Mothers and Daughters, Wives and Sisters, Remember...

"that you have the making of the future of this great country, and rise at once to your high and holy duty.... Take those little curly-headed boys, and teach them all you would have men to be."

From Daughters of Destiny

A Tribute to My Beloved Parents

Recently, the Lord blessed me with another year of life. On that day, I gave the following tribute.

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."
(Psalm 139:13-16)

The very fact that I stand here today is a result of God’s grace and mercy, and it is to Him that I first give all glory and praise.

Secondly, I would like to speak of two dear people, the authors of my being, my dear parents. With the exception of my Lord and Savior, they have together been the most influential force in my life as they stood together and taught me when they sat in the house, and when they walked by the way, and when they lay down, and when they rose up. (Deut. 6:7)

In a day when many marriages end in divorce and when the world’s message is to greedily live for the gratification of self’s fulfillment, my parents have lived lives in stark contrast. Daily laying down and finding their lives through Christ, my parents have modeled a beautiful marriage by exemplifying Biblical marriage. There have been defining characteristics in the lives of my parents that molded me and taught me more than I often realize.

The first quality I would like to mention is perseverance in my mother’s life. Like the woman in Proverbs 31, she is an example of feminine strength and fortitude. I have seen her leave all that she had ever known and loved to follow my father to a different land. I have daily listened to words of perseverance since she became a Christian over 19 years ago. I have felt her persevering love through my entire life which began with the discomfort and trials of childbirth and continues to this day as she is an older woman to a sinner saved by grace.

If one word could describe my mother it would be gratefulness. She is a grateful woman. She is grateful for her husband and children. She is grateful to be the daughter to her parents and a sister to her brother. She is grateful for her heritage and that she is an American. This quality is not emotionally fleeting, or flippantly felt, but by God’s grace is part of who she is.

She sings for joy in times of sorrow or prosperity and never forgets who she is in Christ. And it is with Him, her Lord and Maker, that she spends her happiest moments in times of quiet worship or in periods of bustling activities.

Some of my sweetest memories from my childhood are rising from the night’s repose to find my mother reading God’s Word. Her heart was this:

“When morning gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries,
May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer,
To Jesus I repair; May Jesus Christ be praised.”

I would now like to speak about my father. My father has loved us with his life, challenged us by his instruction, encouraged us by his praise, and taught us by his example.

Since the day I was born, my father has laid down the prime of his life daily for my sake. And not just in the way of working "by the sweat of his face” to provide daily necessities, but also in providing protection, counsel, and fatherly love.

One way my father has challenged me, by the very way he lives his life, is to have no fear of man. This fearless attitude has allowed him to follow Christ even when it meant living a life that was counter-cultural for Christ’s glory. My father is also a careful man. These two seemingly different characteristics are not incompatible as I have seen my father carefully count the cost before fearlessly pursuing what is right.

He also bolsters us with his praise. As a little girl through to this day, few things delight my heart more than knowing that I have pleased my father.

One example that has always been clear to me is my father’s trust in the Lord’s sovereignty and resting in God’s providence. In the darkest hours, I have heard him repeat the word’s of Job, “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

In the most joyous hours, his response is to give praise to God.

But I with lasting confidence will hope continually,
And I will add still more and more to all the praise of Thee.
For, God, Thy righteous extends into infinity;
And Thou has wrought such miracles, O God, who is like Thee?

Both my parents are purposefully united in the way they and our household live our lives that it might be a God-glorifying home, and from its heart, would live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. From their purpose stems many goals and standards for our lively family.

Here are the first three: that they would raise children who would, number one, love God.

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Deuteronomy 6:5

Number two, that we would love people.

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
Romans 12:10

And number three, that we would have a love of learning. Not only that we might have a life full of discovery and learning, and not just for the sake of education, but for the glory of God.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

~ ~ ~

Now, on this day, twenty-one years after my birth, I would like to call your attention to these two people, my mother, whom I rise up and call blessed, and my father, the man of God who is my loving patriarch. May God continue to bless them as they have touched many lives in powerful ways and still more that are yet unborn.

Where Website Training and Daughterhood Meet

As it was mentioned in the previous post, my father has been involved in an interesting, yet arduous task of building a website, a website that involves different customer levels and the ability to cater to international customers . Working together with Acumium, an e-business consulting and development firm, this website was officially launched for Tandy Leather Factory in early January.


