Song for Sunday: Autumn

It feels like Fall!!

Even though the official start of autumn was nine days ago, it's felt more like summer here in my little corner of New England. Until yesterday. Now we have refreshingly cool temperatures in the day and need blankets at night to be comfortable. Soon the leaves will be brilliant colors. The season inspired today's Song for Sunday.

So, in honor of Fall -- Autumn, from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Enjoy!

Today is also a beginning, as I am embarking on the October 2017 Ultimate Blog Challenge. A blog post every day in October. #blogboost

Getting Organized -- Playroom. Update 1

Last week's post about my disorganized playroom is the most popular of my recent posts. Go figure.

I said, in Getting Organized--Playroom that I would post weekly updates on this project, to keep myself on track. So here goes.

Here are some photos from last week.

Now this week's photos:

 

There has been some progress. A week's worth? Maybe not, but in my defenses I was away a few days. 

Several bags that had been near the door have been removed and sorted through with stuff being thrown out or put away. Several books have been donated. Paper has been filed or recycled. Things have been stored.  I am not quite where I want to be, but I am on my way.  

As part of this process a friend suggested that we play the minimalist game. Start on the first of the month and get rid of one thing (donate, return, recycle, or trash as appropriate). On the second day get rid of two things, on the third, three and so on. If I count every piece of paper, I am way ahead. Going by stacks and handfuls, I have kept up.  

Keep up the prayers and encouragement!  

God bless you and many thanks!!

The Mommy Wars: A Design of the Devil

I think the "mommy wars" are a design of the devil.

Really why are we bothered about how other people gave birth? Or whether another mom's baby was breastfed or bottle-fed? Moms who earn a paycheck vs. moms who stay home. Moms seem to spend a lot of time comparing themselves to other moms and feeling guilty and inadequate or perhaps self-righteous. I really do think this is the work of Satan.

Yes, I believe in an actual devil who operates in the world. causing discord and keeping us from God. For those who don't believe in a personal devil, perhaps we can agree that the mommy wars are an evil.

What better way to bring discord and pain than to separate women who should be supporting each others' journeys than to get them fighting over minor differences. What matters, is that every child is loved and cared for.

If we see a child who is truly neglected or abused, we intervene on their behalf. Otherwise, being with other moms is a wonderful opportunity to give and receive encouragement. We can let each other know we are not alone. We all feel inadequate. We all feel guilty at times. We all struggle with juggling schedules, providing good meals, and teaching good social skills. We all need a break sometimes.

 So, let's quit worrying about whose doing "better" than who. Let's listen to each other, enjoy each other, be on the same team. Let's raise the next generation together.

I think that'll give the devil a kick in the shins.

James 4: What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight....Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you.


This post was inspired by a cousin's Facebook status and The Rift Between Moms by Lisa-Jo Baker in Thriving Family Magazine. It is my 28th post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

Knitters' Devotional: Joy

I sat near a knitting group in a café.

I couldn’t hear their conversation, but I could see that they were looking at each other’s projects, comparing yarns and laughing. Their laughter was pure and friendly, the type that comes when people have joy.

Knitting can be bring joy in many ways. The work it self can be enjoyable and relaxing. There is joy in completing a project. There is joy in sharing our knitting with others. There is joy in rejoicing when someone else does well, when we learn a new stitch or when someone we are teaching masters the pattern they are working on. There is joy in sorting out a tangle, in redoing work to fix a piece or in figuring out a difficult pattern.

Joy abides deep in the heart, a gift of God. It is not transient or dependent on circumstances. It is real.

Look for the joy in all the areas of your life. It is there to be found, it is there to be taken, to be received with thanksgiving. May you find it always.

Dear God, grant us joy in our knitting and in all our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.

Song for Sunday: Sweet Caroline

After the rather disheartening loss last night, the Red Sox are down 2-1 in the World Series. I think may be they need a bit of encouragement from home.

So Red Sox Nation, sing along:



Where it began
I can't begin to knowin'
But then I know it's growin' strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along

Hands, touchin' hands
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would

But now I look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when I'm with you

Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would

Oh, no, no Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
I believed they never could
Sweet Caroline
                       ~Neil Diamond




For those from away -- "Sweet Caroline" is sung in the middle of the eighth inning of every Red Sox' game at Fenway. Some say it is in honor of Caroline Kennedy, others that it was just a popular song that came to be viewed as a sort of good luck charm. Anyway:

GO SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

I am participating in the October 2013 Ultimate Blog Challenge, but not very successfully. 

Prayer for a New Business

 I am starting a new business. It is a crafting business. I think that it is good to start all things with prayer. I went search for a prayer for a new business today and found this on Prayers for Special Help. It is exactly the prayer I want.

Dear Lord,

I ask for your help in starting my own business. You are my strongest ally, and my best partner. Please join me in this new venture so that I may succeed For myself, my family and the customers I will serve. Grant me your powers of good judgment, Your wisdom and guidance, So that my business may prosper and do right by us all in Your Heavenly name.

Thank you!

Amen

I ask that those of you who pray to God join me in praying for this new craft business of mine.

What prayers are you seeking right now?

Are you doing anything new?






I am participating in the October 2013 Ultimate Blog Challenge. This is post #3 of 31.

In the wake of it all...

Last night, ending our vacation, my family went to a local sub shop and then to an ice cream parlor.

I noticed in each place, a Muslim family was there. (One of them had this gorgeous baby... but I digress.)

A few things came to mind as I enjoyed the time with my family.

First, I was very proud of these Muslim neighbors, who were not giving into fear but were out and about as "the manhunt" was on and the media was announcing that the suspect was an Islamic extremist on a jihad.

Secondly, I was proud of everyone else who was there. No one glared or behaved rudely. As the young children in the families ran about and behaved energetically, as children do, people smiled at them. These were the types of places such antics are expected and tolerated.

Then it hit me. It was Friday night. In the normal course of events, wouldn't these people be at worship? It turned out that most local mosques had closed. Some were in the "lock-down" area and could not have conducted services. Others closed as a precaution against both further bombings and unjustified retaliation.

In the middle of the events, I posted this on Facebook:

"As the media tells us that the suspect on the loose is a "jihadist" (which he may be) and Islamic Centers around Boston close (a sensible precaution) lets remember that the vast majority of Muslims are peaceful, law-abiding people who will need their neighbors to stand by them in the coming days. Say a prayer for them and reach out to your Muslim neighbors with support and compassion."

Thankfully, many agreed. I hope that Christians can reach out to those around us who may (God forbid it!) become the targets of hate.  Jesus commanded us to "love our neighbors as ourselves." Let's do it!!

And a prayer of thanks that the suspect was captured! We should certainly keep him in prayer, too. Assuming that he really is guilty, which has yet to be proven in court, he is surely a lost soul who needs all the prayer he can get.


What are your thoughts on the manhunt and its aftermath? 

Song for Sunday: Just The Way You Are

I love Billy Joel's music.

His take on it is summarized in this quote:

"I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary."

I don't know. Maybe our standards have fallen sharply. I suppose I wouldn't class him with Mozart or Brahms. On the other hand, his music is a different style and has a different purpose.

In case you are wondering, I am aware that his lyrics sometimes encourage inappropriate behavior and are occasionally irreverent. I still like most of them.

Today's song for Sunday is an encouraging one, a love song. Many have heard in it a message of acceptance. It is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it.

Don't go changing, to try and please me
You never let me down before
Don't imagine you're too familiar
And I don't see you anymore
I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble
We never could have come this far
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times
I'll take you just the way you are

Don't go trying some new fashion
Don't change the color of your hair
You always have my unspoken passion
Although I might not seem to care

I don't want clever conversation
I never want to work that hard
I just want someone that I can talk to
I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you.

I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from the heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are. 

What songs give you a sense of acceptance?

Halfway There!

It's a cool thing to reach the halfway point of a project -- or any milestone for that matter. It lets you see that you are making progress and gives you new impetus to keep going. At least that's what it does for me.

Right now, I am knitting a baby blanket. It's red, white and black. (Odd, I know, but I think I hope --it will suit this baby's family. Besides, when Jordan was born all the "latest research" showed that babies see red white and black best.) It's a paneled design, with six panels and I just finished the third panel. I'm excited!

Of course if I think about it too much I will realize that I have used up more than half the time from when I started to the due date. I'd like to give this shortly after the baby makes his appearance, so I need to pick up the pace. I'm not dwelling on that just now, though. I am celebrating!!


How are your projects coming along?






I am participating in the January 2013 Ultimate Blog Challenge. However, I am not halfway there and if I actually finish I will be amazed.

What do you do when.......?

What do you do when you lose momentum? When you run out of ideas? When you hit a wall?

 I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, so I need to post a blog every day, and I haven't been able to think of anything to write about. So I just started writing.

I suppose we all come up against a roadblock sometimes in the various things we do. Maybe we can get inspiration from others or take a break or just work through. Figure out a way to get re-energized or find a new perspective.

