A STRONG FOUNDATION

Last night while praying and seeking Elohei’s guidance in the days ahead, I specifically asked for wisdom and discernment because those things are what I will need the most while making decisions in the moment or for long term solutions.

And today while waiting for the 10 a.m. ‘phone appointment’ from the Social Security Administration, I again sought Elohei’s guidance, mercy, and judgment on my behalf. I always turn to Scripture for comfort and encouragement before placing one foot in front of the other.

Elohim has given us a choice concerning the foundation on which we build our lives. We can follow our own desires and shroud ourselves in our feelings … or we can embrace His eternal principles revealed in the guidelines of Scripture and follow Yeshua’s example. I choose to embrace holy principles and follow in the footsteps of Yeshua.

And yes, it has cost me to make that choice.

Nevertheless, I place my feet on the solid rock, which is Mashiach Yeshua – and I stand: safe and secure; knowing that the rock on which I stand is a solid and sure foundation that will never be shaken or crumble under pressure. All other ground is quick sand that will slowly but surely suck me under and eventually smother me to death.

I acknowledge today – as I have since the day I was saved in the summer of 1968 – that Yeshua is my sure foundation. All my hope and security is in Him. Social Security is not my provider. Yahweh Yireh is my provider. Yahweh is Creator, and Yahweh is another name for Yeshua. Yireh means Adonai will provide. Yeshua is Lord (aka Adonai), therefore HE will provide for me. Adonai is the plural form of Adon, which means “Lord, Lord, LORD – master and owner”. Adonai equates the Triune Godhead, better known as Elohei.

Isaiah 33:2-6 – O Adonai, be gracious to us! We wait for You. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble. The peoples flee the thunder of Your voice; the nations scatter when You rise. Your spoil will be gathered as if by locusts; like a swarm of locusts men will pounce on it. Adonai is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. There will be times of security for you – a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Adonai is Zion’s treasure.

AFTERNOTE: Social Security was 5 minutes late on their “appointment phone consultation”, BUT YESHUA CAME THROUGH FOR ME! My monthly income will be pretty close to what Bob was receiving … if not MORE; so I am doing the happy dance right now :-D I can meet my monthly bills without sweating and dreading the payouts, and I have breathing room to take care of the things that need tending to after the bill collectors have been satisfied … like getting a plumber and plasterer in here to fix and repair what is falling apart because the previous owner of this house did nothing to the house at all (repair-wise) after they bought it 23 years ago, so things are starting to age, break down, and need replacing. I can do that now. A little at a time, with no serious financial strain ;-)

CROCHET BABY RIPPLE AFGHAN

This baby ripple afghan uses a simple dc stitch throughout. It works up fast and looks good when finished ;-)

Since I am making donation items for the local hospital – and some of those items being for babies and children, I try to make them fun and colorful. Being in the hospital is no fun for anyone, but for babies and children too young to understand what is happening to them, I thought a little color and fun yarn would be cheering and brighten their world up some.

I am posting the original pattern as originally written. But for my baby blanket, I chose to use worsted weight Bucilla yarn in Off White for color A, and offset that color by using up the 4 skeins of 2 oz. Bernat Dippity Dots yarn (Lavender, Turquoise, Pink & Yellow) that I had in my yarn stash to equate the ounces required in the original pattern for contrast colors. I like the outcome and I think the recipient will too :-D

CROCHET BABY RIPPLE AFGHAN

Finished afghan measures approximately 36” x 38”

Materials: Worsted Yarn – 8 ozs. (Color A), 4 ozs. (Color B), & 4 ozs. (Color C); Crochet Hook, size H (or size you need to obtain guage)

Gauge: 1 rpt of pattern (17 sts) = 4-1/2 inches

              4 rows = 3 inches

Pattern: With a, ch 140 for lower edge.

A Stripe: Row 1 (right side): Work 1 dc in 5^th ch from hook, 1 dc in ea of next 6 ch, 3 dc in next ch, 1 dc in ea of next 7 ch, *skp 2 ch, 1 dc in each next 7 dc, 3 dc in next st, 1 dc in ea of 7 ch*; rpt from * to * 6 more times, skp 1 ch, 1 dc in last ch. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: Skp first 2 dc, working in back loop of ea dc work 1 dc in ea of next 7 dc, 3 dc in next dc – center of group of 3 dc – 1 dc in ea of 7 dc, *skp 2 dc, 1 dc in ea of 7 dc, 3 dc in next dc – center of group of 3 dc – , 1 dc in ea of 7 dc*; rpt from * to * 6 more times, skp 1 dc, work 1 dc in top of turning ch, working off last 2 loops of dc with color B to change color; fasten off color A. NOTE: Turning ch 3 counts as 1 dc.

B Stripe: Row 3: With B, work as for row 2 to within 2 dc of end; skp next dc, 1 dc in top of turning ch, do not change color.

Row 4: Work as for row 2, working off last 2 loops of last dc with color C instead of B to change color; fasten off B.

C Stripe: Row 5: With C, work as for row 2 to within 2 dc of end; skp next dc, 1 dc in top of turning ch, do not change color.

Row 6: Work as for row 2, working ff last 2 loops of last dc with color A; fasten off C.

Continue pattern as established above, continuing work as follows – *2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows B, 2 rows A, 2 rows B, 2 rows C*; rpt between * to * twice more; then work 2 rows A, 2 rows C, 2 rows B, 2 rows A: 25 stripes in all. Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

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After the afghan was finished, I started working on stretchy knit rib baby hats to be donated also. I will post the pattern for the baby hat when I have completed them. These knit hats are little … but they take time to make 1 hat … lots of straight work time. Now that I am a widow, I have lots of time; but for young mothers and women that work a 9 to 5 job, time is of the essence, so plan your day accordingly when you decided to work 1 up: