Worship

I was browsing around on a new internet friend's blog and her latest entry is a quote from RWE. Very powerful words, and yes, definitely something to think about. Check it out.

Where oh where

You might be wondering where this gal has been. I don't really have a reason for staying away from blogging, it hasn't been intentional. Really! I have been slowing down with my knitting a bit, but I am hoping to gain momentum in a few weeks.
Just a little update on what's been going on in my corner:
-been doing LOTS of reading. I am making the first real and true progress on reading through the bible. I am reading a year-long chronological bible, and I am about a month and a half ahead. This is farthest than I have ever gotten. I read Coffehouse Gospel, Blue Like Jazz, Till We Have Faces, The Power of Personal Prayer (currently reading), and have The Four Loves on stand-by. (FYI I haven't finished many books over the last few years, so this has been great!) (And I am finding out that I love CS Lewis)
-My family and I got a membership at a local health club, so I have been exercising more regularly, and spending family time at the pool.
-I have finished a couple of instant gratification knitting projects such as wash-rags and book marks.
-Spring Break was last week, so we did lots of stuff with the kids.
-My mind has been very pre-occupied with several things, so advanced knitting has been put aside for a bit. I need to be able to concentrate. That's why so much reading - it gets my mind focused a little better.
-I watched a video online called The Story of Stuff that has really affected me. Interestingly, I had already begun a mission to cut consumerism within our home, and a few days later my sweet friend sent me the link and it really confirmed a lot of the current decisions I have been making. So in addition to really trying to cut consumerism, I read about a girl who came up with a challenge to rid her home of a thousand things. This led to presenting that challenge to some of my friends and family, and we have been encouraging each other along. This whole business of "think global, act local" has taken on a new meaning to me. I really feel burdened to be a good steward of the blessings that God has bestowed upon us.
-another thing that has taken my time is reading other people's blogs. I have learned so much by reading blogs and participating in discussion threads...a few worth mentioning: Swinging from the Vine, Beauty and Depravity - there are more, I'll perhaps keep listing in the future.
-I will admit that I spend way too much time on the computer, reading these blogs and discussing stuff, but I feel very hungry right now...
-It just seems like the days and weeks have been speeding by. I just don't know where the time goes!

Keep checking in...I promise to be better at blogging. I have a bunch of pics on my camera that I need to upload, so you'll see some soon.




ps - if you read this and are thinking....hmmmm....this challenge to get rid of a thousand things sounds great, you might be interested in the discussion group we set up for encouragement.
I never did get the name of the gal who thought up this idea, to give her kudos for a great idea, because it isn't mine. I just love the idea, and thank her for the inspiration.

St Theresa's Prayer

I have this on my wall, came across it again on the net, and thought I'd pass this beautiful prayer of blessing along to you. It is from the beautiful St Theresa.

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of you.

Off the Needles

Here is the Lace Bookmark from One Skein Wonders, knit in Knit Picks Pallette, purple, on size 2 needles. This is my new instant gratification project. This knits up so quickly and is a very simple, yet beautiful knit. I can see different stitch variations being used for this. I'll probably start to experiment with this next week.

A close up of the detail.

Blocking.Baby socks for one of the three.

On love...

I finished reading Blue Like Jazz last week, and there was a paragraph in there that has resonated through me in such a profound way. It was something I thought I knew, but the way D.M. put it, it was like a lightening bolt sort-of aha moment that solidified and put to words this ache that has been in my heart concerning the way we treat others, and the way our actions impact the very souls of others. (it's from his conversation with his friend Paul on the subject of marriage)
" '...And because she loves me, and teaches me that I am lovable, I can better interact with God.'
'What do you mean?'
'I mean that to be in a relationship with God is to be loved purely and furiously. And a person who thinks himself unlovable cannot be in a relationship with God because he can't accept who God is; a Being that is love. We learn that we are lovable or unlovable from other people,' Paul says. 'That is why God tells us so many times to love each other.' " (p146-147 Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller)

and by this , loving each other means really loving each other. Not just saying the words "I love you," with no actions behind the words. Meaning that it doesn't matter what or who the person is who is to receive the love. Totally completely, unconditionally. Period.

The comic relief of laundry

Here is a little giggle for your day - OK, so I am not the greatest home-keeper in the world. I can get the laundry washed and dried, but the process usually gets thwarted and the clothes either stay unfolded, or un-put away, or sometimes stay on the clothesline for longer than they should. I was trying to catch up yesterday and went to take down some clothes off the line and as I took my DH's pants off the line, I discovered there was a bird's nest so neatly and largely built into his pocket. It was a very comical reminder that I need to be timely about getting this stuff done! HA!
: )

KALRAL

I love Ravelry. I have been enjoying it for several months now, mostly recording my current WIPs and FOs. Then I started getting into the groups (I had browsed them before, but mostly lurked). I am now more involved with two particular ones that I have made some friends on. We also decided (myself and at least four other women from different parts of the country) to do a RAL KAL (read-a-long/knit-a-long). This will be my first ever of either and I am so looking forward to it! We are reading CS Lewis' "Till We Have Faces" and knitting (I don't know if everyone will be knitting the same pattern, but some are) Branching Out from Knitty . I have read four chapters so far and have knit almost two pattern repeats (I am doubling the lace pattern, so mine will be wider than the one shown) and am really loving the idea of doing this with my new friends in my knitting community.

I am a little bit in a funk lately, can't shake it. I just have to remember to pray.

And for the triplets I have been knitting socks for, they were born on the 29th, 14 weeks early.
The mom has been released from the hospital today, but the boys will be staying for quite a while longer. They weigh 1lb 9oz, 1lb 14oz, and 2lb 4oz. Please pray for this family.