Yeah, another one done! This is from a Sirdar pattern. I added the different color trim and put the ISU (daddy played football there) on the side. I knit it with Dreambaby DK. I know, I know, acrylic-but, it's so nice for the mom to just be able to throw it into the wash. Being a first time mommy, I didn't want to give her anything that required extra care.

Today, dd has two interviews, one with the State Senate and one with the House. She has applied to be a page for the 2006 legislative session. She enjoys politics and government and gets pretty excited by the process. We'll find out in a few weeks if she gets the job.

She also gets to go to the Paul McCartney concert tonight. She's a huge oldies fan and was so disappointed to hear that Grandma and Grandpa were going. Boy, was she surprised when she got her ticket for her 18th birthday! Tonight is the night and she's pretty excited. Of course, she needs two outfits for the day, professional, yet young for her interviews, fun and hip for tonight. Of course, she's wearing the poncho that she knit earlier this year. It's a perfect fit.

Sorry for that double post, blogger just wasn't cooperating with me that day! My edit page says there is only one, so I guess it will just have to stay that way.

I'm down another 2 pounds. Sometimes working out is challenging (well, most of the time), but I feel so much better the rest of the day. I'm hoping to start incorporating a one-mile walk just before supper, I think that I'll sleep better.

I look back six weeks ago and wonder why I wasn't motivated then. Why couldn't I turn from the food? What did my p.a. say that was so motivating? It wasn't anything that I didn't already know, but I think that the Lord knew that I had to have a push and He provided that. Occasionally food still calls my name, like last night. It seems that whenever I have a migraine coming on, I crave bad carbs. I indulged a little last night, but nothing that took me over my calorie limit. My headache was gone by this morning and I feel really good. I walked my 2 mile, with the hopes of walking one more this afternoon.

I've been trying to get all caught up on baby knits. I have several machine knit Christmas stockings from last year that I have to get duplicate stitched. My machine worked fine, but the computer on my old White 1502 has pooped out and since I have no idea where to send it, I just made the stockings plain and told everyone that I'd duplicate stitch the motif on. Well, it's almost November and I haven't even gotten one done. TIME TO GET BUSY!!!

Baby Z was able to come home from the hospital yesterday! He's doing so well. Of course, due to the chance of RSV, he'll pretty much be secluded at home for awhile, but at least they aren't stuck in the hospital.

Yesterday was one of those days that you wonder why you ever got out of bed! My hubby showed up for a steel load at 5:00 am and didn't leave until after 3:00 pm. It was crazy. Everyone passed the buck, no one really knew what was going on, and poor hubby got stuck just sitting in the truck when he could have been at home and been productive. My hubby has an intense work ethic and he can't stand wasting time! The mood that I was in, I could have really ripped into them, but hubby held me back!!

I received my new Dale Baby Book 155 today. The patterns are absolutely gorgeous. I saw that it was in the states in the Family Circle Easy Knitting magazine and I fell in love with the particular design that they showed. As soon as I get caught up, I'll get it done for darling Baby L. The colors are vivid and fun and the pattern is traditional. (It's Design 9, if anyone wants to take a look). I ordered it from www.spinblessing.com . Susan is just great, she carries all things Dale, and is extremely helpful. I try to get all my Dale yarn and books from her.

Well, I've got laundry to do and a sweater to complete so I'd better "get a move on" as my mom would say!

Another new baby! Our next door neighbors had their new little boy last evening. I'm excited to get to meet him. Babies, babies, everywhere!!

We've have some gorgeous fall weather here. Sunny, warm, breezy. It's been good for getting the crop out of the field, but, Praise God!, the crop is large and we're all running out of places to keep it! It's a good problem to have. With fuel prices so high, it's also a blessing that we aren't having to dry our corn, nature is taking care of that for us.

I am looking forward to some cooler weather. I enjoy drizzly, dreary, cool fall days. I know, I'm strange that way. I call the "sweatshirts and soup" days. I think that fall is my favorite season. It makes you want to snuggle and get cozy.

We had a strange happening with our luscious puppy, Liberty, today. Our mailman actually tried to pepper spray her. Now, I admit, she hates him, but she was in our driveway, he was across the road at the giant mailbox that we bought just so he wouldn't have to get out of his car. He seems to be quite petrified of her. Instead of giving her a treat (like the Schwan's guy), he just makes the situation worse by attempting to hurt her. Makes me crazy! This dog lets little babies crawl all over her and pull her hair. She just looks at me as if to say, "Are we done yet?" She is an awesome dog, she just doesn't like the mailman and delivery trucks. I could have understood it if she was bouncing off his car, but that wasn't the case. My husband thinks we should put a sign on the mailbox that reads, "To H*** with the dog, beware of the owners!" Might have to try that!

