I was somewhere between 7 and 12 years old when God saved me. Being brought up in a Christian home and surrounded by Christian teaching my whole life, it's hard to pinpoint exactly when the Lord saved me. But I know He did and I pray that I may both live and die for his glory!

Yes, every morning, usually between 4 & 5. I'm working on reading the Bible all the way through, for the second time. Currently, I'm in 2 Chronicles. I also sing a portion of a Psalm from the 1650 Psalter. (I don't really know any hymns; my family joined a church that sang Psalms just when I was old enough to read.) In addition, I read from a devotional book (this year I'm reading through Milk & Honey: A Devotional), and have a time of prayer.

Summer Detour: This summer, while on vacation, I used the Psalm 119 Journible; published by Reformation Heritage Books (www.heritagebooks.org). I found it very helpful to write out the entire Psalm! It slowed me down and helped me to give more thought to each verse. It was also nice to do something different for my devotions, while still staying focused on the Word.

Contentment seems to come and go. Often I think that I am seeking it more than actually having it. But God has shown me the importance of seeking His Kingdom first; and by His grace, I try to do so . And truly, I'm very happy with where I am and what I'm doing! God is very gracious! My lines have fallen in pleasant places. However, I would love to marry and have children, if that's in His plan! That "career" appeals to me far more than any other! My prayer is that I would always trust my God to do whatever He deems best for His glory and my good!

Seeking First God's Kingdom

I stumble and fail at this one, often. But I think I can honestly say(only by God's grace), that the top goal of my life is to honor God and have fellowship with him.

Siblings Being Friends

Just based on my own observations, I think siblings make some of the best of friends and the worst of enemies. Though we've had our bumps, tumbles and scrapes, my siblings and I are quite close, for which I thank God. Still, it hit me in my late teens that I didn't want to look back at my relationships with them, and have regrets. I was very stirred up to really work on making those relationships better; something that I've realized is an ongoing process. :)

1. My salvation! I can only vauguely imagine what my life would be like without the influence of God's power in my life. He is good!

2. My parents. I know they aren't perfect, but oh, how God has blessed them with love and wisdom. They talk about how they stumbled their way through parenting. But I think God has used their weakness to show His strength!

3. Being Homeschooled. It was such a blessing and privilege to spend all those formative years under my parents' training and nurturing. I'm also really thankful to have"grown up" with my four siblings! All five of us are very different in terms of personality, interests, etc. Though it was sometimes hard to get along, it was a blessing to learn to love each other!

1. I greatly appreciate people who are out-going and personable. I am a "recovering" introvert. My dad has worked very patiently to help me to get out of my shell. And though I'm MUCH more comfortably out-going than I was as a child, I'd like to keep improving (especially in conversation; I think I'm a weak conversationalist). Natural extroverts are an inspiration to me. I try to learn from them as much as possible.

2. I love people (like one of my brothers) who have a natural sense of humor! My brother could be a professional comedian! While I appreciate good humor (which does not include bathroom humor) and laugh easily at other people's wit, I have the hardest time coming up with witty comments myself. Every once in a rare while, when I can make a roomful of people laugh, I feel a sense of accomplishment. A proper dose of genuine laughter is good for anyone, I think!

I'm not sure if there is another person who has been as influential as my parents have been. I can't think of any one else who has invested the kind of time and energy in my life as my parents have. I can speak to my parents about anything! I can trust them, and instinctively go to them for counsel or advice on matters of importance. Yes, there are plenty of people who have invested in my life and to whom and could confide certain things. But none as comprehensively as my parents.

I will likely be updating this part often! I love quotes!

"Remember this, that your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and heaven shall make amends for all."

~Thomas Brooks

"Prayer is a duty which keeps the trade of religion flowing." ~Thomas Watson

"Ours is not a life of anxious care, but of happy faith." ~Charles Spurgeon

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." ~Unknown

"When we are in affliction we should be more concerned for the forgivness of our sins than the removal of our trouble." ~Matthew Henry

"Don't be annoyed if your good decisions on earth are overruled by better decisions from heaven."

~Pastor Peter Bloomfield

"Humility evaporates when it recognizes itself. The humble person is one who recognizes his pride. A humble person does not see his own prayer as humble. Praying humbly is asking, 'God be merciful.' "

~James W. Beeke & Joel R. Beeke

(Quoted from Developing a Healthy Prayer Life)

Since graduating high school (and even prior to then) I've had a number of fanastic jobs, which I also like to think of as "learning opportunities." I also worked for a number of Christian families as a "mother's helper." I did anything from folding laundry and cleaning to assisting with home-school and driving kids to various activities. It was a way I could be of service to busy, over-whelmed moms. But it was also a great chance for me to observe how other ladies (besides my wonderful mom) run their homes; in terms of organization, interacting with husband and children, household management, etc. I learned so much through those years and am very grateful to God for all that experience!

Also, in my late teens, I started working for a Christian family who run a mail-order business out of their home. I was there for 5 1/2 years. (Business slowed down to the point that they no longer needed other employees outside their family.) I learned all about the inner-workings of a small business and the dynamics involved in a family-opperated business. And, again, it was another chance to observe a husband-wife team as they worked together; as well as parents-children interaction. I loved that job and was sad to see it come to an end.

My current job is equally as enjoyable as those of the past! My employers are dairy farmers who started a cheese-making business about 6 years ago. All their cheese is made from their own cows' milk! Their primary venue for selling their cheese is at Farmers' Markets in the Washington D.C. area. Since most of these markets run from May to October, those are our busiest months. We can barely keep up with the demand! Some of the cheeses we make include Aged Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Feta, and Camenbert. It's a lot of work to make cheese on a semi-large scale. But I love it! It's a lot like cooking! Plus, I just feel so blessed to be able to work in a low-key, safe, Christian environment!

To have a close relationship with God and to seek first His Kingdom.

If God would have me marry, then it's my goal to pour my life into my husband and (Lord-willing) children.

If God would have me stay single, then it's my goal to invest myself in other people (and their children).

That's the broad view of my goals. If I think of more specific goals I'll try to list them as well.

I was born in Virginia, USA. I have visited Canada, England, and 47 out of the 50 states

I love to scrapbook, cross-stitch, knit, make cards with rubber stamps, sew, etc.

The Lord's Day:

The Christian Sabbath has become increasingly precious to me as I've gone on in my walk with the Lord. It's an island of rest in my week. My regular routine gives way to worship and fellowship at church, listening to sermons on my iPod to and from church, and extra time for reading good Christian books, memorizing Scripture verses, and logging my spiritual journey in my journal.

Courtship:

I believe in the principles of courtship as opposed to dating. I don't think of courtship as a strict formula to be followed; but rather a set of principles that can be applied and utilized differently for different people. One of the most important principles to me is parental involvement, especially on the part of the woman's father. I'm certainly not advocating some kind of tyrannical micro-managing. I just see a need for a father to be careful when he considers transferring his covenant headship over his daughter to another man.

In light of this conviction, and not to presume on God's providence, I'm including my dad's email address(mourings@gmail.com); in the event that any gentleman would wish to investigate courtship possibilities with me.

Note: My dad is a very reasonable man and wonderful to talk to.