"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of hte eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."--1 John 2:15-17
Convicting words indeed!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Blog Giveaway: Free to a Good Home!
I am happy to announce another blog giveaway. I turned the ugliest fabric ever into two plus size apron/smocks. Now, I know for a fact that there are people out there in the multiverse who think this fabric is adorable. And to that end, I did my very best to make these aprons cute and attractive.
The apron with blue trim was my first ever effort at using seam binding, so there's a wee bit of evidence of my lack of experience, but it's still OK (and I am giving them away for free after all). The green-trimmed apron, if I do say so myself, is spit spot perfect.
These would fit size 1x-3x I think.
So, please, let me know if you want to enter the drawing, and one week from today I will hopefully pull YOUR name out of a jar.
Leave a comment with your name and e-mail or send me a private e-mail at alanasheldahl at gmail dot com to enter.
The apron with blue trim was my first ever effort at using seam binding, so there's a wee bit of evidence of my lack of experience, but it's still OK (and I am giving them away for free after all). The green-trimmed apron, if I do say so myself, is spit spot perfect.
These would fit size 1x-3x I think.
So, please, let me know if you want to enter the drawing, and one week from today I will hopefully pull YOUR name out of a jar.
Leave a comment with your name and e-mail or send me a private e-mail at alanasheldahl at gmail dot com to enter.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
And the Winners are....
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Headcovering Giveaway!
Ok, gals, I have TWO white lace mantillas to give away! As you can see from the photos, they are rather large. When it's draped over my head, the tip of the triangle comes down to my mid-back (and I'm not petite!). There is enough mantilla here to tie around your neck, if you so choose, as I'm doing in the last picture, but it also looks nice open and flowing if you are claustrophobic.
I bought this lace last year for my Pascha head covering, and I bought too much. So now I want some other folks to share the joy. White is the color for Pascha, so here they are.
Please send me your name and e-mail address (if you don't want to leave your e-mail in my comments section, you can send me an e-mail at alanasheldahl{at}gmail.com.
I'll hold a drawing in a week. So that's next Thursday. And two of you will be winners.
If you post this giveaway to your blog and link back, let me know and I'll enter your name twice.
Blessed Lent, ya'll. May God give you strength.
Coming Soon!
I'm going to be doing a giveaway on this blog! As soon as I get it sewn, I'll be hosting a give away for a white lace matilla...lovely just in time for Pascha/Easter/Resurrection Sunday...whatever you call it.
Check back later, for photos and full details, ladies!
Check back later, for photos and full details, ladies!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Snapshot of Blessing
Imagine, if you will, a light-filled chapel. It's high domed ceiling contains the icon of Christ, surrounded by his holy apostles. Shafts of evening light are coming through the western window in the back wall above the balcony, and indirectly through the northern and southern side windows as well. The place is filled with incense and smoke and evening light. People stand to pray.
A carved wooden iconostasis is in front. To the left is an icon of Mary, the Mother of God holding Jesus Christ, God become flesh. To the right is an icon of Jesus. Two large candle stands filled with sand and holding beeswax candles are in front of each icon. St. John Maximovitch and St. Raphael of Brooklyn stand like sentinals on the walls beside either side of the icon stand. Behind the altar is a wall-sized icon mural of the resurrection: The conquering risen Christ hauling Adam and Eve up from their tombs by the wrists like recalcitrant toddlers. The God who rescues us.
I am to the right, if one is facing the altar, in an alcove with the rest of the choir, not facing the front, but rather facing the side. I am singing.
I can glance up and see my husband and a few other people up in the balcony. My two oldest daughters are standing together. Almost 14, M is wearing a long denim skirt, a long sleeved t-shirt with a tank top under it because she says the neck is too low on the t-shirt, and a headscarf covering her long blonde hair is awkwardly tied under her chin. She doesn't care. She started wearing a scarf to Church a year or so ago, without me saying much about it at all. And at almost 16, my oldest daughter, B, is wearing a simple denim dress. She cares not a whit about fashion. Her hair is in two braids and she's wearing a black and white checked bandana. She can never quite get her clothes to match, even when I limit the color range of what I buy for her.
The two sisters are holding hands lovingly, and facing the font of the Chapel. Every once in a while they let go to cross themselves. I can tell they are praying.
I am watching them, because B has been struggling with involuntary body movements lately. Something else gone wrong in her brain. But tonight, her body is calm, and it is such a blessing! We feel surrounded by the prayers of so many who are interceding for her. And as I sing, I tear up in gratitude to have two such daughters. I tear up for their love for each other, the tender care M is showing to B. I tear up for the fact that B is doing better this evening, that her mind is calm and her body is calm. I watch them pray.
Both girls are mildly on the autistic spectrum. Finding friends is difficult for them. But then again, the advantage is that they are free to be themselves and they don't worry about what others might think of them. Both girls are brilliantly intelligent. They both have deep faith. Piety. Love for God. And love for each other.
And as a mother, all I can do is offer them to God and pray that they continue to grow in God's grace, love and mercy.
What blessings! What more could a mother ask?
A carved wooden iconostasis is in front. To the left is an icon of Mary, the Mother of God holding Jesus Christ, God become flesh. To the right is an icon of Jesus. Two large candle stands filled with sand and holding beeswax candles are in front of each icon. St. John Maximovitch and St. Raphael of Brooklyn stand like sentinals on the walls beside either side of the icon stand. Behind the altar is a wall-sized icon mural of the resurrection: The conquering risen Christ hauling Adam and Eve up from their tombs by the wrists like recalcitrant toddlers. The God who rescues us.
I am to the right, if one is facing the altar, in an alcove with the rest of the choir, not facing the front, but rather facing the side. I am singing.
I can glance up and see my husband and a few other people up in the balcony. My two oldest daughters are standing together. Almost 14, M is wearing a long denim skirt, a long sleeved t-shirt with a tank top under it because she says the neck is too low on the t-shirt, and a headscarf covering her long blonde hair is awkwardly tied under her chin. She doesn't care. She started wearing a scarf to Church a year or so ago, without me saying much about it at all. And at almost 16, my oldest daughter, B, is wearing a simple denim dress. She cares not a whit about fashion. Her hair is in two braids and she's wearing a black and white checked bandana. She can never quite get her clothes to match, even when I limit the color range of what I buy for her.
The two sisters are holding hands lovingly, and facing the font of the Chapel. Every once in a while they let go to cross themselves. I can tell they are praying.
I am watching them, because B has been struggling with involuntary body movements lately. Something else gone wrong in her brain. But tonight, her body is calm, and it is such a blessing! We feel surrounded by the prayers of so many who are interceding for her. And as I sing, I tear up in gratitude to have two such daughters. I tear up for their love for each other, the tender care M is showing to B. I tear up for the fact that B is doing better this evening, that her mind is calm and her body is calm. I watch them pray.
Both girls are mildly on the autistic spectrum. Finding friends is difficult for them. But then again, the advantage is that they are free to be themselves and they don't worry about what others might think of them. Both girls are brilliantly intelligent. They both have deep faith. Piety. Love for God. And love for each other.
And as a mother, all I can do is offer them to God and pray that they continue to grow in God's grace, love and mercy.
What blessings! What more could a mother ask?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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