Bitterness Vs. Thankfulness

     Why is it that once we think of one negative thing about someone it is so easy to go on thinking more negative things about that person?  I wish I knew.  It is so easy to grow bitter in your heart without even realizing it.  We may never show it on the outside, yet our foul thoughts are still there, stealing our joy.
     I have known people who are so good to the people around them go on and on about the people in office and those involved in politics.  Even those in power are individual creations in the image of God too.
   I am very guilty of Bitterness.  This month God has been teaching me and growing me in this area.
   He was first gracious to me and gently showed me the bitterness in the first place.  I had hidden it under a thick layer of self-pity and called it disappointment and injustice.  It was a treasure trove of negative thoughts nonetheless.
   He then called me to repent, apologize where it was necessary, and to throw out all of these thoughts.  I am resolved to not speak unkindly on
   He asked me to refill my heart with joyful thanksgiving, Both towards him and the persons I had formed the original ideas against.  This is normally slow going at first, but God brought things to mind and soon I was filling page after page in my journal with thankfulness.  I have also found that if I am having trouble with bitterness towards someone, praying for them will change my heart toward him.
 
   Since God has changed my heart, I am so much more joyful.  It is scary to think how easily I would have become an angry bitter woman without God redirecting me.  He is so good to me.

    Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Heb 12:15 (KJV)

  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thess 5:18 (KJV)

   

TA-DA!

Here is my second sock. It's more of a slipper on my foot, but It's finished, whatever it is.

Unfortunately, I left the left sock at home.  So I will have to wait to wear the pair.

I still have about a third of this yarn left, so I'm not sure what my next project will be.  I can't wait to find out what it is.

Blog Award

I received a blog award from my friend Caitria at Heroine of the Faith.

I have to admit that I normally do not enjoy these.  They remind me of endlessly forwarded e-mails and I'm fairly certain that the people I would re-award this to don't read my blog.

Also,  Caitria awards all the same people I do.

The Rules

1. If tagged you must tag five others, giving each a quick sentence as to why you ALWAYS read their posts, and tell them that you've tagged them.

2. If tagged you must post your five favorite words. I know, I know, most people do facts, but facts are hard to think of so...

3. If and only if you want to/can be bothered to/have time to you can put up five questions for the people you've tagged. If and only if you want to/can be bothered to/have time to you can ANSWER the five questions your tagger set. If you want to answer questions but your tagger left none, answer your own questions 

The five that I will re-gift this award to are:

Jenna-Because she lives an interesting life and she's inspiring.

An Ordinary Utopia- I read these girls' posts because they remind me to enjoy every moment of life.

Miranda Marie-Because she's the best sister-in-law I've ever had (she's the only one so far) and she is so creative.

Pineneedle Collective-Because I love vintage clothes!!!

I know this is only four, but I don't have anyone else who I follow who hasn't been awarded right alongside me.

Now for the words.

I have to admit that I keep lists of favorite words in my journal.  I'm between lists right now, so I don't have 5 definitive favorite words.  However, the first 5 that come to mind are:

1. Whimsical

2. Cherish

3. Valiant

4. Majestic

                 5. Envelope  (As a verb, not a letter holder)

On to the questions!

1: If you could do only one more thing before you died, what would it be?

Hug Luke, my husband.

2: What is your favorite place in the world?

 In Luke's Arms.

3: Can you breath with your tongue sticking out?

I have a cold, but yes I can, barely.

4: Now put your tongue back in. Ice cream or cheese cake?

 Cheese Cake!

5: What was your first memory?

Being held in the store Momma worked at and having one of our friends put my socks up with the others for sale.  I thought it was so funny to see my little bitty ruffle socks next to the huge wool ones.

For the people I tagged, the same rules apply as did to me.  Here are your new questions:

Questions for those people I tagged:

1. What was the last book you read?

2. What was the last thing you drew?

3. What was the last song you sang?

4. What was the last thing you ate?

5.When was the last time you walked barefoot outside?

Daughton Village

Biggest Honor

          I arrived safely in New York and have been here since Tuesday.  We stopped by Niagara Falls on the way up.  I had no idea how pretty the land immediately surrounding the falls is.

            There were wildflowers growing up and down the cliffs and banks.  The water was so blue it looks enhanced.  The falls were much quieter than I expected, and more peaceful, despite the crowds of  tourists.  I could have stayed much longer, but we were eager to get to my parent's house.

           The past few days have been busy getting ready for my parents to leave.  We moved Holden into his new room and set up his old room for my new brother.  One of the hens hatched a surprise clutch of chicks, and the baby bunnies are doing great.  

           I did get to go to Jenna's farm.  She was working with her gorgeous fell pony, Merlin, and their trainer, Dave.  I loved watching her and her pony.  They are perfect for each other.  After she was done she offered to let me ride.  I did, and she picked a wonderful gelding.  He is sturdy, but not clumsy.  He is short, but has enough majesty to make him seem 16 hands high.  He is very patient, but also alert and attentive.  His long black mane is just begging to be brushed and braided and fondled, and he tolerates hugs and affection with sighs.  His trot is smooth and his walk is a comfortable meandering pace.  I love him so much I can't even be jealous of Jenna.  I can't wait to see what they will be doing in three years and what special moments they share.

          Jenna was very kind and hospitable.  She She was not afraid to ask questions and seems willing to dive right into anything.  You can tell she loves her farm and the outdoors.  I admire her and her blog is one of the many things that has inspired me to be more of a producer, less of a consumer.  I also like her style.  Boots and jeans, with a celtic pendant hanging around her neck and a western shirt with  the sleeves rolled up.  The ensemble was topped off with a cowboy hat.  It's not the style that looks best on me, but Jenna pulls it off perfectly.

  

        I think you're getting the idea that I really like Jenna and her pony.  Therefore, one of the biggest honors I've ever received was being mentioned in her blog.  Here's the link if you want to read it.  I love reading her blog and never expected to be on it.  

     Jenna has offered  to let me ride Merlin any time I want while I am here.  I am planning on it, but I am working on doing some work for Jenna in return.  She could use it and I don't think I could do enough.

One Down, One to Go

My Finished Sock

Yes, it's a little lumpy, and there's already a hole in the toe where I messed up a stitch, but it is a sock.  

Like I said, I haven't tried it on, and will not try it on until I have knitted it's match.  My husband tried it on and said it was really comfy though.  

I can't wait to finish the matching sock.

I didn't have a yarn needle to use to sew up the toe, so I improvised.  While digging through a box of miscellaneous sewing things my great-grandmother gave to me, I found this.

It's an old bobby pin, and my makeshift yarn needle.  It worked incredibly well.  I think I will continue to use it.  It's easier to thread than a needle and I didn't have any trouble catching the opening on the stitches.  

I am looking forward to knitting in the car on the way to New York.  I normally read in the car, but I have no book that I'm currently reading and I don't want to take a library book out of state for a month.  

I probably won't be posting for the next week or so because I am going to be traveling and then spending time with my parents before they head overseas.  

Interrupting Lunch

  Jane and I interrupted this guy's lunch.