Jost Family Concert

 

 

As promised from my last post, I will now be posting about a great family we were able to see in concert a couple of weeks ago.  Some of you may have recognized them from the teaser photo in my last post, but probably even more of you know them from their popular

 Jostie Flicks videos!

 

 

 

It is the Jost Family!  Probably not as many people know how amazing they are at singing and with their instruments too!

 

For a few years now we have thoroughly enjoyed their Jostie Flicks videos - we've seen every single one as far as I know.  But I never expected to be able to see them in person!  But that is exactly what happened two weeks ago.  We have some friends who know them personally, and as the Josts were coming through MN they decided to set up another concert for them in the park.

 

 

So on one of the most beautiful days of the year so far we had the privilege of attending their very first MN concert!  Amazing music, amazing people, amazing memories!  It was great to enjoy their wonderful talent used to glorify God!

 

 

Our dear friends the Alzens were also persuaded to play a song, which was a treat!

 

 

 

The Durochers were also there too! :D

 

 

And there volleyball!

What a great Saturday afternoon it was!

 



An Ice Cream & Pie Social

 

Once a year we do a little celebrating in my Bright Lights Bible study group before slowing down for the summer.  Last year was a tea party which was a very sweet afternoon with 24 girls.  This year we had an ice cream and pie social!  Even though it wasn't really different from last year like the other things I was considering - like a father daughter dinner.  But these kind of feminine parties is what I do best, and I threw myself into thoroughly enjoying the preparation for this party too!

 

 

~The Decorations~

 

 

 

My favorite part of planning any party is the pretty little details, though neither did I want to over spend on a 1 1/2 hr. party.  But when these lovely paper ice cream bowls and wooden spoons were found on sale at JoAnn's, I had to pick them up!  Every ice cream social needs wooden spoons, right!?

 

The berry boxes I have an over abundance of from another party.  The striped napkins are from Target.  And the gumball machine I got for free as a white elephant gift!

 

 These happy little ice creams were printed for free from OhHappyDay.

 

 

 

I was so excited to begin to incorporate these giant balloons into parties too!  They are so fun and festive and instantly made the place look like a party!  They were also an exciting item for two of the girls to win for one of the games!  The best priced place I've found to buy them is at BloomDesignsOnline.  It looks like they also have a lot of other great party items on there.

 

 

~The Food~

 

The girls were very generous in bringing pies to share, so that we had eight pies - enough that each girl could have had half a pie to themselves! :)  The day before I was busy making homemade vanilla ice cream, then all the important toppings were sitting out for the girls to put on as they pleased:

 

Whip Cream

Sprinkles

Chocolate Sauce

Strawberries

Peanuts

Banana

 

 

~The Plan~

 

 

So many times have a tried to have an outdoor party, and only half of those times have worked out!  Sadly this was one of the times, but no other plans had to be changes, it rained while we were inside eating our ice cream and it abated for our outdoor games - I was very thankful!  Thinking up creative games is actually not my strong suite (it's more my mom's department) so I didn't have a very strong plan B! 

 

I started the party out by reading a little on the history of ice cream then we went straight into our main game.  This was a game that we had played with other friends before, and I had excitedly been planning to play it with my Bright Lights girls for a while now.

 

It was a Bible Scavenger Hunt, with 17 different Bible verses that, like clues, led them all over our property.  For example, one of the verses they had to look up was

 

James 3:3 "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body." 

 

That led them to the tack room, then maybe in there they found

 

Acts 15:23 "And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia."

 

That led them to the mailbox.

 

After that, just as the rain began to fall, we all enjoyed the ice cream and pie.  Then we made sure to get our big group picture and quick fit in one more game.  I needed a game that would end up with two winners, now that I had two big balloons to give away.  So I made paper ice cream cones, and like the egg toss game, they tossed ping pongs to their team mate to catch in their ice cream cone, and whatever team won got to take the balloons home.

 

So over all it was a great day, to me at least and hopefully for the girls too!  And if you need an ice cream social planned, just ask me! ;-)

 

~Next Time On The Blog~

 

 

 Anyone able to recognize this family?  They're up on the blog next time!



