Tuesday, May 22, 2018

by the book // a tag blog

 Hello friends, welcome back!

Okay, who else loves tags as much as me? They are so much fun to sit down and do. Answer questions, think about yourself, and wonder who you truly are inside.
I was reading old blogs this morning and stumbled across some of my old tags I did in the past. This one I first did here in 2016. I thought perhaps it would be fun to get this tag circulating again. What do you think?


The rules are simple. Just answer the questions and tag a few friends to do the same! On your mark, get set, go!

// What is on your nightstand right now?
The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
Here is Edward Bear, coming downstairs now, bumpy, bump, bump, on the back of his head, behind Christopher Robin. It is, as far as he knows, the only way of coming downstairs, but sometimes he feels that there really is another way, if only he could stop bumping for a moment and think of it.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Once upon a time, sixty years ago, a little girl lived in the Big Woods of Wisconsin, in a little gray house made of logs. The great, dark trees of the Big Woods stood all around the house, and beyond them were other trees and beyond them were more trees. As far as a man could go to the north in a day, or a week, or a whole month, there was nothing but woods. 

More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Oregon Women by Gayle C. Shirley

 The Path of Loneliness by Elizabeth Elliot



// What was the last truly great book you read?
It has been so long since I sat down and truly read. I am not certain what I would say was the last great book I picked up?
Perhaps it was The Magnolia Story by Chip and JoAnna Gaines.


// If you could meet any writer - dead or alive - Who would it be and what would you want to know?
Louis L'Amour. He was such a fascinating character. A seamen, cowboy, soldier, boxer, and of course, a writer. If you could do it, he did it.
He traveled around the world and met many people of all kinds of lifestyles.
I would love to just sit and listen to his tales of yesterday. 

// What books might we be surprised to find on your shelves?
Perhaps you would be surprised to find that I own many biographies and autobiographies. Books on facts and history. I have story based ones as well, but I seem to love the true stories of people who really live/lived. 


// How do you organize your personal library?
By author, sizes, and kind of writing. The classics here. The biographies there. The fictional series here. Someday I would like a bookshelf but for now they sit in the "pantry' my husband built. This is the first time my books have been out of a box in about three years!

// What book have you always meant to read but haven't gotten around to it yet?
*wracks brain*
Honestly, I have no idea. There really isn't any book out there that I am "dying to get my hands on". 

// Anything you feel embarrassed never to have read?
Well... I am not embarrassed for never have reading this but, I have never read the Narnia books. Growing up, those were not allowed and I honestly never had the desire to read them. I remember going to Christian school from 4th-6th grade and everyone gasping with shock when they found out I wasn't allowed/never had read those books. Now that I am married and an "adult", I personally still have no desire to read them *shrugs*. Fantasy just isn't my thing.

// Disappointing, Overrated, Just not good: What book did you feel you were suppose to like but didn't?
I remember stating this in my entry two years ago, but the only thing I can really think of was Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss.
It was far to sad for me during that stage of my life. Perhaps if I read it now I would feel differently.


 // Do you remember the last book you put down without finishing?
Sadly, yes... It was
This Life I Live by Rory Feek.
I thoroughly was enjoying this book! Life just got super busy (dating, engagement, and marriage) and I never was able to finish it.

// What kind of stories are you drawn to? Any you stay clear of?
Anything historical with mountain men, Indians, and pioneers. As well as classics like Anne of Green Gables, Heidi, and Little Women.
I usually steer clear from "self help" books, fantasy, or modern day stories. Just not my thing.

// If you could require the president to read one book, what would it be?
The Bible.
And perhaps Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence by Benson J. Lossing.
Written in 1848, it talks about each of the signers who fought to make this a free nation. Stating how almost all were followers of Jesus Christ.

// What do you plan to read next?
Hmm.... I think perhaps if I ever finish the books I have already started, I would like to re-read the Anne Shirley books by L.M. Montgomery.


Anything surprise you? Do you know any of these authors or books? What kind of reading material do you prefer?

I tag:

Daminika at Walking in the Sonshine

LaKaysha at Calico and Lace

Liberty at The Elegant Cowgirl

Shantelle at Between the Pages of this Bookish Life


Tuesday, May 8, 2018

we are broken, we are bruised // thank Him

ok, folks. What is happening to us? What is happening to this world around me? When did we forget about thanking God for today, and instead cry for tomorrow? Why do we look back at everything we have lost and everything we have never had? Instead of breathing in a breath of thankfulness for today. For the blessings that we do have.

I know, I know. Perhaps life seems to throw you sour lemons. Perhaps you feel as though your life is far harder than anyone else. That God has abandoned you. He has forgotten what your needs are, and left you in the cold.
Perhaps, dear friends, it is you who has forgotten God.

Think of those in the past who suffered so much.
 John Newton.
Corrie Ten Boom.
Elizabeth Elliot.

They witnessed horrors far worse than we can imagine. Lost loved ones to the hands of another. Did unspeakable wrong.
And yet, every one of them fell to their knees and thanked the Lord above.

 I don't want to sound like I have it all figured out because, believe me, I don't. But through hard days, weeks of sadness, and years of fear, I have learned one thing.

GOD KNOWS BEST.


You might think,
"I have heard this every single day of my life. And it hasn't changed a thing. I still don't have what I want. I still lost too much. I still hurt." 

Do you know what? Life is pain. Life is hurt. Life is sorrow.

But, God is love. 
God is compassion.
God is forgiveness. 
God is healing.

