A New Year- Looking Ahead

I have not blogged for awhile. Life has come at me hard and I have not had time to share my thoughts online. I am looking forward to a new year and I have decided to pick a word to focus on - JOY. I feel that I need more joy in my life and I hope to bring joy to others. As Psalm 23:4 says, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God who is my joy and happiness.

I hope that you find joy in your life as well.

You Are A Winner!

I follow alot of craft blogs and spend hours looking for projects. Occassionally, I enter giveaways online, but since I am NOT a lucky person, I never expect to hear from anyone. To my surprise I saw my name listed in a post of Chica and Jo. Their craft blog can be found at www.chicaandjo.com. Since I was out of state, I had to wait until I was back in town to see the surprise package that I won. All I can say is Wow! There is a wonderful assortment of craft items. There was cardstock, embellishments, glitter, material, a journal,decorative bowls, a ruler, and a silver bling bangle. I can't wait to begin some projects and of course there are lots of Christmas gift ideas online. Thank you Chica and Jo for the great selection of craft items and for your tutorials and ideas. I am inspired often by your projects and have many bookmarked for future gifts.

There is a Season

To everything, turn, turn, turn. There is a season, turn, turn, turn. And a time for every purpose under heaven. So I begin a new season. A move back to Texas and my journey begins As time rolls on I will tell you about this new adventure. Remember me as my first steps begin!

Lenten Ashes

Ash Wednesday ushered in the beginning of Lent. A time to remind us that we came from dust and to dust we will return. Pastor Rob spoke today about how we are to live with the attention, joy and purpose that God has given us. Even though we are going through uncertain times, God meets us with hope if we keep our faith in Him. Am I living the purpose that God has for me? Do I live each day with intention as well as attention? I try to live with joy in the simple things. I laughed out loud the day that it snowed. Huge flakes drifted down and all I could do was laugh. The beauty of nature, the sighting of a cardinal, the blooming of the daffodils bring joy into my life.
Am I just passing through life or am I making the most of life? I saw the movie, The Bucket List last night. It is a story about two men who find that they have a limited number of days to live and they make a list of things to do before they die. They decide to live their last days intentionally, to experience things and live their last days to their fullest. We are given opportunities each day to live life to its fullest and to make a difference in the life of others. One line in the movie especially spoke to me. The character, Carter Chambers says, "Even now I cannot understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this. I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open. And I'm pretty sure he was happy with his final resting place, because he was buried on the mountain. And that was against the law." Do we live with our hearts open, making a difference in other's lives? What joy do we bring to the lives of others? I pray that during the 40 days of Lent that I live my life to show that I made some difference to others before I return to dust and that the Lord will find me a faithful servant.

The Blessing

For months I have struggled over completing a prayer shawl that was started in January. It was not that I had stopped praying for my friend, but more that I felt that my small gesture would not be enough for her. I did not want to think about what she was suffering through and unable to help in a tangible way since I live so far away. The shawl would call to me from my knitting bag, but all I would do is pray a short prayer for my friend and choose to follow other paths.
In the last two months, conversations began about an interest in a prayer shawl ministry at the church. It kept coming up and I knew that it was a reminder that I had a wealth of prayers sitting in the corner that were not being used as God intended them to be used. I picked up the shawl and began knitting on it last week. The stitches flew off the needles and it felt good to be back in that rhythm of prayer and motion. Before long I had finished the shawl and was adding the fringe.
A small group of ladies met on Thursday to learn to knit and to find out about the prayer shawl ministry. I brought my shawl and told them about the recipient and we took turns praying over it. This shawl has been blessed by a sweet, loving bunch of ladies and I am ready to send it on it's way. Listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying has been a blessing as well.

Remembrances

We Will Not Forget. The anniversary remembrance. A dark day in history of a nation. A day after we lost my father in law. We were grieving his loss and preparing for his funeral when we saw the events unfold on the tv screen. Our minds numb from grief, it was difficult to comprehend what was happening that day. Loss, pain, hurt, peace, love, many emotions came forth. Overwhelming love. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" Chuck we will miss you. We love you.

Grace

I found this jewel today and what an awsome video! A prayer for today!
Credit goes to: http://coreymann.blogspot.com/ Innovative Corey Mann

Are we Hirelings or Sheep Owners?

Last week I was privileged to attend a Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill. live simulcast seminar. About 250 local leaders gathered at First Baptist Church, Shreveport. We had 10 folks from our church staff attending. The theme of the summit was "A Vision to Die For". Bill Hybels led the opening session, Followed by Carly Fiorina (former CEO of HP), Rev. Floyd Flake and Marcus Buckingham.

