the benefits of bachelorette-hood - a few things i've learned

     One of the areas I feel like I've really grown in is learning to wait for that special someone. I'm not perfect at it, but because of the Spirit's continual work in me, I'm better than when I was (::ahem::) 3. If you asked me when I was five years old who I was going to marry, I probably could've--and would've-- given a name.

        Though I laugh about it now, it's still a serious concern to most of us. Who are you going to marry?

        Now, I didn't write this post with the intention of answering that question for you, because, honestly, it's a little out of my league. ;) I really and truly don't know.

    There really are a lot of great things about being single. Really. Although most of us would rather spend our days glorying in romance novels about that guy who just can't take his eyes off her, there are some other things we can do as we're waiting for Prince Charming.

1. pray 

"...pray without ceasing..." 1 Th. 5:17

  Yes: one of the best things you could do is pray. It's not emphasized by a lot of Christian-what's-a-girl-to-do-about-boys books. Pray for that old lady who lives across the street. Pray for your little brother. Pray for your future husband. Pray that you will grow more and more in God's Truth. It truly is a blessing.

2. learn how to cook 

 ("...and she provides food for her family...") Proverbs 31:15

  

     You don't have to be like Martha Stewart to know how to fix a simple meal for your family. Even if you don't like to cook, or believe you "can't" cook, just try to learn some basics (Easy Mac does not count! :D). 

    And if you already know how to cook, try something new! Have you ever baked bread from scratch? Made yogurt? Apple pie? The possibilities are endless!

3. know your stuff 

("An intelligent heart acquires knowledge; and the ear of the wise seek knowledge.") Proverbs 18:15

     ...in other words, study, study, study! It's important! Especially, if anything, study history. The more you know about history, the more you learn. History repeats itself. It's said that those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it. You know, Americans spend countless hours of their life on video games, T.V., and more video games, and more T.V. It's high time we put that time to good use. Read The Hiding Place. Learn to play an instrument. Study about the Romans.

           Read, Study, and Learn. It's good for you. Believe me :).

4. play with little kids 

("...her children rise up and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:30)

       Whether it's your little brother that you see everyday or that cute niece of yours you see every once in a while, you should take up the opportunity! Just like we like to see guys playing with kids, Prince Charming will probably like us to know how to raise a little kid. For those of you who say, "But...I can't practice on anyone!", I understand. My siblings are way older than me, and I don't get to see my baby cousins very often. But when I do, I try to make the most of it!  Yes, it's not easy. Yes, they can sometimes be annoying. Yes, sometimes we may not even feel like it. But you know what? Charles Spurgeon said once,  "You may speak but a word to a child, and in that child there may be slumbering a noble heart which shall stir the Christian Church in years to come."

5. plant a garden 

(or some yard work will do)

     Don't just flip through Better Homes and Gardens or look at Pinterest all afternnoon like you've got nothing better to do. Rake the lawn, or build a birdhouse, or plant some daisies, maybe even get some chickens. It'll keep you busy and bring you outdoors into the fresh air! And another thing, you'll feel good. Who wouldn't feel proud of herself if she planted an entire garden or milked ol' Maebelle twice a day?

6. capture the moment

(learn some camera skills)

     Take some pictures! Learn how to use a camera! If you grow up and have a cute little family, you should learn some photography to take pictures of those unforgettable moments. When you're old and grey, you'll want to look at pictures to bring back those fond memories. You may even like it. I can promise you this: you'll never regret it.

 

 

7. learn to love selflessly

("...as Christ loves the Church..." Eph. 5:25)

     It's hard. I know it is. It's never going to be something that's easy. But you know what? We're called to. We are ALL selfish by nature; I'm not even going to pretend we're not. Because we're not. We need to have an outward focus, a focus on those around us. Anytime we think we are the ones struggling, we should remember, other people are struggling, too. It's not all about us. We should reach out to them, and have an attitude of, "I want to serve you because I love you, like Someone Else once loved me."

 

8. "don't worry, baby"

("...everything's gonna turn out all right..." (Beach Boys, anyone?))

