The June Giveaway Winner Is...

Greetings, dear Royal Sisters! What a beautiful summer morning this is, perfect for the joyous news that we about to share with you!

On Wednesday,  our giveaway for the lovely set of handmade stationary, so graciously donated by Farmgirl Treasures Etsy Shop, ended and we have have a winner!

We first would like to say thank you to all who participated in this giveaway... each and every entry was taken in with joy -- we were very surprised to see so many entries, especially since this is our first giveaway here at Royal Daughters of the King! It was such a blessing to get such a wonderful responce!

And of course, a huge thank you to the the Farmgirls for donating this beautiful prize! We pray that the winner will use these beautiful sheets of stationary to glorify Jesus, in all that she writes upon them.

And now, we would like to share who the winner is........

MISS BEKAH!!!!!

Congratulations Bekah! Please visit our Contact Page, and send us an email with your first and last name, address, and email. And be sure to let us know which set of stationary you would like from the Farmgirls Esty shop! :D

For those of you who did not win our June giveaway, we hope that you will visit again in July, as we will be hosting out next giveaway then, on the 6th. {Next month's sponsor is Sense & Sensibility Patterns, so you won't want to miss out!}

We also would encourage you to check out our Monthly Program, as we just posted our July program!

May the Lord bless you all, as we close out the month of June, and embrace the warmth of July!

Blessings,

Bethany Ann & Johanna Rose

Royal Council :: Modest Swimwear

Ah, I do believe that summer is here at last! *happy sigh* What a wonderful time of year this is! It is a time when sunshine covers our world, and nothing can possibly put a shadow on the joy and happiness it brings.

It is a time when the birds love to sing, and the bees love to hum, and the flowers love to bloom.....

But, another wonder that comes along with these warm summer months is time. While regular classes and activities commence, we find so much time to try out new pass-times. One of my favorite summer pass-times is swimming! Nothing can be so refreshing during those hot, sticky days, then to dive into a cool pool of sparkling water. But along with this fun activity comes a challenge, that we, as Christian woman, all struggle with, and that is :: how to remain modest.

~*~

Below, we have compiled some responses to the above inquiry. We pray that as you read, you would be encouraged to not give up on this challenge. We know that wearing modest apparel, especially when swimming, can be difficult to accomplish at times, but is by no means impossible. There is always an option out there, and hopefully, we can help you to find the option that will work best for your needs. Blessings ~

Bethany Ann :: 

Modesty is something that sadly, is no longer of any value to this world. However God sees it as something that it very important. We are told to not be a stumbling block to our brothers in Christ so we as daughters of the King must clothe ourselves properly and be modest when doing so.

It is easy to dress modestly on a day-to-day basis since you can find modest clothing in stores at a reasonable price. However so far, the only places I have found modest swimwear is online and they are all about $100 each! For our family to have a bathing suit from these sites it would cost a fortune! So what we have done is we have found modest shirts that people wear when jogging or exercising. They are made of a sweat resistant material and thus take less time to dry than a normal t-shirt. We have found that sometimes these materials are transparent when wet (my shirt is white, so when it is wet you can see right through it) so we ware a 1-piece bathing suit underneath our shirts for extra protection. While I could go without shorts since I have a bathing suit underneath my shirt, I chose not to. I have purposed to not show any part of my legs above my knee and have found that wearing Capri's with my shirt works well.

As I mentioned above, I have found these websites that sell modest swimwear:

• Swim Modest
  

  
• Wholesome Wear
• Modest-Kini
• Modest Swimwear 4 U
• Simply-Modest

I have a friend who said she made her own swimsuit using Fresh Modesty's neat e-book {click HERE for details} which shows how you can make your own swimsuit! I think this would be a neat idea if you know how to sew and they even have information on how to make a maternity swimsuit! You could be on the look-out for fabric store's sales and they buy swimsuit material when it is at a discounted rate.

In closing I would like to encourage you not to let the summer's heat or peer presser to lower your standards. Ask your parents what there standards are for you in modesty and truly delight in obeying them! Always remember that though we might look weird to others, it is better than causing a brother to stumble. Always keep your focus on Christ and serve Him wholeheartedly this summer!

God bless you!

~Bethany Ann

Johanna Rose ::

Summer is a lovely time of year. One which I always enjoy. And I must say, that one of my favorite summer activities, would be driving down to my Grandma's swimming pool for a splash, or running into the waves at the beach. But along with these delightful summer pass-times, comes a challenge. A challenge that I believe all young woman, who have a heart of purity, will meet. And that is, how are they to go about selecting a swimsuit? What are their guidelines? Where can you find a swimsuit that is God-honoring, but still functional at the same time?

