Here's what I did manage to finish:
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Just A Few....
Here's what I did manage to finish:
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Book Review--Blind Hope
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Through It All......
A time of the "itis"--sinusitis, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, diverticulitis....and that was just me!!
The kids and Lydia also suffered from all of these except diverticulitis....so it has been a time of rest, recuperation and not much else....
CHRISTmas Day itself has come and gone....but the love our Lord has lavished upon us by sending His Son so that we may experience His grace and mercy remains....
And His grace and mercy were evident in our CHRISTmas Day celebration...sick though we were....
This was the very first holiday that not one person left in anger, tears or somewhat upset with another person.
I have to say that there were words spoken that could have erupted us into our verbal battles. But, the difference is within me.....the forgiveness of one person and letting go of things from the past (a very long journey) has left me feeling the true peace of Jesus within me.
I could hear the words, see the emotions of others....and yet, all I felt was peace....not the old anxiety and anger stirring up within me....and then reacting inappropriately.
Thank you, God....for knowing and loving me...leading me all along the way. I know I have a long way to go, but You will be there for me...as You always are..
Beth
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Lead Me With Strong Hands
Please turn off the playlist at the bottom in order to hear this song....
I was driving home from a friend's last evening when this song came on the radio. As He often does, God spoke to me through the words of this song. I came home and tried to sleep, and the words kept replaying in my head...
Why?? I ask God "why"....
So many hurts and pains from my past....I think I have forgiven...totally forgiven....and then one or two words spoken by another will result in an explosion from me that is totally unrelated to the subject at hand.
Bring into the picture the three children--three innocents--who lived through this with me....four bombs waiting to go off, and go off they do....each in their own hurt and pain....exploding in different actions and words....but denotating upon one another until the hurts are even greater...
And there is one--a bystander to all of this who looks as though the four of us are out of our minds....and we are...
out of our minds with
unresolved conflict
grief
pain
the unjustness
poor choices
lies
lack of trust
insecurity
unforgiveness......
Four lives affected by one person's actions and words.....resulting in more hurts and pains because it is unresolved...
My Father,
Lead me with Your strong hands to be in the place I need to be to forgive those who have hurt me and my children. Keep me in Your love and faithfulness. Help us to forgive each other of the words spoken in frustration and anger....words that speak of the past and not the present...
Beth
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Book Review
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Again??
Yesterday, I had no bottled water at work, and frankly, the water out of the tap tastes somewhat like chlorine. So, I drank a vitamin water (good for you, right?) that was a flavored orange.
Yikes!! A raging headache began about an hour after consuming 16 ounces of this!! I talked with my daughter who informed me that "flavored water is out! It has been proven that flavored water can cause migraines!!"
Well, I wish I had known this before I drank it....
On another front:
I have received approximately 100 squares as a donation for the blanket project for the homeless. Someone else is knitting furiously to fill a box to mail for this. And, I've been contacted by several others who want to help. So, this is underway....no sponsorship for fundraising this year...perhaps next year when there is more time to become organized. This year will be for meeting basic needs only.
CHRISTmas projects are coming along--I have three hotpad/dishcloth combinations finished for Cara and Lindsay (photos later--it's too dark right now to take a picture..
I have the materials for Lindsay's throw pillows for her bed and also a pair of pajama pants for her. Now...just the time needed to sew these together....along with the satin pillowcases (especially since I've had the material for these for two years!!)....
Went to Warm Hearts Cafe on Friday evening with a friend. This is a very cozy, small cafe with live music every Friday evening. Not too big a crowd, but the music was great!!
Well, the migraine has abated, so I suppose I'm off to get ready for another day at work....hmmm...I'd really rather be home working on these projects...but then, who would pay for this??
