Hope is on the way 1: O'come, O'come Emmanuel

Today is the last Sunday of the month that only meant one thing for Tia, Rebekah and Elizabeth that it was time to go to Sandhurst Baptist Chapel to do the evening book club. This month in November the three young adults looked at the book called Thanksgiving Night by Richard Bausch.

They discussed the book and what they liked about it and do not like about it.

I will not ruin the story in case you want to read it. The story is set in the small Virginia valley town of Port Royal, where several of Bausch is other novels and many of his stories take place. It is 1999; predictions of catastrophe blare on the radio, and religious fanaticism is everywhere on the rise. The millennium is approaching.

Oliver Ward and his divorced daughter, a young police officer named Alison, and Oliver's two grandchildren become involved with Holly Grey and Holly's aunt Fiona, elderly ladies with a marked propensity for outlandish behaviour. Holly's son, Will Butterfield, and Elizabeth, Will's second wife by that name, have been happily married for ten years but are about to discover how fragile happiness is.

In addition, in the middle of all of them is an old priest, Father John Fire, who is a good man, thinking of leaving the priesthood. He is called "Brother Fire" by everyone who knows him, after the famous words of Saint Francis when confronted with the burning brand with which he would be martyred. Close to both Holly and Fiona, Brother Fire also has a part to play in the rapidly unfolding family drama.

Now it's gets the exciting part where Tia, Rebekah and Elizabeth chose the next book to read for December. They all decided to read something about Christmas. Tia suggested too read the Nutcracker by Ivan Vsevolozhsky. Rebekah suggested to read to The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Elizabeth wanted to read A letter from Santa Claus by Mark Twain.

Tia said questionally “Why do we actually celebrate Christmas?” Rebekah answers back to Tia “To celebrate the birthday of Jesus”. Really Rebekah does not know why we actually celebrate Christmas. Tia and Rebekah are extremely lucky to have Elizabeth, as she knows everything and everything. Elizabeth goes on saying “Why do we not study the bible? That way both of you can understand why we celebrate Christmas, instead of meeting up for a big discussion at the end of the month. Shall we meet here at the Chapel with cake and coffee at 8:00 A.M.? I will tell you the story of why we celebrate Christmas.”

Rebekah said to Elizabeth, “We should call this group, Hope is on the way!”

Elizabeth and Tia nodded their heads in agreement, as that is what this book club name is.

“Do you know Tia and Rebekah today, is the first Sunday of Advent?” Tia replied back say no, Rebekah goes YES!! Tia and Rebekah said together “What is Advent?” Rebekah said jokingly “Is that the chocolate thing? You know where each day leading up to Christmas from 1^st December you open the door and get a piece of chocolate.” Elizabeth replies back “You’re on the right lines Rebekah, just not on the right track on Christian path.”

Elizabeth then goes about saying, “As far back as the fourth century, Christians have been observing Advent as a time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. In fact, Advent prepares for two different comings: the first is Jesus birth at Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and the second in his final coming at the end of time.” Rebekah remembers her Latin lesson from her Cousin Richard “The word Advent came from the Latin word 'adventus' which means 'arrival' or 'coming,' but how does coming come to advent does?

Elizabeth busted into a song. Of course it had it be O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,

Who ordered all things mightily;

To us the path of knowledge show,

and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!

Tia and Rebekah gave each other a look. Tia goes on saying, “why are you singing Elizabeth?”

“I’m signing because that song came into my mind when Rebekah asked me a question. My favourite bible passage is from Isaiah 7:13-14.” Tia, Rebekah and Elizabeth read the bible verse.

13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Rebekah bouncing up and down a bit like Tigger, said “What if God lived among us?”

Tia copying Rebekah on being Tigger said “What if God was one of us?”

Elizabeth had to gather her thoughts before she could answer those two questions.

“Well, the person of Jesus Christ came and lived among us. Jesus is fully God and fully human. He came, He lived among us, He was one of us, and yet - He was more than just another human being: Jesus was, and Jesus is, ‘Immanuel’ which means, GOD IS WITH US.”

Tia and Rebekah wondered does God understand me. Does God understand what I face in life? Can God know my struggles from a human perspective?

The love of God is so powerful that He became like us in order to save us, and even more powerful, God remains with us with God the Holy Spirit.

