Another Excellent Read

When I first read that Debi Pearl was publishing a book called Preparing to Be a Help Meet, I did not think I would need to read it. I mean, I have studied home-making topics and read lots of various marriage books over the years --- so why add another one to my library? Respecting and honoring your husband, being a keeper at home, cooking nutritious meals; I know about all these subjects.

Besides, I am very happy pursuing the adventures of a single girl right now, and while I would love to get married and have a family someday, I thought perhaps a book like this might rock the boat of contentment in my life.

Despite these initial misgivings, however, I decided to add the book to a large order I was making from No Greater Joy recently. Since everything is on sale this month, I might as well, right?

Actually, the more I thought about it, the more I looked forward to reading Preparing to Be a Help Meet! I'm a big fan of the Pearls' writings, and since I greatly enjoyed the original Created to Be His Help Meet, I figured this latest book would at least be interesting.

Well, my order arrived on Friday. I finished the book in three days flat.

Smile.

It was EXCELLENT! It was so much more than I expected! Rather than touching on all "the usual topics," Debi (along with several other contributors) has written an inspiring book full of love stories, practical advice for today, and real-life examples of both good and bad choices that will appeal to any young woman serious about pursuing God's best in her life.

I was extremely encouraged by how the topic of singleness was handled. Debi challenges the reader to be busy about the Lord's work, active in ministry, serving others, taking mission trips, and learning as many skills as she can to benefit her future marriage, rather than sitting around at home waiting for Mr. Right to show up on her doorstep. This way of life is exactly how I have chosen to use my single years, and I have found them to be as fulfilling as she exhorts us to make them!

I also appreciated the chapters about the three kinds of men (Prophet-Visionary, Priest-Steady, King-Command Man) as adapted from her original Created book and the three kinds of women that reflect these characteristics. (But you'll have to read the book to find out about them yourself!)

Of course, reading other young women's courtship stories was lots of fun! Like any other girl, I love a good love story! :-)

I wish I had enough money to buy a copy of this book for all my single friends, but since I am saving for language school in the fall, you'll have to get your own! =) Preparing to Be a Help Meet is one of the BEST books I have ever read on the topic of being an "unmarried woman who cares for the things of the Lord." It is edifying, convicting, balanced, and delightful!

So don't delay! Buy your copy today!

A Fascinating Read

I love how God has a sense of humor. Just when I think I've got the Bible figured out and I understand His plan for humankind, along comes a book to make me realize how little I really know and how much depth there is in God's Word.

Eight Kingdoms is just such a book. I've had it in my library for several years now, but due to other studies taking my time, I had yet to read it. Until now, that is.

Meanwhile, my mother and sister both read it and raved about it. "You've got to read this book, Katrina!" they would exclaim.

And I agreed. Now, I am reading this book. Wow. I am in awe. Such riches contained in Scripture! Such beautiful, intricate writings the Holy Spirit breathed to create an amazingly perfect Book!

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I am seeing the whole of God's Kingdom agenda from the beginning of time to the end of the ages as His Word so consistently -- and even mysteriously -- proclaims in every era of His-story.

The in-depth Bible study material contained in the pages of Eight Kingdoms has added incredible punch to my daily quiet times. Every morning, when my alarm rings at 6:30 a.m. I am excited to get up and study! The things I am learning cause me to worship the Lord and praise His Name more than ever.

If you want to add punch to your daily times with the Lord, I highly recommend that you get a copy of this book, Eight Kingdoms, by Michael Pearl. It will challenge your beliefs, spur you on to deeper study of God's Word, and cause you to sing the praises of the King of kings like never before!

If you hurry, No Greater Joy is running a sale to the end of April, allowing this book to be purchased at a 25% discount! It will be some of the best $10 you've spent in a long time!

Maiden's Quest Reunion Pictures!

Another album is ready for viewing! You can check it out here!

Thought for the Day

"Sin no longer has power over us. We can turn from it and say no!