My Etsy Shop Is In The Paper

 

 

In January I received a message from an editor of a local paper asking if I would be interested in answering some questions about my Etsy shop, DownyandFloral - I was thrilled!  I thought it would be great for something like this to happen sometime, and even though it was earlier than expected - I'm still figuring out exactly what fits to sell, but of course I excepted!

 

 

Four months later I had almost forgotten about keeping an eye out for the article in the paper.  Had I missed it?  I'm not much of a paper reader...  But last week it was in the paper!  I'm not totally happy with each of my answers, but I'm still really pleased I was asked to be in the paper and the support that has come from it!

 

You can read it

HERE

 

Blessings,

Amber

 



March 22 - In Which I Turn 20

Yes, it's hard to believe, but I have exited the teen years and now start with a 2 to write my age.  The celebrating was full and joyful, and actually spanned over three days!

 

Day one: which was the day before my birthday, we visited Avalon Tea Room which was such a treat!  This was our first time visiting this particular tea room, and although some meal options weren't as fancy - sandwich with chips and pickle - over all it was a lovely experience!  Their scones were some of the best we had tasted - so light, and such a wide selection of teas!

Anna and I at the tea room

 

I think tea rooms have such a nice atmosphere, and we noticed that this one was even hiring - wouldn't that be a lovely place to work!?  But I will not be swooping up the job, an hour drive would never do!

 

 

Anyways, after our lunch Daddy took us ice skating in town.  It is so nice to glide across the ice so quickly and smoothly.  We had a good time together there too!

 

(Sadly there is an absence of pictures for the other two days.)

 

Day Two: On my actual birthday, was a little more of a quiet one.  My Grandparents came to take Anna and I, along with our eight year old cousin, who is a continual source of entertainment, for Chinese.  I always appreciate time that can be spent with them!

 

Then that evening I gathered three of my dearest friends (not including, but she was also there, my dearest friend of a sister) at our house, starting with multiple games of Dutch Blitz.  This is one of my favorite games, which becomes even more fun the bigger the group, and it was fun to have a group of friends to play with me instead of continually asking my sister to play it with me! :)  We also enjoyed dinner and my birthday cake together, which was actually Oreo Cheesecake Bites - yummy!  And then watched Amazing Grace (the movie), which is my top favorite movie at the moment and suggested for everybody to see!

 

Day Three: A couple days later our Grandma picked us up and took us out for a girls afternoon.  We visited a sweet, little café with absolutely lovely desserts to look at through the glass, we shopped, and visited an old-fashioned bakery.

 

So I realize with coming to 20 comes greater accountability.  I was responsible for what I did at 19, but Biblically 20 is counted as an adult - "20 years old and upward".  

It's amazing and honoring to see how the Lord has worked and led so far, and I look forward to the continuing wonder of see God's plans unfold!

 

Thank you for your visit!

Amber Nicole 

Funfetti Cake Cheese Ball

 

A couple weeks back I was able to try out this fun recipe on my Bible study girls.  It turned out to be really fun and tasty, the hardest part being trying to cover the whole cheese ball with the sprinkles without getting them all over the kitchen!  If you like birthday party cake flavored ice cream, you will like this dip, as the main ingredient is Funfetti cake mix.

 

 

Funfetti Cake Cheese Dip

 

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups funfetti cake mix, dry
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup rainbow jimmies (sprinkles)
• Vanilla Wafers, graham crackers, fruit, or other cookies for dipping

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until combined. Then add in the Funfetti cake mix, sugar, and powdered sugar and beat until combined.
2. Place the mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap. Bring up all the corners of the plastic wrap and wrap into a ball. Freeze the ball for about 1 1/2 hours or until it is firm enough to keep its shape.
3. Place the rainbow jimmies on a flat plate and roll the unwrapped cheese ball in the jimmies. Make sure to press the jimmies into the cheese ball until it is fully covered.
4. Place the ball on a serving dish, cover with plastic wrap and freeze the cheese ball for another 2 hours or overnight. If frozen overnight, thaw for 20-30 minutes before serving. Serve with Vanilla Wafers, graham crackers, fruit, or other cookies.

