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The old may new…Patch work jeans! (& Numbers 7:1-89 )

02.15.2010

My oldest was out of school today for President’s Day…and it seems each week he has broken in ANOTHER pair of jeans…if you have a boy you know what I mean. Without fail, Parker-man seems to get a hole in the same knee after just a few weeks of wear. With a little brother below him, I’d really love for some of these old things to be passed down—so today’s craft was an attempt to do just that: patch the holes!

The kids had a blast helping! And although Laney doesn’t get holes in her jeans…she is convinced we now need to “decorate” hers as well. Here’s our before after and the steps to do this at home yourself:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

FUN, huh?! I’m going to back tonight and do hand stitching over the patches just for cosmetic appeal and to make sure the patches last longer. But for now…we are pretty much patched. Here’s are the steps:

1. You will need to buy WonderUnder to iron on your fabric to fuse it to your clothing…I bought mine at Hobby Lobby in the fabric section.

2. Iron the WonderUnder onto your fabric (the rough side needs to be put on the back of your fabric). You will want to press this on the highest setting (cotton) to make sure all the sticky is melted onto your fabric.

3. Carefully peel the paper off your fabric. If it is melted properly, it should tear off in pieces…you want the webbing to be melted completely on the fabric. If it doesn’t come off right–simply iron it a bit longer and peel again.

4. Now you can cut your patches from the fused material. You can pin any shapes on to use as a pattern and then cut…Cut your patches and place them over holes and in different places for decoration.

5. Dampen a really thin piece of fabric (we used hankerchiefs) and place the damp clothe over the patches. Iron the patches on over the damp cloth—iron until the damp cloth is completely dry (approximately 15 seconds)…

6. Remove the damp cloth and you’re done! You can stitch around the patch by hand for looks and to better secure the patches in place.

We thought it’d be fun to do some on the back pockets also…

Here’s another upclose before and after…
AFTER…Pretty dramatic difference, huh?!

I’m an Auburn girl…so I’m always thinking of cute ways for my kiddos to sport my teams colors…WAR EAGLE;)

NOW…next up…is our t-shirt and turtlenecks with matching appliques! I bought several t’s at Target on the 70% rack…yes those are on sale right now. Of course plain red and blue t’s or polos would be adorable with these made-new jeans…but it’ll be fun to do a few Letter appliques just for fun.

One Year Chronological Reading Plan: Numbers 7:1-89

Today’s reading is a long chapter in Numbers dictating the gifts that were brought to the Lord from the twelve tribes of Israel. Did you notice anything similar about each of the gifts??? THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME. The gifts were identical. BUT God took note of each gift, each leader, each tribe on each successive day. The fact that each are noted individually reminds me how the Lord loves and takes interest in each of us individually. Thank you Lord that I matter to you. And the reader sitting behind her computer…reading this…you care deeply, deeply for her too. Thank you Lord for your individual love!

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JonesEthiopia - February 15, 2010 - 2:29 pm

Sooo cute!!

Jackie - February 15, 2010 - 5:03 pm

You are SO crafty! That was awesome! My boys are older, so I don’t think they would sport the patched look…. I wish they were younger… I had a ton of jeans I could have patched!

Jennifer - February 15, 2010 - 5:20 pm

Great idea! I had to start buying all my son’s jeans at Sears when he was young. They have a deal where if a child wears out a pair of jeans b/f he grows out of them, they will replace the jeans with holes!

admin - February 15, 2010 - 5:29 pm

Jackie…maybe you could do the same thing with “cooler” things like…Spiderman maybe??? Maybe appliques for older ones are uncool no matter what you do!

Jennifer…Ooooo…wonder if Sears still does that!

julie@Flitterbugs - February 15, 2010 - 5:29 pm

You know what also works great, and is easier to work with than WonderUnder? Heat and Bond lite! LOVE this stuff. You can get it at Wal Mart….it comes in packs in the notions section. You can also get Heat and Bond Heavy….which you can just iron and not have to sew as well. I am addicted to this stuff 🙂

Megan - February 15, 2010 - 6:41 pm

Cute project! I’ve got to admit I’m really dragging my feet on our reading today. I keep telling myself it will be worth it, I’m just not in the mood to read, haha!

