Once you start on a path of changing your life for the better, each small change in itself might only be one little bud of promise but it all blooms in time.

People might wonder why that 10-minute stolen ‘me-time’ matters so much to you but it’s another bud that will bloom amongst the array.

Your new outfit, different route to work, fresh haircut, de-cluttered car, orderly wardrobe… Every one is a bud that will show off your heart for living and loving life.

My beloved apple tree has just exploded into life and as I took this picture this morning I was in awe of the power of attraction. Without the buds, no blossom. Without the blossom, no bees would come and do their thing. Without the pollen there comes no fruit. And that fruit is what makes life so rich, so satisfying and so really, deeply lived.

It’s not about the tree, or the buds, or even the sumptuous blossom. It’s all about bearing fruit. What fruit will your Life Changes bring?

* more peace
* more time
* better relationships
* more laughter
* less stress

That’s fruit worth pursuing. That’s fruit worth sowing seeds for. That’s fruit that you will see as you make changes, day by day.

The following day we shopped and then my dad threw us a surprise mini baby shower. Was so sweet and such a nice time! He’s got great friends! Everyone’s so nice in GA!

Alas our Georgia vacay had to end so on our way out of the state we all stopped in ATL for a tour of World of Coke and a gourmet burger at FLiP Burger Boutique. A fantastic ending to an awesome weekend.

So that’s my trip summed up. Next time we go up there we’re definitely going to eat at The Varsity and tour The Atlanta Aquarium! Can’t wait to go back!

Anywho, today I’m off and after doing a major room/closet purge to get prepped for a yardsale we’re having tomorrow, I’m extremely bored. I found a TON of fashion magazines under my bed though, and since I’ve been feeling a little lack-luster this week I decided to flip thru them and get some inspiration! After I find my inspiration I always like to go to my closet and pull stuff that I have that’s similar, saves money and often helps me dust off some old pieces that have been hiding in the back of my closet.
Here’s my inspiration, pulled straight outta Harper’s, Elle and Marie Claire.

Look One: almost like Tommy Hilfiger meets Mick Jagger. I have a slight obsession with prep school anyway. The colors so vibrant and contrasting, what’s not to love?! But the way they style these traditional preppy colors with edgier accents makes me über drool. My take on the look:

Red Crops, Black and White striped button down, wedges with a gold accent, gold sequin mini-bag, and for an added edge black blazer with faux leather sleeves and a little pattern on pattern with the luxe-print vintage scarf.

Look Two: Black and White, Boy meets Girl. I adore a masculine & femme suiting look, and since I can wear black and white to work no matter where it comes from, so that gives me extra motivation to try some of these new ways to wear the classics.

My takes: gunna have a couple just because I really love this look, plus black is super slimming, and while I’m not as obsessed with it as Rachel Zoe, I am growing fond of things that make me looks less prego.

The back and cleavage of this dress are completely sheer making it oh-so-sexy, it’s subtly textured in a paisley print (😍) and paired with a basic heel and chain looks classy, but since we’re playing with mixing up my look a tad I added a white leather moto jacket for edge.

Pleated mini skirt and a tuxedo inspired chiffon blouse, simple, easy and comfy. A great go-to that’s really low-fuss and ultra-chic

Almost the same look just glammed out and edged up a smidge. I opted for a more fitted mini, with a ruffled top(notice the tuxedo button details on the wrist though!!!), black blazer, and to keep it comfortable a ballet flat. This is the perfect mix of masculine&femme to me.
Finally to end this chapter: a wide leg black pant, black and white geometric printed peplum top with touches of leather on the mini-cap sleeves, accessorized with bold brassy golds.
Happy to have some new work ensembles to say the least!

Look Three: inspired by colors and patterns and texture mixing and ready for summer! By far these are some of my favorite inspirations and favorite outfits I’ve assembled in quite some time!

My Takes:
For starters, blazers and mini dresses!!!!!!! Ahh blazers with shorts and dresses are one of my favorite pairings!! No matter what you’re wearin a blazer always polishes up a look. A blazer could even make a neon mesh top look more daytime chic and less strip-clubesque if you wanted to class it up for community college before your nighttime shift at The Dollhouse (joking never wear mesh please).
But my examples are a neon micro mini dress and also lace shorts! Paired with some other fun textures these looks can go from summer day to summer night really easily and show a lot of your fun side!

