CakeJoy and Remodeling. . .

      Many of you have noticed I haven't really blogged for a while. :)
Well, I told you I was graduating, and since then my family has started some family businesses, and I have started my own business : cake decorating!!
I have created a cake blog, and have already posted pictures of several cakes I have done for family and friends.
Here is the link:  http://www.bethscakejoy.blogspot.com/

Please check it out!! :)

As far as this blog goes, it is by no means "dead"!!! ;)
I am working on some serious remodeling, and will have to officially close up shop for a little while. Then I plan to blog more seriously, whenever I can as life allows! :)
Thank you for your patience!
            
         In Christ,
                Beth

Thoughts of Spring

The Rumor of Spring

In solemn silence stand the trees
As bare of leaves, freely flows the chilled breeze.
Yet quieter still than even these,
Is the softest breathed whisper
Of the rumor of spring.

My heart, I feel would broken be
Had I not this bliss just seen
For old man Winter, though snow he brings,
Tires me ever of all cold things.
Oh for the rumor of spring!

The whisper starts within the bark
Of a great and wizened oak
As waking he remembers of those
Words that long ago were spoke.

He bends to tell the sprightly birch
She blushes a powdery green
Yet in her heart she starts to search
Her sap stirs in her veins
She smiles with the rumor of spring.

She dances o'er to tell the vines
Of with'r'd brown raspberries.
They throw open their leaves in stark surprise
And race to tell the cherries.
Not far away, a robin hears
And bursts out with his song
He's waited patiently to see
The green of leaves, it won't be long!

His friends join in with raptured chorus
Flying high to spread before us
The joy of the rumor of spring.

Ferns begin to yawn and stretch,
Unrolling their tongues, en mass
They hear the birds and know
That it is time to tell the grass.

A green fire now spreads afar
Lighting all the hills and knolls
Floods of joy, the brook now flows
Letting go its waves like scrolls
From the first thirst-quenching rain of spring.

Spring has sprung, it's clearly seen
Enchanted is my soul
Look around and see the green
The story now is told

Our Creator sang the song
Unto the wizened oak
He showed the birch where to search.
He woke the ferns and brook
He taught the robins how to sing
He painted the grass a bright, fair green
His wisdom is seen in everything
Thank God for the beauty of spring.

I wrote this poem a couple years ago, and thought I would post it today because it seemed to fit - my brother and I got to go to our creek for a while this morning, and the weather feels perfectly delicious! I hope it is very soon here to stay- I am done with cold! : )
(I know my poetic rhythm isn't always consistent, and obviously spring does not follow this order exactly, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. ) :)

Civil War Ball

     My apologies for not having posted sooner, or more frequently, but my senior year - schoolwork and graduation planning, etc.- has and will keep me pretty swallowed up for a while! :) It is my plan to begin some more intentional blogging over the summer - when I've graduated. Until then, I will make an effort to post at least a few times- whenever I can.

      Last weekend I was very priveleged to attend the 4th Missouri Grande Ball. I was invited by my dear friends the M family, as their guest, and to accompany their daughter- my friend, Morgan. The S family came with us, and we piled into their vehicle and drove four hours to the hotel/conference center where the ball was to be held.

     It was a very formal ball, with an elegant sit-down dinner and live music, and the host's goal was to be as period correct as possible, though he made it clear that this was not imperative-it was only their goal. As best we could, we were to speak only of things that had happened before 1861, for instance. We also had to address one another by the proper titles of the time-for a young lady this was "Miss" [i.e. Smith], and young gentlemen- any over the age of ~12- were to be called "Mr." [Smith]. It took a while to get used to! Also, we had to know basic dining and dancing etiquette, etc. Here's a taste, taken from the ball's website:

“On entering a public ballroom, the gentlemen merely conducts the lady to a seat.  ”This is more than fine, although the host and hostess will be at the door to greet guests if they so desire. We will definitely be talking with friends and acquaintances as they enter but we most assuredly want to get to know those who we have not had the pleasure to meet before.

“A gentleman should not dance too frequently with one lady. ”Dancing with the same person repeatedly is considered very rude. A dance is a social event meant to engage everyone. In our modern-day society having multiple dance partners is not a common practice. There are some who do not wish to dance with anyone but the person they attend with. Again, we go back to the golden rule. We don’t want anyone to do anything that would make them feel uncomfortable.

