The Extra Mile

I had a lot of New Year's Resolutions this year. Some are the usual ones that I make every January 1, like reading my Bible everyday and becoming a better steward of my health and time. But this time, I decided to add a special one: every month, I would focus on doing something that would benefit others.

For January, I decided I would try to 'go the extra mile', especially with my chores. I suspect that there have been times when my family feels that I try to find the way I can help the least. I do what I'm asked, but I don't do it as best as I can and I definitely don't do anything else!

What better year to change that than 2011? I figured, to keep myself accountable, that I would post my goal on this blog. That way, I have to do it. =)

Going the extra mile is...

1. Doing more than what you had to do.
2. Doing your extra tasks knowing that you might not get a reward, or even get noticed, but you do your best anyway.


Going the extra mile is not...

1. Avoiding the task you were asked to do in the first place by doing something else. Remember, 'obedience is better than sacrifice'.
2. Doing anything extra because you want to be thanked or given a reward.

I could use some company going the extra mile. Care to join me? =)

In Christ,

Princess Izori

Your Mom's Job

Moms have a really hard job--especially mine. With kids ranging from ages 13 to 2, my mother has a lot on her plate! Changing diapers, homeschooling us all, cooking our meals, cleaning...and did you know that she has to do them even when she's tired? It's a continuous cycle.

She may not feel like making dinner, but the whole family depends on her. If your mom suddenly decided that she wasn't going to cook the meals for a week, what would you do? Run around in a panic wondering if you'll starve?

Yeah, so would I.

Oftentimes, I feel pretty guilty. I might come home one summer from playing outside all day and find my mom slaving a way in a hot kitchen to prepare a meal. Do I even thank her for all of the hard work? She's been doing it all of my life, and now I've just come to realize how hard it is.

In my opinion, I think that Mother's Day should happen more than once a year.

But alas, it doesn't.

Seeing that it only happens once a year, I'm going to make it a very special occasion for my mother. Here are ten ways to bless your mom for Mother's Day! They range from super-easy to challenging in no specific order.

#1. Wash the meal-dishes. A very good thing, and fairly easy. Your mom will greatly appreciate it, seeing as it gives her a time to relax after the meal.

#2. Offer to make a meal. Bonus: make it a healthy, good-tasting meal! Dinner is a great meal, seeing as there are so many options. Maybe you could do shrimp, pasta, with Alfredo sauce, and a simple salad. Or homemade macaroni and cheese with green beans. Or you could enlist your dad to grill salmon and vegetable kabobs while you make mango margaritas and fruit cocktail! This could be moderate or hard, depending on what you embark to make.

#3. Make her a sweet card. Put a poem in it! Draw a picture! Get the message across that you're truly thankful for you mother! This is, like, the easiest thing to do.

#4. Buy her flowers. Traditional and sweet, it's very easy. The only bad thing is that flowers don't last for long. And artificial flowers aren't really the same.

#5. Clean the house. Depending on the state of your house, this could be very easy or very hard (lol, in my house this would be the hardest thing to do! :). Even just a general picking-up can make your house look bigger and cleaner. This makes moms very happy.

#6. Make a dessert. It goes hand in hand with making a meal, and it can be pretty easy. Just a cake, or rice-crispies, even yogurt with berries!

#7. Watch your siblings, or even *gasp* change a diaper! Yeah. Diapers=not so cool. But it really helps! Your mom probably hates changing diapers as much as you do! Of course, this doesn't really count if you don't have siblings watching/diaper age.

#8. Do a few extra chores. This is kind of re-stating a lot of the previous ones, but it's still worth mentioning. Once again, easy to hard.

#9. Put on a skit for her entertainment. Enlist your siblings or even your dad for this one! Make a script, gather props, dress up in wacky clothes, and break a leg! Or, you could get your friends into it and invite their mothers over, too!

#10. Give her a big hug and a thank you. Original, easy, and probably the best.

All of these might surprise your mom, and make her very happy! And a bonus with it: doing these will train you for the day when you find yourself a mom.