I don’t know why I’ve never tried a sequin daytime look, but I’m grateful I tried today! Blush sequin skirt and kept it simple with a matching color palette, brown wedges, a sand blouse, and maroon cross body, then added a little flair with the navy sailboat scarf. I’m seriously in love with this look, literally am about to put it on to go out with James!

And finally, last but not least by any means the underdone leopard dress. It’s one of the most comfortable things I own esp since my belly is growing, yet I never wear it, I always think it’s too Jersey Shore to do anything but dress it up. However, it’s adorable with a denim vest, red belt and fedora! I’d actually swap the shoes for my red converse, but they are at Homeboys house and not with me for a photo op 😞. Oh well maybe next time!

Feelin pretty productive! About to relax for the rest of the evening with my boo and see Hangover 3, then work retail all Memorial Day weekend long!!

Sailboats and Sea Turtles,
B

All images © Copyright 2013 Paul Ashby

All images © Copyright 2013 Paul Ashby

Most striking is the New Testament lesson, taken from the Acts of the Apostles:

THE next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.¹

In the contemporary lectionary, apart from the Sundays in Eastertide, we hear really very little of Acts in the Sunday morning rotation, and it is not difficult to imagine why this particular passage is on the outs: the Jews come out of the episode looking rather bad, and culturally sensitive Christians wouldn’t want that. In obscuring the lesson, however, the Church misses an important teaching moment.

If we are offended by the surface reading (Jews: rejecting Jesus again), then we are also missing a deeper point that a fuller and more proper examination would reveal. To our minds, this is not entirely, or even principally, a story about the Jews and the Gentiles. Rather, it is a story about Paul and Barnabas, apostles, and therefore it is a story about all of us, their heirs in the Church.

Many clergy spend their time in the pulpit talking about mission, but they spend precious little time there preaching the Gospel. Conventional wisdom within the mainline churches holds that Mission Will Save Us, and so we see our priests and rectors leading trips to Africa or Central America, where they build houses, or libraries, or schools, or all of the above. We will not suggest in these pages that they are wrong to do so. They are not.

But, as we have remarked before, there is nothing explicitly Christian about this volunteerism and charity. Indeed, a sermon preaching good works alone is afflicted by a terrible theological poverty and a conception of mission too thin to nourish the Church. There are really two problems here.

FIRST, social justice, taken alone, is a kind of latter-day idol. A gospel of social justice looks toward an earthly kingdom and is as deserving of rebuke as was the hope of a messianic military triumph for which Jesus rebuked Simon Peter:

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.²

While we are never wrong to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, or pity the afflicted, a gospel of social justice comes dangerously close to the prideful and heretical notion that we can, through our own efforts, save the world. We cannot, a fact about which all but the most doe-eyed optimist can make no mistake.

SECOND, a gospel of social justice leaves Christians—both bad and good—in the lurch. It offers us nothing individual, nothing personal, and it reveals little understanding of the holy God whom we seek. Everyone leads an imperfect life, and even the most well meaning among us can grow sad, discouraged, and angry. If we believe only in the merits of the world’s good works, what then are we to do when confronted with the world’s violence, anger, and indifference? What access does a gospel of social justice provide to God the Father, by whom Jesus taught “even the hairs of your head are all numbered”?³ What could God care about me, little me?

Predictable, pastorally empty sermons of do-goodism can be found by picking up the newspaper or reading any of the innumerable blogs devoted to the laudable, non-sectarian good works being undertaken by good men and women throughout the world. However, no one needs to come to church to hear about social justice, and having heard nothing else, no one needs to come back. The church’s declining numbers tell us as much. But a real sermon, a sermon worthy of the Church, a sermon that preaches the Gospel of Christ can blow the doors off of anything from a country chapel to the cathedral of the realm, as it can electrify the minds of anyone with ears to hear, just as it did the Gentiles of Antioch.

C.S. Lewis writes in Mere Christianity that “Christ was killed for us, that His death has washed us of our sins, and that by dying He disabled death itself. That is the formula. That is Christianity.”⁴ That is the formula. That is Christianity, and THAT is what the seeker comes to church to find, the real answer to what God cares for the world that He has made. Our chief charge as Christians is to proclaim, to preach, to tell the story of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, and any sermon that omits this, the Good News itself, fails in the most fundamental way possible.

