Who is running towards God?

Yesterday’s message in church really spoke to me and my heart. The message was one that sums up many of the little messages I have been receiving from God and I want to share this message with you all because its one I think we all need to hear and to be reminded of everyday! Right now we are doing a series in church called “Who is running”. The series is about Jonah and his life and experiences. The message yesterday was about Christians and how we are to help people run to God. Makes sense and well we all know this of course, but do we really practice it. I am not talking about going up to people and preaching about God. What I am talking about is simple and something that is instilled in our hearts and minds everyday of our Christian lives. To show God’s love. Now I know, because I am just as guilty, that we all are probably thinking “I show God’s love every day!” Think about it really hard do we really? I say this because honestly as most of you know I have been through a lot the past 2 years and I still continue to struggle through life. I know for me personally, my life changed drastically when my mom died December 24^th 2009. Growing up I was raise in a Christian life style. I went to a Baptist school in my early years, we went to church every Sunday , and you know the drill. I loved everyone no matter what. I was to young to understand and to young to judge. If we look at our child like behaviors honestly, I think we could learn a lot, since we were too ignorant to know different when we were that young. Sorry for rambling but stay with me it gets really good. Any way, I grew up went to college and did what most people do in life. As I moved on with life I strayed from God. I still loved him, prayed, needed him, went to church when I could, and did what I though I was suppose to do as I went on with my life. As my life got busy and consumed with worldly things I never once stopped and noticed that I was losing the most important love there is to lose. Not that I didn’t love people but that I lost loving other people other than the ones I had already loved. I learned this about two hours before my mom died. Some of you know this already, but this may come to a shock to those who have not heard it yet. I want to share this with everyone. If I didn’t believe in God before, which I always have, I sure do believe in him now. Two hours before my mom died God was in the room with her and I . Now I know there are cynics out there but you are not going to change my mind or heart on that. In the midst of all that was horrible and all the sadness and misery I was experiencing, I began to feel strange but it a good way. It took me a minute to realize what I was feeling but I felt God’s love and I have never experienced anything like that before in my life. My heart was so full of love I felt like it was going to burst out of my body. It was like that a steady two hours before she died and when he took her he went to. You are probably wondering by now how this has to do with yesterday’s lesson and why I am rambling so much. I do have a point a very big and important one, for anyone reading this. Since then I have been in search for that kind of love and how I can experience it and share it with others. Well its really simple. Show love to others even those who are drug dealers, rapist, prostitutes, murders, terrorists, anyone!!!!! Easier said than done right? Not really. To be honest, for years it has put a bitter taste in my mouth of how much us Christians do judge people and quite honestly its really sad. I am just as guilty and I am in no way pointing fingers. There are many stories in the bible of how God helped, cared and loved the prostitutes and others who did not believe in him or follow his word or way of life. I take a step back and look at the world and honestly I shake my head in disappointment. How do we as Christians expect others to run to God when we are the ones turning them away from him. We are so judgmental it’s ridiculous. I am not trying to offend anyone but honestly do you pray for the guy who just raped or murdered someone? Do you stop to tell the hooker on the street that God loves her and stop and help or pray for her? Do you stop to feed or give money to the homeless or do you walk buy with a bitter thought like I bet they will just buy booze? There are many more things we do that are not godly. We are the ones people are watching because we are Christians. How can others want to run to God when we turn our noses up? That just shows others that God must not be as loving as we say he is since our actions are suppose to be reflecting his love. Its very simple and very powerful, we are the ones in charge of showing people how God truly does love them. That is our responsibility as Christians and we are failing miserably!!! Ask yourself, were you one of the ones who was ranting and raging about the Mosque the Muslims wanted to put up right near where the terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center (I was)? Did you say or think any nasty thoughts about them? What would God have done in that situation? How do you think our reactions made others feel especially the ones trying to figure if they want to become one of God’s children or not? I think its time we all stopped judging others and take a look in the mirror and look at ourselves and how we need to change to lead others toward God and not away from him!!!! We wonder what is wrong with this world an honestly most Christians are just as guilty as the non Christians. I went off the point of the message some how, but the message wasn't just about showing his love. The message was more about doing it with love, not just because it looks good or that we have to do it, but because we love God and love showing others how much he loves us!!! It means more to God if you do it out of love than just to do it to be kind . It also comes across differently when its done out of love. God is coming one day do you want to know you did all that you could to show his love or do you want to hang your head in shame when you stand in front of him???? I know I need to change and that is going to start today!!!!!

WIP Update

I have been very busy trying to work on my projects. I admit I have not spent a lot of time on knitting since I was so excited to get my quilt going. However, I have started a knitting project. I am writing my own baby sweater pattern. I am not really writing it from scratch but I have written most of it. I am following some patterns to help guide me to get the correct sizing. Since I am writing most of the pattern myself its taking a little longer and I don't expect it to be perfect. I don't have a baby in mind for it at the current time.
Its hard to see what its going to look like right now. Its currently looking like a mess, but I promise you that in a few days it will look much better. In quilting news I have finished the top part of the quilt. Now that means I just have the squares sewn together. I still have to finish the back, make a quilt sandwich ( which means put the layers together and pin them) , than stipple the quilt together( meaning putting a meandering design on the quilt while sewing the layers together, and finally bind the quilt. In addition to this I am contemplating whether or not to add a border. To be honest, I think its safe to say its likely I will add a border to the top. I think it will help make the quilt pop and I have plenty of batting. I don't want to be wasteful!!! The first picture are the squares place out on the floor.

