Pen Stripes & Ink Blots - Homeschool Blogger

Seasons of Change. . .

Wed, 7 Feb 2007 13:00:00 -0600

It has been several months since I've had the opportunity to write on my blog! So much has happened, from getting engaged, to being married... then moving and traveling! It's a blessing to be settling down again...

God has been so faithful to me! Jere and I are extremely happy and we rejoice in the fact that God miraculously brought us together. It is so wonderful to see His hand move on our behalf and answer the prayers we've so longed to be fulfilled.

I look forward to sharing online what the Lord lays on my heart, as He grants me the time to do so. ;) I've missed sharing with you all here! I'm sure there are many new friends to be found on Homeschoolblogger, since I've been gone! Please do feel free to leave me a comment; I'd love to hear from you!

Blessings in Jesus!
Emilee (Freie) Gettle
Titus 2 Ministry (My family's ministry)
Genteel Girlhood (Our ministry for young ladies)
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company (My husband's business)

The Little Garden

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 13:22:00 -0600

We've had quite interesting weather at our home. I was so excited to see the first day of spring right around the corner, only to wake up the next day to snow! So, I grabbed my camera and headed out to take some pictures to share with you. I hope you enjoy them, as well as the little story I found this afternoon.

Blessings!

Emilee

The Little Garden...

An exceprt from Memory- the Handmaid of Hope by Charles Spurgeon.

A child had a little garden in which she planted many flowers, but they never grew. She put them in, as she thought tenderly and carefully, but they would not live. She sowed seeds and they sprang up; but very soon they withered away.

So she ran to her father's gardener, and when he came to look at it, he said, "I will make it a nice garden for you, that you may grow whatever you want." He fetched a pick, and when the little child saw the terrible pick, she was afraid for her little garden. The gardener struck his tool into the ground and began to make the earth heave and shake for his pickaxe had caught the edge of a huge stone which underplayed almost all the little plot of ground. All the little flowers were turned out of their places and the garden spoiled for a season so that the little maid wept much. He told her he would make it a fair garden yet, and so he did, for having removed that stone which had prevented all the plants from striking root he soon filled the ground with flowers which lived and flourished.

Just so, the Lord has come, and has turned up all the soil of your present comfort to get rid of some big stone that was at the bottom of all your spiritual prosperity, and would not let your soul flourish. Do not weep with the child, but be comforted by the blessed results and thank your Father�s tender hand!

Pictures of Jesus...

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 16:06:00 -0600

I thought this article by Charles Spurgeon had a lot of truth! As homeschooling families it is important that Christ is what others see in the home. Sure, not every day is going to be perfect, but a heart that is striving to follow Christ is hidden in His love. His grace is all sufficient for those less than perfect days. :)

"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ... the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people.

If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we would be pictures
of Jesus; yes, such striking likenesses of Him, that the world would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, "He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and daily actions."

A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God.

Imitate Him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, "He has been with Jesus!"

Imitate Jesus in His holiness.

Was He zealous? So be ever going about doing good. Let not time be wasted; it is too precious.

Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest? Be the same.

Was He devout? Be fervent in your prayers.

Had He deference to His Father's will? So submit yourselves to Him.

Was He patient? So learn to endure.

And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as He did; and let those sublime words of your Master, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do," always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven....

...so live that all may say of you, "He has been with Jesus!"

"And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13

Visit my new blog! Country Simplicity!

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 16:46:00 -0600

I've just created a new blog... Country Simplicity, and I'm so excited about it! I'm a country girl at heart, and have been raised in the heart of the country! I look forward to sharing articles from homesteaders of the past, vintage patterns, old time yummy recipes, and more at my new blog... SO, if you have a few minutes... why not stop by! :)

Country Simplicity... misty morning walks to check on the animals, making homemade ice cream in the summer, laughter echoing through the house, and all the beautiful blessings that color country life! Click here to drop by for a visit!

Blessings on your homestead!

Emilee

Enter to WIN a FREE copy of Secrets of Happy Home Life!

Thu, 16 Feb 2006 12:34:00 -0600

There are just two days left to enter to win a FREE copy of Secrets of Happy Home Life, the little booklet that has helped save many homes, marriages and families! Just read what the publisher, Solid Ground Christian Books has to say about this treasure!

"'Secrets of Happy Home Life' by J.R. Miller is a little book that can transform every home that it enters. The Spirit of God blesses the truth and nothing but the truth, and this book is filled with truth! It was first published in 1894, and immediately found its way into homes and hearts all over the world. Tens of thousands of copies were printed and stories came from far and wide about marriages that were preserved from certain destruction by the simple, Biblical instruction found in these pages."

Titus 2 Ministry is giving away a free copy of Mr. J.R. Miller's book in celebration of our 7th anniversary of ministering to Christian families around the world! If you'd like to enter for your chance to win, please click here for entry details!

Blessings on your home and family!!

Emilee