Saviour Teach Me Day by Day

This is for Pamela, who asked if anyone knew this song from her childhood (wise words for all of us, not just children!):

Savior, teach me day by day
Love’s sweet lesson to obey,
Sweeter lesson cannot be,
Loving Him Who first loved me.

With a child’s glad heart of love
At Thy bidding may I move,
Prompt to serve and follow Thee,
Loving Him Who first loved me.

Teach me thus Thy steps to trace,
Strong to follow in Thy grace,
Learning how to love from Thee,
Loving Him Who first loved me.

Love in loving finds employ,
In obedience all her joy;
Ever new that joy will be,
Loving Him Who first loved me.

Thus may I rejoice to show
That I feel the love I owe;
Singing, till Thy face I see,
Of His love Who first loved me.

If you go to CyberHymnal and search in the Titles, you can find so many of these wonderful songs of faith (plus listen to a little canned music to hear the tune!)

Crushed Under Our Feet

"The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet..." Romans 16:20

Something to look forward to do on days when it feels more like we are the ones being crushed!

We are coming down to our deadline ladies ;) Share with us what's going on...those of you who have received your sock and those who are ready to mail. If you are not going to make the deadline, don't stress...just let your Sister know so she won't feel abandoned ;)

I have heard from Charlotte that she received her prize of yarn and pattern and is very happy about it! She also has her project ready to be on its way!

Since this is our last "official" week, I decided to draw for the rest of the prizes. And the winners are ~

Eve
Kimberly
Cindy

Congratulations ladies ;D (And please correct me if I am wrong you all, but doesn't that give everyone who participated a prize?)

Here is a photo of Kimberly's prize, so generously donated by our Trish from the CA list:



This is actually a kit with several brightly colored yarns and a pattern booklet! I was tempted to keep this one myself! (Just teasing!!!) Kimberly, you will have to let me know for sure where you want this sent, or if you would like me to hold off till you get all moved.

Now I can't show you Eve's prize...it would only look like a priority mail box because....drumroll please....I have it all packaged up along with Eve's sock and goodies, ready to mail! Woo-hoo, by the deadline even! LOL Eve will have to show us a photo when her package arrives.

And Cindy....I will try to post a photo of your prize as soon as Photobucket is cooperating again with the photo loading ;(

Oh, one final picture for today's post and that is my slippers from Pamela! I love, love, LOVE these slippers! What is the yarn Pamela? The pattern is great, and the yarn kind of stretchy. Photo is a bit dark for some reason and don't you love my snazzy pajama pants?



I also received in the mail yesterday a pen and mug pad AND a rubber yellow duckie...is that for all the rain we have been getting Pamela? He might need an umbrella, too....OH, I just thought that I HAVE one of those pretty little paper umbrellas that would be just right for him!

Have a blessed day everyone!

Finished Finally!

I took advantage of some extra knitting time over the last few days and finished up my sock. I am quite pleased with how it came out, especially since I was designing on the fly. Like some of the other ladies, I made a mistake too. I could have avoided it if I cut one of my yarns, but I really didn't want to do that, especially since it was my handspun! Here's a picture, with the colors altered, although I like these colors too! I think that I have all of my shopping done, so the package should go out on Monday. I'm so excited for my partner to get her sock!

Tada! ...

Cary drew Sharon's name as this week's prize winner...

On the way to Sharon is this sock yarn and sock blocker key chain kit. Not only is the yarn done in bright, cheerful colors, but also as pink is the color used for breast cancer awareness, I thought pink socks would be perfect to celebrate Sharon's wonderful news!

Dragonflies were flying about...

and landed in my mailbox! I love them all and I'll put them to good use, I even saved the wrapping paper for a project. Thank you Cary! How did you know I liked dragonflies? Have I mentioned it a time or two? *G*













My pkg to my partner was mailed and she should be getting it soon!

Oh.. and Cary was nice enough to email me a photo that she posted here and that I couldn't see. What a pretty shawl, such a thoughtful gift... And that Cicada bag... isn't that just adorable? Such talented and generous ladies...

My Beautiful Sock From Cindy

Hi Ladies, I am finally sharing my photo of my sock from Cindy. I was waiting awhile because I didn't want my Secret Sock Sister to find out who I am. But due to knitterly disasters out of my control, I am going to be writing to her soon and begging pardon! I will have the tale of woe on my blog some time tonight or this weekend! I have been knitting a long time, I don't know how this little sock has kicked me down so many times, but I am exhausted and taking a break at the moment!

But, Cindy was a wonderful swap partner and she knit the most beautiful sock for me. It has my favorite colors...purples...and it is warm and fits! She posted the pattern on her blog and I think earlier here. She also sent me so little sample goody bags of Alpaca and Llama fibers from Louet in natural shades. I haven't been able to spin for awhile and have been debating whether or not to spin them on my wheel or use them while I learn how to spin on my lovely Bosworth that Pamela sent me. Along with the roving was some beautiful stationery, a note pad with a magnet on it, which is already in use on my fridge, a cute little lavender whimsical sheep votive holder and a white ceramic sheep that is some type of holder...we haven't figured out yet what its original usage was meant for as the top comes off (unusual for a toothbrush holder) and it is much shorter with wider openings. I like it and am trying to decide how best to use it.

After some very bad experiences on other swaps, this was so nice. And Cindy's thoughtful application of scriptures both to me in email, on her blog and on this blog were so encouraging to me. Thank you Cindy for the lovely knitting and all the thoughtful gifts and your time! I appreciate you and I look forward to wearing my socks!

Here is a photo of my foot wearing my beautiful FTP sock! My foot is happy! :o) 

A little bug dropped by...

I have been camera-less for the past week and so unable to update all of the goodies coming my way. But finally, here in a group photo, are my latest lovelies from Pamela:



Aren't they amazing???? Fluttering above them all is the little Cicada pouch with its shiny jeweled eyes and beaded handle. I have this cutey sitting next to me at my desk, just because it makes me smile ;)

Then there is my pincushion in the neatest fabric. It looks like a hot air balloon to me Pamela! Or an ice cream cone...I love it! Then TEESWATER fiber to spin!!! And then, the oh-so-pretty felted bag! Guess what??? A sock knitting project fits in there perfectly...is that what you planned Pamela?

You are so very, very dear!!! All of my gifts from Pamela have come one at a time, prolonging the joy of them. To take this photo I placed these things on a shawl that Pamela had asked me about in a previous post. I wanted to fill you in about this shawl. I believe it is Jackie's (Heartstrings) pattern (Hearts something or other...my mind is going blank) It is a Faroese style and it was knit for me by CARISSA!!! I think she said it is Corriedale and angora yarn? You might remember me mentioning that back when Bill went suddenly into the hospital, I came home the second or third day to a package. Inside was this gift, and Carissa said she had just finished it and the Holy Spirit prompted her to send it to me. BEFORE she knew about Bill being in hospital!!! That was in February and you can believe me that this shawl has been my hug many times when I needed it!!! And I think of Carissa and God our loving Father every time it is wrapped around my shoulders.

What a blessing it is to share in the lives of so many wonderful Christian sisters! I never take it for granted, believe me. So rather than a verse with this post, I want to share a little prayer taken from a Childs Book of Prayers. It reminds me of my loving Sisters...you are all an example to me! Here it is:

"Father, we thank Thee for the night
And for the pleasant morning light,
For rest and food and loving care,
And all that makes the world so fair.
Help us to do the things we should
To be to others kind and good,
In all we do, in all we say,
To grow more loving every day"

-AMEN!

The sound of coughing and wheezing you hear....

Oh, I meant to write that this is your weekly update - LOL! But I'm beginning to think that this bronchial thing I have may require a trip to the doctor's office...

The weeks are winging by, aren't they? I have the latest prize winner...in fact I have TWO winners to announce this week (grin) They are CHARLOTTE and NANCY!!! Batteries are dead in the camera, but as soon as I have photos I will post them to you. I also have pictures to share of my latest treasures from that sneaky Pamela!!! Trips to the mail box are quite the adventure for me, thanks to that dear girl!

