Photo Prompt 22 - January Challenge

Sara wished she could read people's minds, especially during those times when she felt ignored. She wasn't an extraordinary girl, but her heart was either full of hope or shadowed in darkness. There was no in between for her. 

Anjelica wanted to control people, especially when they didn't agree with her ways. She wasn't an extraordinary girl, but she had either a heart full of determination or one of coy manipulation. There was no in between for her. 

Sara wanted to be noticed and respected. Anjelica wanted to be honored and admired. 

No matter what they portrayed on the outside, God saw them on the inside. 

Sara feared that if her mistakes were bricks they would build a wall that could reach heaven. Anjelica feared that if her lies were like vine they would spread up into heaven. Both girls imagined their sin was more evil than the other,, but God saw them as equals. 

God can unmask what once seemed enticing and flawless, and expose the cracks in the foundation underneath. He sheds light on the truth, even when it is kept secret in the darkest of ways. 

No matter what is happening on the outside, the inside will always show itself in time. Sara's fear of rejection will hold her back if she does not heed God's call to trust in Him and be courageous, to accept who He made her to be and focus on the gifts He bestowed onto her. Anjelica's facade will be exposed if she does not heed God's call to humble herself and keep true to her word to do all things for His glory, to remain modest and faithful to Him who grants her victory. 

For a time will come, should they refuse the narrow way, when the consequences will follow and they will appear as broken and battered on the outside as God knows they are on the inside. 

January Challenge Weeks 4 & 5

It's almost complete! I've enjoyed my time sharing my inspiration from each day's photo prompt so much that I almost don't want it to end. Thank goodness I'll be getting February's prompts ready soon! Here are the final 10 photos for our January Challenge!

Photo Prompt 21 - January Challenge

This piece is dedicated to my Nanny and Papaw Rose. This picture reminds me of my home away from home, the lovely yellow house at the end of "Nanny's Hallway!"

The sun would be rising as we packed up our car and headed home. Home isn't always where you live, although that's home of course, but it's where you feel like you belong. Each summer I would count down the days until we would leave for Nanny and Papaw's. I loved taking vacations to the beach or to theme parks, but nothing compares to the little yellow house on the mountainside. 

You can tell God is in every inch of creation there, from the crisp mountain air to the sound of the creek after heavy rain. From sunrise to sunset, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth to me. Surrounded by nature, in the peace and quiet, it's my home away from home. Growing up spending weeks with Nanny and Papaw would be more exciting than a trip to DollyWood. From the moment we would arrive we wouldn't stop laughing, playing, or exploring. 

I remember the trips we would take to Papaw's cabin; if the thrilling ride up a steep mountain wasn't exciting enough, just wait until he would tell you about his bear sightings! Our walks up Dead Man's Mountain, where I could place my hands on the lifeless chains, made me feel like quite the conqueror, until we realized we had swam in a sea of sting weed. I wouldn't be able to finish this piece if I had to tell you about my favorite part of spending time with Papaw; his cooking! I could live on his strawberry french toast - or anything else for that matter. He always made sure we had full bellies, and our hearts were full of happiness as well!

Nanny is one of my inspirations for story writing; she's the best story teller I've ever met! I could listen to her talk about our ancestors all day and night. And her ghost stories are quite chilling to hear as well; especially on dark nights out on the gazebo. Besides filling our heads with stories of the past, she knew how to keep us busy with trips to the pool or the library, out visiting Great Granny Moore, or walks at Fish Pond Lake. I couldn't wait to find out what fun she had in store for us. One time she even put together a grand scavenger hunt upon our arrival. I was awarded with a lovely ruby slipper key chain that I use even to this day.

Another favorite spot is none other than Auntie Lisa's! She's that fun, hip Aunt everyone else wishes they had! Growing up she would entertain us for hours on end. I remember tagging along on family vacations and our many trips to the movies or the mall. She makes me feel like one of her own and the best friend a girl could have. Now that I am grown up she makes the best cup of coffee as we sit and share our secrets. She's a woman after my own heart, and I'm proud when people tell me they can see some of Aunt Lisa in me! 

Just thinking about all of those wonderful memories brings a smile to my face. Knowing that I have family who loves me and takes me for who I am is such a great blessing. To be able to share these wonderful memories, and to make many more new ones, with Zeke is something I am truly looking forward to. I'm hoping to be reunited with Nanny and Papaw soon. Until then, I'll close my eyes and imagine the beauty and solace that I find at the end of Nanny's "hallway."

Oh, how I can't wait to go back!

