A Lesson at Guitar

I thought I'd share with you what hard thing I have been doing lately, and what I'm learning from it.
About a month ago, our church decided to hold guitar lessons for those who were interested. In these lessons, we would be taught how to play the classical way, by reading notes, and not by plucking or strumming chords.
My mom said she'd sign me up. I have to admit that I was pretty reluctant at first, because I haven't had much experience playing the guitar, and because I wasn't so sure I'd be quick enough to learn everything taught. Nevertheless, my mom insisted that I should, and so I had no choice.

Our first session was two Sundays ago. We were given assignments to help strengthen our left and right fingers. Honestly, it was so difficultt. It was hard to concentrate, hard to keep on practicing - especially since my fingers wouldn't obey and press or pluck the right strings. It was a temptation to practice just for 30 minutes per day (the minimum time given to us to practice) even if I knew that it would be better for me to practice a full hour.

It was a struggle, but I learned a lot during that long week (and I'm still learning!). I learned patience and dilligence. I learned to set a goal for practicing, and I learned how to meet it.
Someone said that "musicians love to perform but they hate to practice." Every time I hear that, I can't help but laugh because that is true. No, I guess I don't really hate practicing, but it's just difficult to set aside a few hours every day to devote yourself to practicing a piece over and over again. Still, I know that it is something that will help me, and I know that I must do it.
Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me..." and it's a verse I always keep in mind especially when my back and fingers start to ache. I know that I can be strong in anything - even in playing the guitar - as long as Christ is with me.

The Modesty Survey Has Been Launched!!!

A Valentine's gift from the Hearts of over a thousand men around the world...
...to their Sisters in Christ.

TheRebelution.com just launched the results of their massive Modesty Survey! Over 1,600 Christian guys answered questions on everything from glitter lotion and lip gloss to swimsuits and skirt slits! For you girls, it's everything you've ever wanted to ask guys about modesty, but were afraid to ask! For you guys, it's really interesting to see what other Christian guys think!


Most importantly, the survey is presented as a resource to help Christian girls (and guys), not a list of legalistic rules, and it is accompanied by the Modesty Survey Petition (which tons of guys have signed) which encourage young women to focus on the heart, not the hemline, to honor their parents, etc.


TheRebelution.com presents the results of the survey as a big St. Valentine's Day gift from 1,600 Christian guys to all Christian girls—and we can't think of a better one!


Go check it out: www.therebelution.com/modestysurvey


But also make sure you spread the word to all your friends. We want as many Christian girls as possible to see it on Valentines Day, so you can repost this post on your blog or forward it as an email.


Guys, they are still accepting signatures for the Modesty Survey Petition, so this is an opportunity for you to still share your voice on the topic of modesty!

Update on my Grandfather

Thanks a lot for your prayers!
My grandfather was released from the hospital last week. He is now at his home. He's still recuperating, and he can eat now (broths and soups) but he still needs your prayers. Please continue to pray for his recovery and salvation. Thank you very much!
God bless!

~ Alyssa C.

Prayer Request: Angkong

My grandfather - we call him "Angkong" - was brought to the hospital last week. We thought he just slipped and fell, but when the test results came out, the readings said that it was a minor stroke. He underwent an operation last Saturday, and he is still in the ICU, recovering.
Please pray for his health and recovery, but most of all, his salvation.

Thanks, and God bless!

In Christ,
Alyssa C.

Problems with HaloScan

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Sorry for the inconvenience, but Godly Ladies in Training is experiencing a technical problem with the commenting system. Aside from that, we haven't been able to fix up all the links.
We switched to Beta last week, and now we are at a dead end...and we haven't figured out how to fix it. Any advice, especially on the commenting system, would really be appreciated.

Thank you so much, and please bear with us. :D

God bless you!

~ The Ladies-in-Training Staff

A True and Godly Woman by Anna Naomi Lofgren

Anna Naomi Lofgren of Maidens of Worth wrote this beautiful poem:

A True and Godly Woman
Today the roles of men and ladies
Are often blurred or shared
Leaving one to wonder,
"So, what has God prepared?"

Some people would try to tell us
That we're the same in every way
That girls should strive for equal rights
And not be stuck inside all day!