For most mainline Protestants, evangelism sounds like a dirty word. As Episcopalians, we consider ourselves kindred with our evangelical brethren by only the most extreme, attenuated filament. But a Christian is by definition an evangelical. Sunday morning worship is evangelical in nature: the Bible is read, we confess our faith in the words of the Nicene or Apostles’ Creed, and, if we are lucky, we hear a sermon that does not impede the Gospel of Christ from breaking over us.

As we have remarked, if the Episcopal Church is to shrink, how much better that we do so upon our feet. A pivot away from the Good News of redemption toward a tale of radical acceptance without radical transformation and of works without grace has given us a smaller, weaker, and less credible church. This is no time for more of the same.

At Baptism, the newly baptized is exhorted to “confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his Resurrection.” In the old Prayer Book, a more complete sentiment was provided: “We receive this child into the congregation of Christ’s flock; and do sign her with the sign of the Cross, in token that hereafter she shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and manfully to fight under his banner, against sin, the world, and the devil; and to continue Christ’s faithful soldier and servant unto her life’s end. Amen.”

Confess the faith of Christ crucified. Fight manfully under his banner, and continue His faithful soldier and servant unto life’s end. If we fear that we cannot do this, if we fear that we are not up to the task, then we ought to remember Paul and Barnabas.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold.

The admirable RSV translates the above passage into contemporary English as, “and Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly,” but this seems not quite right. It fails to capture the sense of rhetoric, of an oratorical doubling down, that the Authorized Version gives us. Merriam-Webster defines the intransitive verb “wax” as “to assume a (specified) characteristic, quality, or state.” By this definition, Paul and Barnabas didn’t speak out boldly. They became bold. They were emboldened.

The word apostle itself indicates as much. In Greek, the word apostolos, derived from the verb stellein “to send,” means “one who is sent.” Apostles do not undertake their work of their own direction, nor even exactly of their own accord. On Pentecost, with the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples—followers of Christ (from Latin discipulus “learner,” from discere “learn“)—were transformed into apostles, sent from above.

In the Church’s calendar every year, on May 24, we commemorate Jackson Kemper, the Episcopal Church’s first missionary bishop. Unlike the Church of England, which sent missionary priests to the ends of the earth but reserved bishops as the crowning ecclesiastical jewel of an already-developed diocese, the General Convention in this country felt that the deployment of a bishop, a successor of the Apostles themselves, could not but make a statement to the unchurched peoples. Although not readily apparent in most cases, it is in the peculiar calling of bishops to go forth and spread the Good News, as befits those ordained in the apostolic succession. And go forth he did, preaching the Gospel and building not only houses, not libraries in foreign lands, but churches, right here in these United States of ours.

These days, the Church is doing a fine job of serving the poor, of sending money to the far-flung peoples of the earth, of reorganizing the structure of its own governance, and of issuing resolutions in support of the maligned identity group of the moment, but it is doing a poor job of building up the Church. It remembers the poor but forgets Christ; it remembers the afflicted but forgets that we are all afflicted; it remembers that we have a mission but forgets that our mission derives entirely from Jesus’ saving death, once for all. This forgetting has given us some of the theologically “thin gruel” of which Fleming Rutledge has often written.

For Paul and Barnabas, things turned predictably south after the events of Acts 13:44-49 (quoted above). Having waxed bold to the Gentiles and made believers of them, the pair was quickly run out of town, as the Apostles so often were. In spite of this and their many other hardships, the writer tells us that “the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”⁵ This is the nature of preaching the Gospel: it fills those who preach it and those who receive it with joy, and it empowers them all to go forth into the world with gusto. This is the work of the Holy Ghost, and a conception of mission rooted in anything else is tiresome and puny indeed.

On this, an Ember Day on which also we also commemorate Bishop Kemper, let us consider the example of Paul and Barnabas, for their work is unfinished; their ministry is ongoing; and their mission is our mission. When we consider the Church and what we are all doing here, on Sunday mornings, in our individual ministries, and when we feel that our beloved church is going to Hell in a handcart, we will be well to consider what our forebears did in the face of adversity: then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold. They honored their Baptismal vows, and their preaching has lit the world for two thousand years.

May it do so for thousands more.

<sup>1. Acts 13:44-49
2. Mark 8:31-33
3. Luke 12:7
4. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Macmillan, 1952), 58.
5. Acts 13:52</sup>

Fear. That’s what I feel right now.

