FREE TO THE BRINK… Would she survive her only option?
Reaching Outwards, Reaching Upwards
COVERED WITH FEATHERS An endearing story … a surprising twist
I ONLY WANTED A BREAK A tribute to all great parents
I’LL FLY AWAY What do you do when trouble knocks?
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 ISSUE NO. 1
inspiration + business + reviews + more
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Welcome
Welcome! Welcome to the maiden issue of Jasmine’s Place. A free online magazine for women. It is a hub of short fiction, creative non-fiction, music, art and other creative forms of expressing the stirring stories and themes in the Bible. We also feature great businesses, educational/enjoyable books for little ones and more. Enjoy!
Editing and Design: Puaichie Badejo Contributors: Amy Michelle Wiley. Pam Ford Davis. Helen M Dowd. Puaichie Badejo Jasmine’s Place is the trading name of Eagle Seed Ltd is which is a company registered in England and Wales. Registration Number: 06428865
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Contents
Contents INSPIRATIONAL 6 To the Brink… 10 Word Art 12 Covered With Feathers 18 I Only Wanted A Break 22 Taste and See… 24 I’ll Fly Away BUSINESS 14 Elegant, Stylish... REVIEWS 26 Children’s Book Club COMMUNITY 30 Helping Hands
All information in this publication is accurate at the time publication. While we do endeavour to make sure that all published information is correct, we cannot be held liable for mistakes or omissions. The inclusion of articles etc. does not necessarily indicate that the editor is in agreement or sympathy with what is written. Clients submitting content to us for publication are confirming that they have a legal right to do so, and agree to neither knowingly or unknowingly submit content they have no right to publish. The client accepts that he/she is responsible for ensuring they have publication rights of use for all material provided, and agree to indemnify any losses incurred to us , the publisher using content supplied by them. This also applies to where articles etc. have been sourced by us. We acknowledge that any logos, photographs, images and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Disclosure Policy: Our company is not paid to write reviews. We do not receive any products in order to write reviews. Our reviews are honest and impartial.
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12 Covered With Feathers
26 Children’s Book Club
30 helping hands
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18
I’ll Fly Away
I Only Wanted A Break
14
Elegant, Stylish...
22 taste and see…
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INSPIRATIONAL
Puaichie Badejo
It was time. The basket was ready. It had been made as watertight as possible. The baby was fast asleep. Jochebed’s heart clenched as she hugged him close. Miriam, her first child sat beside her – her face as close to her baby brothers’ as she possibly could. As if from a long distance away, she heard her husband, Amram say her name softly. “Jochebed…” Her face a mask of pain, she looked up at him and nodded.
The room was deathly quiet. No one wanted baby Moses or threeyear-old Aaron, sleeping on the other side of the room to wake up just yet. Very gently Jochebed placed Moses in the basket, adjusted the blanket and trailed her finger softly down his cheek. A tear fell silently down her face. “Why…?” Amram knelt down beside them. His cloak rustling in the stillness. “I don’t understand, Jochebed, but God does and He will be glorified in this. You’ve got to go now. It’ll soon be daylight... Miriam, go with your mother. I’ll
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watch Aaron.”
would be changed.
……………………………………………………
But Pharaoh did not back down and it became too dangerous to continue to hide Moses.
Darting into and out of hiding places, looking out to make sure they did not pass anyone on the way, Jochebed and Miriam made their way to the Nile. It had been more than three months since Jochebed had felt the cold morning air of Egypt. Three months that they had braved Pharaoh’s death sentence on all new born baby boys.
Every nerve in Jochebed’s body appeared to fuse around her face and mouth when the distinctive scent of the river Nile began to waft across to them. They were close.
Closing her eyes for an instant, she placed her forehead on her hands and tried not to think about what she was about to do. Miriam pointed to a little clearing. “Mama, wait there. I’ll just go ahead and make sure the coast is clear.”
A sentence that he thought would stop the Hebrews taking over the land. Three months that they had prayed that somehow the edict
Jochebed nodded and sank down.
Closing her eyes for an instant, she placed her forehead on her hands and tried not to think
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about what she was about to do. A slight rustling of the reeds around her told her Miriam had returned. “Mama, come, I’ve found a good spot.” Jochebed gripped the basket tighter. “I can’t do this.” Miriam grabbed her mother’s hands urgently. “We have to Mama. It’s the only way. Papa said so. Come, Mama, before he wakes up. Come!”
She heard Aaron crying before she got into the door. She wasn’t surprised, in the last three months, Aaron had raced to Moses’s side as soon as he woke up. Every single morning.
“Mama, where’s Moses?” Her eyes met Amram’s as she stepped into the house.
“As usual?” Amram nodded and handed Aaron to her. “Mama, where’s Moses?” “I took him out, Aaron.” She replied stroking his hair softly and sank down into a chair. “He’s alright…sshh…don’t cry…Amram? …I’m very cold…”
…………………………………………………… The tension had gone. The pain around her face had gone. What replaced them was a deep numb cold that appeared to emanate right from the centre of her being.
Gently, her husband put a large blanket over both of them. “And Miriam?” Jochebed hugged Aaron tighter. “She stayed behind to see…what would happen…”
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With a deep sigh, Amram bent and cradled them both in his arms. “Our God will be God.” Jochebed closed her eyes and buried her head deep into his shoulder. “Yes, He will.” She breathed. “Yes, He will.” Suddenly she stiffened. She could hear running. Pulling sharply away from Amram, she looked at the door. Was it Miriam? What had happened?
Dishevelled. Gasping. Out of breath. With the brightest smile on her face. Leaping into the room, her words tumbled out. Each one feeling like drops of warm oil on Jochebed’s heart. “Mama! Mama! Come! Pharaoh's daughter is at the river! She found Moses! She wants you to take care of him! Come!!! Come!!! ……………………………………………………… Adapted from Exodus 2: 1-10 and Hebrews 11:23.
Was her baby dead? Her heart leaped into her mouth. Was her baby dead? She looked at Amram. He indicated to her to be quiet and made towards the door quickly.
Copyright © 2012 Puaichie Badejo. All rights reserved. Bible Images: freebibleimages.org .
The door burst open before he got there. It was Miriam.
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INSPIRATIONAL
word art Where can I go from your Spirit Where can I flee from your presence If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139: 7-10 (NIV) Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (c) 197, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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INSPIRATIONAL
Covered With
Feathers Amy Michelle Wiley
“Mama, I’m scared.” Her big brown eyes were dark against the white hospital walls. “I know, Mandy.” I shifted and took her small hand, surprised that mine was even colder than hers. “But we prayed that God would guide the doctor’s hands while he does the operation, remember? And that He would hold you and me tightly in His hands?” Mandy nodded slowly. “Grandma and Grandpa will be here tonight!” I reminded her. “They are flying here right now.”
The first glimmer of a smile appeared on her face. I heard voices in the hall and glanced toward the door. Soon the nurse would be coming to prepare for the surgery. Suddenly Mandy grasped me, her voice urgent. “But I haven’t finished memorizing the verse, yet!” “Which verse, honey?” “The one about God covering us with His wings…like the birdie who built her nest on the front porch sits on her babies to keep them warm and safe.”
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“He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge”
you, Mama!”
,,,,
“Psalm 91.” I smiled and softly began quoting parts of it. The cadence of the scriptures filled the room and we could feel God’s presence filling the tiny space. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings you will find refuge...You will not fear...For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” God says, “He will call on me, and I will answer him.”
“I love you, Mandy.” I watched as another nurse took Mandy’s hand and led her from the room. She paused in the doorway and blew me a kiss. “Don’t forget, Mama, you’re covered in feathers!” I laughed out loud and the nurse looked with puzzlement after my daughter. Shrugging, she turned to me. “Are you ready?” She raised the rail on my hospital bed. “I’m ready,” I told her confidently. “After all, I’m covered with feathers!” copyright 2008 Amy Michelle Wiley.