HAPPY (early) MOTHER'S DAY!

Princess Izori

There's Still Time. . .

. . . but not for long!

Jesus will return to earth and it could be at anytime, whether next minute, tomorrow, or in 50 years. We have to be ready. As I write this post I am assuming that you readers are Christians. While that may not be true I just wanted you all to know where I am coming from, because this assumption will affect this post.

As Christians, we must be ready to leave the earth and go to heaven. We can't waste our time while important work is left to be done. What kind of work? Laboring in a harvest field.

A WHAT?????

Yes, you heard me right; perhaps a look at a Scripture would be helpful.

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"---Matthew 9:37-38, NIV

This is an allegory(a representation of one thing by another). When Jesus speaks of "the harvest" he is talking about all the people in the world who do not know him. "The workers" are Christians who tell those people about Jesus.

As Christians, we are called to be telling others about Jesus and His wonderful gift of salvation. How can we go about doing that? Well, in each of our lives there are most likely two camps of people to share Christ with: (1)those we know(or know of) and (2)those whom we've never seen, met, talked to, or heard about.


How can we minister to the first group?

~Pray for them. Prayer, or talking with God, is powerful. Although God knows our hearts and what or who we are burdened for, He loves to hear us talk to Him. He wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. Even if you don't see immediate results in the life of the person you're praying for, don't give up; sometimes it takes years for something to happen, but do not be discouraged. Keep praying.

~Invite them to something. This one depends on the situation. You may be praying for someone who lives far away, or someone you have no contact with anymore. However, you might be praying for a neighbor or someone who goes to your school or who does a certain activity with you. If so you may be able to invite them to an event at your church. It doesn't necessarily need to be Sunday School or church service; maybe it's a sports league at your church, or Vacation Bible School. How about a get-together/potluck your church is hosting? Depending on the person it doesn't have to be at church. Once my siblings and I hosted a game night with some friends and invited a neighbor. We didn't say anything about God; we were just building a relationship. Sometimes just starting as friends is best.

~You might send them cards(or emails, or the like). I share my birthday with someone whose salvation I'm praying for, so for the past couple of years I've sent them a birthday card, just a simple note. It's basically the only contact I have with this person, which makes the cards more important. And it's really not that hard. The note doesn't have to be long; just let them know that you're thinking of them.



What about the second group? Those whom you don't know at all?

~Show them through your actions. You may never talk to people, but they can watch you and see what you do, like what your attitudes are, how you treat your parents, siblings, and others, what you say, how you act, etc. As the old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words."

~Pray for them. Believe it or not, you can pray for them. Occasionally I see someone and start praying for them, even though I don't know them! You may not ever think of them again, and that's nothing to feel guilty about; God doesn't expect you to, but who knows? One prayer could be an amazing thing!

~You could ask them straight out! This may partly depend on your personality. I know someone who asks people directly whether or not they know Jesus. For me personally, this is not the way I prefer to witness to others. However, God may be calling to that or maybe that works well for you.



Some of these things are definitely harder than others, but sharing Christ is extremely important! It really is a matter of life and death--for eternity! In some cases there's not anything to do except pray; in others it might be good to invite them to something. Ask God to show you what to do and when the time is right. Maybe you need to simply pray for someone now but later will be called to have more contact with them. I don't know. Just follow what God says; His timing is perfect.




From one harvest laborer to another,



~Princess Gloria




"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'"---Acts 1:8, NIV


P.S. If you have any questions or would like to share a way you witness, or even share a testimony, please feel free to leave comments.

What Should I Do While Waiting?

“Come on Rebekah, why do you have to be so old-fashioned? It’s not like anyone really cares anymore.” Rebekah shifted her head scarf to shield her eyes from the bright desert sun, turning away from Leah, the girl who lived down the street.
“Look, I’ve told you before, Leah. I want to follow God’s plan for my life because the husband he brings me will be way better than whoever I would get acting worldly.” Leah snorted in disapproval and tossed her head.
“Whatever. Have fun dreaming.” She said arrogantly, turning sharply around and walking away. Rebekah was left feeling depressed and doubtful. What she had said sounded good, but was it really true?
“Am I waiting for someone who doesn’t exist?” She wondered, turning sadly and walking home.

