Sweet Friends Are Such a Blessing!

I feel like I've been 

away for such a long time!

I've missed having the time

to read your all your

wonderful blogs...

Hopefully, as we settle into

more of a routine around here...

I'll be able to stop by for a visit! 

I want to especially thank you 
all for your sweet prayers 

and your wonderful words 

of encouragement! 

There is an old Amish proverb
which says...

"A truly happy person

is one who can enjoy

the scenery of a detour."

Although, of course,

it saddens me to see

my dad's declining health...

I am looking forward to 

this season in our lives.

I so appreciate the care

that my parents gave to me 

growing up...

and consider it an honor

to be able to "give back" 

some of this wonderful gift

to them

as they grow older.

Speaking of giving...

This package came in the mail today

from my amazing sister-in-law, Nancy.

I wrote a post about her ministry

several months ago...

She sent all these craft kits...

knowing that I am spending

many hours in the doctors' offices

with my dad...

something to keep my "idle hands" busy!

So many blessings in my life...

Thank you, Lord. 

 Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 5:13

Round and Round We Go!

 Having my sister here with me 

for a week was such a blessing...

In the midst of dealing with the

uncertainty of my dad's failing health...

It was such a comfort to have her close by.

We share so many interests 

in common...
especially crafting!

While she was here she

was working on some ladies' hats

for a hospital outreach project.

She knits these hats for cancer patients.

And since we are always exchanging patterns...

She shared this one with me.

It calls for size 13 round needles...

Which I did not have

and wasn't sure that I could purchase locally.

Mom overheard our conversation 
about the hats and the needles
and told me she had something for me...

Don't you just love the olive green!

What she gave me 
was a vintage set of round knitting needles...
Which have never been used.

How about that bright yellow fake fur lining!

She got them 40 some odd 
years ago as a gift...
But already had many sizes of round needles
and never needed to use these.

What a treasure!

As I sat waiting for doctors' appointments,
I had fun making these 
wild hats!
I even added my own little flair...
the yo-yo and button!

Samuel's comment..."Thing 1 and Thing 2 hats!"

As I knitted round and round in circles...
It felt like our lives had been like this lately...
Searching for ways to help my dad...
Trying to find answers to questions...

And it reminded me of the way
we sometimes
approach coming to the Lord...
Some of us go round and round...

Trying to rationalize...

Trying to disprove...

Trying to say...
"I've got plenty of time for God later"

Trying to clean up our act...

Trying to be "good enough..."

When all He asks of us is
to believe and obey...

Really very simple...
And there's no way a"round" it!
 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me hath everlasting life"

John 6:47

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, 

and do not the things which I say?"

Luke 6:46

It's Not Just For Babies!

My son's favorite jacket...

You know the one...

Fits just right

Not too heavy

Always looks good on...

Until...

He just happen to get grease stains

all over the front of it!

I had no idea how to get

grease from BBQ chicken

out of fleece...

I tried some of my old stand-bys...

But nothing seem to work.

Til I discovered this remedy...

Baby Powder!

You just dampen the cloth 

where the grease stains are...

Shake powder over the damp spots

and let them set overnight...

Then wash as usual in the morning!

My son was so pleased...

His favorite jacket was good as new!

 
Speaking of babies...

While sitting in doctors' offices
this past week with my dad...

I had an opportunity to make a few of 

these newborn hats...

Aren't they cute!

You know,
The Bible tells us that we 
should crave God's Word
as a newborn craves milk...

"As newborn babes, 

desire the sincere milk of the word, 

that ye may grow thereby..." 

1 Peter 2:2

But, just as baby powder

isn't just for babies...

neither is the Word of God...

For we are instructed 

to grow up in it...

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, 

ye have need that one teach you again 

which be the first principles

of the oracles of God; 

and are become such as 

have need of milk, 

and not of strong meat.

 For every one that useth milk 

is unskilful in the word of righteousness: 

for he is a babe.

 But strong meat belongeth 

to them that are of full age, 

even those who by reason of use 

have their senses exercised 
to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 5:12-14

If we only partake of the "milk" of God's Word
Then we will stunt our spiritual growth.
We need to become accustomed to the
"word of righteousness."
We, as believers in Christ,
are called to grow up on God's Word.

How do we do this?

By "feeding" on it daily...

For we all know...

It's not just for babies!