Giveaway on American Duchess

This is not a normal blog post. I still don't know if we'll begin again with regular posting in the fall. :)

American Duchess is giving away this beautiful pair of shoes.

From their website: "The Devonshires are a leather 18th century shoe based on museum examples from the 1760s through 1780s. They're made of top-grade dyable leather, with a beautiful, smooth Italian leather sole for dancing, and are hard-wearing, water- and mud-proof, for even the toughest of outdoor re-enactments.

Pre-Order the Devonshires through August 10, and get the special $100 price. We're only making 200 of these shoes, so don't miss the chance to own one of only a couple hundred pair on the planet! Visit www.american-duchess.com to order."

You can enter to win a pair through Twitter, Facebook, or your blog. http://americanduchess.blogspot.com

The End?

Life is pretty hectic right now--the blog team just might take a few months off on break...


Thank you so much, God, for truly blessing me--fill me over with the Joy of Your Salvation!

Hope you have enjoyed reading!
In Christ,
Anna
*If you'd like to keep up with me, I'll be (probably frequently) posting my artwork here, my thoughts here, and hopefully our moving adventure here. Blessings!

Royal Wedding: Prince William and Catherine

Sarah reminded me that today was the Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding.
I was eager to see what Kate Middleton's bridal gown would look like and found myself pulled into the Royal Wedding vacuum. It was so beautiful to watch--the dresses, the ceremony, the exchange of vows, and the priestly blessing were all so elegant and perfect.
Watch the Royal Wedding Live!
The Royal Wedding Page
William and Catherine become Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Earl and Countess of Strathearn, and Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus
'First Kiss' on Balcony of Buckingham Palace
Royal Wedding Hats
Duchess Catherine's Dress:

"Workers washed their hands every 30 minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and the needles were renewed every three hours, to keep them sharp and clean."

It was a Fairy Tale Wedding...like stepping between the pages of the Cinderella in the Brother's Grimm.
But it made me so excited...
For the wonderful gift of salvation He has given me:

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."~61:10

I also thought it interesting that Kate Middleton is not nobility, yet she married Prince William and can be Queen Catherine the Sixth.
It reminded me that, although I am not of royal blood, the Son has chosen me for his Bride and His Father has adopted me as an heir to his eternal blessings.
What a blessing it is to be called an heir and child of God:

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."~Galatians 4:4-7

Maria's Comfort

In the September of 1774, a young Alexander Hamilton rushed to where the two year old daughter of his friend and benefactor, Elias Boudinot, lay ill. Long sleepless nights of waiting and watching followed. After her death, a much affected Hamilton penned the following words.

For the sweet babe, my doting heart
Did all a mother's fondness feel;
Careful to act each tender part
And guard from every threatening ill.

But what alas! availed my care?
The unrelenting hand of death,
Regardless of a parent's prayer
Has stopped my lovely infant's breath.

Thou'st gone, forever gone-yet where,
Ah! pleasing thought, to endless bliss.
Then, why indulge the rising tear?
Canst thou, fond heart, lament for this?

Let reason silence nature's strife,
And weep Maria's fate no more;
She's safe from all the storms of life,
And wafted to a peaceful shore.

When I originally read this poem, I was very moved. Then I began to think of what little Anna Maria might have said in response to his grief. And so I wrote this poem, and entitled it 'Maria's Comfort'.

I look down from Heaven above,
And mourn the loss my parents bear;
For them I always greatly love,
And know this parting their hearts tears.

But with sweet love the Father's hand
Rescu'd me from all worldly cares;
And now with him I safely stand,
In Answer to my parent's prayrs.

I have gone from this earth, indeed.
Gone to heaven, to endless Bliss,
Safe in glory, with never need.
Canst thou, fond heart, lament for this?

Let reason silence nature's strife,
And weep my wondrous fate no more;
I'm safe from all the storms of life
And landed on a peacefull Shore.

(And yes, the apparent misspellings are on purpose; I was attempting to copy the style of the times. :) )

Blessings,
Rachel

If I could not hold a pen I would write of You on my heart instead You have bought me with Your blood And I am painted red by Your love

Until You found me,
I was all alone;
My soul was black and cold,
But You loved my heart of stone.

Now Sonshine showers me

From Your storehouse above...
And You wash my heart red
With Your raindrops of Love.

poem/pictures: "Sonshine and Lovedrops" by me
post title: JJ Heller, "Painted Red"

Gossip

This post by Melody Green is somewhat long, but definitely worth the read. I was both convicted and encouraged by her straightforward approach to the all-too-frequent problem of gossiping. Even if you think that you are not a gossiper, please read this article.

God bless you all!
Rachel

Who the Son Sets Free is Free Indeed!

I was going through my notes in my iPod and I found these notes from last year at the Paul Tripp conference I attended with my parents. It was very powerful and Mr. Tripp is such a good speaker. So I thought I'd share the notes (stuff he really said, only I'm not fast enough to get all of it):

The Battle Against Sin

"We're putting our trust in things that will fail us. God is in the middle of my troubles. Through every circumstance God is working to change me. He needs to be the thing that makes your life worth living just because you've come to know him. Our lives are shaped by a war between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of self. The DNA of sin is selfishness. It makes life all about me. I'm not in the battle by myself. The purpose of the cross is to liberate me from myself. My greatest danger in life is myself. You live in little moments. God's power in us should live in the little moments."

The Power of Words

"What's the quest behind your words? What do you really want your words to accomplish? Let no corrupting or unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only that which benefits other persons with the grace of God. God wants us to be an instrument of grace to others. What a radically different way to talk when we talk to say what God wants us to say instead of what we want to say. Some people say 'I didn't mean that.' But, if it's not in your heart, it won't come out of your mouth. Consider the need of the person you are talking to. Are the people in your life actually graced by your words? If you're living for the bigger kingdom it will change the way you talk."

Worldly or Heavenly Treasure

"Everyone lives for some kind of treasure. The thing that is your treasure will control your heart. What controls your heart will control your behavior. Life will never be found in the assemblage of worldly treasures. Earthly things or beings do not have the capacity to satisfy the desire of your heart. It's wrong to by ruled by the things of the earth. We are living way beyond our means. We try to squeeze the kingdom of God into the extra spaces in our schedules that are driven by the treasures of the earth. We try to squeeze hundred dollar conversations into dying moments. Be willing to live on smaller portions so that you can live for God. What value system is driving your schedule?"

Thoughts that have been tumbling about in my mind:
We owe so much to God. And we can't repay any of it. But we are obligated to commit our lives to doing good in Christ's name. We have no excuse not to--we have been freed from the laws of sin and death and this world has no hold on us. We are now slaves to righteousness and therefore should serve God with everything He has given us.

I hope these notes will help you grow in your relationship with God and serve Him even better.