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.
Dear Jewels thank you for sharing once again glimpse of your family life and precious heart and mind of yours. Your blog is so very dear to me,i'm in the middle of big changes in life, most of them done in order to finally try to fully follow and trust the Lord and your blog is such an inspiration to me, and a comforting spot to cure my doubts and fears while at this 'crossroad'.
Thank you !
Posted by: Flavia | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 03:19 AM
Dearest Jewels,
You could not imagine what a blessing your beautiful writings are to me. Your words stay with me for many days and I am able to share in the joys and the beauty surrounding you. To see those wonderful photos is such a treat. What fun you all must have had over the few days your friends where visiting. As always thankyou for taking the time in your obviously very busy life to come and visit and share the blessings that our gracious Lord has bestowed on you and yours. Till next time,
Blessings Gail.
Posted by: gail | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 05:58 AM
Hello Jewels! :)
Soooo glad you had such a wonderful visit with friends! It sounds like it was a fantastic time! I love all the pictures!
You sound so patient with the snow...gosh...I am so tired of it...lol! I am so ready for spring....the warm sun, the flowers, the birds chirping and the smell of the spring air!
Thank you so much for sharing a part of your lovely life with us! It's always so enjoyable to read a post from you!!!! :o)
Posted by: Katy | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 06:19 AM
Mmmmm...thank you! What a wonderful treat this morning! Thank thank you! Such an encouragement and delight! Love and hugs to you!
Posted by: mima | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 07:17 AM
It's always such a refreshing time visiting with you. What a wonderful time of fellowship for you and yours and all of your blessed company!
Posted by: Tracy | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Thankyou Jewels, for using the gifts God has given you. Your writings deeply resonate within my Spirit and bring so much encouragement from the Lord. Blogging is an important source of fellowship and encouragement for me. I know many other Christian women, but none who live near me who are SAH Mums and homeschool. I love serving the Lord as I serve my family, but when discouragement sets in after a bad day, blogs like yours give me the encouragement to keep on keeping on.
God Bless you
Claire
Posted by: Heart Reflections Live | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 08:19 AM
Dear Jewels - Once again you have touched my heart deeply. Thank you for this place of peace and quiet. Calm in the middle of the storms of life. Blessings to you and your sweet family. ~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Thank you for sharing all the gorgeous photos. The children are growing so fast. I have been seeing your mustard colour paint in mags. I bet you didn't know you were ahead of trends by not being trendy. Arh, Arh! Love to all.
Posted by: Helena | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Thankyou for another wonderful post. I cried all through the first section and just drank in all the wonderful photos. Love that one of Sophie getting the mail with her umbrella. How is #2 son's hand/arm doing?
Love to you always and forever! - Heidi
Posted by: Heidi | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 09:05 AM
*Thank You* again for sharing all the smiles and wonder! You have brightened my morning. Beautiful photos of beautiful people! And I love your home .. it's so filled with color .. it reflects the artist in you Jewels and the love. Most inspiring.
Keeping you and yours lifted up in prayer,
Love, Betty
Posted by: Betty | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Thank you so much for another lovely peek into your precious home, Jewels.
What a blessing to have such wonderful visits from friends, and family!
May the Lord bless and keep your family!
~Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Visiting you today is just what I needed, Jewels. Beautiful words, beautiful music, beautiful photos. They are balm to my heart.
Posted by: Linds | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Hi Amy, about Catherine's Choice. The pattern worked fine. I think the only thing that Claire would have changed was the fabric that she chose. She didn't care for the red floral print when all was said and done, and wished that she had chosen a more subdued, perhaps solid, fabric. Hope this helps. So happy for you with your little one on the way. Warmly, Jewels
Posted by: Jewels | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 12:32 PM
As always, beautiful. Thank you!
Posted by: Kathie | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I have nominated you for a Lemonade Award. :)
See my post here:
http://ladybugsdandelions.blogspot.com/2009/02/ive-been-given-award.html
Posted by: ladybugsdandelions | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Great joy is borrowing my son's computer and seeing "You" there. :)
With much affection,
Your Pig
Posted by: Brenda@Coffeeteabooksandme | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Such simple words . . . such precious observations . . . such joy in the ordinary things at hand . . . such peace in the moment.
Thank you Jewels. Your heart breaks wide open and spills out the most lovely fountain of beauty and encouragment and TRUTH. I appreciate that you do not confine your sharing to only "nice" things. Your hurts and pain mirror mine, at times, and I am refreshed to find a kindred who has endured harshness and forgiven . . . and moved on. (and also meted out things we repent of afterward.)
The world can never offer the gift of hearts-knitted-together that our Father has blessed us with. Though I may never make it to see you and sit at your lovely table, I have sipped with you from the overflowing cup of joy served by our Father. For this day . . . that is simply enough. : D
I take JOY and offer it back to you. You are precious . . . a jewel to me. Many thanks.
p.s.
I offer a glimpse into my little life if you care to come over to my blog for a peek. We have a different style . . . and yet not. Life is sweet when you're at home.
Posted by: Debbie in CA : ) | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 03:12 PM
What a pleasant surprise! I was just popping on to see if there were new comments on the last post, and found you had added a whole new post already! Thank you for taking the time to share with us all. :-)
Posted by: Sally | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Oh Jewels,
Your words are beautiful. I just can't "feel" your kindness.
I was wondering how you all as a family are dealing with the bad economy...any words to lift us all up about this.
Thank you so deeply for sharing your heart with us.
With peace,
Cathy
Posted by: Cathy | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Dear Jewels,
What a lovely treat to see another update from you so soon! Once again, your pictures are lovely, and indeed so are your subjects.
Thank you for your inspiring words and for such a beautiful picture of what a home can be like!
So glad your time with friends was happy. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you.
-Beulah
Posted by: Beulah | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Hello there Lady Bug :o)
Congratulations on receipt of the Lemonade Award. I was amazed at all of the great information that you have on your blog--really wonderful. Also, I was born and raised in WI ;o) Thanks very much for your kindness in sharing the award with me--I do appreciate it. Although I did give it a go, for a while some time back, it seems that I just didn't/and still don't, have it together quite enough--blog/and time-wise-to keep up enough to fairly participate in the giving and receiving of awards. So, I'd like to thank you not only for the award, but also--in advance--for your understanding in this. This said, also, I would so understand if you were to decide that you'd rather pass the award along to someone else in my place. Thanks so much for thinking of me, encouraging me, and being a bright spot in my day in the giving, though. And, to give you a smile--I tried to leave a comment on your lovely blog, but as I am only moderately (if that ;o) intelligent, I wasn't able to figure out how ;o) ;o)
Warmly, sincerely, Jewels
Posted by: Jewels | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 05:02 PM
*squealing with delight* 2 posts in one month! yay!
I love reading your posts - I have to say your blog is my absolute favorite to read - where cares and worries of the world melt away and time does not matter...
Bless you sister!
Posted by: Michelle | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 05:07 PM
What a lovely visit.
Posted by: Miss VanDroo | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Oh Dear Jewels, as always your words leave lingering thoughts and help to a heart continue in a way that needs the gentle prodding to keep on. You write, and help me slow down and see. With sincere appreciation for His grace and your fingers on the keyboard as the tool He used today! Cassandra
Posted by: Cassandra | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 08:14 PM
How simply lovely to have these special times with so many friends, children and all!! How much fellowship for all of you!! Thanks for sharing the joys....as well as your heart. Sounds like some rather difficult waters of late? Life seems to hold plenty of those, but wonderful to find lovely days interspersed as well!!
Blessings to you and all yours!!
Posted by: Elizabeth | Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 10:29 PM