Caleb

Today I have a lot on my mind. One of those things is yesterday’s sermon. Larry taught us about Caleb. Now we have been studying the book of Joshua for a while now but he is honing in on Caleb right now. Back in the book of Numbers, God said that Caleb had a “Different spirit” because Caleb followed God “whole-heartedly”. God also promised land to Caleb and his tribe. Specific land, special land. He promised Caleb Hebron. Hebron was where Abraham and Sara and Rebecca and family were all buried. Hebron was God’s land; sacred land. Well if we fast forward to the book of Joshua, when it came time to divide up the land, Joshua and the priest were going to leave it up to God by drawing lots. Well, all this time later (45 years to be exact), Caleb reminded Joshua of the Lord’s promise to Caleb. So Caleb and his tribe received Hebron. Caleb defeated all the people who were defiling the land there and he lived there all his days. But still in the book of Joshua, Caleb is described as a man who followed God wholeheartedly.

Caleb certainly must have trusted God! He patiently waited for 45years to receive the land God had promised him. He was 40 years old when he was promised. That means he was 85 years old when the promise was fulfilled. Scripture also said that Caleb remained physically strong and able to battle even though he was at such an advanced age. Also, as a side note, Joshua lived to be120 years old. So he spent 35 years in his promised land.

So the question posed to us in the sermon was: What does it mean to have a “different spirit” and how can we achieve having a “different spirit”? Caleb had a different spirit because he trusted and followed God completely. Everything that Caleb did involved God’s council. We know this because in the scripture Caleb says “The Lord sent me…; followed the Lord my God…;”. Caleb  references the Lord in most of his actions when he is reminding Joshua of the promise. I know that scripture tells us to pray about everything. God wants to be involved in our lives, even the silly little things. So, how can we have a different spirit? We can involve God in everything in our lives. We can pray without ceasing. We can ask God to help guide all of our decisions. We can praise God in every situation. We can shift our focus to God and away from our problems, those people we don’t like and the times in our lives that we just can’t seem to stop thinking on.

I know that the things above are hard to do but we can start small. We can start by praying constantly. First thing in the morning we can thank God for waking us up and ask him to guide our day. We can enjoy some time in God’s word while we are eating our breakfast or drinking our coffee in the morning. We can pray for our country or just any situation that we see in the news. We can pray when things pop in our minds. We can pray for correction, comfort, peace when things get out of hand. We can spend our day talking to God. We can make time to be in God’s Word, even if it is just a couple of scriptures at a time. We can meditate on those scriptures. We can buy the Bible on audiobook or a Christian bible study on audio book to listen to during a long commute. There are so many ways we can stay plugged into God during our day. God provides the opportunities, you have to take them.

I know one thing is for sure. It may sound like I have it all figured out but you know what, I really and truly don’t. I don’t have that different spirit yet. I know I am really striving to have that kind of spirit. I am not in God’s word as much as I should be. I don’t pray nearly as much as I need to. I don’t listen to God’s voice like I should. I am so far away but I do know that a journey begins with one step. Just one step, then another, then another and so on and eventually you make it to your destination.

Hello again my friends. We certainly had a busy weekend here in the Misadventure household. On Sunday evening we had our annual wrapping party for Karen's Kids. Here you can see members of our church wrapping away. We had a carry in this night of soups and sammies as well.

Here is all the bags of toys. We had 28 families with a total of 83 kids this year!

On Saturday a few of our church members decorated a float for our town's annual Christmas parade. Here you can somewhat see the float. We have Shepherds around the manger at one end and angels around the cross at the other. Our float was the simplest out there but had the best message I think. Oh and it was soooo foggy! We couldnt see the other end of the lot!

Here you can see the sign on the back of our float. 

This one was earlier in the day when my boys were helping put the finishing touches on the float.

We also put up a few decorations in our home. I made these mason jars last year ( I think). I used stencils, glitter and glue to make the design on the outside. Then I took a short string of white lights and shoved them in the tops of the jars. It makes me very happy to see these jars aglow on my kitchen counter.

My youngest son decorated my little firplace this year. To be honest, I havent been much in the spirit of things this year with all that has been going on BUT these decorations my sons so eagerly put up has my heart singing Christmas Carols.

Well my friends, that sums up the majority of my weekend. I fear I have come down with a cold (probably from being in the cold damp Saturday night). But, I am posting this from my phone while sitting at my desk at work. 

Oh and my bloggy followers, if you read this please say a prayer for my step-dad who is undergoing surgery this morning. He has a mass in his neck and they aren't sure if it the dreaded "c" word. All prayers are appreciated.

Until next time my friends,

May God bless you.

Erin 

Most wonderful...Errr...busiest time of the year

Hello again my friends. We are so busy in the Misadventure household. It is Karen's Kids time again. Our church has provided Christmas gifts for 83 needy kids in our community. That's 28 families who don't have to worry about Santa. Our church will hold a wrapping party and carry-in this Sunday. We will have a good meal and then wrap, wrap, wrap. Then on Friday I will transport the gifts to the center where the families can pick up their gifts.

On Saturday our church will be participating in the annual Christmas parade.  We will be meeting early that morning to put the float together. We have loads of great ideas and,if I remember, I will take pictures!

With all that has been going on, I am a week behind on my Bible study! The pic above is what my desk looks like right this minute. I am very blessed to work in a small town office and with a brother in Christ. My job, our office is perty laid back so I am usually able to do my Bible studies in the mornings between clients. BUT, with last week being Thanksgiving and then working on Karen's Kids this week I am way behind.

You know, I guess it doesnt really matter if I am behind because I know I will catch up. I do read God's Word daily, even if it's just a verse or two. I pray constantly. God is always near my thoughts.

Well, I am typing this on my cell while I'm here at my desk. I certainly hope it comes out okay for you loyal readers. However, I must go and do my studies.

Until next time, may God bless you.
Erin

I'm Back!

Hello my friends. It has been one full year since I wrote in this blog! Oh my how time flies. So many wonderful and not so wonderful things have happened. Firstly, I went from being a stay at home mom to a working mom. I now work for a small town, family owned insurance agency here in my town. I am not an agent but I am an office assistant and you know what....I love my job! It was an adjustment to start working again after being a stay at home mom for 14 years. I had some very real feelings of guilt BUT being able to contribute to our household is an amazing feeling.

Also, hubby and I are going strong. This picture was taken on Thanksgiving Day. We had dinner at my mom's house. This picture is of my hubby and I with very full bellies and very sleepy eyes. 

I am still crocheting. I am usually late to the game with the latest trending things. Here is a pic of one of my many WIPs. This is a blanket using the magic ball technique. I am really enjoying seeing the next color come up. Plus, I have to use up all the odd balls of yarn I have to make room in my tote for the 18-20 skeins I bought on black Friday!

On top of making this blanket, I am also crocheting up some hats, scarves, wrist warmers, cowls....you know, little things that go over well in craft fairs. I am making things up to sell to help pay for daughter #2's band trip to New York this summer. The trip is over $600 so every little bit I can contribute helps.

Friends, if you remember this blog post from a few years ago....well it wasn't a great time. However, times have changed. My friends, I WENT TO FLORIDA! I know!! In September we decided it was time for a good ole family vacation. We  had put money back from our taxes and just went. The pic below is on Jacksonville Beach. Oh we had a wonderful week catching up with family and friends. I conquered many demons that week. All the glory goes to God because He alone carried me on this trip. I cannot wait to go back!

We have made some new additions to our house. Below you see a pic of our latest kitty Atlis (AKA Furball). My hubby was on his way home from work one day this past summer. He noticed what looked like a cage on the side of the road. So he stopped to investigate. This very sweet and beautiful kitty was in that cage! It was swealtering outside so he brought him home and well....you can see in the pic that he has taken over! Our family just loves him.

My friends, I really don't know how regularly I will update this blog...but you know, I have truly missed writing. So much has been going on and I miss updating you all. My oldest son wants to start a blog as well but for now (since he is only 12) I may just let him post here. So those of you with kids, especially boys, he will be talking about his passion, which is video games. I hope you will welcome him with open arms and make him feel at home.

So now I leave you  my friends. I have a rivalry football game to watch...OSU and Michigan. GO BLUE! But first I leave you with a recent selfie....Me at my desk at work. Until we meet again, friends....May God Bless You!

Michigan blanket pattern.

Hello again my friends.

Do you remember this blanket? 

I crochet it a few years ago.

Ever since I blogged it I have been getting many questions about this blanket. Whether or not I had a pattern, how did I do it, ect.

