Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Saturday at Grandma's




Somehow, Ian managed to not get his picture taken. I think it may have had something to do with the fact that he was busy chasing the cat wherever I was not. And that to play with the cat, he needed to not be near Milo, who seemed to scare the cat- and I needed to be near Milo. So, sorry, none of Ian on this one. Next time, though.....

Field Trip to the Zoo

 "It's over there, Mama."








Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Getting Crafty Again

Things are finally settling down with the new diet. I am not spending the entire day in the kitchen anymore, Praise God. It is much more "normal" now. A few hours here and there to make meals and prep for the next day. So much nicer. And the food is so yummy. That's one thing about the GAPS diet, the food is really good!  Although, even my nutritionist commented when I told her what I was doing: "That's a hard one to follow!"  Yes, it is, but we are doing it, and it is proving to be worth it.

Anyway, with the reduced time in the kitchen, I am finding time to do more fun things! Like sewing. And knitting. And playing Monopoly with my kids!  Daisy got a Monopoly game for her birthday a couple weeks ago (I now have an 11 year old!!! As well as a 9 year old, 7 year old, and 3 year old. Time flys....), and it is now set up on the card table in the Family Room and left there for when we have time 1 or 2 evenings per week to play together. It is so fun!

And as for knitting, well, I am frantically trying to finish my final book contract. I have one more pattern to knit, and 3 more to write up. (I've been slacking on the writing part- it takes time and privacy, both of which have been in short supply in recent months.)  I'm knitting the last sweater- and loving it.
While I am doing this in cotton/linen/bamboo blends, I think it would be more fun to knit in wool. Unfortunately, I have issues with animal fibers next to my skin, and since I would like to wear this sweater at some point, cotton/linen/bamboo it is. It just means I can't knit for long periods at a time, as my hands start to ache with the color work. When I get to the single color section, it will go faster, as it won't strain my hands so much. But this is where I am now. :)

And in the meantime, since I have to take breaks from the knitting, and I don't HAVE to be in the kitchen every minute- I have started doing something I haven't done in years!!
I actually started using my sewing machine to sew patterns.

Honestly, I don't think I've done this since I was 6.

I've done mending. A few years ago I free-handed a purse for myself- but I don't think I've sewn complete garments from a pattern since I was 6 years old.

And it turned out alright! I know I messed up in a few places, but no one can see it but me...
Certainly, the recipient was pleased with how her nightgown turned out:

And I am so happy to be able to be crafty again. :)

Another Letter from my Husband




I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
Phil 1:3-6
In my last letter to you I spelled out the troubles and needs my family was facing. I let you know that financially I couldn’t provide for the diet Laurel needed to be on to keep her from having allergic reactions and relying on epinephrine shots to survive. I let you know that our support had dwindled to low that I believed that if I didn’t hear from you that I would have to walk away from volunteering at Skatechurch in order to take on a second job.
            I am very happy to report that many of you stepped up to help us. Through your giving, the giving of our home church (Door of Hope), and our friends and family, Laurel has been able to go on a very healthy diet that has allowed her to heal and not rely on Epi-pens. This diet has also helped Daisy heal from some of her allergies; and Milo’s asthma to improve enough that we are no longer afraid the Dr. will put him on steroid inhalers as well.
            Because of this outpouring of support and the Lord’s provision in our lives, I am currently praying for more opportunity to volunteer at Skatechurch. Only God knows if this will work out for my family and my employer, as I would be asking for time off from work to be more involved at Skatechurch.  So, pray for me as I pray and seek wisdom as to the Lord’s leading in this area.
            In other news, we have seen a handful of kids in the last month profess faith in Jesus. We are so excited to see this continued fruit grow out of this ministry. Please pray for these young men that they would hold fast to Jesus and that they would get hooked up with a close mentoring relationship with one of the skate staff so that they might persevere in the faith.
            It is so exciting to see these young men profess faith and then grow in grace to minister to others and bring more people to Christ Jesus. This last summer, we were able to be a part of an amazing circle of growth in the Lord as we watched our daughter be baptized by our pastor, Tim Mackie, who came to know Jesus at Skatechurch when he was in Jr. High. What an amazing thing it is to be able to see God using Skatechurch to raise up men of God that bring others to Him.


All donations to Skatechurch are tax deductible. You can give by check or money order by mailing to:
            Skatechurch
            11954 NE Glisan St. PMB #516
            Portland, OR. 97220

Or by visiting the Skatechurch website at www.skatechurch.net and donating with your debit or credit card using Paypal. 

Love in Christ,

Joel, Laurel, Daisy, Ian, Asher, & Milo.