The King's Daughter Interview - Gail

What is your (first) name?
Gail.

What state/country do you live in?
The beautiful state of Montana, USA but in my spirit I live in Israel.

What is your website name?
Standing at the Crossroads
Beit Simcha - House of Rejoicing

Please describe your site/blog:
I actually have two now! http://neshama-ancientpath.blogspot.com/ (Standing at the Crossroads) The main one got kinda rambling, with a mix of my thoughts on a variety of topics, mainly homesteading, homeschooling, adoption (especially international adoption) and my Torah observant faith. I found myself writing a lot of Torah posts and bible study topics so I made a new blog just for that. http://beit-simcha.blogspot.com/ (House of Rejoicing)
I desire to teach the 'good things' of God to women, preferring to do so with my life and only using words if absolutely necessary. These blogs are my attempt to use my words to bless others.

Please tell us a little about your family:
I have the most wonderful family! I am wife to a great man of God, who has had to overcome a lot of difficulties and has come through with an even greater faith than when I met him. I am a mother to 7 children, 5 born from my body and two I received through adoption. My oldest daughter, 20, is studying to become a nurse; the next daughter is 16, then a son, 14; twin boys adopted from Russia five years ago, ages 12; a daughter age 12 and the baby, another boy, just turned 11 in July. We have always homeschooled and we LOVE it!


Please tell us a little about your faith:
I want my faith walk to be a very open book - the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful, however, it is not so much about MY faith, as it is in the One in Whom I place this faith. I believe that faith is only as good as its object. In other words, while I understand that there are other 'faith's' out there, I believe that there is only One correct 'object' worthy of us placing ours in. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - the One who reveals His nature through so many different names, but reveals Himself as Creator and sustainor by the name YHVH (Yahway), the one we read about in the 66 books of the bible.

I have so much joy knowing that YHVH is worthy of all my love and devotion and total obedience. I know this not just by what I read, but by experience. For someone to tell me that YHVH is not real.....well, it would be as crazy to say that my husband is not real, if they have not met him either.

One of my greatest desires is to follow YHVH's torah as a way to interact WITH Him. It is like the setting of a grand passion play and He and I get to be in many scenes together! What could be better than that??

I am so blessed that He loves me enough to have a plan for my destiny and that He desires to shape and mold me into the woman He desires me to be! I am so glad that I finally understand that I do not have to figure this all out on my own!

I know that YHVH has given you a heart for adoption, can you share some thing about that with us?
It's the most amazing thing! Adoption is not something that I would have thought of on my own. My husband either. We had some friends who got us involved in our local Summer of Hope program (a summer camp bringing international orphans to Montana for a month) and we became an advocate family - one who hosts the children and tries to find them a FOREVER FAMILY. We had no intention of adopting. After we had identified the children we would host, (they were from the Philippines) and got that finalized, I saw a picture of twins 6 yo boys from Russia, also planning on coming over with the same program. I literally heard an audible voice tell me 'these are your boys. Go get them. ' And THAT started our adoption journey.

It is so clear to me, from your blog Biet Simcha that you are zealous for YHVH and His Scriptures. I find myself getting all "Pentecostal" when I read your posts there. :-) What have been some of your favorite ways to study Scriptures? Who are your favorite teachers?

LOL! Thank you...I think??? :)
By far, my all time favorite torah teacher is Bill Bullock. I am on his yahoo email group and get sent weekly torah portion commentaries. He has opened up the scriptures for me in a way that makes me fall in love with YHVH and His Word, Messiah Yahshua in new ways all the time!
I had an INTENSE season of several years where I had no teacher but YHVH. That was not my choice mind you, but one that I am now so thankful for. Before that, I was heavily dependant on others to teach me the bible, so I really needed to be freed form that dependency as I moved in torah observance.

Do you have a link or any contact information for Bill Bullock? I can't find him when I search.

What people usually do is email him directly to get his weekly studies. He doesn't have a website. Here is his email. rabbisson@cableone.net and the Rabbi's son facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Texarkana-TX/The-Rabbis-son/112395278800878?ref=ts&__a=6&ajaxpipe=1

List your top 5 favorite things to do:

ok, I'll list them, but they are not very 'active' things....so be forewarned....
1)brag on what YHVH is doing or has done in the life of His people
2)brag on my children
3) encourage people to fall in love with YHVH and His living and written Torah (Messiah Yahshua)
4)make people laugh
5)teach people to become who YHVH created them to be

List your least favorite 5 things to do:
1)die to self
2)diet
3) try on clothes that fit me last month but this month are too tight....
4)argue about God's Word
5)cook in a dirty kitchen

If you could change one thing from your past what would it be?
YHVH gave me His gift for teaching. I would like to undo the things that I used to teach that are not of Him.

If you could do one thing from your past again, what would it be?
Run into the waiting arms of my Heavenly Father the first time He knocked.
Luke 11:9

What is your greatest challenge?
my flesh; dying to my wants and desires; Hashimoto's disease which lead to hypothyroidism

What are your home school philosophies?
Teach and model a love for learning that goes beyond a classroom. Teach my children how to learn and then provide plenty of opportunity for them to do so, limiting those things which rob them of their natural born curiosity to learn.

If you could teach other mammas ONE THING, what would that be?
Truly, truly, get to know YHVH on a personal level - not just His words as a philosophy or way of living. He is real and He desires to commune with us. His commandment/instructions/Torah are ways to interact WITH Him - not things to strive for in and of themselves. He is holy and worthy and ELOHIM, but He desires to know and be known by us.

What is your biggest parenting challenge?
I am going to sound like a broken record, but....dying to self. All the best books and seminars and theories are useless if we as parents don't pour out our lives for our children. This doesn't mean give them what they desire...this means to be the hands and feet and arms of YHVH for them, until they get to know Him on a personal level. We can not lead them to Messiah, (who leads them to YHVH) unless we are being led daily ourselves; taken to Him and taken again and again and again.

What is your idea of femininity?
A women who is so in love with YHVH - so in tune with Him and responding to Him that all everyone else sees is Him. I do not believe it has only to do with how one dresses (same with modesty) however, it helps when we dress in a way that is not a distraction to others being able to see YHVH in us.

What is your idea of modesty?
One who only speaks those things which edify, only does those things which please the Father and has died to self sufficiently enough that she is not remembered, but YHVH in her is. It is something I aspire to attain.

What is The Father doing in your life right now?
That's what I'd like to know! He brought these two precious little orphan girls into our lives for the next 21 or so days when I was least expecting that. He is teaching me that when He speaks I must be very careful not to assume I fully understand what He is doing, but that I must wait upon Him for clarification and the next step. He is reminding me of the beauty of adoption and how He loves the orphan and puts the solitary in families and how He uses imperfect people to work with Him to accomplish His will.

Do you have a miracle to share?
This all happened at the same time: it was that the Creator of the universe cared enough about me, a sinner - a self proclaimed "I am my own god" new age pagan - to speak into my life and reveal Himself to me and give me the time I needed to come to Him. That He took away the addictions in my life that were robbing me of my destiny as His child, and replaced them with many of the fruits of the Spirit immediately upon my recognition that He is REAL. That He was there for me when no one else was. That He made me a mother and gave me a mother's heart and a heart for Him and His Word and ways. And He gave me Someone to put my faith in, instead of myself.

What are you currently studying in The Scriptures?
I really enjoy teaching my children, so I end up studying what I intend to teach to them. We are currently studying the book of Matthew and I am amazed at how often we start there and end up in the Tenach, which is as it should be!

What are you most passionate about?
Showing others the beauty of the Torah - both written and LIVING. Encouraging others to know and be known by YHVH. In this season, this passion extends to the care of the widow and the orphan.

Choose 3 words to best describe yourself:
dedicated, zealous, imperfect

What things do you do to be a good neighbor?
At first I thought you meant just the people who live in my neighborhood, and I was going to say I try not to let the children scream outside too much. :)
But being a good neighbor to me means that I keep my eyes and ears open to YHVH's leading and be alert for ways I can help those in my sphere of influence. I desire to give of myself and my time or resources to those in need. Some days it is just a smile to someone who was a little gruff with me. Other days it is taking in a single mom and her two children and driving them around to her dr. appointments. Who's to say which is more important?