This time Mandy’s smile lit her whole face. “He will cover you with his feathers…and under…" “His wings you will find refuge.”
Amy is a freelance writer and editor and a professional sign language interpreter. She is the director of Peculiar People--an international collaborative fiction organization. Her website is www.sparrowsflight.net Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com
She repeated it again. “I think I can remember that, now.”
Article URL: http://articles.faithwriters.com/reprint-articledetails.php?id=315
The nurse came in then and announced that it was time. Mandy squeezed my hand. “I love
All scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R). Copyright (c) 197, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
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BUSINESS
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NICOLA
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INSPIRATIONAL
Helen Dowd
Totally exhausted after a day of chasing goats, chickens, ducks, geese, dogs and cats, and three preschool children, I dropped into my lazy boy chair. I had no sooner dozed off when the six school-aged children burst in from school, all tumbling over each other, trying to be the first to tell me about their day. Usually I welcomed their enthusiasm, but today I just wished the whole world would vanish, and take me with it. It had been one of those days!
I closed my eyes, trying hard not to let the tears escape. I wanted to shout at the children, tell them to “be quiet!” But I didn't have to. Lucile, the oldest girl, a very softhearted, caring child, saw my distress and asked, “Mom? What's wrong?” It was then the tears really came. Being only twenty-eight, and having nine foster children ranging in age from four to fourteen was sometimes a bit much. The responsibility and work was sometimes
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overwhelming.
We lived on an acreage and had some bantam hens. Bantams have a habit of laying eggs wherever they choose. ………
.....
Lucile dropped her schoolbooks on the table and made me a cup of tea. Soon, the cup of tea helping, I gained my composure and let out a big sigh.
“Do you wish you didn't have us?” Van, the youngest, wanted to know. James looked at me and asked, “Mom? Did we do something wrong?” “No,” I replied, struggling to smile. “I'm just exhausted. It's all right. Some day when you have children you'll understand.”
Because of their great flying ability, we found it impossible to keep these little chickens penned up so the children made it their job to find the bantie eggs each day. One day two of the boys found a nest of six eggs. Half on, and half off the nest, lay a dead hen. The boys came running to me, asking if they could bring the eggs in and try to incubate them. I agreed. It was summer and would make a great project for them.
“Do you wish you didn't have us?” Van, the youngest, wanted to know. “Of course I don't wish I didn't have you,” I replied, pulling him close. “But sometimes mommies just get tired. Sometimes mommies wish they could have a break. But I'm okay now. Come and help get supper.”
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However, to make sure that it would not be just another startand-quit thing, I said, “Okay, I am going to let you try this. But, on one condition. If you start this project, you must finish it. I don't want to hear you complaining in a few days that you are tired and want to quit.” The boys assured me they would not quit, so we gathered the equipment: a nesting box, a couple of hot water bottles, a calendar to keep track of the incubation days.
Faithfully for days, they checked the water bottle temperature, and turned the eggs, often getting up in the night to make sure the eggs were all right. The boys set the water bottles into the box on top of the heating pad, covered them with a cloth, and nestled the eggs in. Faithfully for days, they checked the water bottle temperature, and turned the eggs, often getting up in the night to make sure the eggs were all right. .
.
At about day fifteen, they became impatient but stuck to it. Just when they began to lose hope however, the eggs hatched.
Whenever they left the room those two little chicks set up such a holler that you could hear them all the way to the hen house. They were instant parents and loved it! And vice versa! Those chicks followed them all day long, eating and making messes everywhere. They peeped at night. They peeped during the day.
Whenever they left the room those two little chicks set up such a holler that you could hear them all the way to the hen house. A few days later, the other children wanted to go on a hike. The boys really wanted to go with them. However, they couldn’t leave those two little chicks at home, but they couldn't take them either.
