Tuesday, August 31, 2010

A Tale of Two Quilts

This week-end I was on a girls’ getaway at a cabin near Ely. I worked on two very different quilts on my retreat.

Whenever I get away I almost always make someone for myself, or for a friend or relative, so this time I decided to make something for someone wholly unrelated to me. I would make a quilt that I would give away as a donation. One of my closest friend’s is deployed with the Navy, and many of the people that I love and care about are serving in the military in some capacity. I decided that I would make a quilt for an organization called Citizen Sam. www.citizensam.com Citizen Sam provides, among other things, quilts for wounded soldiers. When a soldier is wounded, a combat hospital and the transport plane home is often very cold and they don’t have adequate, comfortable blankets. A Citizen Sam quilt gives this soldier a little piece of home; their own quilt to keep and stay warm under. Knowing how my quilts make me feel all cozy and special, especially when I’m sick, I decided that this was the least I could do to support the brave men and women who give up so much to keep us safe here at home. Citizen Sam has just a few criteria for their quilts, such as color (red, white and blue), cotton fabrics and size (48 X 78) to fit on a gurney. Otherwise, the quilter can be as creative as she desires.

I chose fabrics from Connecting Threads “Firecracker” line and a soft, blue flannel for the backing and picked a split rail fence pattern. This goes together quickly, but looks neat, like a pathway. I was able to get the entire quilt, cut out, pieced, quilted and bound in about 24 hours. Now it’s ready to go to a worthy soldier:

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I had a few twinges as I quilted this quilt. I was praying for the recipient of the quilt and I caught myself praying, “Keep him safe,” and then I realized that somewhere, out there was a soldier, walking around who would soon be wounded and need my quilt. That made me stop and almost made me cry. I changed my prayers to, “Use this moment in his life to bring him closer to You and make him stronger.” It made me think harder and more seriously about the fact that there ARE young men and women being wounded and killed everyday. I salute their bravery and wish I could do more.

The second quilt I worked on this week-end was strictly for me. I had found a fabric line I really liked, Moda’s “Fruitcake.” It’s a vintage Christmas line in chocolate brown, teal, burgundy, cream and sage green styled after our favorite scrapbooking papers. What’s not to love!? A few weeks ago I picked up a jellyroll with some birthday money. (for the uninitiated a jellyroll is all the fabrics in a line, usually about 40, cut into 2 1/2 inch strips and rolled up in one big, well . . .jellyroll). I had found an unusual quilt pattern that took just a jellyroll and a yard and a half of border fabric. As I started my quilt I had fun laying out the strips and picking which ones would go to together, strip piecing them and then was slightly challenged by cutting them into 60 degree triangles, but I got it all figured out. Once I did that, I pieced them into fans. Then I realized I didn’t have the templates for the setting triangles. Usually in a magazine pattern, which this one was, the templates are in the center of the magazine, but this time they were online and needed to be downloaded. And I was in a remote cabin with NO internet! I called home, and my family took off for the day and forgot to call me back. So, I called my mom in Denver. We almost had it figured out, but the templates were too big to fit on regular printer paper. Argh! Foiled again! I told her I’d try to figure it out on my own. My friend, Laura, and I tried some intricate geometry, but that didn’t work so well either. Finally I decided if I laid out a few of the rows, I might be able to pin some muslin in place and figure out on my own what the templates looked like. This proved to be tricky as they were very strangely shaped pieces. But after a few trials and errors, I had my muslin templates.

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Cabin-10

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Voila! I was then ready to trace the templates onto my border fabric. I forgot at first to turn the templates over to compensate for the way they should go into my quilt, but only messed up three. Eventually, I got them all cut out, my quilt top pieced and all 6 points in every star met. I decided this is one of my favorite quilts I have EVER made:

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In the end the week-end proved to be a success. The moral of this tale of two quilts? Well, that was hanging over the patio door. This cabin was loaned to us, free of charge by a man in our church. He and his wife have always graciously let Nathan and I use it whenever they are not there, and again it was available to my friends and I this past week-end. Like the material blessings of cabins, cars and fabric, the gifts of friendships and the ability to create beauty, whether it be quilts, bags, scrapbooks, music or art, it all comes from our Creator.

It’s all His.

Cabin-11

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Beauty of Order

This summer has been a wonderfully, chaotic time of playing tag, swimming, gardening and just general craziness on the part of my children. But, all good things must come to an end. Actually, all craziness must come to an end. About a week ago, I realized things had just gotten a little out of hand. We’d hit that time in the late summer where the kids were rammy and bored and it was time to instill order and schedules to our lives again.  I had told my kids we weren’t starting school til the 7th of September, but this is not a democracy around here, so the Queen is subject to changing her mind when her subjects stage a coup.

