Quite Suddenly

Suddenly, I am bereft of words.  How weary one grows, taking step after step, day after day.  So many, many things crowd my days... but, despite their frantic tugging at my soul, despite how they wrap around my thoughts, at every moment, they are joyous things.

Things such as... 

When I've finished my Math, I'll be ready for college in the fall.

If I keep, working, keep striving, my card business will become something.

How excited all my family members will be 

When they unveil, on Christmas morning,

 the treasures being created under their very noses.

If I don't stop, if I keep on, I'll have my driving license before February.

How much I will enjoy, once I have practiced to my satisfaction, 

standing in the third floor closet, recording the vocals for our newest song.

And then, waiting its turn at the back of my mind...  

When I get a moment, a blessed, empty moment, 

to sit down, and write a description of my book, 

what it is about, why it is important in today's market, 

and what genre it fits in, then, Oh Then! 

 I can package it up in a large yellow envelope, 

and put it in the mail..  in the mail, 

on its way to a publisher, to see what we can see.

Mmm.... and now the night grows late, and sleeps tugs at me.  Tomorrow is a new day, a full day, and, hopefully, a successful day.

Good night, dear friends,

Emma

Cobwebs

I was finishing the last of the supper dishes when Matthew came running into the kitchen, pulling at my hand and saying, "Jo, I neeeeeed you!! You have to come!"

(And yes, he's usually this intense about everything:))

I giggled as I followed him, thinking he needed the hall light switched on so he wouldn't be scared while putting his winter pj's on.

He raced me up the stairs and then came to an abrupt stop near the top of the stairs and pulling me down to his level, he pointed straight across to the hall ceiling.

"Someone needs to get a broom fast and clean that cobweb!!"

My mouth opened in shock that such a cobweb even existed in our household, (unseen and out of sight that it was) and then my shock turned to a smile at the simple things that Matt notices and that are VERY important to him... the things that we're too much in hurry, rushing up and down the stairs, to notice.

Little brothers are the best.

Goodnight dears!

Johanna

About Angels Again

Yep! I finally listed my first Christmas Card... 

Visit the listing here.

I so loved sketching this little angel.  

I like to think of her as a little girl dressed for a Christmas play

standing in the dim light of her Christmas tree...

holding up her wand to wish you
 a Merry Christmas.

I should be listing two other sets 

from my Christmas line this evening.  

Hopefully sometime before midnight.   

Hopefully.

Until then,

Emma

To Hear the Angels Sing

"Christmas time is here"

How the words ring through my head, 

pulsing at the inside of my eardrums.

"Bringing lots of, happiness and cheer, promises of..."

Carefully, I listen for the right notes.... hum... mm... hmm..

"Fun for all, that children call, their favorite time of year."

The music fills our home every night, 

as we exert our voices over complicated harmonies, 

learning a new piece of music.  

I sit in my chair, sketching in between times, 

creating with my pencil and eraser.

This sweet little angel will make her way 

to one of my upcoming line of Christmas Cards.

Check back on Thursday to see the finished product!

A very busy,

Emma

Autumn Says Farewell

With a sputter of wind, and then a rush of chilling air...

Autumn waves farewell.

The scarlet leaves are scattered, 

winter tugging them from the graying trees.

The children flee from indoors to 

chase about in the pleasant weather, 

..and toss the fallen leaves skyward.

Dusk comes sooner, and the late autumn sun sends 

shades of amber over the yellow fields.

We slip out after dinner, Johanna and I, armed with Jo's camera, 

captivated by the rushing of the autumn air.

The wind, still whispering with the last warmth of a summer long gone, 

brushes its fingers across the earth.

Slowly, but surely, dusk deepens to darkness, 

and night settles over Rambellwood.

-the end-

Emma

Overload

Did you know that your brain can go on overload?  I found mine doing just that today.  Like a muscle, it fought to work with the thoughts I laid against it.  Like a muscle it ached and strained.  Like a muscle it cried out when it could take no more.  But I kept pushing.  I needed to keep working.

But, like a muscle that needs a break, my brain collapsed.  Whew.... my emotions flooded out, like a river freed with the breaking of a dam.  But, now, like a muscle, merely sitting still will not re-build it.  My brain needs a soft, easy flow of thoughts, to bring it slowly into use again.

So here I am, feeling the nerves in my fingers as they touch, one at a time, the letters on my keyboard, feeling the gentle pulse of my recuperating brain as my thoughts slide softly through my hands.

And here, in the warm silence of this room, the stronger side of my brain, the creative side, is touched by a thought from my Savior.

Take a step back.  Look again at those things that jar at your brain, that push heavy thoughts against your soul, those things that bring tears to your eyes and weariness to your heart.  Be still.  Rest.  And look again.  The glass that was once half empty, is now half full.  Understanding brings peace.

Look again.  Take your glasses from your face.  Look, without your own perspective.  Look again, through my eyes.

Mmmm..... there is such peace in His words.  There is such truth.

So... slowly, I will take another look.

-Emma

Tea

A long day calls for a cup of pom and petals tea... 

and a warm, still place... to quiet my thoughts.

Thoughtfully yours,
Emma

P.S. There's a new item in the shop... check it out!

A Small Announcement

Well.... shall I say my life is moving on?
I've got a full schedule of math, and writing, and.... something new.

Rambellwood Studios

Check out my official Etsy Shop.... here...
I have only one item as of yet... but have more in the listing process.  Check again later in the week for new items!


And... on a small, exciting, side note, I am determined to post on this blog regularly.  Look for my posts on Mondays, and feel free to bug me with a comment if I don't follow through.


From a very busy,
Emma

by Sarah Anne

The sea is blue.

The sky is too.

The children shout.

Sailboats are out.

The seagulls fly

Up in the sky

Palm branches sway

In the cool day.

Butterfly wings flap

And little children clap.

The ships are large, but far away

Sailing in their very proud way,

And though I'm stuck inside all day,

When my father returns,

On the beach I'll play.

Sarah Anne and Matthew, with Mom and Dad and Johanna,

 returned from California last week.  

The above poem, written by Sarah Anne, 

was a school project during their month away, and, I think, 

a darling perspective of their lives in Santa Barbara. 

 Read more of the story here.

Curlers again?

... Sarah Anne did not quite agree that she was "absolutely adorable"

in the little pink scarf, which was holding her curlers securely in place.

... though the thought of looking like the lovely Deanna excited her!

... as well as thinking about

singing like the Lennon Sisters!

And so we are on the road again!

Doing shows as the phone rings, following as the Lord leads.

And finding many trials and joys along the way. :)

The most wonderful thing is that He is in it all.

-Johanna

There Once Was A Girl

She was born on September 9, 

a soft, sweet child with the fairest skin, 

the blue-est eyes, and soft gold ringlets around her heart-shaped face.

She grew up with a heart for God, with a yearning to know Him, to seek after His heart.

And He built in her a passion, for acting, for singing, for dancing and photography,

For sharing herself with others, 

for being the best of friends with those the Lord brought her way,

And he built in her a hope, 

a hope for that which so many girls dream of,

a home of her own,

Someday, faraway, 

where she might ply her skills as a wife and a homemaker, 

and follow the path of womanhood.

She has had her struggles, and her heartbreaks.  

She has built friendships, some to mourn for, some to rejoice in.  

She has her weaknesses, like all human beings, 

and has struggled with sorrow at the discovery of them,

like we all do.

And she is overcoming.  

She is putting her best foot forward, clad in a ruffled silver shoe.  

She is lifting her chin and fighting the good fight.  

She is doing the best that she can do, and she is intent upon doing it, 

in His strength.

Are there more words to describe? 

Yes, many, but I shall stop at these...

The Lord has blessed my life abundantly, 

He has overflowed me with His goodness, 

and this particular gift, this sister so strong of heart, 

this friend beyond friends, this vessel of His glory, 

my dear one...

Is beyond words.

I love you Johanna!  

Congratulations on your amazing 18 years!

-Em