Her retirement didn't last long. {wink} I can't wait to do some pressing with her later tonight!

Her retirement didn't last long. {wink} I can't wait to do some pressing with her later tonight!

Day tripping

It's been a busy and difficult summer for our family. Russ and I took today to spend some much needed fun time together. We spent the day at Kalona.

Our first stop was Yotty's Hardware and Furniture to see if they had a cord for the iron I found last night...

Score! 

I found this dainty little lamb dish at an antique store. So sweet.

Every time we go to Kalona, we stop by the Kalona Cheese House to get some cheese curds. You can watch them make the cheese curds through the windows, which is always fun to see. And its fun to eat them and hear them squeak against your teeth. 

We saw lots of Amish buggys...

And I couldn't resist getting out of my car to take a picture of the Amish clothes hanging on the line. I got caught by a young Amish miss taking the picture. I'm sure she though this Englisher was nuts. Her smile was so pretty and kind when I explained how pretty the clothes looked blowing in the breeze. She was glad the hard work of getting them clean was over. I'm glad I have a washer and dryer. 

We bought a box of Missouri peaches from Stringtown. It was less than $10! Yummy....

Next stop was the Harley Davidson storeroom where Russ could dream. I love the whitewall tires!

And dream some more...

I loved the trike, however $33,000 is not in our budget. {ahem}

It's been a busy and difficult summer for our family. Russ and I took today to spend some much needed fun time together. We spent the day at Kalona.

Our first stop was Yotty's Hardware and Furniture to see if they had a cord for the iron I found last night...

Score! 

I found this dainty little lamb dish at an antique store. So sweet.

Every time we go to Kalona, we stop by the Kalona Cheese House to get some cheese curds. You can watch them make the cheese curds through the windows, which is always fun to see. And its fun to eat them and hear them squeak against your teeth. 

We saw lots of Amish buggys...

And I couldn't resist getting out of my car to take a picture of the Amish clothes hanging on the line. I got caught by a young Amish miss taking the picture. I'm sure she though this Englisher was nuts. Her smile was so pretty and kind when I explained how pretty the clothes looked blowing in the breeze. She was glad the hard work of getting them clean was over. I'm glad I have a washer and dryer. 

We bought a box of Missouri peaches from Stringtown. It was less than $10! Yummy....

Next stop was the Harley Davidson storeroom where Russ could dream. I love the whitewall tires!

And dream some more...

I loved the trike, however $33,000 is not in our budget. {ahem}

I found her at the Salvation Army. Hubby thought I was nuts when I put her in my cart. 

I think she is precious...

She has no cord, however she has worked enough in her lifetime and deserves to rest. Her job is to look cute and {That's the Thing} she does perfectly.

I found her at the Salvation Army. Hubby thought I was nuts when I put her in my cart. 

I think she is precious...

She has no cord, however she has worked enough in her lifetime and deserves to rest. Her job is to look cute and {That's the Thing} she does perfectly.

I have 64 pinwheels done. Only 36 more to go! They are going together faster than I thought they would.

Oh, I did some shopping tonight, too. I bought some stash from Natalia of Piece N Quilt fame...Look at this big ol' pile of mouth watering fabric. I can't wait to sort it all. I may be weird here, but I like sorting and resorting my fabric.

I have 64 pinwheels done. Only 36 more to go! They are going together faster than I thought they would.

Oh, I did some shopping tonight, too. I bought some stash from Natalia of Piece N Quilt fame...Look at this big ol' pile of mouth watering fabric. I can't wait to sort it all. I may be weird here, but I like sorting and resorting my fabric.

I'm loving them so much! The finished block is 8 1/2 inches. 

I'm loving them so much! The finished block is 8 1/2 inches. 

Remember the stack of 1930's fat quarters I bought? I decided what I want to make with them...

A pinwheel quilt. Made with{simple} pinwheels and lots of them. This project will be an on-going one since I'm in no hurry to get it done and I want to enjoy the process.

Remember the stack of 1930's fat quarters I bought? I decided what I want to make with them...

A pinwheel quilt. Made with{simple} pinwheels and lots of them. This project will be an on-going one since I'm in no hurry to get it done and I want to enjoy the process.

I don't know if I have ever had such a busy summer as this one has been! Whew! One of these days I will have time to sew again...Soon, I hope.

The brother of a dear friend of mine did an amazing act of service for me. I was asked to keep it between us, so you will just have to trust me that it was AMAZING...{amazing}...a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

In return I am going to make a quilt for their first baby that is due very soon. Because the couple loves all things renaissance Castle Peeps is the perfect fabric for such an occasion.

I can't wait to get started...

I don't know if I have ever had such a busy summer as this one has been! Whew! One of these days I will have time to sew again...Soon, I hope.

The brother of a dear friend of mine did an amazing act of service for me. I was asked to keep it between us, so you will just have to trust me that it was AMAZING...{amazing}...a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

In return I am going to make a quilt for their first baby that is due very soon. Because the couple loves all things renaissance Castle Peeps is the perfect fabric for such an occasion.

I can't wait to get started...

*Artist of the music in the video is Salyut 7. The song is called, "Into Splendor."

http://web.me.com/fromscarlet/dannyiverson/music.html





HT: Ben Terry

*Artist of the music in the video is Salyut 7. The song is called, "Into Splendor."

http://web.me.com/fromscarlet/dannyiverson/music.html





HT: Ben Terry

Two of my favorite email devotionals I receive are Grace Gems and J.C. Ryle Quotes.

Today, they were most applicable....

Would you know the reason why so many hear the Gospel year after year, and yet remain unmoved by it? Their minds seem like Bunyan's "slough of despond." Cartloads of good instruction are poured into them without producing any good effect. Their reason is convinced. Their head assents to the truth. Their conscience is sometimes pricked. Their feelings are sometimes roused. Why then do they stick fast? Why do they tarry? It is their hearts which are in fault! Some secret idol chains them down to the earth, and keeps them tied hand and foot, so that they cannot move. They need a new heart. Their picture is drawn faithfully by Ezekiel, "They sit before you as my people, and they hear your words—but they will not do them—for with their mouth they show much love—but their heart goes after their covetousness." (Ezek. 33:31.)~ J.C. Ryle

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons! For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Hebrews 12:6-7

Christian! God is treating you as His own dear children . . .
  in what He bestows--and in what He withholds; 
  in what you enjoy--and in what you suffer!

Our God has made you His children by adopting you into His family, and new-creating you by His Holy Spirit. He always . . .
  looks upon you as His children,
  loves you as His children,
  treats you as His children!

He will not GIVE you--what will harm you!

He will not PUT you--where you will be in danger!

He corrects you as His child, not in wrath--but in mercy.

He never trusts 'the rod' out of His own hand! Whatever is the MEANS of discipline--your Father is the AGENT! He works all things after the counsel of His own will.

You are at present 'under training'; you are being educated for eternity. The 'lessons' you have to learn--are for your benefit.
  Every loss,
  every cross,
  every disappointment,
  every pain--
is necessary!

Do you really believe this?

Do you recognize the hand of God in everything that befalls you?

Can you say with Job, "The Lord GAVE"--health, wealth, children, friends; 
"and the Lord has TAKEN AWAY--blessed be the name of the Lord!" 

Can you say with Eli, "It is the Lord--let Him do what He thinks best!"

Two of my favorite email devotionals I receive are Grace Gems and J.C. Ryle Quotes.

Today, they were most applicable....

Would you know the reason why so many hear the Gospel year after year, and yet remain unmoved by it? Their minds seem like Bunyan's "slough of despond." Cartloads of good instruction are poured into them without producing any good effect. Their reason is convinced. Their head assents to the truth. Their conscience is sometimes pricked. Their feelings are sometimes roused. Why then do they stick fast? Why do they tarry? It is their hearts which are in fault! Some secret idol chains them down to the earth, and keeps them tied hand and foot, so that they cannot move. They need a new heart. Their picture is drawn faithfully by Ezekiel, "They sit before you as my people, and they hear your words—but they will not do them—for with their mouth they show much love—but their heart goes after their covetousness." (Ezek. 33:31.)~ J.C. Ryle

❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧❧

"The Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons! For what son is not disciplined by his father?" Hebrews 12:6-7

Christian! God is treating you as His own dear children . . .
  in what He bestows--and in what He withholds; 
  in what you enjoy--and in what you suffer!

Our God has made you His children by adopting you into His family, and new-creating you by His Holy Spirit. He always . . .
  looks upon you as His children,
  loves you as His children,
  treats you as His children!

He will not GIVE you--what will harm you!

He will not PUT you--where you will be in danger!

He corrects you as His child, not in wrath--but in mercy.

He never trusts 'the rod' out of His own hand! Whatever is the MEANS of discipline--your Father is the AGENT! He works all things after the counsel of His own will.

You are at present 'under training'; you are being educated for eternity. The 'lessons' you have to learn--are for your benefit.
  Every loss,
  every cross,
  every disappointment,
  every pain--
is necessary!

