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Word of the Week – Boycott

by Roseanna White | May 6, 2019 | Word of the Week

No, I’m not advocating one of anything. 😉 I just read the history of the word in my son’s vocab book and thought I’d share.

Do you already know the history of this one? I think I’ve probably heard it before, and I had a vague recollection that it was a name, but the facts certainly hadn’t stuck in my brain.

So, in the 1880s, Captain Charles Boycott was in charge the of the Irish estates of the Earl of Erne. I’m sure everyone remembers that this was not exactly an affluent time for the Irish. With potato famines and some absolutely awful laws that forbade the import of cheap foods to the island, people were quite literally starving to death. Well, Boycott refused to lower the rents for people on the estates, and he would evict anyone who couldn’t pay.

The people of County Mayo had had enough. They banded together and agreed that no one would have any dealings with this man until he relented. They wouldn’t work in his house. Shopkeepers refused to sell him anything. Basically, anything that required a local was refused to him and his household.

I daresay many of us have a longing–secret or not-so–to be a household name. Well, Boycott soon was…though probably not like he’d ever wanted. Very soon after this, boycott came to mean joining together to refuse to have dealings with someone or something. And it didn’t stop with entering the English language as such, either–the word has also been adopted by French, German, Dutch, and Russian.

Thoughtful About . . . The Wind

by Roseanna White | May 2, 2019 | Thoughtful Thursdays

The sunrise down my driveway

We live in the mountains. Specifically, the Appalachians in West Virginia. Our home is nestled up against the side of one of these mountains, in a little bit of a valley. It’s wooded–the sort of area where it’s more remarkable to see open fields along this road than trees.

Ever since moving out here eight years ago, I’ve noticed the wind. Windy days (and nights) are nothing new. But only here have I ever had this particular experience–one I noticed again just last week.

When I’m outside on a windy day, I become keenly aware of the nature of those really big wind gusts. Because I can hear them coming. I’m talking 30 seconds before it arrives, I can hear this mighty whoosh from the north. I can hear those mighty blasts of air traveling over the mountains, down the valleys. Shaking the trees, stirring the leaves.

A force of nature. Giving me warning.

This isn’t something I can hear from inside–safe in the comfort of my kitchen, I never know the gust are coming until I see them hit–see the limbs of the trees bending, the garden ornaments toppling, the tarps go flying.

But outside. When I’m there in it, I have time to react. Generally, there isn’t much I choose to do, other than turn my face to the north and wait for it to hit, so I can marvel at the power of it. But sometimes I’ll run to secure the laundry or to put down the sun umbrella, or I’ll just zip up my sweatshirt.

Wind is one of those invisible forces often used as an example of spiritual things, isn’t it? Something we can’t see but still experience–like God. And the Spirit is likened to a rushing wind, right?

But as I pondered this anticipation of wind, I realized something else about our Father. Something pretty amazing.

He doesn’t move without warning.

There’s a verse in the Old Testament about God never acting without first telling one of His prophets. But even the New Testament church, even today, I think the same thing is often the case. When God moves, it’s with preparation. He stirs His people first. He prepares them for what’s coming. He moves hearts and minds so that they’re ready.

Ready for when the gusts of His Spirit come. Ready for when mountains shake. Ready for when anything not tethered down goes flying.

But we don’t always hear His warnings, do we? When we’re safe inside our comfort zones, perhaps, we don’t even listen for them. We’re content to just sit there, right where we are, and watch Him move out there.

Lord, I don’t want to be sitting here inside my bubble when You move. I don’t want to be “safe” from the power of Your Spirit. I don’t want to just watch You stir others.

I want to be out there. In it. Turning my face to the north and waiting.

Waiting to experience Your power.

Word of the Week – Opportunity

by Roseanna White | Apr 29, 2019 | Word of the Week

This is one I’ve never thought to look up the meaning of before! But it appeared in my son’s vocabulary book, so I’ll happily soak up the knowledge. 😉

Opportunity comes to us via French, directly from Latin. It means, in all those languages “fitness, convenience, suitableness, favorable time.” But what I didn’t realize was that it’s actually a combination of three Latin words: ob portum veniens. Literally, “coming toward a port.”

According to the vocab book, sailors identified “coming toward a port” as when they’d have the chance/time/be able to do the things they couldn’t do at sea. It may also have to do with the fact that they had to await the tides and weather to be able to come into port, so that “favorable” circumstance was kind of built into it already.

