They Need Real

As I was having my quiet time with God today, I could feel Him pulling at me. I knew He had something for me, I just had to prepare my heart to listen.

I struggled. I waited. I prayed. I sang. I listened...

"They need real."

That's what I heard.

Learning to be free

Sometimes I am a slow learner.

Sometimes I am really stubborn.

Sometimes I need to hear it again and again before I really get it.

I need reminders.

Often.

One lesson that I know deep down inside me, but often need reminded of, is that it is okay just to be me.

It is way too easy for me to get caught up in caring what the world thinks of me or even caring what those close to me think of me. Instead, I should be caring what God thinks of me. 

If I am living for Him, then other's opinions really don't matter at all. The people close to me, that I really care about, they will love me more for caring only what God thinks because that will make me the best person I can be.

I will never please the world, there are too many people in it with too many different opinions- they will never all be pleased. No matter what I do. 

Besides that, I am not to be of this world. I am just a stranger here, a passerby on my way to my heavenly home. 

But sometimes I forget. 

Sometimes I start caring what others think of my house if it isn't clean.

Sometimes I care what others think of how I dress, is it modest enough in their eyes.

Sometimes I care what others think of how my children behave.

But then God will nudge me in some way and say, "Hey, I'm the only one that matters."

"My opinion is the only one that truly matters. And you need to remember that I love you just for being you."

I don't have to live up to some set of false expectations. I just have to be me, the way God made me. My priorities are not everyone else's priorities.

If I am pleasing my Lord then that is enough.

Yes, I need to be pleasing my husband as well, but if I am truly pleasing my Lord, then that will happen naturally.

My journey is not your journey and my life is not your life.

Just as yours is not mine.

God made us all unique, with different goals, different ideas and priorities - why would we try to live up to each other's standards when God gave us our own?

I pray you will find freedom in just being who God made you to be. In who God believes you are, a beloved child of the one true King.

Blessings,

Rashel

You Are Enough

To the woman that is hurting inside, but smiling to the world. To the woman that pretends everything is okay, but deep down you drowning in your insecurity. To the woman that thinks she has to keep it all together. 

You are NOT alone.

You don't have to pretend, you don't have to hide your hurt, you don't have to be something you are not. 

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.

GOD LOVES YOU!

He made you. 

He made you just the way you are.

You are NOT a mistake. 

YOU are HIS wonderful, beautiful creation. 

And HE loves you more than you can even imagine.

He requires nothing of you - only to accept His love. It is a free gift, it is there, just grab ahold of it and don't let go.

Don't let go. 

Of His love.

Just sit there, close your eyes and breathe in His love for you. Open your hands, open your heart and just be still.

Just be still and let Him overwhelm you with His love.

With His grace.

With His mercy.

With His forgiveness.

It is that easy, you just have to believe in Him.

You don't have to believe in yourself, you don't have to believe in anyone else-

Just believe in God.

My friend, my sister, you are not alone.

He is there with you and He wants you to know...

YOU ARE ENOUGH!

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

YOU ARE LOVED!

Taking My Thoughts Captive

Sometimes I have trouble controlling my thoughts. 

Honestly, there are times my thoughts control me. 

Someone does something that irritates me and my mind will replay the event over and over, each time it grows just a little bit. Each time I add another negative thought about that person, something else they have done in the past that irritated me. Or maybe I think I know what they were thinking when they did that "thing" that irritated me to start with.

Wrong. 

It is all so wrong. I am wrong.

First of all, other people and things should not irritate me.

According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, love is not irritable. I am called to love, therefore, I am not to be irritable.

Second, I am not to bring up things of the past. Love does not keep a record of wrongs.

God has been speaking to me about this sin in my life and given me verses to help me. Obviously 1 Corinthians 13 is one of them, but here is another:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

I've been studying this verse hard lately and trying my best to practice it. Instead of allowing my thoughts to go to the negative, I will think of something positive about the situation or the person. I will think of something I know to be true instead of just what I think is true. 

Memorizing and recalling this verse has helped me stop and think about situations instead of just reacting to them. It has helped me be more positive instead of critical and negative. 

It has helped me take my thoughts captive.

The other verse Jesus has laid upon my heart is 1 Peter 4:8, "love covers a multitude of sins."  This verse is huge. 

I think I'll save my thoughts on this for another day, but just ponder that verse for a moment.

Love covers a multitude of sins.

Really, honestly, the cure to almost every problem we have is

love!