Do you really believe this?

Do you recognize the hand of God in everything that befalls you?

Can you say with Job, "The Lord GAVE"--health, wealth, children, friends; 
"and the Lord has TAKEN AWAY--blessed be the name of the Lord!" 

Can you say with Eli, "It is the Lord--let Him do what He thinks best!"

I'm praying God will help me understand His grace and be rid of the guilt and shame I carry with me. I can know He is Lord of my shame, Lord of my sinful heart and He is my great Redeemer  (lyrics from Fernando Ortega, Sing to Jesus) in my head, but there is a disconnect between my head and heart. I think it's the reason why when God exposes yet another sin or a new level of understanding of a sin I have been working on, shame and guilt take over. I then live in the slough of despond wishing I could run away. Which is actually funny because where can I go to hide from God? (Psalms 139)

I've heard people talking about preaching the Gospel to themselves every morning, but I don't really fully understand what that means. My internet search lead me to Drew Goodmanson's blog and his post on the subject. I'm still processing...

How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself

The two critical events are repentance and faith.  Errors people commonly fall in are (1) only dealing with the surface sin instead of the root sin and (2) preaching moralism to ourself instead of the gospel.   

PART I:  DOWN THE SLOPE OF REPENTANCE - Objective: To see and confess that I am a bigger sinner than I thought. 

1. See and Own Your Sin:  Examine yourself in the mirror of God's Word, your negative emotions and attitudes, and the responses of others to you.  Guard yourself against sin's deceitfulness: the tendency to water down God's standard, compare yourself to others, shift the blame or commit ourselves to trying harder.

2. See the Sin Beneath the Sin: Don't move too quickly to confess and receive forgiveness for the surface sin (cheap grace, "I'm just a sinner" attitude.  If you are anxious, yes go to Phil. 4, but what is causing your anxiousness?)  Push the 'Why?' question until you find what you are looking to other than Jesus (your functional messiah) for meaning and value in life.

3. Expose the Idols of your Heart: Idols always disappoint 

They are weak: They can't deliver when you succeed; they can only raise the bar. They can't forgive you when you fail; they can only lower the boom.

They are harmful: They hurt you spiritually, emotionally and physically.  They hurt others by undermining your ability to love.

They are Grievous: Most importantly, by going after these idols/other lovers you are saying to God: "Jesus is not enough.  I also need _________ in order to be happy.

Read the rest here...

I'm praying God will help me understand His grace and be rid of the guilt and shame I carry with me. I can know He is Lord of my shame, Lord of my sinful heart and He is my great Redeemer  (lyrics from Fernando Ortega, Sing to Jesus) in my head, but there is a disconnect between my head and heart. I think it's the reason why when God exposes yet another sin or a new level of understanding of a sin I have been working on, shame and guilt take over. I then live in the slough of despond wishing I could run away. Which is actually funny because where can I go to hide from God? (Psalms 139)

I've heard people talking about preaching the Gospel to themselves every morning, but I don't really fully understand what that means. My internet search lead me to Drew Goodmanson's blog and his post on the subject. I'm still processing...

How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself

The two critical events are repentance and faith.  Errors people commonly fall in are (1) only dealing with the surface sin instead of the root sin and (2) preaching moralism to ourself instead of the gospel.   

PART I:  DOWN THE SLOPE OF REPENTANCE - Objective: To see and confess that I am a bigger sinner than I thought. 

1. See and Own Your Sin:  Examine yourself in the mirror of God's Word, your negative emotions and attitudes, and the responses of others to you.  Guard yourself against sin's deceitfulness: the tendency to water down God's standard, compare yourself to others, shift the blame or commit ourselves to trying harder.

2. See the Sin Beneath the Sin: Don't move too quickly to confess and receive forgiveness for the surface sin (cheap grace, "I'm just a sinner" attitude.  If you are anxious, yes go to Phil. 4, but what is causing your anxiousness?)  Push the 'Why?' question until you find what you are looking to other than Jesus (your functional messiah) for meaning and value in life.

3. Expose the Idols of your Heart: Idols always disappoint 

They are weak: They can't deliver when you succeed; they can only raise the bar. They can't forgive you when you fail; they can only lower the boom.

They are harmful: They hurt you spiritually, emotionally and physically.  They hurt others by undermining your ability to love.

They are Grievous: Most importantly, by going after these idols/other lovers you are saying to God: "Jesus is not enough.  I also need _________ in order to be happy.

Read the rest here...