I'd better get knitting, these babies keep coming early and I'm getting behind!

From Baby A to Baby Z

From Baby A to Baby Z. The L family has a new addition. Isn’t he adorable. He had to come a little early too, Mommy was having trouble with her blood pressure and toxemia. He weighed in at 4 lb ½ oz, and is 16 ½ inches long. He’s doing well, nursing and off oxygen. He’s just so handsome!!!

I have news, too! I’m going to be a grandma. Just found out middle of last week. Although my daughter is young and not very settled, we will love this new little baby and do all that we can to help Mommy and Daddy. We have a ways to go, she’s only a month along. She’s due to give birth on my husband’s grandmothers 92nd birthday. Wouldn’t that be something…the oldest and the youngest sharing a birthday!

The happy couple! What a joy-filled bride!

Yesterday was a blessed day! We were blessed to share in witnessing the covenant vows of a wonderful, godly young couple. We were all deeply touched as her father not only gave her away, but gave the key to her heart (an actual key from a locket that he had given her years ago, she had given him the key to it-the key to her heart) to her groom. He challenged them to be a biblical couple. The groom sang to his bride, and sang of God "Our Mighty Fortress". They shared their first kiss on the altar yesterday. A moment to be remembered and treasured. I was doubly blessed that she carried the blessing bag that I knitted for her. It carried the blessings of many special people in her life. She is a walking miracle, she is a cancer survivor, cancer that could not be cured with chemo or radiation. They removed the tumor and then prayer warriors went into action, praying for over a year. She ate a special diet and we waited. She was declared cancer free by the specialists at the University of Iowa. A true miracle. So, to watch her marry the man God has chosen for her was such an amazing moment!

My diet is going okay, although the scale hasn't moved, my clothes are fitting much better. I've been exercising everyday (except Sunday!) and eating around 1500 calories. I'm feeling so much stronger. Not having the scale move is a bit discouraging, but I'm trusting more in the fact that I'm doing what I should and that the clothes are fitting looser.

We had a wonderful young pastor from Mexico at church this morning. He works in the LaLoma area (outside of Torreon). His father has an amazing testimony and the children have followed suit, serving the Lord without reservation. Francisco came with his young wife and their 1 year daughter. He showed us a slide show of the people and situation down there. Despite incredible poverty and harsh conditions, the Lord continues to draw people to Himself. They have a full church (which still needs windows, a solid roof, and a floor) and these people are growing in their faith and are spreading the Gospel.

It's such a testimony to the fact that our circumstances should not determine our joy or contentment. I feel for the millions of people (especially in this country) that feel that they can't be happy because so and so is in office or they don't have the latest toy from Apple. They are bitter and negative and joyless. They condemn believers in Jesus Christ, calling us every name in the book, refusing to see the truth. May the Lord bring conviction of sin to their hearts and forgiveness through Jesus Christ to their souls!

My most recent pair of socks. I started a pair last night that are made with Lorna's Laces, Childsplay. Lots of fun!

I decided that I need to be blogging about my most recent undertaking. I had mentioned several months ago that I was doing weight watchers, well, I fell off the wagon during the summer (lots of family issues, etc.). So, I go to the doctor 3 weeks ago and get my blood work results! Everything was to high, except my good cholesterol, which was to low! So, she gave me the most motivating lecture that I've ever had in my life! I came out of the office knowing what I needed to do and totally ready.

Over the past three weeks, I've been exercising every day for 30 minutes (Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds-the 2 mile walk) and eating 1500 calories or less. I've lost 9 pounds. Praise God! I'm really beginning to grasp that I don't need to be eating 24/7. That most of the time, it didn't even taste good to me, it was just habitual. I'm so excited to be building up stamina and I can tell my body is changing. I want to lose another 50 lbs. I can do it, I've done it before.

I can't say enough good things about Walk Away the Pounds. You don't have to be coordinated, you don't have to know anything about exercise, you just do it and it works. It's quite a workout, but it invigorates and gives me more energy.

Now, that all being said, today has been a tough day. I got up at 5:30 with hubby and so this afternoon I'm sleepy and I've got the munchies. I've hung in there, said several prayers, and am patiently waiting for hubby to get home so that I can enjoy some chicken tortilla soup!

