marie-madeline studio

Titanic 100

The Titanic 100 was a perfectly wonderful experience in every way!  We still haven't stopped talking about it yet.  We gathered with a little under 600 people in Branson, Missouri, to remember and honor the heroism displayed on Titanic's decks as she went down.

There were lots of wonderful events that we were so happy to be a part of including a special trip to the amazing Titanic Museum, visiting with many reenactors, wonderful lectures by some of our favorite speakers, a screening of A Night to Remember (which you really need to see!), a special children's play  commemorating 'women and children first', music by Charlie Zahm, the San Antonio Darlings, Paddy Walsh and the Boilermakers & the boys from Third Class, and many more!

The wonderful event culminated in a fabulous White Star dinner on the Branson Belle showboat as we cruised around Tablerock Lake, at the exact moment Titanic struck the iceberg that sent her down.  Most of us in early 1900s-inspired clothing, naturally.  We girls were so happy to have the opportunity to make our dresses for the occasion, and pull out some of our vintage rhinestone jewelry.  And, Mom got to wear her paternal grandmother's haircomb and maternal grandmother's rhinestone pin.  Dressing for the occasion was just icing on the cake!

As we said earlier, the whole experience was beyond wonderful, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to have joined in.  It was definitely a few days to remember always!

Hope you enjoyed a peek at it! Hugs-- xoUs

He is risen!

 
He left His Father's throne above - so free, so infinite His grace - emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race.  'Tis mercy all, immense and free, for O, my God, it found out me!  {Charles Wesley 1707-1788}

Have a joyful Resurrection Day!

With love in Christ Jesus~

Kristie, Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, & Abiah

Happy Thanksgiving!

"...It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor..." {George Washington, 1789}

 
 

   
  

"O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.... O that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!  For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." {Psalm 107:1,8-9}
 

And so, we give thanks.  There is so much to be thankful for.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, with lots of love from the Long family!

With warmth and joy from our home to yours~

xoxo, the Long ladies

M.e.r.r.y. C.h.r.i.s.t.m.a.s.

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." ~Matthew 1:21

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:38-39

We love you all.  May the Lord bless you with a lovely celebration of Christ's birth!

xoxo, the Long ladies (for the whole family)

We have so much to be thankful for.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits... Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.... For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him."  ~Psalm 103: 1-2, 4, & 11

With lots of love and a "Happy Thanksgiving!" from our home to yours~

xo, the Long ladies  

what Mother's Day means to us...

 

Written by four grateful daughters about their mother....

So, clearly, we have the best Mommy in the whole world.  We really think that celebrating "Mother's Day" only once a year isn't good enough.  We'd also further like to say that not one day goes by that we're not thankful for our Mommy.  Many daughters have done virtuously, but she excels them all!

She has taught us to love simple things in life-- cookie dough, ric rac, quilts, tiny flowers (picked by little hands).  Our Mommy has taught us things that some may take a lifetime to learn.  She taught us, by example, what it means to love Christ with our whole hearts.  To walk with Him in times of plenty, and in times of want.  To trust Him and to rest in Him.  And for that, we are thankful.  

We love you, Mommy!  We want to be just like you.

Your loving daughters~

    Apphia, Achaia, Abigail, & Abiah  

Merry Christmas!

 

And Mary said, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.  For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.  And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.  He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.  He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever."

~Luke 1:46-55

May the blessings of Christ follow you this Christmas!

love, the Long ladies

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

"...Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.  Amen."

                                                                          Revelation 7:12

 

With love in Christ, from our home to yours!  

~the Long ladies 

Happy 20th Birthday, Apphia!

My gracious... the oldest girl of our family is 20 today! Happy Birthday, Apphia Jade Long!

Apphia has a very unique and special place in our family. Since she's the oldest girl, many times she's the one we go to when something goes wrong. When something breaks. When someone gets hurt. Who knows how many times Apphia's doctored a scratch, given someone a bath, tucked someone in at night, rocked a baby to sleep singing, or cared for one of us in simple ways! The rest of us are continually amazed at how The Lord has made her to have the perfect personality to be able to handle the responsibilities that come with being the oldest girl. We would like to thank you, Apphia, for all you do for each and every one of us!! You're someone to follow... a perfect example of what a godly, loving, sweet, kind, and virtuous sister should be. We love you LOTS!!

He is Risen!

Lo, in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes!
He arose a Victor from the dark Domain,
And He lives forever with His Saints to reign!

He Arose, He arose
Hallelujah Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord

Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus, my Savior
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes!
He arose a Victor from the dark Domain,
And He lives forever with His Saints to reign!

He Arose, He arose
Hallelujah Christ arose!

We trust that you all had a joy-filled day celebrating the Resurrection of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ!