Musing #54 - And the Winner Is . . .

Good morning, all! I look forward to announcing the winner of last week's giveaway!! But first, I want to thank each one of you for participating in the fun and sharing your favorite verse or song with me. :-) It was so uplifting to read all the comments that came in, and I'm very thankful to see so many young ladies hiding God's Word in their hearts! 
I wrote the name of each entrant on a slip of paper, and this morning these pieces of paper were folded, mixed, and brought in their box to my younger sister, who, without looking, drew the winner.
So, without any further ado, the winner is . . . 

Musing #53 - Last Day to Enter!

Hi everyone! Just a quick head's-up to let you know that today is the last day to enter my giveaway, so if you haven't commented on that post yet, but would like to, now is the time to do it!

Click HERE to visit my giveaway post and enter for a chance to win the prizes pictured below. :-)

Musing #52 - "Seven Billion Smiles"

 Empty Space

There's an empty space inside me

a longing I've tried to kill.

I thought if I had everything

The emptiness would be filled.

And though I've checked off that list

I'm still not satisfied.

The picture-perfect dream world

Is nothing but a lie.

Our history's terrible story

is of men searching desperately to find

Something other than their Maker

that fulfils them, though they're blind.

But now I have the answer,

and now I've closed my case.

I've found the one Existence 

Who can fill my empty space.

                                               
                                                - Emma Starr

   The above poem was written by a special friend of mine who goes under the pen name of "Emma Starr." 
   Emma is a very a talented young lady who truly has a gift for poetry and art, and she has recently started a blog of her own. She plans to fill this blog up with doodles, poems, book reviews, and other fun stuff. 

   You'll find the link to her blog below, so go on over and leave her an encouraging comment! :-)

Seven Billion Smiles

Musing #51 - "Elsie Dinsmore," A Weekly Book Review

Review #3 for the Elsie Dinsmore series of books by Martha Finley. To avoid giving out too many spoilers, I'm trying out a new way of writing these reviews - I'll list the back-cover summaries first, and then, because I think it would be best for readers to know what they're in for, I plan to provide the teensiest bit of information on the book before expressing my thoughts. Enjoy!

Musing #49 - Go to the Ant!

  Have you ever closely observed an ant? They're hard-working little creatures, and they persevere no matter what the circumstances. That's no doubt why the Proverbs tell us, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." (Proverbs 6:6) 
  However, there's more we can learn from the ant than just this.

Musing #48 - "Elsie Dinsmore," a Weekly Book Review

Review #2 for the Elsie Dinsmore series. Enjoy!

Book 2: "Elsie's Holidays at Roselands"

In this sequel to Elsie Dinsmore, we meet again with our little heroine, Elsie, who, though assured that her father is not interested in Miss Stevens in the way she feared, is still sorely bereaved that her father does not love Jesus. The girl is therefore faced with more heartache than she'd ever dreamed possible, and Martha Finley leaves this little hint at the very beginning of the book as to the trial to come:

"Ah! papa, how could I ever bear to lose your love? I think I should die," she [Elsie] said, dropping her head on his breast, with almost a sob. "Oh! if I am ever very, very naughty, papa, punish me as severely as you will; but oh, never, never quit loving me."
"Set your heart at rest, my darling," he [Horace Dinsmore] said, tenderly, "there is no danger of such a thing. I could not do it, if I wished."
Ah! there came a time when Elsie had sore need of all the comfort the memory of those words could give.

Musing #46 - A New Header and a Special Thank-You

    Hi, friends! I have a gorgeous new header now thanks to Abby from Little Birdie Blessings. She's an amazing graphic designer! (She's also the one who designed those cards I used for story prompts during my "Story a Week Challenge.") Thank you so very, very much, Mrs. Hickey! I am so honored to have a piece of your work on my blog :-).