Mitzi - February 15, 2010 - 8:18 pm

SHUT UP…I love these!!! Where did you get the argyle and stripe fabric?

Andrea - February 15, 2010 - 10:27 pm

The fabric is all from Hobby Lobby:)

Heather - February 15, 2010 - 10:47 pm

Just a quick question. Unless I missed it, I didn’t see a gift/offering from Joseph’s tribe. I looked through it again & didn’t see his name. Vs. 54 says “the children of Manasseh”. Unless I’m reading something wrong, Manasseh wasn’t one of Jacob’s/Israel’s children, the twelve tribes. Anyone have any insight, or did I miss something? Thanks!

Andrea - February 16, 2010 - 12:01 am

Heather–Ephraim and Manesseh (Gen.48:5-6) where Jacob’s two sons and they stood in the place for Joseph and Reuben. Reuben lost his place for defiling Jacob’s bed (Gen.49:3-4). Here is a link with the tribe explanation:
http://www.gotquestions.org/twelve-tribes-Israel.html

Drink for Thy Cup (Exodus 39:32-40:38 and Numbers 9:15-23)

02.14.2010

No fancy pictures for you today…but I do want to share a sweet Word from the Lord. Nothing is fancier, sweeter or more powerful than that. May you be blessed this Sabbath day…

One Year Chronological Bible Study – Exodus 39:32-40-38 and Numbers 9:15-23

Key verses in today’s reading…

Exodus 39:32 “And so at last the Tabernacle was finished. The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” The Lord had provided clear direction—and the Israelties had obeyed. They had done EVERYTHING just as the Lord had commanded. Oh–if this could be true of our lives! I pray that we would keep our hearts softened—free of sin and confessed–so that we may hear from the Lord and be faithful to follow in His way. Sounds easy enough, right?! Not so much. Just today-on His holy Sabbath even I felt my heart getting frustrated by something so small. I let my mind run away and frustration to build. The Lord instructs us in His word to take all our thoughts captive. Help me to serve You Lord—help me to die to myself—to hear Your voice…to live in TODAY–not yesterday or tommorrow…and to follow You.

Exodus 40:36-37&38b “Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted…this continued throughout all their journeys.” Where the Lord led–they followed. Wherever He was—they went. When the cloud stopped–they stopped. Sounds simple enough. But not always.

Currently, we are at a stopping point in our adoption and my heart wants to keep right on moving. I felt the Lord leading us to adopt. We followed. The paperwork and homestudy process kept us busy…things felt like they were moving…there was much to do. We turned in our dossier, and finally we were logged in. Our journey began in August and we were officially logged in for our “real wait” on November 13, 2009—exactly 3 months yesterday. The last three months I feel like the cloud has been parked. Waiting. With 147,000,000 orphans in the world–my heart wants us to make it minus 1 RIGHT NOW! But–the cloud has stopped, we’re waiting on the plan He has for us…and while the following can often seem exciting–the waiting can bring anxiety. “Calm my anxious heart Lord” is my current daily prayer.
I am reminded today through a cup of tea…to wait on the Lord. Often–the tabernacle, my heart, is built up most during those times. The longer a tea bag steeps in hot water it gets stronger—the more time I spend with the Lord I become more at rest and content exactly where He has me.

Each of us have different flavors of tea…different journeys. Our mugs look different—but so do our portions. In Luke 22, Jesus asked the Lord, “If you are willing, take this portion from me, yet not my will but yours be done.” In the end (PRAISE JESUS!), Christ grasped his handle–and drank from the cup…the portion the Lord had for Him. We, too, have that choice…to take our cup and drink from it—to wait on Him and in our waiting let it steep as we cling to His Word and become more like Him. OR we can push our tea cup back and say, “I want another cup. I want the cup he/she has. I don’t want to be different. This is just too hard for me Lord.”

Today, I pray for strength…strength for those of you the Lord has carefully led to my blog today and as you sit reading this unsure of your cup of tea and your portion. Give her strength Lord to drink from Your cup. While she sits there staring at her cup—scared to death to drink from it…speak to her heart. Let her know You will carry her…guide her…you will be her cloud of direction in the dessert. Remind her now, that you love her—you will never leave her—and that Your portion for her will not be too much to bear with You beside her. Help her raise her cup and say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” And let her drink…with joy. And bless her in her obedience.

