The Big Picture

 

This is the tallest tree on our land, and as we were taking a walk

yesterday we came up to it.  AJ thought it was just amazing,

and he exclaimed, "This tree must be as big as God!"

 

I'm so glad that our God is a lot bigger than that old cottonwood tree.

 

If we were birds, we could fly to the top of that cottonwood and be

able to see all the country around, and we would get the big picture.

Down here where we are in the woods we can only see a little way.

 

 

So, do I trust my own judgment and knowledge, even

though I can only see a little bit, or do I trust the One

who is able to see the whole picture?

 

Do not be quick with your mouth,

do not be hasty in your heart

to utter anything before God.

 

God is in heaven, and you are on earth,

so let your words be few.

 

Ecclesiastes 5:2

 

 

Easy Granny Square Dishcloth

This week I made up my own crocheted dishcloth pattern, and thought I'd share it with you here- it comes together really fast, enjoy!

Easy Granny Square Dishcloth

 

Uses 100% cotton yarn and size G crochet hook.

Chain 5, join with slip stitch in beginning chain to make a loop.

Round 1:  Ch 3 (counts as first dc) 2 dc, ch 3, (3 dc, ch 3) 3 times.  Join with slip stitch to top of beginning ch 3.

Round 2:  Slip stitch over to ch 3 space.  Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc all in ch 3 space.  Ch 2, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in corner space.  Repeat around and join with slip stitch in top of beginning ch 3.

Rounds  3-7:  Slip stitch over to ch 3 space.  Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc all in ch 3 space. Ch 2, (3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2) across, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in corner, repeat until all the way around, join with slip stitch in top of beginning ch 3.

Round 8:  Ch 1, sc in each double crochet , 2 sc in each ch 2 space, and 3 sc in each corner around.  Join with slip stitch to beginning ch. 

Round 9:  Ch 4, skip next sc, sc in next sc, (chain 3, skip next sc, sc in next sc) around. Join with slip stitch to beginning ch.

 You may switch to a contrasting color on round 8 if desired.

 

I'm joining Sandi's Home Party.

 

Fall Bliss

~Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree~

Emily Bronte

 

 

With the cooler weather these days, a nice hot cup

of tea is just what we need to warm us from the inside out!

 

Red transferware works so well with many different seasons,

and I love it paired with the rustic reds and golds of fall.

 

This tea cup is called, 'Girl at Well", by Spode.

 

I hope you find time to enjoy the beautiful colors of fall today too!

 

I'm joining A Return to Loveliness and Tea Time Tuesday.

 

Warm and Cozy

Don't you love the change in seasons?

Today is a lovely day~

 

There is a fire in the woodstove,

The kids are home from school,

 

 

The leaves are changing color outside,

The Pilgrims and Indians are on the mantle,

 

There is a frost advisory tonight,

And Christmas music is playing!

 

This is my favorite Christmas CD, I think.

It's hard to pick one favorite!

 

Here is a link to where you can find your own copy.

 

I hope your day is warm and cozy too!

 

I will proclaim the name of the LORD.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

upright and just is he.

 

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

 

 

Ending Early

 Our PD loves football.  He loves to tackle,

loves to run, and loves the camaraderie of the team.

 

 

Here he goes last Saturday, breaking away from the pack...

 

 

All the way to the end zone for a touchdown!

 

The team won their game, and PD made 14 points, we were

so happy for him!  But then his hand started hurting, and he

 said that during the game one of the other team's players had

crashed into his hand with his helmet.  It wasn't getting better

so today I took him in for an x-ray and sure enough, he has

a fractured knuckle.  So, no more football this year.  It was

rough news for our boy who loves to play. 

 

(All photos courtesy of my friend and fellow team mom, Ellen)

An Encouraging Word

I've been feeling sad this week because of all that happened

over the weekend with Mimi.  God has been reminding me

of his love, compassion, and power and that he has not

abandoned us, but is working out his good plan.

These verses are so amazing, God's Word is full of

encouragement and hope for all the situations we find

ourselves in.

 

 

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more

than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,

 

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Amen.

Ephesians 3:16-20

Now What?

We received some news from our social worker today.  The foster family who Mimi is currently placed with attends church, and the pastor's family from that church would like to adopt her.  So they would still consider us, but it would be many months before they would schedule the meeting, since the pastor's family doesn't have their homestudy done yet.  Most likely they would choose the pastor's family for her, since she already knows them.  Really, we are glad she is going to a good home, hopefully, but it is still sad for us!

We appreciate so much all your prayers for this situation and for us, God knows what's best for Mimi and we can trust that she is going where He wants her to be.  We wish we could tell that pastor's family how much Mimi has been prayed for!  Hopefully in heaven we can.

So, now what? We don't know.  We trust that God will continue to guide and lead us along!  But, on the other hand, we are feeling disappointed and sad today.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,"

declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Postponed.

I really don't know what to think.

After waiting 2 hours (sitting by the computer and phone) to hear how the meeting went where they choose the adoptive family for Mimi, we got an email from our social worker saying after she had called in for the conference call and waited 10 minutes someone came on and said they would have to postpone the meeting because one of the social workers had a lot to do today.

Really?

We prayed for God's will to be done today so we trust that it was.  But this is not what we were expecting!  Doesn't really surprise me though, after all the waiting we've already done, but still.

Thank you so very much to all who were praying for us, so many of you told me you were praying and that was very encouraging. 

I still just can't believe it.

Fall Beauty

For the beauty of the earth,

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies:

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

 

 

For the wonder of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale and tree and flower,

Sun and moon and stars of light:

Lord of all, to Thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

 

~Folliott S. Pierpoint~

 

This is one of my favorite barns in our area,

the little valley it is in is especially beautiful in the fall.

I thought I'd share a Thanksgiving hymn with you today,

since there are only 57 days till Thanksgiving! (:

 

I hope you're all enjoying fall!

 

The Kitchen Cupboard

 

This little girl's kitchen cupboard has been in our family

for more than 70 years.  When my Grandma was a little

girl, the carpenter who built their house used the leftover

wood to build this little cupboard for her.  He also made

a desk for her older sister.  My Grandma is on the right,

and her older sister on the left, below.

 

 

All the girls in our family have

played with it and used it when they were little, and

now it is ready to be used again!  Tea, anyone?

 

This summer I gave it a fresh coat of paint.  The photo below

is how it looked before, I loved the cute decals that my

great-aunt placed on it many years ago, when it was last

painted.  Originally it was painted a light yellow.

 

 

I love the vintage hardware!

 

Hopefully our girl will enjoy it as well!  We are anxiously

waiting for Friday, when they have the meeting to decide

whether we are chosen to be Mimi's family or not.  There

 is so much to think about when you adopt an eleven year old!

Thank you for praying.

 

~May God's will be done.~

 

I'm joining Tea Time Tuesday and A Return To Loveliness.