I'm still feeling overwhelmed by all the projects I need to get done. I'm trying to finish up a little vest, then I have two October babies to knit for, plus make some beaded bags to sell at the market the 15th and 16th.

I did get my vacation scrapbook done yesterday, and that was one thing off my plate. I still have tons of pictures to get scrapbooked, but that will come in time!

I know it's been awhile since I last posted. Life has been full and wonderful.

We've gone to two showers, a baby shower for Baby A and a wedding shower for Kristen (who's bridal blessing bag is pictured below). Both showers were loads of fun. It's so wonderful amazing to have such wonderful, fun, sweet-spirited, godly friends. You could feel the joy! I pray that others would let go of their negativity and see the joy that is found only in the Lord!

Here's a recent picture of Baby A, who now weighs 8 lb. 10 oz. She's just adorable! Aunty Dawn couldn't resist another outfit for her! She'll get it at Bible study tomorrow.

We've begun working through "Created to be his Help meet" by Debi Pearl. It is an awesome book! It's not about changing your husband, it's about changing yourself. It's about understanding why men are the way they are and understanding why you are the way you are and how to change it to meet God's requirements for how we should be. It really makes a woman think and I think it goes to show just how often the demise of a marriage isn't about the man, but the woman. I'm learning to enjoy serving and life!

I've been trying to get caught up with my knitting. I can't believe how many babies have been born this year. Twins were born to the daughter of a friend of mine on Friday. A little boy and a little girl, both beautiful and healthy. I think that there are only 4 more to be born in the next 4 months, but I could be off by one or two. It's hard to keep up. They all give us a lot of joy!

So, I'm off to keep working on keeping up!!

Kristen's Blessing Bag

Look-At-Me

It has been a long week. The devastation playing out on the tv is almost to bear. It is comforting to know that these are the birth pains. Jesus is coming! Listen to the sermon at www.zoar.us. Funny how the Lord works things out, this sermon was just part of the continuing series on the book of Luke.

Luke 21:5 through Luke 21:28 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. 1By standing firm you will gain life.
"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Judgment is drawing near for those who continue to turn their backs on the salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Things happening today are just a shadow of the wrath that is to come. Praise God that there is salvation through Jesus Christ. He paid the penalty for my sins and everyone else's, if they just turn to Him and receive the free gift (free to you and me, but it cost Him everything).

Another one done!

Current knitted bag project

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I've been trying to get some of the baby sweaters done. Of course, after having all the pieces done of one, and thinking that I was going to start putting it together, I realized that the back was totally wrong and had to pull it all out and redo it. Now I can put it all together.

My dad has been visiting for the past week. It's been wonderful to get to spend some time with him.

It's heartwrenching to watch the coverage of the devastation that Hurricane Katrina has left in it's wake. It's truly beyond comprehension. May God use this immense tragedy to draw people to Himself.

One more holiday weekend and then deep into schoolwork we go. I'm glad for the return to routine.

We have several Homespun Family events scheduled for fall. (I'd love to get my shawl done, but I'm not sure that it's a possibility!). We'll be demonstrating for a large group of 8th graders in late September-third year in a row, followed that weekend by demonstrations at Pioneer Days. In mid-October, we are part of an art fair. I'm concentrating on beaded bags for that one and some tatted pieces. So, I'd better get to my bookwork so that I can get busy on my other projects!

Dale Baby Sweater

The Summit!

View from Pike's Peak

Cheyenne Mountain

Dad!

Estes Park, CO (after the fog burned off, it was an absolutely perfect day!)

The fog driving from Wyoming into Colorado.

Crazy Horse-from the highway!

Mt. Rushmore-crying in the rain!

View of Deadwood from Mt. Moriah Cemetary

Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane

Deadwood, SD

Hunting

View from Pike's Peak

The Badlands

Life has been busy since returning from vacation and when it wasn't busy, I've been relaxing. I'm trying to finish up some projects and trying to figure out how not to be overwhelmed with life.

Baby A's mom has started a blog and I found the picture of her with the sweater I made for her.

We're back from vacation! We had a whirlwind week of traveling South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado followed by a looooong trip across Kansas on the way home. We had a wonderful time spending time with my dad and sister in Denver. When I get a bit more energy, I'll post some photos and write about the good time we had.