“As ladies have not assumed the privilege of asking gentlemen to dance, it is the duty of gentlemen, to see that their ladies do not long wait for partners. ”Gentlemen are to ask ladies to dance, not the other way around. If the gentleman doesn’t know the lady he wishes to dance with, he should be introduced through a third party familiar with both. This may not be possible, and I know ladies would much rather dance than follow this rule verbatim.

“When a young lady declines dancing with a gentleman, it is her duty to give him a reason therefore.  ”A lady should never turn down an offer to dance unless she has a very good reason. If a refusal is necessary due to fatigue or some other issues it is a breach of etiquette to accept another offer for the same dance.
“It is not considered proper to ask a married lady to dance, when her husband is present, without having previously ascertained whether it be agreeable to him. ”Since period etiquette might make it difficult for her to decline when she is uncomfortable due to modern influences, you might be saving yourself and the lady an awkward moment if you ask her husband first.
“While dancing, the performers should endeavor to wear pleasant faces; and in presenting hands, a slight inclination of the head is appropriate and becoming. ”Again, our goal is to make those around us as comfortable as possible. When engaged with someone please let them be your focus. A compliment or two is always welcome.

“When the dance is over, the gentleman conducts his partner to her seat; …, bows and withdraws.  ”Never ever, ever leave a lady standing on the dance floor. "1.“Do not wear gloves while dining.” The only exception to this rule is unless your hands are extremely soiled.  

2.“No talking during any part of the program.” You might not want to hear what is going on but please assume the guest at your table want to hear the program and not what you have to say. One would think with adults, this rule would not need stipulation, but alas it does.

3.“Keep your conversation period if possible.” Start by not talking about anything modern. Do not use contractions. Avoid first names. Never use profanity, slang, or discuss impolite subjects. These simple steps makes the transition much easier.

4.“Follow standard etiquette when dining.” For example, the basic rule with cutlery use. Start from the outside and work your way toward the plate. No elbows on the table. Things we learned in grade school.

5.“Never refer to anyone by their first name.” First names are for family, very close friends only and even then not in public. When refering to a gentlemen you use either Mister or if he is very young "Young Master" or by their title, such as Doctor, Captain, etc,. When refering to a lady use Missus, Miss. (Of course in today's world women have titles of Doctor, Captain, etc, also. Since they have earned this title it is their pleasure to whether or not you should use the their title even if it is not period correct.) NEVER EVER refer to an elder by their first name even if given permission.

6.“Gentlemen always stand when a lady stands or approaches the table.” This rule has no exception clause unless the gentleman is physically unable to stand.

7.“Gentlemen always attends the chair of their companion.” Ladies with huge dresses will need all the help they can get.

8.“Gentleman always attends to the needs of their companion.” You may help others, but your first and foremost obligation is to your companion. Avoid if possible attending to the needs of a lady that already has an escort.

9.“Ladies should always graciously accept the assistance from a gentlemen.” A gentlemen is showing you honor by offering assistance.

10.“Ladies should never lift your hoops higher than abosolutely necessary.” A lady does not show her legs.

We were also all given dance cards, and shown how to use them...I kept mine as a souvenir. :)
 

As this event was put on by a local regiment of Civil War reenactors, many of the gentlemen were soldiers, and almost everone was accustomed to being in character- with Civil War manners. Almost all of the gentlemen do credit to the title- very pleasant, courteous, and respectful of the ladies. It is such a pleasure to dance with them! I love being a Civil War lady, as well. . . I love that era!

   My friend and I were tempted by rule #6: we joked that if we wanted to be mean we could walk up to every table and make all the gentlemen stand! ;) lol!

It really was a wonderful evening!

It wasn't over yet, however...upon returning at around midnight to our hotel rooms, Dr. M said we should go out and get ice cream...all dressed up!

So, the ladies shoved and packed our enormous hoops into their vehicle- four full sets of hoops, actually, and off we went. Most ice cream places were closed at midnight, but Steak-n-Shake wasn't, so that's where we went! You should've seen the peoples' faces as we walked in!!

Snowed In!!!!!