Every year, I had these same questions swirling in my head. And sadly, I have noticed that every year, it becomes harder and harder to find the swimsuit that will fit my needs. So many times, when I return to the place I bought my suit last year, I find that their modest style has changed drastically, and for the worst. Other times, I find that buying a modest suit is much too expensive. The prices often times ranged from $75-$100! So how do we acquire a modest swimsuit? It must be impossible, right??

Dear Sisters, this is exactly what satan wants you to believe -- he wants you to believe that modest swimwear is impossible to find, and therefore you must lower your standards to what the world offers. But let me encourage you, by saying that there are still options out there. Though these resources may be few, and are at times difficult to find, there are still places out there where you can find a swimsuit that will fit your needs. I want to share with you some resources and ideas below, in the hopes that you may be inspired to search out a modest look --

• Last summer, I pieced together a modest swimsuit. This is an option which I have used many summers. One of my favorite places to piece together a swimsuit would be Lands End. At Lands End, they sell many swimsuit pieces separately. I love how they offer this, because this is a fun way to design your own suit. In the past, I have put something similar to this, together :: Find a modest swim-skirt, and a cute, conservative bikini top to match it. Then, I recommend you find a tight fitting t-shirt, to wear over the bikini top. {You want it to fit tight, because it loosens up a lot when in water.} I have done this many times in the past, and it turns out super cute, and very functional as well!

• Another option would be to find resources that offer swimsuits that are meant to be modest, and are designed for that reason specifically. Often times this option can be a bit pricey though. Sites such as Simply Modest, and Swim Modest -- among others -- offer beautiful, and modest swimsuits, but they are around $100 each! But this year, I was blessed to find Comstox.com. And, needless to say, this is where I will be purchasing my swimsuit for this summer! Jennifer is a young woman, who is using her talents to serve the Lord. She offers custom made suits for young ladies, ranging from $35 - $50 {depending on size}. One aspect that I loved about her site is how everything is custom made, upon order, to fit you exactly. She takes down every measurement, and tailors the suit to your measurements! And there are so many beautiful materials to choose from as well, that you will be sure to find something to fit your personal style. 

Both of the above options are perfect solutions to finding a modest style that is perfect for you. But one last thought that I would like to share with you would be this :: 

One aspect that I love about both of the above options is that, not only are they modest, but they are feminine and stylish as well. When I walk along the seaside, and young woman of the world encounter me, I not only want them to recognized that I have strong convictions about modesty, but also, that I found an alternative to the worldly dress with a beautiful choice. When they see me, I want them to be inspired. I want them to realize that beauty and modesty can be one.

May the Lord bless you, as you strive to honor Him in this!
~Johanna Rose

Miss Miriam ::

So, it is summer now. And it is also very hot. Hot weather, for most people, means swimming. And what does swimming mean? It means that you are going to need a swimsuit. For many years, when summertime came around and we started to shop for a swimsuit, I was already frustrated even before the shopping began. I would go to almost every store in town,with my Mom, and I would not find one single modest swimsuit. It was very disappointing to waste time looking for something that was probably not ever going to be there. When I was little, it was not as hard. I would usually just swim in a one-piece swimsuit with a long T-shirt over it. But, after the little girl years, the one-piece swim suit and T-shirt just wouldn't work. So, then, my Mom began searching for swimsuits online. We found a few that we liked and were modest but almost all of them were SO pricey! I did not want to spend almost $100 dollars on a swimsuit, but then, I did not want to lower my convictions and buy a swimsuit that I did not truly think was modest. We have purchased several that were from the Internet, but most of them just were not what we were looking for. This year, though, we have found a few really cute, modest swimsuits that don't break the bank!

1. Swim culottes from Dressing For His Glory. These swimsuits are basically culottes, but made out of swim material. Also, you can buy a swim shirt to go with the swim culottes or skorts. There are several different colors and styles for you to choose from!

2. Swimsuits from Modest Activewear. This is what my Mom ordered this year for my sister, herself and I. I am very satisfied with these swimsuits! They are really cute, modest, and easy to swim in too! It comes with a swim shirt, and a skirt with sewn in shorts. I have already received a few compliments on it!

3. Swimsuits from Fresh Modesty. This is actually a pattern that a young lady named Olivia designed. The pattern looks pretty easy and there are several really cute options that you can make. There is even a maternity option for those ladies who are pregnant and need a swimsuit too!

I hope that this helps you all when you are looking for a swimsuit!

The most important thing to remember is to be modest and dress in a way that Christ would be pleased. Don't lower your convictions or give up if you can't find a swimsuit that is modest; wait on the Lord and pray that He will help you find one!

Also, one thing I realized was that we need to be feminine too. To be modest, you do not have to be frumpy or drab! You can be feminine and modest at the same time!

May we all dress in a way that would reflect Christ and glorify Him!

~Miriam

-- Visit Miriam's website, Maidens of Virtue.