Bill Hybels taught that a vision must be "owned" or it will never succeed. In John 10- are we just "hired hands or owners of the sheep"? He spoke about developing the vision and establishing ownership among your team. He warned us that vision "leaks". *Your followers will only take their ownership cue from you. MLK and Jesus would die for their dream and mission. Is your vision to die for? Give people a vision that is more compelling than their fears. A leader must have passion and dis-passion to see the truth and make changes as necessary.

Marcus Buckingham (Author of motivational research books) was a humorous speaker. He asked what would help you be more successful? Building on strengths or fixing our weakness? In America we tend to focus on our weaknesses and try to change rather than continue building on our strengths. We can grow the most in our areas of strength. He urged us to take a strengths assessment. Start a list of what we do in a week. Sort it on a sheet of paper labeled- I Loath It/I Love It. Find your 3 top strengths. You may even be good at things that you hate to do!

4 Signs of a Strength:

S- Success

I- Instinct- Things you look forward to

G- Growth (Time flies when you do something you like)

N- Needs - Fulfilling things you like to do

How do certain activities make you feel? What appetites drive your abilities? I feel strong when.... Fill out a Strength Statement Card.

On Friday Colin Powell gave an inspiring talk about Leading at the Highest Level. He talked about surrounding himself with leaders who were more qualified than himself and allowing them to challenge and argue ideas with him. Reward your best performers and Check your ego at the door. He stressed the need to have fun in your command. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. Trust the element of Instinct. His concluding statement, "All of us have a debt of service that we will never be able to repay".

John Ortberg, of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church spoke Friday afternoon about the greatest fears of leaders. A Shadow Mission- something that is about 10 degrees off from our gifts. A chronic sense of non-goal satisfaction. For Soloman it was lust; Pilot abdicated judgement, Adam and Eve had the apple. He spoke of the story of Queen Esther and Mordecai. Who loves you enough to call you out of your shadow mission? We need not fear because God's hand is in all that goes on. Don't be afraid to speak God's truth.

Jimmy Carter was the speaker on Saturday morning. Carter spoke on Psalm 34:4. Seek peace and preserve it. He spoke of his humble childhood and the lessons that he learned that continue to guide him. He was such a gentle, humble speaker.

Bill Hybels finished out the summit speaking on the Power of Inspiration. He said that motivation urges you to "Take it up a notch!" You and others can accomplish so much more when you are motivated. It is our job to keep ourselves personally motivated. We are not to rely on others to motivate us. Surround yourself with motivating people. Get rid of demotivating people. Find other areas for them to work. Be clear about your calling from God. Don't give up until God brings clarity. Participate in physical disciplines. Practice inspiring recreation outside of your work. What re-creates life-spirit inside you? Practice daily spiritual disciplines.

Live a motivated life before others to inspire others around you. It's a "force motivator" and it will be the greatest gift for your team.

1. Connect everyone on your team to a compelling cause/grander vision. 2. Learn the inspiration language of all on your team and then speak it.

3. Identify and reduce any demotivating items in your life and job envionment. The strength of motivated employees can be undermined if the work environment is not good.

4. Celebrate every sign of progress of your team's goals.

What would a church look like if all were inspired? Look at Acts 2.

What a team of motivating leadership speakers!!!!

Now to apply it to our ministry areas. What a motivating vision!

How does that help a non-disciplined knitter-blogger-Child of God?

Well, it is up to me to keep myself motivated and surround myself with motivating folks and environments. Time to "take it up a notch". I do not want to be just a hireling in life!

Life's Twists and Turns

I visited this local labyrinth last week. It was my day off and after slowly getting around for the day, my first stop was the labyrinth. It is located behind a church just a few blocks from the house. No one was outside of the building, so I was able to spend time at the labyrinth and take lots of pictures. It was an overcast day, so the colors do not stand out as much in the pictures. This labyrinth is a hidden jewel in the neighborhood. So close to a busy street, yet a quiet refuge tucked behind this house of worship. "You show me the path of life. Your pressence there is fullness of joy." Psalm 16:11.

Texas Mourns a Grand Lady

I was saddened to hear of the death of Lady Bird Johnson. Texas wildflowers come to mind when I think of her campaign to spread beauty along Texas highways. Her legacy will live on in the beauty of those blossoms.

Blog Cloud

I always wanted to try a blog cloud, but I figured that I had not blogged enough to have an interesting one. Here is my cloud. I really had a hard time navigating the site and it did not give me the code, so this is just a copy of it. Surely I have more interesting things to do with my Saturday afternoon!!

