Freedom to...

Sometimes there is not a whole lot going on here. Well, there is baking of course, and home schooling, and getting to karate on time. But what I am dwelling on at the moment isn't those things, it's Scripture, and my life's goal is to dwell on scripture all the time, what pastor Tim Keller calls the game of minutes; trying to think about the things of God as much of the day as possible.

God's word is so deep and richly fulfilling, I encourage you to read it today. Not all at once, :) but even a small portion can feed you for the entire day. My favorite verse from yesterday is Psalm 119:32 which says, "I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." What a beautiful picture. Freedom! What could you do if your heart was set free?

Optimism

Lots of great things are going on at the Train Central workshop. Yes, we're into the grey days of winter. But the thing about being a believer is that the Lord gives our spirits great buoyancy, no matter what is going on in the world, in our hearts, or in our schedules. So, we carry on. As the Bible says, we are not consumed. Instead, we knit :).

Here are two gifts completed this week.

Some luscious, just-arrived bulky soft 

Italian wools for winter projects.

 

 

Some wool that's been on the back burner that I am using for new socks to wear with jeans through the long grey winter months. 

I love the variations on blue.

But we have to keep our strength up. Here's Fidget about to gobble
 one of Sunday's hand made  pizzas.We made 3: pepperoni and mushroom; pineapple and Canadian bacon; and just cheese.
 

 School work continues. And somehow, even next to the train tracks, with grey weather outside, it is encouraging. Math work is being understood, Fig's love of Greek mythology continues, and we get to be together all day long. Here's what we're reading these days. 

 God is good!

The Elms

I am finally getting wise. The Pres has a Daddy-date with Fidget once a month on her birth date. Yesterday I thought, why can't I do that too? Sure, I'm with her every day, all day. But so what. We're going to go out and enjoy, whatever day it is. She brought her purse with her so she could be a big lady. But I was proud of her when she didn't squander her money at the gift shop.

So, we did our school work, and then we went to the Elms. It's one of Newport's big mansions and Fig has wanted to go there since her auntie and I went there in March. Photos aren't permitted inside so we took a few out in the gardens before we stopped by Katrina's Bakery for a giant glazed ladybug cookie and then home for tea and reading. 

I've got lots of friends having babies lately. Last week I made four baby sweaters. I found a pattern that was so cute, I wanted to make one for everyone! I will show those sweaters next time. Three are on their way to new little ones. I can't wait til they get them.  God has given me such joy for others. And such contentment, praise Him. I am happy for my friends, and I'm enjoying this little girl while I've got her. Thank you, Lord.

Happy Sunday!

Today my inlaws are on their way. All the talking and planning and cleaning up are over. They're really coming! Fig and I have a list a mile long of things we want to do with them. The topiary garden, the water, bike riding, the gelato shop, the knitting shop,the cliff walk,  the mansion tours... We can't wait! I hope to get some great pictures over the next couple of weeks.

The Pres ordered an underwater camera too, so I hope to have fun shots of all the things he finds for us. When I go down looking I realized I can't see well through the mask or goggles because I leave my glasses at home. But he is a good sport. He brings up lots of unusual things like sea stars and urchins, the other day he found a live conch, and he has salvaged useful things like a Razor scooter for Fidget.

There are several hours left til the folks come. The house is vacuumed, the laundry is clean, the bread just came out of the oven. Maybe there's still time to finish Mumsy's knitted birthday gift before they arrive. It's a toss-up though; I'm also reading Alexander Mccall Smith's The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, the latest in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. It's so hard to pull away from a good book!

Blessings of the Day

Happy Daylight Savings weekend from our current house, River's Edge Bungalow! I meant to write yesterday, but as so often happens, the day got away from me. It wasn't a hectic day, but I just never got back once the day started.


I woke yesterday in no hurry to do anything, and though I'm not much into doing a lot for breakfast, I felt like cooking. I offered Fidget what I was cooking: a cheese omelet, tiny sausages, which I am crazy for although I don't eat them often, and toast. Fidget said she wanted a Pop Tart. I was floored that she'd pick that over a home made meal. She had her Pop long before my breakfast was ready, so once it was ready I sat by myself in the dining room with my breakfast and a book. What a welcome feeling for someone who doesn't often get time alone these days. I looked around me and relished the food, savored its flavor, enjoyed the coziness of the house, the light. I sat there and rejoiced in the whole experience. I thought about how many people go hungry, and wondered, despite my prayers, how often I am truly thankful for the blessings of the day.


Fidget picking the Pop Tart started me thinking too, about how often I forgo blessings by choosing what comes easily. My thoughts veered off to the question, does God make us work for blessings? No, blessings from God are freely given despite our inability to earn them, that's grace, but we certainly can choose a path of settling for good when God would want the best for us. How often do I do that? It's something to think about this morning- a Pop Tart weekend morning for both of us- as I enjoy the blessings of the day.


Next week I will start showing some art, maybe some house pics. For now, it's time to work on my secret Christmas projects.