I know that lots of others have been sick, too. Sharon is zipping along with her sock progress. I have to finish up the toe on Eve's sock. Theresa is wrestling with finding just the right pattern (Oh boy, do I know that feeling Theresa!) Kimberly has been sick, too, but is just about ready to send her pattern out.

I will try to write more when I can make more sense - LOL! Hugs to all, Cary

In the mail soon...

I'm posting again to let my secret partner know that I should have her
package in the mail soon...I am waiting on a few items that are going
in the package. I may or may not be much of a secret anymore...is it fun to guess?
-Charlotte

In the mail....

Waiting for me when I got home from the knitting group, was an envelope from Cary with a couple of patterns inside... Thank you Cary!

I'd admired the socks she made using one of the patterns and so I'm itching to try the pattern ... will I be able to resist long enough to finish the socks I'm working on first?

And there was another pattern that will come in handy, my dogs are grateful. *G* Photo of the patterns on my new blog Perennial Grace along with a story about the pattern for the dogs.

My pkg will be going in the mail to my partner soon. It has taken me much longer to type up the pattern than I thought, but I'm almost done with it. It didn't occur to me to type the pattern as I went along.. duh.. that would have been too easy.

Charlotte Update

Well, I think I am done knitting my sock now, I left the last few stitches held on a few safety pins for my secret partner to weave in after she makes sure the sock is a good fit for her. I used a free internet pattern called "Little Shell Socks" that I hope she will like. I get the impression she likes feminine things. I dyed the yarn myself in her favorite colors-jewel tones of blue, purple, some turquoise, and some burgundy. The flash on my camera blanched them out some, in person they are more distinctive/less all-blue looking. Now I just need to finish up the gifts and goodies I'm sending along with the typed up instructions that include all of my notes.

-Charlotte

Update from Sharon

Sharon emailed me with her sock update. She wrote:

Another sock update...... thought I would send this early for next weeks update. I have changed from handspun for making slipper socks as I orginally planned to another yarn. I am hoping to finish this sock next week and put the package together to send out to my secret sister. I am praying she will like this sock and the yarn.

I'm sure your Secret Sister will love anything you do, Sharon, you are so creative! Lets all be rejoicing for Sharon and her family about the good news with Renee's test results!!! Thank you Lord ;D

What does everyone have planned for the weekend? It is very cold her in Michigan, last nights temperatures were in the low 20's....18 degrees with windchill factored in!

Following Through

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" ~ Galatians 6:2
When I read this scripture this morning, I thought of our little group here and how, through prayer, we are helping to bear each others burdens...sharing in the load and helping to carry them to Christ. Lets especially remember to lift one another up this week!

I have a new winner to announce this week...are you ready???? The winner of this weeks prize drawing is ~

PAMELA!!!! (Fitting, since Pamela has posted an update - LOL) Look what will be making its way across the water to Nottinghamshire:



This pattern and yarn were donated by a dear sister who would like to remain anonymous (but God knows who she is, so lets lift her up today as well!). So to date, our winners are Molly, Theresa, Judy, Carissa and now Pamela. If you have not won a prize yet, don't fret - grin - we have MORE to come ;)

I wanted to share an update of my own, and that is a beautiful full color tour booklet of York, England AND the most adorable stitch marker with a little ball of yarn and knitting needles on it - my latest surprise from Pamela. The stitch marker was created by Heidi Petach Designs
Thank you again, Pamela...you are just to good to me ;) Hmmm, how can I "get back" at you???? I've been thinking.....

My other update is about my own knitting for my Secret Sis, Eve. I am turning the heel as we speak, and liking the looks of things more as I go. Isn't that often the way? When we aren't exactly comfortable with our progress, or the bumps in the road that come our way...wouldn't our Heavenly Father have us to persevere, continue in good faith, following His direction and pressing towards the finish?

My prayer for you today is that you would see His hand in your life today, and that the road ahead would be filled with promise if you will only follow Him!