GIVEAWAY Here: ENDS JUNE 11th!!!

I am pleased to announce that, in honor of my 50th blog post, I am hosting...

The Pro-Life GIVEAWAY!!

 Yes, that's right--a *small* giveaway in honor of the day. :) Latley, I have been thinking about the awful abortion issues we have in our country and around the world, and how they are steadily growing worse. I know that many of us in this little "circle" of blogger support Life and a baby's right, and that is what triggered me to have this "giveaway."

This little pin, the exact size and shape of the hand of an 11-12 week old baby in the womb, is being handed out at my church, and I have given some of them to friends. They are a tiny, yet large light to this world of darkness, and since ya'll aren't able to recieve them from my own hands as I would like, I'm giving two away via Blogger to two lucky pro-life winners. :)

When you wear this "Precious Hand" gold lapel pin, you will be reminded to pray against abortion and for the healing of those who have gone through this. Just think: you may even be wearing this pin one day, and someone considering abortion (though you may not know that) may notice it and ask you about it. Or, perhaps, they won't ask you about it, but they will see it and be reminded how precious a little life is. Plus, it's very cute and tiny and matches almost any outfit. =)

So. Here's how you enter!

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you want to, of course!) If you are already a follower, that counts, too, but please comment (once) anyways reminding me! (2 entries)

2. Post about this giveaway and get back to me here. (1 entry)

3. Post your thoughts on abortion, why you think life is precious, or something pro-life related and get back to me here! (2 entries)

4. Put my button on your sidebar or, if you don't do buttons, put my blog link there. (1 entry)

5. Tell me in a comment to this post one thing you would change about the world if you could. (1 entry)

6. Paint your nails, face, or hands with a message about being pro-life, wear it for a day, and get back to me here. :) (3 entries)

Do not forget to leave me some means of communication with you, incase you win! :)

THE GIVEAWAY ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 11th, AND WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED ON THE 14TH.

If you live outside of the U.S, I'm sorry, but you can't enter this giveaway. =(

...Once you have completed your entries, comment SEPERATLEY for each thing you accomplished on THIS post--otherwise you won't be entered! =( So, spread the word, and most importantly, NEVER be afraid to tell others about your love of Jesus and Life!

Blessings,

Lucia

--STAY TUNED FOR A SECOND *LARGER* GIVEAWAY LATER THIS WEEK!--

Front Porch Fridays: My Prayer

MY PRAYER

By Lucia M.

Lord, only You know my innermost thoughts and ponderings,

My heartaches and secret desires

My broken dreams and hopeful core

For it was You that formed me, and You that gave me Life.

Lord, only You see the times in which I feel alone,

When I pity myself and feel used

When I cannot find the Light in this darkness

For it was You that fashioned my heart, and You that gave me Life.

Lord, only You know the years in which I shall dwell upon this earth,

The future that is in store for me

The misunderstandings, joys, offenses and sunny days that I shall find

For it is you who has numbered my days, and You that gives me Life


Front Porch Fridays are designed for the encouragment and support of the young lady blogger, striving to bring her closer to the Creator in each post.

As the Deer...

AS THE DEER

As the deer panteth for the water,

So my soul longeth after Thee!

You, alone, are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee.

You, alone, are my strength, my sheild

To You, alone, will me spirit yield

You, alone, are my heart's desire

And I long to worship Thee.

You're my friend and You are my Brother,

Even though You are a King.

I love You more thank any other,

So much more than anything.

I want You more than gold or silver,

Only You can satisfy.

You alone are the real joy Giver,

And the Apple of my eye.

50th Post, and Photos Galore!

Well, Dear Readers, I am pleased to announce that this is my...

I have been blogging for about four months, now, and oh! Where it has taken me, how many new friends I have made, and how many blogs I have gone through! But this is INDEED my lasting blog, I assure you. No more changes (except for a few to the template, occasionally...)--I promise. =) Thank you to all my sweet, supportive followers. I have so enjoyed getting to know some of you quite well, and seeing your comments and visiting your lovely blogs. I am excited to continue blogging, and to meet more like you!

