all images and stories are the property of Catherine Beerda-Basso and are not to be used without given permission...thank you

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Quivering Daughters, by Hillary Mc Farland




"Hope and Healing for the Daughter of Patriarchy" is the tag line Hillary uses on her books haunting cover.
And that is exactly what this book is...of place that offers hope and healing for those who have been led down a confusing path of patriarchy and extreme religion.

Though this reader was not brought up in the same style of home life the author and her contributers were, I was brought up in a very strict, traditional religious setting that did not leave alot of room to breathe...yet we were singing “Breathe on me Breathe of God” during sunday service.
I could not understand how I could take in Gods Breathe of Life while I was being strangled in church doctrine.

My favourite thing about this book is that it is the writers heart we see.
It is a book of great courage, bravery and a view of the Warrioress that lies within the author and the brave women who shared their hearts.
Right away in the introduction Hillary writes, “If you are not reflected in these pages, please extend grace and pray for those who are.”pg xix

There are times in the book where the story can really be about anyone of us as women, and then there are times when it gets really specific to the topic that Hillary is challenging. I think some readers may find the biblical references a little over whelming if they are not familiar with scripture. Though in saying that, it is completely acceptable and understandable that Hillary goes there as she is offering release to those tied so tight to biblical teachings and they need “biblical permission” to allow themselves release.

For those unfamiliar with this “world” this book is very revealing. As well it offers a challenge to learn understanding and grace for those trying to reconcile their spiritually abusive upbringing with a God of Love.
For those exposed to or living this truth, this book is a gift, an opening, a helping hand to keep moving towards their Truth.


Hillary carefully walks through the maze of unraveling and one gets the sense as the reader is brought to the Light of Truth so is the writer. She is vulnerable, thorough, and focused in her Faith. A true inspiration. 
This book finds a permanent home on my book shelf...not every book does.


Thank you Hillary...I look forward to what comes next.
You are a treasure.
*This book finds a permanent home on my shelf.


To purchase Hillary's book go here.


I leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:


" Sometimes things don't make sense at first. Sometimes we have to close our eyes and just keep moving forward, knowing in Whom we believe. He who calls and bids us Come." pg6


"Part of redefining normal for ourselves is also realizing the God has created each of us uniquely. Just as the horse and the turtle both reflect God's glory though they are wholly different, so each of us can reflect God's glory by being who we are with apology. for a long time I have thought I must hide my peace and mercy loving ways; their incarnation in my heart seems so different from others' and I have been told I am naive and foolish (oh, if you knew how I have struggled inside against those labels!) but the turtle gains no glory by attempting to be the horse and vice versa. i have learned to respond to the Holy Spirit's promptings in my own heart and follow down the path that is right for me. i pray each of you will do the same. it is a joyful beautiful thing." pg34


"It is a grave disservice to the heart, soul, body, and spirit of a woman when she is given the subtle message that the truth of her own pain is not as important as the reputation of the ones who inflict it." pg40


"Even Jesus knew the value of boundaries when He sent away multitudes of needy, desperate people so He could spend time alone in prayer." pg80


"Abuse is no only inflicting harm upon another person--it is also intentionally withholding things that are needed for life, health, and growth." pg101


"In fact, we need to stop trying to be good at all. Stop." pg153


"As you step into a the new day, the unknown, the way you do not know, which leads to life. Know that without a doubt that Jesus looks at you with love in His eyes and says. "Come. Rest. Have Courage. Take heart, Daughter, your faith has made you well." pg65




Love and Light


Monday 27 February 2012

Monday Offering...Rise Up

For you
 my SoulSisters...



sung by my beautiful Sister of the Wood

When my heart was troubled
I went to the woods to pray
When my heart was troubled 
I went to the woods to pray
in my darkness you sang to me
Woman, I have set you free
Rake off your chains of sorrow
Remove your veil of fear
Find your courage
Find your strength
Lift your voice, stand tall again and rise
I'm calling you to rise...

Rise up woman rise up
Rise up woman, rise



Rise up woman rise up
Rise up woman, rise

My heart was bent over 
when I went to the woods to pray
My heart was bent over 
when I went to the woods to pray
Suddenly down in my bones
My spirit heard you say
No more bending over
No more fear and shame....
rise up woman...
Throw off darkness
Throw of shame
throw off words of cruel blame
Listen to the whisper 
of the One who calls you name

Rise up people rise up
Rise up people, rise
Rise up people rise up
Rise up people, rise

Rise up Sisters Rise up!
Love and Light





winners of the giveaway found here

Sunday 26 February 2012

Hanna House Follow-up & The Winners!!!

This is phases one of Hanna House...


These are some of our prints in Hanna House...

the counsellors offices...






the administration office...




the doctors office...



the common areas...






the bedrooms
















All those beautiful quilts were donated as well...
aren't they gorgeous?
People are good
it is unfortunate that we don't hear enough about that...

