Thursday, February 26, 2009

Can I Have a 'Do-over' Week?

Let me start by showing you the beginning of last week:




The Duck's broken collar bone happened during a tobaggoning event. She landed at the bottom of the hill, and then someone landed on top of her.
Funny thing is she didn't complain or cry alot when it happened, so we didn't think anything was too serious - maybe pulled muscles. But the following day, as she and I were walking to the post office, she couldn't take the pain anymore. Off to emergency. Four hours, one x-ray and a fancy sling later - then she starts crying! Apparently the broken collar bone is going to interfere with her social life. There was another tobaggoning party at the end of the week, too!

Once we got past that episode, two days later the next domino fell. I woke up so sick with a head cold I sounded like Darth Vader's mom. But, Duck does not come by her stoic behaviour over injury/illness by chance. No cold is going to hold me down. Pack the tissues and pull out the cough syrup! Life goes on.

That's when God told me to sit down. The cold quickly moved from sniffing and occasional cough to gasping for air every time I walked across the room and spiking a fever that had me buried in blankets sweating and shaking. Now it was my turn to hit the emergency room.

So here I am wondering what it is that God has me to learn from all this. I have nothing but time to read, think, study and pray.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:1-3 (emphasis mine)
I have watched my adorable husband take over some housekeeping duties, even making a wonderful roast chicken meal for us the other night. My little Duck has also been a great one handed nurse. My home is comfortable and there is a lot of love in it.








And then there is these two lovely ladies from church who arrived on Thursday afternoon to pick up the Duck for a girls' party (yes, her social life has survived!). These are the pictures of them shoveling my driveway (big snow this morning) so that when my husband arrives home, he can park there.

So what if the front stairs need to be vacuumed. So what if the kitchen taps are dripping. So what if the school books aren't coming out until closer to 10 each morning. No, I don't want a 'do-over' - I'm learning to appreciate this one.

Yes, life goes on. Even without me pushing it where I think it should go.

For more show and tell, see Mary.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

You Can Help!

Okay, this is a totally selfish posting...you can help me win a draw over at Generation Cedar. If you go and tell her I sent you (that's Kim from Canada at The Executive Housewife), my name gets entered into the draw for a third time.

Even if you don't want to say I sent you, I do encourage all visitors to this site for a great Vision Forum giveaway, as well as all the thought provoking articles that are found there.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Nanny Slipper

A show and tell for Suzy. To see more great S&T go to Mary's place.


The Nanny slipper is famous in our family because when Nanny was still with us there was never a lack of these slippers around!


This particular example is being knit with two seperate colours - remember I'm trying to use up the yarn! Using 4.5mm needles (I'm afraid I only speak Canadian sizes)
Cast on 2 stitches.
1st row - knit
2nd row - **increase one stitch in first stitch (knit into front and back of first stitch), knit to end of row.
Knit 2 rows**.
Repeat ** to ** until you have 14stitches (large), 12stitches (medium), 10stitches (small).
(you should have the triangle shape as seen in the above picture)


Cast on another 13stitches (M-11)(S-9).
Knit these new stitches, P1, knit to last stitch, P1.
Cast on equal stitches for opposite side of slipper.
1st full row - Knit all stitches.
2nd row - Knit 13 (11)(9), P1, Knit to end.
3rd row - Knit.
Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows until slipper measures reaches from heel of foot to first joint of large toe (ball of foot). Knit side of slipper showing for next row.
(the picture above is at this point - notice the ridge created on the all knit side of slipper)


Shaping the toe:
1st row - k2, (p1, k1) six times for large (5x for medium)(4x for small)
2nd row - (k1, p1) seven times for large (6x for medium)(5x for small)
Repeat these two rows nine times for large (7x for medium)(5x for small)

K2together until end of row.
purl one row.
K2together until end of row.
Cast of knit way and tie off with long tail for sew up top of slipper.
(this is where the above picture was taken)
Sew up heel and slip them on!

The slipper should feel snug when first worn and will stretch to fit the feet of the wearer. They are warm and comfortable.

Good luck and enjoy!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Mediocrity is a Disease

Too often christians, and their churches, allow the secular world view to take away from or take over the biblical world view we are to live by:

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blashphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreadkers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses (or churches!), and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim 3:1-7
(emphasis and addition mine)

Now, I am not about to suggest that we are in the end times, vs. 1, but doesn't the rest of it sound familiar? The disease of mediocrity infests every area of our lives. Those who call themselves christians are often deeply steeped in secular humanism without even recognizing it.

