On Waiting

The other day as I looked over my blog it occurred to me that some people may not see my title, "Maiden in Waiting", the way I do. I often wonder what a guy would think if he were to see it. Would he think I am this lonely girl who thinks life doesn't start until I am married? Would he think my whole life's goal is to become some man's wife? That sounds a little shallow.

But that's not the way it is. When I think of the term waiting, I think of the true meaning of it. I guess you can say the best way to put it is: waiting not dating. I have chose to wait on the man God wants me to marry instead of dating any Christian guy who comes along. By waiting I am not taking matters into my own hands and figuring things out for myself. I am not playing the fields.

But my life still goes on. I try to stay active at work, home, and at church. I'm not going to wait for marriage to start serving God and enjoying life to the fullest. I'm trying to do that now.

And then there is the other side of waiting that I am looking forward too more and more every day. I can't wait for the day that God calls me home to be with Him in heaven. The day of the Lord's return will be the end of all my sorrows and failures and the beginning of a life truly lived for God's glory and honor. That is what I'm waiting for! A life fulfilled through Christ!

A Great Verse to Claim!

"In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion." Psalms 71:1


I think this might be my new life verse . . . I've definatley prayed it plenty of times!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

To Talk About God

You know God is first in a person's life when the first thing they talk about, when asked how they're doing, is how good God's been to them. I want to be like that one day. So close to God that I want to talk about him all the time no matter who I'm talking to. But even more than that, I want people to know that I mean it when I open my mouth. I'm thankful for Christians like that in my life, I hope to be a blessing to others in the same way.

Looking Ahead

Wistful

::Note:: No, I am not wistful to see any guy. There is none! I just thought the word fit the picture. : )

Photo Shoot

The other day Bethany and I took some pictures of each other, kind of had our own "photo shoot". We aren't expert photogrophers yet, but we have a lot of fun doing it. Here are some we took with and without editing.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

More to come . . .

Great Deals

Today I went yard saling with my family, something we all enjoy doing from time to time. I was so pleased with some of the items I found that I just had to share them! The first things I bought was this beautiful antique purse and pair of white gloves for $2 each. Aren't they so pretty and old fashioned?

The next thing I was happy with was not so much about the item, but the price. I got this purse for 75 cents! It looked practically brand new so I had to ask the lady who was selling it if the price sticker was correct! I love finding deals like that!

I have already used the brown purse and love it. Me and my sisters will probably wear the gloves at a tea part and perhaps if I have the chance to go to another "old times day" at church I may use the snap purse, but otherwise they will be used as decoration. I think this is a great example of the fact that it doesn't cost much to be feminine if you know where to look . . . and don't mind buying used! Now my room has more grace and beauty and my shoulder has another purse to carry!

Internet Free Weekend and a Give Away

So what did I do this past weekend since I wasn't on the internet?

• Friday I watched a movie with my brothers and sisters and just relaxed.
• Saturday Bethany, Amy and I went shopping in a large town near us. (We left at 7 that morning and didn't get back until 5 that evening just in time to eat and head back out to a gospel sing in town. That night we were all in bed early!)
• Sunday, after church, I organized my desk and made some russian tea for myself and a friend.

Now time for the confession. Sunday I did get on the internet for exactly 6 minutes. I was really discouraged and depressed so I didn't really care if I cheated on my own challenge, so I checked my e-mail and read my friends blog really quick. Afterwards I was really glad I did because Katie's e-mail and blog posts really encouraged me and helped get my mind back on track. So next time I might leave room for reading e-mails if it is apsolutly neccisary. The rest of the time was pretty enjoyable.

Before I end this post I need to mention that Miss Jen is having a give away at her blog, Blessed Femina. When I go to her little spot in the web I am always refreshed and filled with creative, feminine thoughts. Stop by her blog and check out her delightfuly give away.

Are You up for a Challenge?

Maybe it's because my life has felt a little stressed lately, maybe it's because I feel the need to spend more time in prayer and Bible study, or maybe it's because I read this article, but whatever the case be, I have decided to go on an internet fast. Not a very long one, just for the weekend. I am not even going to turn my computer on. I think it will be very refreshing to break away from the fast pace world of technology and enjoy the wonderful world that God has created. It will also help me to control my self will sense I really like to spend time on the internet and it's kind of an addiciton. In addition, this will also give me more time to devote to the story I am attempting to write for the 4th annual contest going on at JournEzine.




So here's the challenge.

1. Read Natalie's article, Nurturing Intimacy in a Facebook Generation (or at least the bulk of it sense it is kind of long)
2. Decide when you want to start your fast and how long it will be
3. Stick to it!
4. Write about it on your blog or leave a comment on this post to let us know how it went. Did you enjoy doing other more important things? Did you feel less stress? Are you going to do it again? Or did you hate it and constantly went through withdrawals the whole time?
   

Who knows, we may like it so much that next time we'll want to do a complete technology fast. No TV, no computer, no cell phone . . . it could be interesting!

My Answer to the Poll

Okay, now it's time for me to answer my own poll. But first I'd like to say how surprised I am by the response. I just knew that the majority of the voters would say they didn't like being teenagers, but actually 53% said they like being a teenager and only 30% disliked it, leaving the other 15% with those who are content in every age they find themselves in which you could actually add to the 53% making a total of 68% who enjoy being a teenager. (I hope I didn't' confuse you!)

So I'm sure you've probably already guessed my response by now. I don't mean to sound critical and I certainly don't want to complain or throw myself a pity party, but quite frankly, I don't' like being a teenager. The reason for that is because I know I have an attitude at times, I know I am a "know it all" every once and a while, I realize that I am picky about my clothes, AND I DON'T LIKE IT! I don't want people to see me as the "teenager". Now truly, mama would probably tell you that I am not near as bad as most teenagers, but I am still a teenager. My age still has a 1 in front of it!

Another reason I don't want to live these years over again (when I get through them) is because I never fit in and I always felt awkward. Somehow I think that this may be the case for the rest of my life sense most of the world is living contrary to the Bible which puts me in the minority and feeling awkward may just be a part of my shy personality.

Nevertheless, ever sense I have been working at the hospital as an "adult" with other adults doing adult things, I have felt less pressure. In fact, everyone in my department is either old enough to be my mother or grandmother . . . and I love it! Most adults are much better at controlling their attitudes and they are mature enough to know that it's rude to stare at you with this look on they face that says, "You're weird."

Yes, I realize that I will probably have to deal with attitudes from time to time no matter how old I get and life will never be easy, but I agree with mama: the teen years are not the best part of a person's life. That is a very comforting thought!