words for wednesday

every once in a while a knitter tells me

that they are not a "real knitter."

I ignore them, for they are lying.

there are no standards or entrance exams in knitting.

it's not like the big board of knitting executives mails you

your papers the day you finish an Aran sweater,

finally pronouncing you a real knitter.

If you are knitting, you are a real knitter. period.

-Stephanie Pearl McPhee

truth (project 2)

a few weeks ago I started two exciting Bible studies. both promise to encourage me, challenge me, and ultimately change me. I feel like I've started a new journey, and I will use a few of these 5 in 5 projects along the way.

the first week of our sunday morning Bible study, I noticed our leader Kim had a pile of index cards written with scripture. my mind started thinking...(I do some of my best thinking during our service)...about how to use scripture cards. "I know! I could make a pack of scripture cards for my friend. so whether she's at treatments, having a bad day, or having a good day, she will be encouraged." I was so excited!! I immediately started making a list of all my favorite verses. the next step in my creative process was to share this idea with mark. "I think it's a good idea. but based on my past experience, some of the ideas I think are meant for someone else are really meant for me. so I encourage you to let this idea percolate and see who it's meant for. maybe you should make one intended for yourself, share the idea with her, then give it freely if she shows interest. we quite often think of ideas in the context of other people, but we have to be sensitive to the percentage of spirit and the percentage of self in our intention."

that wasn't exactly the response I thought I wanted, or would receive. but that response was just what I needed. because just one night later we dove into the truth issue at my BW study, and I received the validation from the Spirit that I was to make this journal for myself.

a spark from a pile of note cards turned into an idea, that I made my own. this truth journal is the creation. this is so exciting!

I picked up all my supplies at Target- a Real Simple index card pack held together at one end with a large screw and a scrapbook paper kit. I embellished the front with stickers spelling out "truth" and added a few chipboard and felt flowers.
this truth journal will be filled with verses...filled with truth! and I hope I have to make more than one!

5 in 5

while mark and uncle tom were on their pilgrimage to The Prairie Home Companion show out in MN, aunt karen and I were able to get in some dedicated crafting time! she set up shop on the dining room table, and I found a comfortable spot on the kitchen counter. it's fun crafting with others. seeing how they do things vs. how you do things. I love to stand when I paper craft; she likes to sit; but we both love the process. and it was oh so good to crank out the projects and clean up an entire bench of crafting mess!
so now for the "5 in 5"- 5 finished projects in 5 posts!

first up-my Recipe Binder.
this recipe binder is a copy of lisa's recipe binder library. during one of my trips out to visit, she pulled out her recipe binders (notice the plural...indicates many!), and I was hooked on the idea. a single place with a single format for all the recipes you want at your fingertips! I'm sure she'll share her binder library with you, but for now my one binder finally has a fun, 'make me smile' decorated cover!

I started the cover creation by painting the chipboard title letters white.
then choose a favorite paper for the cover from my stash.
I cut the paper to fit into the front sleeve, adhered the title, and called it done.

at lisa's recommendation, I found the binders and page protectors at staples. I print my recipes out on white card stock and slide into protective sleeves.

and today, I pulled out this finished project (all but continuing to add great recipes) and made no bake cookies! it was oh so sweet!

thanks for sharing all your great ideas and recipes lisa!

a healing sting

last night when I had mark proof read my blog post, these were a few of his words:

"you can FEEL sad, but you can't BE sad."

ouch! that hurt!

I came back with, "yes... I can BE sad!" I didn't do much more listening after that.

I'm sure that's happened to you. there you are thinking you are so right about a certain issue...then wise counsel shares their wise counsel, and you realize you're not so wise. and you're not so right.

I'm so excited with where the Lord is taking me right now. in our Women's Bible Study on sundays, we're going through Charles Swindoll's book Releasing Worry and Finding Worth as a Woman. and in my monday night study, we're doing Biblical Womanhood by Cindy Hawks. both studies are challenging me, and what I believe.

truth.

where do you find truth?

