Lessons Learned (okay, I'm still learning:)

This is 'ole Max.  He looks pretty comfortable.  Wouldn't it be great if we  felt this comfortable all the time?  

In our lives, we're often hopping around trying to adjust ourselves around or away from discomfort (physical and emotional) in order to evade the reality of grief and nuisance.  But life is full of discomfort.  When we learn that grief and nuisance are inevitable and sometimes unavoidable we must also learn that there will be times we must plant ourselves in quiet stillness,  for in time, we learn that EVERYTHING (both the uncomfortable AND the lovely) do pass. E.P.L. (paraphrased)

Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 

Words I want to remember.

Cloth Baby Wipes

The Project
This is my (learn how to use this sewing machine) sewing project.  These are double sided flannel baby wipes.  They measure 4"x8".  I thought I'd use this simple but useful sewing project to  practice with the sewing machine given to us by Craig's grandmother.  I've always wanted to learn to sew.  It is such an amazing skill.  So, I'm starting here before I tackle my skirts.

This machine is not a serger so I don't think I came as close to the edges as I need to.  Not sure just yet how or if this will effect how they wear.


What I Did
I made a 4"x8" cardboard pattern and used quarters to round the corners of the pattern. I used flannel but you can use cotton or terry cloth but it's not recommended to use fleece, it just smears the mess around.  I traced around the pattern and cut the pieces out and sewed the flannel pieces together.  A very sweet blogger who I meant on Messianic Keepers at Home  (Hi Yahkheena, if you're out there!) suggested that I straight stitch around the edges then zig zag the edges to help minimize fraying.

I really like these.  The only thing I think I will change is the size, I think a 6"x8" would work a little better.  This 4"x8" feels just a little sparce for a really messy mess.  These little fellas are just plain nice wipes no matter how you decide to use them, face or bottoms, they're super soft!

Thank you YahKheena for encouraging me to try sewing.  This is what she told me after I told her I was kind of afraid to just jump into sewing, she said, "We can do ALL things through Messiah who strengthens us...that includes learning to run our sewing machines!"  That was exactly what I needed to hear!

I'll keep practicing:)

Removing Leaven From Our Home for the Feast of Unleavened Bread

  

This is just a reminder for myself.   Removing leaven for the Feast of Unleavened Bread has become a lot easier than it was when we first began observing YHWH's feasts because in the beginning, we didn't understand what "leavened bread" really meant.  Here are the guidelines we currently follow in our home:

1.  We put out all bread products that have yeast, baking soda, baking powder or sour dough in them.  We do not throw out baking soda or baking powder though.
2.  Beer and grain alcohol are also fermented grains so these would be put out as well.  Some might also put out distilled white vinegar and soy sauce.
3.  We do not put out pasta as it does not contain leavening agents.
4.  Kefir grains do not need to be thrown out as they are not used to ferment grains.  Yogurt would also be fine to be kept in the house.
5.  Wine is also fermented but it is not a grain, thus acceptable to consume and keep in the home over the feast.
6.  We also do not put out items that might contain autolyzed yeast (like canned soups, etc).  It is a dead yeast and is only used for flavoring.  It will not leaven because it's dead.  (Since we have limited processed foods in our diet, we have little if any of these things in our home now.)

It is important to remember that this is the Feast of Unleavened Bread (bread is a grain product) so we want to remove grains that have come into contact with leavening agents.  So, it's pretty simple now for us to understand what will have to be removed.


Exo 12:19  Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.