I was really happy with how I had things placed. Kevin decided he wanted a try and be creative and try his own designs. So he played for a while but he didn't like anything. We tried to put it back the same, but I wasn't happy with it. In the end it doesn't matter b/c when I was sewing I couldn't see the quilt since it was behind the table I was sewing on. So a few of the blocks got mixed up and it created its own design, which I am happy with. Before I show you the finished top of the quilt ( finished for now) I promised I would post a picture of the sewing machine my MIL gave me for my birthday last year.

Its a Singer Advance. So far I have not complaints and I love using it. So I took two different pictures of my quilt top and I am happy with it so far and very excited about it needless to say.


I am really looking forward to continue with this quilt. I will probably go this week and look at fabric choices for borders. Then on Saturday if I get time I would like to cut, iron, and sew on the borders, and iron, cut and sew the back. If I get time this weekend I would also like to cut and iron the binding pieces and sandwich the quilt. That's a lot and I have a busy weekend so I will be impressed if accomplish all of this.

WIP Knitting and Quilting

I know its been a few weeks since I have posted in here. I apologize, but as you will see I have been extremely busy the past few weeks and will continue to do so. Currently, I do not have any knitting wip but I have finished a few things since my most recent post. In my last post I had been working on a newborn baby boy sweater. It was suppose to have a hoodie, but after many discussions with mothers I work with, I learned that hoodies are really annoying for little babies. So I decided to forgo the hood on the sweater. Below is the finished product and I am pleased with it.
I have learned that striping is a little time consuming and annoying to do all the darning of the ends. So I am not sure I will do many more sweaters like this one. In addition to this sweater I knitted a pair of fingerless mitts for myself. I have gloves but I need the use of my fingers but still wanted to keep my hands warm. I feel in love with this pattern and I love the gloves. They are perfect for work when my hands get cold I can still type on my computer and keep my hands warm all at the same time.

Yes you read the title correctly, in addition to knitting I am teaching myself how to quilt using a sewing machine. I got motivated when I received a sewing machine from my MIL mom Sours. I will post a pic of the sewing machine next time I post about quilting. This weekend was my first attempt at cutting the fabrics I had purchased. I am making a quilt throw for our living room. This past week I bought my fabric. I did not end up using all the colors. I got some from a quilting shop called the quilting studio in Longmont and the rest from Joanns.


I am pleased with my selections for the first time picking out fabric on my own and as you see it matches my family room perfectly. Once you have the fabric the first step is to wash it and iron it. I washed it but forgot to iron and I learned after cutting that ironing is an important step, but I think I made out pretty well in the end. In order to cut the fabric you need a cutting mat, acrylic ruler, and a rotary knife. I purchased all these with my birthday money this summer.

I am pretty excited how all my squares came out. I cut 56 squares, that are 7.5 inches each. I am ready to start arranging them and figure out the way the colors will lay.
So far I it has been a learning experience for me as I continue with each step. I have learned that is you are going to cut big squares purchasing the fabric by the quarter is so much better than purchasing it in a fat quarter. The reason for this is b/c I was able to get 8 squares from a quarter and 4 squares from a fat quarter. I haven't figured out why people are so in love with fat quarters just yet, but this is my first quilt. I think they are really good for making smaller squares for certain projects and I am looking forward to learning about them. I will continue with both knitting and quilting over the next few weeks and look forward to sharing my adventures with you.

WIP Update

I know I have not been doing well on keeping up with posting lately, but its been a busy holiday week. Well I have been trucking along on my projects. I did finish the Christmas sweaters for my niece and nephew. I am really thrilled on how they came out and can't wait to see pictures of them wearing the sweaters. I think in the last wip post I posted my niece's sweater but just in case you missed it here it is again.
My favorite of the two is my nephew's I love the yarn. Its so soft and I love how the look of the sweater turned out.
My sister and brother-in -law could not believe that I knitted them and they have not stopped talking about it. The kids were suppose to wear their sweaters for the first time this Sunday. I pleaded for pictures so hopefully I will get them and post them on here. Since I have finished these projects I have been working on a hooded new born sweater for a friend at work. Here son was born December 22, 2010 so I need to pick up the pace. I like how this sweater knits, however with all the striping and darning this project is moving a little slower than I would like it to. I hope to finish this week and get it to her on Friday.

The great thing about this sweater pattern is that it is a perfect pattern to get rid of that left over yarn you don't know what to do with. I hope to have more projects to show you in the next week or so.

