Happy Valentine's Day!

Yesterday after church my family and my Grandma and Grandpa Lambdin and I went to Applebee's to celebrate my Mom's birthday. She turned 45 on the 8th. I ate something new this time, stuffed meatballs with fettuccini. It was soo good! Afterwards, we went back to our house and had cake. Then Grandpa and Grandma gave Mom her present. She received money which Grandma specifically told that she was only to use for herself, not on the children or her husband, just herself. She also received a new blender! Our old broke a few weeks ago.

Grandma then gave all six of us grandchildren a card that said Happy Valentine's and We Love You with a piece of candy and five dollars. After they left, Moms and Dad gave all of us a box of sweethearts, a Reese's peanut butter heart and a five dollar card to Starbucks!

Today we are all going to Starbucks to spend our gift cards.

The Good Samaritan

About a week a ago I was nannying for the Thifault's. As I put Haddie and Libbie, three year old twins, down for their nap I read them the story of the Good Samaritan. When I read the part of the Samaritan coming along and choosing to stop help the man who was robbed, beaten up, and left for dead I saw a clear picture of Christ as the Samaritan.

I imagined what it would be like to be robbed, beaten up, and left for dead. You are laying on a dirt road, clothes stripped off, bleeding, beaten and bruised. A man comes along, a priest, and you cry out to him to help you, but he just walks away on the other side of the road. A while later another man, a Levite, a man of God, walks down the road. You call out to him and he walks on the other side of the road. Soon after that another man comes along. You call out to him and amazingly he stops. He bends over you and bandages your wounds. After that, he picks you up and places you on his donkey and takes you to the nearest Inn and continues to care for you. The next day he pays the Inn keeper, telling him to take care of you and that he will return to pay for all the expenses.

Is that not a beautiful picture of Christ? He we are broken sinners in a fallen world, beaten and bruised because of the sin in our lives and in others. Jesus comes to us and quenches our thirst, bandages our beaten bodies, clothes us and picks us up and sets us on His donkey.

Christmas in Florida

This year for Christmas we went to Florida to be with my Dad's side of the family. We left on early Monday morning on 20th around 7:30. We stayed at a hotel a little ways south of Atlanta, GA. To save money we rented one room that sleeps four. The only problem was that we had seven people. Sooo, we had to sneak in Daniel, Andrew and me. Mom, Rachel and I slept in the same bed together (very uncomfortable). Dad and Daniel slept in the other bed with my Dad under all the covers and Daniel on top of the blanket with just the comforter to cover him. Andrew slept in a chair with a suitcase under his legs because he refused to sleep in the bed with Dad and Daniel. Matthew was on the floor. Dad went to bed early but everyone else stayed up a little later because we had slept in the van and were not tired. We got a little bit rowdy and got on my Dad's nerves a little. When we did go to bed I got the giggles and could not help but laugh out loud because of the sleeping situation. Well, that made Rachel and Mom laugh and the boys started laughing too. We eventually settled down once Dad got on to us.

The next morning we finished driving to Fort Myers, FL. and got to our condo at about 6:30 p.m. We quickly unloaded and then headed to Fort Myers beach which was only five minutes away. The water was really cold but that did not stop Andrew, Matthew and I from getting in the water. The sunset was beautiful!

The week was filled with visiting my grandma and grandpa Wallace who live in Fort Myers in a trailer during winter, and visiting my Dad's older sister Lynn and her husband Larry in Naples. Also, my Dad's younger sister, Missy, flew in from Chicago to be with us. Lynn and Larry's son Eric, lives close to Naples with his wife Amy and their newborn son, Christian Andrew. He was born December 3rd. The only person missing was Jessica, who could not get off work, and my cousin Heather (Lynn and Larry's oldest child) who was Ohio with her family.

Some of our activities included going to the beach, eating dinner on the beach, walking the boardwalk, riding the Everglades, looking at an animal exhibit while waiting to ride the Everglades.

I will post pictures later as they are on my Mom's laptop.

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 18

Day 18

More Than A List

We send our children to school. We give them piano lessons. We put them on sports teams. Who is teaching them about modesty?

• There are formal, structured times to teach your children the ways of God, but more is taught in the course of everyday life using teachable moments and opportunities.
• Ask your children questions so that they can discover truth themselves. Then they will have ownership of it and it will be much more valuable.
• If your children's hearts are to please the Lord and to make choices based on the Word of God, then they will not just conform to a list that you have come up with, but will become difference makers in their culture and in their generation.

An Early Christmas

This year our family decided to go to Florida the week of Christmas so we had our Christmas early.

