strands (Second Chances/looking closer series)

Strung by the hands of

A Sudanese woman

A small part
Of her art

And labor in this world

*I was recently reminded (by my good friend Harold) of some photos I took of jewelry my husband brought back from his short term missions project in Sudan last year. Then, this morning I received an update on the latest happenings in Sudan. Once again, innocent families are fleeing their homes and heading across the desert for the safety of refugee camps. Many of these families have spent more than twenty years in refugee camps already. Hard to imagine, isn’t it.


As I look at these works of art, I marvel at the patience and endurance of these beautiful women and I pray this morning for their journeys and that their examples would take root in my life; that more patience and endurance might be developed in me, day by day, strand by strand.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following photo was taken by Stan. I thought it would be nice to put a "face" to the women of Sudan.

 

from a tree (2nd chances series/looking closer)

both from a tree
they came

both with a gift
to give

*A question to ponder: Is there anything in the natural world that doesn't have something to offer?

light on web (2nd chances series/looking closer)

As I sit and view

This miracle

I realize how few things

I understand

Like how the spider spins
His masterpiece

And what makes a flower break
Through hardened ground

But maybe all I need to know
Is that

There was a plan
A designer’s hand
And I am merely

man


*How nice it is to not have to be "in control" of things.



December grasses (2nd chances series)

ok, so i sit here this morning
in a delimma

after all, it's well into December
and soon we'll pass another year
what pictures shall I choose
to cheer my friends?

what images will best reflect
the truth, goodness, and beauty
of His humble birth

ahh, it’s come to me
that like the little drummer boy
i can offer what I have

i can give my best
and leave the stress
behind

so here’s to December
the month to remember
all that’s been given to me

to pass it along
to another
to give my brother 

a reason to smile
a reason to pause

a reason to be

*This month’s posts will be derived from images I have taken through this past year. They will be, for the most part, taken from photos that I have gone back to and taken a closer look at. Photos that might not have impressed me at first but upon giving them a second chance, and my creative instincts, proved to me to be quite beautiful. After all, aren't 2nd chances and transformation what Christmas is all about? Hope you enjoy.

just a smattering



It doesn't take much.

Color, that is,

to waken the senses

*The color red is one of three primary colors and is thought to be the color to provoke the most response among humans.

*Red has been found to have such a huge impact on people, it can even cause the heart to beat faster.


My heart beat faster when I saw the smatterings of red in this scene It definitely got my attention. :)
It has been said: “When in doubt, wear red.” Maybe your red dress or sweater will waken someone’s senses. :) Remember the scene in Schindler’s list…..everything was black and white except for the child on the sidewalk wearing a red coat. (Hope in the darkness.) Look for red today. It should be easy to spot this holiday season.:)

wooden carolers

two little wooden girls

standing in a yard

decked in pretty coats and
hats
and soft and fuzzy scarves

the purity of their presence
on this cold December morn
reminds me of the baby child
twas in a manger born

some things
are worth singing about
and standing in the cold

some things are more precious
than hoards of hidden
gold


*Ahhh, if there were ever a month of celebration, it would be December. I hope you enjoy the “little” things that this month brings your way. So often we are in such a hurry with our “to do” lists this month that we miss seeing and hearing the simplicity of the story we are celebrating.

My goal this month is to really look into people’s eyes; especially those who serve me, like the boy sacking my groceries, or the salvation army bell ringer, or my husband whose eyes I see every day…..but do I really see them? (I think these two little wooden girls have fabulous eyes.) Have fun really "seeing" whatever is on your heart this month.



november farewell



i took my walk at twilight

to say goodbye

november kissed my cheek

with her evening chill

and calmed my heart 

with her pastel sky

execpt for the raucous

flock of crows

who seemed in grief

i heard no sound

no falling leaf