I know, I know. This has been my dream and all. I am sincerely grateful and the congratulations were well-received. But… people don’t know! I’m not really good as they think I am!! I’m not good with dates. And names. And memorization. I sometimes stutter. Even my Fs and Ps can get mixed up! I don’t understand how people can say so casually “Ikaw pa! Kayang kaya mo yan!” Seriously? Seriously! If only they know!!!!! I. CANNOT. I’m not always…! I’m not…. (sigh)

Maybe it’s the post-nursing undergrad “trauma”. The pressure. The trembling. The on-the-spot pathophys diagrams on the first day. My patients’ lives. The professors. Especially the professors.

My friend said that pressure in law school is so much less than that in nursing but… I can’t help it. I can’t help but be… afraid.

I’m afraid of recitations and quizzes. I’m afraid of not being able to pass my subjects on time. I’m afraid of being expelled. I’m afraid that I’ll get intimidated. I’m afraid of not being able to reach my friends when I need to because I’m so far away. I’m afraid that my memory will fail me and I’ll look stupid in front of the entire class. I’m afraid one night my printer will run out of ink and I’ll fail to pass my paper. I’m afraid of being stuck in the LRT and get a 5.00 in class because I missed my turn to recite when the professor decided to called my name on such an opportune time. I’m afraid of getting pompous and arrogant. I’m afraid of getting lost. I’m afraid of the possibility of waking up one day and realizing this is all a mistake or a meaningless pursuit or a road that leads to no where.

This promotional picture for our Freshmen Orientation did not help:

The fact that I picked section B (of all sections!) did not help as well:

—–

My schedule did not take away the fear:

My professors added to the fear:

But this one, this one conversation… this removed all my fears:

Was my arm too short to deliver you?
Do I lack the strength to rescue you?

Never God. You were there with me through it all.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

How could I possibly be afraid? HOW? If I have seen SO MANY TIMES the power and saving grace of God work in my life? How could I possibly doubt Him now? Is He not the same God yesterday, today and forever? What do I have to worry? What do I have to fear? Is not my God THE God above all?

After reading these words from this manual of life, I made a decision to no longer allow fear to have a hold on me. I made a decision to no longer be afraid– of people, of difficulties, of the past and the future, of the unknown, of things unseen.

I have decided that I will walk in the calling that God has for me with faith instead of fear. Faith in Him and NOT (never!) on myself. Because in truth and in fact, we all know… on my own, I cannot.

From now on, let it be resolved. I will trust You, Lord. I will trust You, Lord. And I am talking about in everything forever here.

What I really feel about law school?

I feel am BRAVE.

Recitals, Softball Games, 4th Grade State Projects, Chorus Concerts, Birthday Parties, Garden Planting, Fez Wearing, and Watching Things Bloom…. this is what we’ve been up to in the slightly madcap month of May…!

- PHB

Deep pools, after rain

Sheltered gorge, below the mas

A few minutes walk away, through a gate and into the forest,
past the large basin that was once used to grow cress, following
the river downstream, there lies a hidden walled garden.
Now tangled and overgrown, it is reputed that the terrace was
once cultivated by republican soldiers, who paused and set up
camp while passing through the region. Its wild cherry trees
broken, yet still producing enough for the birds, it is a calm
haven when winds whip through the valley. The river passes
through a narrow channel of stone – worn smooth with time –
and cascades all the way to a secluded gorge, where it joins
the river that passes on the other side of the belvédère.

Armed with secateurs, I cleared a track – which I do each year –
allowing passage through the dense blackberry, fragon (false
holly) and nettles. Sheltered, yet exposed to the sun, the gorge
is filled with lavender growing in crevices, thyme in full flower
and an assortment of daisies and slender-stemmed wildflowers.
The river is crystal clear this year as rains continue to feed it;
icy cool as it crashes down the mountain to the many tree-lined
pools below – past stone terraces that endure, a marvel of construction,
and part of the forgotten history that dates back to the heyday of
the mas when the land was arranged for cultivation, the giant
boulders manoeuvred into place as retaining walls strengthened the
water’s passage.

It is possible to disturb sanglier (wild pigs) and birds fly low,
tucking their wings as they skip along the river’s edge. Basking on
the warm flat rocks, time draws to a standstill in this ‘amphitheatre’
filled with the sound of rushing waters, and birdsong, as it emerges
from the depths of the forest.

