Christopher Counting

I love to make story book quilts for my grandchildren. They are not expert by any means but all my love goes into them. I pick a book I think they can relate to such as "The Hungry Caterpillar" or "Runaway Bunny" and just let the story speak to me.

My latest project is "Christopher Counting" in honor of our newest grandchild Christopher.

This promises to be a very fun quilt. I mean, just look at the main character. I don't think I can go wrong here!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Presents have been opened and enjoyed. The smells of bacon and cinnamon rolls fill the air (hmm...maybe a hint of Bella and her chicken flavored treats)

The table is set, our hearts are prepared for a full day of Christmas.

"The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Emmanuel (which means 'God is with us')

Merry Christmas!

"I'm Soooo Excited!"

"And I just can't hide it..."

Baking is done, presents are hidden and may I say "boobytrapped" in case someone tries to find their gift? Everything is lit up with white lights. I would light up our dog but I'm afraid she would bite me ;-)

I know there are wars and rumors of wars. There is hunger everywhere. If you know me well, then you know I have given to every cause imaginable. My goal for 2011 is to give more. I encourage you to do the same. No...not money, but a gift of yourself. Read with a child, spend time with a senior citizen, donate time or money to Meals on Wheels...you get the idea.

Fill in the blanks and let me know how you are giving back in 2011.

"National Re-gifting Day"

Bring it all out of the closets dear friends. Our day has arrived. It is "National Re-gifting Day".

Oh I hear you. You would never re-gift that scarf you've never worn. Or how about that candle pack that probably wouldn't burn now even with a blow torch.

You can open this present anytime you want. I used the prettiest paper I could find. Hallmark has an amazing selection of really great paper and matching tissue paper. I even went all out and bought their tape for your present because, even though I think the Dollar Store is great their tape makes me swear. I really don't want to swear during Advent and certainly not while I am re-gifting this beautiful gift.

So here goes. Settle back. Do you have something yummy to drink? Can you hear the Christmas music playing in the background? I hope your house lights are dimmed and you only see the soft lights of Christmas.

Ready? Open:

For a child is born to us,

a son is given to us.

The government will rest on his shoulders.

And he will be called:

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Please enjoy this gift of Life.

Apathy

I keep hearing of one or another just "not caring" anymore.

Just look at this beautiful snowflake. God cared to make it.

I must admit. Sometimes I just don't care. It hurts too much to care.

It takes too much effort to care.

Why should I care?

I've been wrestling with these thoughts recently in the face of families facing such hard times. Where is God when our hearts are being torn apart?

Just look at the most intricate pattern of the snowflake above and you'll realize (I hope) that God cares about every aspect of every crystal. And yes, he cares for us.

New Directions

We are sending out one of our own tomorrow. Jordan will be ordained and sent out by our church to be the Pastor of the Young Adult Ministry at a church in San Francisco. God's hand is securely placed on his shoulders. He has a firm grasp of the Gospel, never wavering from the truth of God's Word. Yet tonight I am sad. I'm not ready to see them go.

I stopped into their house for their "yard sale" today. They were giving away their possessions. Jenn and Jordan truly know what it means to give up everything to follow Jesus.

After leaving their "sale" I visited my friend's craft faire at a local community center. Just look at the beautiful piece of jewelry pictured above. Kim donates all her proceeds to ministries that benefit children. I bought a beautiful pendant necklace for a mere $10 price tag today. This month her proceeds go to Smile Train, a ministry that provides surgery for cleft lip, cleft palate patients.

If you would like more information on Kim's jewelry designs I'd be happy to give you her contact information.

Turbulence

So, I selfishly sat here waiting for my beautiful Jenny to update my background while all the while my dear friends were enduring such turbulence in their lives. I have a dear one unable to breathe comfortably. Another friend is facing heart problems.

Now let me tell you of a friend who can't even seem to face life. She has been through many "programs". She is a believer but feels alone many times in her walk. My own Mama is alone (except for my brief visits and her friends from Meals on Wheels)

I could go on. There are the homeless outside Safeway. The ones who are in the "Donut Hole" and can't afford their meds...

All this to say, I don't need an updated blog background. All I need is to keep in touch with everyone around me and pray for them

New Background

This is a "not so subtle" hint that my ever so talented, overly busy, very talented daughter just might want to update my background for the holiday season. Oh, no pressure dear one. It's just that I want to brag about you. I dearly love your blogs www.vintagemommy.com and www.fourhappyhearts.com but you see...I'm not nearly as talented as you are with all the pretty stuff. Oh don't you worry about me though. I'll just sit here in my boring little corner.