Change

Hey guys! This is still Maiden of Purity. I just got a whole new layout. I wanted to try something different. That's who I am, trying new things! Let me know what you think about the 'new' background!!

Taking off for a week!

I will not be posting for about a week. I just want all of you to know this because I have to take only these last few days of my summer and spend them wisely. Also, I am being kept busy with preparing for school. I only have one more week and then the business starts up again. I have been going through my books, gathering up school supplies, writing out a lesson plan, and most of all, psyching my mind up! HA HA! Ok, I will be back in perhaps a week, unless something comes up this week which I will want to share. God bless y'all!

The '3' letter word...why!

Have you ever had a moment where you thought, "Lord, why is this incident happening? Why are you allowing this to happen?" I sure have, and am very guilty of sometimes catching myself with asking, "Why, why, why?" Well, let me tell you about the little word 'why.'

When we often say why we are simply meaning, "For what reason?, how so?, how?, how is it that?" And, that little why word is also another way of either complaining, or questioning. We many times don't even realize what that little three lettered word can mean or how much of an impact it can have. Look, let's take another example, let's say, your mom asks you to clean the dishes for lunch, however, without doing it some of us say, "Why mom?" That right there my friends is complaining and questioning her command. Just as I stated in my first paragraph at how many of us come to God when things aren't going the way we want them to be, we come straight at him and say, "Why Father God, why?"


Allow myself to read you a line which my best friend told me when I was going through something I didn't understand. "Vanessa never ask God 'why' He's obviously allowing this incident to happen for a reason! We don't always understand what, but he knows. Nothing passes by the eyes of the Lord, he has a plan in this." Isn't that amazing words of wisdom? When she told me that it was a light bulb inside of my turned on and I awoke. All the times before when something would go on which I wasn't to pleased with, I would, complain to the Lord. When my friend told me this I realized and confessed to God. Everything that goes on in our lives are just a clear sign that the Lord has his hand in it all and is in total control.

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. I Corinthians 10:11

He teaches us through the hardest times and we are not to be murmuring and questioning God why this and that. When incidences happen where we don't always understand it is a time where we draw closer to God, because we cleave to him all the more to find the answer!

Draw nigh unto God and he will draw nigh unto you. James 4:8 (a)

Last days of summer :(

Hello everyone. I'm so sorry that I haven't got around and published anything new since August 8th. I have been just enjoying the last few days of summer, and am slowly getting ready for school. We haven't started and won't start for another 2 weeks, however, just writing out a lesson plan, and getting all my books together, and going over some new ones. I'm getting a little bit excited, but can't believe summer is about over! Fall will be here in a month and then, oh no, the long cold winter months. Especially where I live, you get about 5-6 months of cold, snowy weather. Well, it's still some months away!

This Sunday at church my family and I recited for the first time, Psalm 1 by heart! I was so amazed and very excited that we achieved this task. I know Psalm 1 is only 6 verses, but hey, it was a start, and as for my mom and dad, we need to go slow on them at first. :) We are working on Psalm 100 for the next time. You see, each month (third Sunday of every month) our church has what we call a, hymn sing. It's where we play hymns on piano or guitar, then our pastor reads scripture and allows a few moments of silence for the Holy Spirit to speak to anyone. Then you can either recite scripture as an individual, or together with your family. We decided to do it together as a family. However, my dad has challenged my siblings and I to take a chapter in the bible and work on it till the next hymn sing which will be, Sept.21. I have decided to do James 3. It will be a challenge, however, it's kind of motivating to do because you feel as you have achieved a great accomplishment. And you have! It's a great reward!

Oh, one quick thing before I go. As I was out and about last week, I saw a bumper sticker on a car, this is what it said. "God hears knee-mail!"

DON'T take the BAIT!

I got this book by Nancy Leigh Demoss and Dannah Gresh for my birthday. It's titled, 'Lies Young Women Believe.' I want to take a moment and share something out of that book what I learned this morning while doing my quiet time, take a look at these four powerful paragraphs. I recommend this book for any young lady. It is a big eye opener. Not everything, but a lot of things!

If you've ever gone fishing, you know that you won't catch anything if all you do is throw an empty hook in the water. Fish are smarter than that. If you want to catch a fish, you have to put some kind of bait on your hook.

Satan's lies are the bait he uses to catch us. James 1:14-15 exposes the tactics Satan uses to ensare us. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

Satan takes the things you desire and promises to fulfill those desires if you will simply reject God and ignore His Word. But he doesn't come right out and say. "Reject God and ignore His Word. " Instead, he convinces you that doing something just once won't really hurt anything. Or that other people are finding happiness when that reject God. "And after all," he hisses, "doesn't God want you to be happy?"

When you take the bait, you've given birth to sin. Satan's goal is to use your sin to destroy you. John 10:10 says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." So, the next time you're tempted to do something you know you shouldn't do, remember-there's a hook waiting for you. Don't take the bait!

My birthday!

It's my birthday! Yes, my 16th! I can't imagine that I'm actually 16 years old! I remember when I was always about 8 or so I'd try to think and just wonder how I'd be like when I'm 16. Well, life went by without even realizing and I'm there now. It's amazing, God has given 15 wonderful years. I'm healthy, blessed, have a awesome family, and an amazing best friend!

As I start my new year, I pray that the Lord will bless me with wisdom, courage, strength, and love. I have had a great 15 years of my life. Each day I learned something new. My fifteenth year was great. I really came closer to the Lord and learned to totally rely upon him in ALL things. I endured trials and hardships, and as well as joyful moments. Times where I didn't want it to end. I was blessed to see my God, seeing him work through my life and through the lives of others. It was wonderful to just watch as I prayed for a request and see the Lord fulfill it slowly by slowly.