On Sunday 19th, we went to the second service at College Park Church at 9:40 a.m. After church, we then headed to First Baptist Church where my mom's parents attend. Dad dropped off Mom, Rachel and I with Grandma and we went downtown to meet up with Jessica at Le Peeps. Afterwards, we went to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for their Christmas Yuletide Celebration at 2 p.m. This was the first time we attended and it was very good. Sandy Patti lead the celebration. Once it ended we all went back to our house and had our Christmas dinner with Grandma and Grandpa. Then we opened presents.

All of us children exchange names for Christmas. I had Matthew, Matthew had Andrew, Andrew had Rachel, Jessica had Daniel, Daniel had Jessica, and Rachel had me. I got Matthew a Deal Or No Deal game for his DS. Rachel gave me pearl earrings and chocolate covered raisins (which I love) and fruit candy. In my stocking from mom and dad I received chocolate candy and body wash stuff. For my presents I got a navy blue shirt for church (I love the deep blue color), earrings, Giada Italian cookbook, The Nativity Story, and The Best Years of Our Lives (which is like the best movie ever!).

After presents we had desert and then said goodbye to Grandpa and Grandma.

Purdue Game

This past Thursday my dad, Rachel, Matthew and I went to the girls Purdue basketball game against Michigan State. We went with Rachel's home school basketball team, the Northeast Trailblazers. It was a nice game and Purdue won 65-64, but the real reason I went was to watch the cheerleaders.

They had eight girls and eight boys. The did two great stunts. The first one five girls and boys stood at the side of the court facing the benches. The two guys on the end put their girls on their shoulders and the three in the middle put their girls in a full liberty. Once the girls all hooked their arms the guys walked to the middle of the court. They did a great job of staying in line and not dropping the girls. In the second stunt there were five guys and girls in the middle of the court. The guys put the girls in a full and then one by one the girls each picked up their left leg and brought it high above their hip. Very cool. They only thing I did not like was that they did not do a basket toss. That is my favorite stunt. They also did great back flips.

We all enjoyed our time at the game.

Ukraine Mission Trip

Just thought I would pop on here and let you know that I found out this afternoon that I have been accepted to go on the mission trip to Ukraine with my church! I am so excited!! I will be with a group of about 12 women and 12 men. Us girls will be helping the elderly shut-ins while the men tear down an old church and build a new one. When I was talking to the leader back in October, she said that the elderly love to have young people around. We will be doing things like cleaning the house, doing yard work, or whatever else they need use to do. The trip is from June 28-July 12.

This will be my first time to leave the country. Please pray that we will all have save travel flying over there and driving to our destination and that we will be able to effectively help these elderly people and build a good, new church for them. Please pray that we will be able to reach out to these people and lead them to Jesus. Thank you so much!

Radiant Purity Conference

I was looking back over my notes from the Radiant Purity Conference that I attended last year with my mom and younger sister Rachel and I thought I would share my notes with you. The conference was put on by Sarah Mally. She wrote Before You Meet Prince Charming which I highly recommend.

Radiant Purity Conference, 14 August 2009.

There are two kinds of purity: 1. Innocent. 2. Cleansed. Purity starts in the heart and glows outward.

Desire the best marriage and be willing to wait for him.

Dating

Temporary
To get
Human
Set up for divorce

Courtship

Eternal
To give
Spiritual
Set up for marriage

Look for a christian, a strong christian who shows spiritual fruit.

Trust Him no matter what. He is in control and can see the big picture while we can only see a piece. Sometimes when we think something is good or that we should do something right then that may be godly, but not what God wants for us at that time in our life. What God has planned for us is better than we could imagine. A good definition of "my will" is: what God's will is if I knew all of the facts. The Lords will is perfect and we need to be patient and follow his will, no questions asked.

What to do When You Have a Crush

1. Spring board approach.
2. Memorize scripture.
3. Talk to your parents.
4. Exercise faith in trusting the Lord.

The spring board approach simply means that when the person you have a crush on comes to mind you immediately think of something else. For example, when the person comes to mind you immediately start praying for family or friends or whoever God lays on your heart. Or, you start singing a song.

Friendship Principles

1. Keep the friendship casual.
2. Avoid situations that will breed emotional bonds.
3. Ask your parents for specific guidance and guidelines.
4. Do not seek attention for yourself.

Principles of Dress

1. Dress modestly.
2. Do not copy the world.
3. Do not defraud.
4. Dress femininely.
5. Honor your father.
6. Draw attention to your countenance.
7. Remember that you represent the Lord Jesus.

Emotional Purity

Seven Reasons to Send Guys to Your Dad

1. Dad will respect you.
2. You and your dad will be a team.
3. Young man will respect you.
4. Helps to screen guys.
5. Easier for you to say no.
6. Wisdom from dad's perspective.
7. Relationship between dad and young man starting right.

