October Peom

The golden rays dance on sheltering fog so blue,
which frosts the tips of the tassels with dew.
The turning leaves come dancing alive in the light,
as the northerly wind touches cheeks with a bite.
Long, yellow buses stitch their way through the land,
bringing the children to school as planned.
As Summer's withered flora reveals the woodland fawn,
hats and gloves and mittens are donned.
The birds have begun their migration from here,
for the sun gives no heat though the blue sky is clear.

A Friend's Poem

My friend Courtney wrote this poetry. It's beautiful, so I had to share it.

You Are Here - by Courtney Jo

I looked around me, and alone I sat.
My troubles, my joys, my thoughts: my life.
Many asked of me where you were- and to which I could reply so easily for though they cannot see you, I can.
You are here in the stitches of my socks, keeping my feet dry and warm.
You are here in the tinted colors of my scarfs shading the yellow sun in my window and becoming my curtains at night in my room.
You are here in the scents of oil that you spread upon my face.
You are here in the morning with your sweet hellos and you are here at night with your goodnight prayers.
You are here in the food upon my table which you graciously provided.
You are here with your love, care, and sweet memories.

Though they cannot see you, I can see you all around. My love, my all.

You are here.
I've been able to listen to the sermons by David Jeremiah again, each morning after work. For a while work was taking longer due to the harvest. It was a bummer to hop in the car only to catch the tail end of a message. Right now Jeremiah is teaching out of Philippians. It's crazy... I don't know why but each message is exactly what I need to hear each morning. I'll be dealing with an issue and boom! There's the solution. God is always here, and He provides these little things, little blessings, each day.

As it says in Philippians 4:19,  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.



It's funny because I never used to listen to Christian radio. My oldest siblings always did... and when I became interested in music there was a disconnect. Maybe it was a change in churches? Maybe it had to do with where my older siblings were at? We listened to a lot of country music. There was still a lot of mention of God and faith in the country songs which was really cool. Then there was some pretty neat pop music and indie music. I especially liked the mellow, acoustic artists like Jack Johnson, Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers. I still love these other forms of music and listen to them regularly, but it surprises me that I never gave Christian artists a chance. The two hours of driving each day have really given me more time to tune into radio programs.

I feel like I'm just discovering the tip of an ice berg, but one must start somewhere. Here are three of my favorite Christian songs right now.

And this last one I heard when I went to church with Courtney this Summer. I keep forgetting the name of the song and having to scroll through our many text messages to find the link she shared with me in July. Trust me.... that's a lot of texts.

It is a blessed thing to have friends.

If - by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you   

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

    But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

    And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

    If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   

    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

A Poem

Seasons

Taken as the Fall wind flies
The slumber of the Summer skies
For now below the Winter's grey
The greenest growth of Spring awaits

Ta ta! We say to snow. Alas!
For all we long to see is grass
And pine we will until satisfied
The wish to see a daisy's eye

Blue rains caught in thunderclouds
Are lost, but not the stratus shroud
And grim the skeleton of trees
That long for leaves to catch the breeze

Come swift! Oh ever youthful Spring!
The frozen brooks desire to sing
To raise the wings of butterflies
Kept in cocoons while Winter lies

Now Fall has flown and Winter wanes
Who is Spring's sire and Summer's bane
A word or whisper from the South
Yes! This is what we wait for now

The Battle Hymn of the Beloved

A fellow at church was lamenting the lyrics of The Battle Hymn of The Republic one Sunday and said there was no possible way to redeem the song. In essence it was a matter of doctrine and Julia Ward Howe must have not understood the grace of God, the rapture and the body of Christ. I knew he didn't exactly mean that the song couldn't ever be fixed, but I took it as a challenge and wrote new lyrics for all of the dispensationalists out there who enjoy the power of the song but wish for the right perspective as they sing it! Seeing as July is coming right up and people will be in the mood for a patriotic tune, why not sing for the King? For what a blessing it is to understand the full riches we have in Christ and to be accepted in the beloved and saints of God! So here's a song that as Ephesians 6:1 says, "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."

The Battle Hymn of the Beloved

Mine eyes look for the glory of the coming of the Lord;
when the trumpet call shall sound and we are caught up in the cloud
with the saints who in Christ Jesus have complete in Him been found...
Still Grace is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His Grace is marching on.

