Announcement

Hello, everybody! I've got some news! I just started a new site for my blog with Wordpress. I think it will be easier and better to use. So, for now I'm going to keep this site up since I don't want to lose my past articles, and until I decide what to do with it, I'll post links here for my other posts on the new site.

Here's the link: HesStillWorkinOnMeBlog.wordpress.com

 Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

Well, Hello Tuesday

When you sit on the living room floor to cut out a pattern and fabric, it helps to NOT set your coffee next to a grocery bag that your cat will feel obligated to pounce on, spilling your precious liquid in the process.

And when cooking breakfast for your family, remember to turn the potatoes OFF and your sausage ON, because your sausage can't cook when the skillet is cold, and your mashed potatoes don't need to boil over.

Also, when you're making yourself a fruit smoothie, it's best not to try anything new when your mother isn't home. Using the wrong jar for the blender could result in a chunky delicious mess, and the seal on the blade MIGHT tear up.

If you let your youngest brother try to get something out of the cabinet, he just MIGHT drop a bowl into the pitcher of sweet tea.

Yes, all those things could happen if you're not careful... But I'm not saying any of those things have ever happened to me. Of course not...

I hope you're having a wonderful Tuesday! Maybe mine will be a little less messy from now on...

~Courtney

E-mail me here for questions or comments!

28 Days of Thanksgiving

November is almost over and Thanksgiving Day is here. It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than a month away now.

I've so enjoyed seeing everyone’s thankful posts on Facebook these past few weeks. We all have so much to be thankful for. But once November is over, let’s not forget to be just as grateful all the other months of the year! Since Thanksgiving is on the 28th this year, I've made a list of 28 things I’m thankful for.

1. A God and Father who loves me like nobody’s business.
2. A Savior and Friend who gave His life for me to set me free from sin so I can live my life for Him and someday live with Him in heaven.
3. Christian parents who are always there for me no matter what.
4. Four awesome siblings that get on my nerves like no one else can, but I love more than anyone else will. And I wouldn’t trade them for anything in this world.
5. The best grandparents I could ask for.
6. Aunts, uncles, and cousins who are just plain awesome.
7. The most wonderful friend in the world, someone who loves me, laughs with me, listens, and helps me grow closer to God everyday. You mean so much to me.
8. Good Christian friends that I know are there for me, rain or shine. I’m so blessed to call you my brothers and sisters.
9. My jobs and the people I work for/with. Such a blessing!
10. The freedom we have in this country. America is far from perfect, but I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
11. Fall. I just love the crispness of the cool air, the beautiful changing colors of the leaves on the trees, and the breath-taking sunsets each evening.
12. Gas prices that are lower than they have been in quite a while. It may not last long, but whatever. They’re nice while they last.
13. Boots. I just adore boots.
14. Good food and great cooks.
15. Water, electricity, a warm home, and transportation.
16. Books—lots of them—and the fact that I can read! I would be bored out of my mind if I didn’t have books and didn’t know how to read anything.
17. Smiles! From family, from friends, from toothless babies, and from total strangers. A smile is so powerful it can turn a whole day around, and is pretty much impossible not to give in return after having received one. Send a little sunshine someone’s way, and make their day!
18. Hugs! I love hugs. They simply make the world a better place.
19. Music—it makes the heart glad.
20. Girl talk. Couldn’t live without it.
21. Kittens. We have three cats and they are just so cute. SO cute.
22. The color yellow. God must have been in a REALLY good mood when He made that wonderful happy color, don’t you think?
23. Notebooks and pens for whenever inspiration kicks in.
24. Art.
25. Rainy days, tin roofs, and relaxing. If that isn’t homey, I don’t know what is.
26. Challenges, because that’s when I learn the most.
27. Chapstick.
28. Coffee! Definitely coffee. 

Every day is a blessing and there is always something to be thankful for.

“Every day I will bless You,

And I will praise Your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

And His greatness is unsearchable.”

(Psalm 145:2-3)

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!

~Courtney

Eight Reasons to Be T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L

We are...

Taken care of – 

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 

(Philippians 4:19)

Heirs – 

“And if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” 

(Romans 8:17)

Adopted – 

“So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” 

(Galatians 4:7)

New creation – 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation..." 

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Kept safe – 

“The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.” 