Well,I did try to reply to all the questions. I didn't have a pattern written out. I just drew the M on graph paper and decided each square would equal 8 stitches and 8 rows and went from there.

BUT since I kept getting questions about the pattern....

Here is what I have came up with.

I used a 5.5 mm hook. That is an I or 9

I also used Caron One pound yarn in the colors of Sunflower and midnight blue.

The blanket measures 34 inches wide by 40 inches long without the border.

The blanket is worked in single crochet and is worked from the bottom up.

Directions.

With blue, ch 137

Rows 1-48. sc in each ch across (136 sc) ch 1, turn

 Rows 49-60: with blue, sc in 24 st. Switch to yellow and sc in next 32 sts, switch back to blue and sc in next 24 sc, with yellow, sc in next 32 sts, with blue sc in last 24 st, ch 1 turn.

from here on out I will just tell the color and number of sc to make.

Add yellow

Row 61: Blue, 24 sc, yellow, 32 sc, blue, 11 sc, yellow, 2sc, blue 11 sc, yellow 32 sc, blue 24 sc, ch 1, turn

Row 62: Blue- 24 sc, yellow-32 sc, blue-10 sc, yellow-4 sc, blue- 10 sc, yellow-32 sc, blue-24 sc, ch 1, turn

Row 63: blue- 24sc, yellow-32sc, blue-9sc, yellow-6sc, blue-9sc, yellow-32sc, blue-24 sc, ch 1, turn

Row 64: blue-24sc, yellow-32sc, blue-8sc, yellow-8sc, blue-8s, yellow-32sc, blue-24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 65: blue-32sc, yellow-16sc, blue-15sc, yellow-10sc, blue-15sc, yellow-16sc, blue-32sc, ch 1 turn

Row 66: blue-32sc, yellow-16sc, blue-14sc, yellow-12sc, blue-14sc, yellow-16sc, blue-32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 67: blue-32sc, yellow-16sc, blue-13sc, yellow-14sc, blue-13sc, yellow-16sc, blue-32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 68: blue-32sc, yellow-16sc, blue-12sc, yellow-16sc, blue-12sc, yellow-16sc, blue 32 sc, ch 1, turn

Row 69: blue 32 sc, yellow 16sc, blue 11sc, yellow 18sc, blue 11sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 70: blue 32 sc, yellow 16sc, blue 10sc, yellow 20sc,  blue 10sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 71: blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 9sc, yellow 22sc, blue 9sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 72: Blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 8sc, yellow 24sc, blue 8sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 73: Blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 7sc, yellow 26sc, blue 7sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 74: blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 6sc, yellow 28sc, blue 6sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 75: blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 5sc, yellow 30sc, blue 5sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 76: blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 4sc, yellow 32sc, blue 4sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 77: blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 3sc, yellow 34sc, blue 3sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 78: Blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 2sc, yellow 36sc, blue 2sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 79: Blue 32sc, yellow 16sc, blue 1sc, yellow 38sc, blue 1sc, yellow 16sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Rows 80-92: Blue 32sc, yellow 72sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 93: Blue 32sc, yellow 35sc, blue 2sc, yellow 35sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 94: Blue 32sc, yellow 34sc, blue 4sc, yellow 34sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 95: Blue 32sc, yellow 33sc, blue 6sc, yellow 33sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn

Row 96: Blue 32sc, yellow 32sc, blue 8sc, yellow 32sc, blue 32sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 97: Blue 24sc, yellow 39sc, blue 10sc, yellow 39sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn.

Row 98: Blue 24sc, yellow 38 sc, blue 12 sc, yellow 38sc, blue 24 sc, ch 1 turn

Row 99: Blue 24 sc, yellow 37sc, blue 14sc, yellow 37sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn.

Row 100: Blue 24sc, yellow 36sc, blue 16sc, yellow 36sc, blue 24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 101: Blue 24sc, yellow 35sc, blue 18sc, yellow 35sc, blue 24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 102: Blue 24sc, yellow 34sc, blue 20sc, yellow 34sc, blue 24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 103: blue 24sc, yellow 33sc, blue 22sc, yellow 33sc, blue 24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 104: blue 24sc, yellow 32sc, blue 24sc, yellow 32sc, blue 24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 105: Blue 24sc, yellow 31sc, blue 26sc, yellow 31sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

Row 106: blue 24sc, yellow 30 sc, blue 28 sc, yellow 30sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

Row 107: Blue 24sc, yellow 29sc, blue 30sc, yellow 29sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

Row 108: Blue 24sc, yellow 28sc, blue 32sc, yellow 28sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

Row 109: Blue 24sc, yellow 27sc, blue 34sc, yellow 27sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

Row 110: blue 24sc, yellow 26sc, blue 36sc, yellow 26sc, blue 24sc, ch 1, turn

Row 111: blue 24sc, yellow 25sc, blue 38sc, yellow 25sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

Row 112: blue 24sc, yellow 24sc, blue 40sc, yellow 24sc, blue 24sc, ch 1 turn

You can drop the yellow now.

Rows 113-160: sc in all sts across. (136sc) fasten off.

I did a border with a couple of rounds of yellow.

I hope this helps all of you out there who want to make this blanket.

Until next time

Be Blessed, 

Erin

WIP Wednesday...plus a little extra

Hello again friends!

How are things where you are?

It is FrEeZiNg here in Ohio.

Today has been a great day! I went to Bible Study and afterwards all 9 of us women went out to lunch. You see, this past week was our faithful teachers birthday!! She is in her mid 70s! We just love her so much we wanted to do something really nice for her.

This has been a pretty good week as well.

I got all caught up on my housework on Monday! Guess why? We had a snow day and my kiddos were out of school so they decided to help me! Wasn't that super awesom of them?

Guess what else...

I actually had a little more time to crochet this week.

Look!

 My lovely ripple has grown from scarf size to "almost" snuggly size. I can't wait to get it all finished.

I also did another project last night that is somewhat crochet related.

You see, here lately I have been having some finger/hand problems when I crochet. My fingers hurt and go numb and it makes my hand hurt. Sometimes it is so bad I can't even hold a hook. Well, I looked online and saw that Walmart had clover hooks so I decided to brave the roads and see if I can buy one. Walmart didn't carry them in store. Well, while I was in there browsing I came across some clay. So guess what I did......

 I made handles for nearly all of my crochet hooks. The ones you see with the same handles are the same size. I have 29 hooks here ranging from 0.9 mm to 6.0 mm. I was shocked I had so many hooks BUT these aren't all I have. I also have a size N that is out on loan to my cousin and a set of plastic hooks. But anyway...Aren't they beautiful?

On each of the hooks I covered up the size but before I placed them on the sheet to bake I put the letter or number (steel hook) of the hook on the bottom.

Then I put the whole number, letter, size on the bottom on the side.

I am so proud of myself for venturing out of my comfort zone and doing this. I was so afraid I was going to ruin my hooks but I think they are so much prettier AND the hook feels so much better on my hands.

OH

AND

You can't have pretty revamped hooks without something pretty to put them in soo.

I bought this spotty dotty bag today.  I am in love with polka dots and this bag just made my heart sing!!

Well that is going to be it for today. I have to go switch out the laundry and then I am gonna snuggle myself on my comfy couch and make my ripple grow even more!

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog. I love you all!

Until next time,

Stay Blessed!

Erin

WIP Wed....er um Thursday

Hello my dear friends.

I sure hope today finds you all well!

It is a grey, dreary day here in Ohio.

See....It is so blah and ick out there...

However, It is cold AND we could see some flurries so that makes it seem ok.

Did you notice anything about the picture above?

Well, we had a couple days this week that were in the 60s so I took advantage of the warm weather and went ahead and hung up the outdoor Christmas lights. 

Don't worry, I have only had them on to make sure they were all working properly.

BUT

I couldn't just decorate outside.....

I also decorated inside. I didn't go crazy this year though. All I did was put up our tree and put out the stockings. I love Christmas time!

Now for the TRUE reason for this post.

I actually found time to do some crocheting this week.

I was working on my ripple and my hands were freezing so ....

 I whipped up some fun stripey fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm.

And I added several rows to my ripple. The colors aren't true in this pic. The camera flash washed them out.

OH and do you see in pic above?

NO CARPET!

We tore the carpet out of our living room and dining room and put down wood flooring. 

I will have to do another post about that at another time!!!

Well that is all for now.

I must get crocheting!!!!

Until next time,

Stay blessed,

Erin