Spinning And Such

I am really enjoying learning to spin my own yarns.  Isn’t that blue pretty?  I am also knitting a shawl (above), and no, I did not spin that purple yarn.  But I did knit and then felt the little bowl to hold my ball of yarn while I knit.  It was quick and easy, and the first time that I have felted a knitted project.  The pattern for the bowl is here, and the shawl pattern is here.
I have been learning how to spin on my drop spindle from classes on line at Craftsy.
I am enjoying the last few days before we begin school again.  It is time to get back into our normal routines. 
What are ya’ll up to these days?
Join the fun - 

EVERY ONE, please read Linny’s post today and join in the Prayers

Seasons Of Our Hearts

 I have noticed that my heart goes through seasons.  And if I am not  careful and aware, there are seasons where my thoughts become terribly self centered and my heart becomes heavy.  

 This heaviness tries to pull me down, and if I do not take a stand it will.

 I am realizing that there is nothing wrong with the “seasons” - seasons of joy, laughter, fun, playing; if fact those seasons are like Spring and Summer - active and well, FUN.  

 And the seasons of Autumn and Winter?

 Well, this morning I prayed to the LORD and He reminded me of the beauty in winter.  These are amazing pictures I took of frost on my window this morning.  Each one is exquisite in it’s creation and beautiful.  

And as I look at this frost, my heart feels more restful.  As the seed that waits in the cold, hard ground for the warming of spring my heart will wait also.  And I remind myself to look around me at the LORD’s creative beauty, to listen to the truth of hope found in the Bible and to wait patiently and trustingly as the seed waits.  
I remember that this season is a wonderful time to slow down, rest, contemplate, and seek the LORD’s direction for the growth that HE desires in the next season of my days.  I accept with appreciation that He has brought this season into my life and instead of heaviness receive it as a time of quietness in my heart.  
And today I will remember to “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.  to Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever;"

Merry Christmas

From our family to yours!

Oh, To Share Life ...

 ...with the one you love.

 They have taught me to fight for what is important,

 to love extravagantly, even when it hurts,

 to give of yourself, and forgive when it is hard,

 to laugh, and play and enjoy the life that God has blessed us with,

 to remember that people are always more important than things,

 and that whether you have money or struggle to make ends meet, remember the most important things in your life...

 our real blessings are our family, friends and our gifts that can be used to love and serve the LORD and others.

 They have faithfully loved each other and those that God has put in their paths. 

They have selflessly given whenever they could.

 They have passionately embraced the journey that the LORD has taken them on;

 and look each day for His guidance and wisdom.  

 Are my parents perfect?  Gosh, even they would shake their heads and laugh “NO”.  

But with lots of hard work and enormous amounts of love,

I would say they are pretty darn close.

I’m grateful to God for them, and it was so fun to take these precious pictures of them.

Free

Praise the LORD, Caresse is now free from the horrible knot that has been causing so much pain in her shoulder.  The doctors were very happy with yesterdays surgery.  The plate was removed from her right knee, and the bone knot was taken out of her shoulder.  
She is in pain, of course, but happy that it is all over!  Thank you for your prayers for our family. 

Number 10 and 11

My darling Caresse will have surgeries number ten and eleven tomorrow morning.  The doctors will be removing the plate in her knee and the huge bone growth in her shoulder. 
I am so grateful for the wonderful doctors that will be taking care of her tomorrow.  They are truly gifts from the LORD!!

His First

 We had just missed this special day last year.

 The birthday when you turned eight.  

 This year though, we celebrated this day with you!  

 Yes, you turned nine this year,

 and we all loved singing happy birthday to you,

 and being silly, 

 and watching you open your gifts...

But, I am celebrating your FIRST birthday home.  The first year you have a family to sing the birthday song
 to you; the first year that your mommy got to make a cake for you; the first time that we got to see you laugh and blow out your candles; ...
this is the first year for me -
your mommy,
to celebrate the little boy who was born 9 years ago, in another country to another woman;
and to remember with thankfulness the circumstance orchestrated by The Almighty that brought my son to me.

Happy First Birthday Home Clive Charles.  I am so glad that the LORD gave you to me,
I love you,
mommy