Monday, December 23, 2019

It’s Almost Here!

The weeks, and especially the days leading up to Christmas are always so exciting for me. Although it has changed over the years, from the excitement I felt as a small child, to the joy of watching our own children, to the quieter joy now deep in my heart as I anticipate the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child.  I know that not all celebrate Christmas for this reason, but really, that is the true reason for the Christmas season.  And so, my heart is filled with joy at the thought of the Creator of the universe, the Lord himself, to being a humble baby born in a stable and He did it all for you and for me.

Our children’s Christmas program was yesterday and it was beautiful and sweet as they always are.

Last night Dennis and I drove around for about an hour and looked at Christmas lights. Apparently the man at this house constructs an entirely new display every year. It was a sight to behold!  This picture shows his garage doors and an angel above them.

This is the entire house. The picture doesn’t even begin to do it justice. The entire neighborhood was lit up by this one house!
I finished another pair of socks. These are made with Patons Kroy Socks yarn in the Blue Striped Rag colorway.  I think they are actually the most perfect color match I’ve ever done.  It took some work splicing the yarn in spots to get the stripes even. I used one of my favorite patterns, the Hermione pattern which is free on (Ravelry).

I finished the 24th nine-patch square for my cozy memories blanket.  Whew!  These are a lot of work using size 2 needles!  I’m not sure how many more squares I will make. When I get time, I will lay them out and see if it’s big enough before I join the squares together. I also made another hat for the ladies at the retirement home.

Saturday I began a sweater for one of Dennis‘s sisters granddaughters. Karen has asked me to make each of them a long sleeved white sweater and also a short-sleeved pink one for Aria and a short sleeve purple sweater for Maddie.  Tiny needles and baby weight yarn makes it a time-consuming project. What you see in this first picture below is about 22 hours of knitting time!

A few hours before I went to bed last night, I started the smocking on the upper back.

Karen has been very sick for a couple of years now and the doctors couldn’t seem to find what the problem was. She has just been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer that has spread to her bones and possibly other organs. May I ask that you pray for her and the rest of the family?  This has been a difficult year for the family. Mom has lost both a brother and a sister in recent months and several of Dennis’s cousins have passed away this year. Her daughter being diagnosed with cancer is very hard for Mom, as it is for all of us. Dennis is flying back to Omaha on New Year’s Eve and will spend several days with the family. He has to be back here that weekend because he’s having an endoscopy on Monday, January 6.  This news is devastating to all of us. Karen is the baby of the family and is four years younger than me.

I’m sorry to end this post on a sad note, but many of you have become like family to me and life isn’t always full of happiness and cheer is it? I know that just as I have prayed for many of you in the past, you will be thinking of our family now. That’s what friendship is all about isn’t it? We’re here to help support each other whenever we need it.

I am wishing for each of you a wonderful and joyous Christmas.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Luke 2:8-11

Blessings and love,
Betsy

15 comments:

  1. Oh Betsy, so sorry for the news of your sister-in-law. I will keep her and Dennis' (and your) family in my thoughts and prayers. That is some light display you and Dennis saw on your drive!

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  2. Sorry to hear he news about Karen and Dennis and hoping for the best for them.

    Your knitting is beautiful, as always and matching those stripes is amazing!

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  3. The baby sweater is darling and will be precious when you finish knitting. I hope Dennis has a nice visit with his family. Prayers for Karen and her extended family.

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  4. What devastating news your SIL and her family have received. I will definitely pray for Karen and also her family.
    Meanwhile your knitting continues to amaze me. Those socks are so lovely and the beginning of the white sweater that has already taken so many hours of work, is indeed a labour of love.

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  5. That house is just amazing. The weather here has been so bad that not many people have put lights up this year. I used to be able to see them through the woods but not this year. It's either been too cold or raining.
    I am so sorry to hear of your sister in law's illness. I just lost a cousin last week and I have been wondering how it's going to feel to lose a sibling. There really is just my sisters and me left in the family. I suppose that is the reward for a long life but it makes the holidays so hard. You are in my thoughts.

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  6. Your yarn creations are stunning as always! Those socks are very cool!
    I'm so sorry about the serious illness of your s-i-l. I will be praying for the whole family!

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  7. Prayers sent- I am so sorry your sister in law is ill.

    I love the socks- they are so cute! You are so talented with yarn. The little sweater is adorable and I am sure the darling who gets to wear it will be too. Blessings ~

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  8. Your projects are all wonderful. I have that same sock yarn fun to see how yours turned out!
    I am so sorry to hear about your sister in law, of course I shall pray for her. It is good that Dennis can go for a visit.

    Happy Christmas week to you! Yes the birth of the Christ child is a wonderful thing!!

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  9. Hi Betsy, congrats on the sock finish.. those are quite gorgeous! I'm sorry to hear about Dennis' sister's failing health. I got a call from my cousin in Oklahoma last evening and his older sister, my cousin Connie, is on her death bed due to cancer and wasn't expected to make it through the night. I sure wish they'd find a cure. She will be in our thoughts, my friend. Sending hugs your way and missed you..

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  10. Wonderful knitting Betsy, love the socks and the baby knitting too so skilfully and diligently made, as are squares, lots of fine knitting. The man’s lights were superb! Wonderful indeed.
    Just been listening to carols. This is a really great Godly selection mostly just carols but few great hymns too. Thought they might bless you.
    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzChbMwVH63uund2kToNxGG2pVnKjjJHK
    This was a new one, love it.
    Down from His glory,
    Ever living story,
    My God and Savior came,
    And Jesus was His name.
    Born in a manger,
    To His own a stranger,
    A Man of sorrows, tears and agony.
    O how I love Him! How I adore Him!
    My breath, my sunshine, my all in all!
    The great Creator became my Savior,
    And all God’s fulness dwelleth in Him.
    2
    What condescension,
    Bringing us redemption;
    That in the dead of night,
    Not one faint hope in sight,
    God, gracious, tender,
    Laid aside His splendor,
    Stooping to woo, to win, to save my soul.
    3
    Without reluctance,
    Flesh and blood His substance
    He took the form of man,
    Revealed the hidden plan.
    O glorious myst’ry,
    Sacrifice of Calv’ry,
    And now I know Thou art the great “I AM.”
    https://youtu.be/zJmvn86xx6g

    Have you mentioned Karen before that she wasn’t well?
    I feel like you have, anyway I most certainly will pray the LORD in His mercy might spare he for some time longer my friend Karen has terminal cancer but the LORd has kept her going through more years than Hryvnia dared to hope for I pray that the right treatment to help her in theses end stage last some time more with quality if the LORD so will.
    Blessing dear sis, and your card came on Christmas Eve how good is our God.
    Thank you.
    And will pray for Dennis in his trip.
    Have a wonderful God blessed Christmas.
    Thanks for being a blessing, and may God bless you too.
    Hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  11. I am so sorry to hear about Dennis's sister. That is so sad especially at this time of Jesus's birth and celebration. You are so right...not everyone is in a position to celebrate. I think also of all the people that work over the holidays and can't be with their families. My prayers are with you and your family for sure! I hope all suffering ends and there is peace in every heart.
    Thank you for sharing the beautiful decorations! I love lights and those are beautiful!
    Your socks turned out lovely and the hat and sweater too. You have been very productive as usual.
    May the blessings of this special time of year stay with you and your family throughout the year. Hugs~Sam

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  12. Betsy, I am grateful for your honest post. Sickness is sadness and the holidays can be so difficult then. It is not the dying, so much as the goodbyes and the suffering. May Dennis' sister feel angels all around her. I'm praying. Your socks are great. Your charity work amazing. You and Regina do so much yarning for others. Blessed be the caring, as you always are

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  13. Oh, Betsy! I am SO sorry to hear this! It seems so awful to find this out right at Christmas. Your poor mother-in-law. My heart goes out to all of you so much, and YES, dear friend, I will surely be praying. You have stood by my family and me in prayer and such faithfulness, it is the least I can do. You are so right. Life certainly isn't all happiness and cheer. I appreciate you being real with us and sharing what is going on and weighing upon your heart, so we can pray for you. I know your hearts are beyond heavy with sadness, and I just trust the Lord will somehow lift this and fill you with a peace that is beyond understanding. I hope Dennis' visit with his family is full of precious moments. Many hugs to you this Christmas Eve!

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  14. Merry Christmas, Betsy, and oh my! Those lights on the decorated home are gorgeous! Thank-you for sharing that with us. Love your projects, also! I always love seeing the results of the gift God has given you. May you super-enjoy your Christmas and new year! Blessings, Debra

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  15. As we watch the precious children around us lead us in worship of Jesus Christ who came as a baby, suffered and died yet conquered death and offers us life forevermore, we celebrate with lights and sharing and caring for one another as you do so beautifully with your gifted knitting and serving others in many ways. I'm praying the Holy Spirit will counsel and comfort Karen, you and yours as you walk with Karen through this time. ((hugs))

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