"God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes, and prospects when He is about to give us the desire of our hearts. " ~John Newton

I read this quote above and it really speaks to how I'm feeling and what perhaps is being brought to me by the Lord right now.

Since the Fall, we've been waiting on a home and the eventual purchase of it and have found it to be so slow. I have struggled with feeling so anxious, frustrated and down. My desire is for us to move from this small, two-bedroom apartment into this home that we really like. I find it difficult to function with the lack of space and the clutter. I have become quite discouraged, even to the point that getting into the Christmas spirit was very challenging indeed.

And yet, the Lord has always provided for our needs. He knows what is best for us and though my desires are what they are, He will bring to pass what it is He desires for us! It is often slower than we wish and sometimes different than what we would plan for ourselves...but, it is none the less the best for us.

As I write this, I realize that I need to fully surrender all aspects of my life, desires to Him, the One that brings all things to pass. I must surrender this apartment, the home we desire, our finances, the clutter and disorganization, and the raising up of our children all to Him. I need to open up to His work and His will for my life...even if it means letting go of what I think is best. I pray that my feelings, wishes and prospects will fall away and be replaced with the Lord's Will and desire for my life.

Blessings,

Sommer

Merry Christmas!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord."
~ Luke 2:11

I want to wish all of my dear friends a very Merry Christmas! May you remember the great gift our Lord and Saviour gave us. May your day be full of joy and blessings and peace!

From my home to yours...Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to pop in and say that I've updated the Poetry Corner! I'm loving the Christmas Hymns right now :-)

Blessings,

Sommer

8 Months and Projects Completed

Before one knows it...the months slip by and suddenly you have an 8 month old child on your hands. I find it really challenging to let her grow up...though I really have no choice ;-)

So at 8 months Rowan is sitting up fairly solidly and she is making the cutest sounds and bubbles. She also has two teeth! Rowan is still the jolliest baby I have had and goes to sleep quite nicely for me. Now, if she would just sleep through the night!

And in the midst of much Christmas sewing and prep, I have finally finished the above little outfit for Rowan. I will make a confession...this was supposed to be made soon after she was born, it was begun in...July. Yep, I only just finished this last week..sigh..

This is actually three pieces...the bonnet, slip dress and bloomers. I made the dress first (all by hand) with THIS pattern(slip view, with alterations for the shoulder closing). I embroidered some birds on it(I shared about this HERE).

The bloomers and bonnet, I made using THIS pattern(views D & E) and just decided to use my machine. Yup, I was tired of sewing by hand.

I really like the bloomer and bonnet pattern. Very simple and I can still get use out of the largest size I think. I do like the dress pattern but I don't think I'm really ready for heirloom quality techniques...it is assumed you know more than I apparently know ;-)

I really love the way Rowan looks in this bonnet...and I think she does too:-) There are a lot of ribbons...but I like it that way.

Now, I just need to use the rest of the fabric I bought when I was pregnant...and that I bought after and now and....you see a pattern here? Addiction perhaps? Well, anyhow, I have many things I'd like to make for her and the rest of my darling kids. I certainly have plenty of fabric!

And for good measure...just my jolly little rose-bud! She has really gotten quite strong and she is just the happiest little sweet-pea. Yes, I have quite a few different names for her.

Now that "the" outfit is completed...on to mass Christmas sewing! How many days left?!

Blessings,

Sommer

Finding Joy in the Chaos

I really needed to read this today! I've struggled to find joy in my days a lot this year. I pray that I will find the joy in the midst of difficulty and chaos each day.

Blessings,

Sommer

A Meme~Because it's Christmas Time and I Can :-)

Mama Hen posted this fun Christmas meme over at her blog and well, I thought this would be fun :-) You know, it is Christmas time and well, wouldn't you like to know more about me?

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate for sure, with a hint of peppermint if at all possible..yum!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? We don't do Santa. Well, we watch shows about him and will read books but we have always told our kids that he isn't real, though there was a man named Saint Nicholas. But we wont spill the beans to your family if you do "do" Santa..I promise ;-)

3. Colored lights on the tree/house or white? I like them both. Usually on the tree though are the colored ones.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Strangely, no..we never have. I'm really not sure why as I like the fun idea. Perhaps when we are actually in our own home we'll start doing it. Of course who really needs an excuse for a bit of kissin' with your fella?

5. When do you put your Christmas decorations up? I usually start decorating the first few days of December. Haven't done much this year though...just not very motivated in our cramped home right now. We don't ever put our tree up until a week or two before Christmas..just like it that way :-)

6. Favorite holiday dish? Well I really enjoy stuffing and I greatly enjoy the Sorenson Salad. I'm really sad if either of these items are missing for Christmas gatherings.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Wow, I don't really remember any big memories. The one thing that does stand out are the stockings my mother made us one year which I modeled our new ones after. I posted about them here and I am making Rowan's this year. I hope my children will have more memories that they cherish than I have.

8. When did you learn the truth about Santa? Well, my parents never told us Santa was real..I never had that shock ;-)

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Actually we get together with Dan's family Christmas Eve(my family the next day), so yes...many gifts are opened :-)

10. How do you decorate a tree? Well, we have ornaments that we've collected over the years...Dan's mom sent him to our marriage with each ornament he received each Christmas growing up(21 to be exact) and we have since tried to carry on this tradition with our children. Sometimes we can't afford a big tree, so not all ornaments are put out. I also put colored lights on(sometimes white) and then either plaid ribbon or some other simple garland goes about the tree. I usually put up the lights..not sure how I got that job...and then we all put on the ornaments with Christmas music going in the back ground :-) Fun!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I'd love it...but, we live in CA and we don't get snow where we are. I think I've been in snow a total of 3 times! It would be neat to have a white Christmas...even if it snowed us in!

12. Can you ice skate? Uh...no...

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I've had so many things that I appreciate...so nothing really stands out to clearly right now.

14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Being with my family and making traditions and memories that center us around Christ. I want my children to have amazing memories, but most importantly to know the great gift that was given us the day Christ was born and what He did for us!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Well, either Pumpkin Pie or Maple Custard Pie. If I'm lucky, I'll have both ;-)

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? I love for us to go to the live Nativities or Christmas displays that our town has. I also love hanging stockings.

17. What tops your tree? We have a pretty little stained glass angel that we bought our first Christmas...it is 11 years old now.

18. Which do you prefer-Giving or Receiving? Oh, I love to give things and receive things. It is especially fun to give things.

19. Favorite Christmas song? Silent Night, no contest.

20. Candy Canes-Yuck or Yum? Definitely Yum!

21. Favorite Christmas show? I LOVE A Charlie Brown's Christmas, Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas(old cartoon one). We still watch them every December :-)

22. Saddest Christmas song? I think Mary Did You Know is a really sad one...I think it is a Christmas song(though it could be for Easter too I suppose). I love this song, but it is sad.


Feel free to join in! And if you decide to do the meme let me know in the comments!

Blessings,

Sommer

Sweet Devotion

Thoughts from Liam:

"I want to go to God's house. And I will be a good boy for Him"

"I will run for Jesus."

"Is God's house brown?"

I love this boy! His sweet thoughts are just so wonderful. I pray that he will be an amazing man for God!

Blessings,

Sommer

**Just a side note: I updated my Poetry Corner with a lovely Christmas hymn...It Came upon the Midnight Clear.