~*~

Do you have a suggestion for future Royal Council topics? We would be so blessed if you sent your suggestions by way of our Contact page! Thank you! We pray that you were blessed by this month's Royal Council, and are left refreshed and newly-inspired to live for Jesus.

Abundant Blessings,

Bethany Ann & Johanna Rose

Simple Loveliness

{Written by Johanna Rose}

One of my favorite pass-times would be sitting down, and enjoying a lovely cup of hot tea in the morning, while preforming my devotions..... *sigh* Ah, everything about it is simply lovely. The beautiful aroma that graces the air as I spoon the tea leaves into the little bag. My heart is warmed as I watch the hot water steep to darker shades of flavor. And finally, once I put a dab of cream, and a pinch of sugar in.... *smile* I find myself savoring each and every little sip!

And, although there are many ways to take tea, I absolutely must have mine in a tea cup. Yes, tis true :: to me, tea isn't tea, without the delicacy of a tea cup to compliment it. It just doesn't taste the same.....

~*~

One afternoon, I set the water to a boil, and while I waited for the 'whistle', I glanced over at our tea-cup cabinet, wondering which one I would choose to drink from.

I have always been so blessed to have a nice variety to choose from, but for some reason, I always seemed to either choose dear little Rosamund, or Victoria. (Yes, we name our teacups. *smile*)

Rosamund is a lovely wide-rimmed tea cup, crowned with a rim of gold. She is made lovely with beautiful, delicate pink roses – some are buds, others are full bloom. Each petal is shaded with just the right amount of pink, and is without blemish. And, while there are quite a few roses, there are not so many as to make the tea-cup too overbearing. I find it simple, but elegant.

Victoria is also a nice little wide-rimmed tea cup, who is also crowned with a rim of gold. She has neither flower, nor ornament to grace her little figure.... But she has something even more special. For, when you pour tea into this little vessel, a beautiful heart is formed within. It is simply lovely to behold. And like Rosamund, I find Victoria to be simple, but very elegant.

I often ponder why these two teacups appeal to me so much. But, I have come to the conclusion that it is because they both really can represent the kind of young woman that I desire to be.

~*~

All of these above attributes, to me, make a truly beautiful woman. Something that I believe is lost in our society today is purity and innocent. I believe that every girl is born with it, but too often it is thrown away, and replaced with what the world has to offer. So many times, I encounter young woman who have done exactly this. They starve themselves, so that they may look like the magazine models. They cake their faces in so much make up, that, if you saw them without it, you wouldn't recognize them. They wear clothing which will attract eyes to certain body-parts, in the hopes that they will find the attention that they are seeking. They have an attitude that is completely focused on self.....

Contrast this with the lovely little tea cups --

Each one of these teacups has something in common :: they have a look or purity. They are simple, but lovely. They are quite, but at the same time have a strong character about them. They both are graced with a beautiful attribute, which is neither overbearing, nor too glamorous. And they both are marked with a lovely golden band.

These are the markings a true woman of God.

While I have encountered many worldly woman, I have also had the joy of finding several woman of God. While they may appear more simple, and innocent in their appearance, I find them to be even more lovely -- Because they show that within, is a pure heart. They are neither loud, nor boisterous in their speech or actions, but rather, they show discretion in their manner and tone. And, while they don't voice their opinions, and push them in the face of others, they have firm beliefs in the truth, and will defend those beliefs ardently.

And, last of all, that something which truly will mark a woman of God, is -- The crown of gold. In every truly beautiful young woman, you will always see the crown of Jesus upon their heads. You can see clearly that every action and word is devoted to Him. And you can see a joy that is inexpressible in their eyes. When you encounter such a woman, you are inspired to live more for Jesus, and become closer to Him. And you desire, more then anything, to be such a woman yourself.....

This, dear ladies, is my desire. I wish to become like those teacups. For, to me, they are a picture of pure loveliness. Not that kind of beauty that the world cherishes, but the kind of beauty that Jesus Christ cherishes. That simple loveliness, which marks a true daughter of the King.

Rick Rack Rosettes :: Craft Tutorial

{Taken from The Crafting Chicks}

Crafting Level -- Very Easy

Needed Materials:

• 1 Package of Medium Rick Rack
• Same color Felt (optional)

Directions:

1. First, cut two, 10"-long strips of  rick rack.

2. Then twist the two pieces of rick rack together. {shown above}

3. Then run a stitch down one side to hold it all together.

4. To make the flower, you just start from one end and roll it up. Add small dots of hot glue, just to keep it all together.

5. Keep rolling until you have this– {above} -and then tuck the little tail under and hot glue it down. You can also glue a small circle of felt or fleece on the back, just to finish it off.

To make your flower wearable glue it on a ring blank, a necklace, or on clips for little girl’s hair. Can you think of other fun places to put these rosettes?

You’ll notice all of the petals are closed, so to open them up you just peel them back one by one. Until it looks like a flower. And you are done!

