Looking out from the back patio on September 9, 2020, I saw this ominous cloud of smoke! Wildfires broke out in a number of areas in Oregon, USA. At one time I heard on the news that 38 areas in the state were fighting wildfires.
Around September 12, 2020, officials advised the public to stay inside with the windows closed if at all possible. We were told we had the worst air quality in the world...can I just say that being told that did not encourage my breathing!
The intense colors pleased me...maybe especially because they were such glorious contrast to the drab worrisome gray-brown smoke!
On this little coloring card, I experimented with fine point ink pens. Although I had 20 colors to choose from I was not able to blend or shade what I colored effectively...but still enjoyed coloring!
192 handmade baby blankets and 50 hats were gathered at our church! Yesterday the project founder and her husband delivered them to a local hospital. The hospital volunteer coordinator was thrilled with the contributions! She said that especially during this time of COVID-19 precautions patients are feeling isolated from family and friends while in hospital and it is wonderful to be able to offer them homemade blankets and hats for their babies.
This morning I was one of four ladies who gathered...sitting six feet apart... to knit and crochet baby blankets. Two of the ladies brought in these blankets they had already completed.
While our nearby wildfires are under control, many in the state are suffering much loss.
Our skies are hazier today due to smoke from California wildfires. In the early hours Monday morning, I woke up...prayed a bit, and when I could not go back to sleep I checked the weather app on my iPad and saw a report that some folks in the Santa Rosa area north of San Fransisco California had to evacuate due to the threat of wildfires. I texted some family members and friends to see how they were affected. They are all safe, but my nephew and his wife had to evacuate from their home in Calistoga, California, on a road that had a fire on both sides which my nephew typed was "very scary!" They believe their home is okay but are not sure when they can return.
My nephew has a little Orthodox Christian bookstore, Not of This World, online and in Santa Rosa, California, and he is able to work at the store in spite of the wildfires in the nearby area.
This morning the Scripture readings I read for this date were from 1Corinthians 16:13-24 and Matthew 24:42-47. I have been especially thinking about parts of the verses today...
"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all you do be done with love...Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming...O Lord, come!...the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you..."
Some of the original Christ-followers expected Jesus to return to earth and take them to heaven in their lifetime. They prayed that He would! But while they watched and waited for Him they encouraged each other to stand fast in the faith, be brave and strong and let all they did be done in love. I want to follow their example.
What are you crafting in your days?
Gracie xx