Rebekah probably had a lot of the same problems you do. She probably knew people who had much loser morals than she did; she might have even had friends that were already married. Sometimes she probably questioned what she believed and stood for. But, through it all, Rebekah stayed faithful and pure, following God’s plan for her life. We don’t know all of what Rebekah did during those years, I wish we did. However, we do know that when God brought her once-in-a-lifetime chance along, she was found much more attractive that the other girls simply because she had maintained her purity. The only thing is, the devil has a way of planting seeds in our brain that we don’t want. Seeds of doubt. Seeds that grow up to tell us that what we’re waiting for doesn’t exist. One way to keep doubts from maturing is to not just sit around thinking and wondering about them. That brings us to the main question. What should I do while waiting? Let’s pick up my story where we left off and see what Rebekah did.

Rebekah sighed as she continued on her way to the spring, holding a clay jar on her shoulder. That was where she had been going when she met Leah on the road and gotten into a conversation. Though it was early evening, the sun was still hot. As Rebekah got closer to the spring outside of town, she noticed a strange sight. An entire caravan of camels loaded with all kinds of beautiful things from far away places were kneeling down by the spring to rest. A man only slightly younger than her father was making sure each of them knelt down before he himself sat next to the well. He watched Leah and the other girls from Rebekah’s town draw water for a second, then closed his eyes and folded his hands in front of him as though praying. Rebekah stepped quieter, not wanting to disturb him. Before he finished praying, she had reached the well and lowered her jar down. She lifted it out and began to walk away just as the man opened his eyes. Suddenly the man got up and hurried after her. Rebekah stopped, wondering what he wanted.
“Please,” He said, “give me a little water from your jar.” Rebekah, who had always been taught to help weary travelers, quickly lowered the jar off her shoulder, politely saying,
“Of course.” After he had taken a drink, Rebekah thought quickly and decided to go the extra mile.
“I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have finished drinking.” Quickly emptying her jar into the camel’s trough, she ran back to the well to draw more. Without saying a word, the man watched her closely.

Now, this may not seem like such a big deal. Water the camels? You see, there is more to this than there appears. The man had ten camels, and one camel is only done drinking when he has had around 70 gallons of water! Can you imagine how many times Rebekah would have had to fill that jar to give each camel 70 gallons? Just to add something else to the mix, if you’ll notice she was running the whole time. Wow! So, what did Rebekah do while waiting? She helped others, doing what God wanted her to. It is also interesting to note that Rebekah helped the man without any hesitation. What an example! What would it look like if we were that willing to serve God every day of our single (and married) lives even if it meant helping a stranger or watering ten camels with 70 gallons of water each? Sorry, I’m a slight bit off topic.

The point is, Rebekah gives us a perfect example of what to do while waiting. We should follow God’s plan for our life and work for Him in all ways possible. We should show others that, (unlike some teenage girls) we have decided in our hearts to wait on God’s timing by serving Him in the process. Rebekah loved God and showed it. I think we should do the same, even when it’s sometimes hard. It will always bring rewards in the end! Do you want to see Rebekah’s reward? Just watch.

Finally, as Rebekah finished, the man spoke to her.
“Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” he asked.

Rebekah felt glad she knew her family history, and also glad they had a spare room.
“I am the daughter of Bethuel and the granddaughter of Nahor. We have plenty of room for you.”

The man seemed excited and followed her. It was only later that Rebekah found out that this man was the servant of Abraham, her grandfather’s brother. Abraham’s son Isaac was not married, and the servant had come here, to Abraham’s home town, to find a wife for him. He had prayed to God and God had brought Rebekah. He wanted to bring her back with him to where Abraham lived. Rebekah was overjoyed when her father and brother said yes.
“Rebekah!” Rebekah looked up to hear her mother’s voice. It was the next day since the servant had arrived, and Rebekah, somewhat alarmed, wondered if he was already ready to leave. When she arrived, she found the servant of Abraham, her mother, and her brother standing outside the house.
“This man wants you to leave with him now.” Her mother explained, tears standing in her eyes.

