A New Year. A New Word.

Today we have arrived at New Years Eve.
In remembrance of a whole year that went by.
Celebrating the end of 2010.

At the end of 2009 we arrived at the New Year
with a year ahead knowing it would be full of changes.
Our hearts were anxious,  
and searching while
learning new footing.
Instead of resolutions, we dived into the everlasting love within our faith.
The word for this last year, the feeling we had all year was

Faith.

Oh when we gain our strength from our weakness in the quiet moments we mourn.
But God called me to leap ahead into that new year with faith, to feel nothing beneath my feet. I am thankful for the growth.

To trust that within the air is - Your Hands - that will catch me.

2010. It has been a growing year after loss,
searching,
continuing to follow a dream together.
It has been a year full of learning everyday,
with the hope of more in the coming year.
One that was full of change,
new friends that have grabbed hold of a dear place in our hearts,
reflecting together within our family throughout the whole year.
I am learning & finding sharing to be easier than it has ever been before..
"Tomorrow is only a day away and I pray for strength right now."

I have been meeting new friends, sharing some of the journey on this blog here with you.
Thank you for the time you spend reading.
I wish for you and the ones you love dearly & hold close, a hopeful New Years!
I hope that we may all continue to be full with blessings, building beautiful memories.

Someone in my life this year said clearly.
God makes no mistakes.
Therefore He will never need to be forgiven.
As this New Year arrives triumphantly again
after the birthday of Jesus, may we know.
Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.

One word.

Hope

In all my words that I have written this year, I want to share this one.
For those that change,
Growing constantly on their journey.
For those that mourn,
Longing for peace within answered prayers.
For those who share what breaks your heart with writing,
or with someone who is trusted.
For those who are listening & reading over many times what
they have shared in their own trials and joys.
For those who come alongside them, gaining footing in their trust.
For those that choose to make a difference,
And others who do not know which way to turn.
For you, me & for us.
A word for this New Year. A feeling for 2011.

Hope

May Wonders Of His Love Be A Christmas Blessing.

The frost glistening in the sunlight.

A smell of pine fresh with dew.

Softly falling snow

Winter’s golden embraces.

Blankets o’er the fields

Resting peacefully

As the winter nights unfold

Hearts grow warmer with the cold

Peace of mind is all you know

A baby sleeping by the light of the moon

A life to live

See how much there is to give

See how strongly you believe

See how much you may receive

Smiling faces all around

Laughter is the only sound

Memories that can’t grow old

Winter’s gold,

Lake is frozen over

All around reminders of you

Are everywhere I go.

Wishing you the wonders of His love.

Winters golden embraces

Thank you for...

a calm and peaceful day today.

taking the kids so I could do my Christmas shopping

going sleigh riding with the kids so I could work

making plans and getting us out of the house

always keeping the house stocked with food

making sure we are all well dressed

doing mountains of laundry. Huge mountains. Many mountains.

always encouraging me with my music

blogging and sharing your life with others

teaching me what empathy and compassion are

and not giving up on me and my issues

knitting me a toque. It's my most favorite thing I've ever been given. Ever.

encouraging me to have friends

showing me how to face fears

Thank you for love.

These are my words, my thoughts, my feelings for you:

You are amazing. Truly.

You are gifted and I admire you.

You are gracious and kind. I've seen it so many times.

You are generous and compassionate, giving more than you receive.

You are wise as a woman, a listener and a friend.

Your knitting is amazing. Your creations are not mere garments, but blessings.

Your heart is precious - thank you for sharing it with me.

I love you, Alicia.

~Daryl

Sending Warm Blessings Of Peace & Radiant Joy.

The lights flicker at night as I continue to embrace warm blessings. Joining friends that find peace in the waves of gratitude that engulf them with hope. My list has been growing throughout this year, more often when I know that this is how I see it clearly in writing..

..taking a deep breath.. exhale.. repeat..

17. I will always love that feeling when my heart skips a little watching my children, remembering the first moment they were placed in my arms.

4. Secret gifts of Christmas blessings.

47. New friends that have grabbed hold of a dear place in my heart.

22. Traditions passed on from one generation to the next with the hopes that it will continue from mine to the little ones and so forth.

7. Learning the very words that cause a tear to fall safely and a smile to form on her lips when all she needed was a Mothers warm embrace.

10. Taking one dream and building another one even smaller.

77. Safely coming home to a warm house and welcoming arms, that let you just be.

11. Lists numbered with my favourite numbers, just because.

20. A familiar gathering of friends that have inside stories to tell just as we have done for many years.

40. One cup of steamy coffee waiting for me next to the project I can quietly continue. As a little one naps peacefully with her head on my lap.

1. Prayer, Pictures with words, Peace.

The Girl Effect

Today I was inspired by this movement. Bringing people together to partner in prayer for Girls at Risk in Niger.
http://girleffect.org/question
Chantelle McIver writes:
”Why do we do what we do here in Niger? Our newest program is running the Girls at Risk School that I’ve previously talked about. Child marriage is out of control here in Niger and we have seen first hand it’s devastating effects. Young girls forced into prostitution to make ends meet and bring money home, often told to not come home (by their parents!) until they make a certain quota.

Many people have written on this topic. In my words and some of theirs as well, here is a summary of the problem. Want to join forces with us and pray for one of these girls in our school? Let me know. We can use all the prayer warriors we can get!”

http://chroniclesofourjourney.blogspot.com/2010/12/girl-effect.html
Please follow this link to her empowering blog, and spread the word! Education will make a world of change in the lives of these young women and bring a brighter hope in their large communities.

Winter Solstice Tunic

In this season of brisk weathers, it is a perfect time to cozy in with some knitting. Here is one to start with:
A simple tunic pattern, knit in the round from the top down.  
This pattern is very versatile.
It can have length added for a dress,
and/or sleeves added to make a cozy sweater.
This tunic is sized to fit a 2 or 4 year old.
An easy pattern for a sweet natural gift.

You will need:
200 yards of Lopi or Bulky yarn 2(3) skeins
1 circular needle size US8 (5mm)
1 stitch marker
1 yarn needle
2 wood beads

Pattern: Size 2(4)

1. cable cast on 62(64) stitches, then place marker.
2. begin by knitting 1 row in the round. careful not to twist stitches.
3. purl
4. knit
5. purl
6. K1f/b every stitch to the end. 124(128) stitches
7. purl
8. knit
9. purl

10. knit2tog to the end. 62(64) stitches
11. purl

12. *K1, K1f/b* repeat**to the end. 93(96) stitches
13. purl
14. knit
15. purl
16  K1f/b every stitch to the end. 186(192) stitches
17. purl
18. knit
19. purl
20. K2tog to the end. 93(96) stitches

21. purl
22. *K2, K1f/b* repeat**to the end.  124(128) stitches
23. purl
24. knit
25. purl
26. K1f/b every stitch to the end. 248(256) stitches
27. purl
28. knit
29. purl
30. K2tog to the end. 124(128) stitches

31. purl
32. *K3, K1f/b* repeat** to the end. 155(160) stitches
33. purl
34. continue the pattern of *knit a row, then purl a row*
until garment measures 4(4.5)inches
from cast on.

35. Separate sleeves as follows:
knit 22(23), cast off 30(31), knit 51(52), cast off 30(31), knit 22(23).
-remaining stitches 95(98).

36. knit to first sleeve cast on 7(8) stitches using backwards loop method, knit to second sleeve cast on 7(8) stitches, knit to end of the round. 109(114) stitches

37. knit in the round until body measures 7(8) inches from sleeve cast off, or to a longer length if desired.

38. purl
39. knit
40. purl
41. knit
42. purl
43. knit
44. purl
45. cast off knit wise. weave in ends.

Note of extra ideas:
If you find the yoke too wide on a petite frame embellish the top by weaving in leftover yarn through the top of the tunic, make sure that the yarn is sturdy enough to tug on. Add wood beads at the ends for an extra touch, then it will have a drawstring effect, as your child grows. I invite you to enjoy this pattern, and please post a picture.

Peace

My heart is heavy laden with the sorrows this time of year brings forth. Tears fall freely in silence.
Christmas draws closer and I feel a loss,
a burden that grips at my chest and does not let off any ease.
As each day passes and I follow a routine about the day,
distractions cause a slower pace.
Sometimes I stop to write down these thoughts,
other times I feel that someone else may need prayer.

Lord l pray for all of us that call out to you in praises. Hallelujah! & also in hours of need. Light our way Lord Jesus when we feel lost. Please teach us the journey that we are on, fill our hearts with your love & grace.. Share the truth about giving when we have little, as it multiplies in all the heavens as blessings. Amen.

“Mom will we have presents this year,
will the sky light up like the shepherds saw,
will we see a miracle?”

Innocence is a wonderful teacher, for my heart.

You will be amazed this year and next.
Just as you always have with this Season.
Of Hope
Longing
Of Peace
Belonging
Of Joy
Hallelujahs
Of the traditions
Lights
Of just being here
To celebrate on earth
Christmas Day.
Wrap your arms around me I want to feel you close.

Our tree stands silent with barely a light that shines.
And all decorations from every year that we have spent together is gathered together in a tub in front, with hats and stockings and shiny ribbon delights.
The glow of the lights and candles burning bright is still waiting
patiently,
waiting…
Then memories I have of Christmases past take only moments to ponder, delight and we feel younger again.
For years I have enjoyed teaching the children giving and giving away. Telling stories about the true meaning of this celebration.
Making, sharing and joining carol choruses.

This is why I choose to write.
To join in with many friends around the world.

Wishing you all a festive season of Peace.

Lyrics

The days will come when you don't have the strength
When all you hear is you're not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they'd see too much
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful
And praying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are made so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful
Before you ever took a breath
Long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You're the one He madly loves
Enough to death
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
In His eyes
You're beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're meant for so much more than all of this
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His

~Mercy Me

Bamboletta Dolls

I was 30 when I saw a bamboletta doll for the first time on Etsy.  A frequent place that I would peruse. This is where I purchased the first one. While I was waiting for that shipment it was a very introspective time. Writing more childhood memories. I read her blogs, found other stores online that sold these dolls and in the process many letters were sent back and forth to the creator of the dolls. Christina Mattiello. A stay at home mama, working from her home in Cobble Hill, B.C. 
In addition to all the great communication, I was inspired by a project that she wrote about in her blog, Partnering her dolls with a village project in Guatemala. Moms will be in hand built huts with orphans and they hoped to give each of them a smaller bamboletta.
Project Somos.
At first she said that customs were the best way to go so I sent off a long list of different dolls with all hairstyles, clothes, ethnicity.

		Bamboletta Love VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Christina’s reply upon receiving an email for 10 customs.
”I have to ask. I've had people buy 3 and then get them through the years as presents for their friends, but I've never had anyone want so many at once. I'm just curious about your festival of friends.. are they for your children to play with or are you a collector? I love to know where the dolls go :) “
Warmly,
Christina

“Thank You for asking!
There are so many stories that I could share.
These dolls are something I have waited for years.
I was telling my husband that I don't know you but its the sweetest blessing to have found someone with such a gift as yours in these creative expressions!
To be honest 10 is one of my favourite numbers and the dolls that I described will resemble or have the emotions behind some really amazing children (mine included) and friends whom I love dearly that I want to be reminded of often!”

She took the time to give each one a name, a hug, and then added a little treat in each box that was shipped, for all her dolls new homes. Over the last few years they have all visited or have slowly found new homes among friends. But it was a childhood dream of mine that Daryl gave me for mothers day that year. I loved passing them on to Azaelea.