my winter wonderland

It’s happened. There’s snow on the ground. The snow took me by surprise, but a good kind of surprise. There’s nothing more enchanting then waking up to our countryside blanketed in snow. My brothers were out playing all day. And they managed to pile up a enough snow to make well…a rather unique snowman.

    Yes, I do believe they used grape tomatoes for the eyes.

 

For me, when I see snow, I don’t think about trying to build the best Jack Frost. Rather I like to use snow as an attribution in creating a cozy atmosphere. So there’s really only three things I need to create the perfect snow day:

1)  a reading chair

2) a book

3) a cup of tea

 “You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.” -C. S. Lewis

 

 

So Christmas break really is the time for a good book. Right now I’m immersing myself once again into the Christian classic, Hinds Feet on High Places. If your not familiar with this story, it’s an allegory. It tales the tale of a young girl, Much-Afraid, who makes the brave decision to travel to the High Places, and leave her Valley of Humiliation. Throughout her journey, Much- Afraid is led by the Great Shepherd, who transforms Much-Afraid from her weak and feeble state to a brave and beautiful being. I like to read this book in preparation for Christmas because it has a theme of transformation. And when Christ is born on Christmas Day, the world is gifted with a transforming love. We just have to be like Much-Afraid and allow Christ to transform us. “He comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; Then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” (Isaiah 35:4-6)

 

 

On a side note, I’ve fallen in love with the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack. It’s soothing and romantic and everything else music can be =). I recommend it for you.

The March Sisters and The Miller Sisters

Right now I am reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It is so good and if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. Little Women is a story of the March family who survive primarily on hope and love. In this family there are four girls who are content with anything, as long as they have each other. In my own family there are six girls. We are all super good friends and I like to think that we are the modern March sisters. March and Miller…similar, huh?!

I hope your days have been filled with sunshine!

                                         -Tess

 

An adventure story

After spending a year at school without much (or rather any) time for pleasure reading, it’s summer and I’m reading for fun again! This is one of the many things that I love about summer. It is the perfect time to learn and explore without mid-terms and finals haunting you.

The first book I picked up was Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Each time I opened this novel I was transported to 19th century Russia – a place very different from 21st century America. But even more striking than the difference in time and location was the fact that every character’s life was so much more dramatic, eventful, and captivating than mine! Now don’t misunderstand me, I definitely would not want to change places with any of Tolstoy mostly melancholy and often tragic characters. But reading the book did make me long for adventure and excitement.

This adventurous spirit seems to dictate most of my day dreams, and I often fall into the, “my life is so boring!” state. One day I was particularly distraught over my seemingly dull life and I decided to talk to God about it. I opened up my bible to John and read John 10:10, “I came that you might have life, and have it abundantly.” Wow! I finally realized a simple and beautiful truth – It doesn’t matter if I am watching my little siblings, sitting on my front porch, or traveling the world, if I’m doing it with Jesus, it’s an adventure!

He’s the one that fills my days with richness and meaning. Without him I’m just busy. Have you ever heard the old saying, “It’s not what you do but who you do it with that really matters?” Well that definitely applies here. I could live in a castle and have lots of drama in my life, but without Jesus, it would be a mundane and empty existence. He is richness, depth, fullness, and abundance, because He is all that truly IS. I just need to unite myself to Him and I can share in that fullness. The next time that boredom tries to steal away my happiness, I am going to remind myself of John 10:10. And after all, it’s great to be the daughter of a King. It’s quite the adventure!

-Marie

Elinor Dashwood – I just love her

One of my favorite fictional characters is Elinor Dashwood from Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility. She is strong and sensible but also kind. In the beginning of the novel, Elinor’s father dies and she takes responsibility for the care of her Mother and her two younger sisters. One of the most inspiring things about Elinor is her emotional strength. Even in difficult situations she is able to control her feelings. This trait makes other characters occasionally accuse her of being cold hearted. The way that she endures this criticism without striking back is a real testament to her inner strength.

Elinor presents an ideal to aspire to, but she is still approachable. She is human and makes mistakes, but her heart is always in the right place and she uses her strength to achieve good things.
If you’ve read Sense and Sensibility, I’d love to get your thoughts about Elinor (or any of the other characters). If you haven’t read the book, I highly recommend it.

-Carol Lynn

Fairy Tales in New York City

If you like good fiction then you need to know about Regina Doman’s series of modern fairy tales. The books are based on the Brothers Grimm’s stories but re-told through the lives of contemporary teens. Rather than a lengthy review, I’ll just give a big endorsement and provide the link to Regina’s website www.fairytalenovels.com There you can learn all about her Snow White and Rose Red trilogy and the new book The Midnight Dancers, which is based on Grimm’s The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

btw, the picture on the cover of The Midnight Dancers is of my sis’ Carol Lynn.

-Marie