THE JOYS OF WINTER!

Spring is in the air and our blood ;) However, winter is still blowing about us and I intend to enjoy it to the fullest. . .I love the snow and yes even the cold to a point. . .without the cold there is no reason for that cozy fire in the stove that is perfect for curling up next to with a good book and a nice cup of hot cider. Hmmm. Yes I do love the cold for that reason. .. among others.

So here are a couple of my favorite pictures from this winter. Both were taken on the drive out River Road West near Plains on my way to make taffy with my Gram. A wonderful day filled with fun and laughter. The final picture of that day is of us together with my cousin, Aletheia.

Unique

A thrill spirals down my spine
The first snowflake has fallen
For now I dread the day when
I will see that last one of the season

Smiling, I draw a deep cool breath of frosty air
Exhaling with a chuckle as my breath freezes
In mid-air so that I can not only feel it but see it
Such joy is only felt on a winter day

Snowflakes, each created perfect and unique
Sent down to earth to fall where God wills
As is each one of us, none of us the same,
Searching for the place God has for us to land

Spring air will warm the earth and the beauty
Of winter will fade, another season gone by
Snowflakes will cease to fall, but their purpose
Is fulfilled in replenishing the moisture for spring growth

So will our purpose be fulfilled in our season
Our qualities unique and perfected in our
Lord’s strength; Like the lovely snowflake
May we find our way in His grace and love.

~Alaina Mathers~

Written Feb 2009.

May we all realize God created us perfect and unique-

Just like the lovely snowflake!

The above drawing is my latest work. . well my latest work that is finished. . . ;) Yes I have started another piece, but don't look for it anytime soon . .. this piece took me nearly a year to finish and I'm sure this next one will take a substantial amount of time to finish as well. . . as I just play around with it for an hour or two here and there. . . I love this piece. It was inspired by a photo I'd found in a magazine several years ago and the idea has been rattling around my brain for a long time. I'm very pleased with the result. The little girl's name is Sophie as written on the wall and I think I'd like to write a story to go with this, but we'll see if that ever happens. . . though I do know Sophie's character would indeed be adorable and worth writing about. Finding the time and energy will be the challenge there. Hope you all enjoy!

RE: Afraid? Of What?

Okay so this goes out in respose to His Handmaiden's post. . . . it doesn't go along exactly with the post. . .but the title to this poem is the same as her post so it brought it too mind so I thought I'd share it . . .because I found it in Jesus Freaks it has everything to do with persecution of Christians and was written by a friend of a martyr. The martyr's name was Jack Vinson and his story is very short so I will share it as well

The bandit told the missionary,

"I'm going to kill you. Aren't you afraid?"

Jack Vinson replied simply,

"Kill me if you wish. I will go straight to God."

E.H Hamilton wrote the following poem after his friend was killed in 1931 in China

Afraid? Of What?

To feel the spirit's glad release?

To pass from pain to perfect peace?

The strife and strain of life to cease?

Afraid-of that?

Afraid? Of what?

Afraid to see the Savior's face

To hear His welcome and to trace

The glory gleam from wounds of grace?

Afraid- of that?

Afraid? Of what?

A flash, a crash, a pierced heart;

Darkness, light, O Heaven's art!

A wound of His a counterpart!

Afraid- of that?

Afraid? Of what?

To do by death what life could not-

Baptize with blood a stony plot,

Till souls shall blossom from the spot?

Afraid-- Of that?

Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

~Psalm 27:1~

Artistic Ventures of 2009 (thus far :-)

Sorry I have been so remiss in my posting as of late. Here is my latest play in the artistic world. . . it's a twist on photography. While I love natural photography. . . I also love photoediting and making it uniquely my own. This photo actually started out as a blurry mis-take. .. but I loved the moment so I thought I'd try to salvage it and came out with something that I like even better than the originals of that day that turned out in focus.


I've also been playing with some of Jeff and Natasha's wedding photos shown below. . . trying to blur the background so the focus is completely on the people.

Also here is my latest poem . .. in it's rough form. . .I haven't polished it up any, but not sure that I want to yet. . . giving it time to rattle around in my head before I call it finished ;-)

Will You Forget Always?

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
That day that you looked up and your eyes met his
And you knew that you would be his forever
As you said those vows, your heart beating rapidly
With a love that couldn’t be contained
A tear fell from your eye but he caught it
Promising to cherish you always.

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
That day you looked down into a small face
That mirrored yours. . . and hers.
Love bloomed so quickly in your heart
And in hers for this small one entrusted to you both
She took your hand in hers and whispered that she’d
Be there for you and this new little one too always.

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
That day you said goodbye to your father
But who was there but him to hold you
As life hurt too badly to look forward or back
Once again he took you is his arms and
Brushed the tears that fall silently from your eyes
Letting you know that he’ll be there always.

Now this day you seem to have forgotten all the times
You were there for each other when the world walked away
Why would you choose the world over that?
I wish you would remember the days that
You smiled in secret cause no one else understood and
When the smallest touch sent a thrill straight to your heart
You’re perfect together. . . can you just remember that always?

I hope you all enjoy these artistic ventures as much as I did while coming into this new year though I can hardly believe 2009 is actually here. Hopefully it will be a great year! One filled with endless new possibilities.

Politics and such. . not my thing, . . . but ; )

Well this blog normally won't touch on anything political, but how can one ignore such turmoil that has been swirling for the last few weeks? I just wanted to encourage those who like me were dissapointed in America's choice. I wanted to add this link to my post because Mr. Alcorn says what I've been feeling much better than I could ever hope too. http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2008/11/its-over-but-its-not-over-one-day-it.html
I'd also like to add the following lyrics of the hymn that has brought me so much comfort in the few days preceding and following this election. I hope they bring as much peace to you as they did me.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow;

I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine

For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,

For I know what Jesus said.

And today I'll walk beside Him,

For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter

As the golden stairs I climb;

Every burden's getting lighter,

Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,

There no tear will dim the eye;

At the ending of the rainbow

Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don't know about tomorrow;

It may bring me poverty.

But the one who feeds the sparrow,

Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion

May be through the flame or flood;

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood.

~Ira Stanphill~

Though I may be tempted to worry about the coming years. . . it would only be a slap in the face of my dear Lord who has promised to hold me for all time and has proven again and again that He will keep that promise. So I will rest in Him who indeed does hold tomorrow and lift up my prayers for our new president.

What Autumn Brings

Autumn is in full swing and with it comes hunters, voters, and hopefully snow (though I've yet to see it fall this year). The leaves have nearly all fallen off their branches, and the mornings grow chilly. It has been a wonderful Autumn thus far. Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the riotous colors of the leaves changing and the tameracks sharing their orange specked throughout the forests. I have recently changed jobs and am now working at the little store up town called the Butcher's Nook. It has been a good change and I am enjoying the people I work with though I do miss some of those from McGowans. It has been awhile since I posted some artwork so I thought I'd put a few of my pieces on so I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them. These are mostly older pieces as my new ones are on the other computer which is off right now and I'm too comfortable here so transfer them over ;)

The painting is of a waterfall in glacier and the little boy is just froma picture I found that I thought was too cute.

This painting is of a creek in the Smokey Mountains back in Tennessee.

This horse is from a picture I found and again felt the itch to find a pencil and draw.

The Tear

As some of you know, I love poetry. Nearly everything about it writing, reading, or listening to it, I simply love poetry. So I thought I'd share some poetry with you. My absolute favorite poem is by Lord Byron and is called The Tear. (You can read it below) Therefore the theme of this poetry reading so to speak is tears. . . and no I'm not in depression. I simply think that the tear is an amazing thing that truly shows the strength of your emotion and passion for someone or something whether they are happy tears or sad tears or even angry tears. When you cry it means you truly cared for something or someone.

The Tear

When Friendship or Love our sympathies move,

When Truth in a glance should appear,

The lips may beguile with a dimple or smile,

But the test of affections the Tear.

Too oft is a smile but the hypocrite's wile

To mask detestation or fear;

Give me the soft sigh whilst the soul-telling eye

Is dimm'd for a time with a Tear.

Mild Charity's glow, to us mortals below,

Shows the soul from barbarity clear;

Compassion will melt where this virtue is felt,

And its dew is diffused in a Tear.

The man doom'd to sail with the blast of the gale,

Through billows Atlantic to steer,

As he bends o'er the wave which may soon be his grave,

The green sparkles bright with a Tear.

The soldier braves death for a fanciful wreath,

In Glory's romantic career;

But he raises the foe when in battle laid low,

And bathes every wound in a Tear.

If with high-bounding pride he return to his bride,

Renouncing the gore-crimsoned spear,

All his toils repaid, when embracing the maid,

From her eyelid he kisses the Tear.

Sweet scene of my youth! Seat of Friendship and Truth

Where love chased each fast-fleeting year,

Loth to leave thee, I mourn'd, for a last look I turn'd

But thy spire was scarce seen through a Tear.

Though my vows I can pour to my Mary no more,

My Mary to love once so dear,

In the shade of her bower I remember the hour

She rewarded those vows with a Tear.

By another possest, may she live ever blest!

Her name still my heart must revere

With a sigh I resign what I once thought was mine,

And forgive her deceit with a Tear.

Ye friends of my heart, ere from you I depart

This hope to my breast is most near;

If again we shall meet in this rural retreat,

May we meet, as we part, with a Tear.

When my soul wings her flight to the regions of night,

And my corse shall recline on its beir,

As ye pass by the tomb where my ashes consume,

Oh! Moisten their dust with a Tear.

May no marble bestow the splendour of woe,

Which the children of vanity rear;

No fiction of fame shall blazon my name,

All I ask- all I wish- is a Tear.

~By Lord Byron~

The pretty Rain from thos sweet Eaves

Her unintending Eyes-

Took her own Heart, including ours,

By innocent Suprise-

The wrestle in her simple Throat

To hold the feeling down

That vanquished her- defeated Feat-

Was the Fervor's sudden Crown

~ By Emily Dickinson ~

Okay so I ran out of poems about Tears that I liked. . . ;-D So I thought I'd end with one I wrote that's just a little odd, but that I love and read over and over just because.

Orange

Orange

Color of the rain

Falling from the sun

Rising from a geyser

Color of the steam

Gray

Blue Color of a dolphin

Jumping for the sky

Crawling after Daddy

Color of a baby

Pink

Yellow

Color of a smile

Bright and shining

Soft, loving, caring

Color of a hug

Indescribable

~By Alaina Mathers~

Enjoy!

A Beautiful Fall Day

The view from a small peak in the Jewel Basin area.


It has indeed proven to be a lovely autumn. We have had amazing weather for the most part. . . even if the mornings are a bit chilly. This last weekend I was able to get out of dodge so to speak and go up to Kalispell to relax and just enjoy life a little bit. I drove up Friday afternoon and got my hair cut just for fun :) Then I spent the evening with Rem and Jessica and her little ones. It was lovely! We went out to the movie, Fireproof, which was very good. The story was amazing and the message so powerful and heartwrenching. I want a love like they had at the end although I don't want to get that close to divorce ever! Sadly, it is all too common these days. The movie has created quite a buzz and I think my favorite commentary I've read about it can be found at pluggedinonline.com . . . I love so much what the commentator said that I'll paste it on here for you all

"The first time I saw this film I was alone in a cramped and cold projection booth, scribbling notes as fast as my fingers would fly. The second time, though, I was with my bride of 14 years, and I was in no mood to write a movie review. All I wanted to do was hold her hand. And when the last scene faded from the screen, I could do nothing less than turn to her and whisper, "If you ever wanted to leave me, I would try to make it so hard for you! I would do everything he just did and so much more to keep you by my side." She breathed in response, "I would never leave you." I spent the rest of the day thanking God that I was so fortunate as to never have to doubt her. "

That is just a small part of it, the rest was very good as well. It is so neat that this film can touch lives like that and even inspire already solid marriages to stay on that solid ground as well as hopefully inspire shaky marriages to find that solid ground in Christ and His love.

It was a fun evening. Saturday proved to be as much fun. I stayed at Gram and Papa's for the weekend, they had to leave early for farmer's market but thankfully I was able to sleep in some ;) then Rem and I took Rajoice and Raydeemie to look around Farmer's market and visit Gram and Papa. We decided to have lunch with them at one so we had some time to kill. . .two and a half hours actually. So we went down to Lawrence Park (I think that's what it was called at least ;) and played by the river. I got some darling portraits of the girls. Then we went out for coffee and headed to walk around the grounds of the Conrad Mansion. They are done up so beautifully. That's where the picture of the girls and I was taken. That afternoon, Rem and I drove to the Jewel Basin and took a short hike to a low peak, but the view was still pretty much amazing! It was such a pretty fall day! The leaves turning all the most wonderful shades of red, yellow, and orange. The mountains rising all around and the sun shining down. God is truly an artist and paints the most wonderful of days!


The other view from that same peak.

Rem playing around on the rocks on the hike up to the peak.


Raijoice, Alaina, and Raydeemie smiling for the camera by the Conrad Mansion.

Rajoice and Raydeemie posing so sweetly at Lawrence Park.

Raijoice down by the river. How pretty and grown up she has gotten to be!

Raydeemie also down by the river. She is growing up quickly as well. Both of them are turning into sweet young ladies.

Here's big brother Rem with Raijoice and Raydeemie crossing the footbridge over the Stillwater River. We had a wonderful morning together!

Someday Soon

This post mostly goes out to my dear brother Remington, my best friend Katie, and all those other singles who are just waiting on God to bring them that special someone to have and to hold for the rest of their days. These are poems I have written as I have sat alone in the evenings after my family has gone to bed scattered with my floral photography of this summer. What can I say I'm a romantic at heart and though he's not here right now someday (soon I hope) he will be and I hope he will be all the things I have written about and more.

Someday Soon I’ll Stop Missing You
Tonight I wonder where you are,
Do you miss me?
Cause I miss you with all my heart.
It’s not even logical,
There’s no rhyme,
There’s no reason to this pain,
That has settled in my eyes.
But I miss you tonight anyway.
I want to feel your skin touch mine
Your fingertips to caress my hair,
Your lips to press against my cool brow,
I tremble at the mere thought,
You here with me.
Catching me when life hurts to much
Like it does tonight
Your healing touch to wipe away my tears
That fall silently ‘cause you’re not here
I want to hear you whisper goodbye
Your voice promising me we’ll be together soon
That you’ll never leave my side again
I need you tonight and you’re not here
How is it possible?
I miss you so much.
But how can I miss someone
I’ve never even met?
Is it possible?
Too long for my eyes to meet yours
When I don’t even know your name,
Someday it will be
We’ll remember the yesterdays
Spent holding hands tenderly
You will brush back my hair
As it blows in the wind
And I will be lost in your sweet eyes
You will hold my hand in yours
And I will give you my heart
Someday you will come.
Oh just let it be soon.
Come home soon to claim this heart
Come take my hand
So I can stop missing you.
So that my laughter can join yours
Someday soon come to this place
To walk with me along the river
Under the shining stars and full moon
We can talk of the sweet yesterdays
And the many tomorrows
Our dreams will join as our hearts do
Someday soon I hope to stop missing you.

A Moment in Time

What else is there today?
What is the meaning of it all?
How can I go on in this race?
How do I understand the whys?
Where is the answer to be found?
Where are your arms when I need them?
What do I do until you come and find me?
What is the meaning of your not being here now?
How does this love work?
How can I keep going without it?
Where is the softness of your lips on my brow?
Where are your hands when my tears fall silently?
What am I to do until you are here to wipe them away?
What will happen in this lifetime of mine?
Will it ever join yours?
Will you ever whisper sweet words in my ear?
When will the time be right for you to hold me?
When will you come and claim my heart?
All these questions asked remain unanswered,
But I will wait until the day the answers come
Until the day that your arms wrap me in sweet embrace
When my lips softly touch yours as you sigh
And brush my hair back from my face
And wipe away every tear that falls from my eye.

May I Give You Mine?
My heart trembles at the sight of you
Your presence steals any thought
You take my breath away
Do I turn your head?
Can you get lost in the blue of my eyes?
Does my soft touch feel like heaven?
I hope so but mostly I need to know
If you love me for the real me?
Do you want to know that I love to:
Dance in the rain
Laugh without abandon
Cuddle in front of a fire
Try to touch the stars.
I need to know that you will love me when:
I play in the dirt
Swim in the sea
Try to fly from the mountaintop
Will you join me or
Think I’ve gone crazy?
I need to know your dreams.
But do you want to know mine?

Do you love to:
Walk along the beach hand in hand
Go for long drives in the woods
Breathe in the scent of a spring rain
Try to rope the moon?
Do you need to know?
That I’ll love you forever
No matter what happens
I will follow you to the
Ends of the earth and beyond
I will be lost in your embrace
And never want to leave
I need to know if you:
Will you hold me for all time?
Catch me when I fall?
Brush away my tears?
I want to tell you everything
But will you give me your heart?
And may I give you mine?

Christ is my comfort each and everyday and keeps me going and loving, living, and more joyous than imaginable as well as at peace in learning contendedness (Is that a word?) where He has me planted. Even so it is fun to dream and write about the day when I will have someone by my side to go with, to love with, to live with, and to rejoice in the Lord with.

Darling Little Girl

I wrote the following poem when I was a juinor in highschool for Adeline. Rayia was pregnant with this sweet little one that we so love now. The above picture was taken last summer when Rayia and Jonathan visited while Jayme and Jessica were here. The day was very warm and we took Adeline and Titus to play in the small pool we have up town. I believe Adeline had fallen in the water and was a little unsure of being set down into it again even though she still wanted to play in it. The picture below was taken this last spring/summer when Rayia visited for the fourth of July.

Baby

Ten tiny fingers curl around my thumbs

Especially cute when smiling happily
Needin' hugs and lovin's all the time

Ten tiny toes just discovered
In need of instruction and loving guidance
Needing sleepy times on my lap with a story book
Yearning to roll, crawl, and eventually toddle about


Frowns and smiles to delight everyone around
It begs to be caressed, oh skin so soft
Needing comforting arms after crashing to the ground
Giggling and cooing in the most charming manner
Entangling my heart in love
Red rosy cheeks split with a grin
So dear to my heart you are sweet baby


Adeline has indeed proven to be dear to my heart as my loving little niece along with many of my sweet little cousins whose picture are shown below. What darling little girls I have been blessed with being able to be apart of their girlhoods.

Torrance, Aurora's oldest, sitting at her Aunt Mindy's

Gracie, Doug's youngest, napping at our house while Tara was babysitting them this summer.




Little Remember at Rem's birthday and below is sweet Haylee, Aurora's youngest girl.


Isabella and Ivy, Mindy's two girls, enjoying the day fishin with their Nana and Papa.

Here's is Cassie Jo, Aurora's 2nd girl.



Adeline again playing with Gram's kitty.

Girlhood
Welcomed with tears and oh so much joy
Sleepy times being held in gentle arms
Crawling after Daddy and copying Mommy
Coos, giggles, little words, and tiny steps
Hugs and Kisses; Laughter and love

Dancing across the sky in the living room
Tickling fingers and comforting arms
Lil’ Sis arrives welcomed the same but by three
Lost a tooth, first day of school, and new friends
Hugs and Kisses; Laughter and love

The above poem was written when I was a sophmore in highschool based on my own girlhood. It always amazes me when God blesses us with simple everyday things. There is a saying that goes something like this: Enjoy the little things in life because some day you'll look back and realize they were the big things. It is so true and a lesson that I often have to remind myself of.

Celebrating

Rem has so sweetly allowed me to adopt him as my big brother that I couldn't resist making the trip up to celebrate him turning 21! Plus he had just gotten his new horse, Bolder. So on August 23rd I traveled up to Kalispell to enjoy a day with my family up there.

Here's Rem holding his sweet nephew, Honour.

Here's Honour looking serious. He wasn't too sure about me. I haven't been around him enough.

Here's Papa holding his little great-granddaughter and Honour's little sister, Remember. We had a great time celebrating Rem and enjoying each other's company.

Here's Honour and Remeber together. So sweet.

Here's little Remember chewing away on her fingers with her big beautiful eyes.

We enjoyed a fun BBQ at Ray and Rhonda's. It was a wonderful day. One I will remember for a long time.