Six year old Grace slowly skipped out of the house thinking about her mother’s last words.  Today was to be a great day.  She was to meet her friend Betsy at the little country store.  They were to walk on the road for awhile, then make a sharp turn onto the little path that made way deeper into the woods.          

Darling Virtuous Daughters,
I write this to you with a concern in my heart that there might possibly be some of you thinking something like this, “I don’t need to read the articles on pride, because I don’t have a problem with that.” But, dear girls, don’t think for a second that you are immune to pride. We can all be tempted to think prideful thoughts, and if left unchecked, they will turn into prideful attitudes. I believe pride can bring much pain and sorrow to those around us, particularly those in our family. With the help of the Lord, however, it can be overcome in our lives.

My Dear Sisters,

Greetings in the exalted name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, faithful and true! I hope this letter finds you rejoicing in the great goodness which God has stored up for those who trust in Him (Psalm 31:19)!

…The Lord has been very gracious to teach me more of Himself and draw me closer in a special way over the past several months. At the beginning of the year, Gideon designed for me a beautiful framed picture that said: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”—Psalm 37:4 I decided that that verse would be my focus Scripture for 2013, and it has been exciting to watch God faithfully work in my life through His Word.

…Lately the Lord has been teaching me many lessons. He has especially been reminding me to claim His promises and that feelings don’t change the facts

Dear Sisters,

…Let me share with you a few lessons God has taught me the last few months

Dearest Sisters,

“...Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe He is precious...” 1 Peter 2:6-7 Greetings in Christ, my sweet friends! I pray this letter finds you rejoicing in the greatness of our God and praising Him for the truly precious Savior we serve.

…I was eagerly anticipating this issue’s topic, “A Joyful Servant’s Heart,” as the call to serve the Lord is one which He has deeply impressed upon my life. Isaiah 49-50 are beautiful passages to me, outlining a servant’s call and obedience. Although I believe these are prophecies of our Lord Jesus, are we not admonished to walk in His steps?! What a beautiful example He has set before us. “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to mnister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:27-28

One evening I was reading a children’s book about prayer to the twins. We modified its “system” a bit, and I used the twins’ hands (above) as a visual. Hope it helps!

    A good way to remember who to pray for each day:
    Thumb--Since it’s closest to our heart, this finger reminds us to pray for the people we love the most: family and friends.
    Pointer Finger--Perhaps we’ve seen teachers and pastors use this finger when trying to get a point across! It can remind us to pray for our spiritual leaders.
    Middle Finger--It rises high above the rest, which reminds us to pray for our government and our country’s leaders. 
    Ring Finger--As the weakest finger, it reminds us to pray for those who are ill, those who are weak, and those who are spiritually lost.
    “Pinkie”--The smallest finger, it reminds us to pray for ourselves, but only after we have lifted up others, for Christ’s way is always self last.
​

Friendship is no doubt a gift from the Lord.  In each friend He gives us, He always includes a special lesson that stays with us forever.  Friends bring many joys and memories—adventurous hikes, long talks, wet boat rides, sticky and messy crafts, long but fun camping trips, not-so-successful cooking, and sharing how God has been working in each others’ lives.  Thank God for your friends and pray for them each day.  Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times…”
   
Personally, I am grateful for the fellowship and encouragement the Lord provided to me through many godly friends.  After a period of loneliness and praying for a friend, He brought into my life several girls who have truly made a difference.  

“Mom, may I please invite a friend over today?”  Elizabeth requested. 
   
“Yes, you may, dear,” replied Mama, “as soon as you finish chores and school.”  Later that afternoon, Elizabeth and Victoria were sitting on the porch happily deciding how to spend the afternoon.
   
“I know, why don’t we play that we each own a little store and we can buy and sell things to each other with our play money?” suggested Elizabeth.
   
“Yes, that would be fun!” Victoria said agreeing with her friend.
   
Skipping cheerfully into the living room, the girls began to set up their stores.  Then a thought popped into Elizabeth’s mind, Maybe I should check with Mom and make sure she doesn’t mind if we make a mess in the living room.  Oh well, I don’t know where Mom is, and Victoria might think I’m silly.  After working busily, the whole living room was full of merchandise on display.
   
Hearing a sweet voice, Victoria turned around.  It was Elizabeth’s little sister, Hannah.  “Can I play too?” Hannah asked.
   
Oh no, she’s too little and we’ll have to help her.  Why did she have to come along?  Sour thoughts were filling Victoria’s mind.  “No, why don’t you play over here with these markers and coloring books?” Victoria said hastily as she shoved the little girl into another room.
   
A few minutes later Mama walked inside from checking the mail.  She was a very patient and kind mother, but a shadow of disappointment crossed her face.  “Girls, I need to have dinner ready and the house clean soon because we are having a special guest for dinner.  Where is baby Hannah?”  When Mama found Hannah, she looked up and flashed a rainbow colored smile at Mama while waving a chewed-up marker in her hand.
   
​Later, before bed, Mama sat down with Elizabeth.  “Let’s see what the Bible teaches us about friends:

My Dear Virtuous Daughters, I would like to tell you a little story. There once was a young girl named Carrie Fisher. She came from a poor family so she had to make a
living by washing dishes in the kitchen of a rich family’s home. One day as she was drying some forks and knives, she began singing a song that encouraged Christians to shine in their corner for Christ. As she sang, she realized that she had the opportunity right where she was to shine in her corner. So she became more diligent at her work and made an effort to make each of those forks and knives to sparkle.