Spirituality and Religion has been shut down at Knitter's Review. So much for freedom of speech or freedom of religion. It seems that everyone has a right to speak their mind, including hatred, blasphemy, and general rudeness, except the Christians. Well, I take that back. If you are a liberal, pro-abortion, gay-rights, Jesus loves everyone and you don't have to do anything kind of Christian, you are welcome to speak your mind. If you tell someone the Word of God, you'd better duck! In the entire time that I have visited that website, never have I read a Christian saying the horrible things that they are accused of, but I have read some of the most horrific things I've ever read on that site.

It's unfortunate that these people are so blinded! They are filled with hypocrisy and do exactly what they accuse others of doing, but, of course, they are justified. How sad! May God rescue them!

And...her Grand Champion/going to State Fair poncho.

Her Grand Champion/going to State Fair felted purse.

My darling daughter and Baby A.

It's been a busy weekend!

We spent Friday at an antique tractor show with our "Homespun Family". It was so hot! We couldn't spin or knit, the wool and yarn wouldn't slide through our fingers.

On Saturday, we went to our county fair where my 17-year-old daughter had three knitting projects judged for 4-H, and I judged the open class needlework entries. Open class didn't have many entries and the quality was down. This was the third year that I've judged and I'm taking a break next year.

Darling daughter faired very well!! Three blue ribbons and two of those projects are going to the State Fair. She was thrilled! Her poncho and her felted purse are going to the state level. She received Grand Champion purple rosettes for those projects as well. Ah, someone following in her moms footsteps!

We returned to the antique tractor show today, husband in tow. He has a very late load time tonight, so he was able to join us. We rarely get much time together on Sundays, usually just church and a meal, so it was nice to have him alone.

My hand is feeling better. I didn't knit for a day, wore a carpal tunnel glove and then knit on my shawl with bigger needles than my baby sweaters. That helped tremendously. When I started knitting again I wore a thermaglove and that helped too. I also got a new mouse with a track ball and a wrist rest for the mouse-it hurt like crazy to try to use the regular mouse. I'm more watchful for the symptoms now.

115.2 vs 24.4 is just the dial-up speed with which I can get on the internet! (Hey Lottie, so good to hear from you!!! E-mail me! I think of you often!)

Well, I'm going to relax a bit.

So, I'm at a friend's house and she get 115.2 compared to my average 24.4, so I'm blogging!

It seems the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome is rearing it's ugly head! A combination of humidity, tiny needles and cotton yarn. So, no knitting for a few days! We have a Homespun Family event, but I guess I'll just have to talk about knitting.

Our visit with Baby A and her parents was really nice yesterday. She's doing so well and is just adorable.

Baby A on MY lap!! She's just wonderful! Baby A's first dress-up sweater is done, too!

Please pray for our dear friend, Steve. He was diagnosed with lung cancer today. There are many wonderful "God"incidences in this story, like how another accident had to happen in order to discover this early. Please pray for his healing, the family's strength and peace, and all the other things that come along with cancer.

Baby A is home! Praise God! We're hoping to go see her soon and I'll post a picture.

Must be knitting!

Another...

Another terrorist attack! I'm praying for the victims and their families.

Gen. 9:6 (NIV) "Whoever sheds the blood of man,by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

Matt. 5:17 through Matt. 5:20 (NIV) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Prosecution in court is not what the terrorists need, and it certainly will put no fear into the hearts of upcoming terrorists. God's judgment is what is needed. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, and in God's Law, He calls for the blood of those who have taken blood. They have forsaken their lives.

How sad! May they seek the mercy of the one True God! Jesus Christ!

Baby A didn't get to come home on Tuesday, looking at Friday now. She's 4 lb, 4 oz and getting chubby cheeks!

Spent the afternoon learning how to can beef. It's much simpler than I had anticipated. I've got plenty that needs to be dealt with before our next beef goes to the butcher. I'm hoping to get some chicken canned, as well, and that will help with food preparation for the coming winter.

Hubby got called away on another overnight load tonight, so I'm on my own. I'm hoping to get some knitting done and maybe do some scrapbooking. Or, I could go run the errands that I didn't get run. We'll see!

I'm inspired! I've been doing a little searching today and discovered so many Christian, Mom, Homeschooling blogs! I'm feeling like I can take this blog on a little more regularly and I'm not going to mince words anymore!

We're waiting to see if Baby A gets to come home tomorrow. It's been a long time coming! God is so faithful.

