Yarning

"Yarning" is the word I've made up when I want to talk about crocheting and knitting. For the last month I've been trying to teach myself how to crochet, with the help of my grandma. It's been a lot of fun! Next, I'm going to try and learn how to knit. Maybe even as soon as next month (1 day away).

I've felt like God stirred up a rebellion inside of me that I will not let fear of failure control what I do or don't do. So all of the things I've wanted to learn how to do, or even things that I want to do just once - I WILL DO or try to do! I will face fear because fear does not control me, love surrounds, I will be everything God wants me to be! (Maybe I'll use that in a song sometime!)

So anyways, I've kind of always wanted to learn how to crochet, knit, sew, paint, cook, and many more things; but I would push it aside and tell myself that I couldn't do it or I would try it and get frustrated by my failure. But now with this new "rebellion" the disappointment or frustration only pushes me forward to succeed.
I was reading Proverbs in The Message version one day and I realized that God is shaping me into this type of woman:

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

(just a few sections of Prov. 31)

It's so cool how God speaks to us, we just need to make sure we are listening.

Here are a couple of pictures of what I've done this month.

These are hats and scarves I made for my nieces birthdays.
They are 2 years and 2 days apart: Nov. 3, 2004 and Nov. 5, 2006

This is a soft and fuzzy scarf I made my mom.
It's a "just because" scarf because she thought it was really cool what I was doing.

Content with Cornfields and Bean Fields

I've been at my job for 1 month already and I still love it! But as I watch the leaves change color and fall I begin to feel restless. The last 2 years I have been away from October - March, so I assume that's why I feel like I should be going away again. A few weeks ago as I was driving home from a friends house God shared with me (once again) that I should be content where I am, where He's told me to be for right now. So I took a deep breath and looked around at the Mid-Western scenery. I saw cornfields and bean fields on each side of me, a beautiful sunset sky, and I felt the peace only God gives. So once and a while when I begin to feel restless I think back to that day and what God told me. I take a deep breath and look around at my surroundings ... what I see is beauty and what I feel is contentment and peace.

This picture was taken from Flickr.com