~*~

I had such a delightful time making the little rosettes a few weeks ago. They are so very simple, but turn out so very beautiful. I am sure you will have fun creating them as well!

~Johanna Rose~

Book Reviews

The Family Daughter

Becoming Pillars of Strength in our Father's House

by Sarah L. Bryant {Review by Bethany Ann}

Book Description: {On the back of the book} Sharing from her own struggles and triumphs, homeschooler Sarah Bryant encourages young ladies to become vital cornerstones in their father's home, while preparing for godly womanhood. Filled with encouragement and personal testimonies, The Family Daughter will help Christian girls begin the journey of being their family's pillar of strength and virtue.

I just finished reading this book for the second time in one year! I have been blessed to personally know Miss Bryant and have been very blessed by her book The Family Daughter. Sarah is such a humble writer and The Family Daughter is the book for you if you are seeking encouragement as you are striving to be a pillar of strength in your parents home! No matter how many times I read this book, I am always convicted of something I need to work on!

Sarah sincerely encourages young ladies to use their years of singleness and the years in daughters' father's home to be a humble servant to her family and to grow in their faith. She writes on the importance of topics such as humility, modesty, devoting time to spend with the Lord, the importance of being a strong, Godly example of womanhood and daughter-hood to others, the importance of being close to siblings and encouraging them in the Lord, witnessing, and much more! Full of personal stories from Sarah's life and lessons she has learned you are sure to be encouraged and uplifted by the encouragement she gives throughout this book! I would recommend this book to any daughter! It is excellent for all age groups and could even be used in a Bible study with a friend or two or a sister!

One thing I really like about The Family Daughter is how their is a testimony of another "Family Daughter" at the end of each chapter as well as recommended resources for audio's and books! The Family Daughter is such a wonderful resource and a must-read for all girls seeking this path as we journey heavenward! If you haven't already read this inspiration book then you should-I promise you that you will be eternally blessed by the inspiration and encouragement shared within it's pages! This book is on of my list of my top 5 most favorite books!

The Family Daughter Chapters:

Preface: As Cornerstones

1) An Abundant Season

2) In My Father’s House

3) Our Parents’ Joy

4) The Family Sister

5) Pillars of Strength

6) A Humble Maidservant

7) The Spotless Maiden

8) The Appointed Time

9) Reflecting The Light

10) Bouquet of Beauty

Click HERE to purchase your own copy of The Family Daughter or click HERE to read an excerpt!

Feminine by Design:

The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood

by Scott T. Brown {Review by Johanna Rose}

In 'Feminine by Design', the Author puts into words, such a refreshing vision on biblical womanhood; I could tell from the first sentence on, that this book would be filled with inspiration. Each and every word is tailored with Truth, and is in direct accordance with the bible throughout each topic. The Author starts off by saying~

“The Bible not only teaches woman to be possessors of gentle and quiet spirits, it also teaches them to exercise their God given wisdom and strength. They are vigorous and strong and distinctively feminine…

… They are “pillars sculptured in palace style” with adornments that radiate the beauty of Christ and diffuse the fragrance of the aroma of Christ in every place.

This book contains the stuff that makes women like this.”

Upon finishing, I certainly agreed.

Aimed at young women in their teens, this book gives a wonderful vision of how beautiful the occupation of being a wife, mother and homemaker is. He clearly explains how- “The world needs Christ loving, husband helping, home making, dominion taking, kingdom making women.” – And as you read the book, each and every word inspires you to become such a woman.

In a culture where girls in their teens are endlessly pressured by the world to become independent, it is so, extremely important that we keep the vision of biblical womanhood alive within our hearts, and uncompromised.

‘Feminine by Design’ covers many of the topics and questions that young woman face today, including~

·        The great impact women have in their homes.

·        The different rolls between men and woman.

·        Becoming a shining example for Jesus Christ.

·        The importance of giving your time as service to others.

·        The importance of demonstrating your unfading beauty.

·        The beauty of becoming a help-meet.

·        Why it is important to prepare now for the work we have in the future.

·        The importance of a submissive spirit.

·        The beauty of being a homemaker.

·        Why it is important to be “fruitful and multiply”.

·        How wonderful it is to be the teacher of the next generation.

Each and every one of ‘the twelve pillars’ within ‘Feminine by Design’ left me inspired and encouraged, as it contained uplifting words on how beautiful our femininity really is, and why it is so important to be the woman the Lord wants us to be.

I have read many different books on the topic of femininity, but this one would have to remain one of my very favorites! I would absolutely recommend 'Feminine by Design' to all young woman who are striving to preserve their femininity. I would encourage you to purchase it from Vision Forum. It is a book well worth the money, and will leave you refreshed, and inspired to be the feminine young woman the Lord created you to be.