Blessings,

Rashel

I've Been Doing it Wrong

How do I teach them to be godly but not judge?

How do I teach them to obey His words but understand grace?

How do I convict them to be holy?

I don't. He does.

I teach them the Word.

He convicts their hearts.

I've been going about this all wrong. I'm trying to be their conscience - but I'm not.

I'm trying to change them- 

but I can't.

My job is to train and equip them.

God will do the rest.

Blessings,

Rashel

What is Modesty Really?

What exactly is modesty? I imagine if I asked ten women this question I would get ten different answers. Do you know the good thing though, I am not to live by what women (or men) think, I am to live by God's word. 

Let's look at what the scripture says...

The Blog Next Door

I was thinking this morning and realized that reading other blogs, can at times, become like keeping up with the Jones for me. It isn't that I covet the look of their blog or their followers. It isn't that kind of keepin' up that I am talking about. I'm talking about the times that I start reading blogs and wonder why I am not doing all the things that author is doing; be it grinding my own grain, preserving 50 qts of tomatoes or sewing my 7th quilt for the year or even writing beautiful blog posts everyday. I start reading blogs and I start comparing my life to hers, I start being discontent with who I am. I start condemning myself and calling myself lazy. I start to beat myself up for all the things that I'm not doing in my life. Why do I do that? Who says I have to do all those things that the "blogger next door" is doing? Who says if I don't do them that I am not a capable, loving keeper at home? I'll tell you who. Satan!!

Choosing God's Path

Over the last few years God has really been teaching me some things and I would really like to share them with you. I believe we all have many seasons in our lives that God brings us through, some to teach us things and some for our discipline because of choices we have made. I know for me personally that through these seasons, God always draws me nearer to Him. My goal is always to walk closer to Him, but I know full well that sometimes I get off course, even when I think at the time that it is the right way.

(photo from www.123rf.com)

I've gotten off course in the area of food. In my search for the best for my family, I let it become an obsession. I became obsessed with what was the "best" way to prepare food for my family, what was the "best" kind of food and then the "best" way to eat that food. The problem with that is not that I wanted the best for my family but that everyone has a different idea what the "best" is. Then I finally remembered that I am to look to God and His word and what do you know, it talks about food. God's word says much about foods and I strongly encourage you to do your own study if you are struggling in this area like I was. So what  did God show me? I believe that my family is to eat foods as close to the state that God made them as possible (read that unprocessed). I believe that He showed us all things are clean under the new covenant and I don't have to live by old testament laws regarding clean foods (bacon is yummy!). He also mentions a land flowing with milk and honey numerous times and always as a wonderful place, so to me that means those foods are good foods. He also reminded me that nothing is to become an idol and when I become obsessed with food in any way (even trying to be healthy), it is wrong. When I am constantly thinking I need to soak this, ferment that, or not eat this with that, it isn't healthy. When it is always forefront on my mind or taking away from other things, it has become an idol and is wrong. When my food choices take away from fellowship with others because I "can't eat" what they are serving or fix my family the foods they love, it is wrong. I have to find the balance in food just like in all areas of life. So in a nutshell, I have chosen to eat healthy, natural foods as much as possible but not to worry when I can't. I also will have bad foods once in awhile and that is okay too, moderation and balance are key. I will not consume myself with things like soaking, fermenting, organic, or even proper combinations (which I have promoted before) but instead just do my best. I'm not saying any of those things are wrong, I am saying that for me, it became an obsession and was taking away from just living my life and enjoying my family.That is wrong.

Another area God has been teaching me is in my home keeping. I guess I have issues with caring what others think of how my home is kept (cleaned). I know part of that is how I was raised, our home was always clean and never cluttered, ever, that I can recall. Anyway, I've come to realize that I am okay with the way our home is, even when there is dust on the shelves and dirt on the floor (which is almost always). However, I always felt embarrassed if someone would stop by when the house was a mess, but you know what? It shouldn't matter! It is our home and we take care of it the way we want to, what is comfortable for us. Yes, my floors almost always need swept, we live on a farm and I have four children! Yes, there is dust on almost every flat surface, again, we live on a farm. Yes, sometimes there are blankets and pillows all over the living room, did I mention I have four children? Yep, my kitchen table is bound to have stuff on it, maybe school books, maybe mail, at the moment a VCR my husband was working on last night - our home is lived in. I have finally come to realize that it is okay, I don't have to impress anyone. This is our home and we will clean it when we have time, we will leave things out sometimes but as long as we are taking care of what God has given us, it is okay. 

