Lanier and I are finally taking time from barn chores and tea parties to say hello! The past week has been truly delightful. Instead of attempting to describe how cathartic their menagerie of babies has been for me, I decided to share pictures. Every day plenty of time is spent cuddling with three painfully adorable kittens, playing with the dogs and cats, trying to charm the Gulf Coast lambs, and being charmed by the Nubian goats. And of course we are constantly talking–about writing, C.S. Lewis, books, poetry, and all things literary. Talking about God, life, relationships, and everything under the sun. On day eight of my visit we have yet to run out of things to discuss and I doubt we ever will.
For me, these idyllic days in the beautiful South have served as a special gift of grace. I’ve felt God’s loving touch on my heart as I have enjoyed His creation and fellowshipped with His people.
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.
Captions: Top left – Lanier with an armful of kittens. Their names are Aloysius, Balliol, and Giles. Can anyone guess what or who they are named after? Top right - Natalie holding Hermia, one of the six lambs. Bottom center – Lanier had the idea to wear gardenias in our hair to church on Sunday! One person thought we were sisters.
For me, these idyllic days in the beautiful South have served as a special gift of grace. I’ve felt God’s loving touch on my heart as I have enjoyed His creation and fellowshipped with His people.
I will write and share more when I return home, if we do not get around to it before then. For now, I will leave you with a passage I read this morning in Isaiah 46:
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.
Captions: Top left – Lanier with an armful of kittens. Their names are Aloysius, Balliol, and Giles. Can anyone guess what or who they are named after? Top right - Natalie holding Hermia, one of the six lambs. Bottom center – Lanier had the idea to wear gardenias in our hair to church on Sunday! One person thought we were sisters.
All pictures by our resident photographer Philip Ivester.
How fun! Thanks for sharing about your fun visit!
Your hair-dos are so pretty! I used to wear flowers in my hair all the time when I was little. I may have to try doing an “up-do” and sticking flowers in it like you two did – it’s lovely!
It’s neat that people thought you were sisters. I think it comes from being such close friends and soul mates. My friend Miriam and I are always being mistaken for sisters, and when Jen went to dance camp with me, so many thought we must be sisters. Close friendships are such a blessing!
So, so happy you could be there, dearie. *hugs*
I loved the gardenias-in-hair look. Especially so because I wore daisies in my hair on a whim on Sunday morning, too!
How fun! I loved the pictures. Fellow Christians are such a blessing. Glad you are having a wonderful visit!
So fun to hear a little something from you ladies.
I love the kittens. ::happy sigh:: Enjoy the rest of your visit!
What beautiful pictures! I love animals and have two cats of my own but, sadly, had to put my dog down this last Saturday. If I am feeling out of sorts, I can spend time in the company of animals and my mind is quieted.
As to the challenge of the names, I believe Aloysius, Balliol and Giles have something to do with Oxford, but I’m not sure exactly. Hermia is a character from Shakespear’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Thank you for the glimpse into your week together. Looking forward to hearing more.
Now I must go back to my cup of Darjeeling tea!
Julie C. – the yankee from Maine.
What wonderful blessings God has given us..whether it be in the form or a friend or in the small creation of a kitten!
Wish I was there…
So very loverly…
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! Perhaps Lanier should count her kitten when you come home… I would be tempted to smuggle one into my luggage!
What a delightful post, Natalie! Thank you so much for sharing about your special visit with us. I love the pictures! There are few cuter signs of spring than baby animals on a farm.
I too was going to guess Oxford for the kittens’ names, but I wasn’t brave enough until someone else tried first! I don’t know about Aloysius, but I know Balliol is the name of one of Oxford’s colleges, and St. Giles is one of the churches there.
Blessings,
Kiersti
Aww … lovely! Natalie, I’m so happy for you, that you and Lanier are having such a lovely time together! *Hug!*
Balliol was a Scottish noble vying for the crown, and Giles was a Scottish saint–handicapped in some way, I think?
I love your hairstyles! I’ve been letting my hair grow out and would love to know how to do that with mine. Does anyone have any book or website suggestions that would teach me how?
The last picture is so lovely!
Aloysius is the teddy bear in Brideshead Revisited! That name is unusual enough I’m not sure what else it could be.
Looks like a lovely visit — wish I could partake!
Your hairstyles are gorgeous.
Alright, girls–we’ve got some A-pluses on the name-guessing.
Natalie says that he’s going to have to grow into that one…
Balliol is named for Lord Peter Wimsey’s college at Oxford.
Giles is named for St. Giles, one of the main drags through the city.
And Aloysius is named for the same church that Sebastian’s bear was named for, Laura.
Well done!
Look at the cute kitties!!
I just love the photo of you two with your hair done!