My Angel Fair

'My Angel Fair'  by:Chandra Brown

My Angel Fair

Alexandra, angel fair

my little girl with golden hair

not long ago you were a babe

cuddled tightly in my arms.

You are a precious gift from God above.

Each year your date of birth doth bring

a merriment of remembrance

when friends, family and visitors

heralded your earthly entrance.

Alexandra, angel fair

my beauty with a felicific flare

through hazel eyes and soft brow

you personify good nature's grace.

You are a precious gift from God above

and with each passing year,

my love for you compounds

at the amazing growth I see in you.

Love Mom

Happy Birthday!

My Favorite Rag

'Defensible Space' by: Katy Widger Fine Art
Fiber Art 

Bright, white fibers tight and soft
folded up in the drawer.
I brought you home for usefulness
duties of plenty to perform.

Hard work won't stain your durability
Tough strands are your make up.
Project lists, weekend chores,
spills, spots, dirty floors
they won't change your consistency.

Days, months years, time
dull, grey fibers loose and threadbare
folded up in the drawer.
I take you out and look at you
sorrow seeps into my pores.

My favorite rag; all used up.
Holey, unraveled, barren strands,
what good are you for?
Somehow I can't discard you
so I put you back in the drawer.

Moments pass through hazy thoughts
questions linger near.
How can I salvage something disheveled and worn?
My favorite rag has become useless,
limp, there's nothing left to its' form.

A silver strand of weavers thread,
sapphire flecks of dust,
orange, green, red pigments
It just needs an artists' touch.

Tenderly holding threadbare cloth,
fingers gently stroke the fibers.
The Artist begins His work
minutes turn to hours.
Mending, molding, taking shape,
through expressive form.

Bold, colorful fibers beautiful to behold
no longer folded in the drawer.
My favorite rag: refined and new
no longer used for chores.
Resting in its' rightful place, in the open
for others to adore.

My favorite rag; a work of art
hanging on my wall.
Transformed from listless certainty
to glorious rekindled curiosity.
Redeemed by The Artists' touch.


By: Chandra Brown

A beautiful song for all God's children. When we meet with God this is what He does with our lives. Makes us into something beautiful!

Favorite Farm Animals Give Their Two Cents

Welcome, ask the 'Mystic Goat' a question and then click on the video for his answer.

Here's an example question:

Is being a Mystic Goat pagan?

*click the video for the answer*

Ok, we know it isn't a goat, but the 'Mystic Lamb' just doesn't sound right.
The dog photobombing this video just doesn't get it!

This cat's response to learning Obama was elected a second term mirrored ours.

And this sheep's reaction matches perfectly with ours regarding the daily news reel especially the political columns!

This goat sums it up nicely when trying to decipher modern journalism….

Ha ha ha ha!

Concocted from the minds of Alex and Chandra Brown…
This is what you get from too much vacation time!

Mary's Trust in God

I just can't seem to shake this habit of writing about Mary the mother of Jesus during the Christmas season. It is our tradition to read Luke Chapter 1 and 2 on Christmas Eve to remember the facts of the miraculous fulfillment of prophecy about our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

This year I found some old thoughts about Mary in my journal from 1994. It is regarding her thoughts about Jesus. I find it very interesting she was able to witness the life of Jesus lived out from day one.  Her life must have been very rich having the Son of God in the flesh grace her household.

Think about the miraculous events surrounding the house of Joseph and Mary. They knew the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus were fulfilled through them. God using their life for His purpose; they were blessed. (Remember, the word blessed means God's involvement in your life and you recognizing it.)

Nativity Scene: Georgetown, TX
Photo By: Chandra Brown

Here is a short list of prophecies fulfilled in the household of Joseph:

1. The messiah would be born of a virgin: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18
2. The messiah would be born in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2, Luke 2:4 (Prophecy written approximately 6 centuries before Christ was born)
3. The Messiah would possess a dual nature (hypostatic union); Isaiah 9:6, John 1:49,11:27
4. The Messiah's birthplace would suffer a blood purge: Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew 2:17,18
5. The Messiah would be carried to Egypt as an infant: Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15

It says in Luke 2:19, Mary quietly treasured those things in her heart and often thought about them. This was at the time of Jesus' birth. In Luke 2:51, again it says Mary stored away the things she witnessed concerning Jesus in her heart. This time He was a bit older and she was amazed at His obedience and the things He was saying in the Temple after he was found in Nazareth after three days of searching for their 'missing' son. 

As a mother it must have been difficult to grapple with the future fulfillment of prophecy as it became known to her. Simeon, an elderly follower of God who knew he would not die until he saw the Savior, held Jesus as a baby in his arms and prophesied to Mary and Joseph the turmoil that lay ahead. Luke 2:34- "A sword shall pierce your soul, for this child shall be rejected by many in Israel, and to this their undoing." 

Thoughts As We Read Luke

To think of the ultimate joy and the deepest sorrow felt by Mary as she let God use her life towards His purpose; from the tumultuous scandal of a virgin birth with the accusations that come with it, the torment of heart and shaky trust in the relationship with her betrothed. 

THEN GOD slips in a little comfort when she visits her pregnant family member, Elizabeth and they rejoice in the knowledge of the truth they are living in.

God understands the dilemma of such a situation in the fallen, human world and sends angelic beings ministering to Joseph to strengthen Him in making the correct decision towards Mary.

Oh the struggle in traveling away from close family and birthing your first baby in an unfamiliar setting.

THEN GOD slips in a little comfort in the form of recognition and celebration by sending shepherds, wise men bringing gifts, and angels praising the wonderful occurrence; the invitation was the Bright Star. 

Mary and Joseph were figuring out this new baby/toddler thing when King Herod becomes jealous and stirs up an evil plot to secure his power by killing all children under the age of two as a legal decree throughout the land. God understands the dilemma and sends Joseph a warning dream and Mary and Joseph are now, parents with a toddler traveling to a distant, far-off land with barely anything in their packs and with no job secured when they get to their new home. Oh the stresses of marriage and parenthood! 

Fast forward a few years and Mary and Joseph are living in Nazareth, with more children. They decide to go to Jerusalem and they lose Jesus for three days, oh the anxiety and worry. They must have felt like awful parents. BUT GOD slips in and had Jesus at the Temple safe and doing what he wanted Him to do.

The story goes on, I urge you to read the full account of Jesus' life, I hope what He is and what He has done for you jumps off the page and grabs your soul and you'll ponder the things He has done and promises to do in your heart as Mary did.

For Speculation Sake:

I wonder if Mary ever thought something like this…..

I gave birth to God the one who created me and gave me life.

I feed the one who provides for me.

I give the one who cleanses me a bath.

VIDEO:
I Love your heart Mr. McGee!!!

Leaf, Leaves, Leaving

Leaf, Leaves, Leaving

Leaves By: Chandra Brown

A solitary leaf,
All alone
Meets some leaves one day.

The solitary leaf has found some friends
so now she is a 'leaves' too.

Suddenly her friends are swept away
and again
she is a solitary leaf

All alone.

1994-Chandra Debee
2014-Chandra Brown

Leaf by: Chandra Brown

Christmas Dinner

Have you noticed as the years pass by your focus on the Christmas holiday tends to shift towards, "What's going to be served on the table," versus "What's under the Christmas tree?" Visions of prime rib, roast turkey, hand mashed potatoes, stuffing, home made rolls, wine and pies dance in my head as I remember Christmas past. What delicacies do you cherish from your Holiday food traditions?

Anyone remember sneaking the black olives off the  relish tray and putting one on each finger just for fun? Oh ya, I was that kid!

Norman Rockwell: Family Dinner

Christmas Dinner

Oh, the anticipation Christmas dinner brings
The smells, the aromas and delicacies.

Mom's and Dad's slave all day
measuring, concocting and basting away.

Children ask, "Is it time?"
"Let's get this thing on," they whine.

Soon the dinner call sounds
and the family gathers all around.

Find your place card near the plate
so you can sit down to masticate.

Men are ogling all the glories set before them:
Stuffing, potatoes, the big fat hen
vegetables, gravy and homemade pie
"Let's dig in," they all cry.

Women sit straight and tall with a proud face
at the picturesque scene and the feast
about to take place.

Now children are of a different mindset

I'll let you in on how they think…

"LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH

AND GET THE DISHES IN THE SINK!"

It's not that they don't like the food
or intend to be rude
They've just got different priorities, you see
and they are underneath the Christmas tree.

They wish their mom's would cut them some slack
and make Christmas dinner an evening snack.
Mom's test their patience to the highest degree
and won't excuse them from the table, no siree!

Not until it is socially appropriate and
the adults have had their fill
will Mom let them free.

AND STILL…

The kids will have to wait for the
dishes to be cleared, washed and put away
before they can open their gifts and play.

"Why," the children wonder,
"Do parents participate in this traditional ritual?"
"Every year, every Christmas it's habitual."

"It must be a rite of passage to make us wait,
when I'm older with kids of my own I'll make things straight."

It's funny how it seems like yesterday
I was the kid thinking the same way
and today I repeat the ritual,
my daughter's rite of passage to pay.

My Dog's Life In A Nutshell

Little Boingey Barky
Photo By: Chandra Brown

Little Boingey Barky

Queen of the hood

Sporting off an attitude

and thinks that it is good

Little Boingey Barky

walking down the street

you can hear her clickey toes

as she moves her feet

Little Boingey Barky

patrolling the fence

yammering at the people

trespassing is an offense

Little Boingey Barky

gets called inside

let's go in the car

on a long ride

Little Boingey Barky

trotting down the trail

sniffing out critters

makes her wag her tail

Little Boingey Barky

hears, "Daddy's home!"

she comes a running

and drops her bone

Little Boingey Barky

begs at your side

please let some food drop

my mouth is open wide

Little Boingey Barky

tucked in the bed

sleeping and snoring

on the pillow by your head

And tomorrow she'll do it all again!

BY: Alexandra Brown
Chandra Brown

Snuggling!
Photo by: Chandra Brown

Posing in Nana's Yard
Photo by: Chandra Brown