Musing #58 - So Much Beauty Around Us, and Yet . . .

Click.
The sound of the buckle fastening securely around my sister's legs nearly always brings a sparkle to her big, dark eyes. Not today. Although her cries stop, no smile enters her face.
As soon as I get her out in the fresh air, she'll be fine, I think, and, wrapping my fingers about the handles of the stroller, I proceed to do just this.
But the baby isn't in an amiable attitude today; rather, she acts moody and upset, and after only a few minutes of walking she again begins to wail. I can't understand it. The beauty around us is so breathtaking and amazing, and because of this both my sister and I usually find our walks together to be immensely enjoyable. Around my feet the ants and beetles are skittering, and above us the sky is a gorgeous blue. The trees growing by the sidewalk provide not only shade, but also display an astonishing array of bright-green leaves. Flowers of various sorts are a sight to behold.
And yet, even with all this, my sister finds a reason to cry? 
As I take my sister out of her stroller, place her on my hip, and prepare to one-handedly push the stroller back home, I start to muse. 
My sister's attitude reminds me of . . . myself.
God sometimes places me in very trying situations, during which I cry and beg to be allowed to be delivered from it all. Then He shows me Himself - Who He is, what He is doing, and what He has in mind for me. 
The beauty is revealed to me, but I pay little attention, as I am too busy keeping my eyes on the ashes I've experienced.
You might be struggling with this very same thing. Or you could be noticing the work God is doing, yet the burden is so crushing you hardly care. Perhaps you're wondering, "Is it worth it?"
But I'm here to tell you: YES, it is worth it!!!!!
There's no trial so heavy that God can't use it for your good and His glory.
Trust Him, for oh, how much we miss out on when we focus only upon our misery, and not upon Him and what He is doing in our lives! 

This makes up my discussion for my most recent memory verse, Jeremiah 29:11. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. 

"Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

If you would like to read my latest review for the Elsie Dinsmore series of books, go HERE. Please be aware that it might be my last review for a while . . . 

Musing #57 - Something Fun to Share

Hi friends! So, this was supposed to be another review for the Elsie Dinsmore series of books, but I thought it might be fun to switch things up and post a fun "musing" today, then do a review later on this week. (Well, okay, I'll admit . . . my free time over the weekend was spent watching the all-new "Toy Story 4," taking a few trips to the pool, and typing/writing stories and poems, so, yeah, I didn't really apply myself to creating a new review. Oops.) Anyway . . . 

It's the little things in life that bring me joy . . . like receiving one of my published manuscripts from the Mennonite company, Wee Lambs. Two years ago I submitted several of my stories to them, and one by one I'm receiving these stories, edited and printed in a fun periodical, along with a couple of bits and pieces from other authors. This one particular manuscript God enabled me to write (titled "Tornado!") doesn't officially release until July 21st, but I figured I could give you all a little sneak peek. ;-) I would post the story on my blog, but sadly I don't own the final, edited copy in a Word document *wink.* 
Well, I must go now, as I have a book to reread and a review to write, but I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

~Ellen

Musing #56 - Exciting News and a Request for Prayer

Hi friends! I have a most spectacular piece of news to share with you all, as well as a request for prayer and a warning that the frequency of my future posts may be shifted.
First off, my special, exciting, and absolutely amazing news:
My family found out on the eighth day of this month that Mom is pregnant! Yes, that means I am now a sister to eight, and yes, that means we are all very, very excited. The baby is due on Valentine's Day of 2020, but Mom delivers all her babies by C-section, so he or she will probably be born in late January. This is my special news, and you can no doubt guess at the prayer request. ;-) Prayers for a safe pregnancy, a healthy baby, and perfect trust, wisdom, and guidance throughout these next several months are greatly appreciated. 
Now, as for my "warning" . . . 
My mom generally struggles with morning sickness during her first (and maybe second) trimester, and I have a few young siblings to help care for, so if my posts become scarce, you'll know why. I'll do my best to keep you all updated on the new baby (like when we find out if we have a boy or girl) but just so you know, my "weekly" posting schedule might be thrown off here soon.
Thanks in advance for the prayers! 

~Ellen

Musing #55 - "Elsie Dinsmore," a Weekly Book Review

Review #4 for the Elsie Dinsmore series of books. I tried to get a back-cover summary for this review, but the summary I found on Amazon was very inaccurate, so I'm writing this review entirely on my own. 

Book 4: "Elsie's Womanhood"

Secrets. Trials. Marriage. New babies. A trip to Europe. Illness. War.
These topics make up the fourth book of the Elsie Dinsmore series: Elsie's Womanhood. Before Elsie and Edward's wedding, there are some events, but I plan not to discuss those in this review. Instead, I prefer to go on and express my thoughts upon their married years, because I believe that this time was the high point of the book. Besides that, there was one thing that really bothered me throughout the latter portion of the book, and I feel it should be addressed.

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 #50 - Memory Verse and Giveaway!

  Good morning, all! I'm excited to share my latest memory verse with you . . . as well as announce my very first giveaway! 
  My "verse" for this past week has actually  been a short collection of verses - Jonah 2:3, Jonah 2:6b, and Jonah 2:7. 

"For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all Your waves and Your billows passed over me . . . yet You brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. When my life was fainting away, I remembered the LORD, and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple."

   These verses also set the stage for my giveaway, as the prizes for this giveaway are:

*   Two charms on a 16" chain. One charm is a beautiful, blue-green stone, and the other charm is a tiny bottle filled with even smaller pink stones. 
*   A rock inscribed with the words: "Be still and know that I am God." On the back it gives the Scripture reference  to this verse (Psalm 46:10).     

To find out why I chose these prizes in particular,
read on . . . 

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 #47 - Discussion On My Second Memory Verse

 Well, here I am again, my dear viewers, all ready to discuss my latest memory verse with you. This week's verse was Proverbs 20:22, listed below:

"Do not say, 'I will repay evil';
wait for the LORD, and He will deliver you."