Faith L. Potts's Blog, page 23
January 6, 2018
From the Shelves {Winter Reads}
Welcome to the winter edition of From the Shelves! Today I bring to you six winter-ish books, in three fun genres, and two books from winter TBR. :)
My prop for this picture is a dandelion decoration that a friend gave me. It makes me think of a snowflake too, so I figured it would work for this. ;)
It certainly feels like winter here lately – lots of cold! Unfortunately, no snow recently, but maybe soon.
Here goes! :D
Historical.
Ahh, the Little House books. I have read this series at least two or three times. When my brother and I were young, we read the entire series aloud as a family more than once, and then I read the series as a unit study in fifth grade. The Long Winter is one of my favorites and a definite winter read!
classic // historical fiction // always re-readable
This is another precious series that I've read more than once! Caleb's Story is my least favorite of the five, probably because it's from Caleb's POV and the others are from one of the sisters' POVs. It's a very sweet story though. I just love Cassie and Grandpa! <3
historical fiction // children's book // reunion story
I was scouring my shelves for wintery books, thinking I needed a Janette Oke book to make the selection complete, when I spotted this one. It starts with a blizzard, so it's obviously a winter book... And such a wonderful one too! :D
historical fiction // christian fiction // romance // western
This is a super sweet story of winter on a family farm in the '30s!! I really enjoyed the A Life of Faith: Kathleen McKenzie series, and this was one of my favorite books! The extended McKenzie family is barrels of fun. ;)
historial fiction // christian fiction // great depression era
Contemporary.
The Rachel Yoder: Always Trouble Somewhere series was one that I really enjoyed as a preteen. Book three, Out of Control, is a wintery book that has to do with snow and sledding and the like. Very cute story!
contemporary // amish // juvenile fiction
Fantasy.
The Blades of Acktar is an amazing fantasy series, and one of my top favorites. Dare starts with one of our main characters walking around during a blizzard... Definitely a winter book! It's been around two years since I started reading them, and I'm looking forward to re-reading these books soon.
*Read my full review of this book here.
fantasy // christian fiction // no magic
TBR.
// Little Women by Louisa May Alcott //
In New England while their chaplain father serves during the Civil War, mother "Marmee" watches the four March sisters grow up. Beautiful capable Meg, tomboy writer Jo, shy musical Beth, and selfish temperamental Amy struggle to pursue their dreams. Kindly neighbor Mr Laurence and his grandson "Teddie" soon become part of the friendly family.
I actually started this book last month, but I'm only about one-quarter of the way through it. It's so sweet and whimsy! I'm really enjoying it. Winter is the perfect time for lengthy reads.
/ / Winter is not Forever by Janette Oke //
"What are you gonna do after graduation?"
Everybody's been askin' me that question. With graduation only a month away, it seems like I'm the only one in our little school who doesn't know what he's gonna do after the big day. I've been prayin' about it, but I still don't have an answer.
Is God nudgin' me to become a minister? A farmer? A husband? Life is filled with choices. The hard thing is figurin' out what to do!
I've read the first two books in this series and somehow it's taken me forever to get around to reading the last two! What better time than winter to read it wth a title like that, am I right? ;)
Have you read any of these? Got any favorite winter reads? :D~Faith
January 3, 2018
Reading Jar Challenge // Wanna Join?!
Good morning, readers! :)
Today I bring to you a reading challenge that I recently came up with. Upon realizing that I have lots of books that I have not even read (and I'm constantly buying more... O.O), I decided that I need to remedy that.
Thus, the challenge.
And what's a challenge without friends to keep me accountable? ;) If you'd like to take part in the reading challenge, you can do so for any reason. It's not hard – just read books!
In my case, the purpose of the challenge is to encourage myself to read all the books I own but have not read. (Yes, there are literal tons of them.) Then, I'll reward myself with a money system. Once I finish a book, I'll put money in the jar (pictured above) according to how much the book is worth.
Here's what I'm planning to do...
Owned book -- $2Library book -- $1All review books (physical copy and e-copies) -- $2Ebook -- $1
If y'all want to join, you can decide what type of reward would work best for you. Maybe you want to use candy or free time. Maybe you want to finish multiple books before sticking something 'in the jar'. Or maybe you want to follow the system I set for myself. It's totally up to you! :D
Y'all wanna join? Post the graphic on your blog (if you have one, and then only if you want xD), and read, read, READ! :D I'll be adding updates to how this is going in my monthly recaps this year as well as on the new '2018 Reads'.
Have a blessed day, all! :)
~Faith
January 1, 2018
Goodbye 2017 + Hello 2018
(Yes, I'm combining the two posts. Be a dear and don't complain, m'kay?)
2017 was an interesting year...and that feels like an understatement. I don't think I'd before experienced a year that changed me so much. It was hard sometimes, but it was a truly beautiful journey and one that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
At the beginning of the year, I chose my 'word of the year.' I had never did this before, but it sounded like a fun concept. So I chose cherish.
(If you've read Dandelion Dust, you're probably smirking at me right now. That book taught me a lot.)
When I chose that word I had no idea what God had in plan for me throughout the 365 days that would follow. I did learn to cherish, on a much deeper level than I'd had in mind. But I also learned how fragile time and life and beauty and love truly are.
We're not here by chance. Every single happening in my life and yours didn't come about by chance. It happened because it's a part of the amazing and intricate plan of the Father in Heaven.
I mentioned that I learned how fragile time is, but I'm also beginning to learn the mystery of waiting. For around a year, I've asked God what He wants me to do. At first He said 'wait, its not time for you to know'...which was not an answer Faith wanted.
But soon after, He gave me an answer. Not a complete answer, but one that's enough for right now. I asked what He wanted me to do, and He said writing.
And yet it took me months to even realize that; I remember the moment clearly. I was talking about writing with a lady at church and she said something about how wonderful it was that, at 16, I already knew what my passion was.
...I'd never thought of writing as a passion. In the few moments that followed that brief conversation, I realize that writing is my passion. I honestly don't think its the only plan God has for me, but it's what I'm supposed to be doing at this moment in time. And for now, that's enough.
2017 also brought a lot of change. Not changes like a move or a new church or a death in the family. But changes inside of me.
I'm a doubter, y'all. I constantly question things, and it's really not good for me.
But this year, I learned that some things are just truths. Things like God's love, how beautiful I am in His sight, and that He has a plan for every bit of pain, every rough spot in the road.
This summer, I learned so many valuable lessons. I discovered who I am in Christ. I grew closer to my Savior than I've ever been before. I held on to Him and learned to rest in His love. <3
(If you're extremely bored, hop over to Chosen Vessels where I wrote more about all that happened this summer.)
Last year around this time, I made a list of goals for 2017. Most of them I accomplished – I read more than 12 books of the Bible, kept a Bible journal for the most part, and grew closer to God. I strengthened my friendships and was (hopefully) a better friend. I finished and published Dandelion Dust *insert squealing* and finished War Tears. I wrote over 190,000 words. I read over 170 books. I started 12th grade.
There were three things on the list that I did not do – go to WinterJam (this year?), keep a writing journal (I legit wrote in it like 3 times), and learn to drive a stick-shift. But I'm not too worried about those things. ;)
A few weeks ago, Shannon Dittemore from Go Teen Writers posted a list of her accomplishments of the year, prompting me to attempt the same. It's quite encouraging to see all that's come about in the past year.
// 2017 accomplishments
> finished writing, edited, and published by debut indie novella (49k) > finished writing two other books (127k and 63k) > wrote 168 blog posts > hosted/co-hosted two blog parties > wrote around 190k words > read 172 books > went on a week-long youth/ministry trip > camped with my family and friends for a week > met one of my favorite authors in person > one of my best friends from 1,000 miles away visited for 10 days > finished 11th grade and started 12th grade > took a week-long adult/semi-advanced ceramics/pottery class > grew closer to God <3
I suppose that's enough reminiscing. Now for 2018...and for this year, I'm again choosing a word for the year. After flipping the question over in my mind for a few days, I finally settled on Light and Love. I desire to be a light in the world for Christ in everything I do, showing His love to others. <3
Goals for 2018...
>> Read 15 books of the Bible and continue keeping a journal.
>> Grow closer to God <3
>> Publish War Tears.
>> Graduate from high school.
>> Read 120 books.
>> Write another novel.
>> Write 125,000 words
>> Keep up with both blogs.
>> Meet two online friends in person for the first time.
Here's to 2018. May it be a year of beauty and growth. Of light and love. Of grace and mercy. Of lessons learned and stories woven.
To God be the glory,
~Faith
**Images from Pinterest.
2017 was an interesting year...and that feels like an understatement. I don't think I'd before experienced a year that changed me so much. It was hard sometimes, but it was a truly beautiful journey and one that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
At the beginning of the year, I chose my 'word of the year.' I had never did this before, but it sounded like a fun concept. So I chose cherish.
(If you've read Dandelion Dust, you're probably smirking at me right now. That book taught me a lot.)
When I chose that word I had no idea what God had in plan for me throughout the 365 days that would follow. I did learn to cherish, on a much deeper level than I'd had in mind. But I also learned how fragile time and life and beauty and love truly are.
We're not here by chance. Every single happening in my life and yours didn't come about by chance. It happened because it's a part of the amazing and intricate plan of the Father in Heaven.
I mentioned that I learned how fragile time is, but I'm also beginning to learn the mystery of waiting. For around a year, I've asked God what He wants me to do. At first He said 'wait, its not time for you to know'...which was not an answer Faith wanted.
But soon after, He gave me an answer. Not a complete answer, but one that's enough for right now. I asked what He wanted me to do, and He said writing.
And yet it took me months to even realize that; I remember the moment clearly. I was talking about writing with a lady at church and she said something about how wonderful it was that, at 16, I already knew what my passion was.
...I'd never thought of writing as a passion. In the few moments that followed that brief conversation, I realize that writing is my passion. I honestly don't think its the only plan God has for me, but it's what I'm supposed to be doing at this moment in time. And for now, that's enough.
2017 also brought a lot of change. Not changes like a move or a new church or a death in the family. But changes inside of me.
I'm a doubter, y'all. I constantly question things, and it's really not good for me.
But this year, I learned that some things are just truths. Things like God's love, how beautiful I am in His sight, and that He has a plan for every bit of pain, every rough spot in the road.
This summer, I learned so many valuable lessons. I discovered who I am in Christ. I grew closer to my Savior than I've ever been before. I held on to Him and learned to rest in His love. <3
(If you're extremely bored, hop over to Chosen Vessels where I wrote more about all that happened this summer.)
Last year around this time, I made a list of goals for 2017. Most of them I accomplished – I read more than 12 books of the Bible, kept a Bible journal for the most part, and grew closer to God. I strengthened my friendships and was (hopefully) a better friend. I finished and published Dandelion Dust *insert squealing* and finished War Tears. I wrote over 190,000 words. I read over 170 books. I started 12th grade.
There were three things on the list that I did not do – go to WinterJam (this year?), keep a writing journal (I legit wrote in it like 3 times), and learn to drive a stick-shift. But I'm not too worried about those things. ;)
A few weeks ago, Shannon Dittemore from Go Teen Writers posted a list of her accomplishments of the year, prompting me to attempt the same. It's quite encouraging to see all that's come about in the past year.
// 2017 accomplishments
> finished writing, edited, and published by debut indie novella (49k) > finished writing two other books (127k and 63k) > wrote 168 blog posts > hosted/co-hosted two blog parties > wrote around 190k words > read 172 books > went on a week-long youth/ministry trip > camped with my family and friends for a week > met one of my favorite authors in person > one of my best friends from 1,000 miles away visited for 10 days > finished 11th grade and started 12th grade > took a week-long adult/semi-advanced ceramics/pottery class > grew closer to God <3
I suppose that's enough reminiscing. Now for 2018...and for this year, I'm again choosing a word for the year. After flipping the question over in my mind for a few days, I finally settled on Light and Love. I desire to be a light in the world for Christ in everything I do, showing His love to others. <3
Goals for 2018...
>> Read 15 books of the Bible and continue keeping a journal.
>> Grow closer to God <3
>> Publish War Tears.
>> Graduate from high school.
>> Read 120 books.
>> Write another novel.
>> Write 125,000 words
>> Keep up with both blogs.
>> Meet two online friends in person for the first time.
Here's to 2018. May it be a year of beauty and growth. Of light and love. Of grace and mercy. Of lessons learned and stories woven.
To God be the glory,
~Faith
**Images from Pinterest.
December 30, 2017
Christmas, a Laptop, and a Blog Party // December Recap
Y'all...2017 is coming to an end. And I'm kinda excited for next year and I kinda don't want this year to end. But I'll save all that for my next post and just get on with this one. xD
\\ Life. \\
>> The bro and I took pictures of each other with the creepy lil' Santa to celebrate December.
>> I slept in. A lot.
Me: *wakes up* Oh great, it's probably something insane like 9 o'clock.Me: *sits up* *sees clock* 9:04?! Darn it!
But, ya know, maybe I needed the sleep because I sent this to a certain person the night before...
>> There was sparks flying out our chimney one night. No big deal, right? Yeah, that's what I thought...until Dad sent Tucker for the water hose. (Spoiler: We all survived.)
>> I fell down the stairs to the basement and was sore for a week. I'm not even kidding.
>> I was crowned the Queen of Christmas.
>> I decorated my bookshelves with Christmas lights. Allllll the heart eyes. <33
>> I discussed Christmas contemporary music with Dad.