Why must Montana be so far away? I absolutely gobble up Gail's posts at Beit Simcha! One of my favorites that was so "spot on" was called Disputable Matters. (Posted below.) We are of "one in the Spirit" on that one! Her words could have been either my or my husbands words -easily! And it is "a Word" that the everyone needs to hear! I love your zealousness and passion for YHVH! It oozes out of your keyboard! It has been such a treat getting to know you and I am looking forward to a long friendship with you Gail! Spaseba Bolshoi! ;-)

The King's Daughter - Michelle

What is your name? Michelle

What state do you live in? Wyoming

What is your website name? I have three blogs: 8 of a Kind Family, Delightful Learning and Chavah Chayah


Please describe your blogs:

8 of a Kind Family is where I share about "family, faith, homesteading and back to the basics living." My inspiration for the title is from the book All of a Kind Family. It is such a sweet story about a Jewish family that keeps Sabbath and the Feasts and my children and I treasured the story. For a while, I called us a "7 of a kind family," and then it hit me that we are about to become a family of 8 ~ thus 8 of a kind family for the title. I have a knitting theme because I was thinking of the little one being knit together in my womb and because I like to knit.


Delightful Learning is mainly a record of our homeschool journey. I also do reviews of homeschool and homemaking products. This is my main blog throughout the school year.


Chavah Chayah is my unassisted pregnancy journal. I hemorrhaged at 9 weeks and I prayed for confirmation that baby was okay and Father impressed the name of Chayah on my heart. It means "to live, to restore (to life), to be whole." Chavah means "to tell, declare" and is the primitive root of chayah. It is a private blog because I only need those to read who will support me in relying solely on the Father to guide me through this pregnancy and homebirth. If that is you, you are welcome to read along. =) (Just contact me if you would like an invite).


How old are you? 36 (I'll soon be 37)


How long have you been married? I have been married to my husband Luke for 7 years.


Please tell us a little about your family: We have 5 children - 4 boys ages 5, 10, 11 1/2, & 14, 1 girl age 3 and a blessing on the way. (I was a single mom with 3 boys when I married Luke).


Please tell us a little about your faith: We are Torah keeping followers of Yeshua. We follow after our Hebrew roots, but we don't consider ourselves "Messianic," per say.

Please tell us a little about your home: We sold our home to walk in YHVH's blessing (debt is listed as a curse in Torah), moved into a motorhome that was just given to us (Yah's provision!) and were prepared to move wherever He led us. We had been looking at homesteading property in Kentucky and thought that was the only place that we liked and could afford. 4 days before we were to leave, Yah provided us with a rental house 13 blocks from the home we sold. We lived in our motorhome for 6 weeks while we gutted and renovated a turn of the century 2 story home. The rent was very affordable (we could never afford to rent this house if they charged us the going rate!) and with the equity from our home we bought 22 acres in Montana and built an off grid home. We still have lots of work to do on it, but I am still amazed at all of Yah's provisions in building that house with how little we had to build it!


Where have you lived? Born in California, moved to MT when I was 7, moved to Wyoming when I was almost 17. Since then I have lived in Colorado, Idaho, Montana and back to Wyoming. I cannot count the number of times I have moved in my life! The longest I have ever lived in a house is 3 years.


Do you work outside the home? I am not employed outside the home.


Have you experienced any persecution for becoming a Torah Keeper? Yes, from family and friends.


List your top 5 favorite things to do:

1. learn/research/teach
2. be creative
3. photograph
4. work with my hands (cook, bake, knit, craft, sew, scrapbook, create etc).
5. fellowship

List your 5 least favorite things to do:

1. Bend over (I hate picking things up off the floor)
2. sit for too long in the hot sun (drains my energy)
3. run out of raspberry leaf tea ~ especially iced in the summer time =)
4. rebuke a friend (open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed, but it is not often received well)
5. witness to a "religious" spirit

What do you look for most in a friend? forthrightness and a "friend in need"


What would you say your top 3 strengths are? bright, creative, discerning


What would you say your top 3 weaknesses are? realizing my self-worth, accepting my husband's love, overcoming my weaknesses


If you could change two things about yourself, what would they be? overcoming my weaknesses and tearing down strongholds


If you could change one thing from your past what would it be? I am who I am because of where I have been, so while I am sure there are many things I would change, I am grateful for where YHVH has brought me.


If you could do one thing from your past again, what would it be? Marry my husband again


What is one thing few people know about you? fear rejection and self-rejection


What is your greatest challenge? Answering these questions! Truly, my greatest challenge is loving myself.


What is your favorite thing about your husband? dedicated, loyal, hard worker, compassionate, loving, gentle, great dad


What does your husband do for work? He is a youth and adult sports program director for the YMCA


What are your top 5 values (character qualities?)?

1. Compassion
2. Contentment
3. Diligence
4. Forthrightness
5. Humility

{It was hard to choose just 5!}


Share some of your favorite family traditions with us: Sabbath picnics, Feast remembrances, game nights, "roodabumps," "pick-a-pocket," "what's behind box #1", Pop's funny dinner games, and new moon celebrations


What is your idea of a romantic occasion with your husband? time alone?


What is your ideal “girl’s day out”? Working together on a project, like sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, etc. ~ like women used to do in the old days. That, or tea, cookies and sharing/talking.


What are your home school philosophies? Torah, life skills, then academics is my ideal. I love hands on learning and my desire is to make learning a delight for my children as we delight in His ways.


What are 3 things you would like to do before you die: die to myself, tear down a stronghold, and leave a legacy of love/Torah to my children


If you could teach other mammas ONE THING, what would that be? fulfill the command to teach Torah to your children and your grandchildren.


What is your biggest parenting challenge? (sigh) Right now it is following through with discipline ~ I am such a softy once they say "I'm sorry."


What is your idea of femininity? To be in my role as a woman and that my inward appearance and heart reflect my love for YHVH. I love my denim skirt, but I often wear pants that feel feminine to me.


What is your idea of modesty? Not "letting my slip show." In other words, I think that women need to cover their husbands and not reveal all that their heart would like to when it comes to sharing with their friends. I am often convicted when I share too much and have to apologize to my husband later. In regards to clothing, covered to my knees, shoulders and midriff covered (you will not see a bare belly pregnancy shot from me!).


What is The Father doing in your life right now? Knitting a life in my womb and deepening my faith as I trust Him alone with the life in me; growing me at the same time!


What are you currently studying in The Scriptures? My focus right now is reading through The Scriptures in 90 days.


What are you most passionate about? Torah


Choose 3 words to best describe yourself: creative, passionate, forthright List your 3 most recent do-it-yourself projects:

1. Raised bed heirloom gardening ~ I hand pollinated my squash yesterday
2. Made chokecherry juice with the chokecherries we picked last summer and canned chokecherry syrup and jelly
3. Knit a dishcloth for a friend and one for me

Technically, only the dishcloth was a "do-it-yourself" as my son Nathan pointed out. I had help with the others from the kids. :p

Eliana

Share your homemaking inspirations: My inspiration has been my daughter since she was born. I desire to teach her to be a joyful keeper at home. When she turned one, I learned to sew my first dress from a pattern. I learned to knit so that I could teach her. I try to be a content and cheerful homemaker so that she will learn from me. Much of my inspiration in the kitchen and learning new skills/crafts also comes from our desire to get back to the basics and learn how to live more self-sufficiently.


What is your philosophy on marriage? Ephesians 5:31-32; Marriage is very symbolic of our relationship with YHVH. As Torah believers our goal is to prepare ourselves to be that set-apart bride ready for when the bridegroom returns. We prepare by following his ways/Torah. Sabbath is a sign of our betrothal to Him.


What things do you do to be a good neighbor? We follow the Torah. =) Much of the Torah is about being a good neighbor. ;-) Here are some of the practical things we do: We save the corners of our garden for a single mom in need. My children and I deliver "Meals on Heels" to a widow neighbor who lives next door. (We got the idea because my husband delivers "Meals on Wheels" for the local senior center). We give when we see a need or just to bless someone. We keep our yard clean, keep the kids from yelling too much, greet neighbors when we see them, etc.

