20 Things For My Birthday

            I used this idea from Rachelle's blog for my birthday. Today I turn 20! Thank you, Rachelle! So here we go …

            

            20 things that I have done ... 

1.        Accepted Christ into my life and let Him take me on an incredible journey of faith and love.

2.       Graduated from homeschool at the top of the class for that year (Actually I was the only one in my graduating class that year).

3.       Taught at a homeschool co-op from 6 months, and a once a month sewing and Bible class with my sister for five years.

4.       Went to Sea World San Antonio, D. C. , the Rookies, Lancaster County, Valley Forge, and traveled a lot in Texas.

5.       Was the in a play! (I love this. I got to act (a big dream of mine) and wear one of those flowing medieval dresses. *sigh* Loved it!)

6.       Had articles published on Meditations of His Love, Virtuous Girlhood, Priceless Jewels, and in countless magazines.

7.       Written four plays and screenplays.

8.       Sang in front of church, in small groups, in a play, and at a small Christian festival.

9.       Made a cross stitched calendar, six cross stitched nativity sets for my mom, hundreds of gifts and small things.

10.   Given away over a hundred crocheted items to charity and friends.

11.   Learned how to make cards and scrapbook.

12.   Volunteered at a local thrift store.

13.   I got to see Natalie Grant and Matthew West in concert.

14.   Learned to sew. It’s still not one of my favorite things, but I know how to do it.

15.   Read through the encyclopedia set, and listen to or read over 300 books.

16.   Became a baker (it was the best hobby I took up).

17.   Learned ASL.

18.   Worked as a cleaning lady for some dear elderly Christian couples. It’s been such a wonderful way to get to know them and serve them.

19.   Started this blog to help girls find ministries and encouragement.

20.   Survived 20 years through my own antics and through my families teasing me about them.

Wow. That sounds like a lot. Now what do I want to accomplish in the next 20 years?

1.       I want to take a trip to the Grand Canyon, Hallstat Austria, and trips to meet my blogging friends.

2.       Hopefully God will bring along Mr. Right, and … you know!

3.       Make one nativity every year for my mom for Christmas. As well as continue to make things for charity.

4.       Continue to write for the blogs that I currently write for and see about getting published in some magazines.

5.       Continue to teach. It’s something that I like doing and I hope and pray that I can continue to teach other girl some of what God has taught me.

6.       Write down the plays and screenplays that I have in my head.

7.       Make a quilt for my bed.

8.       Go on a mission trip with my family.

9.       Mentor other girls and grow lasting friendships with the wonderful friends that God has given to me.

10.   Learn to sing better.

11.   Keep a journal.

12.   Learn to sew better.

13.   Minister to the elderly.

14.   Make a crocheted blanket that has cross stitching on it.

15.   Learn more about gardening, baking, history, and nature.

16.   Form closer friendships with my family.

17.   Read another 200 books.

18.   Be content wherever I am.

19.   See what else God has in store for me.

20.   Become closer to my Savior.  

A Month of Poems : Widen My Vision

God, open my eyes to I may see

And feel your presence close to me.

Give me strength for my stumbling feet

As I battle the crowd on life’s busy street,

And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes

So in passing faces I’ll recognize

Not just a stranger, unloved and unknown,

But a friend with a heart that is much like my own.

Give me perception to make me aware

That scattered profusely on life’s thoroughfare

Are the best gifts of God that we daily pass by

As we look at the world with an unseeing eye.

Helen Seiner Rice

A Book Of Courage

1996

Revell Publishing Company

A Month of Poems : A Better World

A Better World

God, look down on our cold hearts

And warm them with your love

And grant us forgiveness,

Which we’re so unworthy of.

Help us to do better

In this day that we’re beginning

And give us strength to overcome

Our selfishness and sinning.

Give us strength and courage

To be honorable and true

And to place our trust implicitly

In unseen things and You.

And keep us kind and humble

And fill our hearts with love,

Which in this selfish, greedy world

Man has so little of.

Helen Seiner Rice

A Book Of Courage

1996

Revell Publishing Company

Back to School Time!

Many of you I’m sure heard about the devastating tornados that swept through Joplin Missouri. In its wake it left a path of destruction and hurt. People lost homes.

But the community rebuilt. With help from the government and helpful neighbors Joplin is coming back to life.

One of the signs of this new growth is that on Monday kids went back to school with a little help from a seamstress. Over the summer a local quilter Susan Stewart wanted to help the rebuilding effort. Unable to do heavy manual labor she got to thinking about helping the kids of Joplin. Then she remembered that ever year she had a new dress for the first day of school. It struck her that many of the kids of Joplin had lost everything. Giving them new clothes for the school year would be a perfect way to help.

So Stewart launched Project First Day. She invited her sewing friends from all over the country to help her make clothes for the kids of Joplin. People latched onto the idea. By distribution day they had 1,440 garments to give away.

For the kids of Joplin it was nice to have something not only to where, it also made them feel like they had a fresh start.

Wow. What a story. Because one woman gave and encouraged others to give, some kids who had lost everything got blessed with new clothes. People like that inspire me. They inspire me to give, to work, and to love. I may not end up on the national news for it, but if I make a difference in someone else’s life. It’s enough.    

A Month of Poems : Stepping Stones To God

Steppingstones to God

An aching heart is but a steppingstone

To greater joy than you have ever known,

For things that cause the heart to ache

Until you think that it must break

Become strength by which we climb

To higher heights that are sublime

And feel the radiance of God’s smiles

When we have soared above life’s trials.

So when you’re overwhelmed with fears

And all your hopes are drenched in tears,

Think not that life has been unfair

And given you too much to bear,

For God has chosen you because,

With all your weakness and flaws,

He feels that you are worthy of

The greatness of His wondrous love.

Helen Seiner Rice

A Book Of Courage

1996

Revell Publishing Company

A Month of Poems : Each Day

Each day as it comes

Brings a chance to each one

To love to the fullest,

Leaving nothing undone

That would brighten the life

Or lighten the load

Of some weary traveler

Lost on life’s road.

So what does it matter

How long we live

If as long as we live

We unselfishly give.

Helen Seiner Rice

A Book Of Courage

1996

Revell Publishing company