A second chance is heavens heart

The road we set out on can be fresh and new,
the new paths we decide to take in this new set of days.
The days don't have to be dark or painful.

We'll all have resolutions, ways to start over plans made in hopes of keeping.
Were wonderfully good at keeping that one little ember of hope alive in our hearts, no matter how many times we've failed theirs still that something in us that keeps us on. We posses a funny measure of fortitude and we never show that as much as at the beginning of the year. But do any of us truly have a plan that will make the days ahead move smoothly, no matter what comes ? That would be impossible, still further do we have a deep promise that what we've planned will come about ? I doubt in that natural. I write a lot on this blog about God, about a loving father who has made ways for us where we see mountains and brier hedges, impassible places made for us to concur.
He through His son and through His word has given us a promise for a good life.

"I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly" john 10:10 

I especially love the picture of the fathers love and care in Deuteronomy 32: 10-14
I have taken the liberty to change the them's to you's 

  Out in an empty, windswept wasteland you were found.
  The father threw His arms around you lavishing attention on you 
 guarding you as the apple of His eye.
    He is like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young,
  Then spreads its wings, lifting them into the air teaching you to fly.
    God alone leads you, there is no one else in sight, He lifts you high...

The remaining verse tells of how he provides the best for you, the choicest of blessings he gives to      you his own special possession. I encourage you at the start of this year remind yourself this is where your help comes from, if your life has been surrendered to Christ, therein lies your hope for fulfilment of every dream for this year, born and yet unborn.
He's a good father and all it takes is trust in Him in everything to live a peaceable life.
I'll be keeping this in mind for this year, I hope you do too.

I pray that God will lead you to peaceable habitations and quiet resting places, this year and that if trouble does arise he will be your tower of safety. I pray that He will train your hands to war against every thing that tries to get in the way of His good plan for your life, so that you will be a fierce follower of Him living free in Him.
Theres good things ahead dearest reader, so keep your chin up, and have a blessed new year.

The Legend of Valentine

How about a valentines legend that is both romantic and tragic ?
I have been reading countless tales here and there about the real St Valentine.

The tale you are about to read is over a thousand five hundred years old.

There once was a man named Valentinus a priest, who lived near Rome.
In the times of great persecution to the early church he often helped the early christians in there plight.
And provided covert wedding rituals to soldiers in the roman legions to those they loved. Against the law of the holy roman emperor. Who believed that married men didn't make for good soldiers.
It is said that he cut out parchment hearts to represent the love of Christ, and gave them as tokens to remember Him in there trials. His many good deeds prove to be too much and the holy roman emperor after trying to convert him to paganism, has him imprisoned due to his stout and unwavering faith.
Enter the beautiful jailers daughter, Julia. The jailer I have heard him called Asterius, clutching his blind daughter in his arms takes her to the jail where Valentinus is imprisoned. He has heard of his abilities to heal the sick and his skills with medicine. Begging him to teach and heal his daughter, he brings her every day to glean from the learned mind of the priest. Valentinus spends time reading her the history of Rome,  and describing the world around her, one she cannot see. He teaches her all sorts of things, and most importantly about a loving father who gave the best scarifies to the world through His son. She learns to trust him, and see the world through his eyes, as he sees it, and finds comfort in his strong faith and silent strength to trust in God. Some legends say that Julia is healed by the prayers of Valentinus, others say that her healing was not immediate but that with the priest as her guide she never wavered in faith to believe. Legends say that a bloom of love sprang up between Valentinus and Julia the beautiful blind jailers daughter. whether this is true or just some medieval fancy to create romance out of every legend I couldn't say. Valintinus is taken to be executed but before his sentence is carried out he writes a note to the beautiful jailers daughter and signs it from your Valentine.
His sentence is carried out on the fourteenth of February.
Hence the day we celebrate Love.
Does it seem strange to anyone else that we celebrate the day that a person was martyred for his faith ?
I don't know if the legend is absolutely true, needless to say I won't be swearing in a court of law.
Still I thought it was an interesting story, one I could see being written into a full fledged dramatic and tragic novel. I have heard the one about the jailers daughter helping Valentinus to escape by bringing him the prison keys and by following the sound of his voice makes her way safely through the roman prison. If thats not a dramatic breadcrumb for a novel than I have no idea anymore.