Some days I feel so discouraged. I look around me and all I see is suffering. Depression and anxiety are on a rampage, devouring anyone they can touch. People turn to counseling, pills, and bed.
Whatever happened to, "Jesus paid it all"? Whatever happened to, "it is well with my soul".
Whatever happened to simply letting Jesus take our hand?

Yes, life is difficult, but we should be able to look past that. We should be able to lift our heads and say,
"Yes. I am broken. I am bruised. But, I am saved."
No, it is not always easy to do. For I know from experience, much is easier said than done. But that's our fault, not God's. Faith is simple.

JUST SIMPLY HAVE FAITH. 

Let God control your life. For, as you know, when you try to control it all you get is pain.
Faith comes by hearing. Hearing the word of God. Being around those who will encourage you. Not those who will make you feel worse than you already do. And do you know what? Sometimes, that person is you.
We are our harshest judge and the one we will never impress. We will always find flaws.

I heard a country singer speaking about her faith the other day. How she went through a hard time, and tried desperately to conceal it. Then she was given this advice.

"Let them see the brokenness. Let them see the cracks in your armour. That's how the light gets out." 

We are broken. We are bruised. But we are saved.
Tell the world that. Show them that, despite all of our hardships, despite all of our hurt, Jesus has washed our sins away, and we have a home in glory.

Don't try to be strong. Admit that you are weak. Admit it to yourself, and let Jesus carry the burden.
For that is how we show others the love of Christ. Showing them that we are not perfect, but our Savior is.


I'm standing in my Savior's shadow 
He is watching over me 
I feel the rain, I hear the thunder
As He cries for me

I'm standing in my Savior's shadow
Grace will lead to where I'm free
I take His hand, we walk together
And His light shines on me 

Though the devil tries to break me 
My sweet Jesus' won't forsake me
When I'm in my Savior's shadow
Where I'm suppose to be 

I'm standing in my Savior's shadow
Following His footsteps there
Every mountain, every ocean
He hears my every prayer
- Blake Shelton

God knows what we need. He truly does. And He provides it every single day. It's time we remembered that. It's time we stopped wondering why we are where we are, and simply thank Him.

Thank you for each breath in my lungs.
Thank you that I can walk and run.
Thank you that I can laugh.
Thank you that I can cry.
Thank you for always being right beside me. No matter how hard I try to push You away.

We are broken, we are bruised, but we are saved.

Thank Him.


Thursday, May 3, 2018

the places I have been // cihldhood memories // P O E T R Y


 the places I have been
lilacs and clover 
all blooming and green 
blue skies and sunshine 
dew drops and moon beam 

green plums and salt
I'll fly away to heaven
honeysuckles and buttercups
around the house seven 

through a pathway of dirt 
with walls of corn stock 
hiding in the squash leaves 
a shiny new rock 

puppies and baby goats
catch them if you can 
new sandles that can go slap 
voices in the fan 

races up the old fir tree
who do you think 
will reach the top before the other
faster than a blink

dirt between small toes
sawdust in your eye
wood to stack and wood to cut
the kitten too shy

old Betsy from the rafters
pies from the fire
cowboys on horseback 
eggs in the old tire 

these are what make memories
so cherished deep within
these are what make me who I am 
oh the places I have been
- Felicity Estola

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

the month of april // photo dump

the things that make me different are the things that make me. 
- A. A. Milne 


April has flown by and a new month has begun. It is hard to believe that I have been living in New England for three months now. Some days it feels as though we have been here forever, and some it feels as though I just left home. 

April in New England was cold and snowy for a good portion of it. Snow would flurry down, melt, and then make an appearance once again. I am not sure what I think of it here yet. 


 I do miss my lush green grass back home. The bright blue skies and the evergreen trees. And of course, my mountains. 

Well, enough about that! Here are some highlights about April.

- moved into our new apartment and began unpacking and making it a home. 
- we were given a free dining room table and it was lovely to sit at one once again.
- celebrated Easter, my first holiday away from home, at my Grandparent's home. 
- I finally got my drivers license! 
- legally changed my name!
- got a bank account!
- Josiah turned 24
- I turned 22

He is the sweetest uncle.

Easter fun!

Basket from my Grandpa and Grandma















A box arrived from back home that brought tears to my eyes.



Visiting my hubby a work! Lettering a police car.

Date to Olive Garden








Received this rose bush in the mail from my Aunt. It has brought me much joy as I watched it grow and bloom.

Babysitting on a Friday night


Tired little buddy all snuggled up.



Sunday drives











 
Love that my husband can letter things for me!

Deer at dusk.



First trip to Kimball's of the year! 




At the dentist.

Made pasty for Josiah's birthday supper!

And surprised him with some decorations.


Birthday present to me from the best husband ever!


22



Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. Memories from our dating days.
I had a blank space above my sink and was not sure what I wanted above it. I was browsing online and seen a sign that I sort of liked, so I asked Josiah if he could make it for me. We set out  painting, cutting, measuring, and finally designing together. Something just wasn't looking right though. The saying I had picked just wasn't popping. We tried adding flowers and designs but I just wasn't feeling it. Josiah kept asking if I liked this or that and I said "Mm.. I don't know. It's a little much. I mean, what do I always say?" to which he answered, "to keep it simple". Amen.  
I hope you all enjoyed this lengthy photo dump! 

May looks to be a busy month filled with visits from many friends, sisters, aunts, and weddings. 
On to the next adventure.