I've almost completed reading "Created to Be His Helpmeet". It is an awesome book. Very challenging. Coming from someone who has read A LOT of "how-to be a good Christian wife" books, this is by far the best. It is more practical, more straight-forward, and more challenging than any before. In Titus 2:3-5, the bible says:

(NIV) 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Debi Pearl really explains what it means to malign (blaspheme) the Word of God. Our home life is changing moment by moment and my marriage (which was already wonderful) is getting better because I am working at giving up my selfish desires and "needs". I would recommend this book to any wife or woman wanting to be a wife.

Baby A could be coming home next Tuesday!! That will be one month before her actual due date! She's been growing so quickly and doing so well. Starting Sunday, she'll have to have all her feedings from the bottle, not feeding tube, and then she'll get to come home on Tuesday. God is so good!

Isn't she beautiful!!

I'm feeling pretty settled in many ways these days. I've been reading an awesome book by Debi Pearl called, Created to be His Helpmeet. It's changing me, it's changing my marriage, my husband is more content. It's challenging, but, oh so good! I've been working through another book that is making a difference. Pastor Jim has started preaching on contentment. It's all blending together and making a wonderful difference.

I've been playing with politics a little. It's a dangerous place for me to go, especially on KR, but I'm finding it easier to just shake my head, say a prayer, and go back to my family and tasks at hand. People are sealing their future, may God open their hardened hearts and reveal His Son to them.

Knitting is coming along. I've got things planned out and I'm trying to keep up! By January, 2006, we'll be up to 21 new babies. Thankfully, I'm only knitting for about 17 or 18 of them. I love it, though, it's a wonderful way to remember to pray for these little ones! God is preparing His army!

Grandma and Baby A! She's 3 lbs. 7 oz., and just beautiful!!

Baby A. She's doing well! Off the oxygen. Mommy and Daddy get to hold her and she gets to wear clothes! Still only around 2 lb. 10 oz, but she should start putting weight on now that she is 32 weeks!

Dale Denim Baby Sweater

White Dale baby sweater

The new truck!

Baby A and Mommy's hands

Baby A is here! She arrived very early on Saturday morning. Mommy was 30 weeks along, so she is pretty tiny-2 lb., 9 oz.. She is 15" long. She's beautiful! She's healthy and strong and only needs help with her breathing.

She puts the total up to 11 babies so far this year with 9 more to go!! Just found out last week about a couple of others. I haven't been knitting as much as I would like, to many trips in the car (me driving!). In the last 2 weeks, we've been to 4 graduation receptions, 2 birthday parties, 1 family reunion, 1 graduation ceremony, and the hospital about 6 times. We've been watching M&M about once a week, too. I just haven't had time to get much knitting done.

On top of all that, we bought a new semi-tractor and had to deal with all the "stuff" that goes with that. It's a pretty truck (I'll post a photo). I think we'll really enjoy it. My seat is alot nicer that our previous truck-air ride, arm rests! Of course, with our schedule, I don't know how much I'll get to go.

Haven't felt much like blogging lately. Really don't have much to say. I've been listening a bit more lately.

I've gotten quite a bit of baby knitting done. It's necessary as they keep coming! Baby A is still safely tucked in mommy and we've made it past the 28 week mark. I'm hoping to make a bigger sweater!

I've been reading quite a bit lately, too! Finished the third Yada Yada prayer group book, finished the latest Beverly Lewis book, "The Revelation", and I just started "A Good Yarn".

We've had a lot of things going on. Lots of relationship issues, health concerns, etc., it's made me rather reflective about what the Lord is teaching us.

I've really been working hard at just getting away from those things that upset me, life is to hard to dwell on all of that. I'm fixing my eyes on Jesus!

Baby A's preemie hat and sweater. The remote control is about 6 inches long! Baby A could be coming in the next 7-10 days and she'll be about 13 weeks early.

I should be in bed, I stayed up this late last night and it didn't bode well for me this morning, but I'm not feeling to bad, so here I am.

It seems like it's just been a crazy past four weeks. Two new babies, baby calves, beautiful spring weather, followed by cool and wet! The past 5 days have been rather stressful.

First, a little girl at our monthly skating party had to go to the hospital after a nasty fall (Praise God, she's okay). Next, found out the largest employer in a town might not be here much longer. Then, get home and my dear friend's husband calls, he needs a special prayer request-there 19-month-old had just fallen from the top of the basement stairs to the cement floor below and he was following the ambulence to the hospital. In the meantime, another friend was experiencing contractions and she's only 25 weeks along. She is currently in the hospital on strict bedrest. They are praying for another 3 weeks in mommy, that would make baby's chances much better.

Wow! No wonder I'm exhausted!