All praise is to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who is God with us, Immanuel.

Hope is on the way 2: Why do we need Christmas?

It was a cold morning, the three young adults came into the chapel and what a surprise they had the Pastor of Sandhurst Baptist Chapel was taking part of their journey of finding out the true meaning of Christmas.  How dare he come to the book club? He is not a young adult nor a girl. That’s what you and I might be thinking but three young adults made Pete very welcoming by giving him black coffee and of course carrot cake. 

Rebekah and Tia was discussing what are they are going to explore today with Elizabeth while there were walking to the chapel. They were thinking about all different things of why we celebrate Christmas like Father Christmas and the naivety play. 

Elizabeth had started with an icebreaker with a question “Why do we need Christmas?”

Tia answered “To get Christmas present?"

Rebekah said quietly “Do celebrate Jesus birth?”

Elizabeth then went on saying both of you are correct. “Pete you haven’t answered that question. It wasn’t a rhetorical question.” 

Pete went on saying “Sure the presents and songs are great, but have we forgotten the real exciting news?” 

Elizabeth stated “hmm maybe I don’t know how to answer the question, may you help, Pete to answer this question?”

Sounding so happy that Pete can help out. “Remember the Christmas carol joy to the world. Let’s sing the first verse?”

Joy to the world, the Savoir reigns!

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Rebekah said to Pete “But why do we need saving?” 

Elizabeth gets a bit carried away of the song and sang the whole song. Soon after that she said “I love singing Christmas carols especially when singing about the birth of a saviour. But hold on, why do I need saving? There is all this talk of Jesus coming to rescues us but rescue from what?”

Pete answered Rebekah and Elizabeth question, by saying “sin!”

“The Bible tell us that we fall far short of God’s perfect standard of living. We read that we all try to ruin life our own way and in doing so reject God. A letter to the church in Rome makes it very clear.”
All four of them looked in the bible in Romans they read Romans 3: 10-12 which read the following. 
There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away. 

They also read Romans 3:23, which read the following.

 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Tia asked Pete, “But how does that link that to Christmas?”

Pete tells Elizabeth to explain, otherwise Pete would use evil word; you know long words that just make no sense. 

Elizabeth goes on saying, “This rejection of God is known as sin which creates a barrier between God and us. This is where Jesus comes in.” 

Rebekah was looking eager to carry on what Elizabeth was saying. Rebekah carried on “Jesus came on earth on the ‘first Christmas’ as a human. He was fully God and fully man. Then he grew up living a perfect life of obedience to God.”

Tia, Elizabeth and Pete interrupted Rebekah saying “That we all fail to do”

They are certainly right. Aren’t they?

Rebekah carried on where she was. “Then he died on the cross, taking on all our sin and the sins of the world. He died and was buried. Then he rose from the dead and offers forgiveness from sin and eternal life with God, a renewal of our relationship with God.”

Tia said “Too often we can be comfortable in our little world. We compare ourselves to murderers and thieves and think we are good people!”

Elizabeth carried on from what Tia was saying “But you and I still reject God in thought word and deed, putting idols before God, living for our own selfish ambition rather than the glory of God.

Pete carried on saying “So this Christmas, sing about our saviour with repentance and joy. Knowing that you have sinned but thankful that God sent Jesus to forgive you save you! Shall we end this book club with a first verse from God rest ye merry, gentlemen?”

Tia, Rebekah and Elizabeth said, “What a good idea!” 

God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay


Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day


To save us all from Satan's power


When we were gone astray

Tidings of comfort and joy,

Just quick poem's

My head is hot,

My voice is squeaky,

My body hurts,

My nose is leakey,

I think my Dad has something, too.

I think, I think

We have...

A-GHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got the cold, and just cannot stop sneezing. Thought I can cheer myself up with writing a poem. I can sense another poem about sneezing. Can you?

A BAD CASE OF SNEEZES 

Last night I had the sneezes.

I was really very ill.

My mother called the doctor

who prescribed a purple pill.

At eight o'clock I went to bed.

My mom turned out the light.

I used up one whole box of Kleenex

sneezing through the night.

I sneezed my brains out in my bed.

I didn't get much rest.

So that's the reason, teacher,

that I flunked the spelling test.

Something special

Thanksgiving Feasting

When the Halloween pumpkins are gone,
And the leaves have all fallen to ground,
When the air has turned windy and cold,
Then Thanksgiving will soon be around.

Thoughts of loved ones all feasting together,
Pleasant pictures from past times appear
To dwell in each heart and each mind-
Then Thanksgiving is finally here!

The kitchen has scrumptious aromas,
The dining room looks oh, so fine,
Decorations with pilgrims and turkeys,
And now we are ready to dine!

First the napkins are placed on our laps;
Now the prayer for the meal to be blessed,
Then we stuff the good food in our tummies,
And we hope for it all to digest!

Thanksgiving tomorrow it is mainly celebrated Americans and they think Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate getting out of school for a long weekend, and eating a great dinner. Or maybe they think it is start of the Christmas holiday season. 

Here is another poem  that I made some time this morning when I woke up feeling so sad. But it was such an inspirational poem, it might help you folks. 

Be Proud Of Who You Are

I come with no wrapping or pretty pink bows. 

I am who I am from my head to my toes. 

I tend to get loud when speaking my mind. 

Even a little crazy some of the time. 

I'm not a size 5 and don't care to be. 

You can be you and I can be me. 

I try to stay strong when pain knocks me down. 

And the times that I cry is when no one's around. 

To error is human or so that's what they say. 

Well tell me who's perfect any damn way.

Advent writing

Old-fashioned, Spiritual Christmas?

"What has happened to the old-fashioned, spiritual Christmas?

The cause is our disregard of Advent.

The church set aside this four-week pre-Christmas season as a time of spiritual preparation for Christ’s coming.

It is a time of quiet anticipation.

 If Christ is going to come again into our hearts, there must be repentance.

Without repentance, our hearts will be so full of worldly things that there will be ‘no room in the inn’ for Christ to be born again.…We have the joy not of celebration.

Which is the joy of Christmas, but the joy of anticipation."

I'm one of these people, who if they don't write or tell people what I'm doing. The chances are that I not going to be determined to do. I am a people pleaser so if I tell someone I will do something and for some reason I don't do it. I feel ever so guilty. 

So here is me saying it to you.

At the risk of of sounding like a preacher. Which I hope I don't. I decided to write a bit of advent writing. Though I am not too go to deep in thought and really explore Christmas both religion and other Christmasy stuff. If that's not your cup of tea, then come back in 25 days. 


I also liked reading my church devotions that my Pastor does, if you wanted to read what he done last year, then check it out . Pete (Pastor) has also done one in 2012 so check that one out too. He always does a wonderful job and now I would like to do something a bit like that. However it is very different. I also wanted to explore the Christmas story. You know the Christian story? Then there is the Charles Dickens the Christmas Carol the Scrooge. Then there is the Grinch that stole Christmas. Oh I hear you all saying you missed something Rebekah! Yes, I have of course missed Father Christmas. Well you have to wait for this mystery to be resolved.

I never found anytime of my years on earth about thinking about Christmas it just happens then goes So I thought while I got no assignments or homework for now. I might else well have a go, it's only half a month so it cannot be to bad. Advent starts on Sunday, got a bit of time before than to start writing behind the scenes. Just watch this space!

What was the point of Writing Wednesday?

Oh I remember, it was thing for me to write in the evenings when I can't sleep at night during the holidays and because I had too much fun writing poetry I kept it going. Right! But I somehow never really write something because I can't sleep it was all random like the poem about life is roll coaster.

Well today, I decided to use a poem that I wrote in my poetry book about me not sleeping.

I can't sleep

I Can't sleep

I find myself yawning again and again,
But I can't sleep, which is a real pain.
I lie on my left side, then on my right,
But, for me, there is no sleep in sight. 

Next, I turn and lie flat on my back,
But, of any sleep, there is still a lack.
I lie there, looking up at the ceiling:
Pretty drained, is how I am feeling. 

I wish my system would just slow down,
But, through my mind, thoughts race round.
Feeling restless, I begin to huff and puff:
I know that, in the morning, I'll feel rough. 

As a poet, my mind is still really busy rhyming,
But, when I'm trying to sleep, isn't great timing.
To try and get some sleep, I really endeavour,
But the night seems to go on forever and ever. 

I am really willing my mind to take a rest,
But, night time is when my mind thinks best.
Over my sleeping patterns, I have no control:
On me, tomorrow, lack of sleep will take its toll. 