Numbers 9:22 “Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it was lifted, they broke camp and moved on.”

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Renea - February 14, 2010 - 6:44 pm

I love your posts and thoughts. Being at that standstill can be different for all of us. I have felt SO STRONGLY that our family is called to adopt. I’ve been advocating for orphans with friends and we started an organization for orphan advocacy. My closest friends have adopted so we are surrounded by the faces of victory. My husband still has not come to the same realization I have. I even started an ‘extra’ savings account to put funds away for the expense of adoption. Hubby answered all questions asked of him by me as I completed the adoption application. Yet, it still sits in it’s place…. unmailed. It’s been sitting there for over two months. Everyday I feel pulled farther and farther away from that goal and some days are just unbearable with disappointment. At times I even (almost) give up and grieve so. Wondering how I can grieve the loss of a child I’ve never known. And yet Sunday rolls around, and my faith is encouraged. My daily readings and studies, blog friends with their uplifting stories are great, but not quite the same as being in the Lord’s house and listening to His word ‘outloud’. 😉 I continue to wait and pray for God’s will in our lives and for our family. Know that you aren’t waiting alone. I’m MANY steps behind you, but may we lift one another up as we move forward. No matter how slow or fast we may go, we shall go where and WHEN he leads us.

Jennifer - February 14, 2010 - 11:16 pm

Just what I needed to hear today…thank you! I am missing our littlest valentine in India so much today! The wait feels really long (staring at her picture since Aug.) but I know there is a little girl in India, who needs us to wait. I need God’s strength during this wait…so thank you for the prayer! The 7 mo. of waiting for our referral was hard too…so I understand your desires to get things moving Andrea! Reading Renea’s comments, my hearts goes out,…I understand…waited 3 years for dh and I to be aligned in this decision. All of it now, makes sense, as our Abby wasn’t ready yet!!! Hard to be in the wait, but I am continuing to claim God’s timing and goodness!
Blessings,
Jenny

Jenny - February 15, 2010 - 12:32 am

Andrea, I so appreciate your heart. This was a much needed post for me. It is so easy to doubt the Lord’s plan…or His cup for me….to feel overwhelmed by the paperwork as we begin this new adoption….to question things that I know He has already revealed to me. Thank you for reminding me to claim HIS promises. And I also can relate to Renea’s comment…..it took us so long to decide this time around if God was leading us to adopt again. Strange roadblocks kept coming up that prolonged us from starting the process (for almost 2 years), but I know God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect and there was a reason He was prolonging things. Praying for you as you continue to wait for a referral! (did you get my e-mail the other day?)

Elle J - February 15, 2010 - 10:02 am

“Not my will, but Yours be done.” Just what I needed to read. The sermon yesterday at our church was about Worry and I get the gold medal in the sport of Worry. =) Your post (read today) is an extension of yesterday … God is so awesome to keep the focus alive in our hearts. Giving us tidbits in all the right places to remind us of Him. Love Him and so appreciate your writing! Again, thank you.

Angie Laubach - February 15, 2010 - 4:23 pm

Waiting. Oh boy. I was most likely the worst “wait-er” in the adoption world. I was not patient in waiting for our referral most times. But…as we were in Ethiopia, experiencing so many joyful and painful things, I realized that the wait was necessary. I never would have been ready for the experiences we’ve had, and it’s only been a week since we’ve been home. May God show you His perfect will as you wait upon Him and He prepares your heart and the hearts of those around you. Thank you for sharing the verses and thoughts through this blog. I will definitely be checking back.

God Bless,
Angie

Preparing for the Sabbath… (Exodus 37-39:31)

02.13.2010

Preparing for the Sabbath…
My parents are in town…and it has been soooooo great having their company! They are from out of state so they were just as excited to be here and have snow with us. I have thought so much today about tomorrow’s Sabbath and how to best prepare for it today. As we have been reading Exodus, making the Sabbath holy has been an ongoing theme…and something that is evident that it is very important to the Lord for His children to honor. To prepare for resting with the Lord tomorrow—today I have been doing a quick clean of our home and we had larger meals today so we have left overs ready to serve tomorrow.

