Life of Late // Letters // Happy New Year!

 

Howdy folks! 

It's about time for a wrap up post--of sorts. Honestly, it's about overdue...  

First, I'd like to wrap up December. Then, I'll talk a little bit about this year. For 2018/2019, I wrote THIS POST where I shared some letters. For 2019/2020, I wrote  THIS POST where I shared a poem and some letters also. Letters seem to be a trend for me to welcome the new year, so I'm keeping the tradition alive in this post! 

December Wrap-Up: 

~~~Snow~Animal chores while freezing~Soap orders~Made a soap graphic to help customers decide on scents~Pinterest quotes~Christmas movies~Watching Doc!!~Snow photoshoot~Spotify wrap-up ~Soap photoshoot~Animal chores after dark~Celebrated birthdays~Workout~Insanity workout program~Healthy meals~Bath salts~Lots of reading for school~Buying my sisters some surprise gifts~Pretty sunsets~Dehydrating orange slices for decoration!~Writing papers for school~Sabbath walks~S'mores brownie~Settlers of Catan~Making orange garland~Finishing Doc!!~Winter break~Memories from last year's beach trip~Hot chocolate~Trail ride gone wrong~Christmas lights~ColorStreet nails~Christmas program at church~Amazing music~Christmas Eve~Frisbee golf~Video game~Christmas Day~Nachos~Dance~Hallmarks~Building trusses~More Hot Chocolate~Grocery shopping~Workouts~~~ 

Still living, laughing, loving, and learning all the time!

Letters:

Dear 2020, 

Wow, what is there really to say? Covid was a major curve ball that none of us were expecting. A curve ball that seemed to have the snowball effect... in other words, this year was a tough one for many on many different levels! So hard. But, 2020 wasn't all bad, there were some crazy big milestones that occurred for me and my family. First, the year started out with a bang. I mean, zip lining in a cave anyone?! 

Other exciting happenings were planning (and re-planning) a trip to the Grand Canyon. Which was a BLAST! 

Helping plan, decorate for, and be there for my sister's wedding!!! <3 <3

Starting college. Whoop whoop!

And climbing Grandfather Mountain in NC. 

Among some other things, but those were the major highlights for sure! 

2020, was a year of hardships and self discoveries. My word "Wildflower" taught me a lot, and yet I wasn't ready for some of the things it brought up. When I choose wildflower, I hadn't realized a big part of flowers is "growing" out in the rough elements. Growing despite growing pains. Growing despite the rain. So in the coming year, I'm thinking my word is going to be either "thrive" or "revive." Why? Bc this poor wildflower needs to find the sunshine! 

2020, I'm not sad to see you end. But I know that the things won't magically go back to normal once 2020 is over...  I'm still looking forward to starting a new year. 2020 has taught me a lot. It's taught me to cherish the people close to me. It's taught me not to believe everything I hear. It's taught me that fear is real, but fear is not the end-all. It's taught me that plans change. And that's OK. It's taught me to step out of my comfort zone. It's taught me that Jesus is the only true source of comfort & peace in the times when the darkness is overwhelming. I'm so thankful for the people who helped me get through...

2020 was really good, and really bad all at once! A lot can change in a year... 

"Nice" knowing ya, 2020, 

Ben 

~*~

Dear 2021, 

Welcome, new year! I'm excited to see what wild rides are in store. My hope is that going into this year, I'll find peace. With where I'm at, with where I'm going. I also hope that I continue to fall in love with Jesus more and more. Because even in the pain and suffering of this world, the Hope of my Savior is enough. Even in the unknown, my trust in Jesus can be known. 

I honestly don't know what to expect from this new year. I'll continue with school. I'll continue with soap making. I'll continue with (slowly) writing that book that I keep wanting to publish. I'll continue to try new things. And who knows what amazing adventures I'll find myself getting into.

But whatever is in store, I'm grateful. For my family, for my friends in my corner. For my animals that make me smile. For my many blessings.

Welcome aboard, 2021,

Ben

~*~ 

Some things to expect here on the Blog in the coming year: 

~Posts every OTHER Wednesday. And I may be taking a hiatus once or twice to regroup. As you can see, I'm cutting back a little. I'll be trying this for the first quarter of the year. 

~Posts on topics such as the following: Hand-Lettering 101, Sisters Wedding Pictures, Poems, Short Stories, Advice, Books, Healthy Recipes, Etc! 

~A giveaway in February!!! (To celebrate 3 years of Blogging!!!!!!!!) 

Comment below if you have any blog post requests! I'd love to hear your ideas. 

With that said, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Each and every one of ya'll who interact here on the blog means a lot and reading your comments brightens my day! Thanks SO much for following along throughout 2020, and I hope you continue to read Showers of Blessings in 2021. What is a blog without those who read it?! So thank you from the bottom of my heart! <3 May you have a new year full of new opportunities and blessings + collect wonderful memories! God's bigger than anything that you might face in 2021, He will carry us through. Tell me down in the comments one lesson God has taught you during 2020. Do you have any new 2021 plans? Comment below! 

