Prayer Shawl Complete

I have finished the prayer shawl for Baby Claire. I will be sending out today. Baby Claire went home Christmas Day, so I'm sending the shawl to her mommy's house. I'm hoping she will have it Monday.
I didn't make the traditional prayer shawl. You see Baby Claire is only 4 months old. I found a pattern on http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/angelcrafts/ for a baby shawl. I made it as it is closer to her size. I made it in baby pink with white ribbon.
Now that I have completed this shawl I will be finishing the dedication outfit. I will also be working on hats and looking for things for the neonatal unit. I am including photos of the prayer shawl.

Prayer Shawl

Well last night I started my 3rd Christmas project. I'm making a prayer shawl for a 4 month old, her name is Claire. I learned of Baby Claire on Crystal's blog Boobs, injuries, and Dr Pepper. Claire was born with a rare heart disorder, and has been in the hospital since birth. She was born August 30th,2008. They can not fix her heart or do a transplant until she is 2 years old.
I received an email from her Grandma yesterday saying the Dr's are planning to send her home Christmas Day. This just goes to show the power of prayer. They were told she would be in the hospital until she was able to have the surgery, can you imagine your baby in the hospital for 2 years?
They still don't know if they are going to be able to fix her heart or have to do a transplant. Let's pray for a fix. If she has to have a transplant, she could be waiting forever. I hope to be able to get her shawl done and a little something for mommy in the next week. We also need to pray for mommy's finances, she has been unable to work for 4 months.
Interested in making prayer shawls go to Waiting Room Ministry. There is crocheting and knitting patterns, prayers, and lots of information. The patterns are free.
Merry Christmas

Out of town

I was out of town for a few days for a funeral. I haven't been able to work on the new chemo hat. I will be working on things while I'm off for christmas.
I did find a hat/scarf combination that I made a few years ago for christmas gifts. I will be washing it up to donate. I will post a photo after I get it washed. Hopefully this week.
It's been very cold here the last few days, and my water is frozen. I have cold water in the kitchen and one bath. Cold and hot in the other bath, but the shower is completely frozen, and the washer is frozen.
I will post my progress on the chemo hats as I work this holiday season. Thank you for visiting and Merry Christmas

Starting a new chemo hat

Well I'm still working on the dedication outfit. Hoping to finish it this week. I have also started a new chemo hat. Don't think it will take long to finish it. I got the idea for the pattern from Bev crochet site at http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/index.html. I love her site, she has so many patterns, there is something for everyone. I have gotten several patterns from there.
She has a pattern for a granny squire hat. I made a slight change in it, I crocheted in each stitch and made the granny squire solid. This is going to someone who has loss their hair, so I didn't want the holes in it.

I will post picture of the progress as soon as I can. Right now, my camera is packed for a trip we are leaving on today. I made the first squire in about 10 mins. I figure I can make a complete hat in an hour. I will probably make several of these, as they don't take long. I try to mix up my patterns so there is a selection for the patients.

I will be starting the neonatal things soon. I just have to find some patterns that don't take too long to make. I want something that I can make quickly, that gives me more time to make more.

That's it for today.

Things I'm doing

Ok, I haven't posted in awhile. I've been looking into some work at home ideas. I haven't worked on the dedication outfit this week.
We have had a guest at our house for about 2 weeks. My house has looked like a college dorm room. I have had to tell him, that he was going to have to start helping with the added bills around here. My grocery bill has almost doubled.
I will be spending most of today crocheting. I have to get this dedication outfit completed. I was hoping to get some more hats done before christmas to send to the cancer center.
Have a good day, and remember when you are brought to your knees, you are in the perfect position to pray.

Back to crocheting

I'm back to crocheting. I'm hoping to have until Dec 20th to finish this dedication outfit. I have the sweater and hat done, the waist band done on the pants. I don't think it will take to long to finish the rest of the outfit. I am concerned that the sweater isn't correct. When I have everything else done, I'm going to have the sweater tried on, and hopefully have time to make another if needed.
Tomorrow I'm going to spend less time on the computer, and work on the pants. I should be able to get them finished. I only have 1 client tomorrow, so I'll have ost of the day. When I get back from that clients, I'll run through the jobs I have going online. That should only take an hour or 2.
Well that's all for now. If you want to see some of the other things I've made you can visit my facebook page. go to facebook, and search for Kimberly Hoffer, then go to photos. You can also go to myspace, but will have to be approved. my address is http://www.myspace.com/slorides_babydoll. When adding to friends add a note that you are from my blog.

Make room at the Table

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all thse virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
God want us to make room for more people at his table. Be compassionate to others, inviting those no one else will talk to.
How did Jesus make room?
He was compassionate. Matt 9:36
He never judged others. Matt 7:1
He faced those that hurt others. Matt 12:34
He stuck up for the underdog. Matt 19

What table are you sitting at?
Table of trouble. Ps. 23:5
Table of test. Gen 43
Table of forgiviness. 2 Sam. 9
Table of Thanksgiving. John 12

Marths cooked
Lazarus sat
It was Mary that was thankful

If you are going to sit--- at least be thankful.

This was our sermon the week before Thanksgiving. When holidays come around, some start thinking about the less fortunate, other think of only themselves. Everyone goes through hard times, if you are one of thse who hasn't, remember life wasn't meant to be easy all the time. We need to remember those who are doing without everyday. The kids that go to bed everynight hungry.
When you are out shopping this christmas season. Pick up something for a child that will not get anything, and remember they also need to eat. If you can afford it, buy a bag of groceries for the family. You don't have to get the most wanted items, or name brand foods. Buy a little boy a football, or model car. Buy a little girl a baby doll, barbie, or play makeup. Talk to the store manager, he/she may give you a discount on groceries.
I'm not just advocating this. I will be buying 4 gifts for children this year, and a meal for 1 family. My husband drives the church bus, and most of the children he picks up come from poor families. One of those families will get a 5lb ham, potatoes, stuffing, green beans, yams, rolls and all the extras to complete the meal. I will blog on how that goes.

One Month to Live

I finished this book in Oct. I read it daily for my devotional. This book was very enlightening, and eye opening. It makes you stop and really think about how you want to be remember.

After 17 years of working as a nurse, I have seen many things. I won't say I've see it all, cause as soon as I do something new will ahppen tomorrow. I have seen what people go through when told they only have a short time to live, the regrets, the hurts, and the forgiveness. I have also seen the difference in the people who actually lived without regrets. They are so peaceful.

You don't want to wait until you have a short time left, to get your affairs in order. First off, it took years to make the mess, you may not have enough time to right the wrongs. Secondly, why not enjoy life those last few days instead of worrying if you finished everything. Set your sights on making sure your final days are peaceful.

Visit the website, and add the book to your christmas list. I promise it will change your life. I did mine.

During the month I read the book, I learned to not put off things, that the house will be ok if the dishes aren't done everyday, and I wrote letters to everyone I hurt asking for forgiveness as well as forgiving those that hurt me.

Prayer Factor

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said " In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with a plea,"Grant me justice against my adversary." " For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself,"Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming." And the Lord said " listen to what the unjust judge says And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8

What happens when God's people pray???

• God moves the leaders--- We are to pray--God brings the results.
• God moves people
• God moves me

What is Christ saying to us?

• We should never give up in prayer-"Keep coming!"
• Obstacles come when we pray! "unjust things may come up"
• God will move when we pray.

This was our sermon yesterday, and it touch and moved me. When we pray we need to remember God isn't going to give us everything we ask for, and thank God He doesn't. We need to search our hearts and examine why we are asking for this or that. When we are having finance trouble, we need to pray for Gods help to change our habits, and if it's more money then pray for a second job. Just because you pray "God send me more money, help me pay this bill," doesn't mean money is going to fall out of the sky. It won't, you have to make a move as well. Let say you are having marital problems Don't ask God to change the other person before you ask to be changed yourself. Now there are things that can cause problems in a marriage, that no matter how much you change the problems isn't going to get better. If your husband is an alcoholic , drug addict or having an affair, pray for them to be healed, and for yourself to help them. If your wife has more shoes than the shoe store, has a gambling problem, or having an affair, by all means pray for them to be changed. These and many more have caused divorce and God never planned husband and wives to divorce. You need to pray for yourself for guidance, change in yourself.

I can write about marital problems because I've been there. My husband is an alcoholoc drug addict, and I have had an affair. However God has kept us together. We have been married for almost 22 years. I pray everyday that God will show me my faults and guide me to change, as well as for my husband to be healed of his addictions. It's not easy, to battle through these things, but a marriage is worth it. Do you want to have more intimacy in your marriage, then pray. Have an intimate relationship with God. Put God as the head of your house.

Unmentionable things happen in the best God fearing marriages. I know this first hand. a couple very close to my heart is going through things now. This couple radiate God when you are around them. However, they are going through counseling for what I don't know, and have quit coming to church. I pray daily for them, that whatever they are going through they work it out.

The moral, Pray when you think you can't go on, & continue to pray. Pray when you don't feel like it.

No crocheting done

Ok I have to admit I didn't get any crocheting done yesterday. I spent most of the day researching jobs, then I worked from 6Pm to 10PM. I'm going to try to get some done today.
I have to work from 8am-1230pm then again from 6pm-10pm. Maybe doing my long break I can get time to work on the dedication outfit.
Black Friday is over. Traffic was crazy here. I am amazed every year at how many people get up in the middle of the night to go shopping on their day off. The stores were packed, with the exception of most grocery stores. I have never participated in black friday nor do I have intentions of participating.
To others who did brave the crowds and cold weather, I hope you were able to all that you went to for. I know they have some great sales yesterday morning. Sorry, but for me it's just not worth it. Loss of sleep, angry crowds, & disgruntled mothers.
Free feel to leave in comments what you were able to pick up yesterday.

Day after Thanksgiving

Hello everyone, Hope you had a very thankful thanksgiving. We now have enough leftovers to last a week. I'm not one of those that gets up early on black friday to shop, there are so few days I get to sleep in that I'm not missing that to fight crowds of nasty people to save a couple dollars.
Now that Thanksgiving is over I'm going back to crocheting. This week I worked more than usual, thanks to the economy, and haven't had time to crochet. I'm going to spend some time today working on the dedication outfit. It is taken me longer than I expected, it has been the hardest pattern for me to follow. I don't think it looks quite right. Of course, everything I make I think looks too small. It's been so long since I had a baby, that I have a hard time looking at something and sizing it up. My baby is 17 years old, and getting ready to leave for college.
I hope everyone spent time with loved ones, and had at least one thing to be thankful for. Remember everything you go through God is with you, and give Him praise for the difficult times as well as the good times. Every difficult time strengthen you for His glory.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone is having a Happy Thanksgiving. I have to get the house ready for guest, so this will be short. I'm still working on the dedication outfit. It has been the most confusing pattern I've done. Baby Evan Flack was born Nov. 7th 2008. He was a big baby, I hope the outfit fits him when it's done. I think they are waiting til the end of Dec. to dedicate him.
Be thankful for all you have and don't have. There is a reason you don't have the things you want.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms. Ps 95:2

christening outfit

I know it's been awhile. Things have been crazy here. Hubby started a second job this week, and I've been trying to get all the work I can between my 2 jobs. This past week I helped with a wellness clinic for AEP. I was in Bluefield,WV and VA. This was first time I had ever taken a trip by myself, and stayed in a hotel. I guess if I do enough of these I'll get comfortable traveling alone. I have 2 clinics this week, but they are close to home. One of them is only a couple mins from my house.
I'm still crocheting and right now I'm crocheting every second I can. Our worship leader's wife had their baby on Friday 11/7/08. I requested to make his dedication outfit, but had put it off too long. Now I'm trying to get it finished. I'm working with a new pattern and it's been very confusing. It's not wrote in the style I'm use to. I have had to rip it out and start over 3 times. I think I have it now, at least I hope so. I have the sweater almost completed. When I get the outfit completed I will post a picture. I feel honored to be able to make these for people who appreciate them. I love making things and giving them away. Whenever there is a need for something crocheted, God always provides the funds for the materials. When I finish this I have another outfit to finish. Then I'm going back to making hats for awhile. It's getting cold and the cancer center and neonatal units need them badly.
I found someone at church who is taking treatments at our local cancer center and she is willing to take the hats there. I hope to be able to send new ones every couple weeks. I would like to spend 1 week crocheting for the cancer center and 1 week for the neonatal unit.
Have blessed week and remember to pray for lost souls, those hurting, and strength for the believers.

Chemo hats/premmie layettes

I made up several chemo hats for a benefit and missed to date to send them. I had requested starting a ministry at church to make chemo hats and items for the neo-natal unit here. That never got off the ground. I figured I could make things up and take myself. I discovered last night that a church member is taking treatments at the cancer center here. She is going to take what hats I have made. As the weather is getting colder, I'm going to use my leftover yarn to make up some more to send.
My husband will be so happy to see some of this yarn leaving the house. What he doesn't know is that just makes room for more.
I do not have any kind of non-profit group like I've seen online. I'm just trying to help where I can. If anyone has leftover yarn you want to get rid, and help someone in need leave me a comment. If you want to make things yourself, you can find free patterns online. These patterns can only be use for personal or charity, not to profit from. Then contact your nearest cancer center, oncologist office, childrens hospital, neo-Natal unit. They are happy to receive these things.
Let give you a little background on these patients. Cancer patients typically are not the wealthy people, that's not to say the rich don't get cancer, they are usually not in your local area. These people spend their life savings for treatment. Their insurance companies either drop them, or they max out their insurance. Hats aren't the only thing needed, they can use trach scarves,and gloves. These things aren't just for warmth, it reminds these patients that there are people in their community that cares.
The neo-natal units are full of pre-term and sick newborns. They spend anywhere from a couple weeks to months in the hospital. These units need blankets, hats, booties, mitts, scent dolls, burial gowns, eye covers.
If you decide to made items and donate them, you can always put a note or card with each one to let them know you care and are praying for them. These things are like giving each one a hug.

Why I started this

This is my first post, so let me tell you a little about me, and why I started this. First my name is Kim, I live in Christiansburg, Va with my husband and youngest child. I have been married for 21 years. My husband is 10 years older then me, and had been married before. He has 1 son from his previous marriage. We have 3 children. My step-son is 27 and has a son that is 6. I have a son that is 21, a daughter that is 20, and another daughter that is 17. Our youngest was suppose to be a boy, but God didn't see it that way. I have often said we have a boy, girl and tomboy. In a later post I will go more in depth about my family, it may actually take more than one post. Right now I want you to understand why I'm writing.
I like writing, and telling stories. As a christian I feel a real need to reach out into cyberspace and touch lives. I am pretty much a loner, and am not comfortable out in public. Somedays I may only post a verse and prayer, other days maybe longer. Somedays I may just tell you how my day was.
The main reason for this blog is to inform people of God, His love, and how to grow in it. God gave all of us a talent, some more than others, some yet to be unlocked. Some of my talents are comforting the sick and broken, crocheting, and reading. I know you are saying "how does a loner comfort the sick?" Well there are many ways.
First I am a nurse and I am comfortable talking with and helping other people, for some reason I can't explain, I can go into a strangers home and be completely comfortable. Just don't ask me to stand infront of a crowd and speak. When I am not out preforming nursing duties, I want to be home.
Second I enjoy crocheting, this is a talent that has been handed down in my family many generations. Let me say here, a talent isn't just something you can do, it's something you like to do. It's a passion. There are many in my family who can crochet, but few that actually do. I was taught to crochet by my aunt, who really enjoys it. I still remember the night she taught me, I won't get into it. I now use that skill to make gifts. I have yet to sell anything. I have made blankets for personal use, I no longer make them as they are very haevy and take a lot of time. I have made several christening outfits, layettes, and baby sweat suits. I have just completed a prayer shawl for a baby in Ohio. I also have made headbands for girls on my daughters softball teams. I would like to be able to sell my items, but at the present time they are all gifts. When God is ready for me to sell he will provide a place to do that. As I finish items I will post them on here. My current goal is to make items for the cancer center here in SW Virginia, as well as items for the neonatal unit in Roanoke Virginia. Anyone who would like to contribute please contact me, in a later blog I will explain why these 2 places are important to me.
Third is reading, I try to read my Bible daily. I spend time with God and he directs me to my next project. I will read anything I can get my hands on. I currently am reading not only the new testament in the Bible, but also 2 books. I'm almost finished with the One Month to Live by Kerry & Chris Shook. I have read this as a devotional, which is how it's meant to be read. This book shows you how to live now so you have no regrets. It teaches you how to live as if you only had 1 month to live, and live that way the rest of your life. Why wait until the Dr says you only have 30 days to live, to decide to make amends, to spend time with your family, to reach out and help someone. This is one book I won't be selling, I'm sure I will be reading it again. The other book is My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews. My mother in law past away last new years eve. She had a lot of V.C. Andrews books and I have started reading through each series. I have completed 2 series, and this is a stand alone book. I never thought I would like her stories, but I have found I really do like them. Reading is my escape. I not only read the story, but I'm in the story. I read for enjoyment, learning, and fulfillment.
As this blog unfolds there will be many different things I add. Please come back and read. Somedays may seem like a lot of wasted words, but remember each days enter is meant to touch someone, if not you that day, than maybe the next. God will lay on my heart what soemone reading that day needs. My prayers are with all of you.