Many people might consider this an unfortunate circumstance, to be stuck at home for several days, but just now I can hardly think of any other place I would rather have spent this week. I love to be snowed (or in this case, iced and snowed) in at home!
    A fire is always burning cheerily in our fireplace; the good, seasoned firewood warming the house....
Quite toasty here, actually- I could wear summer clothes right now in our living room, though it's been as cold as 15 degrees for a high outside.

   And now, last night it snowed - a big, fluffy snow, about 5 inches! We were so excited when we looked outside this morning, and Isaiah and I have already been snowboarding once this morning. I took my camera out, and couldn't stop taking pictures- it was so gorgeous, with the snow on top of the already ice-covered trees. Ice cicles hanging from everything, blanketed now with snow- a photographer could hardly ask for a better winter scene. And when you live in the country, close to a creek  . . . it was breathtaking. Let me show you- though the pictures cannot really do it justice.

our field



our creek <3




sun on the ice- two days ago - the world looked like it was made of diamonds!

                                   Thank You, Lord for all this beauty! 

"He gives snow like wool;

He scatters the frost like ashes.

He casts forth His ice as fragments;

Who can stand before His cold?

...Praise the LORD!" - Ps. 147:16-17, 20        

I'm Back . . . ; )

Yes, I know - it's about time I posted something again. Sorry - I have had not too few but too many things happening in my life - spiritually and otherwise, to have had time to post before now. So here you go - I have not fallen off the face of the earth. ; )
I have come to a whole new understanding of the purpose of my life, of the purpose of our family, and the purpose of the church (as a whole). This book we've read, Radical, has only been a very starting point - the Lord has been waking us up from the slumber of our comfortable American way of life to His calling, His purposes for our lives. We have begun to see the world no longer from the context of our place on the map, and about a 50-mile radius around us, but in God's context - the whole world. We have awakened to the fact that we have brothers and sisters in Christ ALL around the WORLD who are suffering. Starving. Being persecuted for the gospel of Jesus Christ. And the heavy realization of the vast millions who have never even heard the gospel, or the name of Jesus.
We have always known this in our heads, but the Lord has begun to reveal it to our hearts now.

Please watch this video - it is one we have shown at church, and it will give you some idea of what I mean:

Priorities - Video 'Tears of the Saints' The Lausanne Global Conversation

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream

Radical, by David Platt, is no easy read.

Here is some of the back cover summary:
            What Is Jesus Worth to You?
    "It's easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said HIs followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, He said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for Him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily . . . "
          But Who Do You Know Who Lives Like That? Do You?
"In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being His disciple- then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a 'successful' suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus."

Okay, so that's a sort of scratch on the surface, but it's a beginning of the idea - do we truly understand what it means to take up our cross and follow Him? Where is He going? Among the least of these.

I will post more as we study it - we are going through the Radical Bible study with a group of people in our church, and so far, it has been very eye-opening . . .  hard to read, at points, and very convicting . . but it comes down to the core - do we really believe what Jesus said? And if so . . . are we ready to lay it all down to follow him?

So far the picture on the front is accurate - a house turned upside down. : )

God Loves Surprises!

     Well, I was certainly not expecting it, but my cast did come off that weekend! (7-24-10)
That Friday, both of my parents went with me to the doctor's office, leaving my brothers at grandma's house.
     That was special, to have Dad with me - his work schedule does not often allow him to come to things like that, but he really wanted to be there - for support, because he knew I was a little discouraged from the news I had received.
     Waiting in the waiting room, I had such a peace that came over me - I was prepared for whatever they would say, prepared to have it re-cast and be on crutches for another couple of weeks. I knew it was alll going to be alright - because whatever happened to me, I knew it would be what God had ordained in His Sovereignty, and I trusted in Him.
    Therefore he was there when the doctor came in and said, quite unexpectedly, "How would you like to get this thing off today?"
     It was really wierd, after having my foot in that thing for so long! The firs thing I wanted to do was wash it off. Daddy offered to wash my foot and ankle for me. The nurse brought in a little basin of warm, soapy water and a washcloth, and he washed it - it was so sweet!
And I surprised my Grandma to pieces when I came in with no cast on! It was a pretty awesome day.

