Sing me to Heaven

Banquets and Beginnings

Look! I'm finally posting!

A few weeks ago my church held our third annual Father/Daughter Banquet! Almost every family in our church has daughters! It sounds like it would have been pretty crowded, but due to the small size of our church, that really was not the case. It was a very enjoyable evening, complete with a candle-lit dinner, and a hilarious tie-tying contest! It wouldn't seem like those would go together, but they did, wonderfully! I'll just share a couple of pictures with you all.

From the left, these are my sisters Anna and Emily. And that's me, looking off into the distance...

Here are some of us girls singing. Singing a song, no less! It's called Be an Example. It was a sort of a charge from the older girls to the younger girls, to encourage them to be examples to those younger than they. I love singing in groups, so it was great to be able to do this. We'll have to make it a tradition!

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Right, so here's the beginning of the story from my last post. I'm still working on it. Catchy beginnings are always a challenge for me. So, even though I'm trying to work out something passable, I'll let you read this. The title to this story is nonexistent, so far. I don't even know if I'll finish it, so I've not even thought of what to call it!

     Once there was a quaint little town in the valley of a far away land. It was a small community to our standards, but for the inhabitants it held every necessity for a full and happy life. In a vine-swathed cottage at the edge of the village there lived a young girl, of about 16 years, with her Mother and younger brother. Her father had gone away to fight in the Turbulent Wars, and no word of him had reached his family for 2 long years. The townsfolk had given him up for lost, but his daughter, Abigail, held on to her faith that he was alive and would return to them someday. Thus, she kept her mother's hope alive, and her brother's memory aflame with tales of his noble father, and Forrest, though young, determined to support his family, that his father might be proud of him on his returning.
     This plain brown cottage, with its latticed windows and clinging vines was all Abigail had ever known. She had walked the path to the town so many times that she was sure she could do it in her sleep. Assuredly, she loved the simple life which she now led, but at intervals, a strange longing came over her, and she would gaze over the blue, misty hills, and wonder what lay beyond. This feeling, which she had experienced form an early age, mystified her, for none of her family, or her friends, seemed to ever wish for anything more. Indeed, when she mentioned it to her childhood friend Lily, Lily had appeared confused and unsure of what to say. Abigail had quickly changed the subject, but since that day, she had lived with the knowledge that she was different from others. A subtle difference, perhaps, but she knew in her heart that she would never be absolutely content to settle down until she had found whatever she longed for.
      These were Abigail's thoughts as she meandered through a familiar glade, shady and green, with sunrays kissing the earth wherever the boughs of the trees parted and allowed it to fall. All was quiet and calm, resting in the afternoon sun. Suddenly she heard a noise, not a loud noise, but it contrasted strangely with the peace of that place. She whirled around, startled. There, struggling out of the bracken, was a small dog, with an uncommonly intelligent face. Upon seeing her it approached in a few delicate strides and fixed its eyes upon her. Abigail returned its gaze quizzically, wondering what it wanted with her. It obviously wanted something, for it rose from its sitting position and stepped backwards, all the while keeping its gaze fixed on her face.
      "It wants me to follow it." Suddenly the idea occured to Abigail. The dog whined softly, imploring her with its eyes. "How strange. But what have I to lose?" Her face brightened and she stepped towards the dog. Instantly it ran ahead a few more paces, then stopped to look at her. Side-stepping over a fallen rowan bough, she followed it, up a gently sloping hillside, into a forest of dark pines. She no longer recognized this part of the forest with its deep brown floor of pine needles and shaded hollows as belonging to her familiar neighborhood. She thought about returning, but could not quite bring herself to turn around. The tall trees around her were not familiar, but she found fascination in that very difference. She was not expected back until dinner. So she continued following her guide. It was acting rather strangely; not like the elderly, placid dogs she had grown accustumed to. It eagerly led her on, glancing behind at intervals, then gracefully striding ahead.
     "A spaniel it is. Or, no, a terrier. Or a collie." None of the breeds Abigail thought of seemed to fit. It was more purposeful, more graceful, more... everything. It led her with authority, yet with a kind of respect. It also set a very fast pace. Abigail's footfalls padded silently on the soft, carpeted floor of the forest.
"Everything is so quiet here." Even her thoughts seemed to disturb the silence.
     "Wait," she panted breathlessly, and was startled at the ring of her own voice in this soundless, green world. The dog stopped where it stood and turned to look back at her. "I, I can't follow you much farther. I have to be back for dinner soon." Abigail felt rather silly addressing an animal in that way, as if it could understand. Maybe it did. It looked at her as if it did. But it gave a slow, persistent whine, and stepped backwards a few paces.
     "Oh..." she hesitated. Where could it be taking her? She did need to be back soon, but maybe it wouldn't matter too much if she was a little late... "Only a little farther, then. Then I really have to go back," she relented. She followed, and was surprised to find that after a few short minutes had passed, the forest opened up, and the gray foothills rose up from where she stood to meet the mountains.
      Staring open-mouthed, she had no idea she had come so far. With the mountains looming forebodingly over her, her adventuresome spirit retreated, leaving her nervous and wondering how she could possibly get back in time. Already the sun was bathing the slopes in a delicious red-golden glow. Soon it would sink altogether, and she would be alone in the middle of that great, silent forest with no definite trail to follow to return home. The dog had stopped and sat by her feet as if waiting.
      Fighting to keep tears back, Abigail looked fearfully from the mountains to the forest, and then down at her guide. It returned her gaze reassuringly. Its large, velvet eyes comforted her. At the same time, she couldn't repress a feeling of betrayal. Why had it brought her to this forsaken place? There was nothing here to see.

