Get to know me, Yaya Yarns

I always start the same way when I introduce myself so here goes!

My faith is very strong. I have seen what God has taken me through, from dead deep in sin, He took away my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh, making me a new creation in HIM. I would not be where I am today without HIM, He saved me, changed me, grew me and is using me ... I am blessed, not that He has kept me from trials, but that HE allowes me to go through them that I might see HIM even more.

I was born and raised in Texas! We presently live in Louisiana and have for almost 15 years.  I am 42 years old, the wife of a wonderful husband named Danny who is 60 years old. We have been married a little over 18 years and between the two of us we have three sons.

Danny's son is in his late 30's and is serving in the Navy. He recently return from a tour in Afghanistan. He also has two sons, unfortunately none of them are a part of our lives.

I have two boys, 21 and 22 years old and both married to wonderful young ladies. My boys were 2 and 3 years old when Danny and I married so he raised them like they were his own. I am very blessed for that! Our youngest has been married almost 3 years, has a 2 year old little girl is is expecting a little boy in January. Our oldest has been married a little over a year and does not have any children yet. Both of the boys are currently working in the law enforcement area.

I am and have been a stay at home wife and mom for all but two of our 18 year marriage, and that itself is a prayer and dream come true. God has blessed my life in so many ways, and being blessed to spend my days at home is amazing. Through those years I homeschooled the boys for several years and was extremely active in our church as a Childrens Ministry Leader and Sunday School Teacher.

Today I am still very active in my church in many ways from teaching Girls in Action, to WMU missions co-coordinator  for our church and the 4th 5th 6th grade girls discipleship training teacher.

For a little over a year now I have been volunteering at our area donation center that provides food, clothing and housewares to those in need. The LORD has recently blessed and called for an expansion of that ministry to include a pregnancy center which is an area that is very near and dear to my heart. I will be announced as the director of that ministry next week and look forward to all the LORD is about to do as HE begins this ministry and brings the plans into action.

Lastly, but not at all least of all, I have have been in online ministry through varied avenues since 1995. I have found that there are many ways to reach and minister to the needs of others through a keyboard!

Oh, I almost forgot! I also love to crochet and therefore have a crochet ministry. Whether I am making prayer shawls or gifts, I crochet with prayer for all those whom receive or purchase my handmade items.

That is a little about me, if you have have questions just ask!

It is a blessing to be joining all you sisters here and I look forward to all that God is doing!

Trying to get it together..

I wanted to post a few pics from the Christmas preparations at our house....




















Here are J and Poppi decorating our extra perfect tree for this year...it really is symmetrical!















This is one of my favorite ornaments...a turtle with 2 turtledoves on its back...my hubby and I collect turtles so we couldn't pass this one up.




















This is an angel crocheted by my mother and starched to stand upright...she also makes snowflakes for me to hang in my inside windows...in the background is our Advent Calendar...a magnetized board surrounded by the days leading up to Christmas with magnetic pieces of the nativity behind each little door...and usually a little treat for J too.














One of my very favorite Christmas decorations...a beautiful Nativity set with pieces about 18 ins tall. I set this up in my foyer so it is the first thing we see when we come in. It has taken me 30 yrs to get one I like.

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This is the living room all decked out...it usually looks different each year but i am quite pleased with how it turned out this year...all it needs is a fire in the fireplace. There are currently 8 stockings hung...each one different and unique. My mom has also crocheted those..well the ones for my children, their spouses and my granddaughter anyway. We have one more to add this year for our new son in law but I still need a hanger for his. These all stay at our house and the kids have to get their own for their own houses...Don't know where I will hang all the future grands...but I'll think of somewhere!

Merry Christmas Scarf Sisters!

My New Favorite....

I do believe it's about time that I post a photo of my new favorite ornament! I received this gem from my precious Sister friend, Pat...it was SO PERFECT! I got all teary-eyed when I opened the box! (And it was received quite some time ago as she managed to play by the rules and mail her package by the deadline... others (ME) didn't quite make the cut!! But then again, if you know me, you know I often don't play by the rules OR make deadlines...but, I digress...)

Pat has nicknamed our property "The State Park" (you may understand why if you check out today's post on my blog)






And in fact, if I were to take a photo from the left side of our home looking toward the pond in the background, this could very well be a perfect artist's rendition of our property!

Thank you Pat!! We all absolutely LOVE our new ornament! Olivia has placed it high in a place of honor on our tree...just slightly below the crooked star! (Stay tuned to my blog for a future post on the story of the crooked star!)

Have I told you all lately how BLESSED BLESSED BLESSED I am to be a part of this Sisterhood?!

Happy Birthday Felisol

Dear Felisol,

We wish you a very Happy, Joyous and Blessed birthday and the New Year to come.

