to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
::To me, today::
Peace, is watching snow fall steadily and heavily from the sky, while curled up warm beside the heat of the woodstove.
Joy, is a gathering of children of any age/s...
baking cookies....
sledding....
playing chess, risk, monopoly, scrabble, or mad gab...
building with blocks...
playing in dollhouses...
dressing up...
playing "little house"...
washing and drying dishes...
discussing...
making the rising-and-falling, happy noise, of children being children.
Contentment, is reading through a large stack of picture books, with little ones pressed in around me on all sides.
Prayer, is being cocooned, here, there, any-and-every where with the very One that made me, knows me, and loves me best, because He lives inside of me, and He is mine and I am His.....
having only to think, and in doing so, be not only heard, but understood, better than I could ever understand myself.....
a letting go of every care that threatens to hold my mind and heart captive, in yesterday, or tomorrow, keeping me from today.
Peace, is reading in the quiet by the light of the oil lamps in the evenings.
Sadness, is being separated from friends.
Grace, is a cyclamen plant in bloom, fully extending it's butterflied wings.
Silence, is watching waterdrops fall from the tips of icecicles, one-by-one-by-one, along the eave's edge.
Comfort, is the sound and the feel of being nestled soft and warm in down pillows and duvets when tired, tired, tired, after a full and busy day....
hot milk and honey....
oyster stew for breakfast.
Love, is something someone said, or did, or made, and gave to me.
Fun, is drinking in the faces, laughter, and unbridled movement, of children being children unreservedly....
staying up late with others and the resulting laid-back giddyness.
Laughter, is seeing inside of a person in their delightedness...
talking to my dad on the phone...
remembering a happy moment that's replayed in my mind again, and again, and again~~just for smiling.
Warmth, is holding a hand, kissing a cheek, exchanging smiles through tender eyes...
sharing with another, saying much with little.
Satisfaction, is writing a poem...
or taking a photo,
that captureswhat I see and feel...
a pot of soup simmering on the stove, bread in the oven and the delightful smell of what's to come filling the house....
having a long talk with someone dear--who's becoming dearer.
Sadness, is feeling a child grieve a loss....
being judged harshly by one who knows little-to-nothing.
Joy, is the green grass and barefeet of summer....
warm sun on my face, soft wind in my hair--that I'm dreamin' of....
a surprise...
seeing someone I've long-missed, reaching out and holding them close for the first time in so long.
Creativity, is doing some kind of wonderful--my very own, with whatever I have in my hand.
Beauty, is stained glass illumated by light.....
any and every one, when they smile....
wrongs forgiven and laid to rest, with love and life in relationship restored...
frosty-ice-loveliness on our old farmhouse winter-windows.
Burden, is carrying something crushing, painful, and difficult, though it's too heavy for me, rather than giving it over to, and leaving it with, the Lord.
Confusion, is trying to understand what someone is saying when it hurts.
Delicious, is a frosted cake that my daughter made without a recipe.....
a just picked red radish or tomato ....
a summer salad with everything, even the edible flowers~~all from the garden we're enjoyedly planning....
too-quickly-melting ice cream cones on a hot summer day, that with the above, will also come.....
the taste, smell, and feel, of a baby.
Happiness, is going on an excursion, to somewhere new and unexplored...
running, as fast as I can....
stretching my legs forward, pulling them back, swinging as high as I can on a swing...
the magical, singular, sights, smells and sounds of spring, summer, and fall, after the long slumber of winter.
Loneliness, is keeping a joy or sorrow all to myself...
quiet, for too long...
no one to share in the book I've just read or film I've just seen...
anyone living without, or with very little, affection expressed through touch...
seeing elderly dear ones, not-often-enough-visited, in nursing homes.
Gentleness, is the feel of my child's warm breath on my face during sweet sleep in the dark of night...
holding a little child's hand...
a whisper in my ear (like the twin's 'I love yous')...
letting the deep and wide, ever-so-immense-and-intense love of a mother's heart flow out through my being...
holding my baby that has just emerged from my womb--for the very first time (a forever-held rememberance, times 10)...
a nursing baby at my breast...
saying hard things to another, compassionately, tenderly, with tears.
