~Yarnalong:
Has anybody else hit that point in the year where it is more exciting to plan, dream, and gather your curriculum for NEXT year rather than finishing out the curriculum for this year? (Please tell me I'm not alone in this!!!) I think there are 3 more "official" weeks of the curriculum but I'm just done....frazzled, frizzled, and just checking boxes so they are checked. I've gathered some fun things for us to do for "summer school" and am so looking forward to next year (and the new, and the shiny, and the different.....) trying to slow down, and enjoy the every day, and the little moments . And relishing in my new found treasure: Picture Books! I don't know why I forgot about them, we started the year off using them a lot, and then, in the busy, I forgot the joy of a simple story! I am reminded that if I'll grab a stack of a few picture books, and start the day by reading 1 or 2 of them, then the preschooler is more apt to listen, it clicks for him that it is school time, the grumps are settled, the fussing is calmed, and even the older two students gather around for a look and a giggle. When things start to lag or History narration become tedious, I grab for one of the books that goes along with the History lesson (I am so thankful for the amazing book list that MFW provides each week for "Book Basket", these have been a special treasure throughout the year and are definitely making the day to day easier!)
I finished up my cardigan design (it's laying on my office floor drying at the moment, I am so in love with it and cannot wait to show it to you! I am probably going to be looking for some test knitters for it very soon, and will absolutely be brining it to TNNA to show off in The Fiber Seed's booth, so stay tuned for all the details!) and immediately picked up the next design that is on a deadline (can you tell it's TNNA crunch time????) This one is an update of one of my favorite patterns of mine, and I just cannot stop working on it! I need to wind some other yarn and get that design going but this one is just keeping me knitting! This yarn is from Twisted Owl Fiber Studio and I'm just blown away by the colors Abby came up with for it! Perfection!!!
I'm wrapping up Session One of my Uninvited Study......whew. And feeling a little less alone this week. Not that I made an amazing friend, or suddenly had a life brimming with excitement, Nothing of that sort. Just a wonderful reminder that I am DEEPLY loved, and a very heartfelt reflection on Jesus's experiences on this earth. HE knows the pain of rejection. He knows the hurt. He fully grasps what it means to be despised. That doesn't make it any easier, hurt any less, or for those feelings to magically POOF away. But, there is something freeing in the acknowledging of them. There is something real in the saying out loud of it, there is something, something in the power of laying it all at HIS feet, and surrendering it to HIM. And the promise from Zephania 3:17 that the LORD is with ME, and that He takes GREAT delight in me. He delights in YOU my friend.
If you are struggling, or if you feel that Uninvited feeling, if you are needing a place to be real, to share, and to feel like you belong, I want to let you know that I am here. My door is always open, my coffee pot is always on, so to speak. If you would like to read Uninvited, or you feel like you could benefit from this study, I encourage you to read it and begin. I'd be happy to walk along with you and have you join me in my journey. You don't have to do this ALONE. You aren't left out- you are INVITED. I invite you to join me, won't you please?
~Live LOVED,
~Jessica