Beth
Monday, November 1, 2010
Blessings
Friday, October 29, 2010
Just Ramblin' On
Hard to believe, but Lydia is 11 months old already!! This was her first official 'Trick or Treat', and before we start any debates over the 'right' or 'wrong' of this, let me just say that this was done all in fun....no evilness intended....whatsoever!!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
God Is Working Behind The Scenes!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Book Review
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Freshly Fallen Snow
How can an innocent word spoken by another trigger reactions and thoughts that will run through my mind--around and around they go--until I feel consumed by the negative and not the positive?
I have had many things occur in my life (from childhood to the present) which have been hurtful, harmful, damaging to me--and my children. I've come to realize that the only person I can change is me. As much as I may pray and wish my children would come to the same realization, they need to do this for themselves.
I've been on a journey these past few months--a forgiveness journey. I've taken several steps forward, a few steps back......
And then last night my Home Group met. We are doing a series called "Life's Healing Choices" by John Baker. The study itself is taught by Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Southern California.
I had reviewed the DVD by Pastor Rick twice before the meeting. But, as I watched this with the members of the group last night, I realized that I had somehow missed an important point.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect....Romans 12:2 (NASB)
Renew my mind!! Take out the garbage that is filling my mind and replace it with God's Word.
I know that I have "tried" Scripture memorization before, and I have failed. But, I want my mind renewed, and more importantly, God wants my mind renewed. He does not want my mind cluttered with events and memories of the past which He has already forgiven. I am the one who is allowing these thoughts to pervade my mind and my life.
How? By giving satan the access to my thought patterns way too easily!!
Again I am going to start memorizing Scripture--filling my mind with God's Word--promises from God--replacing the words from the past with the Word of the present and future.
An excellent idea Pastor Rick had was to write a verse--a promise from God directly to me (and you)--on a 3 x 5 card. On the back of the card, write how this verse applies to my life--a mind transforming process. Reading this every morning, afternoon and bedtime (and whenever needed) will place this into my mind.
Then when those thoughts start assaulting me, they will be replaced by God's Word and love for me. Transformed by the renewing of my mind.....
I do not have the index cards, so a stop will be made on my way home from work today to begin this mind renewal process
My verse for this week:
"No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow.".....Isaiah 1:18 (LB)
If you'd like to join in memorizing Scripture, just let me know. We can be an encouragement to one another as we renew our minds.
Beth
Monday, October 25, 2010
On My Way....
Monday, October 11, 2010
Still Counting......
Saturday, October 9, 2010
You're Beautiful
(Please pause the music at the bottom of the page so this won't disturb your listening to the song)
Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God....1 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.".....1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
Yes, this will be my song for those days when I am being attacked by the "just not rights".....
Beth
Friday, October 8, 2010
Tiny Stitches In My Mind
This is what the finished stocking will look like:
Picture from 1-2-3 Stitch
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Road Trip
I am on a week's 'stacation' this week. I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying this....some people are not happy that I am on 'stacation'. But, I have worked, earned this time off, and I suppose it is something they will have to live with...
We were actually going to the outlets in Hershey to look for a winter coat for Lydia. The antique auto show was going on at Hersheypark, and we passed this on our way to the outlets. Yes, there is a piece of a front end of a car in the back of this truck. This looked very funny when driving behind this vehicle....another picture opportunity that Cara had to take advantage of.
Very tired after a long day for her....
This morning I finished the bear I was working on to send to children who have been taken from their homes for their own safety. This one is very special because he plays the piano!!
What am I going to do today? I suppose I'll find something to do......whatever it is, it will be filled with the love of God!!
Beth
Monday, October 4, 2010
On My Way to One Thousand Gifts
#18 the soft touch of a baby's skin while she is sleeping
#19 time for relaxation and just being me.....finding joy and hope in myself that I didn't
know was there
#20 meeting new children
#21 a friend who loves and cares for me--sometimes in spite of myself--a friend to laugh, cry
and share with
#22 the Holy Spirit's guidance and counsel in my life
#23 healing prayers
#24 raspberry colored clouds in the sky
#25 the knowledge in my heart that God loves and cares for me--I matter to Him,
and even when I think otherwise, His plans are the best because He knows the
outcome and I don't
Beth
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Putting Out Some Feelers......