(Psalm 121:5)

Free –

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” 

(John 8:36)

Unashamed – 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” 

(Romans 1:16)

Loved – 

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 

(1 John 4:10)

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Courtney

heavenlyprincess18@gmail.com

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, have I got it?
'Cause, mirror, you've always told me who I am.
I'm finding it's not easy to be perfect
So, sorry; you won't define me.
Sorry; you don't own me.
Who are you to tell me
That I'm less than what I should be?
Who are you, who are you?
I don't need to listen to the list of things I should do;
I won't try, no, I won't try."

(BarlowGirl, "Mirror")

Beauty. What is your definition of beauty? Is your idea of true beauty based on what the world has been telling us? The world tells us that you must have perfect hair cut just right, flawlessly tanned skin, lots of makeup, fashionable size-0 clothes, a cool phone and all the latest gadgets, and a hunk of a boyfriend every weekend (even if it's not the same boyfriend every weekend), etc. in order to be "beautiful."

But what does GOD think about true beauty? Shouldn't His opinion matter more than anyone else's? I mean, after all, He is the Inventor of beauty; He created us! 

"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14) 

So, what does the Bible say about beauty?

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;" (Proverbs 31:30a NIV)

"Physical beauty will fade," is basically what this is saying. But what is true, lasting beauty? The end of this verse explains it this way:

"but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." (Proverbs 31:30b NIV)

"A woman who fears the LORD" is beautiful. That kind of beauty (good character/beliefs) doesn't fade away.

"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and  discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things." (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 3:11 NASB)

"Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4 NASB)

Think about the women of the Bible for a minute. Queen Esther was indeed physically beautiful, but that is not the legacy she left behind. What do we remember most about her? Her courage, faith, compassion, and conviction to stand up for what is right! 

The godly women of the Bible are remembered for their works -- NOT their looks. Looks fade away and are easily forgotten, but good works and good character remain, and are what we will be known for in the end.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:25-27)

 The Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31...

• Is strong,
• Dignified
• Smiles (and doesn't worry about the future),
• Is wise,
• The teacher of kindness,
• Looks out for others, and
• Is a hard worker.

Ladies, THAT is true beauty. 

"Mirror, I am seeing a new reflection; 
I'm looking into the eyes of He who made me 
And to Him I have beauty beyond compare; 
I know He defines me."

...How does your mirror define you now?

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

heavenlyprincess18@gmail.com

The Heavens Declare His Righteousness

Peace is seeing a sunset and who to thank.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ...Then God said, 'Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.' God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day." 

(Genesis 1:6-8)

What a wonderful God we serve! Such beautiful artwork and design! It is so reassuring to know that the One who created all these things -- the sun, moon, and stars, the oceans, mountains; all this wondrous majesty that surrounds us -- this powerful One is the same One who holds us in His mighty hands, who cares for us and loves us more than we deserve or can ever fathom.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, 

but that the world might be saved through Him."

(John 3:16-17)

"Great are the works of the LORD; they are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever." 

(Psalm 111:2-3)

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." 

(Psalm 19:1-2)

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting. ...To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting: the sun to rule by day, for His lovingkindness is everlasting, the moon and stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." 

(Psalm 136:1, 7-9)

"The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; the world and all it contains, You have founded them." 

(Psalm 89:11)

"And the heavens declare His righteousness, for God Himself is judge. Selah." 

(Psalm 50:6)

 

"O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor  above the heavens! ...When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"  

(Psalm 8:1, 3-4)

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

19 Things

I've noticed a lot of people on Facebook lately doing a game where you write a certain number of little-known facts about yourself. It sounded like fun, but my Facebook friends already know me and I suspect they might find it quite boring to see a post from me all about me. So... since this blog is still somewhat new and I have only briefly introduced myself a little bit, I've decided to list nineteen not-so-well-known facts about me. Nineteen, just 'cause it's the 19th and I am nineteen years old.

So. 