In truth the most important thing to remember today and every day is the beautiful creator of love.
The one who is love through and through. The one who gave you his life so that you might live.
I have often thought about why in the world would it even matter if we all went to hell, it was something we deserved after turning our backs on our maker.
Why would God even worry about the strange creation he had spoke into existence.
Why would after years of struggling with there rebellious ways, become one of them to redeem them.
I asked god this question, I was confussed that after all, after the ultimate betrayal. Why would he still do all that. And to say all that I'm not just saying the immense pain that Christ suffered at our behafs, the worst pain to ever be suffered. But the years of patience, and waiting and guiding. Love isn't just big things you see, it's small and      
 huge and indescribable at the same time.






What I heard was simply, because I AM LOVE. There could be no other way for the creator to be with the creatures made in his image if he didn't. And that's the most beautiful picture I can imagine,
That the Father would want us so much to be his family, he wouldn't just turn his backs on us when we did the   same to him.
Look around you and see the beautiful valentine God writes to you every day. He says I Love you today and nothing you do will ever change that.
I hope whether you have someone special to spend the day with or not.
You will come to know what today is really about. It's more than just one man who was marterd.
Lets remember Who he would not let go of even in the face of certain death.
Even with our imperfect understanding we can see that he learned to love and give from love Himself. And What a glorious love that is.
Happy love day to all my dearest followers.

photos via pinterest

Jane Austen's bicentennial of a most beloved novel

photo via pinterest

If it is the general thought that a person who has a disposition that is apt to day dreams, and long periods of musings and spends countless lifetimes over papers and keyboards, opening a vein and letting there life seep into afore mentioned paper. With the sole intention of carving out a name for him/her self into the metaphorical history books where people who do great things are put and remembered for. Then there isn't a person who has done this more than Miss Jane Austen.
Now I'm not saying every writer writes for the sole purpose of getting recognised, and of course I would not say that every time someone jots down a story and gets published they will be remembered for it. But as I said at the start of this long winded sentence that if it is the general thought, than there would be no one more remarkable to anyone achieving these high expectations than Jane Austen.
In the remarkable case of miss Austen I must say that I really have no idea how plausible it is to dream of attaining here level of success. The sad part of it is that most of her success she was never to realise. But if she could read this from her writers heaven than I would really love to show her just how much people love her work. (Picture the Doctor Who episode, Vincent and the Doctor, where the doctor takes Van Gogh to see    just how much he is loved and appreciated after all that time.)
Sniffles that episode always does it to me. There is none such compliment that can be payed to an artist than that of the appreciation compliment. And miss Austen is a top recipient.
Why all this rambling ? Well in case you hadn't heard, today is the two hundredth anniversary of one of the most timeless love stories ever written. Timeless ? Isn't that a bit dramatic, what really is there to the story called Pride and Prejudice that makes it so timeless. There are many assumptions we can make about why, especially when the story isn't very complex, I mean that respectively in every way.
The characters are not unusual, and really unremarkable. So what is it that had gotten deep into the psyche of every person who loves some incarnation of the story or another.
I will place my theory here, to you in as plain as I can place it. Jane Austen always wrote from the heart. And yes that can be done even if one knows nothing of what one is writing.
The love stories evoke the longing of the heart to be truly cherished. Even for miss Austen that much is clear. And I could write nearly twenty pages on this being from out truest human nature longing for only the purest love that only one person can give and only one person gave.
But that's not the subject of this post. What ever it is that made this story to last all this time, and still be enjoyed by audiences after two hundred years is nothing short of Devine providence.
Pride and Prejudice is a tale that pulls at ones hears strings, because its a tale of the heart and nothing else, and that's why it's still so popular. So let me take this time with you all dearest readers to celebrate the long lasting letters that were so fatefully written in a young maidens flowery scrawl.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife" 
            ~ Pride and Prejudice
Happy birthday to the story that still makes people everywhere smile and sigh in a happy way.
I can only hope that you and I endeavouring writers will meet with as much success as that book.
And Miss Austen our hats are off to you on this momentous occasion. If it were the eighteen hundreds we would no doubt hold a ball.
And I must say I would take the time to thank you for teaching me to be a fearless, and witty and heartfelt writer with as much sentament as I bodily posess, to be poured out on the pages. Even of only for my own satisfaction.


