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Storm
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Jun. 7th, 2008 @ 09:25 pm
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Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth. --hosea 6:1-3
He has made the earth by His power,
He has established the world by His wisdom,
And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
When He utters His voice,
There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:
And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.
He makes lightning for the rain,
He brings the wind out of His treasuries
-jeremiah 10:12-13
 Current Mood:  in awe |
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Today I cleaned paintbrushes that I forgot to clean yesterday, went for a long walk with my cousin Christina (The Super Smart and Fun Person), got dehydrated and sunburned on one side of my neck (strange tan lines will follow), learned some Gaelic, did a wee bit of weaving on a hat, cut and partially sewed 7 hatbands (for the inside of the hats, and made from organic cotton. ooOOOoo ;D ), broke two sewing machine needles in 10 minutes (the only two I had), actually cooked supper (I'm horribly lazy and avoid cooking somethin' terrible) and forgot to make phonecalls that I've been meaning to make all week.
I've been having a bit of a time lately with not worrying, not being anxious. Sometimes I'm so excited and confident about what I'm trying to do and optimistic about the outcome. Then it all seems useless, a chasing after the wind, and a waste. It's hard not to worry about the future. I know God has it in control, and that He will take care of me and mine. But I don't know how, and sometimes it doesn't look promising. How can I afford a car, which I need so badly? How can I help my parents when so far I can't even come close to supporting myself? What will I do if I can't sell my art? Is it a selfish ambition anyway? And a host of other worries that make themselves heard in the lower moments. Most of which I have absolutely no control over.
I've been a bad hermit this week as well. (My sincere apologies to anyone who should have heard from me this week, and didn't)
Last week my mom, Grace and I went on a short notice trip to MO. I am stupid when it comes to last minute packing and forgot extra batteries for my camera, my toothbrush, and cooler clothes. (It was really cold here the few days leading up to our departure and I packed long sleeved, thermal shirts which did nothing all week but fill room in my backpack that would have been better used holding, say, a toothbrush. ;-P Good thing they had extra) Anyway, for the most part it was a good trip. It was nice not being rushed and also to get to know some of my relatives a little bit better. Some of it was a bit...eh. But yeah, I'm really glad we were able to go. (And really, really thankful we didn't have any car trouble!)
Current Mood:  contemplative |
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I couldn't sleep last night. I was having one of those '3am' moments, when everything seemed bleak, flat, and doomed to failure. I saw myself, years from now, a faded, boring, old woman, having accomplished little in life worth accomplishing, and having learned few skills worth learning, and really not doing anyone a bit of good. What good is a painting? Who cares if one can make a hat? Meaningless! Meaningless! And so on and so forth.
It was quite a dreary picture in its entirety, especially for the truth tucked into the doubts. But I am reminded that I can't really see the future. And though my plans are small, and not worth a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, my life has a purpose because my God has a purpose.
I worked in price changes all day today. We worked hard, having to redo everything that the overnight crew said they had done but either hadn't or hadn't done correctly. So that was bad, and we're behind, but aside from that it was good. I like that job.
I'd brought some yogurt for breakfast/break, but when I opened the sealed container, it looked just like milk. Like, it hadn't yogurted...or whatever you call what yogurt does. Anyway, that went down the drain. I had my lunch for breaky, and vending machine food for lunch. :-P
It is so beautiful out today. I'm loving spring.
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Apr. 11th, 2008 @ 08:02 pm
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Yesterday was a curl up with a good book under a heaping pile of blankets while the wind howls and the rain beats against the window sort of day.
My book of choice was Anne of the Island. :) That just might be my favourite 'Anne' book, and it's just the thing for a tired, not-feeling-so-well person who doesn't want to use the ol' brain too much, but wants something good to shove into it. I read it aloud much of the time to my little sister Bethany, and whoever else happened to listen. I loved it when she'd burst out laughing because of something in the story. Or because of my beautiful overdramatic reading of Gilbert's sentiments. "She's a great one to laugh." As Davy might say.Current Mood:  content |
| » To vote or not to vote... |
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Ah lovely election year. :-P
Last presidential election I did not vote for either of the two main candidates. That may end up being the case again this year, or I may not vote at all.
