From Lynda’s Journal – My Christmas – New Year Letter –
Winter is the Slowing Down Time
Gentle wind-chimes celebrate
musical joys in the winter breeze.
Ice-glazed sidewalks, stiff winter grass
crunch and slide beneath my black boots.
Slippery hillsides covered with snow
draw my attention ahead to the tiny
sparrow flying low to the ground
from clumps of bare branches in the woods
to thick sheltering Hemlock Tree and Pampas Grass.
Inside our house, seven cats are watching from windows.
Dog curls up and sleeps beside me as I write this letter.
White lights illuminate our Christmas tree
announcing the birthday of Jesus, our Savior.
Prayerful thoughts brighten the warm room
where I pause to read and pray.
I consider God’s eternal timeline
and my awareness of His presence
throughout these gently cognizant days
Winter is the Slowing-Down Time.
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©Lynda McKinney Lambert, December 5, 2024.
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Set Apart Time for Capturing Snowflakes
Consider the miraculous events of Christmas.
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My favorite Bible verse is John 1:14
And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory,
the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
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This is a bittersweet year for me. On January 18, Bob went home to be with our Lord. He left after ten years of health issues from acute myeloid leukemia and dementia. He was surrounded by our loving arms and comforting hands. Bob and I gave our hearts to Jesus in October 1973.
We followed Jesus in water baptism as a testimony of his death and resurrection. This is our comfort, we know Bob is safely at home after his passing through the veil.
I still pause to watch out the window or listen for the door to open for him to come inside the house.
In June 1967, Bob and I moved into 104 River Road, where I remain to this day. We raised our five children here and adopted many cats and dogs over the years. Today, I go out on these winter days to fill the bird feeder that is beside the old Norway Maple tree that we planted decades ago as a small sapling from the woods. This old tree has watched over the years of activities between the house and the garage for six decades and several generations of family members.
From Spring through Fall, you may find me outside, working in the Shalom Garden.
As the weather permits, I might be in my River Road Studio painting. I am collaborating with another artist/writer in Michigan on a new book project which will occupy us for another year.
Wintertime will find me working on fiber art pieces in my studio on the second floor of the house. This is such a peaceful and sacred space where I spend the hours with a thin needles, fabrics, beads, and canvases.
I am so thankful for my life of making art, authoring books, and enjoying each season here on the edge of the woods, overlooking the Connoquenessing Creek. I love my life here in the Village of Wurtemburg.
My new book, Each Day Holds Some Small Joy: Poems, was published in April.
My sixth published book is a collection of 130 small nature-themed poems inspired by my garden, and landscapes.
Available NOW at all retail booksellers. Contact Lynda for personalized signed copies, or to send to someone as a gift.
The poems in this newest book were written between 1991 and 2024. The book also features color photography of plants and flowers in my garden. Photos are by our granddaughter, Angel Yaromey, and some by me, too.
Five of my books are available through Amazon.
I always think of my books as missionaries. They can travel to places where I will never be able to go, and they meet people I may never know in person.
And my books bring beauty and joy into the lives of those who read them. I appreciate every affirmation of my work.
One of my newest fiber art works, Red Snow Squall, appeared in InSights Art Exhibition in Louisville, KY in October. This work was sold at the opening reception. I love to share my art with others in this way. I have been making art and participating in exhibitions since 1976. It has been an extremely rewarding life following my mission to create beauty and share God’s love through art and writing.
Other positive moments are the anthologies and journals where my writings appeared this year. I thank God for the many blessings I receive every day. I love to read God’s Word and pray for others. I love to hear their reports of healing and blessings.
Our 5 children are all grown and have children of their own.
We gathered at Salome’s home for Thanksgiving, and any family member who wants to celebrate at my house will be here on Christmas Day, as always, We have opened our home for Christmas Day every year since 1967.
Bob and I have 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. All are welcome at any time of year, and especially over the holidays at 104 River Road, in the Village of Wurtemburg.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year –
I can Feel the love across the miles as I look at the lovely Christmas cards and letters that have arrived this year.
Lynda Lambert
Visit my blog at: www.lyndalambert.com
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Lynda’s Themes:
Creation – Nature
Landscape – Place
History & Passage of time
Pilgrimage