The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you declared the Lord, plans for welfare and not calmaity, to give you a future and a hope.

Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to me and I will listen to you."

This is the verse I have been memorizing in my devotion time. I really believe this is true of every human being. I don't think God puts us here just to wander and entertain ourselves. We are made to worship Him and to give Him glory in all we do.

I will be the first to admit that my life is not always glorifying. But I am always trying to get where He wants me to be. It is a process. He is working on me and I can be some very tough clay to shape.

I say all of this to introduce my new puppy. Her name is Seeker. I prayed for Seeker and God provided her. She and I are going to train to be therapy dog providers. There is no promise that either one of us will be suitable for this position. Even with the best of training some dogs are not suitable for therapy work but I feel like God has a plan here and I am going to work like we will be a great therapy team and let God work out the details. He has laid this work on my heart and given me a love for dogs from an early age. I am hoping we can be a blessing as we seek people to help.

Projects

These gloves Morgan is modeling are my latest finished project. It was a project of frustration for me. I altered the original pattern to have the fit Morgan wanted. Many tinks (knit backward ...as in ripping out ) later they are done and worn often. That is the greatest thanks you can give a knitter is to wear or use their work.

Some time ago I finished knitting the scarf Morgan is wearing..

The above sweater is for Sophyria my newest granddaughter.

This sweater was made especially for Vivienne. I enjoyed altering the original pattern. I had to bribe and cajole her to get her to try it on for me to see at Christmas time...she was adorable as always...

At Thanksgiving time Zachary drew and painted this turkey for a door decoration.

Jack enjoyed putting together this foam Santa house.

An Old Year , A New Year

I really like end of the year recaps. I read them and think " I had completely forgotten about that happening". That is why I like having lots of pictures and videos of what we do as a family. A little bit of the past saved on paper and plastic can brighten a day or settle an argument.

This time of year is kind of hard for me because it is an undefined area. It feels like a week of flux. The control freak in me wants it to have a concrete purpose. I know I need to learn to relax and not try to fit everything into the compartment it belongs. I learned that in 2010. I am going to refine that learning in 2011. It is what it is. Let God handle it. These are two of my mottos for the new year.

What does God have in store for me this year. I am glad I cannot look ahead and see the pain or loss that waits because each year has a little of that. I am also glad I cannot see the good things in store. That would ruin the surprise and I hate waiting. I am glad that God knows and has it under His control. Sometimes I wish I could erase things from my memory that I don't want to have to think about anymore but you never know when you are going to need a memory. God will use the past to lead you in your future. Now that I have fully entered middle age I have quite a bit to look back on. Some days I take out those memories . I look at what happened and think about the past from the knowledge and the little wisdom I have accumulated . It sometimes looks different in the rear view mirror. I love to look at the videos we have of our grown children when they were little ones. And sometimes I wish I could go back and relive those days...but that is what Grandchildren are for....

Christmas

I have always loved the holidays. They are exciting. Something different is bound to happen that is new and can be remembered for years to come. Memories that can be opened up all year long to brighten a day that is not so special or comfort a heart that is hurting.

Holidays have been very different since we brought our three little boys into our family. These days are difficult for them. When we are looking forward to fun as in the past they are sometimes looking back to pain at the holidays or people they miss. We put up the decortations and celebrate the birth of our Savior and hope that the love we have will seep through the cracks in the walls of pain they live behind.

Money is always a worry around Christmas. Yesterday ,while hanging some holly leaves Zachary had colored and cut out, I was beginning to worry about the mighty little dollar and God told me that if I worried about what I don't have I will certainly miss the parts of Christmas that aren't presents under the tree. Of course He is right. So much of what I love about the Season is not for sale. Watching Christmas movies with the family, baking cookies, helping the little ones to make decorations or gifts, driving out to look at the light displays, decorating the house and watching videos of past Christmas celebrations don't require much if any money and are all part of the fabric of the holidays. The trick is to not let what I don't have or can't do get me down but to enjoy the everyday of Christmas. Maybe someone else reading this will be able to add to my list of what there is to enjoy in this season of His birth. I would love hear how others celebrate.

Dianna Momma in the Handbasket