I am told in newspaper, radio, and elsewhere that to decline to vote is a spit in the face to the men and women who have fought and died to preserve our freedom to do so.
But perhaps it is instead a practice of that very freedom.
In this country it is my right and my privilege to vote. I may give my support to whomever I choose -- even if that means no one at all.
I am not required, by law, to cast my vote for someone regardless of whether or not I want that person in office.
It is not with flippant disregard for my right and freedom to vote that I consider opting out, but rather with deep gratitude that I am not obligated to vote for a candidate some would call "a lesser evil."
Does this truly dishonor God and country?
I think not.
Mar. 10th, 2008 @ 06:20 pm
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| » Shipping and Handling |
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Right now I'm paging through international mailing restrictions for various countries on the United States postal site. Most of the prohibited items make a lot of sense (no weapons, radioactive material, etc.) but some of them are unexpected and sound almost funny.
Did you know that Bulgaria prohibits "musical" cards (cards that play a sound recording when opened)?
No shipping butter-substitutes to Canada.
No feeding bottles, or funeral urns to France.
Don't send playing cards (except in complete decks properly wrapped) to Germany.
No weights or measures not of the metric system to Guinea.
No toys made of lead to Iceland. (Please don't send them anywhere else either! :-P )
Don't try to send a photo album to Italy. They have a lot of restrictions and prohibit all footwear and hats, and many other clothing and needlework items. Oh, and hair too. (?)
Kazakhstan prohibits deer horns, hooves and antlers.
Many countries prohibit bees and leeches, but Latvia prohibits all live animals except these two.
Paraguay prohibits stockings and socks, except those made of jersey.
Peru should, perhaps, have a list of things they do allow. Their prohibited list is quite lengthy.
;-]
Mar. 8th, 2008 @ 09:06 pm
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| » Introducing....sort of.... |
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...what is supposed to my my art blog type thing, where I may ramble on about paint and business things I don't understand and post photos pertaining to the work of my hands:
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) ambitious_snail
Right now it's set to 'friends only' as I'm still not sure what I'm doing. But there you have it. :)
Feb. 12th, 2008 @ 08:53 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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Bother. Livejournal ate my last entry. I hope it tasted good.
It was about church and encouragement and questions and baptism and intellectual understanding and faith and seemingly inconsistent preaching and practice and whether or not infants can believe. And I wanted to know your thoughts on some of it, but can't think now what exactly I wrote. You see, I got distracted making a new user pic to use for my post. I love this photo of Jacinta; she looks so funny and cute. She was off to try and get at some shoes to munch when I took it.
Jan. 20th, 2008 @ 11:17 pm
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| » bits and pieces |
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hello.
I've just finished my business class, and taken the final quiz. Even though I still have a terrible pile of stuff I need to learn and accomplish before I can really start my own wee business, I have learned some things and it has given me a tiny, though sadly not very constant, bit of confidence that I didn't have before. I wonder if my little ideas will ever go anywhere.
I never really make New Years resolutions. I usually think things along the lines of "this year I hope..." or "this year I'll try..." but I usually leave them unspoken and noncommittal. Entering a new year, I'm still the same, and new leaves have a very difficult time turning just because a calendar page does so. But they do need to turn.
Today at work, a long day, full of doing returns, a customer recognized me from when I used to sell cards at the local Farmers Market. I think the last time I did that I was 11 years old. It always catches me off guard when people remember me, but especially from that long ago!
I also saw the lady that I did the portrait for. I got a note (and a check, bless her heart) from her a short time ago thanking me but also wondering if I could change the eyes on the oldest girl as they didn't look quite right. At first, I was really (unreasonably) sad and discouraged. Silly, but there you have it. But really, I'm glad they're so nice about it and are giving me a chance to improve and do a good job.
My feet hurt.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Jan. 4th, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
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| » hrmmm... |
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The sermon on Sunday was, for the most part, really good. All about the Word and Spirit---good, meaty stuff.
One part though, has really been bothering me.
Nov. 27th, 2007 @ 08:30 pm
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| » painting... |
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I spent a lot of time today trying to get the portrait done. Unfortunately, it seems to have been a wasted effort. The hair persists in looking unnatural and wig-like, The little bit of clothing that is visible (a couple of shoulders) look flat and unrealistic, and I don't know what to do with the background. A frustrating bit of unaccomplishment. After I put it away for the night I did some watercolouring for fun, which went a lot better. But that doesn't need to be done!
:-P
Oct. 29th, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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Every time I start to type an entry on here, an overwhelming sense of Blah settles on me.
I'm really tired. I stayed up late last night, after being at work all day, watching The War and working on a sewing project. Me! I was sewing! And it doesn't look bad! I'm pretty excited about that. ;) I still can't get things right the first time, I have to sew at least one or two parts on backwards, but it is coming together. I'm making a dress for a friend to wear to a renaissance fair. (Because, after all, what is the point of going if you don't dress up?)
In other Hannah news: Bible study started a couple of weeks ago. I am co-teaching a class of 6-12year olds. The first week was a bit crazy. We had about 23 kids in a "classroom" that's really an entryway/hallway, and our tables were missing. Also, keeping order was a challenge. Last week went a little better. I did apparently bore the kids a bit with Bible lesson we were doing (we're learning about women in the Bible, and I did a "quick" summary from Eve to Miriam) but the kids did listen long enough to become bored! ;-) I really want them to get excited about the Word of God, but I think God is really teaching me right now to not rely on myself. It's His job, really.
The portrait that I've been working on for a few months *cough*ayear*cough* is finally nearing completion. The family saw it last week while I was at work and liked it. I was really afraid they would be disappointed, so that was a relief.
It is rainy and gloomy today, but still I love this time of year. The late apples are just starting in, and even the ones that aren't ready are tasting pretty good. ;) The leaves are starting to turn, and the wind in the evening is delicious.
Sep. 25th, 2007 @ 10:55 am
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| » (No Subject) |
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Yesterday I went with mom to her doctors appointment. It was just a three month dermatology check up, and nothing new has shown up so that's good. :)
We did some shopping afterwards and I bought some cloth so I could make a hammock. It was so easy, and is so nice, and I'm excited that it turned out -- especially with me doing the sewing! I think I need to make another one though; someone's been hogging it all morning. ;)
It has been very hot and muggy. We finally got some rain last night, which helped some, and we really needed rain.
I think I'm going to walk out to the orchard before work and see if maybe, just maybe, I can find a ripe apple. Doesn't that sound good?
Jul. 27th, 2007 @ 01:36 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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I'm not getting many hours this week at work, and I'm getting even fewer next week. This is bad news for my bank account, but other than that I'm pretty happy about it. "It's just like the good old days..." says Bep. :-)
We've had a lot of rainy days recently, and a big storm with high winds and hail. The apple crop was damaged, unfortunately. Hopefully it isn't as bad as it looks.
The past few days have been sunny and hot. Hay-making weather at last, which means "mowing" hay for us older kids.
We did five loads yesterday. The gloves I wore helped a little, but by the end of the day my hands were red and raw. We've done six loads so far today and I feel about ready to drop. But the hay must be made while the weather holds and my dad and brothers Philip and Micah are still out in the fields baling. Once a load comes in Philip or Micah throws the bales up into the haybarn, which is above the barn, and Isaiah, Grace, and I haul them back one by one and stack them. Sometimes Philip and Micah help haul too, when we get too far behind. They can carry a bale in each hand and it goes a lot faster.
