unsanitized sanctuary

{via pinterest}

i'm a watcher.

when i go places, i find a corner in which to tuck myself and i start to gaze. not awkward staring, but secret studying from under long, dark lashes. it's an art, studying the world, perhaps the most education of behaviors.

:: because you learn about yourself when you look at the mirror of another's eyes.

this is why community is so important, perhaps more important than this thing of too many words, too much sentiment that trails off and runs into trivialities when we stop paying true attention. i think this is why this concept of {wild}erness appeals to me in such a soul-thudding way. it's more than just a metaphorical landscape. it's a place where the soul wanders and wrestles and clings tight.

it's amazing how many of us are holding hands, taking step after step through the wilderness together, one made of pines and one made of sand and another made of barren stone. but we're all there together.

if you have a deep scar, that is a door.

if you have an old, old story, that is a door.  

if you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door.

:: Clarissa Pinkola Estés

we've crafted a place together, a worn and rugged sanctuary with water for washing and shelter from our individual storms. our mermaid cave with bit of preciousness, our hunting shack in the midst of the mountains. and there in the middle is a burning fire and blankets knitted to fit each of our souls, a perfect match of blue and green and white and cranberry red.

it's comforting when the world is trying to twist and turn and wipe every germ of "unclean, unclean" from the surface of faith.

why is the world obsessed with taming faith? even in the ruggedness of the mountain wilderness, somehow we always seem to pack hand sanitizer to spray all over everything, including the body of the Most High. 

{via pinterest}

we wouldn't want to get blood on the sofa. 

but He was the One that bent with a towel around His waist to wash our feet with a soft murmur of follow Me. 

there's a painted wooden sign that sits on the wooded island across the river from my sacred hideaway. i can't ever see what it says, but i like to imagine :: warning, wildness beyond this point. and outside this special sanctuary, i see a sign just like that one. 

caution :: wildness ahead

it seems to fit. He's not a tame Lion, and i want to be like Him.

so i'm curled around the fire with sisters all around in our church in the wild, a sanctuary together. and the Lion is singing a wild song to the stars.

time's anticipation {sixth giveaway}

{item no. 1}

time is a clever thing. 

as this Christmas season slowly begins to creep upon us, the ticking of the clock heralds the anticipation. we are children, you and i both, to feel the shiver of delight as we see the illuminated trees and delicately wrapped presents.

and we are seekers, you and i, as we step from shadow to the glow of stable's lantern light. we kneel there with virgin mother and tender protector, the caress of a Father's eye upon His son's infant form. this humbling of King of life to wailing new life in the arms of this chosen woman.

this month, i am honoured to lay two very special items before you, given from the hearts of willing friends and generous sponsors.

i cannot fully speak out my gratitude to Shabby Apple and vintagerelics {Jen} for their gracious gifts this Christmas season, both to me and to you.

item no. 1: The White Rabbit's Timekeeper pocket watch necklace from Shabby Apple

item no. 2: white pearl earrings in sterling silver from vintagerelics

{here is how to enter to win one of these beautiful items. please leave each entry as a SEPARATE comment, and please leave your blog address or email address in at least one of the comments.}

(IMPORTANT NOTE: while i dearly love each one of my international readers, this giveaway is only open to the United States at the shipper's request.)

Entry No. 1 (mandatory): what is your favourite aspect of this time of year and why?  (+1)

Entry No. 2 (mandatory): follow this blog and put the new and improved button on your sidebar. (+1)

{item no. 2}

Entry No. 3 (mandatory): become a fan of Shabby Apple on Facebook. if you do not have Facebook, you can follow their blog and/or twitter. {+3, one entry per and one comment per, please}

Entry No. 4: blog/tweet/Facebook about the giveaway, and leave a link to your post/tweet/blog post in the comment. (+3, one entry per and one comment per, please)

Entry No. 5: visit Jen and comment with your favourite item from the shop. (+1)

Entry No. 6: purchase an item from Shabby Apple {+10 entries per purchase, MUST be verified}

Entry No. 7: purchase an item from vintagerelics {+10 entries per purchase, MUST be verified}

this time of year is one of my favourites. a time for renewal and restoration, the preparation for the coming of this newborn Messiah, and the precious completion of prophecies long foretold.

oh, come

oh, come

Emmanuel. 

this giveaway ends on January 3rd, 2012 at midnight. 

winners will be chosen via random.org and announced within the next day or two. 

winners have 48 hours to claim their prizes or new winners will be chosen