A Man from War

The teens filed into the class

each one excited to see the TV

the class would go by fast

Each one wondered what they would see

The teacher turned off the lights

each teen sat back to enjoy

Some hoped for fun, others for knights

thrills in each girl and boy

The screen sprang to life

the scene started to unfold

a face filled with strife

terrible images to behold

The teens leaned away

This was not what they wanted

what would their parents say

when they woke, dreams haunted

The images of war glared

faces filled with determined fear

each teen mind, not prepared

closed eyes, regardless of peer.

Near the end of the class

the teacher turned it off

"This has gone and pass,

and to watch is tough"

"But we must never forget,

You are able to watch these

because of these vets

who enabled you to be free"

The teacher walked out

each teen sat still

of none was there a shout

the memory of the killed.

Jo-Anne was the first to speak

"We should learn much more"

all agreed, from jock to geek

to speak with one from war.

It soon became a class project

To find someone with a story

every family was thoroughly checked

Until they found a man named Lori

His tale was not of victory

but of friends, long since gone

The theme quite contradictory

To make friends till your last dawn

"If you have good close friends"

Lori's voice did rasp

"War inside you will quickly end,

something some people don't grasp"

He said that war would be for not

if they did not live this way

"do not accept your own lot"

he would repeatedly say

Each student took this to heart

this class became so close

making friend they all did start

kindness and compassion they showed

Now, as adults they speak,

"We must do this and more"

all agreed, from jock to geek,

to remember those from war.

Refine Me

Life has a knack for tossing us around. Some days it feels like the whole world just lands on your gut at the first moment your eyes open. It seems like God's no where to be found, and you're not just up the creek without a paddle, but you're in the middle of the ocean in the row boat, and there's a storm going on around you and it's all you can do to not drown. You can't see any light or land for the rain and you feel beaten and abused. 

And then something happens, be it a phone call from your parents are a hug from a friend, and it's like God just placed you in the eye of the storm. Around you is still gray, and you still have issues and the world to deal with, but for that moment, you look up and you see a glorious deep blue sky and the warmth of the sun gives you relief. How much more you appreciate that moment of peace and quiet after you've gone through the storm.

God always has you in his eyes, even if you can't see him for the rain. Some times it's Satan, dumping buckets of water on your head and all you need to do is step to the right to see God. Sometimes, there is a colossal storm and for that moment, even if you can't see God, you have to trust that he can see you. But for all that the world and Satan tries to tell us otherwise, God can turn absolutely ANYTHING around for his good. He's always got a plan, no matter what. And he allows us to go through hardships so that we can be stronger in Him, and His glory can be brighter. 

If you want to be fit or loose weight, you exercise. It's a pain in the butt and for days you feel sore and stiff. Faith and Trust are the same thing. They are like muscles that this world had forgotten to use and they need to be exercised. Unfortunately, we, even as children, learn consequences through pain. I am not belittling natural disasters or famine or flood. I am saying that God allows those things to happen so that we can grow in him and be an example of him. In order to grow stronger and healthier in faith and trust, we need to be tested. Only then will they become healthy. 

We need God to refine us, even if it means suffering. We are crude coal and he sees diamonds in us. Let him mold you into his plan. I promise you, even though the storm is great, and you are tired and hurt, the end result will be far better than any other exercise you can do.  

Faith Fall

Hey everyone!

So a friend of mine got me onto this website called Describli.com. It gives you a choice of four prompts and you get to pick on and write a short story based on it. It's great because it gives a author a chance to get some peer reviews as well as co write something with another author, which is always fun.

The only snag about this is that you have to have an account set up in order for to view other's writings. So if I share it on FB, that means that the person who clicks on it has to have an account set up. That part sucks. Anyway, I have a couple people who want to read my short story (YAY) so I decided that I'll also post them here, that way, if you don't want an account on Describli, then you can check it out here for no hassle :). So here is my first story for you. Enjoy!

*~*~*~*~*

Faith Fall

The cry of the gulls echoed off the cliff side. The sun was just a rim of red that was shooting off it's last rays of light in to the wisps of purple clouds. The fire crackled, shooting out sparks to join the waking stars. A slight breeze brought with it the scent of the ocean far below. All was silent as the pair gazed out at the last breath of day.

"Papa?"

Baza turned to little Kirna, his youngest girl. "Yes, m'dear gi'l?"

Kirna held her hands out to the fire. Her long cloak was wrapped tightly around her with her fur lined hood on her little red head. When she looked up at Baza the hood fell back a little. Her green eyes were serious. "Why is this place called Faith Fall?"

Baza smiled at the little girl. She was his most curious child of the four. Rana, the oldest, was much like her name sake, his sister; adventurous and rambunctious. His twin sons, Tifro and Tisko, were more like his wife, Emer; stubborn with a thirst for knowledge. Kirna, however, was the carbon copy of Baza, aside from the slightly pointed ears of her mothers elfin heritage. She was serious about things she was curious about or found wrong, but otherwise she laughed easily and loved openly. Baza gazed at the little girl for the moment that it took for all these thoughts to cross his mind. How did he get so lucky?

"Well, m'dear gi'l," Baza said, using his nickname for her alone. "It's because this was once a tragic place with very little hope. You remember the story from your lessons?"

Kirna scrunched up her face in concentration and then shook her head, looking at him innocently. "Will you tell it to me again? I can't seem to 'member." she slipped back into her lisp that she had long since outgrown but used whenever she was playing innocent.

Baza chuckled and pulled Kirna onto his lap for the telling. "Once, year-turns ago, there was an evil weapon. It wanted to control everythin' and whoever held it would soon do whatever the sword wanted. It sound's strange for a sword to want or do anythin' without a master, but this was a magical sword. It was made by the elves many year-turns before this story; the method long since lost. This sword soon had a master that grew twisted enough to try to command all of Lyrose." Baza paused to take a deep breath.

Kirna snuggled into her papa's chest, nestling her head under his chin. Baza held her tight. "That bad man was Risaran, right Papa?"

Baza nodded against her head and took another deep breath. He was grateful that his children were safe. "That's right. And Risaran would brin' anyone he deemed too dangerous to this cliff, where he had a bad camp built. At that time it was called Cursed Cape. It was known all over Lyrose and feared by many, for good reason. He would bind the captives hands with a length of rope between the wrists and then tie the feet tightly together. Then he would hang them by that length of rope and hold a torch over it, just close enough to singe and slowly burn. Eventually, the prisoner's rope would snap and they would fall to the waves below."

Kirna shuddered and snuggled even closer to Baza. She had heard this story many times and hated this part. It made her angry and hurt for those that had died. "Papa, if it was such a bad place, why is it now called Faith Fall? Why is it not cursed anymore?" Ever the determined girl, she was not going to let him dwell in the past.

"Well, m'dear gi'l," Baza said with a slight smile. "Because this was also the place of the greatest rescue." Kirna wiggled a little. This was her favorite part. Baza chuckled. "See, your mama was once a prisoner of Risaran. She decide not to wait for him to bind her. She just turned and looked at Risaran and said 'I have faith, where you have hate.' Then she turned and jumped." Baza took a deep breath and shook his head at the memory.

"And then she flew, right Papa?"

Baza laughed and started tickling little Kirna. "Yes, you little tiger. You knew this story all along."

Kirna's high sequels could be heard at the homestead just behind the pair. Emer came out of the house and walked over to them.

"Mama!" Kirna jumped off Baza and into Emer's waiting arms.

"What have you been up to little red elf?" Emer asked with a smile.

"Papa was telling me about how you flew! You just jumped into thin air and showed all them bad guys that they needed a little faith." Little Kirna summed up the whole story in her little sentence with so much glee that Emer laughed.

"Well, why don't you head to your mat and dream of flying. Papa and I will be there to tuck you in shortly." Emer said with a smile. Kirna nodded, hugged both of her parents and skipped into the homestead.

"You never grow tired of that story, do you my dear?" Emer asked, shaking her head.

Baza stood up and took his wife into his arms. "I will never forget how you taught me to fall on faith." He kissed her nose and then they turned towards the homestead together, holding each other the whole way. The fire sent its last sparks to the sky.

*~*~*~*

Yes I did use characters from my novel in progress. It's surprisingly difficult to create new characters when you have been so focused on one set of main characters for so long. This one I had fun writing, taking my characters into a new setting. Next stories, however, I'll work on different characters so that I can become more versatile. Hope you all enjoyed!

Date Night Challenge

Hey everyone!

I'M BACK! Woot! Oh Cozy Window Seat, how I've missed you! It's been unbelievably busy with my new position at work and with the family trip that unfortunately I couldn't cozy on up on the window seat and just read a book for days on end. At least, figuratively speaking. Now I'm back home and used to the new routine and I'm ready to go.

Now, I need you're help. I have a confession to make. My hubby and I are movie nuts. That's right ladies and gents, we go to the movies, where they over price popcorn, pop, peanut butter m&m's, never mind the actual movie tickets. If there are three good movies in the theater in the run of a month we will go see each one. That is how we date. I love my hubby but at the same time, dinner and a movie can become monotonous. Don't get me wrong, I still dress up and I still love to spend time with my hubby and yes I do love going to the movies. However, I've found that once we get into a habit, it's hard to think up anything else to do.

Thus, my need for your help. There are many people in the blogging world and many of you, of course, go on dates. So, here is my challenge and plea for help. We need new dating ideas! But here's the catch. My goal is not only to be different with the dates but to also cut back on the amount of money we are spending. Like I said, the price for a movie and dinner is just ridiculous and since we want to eventually have a house, we are looking to save. Also, both my hubby and I have insane schedules, and he only has a week in advanced knowledge of what he works. So these dates need to be flexible and easy to do.

Will you accept my cry for help and challenge? Leave a comment with your date ideas and when we pick one I'll post how it goes :) I thank you in advanced.

Someone Else to Someone

Ever watch the news? When something bad happens, are you ever glad that it isn't happening to you? Sure, your horrified, and you feel bad for the person, but in the back of your mind you would rather it be them than you. When we are warned, as children, about horrible tragedies, we always seem to feel as if that event would never happen to us, but would happen to someone else.

Let me show you the flaw in that kind of thinking: Inevitably, at some point, we are that "someone else" to someone.

These last few days we have been that "someone else." We have slept with one eye open, our arms secure around our loved ones, fearful of every noise. Those who don't believe in prayer have been brought to their knees and those who do believe in prayer have prayed constantly. Men have fallen and women and children have cried. Suddenly, all the violence that we hear about in other cities was in our own back yard.

In all my wildest imaginings, it never crossed my mind that I would live in a city where the words 'manhunt' would be predominant in our newspapers. The idea that the 'bad guy' was so close was unreal and unnerving.We were all worried and scared. All I wanted to do was hold my hubby and stay inside.

By mid day yesterday, June 5, the streets were barren and everyone was at home. No one ventured out. Everyone held their breath. The fine people in the RCMP, worked round the clock to make our city, our back yard, safe again. Even though we were not prepared for what happened, the RCMP was quick to respond and they did an astounding job. They allowed us the privilege of fear and worry. They risked their lives so that we could hold our loved ones, while their loved ones could only hold each other and watch.

David Ross, Fabric Georges Gevaudan, and Douglas James Larche laid down their lives for us on Wednesday, June 4th. They will never come home to their families. To think that someone can be so quickly brought down by a man-made instrument strikes home the fragility of life. To think that all of the hard work of mothers in labor can easily be erased in only seconds, makes my heart pound with fear for the those that I love. These men should not die in vain. We should learn from the way that these men lived.

They loved passionately and they fought valiantly. To be a good RCMP officer, you need to believe in what you protect and be quick to face dangers so that other do not have to. They still feel fear because they are human and they should. It is this fear that makes them hero's when they left everything behind to protect our streets. It is because of this fear that they are brave. It is those three names that I will remember and respect.

The last couple of days we have been that someone else. And while we were not prepared, we did survive and we will continue to thrive. We need to use this experience to bring us closer together as a community and as a family. If we don't take it upon ourselves to love others as Jesus loves us and pray as a first defence, rather than a last defence, than those RCMP officers who have lost their lives will have lost them in vain and we will always be that "someone else" to someone.

trendsmap.com

Beauty Regardless of Rush

Hello all!

So, the last time I did a walk to take pictures was back in the middle of winter after the first serious snow storm. Now, when I was back in University during my first year, I would take regular walks and take pictures. Now that I've graduated and got married, things seemed to have kicked into high gear, and it's not often that I'm able to just have a day where I don't feel like I need to rush about. Yes there are still things that I need to do but I don't feel like they have to get done now, I can wait a moment or two between tasks. So this morning, after I had finished reading yet another book, I decided that before I ate breakfast that I would go out on this beautiful spring day and take some pictures.

Now It's warm enough to be Summer, and it's the last day of May, but it's still spring so Spring pictures it was. To start off this little gallery, I decided that I would take some pictures of our two dogs, Gandalf and Rhya. Amazingly enough, it was the easiest time I had ever had taking pictures of these two pups. Now, just to note, these two dogs are inseparable. At one point about a year or two ago, I took Gandalf out to take his picture. I just went to the back yard, not that far at all. Apparently, according to my hubby, Rhya had sat at the top of the stairs whimpering the entire time. These two really are a pair. So without further ado...


They love to investigate everything and anything is suspicious

Rhya has to be one of the laziest active dogs that I know.
She loves to play but most times she just wants to cuddle.

Gandalf is by far the most playful pup of the two.
 He loves to run, and would run himself to death if we let him.

These two really are the best of friends and love being together.

 

SQUIRREL

Ok, now that the cute pups are done, I decided to head out on the short walk. Now I usually like the pictures to tell some sort of story, so I hope you enjoy the journey...





Life always starts, from a tiny seed, and no
matter how far we roam, we always find our way home.

And with the sun's help, we will grow like the wild flowers
it's light gazing down on us through the shower.

There are always bends in the road, during our travels,
and sometimes the bend doesn't seem to have an end.

But if we just keep on walking, and trusting in our Lord,
just maybe we'll find our way down the road.

Though sometimes we don't have a clear view of the sky,
the sun will always be there, even in a sigh.

So every so often, w just need to stop

And take some time to play

And lift our faces towards the rays

So whether your blessing seem large
 

Or just very small
 

Your road very flat
 

Or so bumpy you'll fall
 

Whether your life is a clean cut lawn
 

or just a mess of weeds
 

Look up you'll still see the sky

And you'll still grow, by and by

 



 

Loudest words spoken

There was once I knew an eccentric woman,

Though some may have called her strange,

Her actions were the loudest words spoken,

Each person she met experienced a change.

For some it may have been passing,

For others a lifelong trek.

For help she never was asking

On others she’d rather check.

Her love for her family and friends

Was more than words can express

To each event she was bound to attend

And she always had the best dress.

Though she is in heaven, smiling from above,

I’ll always remember that eccentric woman

Who taught me that family was a labor of love

And that actions were the loudest words spoken.

~ In loving memory of Mary Lee Weiler