favorite photos from the week

dahlias from Mrs. Cock's garden

Carolyn

sun-set on Lake Oconee

Katie's hair

love that hair-do!!

Anna-Kate

Endeavor day 6

We only had a few hours in the morning before we left...not much to tell about, right? WRONG!

Marissa and two friends decided to get up early and go swimming in the freezing lake:

We said good-bye to all our friends and loaded up in the van for our hour-long ride to the Atlanta Airport. I got to sit with and talk to Mrs. Gebert--a great way to end an amazing week!

Our flight home was interesting. We were dropped off at the airport early (round 12:00 and our flight wasn't until 4:30). So after we waited with the others and walked the last girl to her gate, Marissa and I headed over to our gate (since I was navigating the airport, Marissa looked up our gate number) and we found a good place to sit and wait. We pulled out the laptop and watched part of a movie and got a bite to eat. Then we realized that we had 15 minutes till our plane is supposed to leave and we hadn't heard anything about boarding. AH! so we pulled out our boarding passes and found out that we had gotten to the wrong gate. We got to the right gate (only 5 gates down) only to find out that it left early!!! so after waiting all that time we had to wait another 2 hours to catch the next fight home. But we did get home that night after 7.5 hours in the airport. whew. What a memorable way to end a fantastic week, right? =)

Endeavor day 5

Wednesday: Intentional Action

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Colossians 4:5-6

"But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' " 1 Peter 1:15-16

To start off the day, Elise Hall (the PD of the week) gave a talk on being a good hostess and guest. Most of us think about being polite, "together," or pleasant when company are coming over, but when was the last time you stopped to really think about what you could do to be a blessing to the people whose house you are headed to eat at? I know this is definitely an area I need to work on! Here are some helpful suggestions:

Being a Hostess:

think of what you can do to bless the people coming over

clean up the house, but don't make a big deal if it is still a mess!

prepare space in the closet, if they are staying overnight

don't ask questions that make it sound like you are complaining or will have to go to lots of extra work

make your guests' stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible

meals:

either have everything ready for dinner when your guests arrive

OR

have specific jobs that you can have for your guests to do, if you like to have some prep/talking time before the meal

Being a Guest:

be punctual (not late, but most especially not early!)

greet your host/hostess before others

only cancel if there is an emergency

ask what the attire is so you can dress properly for the occasion

let your host/hostess know if you are allergic to certain foods

don't complain about food, even if you are allergic to it--just don't eat it

become part of the family; don't cause extra work

clean up after yourself

if you need something, speak-up and let your host/hostess have the pleasure of serving you

don't put your feet on the furniture

ask what you can do to help (be observant to look for what needs to be done and ask to help with that specific task...try it, it really does work better than a general question!)

don't be the last to leave

write a thank you note afterwards

for either one:

don't wear sunglasses inside

engage in meaningful conversation

don't blow your nose at the table (I'm sure there is a bathroom nearby)

apply makeup in the bathroom, not in public

don't use cell phones at the table

the person you are face to face with is (at least for the moment) more important to you than all the others

(as with all the other "rules" we were taught this week, we should know how to properly use them, but also know how and when we can break them--there is ALWAYS an exception)

Our week was so jam-packed with wonderful activities, we had to squeeze a session in during lunch. This was another of my favorites! Mrs. Cocks talked about the importance of modesty and the significance of style.

The modesty issue wasn't new to me, so I won't go into details, but I was encouraged that there are other Christian young ladies who hold-up the same standards. Style is really based 3 main factors: body shape, skin and hair color/tone, and personality. Let's face it, some clothing just does not flatter certain figures. Once you know what lines and design elements to avoid, you can then better plan your wardrobe. The four base colors are black, grey, navy, and brown. Everyone looks better in one or another of these colors. To start out, get the basics in your closet; figure out your color and then buy a skirt, slacks, and jacket that all match--this is the time to really invest your money, you will get out all you put into them and then some. Also find two pairs of jeans, one hemmed for flats and one hemmed for heals. (I haven't done this, but what a great idea!) Now its time buy the other shirts, skirts, and pants. Find some classics (ones that won't go out of style), then you can purchase the fun, fashionable, and vogue pieces. These should, in general be cheap so you don't end up wasting a lot of money on clothing you will only wear for a year or two. As an overall tip, Mrs. Cocks suggested that you have a word or phrase of words that defines how you dress, or, if you don't already feel like you have a defined style, what you want you clothes to express. Then, whenever you go shopping, you can think about "your word" and hopefully start to have a closet of clothing that you really like and always feel comfortable. I love that idea! I did pick two words to describe me, though I have to say it wasn't original (Mrs. Cocks used it as an example in her talk)-- Elegantly Cute

Another highlight of the week was going to the Ritz Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee. We got to go behind the scenes: into the kitchen, through the spa, around to some the outdoor areas, and up to the top "club" floor. This was all topped off with a talk by the General Manager (a Christian, homeschool Dad) and accompanied by fantastic tea.