  '' I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too      long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun" 

            ~ Pride and prejudice 

         

photo via tumblr

The Passing of the Year

Old Year! upon the Stage of Time
     You stand to bow your last adieu;
A moment, and the prompter's chime
     Will ring the curtain down on you.
Your mien is sad, your step is slow;
     You falter as a Sage in pain;
Yet turn, Old Year, before you go,
     And face your audience again.
Excerpt from The passing of the year, by Robert W Service


Here we are again at the end of a year, it seems that it were only yesterday that I wrote a farewell to 2011 and 2012 was new and fresh and exciting.

I feel it needless to say that this year flew by at a rapid and unnecessary speed. But what can one do ?
The end of the year is strange, how it holds so many emotions, in the space of a crammed week or two.
Christmas and new years, and for me, my birthday smack in the middle of that.
Turning twenty doesn't feel any different than turning nineteen, or any age before that. One can be ten and be twenty inside, every one makes a big deal about birthdays, but my family has never been too overly happy when they come around. And I am quite happy about that.  Age is truly nothing, its the character and maturity that counts, and I hope I'm not too adult or too childlike but a happy mixture of both when the occasion calls for it. But enough about me.
What does the year of our Lord two thousand and thirteen hold ?
Is it just me or does anyone else feel that it sounds a bit science fiction ?
What it holds is any ones guess, for every human on the planet.  For me and my family it would be useless to try and guess. Mostly because I wouldn't what to under expect the immense possibilities, that are just waiting ahead, how embarrassing would it be to find myself facing something so great and above my wildest dreams and say,
Oh I'm sorry I just didn't expect you to be so Grand.
I hope that made sense, what I'm trying to say is I'm keeping my expectations open, and great expectations they are.
Why do I have such great expectations ? Well its only because I know Whose holding the story of my life and my families. Who wrote it with His blood, and planned it before the foundations of the world.
Sure I shall jot down a few things I want to accomplish in the up coming year, or if your reading this in Australia, in the new year. :)))
But I know with a confidant as-surety that though these things may not get accomplished in my own human weakness, if I commit these to my Lord He will give me the super to my natural, and I will be able to do all things through Him.
Also my ideas of grander are so tainted and tarnished compared to what he has is store, how can I not be excited ?
I hope this day finds you dear reader, happy with the past year, and excited about the new one ahead.
But if not, as such is the case for many, I pray that God will give you peace, and happiness.
He really does if you place your Hope, confidant expectation of good in Him.
And may the new year be filled with Good surprises all through to the next.
Farewell year, you have been good, and I hope your next of kin will be better and better.
I shall remember you fondly.

Photos via pinterest

Musings of Love And other Valentines Thoughts

Its easy to get caught up in the swift currant of romance, to daydream of love, for me I dream up all sorts of romance stories which I hope to pen someday.
 Many posts this week have been about love, I have often wondered what the true definition of love can be, different thoughts float through my mind as I wonder how to define a love that is multifaceted, multicolored and deeply set, is all love the same ? I should hope not, I would think it to be different for each heart and situation. What do you think ?
In defining love the dictionary is very unhelpful yes at a time like this it fails me, it describes something outward a fleeting fleeting something carnal, affected by tempest and gale. but isn't love more than that ?
I have to admit I quite like the idea of a day dedicated to love in any form sweet and unfailing deep and solid, and then I become a bit cynical shouldn't we always remember love every day isn't that the most important in every place in life, why do we need one day to remind us of this, imagine with me a world that every day we tell those dear to us how much they mean to us, with small smiles and hugs sweet words and  given every day, wouldn't the gifts of a listening ear and an open heart which wither not be more appreciated than the flower which fades ? I seem to be torn on this thought I do hope that even though we have a day dedicated to love, we don't save all that love for just one day but find some way to share that love every moment we breath.

