January - Self-portrait [Jeannette]

Hello.

My name is Jeannette. Jeannette Marie Beerbower, specifically.

This is a good description of me. Jeannette means "God is gracious," Marie means "bitter" (which is appropriate, but how is a story for another time-basically a sweet aroma of sacrifice, describing my desire to live for Christ), and I am a Beerbower, and love being one.

I am a reader (like I said, I'm a Beerbower) and a bibliofile (if you don't know that word, look it up-I'm a logophile too),

and I am a writer.

I am kind of old-fashioned in thought and less than modern in dress. (I love that line.)

My hair is curly,

and I have freckles marching over the bridge of my cute nose, as my older sister would say. I would debate that. (That it is cute, not that I have freckles. I know I do, and I do not mind my freckles.)

I always look over the top of my glasses. Maybe that's why I look like a teacher or an old maid. Plus rocking in an old chair with a soft blanket around me sounds appealing, though I'd rather be rocking a baby or reading than knitting. I prefer crocheting anyway.

I am a sister and I have a lot of siblings. I love it. I considered adding a picture of some of my siblings and my two siblings-to-be because I love it so much, but I already have so many pictures Rebekah will probably yell at me...

I enjoy doing the dishes because I can think and I can sing, two things I do constantly.

I would have posted a picture of me singing, but I don't like pictures of myself. Generally. Yes, even though I agreed to do a self-portrait post, and this isn't the first time I've taken self-portraits. Sometimes, you're your most available and cooperative subject.

 And, in case you wondered, I like photography.

Nice to meet you.

Week 43 - Sleepy [Jeannette]

Week 42 - Happiness [Jeannette]

I think that's enough for this one.

Week 41 - Shadow [Jeannette]

I am not sure why this picture works for shadow, but I think it does. Maybe it's because it appears to be an "imperfect imitation" or reflection, or a vague representation, or a phantom. Or maybe it's more like a secret follower. Or, perhaps, a shelter or protection. As if you must get past him to reach the phantom behind.

Hey, I tried. Sometimes feelings cannot be quite explained. Do you think it works?

Week 40 - Tiny [Jeannette]

Week 34 - Distress [Jeannette]

I think these are distress-inducing pictures. Plus, getting eyeliner in your eye might be cause for distress.

Week 39 - Peaceful [Jeannette]

Week 37 - Technology [Jeannette]

Everyone enjoys and uses technology. Some more creatively than others.

Week 36 - Literary [Jeannette]

"So was I speaking and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighbouring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting, and oft repeating. ‘Take up and read; Take up and read.’ [’Tolle, lege! Tolle, lege!’] Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words: nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book, and read the first chapter I should find…

"Eagerly then I returned to the place where Alypius was sitting; for there had I laid the volume of the Apostle when I arose thence. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: ‘Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, in concupiscence.’ [Romans 13:14-15] No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of this sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away.”

And you, for a lack of love of the literary, probably skipped that awesome quote from Augustine's Confessions. Sadness. You missed its profundity regarding the power of the written Word.

Whether the Scriptures or some other tome, we should all "take and read" more often.

Week 35 - Sweet [Jeannette]

Concisely defined, sweet means delicately pleasing or dear.

If I were to define it myself, I would say adorable or touching. I love the word sweet, because it makes me think of babies and little girls and tender moments.

Week 33 - Comfort [Jeannette]

These are the sort of scenes that come to mind when I think of comfort.

These are the sorts of things that come to mind when I think of comfort: 

a good book,
my soft blanket,
a pencil (of course, delightful as mechanical pencils are, real pencils are much more comforting than a plastic one-and pencils themselves aren't comforting, but writing can be),
a soft cat (okay, not usually, but...),
a cup of cocoa (yeah, it's an empty mug, but I can imagine),
and my Bible.

"This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life." - Psalm 19:50

Week 32 - Rugged [Jeannette]

Rugged is another awesome word that is terribly underused. (Ironically, awesome is definitely not!) It has a variety of meanings, all referring to strength or sharpness. Having a rough surface, lacking culture, of the wild outdoors, with a weathered look.

Rugged.

Week 31 - Wind [Jeannette]

Who Has Seen the Wind?

By Christina Rossetti
 

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you:

But when the leaves hang trembling,

The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I:

But when the trees bow down their heads,

The wind is passing by.

Week 30 - Meditation [Jeannette]

Meditation: to engage in contemplation or reflection, to ponder.

Rain, I always find, is meditative. 

Week 29 - Celebration [Jeannette]

Bright colors and food,

ribbons and twine,

tablecloths and candy,

earrings and balloons,

confetti and flowers,

dresses and weddings.

These bespeak celebration.

Week 28 - Listen [Jeannette]

To listen is to focus.

It is to pay attention.

It is to make an effort to hear.

Of course, you always have that person who is paying attention--to something else; who is listening--to someone on the phone; who hears--without understanding...

So, "let every man be swift to hear," but "be careful little ears what you hear," and "be not hearers only, but doers of the Word."

Week 27 - Busyness [Jeannette]

 Busyness

 Characterized by activity

Week 26 - Hidden [Jeannette]

Hidden.

I sometimes experience being a hidden photographer. This word makes me wish I could use some pictures I took as a hidden photographer during a proposal. But I have been a hidden photographer at other times.

Such as when I'm taking pictures of random people.



Being hidden is enjoyable, especially when you're reading. Of course, there are times that you should not hide, but there are times when it is sweet to be hidden.

"For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle 

He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock."

As the song says, 

"He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock

That shadows a dry, thirsty land;

He hideth my life in the depths of His love 

And covers me there with His hand."

'Tis sweet to be hidden away, hidden in the Word.