Silence is Golden

Is it right to question God?


Whether it's right or wrong, I know God understands our hearts when we ask a question like this.  Remember, He is our Father; our Daddy.  The fact that we feel comfortable enough to climb up in His lap and ask the hard questions is proof of the amazing connection we can have with the very One who created us.


Right now so many in my circle of friends are dealing with loss, or impending loss.  More often than not, someone will ask the question, "Why?".  How can we, as mere mortals, answer a question as big as that?  The answer is, we can't.  We want so badly to do or say the right thing that will bring comfort and begin healing that we often say the wrong thing; sometimes we just need to be still.  


So why do we try?  Why do we continue to make feeble attempts to say anything at all?  


It's OK to just be silent, sit quietly, and pray.


Many years ago I had a young friend who lost her husband to cancer.  Because she was a good friend, I had the freedom to ask her "stupid" questions like "What should we do in these circumstances?".  She told me that as a Christian, she already knew exactly what the Bible said regarding loss, trusting God, faith, etc. and believed it with her whole heart.  What she really needed was someone to hold her, cry with her, hear others tell stories about her husband and smile with fond memories of him.  I've tried to remember this and apply it as much as possible; I have also drawn from my own  personal experiences of loss.   


A few weeks ago, one of my son's lost his half-brother in a motorcycle accident.  It was a devastating loss for that family.  This week a sweet little friend of mine lost her baby boy shortly after birth.  It is a horrible thing to have to bury a child, I know because I have also buried a child; a son.  


Anytime bad things happen, especially to children - our own children, we want to know why; we NEED a reason.  We somehow think that if we had a reason it would be easier to accept, it would ease the pain.  But would that really be the case?  The loss would still be felt, the hole in our lives would still be there.  


The only place I know to go from here is Isaiah 55: 8, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord."


The bottom line for me is that there are some things we just have to accept by faith.


Let me assure you that regardless of how desperate your situation is, joy does come in the morning; we will see beauty in the ashes one day.  God's promises are true; you can trust Him.




Weigh In:
Because everyone's "love language" is different...I think it would be helpful for us to hear from those of you who have suffered loss.  What should we have done or said to you, during your time of grief, to make things easier?  What is the wrong thing to do?  

Heartfelt School Day Memories

Do you remember the parties we used to have in school to celebrate Valentine's Day? I sure do. The first week of February was spent making and decorating envelopes made from construction paper. The day of the party we would walk around the room depositing valentines for each student in the envelope which, on this day, hung on the back of our chairs. We would take our envelopes home after the party and enjoy them. Once or twice we even covered and decorated a shoe box and cut a slit in the lid to receive the cards. I remember how much fun it was to see all the different kinds of cards; seldom did I ever get two that were alike.

I wish I could say that I had kept all of those cards, what a wonderful keepsake they would have made, but sadly I didn't. Because of my love for all things old, I have found myself collecting vintage valentines. I really love to see the original sentiments written on the back (I have even occasionally found a date or two written next to the signature). I love imagining who "Sam" might have been and who wanted him to be her valentine.









Kids are still having valentine parties and giving away little cards they have picked out themselves and scribbled their names on the back. I'm not sure how much longer this will last, but it would be a shame to think that by the time my grandchildren are my age they would not have these sweet memories to look back on.

Here are a few more of the vintage valentines I have been collecting. Maybe you'll see one you remember from your childhood; I hope it brings back heartfelt school day memories.

This is an interactive valentine.  If you pull the tab at the bottom, his tongue will go in and out and his eyes will uncross.  

Super cute!



I hope your day is spent with the people you love!
Happy Valentine's Day



And this, of course, is my favorite!

Vintage Toys

I love vintage; vintage furniture, vintage paper, linens, books, jars - basically everything - vintage.  If it has cracks or rust, I love it even more!  I especially love vintage children's patterns.  When my girls were little, I made their little dresses with pinafores and pantaloons.  Poor things, having to endure their mother's passion, but they were so precious I couldn't resist!


I love vintage toys, too, especially trucks.  The old metal toy trucks are really hard to find and in great demand.  When I see them reasonably priced, and the key word here is "reasonably", I usually snatch 'em up.  I'm seeing vintage trucks used  in all of the latest magazines to decorate bookshelves, coffee tables, etc.  I have a photo of a table setting that included an old dump truck holding silverware - I love that idea!  Here are photos of my own little vintage trucks...

Aren't they great!  Now, look at these little plastic cars, buses, and trucks; wouldn't they look cute on the top of cupcakes for a children's party?  I don't remember where I got these, but I am in love with them!  

Crib toys are another of my favorite things; in the 1920's and '30's they were called cuddle toys.  These were stuffed animals or dolls that did not have buttons or beads for eyes and any ribbon or string had to be sewn into place so as not to strangle or choke baby; for these reasons, these toys were considered safe for the crib.  

I ran across some vintage patterns for crib toys a few years ago and thought it would be fun to  make some for gifts...it quickly became an obsession.  I purchased one pattern, modified it to get the effect I was looking for and began to sew.  When I got tired of making elephants and puppies, I began using coloring book pages for patterns.  You can modify, increase the size, cut out the individual pieces (like the ears, tail, etc.), add a seam allowance, and you're good to go.  I ended up with about 20 or more of these little cuties; after giving many away, these are the ones I have left...

As you can see, my crib toys are made out of scrap fabric, vintage embroidered linens, vintage tablecloths, quilt tops, anything big enough for my designs.  I embroidered the name of each on their backside, their bellies, or the back of an ear.  Choosing names for each one of them has been great fun; I try to draw from some of the older names in my family tree to keep the vintage theme going.




Designing and making these critters has given me such pleasure, but not as much pleasure as giving them away.  They are as unique as the little ones who receive them.  We, too, are unique; designed by the Master; created to love and be loved.  Imagine the joy the Father had in creating us, His children; tiny hands and feet, little nose and lips, fashioning us in His image...  


As you go about your day, no doubt rushing to get from one place to the next, meditate on this...You were fearfully and wonderfully made; His masterpiece. His love is without condition and stretches throughout eternity.  If you are His child, your name is carved in the palm of His hand; you are His.  


What a beautiful picture!