Photo Prompt 20 - January Challenge

My writing lately has become more personal than fictional. I promise I want to write stories, however there has been a huge weight on my shoulders that I want to free myself from. So, unless you don't mind me pouring out my heart for this post, things are about to get personal... again.

Last night I feel asleep looking at the moon. I tried to close my eyes, but its light was overpowering through the darkness. My husband slept peacefully beside me and I could hear Zeke ruffling his covers in the next room. 

I remembered a time when I looked upon that same moon, only several years earlier. I was living with my parents then. Patiently awaiting my junior year of college. I remember one night in particular. I could hear the crickets singing outside my two-story windows. I loved that bedroom, especially for the windows. As I gazed out the full moon was staring right back at me. I wasn't tired then. I was dreaming, but I was wide awake.

I like to daydream (or nightdream in this case). It's one of those things I do to escape the stress or the mundane. That night I was dreaming about my future. I was thinking about what I would be like, what I would be working for, and all the things I hoped to accomplish. I never quite imagined life as it is now.

Watching home videos this afternoon brought back so many memories of my childhood. I would look at my five-year-old self with those scrawny legs and messy black hair with all of that energy (I'm pretty sure my son takes after me in the energy department) and would never imagine to be where I am now. I am happily married and together my husband and I have a token of our love in the form of Ezekiel. God took me through college and two years of working with children before allowing me to stay home and nurture my own child. Some days I feel so blessed for who I am and what I do.

Other days I feel guilty. I feel guilty that I'm not out putting 40 hours or more on the clock to provide an extra income to give Zeke more. I feel guilty that some days I do well to get the laundry into the dryer, let alone folded and put away. I feel guilty that Daniel lets me sleep in on weekends even though Zeke lets me get a full 8 hours every night. I feel guilty that working mothers judge me or envy me. I feel guilty that I'm not known to anyone as "Kendra" but as "Zeke's mom." It's a very honorable title, but at times I feel guilty that God isn't having me do something more with my time.

I looked up at the moon last night and poured my heart out to God. I have so many questions and I know by faith I will be fine not knowing any of the answers. I know that motherhood is a great calling, and by no means a small job in the kingdom of God. I know that even if I'm nothing other than a mother on this earth I can still honor and glorify Him who gifted me with this blessing and ability. I know that at times I will belittle myself for not being one of "those" moms, who leave their children with their relatives and go out and about every week doing something of utter importance. Nevertheless, this is the job God has given me for the time being. And I believe I'm working on something God would have be do later on.

I'm thrilled at the opportunity to write you, dear readers, no matter who you are or why you happened upon my little journal here. I believe that I will write and my writing will be useful and inspiring to people. I have hope and a dream. And I'm not going to let the little things hold me back from whatever path God beckons me to take.

Photo Prompt 19 - January Challenge

I'm struggling with my imagination today. Writer's block? Perhaps this is my first official taste. I've spent months putting off the task of sitting down and bleeding out everything I've wanted to express, but when I feel the need to I find my mind is like a puzzle box.

When I first looked at the black and white photo above I imagined a place where I'd love to spend the rest of my life. Surrounded by nature, solitude in abundance; this is a place where I could see myself writing and raising my child. I could see myself sitting under that tree, with a good read for inspiration, sipping fresh lemonade after a day of playing in the garden with Zeke. I can see myself soaking up the sun or laying inside on the floor watching the rain splatter the windowpane. 

My imaginary world is much more beautiful than my reality. In a world where I'm supposed to never make a mistake, where I have to be a certain size and weigh a certain amount to be considered pretty, where I have to have specific things in order to be happy, buy top labels, eat organic everything - the pressure is overwhelming. When I look at this photo, I see a place where none of that matters. Where I can exist happily without any negative judgment. Where the superficial and distorted societal views have no power over me.

When I'm feeling so small in a world that I have no control over, I can just close my eyes and I'm instantly in my happy place. Don't get me wrong, my husband and my baby both fill my world with so much love and joy, but there are days where there are clouds hanging over me that not even they can chase away.

On days like today, when my mind is taking me in a hundred different directions, there is always one place where I can return to put myself back together. And looking at this photo just added a new dimension to that world. Kendra Land is a pretty fantastic place. And I starting to believe that I'm quite fantastic myself.

Photo Prompt 18 - January Challenge

And so there I sat, so consumed in my flaws that I felt stuck to the ground. It was as if my feletvwere cement blocks and my body was a fragile petal being beckoned by the wind, but held back. Doubt and Fear were written on the cinder blocks, but I have longed for freedom far too long now to bid goodbye at the chance to fly. I have woken up every day to the promises of hope and faith. I have cried myself to sleep many a time wishing for a new day to start again. The struggle in that routine was all that I knew.