“We have decided to ask you if you will go now or stay a few more days.” Rebekah hesitated.

She would really miss her family, and she might not ever see them again. Then again, this whole encounter had to be God’s blessing on her life, and she wasn’t sure it would be wise to wait before following His plan. With a deep breath, she made her decision.
“I will go.”

Rebekah had a chance to follow God’s plan, and she took it. The best thing about this story is, it’s true! The somewhat longer biblical version can be found in Genesis 24. Next time you wonder what you should do while waiting, remember Rebekah. Get out and serve God!

Princess Melody~*~

A Love Story

Joseph looked around nervously. This was the first time he had ever been to a home school teen event, and he had no idea how to play Ultimate Frisbee. Come to think of it, this was Joseph's first year of homeschooling, and he didn't known any one! He wondered if most fourteen-year-old boys were ever in this situation. He was really scared.
Well, as the game started, Joseph still only had a rudimentary knowledge of what he was doing, even though every one else on his team had explained it to him about three times. (that would be every individual person told him three times. Joseph was a slow learner) Any way, it looked rough. So far he wasn't sure he liked any one hear...except for that girl on the other team. She looked about his age, she was about his height to and had long brown hair that fell around her shoulders. He had noticed her immediately. As the game started though, all thoughts of her disappeared. He was too frantic. Joseph was the kind of person who was scared of Frisbees flying straight at his head. It was unnerving. Suddenly Joseph screamed as he bumped into someone and was knocked off his feet. As he hit the ground, a searing pain ripped through his leg. Through blurry vision he saw the brown-haired girl drop to her knees in the grass beside him.
"Are you alright?" she inquired worriedly. "I didn't mean to run into you."
"I think my leg is broken." Joseph moaned.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" The girl said. "I'll call an ambulance. Oh, by the way, my name is Rebbecca." Joseph liked that name.
"I'm Joseph" he whispered, barely getting the words out. "But most people just call me Joe." He didn't have time to say more before Rebbecca ran into the house to call 9-1-1.
It was only a few more times that Joseph saw Rebbecca, and it wasn't long before he was in college. Walking down the hall to Spanish class one day, he was thinking about the kind girl who had helped him all those years ago. It seemed a coincidence that Rebbecca herself was walking down the hallway in the other direction thinking about the kid who broke his leg playing Ultimate Frisbee. They were both thinking so hard, they didn't notice each other. It wasn't long before both of them were on the floor staring at the other.
"Rebbecca? That's weird...I was just thinking about you!" Rebbecca couldn't believe it either. A year later they were married. This has been the very odd story of a very odd home schooled kid named Joe.
Note: The point of this story is definitely not to make fun of Joe. (It's also not to be realistic...if you know what I mean.) the point of this story is to illustrate the fact that kindness is almost always rewarded...even when it takes years.

"Ironic" in the Eyes of A Teenager (Part 3)

This post was written for one of our readers who had trouble understanding the post titled "Ironic", written by Princess Catherine.

This post was written by a good friend and fellow teenager Princess Alicia to help our reader(s) to be less confused.

This post is dedicated to anyone else who needs it and its encouragement and wisdom. Parents, feel welcome to read this too! :)

A note by Princess Catherine: This post was not done by myself (Catherine), Princess Izori, or Princess Melody. It was done by Princess Alicia, who I am still trying to author on this blog. If you enjoy it (like I did/do) please comment! :) - Princess Catherine ~*~



So what's the "Ironic" part about? Right; got a bit off topic.
The "Ironic" part is this; it's just really weird how we say our parents are holding us back from becoming our own person, when the truth of the matter is we're holding ourselves back! "WHAT?! I'm not holding myself back!" You might be saying (or yelling). Yeah, I said the same thing until I thought, really thought, about it. It's true we hold ourselves back more than we know. And this is where the "It's OK to be different" comes in.

Have you heard the saying "Go with the flow"? I have, and that's exactly what I used to do and sometimes still do.
Have you ever tried to fit in with your friends? I know I have.
Why?
Because it's easier to go with the flow than against it, right?

I know it's hard being the only one doing something, even if it is just something simple like an outfit. But when we just do what everyone else does, are we trying to become our own person? No! Yet we blame our parents for actually trying to teach us things about responsibility that will help us become our own person, when really we don't have the guts to even wear different style clothes than everyone else! Think about it. Ironic, isn't it? The other thing is; we will listen to our friends and cave in under peer pressure, but don't want to listen to our parents who have our best interest in mind.
If your friends are pressuring you to do something, do you really think they have your best interest in mind?

When our parents tell us to do something we are quick to say "I need to make my own decisions!" or "My parents are trying to run my life!" But our parents (not our friends) are the ones who provide for us and take care of us. Even so, we'll listen to our friends over them! What happened to "I want to make my own decisions!"? Ironic, isn't it?

So, why are we so scared to be ourselves?
Because of rejection? Being uncool, unpopular, or thought poorly of? Why? I can't answer that for you, but for me it's because of rejection. I love being accepted (who doesn't?), but when someone doesn't really like me it feels like someone punched me in the stomach!
But I have figured out a secret; not everyone is going to like me (duh, right?)!
It doesn't matter what they think; that's their problem! Be yourself, mo matter what anyone thinks!
If you aren't yourself you'll be playing this big game of pretend. You'll be pretending to be this person you're not. Many people play this game, but (as they can probably tell you) it's not a fun one. Not only is it OK to be different (it's OK to go against the flow), but it's GREAT to be different!
Different talents, different abilities, and different styles God has given us make us all unique and special. Of course, that may not help when you're then only one who believes something, or you're the only one with that style of outfit, but remember to always be yourself!

You're wonderful the way God made you! No mistakes! HE loves you just the way He made you!

So, as teenagers (or any age), let's try hard to......

1. Obey Your Parents
Obeying your parents is rewarding! God will reward you, and your parents will trust and respect you more each day!

2. Show Responsibility and Maturity
You will gain freedom and trust.

3. Talk to Your Parents
You will get more out of it than you think and it will allow both you and your parent(s) to see both sides of the story.

4. Be Yourself No Matter What!
Become your own person with the loving guidance of your parents. Don't hold yourself back and then blame it on your parents!

5. Trust God and obey HIM
HE will do great things in your life, wait and see! One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11:
" 'For I know the plans I have for you.' Declares the LORD 'Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you and hope and a future.' "


Princess Alicia

"Ironic" in the Eyes of A Teenager (Part 1)

This post was written for one of our readers who had trouble understanding the post titled "Ironic?", written by Princess Catherine.

It is dedicated to anyone else who needs it and its encouragement and wisdom. Parents, feel welcome to read this too! :)

"That skirt's too short, you look too grown up! Go take it off! You got a 'C' on your report card! You should have been studying instead of going to the movies with your friends! If you don't pull those grades up you're not going anywhere for a week! If you don't clean your room you're not getting the car this weekend!"

Have your parents ever said any of these things to you? How about these?

"I just don't feel comfortable with you being there by yourself. Someone has to go with you." or "You're too young to be doing that! If there is no chaperon, your can't go!"

Why? What do they talk to us like we're kids? They totally don't understand us! I mean, if they did they wouldn't treat us like this, right? We are old enough to be just a little independent! Can't they give us some space? They just want to keep us from becoming our own person, right? Wrong.

Once my friend and I were at an amusement park with her mom. It had started to rain, so we decided it was a good time to take a lunch break. Once we were finished eating, we realized it had stopped raining. We were so excited to get to our next ride, we started running ahead of her mom.
"Hey girls!" She called out. "Come back here!"
My friend and I, frustrated and anxious, walked over to her.
"What?" My friend asked and then added "The ride's this way."
Her mom smiled and said "There were two gangs right there and they looked like they were going to fight. You girls were about to walk right between them."
"But were didn't see them, how could we not see them?" I asked.
My friend's mom smiled again "I know you didn't see them. That's why I'm here."