Coursing rapidly downhill

(Disclaimer – I know last summer was record-breakingly bad in England, I’ll try to leave that out of my consideration)

Best bits about England’s climate:

• Spring leaves! Words like “lush”, “vibrant”, “verdant” spring (no pun intended) to mind as I walk to work past trees lining the riverbanks.
• Autumn leaves.
• Spring flowers – an amazing array. I’m sure I could find at least 10 different types in any patch of unmown land. I could rhapsodize for hours about spring flowers and blossoming trees but I’ll try not to bore on.
• Lovely mild sun that mostly doesn’t burn.
• If you don’t like whatever’s happening, just wait 20 minutes and it’ll probably change.
• Snow! A little bit of snow is a glorious thing (see my header for some beautiful Bristolian snow).
• Lots of variety of clothing from full winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, boots to a summer dress and sandals.
• Houses and buildings are generally well adapted for cold weather with central heating and double glazing.
• Christmas when it’s cold, Easter in Spring.

Best bits about Auckland’s climate:

• Warm, golden sunny days, warm enough to swim, sunbathe and bask.
• Blue skies.
• Blazing sunsets.
• T-shirts possible for a good six months a year.
• Beaches in winter – empty but not too cold to walk and enjoy.
• Pohutakawa blossoms for Christmas.

Hmm… I think the relative length of my lists shows I’m leaning towards the English climate. I was jealous when friends from New Zealand were posting pics of glorious sunny days with beaches and BBQs in January. And I really did need to get some sunshine in Spain over Easter after our loooooong winter. But given the option to get some doses of foreign sun, I think England wins for me.

What do you think?

Our fickle weather has turned on us again and I needed hat, scarf and gloves for our walk this morning.  In spite of this, the air is sweet with the scent of blossoms.  The lilacs, which are still in full bloom, have now been joined by the Wild Cherry trees and the Russian Olives, and next to my trail, Lily of the Valley are adding their sweet scent to the air. (Probably not good for my allergies, but I enjoy them nonetheless.)

We found this Bumblebee resting by our back door on Tuesday, so I had to snap a few photos.

Last week, we visited our local nursery and bought a few annuals.  Glad I resisted the temptation to plant them early, since it has turned so cold, but hope to get them in this weekend.  Since our soil is so poor, I am confined to container gardening, so at least I have the option of moving things inside if the nights get too cold.

Originally uploaded by SOFennell

Actually, it may be the beginning, but with this last week’s rains it’s had a grand beginning. Honeysuckle climbs all over my blooming roses and other flowering shrubs.

Early in the week, A deer passed through the wild space beyond the backyard. The squirrels frolicked with the dirt in my pots with newly planted seeds. “Something” has been feeding on new perennials I planted earlier in the week. Then this morning, I glimpsed a fox skirting through the backyard. The creatures are at their work.

It brings to mind a theme that would emerge frequently in my college and high school lit. classes (so many years ago) – Man vs. nature. Here I am living it – kind of. It’s a mix. I want them to have their necessary accommodations too. We are encroaching on their territory and I have to remind myself of it from time to time.

A new expression I picked up this week from my usual resources – “they” were talking about spring, spring greens and an image of green leaves illustrated the point. 「ときわ色」tokiwa iro was the expression. From what I could glean it’s an old term, dating at least from the Edo Period and perhaps going as far back as the Heian Period. It means “evergreen” so in color it’s a deep blue-green and seems to reflect the constant, unchanging and eternal.

My favourite pieces from this treasury are the pink satchel by Titina Store neon Art Deco bib by Fab Parlour , which manages to combine the current Gatsby-related fad for Art Deco with the more up-to-date neon thing. Hmm, could Gatsby be the inspiration for the next trend-related treasury I do, I wonder?

‘Neon pastels for summer 2013′ by cuttlefishlove

inspired by Simone Rocha and Sister by Sibling, this collection features neon pastels, lace, pattern and perspex

1950s party dress / bright n… FiregypsyVinta… $59.82	Neon Art Deco Bib Statement … FabParlor $40	Pastel Geometric Pouch,Hand… Bagssalon $19.5	Neon lace earrings – Poison … thisilk $30
Abstract art print – Mosaic … villavera $29	Neon Pom Pom Trio Necklace /… FableAndLore $30	Spandex Bandeau Spandex Biki… 2BeRoxy $23	neon pastel pink cross body … TitinaStore $48
Hand Made Neon Fluoro Orange… jennyekberg $29	Brooch. Scarf Pin. Recycled … jemicaostrofsk… $35	Tie Up Hairscarf Headband Li… andreacreates $14	Neon Pastel Striped Earrings rockspapermeta… $32
Neon Geometric Earrings ,La… LiKeGjewelry $10	vintage neon pink lace camis… sodafine $18	OrangeTattoo art earrings Baronyka $28.9	Aqua Blue Wood Geometric Ba… LiKeGjewelry $15

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

World War II was at this time when these vehicles were part of a large task force in constructing of a major road through Canada to Alaska. Image captured in White Horse, Yukon.