Delighting in the Lord :: Part 2

{Please be sure to read Part One first!}

{Written by Bethany Ann}

We might not feel like we want to read the Bible or memorize a Bible verse so we listen to our heart as the world tells us. But the Lord says that "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. who can understand it?" ~Jeremiah 17:9 What if we want to know God and spend time in His Word, but it seems "dry"? Well, friend these are not times to give up! It is often through such times that we are strengthened in our faith if we keep going...even when it's hard! Maybe you have spent too much time reading, listening to the radio, sewing or any other activity that you enjoy instead of in the Word of God. While these thing can be very good, if we do them too much then we might lose interest in God's Word, thus making it dry. I would encourage you to pray and ask God to help you in this time, to make devotions fun and exciting-because they can be with God's help! Another thing that may help is to constantly think of things such as "Oh, spending time with God is so exciting! I can't wait until I can read and memorize it again!" even though you might not feel that way at the time, if we keep it going in our mind eventually our heart will adapt to it and we will truly enjoy our time devoted to our Father. Keep reading your Bible and try to be excited about it! It may help to study with a friend or sibling or to use a Bible study guide or booklet. Find creative ways to make devotions exciting and fun and remember to never give into the temptations you will face!

    
Often times we think that the only time we spend with God is during times which we call "devotions". This isn't true! We need to constantly be in communion with the Lord at all times-not only when we have the set apart times. We often think that if we aren't reading the Bible then it isn't a devotion time. But we can be praying while washing dishes, meditate on a Bible verse while waiting in line and these things are considered time with God! Be creative and see how often you can include God in your everyday life!

Okay, now we know how important it is to delight in the Lord but how exactly do we do it? Well to start Bible reading, meditation and memorization along with prayer is a great way to know the Lord!

    
In one of my favorite books Before You Meet Prince Charming by Sarah Mally in chapter 11 which is entitled "Delighting in the Lord" Sarah shares some more detailed ideas: {Bolded words are from her book}

1. Spend Time Alone with God This is vital! It is something that a true Christian cannot do without. Set aside a specific time so that you know that at that time you will devote it to the Lord.
2. Learn to Get to Know Him How can we truly know God if we don't learn His characteristics? This is a wonderful place to start is you haven't already! Try studying the names of God, this is a fun way to learn about Him and will also widen your vocabulary making it extra special when you pray since you will be able to pick a certain name for your current situation.
3. Treasure His Love Letter to You. When a friend sends you a letter you treasure it and read it over and over and over, right? The same is so with God's love Letter-the Bible! Study it! Memorize it! Meditate on it throughout the day! Make it your most prized possession!
4. Understand What He Has Done for You.  There have been times  when although I knew that Jesus died on my sins, but I didn't really take the time to ponder it. Yes, Jesus had died for me. But it was so much more than that! He suffered for MY sins, He bore the pain for MY sins, and by HIS stripes, am I healed. I often don't take into mind the details of all that went on that horrible day when Jesus gave Himself for me. I would suggest looking through the Gospel's accounts of the crucifixion for it was the worst way to die! We often hear that Jesus was crucified so often that we start to forget just how gruesome and horrible it was. Studying what happened and knowing it will help us to not only feel more loved but also to realize the depth of that Love for us.
5. Frequently Tell Him of Your Love.  The Bible tells us to "Pray without ceasing" but so often we do not take it literally! We can pray every where and at every time! What a blessing it is! To think that God, the Creator of all things is interested in me and wants me to come to Him at anytime of the day is wonderful! What a love! Jesus does not require us to wait in line behind a million people to tell Him something. And the best part if that He wants to know it all-not only the big things! Today see how often you can pray! Sometimes it is encouraging to record the amount of time you spend in prayer on a chart. This way you can see how much time you have spent with God and it will encourage you to continue to commune with Him! I have recently taken a challenge to pray for 10 minutes every day and have been very blessed by it! I not encourage you to pray for 10 minutes a day for the next week-you will be abundantly blessed!
6. Demonstrate Your Love by Your Actions. This one is easier said than done! But I truly believe that if we fully comprehend what He did for us then demonstrating His love through our actions won't we as hard as we think! When we realize what He did for us then we will want to be more Christ-like because we are taken over with awe of what He did.
7. Tell Others About His Greatness. Once I heard about a lady named Shelby Kennedy. Although she died in her early twenties due to cancer, her siblings said that she was "One in a million". She always tried to point others to Christ and found every possible way to do so! Her siblings tell of how she would throw a pebble into the pond and as the watter rippled she would lean over to her siblings and say "Look, do you see those ripples? That's how I want my life to be.I want my actions to have a ripple effect on others". This story inspired me to take every opportunity we get to share with others God's love.
8. Worship Him. Have you ever noticed how worshiping God by singing a song lifts your spirit and makes you want to praise Him more? Sometimes I start my devotions with a worship song or hymn to help me get into the worship. But remember that we don't have to be singing a song for it to qualify as worship. When we thank Him for the day that He has made, that's worship. When we tell Him how great He is in a prayer before a meal, that's worship. Try and worship Him as much as possible because He truly is worth every minute of our lives in worship!
9. Be Attentive to the Gifts He Gives You. Sometimes when things don't go my way I complain. But I've found that everything, no matter what it is, always has a positive side. Our problem is that we always dwell on the negative side. When we can take anything and look at the bright side then it makes a huge difference! Did you have to miss seeing friends because you were sick? Thank God that you aren't sick with something worse or life threatening. Did you not get to go to that Bible study because you had to watch your siblings? Thank God that you have siblings to watch! Don't like doing the dishes? Thank God that the dishes are dirty and need to be washed because that means that you had food to eat! If the dishes weren't dirty then that means that you didn't eat. You see, there is always at least one good thing to everything! Try and see the bright side in everything!
10. Keep Journals of your Times Together. Often times I am not as faithful of a journal writer as I should be! But if we do keep a journal of our times with Him then we can go back to those entries later on and see how God used certain things for His good or how we grew in a certain area!
11. Run into His Arms Whenever You Need Comfort. It is so easy to run to Jesus in times of need-but sadly, we often don't. I remember once we were looking for my mom's car keys, which she had misplaced. Instead of praying to God for help I just worried, which of course didn't make anything better. It wasn't until about 10 minutes into the search that I realized that God had a plan and that maybe it was to bring me closer to Him to make me realize how little I pray and ask Him for help. So I prayed and sure enough He answered my prayer and we found the keys. After that time I pondered on why I didn't think to ask God earlier. I realized how often I wait until the last minute to pray and it should be the other way around! If you are ever in a time of need let Him know!