I've been knitting, too! I'm working on J.J's sweater, the Dale Ladybug sweater. It's coming along pretty nicely. I'm still trying to decide whether I'm going to adapt the pattern so that I don't have to steek or just go for it! I'm going to work on some preemie hats for the newest one, that way the baby will have something cute to wear while stuck in the hospital.

I'm trying to avoid those things that get me worked up. I'm tired of evil being called good, and good being called evil. I'm amazed at the horrible things I've read in recent days about Christians and their "motives". I've got news for them, we aren't going to take over the world-God's already got that under control. I'm finding myself praying for the lost way more often, they have no idea what lies ahead.

I'm still here! I just haven't had the time or the inclination to get in here and blog. I'm hoping to get a good chance this weekend.

I finally have a few moments to sit and blog. I've been busy trying to get several projects done, as well as fitting in a seminar at church, dd's wisdom teeth getting pulled, babysitting, etc., etc., etc..

I also started Weight Watchers, which I'm enjoying and really feel like I've hit the nail on the head. I need boundaries and this provides that. I'm down 4 lbs in 2 weeks and that feels pretty good.

I'm still working on a recent sermom of my pastor's. It's very good and quite to the point. It will be long, but it will be worth it!

Me and my M&M's

Brown and gold scarf

Felted bag before felting

Tiki Spring Scarf

King Cole Mohair Scarf

This is my adorable nephew enjoying the festivities!!!! See what a pepperoni pizza will do for you!!

one more

Kaden's sweater

Alleluia,
He is Risen!

Alleluia,
He is Risen,
Indeed!!

Okay.........

Okay, I publish the blog and my post from last night was there! Sometimes cyberspace is so weird!

Our new little Kaden

Trying again

I tried last night to post, but it was not meant to be.

I am so saddened by the Terri Schiavo situation. How far this country has strayed from our founding tenats-"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". 3 things that the Federal government are to protect, one of the few places they truly are supposed to be based on our Constitution and judges have claimed jurisdiction and set forth the ability to legally murder those who don't suit our ideals.

Food and hydration, basic needs. We don't deny convicted mass murderers food and water, but we can put this woman through that, as well as putting her family through the hell they are going through.

I'm tired of the argument that her parents can't possibly know her well enough to know what she'd want. Her husband would be the only one. Since when do we not talk with our mothers after we leave our home. My husband knows me better than anyone, I'll agree with that, but my mother knows almost as much, especially about my feelings about life and death. We've dealt with death all our lives, my grandmother, my step-father, my grandfather.

My step-father was paralyzed from the chest down, was still receiving nourishment, but died of cardiac arrest. They attempted to revive him for 45 minutes. It was not meant to be. The same will be true for Terri Schiavo, when it's her time, food and water will not keep her from dying.

The "sanctity of marriage" argument is not holding water with me. He turned his back on the sanctity of his marriage when he stepped outside his marriage vows. I don't care who suggested it or how "frustrated" he was, he made vows to Terri and God to forsake all others until death parted them. He promised to love her in sickness and health, for better or worse. Just like a murderer forsakes his own life when he chooses to take the life of another, so should we recognize that he forsook this marriage when he turned to another woman (and some accounts hold that there have been more than one).

I am comforted by the fact that this situation has been foretold.

2 Tim. 3:1 through 2 Tim. 3:5 (NIV) 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

But...

2 Chr. 7:14 (NIV) 14if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

This week has been filled with ups and downs for me. Life is difficult, it can be very sad. It's tiring to hear all the negative all the time. It's exhausting to be vilified constantly for your beliefs, but expected to be tolerant of immorality and paganism. It's so wonderful to know that the only thing that as ever truly changed your life is a relationship with Jesus Christ, and yet so sad, people don't want to hear it, don't want to believe it. They don't want to admit their need, pride rules. I know, I've been there, but I can honestly say that I am a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come. I have light in my life, I have hope.

On Wednesday, I went to Sandy's funeral. She explicitly stated that she did not want the funeral to be about her, but about Jesus. That is what her life was about. It was truly a celebration of Jesus. He was exalted. I pray that many recognized the truth and put their faith in Him.

On a joyful note, by step-sister had her baby boy this week! He's beautiful. Today, another little one will enter this world, mommy is in labor right now. We are so excited for Levi to make his entrance. God is good!!

That said, I need to be knitting!!

So sad...

I am so saddened by the Terri Schiavo situation. I'm struck by the verocity of the people who want her to die. That it is about her dignity, her wishes. If it was her wish, why was the feeding tube ever inserted in the first place?