But I want to be a lady,
Following after God.
Striving to do what pleases Him
Though it might look rather odd!

I want to have noble character
Like the women in God's word
Worth far more than rubies,
And living by trusting in the Lord

I want to learn to bring my future husband
Good, but never ill
Honoring him in all I do,
Learning to submit my will.

I strive to teach my hands eagerness
In all the daily tasks
Working hard from dawn 'til dusk
To make a home where nothing ever lacks.

Learning to sew and cook and clean,
To make a home lovely.
Learning to be an excellent wife and mother,
So that everyone shall see

A woman delighting in the gift
Of graceful femininity,
Clothed with strength and wisdom,
And possessing dignity.

Dressing with grace and honor,
Radiating modesty,
Letting there be no doubt that I
Am a girl of propriety.

Knowing and showing that
True beauty comes from within.
Not caught up in my outward appearance,
But praising God with all I am.

Learning to develop a spirit
That is quiet, gentle, and kind.
Shunning gossip and idle chatter,
But speaking with wisdom in mind.

Glorifying God with every
Word, thought, and deed.
Living as God would have me live,
Helping everyone in need.

And as I live each day,
I hope that it'll show,
That I am a true and Godly woman,
Delighting that it's so!

A Modesty Survey in The Rebelution

The Rebelution has a new project - The Modesty Survey.

The Medical Mission

Medical Mission
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The Registration Table: Before the patients could enter for a check-up, their names and other first-hand information had to be written down on sheets of paper, as well as on the major list. Christin was assigned here, as well as my sister Hannah, and Zarah, our pastor's daughter.

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The Vital Signs Booth: Several caregivers and nurses-to-be were assigned to this area. Their job was to get the blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature, weight, and other vital information of the patient and write them on the patient's sheet for the doctor's reference.

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The Waiting Room: Here, the patients had a chance to talk to the counselors (some of our church's members) while waiting to be called.

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The Doctors' Area: This was where all the doctors (there were six of them) saw to the needs of the patients. My sister Damaris and I were assigned here as runners. It was our duty to see to the needs of the doctors and to escort the patients to the Pharmacy.

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Pharmacy: Here, the nurses and other nurses-to-be were assigned to give the prescribed medicines to the patients. [The little boy in the middle of the picture is my brother, Jotham. He was assigned to give out the foot wash. :)]

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Snack Table: In this area, snacks and tracts were handed out to the patients before they left the church. Some of them went back to the waiting area to talk to the counselors.

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Thanks so much for your prayers!

Prayer Request: Medical Mission

On Sunday, our church will be having a Medical Mission. Throughout the past few weeks, the Missions Committee of our church has been preparing for this big event. We have been contacting doctors and nurses, gathering medicines, planning, and praying. And now, the big day is near.
Please pray for us, especially on Sunday, that we'll be able to minister to the people who will be arriving, and that we'll also be able to share to them about Jesus.

Thanks, and God bless!

Across the Street, Around the World

THE MISSION

There's a call going out
Across the land in ev'ry nation,
A call to all who swear allegiance
To the cross of Christ;
A call to true humility,
To live our lives responsibly,
To deepen our devotion
To the cross, at any price.

Let us then be sober,
Moving only in the Spirit
As aliens and strangers
In a hostile foreign land;
The message we're proclaiming
Is repentance and forgiveness,
The offer of salvation
To the dying race of man.

Chorus:
To love the Lord our God
Is the heartbeat of our mission,
The spring from which
Our service overflows.
Across the street or around the world,
The mission's still the same,
Proclaim and live the truth
In Jesus' name.

As a candle is consumed
By the passion of the flame,
Spilling light unsparingly
Throughout a darkened room;
Let us burn to know Him deeper
Then our service flaming bright
Will radiate His passions
And blaze with holy light.

November is Missions Month in our church. But really, every day should be seen as a chance to share the gospel to a friend or loved one. Whether they may be the next-door-neighbors across the street, or a relative from across the sea, they need to hear about the Love of a Saviour. Why not take the time to talk to them or even sit down and pray for them? There's a world full of people who may have never heard of Jesus.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Matthew 28:19, 20