Something else I learned through these things, it is such freedom to live as God wants us to instead of how others think we should. It was easy to say I didn't care what the world thought, but the real truth is that I did. Praise God that He is working on me in that area and setting me free from that burden, a burden He never intended me to carry.

(photo from www.123rf.com)

I pray that if you are carrying any burdens, especially those similar to mine, that you would lay them at the feet of Jesus. Cry out to Him and allow Him to break those chains so that you may experience the freedom that comes only from Him.

Blessings my friends,

Rashel

  

Rodeo Bible Camp

Our family just got back from a rodeo bible camp about an hour from where we live. We had an absolutely amazing time! The camp started Wednesday afternoon and lasted until Saturday afternoon. My husband and I went as team leaders and our children were all campers. My boys all participated in steer riding while my daughter did goat tying. If you aren't familiar with a rodeo bible camp, I'll give you an idea of what it is like:
6:00-6:45 am Feed and water animals, saddle up and wash for breakfast
6:45-7:30 am Breakfast
7:30-9:15am  Ropers, horsemanship and barebacks have event instruction
                Bull riders, barrels & poles, goat tyers have showers, team devotion and faith building
9:15-9:25am  travel to events
9:25-11:10am  opposite of 7:30 times (all groups switch)
11:10-11:20aam  travel to events
11:20-11:40am  praise and worship
11:40-12:15pm  chapel
12:15-12:45pm  lunch
12:45-2:30pm  event instruction and showers, devotions, etc as above
2:30-2:40pm  travel to events
2:40-4:25pm  switch events, devotions etc
4:25-5:00pm feed and water livestock
5:00-5:45pm games
5:45-6:00pm dinner
6:00-6:45pm dinner
6:45-7:15pm praise and worship
7:15-8:00pm chapel
8:00-9:15pm check animals, free time and prepare for bed
9:15-? make him famous devotions
10:00 lights out

Some things change each day but that is pretty much the schedule each day. The kids learn more about their rodeo events in a safe Christian environment and also spend time learning more about the Lord. No cell phones, mp3 players, computers or the like are allowed. They fed us delicious food, which caused me to gain about 4lbs while I was there! :) 

Going to camps can be an amazing way to draw closer to the Lord, but when it is over and you come back to the real "world", it can be a tremendous let down. I pray we all keep our excitement for God, our daily (at least) time with Him and spread His word to others. I pray we grow ever closer to Him each day. I'll paraphrase one quote I loved from chapel time-

You can't coast in your relationship with God, because you can only coast downhill!

Blessings my friends,
Rashel

Tornado gave me a new outlook

Hi everybody. I just wanted to take a minute and let everyone know I am still here. I just haven't been blogging for awhile and I've been reading a few other blogs, but not many right now. I have realized that since the tornado, my priorities have changed. The first couple of weeks, I just had no time whatsoever to get online to blog or read any blogs. Then I finished up the ABC's challenge before any other blogging and in that time, my focus has changed. I think it had alot to do with the tornado and with my challenge. I don't feel like I HAVE to blog everyday anymore and I don't feel like I HAVE to read everybody else's blogs everyday. Now, don't get me wrong, I still love reading them when I have time, but I don't make it a priority in my day anymore. I just do it when I have extra time. Something inside my heart has changed, I have a renewed sense of dedication to my family and my home instead of to my computer. I realize that some of the blogs that I enjoy reading, actually cause me to become discontent with my life. I start feeling as if I'm not doing "enough". I start comparing myself and my life to other blogger's and that is just wrong. I have posted about this before, but this time I think I finally reached the point of change. It is such a freeing feeling. It's good to learn new skills online and to be encouraged by my blogger friends, but I was getting to involved with my online community instead of my real life one.

This doesn't mean I'm going to stop blogging or reading other blogs, it just means that I probably won't blog as much as before. I'll blog when I have time and when I really have something I want to share. I read my favorite blogs with a new approach, to be encouraged and learn instead of coming away feeling depressed and guilty. I'll still be around, I'm just no longer a slave to my computer and I cannot tell you how good that feels.