Michelle, We have so much in common too...right down to (ALMOST) Choosing to live on the road in an RV, before he sent us to our homestead, love for All of A Kind Family, Almost settling in KY and our three year old Elianas.) Not to mention the obvious (YHVH!). :-) I loved your interview, appreciate your online friendship and look forward to knowing you better in the coming months and years. That is what this interview series is all about...connecting! I love it!! Thank you so much for doing this interview.

Much Love,

p.s. Meals on Heels - I love it!

The King's Daughter Interview - Carmen

My name is Carmen. My family and I currently live in North Texas

What are your website names?
Our website http://www.pebblecrossing.com/ is our family online business which our son is currently revamping. We are hoping to have it back online soon. Our main focus is to be of encouragement to others in choosing a healthier lifestyle and maintaining health in order to continually be of service to Yahweh so when He calls us we are ready.

We also have a blog http://pebblecrossing.blogspot.com/ which we started a few months ago to complement our online store. Here we share healthy recipes which follow biblical levitical laws. Other information is also shared which will continue to help edify others in their walk towards a better relationship with our Messiah by following His ways when making wise choices in all areas of their lives.

How old are you? I am 49 years young! I have been married for 16 years to my dear husband John. I love you Johnny!

Please tell us a little about your family: My husband and I are 1st generation Canadians. My husband’s parents came to Canada from Italy after WWII. My father who arrived from Spain after WWII met my mom and her family in Canada who also arrived after WWII. So as you can tell we are a multi cultural family. We have two beautiful children, our 15 year old son Zachary and our 14 year old daughter Leah. We love spending time together especially outdoors weather permitting. We are a homeschooling family. I decided to homeschool our children against my husband’s wishes, the main reason being, I just couldn’t see my days without them. If I were to relive this part of my life, I would have obeyed my husband, no questions asked. After a few years of homeschooling, Johnny did realize the fruits of homeschooling and has since then been a big advocate for homeschooling.

Please tell us a little about your faith:
We have been Shabbat keepers from the beginning of our marriage. Our faith is continually growing as we continue to seek Elohim’s face, by reading and studying the bible and threw our trials we have experienced. And no matter how much brokenness we are experiencing, we are loving Abba and His son Yeshua even more for the work being done in us. It has only been about three years since we have been learning more of the Hebrew roots. It has been an amazing journey as we continue learning to take everything to Abba to make sure we are worshipping Him and glorifying Him in the way that He would want us to.

Do you work outside the home? No I do not work outside the home. I try to supplement income to help my husband with our online business and other ventures as time allows. My first priority is to take care of my husband, and our children.

Carmen, I see from your blog that you are passionate about raising your daughter to be a skilled Keeper of the Home, your future son-in-law and grandchildren will be so blessed by the investment you spend today!! Can you tell us how this vision developed in you? Were you raised this way?
My mother, which we call “Mamie”, French for mom, stayed at home for the most part well when I grew up. She did teach me many skills which I am very grateful for and am able to teach them to our daughter. As I’ve read scripture, I have also been convicted that my place should be at home raising, encouraging and preparing our children to pass the baton in their future family to win the “race”. I believe this passion for me is growing continually.

I just love your site, we have so much in common. One of the (many) things I noticed was that you list TorahClass.com on your site (too). I wish EVERYONE would go through his (FREE) classes. He has made such a positive impact on us. How has he impacted your family?
I was introduced to Torah Class by my sister who is also Torah Observant. We have used their online studies to complement our daily bible study time in the mornings. There are many sites out there which we learn from but TorahClass.com’s online audio’s are very easy to understand even for a young age. We are hoping to listen to more with time.

Have you experienced any persecution for becoming a Torah Keeper? I don’t recall being persecuted when becoming a Torah Keeper. I think when I became born again for the 2nd time as I was learning more of the Hebrew roots, I was blessed with so much more zeal that it may have been hard for people to adjust. I had been transformed almost instantly. I just wanted everyone to experience what I was experiencing. Yeshua’s light became so much brighter and clearer for me to follow His path. Do you understand what I’m saying? (YES, I do. :-) )

List your top 5 favorite things to do:
- Spending time in scripture learning and being in His presence
- Just being with my husband John
- Spending time with my family
- Spending time with my family outside enjoying the beauty of creation
- Learning new things

List your least favorite 5 things to do:
- Cleaning the house
- Running errands
- Being away from my family
- Being in a confrontation with someone
- Having to say good-bye knowing I won’t see this person for a long time


What is one thing few people know about you?
- I am a very emotional person although I may not always show it and can cry easily, whether grieving, because of pure joy or just being in Yah’s presence.

What is your favorite thing about your husband?
- When conviction comes upon John, he will follow through. Nothing will sway him. That blesses me very much.

What is your idea of a romantic occasion with your husband?
- I just love spending time in conversation with Johnny, it doesn’t have to be anything special or any special place, just being with him on a regular basis, means everything to me.

If you could teach other mammas ONE THING, what would that be?
- Always try to edify your children no matter the situation when disciplining. We have been given so much grace and mercy that they need to receive the same from us. Give your children as much love as you can and always apologize and ask for forgiveness whenever you have done them wrong. Oops, that was more than one thing….

What is The Father doing in your life right now?
- Yah is teaching me to continually trust in Him and to praise Him continually no matter the situation we are faced with.

What are you currently studying in The Scriptures?
- I am currently in the gospels working my way through the bible again. I am excited about starting to read the Torah portions with my family after Sukkot this Fall..

What are you most passionate about?
- To be able to just give you one answer is hard. In this moment in my life my passion is continually to be in Yah’s will and seek His face and to teach our children and others of the same. I am always trying to be there to encourage others and reminding them that we will never be left or forsaken. I’ve been learning to be of encouragement when Yah wills me and not necessarily when I believe it’s the right time. I am always passionate about what I’m learning in scripture and to be able to share that with others is always exciting to me.

Thank you Pamela for interviewing me. I am honoured.

Blessings in Messiah
Carmen



Carmen and I come together on the Messianic Keepers at Home Forum. She inspired the study that is about to follow this post! I am blessed to have met her and I look forward to knowing her better through emails and our online communication. If I ever get to Canada I'm going to try to coordinate with you and your family Carmen! I am also looking forward to watching yours son's handywork and watching your website develop!


In Him,

The King's Daughter Interview - Christine

My name is Christine. My family and I live in a little country town called Cootamundra.

Cootamundra has a population of about 7000. We live on a 5 acre rented property about 8kms from town, surrounded by farming land. We haven't always lived here...both my husband and I were born and bred in Sydney but after a desire to leave the 'rat race' was planted in our hearts by YHVH...here we are. Oh, and of course Cootamundra is in NSW, Australia.

My website is http://www.truth2u.org/thehometruth/. This is where I blog about our homeschooling adventures, and to share our journey into YHVH's Torah.

Please tell us a little about your family:

My husband, Jono, and I are raising our 3 blessings...Bridget who is 12, Jonah who is 7 and William who is 5. I am almost 39, and Jono likes to remind me that he is younger by 6 months :-) We homeschool together and Jono hosts a weekly Torah radio show called Truth2U. I am studying Ancient History from home so we are all together most of the time. We have a small herd of goats for milk and meat, a few chickens and a rather pathetic vegetable garden (the green thumb wasn't passed to either Jono or myself so we are having to learn the hard way!). We also have 2 cats and a dog.

Please tell us a little about your faith:

I have shared about my faith at length on this page http://www.truth2u.org/thehometruth/?page_id=307, but the short version is that I love the Elohim (God) of Israel and desire with all my heart to serve Him, understand Him more and bring honor to His name.

Is there a Moslem or Jewish presence in Australia? What is the political climate there? What is it like to homeschool there?

