Glimpses At the Classics - Little Women (also a glimpse into our home this week)

Home.
Because I spend so much time in my home, the sights and smells greatly affect my mood. A few years ago, when housekeeping was exactly like playing dollhouse, I could greatly identify with this passage from Little Women ...

"Like most other young matrons, Meg began her married life with the determination to be a model housekeeper. John should find home a paradise, he should always see a smiling face, should fare sumptuously every day, and never know the loss of a button. She brought so much love, energy, and cheerfulness to the work that she could not but succeed, in spite of some obstacles. Her paradise was not a tranquil one, for the little woman fussed, was over-anxious to please, and bustled about like a true Martha, cumbered with many cares. She was too tired, sometimes, even to smile, John grew dyspeptic after a course of dainty dishes and ungratefully demanded plain fare. As for buttons, she soon learned to wonder where they went, to shake her head over the carelessness of men, and to threaten to make him sew them on himself, and see if his work would stand impatient and clumsy fingers any better than hers. They were very happy, even after they discovered that theycouldn't live on love alone. John did not find Meg's beauty diminished,though she beamed at him from behind the familiar coffee pot. Nor did Meg miss any of the romance from the daily parting, when her husband followed up his kiss with the tender inquiry, "Shall I send some veal or mutton for dinner, darling?" The little house ceased to be a glorified bower, but it became a home, and the young couple soon felt that it was a change for the better. At first they played keep-house, and frolicked over it like children. Then John took steadily to business, feeling the cares of the head of a family upon his shoulders, and Meg laid by her cambric wrappers, put on a big apron,and fell to work, as before said, with more energy than discretion.While the cooking mania lasted she went through Mrs. Cornelius's Receipt Book as if it were a mathematical exercise, working out the problems with patience and care. Sometimes her family were invited in to help eat up a too bounteous feast of successes, or Lotty would be privately dispatched with a batch of failures, which were to be concealed from all eyes in the convenient stomachs of the little Hummels. An evening with John over the account books usually produced a temporary lull in the culinary enthusiasm, and a frugal fit would ensue, during which the poor man was put through a course of bread pudding, hash, and warmed-over coffee, which tried his soul, although he bore it with praiseworthy fortitude."

apples waiting to be made into something delicious (above)

yummy banana muffins for breakfast (below)

Smells

Sometimes, when I walk downstairs first thing in the morning, a malodorous aroma greets me. Yep - the kitchen trash needed to be placed in the garage last night. Or when I walk into Lena's peaceful room, I am greeted with the sound of her piano music, two sweet hands lifted to Momma -- and the gut scrambling smell of her diaper pail. But sometimes - there is a lovely candle smell, or a wonderful cooking smell drifting from the kitchen. Other times, there is a clean smell emanating from a freshly scrubbed bathroom.

Walk closer to the table, and you'll smell fresh flowers!

Sights

Oh hello, come in! If its the middle of the day, you may see some messy spots! But after all, we live here, and we love to have fun together!

trying on new hats (above)
running to the bathroom for a mirror glimpse of a little head in said hat (below)

floor puzzles are fun!
waiting for little fingers to play "This Little Light of Mine"
ok -- in reality it sounds like something from a more modern composer - ;-)

Sigh.

A messy house makes me feel disorganized and out of my element, but I have to be honest and say that my house is very messy at some point in each day. I try to make sure Lena feels that she can mess it up and have all the learning and fun she wants. She is learning to put her toys away, but invariably I'll find a plastic apple in my coaster basket. Before Daddy arrives, we make sure everything is as neat as can be so he will feel a peace upon coming home.

And those smells, well -- its amazing what a well-placed candle can do!

Glimpses At the Classics - Rose In Bloom

I am reading through Eight Cousins and Rose In Bloom by Louisa May Alcott. In Rose In Bloom, we see our little Rose becoming a woman, and all of the trials and learning experiences that go along with that process. Rose is a woman of great means, and she learns quickly that her truest friends are the ones who care nothing for her wealth and what she can give them. They are the ones that love Rose just for who she is. This is a bitter lesson for her to learn, as we will see below. I don't have any life experience to tie into this passage, but I have always enjoyed watching the lessons Rose learns as she grows.