"You are loved. You are cherished. You are one of His children."

I tried to make myself believe, to hold onto those things. To not let anyone take that beautiful truth away from me, or stain it with their words or actions towards me. It wasn't enough, I'm afraid, no matter how hard I fought all I heard was:

"You are petty. You are negative. You will never belong."

And I gave in. And I believed. And I cried.

And when I was through with my sadness I gave in to strife. And I let it consume me. I allowed my anger a place in my heart and I offered it to reign, believing that it would take the hurt away. But you know what they say, "being angry is like taking poison wishing the other person would die." I was the only one angry; they couldn't care (or wouldn't care).

It hurts knowing you are forgiven by God above but despised by man below. No matter how I tried to right my wrongs, it wasn't enough and the rejection led me to backslide into my own ways and suffer through double the guilt. Why I chose to keep fighting a losing battle is beyond me.

I know that God understands what I'm going through, and He will not allow me to overcome by any means other than His Truth and Strength. And all these days I allow my heart to grow bitter is one day more that I'm distancing myself from Him who will see me victorious. 

Today I'm fed up with this life. With trying to please people who don't care about my feelings. For trying to live up to everyone's outrageous standards just to fit into some silly circle that doesn't amount to much in the end. That's because I'm part of the Kingdom of God. He's the only one I have to live for. 

And He loves my life; He gave it to me. Although I feel like I've been stuck in this stormy season for far too long, my rainbow is right in front of me. All I have to do is forgive and move on. Countless days of sunshine will be mine if I only allow this baggage to separate and keep it as far from me as the east is from the west. 

God allows people into your lives to stay or to teach you something. My lesson has been learned. I know what it means now to be a friend: self-sacrifing, understanding, sharing in joys and in grief. I also understand what it means to be betrayed, to be lied to, and to be tricked into believing someone is loyal when they are truly deceitful. 

To you, I apologize. It hurts me to know that I have to be shut out, but I respect your feelings and will leave you to them. My memory of you will not be tainted with the guilt and envy you once made me feel, but of happier times when we were accepting and kind to one another. 

I have my fair share of mistakes and I am not arguing that I am not completely flawed. I will, however, take my lot. I know that I would much rather deal with letting go than some of the things that you are undeniably suffering. I find more and more blessings to be grateful for every day just by being and accepting myself. 

Here's to the goodbyes that will offer me good fortune, because I will be victorious, God is on my side. 

Photo Prompt 17 - January Challenge

It's disheartening to see something once youthful and beautiful turn old and decrepit. Something that was once taken care of and prized left abandoned and forgotten. Growing older I have begun to feel the latter. My prime has passed. My youth has escaped me. My worth has diminished along with it.

My eyes no longer hold their twinkle, they are dimmed with lack of sleep.

My hair no longer shines and flows, it is cut short for lack of time to manage it.

My freckles scream of too much time spent in the sun, yet it's too pale to be forgiving to the signs of age.

My hands are wrinkled and dry from constant use. They are not the soft hands my  husband once loved to caress his cheek.

I feel shorter and wider as my body grows to reflect how poorly I've been treating it. No more adventures to keep it lean and attractive. It has softened and rounded due to lack of activity. 

And yet I feel so tired and stretched out that my energetic and playful personality has turned into one of worry and seriousness.

I feel as weathered and torn as the old house, barely holding itself together, too much of an eyesore to gather any attention. 

All around me I see progress and perseverance, but each day I am closer and closer to slipping away. Unnoticed. Forgotten.

Photo Prompt 16 - January Challenge

It's cold winter days that inspire me to write. Okay, it's rainy spring days and hot summer days and crisp autumn days as well. There's something about snowy days though, that get me thinking about grace. 

Growing up I was often reminded that God can make you as white as snow, as long as you confessed your sins and accepted His Son. So no wonder a person feels "dirty" whenever they do something wrong. We're told that the more wrongdoing, the darker our sin's stains. But once we seek forgiveness and accept that forgiveness, we will become white as the falling snow. 

For years I understood the concept, but I often failed to follow through. I knew to ask forgiveness, but I never knew how to accept it. Not from God, and not from people here on earth.

Perfectionism is poison. I used to think it a nice trait to acquaint myself with, but nowadays I just feel like it's a burden I'm chained to. I don't like to mess up; it makes me feel bad and I get embarrassed when others know of my mistakes. 