I could hear the Lord saying - "Daughter, have you forgotten that I love surprises? You trusted in Me, and see - I have rewarded you."

So I have had to re-learn to walk . . . So far, I can't stand on my own two feet just yet. ; D
All in God's timing! It may sound strange, but it's so nice just to see my foot again!!!
Thank you again to all the wonderful people who gave me encouragement, prayers and support through this little ordeal, and to my Heavenly Father, who always knows what is best for me, according to His plans. All the glory to Him!!

(Again, my apologies for not posting sooner!)
 

I know it's been a while since I posted, so I will give a little update:
    The recovery time for my broken leg has been a little longer than I had hoped - I went back to the doctors after four weeks (that had seemed awfully optimistic to me, having expected six to eight weeks for a break like mine) and the x-rays came back showing progress, and healing, but not definite healing.
So, they gave me another two weeks, and said they would x-ray it then and check my progress.
    I was not really surprised - my leg was still pretty sore, and I had a feeling it needed some more time.
It didn't bother me, since I had half expected it, even though I had been thinking a lot about the things I would like to be doing right now: gardening, horseback riding, swimming, even doing the dishes and laundry sounds so nice!! ; D

    However, God knew what I was supposed to be doing right now, and I have decided to make the most I can of this opportunity He has sent. I've been able to think a lot, to read more than I usually have time to, and to complete several art projects. Counting my blessings has been and is still a challenge some times, but I know I have been learning and growing through this process, and while my projects and plans may not all be getting done like I want them to be, by God's grace, His perfect work in me continues- He is faithful.

    I don't know about you, but I find I need to remind myself of that pretty frequently- that's why I have posted this. To tell you the truth, I have been dealing with a lot of discouragement this week, and especially today. I found out today that I am most likely going to be wearing a cast for another two weeks, maybe more. I had my hopes up quite a bit that I would be getting the cast off this weekend; my leg is feeling almost completely healed - it doesn't hurt like it did two weeks ago. I was fairly confidant that it was healed. However, the report said that the bone is still not completely healed, and I go back in two weeks for another checkup. Please pray that I can choose gratitude, because I know in my heart I want to - it's just getting a little harder. : ) Forgive me if I sound any kind of whiny!! ; D

     I know that healing is in the hands of the Lord, and, ultimately, I must trust Him- His timing, and His plan for my life.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted bythe waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and it will not be anxious in the year of draught, nor will cease from yielding fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" - 1 Peter 1:6-7

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. (; D) " - Psalms 34:19-20

Thanks for reading- I hope you find this helpful and encouraging.

A New Look At Gratitude (and my family's first broken bone!)

I'm sorry - I would've preferred getting this post done in a more timely manner, but when you've got doctor visits and are hobbling around on crutches, it's a little harder to get things done. ; D

If anybody has looked through my bookshelf recently, you would notice that I have added some new books by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, including and especially a book entitled "Choosing Gratitude".

I have just finished reading it, about a week ago, (on Friday, I guess).

The first page, containg a foreword by Joni Earickson Tada, told me it would be good, and that I needed to read it. The following chapters have shown me my need for a grateful spirit, and what that really looks like. Like thanking God not just in the midst of trials, but for the trials.

Well, I guess the Lord decided to see if I really meant it - if I was in earnest about pursuing a grateful spirit- this week.

    Sunday, I was picked up at church by Mrs. Billings with her horses, and my grandparents, who we would be following to a Cowboy Church Camp. I had been looking forward to this camp since last year, after my grandparents (who attend Cowboy Church) had gone, and told me how wonderful it was.

This camp had 190 miles of trails - on 5100 beautiful acres of rolling hills, woods, open fields, and caves and cliffs. And horses . . . . so  . . . .many. . . horses! Horses to rent and to ride, and hundreds of stalls, if you want to bring your own. Gorgeous horses to take pictures of - just name the breed and the color. ; D

    And it was church camp too - a (Cowboy) church service every evening, Bible studies, and singing around campfires.

I was so keyed up, so wound tight, I couldn't sleep the night before, and when I got to church, I could not stop smiling - I think my friends noticed. ; D You know me!

     Well, my ride arrived, and we headed out. I had a wonderful visit with Mrs. Billings on the way. She had heard that I was reading "Choosing Gratitude" and looked forward to reading it herself, so I told her about it, and read a few passages that had stuck out to me.

