Contentment

Signs of spring are everywhere around us. The snow is all but gone and the ground hog has been digging in the yard again. While I love the sunshine and warm air that are beginning to make daily appearances I will miss winter. I love winter. It won't be long until I will find myself dreaming of looking out across the field out back and seeing the snowflakes slowly fall to the ground.

Right now, this evening, I am content. I'm tired and ready to fall asleep from a busy day, but I'm so at peace. I honestly feel as though I am resting in the arms of the Lord. I haven't a worry or a care in the world at this moment in time. What a gift.

Another gift from the Father I received today was a long-awaited answer to a prayer. I've asked the Lord to use my migraine suffering in some positive way. I knew, after all, that I couldn't have all of this pain for so long and have no good come from it. Today I was sharing with Ted about how I helped someone who is suddenly experiencing migraines. As our conversation ended and I moved into another room I realized...He had used me and answered my prayers. I wonder how many other prayers He has answered in my life in such a subtle manner and I have failed to take notice. It saddens me to think it's possibly many times, especially before I was so cognizant of His voice.

We spent a few hours today visiting with family. It was our great-nephew's second birthday. It was fun to see "the babies" playing. I can't believe my nieces and nephews are starting to have children. I love them all so much and seeing them happy is so wonderful. We don't see them nearly enough. Below is a photo from today. A self-portrait from Dustin, age 20 months.

Gifts

I have the most awesome gifts in the woman I study with on Wednesday evenings. We learn, laugh, and pray together. I have developed friendships that I never knew I could have. God gives gifts so often that they are taken for granted. I have never thanked him for these precious woman. Each has been so important in my growth as a Christian. Seeing them in the middle of the week is part of the water that fills my cup until Sunday.

About Monday

Monday Moaning
*South Side Soda Shop and Diner is closed on Mondays (Ted knew that, why didn't I), everyone was sad.

*This could end up being Migraine Monday...I feel something happening, I'm praying it's just stress.

*And the biggest moan of all... I'm on the verge of anger. I can not and will not let this make me angry. It's not worth the aggravation.

Merry Monday
*I visited with my in-laws. We don't see them enough and it was nice to share a meal and chat.

*I received a great email from someone I wrote to out of the blue. We don't know each other but I felt lead to write her and I'm sure it was God.

*I picked up some knitting and let the fiber flow through my fingers as I added some rows to a gift I'm making.

*I shared some smiles and laughs with my husband.

*I was able to pray for strangers in sad situations. I pray that they will one day know God's grace and love.

Nothing Exciting

March will be baby month. At work two co-workers are expecting within one day of each other. A family friend is due in about 3 weeks. I have no gifts ready. I'm thinking I'll knit hats. I thought about getting out patterns yesterday but that never happened. I still owe Sponge a replacement hat for the one E lost in December. I have a hat for myself on the needles. I REALLY need to finish the last 5 rows of a gift and bind off so I can get it in the mail.
Later today we must go do a favor for my SIL. If this wasn't my only day off in February it wouldn't be a sacrifice, but... Ted's parents are going to take us to lunch. I'm hoping for a little South Side Soda Shop and Diner. We haven't eaten there in a long time. Ted may also need to pick up some candy at Olympia which means I'll buy a chocolate covered cherry, yum.
I was going to have a craft day with Tam. That has been postponed. I'm going to help her designed bags for her new business. I'm excited because although she doesn't know it yet, I think my designs should be free to me. I only need one. I'll even buy my own materials. She would only be assembling the product.

Putting our faith where it belongs

We are following His call in our life. Surrendering to Him. Please keep us in your prayers. 8- )

What is wrong with my yarn?

The following conversation took place between 11:00pm and 12:00am. (Can't you just hear Kiefer Sutherland saying that?)

T: (as he is trying to actually put coats in my yarn closet) Why do have so much yarn?
D: (I pretend not to hear.)
T: (louder) Why do you buy yarn if you aren't going to use it right away? (Now I hear him untying bags of yarn from the bar in the closet. These are projects: yarn and patterns actually in the bags, TOGETHER. They just haven't been started.)
D: All of the yarn you're moving is for a project.
T: (now obviously frustrated, it's late and I'm using skills I've learned from my students in being evasive.) That's not what I asked. Why do you buy yarn if you aren't going to use it as soon as you buy it?
D: (silence is golden, right?)
T: Well?
D: Because. (I drew this out as long as I could without making it sound whiny. Woo Hoo! He went back downstairs!!!! I don't have to explain this compulsion I have to buy ultra soft, beautiful to my eye fiber. Oh, and if it's on sale? I really have to buy it then. Has he forgotten all of the yarn shops he's visited with me and I've just bought yarn because it would be a nice hat for someone? I get a lot of hat requests from family and friends. Has he forgotten the times I've specifically been lured to shops by sales? I just mentioned to him this week that we should go to Grand Rapids this week because of a yarn sale....and he said as long as he could go to Koeze's that was fine!)

Oh well. I've escaped the yarn integration once again. The last time this happened he made me go buy new storage for my yarn. Too bad, huh 8- ) Now I have nice clear boxes and my yarn is sorted by weight and fiber. I was hoping he'd telling me to go by more boxes to store my projects but that didn't pan out. I probably should bring those three large totes of yarn up from the basement this week. He might really see some storage issues then.

Reflection

The last few months have been a roller coaster of emotions. I've had a brother-in-law die, a friend die, a great-nephew born, a friend adopt a child, and friend's son die unexpectedly. J's birth and K's adoption are bright spots to keep returning to and rejoicing over.

I still look back on our failed adoption and reflect on what happened. It was just this year when we really have been able to sort the whole thing out and I finally have peace. I can now look forward and wonder if there is a child for whom God is preparing us.

I also recently learned that a friend is expecting a baby. It was a not planned, but totally gifted from the Father. For the first time in a very long time I had that familiar ache in my heart. I felt a sudden pang of jealousy that I was able to quickly send away. I am truly happy for her and can't wait to see her new baby. It also made me begin to think once again, if I am supposed to be searching and preparing a place for a child to join our family.

For the past two days I have been looking at the faces of children trapped in orphanages overseas. Some at the same orphanage from which K was rescued (visit Reece's Rainbow to learn more). I have been praying for the children and the parents that they will one day call their own. I've restarted the old conversations with the Lord that He and I have had many times. Only he knows the answers to my questions.

So now I wait and pray, and know that I'll be fine no matter what because I have a Father who knows what I need.