Internet can be a wonderful blessing. You can stay up to date with family quickly, talk to friends that live far away. But it can also lead to sinfulness if you are not careful what you look at and read. Here are some reasons why.

Possible Cautions

1. Opens up to things that are not holy. Psalm 1.
2. Interferes with relationship with parents.
3. Protects "artificial" friendships.
4. Emphasis on having many friends.
5. Sharing emotions prematurely or unwisely.
6. Can become an addiction.
7. Justifying relationships with young men that we normally would not.
8. Creates an area of independence--no accountability.
9. Encourages a split personality.
10. Can lead us to be very "me" focused.
11. Wasting time--one of our most precious resources.

We have to be careful about our use of the internet. We need to set up personal safeguards.

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 18

Day 18
More Than a List

We send our children to school. We give them piano lessons. We put them on sports teams. But who is teaching them about modesty?

• There are formal, structured times to teach your children the ways of God, but more is taught in the course of everyday life using teachable moments and opportunities.
• Ask your children questions so they can discover truth themselves. Then they will have ownership of it and it will be much more valuable.
• If your children's hearts are to please the Lord and to make choices that are based on the Word of God, then they will not just conform to a list that you have come up with, but will become difference-makers in their culture and in their generation.
  

Thanksgiving 2010

For this Thanksgiving my family got together with my Grandma Lambdin's side of the family. This year was my Grandma's turn to host the dinner. It was held at my grandparents church, First Baptist of Carmel. We got their early to help set up and stayed late to clean up. The food was very good and we had a great time fellowshipping with one another. The only people missing were my Uncle Joe, Aunt Mindi, and five cousins who live in Tennessee. They went to Aunt Mindi's parents in Pennsylvania.

On Friday I caught the cold that was going around my house. We also got all our Christmas decorations put up including our tree. Saturday we had Thanksgiving with my Grandpa Lambdin's side of the family. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend because of my cold :(.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Belated Birthday

Okay, so I completely got side tracked and forgot to tell you that my older sister, Jessica, turned 22 on 1 November. Happy Belated Birthday!

You can check out her blog here.

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 17

Day 17
Modeling Modesty

Training your children about modesty at thirteen is too late. How about at age three? Learn why modeling modesty for young children is vital.

• Make sure that the kind of entertainment you enjoy fits what you say you believe.
• It is inconsistent for parents who profess to believe the gospel to let their children watch sexually explicit movies that promote unbiblical philosophies.
• Modesty should be a way of life.
  

20 Revolutions Around the Sun

On October 26th I turned twenty years old! To celebrate my birthday my parents took me to breakfast at La Peeps. It was very good.

While we were eating, my parents asked me some questions. The first one was, "What was the best thing that happened to you this past year?" I answered that changing churches to College Park Church was probably the best thing that happened this past year. The second question was, "What was the worst thing that happened to you?" I could not think of the worst thing that happened to me, so instead I picked something that was hard for me this year. Leaving our church was probably the hardest thing that I did this past year. The third question was, "What were my goals for this coming year? My goals for this year are to get up at 8 o'clock every morning and have devotions, take a ballet class for adults, and, LORD willing, go an a Vision Trip with College Park to Ukraine.



Once we were finished with our meal, my mom gave me a gift bag. Inside was a $50 gift card to Hobby Lobby (I like to decorate cards). She said that this was only part of my gift and that the other part should come in the mail that day. I knew immediately what it was, the Swan Lake ballet dvd.


After Daniel got home from his class that he takes at North Point, we all stood in the kitchen and my mom gave a caramel apple with crushed oreos on the top of the apple. Then she put twenty candles on my cake and they all sang Happy Birthday. I blew out all of the candles in one breath.


Later that evening, most of my cheerleaders and I went to the Sound of Music sing-along. It was quite fun.

All in all, I had a very happy birthday.

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 16

Day 16
Training Our Daughters

Learn how to train the next generation of women to have modest hearts as they grow up an increasingly permissive world.

• Modesty is, first and foremost, a heart issue. Do not expect this world to teach your children how to be modest in heart, behavior, and dress.
• One of the killers of the faith of Christian young people is that they do not see that their parents faith has joy in it. Your children will most likely reject your religion if it is a joyless religion.
• Make sure you are setting an example of loving and obeying God. When you fail, be humble enough to say, "I was wrong, would you please forgive me?"
  

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 15

Day 15
Reflecting God's Glory

Your outward appearance can reveal the inward desires of your heart. Do you want to glorify yourself or reflect God's glory?