The thing about sin is that it's not just a stain that we wear until we allow God to wash it away, but things come attached to it. Things like guilt. Oftentimes I allow God to remove the stain, but I keep hold of the guilt that once stuck to it. So I may be stain free (for a moment) but I have a shadow following me. And that shadow grew into a thundercloud and then it grew into a storm. 

Joyce Meyer once said to do yourself a favor... Forgive! But that's no so easy when you can't even forgive yourself. Today's world doesn't make the task any less complicated either. 

We are bombarded with either idle gossip or the glorification of perfect. Anything in between makes you feel less than what you are. And when we lose sight of who we are, we are truly lost. 

So I like to think the falling snow on days like today is God reminding me that if I want to forgive I need to accept it first. And then I need to sprinkle it over everyone like a blanket of snow. 

Photo Prompt 15 - January Challenge

A small village rested in a valley below a steep, rocky mountain. Growing on a cliff overlooking the village grew a wishing tree. Legend told that should someone climb into the tree and pick one of the wishing flowers their one wish would come true. But the tree would only grant a person one wish and the person would have to live with the consequences of their choice forever, good or bad. 

One day a man ventured up the cliff and climbed into the wishing tree. As he picked his flower he wished for wealth. Happy with his wish he returned home to find a bag of gold that never ran out. However, soon all of the man's family and friends only loved him for his money. He grew lonely and sad with his bag of gold. 

On another day a woman ventured up the cliff and hoisted herself I to the tree. Picking her flower she wished for all the beauty of the world. Returning home she received many calls from young, handsome suitors. However, becoming so beautiful on the outside led her inner beauty, the things that made the people of the village love and appreciate her, to shrivel away. No one wanted to be around her anymore, and she grew lonely and sad with her beauty. 

On yet another day a man bravely climbed into the tree and wished for fame. He returned home to a great fanfare and the people of the village crowded around him. But he let his fame go to his head and began disrespecting the people of the village because he thought of everyone to be lesser than him. Pretty soon the people of the village did not appreciate being belittled, and they decided to forget the man. He grew lonely and sad knowing his fame led to his friends and family to regret knowing him. 

Finally a young child made the trip to the wishing tree. The child carefully climbed onto a limb and admired the pretty flowers. They felt the soft petals and smelled their sweet fragrance. The child thought about what their heart desired, but decided to leave the tree without a wish, because they didn't want to pick one of the helpless little flowers. They thought the tree to be so beautiful that it did not deserve to be manipulated or used selfishly. As the child climbed down, petals began to fall down around them. The child laughed and danced amid the petals, breathing in their soft scent and feeling them brush against their face. That day, it took a young child to realize that happiness does not come from wishes, wealth, fame, or beauty. It comes from love and the things that only love can grow; kindness, respect, and contentment. 

The tree now sits bare at the top of the cliff, but the child (who is now grown with a family of their own) still smells the scent of the soft petals every time the wind blows. 

 

30 Day Writing Challenge - Week Three

We're halfway there! Here are the photo prompts for week three of our January Challenge!

 

 

Photo Prompt 14 - January Challenge

There are many things about my childhood home that I miss, but as I grow older a select few of them continue to resonate with me. We moved a handful of times, but our last house was our home, and although I miss it my heart breaks at the thought of going back. Perhaps it's because of all the good memories that I don't want to get mixed up with the bad news of my current time.  Whatever the reason, as I look forward to buying my own home, I know I want it to have a few things in common with that home. 

Beware, because things are about to get really personal. 

First, it was my own corner of the world. I didn't have to worry about privacy, about neighbors (particularly lazy one who can't clean up their own dog's poo or watch tv at a decent volume), or about the noisy highways interrupting my thoughts. It was quiet and calm, just how I like things to be. 

Secondly, if I didn't want to be stuck inside I had all of nature as my backyard. I could lay under a tree and read, sit on the porch and sip tea, I could take a walk in the woods, swim in the river - possibilities were endless. I spent my days being active and exploring the world (as I saw it).

Lastly, it was the place where my loved ones were all together, before the divorce of my parents, before my brother enlisted in the service; home was where my family was. 

As I look forward to preparing a wonderful home for my son, because the years are going by faster than could be, the one thing I'm focusing on is love. Truly, home is wherever love goes. And even if I have to wait a few more months or years to find a home like that, I'm going to make the best of the home I have now. Zeke won't remember how our rooms were decorated or if the neighbors were annoying, he will remember the memories we made there together. And I'll be damned if they're not ones full of happiness and love. 

Photo Prompt 13 - January Challenge

I've never had a good relationship with my reflection.