The left is using words like "right to die", "sanctity of marriage", "small government". But, there are so off base, it's depressing. This is about life. This is about the possibility of rehabilitation. This is about love.

I'm surprised at the support for her husband. He may very well have her interests at heart, but most of his actions don't support that. To claim that he couldn't possibly have self-control and remain monogamous is ridiculous, men have done it many times before. I think it's this culture of sex that we live in. Everything in this life is not about sex. There are so many more important things. Honesty, integrity, faithfulness.

The more this plays out in forums and on talk shows, the more frightened I become for those who are in these situations.

I pray that those who seek to play god will repent and turn to the one true Almighty God. He will not be mocked and He will not tarry forever.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP) "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Lord, raise up believers to stand up for you, for the weak, the infirm, the downtrodden. May we pray, seek, crave, and require Your face. In Jesus' name, AMEN

I'm struggling

I'm struggling today. My friend, Sandy, went home to be with the Lord this morning. I'm not struggling with that, per se, I'm happy she's home, she's out of pain, she's more fully alive than ever before.

I'm struggling with people taking each other for granted. I'm struggling with rudeness, with cruelty, with meanness. I'm struggling with life being short and people hurting each other. There is room for debate and disagreement, but there is not room for belittling, for tearing down, for emotional abuse. You can disagree without disrespect. You can teach and share without making someone feel like dirt. It isn't worth it. Life is short, it's precious, it's filled with blessing. Let's be grateful. Let's count our blessings.

To quote Sandy, "God is good all the time, all the time, God is good."

I'm still around!!

I'm still around and I'm working on transcribing last weeks sermon to post-it was very good and very educational!!

I've also been pondering abortion, the Schiavo case, and moral relativism-so look out, when I get it all together, it could be interesting!!

Knitting--well, I've been working on baby items!!

The Holy Bible, New International Version
Psa. 33:1 through Psa. 33:22 (NIV)

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars£;
he puts the deep into storehouses.
Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.
For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.
The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.
From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth—
he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.
No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.
We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

WorldNetDaily: It's the parenting, stupid

WorldNetDaily: It's the parenting, stupid

This discusses the problems some Christian parents are having.

Okay, a couple of things that I want to address from KR. First, proselytizing. I’m surprised that someone got that from the post that it was referring to. The original post was just an inspirational paragraph about looking to Jesus for hope and strength, but someone chose to perceive it otherwise. So, they have to bash and accuse and be intolerant in the name of tolerance (explain that!).

Then the whole idea of “judging” comes up again. “Don’t judge me”, “don’t tell me my beliefs are wrong” and above all else, “don’t tell me that I’m going to hell.”

Well, I have a few thoughts about all of it! If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you will be able to discern those who are not. It’s pretty simple. You can tell by their fruit. That being said, you were once in their shoes-unbelief. You have a responsibility to love them, show them Jesus in your life, and share the hope that you now have. Judging them based on their sins is foolishness, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Until you come to Christ, the only sin that matters is unbelief. You should warn those around you and you certainly shouldn’t lower God’s standards, you must speak up for righteousness, but man’s righteousness “is as filthy rags”. Without Christ, you cannot be truly righteous.

Now, if someone claims to be a Christian, we can judge.
1 Cor. 5:12 through 1 Cor. 5:13 (NIV) 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”£

Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary defines judge:

G2919
êñßíù
krinoô
kree'-no
Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish:—avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

We have a responsibility to judge those who claim to be Christians, to hold them up to God’s standards of righteousness.

As for unbelievers and “sinners”, Jesus spent considerable amounts of time with them, eating with them, socializing with them. But, he didn’t mince words. He taught them about the Kingdom of God, how to enter the Kingdom of God, and that obedience is essential and he told them to “go and sin no more.” When he sent his disciples out to share with the people, he told them that if they would listen, share, otherwise, shake the dust off their feet and move on. We need to be open to sharing with those around us, but it’s important to move on if people are hostile to the gospel. Just a few feet down the road, God may have another heart prepared, someone who knows that the Lord is calling them, but doesn’t know what the next step should be.

Our society is in the shape it is in because people kept saying “live and let live”, “who am I to judge”, maybe I should say “the church” is in the shape it’s in because of these things. If the people in the churches were living like they were supposed to, different from the world, maybe Christianity would be more appealing to unbelievers. As it is right now, they just see a bunch of self-righteous people telling unbelievers how to live and letting the church live like the world. They see our divorce rates are just as high as the rest of society, our abortion rates are just as high, and our desires for our children have more to do with a good education and material success than having a relationship with Jesus Christ (this just came out in a recent survey).