The political climate here is democratic...but it has the potential to take a strong left. We have an election in about 6 weeks. Currently we have a female Prime Minister who overthrew the elected one (you may have heard in the news). Like many other western nations, Australia too is becoming more socialist. So far, we have not encountered any problems from the government with our decision to homeschool. It is a legal option and although probably not as widespread as it is in the States, it is definately gaining ground as a "movement". Christians probably make up the majority of the numbers, but there is a growing 'natural learning' community that encompasses both religious and secular families and many Muslims are now choosing to Homeschool. Speaking of Muslims, there are significant numbers...and they are quietly growing. Even out here in the rural community there is a Mosque some 50kms from us. Sometimes we eat at a Muslim café just near the radio station because at least we can be certain that the food we order there has not been cooked on the same grill as 'unclean animals' :-) The highest proportion of Jews in Australia would be in Melbourne, although there are small communities in each capital city. Many, if not most would fall into the secular category. Jewish culture is nowhere near as influential here as I believe it is in the States. There are virtually no messianic communities, except for 'Jews for Jesus' a fellowship, but only small groups of families or individuals like ourselves scattered all over the country. We are slowly finding out about each other but many of us are too far away from each other to gather regularly. We hope to travel some 1000kms this year to celebrate Sukkot with some people we have only recently met...the first time we have had fellowship for a feast in the 5 years that we have been walking in Torah!

What can you tell us about your husband's radio show? How did He get started in radio?

About 2 years ago, YHVH put it on Jono's heart to go to the local community radio station and ask for a spot. At first he was simply playing sermons and teachings each week, but as our faith has matured so too has the show. Now days Truth2u broadcast live from the country town of Young, NSW, Australia but can be listened to via the internet all over the world. Over 3 hours each week, Jono talks with a variety of guests with the aim of proclaiming the Truth of YHVH’s Word and exposing the 'traditions of men' that have historically kept us from that pure truth. Regular guests include Jeff Gilbert, Brad Scott, Mark Call, Joel Sanchez, Hanok ben Isaak, Nehemia Gordon, Paul Nison, Mark Pitrone and Joe Kovacs. Each program is podcast and available for free playback from the website http://www.truth2u.org/

Have you experienced any persecution for becoming a Torah Keeper?

Currently, we have no local fellowship and are very grateful for the friends that we have met online. We have tried to share with many Christians but have so far only been met with the usual "you're under the curse of the law" type responses and worse! I am looking forward to the day when we can gather with other Torah Keeping families regularly! But in the meantime, it is Yah who prepares the hearts and we must trust Him and just continue on living in Torah, raising our children in Torah, and being a light to those hopefully with see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven :-)

List your top 5 favourite things to do:

Riding my bike up and down the lane with my children, enjoying a glass of wine on the front balcony with Jono at the end of the week, taking long hot showers, staying in my PJ's until 2pm on Shabbat, cuddles and kisses from my kids.

List your least favourite 5 things to do:

Trimming goat hooves, lodging tax returns, cleaning the oven, cleaning the fridge...actually, cleaning in general :-)

What is one thing few people know about you?

That I can actually bend both my thumbs back at a 90 degree angle. It's my party trick :-)

What is your favorite thing about your husband?

How much he loves Abba, and how he will obey no matter what it means he has to sacrifice.

What is your biggest parenting challenge?

That my kids will overlook my many faults and see me trying to please Him, not trying to please myself.

What are you currently studying in The Scriptures?

I'm doing the S90 challenge with Michelle at 8 of a Kind Family, plus the weekly 1 year Torah portion cycle.


What are you most passionate about?

Without a doubt, the truth of a matter. I'm studying ancient history because I have this inner need to know why...why do people do things the way they do? Where do customs and traditions come from? Where did it all start? What is the context of the Scriptures? How did the ancient peoples really live and how did they understand Torah? I'm really passionate about things like that!

I so appreciate Christine. Have you ever just had The Father connect you in the Spirit to other believers? He does it to me all the time. Christine is one of those people. We are starting to communicate outside of "blog world". I highly encourage folks to visit her Husband's (Jono) Radio show. Its good listening! I just want to take the whole tribe Down Under and crash one of their Shabbats so I can catch Christine in her Jammies and fellowship! I'll bring the food. :-)

The King's Daughter Interview - Stephanie

What is your (first) name? Stephanie

What is your website name? Living Life On His Terms , although my daughter and sons are working with me to create a website that will encompass everything (future homestead, a store, homeschooling, our faith, etc).

Please describe your site: It started out to be just a bit of “this and that”, but as I focus myself more on the future, it is about homeschooling, my growing faith in Yah, my children, and the lessons we are learning for our future homestead.

How old are you? I just turned 44 in May

How long have you been married? I am divorced, 2 years now, from my second husband

Please tell us a little about your family: I have three amazing children, Samantha is 17 (18 next month) and just graduated high school. She wants to be a librarian, so we are working on college plans. Joe is my first son,14, and a geek, and proud of it. Tom is my youngest at 12, and is stuck in that “not a little boy, not a teen” stage right now. I am so blessed to have the children I do. When I injured my shoulder at work 3 years ago, my children stepped up like it was nothing, to help in whatever way they could. This meant picking up extra household chores, doing errands with me, etc. I get so excited when one of them comes to me with something new they have learned. It is great to see their faces light up. I guess I taught them well at a young age, because we are a family of history buffs, we all love to read, and the library is one of our favorite places to be. My daughter and I joke that we may just have to open a book store some day.

I also have to mention my first husband, Michael. While we are no longer together, he is truly a great friend, and I can’t imagine raising our children without him in their lives. He has been a true blessing to us, and despite both our faults, we have done a fairly good job, if I do say so myself, of raising caring and compassionate children.

Please tell us a little about your faith: I am new to following Torah, but not new to my faith in Yah. I was raised a Methodist, until I was 12. My parents said we had to go to church and Sunday school until then, but it was up to us if we decided to go after. I am not sure what made 12 the magical age they chose, but I continued to go to church, but a Congregational one. I participated in all the events, all the pageants, but never felt a connection to Yah in a building. Even as an adult, when I was born again, and re-baptized, I never felt at home in the congregation. I have always been a bit of an “odd duck” when it comes to fitting into groups, as I don’t find gossip and such important, nor the latest and greatest. I even got into a disagreement with my then pastor, about how if I miss church for 3 months, Yah is not going to punish me, because He isn’t the building, or the pastor, or the people in the chairs. He is not limited to something so simple. Of course, my pastor told me I was wrong. I have found the most peace with Yah, when I am outside, in a quiet place, by myself. Still to this day, sitting in the woods behind my parent’s home, I am awed that out of all the beautiful things He created in this world, I am just a small part of it, yet He loves me just as much as anyone else.

My parents believe in Yah, but never outwardly show it. It is something very personal to them. I guess that is part of the reason I think the way I do about my relationship with Yah. It is very personal. I share some on my blog, or with friends, but ultimately, the true relationship is between Him and I.

Please tell us a little about your home: We are currently living in an old Victorian home, on the 2nd and 3rd floors, in an apartment. Despite this, I am still learning everything I can about homesteading, so that I can take those skills with me when we find a place of our own. My home is very basic, hand-me-down furniture, and loved possessions. Although we are trying to declutter, which means giving up much, mostly mine J. I don’t need all the “things” that I thought I used to. My most important possessions will always be my children, and my history.

Where have you lived? Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, South Carolina

Do you work outside the home? No. I did when I first got divorced 3 years ago, but due to my shoulder injury, and subsequent disability (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a nerve disorder), I am unable to work outside the home. I have almost always been a stay at home mother though, so this is where my heart is. My children and family always will come first.

List your top 5 favorite things to do: Play on my computer (read blogs, keep up with online friends, do research), Read, Spend time with my children of course, Crochet, Learn (I will always be a lifelong learner!)

List your least favorite 5 things to do: Wash dishes, fold laundry, take the dog for a walk, cook when it’s hot out, deal with unkind people.

What do you look for most in a friend? Honesty. I value that above all things, and do not want a friend who is fake, and goes with the crowd. Be who you really are.

What would you say your top 3 strengths are? Being independent, compassion, curiosity

What would you say your top 3 weaknesses are? Being independent, trusting others, patience

If you could only teach your children ONE THING, what would it be? That if they believe and trust in Yah, they can accomplish anything in life. I am still working on the trusting part myself.

If you could change two things about yourself, what would they be? My disability on bad days (pain), choices I have made in the past.

If you could change one thing from your past what would it be? To be a better wife

If you could do one thing from your past again, what would it be? Finish my college degree.

What is one thing few people know about you? I am terrified of thunder and lightning. So badly, that I run around shutting all the windows, blinds, curtains etc.

What is your greatest challenge? Trusting, Yah and other people. I don’t hold grudges, and forgiveness has been easy for me, but I am “gun shy”.

