I'm Not Sure I'm Ready

Lately I've been thinking that if I were a Bible publisher, I think I'd put the words "DON'T PANIC" in large, friendly letters on the cover. (1) Submitting to the will of God looks nothing at all like human nature. And sometimes it makes me feel like panicking. Take, for example, the impending departure of my daughter for the other side of the country. I know, I'll probably not get any sympathy from many, like my sister, whose own daughter has lived in India for years. But this will rock my little world. It's always been me and Steph. At least, it seems to me like always. When she was little, I had the overwhelming responsibility of being a single parent. That creates some strong bonding. And then as she grew up, we became fast friends. More bonding. Until now the farthest apart we've ever lived has been 45 minutes. That is soon to become 4.5 hours by plane or 22 hours by car. Gulp!



So, yeah, I feel a bit like panicking. But then I remember that Stephanie has spent a lot of time praying about this. Seeking God's direction. Listening for God's voice. God is in control.

Still, I have moments when I feel like panicking. I want to hold my daughter close, not let her go. But what challenges, growth and riches of experience that God has in store for her would I be robbing her of? What challenges, growth and experiences that God has in store for me would I be cheating myself of? I don't know. And knowing that I don't know excites me to want to be brave, selfless and submitted to God's will rather than my own.

I am thinking on three truths that Derek Prince encourages us to keep in mind when renouncing our own will and embracing the will of God:

First of all, God loves you more than you love yourself.

Second, God understands you better than you understand yourself.

And third, God wants only the best for you.

When you truly yield to God's will, you will discover that it is what the Bible says it is: "good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2) (2)

So DON'T PANIC.

[Credits: (1) The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams; (2) Secrets of a Prayer Warrior, Derek Prince]

99% Inspiration

What motivates your creativity? I would say that I have a variety of motivators and they vary in their motivational intensity. For example, the colors, texture and (dare I add) even scents of supplies can inspire me. Something as simple as a glance at my threads can make me want to create. Touching a pile from my fabric stash. Flipping through patterns.


Yesterday I was filled with the longing to create. But it wasn't so much the materials as the company. Friends can inspire and motivate me much more so than my craft and sewing supplies. Whether its the ideas and feedback I get, like from my friend, Rae, or the promise of spending time working together on a project, like with Stephanie.

Kent had to work third shift this weekend due to a big project at work. Turns out I just can't seem to end my day when he's not around. So here's what I was creating at 1:00 am. They are a prototype of a project I thought I might find I enjoy making for craft sales and such.


Can you say "Aaahh"? I think baby shoes are just the cutest things. I already have changes to make to my design but the first run was very promising.


And while Rae and Stephanie and I were out for a luncheon and visit to the knitting store, I found a knitting project to fill that need for a portable creative activity. I love the colors of the yarn, it has a nice feel and was only $6.50 for the skein, which will make the hat from the free pattern I got for purchasing the skein. Yay!


It makes me think of trees and rivers and night skies...


And last evening Stephanie and I tried our hand at matching "hobo bags". We had fun working together and it's not an unattractive design. I just don't know if I'm the type of girl to carry such an open purse. I'm thinking it might work really well to hold that new knitting project.


And uber inspirational is the conversation I had yesterday with some friends after church. I'd taken along the shoes to get some feedback and turns out there are several of us who would like to figure out how we can turn our creative urges into a little pin money. We are going to get together soon to throw all our ideas into a pot and motivate and inspire one another. Yup, I'd have to say that friends are 99% of my inspiration.

I love you, too, Valerie!

I was doing some cleaning and sorting today and I came across a note from my niece, Valerie. She's all grown up now and you can read about her adventures here. But back in 1984, when she was seven years old, she gave me this very sweet note...


"You make my heart break into a 1,000 sweet hearts"

And I also found this journal entry, from my journal, in 1985 about my then 9 year old niece:

May 6, 1985 - This morning I have something to look forward to - I am taking Val fishing. I treasure the time I get to spend with her. She is so special. She has this understanding, a sense of reality, that I find such good company. Some of it is probably just youthful innocence but it is also her. I really don't think it is merely a phase she will grow out of. I trust that we will always be good friends.

In support of a fellow blogging, head covering, stay-at-homemaker

I wanted to direct your attention to the Grand Opening giveaway for Lovely Coverings which will open on July 12th. This week she is taking entries by way of comments for a complete wardrobe of headcoverings to be awarded to one lucky winner on opening day. Visit her blog at Tomato Soup Cake to enter for your chance to win. And then make your way over to Lovely Coverings on Monday for the grand opening.

Here's a sneak peek at a couple of the offerings in the givewaway...

A Typical Fourth of July Celebration

I saw from my sister Kathy's blog that I was supposed to comment about our holiday. Well, we spent it doing what most people probably did... we visited and ate and played dominoes.


And what did we eat? Your usual July 4th fare. Biscuit-Topped Lemon Chicken. Cheddar biscuits baked over creamy lemon-pepper sauce chicken. And Kathy made fabulous Almond Green Beans. I was glad there were some left to enjoy later.


And then, of course, we finished up with an ice cream sundae bar. Blackberry Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Creme, Mint Chocolate Chip and Extreme Chocolate Moosetracks ice creams with your choices of caramel, strawberry or chocolate sauces with peanuts, walnuts, M&M's and Oreos.

All enjoyed by me, Kent, Stephanie, Kathy, and Sam, Jessie and Tristan Mazurek. We had a great day!

Picnic in the Park

We had a really nice church picnic last Sunday. It was relaxing, the weather was perfect and the company was exceptional. My favorite part? I would say it was the sleeping baby I snuggled. I find that so soothing! Tristan seemed to find it soothing also.