Blessings my friends,
Rashel

Learning to Live MY Life

I guess I'm a slow learner and sometimes I need hit over the head a few times before something sinks in, but I think I'm finally getting it. God has really been showing me lately that I am to live my life, not someone else's. I've posted about this before several times, like I said I'm a slow learner. You can read about me not being superwoman here or keeping up with the Jones here. God is telling me that I am not to compare myself with others, whether it is online or in person. He created me the way I am and He gave me my family and my home, because that is what is best for me. I am to strive to become more like Him, not more like Suzy or Martha. I am to seek His best for my family and yes, sometimes that means I need to learn a new skill such as making cheese. However, I need to make sure I am learning those things because that is what He wants me to do, not because I feel like I should just because everyone else is. To be honest, I forget this sometimes and I feel like I should be doing so much more for my family or that I'm not doing enough because I'm not doing all the things everyone else does. I'm not really sure who the everyone else is, but I know they are out there and they are doing more than me! :)  I love to read other's blog and to learn some of the skills they are doing but I have to pace myself and realize that I cannot learn twenty new skills all at once AND I don't need to! I love to get ideas from my fellow bloggers and I really have learned alot, but I must also remind myself that we are all different and I don't need to pattern my life after theirs. I'm learning to ask God what He wants from me today and start there. I'm discovering that I need to listen to His guidance instead of listening to Satan's little whispers in my ear telling me I'm not doing enough. I know all of this, I've written about it before (and I'm sorry if you're tired of reading about it) but like I said, I'm a slow learner.

Blessings to you all and may you live your life today,
Rashel

Faith Like the Grain of a Mustard Seed

That is what God says we are to have, but my goodness, sometimes that is so hard. I have that kind of faith in God, that part is easy for me. I know He is all knowing, all powerful and He is able to do anything He chooses to do. It's that "chooses to do" part that hangs me up sometimes; I can't say I always know His will. I try, I really do. I have an area in my life right now that is making me revisit this topic. I will vaguely fill you in, I'm just not ready to share specifics yet. There is an area of my life that I have been back and forth on for several years, I thought I had finally reached peace in this area and left it up to God. The week after Christmas, it came right back up to front and center in my life because of some things that had happened. I prayed and gave it back to God after a few days, the next day God leads me to a scripture about the very thing. To make a long story a little shorter, I went through this cycle of being confused and thinking about it, to being at peace about it to the very next day God giving me another verse about the same thing. Yes, three times He gave me a different scripture about this very thing, everytime it was the morning after I had decided to just give it over to Him. Now, I may be thick headed but I'm starting to get the point. God is definitely trying to tell me something through these scriptures, but am I understanding Him correctly? I can't think of anything else it could be, but sometimes I doubt. I don't doubt God's ability or anything about God, I doubt myself that I really know what God is trying to tell me. Well, I've decided to have faith like a mustard seed. I believe what God is telling me and I believe He is faithful to do what He has said. I've been listening to the song "While I'm Waiting" the last few days quite a bit. It reminds me what I am to be doing while I'm waiting and that I am to have faith. You can listen to it on my playlist, it's the last song on there. I choose to listen to God through His word and I choose not to let the devil cause me to doubt. I pray Lord for your strength while I wait, help me Lord to remain faithful in this.

Do you ever have these struggles and doubts?

Blessings,
Rashel

Modest dress dilemma

For anyone that might read this but doesn't know or remember my history with this issue, a couple years ago I decided to go to dresses/skirts only. At that time, I honestly felt that was what God was telling me to do. My dh supported me and we both agreed that it was not a command from God for women to wear skirts only but He did command women to dress modestly. I felt more modest in skirts and with much prayer and study, went to skirts full time. Fast forward to the past year or so, I have since stopped wearing skirts full time. I believe part of it is that we changed churches and I didn't feel the need to be such an obvious example of modesty in a place where modesty is definitely not a priority. Also, the women at our new church were examples of modesty, meekness and gentleness without being skirts only. So, I slowly relaxed my position on skirts only and now seldom wear them. However, my inner being still struggles with it occasionally (like anytime I allow myself to think upon it). I can't tell what God's will is for me in this area anymore. I honestly struggle back and forth. I can give reasons why either way of dress is ok. Now, granted, I still dress modestly when not in skirts. I don't wear low cut shirts, sleeveless shirts, shorts or short skirts. I also try to make sure my jeans/pants are not tight. I know sometimes I feel as if I draw more attention to myself when I am in a skirt, for example when we go to rodeos (which we do alot in summer). I don't really know if I do draw attention to myself in those instances of if it is just me being self conscious. Sometimes I feel that if I honestly didn't care at all what others around me thought, I would be skirts full time no matter what.But sometimes I wonder if I only want to wear skirts because of the image it conjures in my mind. When I see a woman in a long, flowing modest skirt, I see feminine loveliness. It gives me a feeling of biblical beauty and warmth. See, I'm struggling. Do you have thoughts or comments? I would appreciate prayers that God would show me His will in this.

A Woman for God

I decided that if I might be absent for a little while, that I wanted to leave you with a little encouragement.

I want to encourage each of you to be a woman for God. I pray that you will seek Him with your whole heart, not to just go through the motions, but SEEK Him. I pray that you would have a strong desire to seek after Him, to seek His will for you as well as to seek His ways. I pray that you would spend time in His word daily and that you would pray without ceasing. Now, I know we can't just spend all day in our prayers closets ignoring the rest of the world. That isn't what I am talking about. I am talking about praying throughout the day, spending time in conversation with your Lord. Our prayers don't have to be long, nor do they have to be the typical "holy" prayer format. Your God loves you and wants to hear from you, even if all you have time for is "God help me know how to answer my child", or "Lord, please help me" or "Thank you Lord". He loves you and He is not concerned with the formality of your prayer, He is concerned with having your heart. He wants to hear from you. He knows you have a life to live, clothes to wash, babies to feed and a home to clean. He understands when you can't stop your day to spend twenty minutes alone in prayer. He wants you to seek Him always, to pray without ceasing.

I pray that you would make time in your day to read His word. You need that encouragement each day, you need to hear from Him and you need to be fed. How are you going to be able to encourage others and teach them His word if you haven't taken the time for yourself first. You can't give what you don't have. If all you can manage is 5 minutes, by all means start with that. God will bless the time you give to Him.

I pray that you would live your life to please God, not man. Now, let me just say here that yes, you are to live pleasing to one man, your husband. However, if you are living your life in a way that is pleasing to God, you most likely will be pleasing to your husband as well. I pray you are more concerned with how God sees you than how your worldly family and friends see you. In all you do, may you do it for God's glory and as is pleasing to Him.

Take this time to pray and ask God if there is an area in your life that is not pleasing to Him, then open your heart and listen to Him. If He shows you an area, repent and purpost to seek His will in that area. I pray that you would be a woman for God, therefore an example to the women around you.

Blessings to each of you,
Rashel

Proverbs 31

I have started reading "Beautiful in God's Eyes" by Elizabeth George, I should say again, because I read it quite awhile ago. It has been long enough I don't remember most of it. If you haven't ever read it, I highly recommend it. I have decided to take my time reading it this time and really make a study of it. I have a very deep desire to become a true Proverbs 31 woman and this book is the best I have ever read regarding how to do just. It takes it verse by verse and gives you practical suggestions on how to become a virtuous woman as described in Proverbs 31. I will try to post my thoughts as I read this book and share what I am doing to become a Proverbs 31 woman.

What is my calling?

I was talking to my sweet husband the other night and telling him that I didn't feel like I knew what my "calling" or "gift" was. I tried to explain to him what I meant by discussing how others we knew had the gift of hospitality, helping those in need or prayer. He said that it wasn't mine to figure out and that God would reveal it to me when He was ready. I agreed and said I had just been thinking about it and praying that if God willed, that He would reveal it to me. We also talked about serving God and how I felt led to do that but once again, wasn't sure where or how. My darling husband told me I was serving God by being a wife and mother and tending to those duties and that until God led me to something else, that was my service. Do you have a calling or service outside of your home? Or, are you in the same calling as me for now?

Blessings,
Rashel

Aren't we to edify one another, in all things?

On my last post, I posed some questions about when and how to confront other women about the issue of submission. First, I want to point out that submission of a wife to her husband is not my idea; it is God’s plan and command. Colossians 4:18 says, “Wives submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord”. That is just one of many verses in the Bible that states wives are to submit to their husbands. There aren’t any verses that state it is up to the wife to choose whether or not she wants to, it is a command from God. Yes, the husband and wife can decide between themselves what this means in their own marriage. I do believe that even if the couple has agreed the wife can have a good deal of “say so” in their marriage, there is a respectful way of doing so and a disrespectful way. Wives should always choose the respectful way, always! I also don’t believe it should become a big discussion in front of the children; this only causes them to question their father’s authority. I also believe that the husband has the final authority and the wife should accept his decision with a right attitude.

