Windows And Hot Dogs

 Okay, so as you can tell by the name, it's another crazy post of mine ;)

 So, this happened a few years ago.... a little too recent for me to list exactly when it happened ;) (also because I can't remember the exact time) :P

 Our family went to a friends bunkhouse to help clean it, and while we were there the church had Youth Night there at the bunkhouse.

 While trying to get the bunkhouse cleaned in time for the "kids" to come, my sister was washing to sliding glass door.... and she did her job all too well. :P

 While bustling about doing the last minute cleaning, and whatever else need done; my brother, and I think Dad...? were getting the fire pits ready outside for roasting marshmallows and hot dogs.

 Just as the cars our friends were in, were turning down the quarter mile drive way; my sister came running in from checking the fire pits, and didn't realize that the glass door was shut.... and slammed right into it.

 Now, they were all in their cars, coming down the drive way, and no doubt couldn't see her hit the window... but she was embarrassed just the same as if they had seen it.    And I laughed..... NEVER laugh at someone.... it will happen to you... only worse. :P

 Later that evening, I was part of about the largest group of youths, sitting around one of the fire pits, roasting hot dogs.  We had to go inside to get the buns and such to put the hot dogs on... which meant going through that blasted door.... :P 

 The pastor's son was just ahead of me going through the door, so I figured he would leave the door open.... well, I had to think again. :P haha

 I was talking to one of the pastor's oldest sons, and a few of the girls; when he (the son) said something to me as I was about to go through the door.  

 I also happened to be holding my hot dog on a stick in front of me as I walked... and when I turned to see what he was saying to me - I hit the door that the other son had just closed. :P  

 Now, when my sister hit it, it made a small thud noise..... but me? NO!  When I hit, it was a loud KABLAM!! 

 But, not only was it loud... I was talking to a group of people, who all happened to be looking at me at the time.  When they started laughing, Everyone had to look. :P  

 It really would have been funny hitting a window, while talking to several people, and making a loud noise..... if it hadn't been for the hot dog squished on my forehead; and the black greasy smudge left on the window. :P 

 That was super embarrassing for me at the time... but trying to be tough, and not cry over something so silly.... I stood up tall, and walked inside like nothing had happened.  (big mistake)

 Just as soon as I got inside, the pastor's son (the one who closed the door on me :P) seemed to have missed what had happened.... or at least pretended to. :P  And instantly pointed at my head and said "you have black grease on your head" 

 If ever there was a time when I wanted to crawl under a rock, it was then. :P 

 So, I think I effectively learned my lesson.... don't ever pretend nothing is wrong, when the whole world can see there is.  It just makes you look like a bigger fool :P 


   Anyway, I have a million and one more stories like that... but haven't the time to type them all up. :)  And y'all probably don't want to read any more like this. ;) 


             

                  Just for kicks and giggles. :) 
                                Hallie

Finished Baby Quilt

 This is the first block completed.  Everything but the bonnet, arm, and apron is satin stitched. :)

 This is the second block completed. Like the other, all but the bonnet, arm and apron are satin stitched. :)

 This one came third, and even the bonnet is satin stitched on this one. :) So, it took a little longer than the rest of them. :)

 This one was a puzzler, as I couldn't, for the life of me figure how to do the crazy french knots. :P haha
 Unlike some think.... those are both kittens, not dogs. ;)   The heart is added in by imagination. :)

 This is my favorite block, because of the colors, and she just looks gentle, and dainty as little girls should be. :)   The spots on the cat are added in by imagination. :)

 This one, you can't see very well... but the flowers on the dress are a different shade of pink from the rest of the dress. :)
 The wood grain on the trim work, and chair legs was all added in by imagination. :)

 This is the final block for the pillow. :)  The basket is satin stitched with different browns and all.... you just can't see it well in the picture. :P

  This is the front of the finished pillow. :)

 This is the back of the finished pillow. :)  It's a light lavender. :)

 The front of the finished quilt.  With lace added, the seams stitched over with hearts, the white squares tied, and the butterflies quilted on all the purple blocks. :)

 This is one of the butterflies; there is one on every purple block. :) (not the strips... just the blocks)

 Detail picture of the lace around the edge; the tie in the white blocks; and the heart stitching over the seams. :)

 The plain, white back. :)

 The corner of the plain, white back ;)

 So, here are the pictures for you all, because that's probably all most of you will get to see of it.

 All of the stitching was done by hand, excepting the hearts along the seams; that was done with a machine.

 I hand quilted around every one of the little girls, and hand stitched the butterflies.   All the quilting was done before I put the back piece on, so the back is just tied. :)

 After a year spent on this thing, it will be hard to part with it. :/  But the little girl it's going to is so sweet, and precious; and I trust her mother to teach her to care for it properly. :)  So, knowing her mother, this quilt should last for the next generation. :D


 Sorry it took so long to get the pictures up..... I had it almost done, then Mom and my sister kept suggesting other things to do on it.... such as the butterflies..... so, it took longer to finish than I thought. :P

 My sister drew the stencil for the butterflies..... (I could Never draw that good.)  :)

  So there you have it. :)


                  To God be the glory. :)  He's the one who made me able to do all of that. :D
                              Hallie

Proverbs 31 Accountability List

 Alright, this has been running through my head for some time now, and I'm finally getting around to putting it together. :)

 We all know Proverbs 31 is the example for Christian women to emulate.   So, herein I intend to break it up in smaller bits to be better evaluated. :)

 Here I intend to put together a "check list" of sorts, so we can evaluate just how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go.
 To label specifics so to speak, so we can better focus on improvement in certain areas. :)

 Proverbs 31:10-31

1) - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 The goal is to be virtuous.  The question to ask is, Am I virtuous? 

2) - The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 Now, most of us are not married yet, so we tend to think P31 is not for us until then.  Wrong. 

 The goal here is to be honorable so that our husband (now, or in future) can safely trust in us.
 Am I honorable?

3) - She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
 Am I doing good? or am I not really caring about the outcome of my actions?

4) - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
 Am I working willingly?  Do I work at whatever task comes my way, and doing it willingly?  Am I willing to try new things for the good of others?

5) - She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
 Do I feed my family properly?
 Am I looking out for their health?

6) - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
 Am I willing to be up all night, or get up early... essentially to give up sleep in service to others?

7) - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

  Am I creating a home industry that will support my family?

8) - She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
 Am I keeping in good enough health to be of use?

9) - She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
  Am I making quality things, putting effort into them to make them good enough? Or am I slapping it together to save time?
 Am I willing to work long hours to support my family?
 Am I willing to keep my home open to any who are in need? Keeping an hospitable light shining?

10) - She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
 Am I skilled in the necessary things to clothe my family properly? and to make the things they need?

11) - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
 Am I willing to help whoever God sends my way, regardless of rank, social standing, cleanliness.... or whatever?
 Do I reach out to the needy, and meet them where they are at?
 Do I love others unconditionally?

12) - She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
 (A different twist here) Am I fearing things other than God?
 Am I looking to make things comfortable for my family?

13) - She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
 Am I taking care of how I, myself dress?
 Am I being certain it is modest and covering, enough to not cause others to stumble?
 Or am I settling for second best, and not really caring how I represent my Lord?

14) - Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
 Am I backing my God given authority in his endeavors?
 Am I being supportive of him, and giving him a good name?

15) - She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
 Again; am I being industrious and helping to provide for my family?
 Am I being productive and therein making the world better for others?

16) - Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
 Am I clothing myself with strength in the Lord?
 Am I bringing honor to my God and husband/father?

17) - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
 Am I watching everything I say, and being certain I say only good things?
 Am I being kind in what I say?
 Is what I'm about to say wise? or is it better left unsaid?

18) - She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
 Am I making sure my home runs smoothly, and keeping busy about my work spreading the love of Christ?

19) - Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
 Am I (going to be) raising my children to love and respect their elders?
 Am I being a good influence on them, or the children of others?

20) - Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
 Rather than thinking - I'm doing better than others... - am I following the highest standard to the best of my ability, caring nothing for this world; but striving to be like my Lord?

21) - Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
 Am I fearing only God, and striving to be like Christ, rather than getting caught up in the vain favor of the world?
 Or am I trying to be pretty, and gain the favor of men rather than God?

22) - Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
 If the works of my hands could be known to all around, would they bring me shame? or would they be praiseworthy?



 So far I am doing very poorly on the above list.

 Now that it is divided out, and broken up as a task list, I can see exactly what I have left to do, and can therefore focus my efforts on those things a bit better.

 How are you doing on the list?  Are you surprised at how much you do have of it? or are you disappointed at how much you don't have?   (no need to answer this here, you are to ask yourself this question) :)

 You see, filling the role of a woman is far from boring.  There is so much we as women are to do.  Why do we compete with the men for their role, when there is so much for us to do?


 There you have my thoughts on this.   I'm certain you wouldn't "translate" some of it the way I did... but you get the idea of what I mean. :)   If you have a different idea of how to do it, please let me know. :) I'd love to see your take on it. :D




         To God be the glory
                  Hallie

Just (don't) Make It Go Away

 When the pain is so intense there is no relief for days.  When memory... racking memory, haunts you.  The future taunts you.  There is no end in sight... what then?

 When fear, and hope drive you into a dark corner, and there is no way out.... what then?

 When the future seems gone, and it's painful to look back at the past; where do you turn?

 It seems there is a rash of hard days... maybe as much as a week; there is such a heavy tugging at your heart - such an empty, hollow feeling.  Empty... searching for something - someone... it's like a vacuum.

 After so many days of intense hardship; being torn between hope and disappointment; fear and faith.  When dying would be easier...

 Just when you hit the breaking point, and everything within you is crying - No more!! Make it stop! Just make it stop!! - then it hits...

 The sudden jolt.

 Nothing seems to matter...

 Almost don't care about anything...

 Feel absolutely nothing...

 You ask yourself - What's next? - and almost don't care if the answer is - Nothing -

 At times there is still a longing for something... but it's like it doesn't matter if there is anything or not.

 It's wonderful to have a break from all the intense pain... all the heartache, and fear...  But part of you seems missing.

 I think it's those times God is saying - I'm what you need. I'm all that you need. I'm the only one that can help you through the pain, and the uncertainties. Only me -

 God wants our emptiness.... because He wants to fill it... He loves us, and is always there to help... if we'll just call upon Him.

 But, it doesn't stop there....

 In all the pain, in all the uncertainties, the uneasiness, fear, and disappointment; we cry out to Him. We ask His forgiveness, and mercy. We ask for His help.  

 But that's only half.

 The empty, feeling nothing, not really caring.... When we're finally quiet... that is when we hear Him.  That is when we listen to Him.  And that is when He speaks truths to us that we wouldn't hear otherwise.

 Yes, He speaks through the trials. He speaks through the testing.   But it's when we take time to reflect, and see what He has brought us through... that's when some more truths are made known.

 Then the pain hits again... and usually worse.  But we know our Savior better because of the quiet time... and we are better prepared for the next onslaught.

 Going through the pain... is so hard!  But the end is worth it!

 We go through a cycle of feeling like we're doing so much... and nobody sees.  Then we feel we're doing nothing, and others are just being nice when they say we're worth keeping around...

 Watching others all around going on mission trips; getting married and raising a family; writing books; keeping up with several amazing blogs; keeping their house spotless; doing all sorts of wonderful things... and here I sit... doing nothing.

 Sure, I have a blog... obviously ;) Yes, I do a bit of sewing, needle work, house work and the like.... but it seems that's it.   Yes, those things have to be done. Someone has got to do them... but my heart aches to be useful; to be part of something big...  But it doesn't have to be big.  It has to be God.

 I have "a way with words" as my family says... where I mean one thing, and say another.  Such as, instead of - When I look at you, time stands still. - I tend to go with - Your face could stop a clock. - >.<

 How is that supposed to do any good?   How is that supposed to help anyone?

 I see others around me hurting... and I want to help.  But what to say?   Yet, it's not what to say, it's what to pray.  There's a big difference.

 It's not what others see us doing... it's what God sees us doing.

 It's not what others think... it's what God thinks.

 It's not what we want... it's what God wants.

 Yes, we want to see the fruit of our efforts now!  But that may not be what God has for us....

 It may be that we won't see the fruit of our labors until we pass into eternity.  

 But that doesn't matter.   We're working toward a Heavenly crown.

 The rewards the world has to offer will one day gather dust, and be forgotten.  They won't be worth a thing.  They won't be treasured, or valued.  They'll be thrown away in the trash heap... and be no more.

 But the Heavenly crown we're aiming for will never be forgotten.  It will never gather dust, or rust.  It will never lose it's value.  It will never be taken from us.   It's there to stay.

 "Though none go with me, still I will follow."  Christ wants our all.  Even the emptiness. 

 I Have Decided
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back. 

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back. 

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

 Whether the pain is more than I can bear alone, or whether the empty - feeling nothing - feeling is there.... I will press on.

  It is worth it to continue on.   Even if it's just to say an encouraging word to an occasional passerby... it's worth it.  

 Looking back at all that God has been teaching through it all.... I wouldn't trade it for anything.... not even having my dreams come true.... not even that.    Because the end God has in mind is far greater than any I could ever imagine.

 One day He's coming back for me... and I want Him to find me faithful, even when the pain is more than I can bear. Even when I feel worthless. Even when the emptiness gets to be too much at times... I want Him to find me faithful.

 Luke 16:10
 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 


 Rejoice In The Lord
God never moves without purpose or plan,
When trying His servant, and molding a man. 
Give thanks to the Lord, tho' your testing seems long. 
In darkness He giveth a song. 

Oh rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistake. 
He knoweth the end of each path that I take.
For when I am tried, and purified. 
I shall come forth as gold. 

I could not see through the shadows ahead,
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead. 
I bowed to the will of the Master that day,
Then peace came, and tears fled away. 

Now I can see testing comes from above. 
God strengthens His children, and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care.
Through purging, more fruit I will bear. 

  So as the pain gets worse, instead of hearing me crying out to God with "I can't handle it! It hurts too much. Just make it go away..." rather, you should hear "It hurts! Just don't make it go away... Thy will be done." because of all He has in store for me that couldn't be done without these trials.

            To God Be The Glory.
                            Hallie