Hands

In our family we hold hands all the time, it is one of "our things".

Today, I thought about my children's hands. The image so vivid, I started to ponder how important hands are to me. I started thinking about how soft they are and the way they feel inside my hands. I pictured in my minds eye the round fullness of my littlest one's hands, how dirty his fingernails get and how he holds a pencil. The elegance which is making it's way into my middle child's hands as she learns ballet and how to sew. I find the large clunkyness of my oldest sons hands so sweet, as he crosses the threshold into young manhood, and how every time he hugs me they are stronger. My husbands hands, powerful, calloused, kind and gentle I always have great need for these hands. His hands pray for me and held our children tenderly when they were small babies. His hands make me coffee and tirelessly type on our computers to earn a living. These hands fix the toilet, tune the cars, make the best fried potatoes, chop firewood, catch salmon, even bring me ice cream.

Hands...
When I was a child I remember holding my Dad's hand. We would skip down the road together. We would go faster and faster until we were full on skip-racing all the while holding each other's hand. Oh, what a pure joy that was for me, having my fathers undivided attention. His hands also built things and tickled me till I squeeled for more or wet my pants.

Hands...
I love my mothers hands. They can take something ordinary and mold or sketch it into something so beautiful, something I would have never come up with. When I was younger her fingernails were often filled with paint or clay or dirt from the garden, the remenats of her creative journey that day. Her hands also gently tickled my face or back and sent me into deep relaxed sleep which was so comforting after a bad dream or just a rough day.

Hands...
The hands of my grandparents Mimi and Papa. I get teary just thinking about their jouney through this life. The wrinkles and spots of age, proof of time worn longevity. The world may have seen them as old but I thought they were lovely. These are the hands that taught me to crochet and picked me fresh raspberries with cream and sugar before I arose into the morning sunshine. These hands wrote letters of encourangement when I was in college and stories about their lives before they died so that I wouldn't forget my heritage. These hands showed me how to pray, polished rocks, and picked the best peaches.

Hands...
I have seen the hands of God working in my life holding me when I am broken by my sin or gently pressed on my head to bless me because He is so good. I have seen them comfort the discouraged and rejected through anothers kindness. I have seen His hands turn the oceans gray to match the cloud filled sky and cause His heavens to pour out His rain. I have seen His hands breath life into wee babies by the tight fisted wail they first cry. Oh, I will never tire of seeing God's Hands working, pushing, guiding, comforting, holding those around me and some day when I sit at the throne of my Lord I may even get to hold His hand.

Wouldn't that be something!

Learning to Rest

Get your cup of tea or coffee I would like to tell you what God has been teaching me.


The Lord continues to mold me into His likeness and I am grateful for the lessons I have learned along the way. Recently in Church http://www.fpctacoma.com (we have a new Pastor who is a wonderful teacher and writer!) our pastor has been teaching on Genesis. Oh great I thought I wonder what new illuminations will come from the creation story. Well hold on to your britches friends cause here is a lesson that I think is worth blogging about!

Life is so full isn't it? Full of messy things: buying a house, adopting a baby, paying the bills. It is filled with good things too, getting spring bulbs to plant in the fall season, soccer practice and games, school time and new pencils and apples. These "life happenings" often widens our lens too much and distorts the foundational caponents that we were created with.

Right now I am holding to this notion, that God has designed, a rhythmic pattern of rest into our lives. This is modeled for us in the creation story where we are shown how to rest. Even our Godl, creator of the universe rested!

Then, again when we are given the ten commandments and God Himself tells us to rest on the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

Jesus himself took time away to pray in a time of solitude and rest.

How do you fair? I confess I'm a bit outta practice. That, mind you, is just the flip side of, I need a LOT of work! Did you know we are at our best spiritually, emotionally and physically when we get the rest we need? It has been built in and all around us the world screams for us to be counter-intuative. Work more hours, excersise more, stay up later to get more done. I'm pretty sure there is a reason the sun goes down at night, think about it.

Much of what I hear and see around me says otherwise. If I am not bustling about driving here and there, or volunteering for this and calling for that then I am not productive and perhaps even thought of as, dare I say, lazy?

So, I encourage you now practice your earthy components, take time to rest. Take time to build relationships with those who matter to you and take time to develop, and be in your own brain, by your self. It is good for the soul and I'll bet that you will be connected to those around you in a better way too. Let's never stop learning my friend!

Our Lavender Harvest

The balmy evenings of summertime. I love this time of the day when twilight seems to creep across the sky and things take on a softer hue. This is also the time when we harvest our Lavender.