Who knew it was so nautical?

What We’ve Been Reading – April 2019

by Roseanna White | Apr 26, 2019 | What We're Reading

My fantabulous assistant, Rachel, and I have decided to introduce a new monthly post! Pretty simple in concept, and something we’ve certainly done before…just not regularly.

So the last Friday of each month, we’ll be talking about…

And as there’s no time like the present to begin, let’s get sharing!

We’d love to hear what YOU’VE been reading this month too!!!

Roseanna’s Reads

Audio

This month I’ve been listening to A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War by Joseph Loconte

This is a really great non-fiction book that I’d seen recommended, and I knew it would give me an interesting perspective on the years surrounding the Great War. Which it has! Though C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien have been written about plenty, and World War I has as well, this book takes a unique perspective on the topics, talking about how the war instilled in these great writers an appreciation for nobility and the heroic quest of old, and also the need for faith–something most of their generation deemed impossible after the horrors of war. A very interesting historical perspective on two of the 20th century’s greatest writers, and one that inspired me to go on a Lewis and Tolkien kick! ?

Which led me to…

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

I can’t believe I’ve never read this before! I’d actually bought the paperback about two years ago…and then gave it to my dad for his birthday, LOL, so I still hadn’t read it. But while listening to Loconte’s book, I really wanted to, so it was a happy coincidence when the book I’d put on hold at the Library was finally available for me. =)

My commentary on this one: C. S. Lewis was brilliant. His insights are nothing short of spectacular. And now I really need another print copy so that I can read it with a highlighter. (I never mark up my books, but this one will be bought for that express purpose because I NEED NOTES.)

For My Bookclub

This month’s book club pick is A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

I’ve long been a Laura Frantz fan–and for good reason. =) Her books are always amazing, and this one certainly lived up to my expectations! Set in Scotland and Virginia, with glimpses of Jamaica too, this is the story of one Highland lass who goes from serving in the stillroom (think herbs, bees, and medicinals) at the castle of her childhood friend to banished across the sea as an indentured servant when she’s accused of a crime she didn’t commit. A gorgeous story of faith, love, and what home really means. GO READ IT!!!

For Fun

Ever since I finished Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse in January, I have been SO eager for the second book, Flight of the Raven, and it JUST ARRIVED ON MONDAY!!!!!! I’m a wee bit excited. ?

I’ve only just cracked the cover and read the first two chapters as of when I’m writing this, but the first book in the series is one that has stuck with me waaaaaay after I finished it. I usually only have a very limited amount of time to read strictly for fun, and every time it’s come upon me in recent months and I pause to think, “What was it I wanted to read?” the answer is always “Mark of the Raven!” But of course, I’d finished it, LOL.

This is a fantasy series with a gorgeous allegory to our world of faith and the struggle between God and the enemy played out in the hearts and minds of men. I don’t read much fantasy, but these are awesome. I highly recommend them!!!

For Endorsement

I had the privilege of reading an early copy of Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson recently.

This one doesn’t release until September, but go pre-order now!!! It’s a fabulous story. In Melanie’s split-time style, it shares the story of two families in WW2 Amsterdam, much of it pieced together by the contemporary characters. We get glimpses of the Resistance, the hardships, the incredible lengths people went to in that terrible time to save their children, and the price far too many of them paid. But as long as people fought, there was hope. Stunning story. Seriously, go reserve your copy. ?

With the Kids

I read a ton of books with my kids during the school year, but to highlight just one right now…
Holes by Louis Sachar

This is a really fun middle grade read about a boy sent to a camp to dig holes as rehabilitation when he was found guilty of stealing a pair of shoes–a crime he didn’t commit. And there’s no one to blame for his troubles other than his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather, of course. Who brought a curse down on the family when he forgot to uphold his end of a bargain with a fortune teller. This Newbery Medal winning book well deserves its acclaim! It’s fun, but it also teaches the value of treating others as equals no matter race or background, keeping your word, and working hard. My kids highly enjoyed it, and so did I!

We watched the movie, too, which stuck really well to the book and was great fun.

That’s it for me this month! Now here’s Rachel. ?

Rachel’s Reads

Hi folks! I am super excited to share my current reads with you. You may know me as Bookworm Mama as well as being Roseanna’s Assistant! I LOVE books and sharing my love of books with others! Check out my current reads.