     Just don't worry about it. God's got it all planned out. It's not up to us whether we get married or not. Don't forsake your First Love--Jesus Christ (Rev. 2:4). Give Him the pen to your love story, and prepare yourself for something amazing to happen to your happily ever after. *grin*

 

 

      My point is, is that our single years don't have to be boring. They are such a blessing! Marriage is a wonderful thing, however, I don't think that's an excuse to make it something to worry about. In our single years, we can accomplish so much. We should be using our bachelorette-hood not to stress about marriage, but to prepare for it. And not only that, but to serve God and grow closer to Him!

       Could it be any better? :)

in honour of 9/11...

"cowgirl is a condition of the heart" ~ joyce gibson roach

 

via

     I've watched movies about 'em. I've read books about 'em. I've heard stories about 'em. And, you know, not a whole lot of people know this about me, but ever since I was little, I wanted to be a cowgirl. Not the seductive model type that wears boots and a cowboy hat you see in magazines everywhere, but a real cowgirl.

     The dream lives long within my heart.

     A dream, I think, that will never die.

     I told people this, when that aching fire first sparked and crackled and glowed within me. Yes, I have been laughed at. Yes, I've been told that "that won't last long". Yes, I've been told that it's too much time and too much money and even though I have this yearning that won't go away it just...won't...be...worth it. And yes, this will probably not be the last time I am told these things. But did this discourage me? Yes, actually, it did. 

      For a long time.

      For a long, long time.

      A part of me died, those agonizing words bouncing around the inside of my skull for years to come. 

      And then I was invited to stay in Idaho.

      That definitely was going to change things.

      My mom was smiling at me, waiting for my response at this piece of good news as Uncle Jimmy patiently waited on the other line of the phone.

       I smiled slightly, and a small part of me came alive. But then I smothered that small spark, afraid it would burn long and hard again only to be smothered by someone else's painful words. 

       I inwardly shrugged my shoulders and continued washing the dishes.

       But what I didn't realize was...I didn't put the fire completely out.

       Packing was a pain, and shopping was even more of a pain (for those of you who don't know...I don't really care for shopping...). I bought six (?) pair of socks, a pair of new boots, five pair of jeans, six or seven new shirts, and lotsa kleenex (yes, LOTS of kleenex, because of the smoke from all the fires).

       We meet close to Burns.

        I take a deep breath, then sigh slightly. It was a long drive. I see her drive up in a big pickup truck with a big, friendly smile on her face. I feel like a bother, because it suddenly hit me that everybody-- everybody, my uncle, my cousin McKatee, cousin Ty, my parents, everyone-- was doing all this for me. Because they knew I wanted to be a cowgirl, not aware that I had lost hope.

        So I say my goodbyes, and head down a dirt road with McKatee and her boyfriend. I didn't know whether to be excited or to be afraid. However, no matter how I felt, I was afraid that I would humiliate myself in some way or other because of my lack of knowledge. But, man, could I ever be more wrong. That very first night, they invited me to play volleyball with them and we played in the dark except for the stars, the moon, and the front lights of two pickup trucks.

         I had the time of my life.

         I learned how to doctor calves, horse-back ride better (including how to post!), and to not care what people think of me. I learned how to work hard. I learned that when someone offers you bug spray to keep the mosquitoes away, to not try to look tough and brave it out. (I guarantee you will be eaten alive.) And, more than anything, I learned not to let people's biting words squelch my dream of being a cowgirl someday.

          I don't know if it's God's plan for me to own a ranch. To ride horses into the sunset with a handsome cowboy *grin*. I don't even know if it's His plan for me to ride horses, rope calves, and milk goats the rest of my life. But what I do know? A cowgirl is more than just a girl who wears boots and chaps and ropes cattle from sun up to sun down. A cowgirl is a condition of the heart. Always strong, always reliable, not afraid to get dirty for the glory of God, but yet can look as fresh as a daisy in half an hour (or more ;D) just in time for church. She's feminine, but tough. She's strong when her world is falling apart, she works hard at any task the Lord has for her. She girds herself with strength. She reaches her hands to the needy. She always speaks with kindness. She is a lily among thorns. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and can laugh at the days to come. And she fears the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is who I wanna be. This is the way to live. This is the heart of a cowgirl.*

(Oh, and by the way, go here to see the pictures I've taken in Idaho. And to see a picture of me.)