As I snuggle myself down, under the covers,
My body wants one thing; my mind, another.
When lying in bed, I just want some peace:
I want all of this rhyming, for once, to cease.

Now most of you are aware this week is very important Do you know why? Yes it's anti-bullying week. 

Now my school always make a great fuss but really never knew why. Does that sound like you, then read on!

Anti-Bullying Week is an annual UK event in the third week in November which aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people, in schools and elsewhere, and to highlight ways of preventing and responding to it. If you want to get involved than on Friday 20th November 

2015 wear blue campaign. 

With such an important week, there has to be a poem. So here is the poem, I made awhile back like when I was year 8. 

Should've, Could've, would've

I should've could've, would've;

Done something about that day,

If only I had known it ended this way.

I am not proud to tell you

How I stood there and watched;

He was big and scary

Was all I thought.

I couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't,

get involved at all.

I say to myself;

It's none of my business;

As I turn and walk down the hall.

I hear on the news;

'bout this kid who had died

It tells of his woe;

The day of his suicide

They talk about how he locked himself

inside of his room

All to have shot himself to forget all the pain.

Now as I walk through my school

I hear the laughter

But see the fear

In their eyes plainly after

And I know what their thought could easily be

They think to themselves "what if it was me"

I could've done something,

I could've told someone,

I would've, if I hadn't been so afraid.

Now I stand here promising

If I ever see,

This scary and sad sight again

I will change my should've, could've, would've

Into have, done, and did.

So throughout the day you see people getting bullied. Even I have been bullied. But nobody really does anything to stop it, just look at the news of how many people have committed suicide because of being bullied. I do not want any more dying because people cannot stop from being mean. My English teacher's favorite saying is "mean people suck" and that is true. So the next time you see somebody being bullied step in. Don't stay silent.

Armistice Day

Poppy, poppy what do you say?

Wear me on Remember Day.

Poppy, poppy what do you tell?

Many soldiers in battle fell.

Poppy, poppy what should we know?

That peace on earth should 

Grow, grow, grow!

Today is the Armistice day,  I hear y'all ask what is Armistice day, it's just mean Remembrance day! 

What is Rememebrance day then?

It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, back in 1918. A two minute silence is held at 11am to remember the people who have died in wars. There is also Remembrance Sunday every year, which falls on the second Sunday in November. The anniversary is used to remember all the people who have died in wars, not just World War One. This includes World War Two, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why do we hold the two mintues silence then?

The first two minute silence in Britain was held on 11 November 1919, when King George V asked the public to observe a silence at 11am. This was one year after the end of World War I. He made the request so "the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead".

American evening

Are you hungry? Well if you are then  you are in the right place. Lots of photos to admire and tasty recipes.

Friday 23rd October I was off from college and I had a whole day to do nothing. I know let's make dinner. You know when you are on holiday and you feel a bit homesick so you rustle up something that brings you to home, such as fish 'n' chips. You can't beat fish 'n' chips near the seaside? With annoying seagulls trying to have some of your dinner when you are not looking.

Oh I do like to be near the seaside.

I was feeling holiday sick. (is that even a thing) Who else has good food than America?

Feeling patriotic? If not, then you soon will be. There's nothing like a heaping, greasy, and preferably processed glob of Americana to remind you of your roots. From savoury staples to classic confections, America's got something delicious for everyone — well, everyone who isn’t on a diet. Then again, every diet has its cheat day, and there’s nothing in the rules about salivating over yummy looking pictures. Loosen your belt a few notches and take a tour through of the most quintessentially American treats.

When you think of American food? The first thing that pops in your head is chesseburger. This is about as American as it gets. The concept of the hamburger originated sometime in the late 19th century, according to the L.A. Times. As the dish began to increase in popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, cheese seemed like a natural next step. The origins are widely disputed — of course they are — because who wouldn’t want to be credited with the cheeseburger that started it all? Nowadays, Americans eat nearly 50 billion burgers a year, according to The Huffington Post. That figure translates to three burgers a week for every person in the United States!

Or may peanut and jelly sandwich.

I'm afraid I to say, that was not my main course nor the desert.

In-fact I had Smoky pork & Boston beans one-pot and a yummy pumpkin pie.

 

Recipe's time

Smokey pork and Boston beans. My feet managed to get in the photo!!

