A Very Merry Christmas to All!

I am writing from the road, My husband and I have been traveling for the last week, first to Canada (I will post pics when I return home), and then to Washington to be with my husbands family for Christmas.  But it has been way... too long since last I wrote so I thought I would sneak in a few minutes to say:

As I cast my gaze upon the world in which we dwell, I cannot help but envision holiday seasons of times gone by.  The faster our lives proceed the more complicated they become.  Have we sacrificed the simplicity of life?

Visualize this holiday without a Christmas tree, without presents, void of Christmas lights, Santa clause and the resulting chaos.  Instead picture a simple holiday with close friends and family, choice food and the reading of God's Word.  Remembering only, the true reason for the season, Jesus' birth.

Would your Christmas be just as fulfilling, just as joyous?  Would we be able to say along with the saints of old "therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled."  We must continually be reminded of the simple things of life, lest we become overtaken with the times in which we live. 

May this Christmas be a time of reflection upon what the Lord has done in our lives, is doing continually and desires to do in the future.  Holding on to the things we have learned about our precious Savior. 

C.H. Spurgeon once wrote:

"Let us today go down to Bethlehem, and in company with wondering shepherds and adoring magi, let us see Him who was born King of the Jews, for we by faith can claim an interest in Him, and can sing, 'Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.'  Jesus is Jehovah incarnate, our Lord and our God, and yet our brother and friend; let us adore and admire."

Gladly I close this festive day

Grasping the altars hallowed horn

My slips and faults are washed away,

The Lamb has all my trespass born.

A very Merry Christmas to you all!

In Him,

Ruth

The Place of Treasure

There lived a beautiful ice queen in an Enchanted and Mystical Forest.

She was in search of a treasure she had never been able to find.  She searched her forest high and low. Day after day. Night after night.  For that special place she new existed.  For a powerful source of life.  For she had heard whispers of it all her days.

Beside Gallant Rivers she searched

Through trees and thick brush she searched

Beside mystical and magical trees she searched...

All the while never stopping to enjoy the beauty of her surroundings

even when she happened upon the place of treasure,

she did not know it.

  All she saw was a small quaint cabin with nothing to recommend it.

In curiosity only, she peered inside, but to no avail. All she perceived was a light glow and hazy shapes masked by the crystals formed against the window panes.  The windows were a picture of her own cold heart and the barriers of ice formed around it over the many years of selfish pursuits and worthless endeavors to gain control of her destiny. 

As she left and continued on her search she missed the perfectly shaped snowflake pointing her back the way she had come. 

She never came across this quaint cabin again, for she could no longer see it, through the eyes of her growing greed and want. 

She missed so many signs along the way and never stopped to enjoy the journey.

She died just a few years later from despair and dismay.

If this tale seems a tad grim and leaves you with a slight sadness inside.  It is just a small reminder of the state of the world in which we live. But I will not leave you in this state. For the best is yet to come.  The answer to this sad state of affairs, is so simple, yet profound to those who know Him not. 

Jesus is the answer to a cold and lonely heart.  He alone is the source of life.  Yet, to those who harden their hearts, He seems hidden and masked because He comes in a lowly manner without any flash or flair.  In quaint homes full of love and family, in the most unexpected places. 

Even to those who have seen Him, He can become hidden because of the worries and cares of this world.  When did we stop enjoying the journey.  Fairy tales are just a small reminder of the realities of the choices we make each day, and how we will finish our days here on this earth. 

If you wonder why I penned this tale, then it may not be for you.  But if it resonates in your heart even a little then please let me know.  For the Lord touches people in the most unexpected ways.

In Him all things have life!

Blessing to You,

Ruth

Winter road trip to Bend, Oregon

I Just returned from another road trip to Bend, OR. 

Snowy roads and the icy river made for a beautiful back drop along the way. 

Though I was there to help my husband open an office in the area, I was able to do some exploring of my own. 

I came across this new shop in town, near many of my other favorite spots.

Called Fabulous Finds, opened by a lady named Matina Ferlander. She had just opened 1 week before.  And as you'll see from the pics she has a little of everything from accessories to gift items.

I went home with the cutest fleur de lis necklace set.  So, if you are in the area please take the time to visit this new store, and meet Matina.  you won't be disappointed.

The Next new business I came across was in Redmond, OR just a few miles north of Bend.  Called The Back Porch & Company.  I wasn't able to meet Lisa the owner who had opened the shop just 1 month prior, but I was able to meet Toni, one of the 5 ladies that help to make this business what it is.  A mix of fabulous "French Prairie" Decor as they have coined it.

The Back Porch & Company is located at 522 sw 6th st in Redmond, OR 97756

The creativity of these 5 women is endless, so even if you are looking for inspiration, this place is a must see.

I then made my way across the street to visit a store I blogged about on my last trip to Redmond called :

This magnificent fireplace puts off the most wonderful heat, and gives ambiance to the store that feels like home.

Peggy the owner of this store is one of the most gracious women I have ever met.  Once you've met her you will keep going back just to spend time with her.  I know I do.  Not to mention I always find a little something I can't live without.

If you have ever been to Bend, you know that these Geese are everywhere in flocks down by the river.  What you don't know is that one night when I was picking up my husband from the office one flew straight into my grill, up my hood and cracked my windshield and then flew away as if nothing.  Needless to say my heart was beating fast for the next half hour. When it was light the next day i found geese feathers stuck to the car, it is kind of funny now, but it wasn't at the time, that is for sure.  And not so funny that I have to get my windshielf replaced.  I guess I should be thankful it wasn't worse.

While my husband was working I spent the last day down by the river enjoying my coffee and time alone with the Lord. Have you enjoyed any beautiful settings and time alone lately? If so I would love hear about it, leave me a comment.