...In honor of this "occasion", :) I will treat you to *many* well-needed photos of my late trip to Minnesota. I will first give you a brief 'schedule' of our time there, so that you know from whence the pictures come. =) Incase you need a little reminder, nearly two weeks ago, my little sister Anne and I left with our grandma to visit her brother in Minnesota for a week. She hadn't been to see him for at least 20 years (well, he had come out here every year, but she hadn't visited him), so this was nice! Here is a little "journal" of the main events/journies we took. =) 

Day one: We arrive at the Minneapolis, MN airport at 4:00 eastern time, after a three hour plane ride.

~Anne on the plane~

...After being picked up by my Uncle Arnold and Aunt Gloria (after a few difficulties concerning not knowing the whereabouts of our luggage and such), we took the shortdrive to their house and began to get settled in for our week-long stay. 

~Our pretty room downstairs~

Day Two: ...Was a sort of 'laid-back' day. We cooked, wrote, read, played a few games, and simply took it easy like on a rainy day (which it was). A little girl named Lauren came over from next door who wanted to meet Anne, to play. =) 

Day Three: We went to the "Minnesota Museum of Science," which was quite interesting! It was set right along the Mississippi River, so that was eat to see (I've always wanted to see where Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn lived, ya know? ;)!

~The Mississippi~

~Minneapolis~

...We ate lunch there, after visiting most of the exhibits. The sad thing about science museums is how they believe in evolution, "millions of years ago..." and all that nonsense. =( It's so sad to see the 'blind' people working there, telling you all about these "super old" fossils, when God's Hand is so visible in all of it! Anyways, that was a fun experience. 

~At the Museum~

Day Four: We visit the "Mall of America!" Yes, it *is* one of the largest malls in the nation. =) Or it may be the largest...I'm not sure. But anyways, we arrived there, and set off! The whole first floor is an amusement park--Aunt Gloria delighted and surprised us by generously giving Anne and I tickets to some of the rides! wasn't that nice? =) Let's see...I went on one roller coaster that went STRAIGHT up and STRAIGHT down--no kidding! =O It was fun, but definitly got my adrenelin going, hehe! =D 

~Some of the Park~

...Anne had a blast in the "American Girl Doll" store--she brought her Kirsten and Samantha doll along with her, and got a mini one while she was there from Aunt Gloria! =) Boy, was she *excited!!* =)

~All of the collection~

~More of the Store~

~The Lego store we visited in honor of my brother :)~

Day Five: We go to the play "Fiddler on the Roof" at local Anoka Hi-School. It was very good---very "pro!" But I couldn't get any pictures except for this one (which was before the play...no, I *wasn't* being 'illegal!' ;), as they were forbidden. =( We also watched this movie later on in the week, just to 'revive' our memories of the true tale! A very cute movie, if you like musicals (okay, I'm not a HUGE fan of them, but...)! This was the second play I'd seen of "Fiddler on the Roof."  

~Before the play! A Little Dark...~

Day Six: We go to "Scandia," a little replica of the Swedish Immigrant village that was settled here in the 1800s to early 1900s. It was too cute--the houses, church, barns, etc. were actually *not* replicas, but just 'touched-up' originals! We got a tour:

~The inside of the church~

Day Seven: We take a trip to MN's capitol city, St. Paul, and visit the capital building. We also visited St. Paul's Cathedral--a *huge* Catholic church. It was very big, and elaborate! And quiet, too. =) Something that struck me about those two buildings was how elaborate they were! Think of the time (and money) involved!

~The Capital!~

~Not St. Paul's, but another cathedral in Minneapolis--I don't know what one!~

Day Eight: We board the plane bound for home sweet home! After a not-so-long flight, we arrived and were settled back in to daily routine quickly, after a week of being spoiled and entertained. =) Thank the LORD for that chance to visit, make memories, and have fun! We will not be forgetting it soon.

Blessings to you, and may His Face shine upon you wherever His will takes you. Happy travels in His Hand!

In Christ,

~Miss Lucia~

P.S. (In honor of my 50th post, stay tuned for a small giveaway!!!)

Front Porch Fridays: The Joy of the LORD

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY STRENGTH

By Lucia M.

When the sunny days seem to outlast the grey,

When always, I cherish each happy day,

Be there hours of laughter, or trials of length--

The joy of the LORD is my rock, my strength.

When treacherous billows around me rise,

When all of the blue has gone out my skies

Be there hours of laughter, or trials of length--

The joy of the LORD is my rock, my strength.

When the pages of life are closed in death,

And at long last I take of my final breath--

There’ll be laughter and smiles of glorious length

With the joy of the LORD as my rock, my strength.