In the book “No Ordinary Home: The Uncommon Art of Christ-Centered Homemaking” by Carol Brazo, she gives a four week plan to slowly but steadily implementing a strong routine of celebrating the Sabbath. This week, I simply tried to do all the chores that tomorrow might normally require and have left-overs ready so I don’t have to cook. We made an extra store run also so we wouldn’t have to go to the store either. As I was cleaning tonight, I thought to myself, “I feel like I’m preparing for a special guest to arrive tomorrow.” LIGHT BULB COMES ON. I am. As I prepare my life for rest, my heart is also being prepared to meet with the Savior. And I’m really looking forward to sitting at the feet of the valentine who loves me most…my Savior.

Amazing how your life changes the more you are in His Word. Amazing grace indeed. Happy Valentine’s…may you come to Him, sit at His feet and hear His love for you in a new way.

One Year Chronological Bible Study – Exodus 37-39:31

Today’s reading is full of details and Tabernacle preparation. How are you preparing your home and heart to meet with Him tomorrow? How will you spend the Sabbath to meet with Him, honor Him and bring glory to His name? What are the things you can do throughout the week to make more room for resting with Him on Sundays? What are some things you enjoy doing that bring rest to your soul that you can do on Sundays? When you invite someone to your home, preparations are done. The cleaning is set aside. And you sit and visit. Lord, prepare our hearts—show us what needs to be done and how to do it throughout the week to prepare our hearts to meet with you on the day you ordained for your children to rest and meet with you.

Have a blessed Sunday.

[Today’s slideshow images were captured with a Canon 5D, 70-200L lens…another one of Andrea’s favorites:)]

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Jenn - February 13, 2010 - 9:54 pm

Funny…as we were driving home from dinner I was lamenting that we have MORE snow coming tomorrow. This has been one of the snowiest winters I can remember in Kansas…and I’m so ready for spring. Thanks for the reminder that snow IS fun 🙂

Jenn

kristi johnson - February 13, 2010 - 10:42 pm

i always make snow cream..love it…kj

Renea - February 13, 2010 - 11:16 pm

Love the snow ice cream! And I’m doing my yearly study with the chronological bible also. As I was reading this week about all the preparations and building and the details of the curtains and the lamp stands and on and on….. I somehow became bored with it. Wondering why I’d need to know so many details about how something was built or what it was made with. I prayed that God would show me the importance of reading those chapters and to hold my interest. The answer I got came from another reading about the subjects I was studying and it pointed out if it wasn’t important to God he wouldn’t have shared so many minute details. If WE weren’t important to him he wouldn’t share those details. He loves and finds joy in making the tiniest details of us down to every hair on our heads and it’s just another way of showing how detailed his Love is for us. How glorious and perfect it is defined in those details. I was much happier to read those chapters and get back to my study with interest. Like you, it was one of those LIGHT BULB moments. 😉 I like the way you described it also. TFS!!!!!

Amy @ Filled With Praise - February 14, 2010 - 8:31 am

Love the photos. Glad you all are enjoying snow fun and grandparent fun 🙂
Blessings,
Amy

Elle J - February 14, 2010 - 10:45 am

I am glad I came upon your blog ~ I am learning so much! =) Happy Valentine’s Day!

Suzy Q - February 14, 2010 - 12:38 pm

I love your blog. I’d like to know who sang the little bird song that went to your video please. My kids love that kind of music!
Suzy

julie@Flitterbugs - February 14, 2010 - 3:35 pm

OK, so I’ll admit…..I got a wee bit behind on reading this week. However, I’m going to press on today and keep going! I am so thankful to have you ladies to read with. If I were doing this on my own, it would be easy to get overwhelmed and stop, but since I know you ladies are keeping it up…..well, it encourages me to jump back in and keep up with the reading…and all for His glory!

Kym - February 15, 2010 - 12:08 am

I am an Alabama girl transplanted to Colorado. We always made snow cream when it snowed, which wasn’t often. My Iowa husband had no idea what I was talking about even though he grew up in lots of snow. Thanks for posting the recipe! I’ll be making it when we get our next snowfall. I know the kids will love it and I will love sharing a little piece of my childhood with them. And I’ll share it with my hubby too, but it will have to wait until next winter when he returns from a year long deployment. 🙁

Found your blog from my sweet friend, Nikki in Colorado. I love keeping up with your journey as we prepare to walk it with Nikki and her precious family!