Here goes:

1. Sour cream with corn chips is one of my biggest weaknesses when it comes to food.
2. If I ever see fuzz, a hair, or a wrinkle, etc. on your clothes, I will find it VERY difficult to refrain myself from fixing it -- regardless of whether I know you or not.
3. Once I wrote a letter to the President and soon after received a reply from the White House.
4. A few years ago I met Charlene (Maggie Peterson) and one of the Darling brothers (Rodney Dillard) from the Andy Griffith Show. I won a copy of Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook that day and they both autographed it. 
5. I am not a take-charge kind of person, and am terrified of being the center of attention in big groups. At my graduation I spoke in front of 400+ people... (NEVER. AGAIN.)
6. Thanks to my dad and three brothers, I really like to watch football and actually understand it. Roll Tide!
7. My favorite author is Frank Peretti, and I prefer mystery/suspense novels over most chick-flick stories. The scarier the book, the better.
8. I  can count on one hand how many times I've been inside a public school building during school hours, but I have experienced lunchroom food on several occasions. All I can say to that is, there's no place like home.
9. The fourth governor of Alabama, John Murphy, was my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather (and if that isn't correct, it's close enough anyway), and I have shaken hands with our current governor, Robert Bentley.
10. I'm afraid of heights, but I still think it would be the coolest thing ever to go to space and look down on the earth, because a view like that would be priceless. But certain people in my life won't allow me to leave the planet. Good thing, probably.
11. I can read Hebrew and speak a few lines of the language. B'reishyt bara Elohim et ha'shamayim v'et ha'aretz! 
12. Little Women, 1994 version. Best. Movie. Ever. 
13. Someday I would like to study and learn iridology and kinesiology. Because it's weird and so am I.
14. I DO NOT like being late for anything.
15. One day I hope to publish a novel.
16. I am definitely a morning person, but only if I have my coffee soon after I get up.
17. Psalm 143:8 is my favorite Bible verse. 
18. I want to live to be 106. That way, it would be year 2100 and I will have lived in three centuries.
19. I rarely ever write in print. Cursive is just way classier.

Annnd there you have it! Nineteen unimportant and probably totally useless facts/quirks about me. Have a great day, and hopefully I'll be back with another (real) article very soon! I've got two or three or four brewing inside my brain right now...

Oh, and before I forget: I will be trying my HARDEST to begin posting once, if not twice a week, plus a possible recipe every Tuesday! AND there is a poll to your right if you would like to vote on what kind of topics you would like to read more of, so please do! Stay tuned!

~Courtney

p.s. Sometimes when I get bored I like to take ridiculous selfies.

Where the Roses Never Fade

I am going to a city where the streets with gold are laid,

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

Where the tree of life is blooming

And the roses never fade

Here they bloom but for a season;

Soon their beauty is decayed.

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

Loved ones gone to be with Jesus,
In their robes of white arrayed,

Now are waiting for my coming 

Where the roses never fade.

Here they bloom but for a season;

Soon their beauty is decayed.

I am going to a city where the roses never fade.

I recently lost someone very dear to me. She was like another grandma to me, and I am going to miss her so much. She lived a long, faithful life, always encouraging and serving others. She taught me so much, by the way she lived and the things she said, to be strong as an ox, sweet as honey, brave as a lion, to have courage and stay faithful even when it's hard, always love your friends and family even if they don't love you back, tell others about Jesus, never be lazy, and always, always pray.

These last few years when I would see her at church or visit her at home, she would oftentimes talk about me getting married someday. Besides the other many things she would tell me to remember, the one bit of advice she never failed to give me was this: If you find a man who loves God more than anything else in the world, you'll be happy and won't have anything to worry about. She knew very well how important it is to find someone who not only loves you, but who loves and serves God with all that he is. When I was at the funeral home the other night, her daughter reminded me again of what Mrs. Berta Mae had told me. "Always remember," she said.

She loved people, and anyone who came to her home was always welcome. She was honest and spunky. She cared for animals. She was loyal and loving, and priced far above rubies. She was one of the hardest workers I have ever met. She had beautiful long, wavy red hair. She loved nature; flowers most of all. Her favorite song was "Where the Roses Never Fade," and I know she longed for that place where no harsh Winter night would ever destroy a beautiful garden ever again.

Mrs. Berta Mae was loved very much by all who knew her. She was the grandmother of 43, great-grandmother of 55, and great-great-grandmother of 42. This great woman left a beautiful legacy and many precious memories behind. She will be missed dearly, but we all know that she has earned her rightful place in heaven, where the roses never fade.

~

"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones." (Psalm 116:15)

Have you told anyone you loved them today? Have you hugged someone? Have you shown someone how much you cared? 

Love the people God has given you, because He will need them back one day.

~

In loving memory of Berta Mae Burney

Nov. 16, 1926-Nov. 7, 2013

"Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all."

(Proverbs 31:29)

November

Squirrels raid the nuts on the ground as the crows caw all around. Sunrises come later and as the sun sets again in the early evening with the brightest, most vivid array of colors, the birds hush their singing and sleep sweetly in their nests until morning. The trees that were once clothed in lively green radiance are now stripped of their beauty and tossed about in the wind; the leaves they once bore now blanket the earth at their feet like treasured gold at the foot of a king's throne.

Tomorrow is the first day of November! Can you believe it? (It seems like we just had a November not too long ago!)

I love November. (Besides the fact that it's the wonderful month set aside specifically for creative introverts to hibernate and try to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days... AKA: NaNoWriMo.) ;)

But there are just so many wonderful things to appreciate and admire about Fall.

November is one of my favorite months, because of the pretty changing colors of the leaves; the crisp, cool weather that's not too cold but just chilly enough that you can curl up next to a fire; hot cocoas and coffees and teas; watching college football on Saturdays; writing everyday; the beginning of the holidays.

November is the season of thankfulness. I think that's why I like it so much. Everybody seems happier than normal, and we get to be with our loved ones. Life isn't perfect, but everyone can forget their troubles and worries and just enjoy being together.

Count your blessings; chances are, you have way more blessings than you do troubles.

Be grateful; there are others in the world who are really happy with a lot less.

Love everybody, because "love makes the world go 'round."

Smile, and smile often.

Freeze the moments, because they'll become only faded memories far too soon.

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Novembers.

What are some of your favorite things about November?

Peace

I've mentioned Stepping Heavenward (by Mrs. E. Prentiss) before, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good novel to read. Not only is it a good story, but it is also a good study book about humility, servitude, and contentedness. I was looking through it again the other day, and came across a section I had underlined. The preacher in the book had helpfully given the troubled main character a list called Four Steps That Lead to Peace. I think they're really great, and so I've decided to elaborate a little on each one.

1. Be desirous of doing the will of another, rather than thine own.

Servitude

We ought to desire better for others rather than always looking out for our own interests. This world does not revolve around me, not everything has to benefit me, and really, the last thing on my mind should be "me." In a generation that is all about ME, ME, ME, it may be hard to begin thinking of ourselves last and least, but this is the way God intended it to be. Even Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was selfless and humble, always putting others before Himself.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:3-5) 

2. Choose always to have less, rather than more.

Satisfaction 

The saying, "Less is more" is really a true statement. We shouldn't desire to have things, always looking to attain more, more, more. God wants us to have everything we need (Matthew 6:28-32), but He also wants us to be grateful and content with the blessings He has given us. Paul had known both riches and poverty, and he said he had learned that no matter what happened to him, he could be content.

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  (Philippians 4:11-13)

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear for clothing?" For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Matthew 6:28-32)

So count your blessings, focus on being happy, and look heavenward! 

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3)

3. Seek always the lowest place, and to be inferior to every one.

Selflessness 

This is probably one of the most unnatural characteristics to a human. It is completely normal to want what is best for ourselves, to take extra personal care for our well-being. But really, we oftentimes take this to the extreme. Yes, we should love ourselves; (we are made by a wonderful Creator!) but  the world today totally takes the "love yourself" idea way out of context. The world tells us to "do what makes you happy," to "love yourself first, and everything else will fall into place." But as imitators of Christ, we are dead to the world and to ourselves, and hidden in Christ. What people see in me should be a reflection of Him who lives in me. The world hated Him, and so of course they will hate us too if we're living right. But being inferior shouldn't scare us; it should motivate us to continue modeling ourselves after our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate example of humility and selflessness.

And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:7-11)

4. Wish always and pray, that the will of God may be wholly fulfilled in thee.

Submission

Remember Jesus' humility? Even He, THE Son of God, always desired God's will to be done above all else, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42) 

It can be a hard thing to do, letting go of what we want, letting go of our worry, and letting God take care of things, but it brings true peace when we do wholly give Him the controls and begin to have faith in Him.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

We belong to God, and we should desire to do His will, to follow His plans, and trust in Him completely!

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2) 

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

The Old Trunk In the Attic

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with something on your mind and you have to write it down or else you can't fall back to sleep? This morning, for whatever odd reason, I woke up at four-thirty with a poem in my head. I almost laid back down and dozed off again, but I knew if I didn't write down what I was thinking, I wouldn't remember it again when I got up later.