God Bless! 

Brooklyne 

Elysse 

12 Days of Christmas Blog Party // Why He Came

 

Today, I'm joining in on the fun! 

JI'm taking part in the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Party that Faith puts on each year. What a fun tradition! 

Anyway, you must be wondering what my post is going to be about. I bounced many ideas around in my head regarding this post. I was pondering Christmas recipes, Christmas songs, Christmas movies, Christmas books, writing a Christmas poem, talking about Christmas traditions, etc. But the thing was, I have already done Gift Ideas, Songs, and a Poem last year. I wanted something a little different. 

We celebrate the birth of Jesus this time of year. I'm not sure the exact date of Jesus's birth. I also think that the typical nativity story we hear around Christmas time has been changed along the way. But the reason for His birth and coming to the earth has never changed!

I decided to write a little piece of fiction. Fiction that hopefully portrays a small piece of the redemption story. Fiction laced with TRUTH, if you will. Yes, Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph. In the little town of Bethlehem. Yes, that is usually the nativity story told, but I want to share a different part of the story. A story that answers "why" baby Jesus was born. 

Honestly, this story is not in my typical genre. But I set down to write, and this is what came out. It's not the light and fluffy Christmas story that I set down to write... 

Why He Came // The Ultimate Agape (Love of God for Man) 

I shifted uncomfortably in my crouched position on the cold, stone floor. My limbs had fallen asleep hours ago, and their painful tingling was the only indication that my body was still fighting for its life. Let it fight, but for all I care, my life was already gone. Deflated. Dead. 

Justice had been served and I was found guilty. Prison was the last nail in my coffin. My life was over.

Sitting all alone in a dark cell will get a person to think about things. Things they wish they could have forgotten years ago. I deserved worse than these four walls. I deserved worse. Steel, cross-hatched bars--eleven to be exact--contained the lowest of lows. Me.

I craved darkness, but even I knew that the blessed heavy cloak would not even begin to cover my shame. It couldn't. For my sin was too large.

My lips were like dry fire kindling, splintered and desperate for anything to quench my thirst. My stomach slinked against my backbone in utter hunger, I couldn't remember when I ate last. I deserved this. 

I deserved even worse.

Time was my enemy as it kept ticking. Why couldn't it just run out already? Waiting to die was almost worse than the haunting memories that kept me company. 

The sound of the jail cell door opening came to my ears. It's screeching was deafening against the otherwise, silent room. 

A moment later, He came in. His light, a stark contrast to the walls around me. When was the last time I had seen a kind face? Had I ever? Probably not. I most certainly had never seen this man before. I was blinded by His presence. I felt my heartbeat go from near stillness to full on thudding as I crumpled closer to my dark corner. Maybe I could hide my shame, He hadn't seen me yet... had He? 

My eyes slammed shut and I willed Him to leave. Light was on time's side. Light exposed my darkness. Time delayed the inevitable. Both were my enemy. I deserved this.

A strong yet gentle hand was placed on my bony shoulder. He called me by my name. For a quickened moment, I wanted to open my eyes. I wanted, truly wanted, to see the face of the Man who would even dare step foot inside my dark world. I wanted to see--oh but who was I kidding? This was only a hallucination. No one would ever come near the likes of me. 

Only... Someone did. Beside my crouched form, He sat down despite my filthy living quarters. For a moment, my eyes slitted open. I saw His eyes staring back at me and I braced for the condemnation that I knew I deserved. Instead, I saw a combination of sadness and something else. Was it grace? Or mercy? Could it be, love? My eyes widened further and the blurriness faded until I could focus on His hand. The same hand that had touched my shoulder now was reaching out to me.

His pierced hand was reaching out to me?

My dry throat couldn't form the word, but my heart asked, "Why?" Why was He here, of all places? Why was He here in my prison cell? Why would He stoop to my low world and my sorry state? Why was He reaching out to me, a sinner like me? 

A moment ago, I had welcomed death, wishing for it even. But now? Could there possibly be another way?

His pierced hand was reaching out to me. 

So I took it. I took His hand. And He lifted me up, steadying my weak, filthy body.

He paid the ransom for my life. He brought me out of my chains and took my place. I don't deserve this. I don't deserve this kind of grace. I don't deserve this kind of mercy. And I surely don't deserve this kind of love. 

I guess they call it Agape Love. For it was still at my lowest and darkest place where my Savior called me. He came down to my dark world. He paid the ransom for my sin. He took my sin upon Himself. He called me His own. He died my death, and then He rose victorious. He made a way for the likes of me to have life. He loved me enough to do all that and more.