   Upon arrival, chaos immediately set in as we read a sign posted by the gate, telling us that all horses without veterinary papers for this certain rare disease would not be permitted. State Law. Of course, neither of us had expected this; we didn't have a brochure, and the disease was so rare, and she thought you only needed those papers for shows . . . we didn't have any papers.

Sinking feelings slowed our steps as we went in to the office to try and register, and tell the manager the news.

     They told us we could get a local vet to come do a quick test and get the necessary papers, but we would have to quarantine the horses until then. First, we had to call both local veterinary clinics to find one that would come to the ranch (instead of having to come to them) and would do it immediately.  Once that was settled, and we had scheduled an appointment for that afternoon, we drove through the ranch to this overgrown, secluded little round pen, to wait for the vet to arrive.

While we were waiting, we drove the trailer down to the stalls and parked it (which was another ordeal) and went back to the office to see about our rooms in the lodge.

[Talking it over in Grandma and Grandpa's room late that evening, we were laughing about how crazy the day was - everything went absolutely wrong, nothing ran smoothly, it was unreal! I thought things were only this insane on I Love Lucy, but I guess not! ; D]

   First of all, we had this friendly older man from the office helping us park the trailer, but he parked it in (I am not kidding) FIVE (5) different places before he was satisfied, and the place he finally chose backed up to a steep hill, and we were all afraid it was going to go careening down the hill backwards as soon as we unhitched it. Well, it very nearly did . . . but it got left there, with blocks of wood behind the tires.

   Then we went to our rooms, one of which was finally sorted out, to unpack some and wait for the vet. Mrs. Billings had a room, but my grandparents still didn't know what room they were to stay in, so they remained at the office, where I believe the entire staff was trying to decide where their room was.
Even though they reserved it last year.

     After a little while, Mrs. Billings and I went back up to the quarantine pen to wait for the vet. He soon arrived, ran the tests and filled out the papers, and went to the office to deliver the results.

We had Mrs. Billings' truck, and we were trying to figure out how best to take the horses to their stalls without hitching up the trailer. Mrs. Billings suggested that I ride one, bareback, and lead the other, while she drove the truck. I had been positively itching to ride since our arrival, having seen several people already riding, so I thought I would try it. Well, "Star" did just fine bareback, with her halter, and I rode her around in the pen a little while.

      I had just commented to Mrs. Billings that my lower back (which I had injured slightly earlier in the week) was feeling just fine, when I felt Star tense up and throw her head down. Then she acted spookish, and I wasn't sure what she was going to do. I was pretty sure she wouldn't try to buck me off, but in new surroundings, with a lot of strange horses, I decided to get off and lead her instead.

 I slid down, but instead of landing flat-footed, I landed on a tall clump of grass, on my right ankle, and rolled it sideways, hard. I heard a small snap, and felt shooting pain as I hit the ground.

    Immediately Mrs. Billings saw what had happened, and she came to help me get up. Fortunately, in the next corral was an older gentleman who had been working with his horse, and had seen the whole thing.
He rode over to the roundpen and asked if I was alright. I think I said I was okay, but things were getting kinda fuzzy - my hearing was muffled and the world had faded to a dark grey, and I knew I was starting to black out. Vaguely I remember the cowboy climbing over the fence and helping Mrs. B pull me to my feet. All the way to the truck he kept me talking . . . asked what my name was, and told me his name was David. If he hadn't, I'm sure I would've blacked out completely.
Then after they helped me into the truck and we had thoroughly thanked him for his help, Mrs. B and I drove to the lodge and got me to my grandparent's room to ice my ankle.

    Grandma and Grandpa had followed us to the lodge, and they helped to get me some ice and pain medication. After a few minutes, in which I was given kindess and love and sympathy enough to kill a person (; D), Grandma and Grandpa decided to try to call my parents and let them know. There is no cell service in camp (Did I already say that? Well, that is the one drawback) so they had to go to a town about 5 minutes away.