"For a time everything went smoothly, and Rose was a happy girl. The world seemed a beautiful and friendly place, and fulfillment of her brightest dreams appeared to be a possibility. Of course this could not last, and disappointment was inevitable, because young eyes look for a Paradise and weep when they find a workaday world which seems full of care and trouble till one learns to gladden and glorify it with high thoughts and holy living. Those who loved her waited anxiously for the disillusion which must come in spite of all their cherishing, for till now Rose had been so busy with her studies, travels, and home duties that she knew very little of the triumphs, trials, and temptations of fashionable life. Birth and fortune placed her where she could not well escape some of them, and Dr. Alec, knowing that experience is the best teacher, wisely left her to learn this lesson as she must many another, devoutly hoping that it would not be a hard one. October and November passed rapidly, and Christmas was at hand, with all its merry mysteries, home gatherings, and good wishes. Rose sat in her own little sanctum, opening from the parlor, busily preparing gifts for the dear five hundred friends who seemed to grow fonder and fonder as the holidays drew near. The drawers of her commode stood open, giving glimpses of dainty trifles, which she was tying up with bright ribbons. A young girl's face at such moments is apt to be a happy one, but Rose's was very grave as she worked, and now and then she threw a parcel into the drawer with a careless toss, as if no love made the gift precious. So unusual was this expression that it struck Dr. Alec as he came in and brought an anxious look to his eyes, for any cloud on that other countenance dropped its shadow over his.

"Can you spare a minute from your pretty work to take a stitch in my old glove?" he asked, coming up to the table strewn with ribbon, lace, and colored papers.

"Yes, Uncle, as many as you please." The face brightened with sudden sunshine; both hands were put out to receive the shabby driving glove, and the voice was full of that affectionate alacrity which makes the smallest service sweet.

"My Lady Bountiful is hard at work, I see. Can I help in any way?" he asked, glancing at the display before him.

"No, thank you, unless you can make me as full of interest and pleasure in these things as I used to be. Don't you think preparing presents a great bore, except for those you love and who love you?" she added in a tone which had a slight tremor in it as she uttered the last words.

"I don't give to people whom I care nothing for. Can't do it, especially at Christmas, when goodwill should go into everything one does. If all these 'pretties' are for dear friends, you must have a great many."

"I thought they were friends, but I find many of them are not, and that's the trouble, sir."

"Tell me all about it, dear, and let the old glove go," he said, sitting down beside her with his most sympathetic air.

But she held the glove fast, saying eagerly, "No, no, I love to do this! I don't feel as if I could look at you while I tell what a bad, suspicious girl I am," she added, keeping her eyes on her work."

"Very well, I'm ready for confessions of any iniquity and glad to get them, for sometimes lately I've seen a cloud in my girl's eyes and caught a worried tone in her voice. Is there a bitter drop in the cup that promised to be so sweet, Rose?"

"Yes, Uncle. I've tried to think there was not, but it is there, and I don't like it. I'm ashamed to tell, and yet I want to, because you will show me how to make it sweet or assure me that I shall be the better for it, as you used to do when I took medicine."

She paused a minute, sewing swiftly; then out came the trouble all in one burst of girlish grief and chagrin. "Uncle, half the people who are so kind to me don't care a bit for me, but for what I can give them, and that makes me unhappy, because I was so glad and proud to be liked. I do wish I hadn't a penny in the world, then I should know who my true friends were."

"Poor little lass! She has found out that all that glitters is not gold, and the disillusion has begun," said the doctor to himself, adding aloud, smiling yet pitiful, "And so all the pleasure is gone out of the pretty gifts and Christmas is a failure?"

"Oh, no not for those whom nothing can make me doubt! It is sweeter than ever to make these things, because my heart is in every stitch and I know that, poor as they are, they will be dear to you, Aunty Plen, Aunt Jessie, Phebe, and the boys."She opened a drawer where lay a pile of pretty gifts, wrought with loving care by her own hands, touching them tenderly as she spoke and patting the sailor's knot of blue ribbon on one fat parcel with a smile that told how unshakable her faith in someone was.