~~~ 

Merry Christmas ya'll! When we celebrate this year, I hope you are reminded of why Jesus came to this world as a baby. <3 He came for you and for me.

Now, be sure to check out the others participating in this blog party, posts ranging from December 13-25th: 

An Attempt at Authenticity (Scarlett) 

Angela Watts 

Faith on the Farm 

Farm Life: Autumn’s Adventures 

Gabrielle E. 

God’s Path (Hannah) 

Life of Heritage (Ryana) 

Little Blossoms for Jesus (Katja) 

Maidens for Modesty (Kaitlyn)  

Novels, Dragons, & Wardrobe Doors (Abigail) 

Qadash - Set Apart, for Him (Molly) 

Read Review Rejoice (Abigail H.) 

RebekahAshleigh  

Showers of Blessings (Brooklyne) You are HERE :)

Soldier Girl Stories (Kassie) 

Sundrop Girls (Sawyer)  

Tower in the Plains (Tara)  

Whimsical Writings for His Glory (Jesseca) 

Sharing on Instagram: 

Courtney 

Emily 

And also, be sure to enter the GIVEAWAY HERE!!! The giveaway closes Christmas Eve night. The winner will be announced Christmas Day. 

And that's a wrap, y'all! I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Have a merry merry Christmas this year, and stay safe! <3 

Comment Below one thing you are thankful for this Christmas season!

Many Blessings,
Brooklyne Elysse

Repost // Icy Branches

Back in December of 2018, I wrote this post and thought I'd share it again for any new followers. 

"One month ago, we were driving into town the morning after a night of sleeting rain. Everything was coated in ice. Like, everything was completely incased in ice! Grass, trees, cars, houses, anything that was out in the elements all night was icy and slick.

As we were driving, we saw at least five or six trees that had actually lost their branches because they had been so weighed down with ice wrapped around them. When I looked outside the window of our car, I noticed that every tree had branches that were drooped and hanging lower than normal. The trees that still clung to their fall leaves had been even more weighted, and those trees were the ones to loose their branches.

Do you think that we are similar to these icy branches? When we are faced with trials and tribulations in our lives, we feel a heavy weight bearing down on us. The trials that we face are just like the ice on the branches, it is cold and restricting, making us feel heavy and tired.

God sometimes asks us to let go of certain things that we wish to cling to because He knows what is going to be ahead. The pretty fall leaves had to die and fall from the branches. They had to let go of their leaves just as we, as humans, have to let go of our selfish wants, letting God look out for our needs. Now, let me clarify here, I’m not saying that we should let go of our dreams and desires, I’m saying that not all of our dreams fall in line with God’s plans. Sometimes we have to let go of our plans in order to see more clearly His plans.

If the autumn leaves had not fallen yet, the winter ice would have more to cling too, creating so much weight that the whole branch would have to give under the pressure and break off. When we don’t listen to God’s design for us, and we cling tightly to our “leaves” then when those trials come, and we have so much weight on our shoulders, we will break under the pressure.

God has designed the leaves on trees to fall off and die to prepare itself for winter. Even though the crunchy leaves seem hopeless, they are not. When they have fallen, they decompose and provide nutrients to the very tree they had fallen from. Leaves have a important purpose. Just like we ARE mean’t to go through certain seasons in life as the leaves do. The leaves bloom, bud, grow, change, and eventually fall away. But each of those seasons weren't lived for no reason. The “leaves” in our life that had once fallen away, those past experiences will help us in the future seasons in our lives. 

So, you ask, what about the trees that have kept their leaves attached and the ice has made their branches break, where is the metaphor in that? Is there hope for those trees? 

God is a God of second chances. Even third, forth, fifth chances! His everlasting love has made it possible for us to be forgiven. There is hope. We all have broken “branches” but guess what, as long as we believe that God is the Healer of those branches, then we will be healed. That very same part of us where the branch had fallen will grow a new branch. One that will be nourished and grow stronger than the branch before it. 

Notice that the ice weighed down ALL of the trees, not just the ones that still clung to their leaves. Trials come to ALL people, whether they are ready or not, but it is up to us how we will choose to deal with those trials. Will we bend under their weight? Most likely. Will we break? Well, that is up to us.

Remember that all of the trees bent under the pressure, but only those who kept their leaves broke. It was the trees who had prepared themselves by letting go of their leaves that were able to pop back up when the Son melted it.

Next time you are weighed down by a trial in your life, let the love of God melt away the ice that is keeping you from flourishing. Know that “This too shall pass.” And have faith in the future God has planned for you!" 

