Giving thanks...

"Be ye thankful..."

Autumn Blessings

It only makes sense they arrived in the autumn, when harvest is sweet and pungent in the air, when the greens and golds, scarlets and purples clothe the earth.

FL Arts Council Awards Reception, 2010

Before reward is defeat, before prominence, lowliness,

and before honor is humility

“And thou shall remember all the way which the Lord thy God has led thee these many years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or no.

“…that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.”

De 8: - 2De 8:16

The Shepherdess wins an award...

“The Awards event was truly a night to remember…one of those thrilling times when the unexpected becomes a reality. I truly had no idea that I was being considered for this great honor. When Cheryl Kuck, chair person for the Arts Council phoned saying I had been chosen “Artist of the Year” for excellence in the arts, I felt certain there must be a mistake. Little did I realize that my writing and my involvement in teaching in our community would result in this award. I felt so blessed, so special. My prayer has always been that God would order my steps and guide me in the way I should go, to use me in a way that would honor Him through my writing. Surely, this is one of those surreal moments. “

Ruth Carmichael Ellinger