"But these," she said, pulling open another drawer and tossing over its gay contents with an air half sad, half scornful, "these I bought and give because they are expected. These people care only for a rich gift, not one bit for the giver, whom they will secretly abuse if she is not as generous as they expect. How can I enjoy that sort of thing, Uncle?"

"You cannot, but perhaps you do some of them injustice, my dear. Don't let the envy or selfishness of a few poison your faith in all. Are you sure that none of these girls care for you?" he asked, reading a name here and there on the parcels scattered about.

"I'm afraid I am. You see I heard several talking together the other evening at Annabel's, only a few words, but it hurt me very much, for nearly everyone was speculating on what I would give them and hoping it would be something fine. 'She's so rich she ought to be generous,' said one. 'I've been perfectly devoted to her for weeks and hope she won't forget it,' said another. 'If she doesn't give me some of her gloves, I shall think she's very mean, for she has heaps, and I tried on a pair in fun so she could see they fitted and take a hint,' added a third. I did take the hint, you see." And Rose opened a handsome box in which lay several pairs of her best gloves, with buttons enough to satisfy the heart of the most covetous.

"Plenty of silver paper and perfume, but not much love went into that bundle, I fancy?" And Dr. Alec could not help smiling at the disdainful little gesture with which Rose pushed away the box.

"Not a particle, nor in most of these. I have given them what they wanted and taken back the confidence and respect they didn't care for. It is wrong, I know, but I can't bear to think all the seeming goodwill and friendliness I've been enjoying was insincere and for a purpose. That's not the way I treat people."

"I am sure of it. Take things for what they are worth, dear, and try to find the wheat among the tares, for there is plenty if one knows how to look..."

Glimpses At the Classics - Ester Reid

We found out on Tuesday, that a young man that we knew went home to be with his Lord. This been heavy on our hearts this week. I had trouble sleeping on Tuesday night. I just wanted to lie awake and appreciate the fact that my husband was there next to me.

Thinking about Dan, and his battle with cancer, as well as his strong testimony for the Lord, brought the book Ester Reid by Isabella Alden to mind. In this book, Ester's cousin loses her fiance the night before her wedding. Ester, who struggles with her faith, and joy in the Lord, is deeply moved by the grace that her cousin Abby displays in the wake of this tragedy.

"Oh Abbie, Abbie, how can you bear it -- how can you live?" burst forth from the heart of this friend who had come to comfort this afflicted one.


There was a little bit of silence now, and a touching tremble to the voice when it was heard again.


"'The Lord knoweth them that are his.' I try to remember that. Christ knows it all, and he is all-powerful; and yet he leads me through this dark road; therefore it must be right."


"But, " said Ester, raising her eyes and staying her tears for very amazement, "I do not understand -- I do not see. How can you be so calm, so submissive, at least just now -- so soon when you were to have been married today?"


The blood rolled in great purple waves over neck and cheek and brow, and then receded, leaving a strange, almost death-like, pallor behind it. The small hands were tightly clasped, with a strange mixture of pain and devotion in the movement, and the white lips moved for a moment forming words that met no mortal ear -- then the sweet, low, tender, voice sounded again.

"Dear Ester, I pray. There is no other way. I pray all the time. I keep right by my Savior. There is just a little, oh, a very litle, vale of flesh between him and between my-my husband and myself. Jesus loves me, Ester. I know it now, just as well as I did yesterday. I do not, and can not doubt him ... Ester do you remember we stood together alone for a moment yesterday? I will tell you what he said, the last words that were intended for just me only ...

'See here,' he said, 'I will give you a word to keep until we meet in the morning: The Lord watch between thee and me while we are absent one from another. I have been thinking, while I sat here in the morning, watching the coming of this new day, which you know is his first day in heaven, that perhaps it will be on some such morning of beauty as this that my long, long day will dawn, and that I will say to him, as soon as ever I see his face again: 'The word was a good one; the Lord has watched between us , and the night is gone.' Think of it, Ester. I shall surely say that some day -- some summer morning."

Dan and his wife were only married a little more then a year and a month when God took him Home. Please think of his 21 year old widow with me, and remember her in your prayers. We rejoice with his family that Dan is free from pain, but know that he will be sorely missed.

