Table #5: The Sand and the Sea

The beach is my favorite place in the world to be.  It is at the beach that my mind is clear and I am able to hear God speak. Far from the distractions of the world, my soul is quiet and I am at peace.

The idea of the giveaway came from the next table.  Table number 5 was displayed by several women who have known suffering.  Three of the ladies suffer quietly with Rheumatoid Arthritis and another finished treatments this year for breast cancer. All suffer without complaint and continue to serve the Lord.

It is comforting to know that in the midst of the storm, Jesus offers peace.  When faced with uncertainly, he whispers, "It is I; do not be afraid." (John 6:20)  In another Gospel, the disciples were amazed that even the winds and the seas obeyed Him.

Table #5:  The Sand and the Sea

When I am asked to speak to women, I always remind them that they are beautifully and wonderfully made.  My favorite chapter in the Bible is Psalm 139.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (v. 14)

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you." (v. 17-18)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."  (v. 23-24)

On the first table post, I mentioned a guy named Bob Benson.  His writings are somewhat like parables using this and that, things we can relate to to tell a story.  Please allow me again to share some of His words.

At our home, we have a lovely Nativity set of wood carvings of the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the angels, and the shepherds.  It also includes some sheep, lambs, horses, cows, calves, ponies and even a sleeping rooster.

Peg is really the decorator in our house, and she has a knack for displaying things at their best and making places look special.  But she agreed to let me set up the manger scene the first season.  

I have accumulated a box or two of materials that I use along with the carvings. There are some pieces of driftwood I picked up on our various vacations on the coast.  I take them out of the box each year like old friends.  I know each one of them for its special size and shape and smoothness.  I wish that I could ask them questions and hear them answer back. "Where did you begin your journey?  What kind of tree were you?  What brought you crashing down? How did you get washed up on that lonely stretch of beach? Did you once hold up a little girl's swing or a boy's tree house?  Were you part of a house or a boat or a packing box?"  For I believe that everything has a story; it has been somewhere, and it is going somewhere.

In early December, I get out all these manger things.  With the stones, I make a rocky hillside, and with the wood, I build a barn and a stall.  I carefully place the manger, the Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and all the rest of the figures (right down to the sleeping rooster on the roof).  Then I light a candle, sit down before the scene again, and try to imagine how this holy story could ever have happened at all.  

Admittedly, I have gathered up this materials for this scene from lots of places.  But always I am impressed to remember that everything needed to make this sacred tableau can be found in anybody's neighborhood.  Sticks and stones, straw and foliage, dogs and cats, neighbors and a virgin girl.  All of them can be touched with the meaning that only Christ can bring, meaning that obliterates the lines that separate the divine and the commonplace, meaning that changes a stall into a holy place and a manger into an altar. 

I consider this story and I ask you the same questions, "Where did your journey begin? Is it painful even to think about? Was there something that happened to cause you to come crashing down or have you been down so long that you can't even remember where it all began?  Do you feel washed up like shells on a sea shore? Has the stretch been lonely? Have you held dreams in your hand, as the song-writer wrote, and watched them drift like sifted sand?"

The same God who is constant in the ebb and flow of the tide, consistently loves you and draws you Himself. May you be aware of His presence this Christmas season.

Don't forget to post a comment, follow my blog, or share with a friend.  See the following link to particiate in the giveaway, 

http://vintagegirl901.blogspot.com/2014/12/lift-banquet-and-give-away-everyone.html

A Weekend Getaway for the Parents-to-Be

One of our favorite places to visit 

while in Hilton Head is Bluffton, SC.

My baby girl and her mister had their last 

little getaway before the arrival of

Harper Elizabeth Grant.

The bluff is known for 

The Church of the Cross.  

This photo was taken two years ago

on our annual beach trip.

This is the view from the inside.

The trees around the bluff are magnificent!

This was their little cottage for the weekend. 

The cottage lies on the same property as the main house

where they had breakfast the next morning. 

The back steps lead to the dock

where they sat and enjoyed coffee and a view.

I just love a cozy, little kitchen in a cabin. 

Although the furnishings did not 

exactly fit the era of the home, 

I think they were comfy and cozy 

as a cottage should be. 

If it were mine, I would paint the planked walls

and everything would be white, shabby chiccy.

The shower and the claw-foot tub has

the character of the old and the convenience of the new.

The gentlemen of the home has his own little workshop in the back. 

The last day was spent sight-seeing

in Savannah

and a walk on the beach at HHI.

This is the view of the river from their cottage.

I sure have enjoyed some good family time.

The first shower for Harper Elizabeth is in two weeks!

Can hardly wait to see all the pretties in pink. 

They also toured the new Southern Living Idea Home 2014

Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina.

No Cameras Allowed!

Ughhhh!

http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/idea-houses/2014-idea-house

See above what they saw.  

Have a Wonderful Week, 

Bonnie:)

Retreat

RETREAT

withdrawal from enemy forces, 

to pull back from what is difficult, dangerous, disagreeable,

a place you can go to to be alone to find rest and repair.

Sound like something you need?

I know I do.

As a teenager, I remember Fall Retreats

at Toccoa Falls, Epworth by the Sea,

      GA District Camp Adrian, State Parks

     or North Georgia mountains. 

Activities included

campfires, 

                                  pillow fights, food fights, A sardine fight (yes, one unplanned and unnecessary!  Never happened again!)

                                     rolling down hills, climbing hills

                                                                           (the side of Toccoa Falls 

                                                                                                    straight up, no concrete walkway!)

                                                            white water rafting, and tubing

                                                                                                                  playing UNO until 3:00 am.