I have an amazing family. Parents who are always there for me when I need them most. My dad and mom are the ones who have taught me the ways of the Lord. They directed me when I was younger, with love, patience, and joy. They have been the ones who encouraged me when I was down, they brought me up in the way of the Lord. I wouldn't be where I am right now if it weren't for my parents. I have a mom who knows me in and out. She is a powerful praying woman, praying for the ways of her children. She has directed me in wisdom and love when I need it the most. My dad has provided such a wonderful love for me. He has never missed my birthday, and always made it possible to come home from work. As I celebrate my sixteenth birthday he is out of town on a business trip, however. This is the first time, and he sure doesn't like it. He has corrected me when I have sinned and has turned me from the way of sinners. He has been my shield and protector. I feel safe in my father and love him dearly. His funny humor brings me up when I'm down. Thank you mom and dad for being in my life, for leading me, and for raising me up to become a godly lady. I love you both!

My siblings are the ones who I couldn't imagine life without. We have laughed endless hours, talked, and fought. They never ignore me, and always are there for me. I pray for you guys daily, and am so blessed that we are still all together. Marc, as you are approaching 19, I'm very happy that you still are with us. That you haven't left this house yet, I love to talk to you at night, and am blessed for the brother I have! Alec, and Noah, you guys are something else. Making me laugh 24/7 and are always there when I need you guys. Continue to stay the cute little boys, and always remember the relationship with have as siblings. Izzy, my sister, I love you, you little thing. Thanks for making my life wonderful. You are my sister, and my love! I cannot believe that we are all growing up. I wish and pray to God that we will all live together. In a reasonable distance. I don't want to live without my four wonderful siblings, and my lovely parents. I need God, my family, my grandparents, and my best friend and that's all. I have been blessed with amazing siblings, a godly, caring, loving family. I love you guys so very much, my siblings, my best siblings!!

Now, my best friend. Erica, I want to thank you for the friendship you have given me. The wonderful times we have had, the long conversations, and the encouragement you give me. You correct me when I have wronged, and have been there from me at all times. I feel like you are no longer a friend, but a sister. A dear sister to my heart, one whom I can talk about anything! You are the best friend, a friend anyone needs to have. You are a true friend, a sister in heart. You even called me at 12:27 AM the time I was born and wished me a happy birthday this early morning. You have taught me and showed me the ways of the Lord. Erica, I love you!

I can say more, to my family and friend, but it would be a very long post. I have had a blessed year, and pray for another wonderful year to come. My sixteenth year will be following after the Lord! I want this year to be even better than last years, to have a closer relationship with my God, and with each of my family members. Thank you guys for everything!

My testimony!

Hey y'all!

I got BAPTIZED today! You're probably like, "What? I thought, she was, I thought she's saved?!" Well, that's fine. Ok, let me tell you about myself and my walk with the Lord and how it has changed over the years.

I accepted Christ when I was a little 6 year old. I thought it was the right thing, however, the older I got the more doubts came up. If I sinned I didn't really think it was all that bad. I would go ahead and live on with it. I turned 11 or so and still life was the same, always wondering, 'Am I saved? I think so?" So, I tried each time to really get close to the Lord. I would try to motivate myself with reading the bible and praying, however, I didn't have the urge to do it every morning. I didn't think I was a bad person, and I most certainly didn't find myself walking closer to the Lord. I would often pray the prayer over and over again, especially when I'd go to any conferences. But, I didn't take it serious. I wasn't feeling a growth in my life. It wasn't until I moved to Illinois almost 2 years ago, when I was 14. We began going to this church we found and my life was changed. I began to have convictions each day. I would wake up early in the morning just to have a special hour with the Lord. It was about the middle of October when I re-accepted Christ in my heart. I felt renewed. I felt that I was free from sin and was ready to begin over. I couldn't live the sinful life anymore. I felt rotten when I sinned and wanted to immediately ask for forgiveness. I totally surrendered my life to Christ and that fall and winter were just wonderful!

I was thinking, "Wow, my life is going great! My life with Christ is just wonderful!" Until, summer 07 hit! Of course, you are more outside and so are others, and in this case, kids. All ages, boys and girls. I began hanging around these kids having the thought, "It's ok to hang around a few hours, nothing bad will come out of this, besides they're all younger!" Sure enough, a few hours ended up into an entire day. I would get questioned about my faith and constantly what I call, persecuted! Whatever I'd say or do, kids would come out and say, "Why that, or why this?" I would tell them but the more I'd say, the more I'd get mocked. It always felt as if I would read my bible and pray, each day would get worse. I began to feel pressured and wondered, "Hm, I'm your child God, why aren't you watching over me?" Believe me, the last day I lived there was the worse! I felt like just falling apart, but still inside of me, I knew I was doing wrong with these kids but I did it, because I didn't want to be questioned about every little thing. We moved in the end of June and it wasn't until the middle of July or so did I realize how much senseless times I wasted out there. I began to feel troubled the entire summer with certain things and I would cry out to God and just ask him to take all this trouble away from me. The fall hit and I began to see that all that trouble that was going on with me and those kids was trials and tribulations. I began to search the bible and pray and just cry out to God. It says in the bible that when you walk with the Lord and the closer you get others will notice you and will mock you. I was getting those persecutions from 12, and 13 year olds.

All what went on last year was only a blessing from God because I became closer to Christ. My walk with him is just lovely, I am so excited to meet with him everyday! I can no longer imagine life without my God. Instead of complaining when I fall into trials and tests I rejoice! So, there you have it, that is why I got re-baptized this afternoon! Both my little brother who accepted Christ a year and a half ago and I did it on the same day! Praise the Lord!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1:2