As an infant I was unaware. As a child I was only able to see what my imagination allowed me to see. As a preteen I saw missing teeth and knees covered in scabs. As a teenager I saw pimples and blemishes galore. 

When would I ever see something worth seeing? Something lovely. Something unique. Something delightful. Something extraordinary.

You see, all those years I've looked in the mirror I've seen the scars of my mistakes, the lack of sleep, improper hydration and nourishment, sad faces, angry faces, and the aging of my skin. I've seen a woman who is flawed and guilty. A woman who can rarely make eye contact with herself.

What do I see in other women? Confidence. Security. Intelligence. Beauty. Glamour. Joy. Talent. Creativity.

One day, I was looking at myself, loathing the image before me, when I was tempted to break the glass. If I didn't have to see my pathetic reflection, surely my problems would disappear.

Then I heard a voice.

He told me to "look again."

I saw Satan, I saw him attacking a lovely young woman, using her past to mock her, placing her imperfections under a magnifying glass, telling her lies about her worth.

That woman was me I realized. I had been allowing Satan to distort my perception of who I was made to be.

And then He conquered Satan and this is what I saw:

A young woman who is loved more than rubies. Someone valued and cherished. Someone who has gifts to share with others. Someone who has received blessings far beyond what she deserves. Someone who sins, but receives forgiveness and grace. Someone who is part of His master plan. Someone whom He created in His image, whose beauty matches no other of His creation, who can never lose His care and affection.

And then I smiled, because I didn't need a mirror anymore. For one doesn't place a light in front of a mirror, but they take their light out into the world so that is can do what lights do best...

Shine.

Photo Prompt 12 - January Challenge

"Dear friends and family of court, our homes here in Elandra, our lives, all dreams of our future are in danger." Queen Aislyn sat on her golden throne, addressing her regal-looking audience. Brooke and Nicole stood in the back of the crowd, lifting up on their tiptoes to get a better view of the Queen. 

"As you know, the royal slippers disappeared this week, searching for our weapon against Witch Maura. Each day she grows more and more powerful as she wrongfully acquires our magic. It is now time to fight back, to put Maura in her place. With your support, we will be able to banish Maura into the Dessert of Runes forever. We have our two warriors here now to begin their journey. Will you stand beside us?"

The crowd cheered and voiced their devotion to their Queen and Elandra. The women cried tears of joy, and the men shouted out "Long live Queen Aislyn!" Brooke and Nicole were beginning to feel overwhelmed by all of the spirit in the room. It would be easy to cheer for warriors of dreams when you aren't actually a warrior of dreams. Brooke grasped Nicole's hand as they shared a look of uncertainty. 

"Let us meet the warriors!" 

"Yes, bring out our warriors!" 

Men and women alike shouted to bring out the warriors. "They don't know it's us, Brooke," Nicole panicked. "What will they think when they see two girls?"

Before Brooke could think up an answer, Queen Aislyn parted the crowd with her scepter, leaving the girls exposed to the masses. Brooke found her throat tighten up and her hands shaking. All was quiet, save for the twinkling of the slippers on Brooke's feet. 

The crowd seemed surprised, and Nicole was relieved to see looks of confusion on their faces other than looks of anger. 

"Step forward, Warriors," Queen Aislyn called to them. "Do not be deceived," she addressed the crowd, "for the faith of children far surpasses any number of magic and strength. I present to you Brooke and Nicole, our hope has arrived!" The crowd cheered wildly again. Being accepted allowed the girls to feel more confident, but they both felt uneasy about defeating a witch they knew nothing about. 

When the crowd had dissipated, the Queen invited the girls to the North Wing, where her chambers were. They followed her into an oval-shaped room, walls lines with shelves full of books and trinkets. In the middle of the room sat a crystal ball on a diamond stand. On an alter near one of the bookshelves sat a book with a page that flipped back and forth all on its own. Brooke felt so intrigued by the objects here she almost forgot what she and her sister were brought to accomplish. 

"We need a plan," Queen Aislyn began. She walked over to her crystal ball. She rubbed the top of the sphere and peered into it. Brooke wondered what she was seeing. 

"Your Highness," Nicole interrupted. 

Brooke looked at her sister, who seemed more determined than ever. Her face was stern and her hands were clenched into fist. Brooke knew this side of her sister well; she did not like when she did not have the answers. Defeating a witch was not a task they would be asked to carry back home, simply because there were no witches. Brooke knew the magic shoes would help them, and her knowledge of fairy tales along with her imagination would guide them. Nicole solved her problems with facts, not fantasy. Brooke saw that she was uncomfortable here even though they were being treated like royalty. 

"You don't seem to understand that we have no knowledge of this Maura, nor her strengths or how she can possible be defeated. For the safety of my sister and myself, we will not go forth with any plan until we have all of the facts."

"Very well," was the Queen's reply. "Follow me." They exited the crystal ball room by way of a secret passage through a bookcase, into a lovely sitting room with sofas and a fireplace crackling. The Queen served them hot chocolate in gold goblets and chocolate cherry truffles. The girls enjoyed their treat as Queen Aislyn told them the story of how Maura came to threaten Elandra. 

"Maura is my sister. She and I ruled Elandra together for many years; I governed the northern territories and she the southern. We were happy as long as we were together. Our people were happy and our home was peaceful. 

A man from your world came upon our castle, by way of the hollow tree. He was an explorer, and as we took care of our unexpected guest I grew close to him, and I fell in love. Unbeknownst to me, my sister shared the same fate. When we found out about each other's affections for him we fought terribly. 

Days passed and we both tried to out one another by being the best suiter for the human, but he grew tired of our jealous fits. He returned to his world through the hollow tree and we never saw him again. 

My sister took his absence more severely than I. She left the castle, and I have no spoken to her since. I did not know what had become of her until she started using her magic to control our people, and thus turning them into stone."

Queen Aislyn turned her head to wipe a tear from her cheek. Brooke sat in silence. Nicole shifted her weight in her seat, and Brooke could tell she was coming up with some type of solution. 

Queen Aislyn and Witch Maura were sisters who had had a disagreement. Now one sister was wreaking havoc on innocent lives and the other had no choice but to be banished forever. 

"Banished to the Dessert of Runes? That's your goal... For your own sister?" Nicole roared. "Your highness, how could you condemn your own sister to an eternity like that? My sister and I have our moments, too, but I could never imagine spending more than a day without her." Nicole gave a sideways glance to Brooke, who was smiling to know her sister loved her so, before continuing her bargain. "No, you will help your sister. You will fight for her to be redeemed. You will bring her home."

Queen Aislyn sat in shock to be addressed in such a way. The unforgiveness she had been holding for her sister had turned her into a bitter Queen. She had resolved to only think on Maura's offenses and not the things she loved and appreciated about her sister. 

"You are very wise, child," Queen Aislyn spoke as she wiped another tear. "How horrid of me to forget that she is my dear sister." 

"It's okay to be upset," Brooke added, "But you should never let anything get in between family." 

Queen Aislyn nodded. "What do you suggest we do then, my two warriors?" 

"We go to Maura," Nicole proclaimed. "We will bring her back."

Photo Prompt 11 - January Challenge

The girls were given the East Wing of the castle for the night. The rooms were carpeted in emerald green and the marble walls were decorated with gold pictures of what Brooke recognized to be characters from her favorite stories. The girls' beds were the size of their room back home, and the sheets were ivory silk, the pillows were soft as feathers. There was a sitting room adjacent to their bedroom, with fine upholstered couches and armchairs. A fireplace crackled and a buffet was set up with the most delicious food. The food was served on gold platters, and goblets of juice were provided as well. The girls ate to their hearts content and then set off to explore more of the castle.

"I could get used to being here," Brooke said as they walked down the hall. More pictures of familiar fairytale characters lined the walls. Guards stood in intervals along the way, tipping their hats as the girls walked by.

"You do know they brought us here to get rid of a witch, right?" Nicole said gravely. Her face was turning as green as an emerald. Brooke opened a large golden door and the girls entered the library.

"Good always overcomes evil," Brooke assured her. She glanced through the bookshelves, until she noticed her sister still standing in the doorway. "You're afraid." 

It was written all over her face. Nicole tried to fight back her tears. 

"I want to go home," she cried. Brooke embraced her as she cried into her shoulder. "I'm not meant to live in a fairytale!"

"Everyone is meant to live in a fairytale," Brooke said, wiping tears from Nicole's cheek. "Life would be dull without a little magic. Plus, I can't do any of this without you. Queen Aislyn knows that. If it weren't for you, I'd be in for a world of trouble." 

Nicole stifled a sob. She looked up at her sister. "You really need me? I never imagined such a place to exist. I've always dreamed of having an imagination like you."

Brooke smiled. "I've always dreamed of being as smart as you! You know the answer to every problem. You know everything about anything I've never known. You've always had the answers!" She took her sister's hand in hers, "Don't you see? We compliment each other. Together we can defeat the witch. We will learn from each other, and most importantly, we will be together."

Nicole nodded in agreement. After regaining her composure, Nicole and Brooke went back to the East Wing. Queen Aislyn had business elsewhere, and the girls were instructed to rest before their meeting in the morning. When they arrived back to their bedroom wardrobes had been placed by each of their beds. Dresses made in a rainbow of colors were inside. Shoes were placed in Nicole's, some with silk bows or studded with sequins. There were velvet capes and soft cotton robes to wear at night. The girls squealed with excitement. 

The sitting room buffet had been refreshed as well. The girls sat down to tea and cakes in their regal armchairs. Finishing her tea, Nicole went over to open the window overlooking the garden they had arrived in. There was a hollow hackberry tree, where they arrived, and beyond was a great wide world they had yet to discover. Brooke joined her by the windowsill. They breathed in the sweet fragrance of flowers, and watched the beautiful sun set over Elandra.

"I'm worried about what will happen tomorrow," Nicole confessed. "We're not old enough back home, so how are we going to fight a witch, a magical witch, who can turn people to stone?"

Brooke thought for a moment, then the chiming of the slippers gave them an answer. "Because we have magic of our own."

They rested well that night, even Nicole as nervous as she was. When the woke up, the each chose a dress from their wardrobe and sat in their armchairs for a breakfast of porridge and fruit. A guard announced that their presence was needed in the throne room. Hand and hand they walked into the throne room, mere children, warriors of dreams.

Photo Prompt 10 - January Challenge

The next day the girls returned with their totes in hand. Nicole brought her basket to collect the ripe raspberries from the bushes to mix in with their tea. Brooke brought the slippers and her sketchpad. As Nicole steeped the raspberries with the tea leaves, Brooke studied the magic shoes as closely as she could and created a blueprint of them from every angle imaginable. The girls were quite content, and the woods were quiet that day, so a strange noise echoing startled them both. 

A chiming sound, like those the slippers made, filled the air. The girls both jumped up from the grass, eyes peeled, to see what or who it was. 

"Magic," Nicole whispered, almost as a question.

"The only magic we know came from the hollow tree. Let's investigate there." Brooke took her sister's hand and they set off toward the hackberry tree. Coming upon it they saw a woman, her gown sparkling like snow, standing in the entrance. Her hair were strands of gold. Her skin was as smooth as porcelain. Her gown looked like something a princess would wear in a fairytale. She held a long scepter in her hand, tipped with a diamond. Her expression was calm, her violet eyes were twinkling at the girls. Brooke and Nicole were speechless. They had never seen such a beautiful woman before.

"I am Aislyn, Queen of Dreams and Wishes. I come to you from a faraway land where magic dwells. The people there lived in harmony for thousands of years, until our freedom was threatened by a terrible witch. She is deceiving my people, by using a spell to take their memories, and using it to draw her more power. I know you have the powerful slippers. I sent them to you. I know you believe in my land, you have faith in our magic. You are the only ones who can help me defeat the witch and restore the lives of my people."

Her voice was elegant, as you would expect any queen's to be, as she voiced her plea. The girls listened intently to every word. Turning to one another, they shared a look of both confusion and disbelief, but only for a moment. 

"Kind Queen, may my sister and I have a moment to process this task, please?" Nicole spoke bravely, but Brooke could feel her hand trembling as she held it.

"Of course, Nicole," the Queen Aislyn replied. 

Turning to her Brooke, Nicole started nervously, "What will Mother and Father think? What if we never return home after going to this land? A witch, Brooke, she wants us to defeat a witch!"

Brooke bit her lip, still mesmerized by the presence of Queen Aislyn. "Do you believe, Nicole? Do you believe in magic?" She waited for her sister's answer.

"Yes," she spoke quietly. "And I believe in you," she added.

Brooke hugged Nicole. Taking a deep breath she announced to Queen Aislyn that they would accompany her to her land, but first they returned to their spot to grab their totes and left their Mother and Father a note. Brooke wrote:

Mother and Father,

Nicole and I are off to join Queen Aislyn in her battle against the evil witch. We will return home soon. We love you very much.

 Love, Brooke.

Returning to the hollow tree, Queen Aislyn stood waiting for them. "Before we go, one of you must wear the slippers. You've heard of their magic, I'm sure," she glanced to Brooke, "so you know that whoever is wearing them will not be able to take them off, nor will anyone else by any means magical or not. Who shall wear the slippers?"

