Saturday, January 28, 2006

Untitled

Just to prove my nerdiness-- I get daily words... from AlphaDictionary.com.
The same place as the Dixie/Yankee questionnaire.

But today's "GoodWord" struck me...

• ineffable •

Pronunciation: in-ef-?-b?l

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: 1. Indescribable, which cannot be expressed in words. 2. Unspeakable, forbidden to be spoken, as the ineffable name of God.

Notes: Today's word is the negation of effable "utterable, pronounceable", which has slumped into disuse. The reason seems clear: all the words and sounds we utter are utterable (effable), so when would we need the word?

Do y'all remember Bro. Billy Paul's testimony, about how Brother Branham's mouth was different than us--that his palate was in the shape of a pyramid--that he, as the Seventh Angel Messenger, could speak the name of God that was--ineffable? And the results were creative in power-- the 3rd Pull in manifestation.


Just a thought.


One day, I'll get around to a longer post--but until then, God Bless!

Posted via web from marielenora's posterous

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Untitled


Birches
When I see birches bend to left and right

Across the lines of straighter darker trees,

I like to think some boy's been swinging them.
But swinging doesn't bend them down to stay
As ice-storms do.
Often you must have seen them

Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning

After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored

As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.

Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells

Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust--

Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.

They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,

And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed

So low for long, they never right themselves:

You may see their trunks arching in the woods

Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.

But I was going to say when Truth broke in

With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm

I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows--
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father's trees
By riding them down over and over again

Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left

For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon

And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully

With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.

Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.

So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It's when I'm weary of considerations,

And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig's having lashed across it open.
I'd like to get away from earth awhile

And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away

Not to return. Earth's the right place for love:
I don't know where it's likely to go better.

I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk

Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,

But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.

One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.


by Robert Frost from The Poetry of Robert Frost (Henry Holt and Co.).

Monday, January 16, 2006

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Sis. Sam--you're a blessing to all of us. Thank you for being our friend and encouraging us in the Lord. May God richly bless your day and your life in this following year!



Along with Sis. Sam's birthday, today is MLK day.

And today's a holiday from school!

(A couple of years ago, South Carolina made a compromise with the NAACP--we could keep our rebel flag, as long as we gave a holiday for MLK. Twisted, but true!)



This is for all you that aren't Southern, and might not know what it looks like.

LOL!!!!


I'm really grateful for the holiday though-- If I hadn't had it, I would have been in deeep water about this time-- because I ran over to Atlanta on Saturday to see a good friend I'd not seen since her wedding. It was great to see Sharon and Ben and Renee, and Bob and Moni, Esther and Zachary--and Bro. Bob and Sis. Shelley--and, of course, Lavinia!!!

But since I didn't get a chance to grade papers or plan on Saturday-- I wouldn't have been ready for this upcoming week.

Has anyone taken the opportunity to play with party horns since they became an adult?

I hadn't until this weekend--and I laughed until I cried--! It was tremendous fun. Y'all should try it; you really should!



God Bless you all!


Friday, January 06, 2006

So, I got tagged....

But I've already done it!

So, go HERE to read it. Even though it was too recent for the link....

Oh Well.

God Bless, Y'all!!!

**Edit**

Heather doesn't seem to think my last seven good enough.

JK--

But just to make sure....
  1. I can (but I don't always) talk in my sleep. I have been known to carry on whole conversations, though. And have no remembrance of them at all. (Once I even fussed out my sister, Sharon, in my sleep... lol!)
  2. I looove to sew. Not anything too strange about that, though--lol--but I do like it a lot! (Actually, though--I think I like to cook even more. I'm just domesticated...like a sheep...!)
  3. Sis. Sam, you'll identify with this one... I also looove to make lists! Even if I don't accomplish much on the list, it makes me feel better for having made one. It helps me to "organize my mind" on paper.
  4. I procrastinate. It's easy to put off something you don't want to do--especially when there's other things you'd rather do. But this gets me in trouble. I'm trying to get better. It's something I'm working on.
  5. When I'm stressed out, I often won't communicate--or talk--with others. That's the reason that I can--and will, at times--disappear from the 'net, not commenting on other's sites... because... I'm just plain stressed. Sorry for those who have had to deal with this.

  6. As much as I would Loooove to be organized and neat, I'm not particularly either. It's another one of those things that I "need to work on..." And by God's grace, it will happen.
  7. Hmmm... this one might not qualify, but....I come from a family of men who love a corny joke. And they love to see someone groan over their bad jokes.

    For instance: At brunch on New Year's Day, eating yummy stuff that Becca and I had a lot of fun making (Greens Frittata, Black-Eye Peas with bacon, Cornmeal Pancakes with Maple Syrup... ) Daddy came up with a joke. He asked us:

    What is the spice you should always use sparingly?

    The answer: S'PARSLEY.

    And that wasn't enough for him.
    He went on to say:

    Sparsely Rage, Rosemary, there's Thyme

    At first I laughed, and then asked if that really came out of his head.

    He said it had-- (groan).

Posted via web from marielenora's posterous

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

He is the potter, and I am the clay...

A vessel of Honor he wants me to stay...

God is so good.

I'm a first year teacher, and it seems that last semester was a time of constant stress. (That is, except when I'm wasted time on the 'net.) And so I took full advantage of my time off this Christmas to relax. And I put off grading.

When I finally got to the point that I could (and wanted to) grade papers--I knew I was going to have some sleepless nights... and even then, I didn't know what I was going to do. I had a ton of essays to grade.

But when I stumble, and fall, and my vessel breaks....

God's sovereignty is amazing--and His blessings even more so.

We've had amazing services in church lately. God has come down, and blessed us so much. It seems as if it's a process--of slowly centering me once more on Him, no matter what comes or goes. Wednesday's service was wonderful, and on Saturday we had a watch-night service. The presence of the Holy Ghost filled the church--God calling me back to His throne, into His presence.

There is healing in Communion.

I know this, because Brother Branham said it... and I've now experienced it. For myself. Because my broken, wounded spirit was healed by His balm.

Sunday night after service, I lay in my room upstairs--and instead of focusing on the book I was escaping to, I started to think about the Lord, and all He's done for me. For some reason, my mind went back to a series my pastor had preached on Brother Branham's sermon, How Can I Overcome. When my pastor preached this, I was seeking for the Holy Ghost--But I wasn't yet surrendered. I knew it, too. As I listened to the message, I yearned for the Holy Ghost--yet I wasn't willing to give up.

Looking back on that time in my life, and comparing it with now... I realized: When you receive the Holy Ghost, you receive the power you need to overcome anything Satan might throw into your face. I'd known this for--oh, I don't know how long. But what I hadn't realized was, it's not me. I, as in my flesh, will never have the power to overcome Satan in this life. Because as much as we might try to patch, comfort, and beautify this flesh, it's not redeemed, and it will not be until we are in our ought-to-be condition-- glorified, sinless bodies.

But when you've surrendered over--when you realize it must be Him, and not you, that completes the work; that conquers the trial--it makes all the difference in the world.

I'd been trying to wage the war with the wrong tools. I'd been trying to fight battles myself, instead of simply surrendering. So this time, I prayed that God would allow me to just yield to Him, rather than fight with my two weak hands. And this whole grading thing--it allowed me the chance to put God to the test.

This morning, I laid on my face, and knew that if God didn't help me somehow-- I just wasn't going to get my grades in. And so I called on His help--realizing that I just wasn't good enough. I knew it was my fault. But I still needed His power and help.

Remember the ice storm that wasn't, yet we still didn't have power? Well. At lunchtime, I got an email. Because of our "snow days", the High Schools were still taking exams, and the District Office moved the Report Card distribution date to later. Which gave me an extension on how long I had to upload my grades. I know--still--that I should have already completed my grades. I know it was my fault. But yet, even in my fault, He had mercy. He knew what I needed--even before I knew it. He always does.
He just picks up the pieces; He doesn't throw the clay away.




**Edit**
Guess what tonight's service was on? The Faithfulness of God--to us.

Amen.

Posted via web from marielenora's posterous

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Untitled

Pretty much everyone's done this by now, and it made me think about my own...

Hmmmm... Do I have strange habits? --um. Yes.

  1. I sneeze exactly like my mother does. ---HACH--oo!
    Becca finds this especially entertaining in church.
  2. I read cookbooks-- TOMES really-- for pleasure. As in, the really thick ones.
    ( I love Julia Child--lol!)
  3. When I'm stressed out, I will take one of two options--do something domestic (I. E, cook something fatening and yummy), or hole up to myself (If I can) with a book.
  4. I don't "small talk" well. I'm not incredibly talkative in the first place--unlike my sis, Becca--so I find it easy to be at a loss for words.
  5. Despite the fact that I'm a pretty much a girly-girl, I love to hike, and camp, and fish. (Well, fish with someone who knows what they're doing. Maybe I just like to be out on the water.)
  6. All I've ever wanted out of life is to be a child of God, and to be a wife and a mother. I've never had any other ambition. College was just a drop in the bucket, and so, I'm finding, is teaching.
  7. I used to think that being "smart" was very important. Now, I know that the most important thing there is is Truth, and Faith in that Truth--and it doesn't need to be welded by the minds of intellectual man. It speaks for itself.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

The adventures of two sistas on the loose...

It seems that, no matter what we do, Becca and I always end up with adventure. There was the time we she and I visited Asheville the weekend before Halloween because I wanted yarn from Earth Guild--and ended up walking around the middle of a pagan street party. And they looked at us like we were crazy. No matter that some of them were not... normal.

That was also the trip where we walked into a cool furniture store--and the salesperson called God a she. We tried to correct his ignorance. He said he thought we believed this--because we had long hair. (WHAT?! --go figure.) And then we went to a cafe, and got seated with another person who was not... normal. He got a little uncomfortable when we started sharing our ideas on life, though he was perfectly happy to share his own. (LOL!)

But I digress... I was actually talking about our most recent trip--to Cumberland Island.

It was beautiful--as always. Too bad I forgot my decent cameras.. and had to go to WallyWorld for disposables. I think I was still able to get a few good shots, but I will be pretty amazed if there are any really good ones in the bunch. I missed my SLR.

We'd planned to drive half the night on Wednesday, sleep in the car, and then eat at "the breakfast place"--but I didn't feel like it. Instead, we came in on Thursday, , had awesome shrimp fresh from the boat and pretty good fish (the place had great food, but no atmosphere--lol--), then went to WalMart for all the things I needed, that I forgot, and then stayed at a great B&B.

This was the first vacation in a looong time that I've brought just one pair of shoes on. But it wasn't by choice. I simply forgot my tennis shoes. Soooo... I ended up wearing my Danskos on the island. Becca was soooo afraid I would step in horse poop especially because mine are backless--but I managed to keep my head out of the clouds and eyes on the ground enough to miss it. And my feet didn't hurt! (Sharon--you should be very proud of me--even if it was only by chance of my forgetful self! )

We took our traditional nap on the beach, and the gulls tried to scare us out of our lunch--and we got to go places on the Island I'd never been. we came back through sea camp, for old time's sake.

(I'll post pictures when I get them developed.)

I think our adventure for this trip started when we heard the rooster crow.

No, not at dawn--as we were getting off the ferry in St. Mary's. I thought some dilatory parent had allowed their child to take an electronic toy on the island. Becca looked around for the rooster.
Then, we both heard the man right behind us, in a DEEP southern accent, say:

"Y-ello? Oh--yeh, we just got awf th' furry in Saint Mair-ees."

Yes, it was his cell phone.

LOL!

I'd not heard the like.

Our adventure then became too-be-continued--for about four hours.

We took the long way home, going through Savannah for food and Bannanna Republic--But first we rode around downtown for 30 minutes looking for a parking space. Then, and only then could we got on the waiting list at Lady and Son's, and then return to Bannanna Republic--just in time for it to close. Bleh.

We had a great time at Lady and Sons, a La Paula Deen--Shrimp and Grits and fried green tomatoes this time. This time, the great food also had great atmosphere--lolo! We also got free desert, because they took too long to give us our food.

And then our adventure started in earnest. It was already 8:45, and we knew we weren't getting home until one in the morn'. So we called momma and warned her--and then promptly got lost in the city. Neither Becca nor I know Savannah that well--and we ended up on the wrong side of town. I was driving, and Becca was trying to navigate... and well, the results weren't good. We ended up in some pretty seedy neighborhoods. An hour later, when we finally made it on the road to home, I was really relieved to be safe and in one piece.

We got in at 2:30. I was worthless the next day--need I say more?
I'm still trying to decide if the trip was worth it, fun though it was.

Hmmm--It was wonderful to be on the island again, that's for sure.

And before I forget--Happy New Year to everyone!

May God's goodness and mercy be upon you always--and more in this year than the last. May we all grow in grace an knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

~God Bless~