Finding Discipline in a Changing World

Seasons come and go. Nature continues its steady change from winter to spring. The ground bursts open with new life and growth. Trees and shrubs awake from their winter rest and begin new growth, buds and blooms emerge. However, while all this new birth blooms around me, I have found it hard to stretch myself and produce new fruit.
The new year brought about a flurry of activity at work with new responsibilities and challenges. It has been rewarding and exciting meeting new people and stepping into my place within a group of creative and talented folks. However, in my personal life, I have not had the energy to be creative. My knitting sits and awaits my company. Other projects are lined up, but I do not have the ambition to pick them up and see where they take me. I originally attributed it to the wedding because I was saving my creative energy for that big undertaking. I worked at a flower shop during Valentine's Day. It was energizing to be in "holiday" design mode. You just jump in and begin designing and it felt good to know that I still could throw together beautiful arrangements.
When March arrived and the wedding drew near, I was excited about doing this for the kids and very anxious about such a large project without having my shop and tools handy. The wedding was great, and I was thankful for my helpers- my sister and several friends. It was truly a labor of love and I hope it is awhile before the next family wedding!

Easter seemed to be a more creative time for me. I began to take more quiet time to myself and slow down a little. I started going to parks and spend time at nurseries to feel a little closer to nature. I began to use more fresh flowers and plants at work. My new camera became an excuse to stop and look at the flowers and budding trees in the area.

April brought a new house into the horizon and we moved in by May. There is the basis of a beautiful yard and I have been enjoying the plants around the house. Now that we are settled in a little better, I know that I will be able to take time to work on creative endeavors. My mind has been swirling with all kinds of projects. The biggest hurdle will be allowing myself the time to work on those projects, knowing that I have to have a creative outlet. I will have to let you know how disciplined I am and how it use the talents that God has given to me. The verse that has been placed on my heart lately is Psalms 1:3- "And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers." I need to send out my roots to the "living water" so that I can be fruitful. Please pray that I continue to drink from that source. Take care and be fruitful.

Mardi Gras Season

It is Mardi Gras time again. Purple, Gold and Green decorations come out. Doors sport gaudy, sparkly wreaths adorned with beads. King Cakes appear. I always seem to get the piece of cake with the baby at work, parties or wherever I get to eat a King Cake. I am making plans to visit New Orleans the weekend before Fat Tuesday. It should be a fun trip. I did not even attend a parade anywhere last year. I have a perfect scarf this year. I knitted a scarf of Yarn Bee Aurora yarn. I can not find the label, but the colors are purple, green, gold and a metallic gold. It makes the perfect scarf for waiting in the cold for a parade to start. I am sorry about the quality of the picture. My camera is in the car and my phone takes poor quality pictures. I will repost soon with better light and perhaps a new camera. I want to get a new camera for my birthday and it might just be an early birthday present to myself.
Our KNIT Cafe met tonight. It wasn't a large group but it was definitely quality time. These ladies are always an inspiration to me. Often there is more fellowship and sharing than knitting. I am thankful for these "knit wit sisters". I couldn't ask for a better knit therapy group.
I made some progress on an old UFO. It was a prayer shawl that I began with no particular recipient in mind. My sister then asked me to finish it for a friend of hers. Her friend died before I could get very far. I knew this lady as well and so I just put the shawl into a project basket. I haven't picked it up until tonight. It needs to be finished and sent on its way to someone who needs it.
A closing thought-
"Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light." Helen Keller

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and I pray that you receive many blessings in the coming year. The new year is already a week old and I have not touched my knitting needles yet. I am anticipating KNIT Cafe on Wednesday and look forward to my time and fellowship with my knitting sisters. This is the year that I will knit socks!!! New projects call to me- felting, purses, hats, scarves and others. I am ready to be free of the wordly burdens that zap my creativity and spend some time in fiber!!!
I received At Knit's End Meditations for Women who KNIT TOO MUCH by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, from my nephew. I am going to enjoy it so much.
Hopefully, I can begin to blog on a more regular basis.
My top 10 reasons:
1. I am not traveling cross country anymore.
2. I have internet access in my room now.
3. I plan to be more disciplined.
4. I will respect my creative muses.
5. I need to work on that stash of mine.
6. I promised my self to knit socks by the time I am 50.
(That monumental occassion occurs next month)
7. I love to read other knitting blogs.
8. I hope to inspire others to join the knitting ranks.
9. It helps to blog and put my fears, joys and faith out in a journal format. 10. It will keep me accountable once I start some of my projects.

A Christmas Present

I received an early Christmas present this year. I was hired for a full time position at a local church. I am an administrative assistant and will work with volunteers at the church, design media for rolling screens in the gathering area, design pamphlets and brochures, help with special events and other duties. This job seems custom built for my talents and gifts. I am so excited and thankful. I have been looking for a job for 6 weeks. I did some part-time and temporary work this last month, but I am so relieved to know that I am finally in a full time position. It is also wonderful that there is a great bunch of people on staff there.
I did not post last week so I do not have the second candle of the Advent Wreath. Last Sunday the pastor spoke about John the Baptist. John called us to action- "And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to the, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.".... "So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people."
Luke 3:10-14, 18

"He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Extend kindness this season to others. Have patience with the cashiers and busy shoppers in line to check out. Share your Christmas meal with a single person or someone who is facing the holiday alone. This is how John the Baptist told believers to prepare their hearts and lives for the coming King. This season calls us to share from our many blessings.
May your Christmas be full of love, family and friends.
On a knitting note, I was able to meet with our knitting ministry group last week. We knitted, visited and had some holiday snacks. It was good to be back with these ladies and to get back to doing some knitting again. I am sure that I will feel creative again and back into regular knit therapy.