I have read a glorious Gospel writ through our apostle, Paul
The dispensation of the mystery of Grace is unto all!
We must tell the lost of Jesus for too soon the trump will call
Since God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Since God is marching on.

Let us witness to the worldly in the morning, night and day
Let us urge them to salvation for it's Jesus Christ who saves
Standing boldly in the truth of God we've naught to be ashamed
His strength is marching on!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His strength is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
Humbled as a faithful servant Holy God in man was He
As He died to pay sin fully, He arose to set men free
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

God preserves His Word forever and inerrant it remains
Unto every generation, in perfection, still the same
The only Living Book it is a double edged blade
His Word is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His Word is marching on.

All the good things that I do it is no merit of my own
Not my works of righteousness, but by His faith alone
Setting affections up above and looking for that blessed hope
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Our God is marching on.

Brittany's Poetry

Hey y'all! I have a new site you might want to see!!
My dear brother's dear fiance created a blog of her really awesome poetry! I would definitely recommend you check it out:
Brittany's Poem Collection

AND.... for further reference, you can find a link to her blog under my "blogs you should visit" section on the right hand side of my blog page.

Sincerely, Snow

Come what May?!
It's gotta be November or something.
I'm pretty sure there are a lot of weathermen loosing their jobs for putting snow in the forecast. I guess I took down the lights and snowflakes too soon. Time to get the shovels back out, the mittens, the hats, the long underwear.... all that jazz. My poor bedroom is caught in limbo; boxes of summer clothes are decorating my floorspace waiting for their turn in the closet as the winter clothes persist in their places.

However, looking at the bright side:
The best part about winter is getting to work on indoor projects. I can sew without feeling like I'm missing out on something out of doors. Or work on tasks like much needed cleanup, dusting and other random house chores. ...and since there's nothing better than working to a little bit of music I might just set the mood with some Vince Gauraldi Christmas tunes.

You know, it is always the season to be jolly around here. That's why people love the Mid-West. There's so much snow that it's Christmas all year round!!

 The green grass, red barn siding and snow work together 

to create the perfect Holiday Season display!

 Snow covers the farmscape once again.

Welcome back Frostbite,

Take a seat Cold.

Who has arrived? Early or Late?
North Wind blow...

Bewildered Buds

The local meteorologist wrote, "The old Eau Claire record for a snow event in May was 3.0" from May 1-2, 1935, so that's why we were skeptical this much could fall. Well, go big or go home…and hopefully you can stay home and safe today. Bundle up because it will also be very chilly today, with highs only in the middle 30s. That’s 30 degrees below the average high for the day of 66."

I'm pretty sure that we're going to have a foot of snow... if not more. Time to set a new record! ....who would have guessed that it was 85 degrees two days ago and everyone was out getting sunburns?!

Life really is like a box of chocolates.
You just never know what you're gonna get...