So with that project done
I want to announce the winners
to my Love-Print Giveaway


I of course employed my willing assistant...



He loves doing this....


A creative Soul Sister from SouLodge



The funny and talented


And last but not least
a first time commenter 
Meg from Growing up


Thanks to all of you who entered
wish we could give you all one!






So if you three could email me
before Feb. 29th with your: 
mailing address
the print you would like
and the size of print
(4x6,5x7,8x10)
that would be great.
(click above, on email me)


If anyone is interested in purchasing a print
you can convo me here.


I hope these prints will bless you as much
as I know they are blessing those at Hanna House.


Love and Light

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Today I heard this....



Already Gone 
Songwriters:  Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Tedder
Remember all the things we wanted
Now all our memories they're haunted
We were always meant to say goodbye
Even with our fists held high
It never would've worked out right
We were never meant for do or die
I didn't want us to burn out
I didn't come here to hold you, now I can't stop
I want you to know that it doesn't matter
Where we take this road someone's gotta go
And I want you to know you couldn't have loved me better
But I want you to move on so I'm already gone
Looking at you makes it harder
But I know that you'll find another
That doesn't always make you want to cry
Started with a perfect kiss then we could feel the poison set in
Perfect couldn't keep this love alive
You know that I love you so, I love you enough to let you go
I want you to know that it doesn't matter
Where we take this road someone's gotta go
And I want you to know you couldn't have loved me better
But I want you to move on so I'm already gone
I'm already gone, already gone
You can't make it feel right when you know that it's wrong
I'm already gone, already gone
There's no moving on so I'm already gone
Already gone, already gone, already gone
Already gone, already gone, already gone, yeah
Remember all the things we wanted
Now all our memories they're haunted
We were always meant to say goodbye
I want you to know that it doesn't matter
Where we take this road someone's gotta go
And I want you to know you couldn't have loved me better
But I want you to move on so I'm already gone
I'm already gone, already gone
You can't make it feel right when you know that it's wrong
I'm already gone, already gone
There's no moving on so I'm already gone
*


I heard this song for the first time today.
(mmmmm what does that say about me???)
I realize, in this song, the singer is specifically
speaking about a relationship
But as I listened deeper to the lyrics
it made me think about
how there are many different things
in my life
I have had to let go of.





Things I could not keep for myself
or
Things that were not meant for me to begin with
or
Things that were not for my higher good


Sometimes we don't get the choice to let go...
but, OH!, how empowering is it when we do
when we make the decision
"This is no longer for me....I'm already gone"




I find the older I get the easier this becomes
I feel the Freedom in making these decisions for myself
knowing it is for my greater good
and maybe it is for someone else's great good as well.
It could be a simple as 
an article of clothing
food that I eat
a practice that no longer is necessary
It could be as challenging as
the inner speak I have for myself
what I think when I look in the mirror
what I say to myself when I make a mistake
what I say about others to myself,
when they make a mistake.


*
Letting go
does not always have to bring with it the pain of loosing
Letting go
can bring 
Release
Truth
Love 
Light


Letting go
releases
Trust
Hope
Joy
Knowing
Peace




It is amazing the thoughts
 that one song, in your day, can evoke.


What thoughts have walked with you today?


Love and Light






                                   don't forget to enter my special "Love Print Giveaway"

winner to be announced Saturday



Monday 20 February 2012

Monday Offering....



"None of us will ever accomplish anything 
excellent
or
commanding 
except when she listens to the
whisper which is heard by her alone."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Love and Light



                                     don't forget to enter my special "Love Print Giveaway"

Saturday 18 February 2012

The Wise Woman Within...


What makes a Wise Woman?
Do we each have a Wise woman with in us?
and if so
How do we find her within ourselves?


open hands


open heart



looking up

 Knowledge
Faith
Belief
in something more...

that is where you find Her


yes
She is in you too...

The Wise Woman has a knowing
that has been with Her since the beginning of time
memories of those who went before Her
and of those who are beyond Her


The Wise Woman laughs


The Wise Woman cries


The Wise Woman holds some thing close


She Trusts She Believes 
She does not take things too seriously
(something she is teaching me right now)

She guides us through times of challenge
and comforts us when we feel alone and unsure
She offers Wisdom willingly, 
beyond judgment
beyond opinion
She offers Love


She offers us 
Grace
Objective thought
Clear Vision
Action,
without attachment to outcome


She is always waiting
ready for access
ready to give to us
restoration.

She is you
She is me
She is within each of us

As there is a Little Girl in all of us
So there is a Older Wiser Woman...

What do you do to access that Wise Woman within you?

Love and Light






journeying into the  Northwith pixie campbell and my Sisters at SouLodge


don't forget to enter my special "Love Print Giveaway"