The layers alternate, the first going N to S, the second going E to W and so on. There are four layers right now, filling about half the haybarn floor. There is something quite satisfying in watching it grow and putting in a good days work. Yet the work is not pleasant. It's hot and stuffy in the haybarn. Sweat pours down your face, the bales scratch hands, arms and legs, and dust and bits of hay stick to the skin and get into the nose and throat. Afterwards, we wash up and get a drink and maybe a bite to eat, but then someone comes in and those dreaded words are spoken: "Time to mow hay." And back out we go.
I took my camera out the last time, much to the annoyance of the would-be photo subjects. "Ug." said Grace, "Why are you taking pictures? In case you didn't realize it, nobody wants to remember this."
I've been house and dog sitting for the past couple of weeks. The family was supposed to be coming home tomorrow, but due to car trouble, they've been delayed. Mostly I've just been going there in the evening to sleep, get the mail, and give the animals their food. There are five cats, but for the most part they look out for themselves. Then there's the dog. (Though I sometimes think it's really a pig in disguise.) Her name is Cocoa and she's a chocolate lab. A good natured and mostly lovable dog, but she eats (and eats, and eats, and eats) everything within her reach. She also makes weird noises and often can't make up her mind whether to be inside or out and wants to be let in and out frequently...especially when I'd rather be asleep. Once she got out and ran away. Isaiah, Grace and I chased her all around the park below the house, between the men mowing lawn and cutting weeds, trying to tempt her with ham and get close enough to grab her collar, but to no avail. She returned on her own a while later. Brat. She loves going for walks/runs, pretty much pulling me along. One night waiting for Isaiah outside of a gas station people kept smiling and commenting on the dog. "She's taking you for a walk, isn't she? Haha!" "That dog's about bigger than you!"
My dad doesn't want me staying there alone so every night someone has to come down with me. No one really wants to, but Isaiah is pretty good natured about it. We snack a bit and joke and watch the Muppet Show on DVD. :-p
They have a lot of books, which is fun. I'm reading one by Ralph Moody now. One thing that struck me as interesting was how part of his doctor's prescription for his declining health was getting lots of sun. "There's no better medicine than sunshine..." Today we're told to apply 2 tablespoons of sunscreen every two hours every day and avoid direct sunlight. hmm.
Jun. 13th, 2007 @ 07:23 pm
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| » Tiddly-pom |
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It's snowing again!
My dad spent pretty much the whole morning plowing. The snow is in heaps and drifts all over the place. We went outside earlier and Grace, Isaiah, and Timothy dug a couple of swings loose. Grace dug three feet down! I remember getting a lot of snow when I was small, but the younger kids don't remember seeing anything like it. They're having so much fun...well, so am I for that matter. ;) We couldn't go to church today, though. Many churches nearby canceled their services.
Day 20
He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
-Psalm 147:15-16
Feb. 25th, 2007 @ 11:52 am
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| » My Big Announcement: |
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Feb. 22nd, 2007 @ 02:32 pm
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| » Day 4: Sunrise |
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Feb. 9th, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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Our Bible study class didn't go so well this morning. Seriously, do these kids not know what "silence" means?! ;-) Listening was really an issue today. Everybody talking or just making noise for the sake of making noise gets tiresome. Bother.
Anyway, we read more in Genesis, and then I showed the kids how to use watercolours. They each only got a small bit of paper, but it was fun seeing what they could make of it.
A few cups of paint water were spilled, pretzels were crushed on the floor, and paint got on hands, tables and clothing.
One lovely thing about watercolours: they are easy to clean up. :-D
Feb. 7th, 2007 @ 02:53 pm
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| » meme |
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Reply to this post, and I will tell you my favourite user pic of yours. Then post this to your own journal using your own favourite user pic.
(yeah, so I haven't made a "real" post in a while....I'm hoping to soon..maybe with a big announcement...I hope...but I don't know yet...anyway...carry on!)
Jan. 20th, 2007 @ 01:17 pm
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