Nausea, is seeing someone hurting...
almost hitting a deer...
saying something that I wish, with every fiber of my being, that I hadn't said, and knowing I can never take it back...
getting lost in an unlit, unfamiliar, area, far out in the country, in the dark of night.
Comfort, is being known, understood, and accepted, still...
a favorite shawl wrapped 'round my shoulders...
a long lazy rock in a rocking chair...
ugg boots (perfect and like new, for only $1.00. my very size) toasty, warming my feet in the dark and cold of early winter morning, when the fire's gone low...
reading a book beside the fire while a snow storm whirls and swirls, howling, just outside my door.
Contentment, is intense sunlight streaming through the window on a cold winter's day, warming me through and through, from the outside in.
Heartache, is seemingly-everlasting (while it lasts) judgement, misunderstandings, and unforgiveness.
Discouragment, is meeting with the seemingly immovable, inalterable, within another, for reasons unknown or if known, not at all easily understood.
and peace, is the letting go, letting alone, and letting be, in rest, while God does what He does--on the inside, of me, and everyone else--as only He can..... In His love, causing all things to work together for good, in His time and way.
Singing, is the music of each and every one that touches and singularly, and/or combinedly/collectively, fill my life and the moments of it's every day, at home and away, through words spoken and written, that they do and do not say.
Honesty, is what's truly deep down inside of me, that I only say to another when I have been given the gift of the freedom to do so.
Perfection, is the illusion that threatens to strip me of my life-formed character, and growth and freedom in process, and keep me from simply being me; who I am and how I am, right now, today.
Pretending, is what I don't do well, when I don't feel safe or accepted, and curl up small inside, trying to hide because I'm not sure how to be someone else.
Fascination, is the marveling over the countless jewels scattered along the path of every single day, free for the taking...
hearing my-very-own-child-within-my-very-own-body's heartbeat, for the very first time--through tears...
hearing someone's life's story, for the very first time, and in and over time, such treasure beyond measure in the recieving--through laughter and tears...
being the recipient of the gifts of a giving-while-expecting-nothing-in-return heart...
the winter's first snowfall...
a springtime nest full of baby birds. The listening, the watching through childlike eyes (that I'm so looking forward to discovering, and experiencing the wonder of, once again) .
Friendship, is giving, and giving, and giving some more...
being loved for who and what, and in spite of who and what, I am....
thinking the best and hoping the best....
entrusting and entrustment of a heart....
making mistakes and trying again....
saying I'm sorry.....
being forgiven.....
hearing I'm sorry.....
and, saying I forgive you....
good food, good conversation, music, tears and laughter.....
shared, full, loud, and busy days and late nights, and some quietness too, over and through, the moments, days, months, and years and years and years of this life.
We just enjoyed a special visit with our dear friends, Scott and Bonnie, and 7 of their 9 children (and we sure missed the other 2 :o). We've been friends since before any of us were married, which means we've been friends for a good long while--grin. Though we use to live near-er to each other, there are more than a few miles between us, now. We hadn't seen them in over a year, and the last time we saw them, was during-and thoughout our big move. Scott, and a couple of the boys, actually helped pack and move--driving about an hour and a half to get to our old home, and then about 6 hours or more to get here, to the new home. Lots of driving, and lots of snow and cold. Meanwhile, Bonnie, held down *their* fort (while caring for some of her own little ones that were sick) and, had some of our guys who were making their way back and forth (from old home to new, again and again) stop in for some good food and fellowship and motherly care. There are no words to describe the sensitive, kind and caring, immeasurable, help they were to us--from start to finish. Such a gift. So, though Scott had been here way back then, Bonnie and some of the children hadn't.
