what it's about

 back so soon?! i know, crazy. however i wanted to share something i just heard recently before i forgot. over at their website, anna sophia and elizabeth botkin had a free message called It's Not About Staying at Home. the title and description really caught my attention, including:
          "If you’re sick of legalism, idolatry, formulas, movements, bandwagons, Christian-subculture     trends and man-made rules, and just want to get back to God’s timeless principles for young womanhood…" so i gave it a listen, and i was really encouraged and challenged. they preface by saying 'it' is referring to God's purpose for young women. this is just my paraphrasing and they do a great job of explaining it, but here are some of the main points:

1. it's not about narrow applications, but biblical principles.

2. it's not about the things we don't do, but what God wants us to do.

3. it's not about applying the pink verses, but the whole council of God.

4. it's not about being against feminism, but embracing a biblical model of womanhood.

5. it's not about staying at home, but how best to apply principles of authority, protection, and importance of family and home.

6. it's not about hiding from the world, but engaging it!

7. it's not about making your dad the center of your world, but making God the center of your world and understanding your mom and dad's role.

8. it's not about preparing for and waiting for marriage, but living abundantly the lives God has given us now.

9. it's not about just serving your family, but having a servants heart and serving lots of people!

10. it's not about legalism, phariseeism, earning your way to heaven, or trying to be a better Christian girl than everyone else, but becoming like Christ, living the gospel, and hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

if you have the time i think it's worth an hour of listening to ;) let me know what you think! a lot of this you may already 'know' but i found it (especially the last point) really convicting too. it's always good to step back and remember our real purpose here- to honor, glorify and obey Jesus, and enjoy Him!

x madison

providential serendipity

i get excited about the littlest things. when i woke up to the sound of the beautifully grey clouds overflowing onto the grey streets. when i sat at the window sipping a cuppa and getting that cozy-yet-refreshed feeling. when we decided to go to a little vintage shop and i got to wear my new bright yellow rain coat and drive through the rainy roads. when i gawk at racks of stunning old dresses and stacks of ancient manuals and tales- the courtship of miles standish, the lady of shalott. i get excited about creativity and things that inspire me, about reading a new book or finding new perspective. and maybe he made it that way especially for us. providential serendipity and euphoria for the ordinary. out of his love and grace and goodness. and it's a beautiful reminder for me that "God is good all the time, and all the time God is good."

(via pinterest)

(via pinterest)

x madison 

of going on advetures

there's nothing like stepping back from the crazy world of stores and technology and countless distractions. especially when it means taking two days away with your family surrounded by countless grand old trees, green carpets of moss and ferns, quiet bubbling streams and clear shining lakes.

 

huckleberries! i may have fallen behind several times trying to eat gather as many as i could

 

the bros and i taking a break near an (old!) trapper's cabin

 

we had a blast hiking the 12 miles together- as evidenced by the rather loud singing of 'everything is awesome' for longer than should be legal.

the beautiful upper priest lake! we had our own private beach ;)

"i would rather own little and see the world than own the world and see little of it."

-alexander sattler

 

memories to save forever!



what kind of adventures have you been having?

x madison


 

liebster award

 

Wow, look at that! There is actually a new post on this blog. astonishing, I know.  So believe it or not I was nominated for the Liebster award by the awesome Beth from Adventures of An Elven Princess! Go check out her blog complete with amazing cosplay and fandom stuff :) thanks Beth!
  Soooo here's the 'rules' folks:

I suppose that means I have to list 11 facts about myself now. Let's try to make this as painless as possible.
1. I have 7 siblings and I'm the oldest (mwahaha)
2. I absolutely love books and reading. Don't take me to a bookstore unless you plan on spending a few hours!
3. I lean more toward being a city girl. I know, I know, I love the country, but country girl just isn't me (at least not right now).
4. I can make 5 loaves of bread in 20 minutes.
5. I've lived in Russia and Albania.
6. I desperately want to travel. And the UK is calling my name
7. I'm a fangirl- Austen movies, Captain America, The Hobbit, etc.
8. I'm getting my license next month!
9. I'm part Italian (okay only 25 percent, but my Nonni is 100 percent. Personally, I think that's cool.)
10. I absolutely love journaling and glue just about anything in my journal.
11. I've taken a seminary class with my dad (who is a pastor).

And now for Beth's questions, here we go...

1. What was your very first fandom? Well I don't know if Sue Thomas FBEye counts, but that and North and South were probably my first.

2. Makeup or no? I'm not really big on makeup- I probably should be though :P

3. Could you survive on an uninhabited tropical island for a week with nothing but the clothes on your back? Honestly? Well, I think I may still be alive, but I'm not sure. And I'd rather not find out. Actually that sounds pretty exciting. Anyway.

4. 3 websites you visit daily? Ouch. Pinterest, Bloglovin' and Gmail :)

5. Do you have any secret boards on Pinterest? hey now, it's called a secret board! I *ahem* may have a fandom board that has a few pins on it.

6. Favorite book/series as a kid? I really like the Boxcar Children and Elsie Dinsmore.

7. Tea or coffee? Tea! Unless it's and iced caramel macchiatto.

8. Are your ears pierced? Yes, but I never wear earrings.

9. How many pairs of shoes do you have? probably six or so. which reminds me I need some flipflops- has anyone else noticed it's already summer?!

10. What's your go-to breakfast food? Oatmeal! It's quick, easy, and we always have it. And it doesn't taste too bad.

11. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you've written so far? (Link, please!) I'm not sure, I don't really have any stellar posts, but I kind of like this poem. 

Next up- my nominees:

1. Michaela @ Quaintrelle 2. Stephanie @ Simple Endeavors   3. Emily @ The Tansy Patch 4. Bess @ Bess' Bag  5. Emily @ Emily's Ponderings  6. MaryRachel @ Green-Eyed Contemplations   7. Martha Joy @ The Father's Kingdom     

8. Hailey @ The 'D' Strings  

My questions...

1. What are your favorite names?

2. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

3. Do you like to read and what is your favorite book or genre?

4. What is your favorite movie?

5. Country or city girl?

6. Are you an introvert or extrovert? 

7. What is your favorite verse or quote? 

8. Early bird or night owl?

9. What was your first 'job' or business endeavor?

10. How tall are you?

11. What is one thing you were terrified to do, but did anyway?

Thank you so much for bothering to do that all you lovely people! (And can I just say that I love all your blogs?) And thanks again, Beth! Well, what are you waiting for? Can't wait to see your posts! 

your fan/friend

madison