Ahhhh, schedules, order, bliss.  I thrive on my routine. Ever since my children were born, they were introduced to the concept of a flexible schedule and they, and I, have thrived. It’s been proven that babies do best on a flexible schedule. The tiniest, most fragile premature infants are put on strict 3-hour feeding schedules in the NICU, and so when my babies were born, we stuck to a more flexible feeding schedule, but a schedule nonetheless. Feeding, waketime, naptime. Everyone thrived. Mommy had milk for them, baby quickly adapted to our lives, not the other way around, and everyone got a full night’s sleep very quickly; all three times.  I was able to resume my activities as wife, mom, daughter, friend, etc. very quickly. And, that sense of order and routine served our family well over the years. I’ve seen how my kids get crazy and upset when their routine is thrown off and how calm our family runs when we stick to a sensible schedule.

Order is a beautiful thing. I think it is no accident that we are created this way.  Our God is a God of order.  When we look at nature and the seasons’ predictabilities, we see order and reason in them all. (although sometimes, living in Duluth I have to wonder when summer feels more like fall!!!)  Today in my biology lesson with Nate and Daniel we did a simple object lesson to help them understand order and their Creator.

We talked about the Big Bang Theory; how some, many, people believe that everything, every intricate system of life around us was created out of nothing. Granted, I simplified it for them as they are very young. However, it still makes no sense to me even at my advanced age and with all of my learning.  I had them take a deck of cards and throw them in the air to see what we could “create” by mere chance.  You can see how well that worked:

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Then I had them purposefully, orderly create something from the cards. Ah-ha! That made more sense and worked much better:

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These are the boys’ memory verses this week:

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Psalm 57:11 “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.”

When it comes down to it, either position is a position of faith. I prefer to hang my entire existence on the fact that I am not an accident and a loving Creator created me for a purpose. That purpose is that I am here on this earth to glorify Him. This gives me a reason to live.

This also gives me a reason to instill order and a love for God in my children. Which brings us back around to why we started school today. I began to see my kids getting out of control and thinking only about themselves, so like any loving parent would do, like God does in our own lives, I stepped in to restore order. Order is a beautiful thing. We sat down, we opened the computer, the books and we began to learn about meaningful things. Algebra, Biology, Writing, Reading. The day is running so much more smoothly. Everyone up at 7:30, clean your room, do your chores, sit with mom and do school and now it’s 2:30 and they are outside swimming. 

And I’m going on a picnic with my sweetheart.

Mission accomplished: sanity restored.

I’ll let you know how it’s going a few months from now when the snow starts to fly and we’re housebound!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Little Moments of Honesty

I think we’ve all heard the quote, “Character is who you are when no one is watching.” That succinct little statement is oh-so-true.  I find the hardest tests of character come, not in the big things, though, but the little things.

Today I went to the bank to cash a $10 check. I waited in my van at the drive-thru window and then my envelope came back.  I looked inside to find 5 $20 bills.  Whenever I am faced with a situation like this, I have to admit it always flashes momentarily through my mind to drive/walk/run away. But, I never can.  I sent it back inside and said, “I’m pretty sure that was a $10 check, not $100.” I did get a tiny Reese’s peanut butter cup for my honesty.  ☺ I’ve faced several of these circumstances, and I’m sure you have too. You get out to the grocery store parking lot and you realize your milk is still on the bottom of the cart and you never paid for it. Or, even worse, you get home and find something in your bag that you never paid for or were under charged for. What to do then?  It’s so easy to rationalize at that moment, I know it is for me! It’s a big store, they figure these kinds of things into their business plan. I’m not driving all the way back, etc. etc. But, for me anyway, my conscience always bugs me until I take care of it.

In Luke 16:10 Jesus says, “ “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.””

These small moments of honesty, or dishonesty, as the case may be, are defining moments in our lives. They may seem small, but they add up to big consequences.  It’s easy to let something small slide, but then it gets easier the next time and the next time, until before we know it our consciences are seared and we are so far from where we thought we could ever be. This principle is true in all areas of sin and unrighteousness. It’s very rare that someone takes an enormous jump from walking the right path to a huge sin. Usually there are little, unseen thought patterns and “small” sins along the way, that make it easier for us to contemplate a much larger sin.

In my own life I am constantly have to realign myself with God’s Word, with the Truth.  I have to check and see if I am letting small things slide, because so often I am! Those small things are what make up my character, who I really am on the inside. I always find it interesting when I watch a reality TV show and when they do the exit interview and the cast member sees themself in all their ugly, gritty reality, they’ll almost always say something like, “That’s not really me. They painted a picture of me that’s not true. If you really knew me, you’d know that’s not me.” That always makes me laugh, because those cameras are on, 24/7, literally catching those small moments when supposedly “no one is watching.” So I always want to say, “Yeah, honey, sorry, but that IS you!” I think a reality show of my life would be incredibly painful to watch. I’m so grateful that God gives fresh grace and new mercy to start over every morning and DOESN’T show my every little mistake to the world. I am challenged to be faithful in the little things that DO count for eternity.

It’s a slow fade, when you give yourself away.

It’s a slow fade, when black and white are turned to grey.

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid when you give yourself away.

People never crumble in a day, it’s a slow fade.”

-Slow Fade

Casting Crowns

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Reasons Why I Miss Laura

My family has been gone a lot this summer. I was kind of melting down the other day with Nate. OK, this is exactly what I said, “Nate, could you please just stop talking. Like, right now, stop talking. Just. Stop.” Nice, huh? 

Usually I handle this single parenting gig ok when Nathan’s gone on one of his trips so I wasn’t sure what was going on. Then I started to think and realized that by the time this summer is over, we will have been apart for 1/3 of it! And that also includes my daughter, Laura. Every time he’s gone, he takes my right hand man, er, woman, Laura.

We live in a culture where a 14-year-old is expected to be an obnoxious, rebellious kid.  But, Nathan and I disagree and have raised Laura with a different set of expectations. We let her know from the very beginning that in most times past and in most cultures, at 14, she’d be considered an adult, capable of raising her own family and heading her own home. So, although there are moments of What in the heck are you THINKING!?? for the most part, Laura handles herself like a mini-adult around here.  Which is very helpful to me. Imagine having another woman in your house that you really, really enjoy. And then imagine having her gone. I miss her!

1. There’s no one to laugh with. I like to laugh. Oh, you noticed? Yeah, well the humor around here has been lowered to the level of burps this week.  Not. Funny. At all.  The only time I ended up laughing hysterically this week was when I was IM-ing my friend, Lindsey who is deployed. That’s just kinda pathetic and sad. My boys looked at me like I had lost it. I was sitting at my computer laughing like a hyena. I knew there was someone else laughing just as hard 5000 miles away, but that’s kinda weird, isn’t it?  When Laura’s here, we have all these private jokes that only we get. They usually surface during family devotions. Nathan will be reading the Bible very seriously and either Laura or I will snort and get the giggles.  He will look up all confused and say, “What? Are you laughing at me?” Which makes us laugh harder, because yes, a lot of times we are! No one said the pastor’s family was more holy than yours, sorry to burst your bubble here folks.

2. I had to clean my own bathroom this week.  My theory was always: have kids for the slave labor. And I finally have kids old enough to do all the chores! Yes!!! I cook and do laundry and the gardening and they do all the rest. What? Don’t judge me, you know you want to be me. I puked for a total of 27 months. That’s 2 1/2 YEARS people. I earned the slave labor! Come home, Laura. My bathroom is getting dirty again.

3. I’m doing her job for her. I don’t mind letting our neighbor’s dogs out. They’re pretty cute and sometimes I like the fuzz therapy, but one of them has it in for me.  Laura knows all of Chico’s tricks.  He doesn’t try any of them on her. Earlier this week I went to let them out and Murphy came to the door, smiling (yes, chihuahua’s smile), and went to do his business, and Chico instantly ran behind the deck table. I decided to foil him and ran the opposite way. He then ran the other way, and around and around we went like this 3 or 4 times. Chico was laughing, I swear. (yes, chihuahua’s laugh!) Finally, I stopped and yelled, “Chico! You are being a pain in the butt!” It doesn’t work to try to reason with a chihuahua. I know. I tried.

4. Laura is brilliant at keeping her brothers entertained. I’m the mom so I know I should be the one to do this, but I can’t think up stuff in the summer. Good grief, I keep them busy all school year, give me three months break, ok? This week they keep coming inside and crying, “It’s too hot outside, there’s too many bugs!” Waaaaaa! I threatened them with schoolwork finally and that worked, but I know Laura would have made up a scavenger hunt or something cool like that. Considering that most 14 year-old sisters would be in their rooms with their doors locked to keep their pesky brothers out, I think she’s a pretty cool kid.

5. She’s also my running partner. We’re training for a 5K. Laura runs. I haven’t up until a month ago. So, having her encouragement is super nice. I’ve been running this week, but it’s not as fun as having my friend along.