The Good News and The Hobbit

"....they found their path going downwards, and before long they were in a valley filled almost entirely with a mighty growth of oaks. "Is there no end to this accursed forest?" said Thorin. "Somebody must climb a tree and see if he can get his head above the roof and have a look round. The only way is to choose the tallest tree that overhangs the path."
Of course "somebody" meant Bilbo. They chose him, because to be of any use the climber must get his head above the topmost leaves, and so he must be light enough for the highest and slenderest branches to bear him. Poor Mr Baggins had never had much practice in climbing trees, but they hoisted him up into the lowest branches of an enormous oak that grew right out into the path, and up he had to go as best he could. He pushed his way through the tangled twigs with many a slap in the eye; he was greened and grimed from the old bark of the greater boughs; more than once he slipped an caught himself just in time; and at last, after a dreadful struggle in a difficult place where there seemed to be no convenient branches at all, he got near the top. All the time he was wondering whether there were spiders in the tree, and how he was going to get down again (except by falling).
In the end he poked his head above the roof of leaves, and then he found spiders all right. But they were only small ones of ordinary size, and they were after the butterflies. Bilbo's eyes were nearly blinded by the light. He could hear the dwarves shouting up at him from far below, but he could not answer, only hold on and blink. The sun was shining brilliantly, and it was a long while before he could bear it. When he could, he saw all round him a sea of dark green, ruffled here and there by the breeze; and there were everywhere hundreds of butterflies. I expect they were a kind of "purple emperor", a butterfly that loves the tops of oak-woods, but these were not purple at all, they were a dark dark velvety black without any markings to be seen.
He looked at the "black emperors" for a long time, and enjoyed the feel of the breeze in his hair and on his face; but at length the cries of the dwarves, who were now simply stamping with impatience down below, reminded him of his real business. It was no good. Gaze as much as he might, he could see no end to the trees and the leaves in any direction. His heart, that had been lightened by the sight of the sun and the feel of the wind, sank back into his toes: there was no food to go back to down below.
Actually, as I have told you, they were not far off the edge of the forest; and if Bilbo had had the sense to see it, the tree that he had climbed, though it was tall in itself, was standing near the bottom of a wide valley, so that from its top the trees seemed to swell up all round like the edges of a great bowl, and he could not expect to see how far the forest lasted. Still he did not see this, and he climbed down full of despair. He got to the bottom again at last, scratched, hot, and miserable, and he could not see anything in the gloom below when he got there. His report soon made the others as miserable as he was.
"The forest goes on for ever and ever and ever in all directions! Whatever shall we do? And what is the use of sending a hobbit!" they cried, as if it was his fault. They did not care tuppence about the butterflies, and were only made more angry when he told them of the beautiful breeze, which they were too heavy to climb up and feel."

It's likely you've heard of The Hobbit. The fantastical tale by J.R.R. Tolkien about a wizard, dwarves, and a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins who set out on a quest to regain the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smog.
There are many things to be said about such literature and a debate could be had on the rights and wrongs therein, but I do not venture to tackle such a subject today. Rather, my purpose of bringing up the trouble in Mirkwood is because it came to mind the other day as I talked with a friend, who is lost in the world, about Jesus Christ...

As the adventurers (the dwarves and the hobbit) were traveling through Mirkwood the forrest was so dense that they could not tell which way they should go. And so Bilbo, because he was the smallest, was elected to scale a very tall Mirkwood tree to see if the destination and a direction could be seen.

Now maybe J.R.R. Tolkien would roll in his grave at my proposal, but lets just pretend for one moment that Bilbo climbed to the top of that oak and, not only was he struck by the glory of the sun, he also saw the end of the forest and the Lonely Mountain in the distance.
So now pretend this is you.
You're on a journey, and lost in the forest you have climbed to the top of the tree, and have discovered the appropriate direction to travel in. You come back down and begin to tell all of your friends, and any other people you may come across on your way, how to get to the Lonely Mountain.
....but they don't believe you!

It is likewise, oftentimes, the case in trying to tell people about Jesus Christ and what he has done to pay for our sins. You've seen the light, you know the way and you're eager to share the good news with anyone. You've climbed to the top of the tree and beheld Glory in the distance. "This is the way, folks! Just walk in this direction! This pathway is safe!" ...but instead, others are determined to carry on their own way, stuck in the brambles, thorns cutting at them as they go... headed in the wrong direction, only to end up in a deadly, swampy mire.

A number of years ago I picked up the dictionary and discovered, to my delight, that there were a number of wonderful words in the "D" section (Oh, the joys of alliteration!). I wrote a poem and showed it to my older brother who thought it was incredible. I was elated at his response but had no idea why he liked it so much until I'd grown older and had had more experience in the world:

Today you became convinced of the world
and it's dissolution,
And you could not fall asleep tonight 'till
you came to a conclusion.
Discontent with how things went
you strove to make discouraged,
Those who mayhap will fall a prey
to this destructive current.
This world is like a busy street
full of dissonance,
and of this distorted place you wish
to keep it at a distance.
You try in vain to explain but soon
become distraught,
because most people turn away and
hearken to you naught.
No greater inspiration comes to your
soul you see,
Than when you're in the situation of
divulging the mystery. 

 2/23/07

There are so many lost souls out there. Some look for the truth. Some would rather ignore the idea of eternity and spend their time gaining the world and losing their own soul. (Mark 8:36)
It is interesting that we Christians are so timid about sharing the way of life with others. We are taught by the world to have good manners. We are taught to respect other people's beliefs, differences; embrace diversity. And if you try to tell someone something they do not want to hear it is considered being aggressive or shoving it down their throat.
Sure, there is an element of courtesy and kindness that we all must possess when talking and sharing with others, but lately I have noticed that the Bible tells us to be quite convincing in very forward ways:

to Persuade. to Make. to Preach. to be Bold.

