If We Don't Lose Heart

My mom passed along this tape of Bible verses put to music that we listened to when my little sister was about Ellie's age. It's still in pretty good condition, and although the songs are not all exactly to my taste, I find that it's much more difficult to lose my patience or become irritable with my kids when I've been singing Bible verses all morning long.

One of my favorite verses for this stage of my life is Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." So much of life with little ones is about repetition. The cleaning, the diapers, the bedtime routine, the discipline. Consistency is the key when it comes to discipine, which for my daughter is all about obeying right away and having a joyful heart. It's easy to become discouraged as we talk about the same issues again and again and again, but this verse reminds me that I'm not parenting for short-term success or even short-term obedience. I'm cultivating these little people for God's kingdom, and by His grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, in due season I will see the fruits of this labor. My prayer is that I will take joy in the work God is giving me right now, that I will not grow weary of this work, and that in due season I will see my children confess Jesus as Lord.

The First Leg

Luke made it to his training in Germany without any travel problems. He's taking his class, meeting some of the folks he'll be working with, and enjoying good food and extra sleep while he can.

We are really thankful to all the people who advised us to try Skype. We've been able to talk several times and it really helps Ellie to be able to see Luke when she talks to him. I think it probably helps him, too.

Thursday

It looks like Thursday's the day. We'll be at the airport pretty early in the morning to say our goodbyes. My parents will be visiting here through Saturday, but I imagine that by next week we'll be ready to schedule some zoo trips, botanical garden picnics, and LOST viewings to help fill the time. Please pray for our family and especially for Luke's safety!

Sheet Baskets

I tore up some old sheets into fabric strips for crochet a loooong time ago, (think: Before Ellie) and finally made something from them. Appropriately, I made some baskets for my linen closet to organize the baby washcloths and cleaning rags and kitchen towels that all seem to keep falling into one big pile. Before they organize my closet, they will hold some goodies for Easter.

Here's the pattern:
Materials: 3/4 inch fabric strips, a bunch in one color and a bit in a contrasting color.
Q hook

Basket is worked in spiral until color change at the end.
Chain 4, sl st into first ch to make ring.
Row 1: sc 8 into ring (8 sc)
Row 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc)
Row 3: *sc in next 4 sc, ch 2, sc in same sc (corner made). Repeat from * 3 times. (5 sc on a side)
Row 4: *sc in next 4 sc, sc in ch 2 sp, ch 2, sc in ch 2 sp (corner made). Repeat from * 3 times. (7 sc on a side)
Row 5: * sc in next 6 sc, sc in ch 2 sp, ch 2, sc in ch 2 sp. Repeat from * 3 times. (9 sc on a side)
Row 6: *sc in next 8 sc, sc in ch 2 sp, ch 2, sc in ch 2 sp. Repeat from * 3 times. (11 sc on a side)
Row 7: *sc in next 9 sc, sc in ch 2 sp, ch 2, sc in ch 2 sp. Repeat from * 3 times. (13 sc on a side)
Row 8: In front loops only, sc in each sc around (39 sc).
Row 9-16: sc around. End row 16 with sl st, change to contrast color.
Row 17: ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st into 1st sc.