Last night the kids and I sat on the swing and prepared the lavender for drying. I cut and brought the gathering baskets full of heavenly little purple flowers to the porch swing where my little assembly team got started. Josiah bundled, I rubberebanded, and Annabelle hung them up to dry. What a delight to work along side of my children as we chatted about the day! I enjoy teaching them in this gentle way, by doing and being together.

I have always enjoyed the process of harvesting natures bounty and this evening was no exception! I forget with the activity of the other season just how enjoyable this task is for me. This year I have created an offical place to hang and dry all the lavender so that we can use it in this years products and kits.


I love to look at the bundles hanging in a row. We got a good start this evening and will do this each evening until it is finished. When we were all done Annabelle gathered all the leftovers that were too short to bundle and hang and made sweet little tussie mussies. First she rubber banded the wee bundle and then trimmed the ends even. Next she raided my ribbon stash and then tied her bundle up with a simple bow. Then she got a small white paper doilly for the finishing touch, so lovely! She even made a mini version for her doll.

I will look forward to tomorrow evening when twilight comes again and the smell of pungent purple tickles our noses.

Beta Testing my First Project

Okay, I'll admit it, I had to ask. What's a beta group? It is the offical term used when having something tested before it is made available to the public. And this past week I had my first offical beta group testing for a product I'm making.

It was exciting and very rewarding which I'm sure is not the ususal norm. I wanted to take this opportunity to publically acknowledge my testers because really without them I would not even be this far. You all are wonderful, THANK YOU! with lots of hugs and smiles!

My hat off to Michelle K. and daughter, thanks for your friendship and laughter, my life is filled with belly aching and smiles with you around, I wouldn't want it any other way; Leanna B. and Kristen(so glad to have met you, finally!), your loyalty and support... let's face it you are a wonderful mentor and friend; Carolyn H. I'm in awe of your gift to bring others into your circle thanks for your support of my dreams; Lisa and daughter I'm still in shock that you travelled far and wide to join your mom and me thanks; Jan M. and daughter, your inner beauty and fun spirit are wonderful to be around, I would have you on my team anyday; Tina R. and girls I'm so glad you made it I look forward to getting to know you better this summer!

As I write this I feel like I am writing my "thank you's" on my latest CD credits ;o) but really I'm so blessed to be in relationship with you all, thanks again.

Your comments were excellent and well thought out and will contribute to the final product. I will be tweaking and making a few changes this next week. Then the rest of you, who may be wondering what the chatter is all about, check back in about a week and I will have it listed as the newest thing on the website!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of my first ever beta group!

Life Lessons From a Bike

Do you remember when you learned to ride a bike? I do, I was about 7 yrs. and I had a yellow schwinn with a white banana seat and a white basket with daisies on the front. My dad taught me and I remember the sequence of events even today. He would encouraging me "you can do this!" and running behind while holding onto a very apprehensive little girl, the letting go, "peddle! peddle!", the crash, the tears and bandaids, then reassurance, and the process would reluctantly start again. And to this day I have not forgotten how to ride! I think that is a miracle!

Now, I know that there are lots of skills and things that we learn to do in life that we never forget, but riding a bike... it is one thing that takes me right back
to childhood.

I was reminded of this picture, because my youngest son, Josiah, learned to ride his bike this week. I was so excited for him, the last of four to figure the fine marriage between speed and balance that allows us to enjoy that wonderful invention the bicycle. I now get to hear those wonderful words that I too, said as a girl..."Mom, I'm going to ride my bike.." and then the familiar BANG as the back screen slams shut.

This little snapshot of life was cause for me to stop for a moment and take a deep breath and remember the simple wonders of childhood... It must be all the nostalgia of graduating a senior off to college or something but lately I have been doing this a lot. I have to say I have enjoyed the time of reflection, it has done my heart, soul and spirit good. It is also a wonderful picture of how much of life is spent in that sequence of events of learning and trying, crashing, hurting, getting encouraged and trying again. Did you ever have to pause to go bandage those scraped knees? The only reason I had gotten back on my bike, when I was little, was because I knew someone was helping me and encouraging me, my Dad. Life, also sometimes leaves us with bloody knees. As a woman I get back on the bike of life, peddling out in faith, knowing that my heavenly father is running behind me, steadying the bike, and then letting go in His time.

Try riding a bike today, I bet you will remember how! Who knows the places you'll go, you and God, on a bicycle built for two!

Starting Something New

I love starting something new! For some of you that just sounds horrible. You like the comfy old slippers and your best faded jeans, setting off into uncharted territory sounds just a little too daunting. I admit many things get better with age... but I love the change of a new adventure. The process of learning something new is exciting to me, I realize I may be in the minority here that's okay by me. What is my "something new" you ask?