Yesterday I was going through my hope-chest, looking at all the old things I've saved (my great-grandpa's Bible, my first baby blanket, etc.) and so I guess that type of thing was on my mind last night. The poem I wrote is based on the idea that a young girl is going through an old trunk found in the attic. An old trunk filled with many stories. Generations of stories about her heritage, and her grandparents' hard-working ways, serving the Lord, and sowing love in the family for many years to come.

The Old Trunk In the Attic

Smells like mothballs seasoned with years,

But this trunk is filled with love and tears.

The family Bible is worn with age,

With yellow markings on every page

That show the time and care they took

To read and follow God's word in that Book.

Those shoes walked the narrow way

As Grandma followed God each day.

Grandpa's hat is rugged and worn;

Underneath it were many ideas born.

His gloves still bear that cold, hard dirt

That show he wasn't afraid to work.

Needles and thread now brittle with age

Are what Grandma sewed with night and day;

She always worked 'til the job got done,

But I still remember she was so much fun.

She and Grandpa are in my heart,

And the mem'ries in this trunk, to me, are years of art.

I know my grandparents have gone above and left all else behind,

But in this trunk up in the attic, stories of joy and love I find

Bits of Grandma and Grandpa's stories,

And how they gave God all the glory.

Have a blessed day!

~Courtney

(These pictures show me wearing my great-grandma's ring and housecoat.)

Eleven

Today is my sister's 11th birthday.

It amazes me how quickly time flies, and how fast we grow up. Seems like only yesterday I was that little, without a care in the world.

So, this morning I got to thinking: What do I remember most about being her age?

I LOVED being eleven! It was a wonderful year. I had fun playing with my siblings and cousins outside, and I learned a lot about a lot of things.

These are just a few highlights from my eleventh year:

-It was 2005
-I got a new baby brother!
-My cousins lived next door
-I had really long hair
-I still played with baby dolls
-I was in karate and art class
-I started "journaling" and have been doing it ever since
-My cousin and I wanted to start up a band
-I was in 5th grade
-I was still losing teeth >_<
-I read American Girl and Nancy Drew books all. the. time.
-I always wanted to solve a mystery (just like Nancy Drew!)

Eleven was great. But so were the years before that and 12, 13, 14... all the way to 19! Life just keeps getting better.

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24) 

 "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle... Oh, remember that my life is a breath!" (Job 7:6-7)

Enjoy each day we're given; it is a gift from God!

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

A Mixed-Up Fairy Tale

I'm going to post a not-so-serious article today. Actually, it's not an article, but a story I wrote! This is what I was assigned to write my senior year of high school. Each person in my creative writing class had to rewrite a fairy tale and turn it into a mystery. Some of the jokes in this make NO sense unless you were a student in that class, and this is the first and only mystery I've written since about eighth grade, but maybe you'll still find this amusing and fun to read. So grab a hot cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever you prefer) and enjoy!

The Three Bears and Goldilocks

(A Mixed-Up Fairy Tale Mystery)

It was late in the evening last Spring as I sat in my living room with my cozy pink Snuggie wrapped around me, and a large cup of creamy coffee in my hands. The day had been quite busy, as it always is in the now modernized land of Narnia, yet insanely boring, so I had looked forward to a peaceful evening to wind down and have the chance to watch an episode of The Ancient Trail Show with my mute cat, Mr. Vanilla.

Just when the speaker was about to announce the value of a wonderfully preserved statue of the legendary mouse Reepicheep... my telephone rang. "Perfect," I sighed as I set down my mug and slid across the hardwood floor on my fuzzy pink polka-dot socks toward the lamp stand to answer the call. After saying hello, I heard the voice of my boss detective.

“Greetings,” he said in his deep voice. “This is Joe for Goose, Grimm, & Poe Detectives and Agents Incorporation out of Care Paravel; all rights reserved. Is this Miss Detective Bo Jangle?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied.

“A case has come up.” He sounded concerned. “I need you to come to my office first thing in the morning.”

I listened carefully for further instruction.

“I'm sure you've heard of King Caspian's great-granddaughter, Goldilocks Wirmelskirchen, also known as Goldi. You know of her, right?”

“Yeah, she's that TV herbalist who advertises Menletts.” I replied.

“Menletts?” He sounded confused.

“Yeah, you know, those new yellow workout pants with a built-in step counter.”

“Oh, I guess I never heard of those before.”

“They're the newest thing,” I told him.

Joe cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Well, we're getting off topic here, Bo. Let's discuss the case at hand.”

“Shoot,” I said, ready to hear what his plans were.

“What did you say?”

