Hearts of Purity: October 2011

I help at Miss Christina's babysitting from 4-5 on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. I might try and write a little bit about my experiences each week. Here is a part from one day...

Miss Christina was telling me about how a little girl (Clara) had been doing something she wasn't suppose to do. She "innocently" kept saying "I'm sorry Aunt Christina! I'm sorry Aunt Christina!" Later she purposely stepped on top of a little girl that was napping. Miss Christina got on to her and again she said, "I'm sorry Aunt Christina!" We were sitting inside when we heard a girl crying out on the porch. I went to see if she was ok and she said she was. I brought her in with Clara following. Miss Christina asked Clara what happened. Clara kept saying, "She's ok! I'm sorry Aunt Christina!" Miss Christina just wanted to know what happened so she asked the girl that had been crying what happened. She said that Clara pushed her. Miss Christina then said, "Clara, do you think that is a very nice thing to do?" Clara then replied, "Yep". When she saw Miss Christina's face she changed her mind, "Uh, I mean No."

Babysitting Antics by

~Lydia

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Grace- The Saga Continues

A tall guard opened the door and lead the merchant in, placing him in front of a large, black throne, "WHAT IS IT, GYLIE?" a huge voice boomed over the momentary silence.

"Sire, the job that you sent me to do is done. That foolish peasant girl has left the castle and returned home. The princess is alone in the tower."

"Excellent work my servant, you shall be paid back in full." The evil merchant smiled greedily, and then bowing, walked out of the throne room. But behind his back the figure seated on the throne nodded to one of his guards, who stealthily followed the merchant outside. The merchant was never seen again.

Now let us look at the figure seated on the throne. He is tall, handsome, and has a deep voice. At a quick glance you would find him attractive. But with a longer look you would see something sinister in his expression, and there was a look in his eye as if something was not quite right.

The next thing you might notice was how much he resembled Princess Fern. His hair was just as glossy black, and would have been as thick had it been grown out. His skin was also very pale.

Lord Horatio, for that the name he went by, was in fact the half brother of Princess Fern. How he came to be conspiring against her is a long tale, one that she had never been told before. But I will not make you wait to hear it, I will recount it to you now.

Many long years ago when the king was still a very young man, he fell in love with a peasant girl. She was beautiful and accomplished, and the king being very wise for his years, he married her despite their different rank and they were happy together. She bore him a son, and they named him Peter.

Life went well and all were happy until a deadly sickness stalked the land. It took the life of the queen, and all of the people mourned her greatly, for she was a kind and loving queen. It almost took the life of Prince Peter as well, in truth, he became so still and white, that they all thought he was dead.

The king was in such a deep state of grief over the loss of his wife and son that he didn't leave his room. This gave an opportunity to one of the servants to steal away with Prince Peter, whom she knew to still be alive.

She took him to the forest and raised him, telling him as he grew older that the king was his true father, and that he had scorned and shamed Peter's mother, and married another woman, a true princess, in her place.

She bred in him a hatred for his father and his half sister, the daughter of the king's second wife, Princess Fern, in hopes that one day he would overthrow his father, and she would be given a high position.

Lord Horatio walked to the window and gazed out over the scenery. His plan was in motion, and he had no reason to doubt its success.

Katherine ran home as fast as her legs could carry her, she never wanted to see or hear of the princess again. But as she wound her way through the streets she saw that something was terribly wrong. People were gathering in small groups and whispering to one another.

Puzzled, she paused and drew closer to one of the knots of townspeople. One of the local bakers was speaking,

"They say the king might not last another month, the queen is of delicate health, and with Princess Fern in her present state, no one knows who will rule the kingdom."

"What about the king's first wife, didn't she have a son?" Asked an old flower seller.

"Yes, but he died, everyone knows that." Said a know-it-all young apprentice.

"Not necessarily, there was some confusion and mystery surrounding his death. No one really knows for sure, it is possible that he lived and was carried off." The elderly baker replied.

Katherine drew away again and continued on her way home. But all the way thoughts were swirling around in her head. The king was dying, the queen was not well enough to rule, and Princess Fern was their only hope. Did she, Katherine, the cobbler's daughter have the courage to try again?

Katherine's mother met her at the door, and she embraced her daughter fervently.

"I have been worried about you dear." She said, looking searchingly into her face.

"It was frightening, but I did manage to help the princess a bit. Still, I am glad to be home. Is what they are saying of the king true?"

"I'm afraid so. His health has been failing for some time now, but the other day he got a chill and was not able to get warm. I don't think he will last long."

Fern sat in the shadow of her room and leaned her weary and tear stained face against the wall. She thus, letting the cool night breeze flowing through the window rustle through her hair.

"Beauty. It comes, and goes in the blink of an eye. I could not expect to be beautiful forever, why do I try? Here I am, alone and desolate in my room. Not one visit from anyone, not even my parents, except for that cobbler's daughter, Katherine. I don't think she meant me harm, in fact, I don't know if anyone meant me harm."

Now all of the thoughts welling up inside of her heart came bursting forth.

"Oh! I don't want to care so much about my face anymore! I want people to love me for who I am, I want to be able to love others as well. This sad existence in the tower has taught me well, and so has that girl. I must find her ask forgiveness for my actions."

Jumping up, Fern ran to the window and looked down. The ground was fifty feet below the window. But Fern was resourceful for a princess, so she tore down the silk drapes that hung about the room and began tearing them into thick strips. Soon she had a rope long enough to reach the ground.

Tying one end to her oak bedstead, she threw the other end out of the window and sat upon the sill. Taking hold of the silk strand she slid lightly down to the ground.

Not pausing for a moment Fern ran speedily across the castle grounds, over a secret bridge, and down into the valley where the town lay. Never before in her life had she felt so light and free. Not just because she was physically free, but her heart was free as well. Free from the lie that her face was all that mattered.

Had she looked down at her reflection in the sweet waters she would have seen a great change. The proud and glamorous Princess Fern of the past was gone, and in her place was a girl whose face was gentle and sweet.

Lucky for Fern that she left when she did, for but a few moments later soft footsteps could be heard in the hall outside of her room. A soft grinding noise came from the lock, and then the door creaked open. Nothing could be seen except the gleam of steel and the shine of a pair of eyes...

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Grace- Prayer Requests

Hi girls.

I just want to put in a reminder that if anyone needs prayer we would love to hear about it. You can post requests without getting too personal (the wise road to take for the internet) and we would all be glad to pray for them.

A few requests I can think of right now would be for the upcoming elections. We need to pray that godly and righteous leader is brought forth with the ability to rally people behind them.

There have been riots in Egypt, and the other night a group of Christians peacefully protested their church being demolished. The military descended on them leaving 24 brutally killed and 200 wounded. Later on Muslims and Christians protested the violence. Please pray that this stops.

One of our mothers is having a problem with her shoulder. So please pray that she feels better soon and that the problem can be fixed.

And on a cheerful note some friends of my family just had a new baby. And Celina's dog, Elizabeth, just had 3 precious little puppies.

Let us share our joys and sorrows with one another. And "bear each other's burdens" as it says in the Bible. Thanks for all of the prayer!