If you haven't already read book Before You Meet Prince Charming, then I recommend that you do! I would also encourage you ladies who already have the book to read the whole chapter on delighting in the Lord for there were some really good points that I didn't have time to write here!

    
Sometimes in our devotional life it may seem "dry". This might be because we aren't putting our whole heart into it. I have found that when I put all my heart into it, and not only part of it, it makes a lot more sense, and I understand the Word better. For all devotionals (basically any time we are communing with God) it is a good idea to start with a clean heart. Pray and ask God to bring to mind things that you haven't asked forgiveness for already. When we start with a clear conscience it makes a big difference! Also pray that God would teach you through His Word and that you would not walk away empty handed.

    
Another thing that is very crucial  in order to have productive devotionals it to stay focused. So often my mind wanders into other things and before I know it I've read a whole chapter and can't remember a word of it! I start to think of my to do list "Oh, I need to mop today! And I need to email so and so about such and such. And I need to write that letter!" sometimes writing a list of "to-do's" before hand helps me not worry about forgetting everything. The purpose it to block everything else out so that you can learn the most. Pray and ask God to help you stay focused and He will! Remember that this is Satan trying turn your time with Jesus so don't give way to his lies! I usually purpose to not talk on the phone, read a book, get on the computer, etc until I've spent time with God. This helps keep me accountable!

    
A great idea Johanna had once was to have a date with Jesus were you plan a day were you will have a cup of tea and just go through  Bible verses and dwell on them, reflect on what God has been doing in your life, pray, memorize bible verses, etc. The idea is to get excited because you are doing something you don't get to do every day and spend that special time with Jesus. It defiantly helps!

   
Another idea to "liven up" devotions is to keep a prayer basket! In the winter 2008 issue of The King's Blooming Rose Magazine (to purchase that issue on Daily Devotions, which I highly recommend you to do as it blessed me very much, then click HERE) there was an article which suggested to use a plain basket and put the following in it:

• Your Bible
• Bookmarks
• Pens or pencils
• A notebook to take notes as you read your Bible and study it
• A favorite hymn or song
• Mints or hard candies to put in your mouth if you start to doze off. :)
• Index cards to write special verses and carry them around the house that day
• A washcloth to remind you to stay clean before God
• A prayer list or picture of a person you want to keep in prayer
• A chart were you record time you spent with God or in Bible memorization or time in prayer

This is a great idea and would make great birthday gifts!

I hope that this article has helped you and will bring you closer to Christ!

May God Bless You!

Bethany Ann

Delicious Cakes :: Recipes

 "Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred."

~ Proverbs 15:17

Lately the Lord has been showing me the importance of including my eager-to-help, younger siblings in my baking times. When my 8 and 5 year old sisters, and my 3 year old brother exclaim "Beppy, may I help you make the cake?" my sinful nature starts to brush them aside, while brushing their cheery smiles away as well. "Oh, they are only in the way" I tell myself as I watch them leave the kitchen. Often times I make excuses, one of which is that they get on my nerves when they help and that it takes more time with little hands helping. But I often wonder if this is God's way of teaching me patience! :) Now when my siblings are eager to help in the kitchen I try and say with a smile "Sure you can help, the Lord knew I needed 3 little helpers today!" I try  to be as Jesus and value children as He does as demonstrated in Matthew 19:14! I try to look them in the eye and give them a warm smile, which not only helps me remember to include them joyfully and willingly but it also tells them that I love them and value them.  I encourage you to include your siblings in your kitchen works! It not only teaches us patience but it also build strong relationships with our siblings!