     Meanwhile Mrs. Billings stayed with me in the room. She and I had a really good conversation, about the whole day, and I told her some more about the book. (She also shared some chocolate covered peanut clusters with me. There is no medicine like chocolate when you're having a hard day! ; D)

I said-I didn't really have it bad at all. I mean, even if I had broken every bone in my body, I live in America, where I could be at a hospital with the nation's best doctors in just minutes. In most third world countries, you can't afford to break a bone, and if you do, there is usually not much you can do about it. No hospitals. No doctors. No money.

But even then . . . I could choose to be thankful. I have a loving family and many wonderful friends who care about me.

And beyond all that I could ever have, beyond anything that could ever be taken away from me, I have the love of my Heavenly Father and Savior, who knows what I truly need, even if it hurts.

There was a story in Choosing Gratitude that I don't think I will soon forget.

     It was the story of man who went on a short term missions trip to the Bahamas. Not the tourists' places - the ones you always think of, with quaint little villages and bright blue-green waters and shops for souvenirs, but the real places - where the people live - in absolute poverty. The missions team went to a local lepers' colony, to hold a church service. It was a gruesome picture, all of these people whose lives have been devastated by this disease, many without fingers or limbs, some without faces.

They had finished their service, and this man, who had led the service, said there was time for one more hymn, and asked if anyone had any requests.
In the very back, he saw someone - a woman who could best be described as "Body", because that was almost all that was left of her. Almost no features - no face. She raised what had once been her arm - no fingers, no hand- and said "Could we do 'Count Your Many Blessings?' "

    Tears of holy conviction streaming down his face, the man ran out of the building, a friend of his close behind him. The friend turned to him and said "I bet you can never sing that song again, can you?"
The man replied "Yes, I will sing it, but never in the same way."

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Lord has really granted me a different perspective in this little trial of mine - for once in my life, of all times - I mean - it would've been so easy to wallow in self pity over my situation - after all I had looked forward to, and now the weeks ahead, in a cast . . . but He gave me the grace to be thankful.

To come out of this praising Him - for this trial - "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4 
My Grandpa quoted this, and Romans 5:3-5 to me, that night in their room.

That's something else I am thankful for - the blessing of having Godly grandparents who can encourage me with Scripture!

When you think about it, a crucial, essential part of the Chiristian life is our response - that our attitude should reflect thankfulness and glorify God.

And it's not easy - sometimes it's a sacrifice. I struggle constantly with maintaining a good attitude about this, but now I have a goal - and I press on.

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Phil. 3: 12-14

By the way, thank you to all the wonderful people who have signed my cast, and have and continue to encourage me and bless me with your kindess and gifts. I am so tremendously blessed.

Family and friends . . .<3 Thanks!

The wondrous wit of Dr. Billings! ; D Haha!

My dear Mrs. Kay - my Kindred Spirit!

The Azalea Parade

Sunday afternoon I got to ride my lovely horse in a parade with some of my favorite cowgirls - my precious friends Mrs. Kay, Mrs. Billings, and my friend Jenah.
It was awesome, fun fellowship, and the Lord really blessed us with safety and a good time.

We all dressed up in Civil War period costume, and Mrs. Kay and I rode side saddle.

Here we are, all dressed up and ready to ride!

And coming down the street- my mom took this from where they were sitting.

My friend, Mrs. Kay and I were naturally the only people riding side saddle, and the four of us were the only people dressed up.

We got quite a reaction - most all of the people watching had never seen someone ride side saddle before, and asked us a barrage of questions about it - "Isn't that uncomfortable?"

"Do you feel like you're going to fall off?"

"How do you hang on?" and many more.

Several people were amazed that such a thing even existed anymore, and many of the ladies (thanks to our culture) have the feminist misconception that "Men made them ride that way." and that this represented a part of women's "historic bondage to men".

Wrong!!!

(First of all,  I do not belive that women were ever in "bondage" to men, but that God has given women a seperate role- to be the helper and completer of man. I'm posting on that soon.)

Actually, ladies found it infinitely more comfortable, in a skirt or in pantaloons or whatever- most people do not know that even some men rode side saddle too, for comfort's sake - and still do to this day - fully decked out cowboys - even at events!

I nearly prefer side saddle to riding astride, except at a fast gallop, which I have not yet mastered. :)

I had a friend who could race on a side saddle!