I have also heard allot about how lonely valentines day can be, I seem to be confused here because we have the greatest lover, He who loves our souls. He gave his life to show us that love and wrote us the most beautiful valentine across the world, across time and history, with each burning star and this earth bursting with pure life He wrote that valentine and signed it with His blood, to the world with all the Love of the heavens from love its self your valentine Love. Today if your lonely remember this let Him wrap you in Love like no other a love that truly can't be defined, nay shouldn't be defined.
Thank you for letting me think out loud, I would love to hear your thoughts.


I hope you all have a happy love day.

The Road to Christmas

Pictures via Pintrest 

Ah, I love this season, the Christmas season that is, well any season is really on my list of favorites but christmas is one of the best.  This time of year holds a special kind of magic, don't you think ? the fireside evenings and warm moments shared with family. All of these bring a special kind of awe inspiring memories that, I'm sure we all have. I have fond memories of very special traditions and you'd probably think them quirky and weird if I told you about them all, so I'll refrain. Suffice it to say I love this time of year, most of the time, at lest right now at this moment, forget the last two doubting sentences. I love this time of year, but I must say does it seem that it came upon us rather quickly ? perhaps its just me but I feel that autumn was just here and it disappeared much too quickly.
I mean how does one comfortably cram thanksgiving and christmas and all that entails into two short months ? it seems impossible. It doesn't really matter though for my family, but I wont get into that, remember the quirky traditions, still refraining. How does one cram all the wonderful things to be done this time of year into two meager months and still leave time for that start of the year, I hope with out stress, isn't it sad when one sees individuals trudging through the christmas season waiting with bated breath for it to be over, such a shame. How do you deal with the ever shortening time ?
I hope you my blogging friends are having a wonderful winter, christmas season with your family.

I would love to know what your favorite thing about christmas or winter is, who knows I might just write a post about my favorite thing later on, well see.
have a wonderful UNSTRESSED rest of the week.

Through the Eyes of a Child

Close your eyes and remember, remember a time when everything held within its self a quality of enchantment. Remember the dreams, excitement, and charm of life seen through the eyes of a  unburdened  heart.

 

Every moment held an inexpressible characteristic of something, something that could not be described. Why, I ask my self is it that as we grow we lose that special quality to see the lighter things. Why do we become so absorbed in the things that "must be done" that we completely forget about the important things, things like magic and wonder and the beauty of things that are seemingly simple, but can because of some complex reason that I don't understand hold the most meaning to every one involved. 

 I implore you to remember to look at this Christmas season through the eyes of a child, try though it may be hard, to forget about the endless things that need doing, or the many things that are piling up, and be in the moment. Its easy to be overwhelmed at this time of year with parties, presents, family, and our own expectations to make things absolutely perfect. Just remember that the most important things rarely are the big things that we try to with strength and might to pull off, but are the tiny things that take nearly no planing or are the spontaneous and simple things that give us warm happy memories. Things like walks in the winter snow, or traditions that have been passed from generation to generation, I know that even these things take someone planing them to make them happen, and its easy to despise this season because of the work and planning that goes into it but please don't. This christmas look at everything as a child would and find yourself in a wonder world of inspiration and joy, because christmas isn't about all the things we get hung up on, but its about remembering the real reason we have to celebrate. The freedom we have because of one tiny child and the sacrifice that He would ultimately make for all of us.

           All photos via Pintrest








                         

Thankful Musings

I'm feeling extra sentimental today, perhaps its because I'm far away from the rest of my family, perhaps its because the thought of special  holidays bring lots of special memories to mind. Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I was unable to express all that I'm thankful for here in a post, so today this post is going to get a bit erratic, brace your selfs.
 Firstly my mind has been a playground for my favorite memories they have been flooding my mind all morning and yesterday, as I said being away from half of my family never gets easy as its only happened a few times, I have been thinking about my family how I miss you all, who ever said ''They who go Feel not the pain of parting; it is they Who stay behind that suffer'' was wrong I am missing you all very much, thinking about you all helps.
  Dear thanksgiving you came much too soon this year and while I'm happy you are here I wish you would not have rushed in to my surprise unannounced.
speaking of thanksgiving, while on pintrest I saw a picture that reminded me of our thanksgivings from my childhood, when I was little my mother made my older sister, myself and younger brother a special hat this picture reminded me of those, we fancied ourselves little pilgrims with our little white bonnets fashioned in the style worn by the first settlers, and our younger brother had a cute little blue cap that reminded me of a sailors winter hat. I loved those hats, but  haven't thought about them in a very long time.

I know my family and I will have our own special celebration for giving thanks when we are all together again, but for now heres a few things I'm very thankful for.

Firstly my family you are my candle of inspiration in this life you make my life so colorful in your own special ways and I cannot imagine my life without you.

 God has surely blessed us this year with an over abundance of his grace and love, His blessings have profusely multiplied in every way. 

 Gods unmitigated love to this world that takes my breath away each and every moment, it is truly beautiful to behold. 

each breath I take on this wonderful earth that He created,  the wonder all around me and the eyes he gave me to see it. 

 Good friends near and far, Good music, and Happy moments that seem to etch themselves into my memory. 

A creative heart that I hope to never lose, and use for Gods glory. 

Colors life would be so dull with out them, 

  and a place to call home. 

and how could I forget all you wonderful friends i now have via blogs you are all wonderful and bring me happiness, especial now that you have so graciously allowed me to be so arbitrary and understand. 

Until its time to go home I'll have to be happy with thinking about home, and fill my mind with all the things  have to be thankful for in this season.  How about you, what are you thankful for I would love to hear.  

Sending you love 

October Storm photographs

Well dear readers I promised pictures from the snow storm we got hit with on saturday, here is just a few of them.
     

These were taken early on in the day, the snow was just a light dusting then, later it would gather up

       to about  twelve inches or more.     

  I have to say I love snow but I also love autumn and I was so unhappy that my autumn colors were ruined by snow. But then I unhappily went out side, after my mother forced me to go. Though I was fighting every second I was soon was caught up in the magic of the moment,
 SNOW softly falling like a million  FEATHERS 
             fluttering
                 FALLING                                                  
                          swirling                                                                                                     

  STICKING to every LEAFE every patch of uncovered GROUND,
       TICKLING My cheeks DANCING around me, ah I was caught up in the beauty, no longer  
   fighting the warm  DELIGHTED feelings that arose within me.      

 SNOW during autumn, you want to know something ? I completely didn't mind having my AUTUMN colors ruined for a time by that lovely SNOW.  I realized I was doubly Blessed to have Autumn and Winter together in an exquisite display BLENDED perfectly together  by NATURE.
I would not trade that experience for anything My eyes captured everything my camera could not. How I will TREASURE everything, the white scenes, the CRISP wind, the very distinct smell of snow, ask me sometime and I'll try and describe it to you.
I hope you enjoy the pictures of those near perfect scenes.

Sending you love 

Autumn Tea.

 I have my sweater on, my trusted boots all laced and and a wide grin gracing my face, what is it that I a smiling about ?   I am joining The Old fashioned Girl and Grace in her lovely garden for a walk through the orchard I love the idea of gathering together to celebrate autumn and every thing we love and enjoy about the season. One such gathering going on until the twenty third of october is a spot of tea, a lovely link up if you love anything and everything about tea. Think of it as a tea party online from blog to lovely blog.
you can add your link, or just come along and see what others have to share just click here

Tea lovely tea, delicate dried leaves steeped in hot water poured from a beautiful pot, lovely china, silver spoons ah a moment to relax and be fully drawn in letting your senses awake in the aromatic scents of the lovely leaves take in a breath and and savor the fleeting moment of peace.

