Along The Trail

Listology // Snail Mail Help for the CyberMinded

Guest Post | Hope Rogers of Hopeful Adventuring

January has just hit our calendars and this means it is, “National Letter Writing Month”! As an avid letter writer, Cassi (or Cassaundra, as I prefer), has graciously honored me with the opportunity to share my trade with you all… So, here goes! I hope you enjoy, find inspiration, and spread the warm and fuzzies with someone because of this!

{this photo borrowed from Hope's Facebook!}

To start, my name is, Hope Rogers {I’m that blonde G.I.T. from summers 2012 & 2013—yup, the one with the ukulele.} I live in Southwest Florida, love the outdoors, keepsakes, hardwood floors, black and white photos, making a fool of myself for Jesus, hiking, Jeeps, and curling my hair. What about you?

Since we both know each other now, I’m going to bring you on the adventure that is my process for snail mail. Y’all caught me at a good time because I actually have been meaning to send something to Charley Woodman (also from summers 2012 & 2013)…

Have you ever been in town, seen something that triggers a memory between you and a friend, then snapped a picture and sent it to them? Well, why not kick it old school and send it to them by mail? That’s what I do, and by now, it comes naturally.

For those of you who might be more on the “cyber- side,” here are a few simple prompts to help you get writing: 

I)                   Choose your person

II)                Find the right stationary, card, postcard, or letterhead for your pal

        III)              Pick a topic

(whether it’s love, thanks, longing, or congratulatory) 

IV)              Find a style

(let who you are decide how you write it out… bold, swirly, spirited [or in my case, even wrote in Portuguese])

V)                Add some love (& some value… reminisce on an old time to show you really cherish your time with them)

As with all writing formats there is room for your own personal touch. So, throw some smiles, memories, and glitter in your envelope. Slap on an address, lick a stamp, and send that baby on its way!

To conclude, I could leave you with my famous two words, “Go, Jesus!”. However, I will say to you to have fun on your writing endeavors and brighten someone’s day on you letter adventures!

a quest for more

Wonderful news...Patti (aka Whisper Mountain's Chaos Coordinator)  is sharing her heart with us today! Get ready to be encouraged and challenged!

>>><<<>>><<<

Have you ever wondered if you're missing something out of life?  You know how it is - you seem to be doing all the "right things", you believe in Christ Jesus, you're following His call and think you're obeying His will in your life...but are you really? There's a notion inside you that just leaves you yearning for more! You experience an emptiness and you feel like your days are just going through the motions of routine....whether at work, church, school, or ministry.

Okay, I have to be honest and say that's recently been me! I've rationalized with "self" saying it's just a phase that will pass; or it's due to the recent loss of my dad; or it's because I'm that "certain" age, but then settling on...it HAS to be hormones! Regardless, I've been struggling with this. When one struggles, what's the best thing to do? Run out and by a new convertible sports car and travel the U.S.? Umm, no. Eat a gallon of Pralines & Cream? What about call up the girlfriends, tell them my troubles and follow their advise? No!! I do know where to find the answers, and who I should be asking. And so my quest for more began.
In seeking Jesus' advice on my problem I find the Bible tells me to "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  [Ps 37:4] Well, that sounds pretty good! I have to ask myself: do I make Jesus my joy so He can plant those things in my life that bring satisfaction and lasting peace?  Hmmm...let's continue.
In a book I've read recently, the author, S.J. Hill, states: "God made man to experience the satisfying pleasures of His presence instead of the temporary pleasures of sin." Matthew 5:6 says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Ultimately, those who yearn for Jesus will find Him and be filled to overflowing joy, peace, happiness and contentment.
As I continue to study I find that Jesus continually appeals to our desire for lasting happiness and fulfillment by speaking of eternal rewards.  He uses them as incentives for choosing the Kingdom of His Father.  No time here to share all I learned, but read Matthew 5:3-12 to find some key principles for Kingdom-living and rewards.
Since choosing to ask Jesus to help me work through this, He has brought various things to mind that have begun to help. Things I've heard before are now realized in a different light. Now that I'm listening, I can hear His answers revealed to me through His Word, through music, my Sunday School teacher, books, blogs and even in various conversations with others unaware.
What I've been convicted of so far on my quest for more is that attempting to perform my "Christian duties" without joy or delighting in Jesus is really an insult to Him. Psalm 51:12 says, "Restore to me the joy of my salvation."  That is my hearts desire!  My emptiness and yearning is due to my own lack of not yearning for more of Him! He's always there waiting for me, and for you, to be willing to "...lay aside every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." [Hebrews 12:1-3]

I challenge you to join me in a quest for more and let's see where it takes us!

glimpsing grace

As we move toward Easter (already?!), my thoughts have been landing on the grace threading my life story. God's quiet, encompassing, beautiful grace. Though I will never know the scope of people this blog reaches, I do know each of us has a very different story unfolding. Weaved within each story, recognized or not, is that thread of grace. 

Have you paused to recognize the grace within your story lately? Oh, do take the time for it! Such deep peace is found as we recognize the "with us" God is actually very with us! But don't stop there! Share the grace found with someone. No story is meant to be hidden away. No story is too lame or plain. Are you kidding? God is the author! God can use your story--not matter how simple or complex--to comfort, encourage, or motivate someone else. I know you want to be a part of that!

Would you be willing to share bits of your grace story with me and the others who gather in this space? How you've experienced God personally; how He rescued you; how you've encountered Him; how He changed you; what He means to you...any of these glimpses into your story would be most encouraging! Just a short glimpse, no matter your age, gender or situation.

If you're willing (and I hope you are!), email your story to c(dot)hopecaptured(at)gmail(dot)com.

The world needs the story God is writing in you!

sweet and tangy // a ballad

Kinsley has just finished up a torture poetry segment in school. (She thinks I'm crazy for enjoying it!) Painful for her. So painful. Part of her pain may have come from having to write a whole bunch of different kinds of poetry. Her wit produced fun and clever poetry of all kinds, but my favorite is shared with you here (with her permission!)...in honor of the last days of the love month!

Kinsley’s Ballad

Oh how I love your sweet and tangy ways

To see you brightens up my day.

What do I do with this feeling inside?

My feelings for you I cannot hide.

 

The miles between us make me sad.

I’m crazy for you, crazy mad.

I want to be with you all day long,

But until then I’ll sing this song.

 

I sit in class and dream of you.

Getting together is in my view.

I close my books and get in the car.

I drive to you, seems so far.

 

I make my way through the crowd.

The voices around me are ever so loud.

As I get close to you, my stomach gets kickin’.

Oh how I love you, my sweet orange chicken!

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.  ~Carl Sandburg

How about you...lover or hater of poetry?