And, if you are a girl who enjoys wearing skirts frequently, it's a lot easier to be modest - and a lot harder for your skirt to fly up. (which is, of course, very important ; D )

I made my costume just that week - I was in quite a time crunch to finish it, especially since I didn't have a pattern or instructions for that jacket- Aaaaaah! : )

We were at the very back of the parade, because a couple of the horses hadn't been in one for several years.

Toward the end, we had to have Dr.Billings, Mrs. Billings' husband, step in and give us a hand with the horse Jenah was riding- "Star" had decided she didn't like anybody except her pasture-mate, "Abby", and was slightly on edge and ready to go home. But she did fine while he led her - thank the Lord he had been walking the parade route with us anyway!

I've Been Awarded Again!

Thank you so much Lizzie!

Okay, so five random facts about myself:

1. I love cute hats - any hats, more than purses or shoes- I wish I had a hat for every outfit!

2. I dream in technicolor - extremely vivid and imaginative dreams. So does my Dad - some of the ones we've had are just plain hilarious. Like snowing multi-colored ground beef. Or shooting a grizzly bear with a bb gun at a church picnic. Kinda makes ya wonder what we ate the night before . . . I might blog about them someday. ; D

3. I love words - language fascinates me, and I often have read some of the dictionary, just to find a new cool-sounding word to use.

4. I wear contacts - I couldn't recognise my own mother standing ten feet away if I didn't. ; D I have some really cute glasses I wear sometimes as well.

5. My favorite color is teal. Blue-green. Turquoise. Aquamarine.

And there you have it, folks.

 people to tag:

1. Kerry at Kerry's Creations

2. Ashley at A Cowgirls' Dream

3. Jenna at Feminine Farmgirl

I've Been Awarded!

My precious cowgirl friend at My Imaginary Horse has awarded me the Pure in Heart award!
Thank you, Lizzie! You are so sweet!

#1 Post about your tag

#2 Pick ten bloggers who deserve this award

#3 Answer these 20 questions, post them on your blog.

~Questions~

#1 Apples, Oranges or Bananas?

Apples


#2 How many siblings do you have? Two



#3 How old are you? I'll be eighteen in June.


#4 Do you live on the prairie, woodland, swamp city or other?
      Other - I live in a beautiful valley surrounded by hills, and made up of woods and farmland.

#5 Scissors or glue?

Scissors

#6 Describe your dream house?
    A remodeled two-story farmhouse on 50-100 acres with old red barns, a stable and ten horses! ; D



#7 Is your room clean?
    Most of the time- I try to keep it clean, but busy weekends leave it pretty messy! ; D



#8 If you could be a movie character for a day, who would you be?

Elizabeth Bennet


#9 Italy, Greece, France, Spain or England?

England!



#10 What denomination are you?

Christian, quite Reformed



#11 Do you sleep with a stuffed toy (BE HONEST!!)

Does a pillow with a picture of a horse on it count? ; D



#12 Gum, chocolate or jelly beans?

No caramel? No peanut butter? Well, I guess chocolate, then. I prefer those three, in combinations!



#13 What is your favorite book?

I love books. Aside from the Bible, of course, well, I couldn't really pick just one . . . I like horse books, adventure books, classics, Jane Austens, C. S. Lewis, Lord of the Rings, theology books . . . Spurgeon's sermons, Voddie Baucham . . . . ; D



#14 Favorite ice cream flavor?

Cookie dough or Oreo!!!!



#15 If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what food would that be?

Mexican - no contest! ; D



#16 What is your favorite Olympic sport?

They all fascinate me, but I like swimming and gymnastics. Does this include the Equestrian Olympics? ; D



#17 If you woke and discovered that you had turned into Miley Cyrus for the day, what would you do?

Go buy some modest clothing!!!!!!



#18 Describe yourself in three words?

Christian Country Girl



#19 What chore do you positively hate?

Doing the dirty dishes : (



#20 What is your favorite chore?

Vaccuuming. Being somewhat a perfectionist, I can get a little carried away with making straight lines . . . ; D


Okay - the people I am awarding: (technically, it's supposed to be ten, but I don't know that many who blog)

1. Kerry at  http://kerryscreations.blogspot.com/

2. Ashley at A Cowgirl's Dream

3. Jess at My Father's Daughter