It's a mad mad mad world out there! In case you haven't noticed, just turn on the news or pick up a newspaper. The morning TV news channels alone have stories that make me want to run and jump back in bed and pull the covers over my head. If you have kids it makes you want to keep them at home to protect them from the world outside. Although that's a novel idea, studies are showing that even inside the home our children are being exposed to so many negative influences via television and the Internet. So what's a parent to do? My husband and I have asked ourselves that question many times over the years that we have been parents. We have tried to protect our children from the evil of this world by preventing their exposure to things we thought would be harmful to them. We have tried to prepare them for times when they may inadvertently be exposed, giving them examples of what they should and should not do. We have provided our children with a loving, Godly Christian home in an environment where they could thrive and grow and develop. However, it seems that there is no getting around the fact that we live in a dark world with a dark culture that threatens the very life of our children, our home, and our family. So do we just give up and say there is no hope? Absolutely NOT! We are on a battlefield at this very moment, whether we like it or not. Some days I feel like I am running scared from the enemy and some days I feel like hiding under a rock. Some days I fight back with the fierceness off a mother bear when there is a threat to her cubs. Then some days all I can do is just stand there. The war rages on every day. So again I ask, "What do we do?' First and foremost, we should pray. Pray for guidance, wisdom, protection, and strength to persevere. Pray for our children, for their safety, protection and the strength to say no in a world that says anything and everything is ok. Pray for resources to fight the battle. I was listening to Focus on the Family just this morning and the program that aired today was talking about this very thing that has been on my mind so much in recent days. If you get a chance go to Focus on the Family's website and listen to this program with James Dobson interviewing Rebecca Hagelin. She has recently put out this book which I definitely will be adding to my personal library.
Second, we should seek to gain knowledge about the strategy of the enemy's attack. Be informed about what is going on in the world. Read, study, listen, learn all you can. There are so many family organizations, like Focus on the Family and Family Life Today that provide great resources to educate you about forces that threaten our families and what we can do to equip ourselves to guard and protect family values.
Third, we must stand. We must join in with the thousands of other Christians in this world who have chosen not to give in to defeat to the forces of evil. We must lock arms and together STAND.

It's Fall Y'all

I can't say that I have a favorite season. I like change! When it is time to go into a new season I am always ready for it, except maybe winter, because I don't tolerate cold very well. The Fall season has its endearing qualities though. Frost on the pumpkins, apple picking, autumn hues of gold, red and orange, chilly mornings, cool nights and did I mention apple picking? My family really enjoys going apple picking each year. We have been going to the same place since the kids were really small. It's an orchard near Hendersonville NC that is run by a family. This orchard is a little "off the beaten path"

which is the way we like it.

Heirloom Sewing part 2

In my last post I gave a little teaser about the Martha Pullen Sewing Celebration that has been going on all week in Columbia. What a great event it was!!! Here is a photo of Martha and a dear friend of mine who is my sewing mentor! Martha was very personable and a lot of fun. She made us laugh with her stories. What inspired me the most about Martha was that she gave credit to God for all He has done in her life and her business. She is a very inspiring lady!

Martha and my friend Deborah!Here are a few photos of some of the items on display. There were a lot of gorgeous things.

Lovely sleepwear!

Here are some adorable garment bags!

Such a beautiful pillowcase with dainty stitching! I love dainty things!

Look at this gorgeous jacket! The bottom part that looks like crochet was actually done on the serger!!!!!
Here is a sweet little baby gown.

I had the privilege of assisting in the heirloom nightgown class. Here is a picture of the nightgown. Here is the top yoke overlay.
Here is the bottom of the gown.Isn't this so sweet and feminine? After being in the class as an assistant, I think I am now brave enough to tackle the techniques used to make this nightgown. After seeing it broken down into steps, it really is not that difficult.

Anybody Like Heirloom Sewing????

I was first introduced to heirloom sewing by my sister in-law. It was at her house that I had my first look at the magazine Sew Beautiful by Martha Pullen. I was immediately enraptured!!!! This was over 20 years ago and I still eagerly await each new issue of the Sew Beautiful magazine. Now I would like to say that by now I am an accomplished heirloom sewer, but I am not. I am definitely an heirloom sewer want to be!!!!!!! I am proud to say that I am closer today to that goal than I was yesterday! I have had an exciting week this week and it's not over yet! I have had the priveledge of assisting at the Martha Pullen Heirloom Sewing Celebration sponsored by the Creative Sewing Machine Center. Oh my stars!!!!!!!!!! I just have to share a little taste of some of what I have seen so far, so here is a sneak peak. Just enough to whet your appetite!!!!! Stay tuned.....I will have more later! Maybe a picture of Martha herself!!!!!

My family is very important to me. I was reminded recently of a time when I thought I would never have my own family. I was listening to Focus on the Family recently and was just overcome with emotion when I heard a story that aired. Part of the story could have been about me when I was a young girl. My parents divorced when I was 7 and my mother re-married a very abusive, alcoholic man. There was a time period that was so difficult for me as an 11-12 year old girl living in an abusive environment that I felt so alone. I had a horse that had also been abused by a previous owner. This horse was my best friend. I would go out to him and throw my arms around his neck and cry into his mane for hours. I longed for a normal family. I wondered if I would ever have a family of my own because the nightmare I was in seemed as if it would go on forever. I would cry and tell my horse all my heartaches and dreams. He would just stand there completely still while I poured out all my hurts and suffering to him. While I talked and cried and talked and cried, he would just stand there and not flinch a muscle. It was as if he knew and understood my pain, my fears, and my loneliness. He brought me so much comfort during a very dark time in my life. So when I heard the story about Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch and some of the stories that have come out of their ministry I was just overwhelmed. The owner of the ranch has authored several books about amazing things that have happened at the ranch. I identified so much with this story on focus on the family. I can testify to the fact that God can work in miraculous ways to bring about healing. He certainly used a horse in my life!

Myrtle Beach Days!!!! We had some fun in the waves!

I was feeling a little low on the Saturday before Labor Day. We had not been able to get away all summer for a vacation and Labor Day marks the end of summer, (and white shoes/pants/skirts here in the south!) But through an unexpected course of events and a last minute phone call, we were on the beach by late afternoon Saturday and enjoyed a 2 day getaway thanks to a dear couple from one of our former churches. We were so blessed by those 2 days away. We enjoyed some great weather, the beach, delicious seafood and some great family time with our children (minus 1). However, we were all missing our oldest child who is off at college. Here is a picture of her. It felt strange doing a family outing without her with us. Her siblings said that it was much quieter without her! They missed her being with us too.
Here is a jellyfish that washed up on the beach.

These are Incredible Kids!

These truly are incredible kids! I am incredibly blessed to be their Mom! I thank God each and every day that He allowed me to be their Mom. They each are so unique and different and of course each are a precious gift from God. You can read about that in another post that I wrote several months back. I am amazed at the family God has given me.