This having been said, I would like to share with you some wonderful cake recipes that our family have made for many special occasions! I have always enjoyed taking over the role of making all the birthday cakes in our home-and from scratch! I just love to plan out what kind of cake I will make, then prepare it and finally to decorate and complete it! The smell of a freshly baked cake is always a comforting and delightful smell! One of which I love! :)

Happy Baking!

Bethany Ann

Basic Yellow Cake



Robby's 3rd Birthday Cake {Basic Yellow Cake}



I use this recipe for most of the cakes I make for my family members birthday It tastes almost exactly like a boxed cake and is a lot of fun to make!

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups margarine or butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk



Heat oven to 350*. Grease and flour cake pans. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, beat sugar and margarine or butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs;blend well. Little by little add dry mix to the big bowl. Mix well. Spread batter evenly in greased and floured pans.

 

 

Cookies N' Cream Cake

• 1 box cake mix, prepared and ready to bake or one batch of the basic yellow cake (above)
• 1 cup crushed Oreo's 

Mix cake mix and crushed Oreos and bake as directed below. Enjoy! {Note: When making this cake you might want to add a bit of water or some other form of moisture since the cookies will dry out the cake a bit}

Cake Sizes and Baking Time: (All cakes bake at 350*)



Two 8 or 9-inch round pans = 27-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

9x13-inch pan = 33-40 minutes.

  

Berry Poke Cake

• 1 cake baked and cooled (preferably baked in a 9x13-inch pan)
• 1 package jell-o, prepared

Once cake is completely cooled from baking, poke holes all over the cake with a fork. Evenly pour the jell-o mix over the cake. Cover and refrigerate for several hours. Before serving frost with cool-whip and sprinkle with fresh fruit slices. Enjoy!

Berry Poke Cake

Monthly Interview :: Miss Sarah Lee Bryant

Over the years, Miss Sarah L. Bryant has been such an encouragement, we have both been extremely blessed by her magazine The King's Blooming Rose Magazine and by her book The Family Daughter! Sarah is such a sweet, encouraging lady and we am very blessed to know her! We hope that this interview would encourage you! Thank you, Sarah for allowing us to interview you! :)

Blessings,

Bethany Ann & Johanna Rose



{The Bryant Family}

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you come to Christ?



SARAH: Greetings to you, my dear sister in Christ Jesus! My name is Sarah Bryant, and I live with my family in rural Kansas. I graduated from homeschool in 2009, and have been blessed by the Lord to be able to serve Him from my home, learning new skills and enjoying life with my family. I desire to be diligent, fulfilled, and content as a daughter at home, while serving others in this season. My family and I publish a quarterly magazine for girls, The King's Blooming Rose (see KBR Ministries' website at HERE).

I am tremendously blessed to have been raised from a young age in a Christian home, where the Word of God is taught. I can remember when I was 7 or 8, having a great fear of transgressing against the commands (Law) of God, and every night reviewing my actions of that day and realizing I had broken at least one of the Ten Commandments. This gave me fear as I would ask for God's forgiveness, and it was during this time I came to peace through the blood of Christ Jesus for my sins. Throughout the years my Savior has taught me much and grown me through His Word. I am so thankful for the gifts of sanctification and the Holy Spirit—which He bestows upon all His joint-heirs: "We are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: Why did you start The Kings Blooming Rose Ministry?



SARAH: When I was newly thirteen, the Lord laid on my heart the desire to encourage other young girls in their walk with the Lord Jesus—not to feel alone in their convictions even though like-minded fellowship might be few and far between. The King's Blooming Rose magazine was born that year, and by God's grace has grown throughout the past 6 years. I am so grateful for all that the Lord has taught me and blessed me with through its publication. This ministry expanded last year when I wrote and published a book entitled The Family Daughter (Click here for details).

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: What are some ways to make devotions life-changing?

SARAH: From personal lessons learned throughout my journey of daily devotions, I have found that the most life-changing aspect of my quiet time is prayer. Prayer is a vital, yet overlooked, aspect of the Christian life—it is the life-line between us and our Master. How can we know His will for our movements and words throughout the day if we do not quiet our hearts to hear His Word to us? I have made it a personal goal to “be still” and pray each morning during my personal devotions for a certain amount of time. To be honest, my flesh resists this quietude and “those vain things” of the world are persistent to distract me during this time. But when I make an extra effort to say “no” to these obstacles and go to God humbly asking for personal growth, for filling of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7), for His continued sanctifying work in my heart (1 Thessalonians 4:4), for more love for Jesus Christ (John 17:26)—oh, how worthwhile that time is!