Regardless of the reason, my heart always leans in this direction. I have done charity knitting/crocheting for various organizations, and I have always felt that 'this is good'. But, I have also felt that this was not 'it'.
The beginning of the week, I was visiting hakucho just because she designed one of my very favorite dishcloth patterns. I wanted to see what she was up to recently.
She had a photo of some squares. I thought to myself, "I wonder what she is going to do with these squares?" (knowing that she has a very inventive mind). So, I read further.
She is going to a Knit-A-Thon that benefits the homeless!!
I then went to visit the website for the Knit-A-Thon. I was totally blown out of the water!! This is it!! This is it!! My heart was telling me full blast that this was it!!
I sent an email to the organizer of this event, and she responded that very morning. We have since talked on the phone twice, and she is very excited about expanding her Knit-A-Thon (which is in Boston) to other areas. If you browse around her site, you will see that they have made many blankets and raised a substantial amount of money doing this as an outreach to their community.
I am willing and able to organize this (with some help from my friends!). Basically, you knit or crochet 9 x 9 inch squares. You will need to have sponsors--say 50 cents or perhaps a dollar/square.
Then, at a later date, the knitters/crocheters will meet en masse--assemble the blankets (35 squares to each blanket), and the blankets and the monies will be donated to a local homeless shelter.
I'm just in the stages of putting out feelers now. I've sent emails to every knitting group and local yarn shop that is close to our area, contacted my church regarding this, and now I'm appealing to you.
Do you want to help with this effort? You could either be part of the square making, the assembling, or both. Do you know someone who knits or crochets who may be interested in this? If so, please pass the word!!
I want to get an idea of who is willing to do what before I contact the shelter. Nothing worse than presenting them with an idea and nothing to follow up with--right??
If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop me a line!!
Beth
Monday, September 27, 2010
Monday (AGAIN!!) and Gratitude
I couldn't sleep well on Thursday night...a lot on my mind. Every time I woke up I would go outside onto the deck....look at the moon...and pray. I've been doing a lot of praying over the past several days....and my heart feels full and peaceful now......
#13 Answered prayer
#14 The moon to calm me on sleepless nights
#15 Choices to make in God's way....not mine
#16 A clean home
#17 Migraine free for an entire week (plus a day)!!!
Beth
Sunday, September 19, 2010
An Awesome Day!!
This is the portion of the bridge remaining standing from the Harrisburg side....
This bridge was originally built in 1890 and was used for traffic to cross from Harrisburg--or as people here call it--"The East Shore"--to "The West Shore" of the Susquehanna River.
Due to damage from Hurricaine Agnes in 1970, the bridge was closed to car traffic and limited solely to pedestrian traffic. At night, the entire bridge is lined in white lights, and it is a spectacular sight when traveling on either side of the river.
In 1996--remember the Nor'easter in 1996? I'm sure most of the people living in this area do. We had 35-40 inches of snow (depending upon your location) dumped on us in a matter of 2-3 days. This was followed by another storm, then a rapid warming and rain.
Because of this rapid warming and the rainfall, the river rose and ice jams were present--floating down the river and knocking down whatever was in their path. Unfortunately, an ice floe (combined with the high waters) knocked this bridge off its foundations, and it collapsed.
The cost to repair the bridge entirely is considered to be too high--12-15 million dollars. So, the eastern side has been repaired at the cost of $5,000,000 and is once again open to pedestrian traffic--but not the entire way across the river--only to City Island where the Harrisburg Senator baseball team plays. A lot of people park their cars on City Island during the day and walk into Harrisburg to work.
And just some random shots I took while waiting for Lindsay's hair to be completed!!
A beautiful, wonderful day!!