It says to be bold and not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. (Rom. 1:16, Eph 6:19) It says to make all men see what is the mystery of the fellowship. (Eph. 3:9) It says to be constantly ready to preach the gospel... in season, out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). It says to have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel. (Eph. 6:15) It says to persuade men. (2 Cor. 5:11)

And yet, as I stated above, adding to all of this speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Having your words seasoned with grace (Col. 4:6). Having sound speech (Titus 2:8).
Quite a challenge to find a good balance between the two, if you ask me.

Paul, the apostle, tells about being an ambassador: We're not just sitting around waiting for people to approach us with questions of eternity. Negative responses from people should not shut us up either. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 says, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
In Philippians we are told, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."


Let's say you're walking down a road, happen to hear from a passerby that farther ahead on the road you're traveling there's a dead end and told that if you take this other road you will get to paradise. So you change course. Would you just let others keep on heading in the wrong direction hoping that someone else will happen to tell them the news? Somebody's got to be that someone so why shouldn't it be you and me?

Romans 10:13-15

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? 

and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? 

and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? 

as it is written, 

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, 

and bring glad tidings of good things!

Dreamin' Big!

You know that silly question people ask you sometimes, "If you could go anywhere in the world that you want where would you go?" ...that's not such an easy question to answer. Especially if you've never traveled much. How does one decide upon a destination? England, France, Ireland, Japan, Mexico? ...there's a lot of places that sound pretty cool. 

 But I googled pictures of Italy the other day and I fell in love. 

Maybe it's just the way the entertainment industry has created the image of a big group of a happy Italian family sitting out of doors on a sunny day sharing a good laugh over a plate of spaghetti? 

 Maybe it's the simple and yet very elegant architecture... big archways, beige walls and the skinny tall trees.

 Or maybe it's the abundance of vineyards of the finest grapes in the world...

I'm not really sure what it is about Italy that intrigues me. ....maybe it's just that Italy reminds me of home. My home where the simple country architecture allows productivity. Where there are beautiful grapes and fruits and crops growing from God's bountiful earth. 
My home... where the family sits around a table sharing laughs over some of the best home-cooked meals. 

So really, who needs to travel when my own shrubby, gangly country land is the best place on earth?

home, where we make all our best memories
a child's paradise and a grown man's dream
to share learning and laughing with beloved family
home is the heart of the land of the free

A Frivolous Fop

I was browsing through an old dictionary and stumbled upon the word "dude." Curious to see what the definition was back before it meant you were cool I read in confusion, "a fop." What in the world is a fop?! I wondered. A fop turned out to be an "over dressed man." or according to The Free Dictionary, "A man who is preoccupied with and often vain about his clothes and manners; a dandy."
I imagined a  very sharp fellow from the 1920's dressed in an expensive suit, hat, shined leather shoes, a cane in one hand and a pocket watch in the other. Perhaps he had a good reason to be dressed up on any other given day... but this day he does not (because I say so) and is therefore rather frivolous. 

"A frivolous fop."

The phrase was stuck in my head. Mulling it around, trying it with other words, twisting it into a rhyme.... until one night Sally's Dandy was brought forth!

A Mr. Wickham sort of chap, with more care for fun at the expense of others than what harm his selfish pleasures and ill will might bring upon those whom he chooses to toy with.

Of course my ink and pen, feeling somewhat neglected, called my name. With a style inspired by a phrase carved onto a barn in 1863 it was terrifically exciting to write the swirling letters onto a blank, lined page.

(For an easier read this poem may also be found here: Sally's Dandy)

 

Unearthly

As I stood watching from the door, I had never seen anything so unearthly before. Like out of a movie the red sky behind the treeline, behind even the clouds made me feel small. Like there was, millions of miles away, a huge galaxy that I was catching a glimpse of through the window of this blood red sunset.

I felt minute and vulnerable as I beheld layers of atmosphere with my bare, fleshly eye. The expanse of a vastness I had never comprehended fully was taking hold of my senses as if beyond this vast depth of awesome space, normally concealed by a mask of blue sky, a shroud of clouds or dark night, lay the true reality.