 

See recipe on original site.

Craft Room Re-do

My creativity needs all the help it can get, and my sewing place was not helping.  Our sewing machine was down in the basement that was dark, lonely and cold - not inspirational.  So when that same sewing machine was moved upstairs to our classroom where everyone congregates, it was a welcome change.  And not only that, but the whole classroom also got a makeover.

 

BEOFRE: the room totally dedicated to school, which was good when both Anna and I were in school.

 

 

 

NOW: it is bright and cheery with space for work and craft.  I know, I am not actually showing the sewing machine (you can see a bit of it in the lower right corner), but it makes for a rather uninteresting picture.  But the space is great.  The only thing I'll miss about sewing in the basement?  The chickens watching me through the window.  They would just stand there interested until I was done - they were sweet company!

 

 

All I did for this fun, new, piece was print out the image from Pinterest and then place it in the frame!

 

Thank you for reading!  Happy crafting!

 

Amber Nicole

Early Morning Shipment

 

This morning I have this lovely little shipment to send to a costumer!  It is always exciting to know that a stranger wants and will have something I made in their home!

 

Crusty Bread

 

 

A few times this past month including today, I have been making this lovely bread.  I have always liked bread with a crusty outside and soft inside, but had never thought to try making it myself.  But after seeing this super simple recipe, it has become a new favorite!

 

 

It comes out so lovely, making it look like you're a master baker, while it is really easy.  And it's also pretty healthy - with no sweetner, not even honey.

 

 

Simply So Good: Crusty Bread

Original Site

 

 

3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon Instant or Rapid-rise yeast

1 1/2 cups water

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast.  Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12 - 18 hours.  Overnight works great.  Heat oven to 450 degrees.  When the oven has reached 450 degrees place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, pour dough onto a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball.  Cover with plastic wrap and let set while the pot is heating.  Remove hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough.  Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes.  Remove bread from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool.   (Note: they say you do not need a cast iron pot, just something with a lid that can take the heat)



Bright Lights Conferences

 

Sarah Mally and I

 

What a blessing this past week has been!  Just one year ago I had no intentions of becoming a part of the Bright Lights girls ministry, then earlier this year I took over a group for a friend who was getting married, and now this past week I had the pleasure of helping out at the MN Bright Lights conferences!

 

 The Bontrager girls did some special music.  You know the Bontragers from 19 Kids & Counting episode "Duggars Do Dinner"?  Same family, and I do wish I had more of a chance to talk with these girls!

 

During the Strong In The Lord conference I was an assitant leader for a small group.  The days would be scheduled with all attendees (about 400 in number) switching from large group session in which Sarah and Grace Mally talked, and meeting in small discussion groups.  The whole conference went smoothly with many girls, and even a mother, responding to the Gospel message!

 

With two days spent at the church (sleeping over night there gave me opportunity for a late night discussion about books with two other sweet leaders) I went back home for a day of rest there, and then went back with friends to attend the Radiant Purity Conference, as I had never attended one before.

 

What a blessing that conference was also!!  The sessions were encouraging and challenging.  In the small group the discussions were great, which not all that long ago would have just seemed uncomfortably scary.  And making more lasting friendships was excellent!

 

And making so many amazing new friends was another big highlight of the week!  Fellowship can be so sweet with so many like-minded girls!  I collected as many email address and added as many Facebook friends as I could, but it would have been nice to get even more!

I and the small group leader I assisted signing books, there was a space in the back of the conference journals to collect signatures from people we met. 

 

 

I praise the Lord for the oppurtunity I had to do this!!  It will be a fond memory for years to come, and hopefully I can make more by doing it again another year!

 

Thank you for visiting!

Amber Nicole

Shop Finds: eShakti

 

 

As I mentioned a couple of posts ago, I had the privilege of playing violin for a dear friend's wedding.  But I didn't have something nice for a just entering the fall season sort of wedding, so I had to go shopping, sad right? ;)

 

 

I ended up buying my dress from eShakti, a wonderful online clothes store specializing in dresses of a 50's style.  I had a great experience ordering from this shop, but what's extra special about this shop is that for only $7.50 more, you can choose the length of your dress - made for modesty!  On some dresses you can also choose the sleeve length this way too.

 

  

I chose the "Joy Dress" in navy blue with a sweeping bow at the neck - well made.  The price came to $45 dollars after having it lengthed to calf length and using the $25 first time register coupon.  The dresses are already reasonably priced, but sales are going on at all times.

 

Probable return costumer: Yes!

 

 



Downy & Floral Grand Opening!

 

After about a year of delay, either because of having to fill in the details or just not feeling like I knew enough yet, I have finally took the plunge and opened my very own shop on Etsy.com! 

 

 

I would feel honored if you pay a visit by clicking the link below or using the widget on my sidebar.

 

 

Downy & Floral

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a very exciting day for me and I appreciate your encouragement and support dear reader!

 

Blessings,

Amber Nicole



Passing Summer Breezes

I wanted to share just a few experiences from this past summer as I look back..

 

We got to go berry picking and pick a parcel of fresh blueberries - always delicious!

 

Dad and I went camping in the Boundary Waters.  The scenery was lovely and I enjoyed stepping out of the country and into Canada for the first time!

 After getting back from our camping trip I had to set my mind to preparing for our Bright Lights Bible study retreat.  Ten of us girls enjoyed a full day set aside for seeking the Lord, studying His word, and prayer.  We were also blessed to be allowed to use a beautiful cabin on the lake!  We might just make this a yearly tradition!

 

Then a couple days later we got to again go to our favorite water park in Wisconsin.  It was a really fun and relaxing time!

 

Yesterday I had the great privilege of playing for a dear friend's wedding (I'm on the far left)!  I am so excited for my friend, but it's hard to believe how the time flies! 

 

 

 

As I am working towards opening my very own shop on Etsy.com very shortly, this past week I ordered my business cards!  This was our first time using vistaprint.com, and we would for sure consider using them again!  I've always like the double sided kind of business cards with all the information on the back, but never suspected I would be able have it for my own cards!  The front side I drew myself (and that's as far as my artistic abilities go...;-)

 

 So keep an eye out for the grand opening announcement that my little shop has (finally) opened... scary! :-o  But I guess I can't sell anything with a closed shop, now can I!?  I'm also looking forward to it!

 

Thank you for visiting dear readers!  I hope everyone's fall season has gotten off to a good start!

 

Blessings!

Amber Nicole

"When Will My Life Begin?"

Hello Everyone!  I think I am back to blog-y land, and first off I wanted to share a good post I found last week.  I thought it made some great points on the subject of the world viewing the keeper at home life as not good enough.  Take a moment to read...

 

When Will This Life Begin?
By Abigail Stricklen

 

"7 AM, the usual morning lineup:

Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean

Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up

Sweep again, and by then it's like 7: 15.

And so I'll read a book

Or maybe two or three

I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery

I'll play guitar and knit

And cook and basically

Just wonder when will my life begin?

Then after lunch it's puzzles and darts and baking

Paper mache, a bit of ballet and chess

Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making

Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb,Sew a dress!

And I'll reread the books

If I have time to spare

I'll paint the walls some more,

I'm sure there's room somewhere.

And then I'll brush and brush,and brush and brush my hair

Stuck in the same place I've always been.

And I'll keep wonderin' and wonderin'

And wonderin' and wonderin'

When will my life begin?

Disclaimer: I understand that in the movie, Rapunzel had been locked up in a tower with her deranged, evil kidnapper/mother for the course of her life. That is however, not the case of most of the girls watching the movie (Well, I certainly hope not). The message that the producers want girls to take away from this song (and the movie in general) is blazingly clear.

She starts her day at 7 am. "She rises while it is yet night." Proverbs 31:15
She sweeps, polishes, waxes, does laundry, mops, and shines. "She works with willing hands." Proverbs 31:13
She reads books. She educates herself. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

She paints, plays, guitar, knits...good grief, where does it end with this girl? Again, "she works with willing hands."
She cooks! "She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household." Proverbs 31:15

"Puzzles and darts and baking, Paper mache, a bit of ballet and chess, Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making
Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb!" Wow, she is one accomplished young woman, I'd say! All of these are wonderful, challenging things. She sure sounds educated and competent in many areas! "She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong." Proverbs 31:17

SEW A DRESS! "She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple." Proverbs 31:21-22

Then, she reads again, she paints the walls, she brushes her hair. Whew! What a day! Feels good to be accomplished and productive doesn't it?
But wait..... "Stuck in the same place I've always been.And I'll keep wonderin' and wonderin'And wonderin' and wonderin'When will my life begin? "

Your life? Look at the list of things you did today! That's not life? Your life hasn't begun even though you've just cleaned your whole house, read some good books, painted, played guitar, knitted, cooked, did puzzles, played darts, baked, did paper mache, practiced ballet, played chess, made pottery, practiced ventriloquy, made candles, stretched, sketched, climbed, sewed a dress, read again, painted some more, and brushed your hair? ALL IN ONE DAY?

Ok. Before you judge this whole post as me being derogatory, go read my disclaimer above. I understand Rapunzel's position. But that is most definitely not the position of any little girl watching that movie or listening to that song. Do you see the pattern? Every line of that song could be backed up by a Proverbs 31 woman verse! Rapunzel was a Proverbs 31 woman! What a great gal!
But she was wonderin, and wonderin, and wonderin, and wonderin, WHEN WILL HER LIFE BEGINNNNNN? (you know you just sang that)

Obviously, the producers of that movie wanted to get the message across that all those great things Rapunzel was doing were not good enough. Which is why she had to escape from her "authority," gallivant around the country with a cute criminal, fight a few evil, non-cute criminals, save the cute criminal from certain death by her evil mother (this is portraying authority as a bad thing), and basically be the greatest hero ever....because being a Proverbs 31 woman is simply not good enough. See what I'm trying to say here? Obviously Rapunzel's situation is an exaggerated version of some girl's lives. You want to get away from your parent's authority, you don't want to do what you're told, you want to go out into the world and be the hero. But guess what? When you do that...when you leave everything you've ever known with "Prince Charming-who-isn't-your-husband-who's-probably-gonna-end-up-being-a-lousy-bum-very-unlike-Flynn-Ryder, chances are.....YOU WON'T HAVE A CUTE FAIRYTALE ENDING. Because I PROMISE, you will NOT save him from certain death with whatever super-power you happen to possess (Face it, we all want sparkly magic hair and it's not gonna happen). You will never find your long-lost King and Queen parents because you left them at home, and you will most CERTAINLY not get a castle. Things will not turn out as ducky as you thought they would. But you will expect all of that because that is what everyone is telling you will happen! Go out! Face the world! Earn your freedom! Everything will be great and you'll even get a Prince and a castle at the end of it!
Nope, nope, nope, nope, NOPE.

Be content, ladies. The world wants to tell you that you're not good enough, but you ARE. There's so much pressure out there to be better than God's best. God's best is what we want to strive for. God told us what he wants us to be in his beautiful Word. Be content. Don't let the pressure of this world get you down. Keep on cooking and baking and cleaning and doing that gross laundry, BECAUSE THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH. It's GOOD! It's beautiful and praise-worthy!! Live up to God's standard, not the world's.
Okay, now I'm done picking on Tangled. I like that movie, haha. ;)

~By Abigail Stricklen

Busy Busy!

 

Summer 2013 has been a busy, exciting, and totally new summer for me thus far!

 

 

In the beginning of June our Bright Lights Bible study group had a tea party, hosted at our house.  As you may very well know, I love tea parties, so it was very fun to plan and be able to spend extra time with Abby, our Bright Lights leader.  Even when it took all day for me bake the cookies, that was enjoyable too!

 

I re-did some cookies I had done for another tea party a couple years back. 

 

And the actually tea party turned out to be SO blessed too!  We were expecting about 15-20 girls, we had set the two tables, making our house look like a lovely tea room, for 18.  But the Lord blessed beyond our expectations, I started counting at 19 girls, and there was more on the way!  We ended with 24 girls in our house!!  What a wonderful time with a house bursting with joyful, beautiful girls!

Then a few weeks ago Abby emailed me, saying that she would like to have a Bright Lights retreat and she would like me to plan most of it, and this was emailed to me just a day before she left for a month in which contact would be more difficult!  :-o  But contact has ended up to be no problem, planning fun, and everything coming together smoothly so far!  I look forward to a whole day set aside to seek the Lord in late August!

Then just this past Wednesday was a super exciting day for me - I passed my driver's test to get my license!! 

 

The beginning of my test.

 

The part I was most nervous about was the parallel parking.  I had practiced a good amount before hand, but was still a little inconsistent in how close I got to the curb.  But that actually went smoothly while during the 90' back up I got a little close the cone (but thankfully no hitting!).  Over all the test was easier and faster than expected and it's such a relief to be done!  We had planned to go to Caribou afterwards, and I am happy that we went there to celebrate instead of drown my sorrows in coffee! :D

 

Now we have a busy week coming up with Anna and I helping out with VBS at our church.  Each year I enjoy this time with the kids, catching up with the other teens who come to help, and just that totally different week from any other week in the summer!

 

Well, it has felt good to be back to blog-y land!  Thank you for letting me ramble about some of the top things I have been busy with!

 

Blessings,

Amber 

40's Luncheon - Farewell Bible study

 

Last Thursday we "celebrated" our final meeting of the girl's Bible study my sister and I have been attending.  Was it a flash back to another era or the end of an era?  Probably a little bit of both... 

 

 

Anna (my sister) is second for right and I am third.

 

For the past two to three years we have been attending this Bible study, making such dear friendships and sweet memories!  Amidst the tea parties, learning to crochet, dressing up, stories, volleyball, quilting, laughter, and crafts, I have appreciated the God honoring studies of the Bible shared together!  Although there will still be opportunities to see each of these girls, this special group will be missed!

 

It was time to move on,  but first to make a few final memories!  The theme was 40's, a fun era to choose!  We dressed up as best as we could (which I think we did quite well at), listened to old records, played Clue, had burgers and fries, shared prayer requests, and made sure to take lots of pictures!

 

 

Last Scripture passage shared. 

 

 

At the end we went to an old fashioned ice cream parlor where our leader shared her engagement story over delicious ice cream!  We will truly miss her when she moves away!

 

The whole day was so much fun, along with a twinge of sadness to see a good thing end.  I praise the Lord for the time He gave us together and that this party was not a real good bye!

 

Blessings, Amber

 

 

Spring Time Preparations

 

I wanted to make a skirt, not to difficult, I had made one before, and I got inspired by this pattern - I wanted a full skirt.  So I found this lovely blue fabric (linen I think), but quickly realized how much six yards of fabric really is...

 

At the cutting counter:

 

Employee rolling out yard after yard of fabric:  "What are you making?"

 

Me: "A skirt"

 

Employee: *silence*

 

Most projects take longer than expected, and this is where my work slowed down, while trying to figure out if I should really try this pattern or not!  Am I really suppose to be able to wear six yards of fabric!? ;-)

 

I actually ended up using a pattern we already had - Simplicity pattern 2843.  I used the pieces for the petticoat, shortened it, and added an elastic waist band.  And I am quite pleased with how it turned out, with only half the amount of fabric I think it is just as full looking as the other pattern!

 

 

So along with preparing my wardrobe for spring, we have also started planting the garden.  Thus far we have only planted about half, as the weather continues to swing back and forth from hot to cold.  But when possible it has felt very good to work under the warm sunshine, sweet smelling flowers, and fresh breezes again! 

 

 

 

"Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,

We are happy now because God wills it:

No matter how barren the past may have been,

Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green:...

We may shut our eyes, but we cannot help knowing

That the skies are clear and grass is growing:..."

 

Excerpts from "June"

by James Russell Lowell

 



~Amber Swanson~