Let me digress into a story that was related to me several years back that has always stuck in my head. A woman, whom I knew well to be a strong feminist and a non-believer, expressed great dismay at an event that had occurred in her workplace. A man who would be considered one of the authority figures of the environment was under investigation, and had been removed from his duties, because several women had lodged sexual harassment complaints against him. The complaints detailed that the man had coerced several women (both married and single) in the workplace into having sexual affairs with him in exchange for professional 'favours', i.e. promotions, bonuses, etc. The flip side of the coersion was that if they denied him, he would make the workplace very difficult for them. The woman telling me the story was horrified that this man had reached the place of authority and that he had 'probably done this to many other women, too'.

Now, I am quite cut and dry about those who claim to be victimized in these situations. I stated to the storyteller that the women should simply have reported the offenses or quit rather than demean themselves by cooperating. In fact, I suggested that these women were just as at fault for their own participation as the man who was involved. Really, how can a woman, particularly one who is married, give herself over to a man for the purposes of career.

Apparently, I am a fool for thinking this way.

The woman explained, in deragatory tone, that career women have to make these choices all the time to survive in the world and it was the man who was taking advantage of their insecurities - and I should be more understanding, after all "several of these victimized women are christians".

Excuse me.

Because these women were calling themselves christians, while they cheated on their husbands for the purposes of getting ahead in the workplace, that should change my opinion of the whole mess? But that, in itself, fits the disease of mediocrity for christians. These 'christian' women acted exactly the same way as the non-christian women when it came to an illicit sexual relationship and adultery.

This is a story that could take us in many directions for discussion, but let's stick with the way feminism is affecting how christian women live.

As it was in the beginning with Eve, feminism is a great example of how Satan likes to use the weakest link to cause damage. Satan knew how easily Eve would accept the chance at having power and knowledge. There are very few christian women that recognize or admit to the incompatability of their faith and feminism. Most of the time, North American women choose to follow the secular world view for their roles in the family and in the church - and never question it. The secular world view, in the form of feminism, tells us that marriage is a 50/50 business deal (although I would predict that marriages that live by this lie have weak husbands who have stopped any effort at authority and the marriage has turned into a matriarchal dictatorship).

Marriages where women are given the leadership role, even for short periods, are mentioned in scripture: 1 Kings 11:4 (Solomon); 1 Kings 22:25 (Ahab); Gen 16:2 (Abraham). These are great examples of when women rule and men give up their God-given responsibility to lead. That is when we end up with Isaiah 3:12:

As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of they paths.

It's an easy trap to get into for any wife. Because we are just like Eve; because we have the same make-up as Jezebel; because we are easily frustrated like Sarah.

I am guilty of this alot. Thinking that "I am right" or " I can do better at leading/deciding" than my husband. Therein lies the curse. Maybe I could do a better job; Maybe I am right about a particular decision. But God has given that job to my husband:

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Ephesians 5:22&23

Do I believe it? Yes.

Should I live by it? Yes.

Feminists tell us that way of thinking is old-fashioned, oppressive, even brainwashing. They're wrong. It's freedom.

That's where christians who live in mediocrity miss the mark. They claim "freedom in Christ", without understanding that gift. Freedom comes from seeking the will of God in every area of our lives AND FOLLOWING IT.

If God says men are the head and women are submissive, that's exactly what He means. The only reason to 'update' or 'analyze it' is to try and change the Bible rather than change ourselves.

At this point, I will share a hint with you. If you find living God's way is difficult - you're probably doing it right. If the worldly people around you are criticizing or even hating your biblically based lifestyle choices - you're probably headed in the right direction:

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:18&19

It's not supposed to be easy to follow Christ:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7: 13&14

If it was easy, more people would do it. If it was easy, there would be no need for Christ to carry us, pick us up and point us back onto the path of righteousness.

Living in mediocrity is easy. It's acceptable to the world. It's a real failure for a christian. As christian women, living in submission to our husbands and therefore to God, is only the tip of an iceberg for lifestyle issues. As stated right in the title - mediocrity is a disease. It takes hold of one area of our lives and very quickly seeps into other areas.

The only way to cure it is:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 3:15

Thursday, February 12, 2009

True Valentine's

(This is actually a post from January when we first took the picture, but it seemed appropriate to re-post it! They are, after all, both my valentine sweethearts)
"My Prince has already come...
...I call him Daddy"
As a christian woman, it is my prayer that I always help build the trust my daughter has in her father, rather than break it down in any way. This, so that she gives her heart to her father for safe keeping, and has no need to seek the attentions of young men who are unqualified for the job of leading her in God's way.
~ 1 Thessolonians 4:4&5

For more Show & Tell, see Mary.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Spring Fever


My gardening assistant pictured above

The unseasonal weather we're experiencing has my green thumb itching. I have pulled out some of my old favourite Harrowsmith magazines and I'm picturing my garden underneath that thick (but melting!) layer of snow. Mary, who sells a variety of seeds is getting her packages ready - and I'm preparing my wish list for her. This year I am trying out some new plants and finally giving up on others.

After several seasons of trying beets, I give in to the fact that they don't like my soil and the few bulbs that do manage to grow are just a favourite midnight snack for the deer - ditto for the corn. I am going to switch to radishes and stevia. At this point, I just can't wait to sink my toes in the dirt!

OK, weird I know...

Thursday, February 5, 2009

My Addiction

This is where I share my long time hidden secret. Promise not to tell anyone! Even though I am a neat freak, an organization guru and a decluttering nut...I can't get myself to throw out those little balls of left over yarn. Knitters and crochet-ers know what I'm talking about. Those left over balls of yarn after a knitting project is complete - no matter how much or how little the amount left over, I roll it up and stuff it into bags and bins. Unfortunately, my addiction to these balls includes collecting them at yard sales and from other knitters who have enough sense to get rid of them!

This red bag is just the tip of the iceberg - there's also a full (large) cardboard box in my storage closet. So I have determined to use it all up!

The first shot here shows the a lattice pattern dishcloth I got offline:
With different small projects I plan to use any number of combinations in colour or texture. The slippers below are called Nanny slippers in our house, because the pattern was used repeatedly by my husband's nanny for years. I had hoped to show a picture of the multi-coloured pair I made for Duck, but we couldn't find them. These are mine.The dishcloth below (yes, it's dirty - it is currently in use) is another example of simple patterns I am using.

If anyone has patterns for little projects like these, where a mish-mash of yarn could be used, please share them. I expect it will take most of the year to use up all of my collection. But then, once again, I can claim victory over clutter! Wish me luck.
For more show and tell, see Mary!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Sometimes the book is the cover...

I've taken some time to refresh myself lately. For those of you who read here regularly, you probably know I have been struggling with a certain issue (read about it here).

The young lady mentioned in the earlier post has officially given herself over to lasciviousness. She and the young man/boy are openly dating; and missing church :o(

The other night we hosted another Y.A.C.C. Bible study and they arrived together. Other than to display their relationship, I can't see any reason why they were there. This young man/boy has come to studies previously and his ignorance to God's will for his life has been plain. Now the young woman chooses to giggle and joke around with him rather than participate.


I still look at the man/boy and ponder why God allows him to be present in our church. He dresses disrespectfully (ripped jeans worn low enough to show off his underwear, t-shirts and hoodies, unshaven, toques - that's knit skull caps for the American readers) for Sunday services. He doesn't sing along with the hymns or open a Bible and never, ever serves. This is a book cover that does tell the whole story.


Many others have commented how he only comes to church for the young lady. I have to disagree because this implies that he cares for her. On the contrary, I believe he comes for how the young lady makes him feel. If he cared for the young lady, he would want to be a better man. This is a self serving situation.


These have been the thoughts that have taken me over lately. I knew I had to resolve it in my heart with God. I wanted to shake this girl; to lock her up until the man/boy moves his attentions elsewhere. I wanted to wait in the parking lot one day and and beat the man/boy senseless - or at least until he agreed never to return.


As I have prayed and studied, the Lord brought me to a conversation Peter had with Jesus (John 21). Peter wanted justice to be done to Judas Iscariot for his treasonous choices - I can totally empathize!

Jesus sayeth unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (vs. 22)


Oh. Okay, Lord.


So this is where I eat my own words from the Ruby Club Bible studies.

Do I believe what God is saying.

Yes.

Do I care to listen?

Yes.

Do I trust that He is soveriegn over all?

Yes.


I am thankful for an answer to prayer, even though it wasn't the answer I thought I wanted. I am thankful for the peace it has brought me. I am thankful for God's patience with me when I forget His peace is always there for me - I just have to take hold of it.


My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Psalm 62:5