I inhaled a breath of air as if to see if I was really in this world.

The finite, mortal confines of my mind accepted this test, but deep down my spirit marveled at how truly real and majestic it's Creator is.

Lightning over my head flashed and thunder shook the clouds in it's wake, like it was testifying that even the power of the air could be divided, and for a moment my soul soared with my spirit at the knowledge that it was a part of something bigger, something greater.

Before my brain could remind me that my feet were on the ground and bind my heart in earthly fear, I truly understood that I was a spiritual creature living out a physical experience.

I felt like I was in a StarWars movie, in a spaceship. That feeling you know every astronaut must get as he looks and sees the earth he's left behind him.

Then I realized once again where I was at and turned back to my work. My eyes blinked as if to find their bearings. The feeling that a body gets after a long flight. Jet lag. Trying to catch up to reality.

Rain and wind surged through open windows. Outside I saw the foliage twisting in the wind.

If ever there had been a magnificent sight the night had covered it in an oppressive darkness and with such fury the wind blew as though to get rid of any remaining evidence.

In punishment the wind relentlessly wailed upon the earth.

Truant strokes of lightning crossed the sky as I went out to bring the last few cows into the barn to be milked. I took note that, for once, my parents have turned on every light on the first level of the house; even the back porch light for good measure. Since I had fully regained my physical senses I was grateful knowing there would be light to guide me home.

A sigh escaped my lips as I turned back to my job. 

Back to earth, still looking for that blessed hope.

Titus 2:13

The 236th 4th of July

Once again we celebrate the United States of America! What a blessing to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we have the right to worship our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Happy 4th of July!!!

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

In the Local Paper

Our new, local paper, The Pulse, decided to have a whole issue with articles and whatnot provided by the readers. Upon hearing this I thought I might as well send in a poem and see if they'd publish it. I wasn't expecting that they would so I was surprised when I received a confirmation email asking for more information and a photograph to add to the paper!

I have to admit, it's a bit freaky having a poem out there for the "world" to see.... but it's exciting all the same!
Here's the link to page: 
 Wisconsin Poem, 1st page, 
 Wisconsin Poem, 2nd page

The Inspiration

I posted my midnight tower sketch on facebook and a friend left a comment saying that it, "...looks like something out of a Poe novel or Sherlock Holmes."

My inspiration was really from the song, "Kiss From a Rose," by Seal. 

 "There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea.
You became the light on the dark side of me...."

Nevertheless, when my friend mentioned Poe it made me wonder. I recently read two poems that Poe wrote. They were titled, "Annabel Lee" and "City in the Sea." Although I do not enjoy Poe's literature very much (the darkness of his work and of his life aren't appealing to me) and I was thinking of the song when I was inspired to create the picture, I can't help but wonder if subconsciously I was inspired or influenced by Edgar Allen Poe's poems. 

I don't think there is any way to really discover the answer to such a pondering. The subconscious is an intriguing mystery to me.

Happy New Year!!!!

As last year turned to the next,
to you and yours I wished the best.
Curious of what will come to be,
We allow ourselves new hopes and dreams.
So celebrate this year's new day,
for "auld lang syne" is what we say.

Today, the 1st of January, we start another year. Some people are looking forward to beginning new trends, setting resolutions and creating goals for the future. Others, while they may do some of these things anyways, see today as 'just another day.'
I would say that this is a definite attitude difference between youth and aged adults ...but I have noticed that this has to do with maturity of the mind rather than maturity of the body.  It also has to do with a person's fear of the future or of the unknown.
As Christians we do not worry that time is slipping away. We do not fear the future because God's word tells us what it will be like. It is not unknown to us. We know that though our time on earth will come to a close we will spend eternity in the heavenly places with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In all reality a new year isn't much to get excited about. It's a way to number the days and a time to remember the past and hope for the future but it isn't 'the end of  the world!' Really, considering the fact that the human race has been around for quite some time it is amusing that we see ourselves as so innovative and progressive.  "Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity." Ecc. 12:8

Ecclesiastes 1:9, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." 

We just continue in our little cycles... the good times and the bad, the ups and downs, the ebb and flow. If you get a chance read Ecclesiastes... we are not on this earth to be innovative or progressive but to live for Christ. It is in him that we find all of the fullness of life, the answers to all questions and the reason to live. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."  