Also, one thing that has been life-changing in my spiritual life lately is making sure I do not sit down for my quiet time with a hurried mindset. My heart is much more teachable when I go to the Lord with eagerness to learn and commitment to give Him the best hours of my day (for me, first thing in the morning). I want to challenge you to spend at least 15 minutes in God's Word/praying each morning of this next week (for 7 straight days). See what a difference it makes in your walk with God and how it gives you a deeper yearning for more of His Word. As a result of a commitment to seeking His Word daily, my life has seen much change as God continues His faithful work in my life. Will you claim the promises in Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”?

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: How do you memorize Scripture? Do you have any tips to share on hiding God’s Word in our hearts?

SARAH: This year, one of my new year's goals was to memorize several verses each month. As I have reached toward this goal, God has blessed me through the Words of Life that I meditate on and hide in my heart. The most efficient way that I have personally benefited from is reading the entire memory assignment (chapter or several verses) aloud, and then repeating each individual verse over (or writing it down on paper) until I can remember the pattern or word order without reading it. My sister and I often memorize together, and at times we do it with friends. It's very helpful to have someone to do it with and to check up on you to see how your progress is going, so I encourage you to find an accountability partner to memorize with! Some beautiful passages to memorize are Philippians 4, Psalm 1 and 63, 1 Peter 2 and 3, and Proverbs 31. I want to encourage you young ladies to memorize God's Word; God can use it in your heart in incredible ways if you have done your part in hiding His truth in your heart—“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word” (Psalm 119:16). It won't happen in your life without effort and time, but remember that not one minute you invest in God's Word will be wasted.

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: How do you encourage your siblings in the Lord on a daily basis?

SARAH: I have so much to learn in this area and am so humbled as I realize my responsibility in encouraging my siblings to grow in the love of Christ. Yet, I would love to encourage you to include your brothers and sisters to seek God's Word on a daily basis, to memorize verses with you, or to pray together. If I have gleaned something special in my devotions I like to share it with my siblings during the day, and I also write down a special verse every morning for some of my siblings and leave it in their Bible. I have seen how important these years we have together are, and want to share things God has mercifully been teaching me with my siblings, as this might encourage them to grow in Him. This has life-long benefits! The Lord prompted me to challenge my siblings to read the Bible every single day this year, offering a prize if they complete the goal! They have been very faithful in the challenge, and I can't wait to see how God uses their diligence to bless them spiritually. This summer, my brothers and my sister are taking a summer challenge together to read the Bible 15 minutes a day and are enjoying it—it's such an incredible blessing to be united not only in flesh and blood, but also in a common Goal (seeking God) as Children of a heavenly King!

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: Since summer is right around the corner, some girls have a hard time knowing what kinds of clothing to wear. Do you have any tips on this?

SARAH: This is a wonderful question (we have hot and humid summers here in Kansas, so I can relate). I would encourage you to be a young lady of principle. Do not waver on your (your parents') standards of modesty no matter how hot it is or what activities you are engaged in! If your parents prefer you to wear a 2-layer blouse or a certain length skirt when you are in public, then honor their desires. A few drops of sweat or discomfort are not compared to causing a brother or sister in our Lord Jesus to stumble. Do not let the hot summer months lower your standards of modesty for personal comfort.

Also, my mom reminds me to be considerate of those who have different dress standards through my own clothing choices when I am with them. I also try to be careful about what I wear around younger girls, for I do not want to cause them to become discontent with their own standards. I know from experience that I look up to older girls and though I may not be consciously aware of it, I look at what they wear and how they act, seeking a godly example. I am so encouraged if they have a spirit and appearance of modesty (both in clothing and attitude); on the other hand, I can become dissatisfied with my own appearance if this is not the case. Friends, seek to glorify the Lord Jesus in your clothing choices, not personal comfort or conformity to the world's trends. We might be free to wear something, but if it causes another believer to take their eyes from Jesus, what profit is it? If you stand on principles and standards of modesty as a light for Jesus, others will be refreshed and challenged!

ROYAL DAUGHTERS OF THE KING: Is there anything you would like to share in closing?

SARAH: I would challenge you to press on toward the mark for the prize of our Lord Jesus! He is worthy! Serve Him with every breath He has given you, because He gave His life blood for your lost soul—so that now you enjoy the hope of eternal life and glorification with Him (Romans 8). May His glory be your highest desire and goal for your life. This is my prayer for you, dear sister Christ, that you might grow in personal sanctification:

“And this I pray,

that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

That ye may approve things that are excellent;

that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ,

unto the glory and praise of God.”

(Philippians 1:9-11)

—Sarah Lee Bryant

www.KingsBloomingRose.com