6. You know what else? Laura is just an all around fun person. She’s my daughter, so obviously I love her, but she’s also my friend. I’ve grown to enjoy her company. I miss the female company. The presence in the kitchen when we cook dinner. The talks at night.

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’m going to let her go to college in a few years. Who will I talk to then!? Who will get my jokes!? I’m panicking just thinking about it!

Come home Laura! I miss you.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A Wednesday Night at the Races Limmerik

When Daniel races it’s all a big caper

I can hardly describe it on paper.

The other kids are still tying their shoes

And left hoping this time they’ll not lose

While Daniel runs by like a vapor.

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Monday, August 2, 2010

Just Call Me Iron Chef

In January I was watching “Iron Chef” with my mom and they prepared a fish in a very unique way and ever since then I’ve been wanting to try it.  I did some research and discovered this method was not hard, but you needed a fresh trout or salmon to ensure the best results, so I’ve been waiting for months.

This week, my sister’s family was here and on Friday, Jim Rodman took Nathan, my brother-in-law, Jon, and my nephew, Ty, out fishing on Lake Superior. And Ty was kind enough to supply me with a fresh, 27 1/2 inch King Salmon.

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Nice fish, huh?

I decided to give it a whirl. The method is to encrust the fish in kosher salt. The salt then forms a crust that is basically like a steam oven that perfectly steams the fish inside.  It’s supposed to be the most moist, succulent fish you’ve ever tasted. At least that’s what Iron Chef said. So, I wanted to try it.

The first step is to prepare your base layer.  You put down a pretty thick layer of kosher salt on the pan, in my case a jelly roll pan, cuz my fish was BIG.

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Then the fish is laid atop this bed of salt.  You only gut the fish, leaving skin, head and tail on the fish.  My one problem was that my fish was a little large, so I laid him diagonally on my pan. He still barely fit on the pan and in the oven. In the end I think a slightly smaller fish would have been better.

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You then layer salt over the entire fish’s body leaving only the head and tail exposed. I wasn’t sure how much salt to put on, so I put on a lot. Afterwards, I realized I could have used less, although it still worked beautifully.

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Then the fish goes into a 400 degree oven. The concept behind this is that the salt soaks up the moisture of the skin and becomes a hard crust over the fish, thereby, sealing in the juices of the flesh and steaming it to perfection.  My recipe said 20 minutes for a 2 lb. fish. I had about a 5 pound fish, so I ended up having to cook it for an hour.

I took it out of the oven and then cracked the crust off of the fish. This is the entertaining and impressive part.

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The skin peels away perfectly leaving yummy salmon that just falls off the bone in big chunks.

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Voila, perfectly prepared fish, and as you can see in this next picture, I was able to lift out the whole backbone and all the ribs. So, not only was this the best salmon we EVER ate, it was also virtually boneless.

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Thanks Iron Chef! We’ll definitely be trying this one again! And thanks Jim for taking the boys out to catch this delicious supper for our family!

Full House

This week my sister’s family stayed here with us. And having them here made me realize something: Our houses are too big in America. Honestly, 10 people in my large 4 bedroom home didn’t cramp my style too much. Yeah, it was full, but we fed everyone and had room for everyone. There is no reason that I couldn’t have six or eight kids living here.

Nathan and I have always taken seriously God’s admonition in James 1:27, “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Many of you know we’ve been foster parents for 3 years, but lately we’ve felt the call to step up our care of the orphan. We have begun the process of adoption. We hope, Lord willing, within the next year to adopt an African-American baby. And if God opens the doors, our home is open to as many more children as he allows.

On Friday night, God opened yet another door in this process.  We met the neatest family while attending a homeschool group. This family had already raised five biological kids and were now raising 7, count ‘em, 7 adopted black boys. While each had issues they were dealing with, they were delightful boys, and these parents were joyfully parenting to the glory of God. 7 more children off the streets, out of the foster care system, no longer orphans but children with parents who love them. It “just so happened” that this family is part of a support group of families of adopted black children and invited us to be a part of this group as we proceed with our adoption and the mom writes adoption grants for a living! Wow. Adoption is not cheap and the only way for most of us to adopt, unless you are Angelina Jolie, is to apply for grants, and here was a woman who does this for a living. She was ready and willing to help us walk through this scary and overwhelming process. Just another confirmation from God that we are on the right path.

Following Christ is risky, crazy sometimes and definitely counter culture.  I know my house is quite comfortable as it is, but I would like my house to be a little less comfortable and a little more cramped. I want a full-house on earth and a crown of righteousness in heaven.