I guess I'll go figure out a way to do that. 

Any thoughts for me?

My blog site is currently a "work in progress." I am playing with the look, reducing the amount of advertising and consolidating the labels so that things are easier to find. Comments and suggestions welcome. Look for changes over the next few weeks.

This is my ninth post for the October 2012 Ultimate Blog Challenge. I'm trying for 31 posts in 31 days, plus commenting on two posts by other people every day.

Walking for Exercise......Or?

I started walking once a week-ish with a dear friend over the summer.

We met years ago at CYC (see sidebar) -- back when it had a different name -- drifted apart and then met up again when her daughter joined the conference. We seem to have one of those friendships that can pick up where we left off after years of very limited contact. 

This weekly walk is supposed to give us extra exercise and help us be healthier. It does do that, I suppose, but the "side" benefits have been even greater. 

We have been sharing the struggles in our lives, praying for each other, offering advice, comfort, help. Because what we are "really" doing is walking around the lake, we can just talk. There is no agenda, no pressure. 

It has been a positve addition to my routine and, I hope, to hers. I highly recommend finding a walking buddy -- or maybe a knitting buddy. It doesn't really matter what your obstensible purpose is, as long as it doesn't interfere with talking. It's being together that counts. 

What's been a good new addition to your routine lately?

My blog site is currently a "work in progress." I am playing with the look, reducing the amount of advertising and consolidating the labels so that things are easier to find. Comments and suggestions welcome. Look for changes over the next few weeks.

This is my fifth post for the October 2012 Ultimate Blog Challenge. I'm trying for 31 posts in 31 days, plus commenting on two posts by other people every day.

Wednesday Encouragements: What Should We Praise?

Last night I went to a meeting for women and girls. The speaker was Kylie Bisutti, a former Victoria's Secret supermodel, who ended up quitting that life because it clashed with her Christian faith. Here are some links to her story, although that is not going to be my focus today.


http://www.kyliebisutti.com/index.php/blog
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2097793/Kylie-Bisutti-quit-Victorias-Secret-clashed-Christian-faith.html
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8417409/husband-thankful-lingerie-model-quit


One thing that Kylie said last night struck me. "I was being praised for sin." That praise encouraged her to keep going. After Kylie spoke, her mother answered a few questions and courageously admitted that she was one of those who praised Kylie for the wrong things she was doing. She was a believer and knew that Kylie was hurting herself, her husband and God, but she knew that the modeling life was what Kylie wanted and felt it was OK to encourage her.

Kylie's case is a dramatic one and the praise she received was extensive. Plus, she made a lot of money. Her sin -- modeling nearly naked in front of men not her husband -- is a clear one to most Christians. But her story is not entirely unique.

How often do we praise things that are sinful or that may be good in themselves but are done from wrong motives? Some possible examples:

• Praising greed -- perhaps disguised as ambition
• Encouraging young people to do community service so it will look good on a college application or for recognition rather than simply to help someone
• Egging kids on to brag about what  they are good at and to be prideful in the name of raising self-esteem
• Supporting people in "playing it safe" by blending in when they should be speaking up for God.

There are a million others.

So what should we be praising? Anything that reflects well on God and helps us live according to his purposes.

Galatians 5: 22-23 lists some things:  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Phillipians 4:8 tells us: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things"

And Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us:

^23 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

What have you been praising lately?



This post is part of Wednesday Encouragements: A Christian Blogging Challenge

How I Spent Mother's Day

This Mother's Day was different.

First, of all, I wasn't home. I woke up in Ocean Park (which is my favorite place on earth). A bunch of us, from Oceanwood and CYC spent the weekend getting the facility ready for the summer camping season. Yesterday, we had a morning worship service and then cleaned up after ourselves and took leave.

My son and I had lunch at Rapid Ray's, a favorite hotdog stand. After that,we built a water diversion system that Jordan designed at the beach.

We headed home and Jordan took care of supper, because everyone up at camp kept reminding him it was Mother's Day and he had to do something nice for me. My husband took us out for ice cream. Then we played Pitch Six, a game that we used to play with my late mother.

It really was a nice day and I feel very blessed to be a Mom.

How was your Mother's Day?

Wednesday Encouragements: A Solution

A few days ago I posted a rant about car keys costing $69.00 because of computer chips. I just wanted an extra key in case I got locked out again. A friend of mine made a suggestion that worked. I thought I'd pass it along.

She recommended that I ask the hardware store if they could make a key just for the door. It's only when you put the key in the ignition that the chip comes into play.