I wonder how many other times parents can foresee things we teenagers can't. My friend's mom was not trying to hold us back from where we wanted to go, she was just making sure we got there safely. That's why God gave us parents.

They are not trying to keep us from becoming independent or becoming our own person (in fact, they want that too!), they just don't want us to get hurt unnecessarily or go down the wrong road in the process.

Of course for some of you knowing that might not help that much because sometimes regardless of our parents' motives it's hard to listen to them. But sometimes instead of checking our parents' motives, we need to check our own. We should want to obey and please our parents because that's what God asks. God said in Ephesians 6:1, and Colossians 3:20 to obey your parents. Exodus 20:12 says "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you." (bold added)

Now some of you might be saying/thinking "I thought this was supposed to be though the eyes of the teenagers!" Well it is. I am a teenager, and like most teenagers I don't always see eye to eye or agree with my parents, but time after time I find that my parents only want the best for me.

Most everyone wants to be independent, right? Well you can be. I have figured out the strategy that most parents use with us teenagers.

Stand Up, Stand Out

Do you feel like you need to fit in or you will be thought of as (or called) "weird" or "strange"?

Do you feel like you are going "against the flow", or is fitting in the most important to you?

Are you afraid of sticking up for what you believe in?

Many of you will say "no" to most of the questions, but is it really true?
Would you decide to go and greet the new person at school (or Sunday school), even though your friends or acquaintances think that new person is weird or strange?
Would you rather fit in or decide not to go to that movie (even though you want to see it) because you know it just doesn't have any redeeming qualities and doesn't agree with what you believe?
Are you afraid to stand up for your faith, even if it is defending it against one of your friends?

Deep down, you more than likely will say "yes" to one of these questions. Good. You've realized it.
But now what?


When the title read "Standing Out" it didn't mean starting a new fashion of hair-dos.. I (Catherine) meant you should stand out in a way that will not fade when the next or hair-do (or anything else) comes along. I mean standing out like a bright light in darkness. I mean standing out as a white rose in a valley of thorns. I mean living a pure life in thought, in speech, and in choices.
So how can I do that?

Before I answer that question, let me talk (or should I say "type"?) about "Stand(ing) Up". That means defending what you believe in. Defending your family members from the hurtful words your peers are saying (peers just means "friends" or "companions").

But how can I defend my faith?
NOTE: I am a Christian, so these answers will be directed at my beliefs.

1. Study it!
The more you know about Christianity, the more you will be prepared when someone challenges you about it!
2. Talk to GOD!
Talk to The King of Kings and ask Him to help you in your situation. Ask Him to give you the right words and the courage to stand up to the person (or persons).
3. Memorize Scripture!
Remember in the post "How Do I Get A Pure Heart?" how I talked about the 3 reasons (there are more, I just named the main reasons) memorizing scripture is so important? Here is a forth reason, it helps you defend Bible Believing Religions!


So, here are just some ways to defend your faith! If you have any others, please leave a comment! :)


But how can I stand out from the rest of the crowd who think purity is un-attainable and/or unless?


1. Stand Up for What You Believe
Most people now a days fit in and crumble from the "ocean's waves" that take the form of peer pressure or back down when challenged about their beliefs. DON'T. This is different and you are sure to get people wondering why you are not backing down for what you believe. This will be a good witnessing tool AND, you may have people that believe the same things you do stand up beside you. They just needed a "push" to help them. You are the rallying point and many you are strong! But if they don't come to you at first or in public, that's OK. They know you are there and you won't crumble! :)


2. Live What You Believe
If is said I hated chocolate, but right after that (or the next day) I walk in to the kitchen and grab a Hersheys chocolate bar, would you believe that I didn't like chocolate? No! My words might have said one thing, but my actions implied another, right? If you have read Princess Izori's post about Actions Speak Louder than Words, you know what I am talking about (if you haven't read that post, I would suggest it! It's good! :) People won't think you are authentic, you're real and you really, believe what you are saying. If you say "Don't watch impure movies!" but then go and see one yourself, that's not setting an example.
Some people call themselves Christians, but their is no change in your life. Remember how I said that Jesus comes in and cleans your heart? Well, if those people that say they are Christians but don't have any change in their life, don't you think something is wrong?
Here is a great song that illustrates what I'm talking (typing) about:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sqo8gue0s4&feature=related


Hope it helps you!