 

 
Transform this American baked bean stew into a filling no-fuss meal with pork loin steaks and shredded ham hock - it saves on the washing up, too.

 Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 500g pork lion steaks, cubed
• 2 X 400g can of hot spicy beans (I don't actually know the ones my Mom had in the cupboard but cannellini beans will do)
• 400g passata
• 1 tablespoon of dark soft brown sugar
• You can if you want put 500g ham hock (I didn't)
• Cornbread if you want or make by four slices of crusty white bread will do

Method

1. Put everything in the slow cooker for four hours on high.
2. And enjoy.

Cornbread

Yummy!!!!


 

 Ingredients

Vegetable or sunflower oil, for greasing

65g self raising flour

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon salt

220g fine ground polenta, or fine cornflour

2 tablespoons caster sugar

25g butter, melted

275ml milk

50ml plain full-fat yogurt

2 large eggs, beaten 

1 tablespoon dried chili flakes (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C Fan/ Gas Mark 7. Grease a 20Cm square baking tin, line with non-stick baking paper and set aside. 
2. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large bow, add the polenta or cornflour and the sugar, and stir together well.
3. Pour in the melted butter, milk and yogurt, and stir in well.
4. Finally add the beaten eggs and stir to combine 
5. Pour the batter into the preheated tin and bake for 18-22 minutes until it is lightly golden and springy to the touch.
6. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes to firm up, and then remove, cut into slices and enjoy while still warm.
7. Enjoy the cornbread while it's still warm. If you have some left over the day after, you can put some lemon curd on it and it is very tasty. 

The best dessert ever



Pumpkin pie



Pumpkin pie is a traditional sweet dessert, often eaten during the fall and early winter. In the United States and Canada, it is usually prepared for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it is also featured at Halloween. I served mine with ice cream and thick double cream, I couldn't decide what to have so I decided to have both.

 

Ingredients

*750g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks

* 350g sweet short crust pastry (you can always make your own)

* plain flour, for dusting

* 140g caster sugar

* ½ teaspoon salt

* ½ teaspoon fresh nutmeg, grated

* 1 tsp cinnamon

* 2 eggs, beaten

* 25g butter, melted

* 175ml milk

* 1 tablespoon icing sugar

 

Method

1. Place the pumpkin in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain pumpkin; let cool.
2. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 22cm loose-bottomed tart tin. Chill for 15 minutes. Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans, then bake for 15 minutes. Remove the beans and paper, and cook for a further 10 minutes until the base is pale golden and biscuity. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
3. Increase oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Push the cooled pumpkin through a sieve into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar, salt, nutmeg and half the cinnamon. Mix in the beaten eggs, melted butter and milk, then add to the pumpkin purée and stir to combine. Pour into the tart shell and cook for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Continue to bake for 35-40 minutes until the filling has just set.
4. Leave to cool, then remove the pie from the tin. Mix the remaining cinnamon with the icing sugar and dust over the pie. Serve chilled.

 



Fireworks!

Fireworks and life-

boy aren't they similar?

People spend a  ton of money on fireworks,

the week of the 4th.

But if you really think about it,

life is the same way.

In life,

we spend money to make ourselves excited to live,

we eat a ton of food-

because hello, we ARE English for Christ's sake.

But at the end of the night,

the fireworks blow up and die

until you set up the others.

And that's just like life...

That's where it is most similar

because you pump yourself full of food,

and medication, and water...

but in the end, you're just gonna die.

But

as we live our lives,

we are as beautiful and loud

as the fireworks above.

Because our lives are the most beautiful

thing to ever walk this very Earth.

Fireworks and life-

both beautiful AND destructive.

It's the time of the year where you try to get some sleep then just as soon as you put your head down on the pillow the fireworks go off. Well just me then.

It's the time of the year where you go to watch fireworks or even a host an evening when you set fireworks off at your house.
 
Last Saturday my friend and I went to see fireworks and we managed to help out. This poem was an inspiration from watching fireworks and life.
 
Here are some photos that I captured while watching fireworks all by using a phone.



What a sunset?
 

 

 

This will make your Friday! If not then it should do! Ready for my puns?  With the start of November and Bonfire week well more the end now, we are agree this is whizzing by!  Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?!* (you know the song fireworks?!)