So I went to a local shop and asked. The kindly clerk wasn't sure but made a copy and sent me out to my car to try it. It worked, so he made another. I paid and went on my way.

A simple solution. Often there are such solutions to problems when we step back and take a look. God can provide a way to handle difficulties from the simplest to the most complex, if we just let Him. Sometimes it is through a friend, such as with the keys today. Other times, He leads us through our thoughts, a sermon, a song or a book. I have found it over and over again.

How about you?

Landing among the stars..

Well, the Ultimate Blog Challenge has two days to go. Not much chance I'll finish it. That would require nine more posts, including this one.

I wish I could have done better, but the process was still worth it. I read some great new blogs, embedded a video for the first time and got more consistent with my writing.

It's kinda like the quote from Brian Litrell, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."  I set out to achieve something. I didn't do it, but I did do something.

What goals have you set recently? How are they going?

New Year's Resolution Update

Do one thing every day that scares you.

                                            ~Eleanor Roosevelt


I made a new year's resolution to learn to make candy, but it is something that I have always been afraid to try. It's not that it scared me exactly, more like it intimidated me. "Soft ball" stage? "Hard crack" stage? A whole new set of words to learn.

But I resolved to try it, and now I have. Guess what? It was easy.

Granted, I chose toffee, which has exactly two ingredients and the Fannie Farmer cookbook provided excellent directions. Still, it was a lot less difficult than I was anticipating.

Maybe it is often like that with things we are afraid of. Maybe we just have to make a decision to go for it and we'll find it's OK. Or sometimes, maybe we will fail. I guess we have to know the poential consequences of failure and decide if it's worth it.

Overcoming a "fear" can be very empowering. I encourage you to go for it.


What fear do you have to stand up to?

Younger Friends -- More than tech support!

I was listening to a speaker the other day. She talked about having friends across the age spectrum. She said that her older friends were valuable for their wisdom and experience and she needed her younger friends to help her with her phone. Really, that's it? The woman was  about my age, perhaps a bit younger, and was referring to 20-somethings -- and that was her primary audience that day as well.

Of course, the speaker may have been exagerating a bit, but it reminded me of  something that Bret and Alex Harris said in their book Do Hard Things which was written to encourage teenagers to defy expectations and accomplish big stuff. They reminded us that people get what they expect and what society currently expects of teens is that they are going to be technologically savvy and be sexually active. According to the Harrises adolescents are both of those things these days. They hope their peers will do more.

I have a lot of younger friends. I occasionally will ask a question about my phone or computer, but I have found that they are far more valuable for other things. Besides, for those types of questions, I could just call tech support.

I can't speak for this woman's friends, but I know that mine often have brilliant ideas on a lot of subjects, from  updates to registration forms to topics for events. I have known them to recruit their peers for something and then keep them organized and on track. As I have listened to them on political, economic and social topics I have learned a great deal. If we implemented some of their ideas the world would be a better place. But we have to hear them first, which means talking to them about more than how to access our voice mail.

Younger people often think they can change the world. I remember a professer telling my class in college that he wasn't going to tell us we couldn't because some of us actually would. Energy, enthusiasm and perserverance can lead to great things at any age.

So I encourage you to feel free to ask about that strange app on your computer if you need to, but then change the subject and find out what a young friend has to say on a topic close to your heart or theirs.

Who are your younger friends? What have they added to your life?

Red Sox Game

We were at the Red Sox game last night. It was such a fun time. Thanks, Auntie Pam!!!

Jordan had a blast. He had made a big sign saying “GO SOX,” complete with Red Sox symbols in the Os and the center of the X. We held it up during “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and when Ortiz hit his home run. Then the Tigers tied it up and had runners in scoring position. Jordan and his friend held the sign up to encourage the pitcher. They were convinced by a group of elderly fans to stand on the ledge in front of the seating for the disabled which was where they were sitting. A couple of times that group even held the sign up higher than the boys could reach. The Sox got out of the jam. The woman seated in front of the kids told them to stay there because the sign was working. They did, shaking the sign and lifting it over their heads. The bases were loaded. Every pitch had everyone on the edge of their seats. Crawford gets up to bat….WALK OFF DOUBLE!!! Yay!!!


The woman in front of them tells the boys, “Keep that sign. It works!!” The elderly folks said, “See, you did it. They won.” Everyone was making a big deal of the enthusiastic young fans.

All the way home, when Jordan was asked, “Did you go to the game?” he would say “ “Yeah, we won it. We made them win.” People would smile indulgently.


Hey, who knows, maybe he was right. Encouragement has done greater things than that.



Who have you been encouraging lately?