Five Minute Friday - NEAR

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Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over thinking no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: NEAR

Go!

It's early. As I sit at my computer and prepare for this post the Christmas lights on the tiny tree twinkle merrily nearby as the row of lighted gingerbread men draped above the window smile in unison at me as, together, we greet the the first day of December 2017.

It's been a rough week. Strep. No work. Not much accomplished. And, now, here we are...family Christmas a week from tomorrow. So much to be done! With everything going on it would be so easy to say, "Forget it!" and sit this Christmas out. 

But would it? After all, Christmas isn't just a day. Christmas is a way of life. 

Christmas is the story of a babe in a manger. The story of the Light that He brought into this world. The Light that, in turn, brought the hope of salvation to us. 

That same Light is the Light that Satan has tried to extinguish throughout the ages, but, try as he might, that Light continues to shine forth. In fact, as the world around us grows darker, the Light of Jesus Christ continues to burn all the brighter in the hearts of men, women, and children around the world as, one by one, they acknowledge and accept the Christ child for Who He is...born of a virgin, laid in a manager, worshiped equally by angels, shepherds, and wise men alike. Without His birth, there would have been no death, no burial, and no glorious resurrection. No hope for us.

As Christmas and all the activities that surround it draws near, despite whatever situation you might find yourself in physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or financially...don't lose heart. There is Light and there is hope!

Advent begins Sunday. If you've never celebrated Advent I'd like to challenge you to do so this year (and if you would like more information on some ways to do that, feel free to contact me). It's a marvelous way to focus on, draw near to, and celebrate the glorious Light of the world...Jesus!!! 

"...Jesus...said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will

never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Stop!

Until next time... 

~Rebecca

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Five Minute Friday - SILENCE

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over thinking no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: SILENCE

Go!

To be honest, this is a really hard prompt for me, because silence is not something that I've had a lot of experience with and, on the rare occasions that I have experienced it, it drives me crazy!

I grew up an only child, but my dad was a mechanic and ran his own business at home. The shop was right next to our house. All day long cars and trucks were coming and going, people were talking and laughing, and the clinking and clanking of metal could be heard ringing out as my dad worked on his customer's vehicles and other equipment. There was always a motor of some kind running.

Besides that, there were always people at our house...friends, family members, friends from church, customers. Sometimes friends or family members would come stay with us for a few days, weeks, or even months, until they could find a job, get on their feet, or deal with whatever else that they might have going on at the time. Plus my grandma and grandpa lived with us, too.

In addition to being a mechanic, my dad was a musician. In the evenings he would sing as he played his guitar and harmonica. Oftentimes, other musician friends would join him and bring their families along and everyone was always welcome! The men would play music, the women would crochet or do some other handiwork while they visited, and us children would play together and have a ball! There was always an invitation to come early and have supper. It wasn't unusual for my mother to go through 100 pounds of potatoes or more in a week's time to feed all the people who came through our doors. It's just how it was and that's how I grew up.

The point is...it was seldom, if ever, quiet at our house...and I liked it that way! I liked all the hustle and bustle of all the people coming and going. What a blessing it was to grow up with such fond and crazy memories!

Then...our own household...a house full of children (four boys and two girls)...24 years of homeschooling, friends, family, neighbors, ministry...lots of people, lots of laughter, lots of noise. It's how it's always been.

Now that it's just my husband and I, it's definitely quieter than it used to be, and I don't mind the quiet. I just can't stand silence. I sleep with a fan year-round just for the noise. Otherwise, I hear every little sound that there is and cannot sleep at all.

I've heard the saying that "silence is golden" but, to me, silence is so deafening that I can barely tolerate it.

Weird...huh???

Stop!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Five Minute Friday - Need

Photo Credit

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over thinking no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: NEED

Go!

Needs. We all have them. 

As human beings, our needs include food, water, and shelter, yet there are millions of people around the world right this moment that aren't getting the most basic of human needs met...and it's heart- and gut-wrenching.

As human beings, there are other needs that we have...the need to be loved, cared for, protected, to feel safe and secure in our own space. Yet millions more around the globe feel anything but! They feel lost, unloved, unprotected, vulnerable, afraid, and that no one cares about them. And, sadly, for some that may very well be the case...in an earthly sense. 

Some, whether deliberately or unintentionally, have put themselves in that position; others have been thrust into that position through no fault of their own. It's just how circumstances have worked out for them. But nobody has to stay in that position. 

You see...no matter who you are...no matter where life has taken you...no matter how bad things are for you right this very minute...as long as there is breath, there is hope!

No matter who you are...or where you are...or what you are...there is One Who loves you soooooo much that He gave His very life for you. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only 

begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him 

should not perish, but have everlasting life"

(John 3:16)

Do you realize? Even if you had been the only person ever born, God still would have sacrificed His Son to die for you. And Jesus would have laid His life down willingly just for YOU!

God loves you so much! And He cares about you! And, no matter how bad things may look in the natural, He is there!

Yes, we all have needs, but the thing that we need the most is life in Christ Jesus...eternal life! Abundant life! The kind of life that comes only through a personal relationship with the One Who, when invited, comes to live inside of us. The kind of life and love that is not dependent on external circumstances. 

Needs. Yes, we all have them. 

"But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her"

(Luke 10:42)

May each of us choose "that good part, which shall not be taken away" and that is life in Christ Jesus.

Stop!

Until next time... 

~Rebecca

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus"

(Philippians 4:19)

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Five Minute Friday - NEIGHBOR

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: NEIGHBOR

Go!

In posting this week's prompt, Kate asks, "What comes to mind when you think of the word NEIGHBOR?"

Ahhhh! For me, the word "neighbor" evokes a myriad of beautiful, joy-filled memories of days gone by...golden days...days I will always cherish and never forget.

They moved in next-door in September of 2004. I had been told that they "homeschooled like we did", but I doubted that very much because NOBODY "homeschooled like we did." I wasn't even sure that I wanted to get to know them well enough to find out. Well...actually...I was sure that I didn't, but...as it turned out, God had other plans.

It was friendly enough...a smile and "hello" in passing across the lawn, until New Year's Day 2005. At around 7:00 a.m. on January 1st someone started knocking frantically on our front door. I jumped out of bed to discover my new neighbor standing there, obviously distraught, asking if she might come in because she needed to talk. Like myself, she was a pastor's wife, and she and her husband had just arrived home from a rather unsettling situation that they had been called into in the middle of the night. She needed a cup of tea. I got her settled in the kitchen, then excused myself to get dressed and presentable. After that we talked nonstop until late afternoon. In doing so we discovered that we were, indeed, like-minded in many areas (including our homeschooling methods) and the rest is history.

My new neighbor, Robin, became one of the closest neighbors and dearest friends I've ever known. What followed that first day of fellowship turned into what became referred to, by both of us, as "the golden years"...long days of fun-filled, zany adventures...some homeschool related and some not.  

Robin and I shared a great love for the Lord Jesus Christ and often discussed Biblical theology. We enjoyed taking our children on field trips together and kicking around natural areas just to bask in the beauty and wonder of God's glorious creation. We enjoyed teatime and Pride and Prejudice and Lord of the Rings movie marathons, blueberry pie at midnight, and whole host of other wild, wonderful, and crazy things. 

All of these things ended when Robin and her family moved away to East Tennessee. Oh, how I missed her!!! The emotion of missing her was so strong that my heart, literally, ached for want of breaking.

She came back once or twice for a quick visit, but, the last time she came, I was sick in bed and wasn't able to converse with her at all. It wasn't long after that that she called to tell me that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After a long and courageous battle I called her to check on her one day (or she called me...I can't remember). She said that something was different and that this was it. Two days later, on December 23, 2012, my beautiful friend and forever neighbor...my beloved "sister-by-heart"...was gone. 

My heart still aches for want of seeing Robin's face again...hearing her voice...her "Hey, Lady!" or "Good gravy!!!"...but I will see her soon enough. What we shared was eternal. I have no doubt that what we shared here, we will share there, but there our relationship will be perfected in the Light of our glorious Lord and Savior!

I love you, Robin, and I miss you, but soon, my dear friend! Soon...and very soon...we will all be together again! <3

Robin and I

Stop!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Five Minute Friday - PLACE

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: PLACE

Go!

A lot of people that I know are going through some really tough times right now. I have one friend who is battling breast cancer; another who just lost her apartment and has been forced into living conditions that are waaaaay beyond less-than-ideal. Others are facing financial difficulties, illness, loss, loneliness, and more. Many of these circumstances seem hopeless...like there are no answers, and, in the natural, there may not be.

But there is One...One Who loves us so very much more than our finite minds could ever even hope to comprehend...One Who, no matter what we are going through, can bring us to a place of peace in the midst of the storm (and it doesn't matter how bad the storm is). This One that loves us so much (to the point that He laid down His very life for whosoever should believe on Him..."whosoever"...that's you...that's me)? His name is Jesus and it is only in Him that we will find rest for our weary souls. He is the Cleft of the Rock...our hiding place...our place of peace and joy in the midst of a crazy, cRaZy world. 

Do you know Him? If not, don't delay. Ask Jesus to make Himself real to you. Ask Him to come into your life and to do something with it. When you're lonely...or feeling depressed...when you're overwhelmed...when you're afraid...put your trust in Him. Jesus will never leave you, nor forsake you. He's got the answer to every problem that you will ever face.

Stop!

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me 

from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7)

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Five Minute Friday - TRY

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: TRY

Go!

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again!"

I remember my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Martin, saying that to our class. She was an older lady. Someone that I don't think I would have ever thought about again if it hadn't been for this writing prompt.

Isn't it funny how one's mind works? The process that it goes through?

"Try. Try. Try, try, try again. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again. Mrs. Martin. I remember Mrs. Martin saying that. Mrs. Martin? Was that her name? Yes. Mrs. Martin. P. R. was in that class. He got my name in the Christmas drawing that year. He bought me a corsage and a bottle of fingernail polish. I was so embarrassed. I don't know that I ever talked to him again after that. Hmmm... Mrs. Martin. She was the one that taught us about Latin root words. How many times has that come in handy over the course of my lifetime? Many. (And, I'm not being sarcastic there. I am a word person and there have been many times that I could figure out the meaning of a word I didn't know, just because I knew the meaning of the Latin root word.) Interesting! Thanks, Mrs. Martin! The only other thing that I can remember about Mrs. Martin is that she taught our class and Mrs. Keeton taught the other 5th grade class. Everyone wanted to be in Mrs. Keeton's class. She was young and pretty and very nice; Mrs Martin, on the other hand, was...well...she was not so young...and not so pretty...and...well...probably not as nice. Although, I don't  ever remember her being mean at all. Strict, maybe, but not mean. Well-seasoned! That's what she was! Mrs. Martin was well-seasoned! And, thinking back, I'm glad she was! That means that she was wise and, I'm sure, more old-fashioned in her teaching methods. What a blessing it must have been to be in her class!"

Now...there you have it! Kate gives us the prompt "try" and there is the direction that my thought train takes off and running in. Does anyone else out there do this? Or is it just me? 😨

Stop!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

P. S. - If anyone from GV reads this and had Mrs. Martin as their 5th grade teacher, please, share your memories of her. I think that she deserves a tribute of sorts and this is mine. I'm sure that she's been gone many years now, but does anyone know whatever happened to her? 

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Five Minute Friday - INSPIRE

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: INSPIRE

Go!

Inspire! The very word starts my creative juices flowing!

Many things inspire me...color, texture, pattern, things found in nature, mediums of all kinds (crayons, pencils, markers, pens, paints)...it matters not. 

Paper...fresh, clean, paper...lined paper, blank paper, a brand new spiral-bound notebook, a new journal, sketch book, art paper...even a new planner!

All of these things inspire me! They're fresh! They're clean! They're ready to be put to use! 

Empty walls...ready for fresh paint...but what color? Clean Canvas? Clary Sage? Honey Locust? These are the colors that I chose.

A new journal...blank pages...ready to be filled with words...but what words? Words written to a friend? A story? A poem? Nature notes? I've filled hundreds of pages with all of these things. 

The night sky...full of stars...majestic...wonderful...but where does it end? 

An ant...small, but mighty...

A butterfly...flitting from one flower to the next...

A moth...beating itself senseless against an outdoor light at night...

Where do these animals go when I'm not looking? Where do they live? HOW do they live? These are the things that take further research and observation.

I am easily inspired (and easily distracted) by all of these things. These are the kinds of things that capture my attention daily. These are the things that I think about. 

Creation...from the tiniest, most minute thing...from things that we can't even see with the naked eye...to great beasts of all kinds...whales, elephants, bison, and bears...to the ocean and the universe and beyond with all their mysteries yet to unfold.

These...

THESE are the things that fill my heart and mind...

These are the things that inspire me...

What inspires you?

"But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand" (Isaiah 64:8)

"Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, [even] of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work" (Exodus 35:35).

 "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:7-10).

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy" (Psalm 96:11-12).

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament

sheweth his handywork" (Psalm 19:1).

Stop!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Five Minute Friday - COLLECT

Five Minute Friday - a free write, which means, as our hostess, Kate Motaung, says, "...no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write."

This week's prompt is: COLLECT

Go!

Over the years I've collected many things...postcards, teapots, teacups and saucers, hearts, rocks, seashells, patches, stickers, buttons...but my favorite thing to collect is memories...and every one of the little things that I've collected over the years takes me back to a specific place and time that leads to wonderful memories that have taken up permanent residence in my heart and mind. The things I collect are always tied to a specific person, place, or event in my life. Here are a few of my favorite collections...

 Teacups and saucers...

Every single one of these pieces (and these are just part of my collection) go back to specific person in my life with whom wonderful memories have been shared...

My grandmother's button jars...

I have added a few buttons to the jars to finish filling them up, but most of them are the originals that Grandma had in them when I was little. I loved looking through these jars as a child; when my grandmother passed away, my aunt let me have them. What a blessed treasure!

And this...

My friend, Bev Cooper, of Wooden Mosaic Treasures put this (and several others) together for me after my dad passed away a little over a year ago. I had a couple of boxes of old jewelry that belonged to my mother, her mother, her grandmother, and her aunt, plus a few pieces that had belonged to my dad. Many of the pieces were broken, some were missing settings, etc., so I sent the whole collection to Bev and she turned the old jewelry into beautiful initialed wall-hangings...one for us, one for each of our six children and their families, and one for each of my mother's sisters. What a beautiful treasure to remind each of us of the generations that have gone before!

Sweet memories are my favorite thing to collect. What's yours?

Stop!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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