Just A Few....

Due to all the illnesses being passed around in my family, I did not complete nearly what I had intended to for CHRISTmas. I have all the materials needed, so I'll be working on these throughout the year, putting them away, and hopefully remembering where they are!!

Here's what I did manage to finish:

Lydia's Ladybug Mittens--

which she refuses to keep on her

hands!!

These are Lindsay's slippers before felting.

I was wondering how they were ever going to

shrink

to a

size 6 or 7!!

But, shrink they did!!

And here are Lindsay's feet in her slippers with

Cara's in the middle (minus her feet--but they do fit!!)

So, there will be projects going on throughout the year--though I've decided to take a little break from presents for others and make a present for myself.

I have an afghan that I made for my mother in 1976. How do I know I made this in 1976? Because she wanted something in red, white and blue to mark the bicentennial of our country. I took this afghan home with me when she passed away and have used it to keep warm on cold nights ever since.

There is a big bag of yarn in my closet that is aching to be made into an afghan--so I'm going to make another one for myself. The red, white and blue afghan is getting a little worn in some places. After all, it is almost 35 years old......and I've decided that this afghan perhaps needs a little tender care and a rest. I'm not putting it away in a dark corner....just a rest in a quiet place.

And don't we all need a rest in a quiet place sometimes?

Beth

Book Review--Blind Hope

"Blind Hope--An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued" is a true story written by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher. This book is a quick read, and I finished this in one evening. I found it uplifting and encouraging. It also would be a good book for teenage girls who are in the "searching for myself" stage.

The location of the story is Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch in central Oregon. This is an amazing program which rescues abused animals and pairs them with disadvantaged children--a place of healing, peace and a new life.

Laurie Sacher first came to this program seeking help and later became a staff member.

Laurie rescues an unwanted, abused dog--an Aussie named Mia. Her first impression of Mia is "She's a wretched creature, just like me."

As the story unfolds, we find that not only does Laurie rescue Mia, but Mia rescues Laurie. You see, Mia has many health problems due to her neglect, and she is blind. But, as Mia places her trust in Laurie, learns to follow her direction and instruction, and places her hopes in Laurie's care, Laurie is pointed to her Savior, Jesus Christ, in whom she then places her own hopes, trust and care.

There are many glimpses into the life that Laurie and Mia created together--each trusting the other--and as Mia's trust and hopes in Laurie increase, Laurie's hopes and trust in the Lord increase.

Laurie is taught that this little dog is a creature loved and created by God.....and so is she.

This was a very enlightening story, and I think parts of this could be used for a devotional. I found myself going back and reading over various pages--and thinking how this story related to my own life.

One problem--now I want to rescue a dog!!

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Through It All......

From Thanksgiving to CHRISTmas...it has been a time--

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

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

Book Review

I was recently received this book for review, and I have to say it is a delight and will be for many years to come.

The book itself is paperback with the paper used for the pages being thick and edged just like an "old-time" hymnal.

There are 150 songs included--music and words--with credits to the authors of each. I particularly enjoyed reading about the people who composed these songs and what inspired each of them.

There is much to be learned from this book. The inspiration that created some of the most wonderful hymns can be used still today in inspiring us to remain constant in our Lord--trusting in Him and carrying His word in music and song.

Since I am also learning to play the piano, this book will certainly be used for quite a while. Some of the hymns I remembered from my childhood. It was wonderful to read the words to these hymns--some actually evoked particular happy childhood memories.

I came across a song that I used to play and sing with a childhood friend when I was 9 years old--"This Is My Father's World". Just reading the words, hearing the music in my mind made me particularly joyful and more aware of all the God created and our enjoyment of this.

This book is a wonderful edition to anyone's book collection, particularly if you love music.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255