Special thanks to my great Aunt Myra for posting this treasure on Facebook tonight. This was written my great great grandmother. Such a neat little insight in to the mind of someone I never got to meet...
THE NEW YEAR, by Ella Ramey, age 16, January 1, 1906, Mountain Rest, SC
The happy New Year is now here and we hope it will be a happy one! Of course we cannot foretell what it may bring forth. But we know this, if we would perform our duties as we should, we might be more successful in the future than we have been in the past. Each one of us young people should establish a new talent. And bear in mind that it should be permanent, not only lasting for one day, but for days to come.
Two of these talents should be kindness and courtesy. There isn’t anything better than kindness. We should form these habits immediately, without hesitation. I think this is advisable or I would not affirm it.
We know, or ought to know, that:
The best theology is a pure and beneficial life
The best philosophy, a contented mind
The best law, the golden rule
The best education, self-knowledge
The best statesmanship, self-government
The best medicine, cheerfulness and temperance
The best art, painting a smile upon the brow of childhood
The best science, extracting sunshine into a cloudy day
The best war, to war against one’s wickedness
The best journalism, printing only the true and the beautiful on memory’s tablet
The best telegraphing, flashing a ray of sunshine into a gloomy heart
The best biography, the life which writes charity in the largest letters
The best mathematics, that which doubles the most joys and divides the most sorrows
The best navigation, steering clear of the lacerating rock of personal contention
The best diplomacy, effecting a treaty of peace with one’s own conscience
The best engineering, building a bridge of faith over the river of death.
We should keep these unassuming innovations in our minds, not only for reference, but for definite use day after day. Our motto should be, “Do your best, your very best, and do it every day.”
Biding you farewell, I wish you a prosperous New Year, crowned with unlimited pleasure and success.
Very sincerely,
Ella Ramey
Friday, December 30, 2011
Day 4--Brokenness
Posted late because I fell asleep last night before I posted...
I have been pondering the theme of brokenness the past several days. Are we really broken over our sin? Are we broken when we grieve God? I was listening to a sermon the other day and the preacher said that one of the reasons we are never able to change is that instead of repenting we just try and do better and reform our actions. I believe that the Bible is very clear that repentance requires brokenness. The more I think about it I wonder how many of us have ever reached the point of complete and total brokenness. At salvation we recognize our sin and realize that it separates from us God, but do we ever truly see our sin as God does? I think that when we reach that point it will be ugly and painful and will break our hearts in a way we've never been broken before. But when we do reach that point, I think our love and appreciation for our Savior and our salvation will be so much greater.
I will probably write more about this later because it's something that is very much on my mind and my heart. But those are my current ramblings on the subject...
I have been pondering the theme of brokenness the past several days. Are we really broken over our sin? Are we broken when we grieve God? I was listening to a sermon the other day and the preacher said that one of the reasons we are never able to change is that instead of repenting we just try and do better and reform our actions. I believe that the Bible is very clear that repentance requires brokenness. The more I think about it I wonder how many of us have ever reached the point of complete and total brokenness. At salvation we recognize our sin and realize that it separates from us God, but do we ever truly see our sin as God does? I think that when we reach that point it will be ugly and painful and will break our hearts in a way we've never been broken before. But when we do reach that point, I think our love and appreciation for our Savior and our salvation will be so much greater.
I will probably write more about this later because it's something that is very much on my mind and my heart. But those are my current ramblings on the subject...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Day 3--Yellow Branch and Isaqueena Falls
We spent the day today hiking to Yellow Branch Falls and Isaqueena Falls. It was such a fun day as a family. (I have to note that Mom faced some of her biggest fears today--slippery surfaces and steep inclines. She was totally beast. ;)) We've decided to try and hike to all of the waterfalls within a few hours of us over the next year or so and today was our first excursion. We ended the day with dinner at my grandparents house and had a great time laughing with each other and hearing stories about what hoodlums my dad and grandpa were. ;) ;)
My hiking buddy today. Love her so much!
It's been so awesome having these past two days off and getting to spend time with my family. It's back to the grindstone tomorrow.
Yellow Branch Falls
Beautiful rainbow in the center of the falls
We took our shoes off to keep them from getting wet while we explored the falls...bad idea. This is us afterwards with our very cold feet.
This was written on the railing around the trail to Isaqueena Falls. Breanna found it amusing.
Isaqueena Falls
Stumphouse Tunnel (in which my fear of dark places was discovered once again...thankful my dad was there for my to cling desperately to :))
It's been so awesome having these past two days off and getting to spend time with my family. It's back to the grindstone tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Day 2--Movie Day
Since Dad has this whole week off and I have today and tomorrow off we decided to go spend a day at the movies today. (It was actually Breanna's idea, but we all agreed it would be fun.) So this afternoon we went and saw the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie and also War Horse. Both movies were really good and we had a fun time together as a family. Looking forward to part 2 of family time tomorrow. We're going to hike to some waterfalls! Can't wait.
"Smile, Dad!" Dad says this is what us girls have done to him.
Goodness, we three look so much alike.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Day 1--Beloved
A few months ago I heard the song "Beloved" by Tenth Avenue North and was really encouraged by the message of the song. Every human wants to be loved unconditionally and cherished and pretty much every human has been hurt and let down by another human who is incapable of loving so perfectly. I heard the song again tonight and once again my heart was touched and I was reminded once again how perfect and wonderful and awesome God's love is for me. Every time I hear this song I'm convicted by the lyrics that say, "You've been a mistress, my wife chasing lovers that won't satisfy." Scripture is very clear that God views the church (all believers) as His bride. But so many times I chase after things that I feel like will make me happy. Instead of being a good "bride" and being faithful to my God I focus my time and energy selfish things that will only bring temporary happiness. God commands us to "...love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV). Most of the time I am guilty of only loving God with my leftovers.
This song also brings to mind the story of Hosea. God commanded Hosea to go out any marry a prostitute and every time she cheated on him Hosea was to go find her and bring her back home. The story is meant to be a picture of God's love for the children of Israel. Israel doubted God and disobeyed Him at almost every turn, but even though they constantly rejected God He always brought them back to Himself. Even though this particular passage was written specifically for the Israelites it still applies to us today. The same God that loved the children of Israel and pursued them is the same God that still loves and pursues us today. That kind of unselfish love that is shown in the story of Hosea is nothing short of amazing. I am so thankful that I serve a God who loves me in the same way; a God that will pursue me and bring me back to Him no matter how many times I chase other "lovers".
This song also brings to mind the story of Hosea. God commanded Hosea to go out any marry a prostitute and every time she cheated on him Hosea was to go find her and bring her back home. The story is meant to be a picture of God's love for the children of Israel. Israel doubted God and disobeyed Him at almost every turn, but even though they constantly rejected God He always brought them back to Himself. Even though this particular passage was written specifically for the Israelites it still applies to us today. The same God that loved the children of Israel and pursued them is the same God that still loves and pursues us today. That kind of unselfish love that is shown in the story of Hosea is nothing short of amazing. I am so thankful that I serve a God who loves me in the same way; a God that will pursue me and bring me back to Him no matter how many times I chase other "lovers".
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