find the commonalities and to reach out to be a friend.
Thank you all again for your prayers and encouragement. The “happy gram” notes of encouragement that many of you wrote for the campers and families were delivered and much appreciated! Thank you for your willingness to serve as well.
I am excited to see all that God has done! I pray that, if the Lord wills, I will be able to return next year to serve.


Love in Christ,

Marie


Here are some photos from the week :)



Thank you all for the happy grams you wrote!! They were well loved!!


The climbing wall

"Are you sure this is the EASY side?" :)



The Olympic Torch AKA "The Plunger" :-)

My camper, Caylia, and I





Camp 2013 STMs (Short Term Missionary Volunteers)

Camp Group Photo

Prayer Walk

Marie and Cassie

Welcoming Families

Caylia and her mom



Let the Olympic Games Begin!!!

"Toga Dance"


Press On in the Joy and Peace of the Lord

Press On to Know the Lord Jesus Christ

Young Adults Discussion Small Group


Preparing for the "Cheeto Head Toss"




Oreo's Adventures - as told by Caylia :)


Sophie is guiding my hands and playing the harmonic series and chordal structure on the harp. She understands the theory and math behind the sound of the music. What a gift!!


WordSower Scripture Tellers School

This last July I had the wonderful opportunity to attend WordSower's Scripture Tellers School.
I loved learning some of the art of presenting a memorized piece of Scripture so that the meaning comes alive!
I was the only student this year. It is the first time the school and Scriptorium Scripture Recital was held in Iowa! Hopefully this will be an annual event in Iowa.
In my 2-3 week classes I memorized the book of Ruth, worked on presenting the first 6 chapters of 2 Corinthians (I had previously memorized 2/3 of the book in preparation for WordSowers) and learned many interesting facts about church history and the history of the Bible.
During my time at WordSowers I had the wonderful opportunity to share 2 Corinthians 1-6 and then the beginning of September I returned to share the book of Ruth.
It is an encouragement to me to have a goal for memorizing Scripture. Also, working with others provides accountability and encouragement in God's Word.
I would love to encourage each of you to study and memorize God's Word so that you will always be ready to give an answer! God's Word is living and active; it is a delight to know Christ through His Word!

June 11, 2013

Bible Translations

Ok, I have a question (or a few related questions) for all of you readers. :)

I was wondering what Bible translations are your favorites.
What translation do you prefer for memorizing from?
Do you use one version exclusively or use various translations?
Why did you pick the translation you use?
Do you find one version easier to memorize from?
Do you have a favorite audio Bible?
Do you know the history of the translation of the Bible you use? And did that affect your choice of translation?
How do the different "Bible Copyrights" affect your choice of translation?


Please leave a comment on this blog with your answers.

Joshua 1:8  (NKJV)

 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

May 15, 2013

Bible Memory Plan

I wanted to share with you all a Scripture Memory schedule/plan that I found recently. I am planning on putting many of the ideas into practice (though not necessarily memorizing in the order suggested).

I love the challenge of memorizing the entire New Testament in 5 years!
What is amazing is that it is only suposed to take an hour a day with learning 4-6 verses a day!



Does anyone else want to join me in this challenge?
I would love to encourage each other to memorize God's Word!

April 27, 2013

Happy Birthday Josie!

Happy 17th Birthday, Josie!!
I am so blessed to call you my sister. You continually are a source of encouragement to me in your diligence and peaceful attitude. You are so faithful and trustworthy. I am glad you are my sister. May the LORD bless you as you continue to follow Him wholeheartedly. I love you Josie!!





Josie's Baptism






Bible Quizzing!!


I love you Josie!!! <3