*Drummer Boy by fK&C comes on*D: I'm not sure about this group just yetMe...I like that song.
>> We got like 13-14 inches of snow. And had apparently been indoors too long by Sunday afternoon.
Dad: How much tree has our water drunk?Mom: *replies without even catching it*Dad:....I think I said that wrong.Me: *chokes on coffee*
>> I acted like an immature little human over a cup of bad coke.
In the car on the way home from Wednesday night church....
Tucker: I'd kill for something to drink right now.
Me: *looks down at cup holder* oooh, I have coke from Chick-Fil-A! *grabs it*
Tucker: *glares at me*
Me: *smirks* would you share with me?
Tucker: *doesnt even bother answering*
Me: *drinks coke and eyes him* see, I have this sudden, really bad cold. *coughs harshly*
Tucker: I'll drink without the straw.
Me: *pulls up lid and coughs into cup*
Tucker: I'll drink from the other side.
Me: *pulls lid all the way off and continues fake-coughing* I'll even lick it. *licks the rim*
Mom: *rolling her eyes at her supposedly-almost-adult-daughter*
Tucker: I'll drink from the other end of the straw.
Me: *pulls straw out and licks the other end*
Tucker: ....I'd still drink it.
Me: *takes another sip* it's actually watered down from the ice and not very good.
End of matter? No one drank the rest of it.
>> Christmas happened! Which meant lots of epicness including a Christmas play at church, a blog party (more on that in a sec), and a laptop from my parents. O.O Yeah, they're kind of awesome.
>> Another moment of craziness...
Mom: Where's *youth leader* tonight? Tucker: He has an absent tooth.Me: Abscessed. Tucker: That too.
\\ Books. \\
So...I kinda read a ton of books this month except they were mostly more like short-stories, but I'm still counting them because I can. #logic
When I Fall in Love by Melissa Storm -- 2 stars The Art of Thankfulness by R.A. Rooney -- 4 stars Christmas by the Sea by Beth Wiseman -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. The Christmas Star by Ace Collins -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans -- 3 stars As in Olden Days by Jesseca Wheaton -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. The Proposal by Becky Wade -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. Ephesians -- 5 stars Christmas Smiles by Rebekah Morris -- 4 stars -- Review HERE.
The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Red Boots by Kate Willis -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Titus -- 5 stars
Esther Ashton's New Dress by Kelly Roth -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Haywire Christmas by Jenni Hunt -- 4 stars
Mistletoe Mistake by Lynette Sowell -- 3.5 stars
The 12 Cats of Christmas by Perry Elizabeth Kirkpatrick -- 3.5 stars
Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber -- 3.5 stars
Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix -- 4 stars
Sooo...I got some books for Christmas, and I bought some books myself. (And only one was from a Black Friday sale. Mwahaha, look at me being all smart and responsible.)
\\ Writing. \\
I wrote a little over 3,000 words this month...which sounds super lame, but then I remember that I wrote like 28+ blog posts....I don't feel so bad. xD
I also started a new story/book, a sort of sequel to "A Soldier's Freedom", which is fun and sweet and adorable and YAS. ^-^
\\ Music & Movies. \\
I watched lots of Christmas-y ness! And some not. xD
Love's Christmas Journey Silent Night Waltons Christmas (S5)Sweet Nothing in My EarSigned, Sealed, Delivered (Lost Without You, Higher Ground, and Home Again)Dashing Though the SnowWCTH Christmas: The Wishing TreeChristmas in Canaan & Christmas Comes Home to CanaanIt's a Wonderful Life
\\ Blogging. \\
>> The 12 Days of Christmas blog party happened! It was sooo much fun. :D Find all the goodness here.
~ Favorite Posts of the Month ~ *Not including 12DoC posts*
Living for the Other Side // You Can't Be Everyone's Favorite Sauce
Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors // Her Son, Her Savior & The Faith of the Carpenter
More Precious Than Gold // Seasons of Life: Winter
Ivie Writes // For When You Feel Run Down
Apples of Gold // I came. I saw. I judged.
\\ Goals. \\
~ December Goals
>> Read 12 books. Nailed it xD
>> Edit through chapter 25 of War Tears. *dramatic coughing* Erm, no. I didn't even touch that messy ol' book this month.
>> Finish writing the second Christmas story, edit the first. I edited the one (and let y'all read it!), but I still haven't finished the other.
>> Stay caught up with emails. Pretty much. ;D
>> Host the 12DoC blog party. Yup!!
>> Participate in Liv's Little Women Read-Along. ...no. I'm still only 1/4 through the book, but I still plan to finish.
>> Have a very, Merry Christmas! Yup! :)
~ January Goals
>> Read 8 books.
>> Finish editing part one of War Tears, start part two, and send part one to my alphas.
>> Stay caught up with emails.
>> Survive school.
>> Rewrite/edit a short story from last year to, hopefully, publish soon. (By the way, anyone interested in beta-reading that in a few weeks? :P)
>> Write 1-2 short stories for a contest.
>> Finish a beta-reading project.
>> Take a break from blogging. (Yup, that's right. Other than a few posts next week, I'm taking January off from blogging. I'll be back with a recap around the end of the month. ;))
>> Host a bookstagram challenge! (This is gonna be a lot of fun, y'all. :D Also, for anyone who doesn't have Instagram, I'm going to be adding my pictures to a page on this blog sporadically. ;))
How was y'all's Christmas season/December? :D Any thoughts on what I should add to/take away from these monthly wrap-ups in the new year? ~Faith
\\ Life. \\
>> The bro and I took pictures of each other with the creepy lil' Santa to celebrate December.
>> I slept in. A lot.
Me: *wakes up* Oh great, it's probably something insane like 9 o'clock.Me: *sits up* *sees clock* 9:04?! Darn it!
But, ya know, maybe I needed the sleep because I sent this to a certain person the night before...
>> There was sparks flying out our chimney one night. No big deal, right? Yeah, that's what I thought...until Dad sent Tucker for the water hose. (Spoiler: We all survived.)
>> I fell down the stairs to the basement and was sore for a week. I'm not even kidding.
>> I was crowned the Queen of Christmas.
>> I decorated my bookshelves with Christmas lights. Allllll the heart eyes. <33
>> I discussed Christmas contemporary music with Dad.
*Drummer Boy by fK&C comes on*D: I'm not sure about this group just yetMe...I like that song.
>> We got like 13-14 inches of snow. And had apparently been indoors too long by Sunday afternoon.
Dad: How much tree has our water drunk?Mom: *replies without even catching it*Dad:....I think I said that wrong.Me: *chokes on coffee*
>> I acted like an immature little human over a cup of bad coke.
In the car on the way home from Wednesday night church....
Tucker: I'd kill for something to drink right now.
Me: *looks down at cup holder* oooh, I have coke from Chick-Fil-A! *grabs it*
Tucker: *glares at me*
Me: *smirks* would you share with me?
Tucker: *doesnt even bother answering*
Me: *drinks coke and eyes him* see, I have this sudden, really bad cold. *coughs harshly*
Tucker: I'll drink without the straw.
Me: *pulls up lid and coughs into cup*
Tucker: I'll drink from the other side.
Me: *pulls lid all the way off and continues fake-coughing* I'll even lick it. *licks the rim*
Mom: *rolling her eyes at her supposedly-almost-adult-daughter*
Tucker: I'll drink from the other end of the straw.
Me: *pulls straw out and licks the other end*
Tucker: ....I'd still drink it.
Me: *takes another sip* it's actually watered down from the ice and not very good.
End of matter? No one drank the rest of it.
>> Christmas happened! Which meant lots of epicness including a Christmas play at church, a blog party (more on that in a sec), and a laptop from my parents. O.O Yeah, they're kind of awesome.
>> Another moment of craziness...
Mom: Where's *youth leader* tonight? Tucker: He has an absent tooth.Me: Abscessed. Tucker: That too.
\\ Books. \\
So...I kinda read a ton of books this month except they were mostly more like short-stories, but I'm still counting them because I can. #logic
When I Fall in Love by Melissa Storm -- 2 stars The Art of Thankfulness by R.A. Rooney -- 4 stars Christmas by the Sea by Beth Wiseman -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. The Christmas Star by Ace Collins -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans -- 3 stars As in Olden Days by Jesseca Wheaton -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. The Proposal by Becky Wade -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. Ephesians -- 5 stars Christmas Smiles by Rebekah Morris -- 4 stars -- Review HERE.
The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Red Boots by Kate Willis -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Titus -- 5 stars
Esther Ashton's New Dress by Kelly Roth -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Haywire Christmas by Jenni Hunt -- 4 stars
Mistletoe Mistake by Lynette Sowell -- 3.5 stars
The 12 Cats of Christmas by Perry Elizabeth Kirkpatrick -- 3.5 stars
Christmas Eve at the Backdoor by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.
Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber -- 3.5 stars
Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix -- 4 stars
Sooo...I got some books for Christmas, and I bought some books myself. (And only one was from a Black Friday sale. Mwahaha, look at me being all smart and responsible.)
\\ Writing. \\
I wrote a little over 3,000 words this month...which sounds super lame, but then I remember that I wrote like 28+ blog posts....I don't feel so bad. xD
I also started a new story/book, a sort of sequel to "A Soldier's Freedom", which is fun and sweet and adorable and YAS. ^-^
\\ Music & Movies. \\
I watched lots of Christmas-y ness! And some not. xD
Love's Christmas Journey Silent Night Waltons Christmas (S5)Sweet Nothing in My EarSigned, Sealed, Delivered (Lost Without You, Higher Ground, and Home Again)Dashing Though the SnowWCTH Christmas: The Wishing TreeChristmas in Canaan & Christmas Comes Home to CanaanIt's a Wonderful Life
\\ Blogging. \\
>> The 12 Days of Christmas blog party happened! It was sooo much fun. :D Find all the goodness here.
~ Favorite Posts of the Month ~ *Not including 12DoC posts*
Living for the Other Side // You Can't Be Everyone's Favorite Sauce
Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors // Her Son, Her Savior & The Faith of the Carpenter
More Precious Than Gold // Seasons of Life: Winter
Ivie Writes // For When You Feel Run Down
Apples of Gold // I came. I saw. I judged.
\\ Goals. \\
~ December Goals
>> Read 12 books. Nailed it xD
>> Edit through chapter 25 of War Tears. *dramatic coughing* Erm, no. I didn't even touch that messy ol' book this month.
>> Finish writing the second Christmas story, edit the first. I edited the one (and let y'all read it!), but I still haven't finished the other.
>> Stay caught up with emails. Pretty much. ;D
>> Host the 12DoC blog party. Yup!!
>> Participate in Liv's Little Women Read-Along. ...no. I'm still only 1/4 through the book, but I still plan to finish.
>> Have a very, Merry Christmas! Yup! :)
~ January Goals
>> Read 8 books.
>> Finish editing part one of War Tears, start part two, and send part one to my alphas.
>> Stay caught up with emails.
>> Survive school.
>> Rewrite/edit a short story from last year to, hopefully, publish soon. (By the way, anyone interested in beta-reading that in a few weeks? :P)
>> Write 1-2 short stories for a contest.
>> Finish a beta-reading project.
>> Take a break from blogging. (Yup, that's right. Other than a few posts next week, I'm taking January off from blogging. I'll be back with a recap around the end of the month. ;))
>> Host a bookstagram challenge! (This is gonna be a lot of fun, y'all. :D Also, for anyone who doesn't have Instagram, I'm going to be adding my pictures to a page on this blog sporadically. ;))
How was y'all's Christmas season/December? :D Any thoughts on what I should add to/take away from these monthly wrap-ups in the new year? ~Faith
December 26, 2017
SURPRISE! // We're Hijacking her Blog
Twelve days of Christmas is over already. All of us participants had such an amazing time!! As a result of all of her hard work, we just wanted to hijack Faith's blog for a day to say "thank you".
Angela Watts
Dear Faith,Thank you so, so much for spreading the joy of Jesus! Putting together a blog party for the past few years definitely hasn’t been easy - but you not only pull it off like a champ, you also keep spirits lifted to Yahweh through the craziness! Thank you so much for the 12 Days Of Christmas. It means so much to me the past 2 years I’ve participated. You’re definitely amazing, girl. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!-Angela
Ashley
First off, thank you so much for all the work you do to make 12 Days of Christmas a reality every single year. I know it entails a lot of organization and we’re all so very grateful for everything you do to keep it up and running. I’ve loved being able to participate for these past two years and be able to make blogging connections with you and everyone else who participates. Blogging can be pretty lonely and daunting if you don’t have other blogger friends to support you, and 12DoC helps us all build a little “blogging community” where we can encourage each other. Thank you for your willingness to do this and we hope you know that we’re all here to help support you!
Faith
So, putting aside our sharing the greatest name ever (;)), I just wanted to say thank you for putting this together. You took time out of your season to create a HUGE blog party, and it’s been super fun! I wasn’t able to post much, but what I got to put up and read was amazing. We love you--thank you so much for all your dedication and work to make this Christmas season terrific!
Janelle
Faith!!!! This has been my first year participating in the 12DOC and wow, you my dear are amazing! December is probably the craziest time of the year and then add blogging every day! Thank you so much for organizing this! It's been quite a pleasure to be a part of Celebrating Christmas and most importantly honoring the Birth of Christ! Also how Fantastic is this that we get to connect with people we've never met before! This has been such a wonderful experience for me to be a part of! Thanks again!Merry Christmas!
