Realization

I learned something last evening. There are people in my life who I thought I mattered to, thought I was of some importance to them. Unfortunately, this is not the case. And, the very sad truth is that these people are members of my own family.

I talked with someone else regarding this, and she told me that is why God has placed so many others in my life, my spiritual family--to fill the gap that my own family leaves.

And, I needn't worrry at all--God loves me more than anyone on earth could ever possibly love me, and that is all that matters.

Have a wonderful evening!

Beth

Just Today

Today has been a good day. I've felt well which is a plus all in itself!!

I've finished the two traveling scarves that have been waiting for me to finish and also boxed up the squares that I've been able to finish for The Ghana Project. Everyone is leaving for Ghana on 6/3, so these squares will be used in the afghans that will travel to Ghana in the late fall when the next trip is scheduled.

I've also managed to whip up a few dishcloths to send to soldiers in Afghanistan. I've heard from members of a knitting group that these soldiers are only issued a small washcloth and small towel. Imagine that--in a country where temperatures are over 100 degrees daily standing in the shade.

If you're interested in what our military needs overseas, go to http://anysoldier.com. There is a list from each branch of the military, updated daily, as to the needs of our military personnel overseas.
There are also e-mails from different individuals from different branches of the service requesting things like granola bars, baby wipes, soap, magazines, etc.

I'm not politically minded at all, but I do feel that these are our fellow men and women who are away from home, sometimes without basic needs. And if we can help supply them with what they need or want while they are away from home, then I feel that we should.

If you're interested in helping by knitting a dishcloth, please get in touch with me, and I'll direct you to the correct source to send it to. Please visit the above website. It is touching, and tells more about the feelings and needs of our military then we will ever know from any newspaper or television station.

Have a wonderful rest of the day!!

Beth

Rough Times

I've had some rough times lately. And during these rough times, I've been so grateful to have my spiritual family around me. They have shown care, comfort, love and encouragement. All these people in my life have reflected the love of Jesus. I just wanted a space to say thank you to each and every one of them for being here for me.

I am finally getting better, slowly, day by day. But,during this time, I've also grown even closer to God. So, I understand truly what the verse being thankful in all circumstances means.

God has used this time in my life to slow me down, make me rest, realize where my priorities lie and to draw me closer to Him.

And my children and I have also drawn closer together--realizing how much we love and care for each other.

Have a wonderful day!!

Beth

NAME THE KITTY WINNER!!

Today, the kitty finally has a name!! When my daughter was visiting from Texas, she started calling him Miles. She fly home last night, and I think that I'm going to continue to call him Miles since he seems to already be responding to this name (as much as cats do respond to their name!)

So, since neither Vicki nor Kathy actually picked out the winning name, I'm going to make them each a bookmark. So, e-mail me with your preference of color for the thread of your bookmark. The background is off-white. You can look here and see which color you would like:

http://www.needlepointers.com/displaypage.aspx?ArticleID=31979&URL=http%3a%2f%2fyarntree.com%2f075dmcolors.jpg

Let me know, and I'll get these bookmarks to you!!

Thanks for playing in the contest!!

Beth

Name the Kitty

As some of you know, I've been having some health issues lately. This,unfortunately, had left me flat on my back most of the time for about a month now.

This has been a very trying time for me since I'm used to being up and about, doing things. I've concentrated a lot of time into prayer, and I feel that during this time I've grown closer to God.

Someone brought me a new friend yesterday. Here is his picture:

The only problem is that my new companion has no name. Thus, the "Name the Kitty" contest. Just enter a comment with your suggestion for a name for my new friend. On Monday, I'll decide which one suits him the best and announce the winner. I don't want him to be without a name for too long!!

The person with the winning name with receive a counted cross stitch bookmark for their Bible, made in their favorite color of thread.

Please hurry--he needs a name or else he's going to think "kitty" is his name for the rest of his life!!

Thanks for all your help!!

Beth

Mid-May KAL

And here is a picture of my Mid-May KAL--at least I think it is!! I'm fairly sure that I've been following the instructions carefully. However, I'm hearing talk of ridges and eyelets and lace-like formations from others.

Then there are those whose dishcloths look like mine!! I like the way this looks whether it is right or not, so I'm going to keep it this way.

Hmmmmm..............I wonder which is correct--"x's" or "eyelets"?? I guess we all will know in a day or two!!

April 2008 Mid-Month KAL

I decided that I had better finish my mid-month April KAL before moving on to anything else. I realized that mid-May will be here soon and all of my size 7 needles are tied up with other projects. I'll probably be needing them, so I finished this. I had this green yarn purchased some time ago, and then didn't know what I was going to do with it. I like the way this turned out with the cream and green together.

If you look very closely, the little dots in each row resemble bunny ears, at least I think they do!