Beth
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Counting Towards CHRISTmas!!
Hopefully, looking at this and realizing just how truly little time I actually do have will push me somewhat in the right direction......
I've taken a project to work....something small.....to work on for Cara. Lindsay works with me, but our lunch isn't scheduled together, so I can work for this for a bit during the day.
I'm going to see if Cara is available this weekend to help me pick out some fabric for the throw pillows Lindsay is wanting for her bedroom. Every time Lindsay and I are out together, she looks at these and then puts them back. I know she would love to have these to spiff up her bedroom a little.
Oh, it's nice to have someone to take along to help pick out the fabric!! Also, this weekend I'm really going to knuckle down on Lydia's stocking. The migraine last weekend put this on hold, and I'm finding that after working all day and using my eyes for computer work that I just can't seem to work on this in the evening.
Now, I'm off to read a little--then off to sleep for the last day of the work week--which I really thought was never going to arrive--so slowly the days moved along this week.
Beth
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
As I promised a few days ago, I would post finished pictures of Lydia's Starghan. This definitely ended up being a bit bigger than I anticipated. But, she'll be able to have this as she grows. I'm really liking the bright colors....and I know she is attracted to bright colors....so one birthday present for Lydia has been completed!!
Now, Peggy was questioning 'popeye eggs'....no, there is no spinach in them--even though that seems to be all Popeye ever ate!!
These are something that bring back a lot of childhood memories--both for me and my own children. When I was young, and my father had passed away, my mother went back to work full-time. My grandmother was then in charge of me. She would venture to my Aunt Edna's once a week to help her with her children and her ironing. For some reason, my grandmother loved to iron, and she ironed everything!!
During the summer when I wasn't in school, my mom would be at work, my brother off somewhere (remember he is 5 years older than me!), and Grandma and I would take a taxi cab to my Aunt Edna's once a week. I remember leaving in the morning before breakfast. I loved that taxi ride!! Grandma would sit up front with the driver, and I had the whole backseat to myself. This was a large, leather seat, and as the cab driver would go around corners, I'd slide back and forth across the seat....just laughing!! No seatbelts at that time!!
Anyway--since we had had no breakfast, Aunt Edna would make us 'popeye eggs'. So, I guess you could say this has been handed down through the family....
It's really very simple--not much to it--but it was special to me and then in turn to my own children.
You will need an egg and one slice of bread for each one you need to make. Place your bread on a counter or plate (or wherever is your choosing!). Take a glass (say juice glass size--not too big of a glass!!), and use the opening of this glass to cut of hole in the center of the bread.
Now you have a slice of bread with a hole in it and a small piece of round bread. Melt a little butter in a frying pan. Place your bread with the hole and the round bread in the pan. Break your egg and pour into the hole in the bread. Let this fry until ready to turn. Flip over the bread with the egg and the round hole....cook slightly on the other side.
Now, you have an egg and toast--all in one--plus a little round toasted piece of bread to dip into your egg.
How did this receive the name of 'popeye egg'? Well, remember Popeye? He only ever had one eye open....and this looks just like an eye staring up at you (before you eat it).
Give it a try--easy, simple, and tastes good, too!!
Why did Lindsay ask if I thought of her? Lindsay had her tonsils removed when she was four years old. After this procedure, she refused to eat.....for days. She would drink, but not eat a thing. Finally, she ate a poached egg....which is all she ate--each meal--every day--for I couldn't tell you how long--a poached egg sitting on a piece of toast.
One morning I changed this to a 'popeye egg' to see if she would eat this. And she did--again every day, every meal--for almost a year. But, at least she was eating again. No wonder she asked if I thought of her!! How could I not?
And who would have thought--the child who only ate these for so long would turn into one of the best cooks I know. She now eats (and makes) all kinds of delicacies using unusual seasonings and altering recipes to suit herself. Go, Lindsay!!
Have to go get ready for work!! A wonderful day to all!!
Beth