Sunday Scripture

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"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;

Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."

Psalm 27:6

Amish Grace - Forgiveness 101

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I recently saw the movie, Amish Grace, for the first time.  It is an emotionally difficult movie to watch but worth it none the less.  I have always been fascinated with the Amish.  Their simple way of life, humility, gentleness are incredibly honorable.  The movie is based upon the Amish schoolhouse shooting on October 2, 2006.  That day five girls were killed and 5 more badly injured. 

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 The news of the massacre shocked the nation but how the Amish reacted to the killing of their innocent children was even more astounding.  How they, just hours after the massacre, extended their forgiveness and compassion on the grieving and confused wife and father of the killer.

The mother of one of the girls killed really struggles with the issue of forgiveness and is almost ready to leave the Amish community.  Her husband says this to their struggling daughter,
 "Hate is a very big, very hungry thing... with lots of sharp teeth. It will eat up your whole heart, and leave no room left for love."

And this to his angry wife,
"It is not easy to forgive, Ida. The Lord does not ask us to walk an easy path... But this I know - faith when everything is as you want it to be is not true faith. It is only when our lives are falling apart that we have the chance to make our faith real..."

Wow . . . I just don't think it could be said more succinctly.

It really convicted me of the times I harbor some resentment towards someone over something pretty minor for more than a day.  And I wonder, how quickly would I have extended my forgiveness if my child had just been murdered?  Could I forgive?  I don't know.

But this I do know, there is nothing more beautiful than obeying God's commandments as the Amish did in forgiving their enemy.   It didn't immediately remove their pain but it allowed God to heal their hearts.

Shalom.

Baby Love

Receiving Blanket, Ribbon Blanket

It is so much fun sewing for a baby!  I just love the tiny patterns and soft fabrics.  My husbands side of the family is having a shower for a new baby girl who will make her arrival in April.  Naturally, I had to make something and I chose this cute ladybug flannel.  The pattern also has tiny flowers and leaves.  Sorry my photos aren't great  .  .  . it's tough to see the petite lady bugs making their way.  To make a receiving blanket  I serged the edges of 1 1/4 yds (to make it as big of a square as I could) rounding the corners as I went along.  Also, I sewed a ribbon blanket and it is oh, so soft.   I just love the pink minky on the back.

Burp Cloth, Bib

It always amazed me how many messes my babies could make.  How could someone so cute be so messy?  But, they were!  So, I made a number of burp cloths and a bib with soft, pink chenille on the back.

Burp Cloths

 The new mommy will be prepared for whatever little messes come her way with all of these burp cloths, don't you think?

Babies are a blessing!

New Beginnings

We've had a number of new beginnings at our house lately.  First of all, my third oldest just started guitar lessons and he is really enjoying it (despite mommy reminding him to practice!)  "Mary had a Little Lamb" and "Merrily" are some of the songs he's been playing.

We were surprised and extremely pleased to learn his teacher is a Christian.  He gave this pick to my son after he told him he listens to Christian music.  How cool is that??

"White Cloche"  0-3 month

"Strawberry Pink Cloche"  3-6 month size

"Hot Pink Cloche" 6-12 month size

 While he's been learning notes and chords I've been learning how to crochet these beauties.  I saw these baby cloche hats featured on Aesthetic Nest and I just had to try them.  They look so adorable on sweet baby girls.  Her tutorial can be found here.  I used the "Sugar'n Cream" cotton yarn she recommended.  It is really easy to work with and readily available.  The hats go pretty fast once you get the pattern down (took me a few tries!)

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The last new beginning to share with you is I have been asked to cover for our church's administrative assistant while she is on maternity leave.  So, after a few days of training I begin tomorrow!  I am both excited and nervous but I couldn't imagine better people to work for.

While I have never been a daily blogger this new opportunity will probably mean less sewing and blogging for me.  I am sure this will hone my time management skills!!  

Any new beginnings in your life?

Blessings on your day!

Sunday Scripture

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"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, 

you also ought to wash one another's feet.  

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

John 13:14,17

Lost and Found

My son lost this sled just before Christmas and I found it on my walk the other morning.  We live in a golf course community and it was laying just beside the golf path on hole number 1!  Quite a ways from where he left it in our yard more than 2 months ago!  I just couldn't believe my eyes!  I had prayed for it to be found  but my faith was pretty weak due to strong wind gusts that could have blown it anywhere. 

At the time I was torn as a parent between teaching him responsibility and having mercy on him for his forgetfulness.  Do we as parents ever get to the point of knowing exactly how to train our children??   More importantly our Heavenly Father knows; He is the best parent hands down! He cares for us so very much that he would "keep" this sled safe through wind, snow, ice and a warm spell for my eyes to find it.  My son was astounded when I told him.

"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many flocks of sparrows."  Luke 12:7

Fishie Fun

I was inspired by this fishing game and decided to try and make one myself.  It will be a gift for my son's preschool friend who is turning 5.  I just love the bright tropical colors of the fish (especially cheery on this gray, snowy day in Indiana!)

I sewed a large washer in each of the fishes mouths and the "worm" enclosed in felt contains a stronger magnet.  Two fish on one worm!  Now that's a good day of fishing, wouldn't you say?

I used 1/4"  ribbon as the fishing line and attached it to a short bamboo pole.  I like how the bamboo looks like an old fashioned pole.

A fun book about Thomas completes the gift set.  Happy 5th Birthday, Eli!

Blessings!