Mary and the Empty Tomb

The story of Mary Magdalene's visit to the empty tomb is captivating.  As a child I loved to think about this lovely woman's encounter with the risen Lord.

It was early in the morning on the first day of the week after the Lord had been crucified and buried.  Mary Magdalene went to visit the tomb where He had been buried.

But when she arrived, she was astonished to discover the massive stone the Romans had placed over the opening, had been rolled away from the entrance.  The official seal had been broken and the guards who'd been assigned to watch the tomb were nowhere to be found.  The tomb was empty.

She must have been in a state of shock as she ran to where the disciples were gathered, to tell them the tomb was empty. Peter and another disciple didn't believe her, so they returned with her to the tomb, to see for themselves.

When they entered, Peter saw the discarded linen burial cloths. He must have been completely stunned to find the tomb was actually empty.  Then the two men left together, leaving Mary outside the tomb weeping.  Her eyes blurred with tears, she noticed someone standing nearby.  It was the Lord, but she didn't recognize him.

"Woman, why are you crying?" He asked.

Mary, believing He was a gardener cried out, "Sir, if you have taken my master away, tell me where he is so that I can go to him."

In a tender voice the Lord said her name, "Mary!"

When He spoke her name, suddenly Mary knew who He was. "Teacher," she cried through her tears.  She ran to Him and in her great joy, she grabbed Him and Hugged him.

"Stop clinging to me," The Lord said with a grin (or so I  imagined), "for I have not yet ascended to my Father. "Now, go and tell my brothers that you have seen me and that I am going to return to my Father."

So Mary ran to find the disciples rejoicing and saying, "I have seen the Lord."  And indeed, He was alive--before the Lord went up into Heaven, He visited many people throughout the land. Then He was caught up into the clouds.

Have a lovely Easter weekend everyone!

Easter Prayers -Postcard Friendship Friday #161

Many people around the world celebrate the anniversary of the Lord's death on the Friday before Easter Sunday.  This day is known as Good Friday.  Services are often held in the afternoon, usually around noon, or midday.  In America people put on plays and in some countries there are big parades with a lot of pageantry.  There is a delightful custom in Bermuda where handmade kites are flown on Good Friday to symbolize the Lord's death, His resurrection and the day He was caught up into heaven.

In some countries, such as Belgium and Mexico, places of worship are draped in black on Good Friday. The day is solemn and a general air of sadness is felt in many towns and villages. Some people in Poland fast on dry bread and roasted potatoes.  In many countries, including Poland and America, exquisite egg decorating is a part of Easter preparations. I think I like that part of preparing for Easter Sunday best.

Have a wonderful day and happy Postcard Friendship Friday.

* LINKING UP:  You put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the  entire week!

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Welcome Easter Morning -Guest Heart Thursday

I love faces in flowers--to discover these beautiful Easter Lilies with such lovely smiles made my morning.  I am sharing these flowers, not only for Easter, and Guest Heart Thursday, but for all our friends who are buried by the snow storms sweeping across parts of America.

Spring is coming, dear ones--soon flowers will be bursting from the frozen ground.  Our thoughts are with you--and, of course, you must know how envious I am that you have had snow.  (sigh)  Not one single flake here this winter...I can't remember a winter without some snow!

Of course, there are many hearts in this wonderful postcard--some of them are quite hidden!  Have a lovely weekend and happy Guest Heart Thursday. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

A Happy Easter -Postcard Friendship Friday #160

I fell in love with this delightful depiction of cats painting an Easter Egg.  Of course the proportions are all off, but how cute is this?!

I cannot send and egg to you

On this happy Easter Day.

For "chickee," as you see,

Broke through,

So I'm sending him

your way.

Happy Easter and a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday to you!

* LINKING UP:  You put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the  entire week!

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Pipe of Peace -Postcard Friendship Friday #159

I adore this postcard.  Despite the brick and bat held out of sight as these two shake hands, these  mischievous fellows seem to respect and like one another--I imagine if they were to end up in a "knock down drag out" they'd eventually end up at a local pub nursing black eyes, bumps & bruises--AND sharing a tasty brew.

I sought everywhere to discover the history and significance to an Irish pipe of peace.  All I could find were bagpipes, which are typically referred to as Pipes O' Peace!  If anyone out there knows the significance, or stories and legends surrounding Celtic pipes, or clay Irish pipes of peace, I would love to hear from you!

The Irish are a passionate people and their humor and fiery temperament are legendary.  Since I am of Irish descent on Dad's side, this postcard tickled my funny bone.  I hope it makes you smile, too.  I liked what Master Harold's Auntee wrote on the back, "Dear Harold, These two seem to be good friends, smoking their pipe of peace." 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

* LINKING UP:  You put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  The linky is open for the  entire week!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Morning Glory Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

In Victorian times, flowers were given various meanings.  One could know the nature of a lover's feelings by the bouquet he sent.  The Morning Glory came to symbolize great affection. These beautiful flowers blossom in the morning, but die by nightfall.  Some were convinced they represented the fleeting nature of love.  Yet because the vine produces new flowers every day during its growth season, it also came to represent the renewable aspects of romance and the heart.  

