So this is Christmas...in Myanmar

Stay tuned: So much more to come...

Surely

The Light shines in the darkness, 

and the darkness has not overcome It, 

for this we surely know: 

"Waiting is not wasting when we are waiting on the Lord."

[~L. Giglio]

Quality Time at Christmastide

Christmas at the Cottage VI

I feel strongly that when one lives in a cottage at Christmas, 

one should host a cocktail party, following these guidelines:

Don your best dress.

Light every candle you can find.

Strategically place treats.

Establish a drink center,

complete with drink mixer

and delicious possibilities.

Invite dear ones,

and prepare them gifts.

Prepare to sing the songs of the season as well.

And, when all is said and done,

have yourself a merry little Christmas, indeed.

Christmas at the Cottage V

It's time for Christmas Cassoulet...

Christmas at the Cottage IV

Preparations, under way...

Christmas at the Cottage III

In this Advent season, 

where question rocks the world in its cradle

 and expectant waiting sits
peacefully unexplained in the Deep Anchor of my soul,

I listen and I wonder and I hold on to Hope;

Emmanuel shall come oh Israel, He shall indeed come.

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, 

it sings because it has a song.

~Maya Angelou

[You tune my heart, to sing.]

Christmas at the Cottage II

Christmas Cottage Tea & Cookies!

Christmas at the Cottage!

Here is Good:

[The friends hand me the box, say: read the tag.]

Placing icicle ornaments on the Christmas tree reminds us that the Evergreen Tree does not fall under winter's spell. 

It remains green and strong under the snow and ice, 

with a promise that spring will come again.

[Sometimes words don't need to change our minds--as much as they just need to change our hearts. 

Change not the way we think--but the way we love.

When grace walks in--that doesn't mean that Truth needs to walk out. It can mean that they both sit down and listen and learn and linger long enough to love no matter what.]

~Ann Voskamp