Jesseca Wheaton
Wow, Faith, this is seriously the busiest time of year for you, on top of having a crazy busy year, and yet you still take the time to put together an amazing blog link up. You're epic dearie.I love ya lots and am so blessed to be able to have been a part of the 12DoC every year since it's started. It's been a blessing to me, and I know it's blessed so many others as well.
Kaitlyn
Wow, girlie. During the Christmas season, you’re not just getting ready for Christmas. You’re doing school, making wreaths, helping out on the tree farm, practicing for a Christmas play, AND AMONG ALL THIS, you’re organizing a twelve-day-long blog party, posting twenty-four times within those twelve days. Yet, through all this, I’ve seen how you focus on God and His reason for Christmas. The fact that He sent His son to earth. For us. Faith, you’re an inspiration. I’m blessed to be a part of 12DOC.
Kell
Hey Faith! I’m just participating in 12DOC for the first time this year, and wow! How do you manage to do so much during such a busy time of the year? I’m beyond impressed! I know how crazy it is to get posts out on time sometimes - and twelve at a time? While organizing twenty-one other bloggers? YOU ARE A SUPERHEROINE. And I love that you’re doing it all to the glory of God. I can only imagine how many people will be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas this year! So … thank you. Thank you for giving me (and all these other bloggers) an opportunity to be a part of this. With love, Kell
Marrok MacIntyre
Hello Faith. I’m just swinging by to say thank you. You have truly done something amazing here. For the past 3 years you have takab random bloggers from all over the world, all different walks of life, who didn’t know each other, to all participate in a 12 day Christmas blog party. I know it isn’t easy. And I know you do a ton of work for this. So, thank you for all your hard work this year and every year. I hope to be able to continue to participate and hopefully help you out in the coming years. Again thank you for all your hard work and have a blessed Christmas and New Years!
Megan
Faith!! Thank you SO much for all your hard work in putting together the 12 DoC blog party again this year. It’s been so fun participating with you all (though I wasn’t able to do as much as normal, apologies for that :P) and it’s been equally amazing seeing how the party has grown in the past three years. Talking about the past...can you believe it’s been three years since we “met”?? Crazy!! It’s been awesome seeing how you and your love for Christ has shone the past few years through your blog. Keep up the amazing work, girl!Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! <3
Michaila
Faith, I just wanna say thank you. You multitask it all like a pro and have given everyone apart of this such a great time. I know it takes a supreme level of patience to take care of everyone’s needs in a blog party, and a whole lot of communicating...and you aced it.Thanks so much for making this Christmas shine brighter & for bringing Christ’s joy into the spotlight!Lotsa love girl,Merry Christmas
Olivia
Ahh Faith, you have done so much this year in organizing the 12 Days of Christmas blog party, and I’m so glad I get to be apart of it! You are truly an example of a hardworking, cheerful, beautiful Christian girl, and I really appreciate all you’ve done!! The 12DoC blog linkup has helped me to focus more on Jesus as Christmas arrives, and that’s a really really good thing. You’ve created something that people are blessed by and THANK YOU for that. You’re amazing to have done all of this ON TOP of everything else you have in your life, like schoolwork, homework, Christmas planning, and whatever else in between!! You’re an inspiration and a light for Jesus. Keep it up! I hope you have the best of Christmases and an awesome New Year. Love,Olivia
Rebekah
Faith, I've been enjoying this link-up since the very first year, and it never fails to encourage me and introduce me to other amazing blogger's who seek to glorify God during the Christmas season. I have the awesome privilege to call you my friend, and I sincerely hope this little post we’re doing on your blog can scratch the surface of the gratitude we all feel for the time and effort you put into this fun blog series. :) It hit me yesterday as I worked on scheduling my first post that having this link-up to look forward to each year has become a highlight of December for me. That's the highest compliment I can give anything, Faith, because December is one of my favorite months of the year, and there are so many things to keep me busy...but I wouldn't want to miss being a part of this link-up even with everything going on in my life right now. It has become one of those things that make my Christmas, like the decoration of our house, watching “It's a Wonderful Life”, and making Christmas cookies at my grandma’s house. So thank you for everything you do to make this possible. I hope this post we’re putting together blesses you as much as your effort toward the link-up has blessed all of us. <3 I can honestly say that my Christmas would not be the same without it.
From all of us here,THANK YOU, FAITH! :D
Angela Watts
Dear Faith,Thank you so, so much for spreading the joy of Jesus! Putting together a blog party for the past few years definitely hasn’t been easy - but you not only pull it off like a champ, you also keep spirits lifted to Yahweh through the craziness! Thank you so much for the 12 Days Of Christmas. It means so much to me the past 2 years I’ve participated. You’re definitely amazing, girl. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!-Angela
Ashley
First off, thank you so much for all the work you do to make 12 Days of Christmas a reality every single year. I know it entails a lot of organization and we’re all so very grateful for everything you do to keep it up and running. I’ve loved being able to participate for these past two years and be able to make blogging connections with you and everyone else who participates. Blogging can be pretty lonely and daunting if you don’t have other blogger friends to support you, and 12DoC helps us all build a little “blogging community” where we can encourage each other. Thank you for your willingness to do this and we hope you know that we’re all here to help support you!
Faith
So, putting aside our sharing the greatest name ever (;)), I just wanted to say thank you for putting this together. You took time out of your season to create a HUGE blog party, and it’s been super fun! I wasn’t able to post much, but what I got to put up and read was amazing. We love you--thank you so much for all your dedication and work to make this Christmas season terrific!
Janelle
Faith!!!! This has been my first year participating in the 12DOC and wow, you my dear are amazing! December is probably the craziest time of the year and then add blogging every day! Thank you so much for organizing this! It's been quite a pleasure to be a part of Celebrating Christmas and most importantly honoring the Birth of Christ! Also how Fantastic is this that we get to connect with people we've never met before! This has been such a wonderful experience for me to be a part of! Thanks again!Merry Christmas!
Jesseca Wheaton
Wow, Faith, this is seriously the busiest time of year for you, on top of having a crazy busy year, and yet you still take the time to put together an amazing blog link up. You're epic dearie.I love ya lots and am so blessed to be able to have been a part of the 12DoC every year since it's started. It's been a blessing to me, and I know it's blessed so many others as well.
Kaitlyn
Wow, girlie. During the Christmas season, you’re not just getting ready for Christmas. You’re doing school, making wreaths, helping out on the tree farm, practicing for a Christmas play, AND AMONG ALL THIS, you’re organizing a twelve-day-long blog party, posting twenty-four times within those twelve days. Yet, through all this, I’ve seen how you focus on God and His reason for Christmas. The fact that He sent His son to earth. For us. Faith, you’re an inspiration. I’m blessed to be a part of 12DOC.
Kell
Hey Faith! I’m just participating in 12DOC for the first time this year, and wow! How do you manage to do so much during such a busy time of the year? I’m beyond impressed! I know how crazy it is to get posts out on time sometimes - and twelve at a time? While organizing twenty-one other bloggers? YOU ARE A SUPERHEROINE. And I love that you’re doing it all to the glory of God. I can only imagine how many people will be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas this year! So … thank you. Thank you for giving me (and all these other bloggers) an opportunity to be a part of this. With love, Kell
Marrok MacIntyre
Hello Faith. I’m just swinging by to say thank you. You have truly done something amazing here. For the past 3 years you have takab random bloggers from all over the world, all different walks of life, who didn’t know each other, to all participate in a 12 day Christmas blog party. I know it isn’t easy. And I know you do a ton of work for this. So, thank you for all your hard work this year and every year. I hope to be able to continue to participate and hopefully help you out in the coming years. Again thank you for all your hard work and have a blessed Christmas and New Years!
Megan
Faith!! Thank you SO much for all your hard work in putting together the 12 DoC blog party again this year. It’s been so fun participating with you all (though I wasn’t able to do as much as normal, apologies for that :P) and it’s been equally amazing seeing how the party has grown in the past three years. Talking about the past...can you believe it’s been three years since we “met”?? Crazy!! It’s been awesome seeing how you and your love for Christ has shone the past few years through your blog. Keep up the amazing work, girl!Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! <3
Michaila
Faith, I just wanna say thank you. You multitask it all like a pro and have given everyone apart of this such a great time. I know it takes a supreme level of patience to take care of everyone’s needs in a blog party, and a whole lot of communicating...and you aced it.Thanks so much for making this Christmas shine brighter & for bringing Christ’s joy into the spotlight!Lotsa love girl,Merry Christmas
Olivia
Ahh Faith, you have done so much this year in organizing the 12 Days of Christmas blog party, and I’m so glad I get to be apart of it! You are truly an example of a hardworking, cheerful, beautiful Christian girl, and I really appreciate all you’ve done!! The 12DoC blog linkup has helped me to focus more on Jesus as Christmas arrives, and that’s a really really good thing. You’ve created something that people are blessed by and THANK YOU for that. You’re amazing to have done all of this ON TOP of everything else you have in your life, like schoolwork, homework, Christmas planning, and whatever else in between!! You’re an inspiration and a light for Jesus. Keep it up! I hope you have the best of Christmases and an awesome New Year. Love,Olivia
Rebekah
Faith, I've been enjoying this link-up since the very first year, and it never fails to encourage me and introduce me to other amazing blogger's who seek to glorify God during the Christmas season. I have the awesome privilege to call you my friend, and I sincerely hope this little post we’re doing on your blog can scratch the surface of the gratitude we all feel for the time and effort you put into this fun blog series. :) It hit me yesterday as I worked on scheduling my first post that having this link-up to look forward to each year has become a highlight of December for me. That's the highest compliment I can give anything, Faith, because December is one of my favorite months of the year, and there are so many things to keep me busy...but I wouldn't want to miss being a part of this link-up even with everything going on in my life right now. It has become one of those things that make my Christmas, like the decoration of our house, watching “It's a Wonderful Life”, and making Christmas cookies at my grandma’s house. So thank you for everything you do to make this possible. I hope this post we’re putting together blesses you as much as your effort toward the link-up has blessed all of us. <3 I can honestly say that my Christmas would not be the same without it.
From all of us here,THANK YOU, FAITH! :D
December 25, 2017
12 Days of Christmas // Wrap-up + Christmas Story + Winners
Merry Christmas, dearest readers!! :D I hope y'all have a fabulous day with family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Today I'm doing a wrap-up of the party, sharing the Christmas story (I'm gonna be not-so traditional and do Matthew instead of Luke ;D), and announcing the giveaway winners. Here goes!
First off, how could we have a Christmas party without the true Christmas story? ^_^
18 ~ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 ~ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 ~ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 ~ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 ~ Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 ~ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 ~ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 ~ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” ~ Matthew 1:18-25 KJV ~
~*~
Okiedoke, party stats. xD This year, we ended up with posts from 16 different bloggers. Our most posts in a day was 13 on the 16th and our least was 5 on the 17th. Our total number of posts was 117! Woo-hoo for us, y'all! This makes me super happy. :D
Lists of epic participants... :D Rebekah @ RebekahAshleighJesseca @ Whimsical Writings for His GloryOlivia @ 9 Kids Plus 2Kaitlyn @ Twin ThoughtsRebekah E. @ Rebekah's RemarksMarrok @ Marrok MacIntyreEmily @ Creative Scribbles of a History DetectiveAmy @ Living in Faith and FunAshley @ Colorful, Creative CardsKellyn @ ReveriesFaith @ The Writer's SongAngela @ The Peculiar MessengerMichaila @ Seventy Times SevenJanelle @ The Ramblings of a Book WormOlivia J. @ Living for the Other SideBlessing Counter @ Counting Your Blessings One by OneNaomi @ Joy for the Journey
~*~
And, now for what you're all probably waiting for, the giveaway winners!! The prizes go to...
Maddy C (book and ornament)
and
Olivia F. (CD and ornament)
Congrats, girls! I'll be contacting y'all soon to obtain your mailing addresses so I can get your prizes sent out. :D
~*~
Most of today's links are not direct like they usually would be, since I'm scheduling ahead of time and didn't think ahead enough to get permalinks from everyone. I'll be back on to swap to direct links later today or even tomorrow, so if you're reading this late, you're good. ;D
The Peculiar Messenger // The Joy of ChristmasReveries // Happy 2017th Birthday, JesusJoy for the Journey // Christmas Cookies & Jesus is the Reason for the Christmas SeasonRebekahAshleigh // Merry Christmas9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas Vlog & It's a WrapWhimsical Writings for His Glory // Christmas DayThe Ramblings of a Book Worm // It's Christmas DayTwin Thoughts // It's About the CrossColorful, Creative Cards // Jesus' BirthRebekah's Remarks // Christmas Traditions Chosen Vessels // Book Review
Well, that's a wrap, as they say. I'm kinda tired of doing two posts a day for nearly two weeks...to be honest. ;D Y'all will see me popping in to finish commenting on everyone's post sometime this week, and then I'll be back for the December recap, of course. I'm considering taking a blogging break early in the new year though...we'll see. :P
Merry Christmas to all! ~Faith
Today I'm doing a wrap-up of the party, sharing the Christmas story (I'm gonna be not-so traditional and do Matthew instead of Luke ;D), and announcing the giveaway winners. Here goes!
First off, how could we have a Christmas party without the true Christmas story? ^_^
18 ~ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 ~ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 ~ But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 ~ And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 ~ Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 ~ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 ~ Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 ~ And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” ~ Matthew 1:18-25 KJV ~
~*~
Okiedoke, party stats. xD This year, we ended up with posts from 16 different bloggers. Our most posts in a day was 13 on the 16th and our least was 5 on the 17th. Our total number of posts was 117! Woo-hoo for us, y'all! This makes me super happy. :D
Lists of epic participants... :D Rebekah @ RebekahAshleighJesseca @ Whimsical Writings for His GloryOlivia @ 9 Kids Plus 2Kaitlyn @ Twin ThoughtsRebekah E. @ Rebekah's RemarksMarrok @ Marrok MacIntyreEmily @ Creative Scribbles of a History DetectiveAmy @ Living in Faith and FunAshley @ Colorful, Creative CardsKellyn @ ReveriesFaith @ The Writer's SongAngela @ The Peculiar MessengerMichaila @ Seventy Times SevenJanelle @ The Ramblings of a Book WormOlivia J. @ Living for the Other SideBlessing Counter @ Counting Your Blessings One by OneNaomi @ Joy for the Journey
~*~
And, now for what you're all probably waiting for, the giveaway winners!! The prizes go to...
Maddy C (book and ornament)
and
Olivia F. (CD and ornament)
Congrats, girls! I'll be contacting y'all soon to obtain your mailing addresses so I can get your prizes sent out. :D
~*~
Most of today's links are not direct like they usually would be, since I'm scheduling ahead of time and didn't think ahead enough to get permalinks from everyone. I'll be back on to swap to direct links later today or even tomorrow, so if you're reading this late, you're good. ;D
The Peculiar Messenger // The Joy of ChristmasReveries // Happy 2017th Birthday, JesusJoy for the Journey // Christmas Cookies & Jesus is the Reason for the Christmas SeasonRebekahAshleigh // Merry Christmas9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas Vlog & It's a WrapWhimsical Writings for His Glory // Christmas DayThe Ramblings of a Book Worm // It's Christmas DayTwin Thoughts // It's About the CrossColorful, Creative Cards // Jesus' BirthRebekah's Remarks // Christmas Traditions Chosen Vessels // Book Review
Well, that's a wrap, as they say. I'm kinda tired of doing two posts a day for nearly two weeks...to be honest. ;D Y'all will see me popping in to finish commenting on everyone's post sometime this week, and then I'll be back for the December recap, of course. I'm considering taking a blogging break early in the new year though...we'll see. :P
Merry Christmas to all! ~Faith
December 24, 2017
12 Days of Christmas // Anna, the Prophetess
Hey guys! Hope y'all are having an amazing Sunday. :) And, um, yeah. Christmas Eve? How did that happen? *shakes head*
Hugs and love and kudos and all that good stuff to my amazing mom who gave me a ton of great notes, since I ended up scrambling for time to get this ready. ;)
Today we're gonna talk about Anna. (Don't know who this amazing lady is or her connection to Christmas? Go read Luke 2:21-38, especially those last three verses, and then come back. xD)
Anna. What do we really know about this woman?
Perhaps I know what you're thinking right now because, at a time, I thought the same thing. C'mon, seriously? She's only mentioned once in the Bible, resulting in only three verses. How much can we know?
Enough, my friends. Enough that we should want to be like her in many aspects of our daily lives.
Let's dig into her history a bit and see what we know about Anna. Her name means 'favor of grace' or 'beautiful.' It's also the Latin version of Hannah. She was of the tribe of Asher. She was a prophetess and an elderly Jewish widow. (Did y'all catch that? Yeah, she was old. The Bible says she was of a great age, and she obviously was. A widow of eighty-four years? Even if she married when she was ten, she wasn't young by this time!)
Hmm...she still doesn't sound that special, does she? Let's see what the Bible has to say about her.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.~ Luke 2:36-38 KJV ~
Yep, that's it. Three little verses stuck between the shepherds and the Passover. I think we've covered everything in the first verse, so let's move on to the second.
She departed not from the temple... Y'all, let's just stop and think about that. She didn't come to the temple once a week. She didn't come daily. She didn't come twice a day. She lived there. She never left. God's house was her dwelling place. Night and day, she fasted, she prayed, and she never left.
She dwelled in His presence, day in and day out. How amazing is that?! Her life was spent anticipating the coming of the Promised Messiah.
And you know what else? Her patient waiting paid off. That day that probably began so ordinary quickly changed. I believe that she, like Simeon, knew who Jesus was right away. She didn't doubt, didn't view Mary and Joseph as just another set of parents with just another newborn baby. And she wasn't surprised by His arrival.
She just believed and accepted Him. How often do we accept His will that easily? I don't think I would be wrong to say it's rare. Very rare.
In that very instant that she laid eyes on her Savior, Anna knew. She believed. She accepted. And she praised Him.
But it didn't end there, the ending of the last verse from this passage tells us that she spread the news of Jesus to "all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalam." She didn't hide the joy away for herself, but she shared it with the world.
It also specifies that she shared it with those in Jerusalem. That could mean those that came to the temple, sure, but I can't help wondering if it means something else. After her days of waiting were over, did Anna depart from the temple? Going forth to share this good news with anyone who was seeking redemption? I don't know that she did, but we also don't know that she didn't. It's something to think about, for sure.
May we all await Christ's second coming in the same way Anna awaited His first, readily and faithfully. And while we wait...let's spread the Word of the Greatest Gift this world ever has and ever will receive. <3
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ~ Hebrews 9:28 KJV ~
~*~
Twin Thoughts // A Contemporary Christmas9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas Story, part threeRebekahAshleigh // Book ReviewLiving in Faith and Fun // Snow and Little WomenWhimsical Writings for His Glory // A Christmas Short StoryChosen Vessels // Book Review
Thoughts on Anna? Thoughts on how tomorrow is Christmas?! #whaaattt ~Faith
Hugs and love and kudos and all that good stuff to my amazing mom who gave me a ton of great notes, since I ended up scrambling for time to get this ready. ;)
Today we're gonna talk about Anna. (Don't know who this amazing lady is or her connection to Christmas? Go read Luke 2:21-38, especially those last three verses, and then come back. xD)
Anna. What do we really know about this woman?
Perhaps I know what you're thinking right now because, at a time, I thought the same thing. C'mon, seriously? She's only mentioned once in the Bible, resulting in only three verses. How much can we know?
Enough, my friends. Enough that we should want to be like her in many aspects of our daily lives.
Let's dig into her history a bit and see what we know about Anna. Her name means 'favor of grace' or 'beautiful.' It's also the Latin version of Hannah. She was of the tribe of Asher. She was a prophetess and an elderly Jewish widow. (Did y'all catch that? Yeah, she was old. The Bible says she was of a great age, and she obviously was. A widow of eighty-four years? Even if she married when she was ten, she wasn't young by this time!)
Hmm...she still doesn't sound that special, does she? Let's see what the Bible has to say about her.
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.~ Luke 2:36-38 KJV ~
Yep, that's it. Three little verses stuck between the shepherds and the Passover. I think we've covered everything in the first verse, so let's move on to the second.
She departed not from the temple... Y'all, let's just stop and think about that. She didn't come to the temple once a week. She didn't come daily. She didn't come twice a day. She lived there. She never left. God's house was her dwelling place. Night and day, she fasted, she prayed, and she never left.
She dwelled in His presence, day in and day out. How amazing is that?! Her life was spent anticipating the coming of the Promised Messiah.
And you know what else? Her patient waiting paid off. That day that probably began so ordinary quickly changed. I believe that she, like Simeon, knew who Jesus was right away. She didn't doubt, didn't view Mary and Joseph as just another set of parents with just another newborn baby. And she wasn't surprised by His arrival.
She just believed and accepted Him. How often do we accept His will that easily? I don't think I would be wrong to say it's rare. Very rare.
In that very instant that she laid eyes on her Savior, Anna knew. She believed. She accepted. And she praised Him.
But it didn't end there, the ending of the last verse from this passage tells us that she spread the news of Jesus to "all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalam." She didn't hide the joy away for herself, but she shared it with the world.
It also specifies that she shared it with those in Jerusalem. That could mean those that came to the temple, sure, but I can't help wondering if it means something else. After her days of waiting were over, did Anna depart from the temple? Going forth to share this good news with anyone who was seeking redemption? I don't know that she did, but we also don't know that she didn't. It's something to think about, for sure.
May we all await Christ's second coming in the same way Anna awaited His first, readily and faithfully. And while we wait...let's spread the Word of the Greatest Gift this world ever has and ever will receive. <3
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. ~ Hebrews 9:28 KJV ~
~*~
Twin Thoughts // A Contemporary Christmas9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas Story, part threeRebekahAshleigh // Book ReviewLiving in Faith and Fun // Snow and Little WomenWhimsical Writings for His Glory // A Christmas Short StoryChosen Vessels // Book Review
Thoughts on Anna? Thoughts on how tomorrow is Christmas?! #whaaattt ~Faith
December 23, 2017
12 Days of Christmas // Home by Christmas {3 of 3}
Happy Saturday, all! :)
Slight change of plans. I had planned to do a different post today, but something came up and I didn't have time to get it written in advance. So I'm gonna give y'all the conclusion of the story today instead, and that post tomorrow. ;)
December 24th, 1944
The train chugged down the tracks, eating up the miles as they crossed the great expanse of the American continent. Ruth rested her head against the cold glass window to her right, still trying to believe that she was really here. Almost home, on Christmas Eve, with Doug at her side. Mama and Papa would be thrilled by their surprise arrival, not to mention Doug’s fiancée’s sure-to-be-emotional response. Somewhere between South Carolina and their home state of Texas, the train stopped to pick up a few passengers. A woman boarded, dragging two young children along by the hand. The little boy dawdled in the middle aisle, gawking at Doug until his mother pulled him on down the car. Ruth swallowed and glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye. So far, he'd been handling the stares better than she expected, but she knew it still hurt. How could it not – to be stared at like you were some sort of creature instead of a human being with hurts and fears and dreams? She reached a hand toward him and squeeze his forearm. He looked up and smiled at her touch, turning halfway to see her since he no longer had an eye on that side, a black eyepatch now in its place. “I'm okay, Ruthie.” “Really? Because you look as exhausted as I feel,” she teased. Scooting down in her seat, she leaned back into the window. “Lean on me,” she offered, shifting and indicating for him to rest his head on her shoulder. He shook his head, glancing warily around. “Switch seats with me.” “Why?” Ruth asked, even as she stood and let Doug slide into her seat. He held onto her arm to steady her until she was safely in the seat to his left. “Better.” He leaned his shoulder against the side of the car and held out his arm to her. “Here. Let me take care of you now, Ruthie.” Finally catching on, Ruth smiled and snuggled into his side. “If you say so.” The siblings fell asleep to the lull of the train, rocking away the remaining miles between them and home. It may mean walking the mile and a half from the station, but they were going to make it home by Christmas.
~*~
“Thanks, Jim!” “Yes, thank you!” Ruthie joined her brother’s call of gratitude as they slid out of the back of the truck, belonging to the man who had given them a lift from the train station to the end of their driveway. Having left their baggage at the station, the siblings hustled through the snowy night. As they came into the edge of the yard, with inviting light spilling from the windows of their childhood home, Ruth’s heart filled with love and happiness. This was it. This was home. “Wait.” Doug reached out and grabbed her arm. “They know…right? I mean, they're not going to be startled or–” “No.” She cut him off, looping her arm through his and leaning her cheek into his shoulder. His self-consciousness sliced her heart. “They know all of it. And they're waiting to welcome you home with open arms. Okay?” He let out a pent-up breath, covering her hand in his. “Okay. I'm all right.” Ruth smiled and they continued toward the porch steps. He really wasn't all right, but he would be. When he was welcomed into this wonderful home and wrapped in the love that waited for him in the beautiful hearts just inside.
~*~
Treading softly up the porch steps, the siblings stopped at the front window and peeked inside. The lacy curtains prohibited a full view, but did allow them to make out three figures in the front room. Mama, in the rocker with her knitting in her lap, probably mittens or a scarf to send overseas. Papa, in the armchair, glasses on the end of his nose and the family Bible in his lap. And Mary, settled in the floor with curls in her hair and holly berries pinned to her Christmas dress. “What is she doing here?” Doug hissed under his breath. He had thought he'd have tonight to face his parents and could put off seeing Mary until tomorrow. “She's always here for holidays,” Ruthie said, as if that explained it. “You know that.” She looked at the door and then back at him. “Should we knock or barge right in?” Doug shrugged, reaching up to straighten his eyepatch. He needed it on straight. His parents and sweet Mary didn't need to see his ugly, sunken eyehole first thing. “Up to you. I just want to–” Keep from breaking down in front of them… “I know.” She smiled up at him in the glow of the porch light. Funny how Mama had left it on, when she wasn't even expecting them. “Just remember how much they love you.” Swallowing hard in effort to tamp down his emotion, Doug followed his sister to the door. She raised her hand to knock – and then quickly drew back, swirling around to face him. “I've got it! I'll go on in and send Mary out. Y'all may need a moment alone.” We may need more than a minute. But Ruthie grabbed the doorknob and barged into the house before Doug could object. He stood in the shadows, unable to do anything more than smile at the joyous voices spilling out into the night as Ruthie was welcomed into their midst. “Mary,” he heard his sister say. “Why don't you step outside? I left your Christmas present on the porch, and he's probably getting cold.” Mary squealed so loudly Doug nearly jumped out of his skin. Her footsteps came through the room, slowing as she reached the doorway. Heart tripping over itself due to the high speed at which it was functioning, Doug stepped into the light of the doorway with the left side of his face toward his fiancée. “Oh, Doug…” She whispered, voice breaking until he could make out the tears in her words. Why was he doing this to her? Why let her see his brokenness and cry even harder, hurt even more over his pain? “No…” He muttered under his breath and placed his hand over the door casing, where the storm door met the house siding. “Doug, what–” It vibrated under his palm as she tried to push through anyway. “Mary, stop.” He could hear her quiet sobs cutting through the chilly air, another, a moment more, and then quiet. Doug swallowed and held firm. He didn't know why he didn't just let her see him; she would soon enough. She would cry, harder than she was now, she would pity him. And she would hurt all over again, and somehow he would feel responsible for her pain. Why wouldn't she let him protect her heart in this way, even if it was just for a little while? Around the side of the house, a door slammed. A doubled thump hit the steps at the other end of the porch and Doug glanced up – and quickly looked back down. Mary was standing at the other end of the porch, without even her coat. She must have snuck out the kitchen door to get to him. “Mary, please don't…” But she ignored him. She always did when she wanted to do something that he didn't want her to do. He heard her quick footsteps come across the porch, and then her catching breath as she stood a few feet ahead of him. “Doug…please let me see you.” “No, Mary. You don't want to have to look at me.” Still not heeding his words, she stepped closer until she stood so near that their heads nearly touched. Her hand appeared at the end of his coat sleeve, fingers linking with his. “Please, Doug…” She whispered again. “You're making my heart hurt.” No… Sweetheart, I'll only make your heart hurt worse. Contrary to his thoughts, Doug slowly lifted his head to look at the young woman before him, reaching for his eyepatch with his free hand. She would see all of him sooner or later; he couldn't save her that pain forever. When she saw his face and eye, she didn't jerk away in shock, or run in fear, or cry out and flee. Instead, her grip on his hand tightened, and the light coming through the open door and frosted windowpanes glinted off the tears on her cheeks. She fought to still her jaw as she reached out and pressed her palm to the disfigured side of his face. “Doug, I love–” He shook his head and drew back from her touch. “Mary, no, you don't want to–” “No, you're going to listen this time,” she insisted, stepping close to him again. “I love you, Doug…so much. And I'm going to be your wife.” Fighting back tears of his own, Doug stopped fighting her, stopped pulling away from her love. Seeing the tears spill from her sparkling eyes, he was compelled to open up to her. To share his true heart. “I love you, but… Mary, I don't want you to be ashamed of me.” “Ashamed of you?” Her face crumbled, lip puckering. “From what I hear, I have a war hero on my hands.” He shook his head, incapable of drawing his eyes from her face. “Don't believe everything you hear.” “I have reliable sources,” she whispered, but neither of them were paying any attention to all that now. “Doug, the One who loves me most is scarred. You know that? And He took those scars because of His love for me.” Doug swallowed and tried to drag his mind away from the feel of her hand on his wrinkled cheek. “He sacrificed for me, just as you did. Willingly and freely gave, for those He loved.” Mary’s face blurred as tears crowded his eye. “That was not a fair or accurate comparison.” She laughed, soft and sweet. “Maybe not.” She wrapped her arms around his middle and snuggled her face into the front of his coat. “But it made you smile at me. I like it when you smile.” He was smiling? One arm around her shoulders, Doug reached up and felt the taut, scarred side of his face. “Doesn't even feel like a smile; I don't know how you recognized that as one.” He dropped his hand and hugged her close. “To you I probably look like a–” “Doug, stop.” She lifted her face from his chest and placed her cold hands to either side of his face. “Don't talk like that. I don't want to hear it. You're home…here with me, that's what matters.” She stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek. As she drew back, Doug leaned forward and kissed her lips. They'd only kissed once before, and that was the day he shipped out. But the way she was talking, treating him like he was something special, loving him in spite of everything…she deserved to know how cherished she was. The kiss was over as soon as it had began and Mary stood before him with a beautiful look of love on her face. “You know, this makes kissing a little awkward, with only half of my face wanting to move.” He leaned in again and kissed her forehead to demonstrate. “But I guess we’ll just have to practice a lot.” She laughed, tears still rolling down her face. “Now that sounds more like the Doug I fell in love with in eighth grade.” He couldn't help grinning then, and he gathered her back into his embrace. Yes, they would be all right. Not the same, not ever the same, but all right. They had a living hope. “Doug?” He rested his cheek on her head, and they swayed side to side, snowflakes clinging to their hair and clothes. “Hmm?” “Can we go inside now? I'm freezing.” Doug quickly drew back and glanced down at her attire, feeling like he was seeing her for the first time. She wore no coat or sweater and her feet were bare. “Mary! Where are your shoes?” “Inside.” She shrugged and turned toward the door, pulling him along. “I was in a hurry.” Now he felt like an idiot for letting her stand out in the cold so long. But at least this way he didn't have time to think about what to say to his parents – or how they would react to seeing him – before he stood before them, Mary at his side. Papa stood with Mama on one side and Ruthie on the other, his arms around his girls. The awkward silence lasted only a moment, before Mama broke away and rushed into Doug’s arms. Sobs shook her slight frame as she clung to him, her hand finding his scarred face and staying there. Doug tightened his arms around his sweet Mama, afraid she was going to collapse onto him. He glanced up in time to see Papa kiss Ruthie’s cheek and move to join them, wrapping his strong arms around his wife and son. Held tightly in his parents arms, surrounded by their love, Doug felt his barriers begin to breakdown, bringing what Mary’s words had begun to consummation. He was home. He didn't have to be strong, put up a brave front, tuck his true feelings down deep inside and keep pushing forward. He could be open, real, genuine, and raw. The people in this room loved him and knew him. They wouldn't judge his pain, misinterpret it for weakness. Tears fell from his eyes – or eye, as it was – and a cry rose from somewhere deep within him, somewhere that hadn't been touched since he'd crawled away from a burning tank in the dark of night. Amidst his outpouring of hurt, Doug felt small hands on his back and then someone leaned their head against him. Mary. Seconds later, another figure appeared at his side, opposite Papa, and Ruthie wrapped her arms around him and Mama. Doug knew that with his parents loving guidance, his girl’s confidence in him, and the support of the sister who had seen him lower than, he prayed, the other’s ever would, he truly would be all right. After months of being apart, being separated on opposite sides of the globe by a war greater than any before, but not greater than their God, the family was finally united again.
~*~
As the minute hand rose to a vertical position, the clock on the mantle began to chime. Twelve full strokes, which ended with the family sitting in silence except for the crackle of the fire. Christmas Day. Doug smiled as his mother approached him with the coffee pot. “More, son?” “Thanks, Mama.” He held out his mug for her to fill, his other hand occupied by Mary’s. Every coffee cup in the room had been refilled or topped off before Mama returned to her seat. She sank into the empty rocker by the fire, across from Papa. Doug and Mary sat on the sofa facing them, Ruthie on the ottoman between. “Papa…” Mama laid her hand on her husband's knee, their eyes meeting in the firelight. “Why don't you lead us in a prayer to thank God for our children’s safe return?” As they bowed their heads, Doug tightened his arm around Mary’s shoulders, nudging her closer to him. He couldn't help smiling when she pressed a kiss to his scarred cheek and nestled her head into his embrace. Yes, they loved him for who he was deep inside. He wasn't the same person that left, but he had survived the war. And he’d made it home to the one he loved, home just in time for Christmas.
~*~
Reveries // Christmas StoryMarrok MacIntyre // Christmas RandomnessA Writer's Song // Favorite Christmas SongsRebekahAshleigh // Movie ReviewTwin Thoughts // A Country ChristmasCreative Scribbles of a History Detective // Christmas Story, part oneChosen Vessels // Book Review
What did y'all think of the story? :D Today is the last day of giveaway! Click here to enter. ~Faith
Slight change of plans. I had planned to do a different post today, but something came up and I didn't have time to get it written in advance. So I'm gonna give y'all the conclusion of the story today instead, and that post tomorrow. ;)
December 24th, 1944
The train chugged down the tracks, eating up the miles as they crossed the great expanse of the American continent. Ruth rested her head against the cold glass window to her right, still trying to believe that she was really here. Almost home, on Christmas Eve, with Doug at her side. Mama and Papa would be thrilled by their surprise arrival, not to mention Doug’s fiancée’s sure-to-be-emotional response. Somewhere between South Carolina and their home state of Texas, the train stopped to pick up a few passengers. A woman boarded, dragging two young children along by the hand. The little boy dawdled in the middle aisle, gawking at Doug until his mother pulled him on down the car. Ruth swallowed and glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye. So far, he'd been handling the stares better than she expected, but she knew it still hurt. How could it not – to be stared at like you were some sort of creature instead of a human being with hurts and fears and dreams? She reached a hand toward him and squeeze his forearm. He looked up and smiled at her touch, turning halfway to see her since he no longer had an eye on that side, a black eyepatch now in its place. “I'm okay, Ruthie.” “Really? Because you look as exhausted as I feel,” she teased. Scooting down in her seat, she leaned back into the window. “Lean on me,” she offered, shifting and indicating for him to rest his head on her shoulder. He shook his head, glancing warily around. “Switch seats with me.” “Why?” Ruth asked, even as she stood and let Doug slide into her seat. He held onto her arm to steady her until she was safely in the seat to his left. “Better.” He leaned his shoulder against the side of the car and held out his arm to her. “Here. Let me take care of you now, Ruthie.” Finally catching on, Ruth smiled and snuggled into his side. “If you say so.” The siblings fell asleep to the lull of the train, rocking away the remaining miles between them and home. It may mean walking the mile and a half from the station, but they were going to make it home by Christmas.
~*~
“Thanks, Jim!” “Yes, thank you!” Ruthie joined her brother’s call of gratitude as they slid out of the back of the truck, belonging to the man who had given them a lift from the train station to the end of their driveway. Having left their baggage at the station, the siblings hustled through the snowy night. As they came into the edge of the yard, with inviting light spilling from the windows of their childhood home, Ruth’s heart filled with love and happiness. This was it. This was home. “Wait.” Doug reached out and grabbed her arm. “They know…right? I mean, they're not going to be startled or–” “No.” She cut him off, looping her arm through his and leaning her cheek into his shoulder. His self-consciousness sliced her heart. “They know all of it. And they're waiting to welcome you home with open arms. Okay?” He let out a pent-up breath, covering her hand in his. “Okay. I'm all right.” Ruth smiled and they continued toward the porch steps. He really wasn't all right, but he would be. When he was welcomed into this wonderful home and wrapped in the love that waited for him in the beautiful hearts just inside.
~*~
Treading softly up the porch steps, the siblings stopped at the front window and peeked inside. The lacy curtains prohibited a full view, but did allow them to make out three figures in the front room. Mama, in the rocker with her knitting in her lap, probably mittens or a scarf to send overseas. Papa, in the armchair, glasses on the end of his nose and the family Bible in his lap. And Mary, settled in the floor with curls in her hair and holly berries pinned to her Christmas dress. “What is she doing here?” Doug hissed under his breath. He had thought he'd have tonight to face his parents and could put off seeing Mary until tomorrow. “She's always here for holidays,” Ruthie said, as if that explained it. “You know that.” She looked at the door and then back at him. “Should we knock or barge right in?” Doug shrugged, reaching up to straighten his eyepatch. He needed it on straight. His parents and sweet Mary didn't need to see his ugly, sunken eyehole first thing. “Up to you. I just want to–” Keep from breaking down in front of them… “I know.” She smiled up at him in the glow of the porch light. Funny how Mama had left it on, when she wasn't even expecting them. “Just remember how much they love you.” Swallowing hard in effort to tamp down his emotion, Doug followed his sister to the door. She raised her hand to knock – and then quickly drew back, swirling around to face him. “I've got it! I'll go on in and send Mary out. Y'all may need a moment alone.” We may need more than a minute. But Ruthie grabbed the doorknob and barged into the house before Doug could object. He stood in the shadows, unable to do anything more than smile at the joyous voices spilling out into the night as Ruthie was welcomed into their midst. “Mary,” he heard his sister say. “Why don't you step outside? I left your Christmas present on the porch, and he's probably getting cold.” Mary squealed so loudly Doug nearly jumped out of his skin. Her footsteps came through the room, slowing as she reached the doorway. Heart tripping over itself due to the high speed at which it was functioning, Doug stepped into the light of the doorway with the left side of his face toward his fiancée. “Oh, Doug…” She whispered, voice breaking until he could make out the tears in her words. Why was he doing this to her? Why let her see his brokenness and cry even harder, hurt even more over his pain? “No…” He muttered under his breath and placed his hand over the door casing, where the storm door met the house siding. “Doug, what–” It vibrated under his palm as she tried to push through anyway. “Mary, stop.” He could hear her quiet sobs cutting through the chilly air, another, a moment more, and then quiet. Doug swallowed and held firm. He didn't know why he didn't just let her see him; she would soon enough. She would cry, harder than she was now, she would pity him. And she would hurt all over again, and somehow he would feel responsible for her pain. Why wouldn't she let him protect her heart in this way, even if it was just for a little while? Around the side of the house, a door slammed. A doubled thump hit the steps at the other end of the porch and Doug glanced up – and quickly looked back down. Mary was standing at the other end of the porch, without even her coat. She must have snuck out the kitchen door to get to him. “Mary, please don't…” But she ignored him. She always did when she wanted to do something that he didn't want her to do. He heard her quick footsteps come across the porch, and then her catching breath as she stood a few feet ahead of him. “Doug…please let me see you.” “No, Mary. You don't want to have to look at me.” Still not heeding his words, she stepped closer until she stood so near that their heads nearly touched. Her hand appeared at the end of his coat sleeve, fingers linking with his. “Please, Doug…” She whispered again. “You're making my heart hurt.” No… Sweetheart, I'll only make your heart hurt worse. Contrary to his thoughts, Doug slowly lifted his head to look at the young woman before him, reaching for his eyepatch with his free hand. She would see all of him sooner or later; he couldn't save her that pain forever. When she saw his face and eye, she didn't jerk away in shock, or run in fear, or cry out and flee. Instead, her grip on his hand tightened, and the light coming through the open door and frosted windowpanes glinted off the tears on her cheeks. She fought to still her jaw as she reached out and pressed her palm to the disfigured side of his face. “Doug, I love–” He shook his head and drew back from her touch. “Mary, no, you don't want to–” “No, you're going to listen this time,” she insisted, stepping close to him again. “I love you, Doug…so much. And I'm going to be your wife.” Fighting back tears of his own, Doug stopped fighting her, stopped pulling away from her love. Seeing the tears spill from her sparkling eyes, he was compelled to open up to her. To share his true heart. “I love you, but… Mary, I don't want you to be ashamed of me.” “Ashamed of you?” Her face crumbled, lip puckering. “From what I hear, I have a war hero on my hands.” He shook his head, incapable of drawing his eyes from her face. “Don't believe everything you hear.” “I have reliable sources,” she whispered, but neither of them were paying any attention to all that now. “Doug, the One who loves me most is scarred. You know that? And He took those scars because of His love for me.” Doug swallowed and tried to drag his mind away from the feel of her hand on his wrinkled cheek. “He sacrificed for me, just as you did. Willingly and freely gave, for those He loved.” Mary’s face blurred as tears crowded his eye. “That was not a fair or accurate comparison.” She laughed, soft and sweet. “Maybe not.” She wrapped her arms around his middle and snuggled her face into the front of his coat. “But it made you smile at me. I like it when you smile.” He was smiling? One arm around her shoulders, Doug reached up and felt the taut, scarred side of his face. “Doesn't even feel like a smile; I don't know how you recognized that as one.” He dropped his hand and hugged her close. “To you I probably look like a–” “Doug, stop.” She lifted her face from his chest and placed her cold hands to either side of his face. “Don't talk like that. I don't want to hear it. You're home…here with me, that's what matters.” She stood on tiptoe to press a kiss to his cheek. As she drew back, Doug leaned forward and kissed her lips. They'd only kissed once before, and that was the day he shipped out. But the way she was talking, treating him like he was something special, loving him in spite of everything…she deserved to know how cherished she was. The kiss was over as soon as it had began and Mary stood before him with a beautiful look of love on her face. “You know, this makes kissing a little awkward, with only half of my face wanting to move.” He leaned in again and kissed her forehead to demonstrate. “But I guess we’ll just have to practice a lot.” She laughed, tears still rolling down her face. “Now that sounds more like the Doug I fell in love with in eighth grade.” He couldn't help grinning then, and he gathered her back into his embrace. Yes, they would be all right. Not the same, not ever the same, but all right. They had a living hope. “Doug?” He rested his cheek on her head, and they swayed side to side, snowflakes clinging to their hair and clothes. “Hmm?” “Can we go inside now? I'm freezing.” Doug quickly drew back and glanced down at her attire, feeling like he was seeing her for the first time. She wore no coat or sweater and her feet were bare. “Mary! Where are your shoes?” “Inside.” She shrugged and turned toward the door, pulling him along. “I was in a hurry.” Now he felt like an idiot for letting her stand out in the cold so long. But at least this way he didn't have time to think about what to say to his parents – or how they would react to seeing him – before he stood before them, Mary at his side. Papa stood with Mama on one side and Ruthie on the other, his arms around his girls. The awkward silence lasted only a moment, before Mama broke away and rushed into Doug’s arms. Sobs shook her slight frame as she clung to him, her hand finding his scarred face and staying there. Doug tightened his arms around his sweet Mama, afraid she was going to collapse onto him. He glanced up in time to see Papa kiss Ruthie’s cheek and move to join them, wrapping his strong arms around his wife and son. Held tightly in his parents arms, surrounded by their love, Doug felt his barriers begin to breakdown, bringing what Mary’s words had begun to consummation. He was home. He didn't have to be strong, put up a brave front, tuck his true feelings down deep inside and keep pushing forward. He could be open, real, genuine, and raw. The people in this room loved him and knew him. They wouldn't judge his pain, misinterpret it for weakness. Tears fell from his eyes – or eye, as it was – and a cry rose from somewhere deep within him, somewhere that hadn't been touched since he'd crawled away from a burning tank in the dark of night. Amidst his outpouring of hurt, Doug felt small hands on his back and then someone leaned their head against him. Mary. Seconds later, another figure appeared at his side, opposite Papa, and Ruthie wrapped her arms around him and Mama. Doug knew that with his parents loving guidance, his girl’s confidence in him, and the support of the sister who had seen him lower than, he prayed, the other’s ever would, he truly would be all right. After months of being apart, being separated on opposite sides of the globe by a war greater than any before, but not greater than their God, the family was finally united again.
~*~
As the minute hand rose to a vertical position, the clock on the mantle began to chime. Twelve full strokes, which ended with the family sitting in silence except for the crackle of the fire. Christmas Day. Doug smiled as his mother approached him with the coffee pot. “More, son?” “Thanks, Mama.” He held out his mug for her to fill, his other hand occupied by Mary’s. Every coffee cup in the room had been refilled or topped off before Mama returned to her seat. She sank into the empty rocker by the fire, across from Papa. Doug and Mary sat on the sofa facing them, Ruthie on the ottoman between. “Papa…” Mama laid her hand on her husband's knee, their eyes meeting in the firelight. “Why don't you lead us in a prayer to thank God for our children’s safe return?” As they bowed their heads, Doug tightened his arm around Mary’s shoulders, nudging her closer to him. He couldn't help smiling when she pressed a kiss to his scarred cheek and nestled her head into his embrace. Yes, they loved him for who he was deep inside. He wasn't the same person that left, but he had survived the war. And he’d made it home to the one he loved, home just in time for Christmas.
~*~
Reveries // Christmas StoryMarrok MacIntyre // Christmas RandomnessA Writer's Song // Favorite Christmas SongsRebekahAshleigh // Movie ReviewTwin Thoughts // A Country ChristmasCreative Scribbles of a History Detective // Christmas Story, part oneChosen Vessels // Book Review
What did y'all think of the story? :D Today is the last day of giveaway! Click here to enter. ~Faith
December 22, 2017
12 Days of Christmas // Home by Christmas {2 of 3}
Hooray for pre-written Christmas stories when Faith doesn't have a post planned, am I right? ;)
Today I bring to you part two of my little story! If you missed part one, click here. And...if you haven't entered the giveaway, click here! It closes tomorrow night! :D
Ruth trudged down the street through the early morning haze, with a heart much lighter than her feet. With Agnes and Clara, two other nurses from her shift, on either side of her, Ruth got caught up in their chattering. “It's good to have you back, Ruthie,” Clara said as they ducked into the old hotel building where they were temporarily rooming. “You've been drawn away from us for too long.” Ruth smiled and thanked her friend, the words staying with her as she slipped into her own shared room and flopped onto a cot. I have been drawn away…secluded by my worry for Doug. She rolled over and spied her friend Helen, sitting with a knee bent under her on the next bed. “You look much better this morning.” Helen turned and smiled, a smile that didn't reach her teary eyes. “Thanks, hon. I'm pretty sure that had little to do with my body and a lot to do with my heart.” She held up a sheet of paper from her lap that Ruth hadn't noticed before. “Tom’s been critically injured in the Pacific…that's all I know.” “Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetie.” Ruth scooted to the edge of her bed and reached over to hug her friend. She felt guilty for being so joyous about Doug when Helen’s boyfriend could very well be dead. “I'll be praying for him – and you.” “Thanks.” Wiping the tears from her eyes and tucking the slip of paper into her duffel, Helen began doing up her hair. “I've got to hurry or I'll never get to work on time. Dig my mirror out of my bag, would you?” “Sure.” Ruth hunted through her friend’s bag until she found the small handheld mirror, the sides and handle engraved with scallops and seashells. “It's so pretty.” “One guess as to who gave it to me.” Helen continued jabbing bobby pins into her hair without so much as glancing in directions Ruth’s direction. “Tom, of course,” Ruth said without hesitation. No wonder Helen refused to part with the keepsake, and even kept it carefully wrapped among her clothes. Helen only nodded, took the mirror, and quickly checked her hair. Then she handed it back to Ruth and stood. “Would you tuck it safely away for me again, hon?” “Will do. Oh, by the way,” Ruth called out as Helen moved toward the door. “Take good care of the guy in bed thirteen, okay? He’s kind of special to me.” Foot on the threshold, Helen stopped and turned back. “I know you're not one to grow quick attachments to the men, soo…” At the look on Ruth’s face, Helen’s eyes suddenly brightened and hew jaw dropped. “Oh, good heavens! Doug?” Ruth nodded, laughing and crying as Helen flew back across the room to give her a hug. “Oh, I'm so happy for you. Now get some sleep, hon. You deserve it. I'll look after your special fella, even if he is your brother.”
~*~
Over the next few weeks, Ruth spent every spare moment with her missed and cherished little brother. She read him old letters she had received from their parents and from Mary. He told her of how he'd gotten hurt, and why he was listed MIA for months before then. And they spent time reminiscing about childhood days. On the day that Doctor Franks removed the bandages from his face for what they hoped would be the last time, Ruth was standing next to him. She observed the doctor’s methodical movements and Doug’s silent waiting, but then turned her gaze to his wounds. The raw skin of his face and neck was pink and tender around the discolored skin and rumpled scarring. A few blisters remained, mostly near his sunken eye and badly scarred cheek, but healing was taking place. The last of the bandages fell away, and still Doug stared up at the ceiling without budging. “How does your face feel, soldier?” Doctor Franks asked, leaning near to inspect. “I'm not sure how to describe it, sir. It’s good to feel air again, but I almost feel…exposed and vulnerable.” Doug ran his tongue over his lips, feeling the almost-healed burn on the edge of his mouth. “I suppose that makes sense.” The doctor continued his examination, carefully assessing Doug’s wounds. After several minutes, he took a step back and nodded at Ruth. “I believe we can leave the burns uncovered, at least for a little while.” “Yes, Doctor.” The man stepped away, and Ruth turned to Doug with a smile. “He must think you're healing nicely tell me that.” Doug nodded, again staring off into the distance. “That's good,” he murmured, his mind far from the words. He twisted to look up at Ruth, and she more fully saw the pain in his eyes. She winced, knowing she could do much less for the pain in his heart than for the pain in his body. “Do you have a mirror?” Oh dear, he wanted to see for himself… “No, I'm afraid not…” Before she could go on, a recent image sprang into Ruth’s mind. Helen, brushing her hair, fiddling with a handheld mirror, fingering the delicate trim. “Actually, I might know where I can get one. I'll be right back.” Without waiting for a reply, Ruth hurried across the room in search of Helen. She found her friend setting out medicine doses in a small room behind the ward. “Helen…can I ask you a favor?” Helen lifted her gaze from the table in front of her, his weary eyes meeting her friend’s. “Of course, hon. Something wrong?” “Well, not exactly.” Ruth leaned her shoulder against the doorcase, and quickly explained the situation. “Somehow I think it might be better if he sees now, as opposed to later.” A soft smile crossed Helen’s face. “And you're asking to borrow the mirror Tom gave me.” “Yes.” Ruth carefully gauged her friend for more of a reaction. “I know how much it means to you, and I promise to make sure it gets back to you safely.” “You don't need to promise anything.” Helen dusted her hands off and stepped over to Ruth’s side. Her spirit remained somewhat downcast, but a hopeful light burned in her eyes. “My love for Tom and his love for me, it’s something that's in our hearts, not in trinkets and gifts. If that mirror was lying somewhere shattered even as we speak, it would be okay because that's not what really matters.” Ruth smiled and slipped her arm around her friend’s waist. “I'm so proud of you, sweetie. Just you wait, you're gonna hear from your fellow soon.” “Maybe you're right.” Helen smiled without looking very convinced. “Now go get the mirror, hon.”
~*~
Ruth dashed to the nurses quarters in record timing. After clattering up the stairs, she dug the mirror out of Helen’s duffel and quickly rushed back the way she had came. Today was no different from any other and she couldn't be away from the hospital for long. On her way back through the snowy streets, Ruth’s gait was slower. She trudged along, wishing she felt up to hurrying. When she came into sight, her gaze landed on the stoop of the schoolhouse – and the lone figure that sat on the steps with shoulders hunched forward. Helen. “Oh no…” Ruth whispered. She tucked the mirror securely into her coat pocket and took off down the street at as high a speed as the dirty sludge would allow. She was panting by the time she reached the makeshift hospital. Helen sat on the second step, her coat yanked haphazardly around her shoulders, her frame trembling with sobs. Ruth sank to the step below her friend, worry forming a cold ache in her heart. “Helen…?” The young woman raised her head and met Ruth’s gaze. “Oh, hon, I'm so happy.” Happy? Before Ruth could sort out her thoughts much less attempt a reply, Helen lifted a tan envelope and a few folded papers from her lap. “A letter from Tom. He's hurt, badly hurt. Probably even worse than he's telling me, but…he's okay.” She clutched the letter to her chest and lifted her face to the wind, the icy chill stealing the tears from her cheeks. “Oh, sweetie…” Ruth scooted closer and wrapped her friend in a tight embrace. “I'm so happy for you.” Helen didn't speak, just hugged her back. “I'm okay.” “I know you are.” Ruth stood and patted her friend’s back in departure. “Take your time enjoying your news.” “Oh, by the way…” Helen’s voice caught Ruth before she made it to the door. “A letter came for you too.”
~*~
Back inside the hospital, Ruth found herself busy with other patients for half an hour before she was able to steal away. When she reached Doug’s bedside, Ruth held the mirror out to him, facedown. He didn't say anything, just eyed it for a moment. Then he took it with his good hand, flipped it over, and held it up. Hardly flinching, he studied the warped side of his face, the empty eye socket, the scarring that ran back into his hairline, across his ear, and down his neck. Still not speaking or saying a word about it, he dropped the mirror to his lap and his gaze followed it. His shoulders slumped as if in defeat. A tear slid from his eye, followed by another. Ruth dropped to her knees next to him and took his good hand. “Doug? Talk to me, brother mine.” “Mary should be ashamed,” he rasped, obviously having a hard time holding it together. His jaw quivered, and he clenched his teeth to still it. “No…no, Doug.” Ruth gathered his other hand, now with only the palm bound in white dressing, into her hold. “Don't say that. Another man from your platoon told me that you saved countless lives before the tank blew up. You're a hero for your country. Mary will love you even more than she ever has when you finally get home to her.” Doug’s jaw shifted. “Maybe.” Then, clearing his throat and pulling his hand out of hers, he asked, “Have you written them about me?” Ruth nodded slowly, suddenly wondering if it had been a good idea. She busied her hands with arranging supplies on a nearby tray and fiddling with his coverlet as she replied. “I have. I wrote Mama and Papa soon after you got here, and I enclosed a note for them to give to Mary to insure they learned at the same time.” He was quiet for a moment longer, his good hand working the fingers of his other hand, trying to improve his mobility before scar tissue took over as Doctor Franks had instructed. “Have they wrote back?” “Actually…” Ruth stopped fidgeting and withdrew a tattered envelope from her pants pocket. Maybe this would help ease the pain. “I received this just today. Would you like me to read it aloud?” His eye lit at the sight of the letter from home. “Yeah, if you don't mind.” Slitting the seal and reaching inside, Ruth removed the folded pages and began to read:
My dearest Ruthie and Doug, (For I am going to assume that you are still together – it does my Mama-heart good to think that you are. You've always been so close, and you need each other now more than ever.) Your Papa and I cried when we read Ruthie’s most recent letter, bearing the glorious news that our Doug is found and safe. We hurt knowing that you're hurting, son, but we are ever so thankful to God above that He saw fit to spare your life. He is not through with you yet; He still has plans for you on this earth.
Ruth paused long enough to glance up at Doug. He rested against the pillow, a tear caught in his eyelashes. “You can go on,” he whispered without opening his eye. She nodded and returned her gaze to the handwritten page on her knee.
Stay strong in the Lord, dears. I can't imagine the terrible carnage you have both seen and will continue to see until this horrific war is over. He alone can see you through. Know you are in our hearts always, on our minds daily, and in every prayer we send up. My first petition is for your safety, followed closely by an end to the war and my children’s happy homecoming. The enclosed letter is from Mary. I believe she cried harder than I did when we receive word of Doug being identified. Ruthie, if your brother is not there with you anymore, please forward this to him if you are able. You know your Papa is not one for many words, but he sends his love. Rest in the knowledge that we are very proud of you both and eagerly awaiting the safe return of our children. With all my love, Mama
Blinking the tears back from her eyes, Ruth carefully folded the pages that held her mother’s precious words. She pulled out the aforementioned letter from her brother’s fiancée and held it out to him. “Here's Mary’s letter.” He took it from her hand and spent a moment fingering the smooth paper. “Read it to me…will you, Ruthie?” “Are you sure?” Ruthie accepted the letter than he returned to her hand, but hesitated to open it. “She meant these words for you, Doug. Not me.” But still he shook his head. “She knew the letter was going to at least pass through your hands. Besides, if the Doc hadn't decided to take the bandages off today you would have had to have read it.” Well, true. Shrugging, Ruth unfolded the extra papers and began to read again.
My darling Doug, I hope this letter finds you safe and well on your way to recovery. I'll go ahead and be completely honest, as we promised to always be with each other.
Ruth paused, pretending to clear his throat as she let her eyes travel quickly down the page. Surely Mary wasn't about to break up with him… “Just read it, Sis,” Doug requested. Apparently he'd caught her in her attempts to protect him. “Whatever it says, I can take it.” Giving him a brave smile, Ruth returned to the spot where she left off on the page.
I cried when we received the news from Ruthie. Tears of joy that you are alive and will be home before too much longer. But also tears of pain. Oh, my dear, sweet Doug, I can't imagine the pain you have bore. My heart hurts knowing you're suffering, even as I write this and as you read it. Still on the topic of honesty, I want to go ahead and broach something that I'm suspecting. I suspect it, because I know you, Douglas Watkins. Don't you think for one minute that anything that has happened to you over there can diminish my love for you in the least. I know what you're thinking, that I haven't seen you yet. But I love you with all of my heart, and I always will. Our love is strong enough to endure, darling.
Ruth paused again to catch her brother’s reaction. He was resting against the pillow, a trio of tears slipping down his face. The peace that surrounded the two of them could be felt, but not described. She returned to the letter, her heart full.
Come home to me soon, love. If there's anything else that needs to be settled between us, we can talk then. In the meantime, focus on getting better and know I love you dearly and am praying for you. Yours, Mary
Finished, Ruth folded the letter from Doug’s girl and tucked it into his hand. He took it gratefully and held on as if it would bring him closer to his Mary. “Are you okay?” Ruth murmured, aiming to keep the moment between just the two of them. The two letters, both filled with emotion and encouraging words, had lifted her spirits. But she wanted to make sure he was handling it all well before she left for the night. Doug nodded, giving her a real smile that she truly hadn't seen since before he had left for English shores. “I'm gonna be fine.” “Yes, you are.” She smiled back and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “My shift is up. Do you want something before I leave for the nurses quarters?” “Yeah…” He lifted his gaze from the letter he still fingered and looked her in the eye. “I want to be home, with them, by Christmas. Can you make it happened, Sis?”
~*~
Living in Faith and Fun // Operation Christmas CardCreative Scribbles of a History Detective // White Christmas with a TwistRebekahAshleigh // Fudge RecipeTwin Thoughts // Books for the Kids at HeartWhimsical Writings for His Glory // 5 Reasons Why Christmas is Special This Year9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas BakingColorful, Creative Cards // Wise Men Present GiftsRebekah's Remarks // Bookish Tag ~ Christmas VersionThe Ramblings of a Book Worm // Christmas PoemChosen Vessels // Book Review
Thoughts on the story? Thoughts on how it's only three days until Christmas?! O.O~Faith
Today I bring to you part two of my little story! If you missed part one, click here. And...if you haven't entered the giveaway, click here! It closes tomorrow night! :D
Ruth trudged down the street through the early morning haze, with a heart much lighter than her feet. With Agnes and Clara, two other nurses from her shift, on either side of her, Ruth got caught up in their chattering. “It's good to have you back, Ruthie,” Clara said as they ducked into the old hotel building where they were temporarily rooming. “You've been drawn away from us for too long.” Ruth smiled and thanked her friend, the words staying with her as she slipped into her own shared room and flopped onto a cot. I have been drawn away…secluded by my worry for Doug. She rolled over and spied her friend Helen, sitting with a knee bent under her on the next bed. “You look much better this morning.” Helen turned and smiled, a smile that didn't reach her teary eyes. “Thanks, hon. I'm pretty sure that had little to do with my body and a lot to do with my heart.” She held up a sheet of paper from her lap that Ruth hadn't noticed before. “Tom’s been critically injured in the Pacific…that's all I know.” “Oh, I'm so sorry, sweetie.” Ruth scooted to the edge of her bed and reached over to hug her friend. She felt guilty for being so joyous about Doug when Helen’s boyfriend could very well be dead. “I'll be praying for him – and you.” “Thanks.” Wiping the tears from her eyes and tucking the slip of paper into her duffel, Helen began doing up her hair. “I've got to hurry or I'll never get to work on time. Dig my mirror out of my bag, would you?” “Sure.” Ruth hunted through her friend’s bag until she found the small handheld mirror, the sides and handle engraved with scallops and seashells. “It's so pretty.” “One guess as to who gave it to me.” Helen continued jabbing bobby pins into her hair without so much as glancing in directions Ruth’s direction. “Tom, of course,” Ruth said without hesitation. No wonder Helen refused to part with the keepsake, and even kept it carefully wrapped among her clothes. Helen only nodded, took the mirror, and quickly checked her hair. Then she handed it back to Ruth and stood. “Would you tuck it safely away for me again, hon?” “Will do. Oh, by the way,” Ruth called out as Helen moved toward the door. “Take good care of the guy in bed thirteen, okay? He’s kind of special to me.” Foot on the threshold, Helen stopped and turned back. “I know you're not one to grow quick attachments to the men, soo…” At the look on Ruth’s face, Helen’s eyes suddenly brightened and hew jaw dropped. “Oh, good heavens! Doug?” Ruth nodded, laughing and crying as Helen flew back across the room to give her a hug. “Oh, I'm so happy for you. Now get some sleep, hon. You deserve it. I'll look after your special fella, even if he is your brother.”
~*~
Over the next few weeks, Ruth spent every spare moment with her missed and cherished little brother. She read him old letters she had received from their parents and from Mary. He told her of how he'd gotten hurt, and why he was listed MIA for months before then. And they spent time reminiscing about childhood days. On the day that Doctor Franks removed the bandages from his face for what they hoped would be the last time, Ruth was standing next to him. She observed the doctor’s methodical movements and Doug’s silent waiting, but then turned her gaze to his wounds. The raw skin of his face and neck was pink and tender around the discolored skin and rumpled scarring. A few blisters remained, mostly near his sunken eye and badly scarred cheek, but healing was taking place. The last of the bandages fell away, and still Doug stared up at the ceiling without budging. “How does your face feel, soldier?” Doctor Franks asked, leaning near to inspect. “I'm not sure how to describe it, sir. It’s good to feel air again, but I almost feel…exposed and vulnerable.” Doug ran his tongue over his lips, feeling the almost-healed burn on the edge of his mouth. “I suppose that makes sense.” The doctor continued his examination, carefully assessing Doug’s wounds. After several minutes, he took a step back and nodded at Ruth. “I believe we can leave the burns uncovered, at least for a little while.” “Yes, Doctor.” The man stepped away, and Ruth turned to Doug with a smile. “He must think you're healing nicely tell me that.” Doug nodded, again staring off into the distance. “That's good,” he murmured, his mind far from the words. He twisted to look up at Ruth, and she more fully saw the pain in his eyes. She winced, knowing she could do much less for the pain in his heart than for the pain in his body. “Do you have a mirror?” Oh dear, he wanted to see for himself… “No, I'm afraid not…” Before she could go on, a recent image sprang into Ruth’s mind. Helen, brushing her hair, fiddling with a handheld mirror, fingering the delicate trim. “Actually, I might know where I can get one. I'll be right back.” Without waiting for a reply, Ruth hurried across the room in search of Helen. She found her friend setting out medicine doses in a small room behind the ward. “Helen…can I ask you a favor?” Helen lifted her gaze from the table in front of her, his weary eyes meeting her friend’s. “Of course, hon. Something wrong?” “Well, not exactly.” Ruth leaned her shoulder against the doorcase, and quickly explained the situation. “Somehow I think it might be better if he sees now, as opposed to later.” A soft smile crossed Helen’s face. “And you're asking to borrow the mirror Tom gave me.” “Yes.” Ruth carefully gauged her friend for more of a reaction. “I know how much it means to you, and I promise to make sure it gets back to you safely.” “You don't need to promise anything.” Helen dusted her hands off and stepped over to Ruth’s side. Her spirit remained somewhat downcast, but a hopeful light burned in her eyes. “My love for Tom and his love for me, it’s something that's in our hearts, not in trinkets and gifts. If that mirror was lying somewhere shattered even as we speak, it would be okay because that's not what really matters.” Ruth smiled and slipped her arm around her friend’s waist. “I'm so proud of you, sweetie. Just you wait, you're gonna hear from your fellow soon.” “Maybe you're right.” Helen smiled without looking very convinced. “Now go get the mirror, hon.”
