Knitting my way....

I have found knitting to be my outlet.  But what exactly does that mean??
My life is like a knitting project.
We have this ball of "stuff".
There are two options:
1) We can just let it sit and do absolutely nothing with it.
2) We Can give God control and let him guide the project to turn it into something beautiful.

Sure, there will be knots along the way.  Sometimes you even have to unravel a few times.  You may have to back up and try again.
As long as you focus your eyes on your project and concentrate, you can do it.
That's the same with God.  Sometimes we lose our focus on Him and a knot just appears out of nowhere.  We need His help to undo the knot.  It's ok, it is just a knot. It doesn't change His focus on you.  Let Him help you undo the knot and move on.  Press forward.

God has really been taking my project called life and knitting steadily.  Sure there have been some times I needed to refocus and start completely over...so I did.  At times, it surely wasn't easy.

Adding to my project: I will be starting school in just one month at Liberty University (with my sister!).  I will be majoring in Religion, Biblical and Theological Studies (like my sister!).  There have been days recently when I have thought I have lost my mind.  There have been days when I feel the devil creeping in whispering to me that I am not cut out for this.  How easy would it be to believe him.  That's how things with the devil are...so easy.  God would not have put this on my heart if it wasn't His plan.  He never said it would be easy but He did say He will get me through and be there the WHOLE time.

And that is what He does for you, He is with you the WHOLE time.  He is worki

And so it begins...

So many times in my life I have found just something right in front of me, be it a thought that just slips by, the opportunity to help someone that I second guess myself on, or just the chance to wake up a little earlier but I decide to sleep in.  I have a tendency to push things things away so easily.   Oh, whatever the thought was, it will come back again...maybe.  That opportunity to help someone, maybe someone else will get there before I do...so why do I need to go?  Why do I need to wake up early-of course I want to sleep late!
I feel like now I actually "get" it.  Those small whispers.  Small little words, "Go help them", "get up, you have time to talk to me". Those whispers are God telling me to get moving.  Telling me to act when I hear Him.  Act without being proud.  Be there for another the best you can.  I have been really trying to listen and act lately and I know I am at peace when I act on the small words spoken to me.  
For example, two years ago my mother-in-law tried her best to teach me how to knit-she is right handed and I am left. She printed out sheets, so many sheets.  She showed me but doing it backwards to herself.  I tried.  I really did. I since put it away to try again on another day because I just  could not master it.  A week ago, Hubs and I were cleaning out our closet.  There sat my bag of knitting contents.  I heard that little whisper "get it out.  Try again." so....I acted.  I pulled it out....not very sure of myself.  I put it on my side of the bed so I could practice before bed.  At bedtime, I took it all out, took a deep breath, and went to YouTube. First video-a left-handedersbguide to knitting.  Click.  As I watched, it DID click.  I picked up those metal knitting needles and cast on a row....and then I knitted a row....and then another!  After quickly learning how to do it, I changed colors on the needles, I was making progress!  I knitted for a few hours just to make sure I wasn't crazy!  I even remembered exactly how to do it the next day! I felt like I could knit some stuff and make some money.  
So church time comes on Sunday.  The Bishop came to town to preacher.  Before he started preaching, he mentioned about a trip next year and it anyone wanted to go with him they are welcome.  It is a trip to Jerusalem!  The entire Holy Land!  My heart was jumping at the sound!  I wanted to stand up with my hand held high and say "Take me!! I volunteer as tribute!!!"...but I kept my calm and knew I could talk to him after church.  Trying to be able to wrap my mind around walking where Jesus walked, His tomb he was laid in (He's not there, by the way...),  the Tomb of King David, The Valley of Armageddonb(Revelation 16:16), The Upper Room, The Wailing Wall(also known as the Western Wall) in Isreal....to be able to see these things, let alone run my fingers on the same walls Jesus had touched just fills me with such joy!  The be able to sail in a boat on the Sea of Galilee-the same waters that Jesus calmed with just one word...Peace (Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.- Mark 4:39).   To say I am excited is an understatement.  But how am I going to be able to get there?  
I guess this is where 2 things join.  I feel like God told me to pick that knitting back up because it was time.  So....I listened.  I am knitting.  And then, hey I can sell this knitting!  This I can do!  
I am going to try and knit until my fingers just cannot feel anymore.  I am going to knit until I can get to Jerusalem.  I am going to knit my way there.  How can you help?  You can help me get to Jerusalem by purchasing my knitted projects!  Would you like to just sponsor me or donate money to help me get there, you sure can do that as well...whatever God leads you to do!  I hope you know I do covet prayers from now until travel time.  I will be making my deposit soon to get it all started.  
I will have these items available for purchase:
Adult headwaters -$15
Child earwarmers-$12
Baby headwarmers-$10
Hats of all sizes- baby $12 child $15 $18
Cotton dish cloths-set of 3 $15 
Slippers-$40
Blankets-baby $35 adult $70

(The larger the piece, remember it could take up to 2 weeks to complete.)
Pray about this please and listen to God as what He leads you to do.
Thank you friends!
Laura

I will be posting from this blog to keep everyone up to date on how I am doing with my knitting hands and hopefully all throughout my trip to the Holy Land in May 2016!