            Late night talks in the hall or the staircase

                                                     chapel services by the lake or the sea 

                                                                       and most importantly, relationships built and

                                                  decisions made for Christ.

These times are forever etched in the memory of my heart.

Just a small group in a small condo, laughing, crying, 

praying and singing together. 

The Theme, Psalm 139

"Where can I go from your Spirit:

Where can I flee from your presence?

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast."

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them, 

they would outnumber the grains of sand.

When I awake I am still with you."

My prayer then and today is,

"Search me O God, and know my heart

Test me and know my anxious thoughts,

See if there is any offensive way in me,

And lead me in the way everlasting."

Bonnie:)

We're In Italy!

We're On Our Way to Italy

Linda at Simply Linda called and said, "Hey, want to go to Italy."  I was like, "What??? You have got to be kidding.  I was just thinking about that. I'm soooo having a Calgon moment and ready to get away from it all."  

So I hopped on a plane from Atlanta and met her in New York.

This was the view from my window.

So, here we are!

Did you know that Italy in one of the top European destinations. 

Our first stop was Verona.What a villa we have!  

The mountains on one side and the sea on the other.  

I once worked with a guy who had lived half of his life in Italy so I know a little about what to expect.  He called me something and did the kissy-finger-thingy (no, not that finger!).  I said, "What did you say?"  He said, "It means you are a little stout lady."  I was livid.  What????  He said, " In Italy that is a compliment and I meant it as a compliment."  I said, "We're not in Italy."  

But now I am, so I think I'll fit in just fine. I'm a Signora Bella for now.

Now I know that Italy has a reputation for being expensive and you pay big bucks for the wine, but Linda and I found the neatest little eateries on the back streets of Venice.

Gotta keep her away from the wine

or I'll be carrying her on my back.

I forgot to show you the inside of our villa.

Linda has the bed. 

It's only fair since she planned most of the itinerary.

I just love the cobblestone paths

of Taormina.

The countryside, the small towns, oh and the 

Piazzas!

The sights, tastes, smells-ahhhhhh.

Eat, drink and be merry!

I eat, she drinks and we both are merry!

(I'm teasing, Linda.  What goes on in Italy, stays in Italy.  I'm not telling a thing!)

I sure hope I get to take a Gondola ride on 

the back canals of Venice.

Linda's trying to keep me away from the 

Italian men!

Oh my goodness!

Mama Mia!

Delish!

We're in Rome now.

This is a collage that I made of the city.

Shops for days, food for hours, 

and cobblestone gardens that 

I'd like to bring home with me. 

Linda says there's more to see so

you'll want to drop by her place and see 

the second leg of our journey.

Wish You Were Here, 

Bonnie:)

So, just so you know.
This was a "virtual" vacation.
Linda is not a wine-o, and
I am still lusting after Italian men.

It's been fun!

Is There An Art To Stenciling?

Practice makes perfect?

Really?

How do you guys stencil so well?

Is there an art to stenciling?

Beats me!

The USA plague was pitiful.

With a little sanding, maybe this one is a little better.

"What kind of saw is this, Mr. H?"

He called it a hack saw???

I think I heard right.

I found a long board left over from work done

on the house 3 years ago. 

Loved the natural patina and I thought, "SIGN."

Yes, I started hacking away.

Took me three days to get through that sucker. 

I'm sure I made some muscles.

Because my arm and neck sure are sore!

I can't decide if I'll use the sign or sell it.

This is the first piece of wood, 

I've ever sawed through.

Yeah, me!

Again, tell me, 

Is there an art to stenciling?

Bonnie:)

Linking with a Stroll Thru Life

I Find Inspiration From Blogging

I look for inspiration
among other bloggers.

I love all the many shades of white. 

As much as I love white,
I looked all around and I don't 

have one single white room.

My kitchen cabinets are white
and I love my glass tile.
It makes me think of the ocean.

Our small space bedroom is next on my list.
Not much you can get in there.

This is my inspiration.
I paid $4 for each at Walmart.

The blue and gray will be the "pop" colors
and most everything else will be white.

I have this great chest.
It is solid and I paid $60 for it
a few years ago.

It will be some kind of white.
The wall is a blue gray.

The board art has to go!
I just don't like it.
Maybe somebody else will.
I'll distress it to make it booth-worthy.

I'll use a mirror about the chest
and another small one on one wall.
Of course, a lamp will help.

I'll take any ideas.

Bonnie:)

Where is Your "Be Still" Place?

I was encouraged today by Debby's blog

My Favorite Things

http://debbysfavoritethings.blogspot.com/.

God keeps reminding me to, "Be Still and Know."

My place to be still is often in my living room, 

with my Bible open and a good cup of coffee.

However, sometimes I need time away from the 

daily hub of living.

Your "Be Still" place may simply be
a chair by the pool, 

 a cabin in the woods,

or a mountain stream.

Any place that provides 

comfort, rest and quiet
whispers from the Father,
can be your "Be Still" place.

I'm going to take a virtual vacation

and give you a tour of my place my dream.

My cottage would look like this,

It would have a porch for the kiddos to do what kiddos do

and adults too.

The girls would have their own comfy room upstairs 

to share secrets, laughs and pillow fights.

The chest would be full of beach things that they can enjoy

year after year.

The boys would have their own wave to ride.

This would be our room with a view of the ocean.

Another bedroom for our children,

and another bedroom for the other children.

I could take my afternoon nap right here 

and with open windows, enjoy the sound of the sea. 

We would shower in the outside shower

before going in for a sandwich.

A simple little nook with an island/bar 

will be fine for my cottage kitchen.

A mix of these colors will be my inspiration.

I can relax just thinking about it. 

Where is your "Be Still" place?

Bonnie:)