~*~
Ruth dashed to the nurses quarters in record timing. After clattering up the stairs, she dug the mirror out of Helen’s duffel and quickly rushed back the way she had came. Today was no different from any other and she couldn't be away from the hospital for long. On her way back through the snowy streets, Ruth’s gait was slower. She trudged along, wishing she felt up to hurrying. When she came into sight, her gaze landed on the stoop of the schoolhouse – and the lone figure that sat on the steps with shoulders hunched forward. Helen. “Oh no…” Ruth whispered. She tucked the mirror securely into her coat pocket and took off down the street at as high a speed as the dirty sludge would allow. She was panting by the time she reached the makeshift hospital. Helen sat on the second step, her coat yanked haphazardly around her shoulders, her frame trembling with sobs. Ruth sank to the step below her friend, worry forming a cold ache in her heart. “Helen…?” The young woman raised her head and met Ruth’s gaze. “Oh, hon, I'm so happy.” Happy? Before Ruth could sort out her thoughts much less attempt a reply, Helen lifted a tan envelope and a few folded papers from her lap. “A letter from Tom. He's hurt, badly hurt. Probably even worse than he's telling me, but…he's okay.” She clutched the letter to her chest and lifted her face to the wind, the icy chill stealing the tears from her cheeks. “Oh, sweetie…” Ruth scooted closer and wrapped her friend in a tight embrace. “I'm so happy for you.” Helen didn't speak, just hugged her back. “I'm okay.” “I know you are.” Ruth stood and patted her friend’s back in departure. “Take your time enjoying your news.” “Oh, by the way…” Helen’s voice caught Ruth before she made it to the door. “A letter came for you too.”
~*~
Back inside the hospital, Ruth found herself busy with other patients for half an hour before she was able to steal away. When she reached Doug’s bedside, Ruth held the mirror out to him, facedown. He didn't say anything, just eyed it for a moment. Then he took it with his good hand, flipped it over, and held it up. Hardly flinching, he studied the warped side of his face, the empty eye socket, the scarring that ran back into his hairline, across his ear, and down his neck. Still not speaking or saying a word about it, he dropped the mirror to his lap and his gaze followed it. His shoulders slumped as if in defeat. A tear slid from his eye, followed by another. Ruth dropped to her knees next to him and took his good hand. “Doug? Talk to me, brother mine.” “Mary should be ashamed,” he rasped, obviously having a hard time holding it together. His jaw quivered, and he clenched his teeth to still it. “No…no, Doug.” Ruth gathered his other hand, now with only the palm bound in white dressing, into her hold. “Don't say that. Another man from your platoon told me that you saved countless lives before the tank blew up. You're a hero for your country. Mary will love you even more than she ever has when you finally get home to her.” Doug’s jaw shifted. “Maybe.” Then, clearing his throat and pulling his hand out of hers, he asked, “Have you written them about me?” Ruth nodded slowly, suddenly wondering if it had been a good idea. She busied her hands with arranging supplies on a nearby tray and fiddling with his coverlet as she replied. “I have. I wrote Mama and Papa soon after you got here, and I enclosed a note for them to give to Mary to insure they learned at the same time.” He was quiet for a moment longer, his good hand working the fingers of his other hand, trying to improve his mobility before scar tissue took over as Doctor Franks had instructed. “Have they wrote back?” “Actually…” Ruth stopped fidgeting and withdrew a tattered envelope from her pants pocket. Maybe this would help ease the pain. “I received this just today. Would you like me to read it aloud?” His eye lit at the sight of the letter from home. “Yeah, if you don't mind.” Slitting the seal and reaching inside, Ruth removed the folded pages and began to read:
My dearest Ruthie and Doug, (For I am going to assume that you are still together – it does my Mama-heart good to think that you are. You've always been so close, and you need each other now more than ever.) Your Papa and I cried when we read Ruthie’s most recent letter, bearing the glorious news that our Doug is found and safe. We hurt knowing that you're hurting, son, but we are ever so thankful to God above that He saw fit to spare your life. He is not through with you yet; He still has plans for you on this earth.
Ruth paused long enough to glance up at Doug. He rested against the pillow, a tear caught in his eyelashes. “You can go on,” he whispered without opening his eye. She nodded and returned her gaze to the handwritten page on her knee.
Stay strong in the Lord, dears. I can't imagine the terrible carnage you have both seen and will continue to see until this horrific war is over. He alone can see you through. Know you are in our hearts always, on our minds daily, and in every prayer we send up. My first petition is for your safety, followed closely by an end to the war and my children’s happy homecoming. The enclosed letter is from Mary. I believe she cried harder than I did when we receive word of Doug being identified. Ruthie, if your brother is not there with you anymore, please forward this to him if you are able. You know your Papa is not one for many words, but he sends his love. Rest in the knowledge that we are very proud of you both and eagerly awaiting the safe return of our children. With all my love, Mama
Blinking the tears back from her eyes, Ruth carefully folded the pages that held her mother’s precious words. She pulled out the aforementioned letter from her brother’s fiancée and held it out to him. “Here's Mary’s letter.” He took it from her hand and spent a moment fingering the smooth paper. “Read it to me…will you, Ruthie?” “Are you sure?” Ruthie accepted the letter than he returned to her hand, but hesitated to open it. “She meant these words for you, Doug. Not me.” But still he shook his head. “She knew the letter was going to at least pass through your hands. Besides, if the Doc hadn't decided to take the bandages off today you would have had to have read it.” Well, true. Shrugging, Ruth unfolded the extra papers and began to read again.
My darling Doug, I hope this letter finds you safe and well on your way to recovery. I'll go ahead and be completely honest, as we promised to always be with each other.
Ruth paused, pretending to clear his throat as she let her eyes travel quickly down the page. Surely Mary wasn't about to break up with him… “Just read it, Sis,” Doug requested. Apparently he'd caught her in her attempts to protect him. “Whatever it says, I can take it.” Giving him a brave smile, Ruth returned to the spot where she left off on the page.
I cried when we received the news from Ruthie. Tears of joy that you are alive and will be home before too much longer. But also tears of pain. Oh, my dear, sweet Doug, I can't imagine the pain you have bore. My heart hurts knowing you're suffering, even as I write this and as you read it. Still on the topic of honesty, I want to go ahead and broach something that I'm suspecting. I suspect it, because I know you, Douglas Watkins. Don't you think for one minute that anything that has happened to you over there can diminish my love for you in the least. I know what you're thinking, that I haven't seen you yet. But I love you with all of my heart, and I always will. Our love is strong enough to endure, darling.
Ruth paused again to catch her brother’s reaction. He was resting against the pillow, a trio of tears slipping down his face. The peace that surrounded the two of them could be felt, but not described. She returned to the letter, her heart full.
Come home to me soon, love. If there's anything else that needs to be settled between us, we can talk then. In the meantime, focus on getting better and know I love you dearly and am praying for you. Yours, Mary
Finished, Ruth folded the letter from Doug’s girl and tucked it into his hand. He took it gratefully and held on as if it would bring him closer to his Mary. “Are you okay?” Ruth murmured, aiming to keep the moment between just the two of them. The two letters, both filled with emotion and encouraging words, had lifted her spirits. But she wanted to make sure he was handling it all well before she left for the night. Doug nodded, giving her a real smile that she truly hadn't seen since before he had left for English shores. “I'm gonna be fine.” “Yes, you are.” She smiled back and leaned over to kiss his cheek. “My shift is up. Do you want something before I leave for the nurses quarters?” “Yeah…” He lifted his gaze from the letter he still fingered and looked her in the eye. “I want to be home, with them, by Christmas. Can you make it happened, Sis?”
~*~
Living in Faith and Fun // Operation Christmas CardCreative Scribbles of a History Detective // White Christmas with a TwistRebekahAshleigh // Fudge RecipeTwin Thoughts // Books for the Kids at HeartWhimsical Writings for His Glory // 5 Reasons Why Christmas is Special This Year9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas BakingColorful, Creative Cards // Wise Men Present GiftsRebekah's Remarks // Bookish Tag ~ Christmas VersionThe Ramblings of a Book Worm // Christmas PoemChosen Vessels // Book Review
Thoughts on the story? Thoughts on how it's only three days until Christmas?! O.O~Faith
December 21, 2017
12 Days of Christmas // Christmas at the P. House
Four days until Christmas, y'all... O.O This symbolizes three things. 1) Faith is running out of creative post intros, 2) Faith is running out of creative not-too-complicated posts, and 3) things are a little wack-o around here. Which leads me to the subject of this post...
Christmas at the Potts house is a little crazy. Actually, let me rephrase. Life at the Potts house is a little crazy. Let me get you a little for-instance.
Yesterday afternoon, we were getting ready to leave, planning to do some shopping and then meet with friends for supper before church. (And when you live an hour from your church and a decent sized town, you leave early for everything soooo...) As I was in my room getting ready, the dogs started barking and I looked out my window and saw FedEx.
Now let me backtrack and explain that, for the past week or so, it's kinda become a big deal to get to the UPS/FedEx/USPS truck/carrier before anyone else does. Got to get your packages away from prying eyes, ya know.
So, I had said yesterday morning that anything coming FedEx, would be addressed to me...and not to handle it. xD
When FedEx appeared, I just so happened to be having a minor sock calamity. It's called Faith-could-only-find-one-blue-sock-and-Faith-likes-the-blue-ones-best. So as the dogs are barking and probably threatening to eat Mr. FedEx, the bro shouts from the living room "I'll get it!"
Thanks to the amazingness of shipment tracking, I happened to know that there was at least one (but hopefully three) boxes addressed to me. So I gave up on the sock chase, took off the one blue sock I had found, and raced out of the house.
I found the bro at the back of the truck with Mr. FedEx (who, for the record, looked strangely like he thought he might get dog-bit or something...how odd). The bro sat a smaller-ish box on the rock wall, motioned to me, and then got a much larger box with a package on top out of the back of the van.
Faith made a face and sprinted barefoot across wet pavement, thanked Mr. FedEx (who still looked a bit scared, although the dogs had quit snarling... Just kidding), and followed the bro back inside. We slipped past a suspicious-looking-Mom, hid the boxes in my room, and hurried off to finish getting ready...and legit minutes later, USPS showed up!
This time it was a small package for a friend, so I just called off the dogs, got the box, and stuck it under the tree. xD
So yes. All that to say, there's lots of secrets around the Potts' house right now. Here's another for-instance – no one but me is allowed in my closet (but everyone has something hid in there...for someone else...meaning I know allllll the secrets...well, except for the ones about me, of course.)
And here's a random picture that ACTUALLY, SURPRISINGLY has my whole family in it. I mean, sure, we look kinda doped. And Dad is staring off into space. And the bro looks scared. But it's an IMPROVEMENT. xD
~*~
Twin Thoughts // A Humorous ChristmasCreative Scribbles of a History Detective // BelieveRebekahAshleigh // Christmas Movie Recommendations9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas CollaborationLiving for the Other Side // A Southern ChristmasCounting Your Blessings One by One // Christmas CollaborationSeventy Times Seven // 3 CHEAP DIY GIFTS (to make in an hour or less)Living in Faith and Fun // Mary: A Vessel Chosen & Operation Christmas CardChosen Vessels // Book Review
What's Christmas like at your house? Lots of secrets? ;) Don't forget to enter the giveaway!~Faith
Christmas at the Potts house is a little crazy. Actually, let me rephrase. Life at the Potts house is a little crazy. Let me get you a little for-instance.
Yesterday afternoon, we were getting ready to leave, planning to do some shopping and then meet with friends for supper before church. (And when you live an hour from your church and a decent sized town, you leave early for everything soooo...) As I was in my room getting ready, the dogs started barking and I looked out my window and saw FedEx.
Now let me backtrack and explain that, for the past week or so, it's kinda become a big deal to get to the UPS/FedEx/USPS truck/carrier before anyone else does. Got to get your packages away from prying eyes, ya know.
So, I had said yesterday morning that anything coming FedEx, would be addressed to me...and not to handle it. xD
When FedEx appeared, I just so happened to be having a minor sock calamity. It's called Faith-could-only-find-one-blue-sock-and-Faith-likes-the-blue-ones-best. So as the dogs are barking and probably threatening to eat Mr. FedEx, the bro shouts from the living room "I'll get it!"
Thanks to the amazingness of shipment tracking, I happened to know that there was at least one (but hopefully three) boxes addressed to me. So I gave up on the sock chase, took off the one blue sock I had found, and raced out of the house.
I found the bro at the back of the truck with Mr. FedEx (who, for the record, looked strangely like he thought he might get dog-bit or something...how odd). The bro sat a smaller-ish box on the rock wall, motioned to me, and then got a much larger box with a package on top out of the back of the van.
Faith made a face and sprinted barefoot across wet pavement, thanked Mr. FedEx (who still looked a bit scared, although the dogs had quit snarling... Just kidding), and followed the bro back inside. We slipped past a suspicious-looking-Mom, hid the boxes in my room, and hurried off to finish getting ready...and legit minutes later, USPS showed up!
This time it was a small package for a friend, so I just called off the dogs, got the box, and stuck it under the tree. xD
So yes. All that to say, there's lots of secrets around the Potts' house right now. Here's another for-instance – no one but me is allowed in my closet (but everyone has something hid in there...for someone else...meaning I know allllll the secrets...well, except for the ones about me, of course.)
And here's a random picture that ACTUALLY, SURPRISINGLY has my whole family in it. I mean, sure, we look kinda doped. And Dad is staring off into space. And the bro looks scared. But it's an IMPROVEMENT. xD
~*~
Twin Thoughts // A Humorous ChristmasCreative Scribbles of a History Detective // BelieveRebekahAshleigh // Christmas Movie Recommendations9 Kids Plus 2 // Christmas CollaborationLiving for the Other Side // A Southern ChristmasCounting Your Blessings One by One // Christmas CollaborationSeventy Times Seven // 3 CHEAP DIY GIFTS (to make in an hour or less)Living in Faith and Fun // Mary: A Vessel Chosen & Operation Christmas CardChosen Vessels // Book Review
What's Christmas like at your house? Lots of secrets? ;) Don't forget to enter the giveaway!~Faith