Front Porch Fridays are designed for the encouragment and support of the young lady blogger, striving to bring her closer to the Creator in each post.

Teen Girl's Daybook

Starting time...4:56 p.m.


Mood...hurried

Outside my window...cloudy, windy, with a hint of coming rain

I'm thinking...that I need to finish this quickly so that I can do a little more school!

I'm reading..."Stepping Heavenward," and "Aunt Jane's Hero"

I'm listening to... the new turkeys squawking

I'm wearing...a pink aero sweatshirt, a white blouse, and a jean skirt

Yesterday, I...went to Wednesday School, practiced a song with Olivia and a friend--violin, piano, and guitar trio for our annual homeschool "Show and Share" night tonight!

I'm excited for...summer!

I'm sad because...our friends may not be able to make it to something we were looking forward to..=(

I'm hungry for...nothing! I'm quite full. =)

The song stuck inside my head is...The Sabbeth Blessing song from 'Fiddler on the Roof' =)

I would like...to not make any mistakes at the "Show and Share!"

I love...sunshine!

I loathe...when people get offended over nothing and for no reason. =P

A picture I would like to share...

My sister Olivia and I--Father's Day meal, last year!

Ending time...5:08 p.m.

I got this tag from...Miss Raquel's blog, 'God's Daughter!'

Home Sweet Home, Here I Am!

Well, here I am--back in the place where I belong! Not saying that I didn’t have a *wonderful* time…Minnesota is a lovely state, and we had SUCH a pleasant stay! We did many things, took many pictures, and I have a lot to share for a future post. For right now, I just wanted to let ya’ll know that I did reach home without any mishap, and thank you for your prayers, welcome-back e-mails, and letters. I will do my best to respond as quickly as possible--I love you all! =)



I will have a full account coming soon, so check back in a few days! I am already missing Minnesota and our friends and family there, but not so much that I’m not delighted to return to my dear kin, “kin-in-Christ,” and all the comforts of home sweet home.


Blessings, and I will “talk” to you soon here!


~Lucia

A Trip, and Mother's Day!

*EXCITING NEWS!!!*

On Monday, May the 10th, I shall be leaving for Minnesota, along with my grandma and youngest sister, Anne. We are going to visit my grandma's brother--my Uncle Arnold--for five days! Also, his wife (Aunt Gloria), and my two cousins, Hannah and Sara--I have never met Hannah before!  =) I am very excited; this is only the second time I've been on a plane. So, please keep us in your prayers for saftey and a good time without illness or mishap, and note that I will not be on my blog/responding to e-mails until sometime in the next two weeks. I hope to have many photos for you upon my return--we are planning to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead there, which should be interesting. :)

Also...in recognition of Mother's Day, since I probably won't be posting Sunday:

        

      

~"The Goodnight Kiss" by Norman R.~
             

       ~"Mother and Daughter Singing" by Norman R.~

~"Mother and Child" by Mary Cassat~

~"Mother and Daughter" by George Goodwin Kilburne~

I love my mother, do you?

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the dear Mamas in the world, with the LORD's blessings.

In Christ,

~Miss Lucia~*

Front Porch Fridays: Trusting God With Your Future

Prayer for My Future Husband

By Ruth Bell Graham, written at age 13

Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid

(As we’re inclined to do),

I do not need a handsome man

But let him be like You;

I do not need one big and strong

Nor yet so very tall,

Nor need he be some genius,

Or wealthy, Lord, at all;

But let his head be high, dear God,

And let his eye be clear,

His shoulders straight, whate’er his state,

Whate’er his earthly sphere;

And let his face have character,

A ruggedness of soul,

And let his whole life show, dear God,

A singleness of goal;

Then when he comes (as he will come)

With quiet eyes aglow,

I’ll understand that he’s the man

I prayed for long ago.

Front Porch Fridays are designed for the encouragment and support of the young lady blogger, striving to bring her closer to the Creator in each post.  

Photo Contest Entries!

Johanna over at "An Old-Fashioned Girl" (don't you just *love* the name??=) is having a photography contest!!! You can enter up to five unedited photos, and the theme is 'flowers.' So, here are my entries--tell me what you think, and which is your favorite:

"Solitary Blossom"

"Uplifted Faces"

"Pink Island"

"White Delight"

"Purple Blooms"

~ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT~

Memorable Trips...

Our train trip yesterday: