Zany and Serious

Christmas is over, and a new year beginning, so it is a perfect time for a random post, including both serious and zany aspects.  Enjoy the ride!

Celtic playlist on Grooveshark.

Do not commit spiritual suicide through a passion for discussing metaphysical subtleties.”
― Charles H. Spurgeon, All of Grace

Chronological Bible Reading Program 

Last year my family read through the whole Bible together.  I've not used this particular program, but it seems quite similar to the one we used. 

The Lord has so richly blessed us this past year, and it is exciting to contemplate how He will continue to work out His sovereign and holy will in our lives and in America as well as around the world.  This is what we exist for: to honor Him and show our love for Him by obeying His commands.  

Psalm 103

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
⁸ The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹ He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰ He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³ As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴ For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass;
    he flourishes like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.
¹⁷ But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children's children,
¹⁸ to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments.
¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his word,
    obeying the voice of his word!
²¹ Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
    his ministers, who do his will!
²² Bless the Lord, all his works,
    in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Blessings, and Happy New Year.

Alana

Character

 During this busy holiday season, I find it necessary to remember that as a Christian, I am called to:

Steadfastness

holding on

Patience

holding back

Expectancy

holding the head up

Obedience

holding self in readiness to go or do

Listening

holding quiet and still so as to hear

In seeking to do these things, may I remember not to become:

Stubborn,

unreasonably obstinate

Impatient,

restless in desire or expectation

Disobedient,

not submitting

and Deaf to God's Word.

refusing to heed, or be persuaded; unreasonable

Sometimes the hardest part is being willing to obey God when He says to wait, watch, and be still; simply knowing and trusting and praising Him that He is God and there is none other.  

^{Psalm 43:5}

 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

Blessings! 

Alana 

P.S. My dad had cataract surgery this morning, and is recovering well.  We are all praising the Lord for His mercies!

A Knitted Scarf Pattern for you!

 The Work In Progress, using this pattern chart.  (I had to make sure it worked, didn't I?)

Here it is, folks!  A charted scarf pattern, for your knitting enjoyment.  Please begin reading the chart at the lower right hand side, and continue up from there.  I've made this in several sizes of yarn and needles, and it has looked lovely in all of them.  Personally, I prefer a lacy look, for instance with lace weight yarn and size 4 or 5 needles, but a warmer, more solid look is produced by using sport weight yarn and size 6 or 7 needles.

Below are written directions for the same scarf:

With desired yarn and needles, cast on 46 stitches.  Knit four rows. 

Pattern 1 – Lace Edge

Row 1: K2, *K2tog, yo, rep from * to the last two sts, K2.

Row 2: K2, p across row to last two sts, K2.

Row 3: K2, *yo, K2tog, rep from * to last two sts, K2.

Row 4: K2, p across row to last two sts, K2.

Repeat these four rows two more times.   

Main body – lace plus center section

Row 1: K2, (K2tog, yo) 5 times, K 22, (yo, k2tog) 5 times, K2.

Row 2: K2, p across row to last two sts, K2.

Row 3: K2, (yo, K2tog) 5 times, K1, (K2tog, yoyo, K2tog) K4, (K2tog, yoyo, K2tog), K4, (K2tog, yoyo, K2tog), K1, (K2tog, yo) 5 times. 

Row 4: K2, p across row to last two sts, K2.

Row 5: K2, (K2tog, yo) 5 times, K 22, (yo, k2tog) 5 times, K2.

Row 6: K2, p across row to last two sts, K2.

Row 7: K2, (yo, K2tog) 5 times, K5, (K2tog, yoyo, K2tog) K4, (K2tog, yoyo, K2tog), K5, (K2tog, yo) 5 times. 

Row 8: K2, p across row to last two sts, K2.

Repeat these 8 rows for desired length.  Then repeat Pattern 1 for 3 lace repeats, then finish with 4 rows plain knitting. 

K = Knit

 P = purl

yo = yarn over & yoyo = yarn over twice

K2tog = knit two together

Blessings, and Merry Christmas!

~Alana

Fashionable Necklace Chart

Here is a quick guide to choosing the right necklace for that favorite neckline!  I think it is very helpful, and will be using it often in the future.

On a different note, silk threads are on their way to my house so I can begin a new line of tatted lace jewelry. I can hardly wait to get started and share them with you all!

We're gearing up for Christmas here, and I'm studying different types of fodder for the sheep over the winter.  Sprouting their grain sounds better and better, and would be very healthy for the pregnant ewes. 

Luke 1:68-75
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has visited and redeemed his people
⁶⁹ and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
    in the house of his servant David,
⁷⁰ as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
⁷¹ that we should be saved from our enemies
    and from the hand of all who hate us;
⁷² to show the mercy promised to our fathers
    and to remember his holy covenant,
⁷³ the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
⁷⁴     that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
⁷⁵     in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.

Blessings!
Alana

New Tatted Necklaces Now Available!

All these necklaces are now available in the shop - just in time for Christmas! Have a lovely day!
Blessings,
Alana

Psalm 24

Yesterday, our Call to Worship at chu was Psalm 24, and it was so encouraging to me that I just had to share it with y'all! 


Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,
² for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers.

³ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
⁵ He will receive blessing from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

⁷ Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
⁹ Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory! Selah

This psalm can be divided into three sections:  a declaration of God's ownership over His creation, a question asking who is worthy to stand before the Lord, and a call to acknowledge the Kingship of Christ by welcoming Him.
The question is rhetorical, of course.  No human except Jesus fills that bill, but He freely offers us His righteousness before the Father.  And the gates of a city were where the leaders went to hear cases, so the reference to 'gates' lifting up their heads means that the rulers are to lead the people in worshiping God. 

Happy Cyber Monday!
Blessings,
Alana

 

Snowflakes and Thankfulness

The recent snowstorm in our area has brought to mind many random things: Thanksgiving,  Christmas, winter, and snowflakes.  Now, the kind of snowflakes I'm talking about here aren't the white icy things that fall from the sky.  No, these are very special children who are up for adoption in a very special way.  Should I ever marry, and if we were not able to have children on our own, I would hope that we could adopt some of these snowflake babies.
 For more information, please visit the link below.

http://www.nightlight.org/snowflakes-video-page/

And while we are on the topic of unborn children, here are two news links which I found very interesting:

http://www.lifenews.com/2012/10/25/planned-parenthood-wants-to-elinminate-prenatal-care/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/10/26/so-you-want-to-defund-planned-parenthood-texas-gives-other-states-a-roadmap/

I'm thankful for family and friends who continually point me to Christ, and encourage me to trust Him in all things.  I'm thankful for family coming in to visit.  I'm thankful for the opportunities the Lord is giving His church to minister to those in need around us.  (These next four years are going to be the proof of the pudding for the church - do we really follow God, or are we deluding ourselves into being afraid of man?) I'm thankful for nieces and nephews, and the blessing that they are.  I am thankful for life in the Lord Jesus, and the hope that He offers to all people who will believe in His name and follow Him. 

Psalm 136 gives us ample reason to be thankful to the Lord in reminding us of His abundant blessings and provisions for His people throughout history.
 Psalm 136
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
² O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
³ O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
⁴ To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
⁵ To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
⁶ To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
⁷ To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
⁸ The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
⁹ The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
¹⁰ To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
¹¹ And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
¹² With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
¹³ To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
¹⁴ And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
¹⁵ But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
¹⁶ To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
¹⁷ To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
¹⁸ And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
²⁰ And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
²¹ And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
²² Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
²³ Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
²⁴ And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
²⁵ Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
²⁶ O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
 

May our kind Lord richly bless your Thanksgiving!
~Alana

Wedding Crowns (again!)

Fairytale Princess Tatted Bridal Crown with Swarovski Crystals

Fairytale Cinderella Princess Tatted White Wedding Crown with Swarovski Crystals

Two styles in the shop - finally!  Enjoy, and have a blessed week.
~Alana

Regarding a woman's role

The role a woman should take in society is a very sensitive topic these days, but should it be?  I mean, isn't God's plan specific enough?  Or are we just so sure that we know better than God does?  Am I stubbornly hanging onto what I want, and refusing to accept what God says is best?

It seems that every Christian struggles with the role of women at some point; even men!  God has given them the job of initiation and leadership, so they have to go to the Bible  to learn how to walk the fine line between being tyrannical in their home life and refusing to take charge of the family.

What does the Bible say about a woman's role?

Genesis 2:18-24
¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” ¹⁹ Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. ²¹ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. ²² And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
    because she was taken out of Man.”

²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:22-24
²² Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

Proverbs 31: 10-31

¹⁰ An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.
¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She rises while it is yet night
    and provides food for her household
    and portions for her maidens.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She dresses herself with strength
    and makes her arms strong.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
²⁰ She opens her hand to the poor
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes bed coverings for herself;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates
    when he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she delivers sashes to the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the gates.

These verses are so intimidating to me when I think of trying to do all this in my own strength, even as far as it applies to a single girl, but it is so sweet to remember that God promises to give grace and strength to obey His commands!  Our kind Lord not only gives the command, but enables His people to obey Him. Praise the Lord, who showers us with innumerable blessings!