Advent: A Time of Expectation.

We lit the first candle of Advent on Sunday. It is hard to believe that advent is upon us. It is a time of preparation- We prepare our homes for the holidays, we write Christmas cards, shop for the perfect gift, yet do we really prepare our hearts and lives for the coming King. I always loved Christmas as it brought a new season into my flower shop. Red velvet bows, pinecones and gold jingle bells appeared. Poinsettias and Norfolk Island pines waited to be dressed in reds and golds. Pine, Noble Fir and Incense Cedars arrived in boxes from northern states miles away from our South Texas shop. I decorated homes, churches and businesses, prepared holiday centerpieces and baked goods, and practiced the Christmas cantata at church. At times I felt too busy to enjoy the beauty that surrounded me. Christmas always rushed by so quickly that by January, I finally caught up with myself and felt that I had missed the holiday.
This year I find myself with a part-time job in search of something full-time. The house is fully decorated and I have been helping others to decorate for the season. I even made a fresh holiday arrangement for a chapel service. For the first time in years, my life is moving at a slower pace. Maybe this year I am called to slow down and seek the coming King. "Be still, and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 or in another translation: "Cease striving and know that I am God". I will make a point this year to listen for the heavenly messengers heralding the good news of great joy. I will look for the star in the east that will lead me to the pressence of the King. I will draw near to that holy stable and experience the Love that came down for you and me. I want to listen, to see, to seek, and encounter all that this season promises. I am thankful for that perfect gift of love. I do not want to miss Him- Immanuel, God with Us. I want to honor Him and His birth. I want to encounter my Lord, who was born of a virgin, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. That is the Christmas that I seek. The rest is just dressing and giftwrap for the King. I pray that you are blessed in the coming year and that you may feel God's love this Christmas.

September Travels

I am longing for the cooler weather of fall. Summer on the South Texas coast is too hot to inspire much knitting. I've picked up several projects, however I have not been disciplined enough to finish anything lately. Sock patterns keep beaconing me. I guess I will have to jump in an make a pair as soon as it cools off.
I have enjoyed being with my oldest son. I had an opportunity to go to New Orleans and visit my sister. I take walking tours during the day while she works and then we eat and play in the evenings and weekends. The highlight of last weekend was to the prayer labyrinth in Audubon Park. It was dedicated at Easter this year. It was a beautiful sunny morning. There were a few fallen leaves on the path and our shadows fell across the path and caught my eye. At times in our lives we walk through shadows and our paths are not clear, but we know that Christ leads us and is with us no matter how dark the path may seem. Then I would turn a bend on the labyrinth's path and the sun would sparkle on the beautiful stones. It reminded of times that blessings are plentiful and the path was well marked. I really enjoyed that walk. We sat in the benches that surrounded the labyrinth and enjoyed the park. The wind was pleasant and it was refreshing to be still and be with God.
Thus says the Lord,
"Stand by the ways and see and
ask for the ancient paths.
Where the good way is, and
walk in it;
And you shall find rest
for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16

Summertime

How did summer settle over us so quickly? It seems like we were just celebrating Father's Day and the Fourth of July. Now the heat and humidity battles with the A/C and we tend to stay indoors during the heat of the day. Thankfully, living on the coast brings the breeze off of the water, so we don't completely melt down when we go outside.
Unfortunately, the heat and humidity makes me neglect my knitting. I have a prayer shawl that has been languishing on my hope chest. Several other projects are being neglected as well. I have kept my knitting bag in the truck with me, however, I have not started anything in a month.
To make up for not working with yarn, I have done alot of knitting blog reading and window shopping at yarn sites. I have been in search of a beginning sock pattern and I am researching sock yarns. The Townsend Knit group has been very inspirational to me. That group has novice to expert knitters and I've learned alot from reading the daily posts.
Instead of knitting, I have been reading books and I have enjoyed being able to read uninterupted and really delve into the storylines. I have also been continuing my research and reading on labyrinth design. When I get a prolonged visit home, I plan to work on a portable canvas labyrinth that will be a present for a friend.
I hope everyone has some relief from the heat and that you can enjoy those "lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer"!

Fly Your Flag Today

Some of my favorites.