• Your physical appearance gives an impression of God to people who cannot see Him.
• When you buy clothing, check your motives. Are you trying to draw attention to yourself? Are you putting people in a position where you may set them up to sin by being seductive or distracting?
• When you extend yourself, your heart, and your hands in good works, you are adorning the gospel and making Jesus believable.
  

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 14

Day 14
Self-Control

Purity and self-control help you make wise choices, even in tempting situations.

• God calls you to exercise self-control over your sexual passions, your demeanor, your dress and attitudes, and your way of dealing with men.
• If you have self-control, you will find there a lot of situations you will never end up in because you made wise, restrained choices on the front end.
• The greatest freedom in life comes when you are under the control of the Holy Spirit. That is when you can really enjoy life and healthy relationships in the Body of Christ.
  

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 13

Day 13
A Woman's Great Loveliness

What comes to mind when you hear the word modesty?

• To be modest is to:

1. know how to be appropriately embarrassed
2. be discreet
3. be reserved
4. see yourself as you really are
5. be ashamed if your attitudes or dress were ever to cause dishonor to Christ

• To be immodest is to:

1. be showy
2. talk too much
3. be arrogant
4. be aggressive, controlling, or domineering
   

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 12

Day 12
Affirming Our Faith

You do not leave the house with your clothes on inside out, but when it comes to modesty, that is what you need to do. First, work on the inside--on your heart--then let that be reflected on the outside.

• Your appearance, actions, and attitudes will never make you a Christian. But if you are a Christian, you absolutely will have an appearance, attitudes, and actions that confirm you profession of faith.
• We are not to be in any way that is unbecoming of us as believers--not in disarray; not as exhibitionists; not extreme.
• We need to be filled with Spirit and grounded in the Word of God so that our hearts, emotions, and minds will be well-ordered; then it will be reflected in our outward appearances.
  

Why Do I Always Wear Skirts?

In the petting zoo at the Creation Museum

Two years ago today I made a commitment to the Lord to wear only modest skirts. When I was fifteen I was naive and thought that I could wear whatever I wanted. I put up the argument that it was "my body and I could do what I want with it." That did not go over well with my parents. They tried to show me that what I wear can cause guys to stumble and that women in the Bible are instructed to dress modestly. I insisted that my "hoochie mama" shorts (as they have so famously been dubbed) and my low cut shirts were just fine. Slowly the Lord began to change my heart. I have always been a girly-girl. As a little girl I loved dressing up and wearing skirts and dresses that I could twirl. When I was sixteen I slowly started to dress nicer, wearing longer shorts, more skirts that came to my knees and higher necked shirts.

In the summer of '08 God lead me to start wearing longer skirts. I looked in department stores but could not find any skirts. So I searched the internet and came across this website, http://www.denimskirts.com/. I bought two skirts and fell in love with the website. I gradually started getting ankle-length skirts, especially with winter coming.

For my eighteenth birthday and Daniel's fifteenth birthday we invited friends over and had a bonfire. We had our party on 25 October 2008. As I was deciding what to wear for the party, I kept thinking about how I wanted to be presented to Daniel's friends. I wanted to be presented as a lady, a young woman after God's own Heart. So I asked myself "what does a lady after God's own Heart look like?" I had been reading in Deuteronomy lately as part of my daily devotions. God brought to mind a verse that I had read a few days earlier,

Deuteronomy 22:5
A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.

So I thought to myself "what do men wear? They wear pants. What do women wear? They wear skirts and pants. Wait. That is not right. Women wear both skirts and pants while men only wear pants?!" The Lord convicted me then and I made a commitment to the Lord to wear only modest skirts. For me, my skirts never get shorter than below my knee. I am not comfortable wearing skirts that come above my knee. Shirts never get lower than right below my collar bone. If they are any lower than that, they make me uncomfortable so I do not wear them.

At the state fair last year

It can be difficult to go shopping sometimes. You just have to stay positive and be creative. Some of my favorite places to shop are Goodwill, thrift stores, Style J, Kohl's, and Wal-mart.


What are your favorite places to shop? Do you have any personal guidelines or convictions when it comes to what you wear?

30 Day True Woman Make-Over: Day 11

For the next ten days of our make-over, we will journey with Nancy Leigh DeMoss through her teaching on 1 Timothy 2:9-10 titled "The Attractive Christian Woman."

Day 11
Women in the Church

Women can either be a great blessing in the church, or they can do incredibly great damage. They can make the gospel believable, or they can cause people to turn away from Christ.

• The first item Paul brings up on his agenda for women in the church is their appearance.
• The way you dress is a reflection of your heart and character. Right attitudes will produce a right appearance.
• You cannot separate the inward form the outward.