Exodus 35:1-36:38

02.12.2010

Chronological Scripture Reading – Exodus 35:1-36:38

Key verses in today’s reading…

35:1-3…is it just me–or is there something the Lord really wants us to hear? The Sabbath. Over and over and over in scripture. He asks us to keep it holy. How fitting that the Sabbath this year falls on Valentines day. If you haven’t done a great job in the past of keeping the Sabbath holy, then what a sweet sacrifice to make to the Lord on this day…He wants to persue your heart constantly…may this Sunday be a day of sitting with Him and knowing His heart deeper.

35:21 “All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord…
Two things…when God stirs your heart to give—follow Him in obedience. Second, praise Him while you give that He moved Your heart to give! What a CALLING from the Lord to be used…He does not NEED us…but He chooses to use us and allow us to be a part of His soveriegn will. What a calling! Praise Him!

Exodus 35…the Lord gave different people different gifts to help build His Tabernacle. Today…the Lord continues to give us different gifts to build up one another and His church. What are your natural gifts? How can you use them to build up others and for the glory of God? Let us use the gifts the Lord has given us for His glory!!!

Happy Valentine’s!!! Just a couple days until the holy Sabbath!!! I can’t wait!!!

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gwen - February 13, 2010 - 12:15 am

i hate that I missed you last week … Doctor’s appt …. funny part about the interview is that they talked to us for 30 minutes and we just took turns answering questions … they didn’t quote me at all !!!! so NOT FAIR … hee hee

april - February 13, 2010 - 10:46 am

LOVED the slideshow and the video! What is the song playing in the background during the slideshow? LOVE it! so cute how your snowman had leaves as hair! Family is precious! Looking forward to when Jim and I have little ones running around!

Megan - February 13, 2010 - 12:23 pm

I have to admit, I hate this part of the reading. All these details and how they built everything…its boring me. I feel guilty even saying that, but I want to be honest as well. I’m just glad I’m not alone in reading it!
Thanks for sharing your snow pictures so that I can live vicariously through you! Seattle usually gets snow every year (usually not ton, with an excepion of last year) and we have not even had a flake! It’s sad. And Valentine’s Day has been our most popular snow day in the last several years and its just pouring. I’m sad. 🙁 I wish I could come for a visit!

april - February 13, 2010 - 6:12 pm

check out my recent post…you received something!

Falling in love with the Savior…

02.12.2010

As Valentine’s approaches…I am reminded of the one who persues me with an everlasting love…

“I have loved you with an everlasting love and I will continue my constant love” Jeremiah 31:3

His love is forever. It is constant. It will never stop. Be still…feel His love embracing you…

“The mountains may depart and the hills will be shaken but my steadfast love for you will never end.” John 54:10

Images of Haiti come to my mind…BUT YOUR STEADFAST LOVE will never end. Thank you Father for your steadfast love. Your love is present in the difficult times. Thank you even for the mountains and valleys in our lives. Your love will never end! Help us to cling to Your love no matter what…especially in these times! Your love has been revealed…always…open our eyes to see more of You oh Lord.

I have nothing to fear! The Lord is the one protecting me and my family…oh Lord it is true…you will keep us safe!

“You did not choose me, I chose you.” John 15:16
“I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isahiah 43:1

You persued me. You chose me. You even called me by name. I am all Yours. I lift my arms out to you today. Take me Lord. I dance before you. Only You Lord…You are all I need. You are enough. You are my Love…You are constant…You are forever…You can be trusted…and I trust You. And guess what Lord??

You are mine too.

You said it yourself…“I am the Lord your God.” Hosea 13:4″

Yes you are. You are mine. And I love you.

Fill us Lord with Your glory. Fill us Lord with Your love.

Happy Valentine’s.

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Megan - February 12, 2010 - 11:55 am

That is filled with sweetness! Both in words and pictures!

kristi johnson - February 12, 2010 - 4:07 pm

oh, too sweet!! 🙂 kj

Dawn - February 12, 2010 - 5:57 pm

AMEN!!!!!!!