Tea Sandwiches:

Chicken Salad on Brioche

Classic Cucumber & Herbed Cheese on Rye

Pimento Cheese Sandwich on White

Pastry:

Rasin Scone

Cherry Scone

Fruit Tartlet

Opera Galeaux (a chocolate and coffee dessert)

Yes, we got to dress up for another event!!

That night we had a surprise session by the Wilson Sisters. Their talk was so inspiring, encouraging, and convicting!

Jordan Wilson, Christian Lewis, and Lauren Black

Endeavor day 4

Tuesday: Prized Purity

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil." Proverbs 4:23-27

Our first session today was with Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Hall on hospitality.

Hospitality is all about showing others that you care for them and it comes in all shapes and sizes. Offering a glass of water to a surprise visitor or preparing a bedroom and meals for guests are both important and beautiful illustrations of God's grace to us. When it comes to thinking about inviting people over to fellowship, don't make excuses about not having a clean house or that what you can offer isn't up to par with what they might be used to. Instead do the best you can and smile. Smile. What a simple gift to give a person--and it doesn't require anything but a cheerful spirit. Have a heart for blessing others with what God has given to you and, "above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." 1 Peter 4:8-10

In the afternoon we went to a shooting range where we shot bows & arrows and shotguns.

Marissa and Kati

Once we got "home" we all got dressed up for a special dinner. The moms prepared a 3-course dinner for us and the alumni served it. We enjoyed a delicious salad with fruit and nuts on the top (appetizer), an orange sorbet (palate-cleanser), garlic mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and steak (main meal), and (for dessert) a choice of an apricot cookie tart, a chocolate-brown dessert, or a slice of an almond tort. What a special occasion!

These are my lovely roommates all dressed up for dinner (we had the smallest room in the house, but had the most amazing rendezvous!):

Paige (my staffer), Rachel, and Kristy

my table (clockwise): Anna, Victoria, Katie, Brianna, Teri Beth, EmilyGrace, and Heather

We ended the day by playing a really fun game called "Bunko." It's hard to explain, but it's basically a dice game and no skill or brains needed!

"The way you dress, the way you act, and the way you talk have everything to do with your walk with the Lord because your outward appearance is a reflection of the inward state of your heart." -Shannon Primicerio

Endeavor day 3

Monday: Courageous Femininity

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

"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." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

This morning started out with a breakfast tea. Each girl brought her own tea cup, so all the cups were different--there was so much beautiful color just in the cups. =) This was another of my favorite meals! (I have decided that there can't be a single favorite anything about Endeavor, it was all so magnificent!) All the food was delicious; we enjoyed sausage balls, raisin and cream scones, spinach quiche, cheese biscuits, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, and a lovely black tea called Emperor's Bride. After the meal, Mrs. Barber and Mrs. Gibson talked to us about tea. We learned how to prepare the tea itself and tips on keeping tea warm, presenting tea, and just enjoying it.

The next session was Photography with Elise Hall. This was neat. She had made a slideshow of her work and some pictures her friends took. While we looked at them she explained the qualities that made them good and shared with us tips on how we could take better pictures. We then had another breakout session, this time learning cosmetology--focusing on makeup, a bit more calligraphy, and basic car mechanics:

After lunch we all split up into 4 vans and a car and caravanned to a nearby Boy Scout camp. Here we all solved team-building challenges...and just had some outdoor/muddy fun!

top row: Hollie, Marilee, Valen, Bryn, me, Mrs. Gebert, Rachel, Ashleigh, Carolyn, Rebekah, Molly

bottom row: Catherine, Elise, Anna, Meredith, Hannah, Victoria

Back at the mansion, we cleaned up and enjoyed a Stand-up dinner. We ate finger foods such as cheese and crackers, strips of grilled chicken, and a variety of nuts. The trick was that we were supposed to carry a plate, hold a cup, mingle with people, and still be elegant! =) I had a great time!

Endeavor day 2

Sunday: Adventurous Beauty

"Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3:3-4

Before breakfast we had a quick session with Mrs. Cocks on social graces: how to introduce yourself and others, making small talk, and carrying on a conversation. We then enjoyed a magnificent brunch, worship time, and bonjour (a personal quiet time with the Lord).

Next was Etiquette 1 with Elise Hall. She taught us how to set a proper table, basic table manners, and a bit more on the art of chitchat.

After lunch we split into our groups and went to different stations.

exercise/stretches (which was a bit difficult to take pictures of ;p)

calligraphy:

(a fellow photographer =D)

and poise:

Yes, even while taking pictures you should be able to maintain graceful posture!

One of my favorite sessions of the week was given by Mrs. Minyard. She talked about cultivating the skill of journaling and writing proper notes and letters.

"A journal is the record of the hand of God in your life"

In the afternoon we had some free-time (the only day of the week we had extra time in the day). There were so many of us girls that had to split the group in half, since the lawn wasn't ultimate-sized. In the meantime my group played "Human Knot." Then we played a toned-down game of frisbee. After dinner Mrs. Cock's daughter, Delaine, came and shared with us about what she is doing post-highschool, pre-marriage. Her main scripture reference was Psalm 37 about waiting on God's timing and not getting discouraged. She really encouraged us to "trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." By relying on and trusting God we will have everything thing we need (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually); the closer we draw to the Lord, the more our wants will be what God has in store for us.

Later that night, after coffee and dessert, we watched a BBC rendition of Jane Austin's Persuasion.

Endeavor day 1

Saturday morning, Marissa and I flew to Atlanta Georgia to attend a Teen Pact Alumni, all-girls event.

here we are on the plane:

Endeavor was 5 days long and chalk full of meeting new and wonderful fellow students, listening to character-building sessions, enjoying the beautiful Georgia weather, talking to the moms, learning practical skills, and studying godly femininity. In the coming days, I will be posting more details of each of the days and of course pictures as well.

commonplace

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue." -Proverbs 31:26

"Hasty action is the father of failure, and failure in turn begets severe penalties. But much good comes from restraint, and even if one may not think so at the moment, he will discover, in time, that it is so." -Herodotus' Histories

"Slander is a most terrible crime, one in which two people commit the injustice and a third is the victim of it. The one who slanders commits an injustice against the one who is not present, while the person who listens to him does wrong by believing him before learning if his claims are accurate. And the man who is absent from their talk is wronged, being slandered by the one and assumed to be bad by the other." -ibid

"Good sense is every bit as valuable as the willingness to heed someone's good advise." -ibid

Long over due

I've been meaning to post pictures of our garden this summer/fall, but life has been very busy since I took the pictures that I have not had the time until now amongst study, sleep, and meals (all very important parts of my day). Mom and the boys (and Curtis when he was home), were the main caretakers of the garden this year. God blessed us with an abundance of produce; enough to share. The boys kept the weeds under control for the most part up until we went on our two week trip, we came back to find the weeds had exploded without permission. ;) But, without further delay; the pictures....

Green beans (only part of them)
Momma picking from the green bean trellis
Part of Curtis' raspberries (we consider them his because he has put the most work into them and were it not for his care and interest in them, we would have them as we do now. He's very generous to share. ;)
A loaded branch. This fall, as they really started their mass production, we had to pick almost every two days! Now its slowed down to just weekends, but this may be our last week for them.
Right of the vine

Good thing we froze some =)

Even though we ate a number of raspberries and were able to share some, we have two buckets full in the freezer. (There are a couple black berries on top here).

We got a couple strawberries from my plants, but most of the time the bugs enjoyed them before they were quite ripe enough for our tastes.

We have loads of onion this year, some of which I believe is still from last fall. Mom hopes to dehydrate several to have on hand.

Tomatoes

A variety of yellow squash

Lettuce

Granny smith apples

Rome apples. After working around spots and worm holes, Momma made apple sauce with homegrown apples. Enough to put a couple containers in the freezer. Some sweet friends picked up some Dixon apples when they went last week, and we are hoping to process them this week.

God has certain blessed us greatly with delicious food and produce from our own garden. We are also so thankful that we have peaches, green chile, and soon apple sauce put up for the next several months. We'll see how long the raspberries last when Curtis gets home. ;)

Till next time.

Marissa

gifts for two splendid ladies!

I actually made this one for Marissa's birthday back in June.

this is the diana apron

I couldn't get pictures of the recipient modeling, so my ever-accommodating sister acquiesced =)

this is a spin-off the Ashleigh apron