Merry Christmas everyone!
"Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat
Time to put a penny in the old mans hat. If you haven't got a penny than a half penny will do, If you haven't got a half penny than God bless you!" There are always people in need. Even Jesus said that in John 12:8, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." We are more open to giving and to people in need this time of year because its a holly jolly season, gifts are being exchanged, there are parties and feasts and days off from work. But even being more open to it right now as we are I know that its tempting to sneak past the bell ringers or not answer the door when the carolers come. I myself get a bit fed up on a night when I've already given money to three or four groups of carolers but more keep showing up. Especially since they have been coming round since September. But think on this; what really makes me different than the homeless man holding his cup on the corner? I am not better, more deserving, or less sinful. Maybe its his own fault he is there, but does that mean I should ignore him? How many times have I been in a bad spot because of something I did? In my suffering did someone help me or offer an encouragement? Why shouldn't that man get the same? Christian moral and virtue aside, anyone of us could be in that same place in a bat of an eye. We are where we are not because of what we deserve, but because of choices we made and others reactions to those choices. Rich one second and in the gutter the next. That's our world. So who am I to say what someone deserves? But simply to give because it could be me and my family in need next. Oh, and I know that old excuse, "I only have a dollar, what good is one dollar going to do?" I've heard that played in my own head. One dollar can go a long way, it can be a phone call, a bottle of water, a loaf of bread. And if everyone who only has a dollar gives that dollar, a life can be changed. But going back to Christian moral and virtue, Proverbs 22:9, " A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." Proverbs 29:7,"The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern" 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Luke 6:37-38, "Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you." And the most compelling reason to give, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 13:34-35, "A new command I give to you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." There are so many reasons not give, but when you examine them in the truth and light of the above verses and many more I haven't listed, they are not important. What is important is taking care of and loving your family. And in this world we all need to be taken care of and loved, and speaking as one who is thousands of miles from her biological family, it makes a world of difference to be treated as family by people not long ago thought of as strangers. The family of mankind. This last Saturday was a really good day! Usually Saturday is reserved as "family day" but we made an exception because I was asked to teach a class how to make cloth dolls. The class is a bi-monthly gathering of girls who are in the Dream Release program, which is run by another missionary living here. More in the video below. You can find out more about Dream Release and other projects of Hope Centers by going to hopecenters.org. We had had a really good time and the girls made some lovely dolls to give to kids from the outreach for Christmas.
At this point my little girl thinks I can make anything, which is a wonderful feeling, but makes me nervous because I know at some point she is going to ask for something I'm not prepared to make. Like yesterday morning. I was getting ready to go sew and Thymely asked me to make an Elsa doll from Frozen. I'm sure that I could have done an ok one if I had had a pattern and some felt, but I had neither and this is what happened. Of course she still loved it, bless her heart, but I am far from satisfied with the scrap doll. I'm sure I'll try again sometime. It's the end of Thanksgiving day here in the Philippines and the beginning of it in the States. We had a really good one here with a gathering of some other missionaries from the Midwest, and a few of their filipino family members. We did the tradition if going around and saying what we were thankful for, a grand and noble tradition I believe. I set myself in the position of going last because I couldn't decide what I should say. I only really mentioned one thing but I would like to mention a few more now; 1. I am always most thankful for my healthy children 2. I am thankful that I chose my best friend and he chose me, and that we promised to choose each other forever 3. I am thankful for technology that allows me to communicate with my family back in the States 4. I'm so thankful for all the new friends we've mad here in Butuan 5. I'm thankful for our supporters who make our ministry possible 6. I'm thankful for the little everyday things that make life fun, like baby gekos and puffy clouds 7. I'm thankful for the challenges that make us stronger and wiser 8. I'm thankful for chocolate ( it may not seam like it should have a place on this list but it really should) 9. I'm thankful for individuality and the interesting things that come from that 10. I am so thankful for a new chances every minute, chances to be someone better, someone more like who God created you to be. God bless and have a Happy Thanksgiving! I have been sewing a lot lately. A LOT. But most of the things I've made are for other people (did you know Christmas is coming?), so I can't show them to you yet on the off chance the person they are for reads my blog. BUT I have made three things for my self recently and those I shall show to you now! This dress is a McCall's pattern, M6745. I really like this pattern, especially if you're hour glassy like me because it has that nice snug band at the waste. I fell between sizes in the pattern so I had to make the larger of the two and adjust, no biggy. I guess I have a short torso because I always have to take in dresses and sometimes blouses at the shoulder.
Lastly are the Madeleine bloomers from coletterpatterns.com They are super easy to make and very comfy! Plus the pattern is free! I suggest you try them out. These bloomers are great for jammy pants in the tropics or summertime, and I like to where them under a dress.
So there are the three things I've made for me! Hello to my blog readers! I am so thankful for each one of you. I know that many of you are already supporters of ours who receive and read our newsletter, but there might be a few who don't get and somehow found my blog. So I'm uploading a quick post just to share this newsletter with you. I will post again in a day or two and show you some things I've made for myself recently. God Bless! Parenting is difficult. If you are a parent you know that. If you have ever seen a parent struggling with a fussy toddler in the store you know that. We live in an age of information, and an age where getting and giving information is very easy. There are books about parenting, shows about parenting, websites about parenting, magazines, about parenting, and so on. . My tactic has been to listen to, read, and watch everything. Ingest, digest, sort, decide. Relatives will give you “advice”, other parents will give you advice, strangers who see you with that struggling toddler will give you advice (some times it’s a bit more than advice), especially if you’re a new parent, or you’re a young parent. Advice is prolific, abundant, and overwhelming at times. It can be so stressful when this advice comes in, whether it’s given in a loving manner or not. Thoughts like, “Am I doing this all wrong? Am I a bad parent? Is my child going to need therapy?” will surely go through your head. They have gone through mine, daily, some days hourly. And the advice can be so conflicting. Spank or not to spank. Enforce strict sleeping schedule, or simply wing it. Pacifier or no, bottle or breast, co sleeping or independent sleeping, the list goes on and on. And the older your child gets the more choices you will have to make about how things will be done and taught. Parenting is very difficult. But here is my one piece of advice; Know your child. My father-in-law said something that I have taken to heart and believe in and that’s to be a student of you child. Know your child; every child is different because though they are young and still developing, they are people. And every person is different. Know your child and each of your children and you will be able to answer each of these questions individually and personally for your child. Listen to all the advice that is given, take some, and throw the rest out the window because no one knows your children like you, and of course God their Creator. God has entrusted them into your care and if you seek Him in every step He will guide you.
I'm getting ready for Christmas! I'm sure you are too. That involves making presents in my house, presents for friends, family, and those in local out reaches. This year I came across a free pattern someone designed specifically for that purpose! It's a super easy, quick, and cute pattern. I printed the pattern last night and already made four. The fourth doll is not seen because it was given away to the little girl across the street before I got a picture. If you are a crafter who wants to fill up some operation shoe boxes, go to Dollydonations.blogspot.com for this pattern and more! Sorry I haven't posted in a couple weeks. Lots of technical problems such as a broken computer, only an iPhone to post from, and internet being out have made it difficult. Today I will be posting pictures of the aprons I've made in these last two weeks. Aprons have been the focus of my sewing class, so I have been practicing various styles. Let me know what you like best, or if there is a style you like that I haven't tried! I would love some feedback! Making aprons is one of the most requested projects, so we will be making all sorts over the next few months. Once my computer is back online I will be posting tutorials for the apron patterns I came up with, and links to the tutorials I used for the others. Also if you have ideas for any small projects we could make please let me know! God bless!! |