Link to the page in the Zelda wiki about this game.

So last review we went over the sister game of this game. Or brother game, whatever you prefer. I gave the Oracle Of Ages game a very high score. But is this game worthy of the same praise? It was released on the same day but that could make it flawed and feel very rushed. Well, for that you will need to stick around at the end of the review to get your answer. One thing I already can tell you, the game is pretty neat. But now I will dive into this game. The game that you need to play after Oracle of Ages, or before. It’s not that I’m trying to write this intro as long as the image for making it visually more interesting to read. Okay, I might be just doing that. So, enough rambling about the intro here and let’s dive into this game and check if it’s actually good or not. Maybe I lied earlier in the introduction, who knows?

Dancing on a tree stump

 In this game’s story you aren’t left alone. The introduction of the game is the same as the Oracle Of Ages game, you start by riding you trusty horse Epona. (Dirty minds aren’t my problem.) So, now the first people you meet actually claim that Din saved you. Which is strange, since they let you rot two screen away in the bushes. 

In the other game you talk to animals which doesn’t get explained, but who cares, it’s an adventure game. In this game, the problems pop up way sooner as Din is kidnapped. To be fair, this game has a great story. It might be your standard “rescue the kidnapped damsel in distress” but it has a twist in this game.

What’s pretty neat in this game is that you can change the seasons once you have the season staff. A concept I liked over the Ages game.

The story is now about a sleepy tree that aids you on your quest. Lucky for us, the tree doesn’t want to marry us. As you don’t receive the blade right away, it’s obvious that this game has less puzzles and more action. Yes, the Oracle games have split the Zelda formula in half. This is the more action game. As the other Oracle game, this game has also a 2nd dimension. It’s smaller, but it does the trick. I even dare to say that this game’s world is bigger then the ages game.

Overdoing Link’s clothing

In the other dimension, the characters look like they are fans of Link. They all wear a green tunic, but in overdrive.

And this brings us to a disappoint point of the game, the bosses and some characters are and feel borrowed from previous games. As it’s an awesome nod to the older games, it makes the game feel a tad bit creative. There is certainly missed potential with remaking the bosses of the older games.

Yet, to be fair, the animation is great in this game. I really enjoyed the animation in this game and it really pulled me in this game. Also the graphics are extremely well done. How fast you can move through the seasons is better compared against the longer time travel animation of the Ages game.

The worlds look colorful, and white in the winter, and lively. The game has multiple chase quests that can get frustrating because of the limitations of the gameboy.

It still is impressive how the code linking works. If you named the child in the Ages game, the child will be here in the Seasons game. Like in the Ages game, there is also a trade quest, with the same pay-off. Play it to check it out.

Hairpulling

The game is difficult. No doubt about that. You won’t go through this game in one sitting. The controls are pretty tight and if you die, it’s your fault. Even the jumping is less annoying the in the Ages game.

The items are actually creative. It still has the same gameplay as all the other Zelda portable games but like I said in my previous reviews, it’s extremely well implemented. But back on the subject of the items. You have great items, some of the Ages game, that you get to aid you in your quest. This game might be more difficult then Ages in terms of action but the puzzles in this game can be pretty hairpulling sometimes.

The biggest hair pulling moment is where you need to fight Onox. The final boss is extremely difficult because you need to use your spin attack, which is difficult to pull of since he uses Din as a shield. With Veran in Ages I had less trouble. The challenge is still pretty fair and after some practice you get the pattern down and you’ll be able to defeat him.

The last thing but not least, are the music and the sound effects. Like in Oracle of Ages, the sound effects are pretty standard. But the music is still pretty amazing. I extremely enjoy the music and really sets the mood. It’s really upbeat and the melodies sometimes kept stuck in my head for days on end.

Oh, before I forgot. In the Ages game you were able to select the track you wanted easily. Not here, if you want the right season, it’s using the staff on a tree stump and hoping it goes to the right season. Little bit annoying though.