Do we keep speaking up for morality? Of course. Do we speak up for truth? Absolutely! Do we correct misconceptions and distortions? Yes! All those things are important, but the most important thing is living it! Showing people Jesus 24/7. He is our example and He is the judge. He will judge those outside the church for their unbelief, their hardened hearts, I don’t have to. I just have to keep sharing, keep loving, keep going!

Today is my 41st birthday. It really is an odd number, but I’m liking my 40’s. I just want to say how thankful I am for the life the Lord has given me. I’m blessed to have a GREAT GOD and SAVIOR, a wonderful husband, wonderful children (who teach me so much), a fabulous, loving mom, an awesome dad, a great step-dad, amazing and awesome friends who encourage and build me up, a godly pastor who leaves no stone unturned, who has taught us the priceless value of God’s Word, of learning it and living it, a wonderful church family, the coolest doggie ever, wonderful internet friends, and so many more blessings that it would take forever to list them!

As my friend, Sandy, would say (even as she awaits her trip home to Heaven), “God is good all the time, all the time, God is good.”

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!! It's an odd one, 41. Not to exciting, but Mom and I had a good day. I got a makeover at the Lancome counter by the sweetest young woman. I got $150.00 worth of clothes (a beautiful skirt and 3 cotton sweaters) for $29.00. My favorite anti-bacterial soap was on sale at Bath and Body Works for 4 for $10.00. I got a new pair of leather, slip-on Nike tennis shoes for $32.00 (regularly $46.00). I was so excited!! I'm not a great bargain shopper, I never seem to hit it right, but I was thrilled with my great buys!!

Oh, those Asian beetles!!! My friend, JB, commented on them yesterday! They are unbelievable!! I started vacuuming them up on Tuesday evening and we haven't stopped! We use to shake them out outside, but I've decided to flush them and let the septic tank do it's thing! I've probably flushed 300-400 in the last few days. It's wild! The other night, around 3:00 am, I could feel something crawling on my inner thigh, inside my p.j.'s-sure enough, there was a beetle in my pants!! I can't take much more, it's like a bad horror movie.

I taught my first knitting lessons at the market this morning. It went well. I have more students next week and even more the following week. I'm excited. I love passing on the craft.

Well, I'd better get to work. I need to finish one baby sweater this afternoon and put a good dent in another. They are starting to come fast and furious!!

Poor Hubby has been sick again this week. He's finally feeling a little better, but I think he had the flu. The coughing was horrible and the headache and neckache was awful. Of course, it rearranged our schedule for the whole week, but hopefully we're back on track.

I'm quite ready for some warmer weather. The house feels very stuffy and I'd like to get it aired out.

I started reading, The Last Disciple by Hank Hanegraff and I'm very disappointed. Until I started reading this book and doing some research, I had trusted his take on things. Now, I'm not so sure. The book takes a "preterist" view of Revelation and prophecy. They believe that the 1st century persecution by Nero was the tribulation period and the Nero was the beast. I find this very difficult to believe in light of Scripture. I believe that it was a shadow of the wrath to come, but I know that Scripture says that believers will NOT see the wrath of God and that there is a coming wrath. We will suffer persecution, but not wrath. There are just to many questions that have to remain unanswered if you take a preterist view. There are to many things that can't be explained. I found it to be discouraging and at the same time, it fulfills Scripture about scoffers and false teachers.

Once again, the conservative view is under attack on KR. It doesn't seem to matter what the conservative says, it is routinely blasted and discounted. In this case, I don't have anything to do with it. I've learned my lesson, it isn't worth my time, and it's become a foolish argument. No more casting pearls before swine, the dust is shook. I'll keep checking in and I hope to encourage those that are feeling bold, but it's really a private party that many there don't want crashed.

As I've been watching the world around me, news, websites, blogs, I'm often appalled at the level of selfishness. The whole "I, Me" thing. Everything is about bringing pleasure to oneself, fulfilling ones needs, doing what's right for "me" and to heck with the rest of the world. It's sad. There is so little joy, so much bitterness. Maybe, if people weren't so focused on themselves, they'd see things a little differently, be less expectant of government to rescue them.

Well, enough ranting. My mom is taking me out for lunch today for my upcoming 41st birthday. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm almost finished with one baby sweater and started a white Dale pattern last night, something special for JJ to wear when he is dedicated to the Lord.