“Oh, I meant go ahead.”

“Oh.” He cleared his throat again. “Anyway, so here's the problem: Goldi called my office this afternoon and told me that she had finished her new commercial earlier this week, and decided she needed to take a rest. So she went to the forest of Care Paravel where she's got a vacation house – she always goes there when she's had a tough week at work. But when she got there this morning, she noticed that the front door was opened.”

“Opened?” I was surprised. “But she always keeps her doors locked. That's even one of her mottoes: 'Always Keep Your Doors Locked In Case of Nasty, Vicious Herb Thieves.' I don't understand why her door would've been opened.”

“I know,” Joe sighed. We don't understand it either. But maybe it wasn't left unlocked, and was instead broken into.”

“That's a wonderful observation.”

“Yes. But furthermore, when Goldi reluctantly walked into the cottage, she found three of her best flour bowls on the table, filled with hot blackberry porridge, and the wood in the stove was still burning. She even found that her chairs had been sat in.”

“Three bowls? Now that is very odd. What did they look like, and how were they arranged on the table?”

“What? I don't know, Bo! It's your job to find those things out.”

I shrugged my shoulders and looked over at Mr. Vanilla. He jumped up onto my lap and meowed. I patted his fluffy head and he purred.

Joe told me once again to be in his office first thing in the morning. “Over and out,” he said in a professional sounding voice.

I got up with Mr. Vanilla in my arms and slid back over to my easy chair to finish watching the show. As soon as I sat down, the credits rolled on the TV.

“Foot! I missed it.” I looked down at Mr. Vanilla and sighed. “I wanted to know how much that mouse statue was worth. Well, so much for that.” I picked up my oversized remote control and clicked off the TV. There wasn't anything else interesting I wanted to see, so I decided I may as well go to bed so I could get an early start the next day.

The following morning, after I had my regular early-morning dose of coffee and was finally my normal self, I began getting ready to go to Detective Joe's office to begin unfolding my new assigned case. I pulled into the parking lot at Goose, Grimm, and Poe Detectives and Agents Inc. at ten o'clock. When I arrived in Detective Joe's office, he immediately accused me of being late.

“I told you to be here first thing this morning.”

“Well, sir, I know that,” I answered. “And this was the first thing I did this morning, except for getting dressed and drinking a cup of coffee.”

He sighed and shook his head. “Oh, fine.” Sitting comfortably behind his desk in a rather large swivel chair, he smiled. Leaning forward and putting his fingertips together, he began giving me instructions.

“I've arranged for you to meet with Goldi at her cottage as soon as possible. She's probably waiting on you now. Go there and get her side of the story, then investigate the crime scene.”

“Crime scene?” I asked, puzzled. This was just about a door being left open, as far as I knew.

“There's more,” he told me. “I told you about the bowls of porridge and stove and her chairs. Well, she's found something missing.”

I leaned closer, anxiously waiting to hear what had been taken.

In almost a whisper, Detective Joe said, “Nuts.”

I blinked hard. “Nuts?” I repeated, flabbergasted. “How does she know?”

“She always keeps a stash of nuts in her pantry. When she went to get some yesterday morning, they were missing.”

I shook my head in disbelief. Was this all it was about? I was used to getting bigger cases, like wrecks, car robberies, and the like.

“Are you serious?” I cried. “Why couldn't you have given this so-called 'case' to an amateur detective? Why me?”

“Because you're a pro, and you can figure this one out in a flash. We may need you soon to cover another case.”

I nodded my head. “Okay. I'll do my best. Is there anything else I need to know before I head to the cottage?”

“No, I suppose that is all,” he replied. “Just ask Goldi all you need to know, and she'll give you all the information she has.”

He handed me some papers and I headed out the door. When I arrived at the cottage I saw a young woman with long, beautiful golden hair standing outside. I got out of my car and greeted her nicely. She looked very nervous and her voice was shaky.

“Hello,” she said, trying to sound cheerful.

I smiled. “Miss Goldi, my name is Bo Jangle, and I'm here to investgate your case.” I then tried to reassure her. “Please don't worry; everything is going to be alright.”

She nodded and sighed. “I know I shouldn't be anxzious. I've just never had my house broken into before.”

“Well, let's get started. I'll need to ask you a few questions before I begin my search.” I reached into my pocket for a pen. “First off, I need to know what time you arrived here yesterday morning.”

“It was about eight o'clock,” she answered.

“And you saw that the door was ajar?”

“Yes. I was carrying in my bag and had the house key in my hand, and when I got to the door, it wasn't closed, and looked like it had been forced open.”

I took note of that, and then asked if she had noticed anything else out of place in the house.

“The three flour bowls were on the table, the wood stove was hot, and my chairs had been sat in.”

“How could you tell?”

“The pillows were squished,” she replied matter-of-factly. “I never squish my pillows.”

“Okay,” I said, “Let's take a look inside.” I looked at my watch and sighed. This better not take very long, I thought to myself.

Once in the cottage, I took a look at the door – obviously there had been someone break in recently. The table still displayed three rather large bowls full of blackberry porridge, now quite cold. I examined the chairs in the small living room – yes, someone had definitely squished the pillows. With a magnifying glass, I searched high and low for evidence of a robber – hair, cloth, etc. It was pretty easy, for after just a few moments, I found a chunk of coarse, brown hair stuck to the corner of one of the chair arms.

“Looks like bear hair,” I observed aloud. “Do you know any bears who live around here?” I asked. (Being in Narnia, this wasn't such a strange question to ask.)

“No, I don't. I've never met any around here, I mean. But perhaps...”

“Perhaps what?”

“Wh—wh-- what if it was a wild bear?” She was getting nervous again.

I tried to calm her. “Nonsense. Most bears in Care Paravel are tame. Have you ever encountered a wild bear?”

She shook her head.

“That's what I thought,” I said. “Now, let's take a look at that pantry.” I got up and she led me to the back of the kitchen to an open closet lined with shelves. I had been expecting a large pantry with a big door that had been practically ripped off by a mad grizzly. I chuckled at the sight of such a small excuse of a pantry.

“Are you sure you didn't throw your nuts out before you left the last time?”

“I never throw out nuts,” she said, shaking her head, her eyes wide.

“Okay. So what kind of nuts were they? Some kind of special nuts, like coconuts?”

“Oh, very special. No, not coconuts. They were cashews. They're very low in carbs, and I've been on this very special low-carb diet. I can't go one day without my cashews.”

I looked at her strangely and nodded my head. “Uh-huh, cashews. Um, okay. Tell you what: how about you just go to the store for another lock to your door, and you can get another container of cashews while you're in town.”

“But what if the thief comes back? They may want their cold porridge.”

“Who wants cold porridge that's been sitting out for at least two days? It's sure to be getting moldy by now.”

I began walking outside, getting ready to leave. I was even willing to pay for her doorknob and nuts if she'd just calm down and let me dismiss the case. But suddenly I heard something like a stick in the woods go snap!

“What was that?” I gasped, sneaking toward a pile of brush.

Just then, three bears looked out over a big bush. Their expressions showed they were just as surprised as me to see someone standing right in front of them.

“Who are you?” I asked.

The big bear spoke. “I'm Pa Bear, and this is Ma and Teddy.” He motioned his big paw at them as he introduced his family.

“We didn't know anybody lived here,” said Ma. “I hope we didn't disturb anything.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You did this? Is that your porridge inside on the table?”

Ma nodded. “We came up here last week when there was a thunderstorm. Our den was flooded, and we needed a dry place for Teddy to sleep, and we found this empty cottage and went in for shelter. When we found nobody was here, we just decided to stay. I'm sorry, but if there had been a 'No Tresspassing' sign, we woudn't have entered.”

“But why weren't you here when I came yesterday morning?” Goldi asked them.

“I made some porridge, but it was too hot to eat just yet, so we went outside to wash our paws while our breakfast cooled. Pa likes it real hot, but me and little Teddy can't eat it that way.”

I had been taking notes the whole time the bear family spoke. Everything they said seemed to make sense, and they just seemed so honest. I was sure I could trust them. But then Goldi asked a question they could not answer.

“Where are my cashews?”

Pa looked at Ma, and Ma looked at Pa. Teddy shrugged his shoulders.

“I don't remember ever seeing any cashews. Are they missing?”

Goldi put her hands on her hips. “Yes, they're missing. And I'd really appreciate it if one of you would tell me what you did with them.”

Teddy looked at her, confused. “Well, everybody knows that bears don't eat cashews.”

Goldi looked at me, dumbfounded. I grinned. “He's right, Goldi,” I said. “Bears don't eat cashews.”

“Bless you!”

We all turned and looked at one another. “Who said that?” I asked.

