31 December 2014

Steaming Mug of Cranberry Wassail

Lilacs in May

Grape Harvest

Light Winter Snow

Every year we like to welcome the new year at midnight with the clanging of pots and pans, laughter, and eager anticipation of the days to come. How quickly one year ends and a new begins! But the best part of it all? That our God is all-powerful and ever loving, good, and faithful.

Looking back with thanksgiving and forward with hope, I found the following both beautiful and humbling: A Prayer for Year’s End from “The Valley of Vision.”

O Love beyond Compare,
Thou art good when thou givest,
when thou takest away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me another year,
leading me through a twisting wilderness,
in retreat helping me to advance,
when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,
thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

A joyous New Year to you all!




  1. 9 Responses to “How quickly one ends and a new begins!”

  2. Shari on Jan 10, 2015 said:

    I loooove your tea cup!!! Where did you find it???


  3. Emily Rose on Jan 10, 2015 said:

    Shari, isn’t it fun?! I found that treasure at T.J.Maxx.


  4. Samantha Smith on Jan 10, 2015 said:

    Your photos are absolutely lovely and make me swoon!
    I love that prayer. It’s beautiful!


  5. Melissa M. on Jan 10, 2015 said:

    Beautiful–both the photos and the poetry! Thank you for sharing!


  6. Tammie M on Jan 10, 2015 said:

    Beautiful photos and such a lovely poem. Happy New Year!


  7. Suzanne on Jan 11, 2015 said:

    Emily Rose~ The Valley of Vision, such a lovely poem of God’s forever grace. I penned it in my art journal… Bless you for sharing golden words of love. ~Suzanne


  8. Hannah Carrington on Jan 13, 2015 said:

    Beautiful photos and lovely poem! Happy New Year!


  9. Moriah on Feb 2, 2015 said:

    So lovely!!


  10. Laryssa on Feb 10, 2015 said:

    Hello, Emily Rose (such a pretty name=),

    I also own the prayer book, Valley of Vision, and treasure it deeply. Also, I read this same prayer as 2014 ended!
    By the way, I just discovered your exquisitely beautiful blog today and am definitely coming back!




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