My Grandmother's Sewing Machine

A baby blanket made by my grandmother in 2003...

To be entrusted with my grandmother's sewing machine is both humbling and motivating. Caring for others was one of her defining characteristics. The blanket in the photos is probably one of the last things she was able to stitch on this machine. In recent years, physical limitations have made it too hard to keep sewing for others. Thankfully, her prayers continue. And with every stitch, I hope to continue her legacy of kindness and love in some small way.

According to the owner's manual, my grandparents bought this machine in 1966.

The first project I plan to tackle is making some baby mitts. I'm not sure how photo-worthy the results will be, but I intend to reveal them next week. I hope they turn out!

Today I'm linking up at Try New Adventures Thursday.

10 Things I'll Suddenly Be Glad to Do

Waiting is hard.  Waiting patiently is an even greater feat, which I believe takes supernatural grace to manage.  I'm not there yet.  Right now my two-week-old daughter is still in the hospital recovering from surgery.  Once she starts feeding well and gaining weight, we should be able to go home and rejoin the rest of the family.  We just don't know when that will happen.

It's amazing how one's perspective can change with an unexpected turn of events.  Once we do finally get to take her home, I'll be seeing certain tasks differently.  Hopefully I can remember to give thanks in the midst of it all.  Because if I'm doing these things, it means my daughter is home with us to stay!

 I'm looking forward to:

1. Changing lots of dirty diapers.
2. Being awoken in the night to feed my crying baby.
3. Having more laundry to wash.
4. Going about tasks with only one hand available.
5. Feeling like I'm never alone.
6. Needing to buy more diapers.
7. Having a full-time job feeding my newborn.
8. Lugging extra baby gear around with me.
9. Taking my daughter in and out of her infant seat.
10.  Staking out a quiet nook to nurse my daughter when we're out and about.

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him..."

Psalm 37:7