Just then, a squirrel leapt from a tree and landed on my shoulder.

“Bless you,” he said in a hundred-mile-an-hour high-pitched voice.

I jumped and he hopped to the ground and looked at us. “Well, didn't somebody sneeze?” he asked.

Teddy shook his head. “No, she said 'cashews'.”

“Oh! Well, speaking of nuts, I must be going. I've got to go bury mine for winter.” He turned around and began to hurry off into the woods.

“Wait!” I called.

He stopped abruptly. “Yes?”

“Did you say you've got nuts?”

He rolled his eyes and sighed quickly. “I'm a squirrel. Yes, I've got nuts. Why do you ask?”

I looked at Goldi and answered the squirrel. “Are they by any chance cashews?”

“Oh, yes! A whole bag full! I found them in – “ His big eyes grew bigger as he realized what he was saying. “I'm in a predicament here,” he said, looking at each one of us.

“You surely are,” replied Goldi, watching him closely.

In a flash the squirrel was up a tree. “I'll be back,” he called as he scampered off.

     We stood there, waiting, but only for a moment. It wasn't long before he came back with a bag nearly full with cashews. “Whose might these delicious treats belong to? You, big bear? You, mother bear? You, baby bear? You – “

     “They're mine,” Goldi interrupted, holding out her hand.

     Squirrel quickly gave her the bag, and then apologized for taking them. “I didn't think anyone lived here. If there had been a 'No Tresspassing' sign, I wouldn't have entered.”

    Goldi smiled. “Well, I suppose I need to get a sign up.” She told the animals she appreciated them not ruining her house. They promised to never again barge in when nobody was there, now that they knew someone lived in the cottage.

    She thanked me for being so helpful, and I assured her it was my pleasure.

    “All in a day's work,” I said. I told them all good-bye, and turned to leave.

      Smiling, I shook my head and laughed. I love my job.

Have a blessed day!

~Courtney

Somebody's Watching

"Always try your BEST. You never know if there's a little girl watching and thinking, I wanna be JUST LIKE HER."

This is so true. I know I have always looked up to certain older girls as good role models. Now perhaps I am one to some young girl out there somewhere. And someday, Lord willing, I will have my own precious daughter who will look to me as her example, whom she admires more than anyone.

I need to strive every single moment -- starting now -- to be that good role model for her someday. I have to be who I want my daughter to grow up to be.

That's a big responsibility, but it's so worth it! I'm very thankful that my mom is such a wonderful person I have always been proud to model myself after.

Be the kind of lady you want your sons to marry and your daughters to become.

"...In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example to those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:12b) 

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

Love's Enduring Promise

"Just remember that God has written His own love story for you. And it's not the feelings of your heart that it should be based upon, but rather the thoughts of your heart that you need to hear-- that inner voice that tells you that this man will care for you no matter what, that he'll still want to kiss you when you're old and gray, tend to you when you're sick, honor you."

"And if the thoughts of my heart say yes, he is the one?"

"Then you should trust your instincts and pledge your heart to him, because a man like that is as rare as a diamond in the rough."

--Love's Enduring Promise

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney

Little Acts of Kindness

Last week I wrote about controlling the tongue; what not to say, and what we ought to say. One thing that we are told to do with our tongues is encourage others:

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called 'today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)

We are told to exhort those around us, to lift them up, to be joyful. But do we take a moment out of our day to make someone smile, let them know we're thinking about them, or give them a hug, telling them it's all gonna be okay? And if not everyday, do we do it weekly? Monthly? At all?

I know that going up to someone to say hello or ask how they're doing, writing a note to somebody saying a kind word, or just smiling at them can sometimes be awkward at first, but I know perfectly well that when someone goes out of their way to say something nice to me or merely acknowledge me and say hello or ask how I'm doing, it has had a wonderful positive impact on me, and it's not something I'll ever forget. The people who have made it a point to encourage or compliment me not only made me happy, but I had the motivation to be extra kind to others as well.

Kindness has a way of oftentimes becoming a chain reaction.

We shouldn't want to be nice to someone so they'll like us or think we're a sweet person; we should want to be nice to them so we can hopefully brighten their day by simply putting a smile on their face. And maybe our small act(s) of kindness will urge them to be kind to the next person they see, et cetera.

That's the way to spread God's love and joy throughout the world by His people.

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it." (Proverbs 3:27)

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad." (Proverbs 12:25)

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney