9/29/12

Photography Friday (It’s Back!)

I really should post some of the pictures of Alaska momma and daddy took.  It is so pretty up there!  Anyway, my camera is back, and it didn’t take long for me to fall into the photography habit again.

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Nature's first green is gold, 
Her hardest hue to hold. 
Her early leaf's a flower; 
But only so an hour. 
Then leaf subsides to leaf. 
So Eden sank to grief, 
So dawn goes down to day. 
Nothing gold can stay.
-Robert Frost


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 I have a little more picture space, but I don't know how long it will last.  So, for now, here is the delayed post. :)

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I love our old piano, and I like opening it up every once in a while to watch myself play.


Blessings,
Alyssa

9/28/12

Big Upside-Down Smiley Face

:(

 

Well.
That’s lovely.
I was working on my Photography Friday post, and discovered I’m out of online storage space.  I tried posting pictures another way, and that didn’t work.  I cleared off some un-needed space, and it still didn’t work.  So, if you ever see another picture on my blog again, you will know I have resolved the issue.
Until then…

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/23/12

Fighting Fears with a Spatula

My aunt gave me a spatula and asked if I wanted to keep track of a skillet of pancakes.  Of course I wanted to, but I almost held back.  I was at a young people's pancake feast, and all my friends and peers were around. What if I kept on burning them?  What if I under-cooked them?  Ah, the Fear of Failure is such a common face.  Does it keep me from doing other things a little more important that flipping pancakes?
Sadly, it often has hindered me from stepping out of my comfort zone.  What do I do about it?  How can I change?  Maybe I should just take the spatula and just give it a try--or like I did today, step on the skateboard and let it fly away without me (but that's another story).

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/18/12

Understanding

I love this quote.  Isn't is so cool when there is a level of understanding that goes beyond words?  I personally like it best: I don't like talking. :) Sometimes.



I have been researching typography and trying my hand at it.  It's harder than I thought.  Typography artists are so talented!  This one is not mine--it's just one I ran across while researching.

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/14/12

I Appreciate Your Understanding


Guthrie Okla.
920 W. Mansur Ave
Sept. 23, 1943
Dear Carrie,

Greetings in Jesus’ dear name.

This finds me still saved sanctified and happy in the Lord.  Truly we have something to be happy over.  I am happy and thankful because I have found the Savior.  He doesn’t only save us but we find he keeps us saved each day of our life as we continue to yield over our self unto God.  I am glad that we can know that God is able and will help us to hold-out faithfully until the end.  I was thinking and meditating the other day about the goodness of God and how precious it was to really have God in our hearts and to know that some day we can meet God and all his saints face to face and live with them for-ever.  Then the thought came to me “yes but it will really mean something to stand all the trials and test that comes our way while in this life.  Your trial may be so hard that you will think that you can not bear them and then you will probably give up.”  That sounds pretty much like the devil, doesn’t it?  Then after this I thought about other faithful ones that have stood true, and I also thought about how that God has promised in his word not to let more come our way than we are able to bear.  This last thought brought peace joy and contentment to my heart.  Truly God will help each one of us to win that crown of ever-lasting life if we will just keep a perfect heart toward him which I intend to do by his help.

With much pleasure and gladness I received another letter from my most dearest and only girl friend yesterday, which left a real inspiration in my heart.  I can truthfully say that every letter that I have received from you has been a real heavenly pleasure to me.  It seems that they are getting better.  I can not express in words of the good that I received from your last letter.  Truly it was an encouragement to me.  I also received that pretty picture of you which I am very glad to get.  I thank it is real good.  I can look at it and it brings to my memory that heavenly girl that I was with some up at Langdon.  I thank you very much for it.
We have been pretty busy here at the Lord’s print shop this week.  We have been working on the Faith and Victory most of the time.  We finished it to day.  It is ready for mailing now.


You spoke in your letter about some more girls coming back to Neosho which added more to your number there.  Well we also have some more people added to the office force here.  Bro. Messel Williamson from La. arrived here about noon yesterday.  He is the boy that I have been telling you was coming up here.  He is saved and sanctified, and a very precious young Bro. And as you already know (I suppose) Sis. Rosselle came in last night.  She helped us some with the paper today.   I don’t know how long she will be here.

Now about those glass girls that you mentioned in your last letter.  No I really don’t know them by that name.  Although I do remember seeing some girls up there at the camp meeting, which some one told me that they were Sisters.  But I don’t know what their names were.  The ones that I am thinking about had red hair and one of them were crippled in-so-much that she couldn’t walk real well.  Is this the ones that you were writing about?

Carrie I am sure you don’t know how I appreciate your views concerning me and my problems.  I am glad that you under-stand about them.  It seems from reading your letter that you understand almost perfectly about what I write you even if I can’t explain my self very well.

I appreciate very much the way you consider things.  I am glad that we can just set down and write the truth to each other and then under-stand each other when we read each other’s letter.

The thing that makes it seem so good for us to under stand each other, is that we are both trying to please the good Lord in every thing we do and then to think that we both realize this. I can truthfully say that I have found that I can please the Lord, or in other words follow his leadings and then you still seem to under-stand and realize that I am doing the right thing.  Truly I am thankful for this.

I think it is a precious thing for young people to be where they can just commit all things unto the hands of God and let him work their problems out for them.  I know God knows but for each one of us and he will do the best for us if we will let him.

When God leads us a certain way, and then when we follow his leadings we find that he is always near to help us in time of need, and to if we know that we have obeyed the Lord in all things we can with confidence ask him to help us when we are being tried.  Other wise (as you have said) we would be in trouble and we wouldn’t feel so bold to come to God and ask for help.

I will admit that this waiting has been more or less a trial to me.  But I can truthfully say that I have not murmured nor complained a gainst the Good Lord.  I have only asked him to give me patience grace and wisdom to know how to do his will.

I realize that I am obeying the Lord to the best of my knowledge, and when we do that we can know that that scripture is for our comfort which says “for we know that all things work to-gether for good to them that love the Lord and them who are called according to his purpose.”

I am thankful that the good Lord is teaching me lessons.  He knows what is best for us.

Well Carrie I am still waiting on the Lord to direct my step concerning me leaving here and about what we have been talking or writing about.  Since we have as much help as we do here I don’t see where I will be needed very much here now.  Although I still want the Lord to make his will plain to me before I leave.

Since I have been back from the Langdon camp-meeting I have felt a little more like that God was wanting me to preach than I did part of the time I was up there.  I have made an effort to preach down here at the chapel the last two Sun. nights.  I felt clear that I obeyed the Lord by doing so.

You see Willie hasn’t been here for the last week or two and so Bro. Pruitt told me to move out if the Lord gave me a message.  I didn’t move out just to please Bro. Pruitt.  But I waited until I felt sure that it was God’s will.  Although I will say it would have been hard for me to get up there if Bro. Pruitt hadn’t said what he didn’t.  I only got up to obey the Lord and to deliver my soul.  The Lord helped me enough to keep me from being discouraged.  I am thankful for this I only pray that God will lead me in the ways that my soul will prosper the most and the way that I can do the most for him, what ever it may be.

Carrie I still feel more clear that the Lord is leading us to unite out efforts to-gether for him.  Although I realize that we need some more leadings on other lines before we could consider of really going into the act.  And I am just glad for both of us to seek the Lord for his ways and only move as he moves.

I am glad that I have real confidence in you that you are real sincere about the matter and want to do as the Lord leads you.  I am thankful for the answer you gave me concerning how you felt a bout the leadings of the Lord on the matter.  I could not ask you to do any different.  Neither do I want you to do different.

Well it is getting late so I had better close for this time.  I think every one else here are in bed a sleep.  But before I close I have another thing or two I want to say.

First I still hope to come up to Neosho some time I hope before too long to see you although I don’t know just when.  Another thing is a bout the picture business.  I was glad to hear about the compliment.  I am glad your Mother thought that you were having fellowship with some one that looked nice to her.  Now I want to say that I also heard a compliment on you too.  I showed your Picture to a certain one and they said that you looked like a sweetly saved girl.  I heartily a greed with them.

I must say Good bye for this time to the girl that brightens my hopes.  (as ever Mc)


(click to enlarge) sorry they are backwards.
















9/11/12

It took Him just a day

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. 
(Gen 1:14-19)


Don't you love a clear night sky?  Last night, it was beautiful!  I think I'm in love with the Milky Way.  I love it when I can see it's bright band across the sky.  Today, with the help of Illustrator and Photoshop, I tried to create an image similar to the scene I love so much.
Don't forget to look at the sky every once in a while.  You never know what God has created for you.

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/10/12

Hello.


Hello Monday...not too bad, in the end.

Hello future.  Let's take it one step at a time.

Hello 86 HWY.  The pleasure was mine.

Hello to the changing Alyssa.  I get the hint.  It's time to move on now.

Hello to a certain friend.  Just know that I appreciated greatly our chat (aka: Alyssa talking incessantly) last night.

Hello Ranelle.  Good to have you back. :)

Hello Lake.  A spontaneous adventure with my youngest sister is (almost) always in order.

Hello decisions.  I am to face thee with certainty.

Hello friends.  What a treasure chest I have--with rubies and diamonds and gold and silver and sapphire and emerald and pearl!

Hello 20's.  Age is relative.  Of course I'll feel old if I compare myself to what I was.

Today, I am happy, and I do not fear because "mine ears shall hear a word behind me, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it."

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/8/12

Blogiversary

Whoops.  I missed my one-year mark.  September 5, 2011 I posted my first post. Now I can look back at where I have gone.  In a way, this blog has documented my progress in designing.  In fact, just this week I have made a lot of changes to try to improve my blog.  I updated my pages trying to make things easier to get around.  Before, I just directed the links at the top of my page to lists of posts.  Now, I have a little explanation and picture to go with it.  There are still links to posts, but it is more organized.  For example, on my "The Love Letters" page, you can look at all the letters written by grandma and grandpa, only letters by grandpa, only letters by grandma, or a specific letter listed by date.


My next step is to design a background.  My old background is okay, but it is partially someone else's design.  I want to make one completely from scratch.  It's proving to be quite difficult so far. Maybe I'll get it done soon.

Well...I better not spend too much of my Saturday blogging, so I'll end with a few links to my favorite posts. These are the types of posts I re-read when I need a little reminder of what God has already taught me.

Wellbeloved: God Glasses: There are times in my life when it is easy to trust God.  I laugh at the devil when discouraging thoughts come to mind, and I just smile and...

Wellbeloved: Pray Without Ceasing: So many times in my life I have been reminded of the importance of prayer.  I have learned that I can go to God when I am confused, discoura...

Wellbeloved: Sprinkles (2): While in CherryBerry (a yummy frozen yogurt place), I witnessed a humorous little episode that made an impression on me.  A father was treat...

Wellbeloved: Humor: I almost think that God really does have a sense of humor.  One day this week, I was thinking and worrying about some issues concerning my m...

Wellbeloved: Grandpa's Voice: I was sitting on my bed reading my Bible, and my mind must have wandered because in my head I heard grandpa's voice again--low and a little ...

Wellbeloved: Perfect Timing:   This seems to have been the best year of my life, and this week was the cherry on top.  God has been so good in so many little and b...

Wellbeloved: Beautiful: My theme the last two years has been that  everything  is beautiful.  Even during difficult times or times that I did not understand, I...

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/7/12

Photography Friday (with a sad note)

Hi!
Good news is: I now have a 55-250mm is lens
Good news is: My parents got it for me.  (thank you so much!)
Bad news?  I have to live TWO WHOLE WEEKS without my camera (They made a deal with me to let them take it on their anniversary trip)

So.  Here's what I took this week.


Wish I had my zoom lens a day earlier.  Oh well.






Cute little scrawny ugly kitten that was adorable and won everyone's heart.

The moon! :)  Again, I wish I had my zoom lens then.


Blessings,
Alyssa

9/6/12

Wise Words


Wise words come from wise women.  A sister at church, whom I almost think of as a grandma since my own Nanna passed away, shared this phrase with the congregation.

(Naomi speaking to Ruth) "Sit still, my daughter."

It blessed her, but I knew it was for me, too.

Blessings,
Alyssa

9/3/12

Salvation in Song

There are a couple of songs that seem to express the essence of salvation, and I have gotten a lot of good out of them this week.

#77 It Satisfies My Soul

For me the blessed Savior came,
His great salvation to proclaim;
Oh, glory to His precious name!
It satisfies my soul.

Salvation is unmeasured grace,
It fits us for the Christian race,
Unveils the Father's smiling face,
It satisfies my soul.

Salvation brings supreme delight,
It changes darkness into light,
And makes the Christian pathway bright,
It satisfies my soul.

Salvation brings abiding peace,
Its shining glories e'er increase;
Its flowing rivers never cease,
It satisfies my soul.

Salvation makes us happy here,
Surpassing all the earth holds dear,
And fills the drooping heart with cheer,
It satisfies my soul.

Salvation richer far than gold,
Than glit'tring gems that turn to mold;
Its wealth no language e'er has told,
It satisfies my soul.

This song lays a lot of claims about how salvation changes a life:  it satisfies, fills with cheer, gives unmeasured grace, etc.  When I was looking over all the words I felt really blessed to have a salvation that did all that.  I also thought that there are times that I feel these thing less than other times.  There are days when I am less than happy or my peace is less.  In these times, it is not a reflection on God's salvation, rather it is a indicator that I am not seeking and obtaining all that God has for me.  I remembered the time I discovered my mistake I had been making in Photoshop.  I got a lesson out of that experience that I still remember.  I recall coming very close to blaming a bad quality image on Ps.  However, I realized that I had too much confidence in the Adobe programs and too many great artists had proven it to be good to doubt it's quality, so I began looking for what I had done wrong.  Many people have proven Christ's blood as able to save from sin and satisfy completely.  Therefor, if our Christian experience does not satisfy us, we should look into what we are doing wrong and not blame it on salvation.  Salvation is great and able to do all this song says and more.  It is our pride, rebelliousness, slothfulness, and disbelief that keep us from experiencing full salvation.

#221 Following Jesus

Following Jesus, following Jesus,
Gently He leads me in the heavenly way;
Watching and praying, trusting obeying;
He will restrain me from going astray.

Ch.
Following Jesus, following Jesus,
Following Jesus by day and by night.
Watching and praying, trusting, obeying,
He is my helper in doing the right.

Following Jesus, following Jesus,
He who has suffered to redeem me form sin;
Oh, what a blessing, while I'm confessing,
He in His fullness is reigning within.

Following Jesus, following Jesus,
I am delighted with His wonderful love;
While I'm confiding, in Him I'm hiding,
Soon I shall meet Him in heaven above.

Following Jesus, following Jesus,
This is my duty for His goodness to me;
Joyful in glory, telling the story,
How in His favor I'm happy and free.



Ch.
Following Jesus, following Jesus,
Following Jesus by day and by night'
Watching and praying, trusting, obeying,
He is my helper in doing the right.

This song really encouraged me one morning before school.  I love thinking about how blessed it is to follow Jesus.  He has so many wonderful promises to those to obey and trust him.  I desire to enter more into this "watching and praying, trusting obeying."

Blessings,
Alyssa