What are your top 5 values? Honesty, hard work, be yourself, go to Yah first always, never lie

Share some of your favorite family traditions with us: Before I became a Torah follower, we used to decorate our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. This goes back to my grandparents, who raised 6 children, and took care of my blind Great Grandfather through the Depression. My grandfather would wait until Christmas Eve to buy the tree, because the man on the corner would sell them for just pennies that last day. My children and I carried on this tradition, including pizza for dinner that night. We are working on new traditions now that we don’t celebrate Christmas anymore. And we are having fun!

What is your ideal “girl’s day out”? Going to Barnes and Noble book store for the day, or sitting and having coffee/tea while chatting and crocheting/knitting.

Describe a day- in- the-life: I get up most days about 7am, have about an hour to myself before I wake up the children. We are not naturally morning people, so it usually is 10 or so before we get out day truly started with schoolwork, household chores, and such. The kids are usually in bed by 10, and I am learning to go to bed by 10:30. I have always been a night owl, but want to work on getting up early again, especially during the summer when it is so hot, so I can get more done before the heat sets in.

What are your home school philosophies? We are EXTREMELY eclectic. I think the only boxed curriculum I have ever used is Apologia Science, and Math U See. For the rest, I make our lessons as we go, using a base list of what I want to cover for the year in each subject. I am horrible at planning schoolwork, but am working on this for this year. I want to have at least 2 weeks planned out, at any given moment. We have done a lot of lapbooking in the past, but now that the boys are getting older, they aren’t as interested in it. We will be doing more notebooking instead.

Are you musical? I love music, and tried to teach myself the keyboard years ago, but just didn’t have the time for it. My daughter sings, and has since she could make a sound, and my middle, Joe is ear trained on the keyboard.

What are 3 things you would like to do before you die: Spend whatever time I need, without finances being an issue, in the CT/NY area where my family came to this country, and learn all I can about my family history. Go to Ireland. Become completely self sufficient.

What is your favorite type of music/ artists? I like country, although the lyrics of many songs leave a lot to be desired. I love classical, jazz, and bluegrass.

List your top 5 favorite movies: City of Angels, Songcatcher, Dead Poet’s Society, Gangs of NY, Band of Brothers (many more, but you said 5 lol)

If you could teach other mammas ONE THING, what would that be? To treasure every single moment, because they WILL grow up on you!! And way too fast!!

What is your biggest parenting challenge? Being a single parent. Sometimes I wish there was another adult to help me.

What is your idea of femininity? This is a hard one for me, because I grew up a tomboy. I think it is being yourself mostly. I have never been big on jewelry, makeup or any of that. It all seems fake to me. Femininity is letting your true personality shine.

What is your idea of modesty? Modesty to me is not exposing yourself to the world. Always dress respectfully. Keep private parts private, no peek-a-boo shows with your clothing. Your body is a precious gift from Yah, and should be treated as such.

What is your most important role? Being a mother. I have never had a harder, or more rewarding job. There are days I want to hide in the bathroom and throw away the key, and they there are days where I cannot stop laughing at the fun we are having. I am blessed!

What is The Father doing in your life right now? I think that the biggest thing he is doing with me is trying to teach me to trust. Him first, people second. Due to some poor choices on my part in my past, and the choices put on me by others who didn’t have my best interests at heart, I don’t trust a lot of people.

What are you currently studying in The Scriptures? I am learning to do the Torah Portions each week, and working through a study from Bereans Online called “It’s not what you think, It’s what you do”

What are you most passionate about? Education….life is a learning experience, and just because you turn 18, and finish high school, doesn’t mean you are done learning. It is a journey, a joy, and exciting!

Choose 5 words to best describe yourself: impatient, compassionate, stubborn, loving, kind

City Mouse or Country Mouse? Definitely a Country Mouse

List your 5 most recent do-it-yourself projects: Turned a dry sink into an island for the kitchen, by replacing the top, my raised bed garden, a homemade desk using a piece of mdf and a cabinet, crocheted an afghan for a friend’s daughter as a graduation present.

Share your homemaking inspirations: Definitely other bloggers, such as Rhonda on Down to Earth (http://down-to-earth.blogspot.com), and books from the 1800 and early 1900’s, found on Google Books. I download them in pdf format to my computer and read them at night. What knowledge you can learn from them!

What would you like to tell a bride to be? Talk to your future husband. Never assume you know what he is thinking or feeling. Good communication is necessary for a good relationship.

Traveler/Adventurer or Homebody? Homebody.

Share your favorite resources on topics of your choice: Rather than list too many, I will give you my tagfoot page. That is where I save links to everything I am interested in, from homeschooling, homesteading, crafts, Torah, etc. (www.tagfoot.com/piecesofscrap/bookmarks)

I am most happy when I am: Home with my children. There is a sense of peace at home, a comfortableness, which I cannot find anywhere else.

Stephanie,

Thanks for doing an interview for us. It is nice meeting you! May YHVH bless you and keep you. May your children be passionate to walk in His ways ALL the days of their lives! May you always remember you are the bride of Messiah; the best lover, provider, protector, confidant, counselor and friend - a girl could ever have! May His shalom be ever present in your home!

In Him,

The Woman Behind the Keyboard – Pamela

It has been suggested that I answer my own questions and post them. I suppose that is only fair. :-) So here goes.

What is your (first) name? Pamela

What is your website name? http://www.homeshalom.blogspot.com/ (here) We will also developing a website called Messilife.com but that is still in its development...We'll be sure to announce it when its finished though. :-)

Please describe your site: It is intended to be a place to encourage others, edify YHVH, share resources, and connect with others.

How old are you? I turn 40 this year.

How long have you been married? 14 years together 16

Please tell us a little about your family: My dear husband is Ben - he posts here from time to time. He is my lover, best friend and confidant, He knows me better than anyone. He is devoted and YHVH centered with a strong heart for His family. We have grown so much together and pray that never ends...that is one of the (many) things I love most about Him! If anything ever happened to him, I would be incomplete (to say the least!). YHVH knew what He was doing when He put us together (even though we didn't!) at the time. We met in San Francisco where we both lived for 10 years. Living hedonistic secular lives, we met in a comedy club (my neighbor worked there) and was used as our "match maker" - the rest was history. We got engaged and moved in together 3 months later. It took us 2 years to finally get married, which came to pass when we found ourselves in a little church up the coast with a lady we had just met and was trying to do business with. YHVH called me back on that day and I was convicted of my lifestyle, my choices and my current "live in boyfriend/fiance'". Ben went "up to the alter" that day too...and I thought we were on the same page. My world was turned upside down on that day. I told Ben we needed to "make it right" or we were done. We were married a few weeks later. It was a year later I found out that (although he was going through all the motions) Ben had NOT had the same "born again" experience that I did. This was the evening before our scheduled baptism in in the San Francisco Bay, where we were expected to give our testimony. (We had found fellowship at Vineyard Christian Fellowship.) I witnessed (unbeknown st to me) Ben wrestling with the Spirit all night! He gave Himself to YHVH that night and confessed this to me that morning. Boy,that was an emotional day!!! I am so thankful that YHVH is Sovereign! Had I known that Ben was not "on board the faith" when we got married, I NEVER would have married him!!! He told me (much later) that He thought it was a phase I would go through and didn't really think it would make a difference in our lives. We laugh about it now. YHVH blinded my eyes for His purposes at that time or my life would have been very different! YHVH new what I didn't; He saw what I couldn't...I am so thankful. Of course I would counsel my children differently on how to find their mate! We came from unbelieving homes and subscribed to the ways of the world when we met. Living together before marriage (just to pick out one thing) is a recipe for disaster! We were so polluted (the opposite of "pure") when we came together, we had a LOT of refining to do...but YHVH did it and continues too on many levels! We were 24 when we met and came together and had our first baby at 28.

I left home when I was 15...I had a lot of years of bad choices in between there...but the Father is on of restoration! I am a walking testimony of that. (You don't have the time and I don't have the courage to tell it all publicly!) I was a raging feminist to give you some idea of where I came from. I am so glad those days are far behind and I have been set free from so many things which I used to cling too!

At the time of this writing, I have 6 children; 3 girls and 3 boys. My oldest is 12, my youngest is 6 months. I have 2 adopted daughters from Haiti, who have been home for 1 year. Last year we doubled our family adding our adopted girls and baby in the same year. We have much to be thankful for! We homeschool and we see our children as YHVH's..given to us to raise for Him...