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One more thing... I know, I could do several posts throughout the week to cover everything, but this is simpler, to take care of it all in one weekly post. Sorry!

I was awarded the Helpful award by Uruviel! She made this award herself- isn't it lovely! I'd like to pass it on to just one person: melarooski. I know you're probably too busy to do anything with this now, but I had to give it to you, my helpful friend. After all, you introduced me to HSB!

Well, now I have 3 posts in one, and I wish I could post this in more than one catagory! It needs to go in Goings on, Writing, and Tags and Awards!

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Apronista is hosting a lovely apron giveaway! Go see their beautiful products here.

Further up and further in!

~Grace

Copyright 2008 by GraceElizabeth

Untitled Comment

8:42 AM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Indeed, German is a beautiful language! Too bad I only know how to say thank you... ;-)

I think Treble Choir went well! Of course, Mrs. H. might say different! =^) How did Concert Choir go?

What fun! Tie-tying contest? Please explain, I've never heard of a tie-tying contest!

Another award? Grace, really, you're going to need two, no, four sidebars in order to contain all of your awards!

.:::Renee::::.
Romans 5:8

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3:31 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

That seems like a beautiful song! Maybe this year we can stay for the vocal concert. =^) We haven't been able to in the past... It would be our first year! How did y'all's practice go?

With the last day of choir comes the concert season, and with concert season comes business and not alot of time for school...

That sounds like fun! I probably couldn't tie my dad's tie, I can barely tie my shoes! JK! ;-)

Agreed! The one sidebar design is prettier! I tried making a template for myself with only one sidebar, and it didn't work out very well... ;-)

.:::Renee:::.
Romans 5:8

(a note for Emily...)

Thanks for signing my guest book! That's a lovely picture! It's of you getting baptized, right? I remember when I was baptized... March 23-- a.k.a. my birthday! That was a day to remember!

.:::Renee:::.
Romans 5:8

Edited by crochetcrazy on Apr. 23, 2008 at 3:34 PM

A Note for Anna...

3:44 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Thank you, Anna! I'm glad you like my blog (and gusetbook). Your sister does a fine job on her blog, don't you think? =^)

Have a lovely day...
.:::Renee::::.
Romans 5:8

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4:51 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Posted by pearlsandcoke

I really like the beginning of that story! Are you going to write any more?

Buttercup

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6:58 PM, Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Posted by BookLover

Grace can you come over and chat with Cherise and I at /poecticvoice??? PLEASE come!
Amy

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2:24 PM, Thursday, April 24, 2008
Posted by Jocelyndixon

Wow! That looks like a very fun time with daddy. They don't do anything like that around here. :( Ah well.... I'm glad you all enjoyed it!

