Calli at the Cross

A few years ago I read Joshua Harris' book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and saw the flaws in America's dating philosophy. The puppy-mill of relationship after relationship held no charm for me. Why would I want to waste the precious time God has given me on this earth on one boy after the other? No way, Jose! I decided that if Christ could conquer death, He could find my husband. He definitely didn't need my help! By God's grace he granted me a wonderful, godly young man without much waiting. Even after "The wait" we decided that courtship was a better way to go.     Purposefulness The first thing that differentiates courtship from dating is it's purposefulness. As opposed to dating, where it's generally seen as a temporary relationship just "for fun", the goal of courtship is getting to know someone for the purpose of marriage. In our relationship Matthew made it clear from the beginning that he intended to marry me. Courtshi...

Hello! I haven't written anything since last November. Wow! The time has flown! A number of things have changed in my life, probably more than has ever changed before in such a short time. I'll quickly get you caught up on what's been happening. Courtship      First of all, I started courting (not dating) the most wonderful man in the world. On my birthday last January he surprised me by coming with a letter asking me to begin a relationship with him that, Lord willing, would lead to marriage. Graduation Secondly my crazy plan succeed even with all the excitement. By God's grace I finished high school a year early, that's why I'm hoping to be able to keep up with this blog. I also succeed in avoiding a graduation party! Instead my mom and I went with some dear friends on a ladies retreat to Mackinac Island. Way more fun! Engagement On Memorial Day 2017 My dear Matthew asked me to marry him. With his marvelous perfectionistic tendencies (which I do NOT p...

     Hello! Sorry it's been so long since I've done a post. I have gotten so caught up in packing season!!! God has been providing for us and multiplying our efforts more than I could have imagined this year! I can't wait to tell you all about it! But, that's going to have to wait until after packing season.      If you're looking for a quick last minute craft to add to your boxes, I have a crochet pattern for you. This quick and easy baby doll hat will fit the $1 Tree baby dolls, and only takes about a half hour to make. Are you ready? Let's get started! $1 Tree Baby Doll Hat Pattern Row 1: ch 3 sc 7 in first ch, sl st. to join. Row 2: ch 2, 2 sc in each stitch around, join. Row 3: ch 2, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next repeat around, join. Row 4: ch 2, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 2 stitches repeat around, join. Row 5: ch 2, 2 sc in first stitch, 1 sc in next 3 stitches repeat around, join. Row 6: ch 3, dc in each stitch around, join...

Back in the swing of school with summer clearance nearing an end. This is the perfect time of year to catch rock bottom prices for all things box-y! You can find a lot of clothes, shoes, toys, and accessories WAY cheaper than you could find them otherwise. I got a pretty good haul this month, it evens out last months pathetic pile. So, here's what I got. Most of what I got this month came from Family Dollar. I heard from  Clip With a Purpose's Facebook Page  (My absolute favorite Operation Christmas Child site!), that Family Dollar was having a 75% off Clearance event, so I went to my local Family Dollar and found a lot of great deals! While I was checking out the cashier asked what I was getting it all for, so I told her. She asked if she could call me when they had a whole bunch of clearance they needed to get rid of. I was astonished! That was definitely something God had orchestrated! I have never shopped much at Family Dollar, but now I'll definitely be shopping...

Before you can drive it's hard to find ministry opportunities, yet that's a perfect time to do them. As young ladies we don't have THAT many responsibilities, we have a lot of free time compared to our parents or the adults around us. This is the perfect time to be serving the Lord with our time and talents, here are five ideas to get you started. Prayer      First and Foremost the most important ministry we can have is prayer. Prayer is SO important. God works through prayer, more abundantly than we can ever imagine! In our country today there is so much to pray about! Our youth, our government, our culture, our society as a whole needs Christ so badly. Not to mention outside of our country, the missionaries and persecuted Christians around the world who need prayer warriors here at home fighting, and interceding for them daily. This is a crucial ministry that you can partake in at any age.  Voice of the Martyrs  has an excellent site with specific prayer...