Music, theology, sewing and clothing design, education, culture, languages, cooking, gardening and herbs, philosophy and apologetics, writing, crocheting and knitting, and, last but by no means least, history.

I came to the Lord at an early age and cannot remember a time I did not believe in Jesus and His redemption of myself. I have never (as far as I can remember) thought that I was a Christian because my parents were. Rather, I have always known that each one stands before the Christ of God, for either judgment or mercy. I have had a variety of different issues I have had to deal with throughout my years, made more difficult by my natural stubbornness. In all things, I strive to make the Scriptures my guide and commandment, though I fall short all too often.

The Calvinistic and Biblical doctrines of the mercy of the sovereign Creator God have affected my life in several ways. My family came to the Reformed doctrines none too soon in my own life. I was about eleven when the shift started occurring from non-denominational/dispensational Southern Baptist to Reformed and Presbyterian. From about age twelve to thirteen I began steeping myself in Reformed doctrine, both in school and some in my recreational reading. I am particularly fond of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms. For several years, we were Providentially hindered from finding a solidly Reformed church in which we were willing to join and submit to the elders. We had to do a lot of feeding ourselves right teachings and comparing them with Scripture--this has been extraordinarily helpful in grounding me in the truth. Since then, I have come to more fully understand the importance of the covenant community, a local church, in the life of a believer. Additionally, an understanding of the abounding grace of God in my own family and life has made me a much more compassionate person than I used to be.

I spend about an hour every morning reading the Bible and praying. I read from both the Old and New Testaments; and often some out of the WCF, as well.

My younger sister says I am dignified. My father says I am strong. My little sister says I am fun. My mother says a lot of things--like I am principled, strong, wise, mature, reserved, a good teacher, artistic, etc. Other people I know tell me I am wise and sweet and insightful.

Lots of things. One big one is Reformation in the West. I believe that culture has a huge impact on personal character and behavior because culture is religion externalized. The beauty of Christian virtue will not be achieved by the Western churches until they lay aside the pagan culture and stories in which they steep themselves from both their entertainment and educational arsenals; for truly Christian culture is produced only by keeping the law of God in conduct, labor, and worship. Foundational to my thinking is that the Scriptures are the truth, the revelation of the living God. One of the primary ways that is manifested in culture is true beauty and nobility (i.e. excellence, virtue, strength, graciousness, unwavering conviction, boldness, etc.) in all things; from repect towards all people...to doing all things to the best of one's abilities...to studying history to understand how and why our nation and ourselves are who we are...etc.

And music. I love music--but I don't believe that all music is edifying...nor that any one particular "brand" or type is the only "real" or legitimate music... I am also very fond of literature, though I haven't really been able to do much extra-curricular reading since I've been in college...and I miss it.

I actually find that I am passionate about good education, good food, good health, and most everything that is worth doing or enjoying or learning. As I've gotten older, I find myself laughing a lot more than I did a few years ago...even though my convictions have grown stronger and I understand more than I would like to sometimes about the world and situation in which I have been placed as a Christian young person today.

That God gave me my particular family and my circumstances growing up in the military.

That I was home-educated from the beginning in a Christian perspective.

That we now have a church home and a church family.

People I respect...that would have to be people who have some sort of combination of humility, faithfulness, self-discipline, a sense of humor, a sense of conviction (yet also compassion); industrious people who fear God and love to enjoy His creation--including beautiful music, good food, and good wine; people who know how to laugh for pure joy as well as how to be serious--because life is a war. It is godly, loving, strong nobility of character that draws forth my respect.

And me, I am often slow in decision-making. I have an active streak that drives me outside for a little bit on most days to walk, pull weeds, or go bicycle riding. It is true that I am slow to get angry and that I love my family. I love music; I am variable and flexible in schedule, though I do like to have structure in life (I am not a perfectionist, nor am I rigid in scheduling); I love good food; I love beauty; I find most things interesting (sometimes I wonder if I find too many things interesting--I ask lots of questions...though I can't always remember the answers...); I love good books (though I don't have as much time to read as I might wish...); I am easily amused (to quote a cousin); I am somewhat timid by nature; I love the outdoors, though I am very grateful for my houses and stuff and running water! In general, I like to think, do, learn, and converse about all sorts of things. Some consider me just too serious; but those who know me better know that joy in life that is mine.

Last year, I was a party in a courtship that was brought to a close after six months because the young man was not really prepared to support a family or to be my spiritual head. It was an interesting experience for my family for a number of reasons, but one of the things that was impressed upon me most frequently was the great responsibility parents have towards their children.

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it."

Psalms 81:10

"Aim small, miss small."

"Stay the course."

The Patriot

"Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart. Naught be all else to me save that Thou art."

"Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called the children of God."

I John 3:1

Currently, I am an assistant caretaker to my grandparents, part of our family's farmer's market businesses, and an aspiring writer of sorts (I am working on a curriculum/book right now and am interested in writing screenplays). I also have set myself to learn a great deal more about musical composition and aesthetics,beginning quite soon. In the past, I have given piano and violin lessons. Some topics of some of my more formal study have been filmmaking, theology, biblical counseling, music, and philosophy.

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a wife and a home-educating mother. I would someday like to oil paint a little better and learn another language (I'm working on French--slowly), but, for now, my focus is on school (including writing), and music. Most of all, I want to have my children grow up in a peaceful home under hospitable and gracious parents. I take life as it comes along. Particularly, I enjoy sewing and designing and would like to improve my skills in that field and, at some point, utilize that in a slightly broader context than the farmer's markets.

What is that? :)

Seriously, I enjoy traveling (particularly without schedules to maintain), hiking, playing music, reading, sewing, riding my bicycle, looking at artwork, drawing, puzzles, target practice...and just having good conversations.

My father was in the military, so I am not really from anywhere. I have lived in North Carolina a couple of times, Louisiana, Florida, Indiana, Germany, and Arizona. I am unquestionably a Southerner (by heritage, culture, and communication style, as well as by knowledgeable choice). I have been in every state in the South, most of the Midwest, and the Southwestern states. I have never been to the Northwest, the Northeast, or the North Central part of this country, though I would like to visit those regions someday. And someday I would like to go back to Europe. The woods smell different over there.

My family dwells in two states at this time in our lives. My grandparents have two properties, which we have moved into as we take care of them. I always enjoyed moving on to a new place after a few years when we were in the Army because I like to learn new things and go new places; but it is more difficult to live in two different cultures each year than I thought it would be. As for relocation, I am not bound to any particular location as my permanent home--home is wherever my family is. I would love to be within close distance of my two younger sisters and parents, but whether that will be or not depends on wherever the Lord has planned to place me and I will not complain if I am sent elsewhere.

Making fires, drinking tea (or good, strong coffee), and wearing nice clothes--though that sounds like a pretty bad combination!

As I believe in the Biblical models of headship and parental reponsibility, I am of the conviction that courtship, rather than typical Christian dating and premarital counseling, is proper. "Courtship" as I use the term, essentially means that anyone interested in getting to know me better for the potential purpose of courtship (with marriage as goal at that time...) should first contact my father and gain his approval. My father is my protector; therefore anything that is sent to me will be passed along to him. This accountable headship is his God-ordained role; and one that I gladly submit to.