In Chinese folklore, the Morning Glory represents a single day for lovers to meet. Here's something else I didn't know--these beautiful blooms also represent the month of September and 11th wedding anniversaries!

Have a wonderful day!  Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Legend of St. Patrick and the Pig -Postcard Friendship Friday #158

I have always wondered why pigs are so often included in St. Patrick's Day cards, along with shamrocks Leprechauns and pipes.  I finally discovered the legend!  Here's the story:

St. Patrick was born along the west coast of Roman Britain where his parents raised the boy as a Christian. Sadly, when Patrick was a teenager, a group of Irish raiders attacked his family's estate while his parents were out of town.  So 16-year old Patrick, along with many of his family's servants, was taken hostage and forced to live in Ireland as a slave. 

The land of Ireland was wild, harsh and rugged.  Life there was extremely difficult.  St. Patrick was sold and  legend has it that his master was a kind man.  St. Patrick served him faithfully for six years.

However, when he was in his early 20's, St. Patrick experienced a profound spiritual transformation. After a prolonged fast he fell into a deep sleep.  In a dream, he heard a voice saying, “Thou doest well to fast; thou shalt soon return to thy native land.”

From then on, St. Patrick began planning his escape.  The day came when he traveled safely across the country to the east coast town of Wicklow, where trading vessels were about to set sail. He approached one and was taken aboard as a crewman.

After sailing for three days, the ship landed along the shore of an unnamed country. Scholars believe the boat landed along the southwest coast of Gaul, perhaps at what is now known as Bordeaux.  After making their way on foot through a “desert” for nearly a month, the group ran out of food. 

The leader, who knew of St. Patrick's devout belief in God addressed him, saying, "What have you to say for yourself, Christian? You boast your God is all-powerful. So why can’t you pray for us, you know how badly hunger threatens us; its beginning to look as if we may not survive to see another living soul."

With great confidence St. Patrick replied, "Turn trustingly to the Lord who is my God and put your faith in him with all your heart, because nothing is impossible to him. On this same day, he will send us food sufficient for our journey, because for him there is abundance everywhere."

As the story goes, those words no sooner left St. Patrick's mouth, when a huge herd of wild pigs miraculously appeared, blocking their way.  Wasting no time, the crew dispatched enough of the animals to last for days.

According to legend, the group finished their journey through Gaul, then headed into Italy.  From there, St. Patrick traveled alone to his home, where he was joyfully received.

So, there you have it!  Now you know why pigs are included in St. Patrick's Day cards!  Have a lovely day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

* FRIDAYS:  You can link up any time during the week--even if it isn't Friday.  The linky is open for an entire week!*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Roses For Dad -Guest Heart Thursday

I've been missing Dad a lot this past week.  Sorrow sweeps over me at the strangest moments.  This is our first spring without him.  Somehow the daffodils as they nod their smiling faces touch me.  I remember Dad's delight in the flowers.

Since this is Guest Heart Thursday, I wanted to include a heart.  I found a scan of a heart card I sent to Mumsie years ago.  Sissy sent a copy to me and I'm sharing it with you today.  I miss Dad and there are sometimes I want to fly  home and hug the daylights out of my Mums.  We have been so blessed to have such great parents.  Have a lovely day, everyone. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Happy Saint David's Day

This postcard is of Snowden, the highest mountain in Wales.  It is the closest thing I have on hand  for Wales!  I'm posting an extra entry today, as it was brought to my attention that today is Saint David’s Day!

My research into the life of this man is fascinating.  Saint David was born towards the end of the Fifth century. He was of the royal house of Ceredigion and as a young man, founded a Celtic monastic in Wales.  During that time, his fame as a teacher spread throughout the Celtic world.

Saint David is said to have died on March 1^st sometime around 588 AD.  On his death bed, Saint David said to his fellow monks, "Brothers be ye constant. The yoke which with single mind ye have taken, bear ye to the end; and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfill."

The feast day of Saint David, patron saint of Wales, falls on March 1^st each year. This date was chosen in remembrance of his death.  Saint David was recognized as the national patron saint of the Welsh people at the height of their resistance to the Normans.  March 1st was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century.

A relatively recent update is the National Assembly for Wales voted unanimously to make Saint David's Day a public holiday in 2000!  Forgive this American Citizen's enthusiasm, but, "Yehaw!"

Happy Saint David’s Day!

The Green Shamrock -Postcard Friendship Friday #157

This wee lovely Irish girl is obviously selling shamrock nosegays and a handful of Irish pipes!  What a sweet costume she wears, with that wonderful underskirt of shamrock beneath her vibrant green.  She is exactly as I envision an Irish girl from days of old.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.