It's kinda a messy, jumbled analogy, but I thought it was worth sharing because there is a lot of wisdom to be found in these words. I hope you enjoyed this icy blast from the past! lol XD

Have you ever felt the weight of a icy branch in you life? Do you see the comparisons from these branches to our lives? How can we learn from our past mistakes? Do you believe that God has the power to forgive us when we break under pressure? Lets talk in the comments below! 

Many Blessings, 

Brooklyne Elysse 

My Favorite Things // Tag

It's time for a My Favorite Things tag! Thanks for nominating me a VERY long time ago, Alice and Liberty!!! 

Rules: 

Thank and link back to the persons who tagged you! 

Thank and link back to the person who started the tag! (Thank you, Beth!)

Write about eight of your favorite things in your post

Add at least 2 pictures in your post that is related to your favorite things

Tag eight others to do the tag! 

Include the picture above in your post

1. Animals 

I love our animals! I love all of our puppies. They make me smile each and every day with their antics. I love our horses. Grooming them and feeding them treats. I love taking pictures of them. They are so funny and sweet! 

2. Frozen Hot Chocolate Drinks

Okay, y'all already knew this! But I HAD to mention it here in this post because I love hot chocolate drinks and they are a perfect "healthy" dessert! Make the healthy version at home by simply blending frozen banana's, almond milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, peanut butter, and ice! 

3. Working out

Working out is one of my hobbies. I love working out (for the most part!). But it's also a challenge and hard work. Working out has many lessons to be learned, and I love working out because it makes me feel like I'm being a good steward of my body. 

4. Nature

God has given us nature, and I love all things earthy, leafy, created. I love taking picures of nature. I love hiking, and four wheeler rides. I love gardening (for the most part!)

5. Books / Cover Design

Books make me excited! I could talk about books for hours! (And have, *winks*) I also love covers! Cover design makes me excited too! When a design "works" it just makes me smile! (I know, I'm weird!)

6. Cooking / Baking

I menu plan a lot. I cook a lot. But I enjoy it! (Maybe not the cleaning up part tho!)

7. Soap Making

Soap making is so fun! And it's not just a hobby, its a part of my job! I love coming up with soap designs and making soap with my mom. <3 <3 <3 

8. Friends

I have a handful of people I call my friends. But, my friends are pretty awesome, and I'd rather have few close friends than many not-so close friends! Hanging out with my peeps, texting and messaging my peeps, those are some of my favorite things! 

Tagging the first eight commenters, and if you don't have a blog, feel free to share 8 of your favorite things in the comments!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse

Bookworm Pet Peeves

 

In this post, I thought it might be fun to cover some of my Bookworm Pet Peeves. So, below is a list of 10 things I find annoying in the bookish world. Maybe you can relate to some of these! And if you do, comment below or tell me some of your own book related annoyances! *winks* 

1. Witnessing other readers fold the front cover behind the back cover, bending the spine, and creating warped covers. *jaw drops in horror*
2. When a page has been dog eared... (Note: I do have an exception of dog earring non fiction or journal pages. But fiction? NEVER!)
3. Library stickers or stickers in general. When you get a good deal on the book and there's a sticker on it, this happens about 99% of the time. Although this is annoying, I do have a cure for stickers (goo be gone spray gel). But when they are retired library books with the library labeled spines, those are impossible to remove without hurting the cover. Thus, library stickers had to make this list! They are every bookworm's nightmare.
4. Hype for a book that I dislike. I find it very annoying when there is an extreme amount of hype for a book that I could care less about. That's great that you have a book to fangirl over, but do you have to share about it everywhere?! *eye roll*
5. A good book that's too short. That moment when you are loving a book and it somehow just... ends?!?! How can authors do this to their readers!?
6. Half books in a series. As a reader, I find this to be extremely annoying. Book 1, book 2, book 2.5, and book 3. A half book that is shorter that somehow squeezes into a series? I don't think so. (Also, on a side note, I don't care for compilations either.)
7. When the title has nothing to do with the story. This is truly a rare pet peeve, but occasionally it will happen that the title (or even the back blurb) help in no way to understand what's inside the book.
8. Annoying characters. Usually there is that "one" character in a book that just rubs me the wrong way. Just a bookworm thing. *headdesk* 
9. When the series has different sized books. Now, I may be a little on the picky side, but when my books are lined up on my shelf, I much prefer the series to match and have the books be the same size. Am I the only one? 
10. When the book gets a updated cover. Personally, I don't like it when the author updates a cover. First, it makes me feel like I need to buy it. Second, if you don't like the first cover in the first place, then you should worked on it more. Third, I usually get attached to the first cover and correlate it with the book, and if you change it, then I'm more likely to be biased and not like the second cover.

Can you relate to any of these? Comment below! 

Many Blessings, 

Brooklyne Elysse