Jesus has extended mercy and empowered us with the grace of God. We don't receive the judgment we deserved. We are forgiven and born anew out of death and into life. Beloved daughters, the enemy of your souls doesn't want you to know this. He wants you to remain in shame and therefore bound to sin. He wants to make you think you have no dominion over sin, but that just isn't true. Certainly, in our own strength we will try and fail, but we are no longer along in our battles. We are in Him, and our weapons are mighty!

I am afraid that for too long grace has not been taught as the power to overcome sin. We have not been brave enough to believe we could ever fulfill Jesus' command to sin no more. We have forgotten that in Him and with Him nothing is impossible, and we have shamed His mercy by preaching grace as a license to sin rather than as a spiritual equipping not to."

~ Lisa Bevere
Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry

Tickled Pink Pictures

Well, I now have pictures from the Riddells from all the exciting events that have transpired lately. However, as soon as I downloaded them and began to post to my blog, my computer's picture program started acting ornery. Sometimes, technology can be so frustrating. Apparently, I have another round of malware viruses on my laptop (again) that I am working to clear.

In the meantime, since I can't upload to my blog right now, here is a link to the Tickled Pink Shower pictures on my Picasa web album. I hope you enjoy seeing them!

Meditations on the Love of God

Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Precious Memories, How They Linger

The events of the past few weeks have been wonderful...crazy...fun...exhausting...and so much more.

As I sit here reflecting on all the delightful memories that I now have to cherish from the events of recent days gone by, my heart sings with gratefulness to my God! His goodness truly overflows into and throughout every nook and corner of my life.

Memories to Treasure:

The Tickled Pink Shower
~ Shopping for pink fashion show items that I could picture bringing a smile to Tara's face
~ Making huge batches of granola for the guests' goody bags
~ Staying up until 2:30 a.m. with my mom the night before as we put dozens of finishing touches on each detail
~ Watching the heavens open and the rain pour down with intensity right after we had unloaded our multitude of items into the rented facility the morning of :-)
~ Scurrying around with friends ahead of time, setting up tables and decorating as we raced against the clock
~ Delighting in the beauty of a room transformed by pink!
~ Watching Tara enjoy herself throughout the party
~ Reveling in the laughter and sweet fellowship of dear friends
~ Hearing precious, heart-felt tributes shared by guests for the honored bride-to-be


The Maiden's Quest Reunion
~ Receiving dozens of emails from alumni stating their plans to attend and their excitement over the event
~ Sitting on the floor of Hobby Lobby with numerous scrap-booking papers spread along the aisle as I mixed and matched patterns for the Prayer Journal craft
~ Finding the perfect ribbons to match each paper
~ Shopping with a friend at Sam's Club for bulk supplies
~ Writing the name tags of each person planning to attend
~ Working alongside my mom and dad as they helped me assemble 200 craft kits (what troopers!)
~ Welcoming our dear friends, the Bridges, into our home for the weekend
~ Setting up and decorating the church in anticipation for a wonderful reunion
~ Praying with Tara, Stephen, and Kelly right before the event
~ Reconnecting with so many precious maidens and mothers as they began to arrive
~ Walking onto the platform and looking out at a sea of familiar, beloved faces
~ Weeping on the back row as a video clip was played reminding me of God's faithfulness
~ The delight of hearing Tara and Stephen's story, song, and exhortations
~ Seeing the fruit of our labors as prayer journals were lovingly created by eager hands
~ Nibbling on delicious homemade cookies :-)
~ Hugging old friends and new
~ Hearing the feedback from so many young women grateful for the encouragement they received

Tara and Stephen's Tropical Spa Shower
~ Seeing the beauty of creativity
~ Enjoying yummy food prepared by others :-)
~ Writing a song about the happy couple
~ Watching them enjoy their food at the special table-for-two
~ Listening to wise exhortations from God's Word
~ Watching the smiles and delight that new gifts for the home can bring
~ Seizing a quick moment for a hug with my beaming friend in the midst of buzzing hub-bub

Hopefully, pictures will soon be available to share with you of these happenings in life, but for now, perhaps these word-snapshots will give you an idea of life in my corner of the world lately.