Your life is "being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ ,unto the glory and praise of God". Philippians 1 ;11

Here are some roses from our garden

Here is a short movement from Tchaikovsky 's Swan Lake ballet for Felisol who is very fond of music , art, cuklture and all thinhgs beautiful and elegant

"For God So Loved The World"

Today I received my ornament, I was so excited, I could not wait to open it.

Just as I expected I was so blessed.

It is a beautiful "peace" and reminder of the ONE "Who So Loved The World.

It is a solid bronze handmade ornament that was forged by the craftsmen at Wendell August in western PA.

This metal smith was established in 1923 designing ornate items for banks, churches and private homes.  Their tradition of handmade forging still go on today. Each piece is initialed by the master engraver who hammered out each piece.


Here is the picture of the ornament I received today. It is engraved with the words, "For God So Loved The World"

Thank you DEB I am blessed!!!

I am just thrilled!

Hello Sisters!

I am just thrilled to be a part of this sisterhood!

I came across the group on a blog that I frequent. And then I noticed links on other blogs...and so..I followed the trail and here I am!

Actually, after reading several sister's blogs and learning about what this sisterhood was, I felt led to ask to join. We shall see what God had in mind!

Please allow me to introduce myself. My "birth" name is Cornelia but everyone calls me Connie. Originally from Wisconsin,  I've been living on the remote and isolated island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands for the past 30 years. I was married for 15 years to a local man. It was a difficult and abusive marriage. After some years of single-motherhood I remarried the most wonderful man ever, my darling "Japanese" husband, Masaaki.  He is truly a blessing from the Lord and I honestly could not ask for more in a husband, partner and friend. 

We each have three adult children, all girls. Masaaki also has two step-daughters, their father having passed away while they were little. Masaaki was also previously married to a local woman for about fifteen years.  Together we have 23 grandchildren! Most of our children live here on Saipan except for Masaaki's youngest who lives in Oregon and my eldest who is a soldier in the US army-Black-hawk engineer.

Masaaki and I have planned for several years to move to Japan when he retires in March of 2011. That day is almost upon us. We are currently in transition and anxiously awaiting our move in March!

It's wonderful to be here. I pray that I have something of value to contribute to the Sisterhood!

God Bless and see you on the blog!

Christmas Cheer

Sunrise from Mrs. Mac's front porch 12/4/10

This poor little group has become rag-tag of late.  Our Bible is still MIA .. and perhaps some of the ornaments from the exchange.  Then it occurred to me that some of the ladies in the exchange needed to be added to the list of sisters that can make a post other than in the comment section.  This is being remedied.  I do think that Miss Terry will need to send out the RCMP once again this year to aid the postal workers :)

Early morning .. I've turned on the lights just for your visit :)

Wreath = God's eternal love

Today finds the North Woods with clear, cold, sunny skies.  It's just now sunrise and I've been out and about taking some photos to share of our winter wonderland.  Winter AND Christmas are my favorite times of the year.  Sounds, sights and scents are more accentuated from the cold weather.  Appetites for nourishing warm meals grow.  The north wind has swept over the landscape and left ripples and sparkles of ice covering every exposed surface.  I am thankful for a warm home, winter boots and clothing.  No complaining about the snow (yet) .. that will come around March when the gardener in me gets antsy wanting to 'play' in the dirt.

Little heart to be filled with treats

Welcome to my home!

A small reminder why we celebrate His birth

Stockings are hung!

Before the day gets too long gone ... I'm here to offer you a tour of our home as it's been recently decorated for Christmas .. both inside and out .. by God's handiwork .. and my family.  This season we've kept the decor quite simple.  Hanging lights from the eves is too risky since they are so high up.  A fresh evergreen garland has been swagged from the porch balcony rail and adorned with a single strand of shiny bright  bulb lights.   Being that it's so cold out .. evergreen decorations stay green all winter long.  Our front door has a fresh wreath .. simple .. and elegant .. splashed with a scattering of pine cones and berries.  The foyer table has a manger scene with figurines that little hands can touch without breakage.  Our stockings and tree skirt .. along with many of the tree ornaments are Scandinavian inspired .. made from felt, knitted yarn, woven material, straw and paper.   Of course, we still have some moose items on display .. such as some early gifts in the form of cookie cutters.

Sunrise .. ripples and glitter :)

How do  you keep the clutter of the world from spoiling your Christmas celebrations?  Do you have a favorite family tradition?  Traditions are good ways for building memories over the years and at the same time instilling the Love God has for each of us.  I am daily reminded of His greatest Gift presented to us as a babe wrapped in swaddling cloth .. asleep on a manger.

A reminder of His Light and Love

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Luke 2:11-12