Now, to finish the beginning of May cloth before the mid-May begins!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This is for the important women in my life--Happy Mother's Day:

My Grandmother at her 100th Birthday Party
My mom with my Dad
My sister with her son and my oldest daughter

I'd like the memory of me
to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing
times
And bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve,
to dry before the sun
of happy memories that I leave
When my life is done.



Thank you and Happy Mother's Day to these very special women who have gone on before me.

I'll see you soon!!

Just Tired

Today I am just plain tired. I've had a full day of work, came home and did some much needed work around home, and no time for doing anything creative.

Not being able to touch my creative side (even for a day) tires me. I need this in order to destress myself.

I listened to some music (that helped the stress a lot), wrote a letter to a friend and now I'm soon off to sleepyland so I can get up tomorrow and do it all again!! Hopefully tomorrow I'll have time to create a little--no that's wrong--I'm going to make sure that I have time to create a little.

See you soon.

THE GHANA PROJECT

I am so excited I can just about stand myself!!!

I have been praying to God to show me how HE wants me to use my God given talent of knitting and crocheting. I know that this gift was given to me by God. When I was 8 years old, my Dad died. I spent most days after school alone and all day during the summer alone.

My neighbor from across the street, Mrs. Robertson, saw my loneliness. She came to our door one day and asked if I could come to her house to help her with her 3 young children. Being a child, I felt that I was doing her a favor. Now, as an adult, I realize that she was reaching out to me.

I did help her with her children, but she also taught me alot also. She taught me to knit, crochet, sew, cook and many aspects of being a good mother. I picked up the knitting and crocheting like I had been doing this since the day I was born!!

So, I knit, I crochet--and I give almost everything away. As I said earlier, I've been praying about how God wants me to use this talent. Today I received an e-mail from a member of a knitting group that I belong to. I have never heard from her previous to today. I don't even know her.

She pointed me in the direction of the Ghana Project--you just knit 7 inch squares--so many beautiful patterns to choose from--mail to Michigan, and then they are put together into an afghan to send to Ghana to children who are having surgeries, a comfort blankie!!

This is also especially close to me because most of this children are being treated for scoliosis (curvature of the spine). They have had no treatment for this and so require surgery to be corrected.

I also have scoliosis, but having lived in the US, I was able to be treated without surgery and before the damage was too great.

I do have to say that God answers my prayers in some unusual ways sometimes!! And I pray for the doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other volunteers who donate their expertise and time to this project.

Praise and glory to God!!!!

Check out the website if you're interested in helping out. I'm so glad I did!!

http://theghanaproject.wordpress.com/

A Christmas Dishcloth Story

Now, I know that it's not Christmas or even close to Christmas. But, I saw this dishcloth on someone's blog. She had made it for her mom for Christmas, and it's a dishcloth made to look like her mom's house.

I fell in love with this, so I had to make it! I don't know yet who will be the recipient of this cloth--maybe I'll do something different and keep it for myself!!

On another note, I've located a website called Newborns in Need. Since I have a TON of baby yarn that isn't being used at the moment, I've decided to contact our local chapter of Newborns in Need so that I can use my God given talent to help His smallest ones stay warm. I've just sent them an e-mail, so I'll keep you posted on that topic.

Our church service today was awesome!!! We're starting a new series called "iGod"--what would God be saying to you if He were in your iPod? And today--today I learned that God is my everything. I already knew that, but hearing it spoken to me, sung to me--well, this message just reinforced this in my heart and soul. God is always present, always powerful, always loving.

Our God is an awesome God!!

May KAL

Here's a picture of my beginning of May KAL. For those of you who don't know what a KAL is, I'll try to explain. KAL stands for "knit a long". In the beginning of May, I received (via e-mail, of course!) about 10 rows of instructions for about 5-6 days. I have no idea what I'm going to be knitting (except that it is a dishcloth). At the end of the 5-6 days, I have a completed project.

This occurs again on the 15th of May--5 to 6 days of instruction, and again another dishcloth. But, it's all a mystery until it's completed. And one of the really cool things--the second KAL of the month--I always learn a new stitch or a new technique that I can carry over onto other projects--love that--learning new things!!

I can see the heart in the bottom of this one and the beginnings of something else--maybe a butterfly? Any quesses??

I'll post another picture when it's completed and then we can all see what it really is. I was sure I was knitting a dishcloth with an Easter egg on it in April. But, I was wrong--it turned out to be a bunny!!

Right now, I'm TRYING to teach myself to knit socks. I'm almost finished the first part of the first one, and I have this beautiful new yarn staring me in the face just calling to me to make it into a pair of socks. Well, just stop calling to me, please!! I have to finish two socks because I have two feet, and you'll just have to wait!!