Conclusion

The good:

+ Challenges everywhere.

+ Nice animation.

+ Extremely well done music.

+ Great story.

+ Unique items.

The bad:

- Soundeffects are pretty mediocre.

- The seasons should be better selectable.

- The chase missions.

- Missed opportunity with the final bosses.

Conclusion:

Do I truly need to repeat myself? This game is extremely well done but is a bit weaker then the Ages game. The game world is pretty big so this game will least you quite a while. I seriously enjoyed this game and I replay it often. I missed the moments where I was able to explore the game for the very first time since then the game is the most fun.

Score: 97/100

And my email inbox has proven it. I have received so many messages this week swinging with the pendulum of the highs and lows of “to everything.”

Photos of a new baby… requests for prayers for a family who is unexpectedly burying their ten-year old daughter.

A father’s brag book of his primary-aged children… images of a tornado-stricken elementary school that claimed too many little lives.

A friend who purchased a new home… families who have lost theirs.

Reports of a teenage daughter who is flourishing in her faith… continued prayers for sons and daughters who are struggling to stand strong in a society that is set to destroy their truth and morality.

And the list goes on as my heart swings back and forth with the rising and falling of the pendulum. With the birthing and the dying, the praises and the pain, the good news and the troubles, and all the myriad of arcs in between.

So what am I to do with all this swinging?

PRAY.

Pray continually, even when I’m weary of lifting the same petitions over and over.

Pray with thanksgiving, knowing that God hears every cry of the heart.

Pray with a faith that believes in the power of a Living God even though I feel so very powerless.

Pray and trust in the One who remains constant and steadfast in His care through every wild swing of the pendulum of this life.

Even. When. It. Hurts.

As my heart bobs and weaves with the sways of these “everythings,” I find myself bowing again before the One who sustains me. Thanking Him for His presence. Pleading for His mercies to extend to people whom I’ve never met, but with whom I grieve. Asking for His joy to remain full with those who are experiencing a time of blessing. Hoping that the blessings remain for an extended period of time, even as I pray the suffering of others hastens to an end.

For today, I am choosing to follow the lead of Romans 12:15:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

I will celebrate with the new daddy, and I will cry with the grieving parents.

I will cheer you on in your accomplishments, and I will wrap my arms around you when you fail, holding you close until you are ready to make that next attempt.

I will be your friend for this moment – whatever that moment may be.

Because your life is destined to morph and transform from one set of circumstances to the next.

Challenges, celebrations, trials, and triumphs.

Life is filled with seasons.

And God is Keeper of them all.

Autumn.

Winter.

Spring.

Summer.

The highs and lows of life swing back and forth

The joys and the sufferings rotate in and out, some staying longer than we would wish.

But none staying beyond the reach of an all-knowing and faithful God who has promised to provide His presence through it all.

Regardless of where the pendulum of life seems to have you swinging at this moment, may you feel His hand of love resting upon you.

Hastening the season of blessing…

Upholding you until that season comes.

Yesterday, the lighting outside was fantastic. The weather couldn’t quite make up it’s mind as to if it wanted to rain or not.  This indecision created a crisp bright sky with ominous shadows.

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What is color scouting?

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luminous season, spent

grey omnibus’ ply limned time

spent, horizons paid.

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Our 20th Ozcap is here, as Ben and his little gang of Ozlets discuss everything to do with the 20th season of Heroes vs Villains in true Survivor Oz style!

Often regarded as the greatest season in the history of Survivor, Heroes vs Villains was a season of gigantic proportions. Reuniting 20 returning players known for the good and evil skills, it had everything from epic blindsides, fights, injuries and everything else in between. It saw former winners stumble, former mistake makers fix the errors and the first ever two time winner in Sandra Diaz-Twine, who defeated Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz in the final tribal council in a 6-3-0 vote. In our Ozcap, we talk about anyone not liking this season ‘having something wrong with them’, why Jarryd and others keep getting hung up on, defending and debating Jerri’s game, why we bag out New Zealand so much, which two contestants had the biggest asses, which contestant was ‘old & fat’ and which contestant was a ‘deadset wanker’, why Rob’s hands were disgusting, where a magical pen appeared for that infamous note situation, the bathing suits worn this season, Steph and her restaurant as well as the trip of Sandra, Noah being sexist and which Ozlet is the ‘Kim Spradlin of Survivor Oz’. It is all then brought to a close with our infamous Ozcap final questions!