Jul 28, 2010

Praying For Those In Full-Time Ministry

My husband has been blessed with the privilege of carpooling with a fellow believer. This has been the source of much encouragement and growth over the past several years as they commute.

We have always felt a burden to pray for those in ministry, and this past week as Bret and David were talking, Bret shared an excerpt about praying for pastors from a devotional book he has been reading. This Sunday, when we found out that our pastor was sick yet pushed himself to bring the sermon and install new elders and deacons, and hear the report from our team that went to Appalachia to serve for a week, we were further convicted of the need to pray very specifically for him and for those we know specifically who are serving Him overseas.

Sunday evening we shared the devotional with our congregation and spent much time in prayer.

Here is a brief outline of what I shared...

Romans 15:30-32 (English Standard Version)


30I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together, (sunagonidzomai) with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered (ruomai) from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service (diakonia) for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will (thelema) I may come to you with joy (chara) and be refreshed (sunanapauma) in your company

 Paul has sent a request to fellow believers to pray for him in several areas.

1. That we will strive together ( sunagonidzomai) in fighting spiritual battles

2. That you would be snatched (ruomai) out of traps and snares set by people who have wrong motives

3. That your service (diakonia) will be well-received, and that your meaning will be well understood

4. That you will have joy (chara) and keep joy in your ministry

5. That you will be in the center of G*d's will (thelema) and stay sensitive to Spirit so that no costly mistakes will be made.

6. That you will be refreshed (sunanapaumai)

Even tho we are miles apart
You and yours are ALWAYS on our hearts

(corny, but true)


By the way, the book is found here...Sparkling Gems from the Greek

Random Pictures…Just Because I Can

Blue Glass Bottle Butter dish.  The bottle has been heated and collapsed.  We found this during our 20th anniversary trip.

Wool Yarn & Brittany Crochet Hook

Christmas Photo

Sugar Cube Igloo for library contest.  The finished project included a polar bear molded out of very stiff icing all on a bed of meringue

Sarah & 'Puppy" making cookies

'Puppy' also helped me make pizza that day.  He sat on the bar and watched and sampled.  He even tried the raw onions!  Those were spit out very quickly.

H'Burg fire dept. training


Deep in thought

Hammin' it up

Hat I made from the afore mentioned wool.  Made for a dear lady at church who is now cancer FREE!!!

I think that 'Puppy' might have done more tasting than baking.  He is also a ham for the camera.

'Izzy' making a Christmas gift for Mommy.


My 'Mothers Day' gift from the kiddos.  This is a spoon ring that was purchased from a lady on etsy.

search for spoon rings

You will find many, the pattern for my ring is 'April' but I don't know which company made it. 
I have my grammas good silver, the pattern is 'Talisman' by the Wm Rogers co.  I would like to get some pieces in that pattern made for the women in our family.  I don't think my brothers would want a spoon ring so I thought I'd have the piece made for their wives.


'Zazwa' reading my favorite Dr Seuss book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"

Jul 7, 2010

The Couch Prior

Apparently the timeline in my mind is running backwards... or I didn't put all the reupholstering photos in the same folder.  (Yeah, that's it)  So here are some photos of the job being done. 

BUT you must first picture a couch up on sawhorses in the dining room, while the dining room table was shoved into the living room.  Working on this project are 3 adults, 2 adult-size kids and 1 big dog who loves my Dad and insisted on being in the middle of the 'action'.

Various tools of the trade, plastic to protect the carpet from becoming embedded with staples, an air compressor with its hoses to operate the staple guns, a sewing machine, actually 3 were used, mine, Sarah's Singer and the real upholstery sewing machine at the shop.

Nuff said....Enjoy

this is the chair, the couch was in the same horrible condition


torn down to the springs, only a little structural repair was needed


Mom sewing welt on my machine.


starting to put things back together








Do not for a second think that reupholstering a couch is an easy job.  My parents have done this for years.  They are professionals!

If the furniture had been of a simpler design, I might be more confident in my newly, semi-acquired knowledge.  But it has this odd curve on the back wings AND I wanted the back cushions to be smoothed out.  

All in all we did it.  AND I am so thankful for my parents help.  It (and my daughter) has sparked an interest in sprucing up things around here.  Using fabrics from my stash, I think we might accomplish a lot this summer. 


Jul 6, 2010

The reupholstered Couch

Finished couch1st throw pillow
Look how well it blends with Oscar!     Oscar's new way to sleep

Upholstery started....& FINISHED!!

Today David and the children helped me to reupholster the 3 remaining cafeteria chairs. 
David and Daniel tore down,
David and Sarah cut new backs for 2 of the chairs. 
Sarah, Daniel and I cut out foam and fabric.
I taught Sarah and then Sarah taught Daniel to do the recovering.

 (It's interesting to see them in the role of student and then teacher.  The different styles of learning are readily apparent).

Considering my very limited experience, ( I had done 1 entire chair on my own in my life)  I was pretty pleased with the amount of success we had.

Finally David reassembled the newly covered chairs and finished in time for dinner.

Here are some photos of the event...


There are 4 chairs like this.  Daniel and Sarah both did one chair alone so they got to sign and date their chair.  These chairs have a poster board type cover on the bottom of the seat.  Perfect to sign your work!

Jul 5, 2010

...these past few weeks...

1.  With my parents help, reupholstered 1 of our couches.
2. Ordered most of the curriculum for the 2010-2011 school year.
3.  Made a dent in the decluttering/reorganizing that I do each summer between the end of one school year and the beginning of another.
4.  Recovered 1 of 4 cafeteria chairs that we have.
5.  Started making throw pillows for our newly covered couch.
6.  Started the listing and selling of books that we are done with.
7.  Repeated #6 for K
8.  Cleared 1 entire bookcase of 'keepers' so that 'get-rid-of' books could be placed in some semblance of order.
9.  Fallen 2x in 3 days.
10.  Missed the 4th of July parade and fireworks because of injury sustained in #9.
11.  Decluttered the craft cabinet.
12.  Decided that some of the unfinished crafts could be finished to be sold @ the craft fair in October.
13.  Relocated my sewing machine and Oscars crate so that I have more access to sew at will and he still has a nice comfy bed.  (he doesn't really like it, but hopefully will adjust)
14.  Watched my 12 and almost 14 year old continue to learn, grow (physically and spiritually) and love each other and those they interact with.
15.  Loved on Axel who is now 5 months old.
16.  Prayed for 2 family members for healing
17.  Rejoiced over a cancer-free report from a dear lady at church
18.  Been blessed by other believers in this fallen world.
19.  Been cared for by a loving husband who honestly but gently points out when I'm becoming grouchy with pain.
20.  Learned a silly Star Wars song that is a tribute to John Williams the composer of theme songs for many Spielberg movies.  Star Wars Song