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“Maybe we could just put them in the box and close the lid,” suggested James. “We could leave them lots of water and food. We'd be gone only four or five hours.”
said, “Now I know how you feel sometimes, Mom. You don't mind being a mom, but you sure could use a break now and then.”
…..
He went to his bedroom to get ready for the hike. All the while the chicks hollered. He looked at me mournfully, as he closed the lid and threw a towel over the box. He went to his bedroom to get ready for the hike. All the while the chicks hollered. He went and got another towel to make it darker in the box.
I smiled and gave the boys a hug each.
“I guess we can't go,” he said, looking over at Don. “I only wanted a break.” When I said those words a month ago, I hadn’t realized that it would be so soon that two little boys would learn what parenthood meant. (This is a true story, but names and a few details have been changed.) Helen Dowd.
Maybe the chicks would think it was night, and go to sleep. But the peeping got even louder. James looked downcast. “I guess we can't go,” he said, looking over at Don. “I only wanted a break.”
Then he remembered the day I said those same words. He looked at me, and with a sheepish grin
Helen is retired and enjoys spending time at her computer, along side her husband of 55 years, writing poetry, story poems, stories about pets and life in general, as well as inspirational and Bible stories. Her writings can be found on her website, www.occupytillicome.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com Article URL: http://articles.faithwriters.com/reprint-articledetails.php?id=8218
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INSPIRATIONAL
taste and see… …a round up of some great music
• • • • • • • • • •
V3: Love Makes The World Beautiful Roof Top MC’s ft Tha Suspect: For My Life Fernando Ortega: On This Good Day Ibitayo Jeje: E No Dey Slumber Shirley Murdock: This is That Ricky Dillard and New G: Just Start Shouting Kingdom Choir: Praise Belongs To You D’Violet: Dobale Avalon: Indescribable Terry Newsome: U Stayed
Sources: UCB (www.ucbmedia.co.uk) and Set HIM Off (www.sethimoff.com)
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INSPIRATIONAL
I’ll Fly Away Pam Ford Davis
Less than an hour ago, I stood gazing through my kitchen window at two birds in our lawn. I'm accustomed to seeing the colorful creatures as they stop by on their way to other landing pads. I am not a birder, and only readily recognize robins, red birds and blue jays. Viewing a blue jay today, I paid little attention to my Creator's lawn ornaments, until the second bird caught my eye. I am quite sure it was a redheaded woodpecker; I've only
seen them at a distance, hard at work pecking into bark of trees. I raised my blind and left the kitchen to find my camera. Returning, I learned both birds had flown away in my absence. Though I was disappointed, I realized we could learn a thing or two from birds. There are times when raging winds and storm clouds of adversity nearly propel us into space. Storms build upon the horizon, and foreboding clouds threaten to rain on our parade.
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We run for the nearest shelter. Discouragement beckons. What would really preserve life, at times like that, is to run to God.
One bird, not found among those on my lawn that day, is the dove. It symbolizes God's Holy Spirit. When we turn to the Holy Spirit, He gives us wings to rise above and soar over destructive storms.
...
David said, "If only I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest. How far away I would flee; I would stay in the wilderness. I would hurry to my shelter from the raging wind and the storm.” (Psalm 55:6-8 HCSB).
Like birds, we can fly away when there is trouble to a hiding place in God, where we can rest, as He returns our peace. Pam Ford Davis.
With God all things are possible! Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Secret Place, Daily Devotionals for the Deaf, Light from the Word Daily Devotional. Available now in book store: FORGET-ME-NOT DAILY DEVOTIONAL http:/ebooks.faithwriters.com/ebookdetails.php?id=520 Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com Article URL: http://articles.faithwriters.com/reprintarticle-details.php?id=22403 Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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REVIEWS
Children’s Book Club Investing quality time with your children right from the start reaps great rewards. Long term and short term. One of the ways you can spend time with young children is by sharing books with them. There is such a huge potential in the early years for learning and books can form a great percentage of the learning that your child engages in, in the early years. Sharing books with children opens pathways into conversations, stimulates their imagination and creates warmth between parents/carers and children. On the following few pages, you will find reviews of some great early learning books. They are all sturdy board books made with hard paper card and are perfect for little ones. Enjoy!
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Dig Dig Digging
‌
Margaret Mayo & Alex Ayliffe A touch-and-feel book about big machines.
Baby’s Potty Felicity Brooks & Rachel Wells 'I can sit on my potty? Can you do too?' are the last words in this sweet book that gently introduces little ones to potty training. Listen as the star of the book, Baby, wisely educates his buddies, Bunny the rabbit and Fido the dog, that the potty is neither a fruit bowl, a bed or dog bowl - and then proceeds to show them what it is meant for.
Young children will enjoy running their fingers on the different textures in this book ranging from earth and tyres to hay. Young children will also enjoy 'feeling' the 'textures' in the lovely rhyming text - dig, dig, digging; pull, pull, pulling; shovel, shovel, shovelling etc. This is an enjoyable and educational book on many levels. Enjoy it!
It has got bold and clear illustrations and a cut-out of the baby that your little one can move and slot into each page (like a puzzle piece). A fun interactive book!
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First Words Priddy Books
‌
This is a little book with chunky covers that have a nice reassuring feel to them. It has 26 photographs of objects that your child is likely to come into contact with on a day-to-day basis. The chair, the ball, the orange, the apple... It thus reinforces your child's knowledge and understanding of his daily world and helps him to begin to express himself more as he puts names to the objects he sees every day. As he does so, his confidence at communicating increases and once he has conquered his daily world, then the sky is not the limit...!
Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep Rob Scotton
Oh, poor Russell the sheep! He tried and tried and tried to fall asleep. He made it dark, he made himself cold, but nothing worked. Then, ahah! he decided to count (yes, you guessed it !) - sheep! You and your little one will love the illustrations in this book, they're hilarious! And so, Russell finally manages to fall asleep after he's counted the 10th sheep (himself!) and is soon snoring! Yes, at the end of the book, you and your little one will literally hear him snoring and your little one will probably be feeling sleepy too! Perfect bedtime book. Sleep tight Russell!!
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Here Comes The Rain Anna Claybourne & Debbie Tarbett
..
Colourful and beautiful book that follows a group of bugs as they try to get out of the way of a coming storm. The insects call out to, and help other to get to safety teaching the concept of team work . With peep-through holes, shiny textured bugs, shiny raindrops and rhyming text, this story will draw your little one right into the world of the beautiful garden in the book. Then, the grand finale - after the storm - a beautiful pop-up shiny rainbow is revealed. Lovely book!
My Daddy and Me Tina McNaughton With beautiful large illustrations and gentle rhyming text, this is a nice and reassuring book that reinforces the special bond between a father and his child. It's written as a poem from a child to a father and as the book progresses, the child tells his father all the things that he is when they are together - he's big, he's tall, he's strong, he's brave, he's happy. The illustrations provide avenues to teach new words and reinforce existing vocabulary. Great book!
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COMMUNITY
helping hands In 2000, 189 UN Member States committed to tackling poverty in all its forms by signing and adopting the Millennium Declaration. This commitment was translated into 7 goals as set out below: Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Goal 5: Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases Goal 6: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 7: Develop a global partnership for development
The target date for the achievement of these goals is 2015. The UN recently released a progress chart which shows an assessment of the progress towards selected key targets. The chart shows that whilst some progress has been made, there is still much to be achieved. You can view the chart here: http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/Re sources/Static/Products/Progress 2012/Progress_E.pdf As we go about the business of our daily lives, let us remember the people behind the chart, the faces behind the statistics, and do what we can in our own way to help. Cheers.
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