Lydia and I were cooling off in the Lower Cascades at Hanging Rock when Dad took this picture. It makes me want to go to a river or something and enjoy the refreshment of natural water.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Do You Care For Some Tea?
In the SUMMER!! Oh, yes, in the summer, too! Who can resist a hot mug of tea or a tea party with friends (boys included!) in the middle of summer? Better yet, why not have a Christmas-themed party-- in the middle of summer! I should actually do that.
You may get the point by now: I like to do things untraditionally. I like to change things around a bit. Why not? Now, just to be very clear, I do NOT agree with homosexuality or transgender or anything of that sort. What God made to be a man, is a man. What God made to be a woman, is a woman. God also made marriage-- it was His idea-- as between one man and one woman. So now you know, I am talking about things instituted by man that do not go against God.
Of course, I can't deny that I like certain traditions (like pasca for Christmas breakfast every year, or hummingbird cake for Easter), but sometimes I wish people would realize that you don't have to do things just because "that's what you do." Or not do things during a certain season because "you only do that in the summer," or "you only do that around the holidays." (What "holidays are we even talking about? There are holidays all year long!)
So if you get invited to a tea party (remember, boys, they aren't just for girls)* or a Christmas party any time soon, don't be alarmed.
*One of the best tea parties I have been to included young men who seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. In fact, my older brother even did a surprise tea party for us girls one time.
You may get the point by now: I like to do things untraditionally. I like to change things around a bit. Why not? Now, just to be very clear, I do NOT agree with homosexuality or transgender or anything of that sort. What God made to be a man, is a man. What God made to be a woman, is a woman. God also made marriage-- it was His idea-- as between one man and one woman. So now you know, I am talking about things instituted by man that do not go against God.
Of course, I can't deny that I like certain traditions (like pasca for Christmas breakfast every year, or hummingbird cake for Easter), but sometimes I wish people would realize that you don't have to do things just because "that's what you do." Or not do things during a certain season because "you only do that in the summer," or "you only do that around the holidays." (What "holidays are we even talking about? There are holidays all year long!)
So if you get invited to a tea party (remember, boys, they aren't just for girls)* or a Christmas party any time soon, don't be alarmed.
A tea party with friends in May.
Another one in June.
God bless you all, and don't forget your tea!
Elisabeth
*One of the best tea parties I have been to included young men who seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. In fact, my older brother even did a surprise tea party for us girls one time.
Over the Hill...
And through the woods. Where will it lead? Where will we go? What will we find? Sometimes we just need to go on a little ramble. My sisters and I have gone on many explorations through our neighboring woods. We have been through it all (at least most of it) many times, but, especially when Hannah's home, we still love to go explore. We have a favorite spot that we call the "island" where the land dips and then rises again, probably where the loggers from long ago pushed all the debris from their logging. A little farther down the hill, there is a little spring that we call Leakey Spring where we often find salamanders or even a snake! Even if nothing especially exciting happens, it is fun to act like something is happening. Also we just enjoy being together.
Life is a little like those rambles: we never know what we will come across. Sometimes those rambles might end in disaster, or we think they are disasters because we don't see the big picture--God's picture. God is always with us, and no matter where we end up, He will help us.
Life is a little like those rambles: we never know what we will come across. Sometimes those rambles might end in disaster, or we think they are disasters because we don't see the big picture--God's picture. God is always with us, and no matter where we end up, He will help us.
God bless, and enjoy the rambling!
Elisabeth
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Now what?
I am done with high school... so now what? I thought I would be so glad, so relieved, to be done with school. I am! However, now that I am done I feel a lot of pressure to do something. But what? Yes, get a job (I may begin working at a nearby cafe), do volunteer work (I may help at a nearby Pregnancy Care Center), and continue to pursue God. But no matter how much my loving mom (or sisters, brothers, Dad, or friends for that matter) gives me great advice (which I am thankful for), I still sometimes feel lost. I want to know what's going to happen.