Investigating and evaluating different database/website design firms proved to be a laborious experience as the range of strengths and weaknesses exhibited in the numerous providers is great. The capable men at Acumium were chosen, not only for their stellar ability to juggle complicated database issues, but their success at designing previous sites.

After the consulting firm was chosen, the real task of completely redesigning began. The goal was to have a workable and efficient website for those using it, those in administration, and most importantly the customers. From a user's standpoint, several of the new features would include:

The ability to email product links and information to others

Tab-style product descriptions

Expedited shopping and checkout process with or without an account

Order status updates via email

Track orders online

Access order history

Throughout the entire process which began months ago, my father included his family in this process. From working in design and database computer programs to proofing writings and web details, few ventures have been this educational. It has given us the unique opportunity to learn a skill that is both valuable and important to our father.


As daughters, and as appropriate, we should learn and understand what our fathers do. I know daughters who have educated themselves to assist their fathers in accountant work, film production, music, agrarian pursuits, theological work, writing projects and entrepreneurial ventures. From the extremely practical to the more complex, daughters have the blessed opportunity of seeking to know the hearts of their fathers. This will often happen when daughters give their hearts to their fathers and desire to be united with their fathers' visions.


On the topic of practical training in our fathers businesses, we might meet several challenges. In today's society of diverse vocational occupations, this type of training may not always be practical or even possible. However, as daughters in our fathers' homes, we are living and breathing in the very center of our fathers' most important sphere of ministry, the home. In the home, what can you learn that would benefit and bless your family? Today, how can you further your father's desires for your household?

Announcing the Launch of Tandy Leather Factory's New Website

This is one of my father's recent marketing ventures as an advertising manager. In the near future, it is my hope to write about the different avenues he found for his household to be a part of this project from daily involvement in the developments and setbacks through discussion to spending entire days teaching to us several aspects of this new web based system.

A Most Blessed New Year 2009

Coming Soon...

My father's latest advertising project.

Stepping Back

During a recent excursion to a beautiful old Texas town, we visited a retro 1950's diner and enjoyed some good old-fashioned ice cream. Besides partaking in this delicious icy delicacy, some also practiced the art of mounting swivelling stools.

Psalm 24:7-10

"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. "

In a Land of History and Antiques

This Day in History - 1968

Forty years ago today, a significant historic event took place. This day in 1968, Apollo 8 went into orbit around the moon after its three day journey through space. The three-man crew of Mission Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders circled around the moon ten times during a period of twenty hours.

During the ninth lunar orbit, as the television camera transmitted images of the moon and earth to an awed audience, they read the first ten verses of Genesis...

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:1-10

A Franklin Springs Essay Contest Winner

It is with great pleasure and delight to announce that my dear sister Emily won a recent Franklin Springs Family Media Essay Contest. The subject matter on which she wrote was "Why I Like Breadmaking."

~ ~ ~

The Joys of Breadmaking

Emily J.—Age 16 (Texas)

I love making bread for so many reasons: the aroma, the taste, the fact that making bread is less expensive than buying it, and simply for the joy of making something healthy and delicious for my family.

The wonderful, homey smell of bread is worth the few hours of enjoyable labor that it took to make. My Daddy loves smelling fresh-baked bread when he comes home from work. It is rewarding to be able to make something that so delights my family.

The taste of a tender and delicious loaf is most often irresistible, especially when it is hot out of the oven. I love making bread that delights the taste buds!

Saving money is a wonderful by-product of breadmaking. The cost of a few cups of flour, some yeast, salt, honey, water and oil is so minimal that it hardly compares to its store bought counterpart.

Making fresh bread is a way of supporting faithful stewardship of our temples by making a much healthier food than that which is in a grocery store. Being able to use whole grains, natural sweeteners, and pure ingredients to the benefit of my family is one aspect of breadmaking that is so enjoyable and worthwhile for me.

Above all, I want everything I do to bring glory to God, and that includes making bread for my family.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might...”

Ecclesiastes 9:10

~ ~ ~

To read more about this essay contest click here

If you would like to receive announcements of upcoming contests by Franklin Springs Family Media, please send an email to contests@franklinsprings.com.

Stories of Virtue, Part 2

Thoughts behind this series and the first part of this story can be found here.

Feather Your Nest

"Daddy!" Virtue cried with glee, "I'm all ready for chores."

"I'm glad to see that my little lady is well this morning," he said drawing Virtue into his strong arms. "And, yes, it is time to go take faithful care of your chickens. I have already heard Sir Hackles making a fuss."