Glimpses At the Classics - Heidi

Heidi, by Johanna Spyri is indeed a classic, full of little "take-home" gold nuggets. The excerpt I have for you today does not need a story or lesson to accompany it. I think I'll just leave it untouched for your enjoyment! To provide a little background, Heidi has been taken from her home in the Alps with Grandfather, to Frankfurt, to become a companion for Clara, a wealthy little girl who has some physical problems. Although she is living in great opulence, with everything she could possibly want, Heidi misses her Grandfather and her home. She longs for her little bed in the hayloft.

Heidi starts to pray that God would allow her to go home, and has been praying for this same thing for weeks. Here is where we pick up our story ...


"But still Heidi never looked really happy, and her bright eyes were no longer to be seen. It was the last week of the grandmother's visit. She called Heidi into her room as usual one day after dinner, and the child came with her book under her arm. The grandmother called her to come close, and then laying the book aside, said,
"Now, child, tell me why you are not happy? Have you still the same trouble at heart?"
Heidi nodded in reply.
" Have you told God about it?"
"Yes."
"And do you pray every day that He will make things right and that you may be happy again?"
"No, I have left off praying."
"Do not tell me that, Heidi! Why have you left off praying?"
"It is of no use, God does not listen," Heidi went on in an agitated voice, "and I can understand that when there are so many, many people in Frankfurt praying to Him every evening that He cannot attend to them all, and He certainly has not heard what I said to Him."
"And why are you so sure of that, Heidi?"
"Because I have prayed for the same thing every day for weeks, and yet God has not done what I asked."
"You are wrong, Heidi; you must not think of Him like that. God is a good father to us all, and knows better than we do what is good for us. If we ask Him for something that is not good for us, He does not give it, but something better still, if only we will continue to pray earnestly and do not run away and lose our trust in Him. God did not think what you have been praying for was good for you just now; but be sure He heard you, for He can hear and see every one at the same time, because He is a God and not a human being like you and me. And because He thought it was better for you not to have at once what you wanted, He said to Himself: Yes, Heidi shall have what she asks for, but not until the right time comes, so that she may be quite happy. If I do what she wants now, and then one day she sees that it would have been better for her not to have had her own way, she will cry and say, `If only God had not given me what I asked for! it is not so good as I expected!' And while God is watching over you, and looking to see if you will trust Him and go on praying to Him every day, and turn to Him for everything you want, you run away and leave off saying your prayers, and forget all about Him. And when God no longer hears the voice of one He knew among those who pray to Him, He lets that person go his own way, that he may learn how foolish he is. And then this one gets into trouble, and cries, `Save me, God, for there is none other to help me,' and God says, `Why did you go from Me; I could not help you when you ran away.' And you would not like to grieve God, would you Heidi, when He only wants to be kind to you? So will you not go and ask Him to forgive you, and continue to pray and to trust Him, for you may be sure that He will make everything right and happy for you, and then you will be glad and lighthearted again."
Heidi had perfect confidence in the grandmother, and every word she said sunk into her heart.
"I will go at once and ask God to forgive me, and I will never forget Him again," she replied repentantly. "


I do hope you enjoyed that excerpt. All thanks to our omniscient and sovereign God, who knows exactly what His children need!

Glimpses At the Classics - The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew

I remember as a young girl, eagerly devouring the Five Little Peppers Books. Margaret Sydney is the author of this delightful series. I only own one of the books, but will be keeping my eyes open at every garage sale and used book sale that I encounter. This is precious literature, my friends.

The five little peppers are five children:Ben, Polly, Joel, Davy and Phronsie, who live with their mother in "the little brown house." They are as poor as church mice, but rich in love.

In this particular book, The Five Little Peppers and How they Grew, Polly has been invited to stay for some time with the family of a close friend. She is loathe to go, but does so. Her mother, though it breaks her heart to have her dear daughter so far away, urges her to take this blessing of an opportunity.

We see here that Polly makes the most of it!

"And on the very first morrow came Polly's music teacher!