"Brooke will," Nicole answered, nearly shouting. "You're the one who read me the stories. You should wear the slippers," she said more calmly, nodding toward her sister. Brooke pulled out the slippers from her tote, sat her brown shoes next to the hackberry tree, and placed the magic shoes on her feet.

"Now we are ready to go," Queen Aislyn directed them to follow her into the hollow tree. "Do not be afraid," she called out to them as they stepped into the darkness of the tree. "The next step you take you shall be in my world, Elandra."

Just as she spoke, the girls stepped into glorious light. They felt as if they had only gone a few steps, yet their surrounding were beyond anything they could ever imagine. They stood  in the midst of a beautiful garden, with cobblestone pathways and an array of blossoming flowers. Before them was a castle made of white marble. It reminded Brooke of the ones she saw in her storybooks. Stone lions stood at the steps to the castle door. They followed Aislyn inside.

Surrounded by breathtaking artwork and the kind of furniture they knew they should never really use; the girls were in awe of it all. The Queen took them into a large room, also made from marble, in which a throne sat in the center on a round pedestal. The throne was made of gold, encrusted with sapphires and diamonds. The Queen sat down and several attendants and ladies in waiting entered the room.

"Welcome to Elandra, brave girls, warriors of dreams. It is you who will help defeat the witch. At last, our hope has come."

Photo Prompt 9 - January Challenge

Nicole sat on the grass, weaving the stems of flowers together into a bracelet, as her sister jumped back and forth over the stream. "You won't listen to anything I say anyway," she quipped as she picked another daffodil. "Your imagination will get the best of you."

"Magic slippers just don't show up in anybody's backyard!" Brooke belted as she leaped over the stream again. "There has to be a reason they would just appear here!" 

Nicole looked up briefly from her flowers, "Then what do you suppose we do about it? There's two of us and only one pair of slippers. "

Brooke's feet left the ground to jump the stream. Distracted, she hadn't noticed where she was jumping when she landed in the water, splashing her sister. Nicole wiped her face (along with the smile she wore momentarily) to scold her Brooke. "You've made me drop my bracelet!" As Nicole retrieved them, Brooke studied her wet shoes. 

They were the brown ones Mother always bought her, year after year. They go with everything she was told. Right now, feeling her toes squish inside, the slippers seemed to call to her. She could still hear the tinkling sound even though they were covered safely in her tote. Her brown shoes sploshed with each step as she went to uncover them. The glittering shoes had a more brilliant ruby color when held out in the sunlight. Brooke admired them as her sister approached her side. 

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try them on," Nicole smiled.

Brooke smiled back at Nicole as she handed the slippers over, bending down to take off her wet, brown pair. After letting her feet dry in the sunlight for a bit, she gently placed the magic slippers on her feet. 

The slippers were just her size (thanks to magic, she knew). They slipped on with ease and felt remarkably comfortable for such elegant attire. She pranced around, keeping her eyes on the shimmering shoes. Nicole stood back, admiring the shoes, but pleased to see her sister so happy. 

"What now?" Brooke begged. She valued the advice of her sister. 

Nicole pondered the question for a moment. "How do magic shoes work?" She asked. 

"Well," Brooke began, "in the story Dorothy knocked them together three times and made a wish." 

"Alright, then that's what we shall do." Nicole strode over and grabbed Brooke's hands. "But first, a promise. We must be very careful, for we have never used magic before. And we must stay together, not matter what the shoes bring between us." Brooke nodded in agreement. 

"Of course, sister!" Brooke exclaimed. "Now, what shall we wish?" She bit her lip with excitement, waiting for her sister's reply. 

"Let's start small," Nicole advised. "Maybe sometime for our special place here in the woods?"

"I know just the thing!" Brooke beamed. She closed her eyes and knocked the heels of the shoes together very gently, enjoying the chiming sound they made when the heels met. "I wish we had all of the furnishings for a tea party," she wished. 

When she opened her eyes, a wonderful table was set before her. Nicole squealed with delight. The girls rushed over to explore their treasures. There was a china tea set decorated with lavender roses and lined with gold placed on a delicate lace tablecloth. The centerpiece was a beautiful arrangement of flowers (Brooke noticed a few poppies). Another smaller table was filled with sandwiches, cookies, and cakes. The girls sampled them all and drank delicious honey and mint tea. 

They laughed and played until the sun began to go down. Packing up the rest of the food, and carefully placing the slippers back inside of Brooke's tote, the girls set off for home. They did not eat their dinner well that night, and Mother sent them to bed early. But that did not matter, for the sooner they sleeper the sooner they would return to their treasures the next day. Brooke was already imagining all of the grand wishes her and her sister would be making next.