So with that, as Paul the Apostle would say, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."

Have a wonderful 2012!!!

22 Degrees Tonight!

....Baby, it is COLD outside! Inspired by the awesome book, "Goodnight Moon" I have developed a quick poem that sarcastically romanticizes my feelings on going outside to work tonight and my overall enthusiasm of the rapidly approaching winter weather:
 

Hello mittens and long underwear,
Hello guys-are-lucky-because-they-can-grow-facial-hair.
Hello scarf and hello hat,
Hello "Thank you Lord for every ounce of my fat!"
Hello sunshine without any heat,
Hello five-layers-of-socks-on-my-feet.
Hello short days that are spent feeling numb
Hello "I can't feel my fingers and thumbs".
Hello Season that fills us with cheer,
Hello people, Winter is here!

2011 National Coffee Day!

Yes, it is truly a day of celebration. 

A day when we drink our coffee with cheer. 

This day we brew a pot with great elation, 

 



Thankful to drink coffee every day of the year!

Good Morning

It wasn't quite six this morning when my eyes cracked open to the sunlight streaming through my curtains. My flannel sheets were roasting me alive and I could hear my dad making coffee. So out of bed I got. I ate my breakfast on the deck and listened to the birds chirping. The smell of the air, still cool and sweet from the night. 

I don't normally wake up early and even if I did in the past 7 months it probably wasn't warm enough to sit outside. ....this has to be the best time on earth though. The fruit trees are pink and white, and everything's greening up. The air is simply fragrant! It's intoxicating. My mom's phlox are blooming on the edge of the woods calling you to venture in the enchanting world beyond.

Lately things have been super busy. The whole family has been working hard on lots of projects. Pruning apple trees, felling trees to get rid of the dead and excess wood. Isaac has expanded the lawn a little bit as he, Channing and Patrick have been enjoying golfing. They are quite proud of their green. In fact there was one section of long grass that seemed like it should be mowed and included in our lawn and Channing emphatically told me that they wanted it just the way it was because it made golfing more exciting! We've also been spending time in our massive garden removing the very happy weeds.

All of this new life and the love in my family and friends I've seen and experienced lately has created a surge of poetry in me. You are welcome to read my poems on my poetry blog Peculiar Reminiscence. But be forewarned, they have a tendency to be a little cheesy or unrefined. Like I said, a lot of my poetry is inspired by things I observe and the people I'm with, so you never know.......  I may have been inspired by YOU! ;)

Well now Chaps, it's off to milk the cows. Have I ever mentioned how much fun it is to milk cows? ...if I haven't we need to have this talk soon. ;) In fact, I feel that everyone should at least milk cows once in their life... it is simply therapy to the soul. =) TTFN... ta ta for now.

The Barn

It's wizened frame protrudes into the atmosphere,

it stands one hundred feet high, if not more,

and it's age surpasses a century.

In length it's body is bowed,

as if from the burden of many years

it has hunched over like the back of a worn, old man.

The floor sags as if the years of plenty and poor 

have finally taken their toll.

Remains of hay and oats lay on the floor boards,

as a blanket of orange needles does a forest floor,

mixed with mildew and pigeon dung.

The cycle of life is that of decomposition.

A perfect paradise for creatures of all kinds;

mice, rats, an occasional opposum or raccoon, swallows and bats.

It's once industrious spaces now give rent to wild nature.

The roof above now sheds light into the dusty, darkened shell.

Shingles stolen by heavy winds reveal it's bald, wooden skull.

A ladder climbs the Southern wall like a spine

and at the top, in the crossbeams of a small window,

a sparrow chirps the oracles of life.

From whence it came, thence shall it return.

Below, young livestock find shelter from a Northern, winter wind

while above lucky gusts find a rest after whistling 

through cuts and wounds that missing wall boards have created.

How much longer it shall stand it knows not.

It lives to tell of the years past with pride, 

through decrepit it may be.

It greets the new day and wishes the night farewell.

Though it was wrought by the hands of man 

it humbly declares the greatness of the Eternal God.

It quakes with praises and whispers gratitude

that it has provided aid to His wondrous creation.

...So stands the barn.