Let me finish with a quote from Home-Making by J. R. Miller:  "Dependance is beautiful when it does not become weakness and inefficiency.  The true wife clings and leans; but she also helps and inspires.  Her husband feels the mighty inspiration of her love in all his life.  Toil is easier, burdens are lighter, battles are less fierce,  because of the face that waits in the quiet of the home, heart that beats in loving sympathy whatever the experience, because of the voice that speaks its words of cheer and encouragement when the day's work is done.  No wife knows how much she can do to make her husband honored among men, and his life a power and a success, by her loyal faithfulness, by the active inspiration of her own sweet life."

Blessings,
Alana

Longing for wisdom

Proverbs 8
 Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
² On the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³ beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O men, I call,
    and my cry is to the children of man.
⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O fools, learn sense.
⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,
⁷ for my mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
⁹ They are all straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

¹² “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and discretion.
¹³ The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.
¹⁴ I have counsel and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.
¹⁵ By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
¹⁶ by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.
¹⁷ I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.
¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and righteousness.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold,
    and my yield than choice silver.
²⁰ I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,
²¹ granting an inheritance to those who love me,
    and filling their treasuries.

²² “The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work,
    the first of his acts of old.
²³ Ages ago I was set up,
    at the first, before the beginning of the earth.
²⁴ When there were no depths I was brought forth,
    when there were no springs abounding with water.
²⁵ Before the mountains had been shaped,
    before the hills, I was brought forth,
²⁶ before he had made the earth with its fields,
    or the first of the dust of the world.
²⁷ When he established the heavens, I was there;
    when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,
²⁸ when he made firm the skies above,
    when he established the fountains of the deep,
²⁹ when he assigned to the sea its limit,
    so that the waters might not transgress his command,
when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
³⁰     then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
    rejoicing before him always,
³¹ rejoicing in his inhabited world
    and delighting in the children of man.

³² “And now, O sons, listen to me:
    blessed are those who keep my ways.
³³ Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
³⁴ Blessed is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.
³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life
    and obtains favor from the Lord,
³⁶ but he who fails to find me injures himself;
    all who hate me love death.”

James 1:2-8

 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

God is good.  This is what I have trouble remembering first in all situations. So many times I am guilty of desiring my will above God's perfect plan for my life, as well as the lives of those around me.  Trials and pain in this life teach us to rely on God's mercy and knowledge and wisdom, because of His promises not to leave nor forsake those who trust in Him.  Is is not sweet to be able to put all difficult decisions in the Lord's hands, and trust Him to guide His child through the maze?  Is it not comforting to rest and wait for the Lord's timing and plan?  Yes, there will be troubles and heartaches in this life, because of sin, and because this world is not our home.  But it is sweet to trust and obey our kind Lord Jesus.

Blessings,
Alana

 

Celtic Music

The Covenanters are six of the Murch siblings that play Celtic Music together. Evan plays lead violin/fiddle, Hannah also plays violin/fiddle, Jesse plays lead guitar, Ben play rhythm guitar and some percussion; Sam plays cello, and Elijah plays pennywhistle and Celtic drum. They play traditional Celtic music from Scotlad, Ireland and Wales, but also compose and play original music, some of it in the traditional Celtic mode of jigs and reels, but some in a much more Classical form. They can be found on Facebook and YouTube. They perform regularly in venues in Central Virginia, and will hopefully have a CD or DVD out early in 2012. They are available to do performances anywhere in driving distance Appomattox, Virginia.

http://www.thecovenanters.com/

This is the type of music I generally turn on when I'm tatting or doing housework.  The steady beat keeps me focused on the task at hand, while the gentle music soothes the sometimes tired or confused brain.

Enjoy!
~Alana

Random updates

 First off we have a small update on my tablecloth project.  The elusive tablecloth has been found, and (drumroll, please!)... tea dyed! 

 I'm really getting excited about finishing this one.  

The white lace is to show how tan the tablecloth is now, and the green is a small piece of what will go around the edges.

Next up is a snapshot of hot sourdough rolls the other day.  They were good!  I enjoy working with sourdough, partly because my mom made a *lot* of sourdough bread for years when I was growing up, and partly because of the tangy, fermented taste.  

And last, but not least, here is a new necklace in the shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/111918459/dramatic-ecru-and-gold-tatted-lace

The necklace itself is much more dramatic in person than it is in the pictures.  A creamy shade of ecru thread gracefully encircles gold seed beads, while the vintage glass pearls are simply icing on the cake!

Blessings!

~Alana