Pictures!

Now that I am armed with actual pictures, I’m going to write the entry I had more in mind when I wrote the last one. As I said, I’ve been enjoying some little cross stitch projects—quickly done so I get a finishing rush, and nice to pass off to other people. I love the books in this one,

And of course I couldn’t pass this seasonal one up, now could I?

In addition to the little cross stitches, I’m working on a wedding gift for a young lady out here who will be getting hitched next summer. I can’t wait to see how big this ends up, and how much yarn I have left. To be totally honest, I’m sort of hoping that I will have enough to do another one of these lovely little shawlettes, but we shall see. If I made one for myself it would have green beads in it I think. The pattern is “Indian Feathers,” and I’m just about done with the chart and ready to start working up towards the solid top part.

I whipped out another little beaded baglett with some leftover sock yarn I had here (oh the complications of having stash in two continents!),

And I have the first front done on one of the two baby kimono’s I need to get done before said little ones arrive. Huzzah for productive staff meeting time!

In addition to all the crafty things, I wanted to talk about a book that has really rocked my world this summer-

While I was home God really did a work in my heart about my eating issues, and Lysa Terkurst’s book was a huge help in fixing my spiritual problem manifested in my bad eating habits. Of course, God’s word and Spirit also spoke to my heart, but being able to read the challenging, encouraging, and honest voice of a woman who has finally gotten real about her food issues was such a blessing to me. I am on a new path of obedience now making ‘imperfect progress’ towards a goal of a healthier me who’s heart is grabbed by her God, not food. Gluttony is such a problem in our culture, and while it’s not nice to admit that I look the way I do because of sinful attitudes and habits, I am rejoicing right now in newfound freedom, and some encouraging weight loss! So, I highly recommend this book, and that the Lord for giving Lysa this message that I so desperately needed to hear.

Finally, to close things off, I wanted to review a CD I received recently that I been enjoying.

I remember when Hugh Laurie put out his first Blues CD, but I didn’t listen to it. At my last Starbucks stop in Terrel, my mom bought this for me as a “Happy Labor Day!” gift, and when I arrived back at Sakeji I eagerly put it on my iPod and had a listen. I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. Now, I am by no means a fan of the Blues, but I like most of the songs on this album. I love that Hugh Laurie didn’t make a cheesy narcissistic CD to fuel his ego, but there are lots of other people singing on here and he makes no bones about the fact that he is entirely the wrong person to be singin’ the Blues! The musicianship is apparent, and all in all this is a nice listen. I really respect actors that are good at more than one thing, and are genuinely good at it. If only there were more well-rounded people in Hollywood…

Now I just need to fend off my Christmas music cravings until a reasonable time!