...Trying not to Procrastinate...

*Cough, cough*  Ya know that post I said I was going to do like three months ago, the "thirty steps of something,".........yeah...well........it's not really going that well.  I kind of keep forgetting. Sorry. :P  But, I am trying to do it! (I just keep forgetting) ....How about I try and get in done in like.......300 days?!!  Good idea, right, (you have to say yes, you have no choice.) :P  Since I have not done this in awhile, I will do two steps in one day! (Didn't see that coming, did ya?) ;)  Okay, okay, getting serious now.

Step 5)  Your favorite quote and why

"His sacred intent for me is nothing short of absolute abandonment to Jesus Christ, entire separation from the pollution of the world, and ardent worship of my King with every breath I take."    (Leslie Ludy, Set-Apart Femininity)

I l.o.v.e. that quote, and I really don't need to explain why I like it so much - it speaks for itself. 

That, is the reason why I am on the earth, it is my duty while I'm alive.  What a commission!!! 

Step 6)  20 of my favorite things

1. Curling up in a cozy blanket, next to a fireplace, with my coffee, reading an amazing book.  

2. Staying up late with my sister and watching "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." 

3. Babies.....they're just SO stinkin' cute!

4. My family - they are incredible, and I love each one of them so dearly!! <3

5.  Finding joy in Jesus' presence - it is is wonderful! 

6. crocheting hats

7. Coffee

8. Laughing with friends =) 

9. Spending time with Jesus (it just gets better and better) 

10. COLORADO!!!!

11. Ice skating

12. Photo ops (aka: taking pics!)

13.  Having encouraging, precious talks with dear, sisters in the Lord

14. The worship times at Ellerslie

15.  Being slap-happy

16. The mountains! (Oh, went there for the first time - I am SUCH a mountain girl!)

17.  That God is mightier than the waves of the sea, that He is bigger and in control of anything that comes my way

18. Encouraging/challenging quotes and song lyrics

19.  Playing bluegrass with friends (whether they're 11 of 70!)

20.  God's steadfast faithfulness.  When we are faithless, He remains faithful!!

Those are just a few of my favorite things, and those are only the ones that came to mind.  I'm sure there are things I love way more, than what's on that list.   I am so thankful God has given me each one of those gifts, and that I get to enjoy them! 
Have a superbly-fantabulous evening, praising God for ALL that He has given to us - it's incredible!

Love and hugs,
Bailey =)

Do Hard Things

My mom had me watch this interview for school, and I thought it was very inspiring and challenging!

I had the chance to attend Alex and Brett's conference a couple years ago, and then read their book "Do Hard Things."  Their message is so great, and just what we (teens) need to hear! 

After going to their conference I went on their website, and stumbled across this modesty survey.  It was a survey, where girls asked guys questions about modesty, and then guys responded!  It is really neat, and actually a good guideline as to what is modest or not.  And it's good to hear from guys'  perspective as to what they think is immodest.  I would highly encourage you girls to check it out!

It was very helpful for me!

Anyways......
 

My favorite part of this interview is when Alex says, "Doing hard things is doing ordinary things, extraordinarily well." 

I hope this helps you catch a vision for what hard thing God is calling you to do today! 

It did for me! 

bailey =)

Three Insights

I have been reading in 1 Chronicles and I finally got past the nine chapters of genealogy stuff (yay!!) and began to read some actual stories.  As I began reading, God gave me three really neat insights/challenges.  And I wanted to share them with you. 

1) "So Saul died for his breach of faith.  He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance.  He did not seek guidance from the LORD.  Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse."  1 Chron 10:13-14  

Whoa......that is some serious stuff.  Saul actually died because he didn't believe God!  What is that saying to you and me?  We had better believe God!!  But, praise Jesus, that it doesn't have to be hard to believe Jesus.  If He said it, He'll do it, and He can't lie, so we can put our confidence in those two facts. 