3. Have GOD Guide You Every Step of the Way


Before you say something, pray. Before you do something, pray. When you get scared, pray. When you are happy, pray. Pray, pray, pray, pray! This is a GREAT WAY for God to help you!!!! I know people get kinda scared or tensed up sometimes when they hear the word "pray" or "prayer", but all prayer means is talking to God. Don't be scared of the word!
When you build relationships with your friends, you have to talk to them, right? Same with Him.
To know Him more, you must talk to Him, and the way we do that is by praying!


So how can I pray?


This is a question frequently asked, but the answer is quite simple! Just talk to Him! It doesn't have to be out loud (He can hear your thoughts!), it doesn't have to be eloquent, it just has to be from your heart! You don't have to say things in a specific order, just talk to Him like you would talk to anyone else on earth (that you like ;). When I talk (pray) to Him, I am comforted, secure, loved, encouraged, filled with peace, and my problem(s) don't seem so big anymore.
I mean, God is bigger than any of my problems, your problems, and all the problems in the whole world put together!




Keep Blooming and Stand Up!


Princess Catherine

Proverbs 31, Part IV: More Serving

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
Proverbs 31:20-21

These verses show the Proverbs 31 woman's selflessness and caring. 'She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy/When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet'. She cares for those who need it, like her family, or people who are needy.

This is a very good example of generosity. As you probably know, this costs her not a little. But, according to what we see here, she isn't complaining about that at all. Rather, it looks more like she welcomes the opportunity to serve. And that's one of the most important parts about serving--doing it from your heart.

I (Izori) have noticed that the 'theme of the week' is serving people, so I'll go along with that and list more ways that you can serve.

In your church--our church has many opportunities for service. Sometimes, people who need something (like maternity clothes or help with yard-work) write it on a piece of paper, and then other people sign up to fill their need. My mom has done this several times, and I would like to do it sometime, too.

In your home--I don't mean just do the chores; those are what you automatically have to do. I mean offer to help your parents with something for free. I have this problem with this. For some reason, it's very hard for me to do something without expecting anything in return, and I really have to work on this (especially since I'm telling other people to do so, too :).

There are so much more ways to serve others. Princess Catherine has some great suggestions, and I suggest you read those, too.

In Christ,

Princess Izori

Proverbs 31, Part II: Service

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:13-16

As you can see from the above verses, the Proverbs 31 woman certainly isn't lazy! She does handwork (like knitting, sewing, embroidery), and does it cheerfully, as the 'works with eager hands' part indicates. She brings her food from afar. That doesn't mean she goes to China everyday to get her food, however. It really means that she doesn't just take the first produce that she can find. She is willing to look all over to find good food for her family!

'She gets up while it is still dark; and provides food for her family'. That is showing that she works hard and diligently to make sure her family can be fed properly. She doesn't lay around in bed, expecting her servants to prepare the food for her. Maidens is another term for 'servant girls', and from the ending of verse 15, it sure looks like she prepares the food for them!

Verse 16's meaning is often mistaken to be that the Proverbs 31 woman has a job outside the home, instead of being a home-keeper. This actually isn't true. It's possible to have a job from inside your home. I just finished butterfly-sitting, turtle-sitting, and I often dog-sit, too! I know someone who bakes and sells bread from inside their home, too. The considering, and then buying a field out of her own earnings indicates that she is a steward of her money. Notice that she just doesn't buy the field at random without considering carefully what she was investing in.

