Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Hope

 


Hope is a little word,

Just four letters in a row,

But hope is not a little thing,

As you may already know.


Hope is why we hold on

When we feel like letting go.

Hope is why we’re confident

When the future we don’t know.


Hope is the reason to smile

Though it feels like nothing’s right;

Inside I know God has a plan,

So I’ll trust Him through this night.


Hope gives us strength when we’re weary,

Saying, “This pain, too, shall pass.”

It’s the reason we can keep on,

For our Hope is true and steadfast.


So spread this hope within you,

To the hopeless all around.

Show them that in the darkness

There’s hope still to be found.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Crocheting

         Hello! One of my favorite things to do is crochet. I can do it while visiting, watching a movie, listening to music, or just sitting on my bed. It's relaxing, and so satisfying to see the finished projects. Lately, I've been crocheting for my Etsy Shop. I thought it'd be fun to share some of my recent Etsy projects on here! : )


     


Washcloths are one of my favorite things to make. They're a quick project so you can get the joy of finishing a project in one day, and also they make great gifts!


Ear warmers are another fun project that you can finish in a day! 



This scarf took a little longer than the other projects, but it was worth it. I had a lot of fun practicing the Iris Stitch with this.



Scrunchies are fun to make if you get tired of traditional crocheting!


Here's a sneak peak of something still in the works! I'lll be posting it in my Etsy Shop as soon as it's finished. It's definitely the biggest thing I've listed in there.



Lastly, here is something that isn't crocheted; I just thought it'd be fun to share! It's an egg-collecting apron that can hold 18 eggs. This would be a perfect gift if you have a friend who raises chickens for eggs.

Do any of you have an Etsy shop? Here's the link to mine: Flowers In My Basket. I'd love to check out your Etsy shops! Do any of you like to crochet? Would anyone be interested in more crochet posts, a crochet tutorial perhaps? Let me know your thoughts!

-Laura 


Sunday, March 13, 2022

Single line Story Tag


Rules1. Thank the person who tagged you. Thanks Dorcas Joy!!!
2. Write 5 single line stories that fall under any of these genres:

  • Fantasy √

  • Romance

  • Thriller

  • Mystery

  • Western √

  • Contemporary √

  • Historical √

  • Drama

  • Dystopian

  • Adventure √

  • Sci-fi

  • Paranormal

  • Young adult


    3. You can choose 5 genres that’s easiest for you, or you can challenge yourself to try something new! Sounds good!

    4. Nominate 5 blogger/writers who you’d love to see participate and leave an open nomination for all writers! I might skip this part if that's okay! : )

    5. You can do this challenge more than once.
    Now for the stories!

    Fantasy

    Princess Katrianna took a deep breath as she fearfully realized what she must do —seek help from the dark and terrifying dragon.    

    Western

    "I'm so tired of being bossed around all day, forced to walk through the stifling New Mexican sun, being always on the run, and having to carry Billy the Kid on my back all day," the old bay mare told her friend with a sigh.

    Contemporary

    Katie-Lynn looked around at her family gathered in the living room to sing; everyone seated on comfortable sofas, under a ceiling fan giving a cool breeze, in a sturdy house, nourished from the warm supper they had just eaten, and she thought with a smile, "Why did I ever grumble?'

    Historical

    "Only a few miles left," Levi told himself as he clutched his straw hat to keep it from blowing away in the strong gusts of wind that surrounded him; "I must make it back in time."

    Adventure

    "You holdin' on back there?" the one-legged man called back to us as he steered the homemade raft through the quickly-moving waters, "because with them on our heels I'd best not stop yet!"


    This was fun, hope you enjoyed! If you'd like to do it, count yourself tagged!

    -Laura

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

A Song in the Ruins

   


  If you were to go back in time, approximately 184 years, and travel to a serene forest in Northern Pennsylvania, you might just stumble upon a cozy little cabin. If you happen to have gone to a warm summer day in early July, you might just see a couple cooing over their newborn son as he rocks back and forth in his wooden cradle. The couple is Isaac and Lydia Bliss, and the baby is Philip Paul Bliss, who would eventually write some of the most beloved hymns and tunes.

     As Philip grew, his father led the family in daily prayers and instilled in him the need to pray everyday. Philip loved the Lord, and at age of twelve, made a public confession of his faith before joining the Baptist Church of Cherry Flats, PA. 