My "something new" is my website thepatchworkheart.com Just this winter I was inspired by the Lord and a new friend, Jill Novak, of remembrancepress.com, to change directions and I have been dreaming and scheming ever since.

I have come up with new product lines, The Patchwork Heart, Co. Sewing Series For Girls Of All Ages, have a look on the website. I will be adding to them, the next project is due out in the Fall in time for Christmas shopping and I know you will love it! I have also started writing for Jill's publication, The Girlhood Home Companion and designing project kits for her readership as well. Visit Jill's webstie and tell her I sent you, she will be thrilled!

I never thought it would be so exciting to know that I am able to expand my little, 10 year, attic, business in these ways. Now, I am able to potentially reach the rest of the world. I have seen this happen with my husbands business thecamerahunter.com and that was wonderful for him! Suffice to say, I'm thrilled to be entering the world of cybersapce and I look forward to connecting with people in a whole new way.

If you are reading this you have obviously found me and my site and I would love it if you would sign my guest book. I don't have any intentions of giving your info. away, it will be used respectfully to stay connected to you. Of course, if that is not what you want, then, you don't have to sign my book. The guest book is just one way for immediate feedback about what I am doing.

I covet your prayers and your friendship as I set off on a my "something new" adventure and I hope that you will join me!

Orange Sky Morning

I awoke to serenity. The quiet stillness took my breath away and I sat and savored the pristine icy morning. Last night it snowed. This time of the morning, it is my favorite, when the morning is still muted to the sounds of the day and the quietness is comforting.

I looked out the window at my garden. I have sure enjoyed admiring her in each season. This morning I was given such a gift. The snowed had fallen like icing on the trellis above my roses. It reminded me of gingerbread icing or pie crust edging, I have never seen anything like it before.

Soon I heard the gasp of my youngest, Josiah. In his sleepy voice he said, "Mommy look, it snowed! Oh, there is so much of it too! You know, I always know when it snowed because the sky is always orannge in the morning." I pondered his lovely interrpretation of the scene and then smiled realizing that he is quite an expert since he has only seen the snow twice in his five years of life.

The rest of my clan is stirring and I can hear the rumblings of excitmennt as they too, discover the snow. It reminds me of the unexpected joy of cancelled school days and making snowmen from my girlhood. What a simple pleasure.

Jacob is making plans to plow his remote control car through the treacherous drifts. Annabelle and Josiah are thinking of making a snowman. He should be a nice stout one this year. Gina is relieved that high school is cancelled and her speech postponed. And my husband can't believe how much snow is covering the ground. He keeps repeating "The last time it snowed this much I had to dig out the car and put chains on so I could get your mother to the hospital." That was the winter Annabelle was born and I had to get my appendix out.

As for me, I am happy. I'm filled with contentment, knowing this will not be an ordinary day and there will not be homeschool... well, maybe only for a little while as we wait for Uncle Trevor and the boys to come over and go sledding with us. "Thank you Lord for this morning with the orange sky..."

Gingerbread Traditions

One of the things I love about Christmas as a girl was GINGERBREAD! A gingerbread house with a gumdrop roof could stop me in my tracks as I would dream of a life in gingerbreadland. Now that I am married with my own family our tradition has become gingerbread.

When I was a girl the tradition in our family was to make sugar cookie cut outs and paint them, yes can you believe it?! We would make and frost cookies with a glaze frosting but the hard part came when we would have to wait over night and let the glaze harden. The next day we would mix a palette of food coloring that would make Picasso jealous. Then we would take watercolor paint brushes and paint our cookies. My mother is an artist and so many of the activities we did as children centered around creative projects and creative expression. It was great fun and sometimes they were too beautiful to eat especially the ones my mother painted, we all coveted her cookies.

We have done many creative things with gingerbread, parties with friends and family, one year we made clay gingerbread houses and each of us decorated our house just as we liked. This year I used the houses to make a gingerbread village in my kitchen window to delight visitors and friends when they came to visit. It was quite fun and turned out to my surprise to be a hit with young and old alike.

A new tradition has been born! I hope to add one element of surprise each year.Another idea I put into action this year was to have a hospitality tray. I took a shallow rectangle basket and filled it with my special christmas teas, hot chocolate, my christmas mugs and cups, my gingerbread teacozy and a milk glass dish filled with satsuma oranges,cookies or candies. Then when we had visitors or my kids wanted a cup of something yummy they could help themselves. This was a fun way to teach my kids hospitality. I made sure to restock the hot chocolate frequently.

This too I'm sure has become a new tradition. The kids enjoyed being able to have hot chocolate when they wanted which is something that doesn't happen at other times of the year so this was special.

A Moment Dressed in White

Last night was magical! The gentle stillness of the first snow. We all quitetly watched in awe of God's beautiful workmanship. And then...shouted with jubilation and excitement because we all knew that tomorrow would hold new things for us all to do. You have to remember that in Washington State on the westside of the state IF it snows it never sticks long enough for even a snowball!

I'm pretty sure that it has never snowed for us on the night we decorated our Christmas tree. It was beautiful and inspiring. Josiah, my five year old said," look mommy the snow is like falling feathers." It was the perfect description of the big fluffy flakes. His sweet little voice whispered it just for me to hear.

We were all so excited that we started taking pictures and then I got the idea that we should take one of all the kids for our christmas card this year. It turned out so great. The other added blessing of the evening was that our oldest Gina was actually home, that was a christmas miracle...just kidding, but it sure is hard to pin down a senior in high school these days. She even comment how nice it was to just "not have to be anywhere".
Thank you Lord for such a sweet expression of your love for us. I will never forget it!

The Surprise of an Old Journal

Where is it? It has got to be here, oh maybe this is it...I start to read throught the pages of an old journal I had when I was in college. The ups and downs of campus life seem to come trickling back to me. This wonderful worn journal had other things in it too! The death of my Grandmother and my new married life and step-motherhood to a talkative little girl, my then 4yrs. old daughter Gina.

It was wonderful to find these memories, I had almost forgotten that I had written them down. Thank the Lord for giving me the wisdom to write these things down for you never know when they will minister to your soul.

That's just what they did. Gina is the oldest of four, the precedent setter. The one we learned on. She is now 17 and going to graduate for highschool. Due to circumstances with her birth mother I was unable to "formally homeschool" her. Little does she know, but I did homeschool her when she was very young. I taught her, her numbers and letters, how to write her name, first and last, colors, seasons and the months of the year. I also told her about Jesus and his love for her.

Sometimes the inbetween years can be long, grueling and discouraging. I have had those moments that seemed to linger in my mind. Heartache often conceals the way things used to be. I found this journal with precious nuggets like: telling grandma at 5yrs. that she can't have too many jelly beans "because they make me WILD!" or
"if possible I would like to have lunch first and then get my little botton in bed for a nap"

Finding this journal was like opening up a pop-up book and with wide-eyed pleasure seeing the page pop into a magical scene. Gina just finished compiling her college application's personal statement and what a pleasure it was to listen to her articulate so elloquently her thoughts and newly found and growing wisdon onto the page of the computer application. With the guiding hands of the Lord he opened the page of Gina's life and I saw it pop out of His book. Such a joy to see the handiwork of God, it is such a marvel to me. She is not complete yet, none of us are, but she is on her way. By God's design she is one of a kind and for that I am truly thankful!

Boyhood to Manhood, Already?

It happened again! This is some joke, not both boys in the same month. I know... so dramatic. There is some part of me that really feels like that though. Yesterday, I took my oldest son Jacob into the doctor for an annual exam. Im particularly sensitive to this with Jacob because he was born with two congenital heart defects both of which the Lord has used for His glory and healed, but Im still an overly protective mom!

Jacob most politely asked me not to be in the room, which was new, but, after all he is 11 yrs old. So I respected that. I really like our Pediatrian, and upon my return to the exam room, he promptly told me that Jacob has begun the ascention into adolescence. He added that this will be a year for "many changes". What ?? You mean THE changes?

I'm not writing this to document the day, time, and month my son hit puberty but, rather how my mother's heart felt that evening, when my husband said, "Well, Jacob you are not a little boy anymore."

Those words just sucked my breath away and my eyes welled with tears. Jacob said so gently, "Oh mom don't cry." but I couldn't help it. There is more to it for me then just a growth spurt.

Each milestone with Jacob brings me a renewed sense of God's awesome love for me and how he spared Jacobs life and healed him. What a powerful thing. Let me say that again WHAT A POWERFUL THING! The acknowlegdement and participation in a miracle, to be invloved personally in the tangible manifestation of God's desire and love for our Jacob. Yes, powerful!

Mind you, I do understand that God healed Jacob, so that Jacob could do mighty things and bring God glory. Nonetheless, that one event has affected my life profoundly, so much so, that I dedicated my heart to Jesus and claimed Him as Lord of my life at 27 yrs old on July 13,1995!

So, I take a moment to acknowledge the One who created me and my son, so that I will never forget where I have come from, I don't want to forget my own healing.

Remembering our jouney is important, it gives us perspective and illuminates the path forward. Oh, I was such a sinner! But God sheds His grace on me and reminds me that I serve a powerful Creator. I thank you Lord that you are with me always even in these milestones of transition from boyhood into manhood.

Oh, You're a Big Boy Now!

Oh how today is bittersweet for me. I was awaken at 4am this morning by a wee small voice in the dark, "Mommy, look my tooth fell out. See?"
All I managed to say in my sleepiness was," Oh you are such a big boy now." In the darkness of my room I could make out the proud grin, minus one tooth of my sweet five year old, Josiah.

My next thought was "Lord it is slipping by so quickly. How is that possible? Im not ready." I know that sounds selfish. Josiah is the last of four and I have to admit with every mile stone of maturity he hits I seem to long for the days of babyhood. At the same time I love this season I'm in with Josiah. Life is still an adventure of discovery and wonder. New things to laugh at and learn about, it really is so sweet.

Try as he might though, Josiah could not keep his tongue from twisting and twirling in the handsome gap where his tooth used to be. I smile as I think about it even now. The fun of childhood. The pride and embarassment of a new smile.

Another milestone, we finished our first reading book today in homeschool. What excitement and energy were felt by all, as Josida shut the book and I handed him the little certificate I copied from the back of the book. Like magic he sat a little taller and pride filled his lovely little boy face.

I have such and inner desire to capture every moment and not forget a single thing. I love seeing growth and application of lessons we have taught... reading, I can't believe it. I so enjoy seeing how God is growing our children... wow! one less tooth. What a priveldge and high calling the Lord has given us. I pray that when the time comes someday, I will with confidence, and joy be able to say now is the time to fly you are no longer momma's little bird.."you are such a big boy".

What Have You Accomplished Today?

I am coming off of nearly a month of being sick- yes really sick with upper respitory stuff- anyway, and I am not a very good patient and tend to get a wee bit depressed about life in general. So amid laundry up to my armpits and a household that needs to desperatley be decluttered and perdged of un-necessaries.

I start to feel my insecurites surmount and take hold and block out the truth of who I am in Christ Jesus.Then it dawns on me - through the Holy Spirit of course, I need to stop thinking about the huge list of things that has to be accomplished before the beginning of school and start inventorying the things that I have accomplished this summer. A grin forms on my face and my perspective changes!

How fun it will be to start and add to a victory list, a list of accomplishments a lot like my gratitude list but that is for another entry. This is not so that I can gloat on what a fabulous wife/mom/friend/ daughter etc. I am, oh please, but a springboard to encourage myself when things feel insurmountable- which for me happens frequently- can we say daily!

A friendly reminder of little things- grocery shopping or phone call to a friend. Often there are things in life that we do everyday, I call them the "daily grind" and Im not talking coffee! These things are not looked at as anything special but, actually they are. Many people don't get to call a friend because they are alone. Some don't go grocery shopping because there is no such thing as a grocery store. You get the picture.I might be full of optimism at this point in time but hey if this God given revelation gets me that closer to caring for my family and being a better wife/mom/friend/ daughter then it is worth a shot. As my husband says, "It's better than a poke in the eye!" I'll say! So... what have you accomplished today?

In the Beginning

I hope that this will be the beginning of something meaningful. A place to share my thoughts and experiences and a place to record and reflect about my intrests and hobbies. A journal of sorts.I want to keep a record of life through my eyes, a place that is uniquely me. I love the whole idea of making a scrapblook of my thoughts and dreams.

My prayer is that those who read this will find a companion on this journey that God has given us, someone with similar intrests and desires.I don't know what it is, but writing and journaling seems to give my inner voice an avenue of revelation and many ideas and thoughts seem to become ever so clear to me. I hope that this will be a place where that will happen, my own plot of land to cultivate and grow big things.

Life seems so full. Full of good things homeschooling, sharing, meals together, reading, knitting, gardening, playing. I sometimes don't take the time to be quiet and be "in my own head" to work through what God is saying to me when in prayer or contemplation of His Word, and my hearts desire is to get there consistantly! I want this to facilitate my way.

This is one of my life's verses:" ...being confident that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil.1:6

I can often rest in knowing that I'm incomplete and still being worked on, isn't that precious! I still can accomplish great things, there are possibilities to dream, I can grow more in this area? Yes, for I am the Lord's workmanship being refined into the image of Christ.

I have much to learn, but I will reach glory someday, by His Grace, Amen!