Looking Ahead

Have I mentioned that my Auntiehood is growing?! We are anticipating another little gift in December to love and help disciple. While we wait, we pray for a safe time of growth and development.

As soon as I heard about Baby #2, I splashed out a little watercolor sketch in my excitement. While Maren may not look that big until the trees are bare and lakes freezing over, Joseph is certainly looking more and more like the confident explorer leading the way in my sketch.

Photos by Elsa [Reaching to the Skies]

Slipper Weather

After another hot (and smoky) spell, we suddenly dropped from 90's to 70's. Time to pull out the wool slippers again.



With constant use for 7-8 months of the year, my homemade pairs are wearing out. So it was fun to get a new pair for my birthday. What makes it even more special is getting to know a little bit about the woman who made them way over in Azerbaijan.

[Visit https://www.azerbaijanisocks.com/ to browse the selection and meet the makers.]

I can picture Illaha knitting her beautiful slippers as I knit my mittens. There is a kinship among knitters that helps us cheer each other on and understand how much this little bit of income means when much other work is not available or accessible to us.

Fun fact: More than 10 years ago I met a woman from Azerbaijan at the Summer Institute of Linguistics. Before we started visiting, she had thought I may be Azerbaijani!

Making His Glories Known

 I love crafting bouquets from Mom's garden! 

This bouquet is reminding me of the last verse of an Isaac Watts hymn:

There's not a plant or flow'r below
But makes Thy glories known

And clouds arise and tempests blow
By order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows like from Thee
Is ever in Thy care,

And everywhere that man can be,
Thou, God art present there.

Isaac Watts, 1715

Madame Spyri's Panacea

Madame Spyri's panacea
for the ills of life

is an old one...

• Charles Wharton Stork

from the forward to Vinzi 

"Madame Spyri's panacea for the ills of life is an old one, but it is doubtful whether anything better can be found than her combination, which is: 

Faith in God, active helpfulness toward all around, love of beauty, fresh mountain air, and good food."

· Charles Wharton Stork's Forward to Vinzi

If you like Heidi, don't miss Vinzi!

Trust Cries Out

"When there is stabbing pain, trust cries out.
It is only mistrust, fear, and suspicion that keep silent."

• Mike Mason in The Gospel According to Job

"I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me."

• Psalm 57:2