How many babies must die?

Nestle found themselves in the news yet again... and they are up to their old habits...

In China, 6200 babies are gravely ill and 4 have died so far after melamine was found in Nestle formula/milk products. And the number is growing.

Melamine... in baby milk.

When will we as consumers stop giving our money to these companies who care only for lining their own pockets with money laced with the tears of dying children and grieving mothers???

Please... boycott Nestle.

Recap

All right... it's been a whirlwind summer with way too much fun... and just the right amount of yarn.

Dorcas Camp was a hoot... a soggy, wet hoot, but a barrel of fun nonetheless. Sadly, I don't hae any pics because my camera died two days before I left. I was able to pass on the fibre-loving bug to 42 young ladies and their moms. Josie was an awesome helper (Hi there!!) and she is one awesome girl. Her grandma had taught her how to knit using the continental method, and she has some mad skills! She passed on her knowledge and so I'm giving it a go. It's a totally different feel, but I think it just might be faster when I get the hang of it. There was plenty of adventure to be had - Mum's van broke down and we were given some kindly help from Carlos at Mr. Lube in Brantford... he asked for a token from Sarnia, but we could only find a knitted bunny to give him. I offered to teach him to knit, but he declined... so the plan is to knit him a hat and send it off. I'll try to get it done and in the mail by next week. Also the week was filled with rain, rain and yes, more rain. On the last night, a massive thunderstorm began at 2am. I prayed for God's mercy, please let it stop. But His mercy was delivered in a different medium, in that the kids slept soundly thru the whole thing. I was shaking like a leaf but they were peacefully unaware of the storm raging around them. There's a lesson in that, no doubt.

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:27

We had an awesome holiday at Fair Havens. There was something for everyone and I didn't have to cook or clean all week. Yipee! It was restful and I found it to be a respite from my emotions too. I'm continuing to walk thru the process of greiving 2 lost babies, and it was such a healing week for me. I spent a lot of time focusing on my spiritual walk with God and I found myself rejuevenated by the end of our time there... ready to come home and focus on the physical healing that needs some tending. The kids had so much fun! There was even a petting zoo brought in one day... with sheep, angora goats and alpaca... I was looking for a pair of sheers!!

And now, we are back to our routine of school. [insert sigh of relief]

I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures and knitting with my new stash! Yipee!

Tiny socks

I knit a tiny pair of socks yesterday.

Red, with a white ribbon.

Perfect for Christmas.

Therapy knitting.

I hadn't been able to knit anything before yesterday... before I knew that Sammy's heart had finally stopped. Anything prior to that was just too hopeful, and I hadn't the heart. But good-bye knitting is easier than hopeful knitting.

The socks were so tiny, and yet, they were so enormous compared to the wee tiny boy that Sammy was.

And so, these tiny socks will be tucked away, as will my hopeful feelings... for I say good-bye to my tiny boy, but I know that it is not final. I will hold him one day.

Oh God, grant me patience in waiting for that day.

Hiding Place

The sunshine was astonishing. The breeze was perfect. The day was as lovely as could be.

The happy sound of my children playing outside was interrupted by a heart-wrenching cry... I ran to the window to see Hannah, lying crumpled and bloody, on the sidewalk. I bolted for the door, not stopping for my shoes. I ran across the grass to where she lay. Gathering her up in my arms, I brought her into the safety of our home.

As tenderly as I could, I cleaned her scraped and bleeding knees. A little ointment and plenty of bandaids helped, but thru her sniffles, she just asked for a cuddle. She just wanted to be held.

Everything within me wanted to love the hurt away. I held her as tightly as I could and I didn't let go until she was calm.

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There are moments in life that strike with extreme clarity... moments that are bigger than oneself... moments when it is undeniable that Someone is trying desperately to communicate with us, if we would but listen to that still, small voice...

As I held Hannah, I knew that I myself was being held. When inside, I felt like I was a crumpled mess, I knew I was being held by Someone much bigger than I... Someone who was able to contain all the sorrow and pain... Someone who was not afraid of my tears... Someone who just wanted to love the hurt away. I sat there holding Hannah, knowing that I, too, was being held.
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Please take a moment to listen to Hiding Place.

Psalm 32:7

You are my hiding place;

you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Long overdue

It's been far too long since I've stopped by... poor, sad, little blog. I'm sorry. Well, here are some yummy knits that I've been working on...

The biggest and best... Mark's 10th anniversary sweater...

Details: Mission Falls merino

I think I could have made the torso a little longer, but Mark is quite happy with it. It's tailored to his hobbit-ish size and fits him so well. I modified the pattern somewhat, as I think some of the instructions got a little lost in translation. I also knit a crew neck instead of a turtleneck, which you can't see in the Garnstudio pattern because of the scarf. I'm really happy with how it turned out...

Next posting...

lots'o'socks
wee little tomten

(I promise, I'll be back soon)

Stop and Think