I'm learning I may have been looking in the wrong places for truth. the Bible is our only reliable source of truth, and yet I have to be honest and say that I've relied on my parents, my friends, my husband, my pastor, the media and many books to teach me truth. while some of these sources can be used as my wise counsel, they shouldn't be my source of truth.

so today I created a truth book. a place to record all the scripture verses I want to focus on. (I'll be sharing that project along with a wellness journal in a future post.)

but for now, it was a really good day for me. I took a good walk, spent time in devotion study, put on a pretty outfit {even though I was staying home all day}, listened to uplifting music, took time to pause, and focused on not being sad. at the end of the day, many of my piles have been eliminated and many of my worries have been given to the only One who can do anything about them. it was a really good day.

so mark, thanks for stinging me last night. it was just what I needed to focus on truth.

words for wednesday

If your actions inspire others to

dream more,

learn more,

do more,

and become more,

you are a leader.

-John Quincy Adams

a heavy load

I've been away.

I'm carrying a heavy load right now.

I'm sad. I'm mad. I'm scared. I'm stressed.

this is me and one of my best friends, kris.

july 2007

we started praying for her last year when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. we prayed with her through that diagnosis, surgery, chemo, and reconstruction.

and you may remember we celebrated her clean bill of health back in january.

yet just two short weeks ago everything changed. this vibrant, loving, fun woman was diagnosed with lung cancer. and then just five days ago, I received word that she also has brain cancer.

she is the strongest woman I know. she is a fighter. but she can't fight this alone. she needs your prayers! for there is only one who can heal her and perform a miracle, our heavenly Father.

I've missed sharing what's been going on, but I just can't right now.

words for wednesday

you know you knit too much when...

...you consider leaving a yarn shop

empty-handed a rare personal victory.

-Stephanie Pearl McPhee

where were you?

09-11-01

where were you?

I was at home with spencer (4 yrs.) preparing to meet kelly for lunch, when my mom called and told me to turn on the news. I turned on Fox News and saw the second plane crash into the second tower. "What's going on? I can't believe this! Who would do such an awful act?" I cried. I prayed. we watched fox the rest of that day and many more...in total sadness and disbelief.

honoring those who died.

honoring those who helped.

honoring those who survived.

honoring those who go on without loved ones.

May God Bless America.

the first full day

while the boys' actual first day of school was yesterday, today was their first full day. which means it was also my first full day home alone in twelve years! the morning rain subsided long enough for both boys to ride their respective buses to school, and as I walked in the back door, I thought to myself, "so now what?"

my "now what" turned into cleaning and purging room by room. spencer's dresser needed a good purge and straighten; connor's toys got the same treatment; and our bedroom was put back together after our weekend away. after working in the kitchen, I started my laundry loads, had a bite of lunch, took a quick nap, then started working my business.
I left these little notes for the boys as I left each of their rooms. I'm thinking my lunch box note idea needs to take some physical form tomorrow.

I learned a few things today:
* raising independent, confident young men is bittersweet.

* the house is extremely quiet when the boys aren't here.

* I find comfort in cleaning and organizing.

* routines make me run smoother.

* too much stuff makes me tired, so I have to purge it.

* my boys bring activity, noise, conflict but even more love, joy, and fun!

* thoughtful emails from close friends give comfort in difficult situations, thanks lease.

my day finished with the first sight of fall in michigan

game time with connor

and the love of a good magazine.

I want to seize the new opportunities this time gives me, enjoy new experiences, and grow and mature along with the boys. Lord, stay with me as I go day by day through this year.

words for wednesday

For attractive lips,

speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes,

seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure,

share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair,

let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise,

walk with the knowledge that you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed,

never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,

you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands;

one for helping yourself,

the other for helping others.

-Sam Levenson

NOTE: This poem was one of Audrey Hepburn's favorites and has been erroneously attributed to her. It was read by Miss Hepburn to her sons, Sean and Luca on Christmas Eve, 1992 and also on occasion when she was asked for beauty tips. Thank You Stacy Julian for sharing this poem.

planes, parties, and pools

seems like just yesterday, but, in fact, it's been a week since we celebrated connor's birthday at Walt Disey World. mark was so generous to surprise connor and me with tickets for a mini birthday vacation. he was such a good little guy.

he found creative things to do as we waited for airplanes.

he celebrated #6 with all his favorite characters.

he swam his little suit off in gramma and grandpa's pool.

and he slept the entire flight home!

it was a birthday to remember!

go visit mark's blog to read his tribute to our son.

words for wednesday

I don't want to get to the end of my life

and find that I lived just the length of it.

I want to have lived the width of it as well.

-Diane Ackerman