The big drawing-room, with its shaded light and draped furniture,with its thick soft carpet, on which no foot-fall could be heard,with all its beauty and loveliness on every side was nothing to Polly's eyes, only the room that contained the piano! That was all she saw! And when the teacher came he was simply the Fairy (an ugly little one, it is true, but still a most powerful being) who was to unlock its mysteries, and conduct her into Fairyland itself. He was a homely little Frenchman, with a long, curved nose, and an enormous black moustache, magnificently waxed, who bowed elaborately, and called her "Mademoiselle Fep-paire;" but he had music in his soul, and Polly couldn't reverence him too much.And now the big piano gave out new sounds; sounds that told of a strong purpose and steady patience. Every note was struck for mother and the home brood. Monsieur Tourtelotte, after watching her keenly out of his little black eyes, would nod to himself like a mandarin, and the nod would be followed by showers of extra politeness, as his appreciation of her patient energy and attention. Every chance she could get, Polly would steal away into the drawing-room from Jappy and the three boys and all the attractions they could offer, and laboriously work away over and over at the tedious scales and exercises that were to be stepping-stones to so much that was glorious beyond. Never had she sat still for so long a time in her active little life; and now, with her arms at just such an angle, with the stiff, chubby fingers kept under training and restraint--well, Polly realized, years after, that only her love of the little brown house could ever have kept her from flying up and spinning around in perfect despair ... And Polly kept at it steadily day after day; getting through with the lessons in the schoolroom as quickly as possible to rush to hermusic, until presently the little Frenchman waxed enthusiastic tothat degree that, as day after day progressed and swelled intoweeks, and each lesson came to an end, he would skip away on the tips of his toes, his nose in the air, and the waxed ends of his moustache, fairly trembling with delight,

"Ah, such patience as Mademoiselle Pep-paire has! I know no other such little Americane!"

"I think," said Jasper one evening after dinner, when all the children were assembled as usual in their favorite place on the big rug in front of the fire in the library, Prince in the middle of the group, his head on his paws, watching everything in infinite satisfaction, "that Polly's getting on in music as I never saw anyone do; and that's a fact."

I took piano lessons from first grade to eleventh grade, and I am sorry to say, did not make the most of my "blessing." I hated scales, and I hated practicing. I hated recitals, and I would shake in dread of them a week before I had to perform. I loved to play, especially the songs that allowed me to lose myself in their melodies. I wanted to snap my fingers and suddenly be able to give a dramatic rendition of The Pathetique. How little I realized that practice, practice, practice, was the key that would unlock this ability. I lacked the diligence that it would have taken to really excel.

I love music, and so appreciate those who have taken the time to practice, practice, practice, like our Polly did. We are blessed by all of you. I salute you!

Glimpses At the Classics - Old Fashioned Girl

"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord,

Than great treasure with trouble.

Better is a dinner of herbs

where love is,

Than a fatted calf with hatred."

Proverbs 15:16-17

I think we all know that riches do not equal happiness. This doesn't mean that if you are well-to-do, that your home will be unhappy! There are many unhappy people in all socio-economic classes.

What do you think of when you think of happiness for your family? Do you think of a gleaming kitchen with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances? Do you think of a marble covered island with a pot rack gracing the ceiling above? Sorry for inserting the whole pot rack thing ... this is one of the items on my wish list!!! I'm sure that I will still have a fulfilled life if I never have a pot rack :-)

I've read many of your blogs, and heard many of you talk about what makes you happy, and these things have nothing to do with the model and make of your car or what type of house you have. They have nothing to do with how many clothes you have or where you bought your clothes.

For our family, some happinesses include:

warm group hugs for the three of us

making Saturday morning breakfast together

long car rides when Mr S and I chatter incessantly the whole way

watching Selena discover something new

watching Mr S and Selena head out for an after dinner walk

feeling baby hands pat my cheeks before getting a slobbery kiss

Old Fashioned Girl by Lousia May Alcott is a sort of country mouse, city mouse story. We learn how Polly (our sweet country mouse) impacts the lives of the Shaw family, who are very well - to - do, but not altogether happy.

Lets look in on them for a moment. Polly has recently arrived to spend two months with the Shaw family.

"There was so much love in her own home that she quickly found the want of it in Fanny's, and puzzled herself to find out why these people were not kind and patient to one another. She did not try to settle the question, but did her best to love and serve and bear with each; and the good will, the gentle heart, the helpful ways and simple manners of our Polly made her dear to everyone, for these virtues, even in a little child, are lovely and attractive.

Mr. Shaw was very kind to her, for he liked her modest, respectful manners; and Polly was so grateful for his many favors , that she soon forgot her fear, and showed her affection in all sorts of confiding little ways, which pleased him extremely. She used to walk across the park with him when he went to his office in the morning, talking busily all the way and saying 'Goodbye' with a nod and a smile when they parted at the great gate. At first, Mr. Shaw did not care much about it; but soon he missed her if she didn't come, and found that something fresh and pleasant seemed to brighten all his day, if a small, gray-coated figure, with an intelligent face, a merry voice, and a little hand slipped confidingly into his, went with him through the wintry park... Poor Mr. Shaw had been so busy getting rich, that he had not found time to teach his children how to love him ..."

May this last sentence never be said about our household, or any of yours! May our homes shine with love, even if they don't shine with crystal and stainless steel. May our words to one another be sweet, and our memories as precious as the most sparkling gems.

Glimpses At the Classics - Little House in the Big Woods

"Don't touch, Selena!"

These words have been heard in our humble home many times over the last few weeks. Selena now knows what "no," means, and what happens when daddy and mommy's heedings are ignored.

It gives a satisfying feeling to the heart when "no!" is spoken and Selena immediately pulls her little hand back and turns around to crawl in search of greener pastures. This week, however, I am being tested, often, by my little sweetheart. Sometimes when she hears "no," she turns and looks at me while reaching a second time for whatever it is she was touching. Many times this week, I have had to put aside what I was working on to enforce the lesson. Which brings me to Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Lets join Laura and Ma. They think they see their cow, Sukey, standing at the barnyard gate:



"Laura was surprised to see the dark shape of Sukey, the brown cow, standing at the barnyard gate. Ma was surprised too...

"Sukey, get over! She (Ma) reached across the gate and slapped Sukey's shoulder.

Just then, one of the dancing little bits of light from the lantern jumped between the bars of the gate, and Laura saw long, shaggy, black fur, and two little, glittering eyes.
Sukey had thin, short, brown fur. Sukey had large, gentle eyes.

Ma said, "Laura, walk back to the house."

So Laura turned around and began to walk toward the house. Ma came behind her. When they had gone part way, Ma snatched her up, lantern and all, and ran. Ma ran with her into the house, and slammed the door.

Then Laura said, "Ma, was it a bear?"

"Yes, Laura," Ma said. "It was a bear ..."

"... He didn't hurt us."

Ma said, "You were a good girl, Laura, to do exactly as I told you, and to do it quickly without asking why."


I read this with a little chill, as I realize how important it is to teach our children to obey ...

immediately - this means the first time
without asking why

Notice that Ma has to speak once to Laura, and without knowing why, Laura obeys.

I remember a sermon by Pastor Carlson when he said that our children need to obey "sweetly, neatly, and completely."

Oh, may we not weary of training her little soul ... it could be a matter of life and death.

Glimpses At the Classics - Anne of Ingleside

Today, I want to share a passage from Anne of Ingleside by L.M.Montgomery with you. This is probably longer then most of the passages I will share. It was so hard to figure out how to edit it! I wanted to put three whole chapters because I love this passage so much.

We find our little Anne of Green Gables, all grown up and married, with a home of her own and six children. She is having a particularly bad day, and ends up snapping at her children. How familiar is this scene? There are times I find myself burdened by the trifling cares of a day and end up working myself into shortness of temper. Lets look in on Anne -- she's losing it!

"Diana, is it necessary to be forever reminding you not to twist your legs around the piano stool? Shirley, if you haven't got that new magazine all sticky with jam! And perhaps SOMEBODY would be kind enough to tell me where the prisms of the hanging lamp have gone!" Nobody could tell her . . . Susan having unhooked them and taken them out to wash them . . . and Anne whisked herself upstairs to escape from the grieved eyes of her children. In her own room she paced up and down feverishly. WHAT was the matter with her? Was she turning into one of those peevish creatures who had no patiencewith anybody? Everything annoyed her these days. A little mannerism of Gilbert's she had never minded before got on her nerves. She was sick-and-tired of never-ending, monotonous duties. . . sick-and-tired of catering to her family's whims. Once everything she did for her house and household gave her delight. Now she did not seem to care what she did. She felt all the time like a creature in a nightmare, trying to overtake someone with fettered feet..."