Tic Tock from the old clock

Growing up we had this beautiful clock that hung in the kitchen. I always loved listing to it as the pendulum would swing back and forth and made the soothing tic tock sound. I also loved the loud bong it made on the hour and half an hour. You could tell it was old because most clocks that chime or bong at the hour how a smooth nice chime. This was made way before than and the sound is very unique. I have always loved this clock. My mom told me that it had been in our family for about a 100 yrs. When she moved in to her home in Ocean pines Maryland she didn't have the space for this clock and it was put away in her closet left to collect dust. I missed hearing the clock and seeing it on the wall, but she said it needed to be taken in to get tuned before it could be used. So you can only imagine how excited I was a little over 2 years ago when she told me I could have it and take it home with me. Well of course what did I do but put it in my closet to collect dust. I kept staring at it wanting to get it cleaned up and restored. I called multiple places and a few I was not comfortable. Once place was over an hour a way and I was set on taking it there b/c the gentleman that was fixing the clocks worked in a museum in New york for 10 years. Well he never returned my calls so after having this clock for so long and really wanting to get it to work, I finally decided to call this clock repair place in Fort Collins. I felt pretty comfortable with him b/c he had over 20 yrs experience and he was certified by the American clock association for antique clocks. So this fall I took my clock in and asked him if he could clean it up and get it running again. After looking at it for a few minutes he told me that whom ever repaired it before did an awful job but it was still workable and he would have to rebuild it. It was very informative for me. He told me that they would use all the original pieces they just needed to be shaped and polished. So after 3 months we got the clock back and it sounds just the way I remember it sounding as a child and it brings back so many good memories. Since taking the clock in I have learned that it is a parlor clock. It was a clock that was used in a room of the well to do homes where upon entering the home you would be sent to the parlor when the entertained. I also learned that it dates back to the 1800's and that is so exciting!! Here are some pictures below. You will see that currently we have it on our mantle. We are not sure if that is where its going to stay but I love it!!




When we picked up the clock we had a 20 min lesson on how to use the clock. This is to prevent you from breaking the clock and having to bring it back in after you have already spent a ton of money. A few things we learned and I want to share are some myths about clocks. The first one is you can not over wind you clock. The more you wind it the better it is for the clock and it will keep the clock running. The clock will only wind so far and it will stop. If you try to turn the key you will not break the clock you will however break the key. Second the pendulum does not run the clock the clock runs the pendulum. There were a few more and I can't remember them all but those two are the main ones. Well that is all for now, I am going to sick back listen to the clock and enjoy the memories!!!

WIP update

Well its been a little bit since I have updated you on my knitting so I figured now would be a great time. Especially since I am trying to keep up with posting once a week. As in the previous knitted post I had started a sweater for my niece Olivia for a Christmas present!! I was able to finish that up and even complete a matching hat. I am really excited how it turned out, I think its adorable.


You really can't see the buttons all that well because the pink color blends in with the edging of the sweater, in the photograph, but they are cute flower buttons. Since I have finished Olivia's Christmas present I did not want to leave Jack out so of course I have started and I am more than half way finished his sweater. However, if I want it to get there in time for Christmas I need to work late tonight to finish and get it in the mail tomorrow. Its turning out quite nicely.

Of course I bought them gifts too. I didn't want to be know as the aunt and uncle who only give homemade gifts and nothing fun. We all know how much children loving getting cloths for presents.

Christmas Time at the Sours House

Our house if full of Christmas Joy and cheer and I wanted to share some pictures of our house all decorated. This year I had lots of help from Mom Sours which was wonderful. I did add some lights to the front bushes this year and I love it. The only picture I did not take is the garage door lights with greenery and bows. So for outside I have decorated the front with candles, lights, wreath, bows, and garland. I think it looks just right for our quaint home.

As most of you know we back up to a park and you can see the back of our house from the street so I like to decorate the back as well. Like the front their is a wreath, garland, lights, bows, and candles. I love how it looks. I can't take the credit though b/c Mom Sours came up with the idea a few years ago to do the lighted wreath with a bow and the draping garland. I just added the garland coming down the railing.

As you can see I need to get some candles for the second floor and maybe for the basement window. I will look after the holidays and see if I can get a few for cheap. Now for the inside my fave. I love Christmas in my house b/c it adds to the house so much and makes it more cozy and warm. When you come in the front door I have my Rudolph village my mom gave me 4 yrs ago for Christmas. It looks much better when its all in one place but I don't have a place to put it all together, maybe next year.


Also upon entering the house their is garland with lights, pine cones, and berries draped up the stair way.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St Nick soon will be there. On the mantle in the living room I take the trimmings from the tree and decorate the mantle with greenery, berries, pine cones, and candles. You will also notice 2 stocking hung over the fire place one for Kevin and one for me. Some day when ever we are blessed with children there will be more.

Last but not least I have saved the best until the end the Christmas tree. I love our tree this year. Its so tight and perfect. I have actually had a few people ask me if it was fake. Its so beautiful. There isn't any thing else I can say about it. See for yourself!!!! Please excuse the other items in the picture.

Well I don't know about you but I am going to sit back, relax with a cup of tea, and enjoy the beauty. Merry Christmas to everyone!!!! I hope you have a blessed Holiday!!! Happy Hanukkah as well!!!!