Virtue giggled. Sir Hackles was an old, fussy rooster that often caused her trouble. One time Sir Hackles even chased her around the house though, thankfully, Mommy had heard Virtue's cries and shooed him back into his yard with her broom. However, there rested a healthy fear of Daddy in Sir Hackles.

As they went down the stairs , they picked up their flashlights and their warm coats. It was still dark outside and a little cold; the weather station on the back porch read 38 degrees Fahrenheit. With the flashlight lighting up the path to the hen house, they soon arrived and were greeted with clucks and squawks, chirps and crows.

Virtue filled the feeders and waters and ascertained that the nesting boxes were clean. It was then that she noticed one hen remained in the nesting boxes while the others consumed the feed. Upon closer examination, Virtue noticed many feathers in the nesting box.

"Daddy, I think this hen might be sick." she said.

"No, Dear, this hen appears to have gone broody. The straw and feathers will make a soft nest for all those eggs to incubate and then hatch," he explained.

This was Virtue's first flock of chickens, so she had much to learn; she was thankful her father was so knowledgeable about fowl.

"Oh, you're a nice mama hen," Virtue cooed. "My mommy doesn't put feathers in my bed, but she does spread soft covers on my bed! You are like my mommy; she always knows what I really need. Goodbye hens! Enjoy your breakfast."

Sir Hackles was the only one who replied.

Stories of Virtue, Part 1

Despite all the necessary writing that we might do as young ladies, it ought to be remembered that one of the best ways we should use our writing skills is to the edification of our own immediate family. It is within our own immediate family that we have a very powerful influence for good or for bad.

This small series was written for our beloved Grace, then at three years of age. The stories of Virtue actually began as oral tales told to two year-old Grace as she was rocked on the front porch. One of the immense blessings of creating stories for little children is the opportunity to encourage and exhort these precious ones toward a higher standard of excellence in every area, especially in areas of personal struggle.

The following is a selected short story emphasizing the important character qualities of punctuality, duty, and diligence; however, the over arching theme is obedience.

To Obey Is the Only Way

"Ring! Ring!" A chubby finger hit the "off" button. Three year-old Virtue knew how to turn off her alarm because her Daddy had taught her. She remembered when he showed her the button that had the letters "O" "F" "F" written on it.

"Oh! I had better get my dress on and not be lazy," thought Virtue as she pushed back her covers. It was then that she realized how chilly the winter air was and just how toasty was her warm spot. She thought about snuggling underneath her mound of soft quilts and fuzzy blankies. That would feel...would feel so wonderful.

Then little Virtue thought about her mother's words last night, "Sweet One, we have a full day tomorrow. Great-Grandpa Tarleton will come and eat breakfast with us, so as with everyday you will need t get yourself dressed when your alarm rings."

Springing out of bed, Virtue exclaimed aloud, "I want to obey Mommy! If I sleep past my alarm, Mommy will be so sad that I choose to disobey. No! I want to make obey; I want to make her happy."

Virtue quickly dressed and arranged her bed covers tidily. She even put her stuffed bunny, Susie, on her pillow. She was almost ready to depart from her neat abode when she remembered something. Last week her mother instructed her to do her personal hygiene chores each day without being reminded. Virtue wasn't going to forget today. No, she wanted to remember and obey all of Mother's words. Very quickly she brushed her curls (with her hair brush) and then her teeth (with her toothbrush), washed her face, lotioned her body, cleaned her ears and then her finger nails.

She was just putting away her nail clippers when she heard a "knock, knock" on her door. She knew just who it was.

Find out who was there in the next story, Feather Your Nest

Two Happy Maidens

Despite below freezing temperatures, Amy Grace and Annie Hope bundled up warmly and engaged in their daily exercise. What happy smiles!

"A Friend Loveth at All Times..."

With much thanksgiving our family recently received a dear brother in Christ into our home. A husband to a joyous wife and home-educating father of ten children, he and his precious family have also been dear friends of the Jones family for well over a decade and a half. Having known a Christian family this long, notwithstanding the separation of several states and distinct family characteristics, there is a special closeness that comes from the joys and trials shared together through prayer. How grateful we are for this family! We have been encouraged by this family's faithfulness and love of the Lord, and inspired by their courage and steadfastness in well doing. May the Lord bless them for all that they have invested in the Church for God's glory.

"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."

~George Washington (from a letter written January 1783)