2)  "Of Zebulun, 50,000 season troops equipped for the battle with all the weapons of war, to help David with singleness of purpose."  12:33

What a picture of what the Church is supposed to be today!!  We are called to:  be equipped, with ALL the weapons of warfare, to help our King with singleness of purpose (no competing affections of distractions!).  Oh, if only we Christians could grab a hold of this!!

3) "All these men of war, arraying in battle order, came to Hebron with full intent to make David king over all Israel.  Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of single mind to make David king."  12:38
 

and the KJV:  "All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel [were] of one heart to make David king."

I know this is somewhat similar to the previous verse, but W.O.W.  Again, if the modern Church could grasp a hold of this Truth today, the world would be turned upside down!!  Our one thought of each day, our one reason why we live should be, "Our King needs to receive His due!"  Our only intent in life should be to see Jesus recognized as KING over all the earth!!  That, my friends, is our glory, pride and joy.  This is our privilege. 

O Lord, give me singleness of purpose! Grant to me a warrior's heart - the passion to see You receive all the glory and praise that is due your almighty Name!  

Amen.                                             

He Ever Remains....

my Portion

my Maker 

my Husband (Is 54:5)

my Well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:15)

my Savior (2 Pet 3:18)

my Hope (1 Tim1:1)

my Brother (Mark 3:35)

my Helper (Heb 3:16)

my Refiner  (Mal 3:3)

my Purifier 

my Lord, Master  (Joh 13:13)

my Servant  (Luke 12:37)

my Example  (John 13:15)

my Teacher  (John 3:2)

my Shepherd  (Ps 23:1)

my Keeper  (John 17:12)

my Feeder  (Ezk 34:23)

my Leader  (Is 40:11)

my Restorer  (Ps 23:3)

my Resting-place  (Jer 50:6)

my Meat  (John 6:55)

my Drink

my Passover  (1 Cor 5:7)

my Wisdom  ( 1 Cor 1:30)

my Redemption  ( 1 Cor 1:30)

my Physician  (Jer 8:22)

my Healer  (Luke 9:11)

my All in All  (Col 3:11)

Snow Day!

I LOVE snow! (just saying) These kinds of days just warm my heart.

Charlie had been asking us for days if we could take him sledding.  So finally, yesterday, Mom, Anna, Charlie and I got our snow-gear on and marched over to the sledding hill.  It actually turned out to be a lot of fun! It was great this year though, because Charlie is now old enough to go down the hill by himself. And we got some good laughs because of him.  It was a wonderful afternoon, just playing with my family, laughing at my hilarious brother, and taking lots of pictures, and then hot cocoa at the end......a picture-perfect winter day. =)

"Hello!"

 

I love my mom!

my um.....hilapious sister. (I made up that word)

Charlie's snow angel

 

I know I already used this pic before, but I just love it so much!

 

Alas, that was the end to the snow day......it was quite fun! =)

A Little Bundle from Heaven

I am here to tell you about the newest addition to the Wilderness staff family -  

Naomi Dawn Hopkins.  She was born in the beginning of December (I'm sorry I don't know the date) , so I think she's like six weeks old.....?  Anyways, John and Jual came over with little Naomi, yesterday morning, and our family got to watch her for a little bit.  It was so much fun!  At first we all took turns holding her while she was sleeping.  Then once we held her Jual fed her, then left her with us for a bit.  We sat her on the table, in her little carrier, and rocked her back and forth while talking baby-gibberish to her. (so fun!)  Anna eventually got her to smile a couple times - oh! SO precious! Then we continued arguing (a good arguing) about who got to hold her next...and so on.....  We had such a sweet time with little Naomi.
And I am thoroughly convinced that my mom should either have another baby, or we adopt one, because I want one of those cute, buggars around!

So, without further ado:  Naomi =)

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set Your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger."  Psalm 8:1-2

Happy 2011!

WOW. 2010 flew by way too fast!  I have so many awesome memories of last year, and encouraging testimonies of how God proved Himself faithful and true! I cannot wait to see what happens this year, and how He will continue to work in 2011! 

 

HE is good.