Please tell us a little about your faith: My relationship with YHVH is everything to me. When I left home at 15, I said a prayer that went something like this: Father, Its just you and me. I have no one else. I can trust no one. You are my only guide. Please help me learn something from every person I meet, please show me something you want to show me...because I am a motherless and fatherless child. He gave me the gift of faith that day....even though it took me many years to come fully under Him in submission to Him (that day I mentioned up the coast in CA) and start studying His Word; and even though in my ignorance and rebellion and immaturity I danced with the devil more times than I care to admit....He was faithful, He saw through it and kept me alive and protected me from harms way beyond any rational proportion!

I always had a "prayer life", I always had His still small voice, since I first gave my life to him when I was a girl about 7 yrs old. NOW...I have the maturity of years past. NOW, I have the testimony of His hand in my life for so many years whether it was knowingly or unknowingly(hind sight is 20/20), because for me it was both! NOW, I have whole and thriving relationships with my family and extended family. NOW, I have the Torah and a Passion for His Word and its not about ME its about HIM! NOW, I have shed so much of what once was, I can walk more freely in Him. NOW, I know how to TRUST to the core. NOW, I have a husband that takes the lead in our home, but treasures me as His other half which completes Him and helps Him carry out that task. NOW, we are unified in the Spirit and working to raise our family together in HIM. NOW, we continue to grow in leaps and bounds and He is preparing us for things we do not even know. NOW, we understand that the building, the titles, the denominations, the doctrines and traditions are all man's attempt to contain YHVH and make sense of HIM - but it can't be done...we are simply called to trust and obey and walk with Him along the way. Giving Him our hearts and our wills. Giving Him our resources, our physical goods, our time, our philosophies, our agendas, our visions, our dreams, our desires, our service and allowing Him to guide our steps with Davine appointments, Fruits of the Spirit, His Torah, His Messiah, and His Promises.

Please tell us a little about your home: We just moved to an 85 acer farm in TN 6 months ago. It is our hope to homestead it, and invite other families to join us on it to do the same. Than to open it up as a place of refuge for anyone in the Kingdom who is in transition, or needing a safe place. All we have now is a little house and a little barn and LOTS of land. Almost equally wooded and equally pastured. It is fenced. There is country road running through the middle of it, which dead ends to three houses on about 40 acers. We have lots of deer and turkey roaming about. It is located in a rural community and we surrounded by an Amish Community. Its a delightfully quiet place with lots of potential. We have no equipment or experience, just a willingness and YHVH...but we have learned that is enough when we are operating in His will and by His guidance. He provides what we need! It is our goal to have the farm loan paid off in 4 years.

Where have you lived? Michigan, California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, (NY Ben)

Do you work outside the home? I am so thankful that I do not. I have done some endeavors from the home, and as a true homesteader will again. :-) But my heart is to keep it at home. I would take extreme means to stay at home and train my children (like giving up all comforts most people have and live in a tent if need be!). I am radically committed to my family way. I am also pretty industrious, so I would make an income from home or with my children's help if need be. I am about to start something new...I am planning on doing some data entry for my husband to free him up to do other things in His job, so that we can pay down our debt faster and bring papa home to work and make our living on the homestead....what I do will not be "paid", just lightening his load, so he can do the things which bring in more income and I can do the necessary "busy work" behind the scenes before the kids wake or after they go to bed, or when they are free playing...things like that.

List your top favorite things to do:

1. Studying and Discussing Yah's Word. Praise/Worship/Payer/Dance 2. Hiking being surrounded by Yah's Creation 3. Helping a sister in need 4. Blogging/Writing/Creating 5. Doing things in my lab (the Kitchen)/Playing games (its a tie between those two) 6. Organizing things

List your least favorite 5 things to do:

1. Correcting my children repeatedly on the same issue 2. Talking with people who don't listen (why bother?) 3. Listening to proud and Haughty people. 4. Going to a gathering where I don't know people and they don't know me. (Unless they are HIS people..than its easy.) Empty small talk is torturous to me. 5. Answering the phone.

What do you look for most in a friend? Honesty, transparency, dependability, generosity

What would you say your top 3 strengths are? Honesty, Dependability, Strength

What would you say your top 3 weaknesses are? Compassion, Patience, Selfishness

What are your top 5 values? Honesty, Humility, Thoughtfulness, Integrity, Dependability

What is your idea of a romantic occasion with your husband? Special dinner out alone
with time to communicate, study the Word and discuss and plan for our family. That is SO sexy!

What is your ideal "girls day out"? Just sitting still and sharing our hearts...its always nice to have food on hand...because that can take a while! :-)

Describe a day- in- the-life: No two are the same! We work a lot and keep busy with projects and chores that always change. I try to be sure to sit down and read with the kids every day. We eat all our meals together. We try to rise together and the younger kids got to bed around 8 the older kids stay up about an or so later. Than mommy and daddy stay up an hour or two later.

What are your home school philosophies? We want to teach our children how to be independent learners. We want to instill in them a love of learning. We want to teach them how to use the Bible as their plum line for what knowledge and wisdom are; the thing which we measure everything against. HOW we do this varies. We immerse ourselves in the Word regularly, it is as common and regular as every other part of our life, discussions always erupting about YHVh and His ways and His Word, and what it means and how we live that out, etc.. We like to use a lot of Charlotte Mason's principles - they make sense. Using living books and Creation and so on. I also consider other things which I have learned along the way. Like how to recognise learning styles and love languages and recognising their gifts and building their areas of weakness. Understanding a bit about the trivium and using unit studies as the season applies. We love experiential learning too. We try to teach them to be self disciplined and to govern themselves. To measure themselves against The WORD not other people. I suppose the word "eclectic" would best describe us.

Are you musical? I do no play an instrument well (yet) but it's on my list do "do before I die". :-) I have managed to see that my children are trained and learning instruments. My husband is also currently learning guitar.

List your top 5 favorite movies: The Messiah, Ushpizin, Fiddler on the Roof, The Longest Trailer, The Island on Bird Street

If you could teach a young bride ONE THING, what would that be? Trusting YHVH is the first step to trusting your husband.

If you could teach a new momma ONE THING, what would that be? YHVH gave YOU that baby, no one else. He is YOURS to raise, teach and train, no one else. Not the public school system, not the daycare, not your parents, or your husband's parents...YOU.

If you could teach a new Believer ONE THING, what would that be? Take responsibility for what you believe by going straight to the source (YHVH and the His Word). Know the Book well...There will be a test!! (Many tests in fact!)

What is your biggest parenting challenge? Being patient.

What is your idea of femininity? Strength, patience, long suffering, gentleness, considering others as more precious than yourself, forbearance, shepherding hearts, peacemaking, serving, and thoughtfulness.

What is your idea of modesty? Neither seeking attention nor glory nor fame nor justification nor approval of other. Holding one's tongue and choosing her words wisely. Protective.

If you could only teach your children ONE THING, what would it be? To Love YHVH with all their heart, mind and strength and to love their neighbor as themselves; to be servants. (I guess that is 3 things!)

If you could change two things about yourself, what would they be? 1. That I weren't so serious. 2. That I could have a true servants heart.

What is one thing few people know about you? I love to ride motorcycles! I have had a few in my day, but it is not conducive to this season of life! So I have let that go. And for safety reasons, I would not want my kids on them...so sshhh

What is The Father doing in your life right now? He is strengthening our knowledge of Him in His Word, teaching us to obey and how to BE the parents our children need.

What are you currently studying in The Scriptures? We study constantly as the Ruach (spirit) leads...but we just returned back to the Torah Portion on Shabbats too. We were blessed by a years' worth of curriculum by a friend who was finished with it. It isn't something we would have bought, but we are so thankful to have it, and are using it with thanksgiving and gladness.

List your most recent project(s): I am currently in the process of drying blueberries; transferring my "family cookbooks" into a computer database; developing seasonings mixes (and considering turning it into a cottage industry); learning how to minimally sprout grains to bake breads and cereals and savories; researching natural dental methods as an alternative to a bridge replacement; researching weather or not I must feed my birds grain; researching raising milking sheep (for our family) and for meat and raising goats for sale.

What is your philosophy on marriage? I'm only doing this one time, to one man. I want it to be blissful and amazing with no regrets. I want the kind of marriage that only gets better with time. The kind where we grow old together and when one dies the other follows shortly after from a broken heart....The kind that leaves a legacy of love and stable children who follow YHVH with passion and devotion with have also built happy loving stable families with the same philosophy.

What things do you do to be a good neighbor? I am recently feeling convicted of this. I find myself asking; "what DO we DO for our neighbor?" I am in prayer about this. We always try to be "at the ready" for Davine Appointments, so that we may respond where ever we are needed and go when YHVH says go. This is very important to us and part of who we are...but I am wondering lately if He is giving us some time "off" so that we can tend to the many needs here...or if we are "too busy" to hear Him assigning us. This remains to be answered...but I have recently become acutely aware of it in my spirit...so it is likely I am soon to find out the answer!

INTERVIEWING YOU! Well...its been nice sharing with you. I have been pondering this series and how I would love to see it expand. There are a couple ladies who have agreed to do interviews and we hope to get them soon (I am trying not to pester them about it I know their are more important things to do! But I would love to read about them and I know you would too!) I have also put invitation out there to women whom I admire that have not replied one way or the other...If you are reading this I HOPE YOU WILL LET ME INTERVIEW YOU! However, there are other women who read this blog, that do NOT have blogs (or I haven;t met you yet)that I would be very interested in interviewing. So I want to extend an invitation to all the Home Shalom Readers to contact me if you are willing to be interviewed. You only need answer those questions which you want to. You may contact me by the email in the side bar and I'll email you back, or comment below with contact info. We'll call the interview series "Interview with The Kings Daughters" hence forth. Young or old...I would love to interview more women in the body right where they are. Either new to the faith or an old timer - your story is a very important part of this beautiful tapestry of the Kings Daughters! This series is what you make it, I hope to have a bunch of volunteers. I reserve the right to edit interviews, but try to keep them as intact as possible and always ask for permission to make changes before I publish it.

Much Love,

Woman Behind The Keyboard - Angelique

What is your (first) name? Angelique

• What is your website name?Grace and Space/The King's Wise Woman



• Please describe your site: My blogs are a place I share myself and journey honestly. I pour it as it is. There is art, poetry, thoughts a hodge podge of stuff. My herbal blog is a place where I share my herbal journey too.


• How old are you? 34


• How long have you been married?15 yrs.



• Please tell us a little about your family: Well, we are an eclectic bunch! My husband is the strong alpha male who is devoted an loyal! My 16yr. ladybug is the simple quiet one and my 13yr. son is a mix of both my baby and I so he is a strong alpha male in the training who keeps to himself.



• Please tell us a little about your faith: Ah, well in my home my husband doesn't walk with us, but has his relationship with HaShem (Grace and Space apply here! lol) but as for myself and my children we walk along the lines of Messianic Judaism (for title's sake). My husband over the years has grown a respect for our faith and now sits at the pesach table and other events which we do at home. Although he still does not fully understand or agree.



• Where have you lived? We are both former New Yorker's, I have lived in Puerto Rico, Florida and here PA.



• Do you work outside the home? No, thank HaShem!!! LOL



• List your top 5 favorite things to do: Hang with my familey, watching movies, reading/learning, being out in nature, worshiping, hanging w/fam & friends



• What do you look for most in a friend? Open honesty and transparency



• What would you say your top 3 strengths are? Honesty/Leadership/Compassion (this one came later in life!LOL)



• What would you say your top 3 weaknesses are? Consistency/Can get overwhelmed/tendency to be black and white



• If you could only teach your children ONE THING, what would it be? To love with all there hearts, Abba first, themselves and everyone else. ( Not sure how you can love others, when you don't even know how to love yourself! Do unto others what you would have them do to you! )



• If you could change two things about yourself, what would they be? My lack of consistency, my second guessing.



• If you could change one thing from your past what would it be? The abortions I had.



• What is one thing few people know about you? That as pro-life as I am, when I was young I had 2 abortions and a miscarriage. Which is why I am pro-life. Nothing I can do can change what I have done. :( And I live with it.



• What is your greatest challenge? To still have faith and believe after I have been hurt or disappointed.



• What is your favorite thing about your husband? His inner strength and loyalty



• Share some of your favorite family traditions with us: Well, our movie time is a hoo-haa. Not the elaborate family tradition I dreamed of but this is sweeter because it's the world where we all meet and are just family.



• What is your idea of a romantic occasion with your husband? ohh, lala. Anything that makes my baby relaxed and at peace.



• What is your ideal “girl’s day out”? food, laughter and time.



• What are your home school philosophies? Electic/Charlotte Mason- whatever works for the season we are in.



• Are you musical? I am learning to play the guitar, but I love singing the most. I couldn't tell ya, you'd have to ask those who have listened to my singing. LOL



• What are 3 things you would like to do before you die: Live and or visit Yerushalayim, own my land, see the promises of HaShem for our lives and family come to pass.



• What is your favorite type of music/ artists? Matisyahu, reggae, 50"s, salsa , house music, all types.



• List your top 5 favorite movies: Any Jane Austen (the old ones), the twilight saga (yup, believe it!), forget it too many...Mr. Magorium's wonder emporium.....Penelope...too many



• If you could teach other mammas ONE THING, what would that be? Take care of yourself and there is nothing more important than your family!



• What is your biggest parenting challenge? Consistency...... It can bore ME!!!



• What is your idea of femininity? Oh goodness, idea- that word can kill me and tick me off! But a woman who is herself, really herself! We are all so different.



• What is your idea of modesty? That comes from the inside, I used to have pictures or (ideas) but have learned that it is a heart issue. I could say things that don't draw attention, but either way you can draw attention sooo, I believe it lies in the heart.



• What is your most important role? To be who HaShem created me- ME! Then I am a wife/mother/sister/daughter/friend. I value all these roles but no one defines me.



• What is The Father doing in your life right now? To be echad in him.



• Do you have a miracle to share? Our life, the fact that we survived (really both my husband and I could have been dead a long time ago), my marriage, my babies.



• What are you currently studying in The Scriptures? Nothing, just reading-line upon line.



• What are you most passionate about? Everything, lol that is how I roll!!!



• City Mouse or Country Mouse? Country mouse living in the city.



• List your most recent do-it-yourself projects: mix-media art pieces.



• What would you like to tell future and young mothers? You are enough and whatever you need will be added to you, cling to the tree of life and you will be alright.



• What would you like to tell a bride to be? Respect, the differences and the likes. Your influence is powerful, use it for good!!! And a so much more I would tell her.



• What is your philosophy on marriage? We are two solitudes coming together and we are one, yet still individual. Respect plays and important role.



• Traveler/Adventurer or Homebody?All.....



• Share your favorite resources on topics of your choice: First Fruits of Zion for Torah/ Homemaker's Mentor for homemaking/An artful life blog for the creative mommy
  
  Angeligue and I have known each other since my second born was a baby (about 9 years), we have walked through quite a bit together. We are very different and drive each other crazy at times, just like sisters do! I consider her husband a brother and her children like my niece and nephew. At the end of the day, we lay down our differences and are there for one another the best we know how to be. So often people choose friends that think and believe just as they do, and if they find out that isn't the case, they try to make them see "their errors" and "cut them loose" if they don't conform. But a true friend is one who is there even after you find out...they don't think and do things just like you do and you love each other anyway! A true friend is faithful and trustworthy and one who learns to love you where you are.
  
  
  

The Woman Behind the Keyboard - YahKheena

What is your (first) name?
My first name is Penny which means weaver, which I have fulfilled to a tee. I am very crafty with my hands and can weave just about anything together however I've not yet learn to actually weave fibers. With that said, I go by the name of YahKheena which means established by Yahweh. That is the desire of my heart to be established by him in his ways. I feel so clumsy with his ways often thinking I'm on his path only to look to my right and find that I missed it, sigh. So, if we do fullfill the destiny of our names, which I believe we do, then it is my hope to fullfill the meaning of the name YahKheena. For that is who I desire to be...yes, one who has been established by Yahweh...YahKheena

• What is your website name?
  Seeking the Narrow Way , Our Wild Journey, and TKM Club

• Please describe your site:
  
  The first blog, Seeking the Narrow Way, about our family life and how we are learning to walk in Yahweh's narrow way, which includes homeschooling, health, food, modesty, Torah, and Yahweh's Feast and Festivals.
  