As for risking a friendship, I believe that if we are truly friends and we are both Christians, this should not be a cause for ending a friendship. The Bible says we are to exhort and edify our brothers and sisters in Christ. This means I am to encourage her to follow the word of God, in this area as well as all other areas. If I was not following God’s word in my life, I would expect my sisters in Christ to gently and lovingly point out my errors. (Which has happened by the way and did not end the friendship.) This is why fellowship with other believers is so important; it helps us to stay true to God’s word in our walks by their wisdom and encouragement. True friends should be able to talk about areas such as this without worrying about causing dissention or hard feelings. I wouldn’t go to her harshly and just lash into her with what I believe; I would gently tell her I am concerned that she isn’t following the word of God in this area and it troubles me. I think we should be able to discuss it openly and honestly. If not, then I don’t believe we are truly friends at all, perhaps acquaintances instead.

Blessings,
Rashel

Sharing some verses...

Today I just want to share some verses with you. I am taking these from my son's Bible, NIRV. I don't want to debate which version of Bible is best to use, that is a personal choice. Sometimes I like different versions, for today, I am using this because I like how simple it is.

Proverbs 15:18, "A person who is patient calms things down."

Proverbs 15:13, 30 - "A happy heart makes a face look cheerful. A cheerful look brings joy to your heart. And good new gives health to your body."

Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger."

2 Corinthians 7:4 "I am very happy. Even with all our troubles, my joy has no limit."

Psalm 30:12 "My heart will sing to you. I can't keep silent. Lord, My God, I will give you thanks forever."


Don't forget to spend time alone with the Lord today, even if you only have five minutes, He will honor the time you give Him.

Blessings,
Rashel

So many things on my mind

Wow, it has been a week since I posted here, I am so sorry. I really want this to be a place you can come for encouragement and edification but I guess, sometimes, life gets in the way of the things we want doesn't it? That is what has happened this week. I will share a little with you, all of my children had the stomach virus, then ds broke his arm and then a few of us have gotten a head cold (felt like the flu for a day or so). Now, I don't say this for your sympathy and I pray I don't sound like I am complaining, I'm not. I simply wanted you to know why I have not been around here much lately. However, God is good in all things and I think we are all on the mend for now. Enough of all of that!

There are so many things that have been on my mind lately, I just don't know where to begin. However, it seems these things are the same things I keep posting on and I am afraid you will get bored of my redundancy. Perhaps these things are so impressed upon me because they are things that we need constant reminders on, things that don't come naturally or easily to us and therefore, we need the constant encouragement. Or maybe that is just me? What "things" am I talking about you ask? Our children, our marriages, our homes and modesty, those are the things that just keep pressing on my heart. I think these are areas where many of today's modern women fall very short according to God's word and it saddens me. God has been opening my eyes to the sad truth that so many of us are so concerned with the world's view and the world's opinion of us, that we no longer live to please God but instead to please the World. Think about it for a moment, when you are getting ready to go somewhere, are you thinking about how your clothes, hair and makeup look to God or how they look to the world? When you look around your home, whether you think it is spotless or like a tornado just hit, are you judging it by the world's standards or God's? When you are teaching your children in your homeschool, are you teaching them what the world thinks they need to know or what God would have them to learn? Or maybe you send them to public school because of the fear of what the world would say if you homeschooled? Do you serve your husband according to the Lord or have you fallen into the world's belief that you are not his slave and he is capable of serving himself? Do you allow your husband to make the final decision in your family or would you be mortified if your friend's thought you didn't have the last word?

My friends, as always, I am writing to myself just as much as I am to you when I write these words. I challenge you, look into the mirror and ask yourself who it is you are seeking to please today, the world or your Lord and Saviour.

Blessings,
Rashel

Love of my husband

I just wanted to share something with you sweet ladies. I have thought of this often but for some reason, it really struck me today. I was thinking about how much more I love my husband today than I did while we were dating or first married. I love him more now than I did last year. I can't say that he has changed, he is very much a Mr. Steady but more that God has done a work in me to appreciate him more each day. God has helped me to realize the ways my husband shows his love for me, even if they are not the ways I would choose. God has helped me to become a more loving, respectful and submissive wife. I am far from perfect and God still has work to do in me in this area, but I have come along way from the day we got married. I pray that each of you can say this about your marriage as well. If you can't, I pray you will ask God for guidance so that one day you will be able to give this testimony as well.

Blessings,
Rashel