I don't understand why we americans don't have afternoon tea the english do and many other countries still enjoy a cup, but for us it has become a morning drink that has long been in the shadows of coffee and other coffee drinks, its a shame, tea is really a lost treasure.
I remember tea parties well, though it has been some time sense I have actually had a real tea party, ah time flies it seems only yesterday my sister and I were lulling away lovely hours in the sun under a favorite tree laughing and playing we were high born english ladies having our afternoon tea. But here I am now having a fall tea party with all of you ! Come and join me
                                                        THE TABLE 
I have set up a little table out side on a crisp autumn day, and have lain a lovely white or linen piece of cloth over the table, and spread some colored leaves from my yard across the table like a table runner of nature, my center piece is a bunch of home made paper flower, you can find the how to HERE

 

   aren't these cute ? I just had to post these, there party favors or place cards with a lovely flavored tea inside what a nice idea . I am placing these on my table also.

and for decorations, a felt autumn leaf garland, so cute  

 REFRESHMENTS

At my table I'm placing

Griddle scones recipe here these look really simple and delicious 

Walnut cake with caramel whipped cream recipe here next time I make a cake I'm making this one 

And lastly Ina Garten's Cranberry Harvest Muffins recipe here I have tried these and can say they are scrumptious, my whole family really enjoys them every time we make them. 

TEA

And now to the tea, any kind is just fine whether you take black or herbal tea.            

I really love Earl grey or english breakfast, both have a subtle hint of orange and other spices, served with a drop of cream and a bit of sugar its the best afternoon relaxer so that is what I am placing at my table . But I have to say you can have any kind of refreshment especially sense its autumn, why not have mulled cider served with cinnamon sticks and star anise?  that would be a lovely way to celebrate autumn. I know its not tea but its so darn good and one only drinks it in the autumn, so serve both.  

I hope you come along and enjoy an autumn tea on your blog too,  just remember to ask 

Mothers day.

 Mother, the word alone hopefully brings you a wealth of sweet memories from childhood. soft hands that tucked you in at night, gentile reprimands and words of wisdom to guide you,
sweet smiles and an even sweeter voice full of love.
Mothers are the one constant we have in our lives, from the time we are born and all through our lives she is there guiding us, teaching us. She will cry with us, laugh with us and give us all the encouraging  words we need all through our lives.
Mothers have one of the hardest jobs, if one would call it a job,
it is more a life dedicated to the service of the lives she has helped create. mothers bear the pains and joys of bring up children, their deep love for the little lives that surround them is unspeakable. I have been blessed with a wonderful mother,
She truly has colored our family with joy and love, she is imprinted in each of  my brothers and sisters and my self, the threads of her love and grace will follow us all our lives. every moment we have her to confide in she is a shoulder to cry on she is a source of strength and a life to model ours after.
My prayer is that every one has someone in their lives to be this for them. My family and I have been blessed with a Godly beautiful woman who has lived her life for each of us.   remember to treasure your mother every moment you are here to care for her as much as she has cared for you. Happy mothers day to every woman who has raised or helped to raise a child, who has loved deeply and felt the pangs or joys of motherhood. you are an inspiration to me.

resurrection day

this is one of my favorite songs, and is appropriate for the season don't you think ? we should remember why he died, to give us not only everlasting life but also a personal relationship with our father God.
He is so good and loves each and every one of us so much, enjoy today.

In Him.

He is RISEN !!!!

Happy resurrection day !!!!!!
It is  a time truly to reflect on His love for us.
My family and I always make this a special time of year, We try and focus on Jesus and His great sacrifice, and Gods unspeakable Love for us. We have so much to be thankful for, because He is risen,
we have Him on the inside of each and every one of us, we are redeemed from every thing this fallen world try's to put on us, we have His forgiveness, and his grace, we have his spirit to guide us, and we have a personal relationship with God all because he came. But its not just because He died its because He
ROSE AGAIN. Take this weekend and every day to focus on His Love and The sacrifice that was so freely given for all men.

John 1:29
Look the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!
hebrews 10:10
For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
 John 10:18
no one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. for I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. for this is what My father commanded.
Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with christ. it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthy body by trusting in the son of God, who loves me and gave himself for me.
ephesians 1:6
so we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to His dear son.

Happy resurrection