So, this visit began on Thursday. They arrived just in time for supper and stayed up until Sunday morning. What a sweet time of fellowship it was. A blast. Long, full days and late nights, of all things most meaningful in relationship, for the youngest to the oldest. Our dear friends, Mike and Lori, came with their 4 dear children and joined us on Friday night. And, of course, Wesley and Claire, Josie and Bug, got in on the action, too. What a great time we had. It's really hard to believe that it was all over--and everyone was here and gone--so soon. Even harder to believe that Bonnie and I were capable of both walking out the door with our families to our respective vehicles, everyone dressed and fed by 10 am on Sunday morning, following those late nights and full and busy days. Isn't that amazing! We've known Scott and Bonnie since before we were married, and neither time nor space would allow me to say what a huge blessing they have been to our entire family, and in how many ways, throughout that time. We love them dearly, and thank the Lord for the priceless gift of their friendship(and that of Mike and Lori, and Wesley and Claire, and all of the precious children, too). God is so good. I love him.
I thought that we could enjoy another visit, this time through the window of Scott and Bonnie's stay.
The many sweet faces, of friendship...
"Father Time" (aka Uncle Scott :o)
Aunt Bonnie ("Father Time's" beloved)
And, all of these lovely, snowy, outdoor photos, were taken by Uncle Scott, while I was snugged warm inside the house, visiting with Aunt Bonnie ;o) Thanks, Uncle Scott.
And, another great Scott shot...
Thanks again, for taking the time to come by, and especially for the gift to me of your friendly, loving, notes and letters, and the sharing of your thoughts and hearts and families--through your own blogs, for those of you that have them. I hope that you're well. I'd just like to say, too, that you can always feel free to send me a prayer request or share your heart privately, *any*time, through the comments. I get every note before it gets published, and wouldn't publish anything you asked me not to. The gals are making another birthday supper, today. Shrimp Scampi. And, the house smells all garlic-y and delicious. So, I'd better get a move-on, before the party starts without me. That just wouldn't do, you know ;o)
Lovingly, Jewels
P.S. For anyone that may have the time, and interest, (ummmm, Scott and Bonnie? :o) there are these and, (believe it or not ;o) even more photos from the visit, in this set, on Flickr.
Good job and well done my ODD duck. Everyone looks beautiful and the words are lovely. All those delicious red and ginger heads mixed in with your blondies and browns.
Posted by: littlejennywren | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 07:13 PM
What a lovely surprise to see another wonderful post from you Jewels...
It was a bright spot in my day!
Wishing you a blessed evening ahead!
Thank you for being a blessing to me and encouraging and inspiring me!
Posted by: Kelley | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 07:28 PM
Oh and I made the window stars...so much fun!
Posted by: Kelley | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Beautiful Jewels, Thank you for all your beauty. I just love your posts and most importantly thank you for the encouragement to look for the beauty. I am so blessed by you and your family. Send them our love.
Posted by: mumofeight | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 07:45 PM
My dearest Jewels,
I once again find myself, in wonderment, aw, peacefulness, and thankful to have been blessed once again by all the lovely things that you have once again shared with all of us.
I find myself thinking, everytime I come to "Eyes of Wonder" for another visit with you, your family, and so much more, that you are one who is very full of wonder. Yet even your name....JEWELS, speaks wonderful volumes about you. God has chosen a lovely and gentle lady such as you my dear, to show all those of us even more *JEWELS* of HIMSELF.
The way in which you write and share from deep with in your heart and soul, brings me ever closer to the wonderful things of my precious loving savior. Teaching me every time, more and more about simple things to be sought after, cherished, and treasured.
Thank you again my sweet friend for sharing more of yourself, and Our Precious Lord as he works, moves, and has his way and will in your life and your home.
Love & Prayers
Ronda
Posted by: Ronda | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 07:45 PM
What a beautiful post. So very true, so very touching... thank you for sharing these little pieces of you and your life. My heart always does a little cheer when I see a new post up on your blog!
Posted by: Sue | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Hi there sweet friend. I enjoyed your post very much. I also love seeing a few glimpses into your *new* home. It looks like you are completely settled in and very comfy. So lovely. Have a blessed week. You are so often in my thoughts and prayers. With much love and caring, Tami
Posted by: Tami | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Jewels, it is such a treat to read your words, full of kindness and blessing and thankfulness.
Friends are the greatest gift, aren't they?
Posted by: Deanna (Mrs. Rabe) | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. It's always nice to stop by and visit :-)
Posted by: Elaine | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Dear Jewels,
What precious words of comfort, and what precious pictures (as always!).
Thank you so much for your friendship, and for blessing our family.
Love,
Marqueta
Posted by: Marqueta | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 08:55 PM
:-) Have a wonderful rest-of-your party.
A thought that came while reading your soliloquy, "relief ~ when He takes my burden, and lifts me into His arms."
Dressing up is one of the many joys of childhood I just can't seem to let go as an 'adult.' Thank you for sharing the fun!
Now I must get the little fellows to bed. *smiles*
Posted by: sarahlcc | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:14 PM
I just want to say thank you for having such a *peaceful* corner of web land. It rests and quiets my spirit to come here. I needed that tonight. I needed your gentle lilting words, pondering the gifts God has given. The good and the bad; both sent down from the Father of lights. I love how you, too, know the *goodness* of being forgiven. What sweet fellowship immediately following! Ah, what a God we have.
I love seeing the pictures of the way you live. This may sound wild, but I love the absence of plastic in your photos. Smooth wood floors. Graceful trees. Scruffy rocks. Thick woolen yarn mittens and hats. Soft hair. Sunlight that can be felt. Big eyes. I can touch your photos. They are filled with things God made. I love that.
Thank you. May God bless you.
Posted by: Amber | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Jewels~Your post is such an encouragement...thank you for sharing! Blessings~
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Beautiful photos, beautiful sentiments...
Posted by: Nadja | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Dear Jewels,
I am expecting in May and am about to try out the pattern "Catherines Choice".
Do you have any suggestions? I think y'alls first attempt didn't work out , right? Email me when ever you get a chance.
Amy
Posted by: Amy | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:31 PM
Hi, sweet Jewels. It's always good to see you and hear your voice. :)
Posted by: Melissa K | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Thank you so very much for posting. I live in Georgia and am so delighted when I check and you have written. You are sent from God to me. Thank you for your obedience. God bless. Lona
Posted by: Lona Pritchett | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 09:49 PM
Beautiful, sweet words...Precious photos of all your loved ones near and far.
Blessings to you,
Connie
Posted by: Connie | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Aaah...enough friends to go around. What could be nicer?
Thank you for spoiling us, Jewels!
Posted by: moey | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Thank you so much for posting again. I found your blog a short time ago and have been blessed by your words, example, and purity of heart. To be honest, I've slowly become dissatisfied with some of the choices I've made--namely career, priorities, materialism, and the constant busyness the world applauds. I thought I had to become this version of myself to feel fulfilled. Well God used your blog to get my attention. I now realize that I bought a lie and missed out on so much joy. Oh how I wish we were neighbors or friends--I could learn so much from you. How I long for your Christ-like life of clear purpose and simplicity. Thank you for blogging and subsequently showing me the way back to what is important and true. May God bless you and your beautiful family.
Posted by: Sandra T. | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Thanks for your sweet time. very lovely. love, sue
Posted by: Sue | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 11:16 PM
I was just slipping off to bed to cuddle with my littlest nursling, and decided to quick check your blog, because I just adore the music so much as I drift off to sleep, much to my delight there is a new post, a new glimpse into your hospitable home. Thanks for sharing a visit with us. :O) Hope your February is ending nicely and that all of these birthdays being celebrated as of late are brimming to the very top with blessings from above.
<><
Cassandra
Posted by: SplittyMom | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 11:20 PM
I feel like such a goof. I assumed you all lived in our area, because the thing on your sidebar said blogs in Lenoir City area. I assumed that meant you were in Lenoir City :) My motherhood has made me rather loopy. I really enjoy your blog. Great stories, pictures and music. I enjoy the calmness of the music so much that I used it on my own playlist on my blog, thanks! Where abouts are you all?
Posted by: MeganR | Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 11:44 PM
I always so enjoy your posts! It is beautiful to see life through your eyes and to feel the love the comes through!
Praying the rest of your week is beautiful and blessed!
Lots of love,
Sommer
Posted by: Sommer | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 12:19 AM
Jewels,
I love reading your blog. You have such a way of making the most simple thing sound extra-special! I always enjoy reading your posts and appreciate your sweet spirit. :-)
Posted by: Terri | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 03:08 AM