     Isaac Bliss also passed down a love for music to his children, giving them a passion for singing. One day when Philip was ten years old, he was walking house to house selling vegetables, when suddenly, he heard one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard. Tip-toeing into a large house unobserved, he stood in awe as he watched a woman playing something he had never seen before—a piano. When she finished playing, he cried out, "O lady, please play some more!" The lady gasped as she saw him standing there, and quickly yelled, "Get out of here with those big, bare feet!" Sadly, he left, but he never forgot that day, nor the beautiful music of the piano.

     At the age of eleven, Philip had to leave home to make a living. He was a strong boy, and spent several years at lumber camps and sawmills, originally as an assistant cook, but later working at the wood himself. He worked hard, and traveled a lot, getting tutored in many different trades. He was able to use some of the money he used to learn music. Soon he began to compose music. In return for one of the songs he composed, he received a flute. Eventually, he was also able to buy a melodeon. In 1858, the year he turned twenty, he became a teacher, Soon after, he married Lucy Young.

     Philip became a musical teacher and composer, traveling with Lucy to various musical conventions and schools. Music, a passion since childhood, had become his career. Why should anything change?

     One day while attending a revival, Philip met Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist. Mr. Moody told Philip that he should give up his music business and instead become a singing evangelist. They kept in contact, and a few years later Moody again wrote in a letter, "I think you should devote your entire time to evangelistic singing." Philip wasn't sure what to do. He finally decided to go with Major Whittle, another evangelist friend, to sing. During one song, Almost Persuaded, it seemed like the Holy Spirit was filling the room. Many sinners came to know the Lord that night, and the next afternoon, Phillip surrendered his life to God. He gave up positions and work and decided to travel with Whittle full-time.

     He continued in full-time evangelistic work for several years. One day at the Moody Tabernacle in Chicago, he told the group there, "This may be my last time traveling here." Together they sang,  I'm Going Home Tomorrow. His words proved to be true.

     On December 29, 1876, Philip and Lucy were on a train back to Chicago. They had left their two young sons at home with Philips mother. While crossing a deep ravine, the bridge suddenly broke, causing the train to fall, crashing to the ground. A blazing fire quickly erupted, spreading over the scene. Philip crawled out of the mess; he had survived the crash, but quickly ran back in search of his wife. By this time the raging fire was huge, and both were killed in what was later known as the Ashtabula Bridge Disaster.

     Among the remains, someone found Philip's luggage containing many poems. One of them was I Will Sing of My Redeemer. This was soon put to music and in 1916 became one of the first hymns to ever be recorded, using Thomas Edison's new invention: the phonograph. It is a beautiful song that is still sung today.


I will sing of my Redeemer, And His wondrous love to me; On the cruel cross He suffered, From the curse to set me free. Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer, With His blood He purchased me, On the cross He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free. I will tell the wondrous story, How my lost estate to save, In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave. Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer, With His blood He purchased me, On the cross He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.

Monday, November 15, 2021

3 Ingredient Easy Apple Spice Dessert


Today I wanted to share with you a delicious recipe that only takes 3 minutes to prepare, and is quite delicious!

Ingredients:
1-2 cans apple pie filling
1 box spice cake mix
1 stick butter

Here is the spice cake mix we used!

First, pour the canned apples into a crockpot. Add the cake mix on top, and top it of with one stick of butter. (We only used 2 because we were doubling the recipe.)

Don’t stir!

Cook on high for 4 hours, and then you’re done! Serve with ice cream or cool whip for an easy and yummy fall treat!

What are some of your favorite foods to make this time of year?


-Laura


 

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Beautiful Things



     Today I want to remind you to notice beautiful things. Don’t just hurry through life and completely ignore all this beauty God has made. Let it point you to Him, and remind you how glorious He is. The oceans, the mountains, and the vast deserts are all in His hands.

What are some beautiful things you have noticed lately?


Morning sunshine at the pie shop 

Pretty sky colors

A beautiful evening

Bright dandelion blooms

Beautiful rolling mountains 

The ocean, stretching farther than you can see

Pretty magenta flower blossoms

 

     

Monday, October 11, 2021

Persian Kittens - Catalina and Gemini's Kittens

      If you follow my sister's blog, A Handful of Stories, you might have already seen, but a few weeks ago our Persian cat had kittens. 

This is Catalina, the mom.

Gemini, the dad


There are three kittens: two boys and one girl.

They'll most likely getter lighter as time goes on.


Have any of your cats ever had kittens?

-Laura