You know what? I don't need to know what's going to happen. I am not in control, God is. When I seriously think about it, I don't want to be in control. I'm just one girl who isn't all that smart living among millions of other people who are lot smarter. God, on the other hand, "created the heavens, and stretched them out" (Isaiah 42:5), He made all things, He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" (Revelation 1:8). Why would I ever want to be in control? I am learning that it is better for me to be totally out of control and let God be totally in control (or remember that He already is).
A few quotes I have come across lately have been encouraging to me in this respect. I hope they encourage you as well.
"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah 41:13). He will help me, I needn't fear or worry.
"Whatever did not agitate the Saviour or ruffle His spirit, was not to agitate him [Hudson Taylor]." This was the comment an Episcopalian minister in Australia made after observing Taylor. This is the way I want to be; if Jesus is not worried about the political mess we are in (which He isn't), if He is not worried about the terrorist attacks so prevalent (which He isn't), if He is not worried about my future (which He isn't), than neither should I.
"Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness." ~John Calvin
You know what? I don't need to know what's going to happen. I am not in control, God is. When I seriously think about it, I don't want to be in control. I'm just one girl who isn't all that smart living among millions of other people who are lot smarter. God, on the other hand, "created the heavens, and stretched them out" (Isaiah 42:5), He made all things, He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending" (Revelation 1:8). Why would I ever want to be in control? I am learning that it is better for me to be totally out of control and let God be totally in control (or remember that He already is).
A few quotes I have come across lately have been encouraging to me in this respect. I hope they encourage you as well.
"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah 41:13). He will help me, I needn't fear or worry.
"Whatever did not agitate the Saviour or ruffle His spirit, was not to agitate him [Hudson Taylor]." This was the comment an Episcopalian minister in Australia made after observing Taylor. This is the way I want to be; if Jesus is not worried about the political mess we are in (which He isn't), if He is not worried about the terrorist attacks so prevalent (which He isn't), if He is not worried about my future (which He isn't), than neither should I.
"Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness." ~John Calvin
Go in peace and be refreshed by our great Saviour's goodness.
Elisabeth
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Many Things
There have been many things that I have wanted to post about but never did. Therefore, I will just compile them all into one post of snippets of random things in my summer. Enjoy!
Just about every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings I slip my bare feet into an old pair of rain boots and go down through the woods to take care of the neighbors' animals. There are goats, chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
By far, Nancy and Peggy Sue are my favorites of the animals. Here, Peggy Sue is eagerly waiting for me to open the gate while Nancy is a little more reserved, as always.
We went blueberry-picking and Lydia ate a LOT! (I can't deny I had my own fill!)
I finished Biology! Yeepers! This work book has been faithful through various grades since 5th grade.
I must admit that it holds much more than science work. You may have read this poem before but had no idea where it was first written.
Yesterday I took a short but sweaty bike ride and took some pictures on my favorite little farm road.
The dried corn was beautiful.
Well, that's it and dinner is ready!
Elisabeth
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Come and Go With Me...
To my little house in the woods. First...
We must take this path to get to my house.
And here we are. Welcome to my house!
Let me step out of the way so you can see the front yard.
This is my house number.
This is the entry way to the front door (the three bricks lined up is the door).
The very oddly shaped house (and a funny foot).
You have to have a bathroom (even if it is very small)!
And a fireplace.
Looking out the front door.
The kitchen counter (a back-breaking affair when cooking).
Looking out the back door onto the patio.
The famous three-legged chair (notice the board that is used as the fourth leg). Although this may look scary or uncomfortable, it is one of my favorite places to sit.
The yard decor--bones.
An old plastic pail serves as more decoration...
Along with a painted flower pot...
A cross...
A painted bird feeder (in much disrepair)...
A sky-rise holding up a board for a bench...
One of my favorites--an old mailbox trailer...
And, finally one half of a house.
Thank you for joining me on the tour of my house on this gorgeous, sunny June day.
By the way, I took this tour in June, just so you are not too confused about the last note above.
Happy Sunday!
Elisabeth
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