Labels: go-knit pouch, knitting, louet victoria, spinning, the loopy ewe, waiting
If there is a theme around here, it's WHILE.
While I Wait. While I Work, and In a While.... (sidenote- if you type "while" enough it starts to look like you spelled it wrong:). 
We're still in a waiting period.. but not frozen in mid air. There is much to do while waiting. There is coping.. There is working, there is waiting. For coping-- I have prayer- reading, spinning, knitting and people. For working--- I have 3 kids 2 cats, a beagle and the Dh.. they are, as always, keeping me busy:)
While I wait: I am spinning. I decided I could use my go-knits pouch (from the Loopy Ewe) to hold my fiber in process- it works GREAT! and snaps right to my wheel for outside spinning and travel and keeping the pets out of the fiber!
Also feeding people- still predominately with slow-foods:
Yesterday the boys spent an hour shelling peanuts, then we made homemade peanut butter! It was great!
Very simple- home made peanut butter:
2 cups roasted shelled salted peanuts, (skins removed)
1/3 cup oil, (peanut- but I used vegetable oil and a little less than 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup sugar.
pulse in food processor until peanut- buttery! store in fridge.
Later this week we'll be experimenting with peanut butter cups:) YUM.
As for knitting- I'm working on a pretty pattern from the new "knotions" online magazine. It's called the "Oak Leaf socks" 
a nice foray into twisted stitches, for me. I'm learning a lot and should improve by the time I am ready for the second sock! (assuming there is to be a second sock:)
The sock blocker is from the loopy ewe- just in case anyone is curious:) The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Blackberry.
I'm knitting them on US size 1, Knitpick Harmony DPN.s
So thats what I'm doing---- WHILING away the summer---- While I wait.. While I work and in a while...
How bout you?
I dialed the phone, not sure what to expect. 1 ring.. 2 rings then a click and pick up. I'd never heard the voice behind the smile before. I wondered what to expect. Labels: community, helping, knitting, loopy groupies, ravelry, the loopy ewe
A sweet but sad voice answered the phone. The voice dissolved into tears... we talked. I heard both her heart and the scary details of her situation..... I felt overwhelmed. This was a bigger problem than I could fix. I listened. We talked through potential solutions.. we prayed together... and then hung up.
What on earth can I do to help? The need was way bigger than what I had to offer in help. What I have to share wouldn't make a dent. I couldn't even wrap my arms around this person and hug her. She is too far away. I took some time to think and pray... I knit. I sat. I wandered around the house wondering how I would feel if it was me.... I felt overwhelmed with the size of the problem...I felt powerless to help.
I remembered the words of Mother Theresa.."There are no great things, only small things done with great love" That is how Mother Theresa faced the overwhelming poverty and need that surrounded her... one person at a time... one small, loving act, at a time, and trusting that it made a difference. It did... and still is. Her ministry of love is known all over the world.... I thought about the knititng in my hands.. and how each small stich adds itself to the garment...and creates something useful. (one stitch--- not so much:)
" Would small things done with love make a difference here? now? for this friend? " I just kept wondering. I thought some more... I prayed. and then I decided to ask her permission to help... and to enlist the help of others. Together we offered up bits and pieces.. ideas... words.. yarn (you knew yarn would be involved at some point) books, thoughts prayers....all the little bits started forming themselves into a plan... and then the plan launched.
The plan was to hold a small fundraiser- simple paypal donations made directly to a family in need of their rent money. Each donation would have the chance to win a prize donated with great love. Nervous.. we waited.... (maybe a bit nervously) Then... the donations started pouring in. Ravelry knitters- especially Loopy Ewe Yarn Shop group members- are giving small things with great love. Sacrifices...small and large ... each whatever they can do... and together making a difference.
The world is full of bad news. Fraud, inflation, economic messes. Watching the news is overwhelming- I try to avoid it, mostly... because I feel at a loss to be able to change it. I know, I can't. Not alone.. I don't have the time, the money or the resources to change the world... or do I? Maybe changing the world means doing small things with great love...maybe changing the world means doing what you can when you can, where you can... maybe it all adds up.
It sure is adding up for one family. As of this moment- we've raised enough to keep them in their apartment. Now- we're working on making sure they have groceries. People are looking to see if jobs can be found.. they are checking their contact lists to see if they know anyone local to help....they are making a difference. Not just for this family... but for the generations that come after this one.. and for themselves.. because they know they are making a difference.
Why share this? Because--- there is hope. There is hope that we can make a difference... hope that God can provide...hope that things can get better--- if we each do small things with great love.
For Ravelry members... you can click here to see what we're up to... and maybe even help make a difference.:)
If you'd really love to help-but are not a rav member... you can look in my sidebar for my e-mail address to contact me and I can share with you how you can make a difference.
I know--- I know.. how do you know this isn't yet another internet hoax.... more people manipulating for profit? I'd say you can take my word... but why? The truth is -- there is always risk involved in helping.. always risk of backlash of fraud.... personally? I refuse to let that stop me from helping... Because if we STOP helping.. stop trying... we all lose.
Most readers know that I am a Christian... someone who desires to follow God. Not just in my words.. but in my actions. My convictions affect my choices. Here is the example I have to follow... and I may be walking with a limp and wandering around... on ocassion... and struggling to even find the path... but I am. One small step at a time.
The good samaritan