  The Second one, Our Wild Journey, is a blog to document our discoveries in the natrual foods Yahweh gave us, such as wild weeds, herbs, and organic veggies/fruits.
  
  And the third blog, Torah Keeping Maidens, or TKM, is a club via the internet for young maidens that are learning to keep Torah and learn to be keepers of the homes. Membership is extended to any maiden that Keeps Torah and is learning to walk in the footsteps of Yahshua
  


• How old are you?
  I'll be 50 this coming January. And as a mile stone I want to loose 80 pounds be able to run, hike or just jump rope with my girls. If Oprah can do it, so can I.
  
• How long have you been married?
  It has been 12 long, wonderful, mostly trying years, but I'd never want it any other way.
  
• Please tell us a little about your faith
  I'm a Torah observant follower of Yahshua, I'm learning how to truely trust and obey my heavenly Father through the example of Yahshua the son of Elohim.
  
• Where have you lived?
  I was born in OK and lived there for the first five years of my life. We moved to S. CA and lived there about 30+ years, then moved to W. TN and I have been here for about 14 years...I think
  
• Do you work outside the home?
  Nope I'm a Keeper of the Home
  
• List your top 5 favorite things to do
  Camping, get together and fellowship with like minded believers, work and create with my hands, swim, and bar-b-q with my family ( at the park )
  
• List your least favorite 5 things to do:
  drive in busy traffic, washing and drying leafing greens/veggies/fruits for the fridge, sorting clothes for the laudry, and printing and binding books, and
  
• What do you look for most in a friend?
  First and formost honesty, and then a seeker of the truth, someone who will be loyal to the truth rather than tickle my ears.
  
• What is your favorite thing about your husband?
  He is stable
  
• What is your idea of a romantic occasion with your husband?
  Week-end get away to a cabin tucked away in the woods somewhere
  
• What is your ideal “girl’s day out”?
  Eat out with some friends, then spend the day at the zoo or an aquarium
  
• Are you musical?
  Well I love music but I don't play an instrument. I love to sing but I can't carry a tune, and I love to dance and have rhythm but don't feel free to dance because of my extra weight.
  
• What are 3 things you would like to do before you die:
  This one is easy, visit or live in Israel, go on a missionary trip, and get involved with an outreach helping others
  
• What is The Father doing in your life right now?
  Teaching me to surrender, trust, and obey
  
• What are you currently studying in The Scriptures?
  1 John, just can't seem to get out of it
  
• What are you most passionate about?
  The truth, I want to love it, live it and if I have to, die for it!
  
• City Mouse or Country Mouse?
  Country Mouse
  
• List your 5 most recent do-it-yourself projects:
  carved a weaving hook for my dd AbbiYah, made a book binding jig, bound a book I printed from google, made from scratch banana pudding the cookies were even from scratch, knitted several pairs of socks last winter
  
• Traveler/Adventurer or Homebody?
  A little of both, I enjoy staying at home but still have a travelers/adventurer's spirit
  
• Share your favorite resources on topics of your choice:
  One of the most used resource and a favorite is google books. They offer many books free and many classics that are just out of print. I usually download them and then print them of my duplex printer, bind them and they cost less the $1.00 each
  
• I am most happy when I am _________
  in the midst of Yahweh's creation, birds singing, little animals scurring, and a nice breeze whistling through the tree leaves.
  

Yahkheena and I have become fast friends online and have discovered we are a little more than an hour away from one another; so we have every intention of connecting our families in person as soon as we can. (Our maidens are very much looking forward to that too!)

If you would like to join us by getting involved with TKM (linked here in this email or in the upper right hand side of this blog) you may contact either of us and we'll answer your questions and/or get you set up. There is also a TK Momma's forum for the Maidens' Momma's to communicate and encourage one another in the background. It is in its very beginning stages, but with the help of other contributers, we think it will be a wonderful group!

Thanks for doing an interview for me Yahkheena!

Ahavah,

The Woman Behind the Keyboard Interview - Lisa

What is your (first) name? Lisa
What is your website name? Following The Ancient Paths

Please describe your site: A journal of my walk with Messianic Judaism, my
Master Yeshua and my thoughts on related subjects.

How long have you been married? 11 years

Please tell us a little about your family: Blended family, living on a small farm. Homeschooled our children up through grades 9 and 11.
Do you work outside the home? No, but I am a Shaklee Distributor

List your top 5 favorite things to do: Read, Bible Studies, Family Time, Garden, Talk Torah

List your least favorite 5 things to do: Clean the bathtub, chase cows when they're out, dental work, taxes, discovering a dead lamb or calf in the field

What do you look for most in a friend? Sincerity

If you could only teach your children ONE THING, what would it be? the fear of HaShem

If you could change two things about yourself, what would they be? More wisdom and less talk/words!

If you could change one thing from your past what would it be? I'm not sure. My past is what molded me into what I am today and I kind of like where I am today.

If you could do one thing from your past again, what would it be? Start at the beginning as a new parent - re-raise my children.

Share a little bit about your faith/Spiritual journey: Here is a post called Why We Are Messianic
and another one called Why are you Messianic prt 2 if you would like to read more about that.

Share some of your favorite family traditions with us: Our family Hanukkah "no man knows the hour or the day/10 virgins" gift exchange, building and decorating the Succah, Erev Shabbat as a family, fresh baked challah, family Bible reading, BBQ beef sandwiches and deep-fried onions on the LAST day of any fair where the kids all show livestock to name a few.

What is The Father doing in your life right now? I have posted Seasons of Change recently which explains that, if you are interested.

What are your home school philosophies? We had (and still have) an eclectic approach to most areas of life: education, health & wellness, farming, etc. Our homeschooling years focused on the study of history from creation through to the current time, focusing on various countries and societies during those times as well as various advances (and declines), individuals, social and political issues, etc. It was one HUGE unit study for 9 years. :)

Are you musical? I used to be, I love to sing and I have always wanted to learn to play an instrument.

What are 3 things you would like to do before you die: Work for and with the Falash Murah in Ethiopia, the Russian Jewish population and visit Israel regularly to be a blessing (not a visitor).

List your top 3 favorite movies: A Journey Home, Ushpizin, Sound of Music

If you could teach other mammas ONE THING, what would that be? You CAN do it, you CAN teach your children and that it is your responsibility to teach them about the Father and His Son, to instill in them a knowledge and working practice. Their faith is their own choosing - let them choose but give them the tools they need to be gracious, patient, kind, loving, steadfast, and good.

What is your idea of femininity? Being a goldy woman who is the heart of the home, her husband's helpmeet and partner, being hospitable, gracious and kind, being a mentor and friend to other young ladies and mothers and at the same time being receptive to learn from them as well as from older women.

What is your idea of modesty? More than covering yourself up, it's about your speech and actions - it comes from a pure heart and mind.

Do you have a miracle to share? My dear friend was at stage 4 at her first diagnosis of a highly aggressive breast cancer. The Father has seen fit to heal her completely from that as she's been going through treatments. He has chosen to spare her life!!

What are you currently studying in The Scriptures? The annual reading cycle and we're currently at the beginning of King Shlomo's reign in our chronological study.

What are you most passionate about? Torah, primarily, and seeing the greater body of believers moving closer and closer to the Torah, though they may not know that's what is going on. SO exciting!!!

City Mouse or Country Mouse? Country mouse, for sure!

What would you like to tell a bride to me? Be patient and kind, gentle and loving, even when you don't want to. Make your house a home so that your husband enjoys being there and feels appreciated that he works so hard, but most of all respect the Father and your husband. Sometimes you'll have to let the Father lead your husband and just stay out of the way - it really does work out very, very well in the end.

What things do you do to be a good neighbor? Being friendly and kind, giving to local charities, taking the first of our garden harvest and one steer a year to the food bank.

Traveler/Adventurer or Homebody? I am a homebody with dreams of travel. :)

Share your favorite resources on topics of your choice: I have them listed at my blog.

I am most happy when I am warm, not cold!