Now, lets stop spying on Anne for a moment. I think she needs some time to gather her senses, don't you? This passage makes me think about the way I handle myself in these situations. I think I have already shared with you that I don't always handle them correctly. This is a moment when we need to turn to prayer, a beloved hymn, or a Scripture that is dear to us.

I Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

I am sorry to say that Anne did not flee to Christ in her time of need. Through a series of circumstances and heart-strugglings, she reclaims her joy in being Mrs. Blythe and mother to her little brood. Lets take a peek at her again. Gilbert, her husband, has just fallen asleep.

"Anne was not sleepy. She was too happy to sleep just yet. She moved softly about the room, putting things away, braiding her hair, looking like a beloved woman. Finally she slipped on a negligee and went across the hall to the boys' room. Walter and Jem in their bed and Shirley in his cot were all sound asleep. The Shrimp, who had outlived generations of pert kittens and become a family habit, was curled up at Shirley's feet. Jem had fallen asleep while reading "The Life Book of Captain Jim" . . . it was open on the spread. Why, how LONG Jem looked lying under the bedclothes! He would soon be grown up. What a sturdy reliable little chap he was! Walter was smiling in his sleep as someone who knew a charming secret...

The rash had quite gone from Shirley's neck. Gilbert had been right. He was always right. Nan and Diana and Rilla were in the next room . . . Diana with darling little damp red curls all over her head and one little sunburned hand under her cheek, and Nan with long fans of lashes brushing hers. The eyes behind those blue-veined lids were hazel like her father's. And Rilla was sleeping on her stomach. Anne turned her right side up but her buttoned eyes never opened. They were all growing so fast. In just a few short years they would be all young men and women . . . youth tiptoe . . . expectant. . . a-star with its sweet wild dreams . . . little ships sailing out of safe harbour to unknown ports. The boys would go away to their life work and the girls . . . ah, the mist-veiled forms of beautiful brides might be seen coming down the old stairs at Ingleside. But they would be still hers for a few years yet . . .hers to love and guide . . . to sing the songs that so many mothers had sung. Hers . . . and Gilbert's..."

I have so often looked at my loved ones while they are sleeping and given silent prayers of thanks to God for giving them to me for now. I love this passage because it speaks of the love that Anne has for her family, but it honestly shows the little trials that we face, and how we sometimes don't handle them in the best way. As Christians, we know what we are supposed to do! Thanks be to our Father in Heaven for His mercy and compassion to sinners like ourselves.

Glimpses At the Classics

I love to read, and I especially love reading the old classics. I think one of my best yard sale finds was an old - old set of L.M.Alcott books. I got eight books for eight dollars. I have a small collection of old books in their original form (this can become an expensive hobby). One year, for Christmas, my parents started a collection of the original Elsie Dinsmore books for me. You can imagine my excitement as I pulled book after book from a cardboard box.

I've sympathized with Meg from Little Women when John brought home a guest for dinner without telling her first. I've grieved over my sins, just as Katie from Stepping Heavenward. I've been thrilled when purity and virtue have won over riches and frivolity in The Old Fashioned Girl. I've grabbed for my tissues when Horace and Maggie's baby was born into this world just as Aunt Jane went home to be with the Lord in Aunt Jane's Hero. I've delighted in the beauty of the Lake of Shining Waters with Anne.

My very romantic husband planned our honeymoon with this in mind. When he told me we were going to Prince Edward Island, I think I fell in love with him a tiny bit more!! Not just because of the trip, but because of the thought that had gone behind the planning of it. Yes, Anne fans, that is the Lake of Shining Waters below, and we went for a buggy ride along it!

Prince Edward Island

The Lake of Shining Waters

Green Gables

Beautiful views

Every so often, hopefully every week, I will be sharing little glimpses of some of my most favorite classics! I do hope that you enjoy them as much as I have!

I will share the first tomorrow, and it will be from Anne of Ingleside by Lucy Maud Montgomery.