Love
MJ

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2:42 PM, Thursday, April 24, 2008
Posted by Hriste

You write so wonderfully! I like how you discribed everything, and do hope that you will write more, 'cause it's really good!

I have another chapter up.
Namarie, Hristė

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8:33 PM, Thursday, April 24, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

I, too, love that hymn!

Aw, that's too bad. Hopefully y'all can find a time to practice when none of y'all will be late or have conflicts. But I'm sure y'all will do wonderfully!

Thank you! It seems like you're learning HTML just fine yourself, I'm sure once you get the hang of it, your templates will start to become even more intricate and fanciful! Don't worry, I'm just now getting the hang of HTML and I started in November!

I'm glad they enjoyed them!

.:::Renee:::.
Romans 5:8

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10:54 AM, Friday, April 25, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Indeed.. It is a pity... But I too like this template! I made it and submitted it to RecycledTemplates a while back, but when this problem started, I went over and copied the code. =^)

.:::Renee:::.
Romans 5:8

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4:43 PM, Friday, April 25, 2008
Posted by grelb32

Again, the beginnings to a story don't really matter, I don't think. An instant classic, the Book of the Dun Cow, has a really terrible, boring beginning. But the rest of the book is extremely wonderful. What instead you should worry about is the end. So many stories end disappointingly.

Again, God has gifted you with writing. Don't give up on that story, I really think you've got something there.

~Nick

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6:41 PM, Friday, April 25, 2008
Posted by BookLover

Do you want to go use Cherise's chatbox with me?

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8:42 PM, Saturday, April 26, 2008
Posted by crochetcrazy

Thanks! Just 2 more entries and you'll have ten, 20 more comments and you'll have 200! I'm just now working on 484... ;-) And I've been blogging since November 2007!

Of course! They are very handy! (and cool, not to mention!)

.:::Renee:::.
Romans 5:8

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10:32 AM, Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted by LittleSparow

Hello,
I've been enjoying your lovely blog! The story caught my interest- it's very good. I hope you add some more!
Would you mind if I added you to my friends list?
Blessings!
Kori

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11:33 AM, Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted by AuthorElf

This is my first death scene where the good guys die. I have written one other death scene (in Sarco) where the villan dies.
I don't like killing off characters, but sometimes I have to, just to make things more realistic. Still, I feel rather like a traitor when I do it. I mean, these characters are entirely submissive to my will as the author, and if anything happens to them, it's my fault. So when I let a good guy get killed by the bad guys, I feel like I have betrayed them, since I could have stopped it. *sigh* This is depressing.
~AuthorElf

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5:33 PM, Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted by Jocelyndixon

Hey there! Yes, that's fine about the Prayer Challenge... are you going to Mexico for vacation? You're welcome to put the prayer icon on your sidebar to show your support and link to the challenge! :)

Blessings!
MJ

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6:52 PM, Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted by Striker

Oh so that's how they got to the forest in the first place! It was a great first chapter.

~Striker

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9:47 PM, Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted by writer4him

Hello Grace!

Ah, you beat me to it--I meant to come over and leave you a comment! So here I am. I would love to be friends! Thanks for asking. Perhaps we can chat some time--how I love chat boxes... :-)

Haha, I don't mind people posting once a week...it's just that I normally squeeze in at least one more, and it's a bit odd to be posting so infrequently! Don't worry, if I become too impatient, I shall come pester you with comments ;-).

Talk to you soon!

~Beth

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10:16 PM, Monday, April 28, 2008
Posted by fiddlesticks

Hello Grace~

Nice beginnning to your story. Again, you write your descriptions so well that I can see everything in my mind! (And I do hope you can write more of the story! ;-)

It looks like you had a good time at the Father/daughter banquet. Our church did one once, then the next year, one family organized a Father/daughter ball. So you have two sisters? Are you the oldest?

And I do wish I could have heard your girls group sing!
I'm sure you did a lovely job!

~Hadley