Our Mighty God

We had spent the week at the lake. My boys and husband were brown from the sun and everyone was in that magical state of total relaxation. It was the 4^th of July so we loaded into the boat for a night ride, a special treat as we are normally long in bed at that hour. My oldest son had asked to bring his camera in the boat.

 He had gotten this camera on his birthday about 2 years prior. Along those two years we had changed an abundance of batteries as it was one of his prized possessions. He had also learned the hard way about letting others borrow it, leaving it at a friend’s house and losing it for 2 weeks only to find it in the depths of the minivan. Over the 2 years he really learned some important lessons on responsibility. Anyway, all that to say we let him take it with the warning not to be foolish with it around the water. He really loved taking pictures of the fireworks that night but the show was over.

We hoped off the boat. My oldest answered his dad’s request to tie the boat off. Then we heard it, SPLASH. Then again, SPLASH. The first was the sound of the camera sliding off his arm into the water. The second was my husband’s hand plunging into the water to catch it. I turned in time to see my sons face crinkle with horror, then tighten to hold back tears in front of our whole family.

 I looked at my sweet husband. We both knew it was gone. Once inside, he told us he didn’t mean to. We assured him that the incident was an accident and it was no fault of his. He asked to sleep in our bed, something he never does. And as we laid very still and quite, he said, “Mom, can we pray for the camera?” Now this normally would be just sweet sentiment to me, but in a flash I was reminded how over the last several months we had been talking about the Mighty God of the Bible, who parts seas, and sends fire, and sends birds to feed men. He wanted to ask the God who spoke and there was light, and who will speak again to win the biggest battle of all time; the God who calmed seas while men were on boats and who rose from the dead.

 So we prayed over a tear soaked pillow and we waited for the morning light.

 I dreamed that night about finding that camera. Would God answer this unspoken prayer? Would we somehow find the camera in the morning? I won’t lie, I was a kid at Christmas time. I woke early and snuck down to the dock, praying that God would show my little boy His mighty power and total control by having that camera sitting on the dock.

 To be continued…..

They made it!

The Dollies made it to their new home. Thank you to all who worked so hard on this project! Below are photos from  On the Go with Acorns. I am so excited!

Quick Success Sundress

At night I like to run away to my sewing room. After a long day of house work and kids sometimes I just need to complete something. This dress was made out of a need for a quick success.  Excuse my model, she is was very silly and tired.  I actually pulled her out of her PJ's for this quick photo shoot.

Join me at JFBC for a free sewing class with free child care. Friday March 16th to make the Quick Success Sundress. It is a really easy dress, perfect for beginners.

Register!!!

Supplies :
1 yard of fabric (dress)
2 yards Ribbon or  1/2 Yard of fabric (for tube and straps)
One button
Rick rack or ribbon for hem (optional)
Your Machine
Pins
Scissors
Thread
Your child's chest measurement
Measurement for the length from chest to knee

Here was the inspiration from Orient Express.
The same pattern but styled 3 different ways.  (thick folded band, thin ribbon, and added ruffle)

With love, Sam

I've always thought of Valentine's Day as a bit of a 'fluff' holiday. And I think most of the world celebrates it as the wonderfully sweet romantic love. You know the kind that sends chills down you leg with one kiss or the kind that fills your eyes with tears as you stoop to receive a handcrafted neon pink heart asking only for you to, "Be Mine".

 Anyway, this super sweet, affectionate love is awesome but there is a love that takes all that to the next level. It's all that plus commitment, rightness, faithfulness, steadfastness, forever-ness. It's patient, forgives it when you do wrong, doesn't envy, boast, it's not arrogant, or selfish. Sound familiar? At the end of that great passage in 1st Corinthians 13 it states, "And now these 3 remain: faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love."

This Love is so great that God instructs us that it will remain beyond faith and hope. So today as you close out your Valentine's celebration remember that this Love really will last forever. That God sent His greatest gift in pursuit of sharing this great Love with you. He loves you sweetly and deeply.

122 Dolls are Done!

So many of you came for the India Orphanage Doll project and many more of you expressed interest. It’s so inspiring to see all these women draw together to benefit these girls.

A baby doll is so much more than just another toy in the room of a little girl. We were all there, we all know how we love to care for her, teach her, protect her, dress her, share secrets with her. It’s a beautiful picture of how a child thinks of her mother or parent. But these little girls before coming to the Orphanages didn’t have that picture. They have learned a perverted tenderness, a manipulated love and a neglected companionship.

Our prayer is that these dolls will teach these girls companionship, tenderness, love, care, and joy. And that God will use these lessons/dolls to show these girls how He wants to relate to them. How He cares for them, protects them, and has plans to fill them.

Isaiah 61:3 says “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…."

 God certainly has the resources to turn the rough start these girls have had into something beautiful. The verse finishes by saying that “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

 Thank you so much for all your efforts and prayers! This was a ton of work.  God was working in amazing ways. We finished 122 dolls and few more are on there way.

Lets Finish up!

We will be finishing up the dolls THIS Friday, January 27 from 9:30
to 1:30 at JFBC. We still need sewing. It's not too late
to register for childcare, but please do so ASAP. Here's the
registration link isn't working, Please email your childcare
needs to marianne.taylor@jfbc.org.

Your name

Childs name

Childs Birthday date and year

The Spy Coat

Here is a tutorial for this adorable reversible jacket. My 4 year old calls it "The spy coat"! He was disappointed to find out it wasn't for him.  The pattern is from the book Sewing for Boys. The book has 24 patterns and instructions. If you have a little guy at your home this is a good pick up. You will find everything you need to make a wardrobe, plus a few toys and keep sakes.  

The jacket was very easy to make. The only hard part is the welt pockets, which could be left off.