The Proverbs 31 woman, as we will see later on, serves other people willingly (see verse 20 and others). Princess Catherine has two excellent posts about service called "Ways to Serve, Idea 1", and Ways to Serve. Here are some more ways to serve:

Do you know someone who just had a baby, has had a hard time lately, or just needs some cheering up? A good way to serve them is to give them food, like some fresh-baked, homemade cookies, or chicken soup, or meatloaf. My mom had a baby about a year ago, and we really appreciated all the good meals we got from generous people willing to serve! We didn't have to cook anything for several weeks, which was good for all of us. Also, my dad recently got diagnosed with cancer (please pray for him, fellow princesses) and we got several more meals. I know from experience that this is a good way to serve others.

See any mothers at your church trying to deal with a cranky two year old while juggling a baby and a coffee cup at the same time? I sure have! A good way to serve in this situation is to offer to hold the baby or/and the coffee cup for her. I'm sure she would appreciate that greatly.

Do you know someone who's having trouble with fair-weather friends? I have a few friends whose friends are 'fair-weather' friends. They like you if your popular and pretty, but when you show signs of unpopularity, they aren't your friends anymore. I have also experienced this, and it's wonderful having real friends to cheer you up. Try to be a very good friend to people that you see are in this situation.

More's coming soon!

In Christ,

Princess Izori

Ways to Serve, Idea 3

YOU CAN SERVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

This could be in your town or in your neighborhood! If you see someone moving in, you could get a bag together full of things they would need when first moving in (such as paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, and so on). You could help clean up trash (if there is any) or think of and organize games for little children (3, 4, and 5 year olds) around your home. The older children (6 and up) would enjoy games too! Or maybe it is just waving to a sad looking neighbor, or bringing a meal to one who just had a baby (like Princess Izori kindly suggested).

If you have any other ideas, please comment!

Princess Catherine

Ways to Serve, Idea 2

YOU CAN SERVE IN YOUR HOME



You can help your older and/or younger sibblings with their chores. You can assist your mom at the grocery store (such as putting things in the cart onto the up on the converbelt, putting the bagged idems in the cart, loading the idems in the car, and unloading the idems from the car), or help your dad with some things around the house! There are pleanty of ways to help out! What would work best for your family?

Ways to Serve, Idea 1

The last post I (Catherine) did was about ways to serve. Here is the first idea!

YOU CAN SERVE IN YOUR CHURCH

What do you like helping with?

Is it making crafts?

Is it telling stories and/or acting them out?

Is it helping with the babies or toddlers?

Or maybe it is helping with the older children.

Perhaps you have a heart for the 4, 5, 0r 6 year olds.

It could be other things as well such as getting together a snack, helping with music, serving in VBS (Vacation Bible School), the options are almost limitless!

Ways to Serve

We have discussed not just sitting around for our Prince Charming or Knight in Shining Armor, but what should we do while waiting?


OK, first off, there is a difference between waiting and sitting around. If you noticed the "labels" at the bottom of each post, I posted the label "While waiting" not "While sitting around".


Sitting around means doing nothing, just sitting. When you are sitting, you aren't moving, at least, you're not going anywhere.



Waiting does not mean that you just sit there, it means that you wait.



Have you ever waited for someone special at the airport, bus stop, or train station? Well, don't you move around? What I mean is, don't you do something while you are waiting? You probably don't just sit there pout because they aren't coming right that second. You know they are coming and you are excited!


I know it's not the exact same thing as when you are waiting for your Prince or Knight, but you get the general gist of what I'm saying (or should I say "you get the general gist of what I'm typing" because I'm not really saying. Sorry, just had to point that out :).



So, back to While Waiting. How can we not just sit around? How can we wait with a purpose? You know how I talk about serving The King? Serving Him is a great way to help other people and do something when we are waiting other than just sitting around. Instead of growing bored, we are growing into useful and thoughtful ladies that will one day become a wife!

So what are some ways to serve The King of Kings?

Good Question.

The next few blogs posts will give you the answers!

Keep Blooming!


Princess Catherine