Deadline Extended!

Well, it looks like we will be having a repeat of last year, and the Maidens of Virtue Poetry Contest deadline will have to be extended! I will let you in on a little secret and tell you that I have had an amazingly low number of entries. I won't tell you how many, :-) but I will say that chances of winning are extremely good as of today.

If possible I do not want to have to cancel the contest... and it is that bad... so I beg of you, if you enjoy poetry, PLEASE consider entering! You have nothing to lose except 41¢ (unless you submit electronically, which is free!) and there are fantastic prizes...

The contest is now in effect until Tuesday, May 20th, 2008. And if you need to see the complete contest details, click here.

Don't Forget!

Just a reminder that the deadline for the Maidens of Virtue poetry contest is just one week away!

Get your entries in soon!

(Haven't heard about it yet? Click here to find out more!)

Send Someone a Letter

Do it today - send a letter or even a short note to someone you know. Letter writing is becoming a lost art in today's world of fast, free email. It's sad, because letters are such wonderful things, both for the sender and the recipient. Who doesn't like getting "real" mail - something other than catalogs and bills? Sure, it costs 41¢ (and counting...); but think about it. You're paying 41¢ for a relative miracle that will bring joy to someone else - I mean, really, isn't it amazing that you can simply write a person's name, and some more words that are represent where they live, and it will get there even if it's somewhere on the other side of the world (most of the time...)?



So, that said, write a letter to someone. It can be a simple note card or a volume that's bordering on breaking the world record. Just do it. When you mail it know that you are sending off a day-brightener - and it only cost you a little time and 41¢.



(End note: Rumor has it that letter writing can be a double blessing - if you send mail, you are more likely to receive it! Makes sense to me...)

Thought for the Day

"Some people complain that God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses on thorns."

- Anonymous

Home

By Miss Melanie K.

Home is where a traveler can find a place to stay,
Home is where the children gather at their play.
Home is where a mother works and oversees,
Home is where God's word brings gentleness and peace.
Home is where a baby coos in soft delight,
Home is where the husband comes back to every night.
Home is where the lawn shows special loving care,
Home is where flowers are sprinkled everywhere.
Home is where a new life begins and where it ends,
Home is where you gather in safety with your friends.
Home is where History is taught and where it's learned,
Home is where forgiveness abounds, where apologies are returned.
Home is where the daughter trains to be a wife,
Home is where the son prepares himself for life.
Home is where families begin and where they end,
Home is where Jesus is found the best of friends.

Poetry Contest!

Yes, it's been a year, and I am excited to announce the 2nd annual Maidens of Virtue Poetry Contest!

Like last year, there are two categories: ages 9 to 12, and 13 to 20. This year's topics are, respectively,

"Having Joy in Your Heart" and
"A Sister's Role in Her Sibling's Life"

You can find out more information by clicking here. This contest is open until April 30, 2008.

I look forward to receiving your entries!!

Friendship Quilt

For my last birthday, my sister gave me a friendship quilt, though it wasn't all put together yet. It's one of the best gifts I've ever been given - a quilt made up of squares that my friends embroidered for me! Tara (my sister) organized the whole thing, and my friends each handmade a square. It was very neat to open each one out and see how each reflected the personality of the giver! Anyway, I am writing this because yesterday my sister finished sewing it all together, and I thought I'd post a couple pictures of it.

Here she is basting in the batting (that's the back of the quilt)

The finished quilt (sorry the picture is a little dark)

And there was an unexpected benefit that came with this quilt as far as Tara is concerned - she's found that she's hooked on quilting! :-)