Monday Musings // Heidi May

Well, my family just adopted a second kitten, and the best part about it is that she's mine 💜 (yes, I can sense your shock through the screen, and yes, it's true I went from avoiding these four-legged creatures to loving them in the course of two months 😂) My Heidi May is soooo super sweet, very shy, and really tiny. She's currently sleeping in the crook of my right arm, but I'll have to move her to my lap in a moment as it's hard for me to type fast one-handedly 😄

Bringing her home 🥰

The story of how I got Heidi is an interesting one, which I'm sure you're all dying to hear (er, read) 😉

My younger sis and I tagged along with Grandma and Pop Pop over the weekend hoping to find a cat for Grandma, but in the end I was the one who came across a kitten I absolutely adored. Mom and Dad had already said I could have a cat, although we certainly didn't think it would be quite so soon! When I returned home, Mom took one look at my face and knew we had to get her. So, we drove back to the pet store that very afternoon (within the hour!) and signed the papers. Mom had said she envisioned me with a black cat, and she was right 😃

At the time, my new kitty had already been given the name Wendy, which I initially decided fit her perfectly. But then we brought her home, and, as I got to know her more, I reconsidered it. Her name didn't suit her meek, timid personality or the obsession she seems to have with hiding herself (especially behind doors or in my bookshelves). As I debated new names for her, Mom suggested Heidi. I jumped for it, and not just because it described my kitten well. When Mom was pregnant with me and went for an ultrasound, she couldn't see me. Everyone seemed to think something was wrong, but then, thankfully, they discovered I'd just been hiding. Mom later joked that she wanted to call me "Heidi" 😁 When pressed for a middle name for Heidi, I chose May, my birth month 😊

Mom, Dad, and I have a deal, and that is that I do four years of college online (starting next year) and don't court or get married until the end of that time. Now with a cat all my own to love on and take care of, I'm even happier with the arrangement 🙂

Doing schoolwork together 💗

Okay, while Heidi is continuing to sleep comfortably on my lap, I'll finish up this post by listing off a few other important events that have taken place in the last two weeks. 

We moved Connor into college, and he's doing really well, which we're glad for, although we all miss him a lot. He's been able to call us several times, however, and I chatted with him for almost an hour and a half one night (it was definitely worth staying up till a quarter to midnight 😊)

I commenced taking dual enrollment college classes through Regent University on Monday, August 23. It was a little hectic at the beginning, with orientation quizzes and deadlines I hadn't even been aware of, among other things, but I'm feeling better about it now. All my assignments for the week are turned in, right on time. (yay!)

So, how are you all? What have you been up to? Comment below, I'd love to hear!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Can you spot the kitty in this picture? 😄

Monday Musings // Changes Ahead

And Monday Musings are BACK! (Well, for this week, anyway 😂)

Over the weekend our church had a "duck race," in which members of the congregation both decorated ducks for a contest AND raced plain plastic ducks in gutters with straws. Afterward, everyone cooled off with a bowl of ice cream and talked. That was lots of fun, even if a storm came upon us suddenly (meaning we had to rush home through rain, wind, and lightning) and my legs got eaten up by bugs. 

I chose to decorate/enter a duck in the "Biblical character" category of the contest. Comment below if you think you know what "Biblical character" my duck is dressed as!

The upcoming two weeks are going to be ones of change. We're moving Connor into college, which is taking a toll on us big time. Lots of packing, planning, and giving into or suppressing emotions. A couple of us, especially, aren't looking forward to saying "good-bye." Prayers for our family (particularly Connor as he embarks on this newest journey, and Mom, who's struggling with giving up her firstborn) would be appreciated. (If you want to know more about the college he's attending, read this post.)

Connor and me . . . buddies since day one.
Love you so much, big bro 💙 
Go be amazing and serve where God calls you!

Next Monday, Lord willing, I'll start dual enrollment college classes through Regent University, and I'm feeling a little nervous about that. *sucks in deep breath* God is teaching me Spirit-reliance instead of self-reliance, but I still have a lot more to learn!

So, just a quick glimpse of what's going on my life right now.

How are you all doing? 

Have a very blessed week!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Best News Ever

In a world marred by sin, no one seems to know whether most news being released by the media is "fake" or "real." I don't aim to make this blog a political platform, so I won't dive into examples, but I'm sure you're all essentially aware of what I'm referring to. And because of this, lines have been drawn . . . and crossed. America is divided. Families are getting torn apart. Hearts are heavy, and restoration seems a long way off. 

I want to take this opportunity to remind you (and me) of the news that is always real and never-changing - not yesterday, not today, not ever. The news of the Gospel: of Jesus' death and resurrection. Our Savior is alive right here, right now. Nothing fake about it. The cross won the war for our souls; Christ's blood gives us access with confidence into His presence. (Ephesians 3:12, 2:13) Surrounding us are people who can injure or even kill the body . . . but not our souls. We are called to stand firm in this, and not to shrink away. (Hebrews 10:39) The power of Jesus inside us gives us boldness. If we ask, His grace will strengthen us. (2 Timothy 2:1)

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? If not, you can make the choice to do that at this very moment. Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." It's as simple as that. No works of your own required; just faith in the work already accomplished at the cross. 

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Interested in knowing more? Drop a comment below. I'd love to converse with you further on this subject that's very near and dear to my heart. 

Our God is a God of divine love beyond human comprehension, and He desires for us to know and experience Him on a whole new level. There is still hope in this world, but not of this world. And that hope is Jesus. <3 (Ephesians 4:4-7)

Not only is this real news, it's also the best. news. ever. 

Praying for you all today. <3

Ellen S.