Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Sunday 11 November 2018

One Hundred Years of Poppies - Lest We Forget

Today is 11th November, 2018. At 11am Paris time (10 hours after Aust.) 100 years ago in Compiègne NE France, WW1 - the war to end all wars ended. A Centennial Remembrance day is worthy of a blog post.
MB poppy die, Stamp set Inspired by Stamping, Creations Rectangle set Sizzix Dot Matrix EF DP snippets as were all cardstock, but base. 
Above card win over at Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge HERE!
Oft quoted poem"In Flanders Fields" is a war poem in written during the WW1 by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He wrote it on May 3, 1915, after the funeral of friend and fellow soldier.
The poem & poppy are prominent Remembrance Day symbols throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, particularly in Canada, where "In Flanders Fields" is one of the nation's best-known literary works. The poem is also widely known in the USA, where it is associated with Veterans Day & Memorial Day.
Poem and more information found here.
Our family had one special uncle of my dad's who died in World War 1.
He was Charles, as was dad, curiously, and both were artists. See dad's work here.
I've uncle Charlie's sketchbook see below.
As you can see he had some skill with a pencil. He was killed a year and one month after he left NZ (Fern Hill); and a year and one month before the end of the war. His grave is in Belgium. He was 22 years old. As my dad only saw his NZ family once when he was four, he knew very little of them.. which is sad. So we really know only what his sketchbook tells us - that he had a sympathetic eye .. and also there are politically orientated jokes in it as well.
Possibly one of his four sisters.. but no idea really.
This verse below in Isaiah came to mind as I thought on the great sacrifice of so many in this war and even still goes so sadly today.
Many mother's father's gave the ultimate gift, their own son or daughter.
Our Heavenly Father likewise gave His only Son for us and these men women in generations before. The gift of His Son was that we might have eternal life through faith in Him, and know peace in the life to come. (Rom 6:23, 5:1)
These who gave their life in WW1 etc gave that we might know peace in this life.
God sees and weeps with us over our sorrows. The shortest verse in the Bible is "Jesus wept" in John 11:35. Jesus sorrowed over Lazarus' death, even though He knew He would soon raise Lazarus from the dead.
"... they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." Is 49
This verse in Isaiah is speaking specifically of Israel and Jerusalem, but it extends to all who are His by faith in Him too. "...for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted." Is. 49:13b
One day the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6) the Lord Jesus shall come and peace shall indeed reign (John 14).

 So let us each pause and remember and give thanks for the men and women who gave their lives that we might live in freedom. 
The following words were written by Rudyard Kipling in part of poem oft sung:
"God of our fathers, known of old,
   Lord of our far-flung battle-line,
Beneath whose awe-ful Hand we hold
   Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget—lest we forget!
In the morning and at the going down of the sun, 
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
Shaz in Oz.x
So very thankful!! This card won the Wednesday challenge at Simon Says voucher... very blessed!!
Linking up also to:
1. SNIPPETS playground Card all snippets.
2. Word Art Wednesday. http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
3. https://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/2018/11/week-493-poppies-andor-colour-red.html
4. https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-thanks-thanksgiving/ we are very thankful for all who gave their all for us, & as my card says: " Remembering with you the life of someone so dear."

14 comments:

Mrs A. said...

A very poignant post and how lovely that you have a photo too. Hugs Mrs A.

Betsy said...

Thank you for this post my friend. It is SO important that we remember the sacrifices made for us by those who have gone ahead of us.
How wonderful that you have the sketchbook. A way to know him just a bit.
Blessings always my sweet friend.
Betsy

loz said...

Beautiful post and photos Shaz. Hugs Loz

Megan J said...

Hi Shaz, a very special post to remind us of those who sacrificed their live so we may live free. Following our family history we have uncovered many soldiers from the First World War some who gave the ultimate sacrifice and some who returned. It was strange to hear the local church bells ringing out on this fine Sunday morning, it is not often that we hear them at all... Megan

brenda said...

A very poignant post Shaz.

My paternal Grandfather signed to join the cavalry when he was 14, amazing how they managed but I guess records were not kept in the same way they are now. He was captured as a prisoner of war, escaped and was decorated for his bravery, he was only of only a few who returned from our village. After the war he married and had ten children, one of which was my Father, he lived well into his 80's so I am fortunatel to remember him well.

On to your card which is a beautiful tribute to all those who fell. I am so happy to see you at Allsorts, my thanks for joining us.

B x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I love the simplicity of your card Shaz, your Poppies shine through alongside it's message. What a treasure to have that sketchbook, an insight of a family member never met but never to be forgotten.
Peace and blessing on this day of remembrance.
Hugs Tracey xx

Di said...

A beautiful card and a very special post from you Shaz. Art must run in the family - and by us treasuring memories and sketches etc. we are keeping our much loved relatives alive. Coming from a military family, today has always been one of reflection and gratitude.

Great to see you in the Snippets Playground!

Hugs

Di xx

Janet Christensen said...

Good morning--evening, Sharon. Great poppy card.

Linby said...

A beautiful card and a lovely tribute. TYFS the sketches - they are wonderful. A great post.
Thanks so much for sharing with us at Allsorts challenge.
Lynn x
DT

Conniecrafter said...

We really need to thank every day for those that have sacrificed their lives and have given so much of themselves to keep us all safe. How special to still have your Uncles sketch book.

kiwimeskreations said...

A beautiful card Shaz - I love the background! Your tribute to the WW1 Heroes, especially your family member, is a fitting, Your witness is also strong and straight forward. Well done
Blessings
Maxine
(Also wearing my W.A.W. 'hat')

Neet said...

What a beautiful post Shaz, and what a talent your uncle had. So wonderful to have those drawings brought back to life in your blog.
God Bless
Neet xx

ankitag612 said...

Such a marvellous bagckground with all the fall colors and the texture you gave it. It is a perfect backdrop for your gorgeous florals. Thank you so much for joining us on Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. xx Ankita

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous card Shaz :-) a perfect remembrance ❤️ The background is fabulous and I love the poppies, beautifully done XX

Congratulations you have won the $50 voucher on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge. Please email us, there is a clickable link on the sidebar of the challenge blog :-)
luv
Lols x x x

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