Making My Life Easier

I need reading glasses. I am a reading teacher , a knitter, a writer, and all these things require me wearing my glasses. So many of my daily activities require me wearing my glasses. The only thing I can do without my glasses is drive, but I still need them in the car to read anything on the dashboard.

I got tired of always saying, “Where are my glasses? Has anybody seen my glasses?” My family and my students got tired of always looking for my glasses. One day, one of my students said, “Mrs. Lummer, why don’t you wear your glasses around your neck?” I replied, “Because it will make me look old.” My student replied in the kindest of voices, “It won’t make you look old.”

So, I started to wear my glasses. It certainly does make my life easier. I never have to look for my glasses. They are always there waiting for me. And guess what? When I take my glasses off, I don’t look younger. I am very thankful for my students. They teach me something everyday.

Love, Terry (aka, Mrs. Lummer)

Linking to Beverly’s Pink Saturday http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Rainbows for All God's Children

       Have you heard about Rainbows? Rainbows is an international program for children ages 4-14 who have had a change in their family structure due to death or divorce. It is a completely free program. The purpose of Rainbows is to provide a safe place where children can talk about their feelings. There are trained facilitators who guide the children through a series of questions focusing on a different topic each evening. Some of the topics are: fears and worries, step families, death and divorce terminology and forgiveness. Rainbow groups meet once a week, for forty-five minutes, for fourteen weeks. If you know someone who could use this program please encourage them to visit www.rainbows.org.

        Rainbow programs are always in need of facilitators. The training takes place on line, and once you are trained you are only asked to give one hour a week for fourteen weeks. I am a Rainbows facilitator. I have been working with Rainbows for a little over ten years. If you are seeking a way to bless and serve others, please consider Rainbows.

        Ten years ago, I was nudged by God to volunteer for Rainbows. When I was eight years old my mother died. She died at Christmas time and for thirty-five years I struggled every year to get through Christmas. At some point every year I would break down and cry. My husband helped me get through what seemed to be a difficult time that I would never get over. Having children of my own helped some, but there was still a lot of pain and tears. After being a Rainbows facilitator for about three years I realized one day, during the holidays, that I felt happy. There was no grief, no tears. I spoke to our Rainbows coordinator about it. She helped me to see how participating in this program healed me. That wasn't the purpose. I didn't get involved to help myself. Yet it just happened naturally. Each year, since I started to volunteer for Rainbows, I have enjoyed Christmas time more and more. This year Christmas was the most wonderful yet! It is impossible to bless and serve others without receiving blessings in return.

May God bless you abundantly,
Terry




http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/

Tickled Pink

Hello blogging friends!
Yesterday, I attended Vogue Knitting Live in New York City. It was an amazing day! My husband, Gary, went into the city with me. He walked me to the Hilton, where the event was being held, then he went off to explore the city, leaving me to experience heaven on earth.




My first stop was at Jo Packham’s lecture: Passionate Knitter Takes the Next Step! Jo was both informative and entertaining. The lecture was only one hour, but I could have listened to her all day.



      

Just in case you don’t know who Jo Packham is, she is the Editor in Chief of the best magazines in the world: Where Women Create and Where Women Cook. If you haven’t had a look at these magazines, run to your nearest Barnes and Noble, Costco, Michael's or AC Moore and get them. Or, just click on one of the magazines above. You will love them!





Next stop was The Marketplace! The Marketplace was two floors of vendors with all things knitting! Both enormous floors were packed full of yarn, books, knitted and crocheted items, yarn, needles, tote bags, yarn, roving, needle felting supplies, weaving machines, and more. It was a knitters and crocheter’s paradise.




These wonderful ladies had a booth that touched my heart. The lady on the left, Amy, is the founder of Mother Bear Project. This knitting or crocheting project is for charity. Here’s how Amy describes the project in her pamphlet: “Join people from all over the world knitting easy-to-make bears for children in emerging nations.”



If you are interested in learning more about the Mother Bear Project go to www.motherbearproject.org.




Another charity at the event was Warm Up America. The participants of this charity make blankets that are distributed to people in need. If you are interested in more information about this charity go to http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/warmup.html.
Vogue Knitting Live was an event that was packed with inspiration and yarn for everyone. If you love to knit or crochet I urge you to attend next year. Even if you don’t knit or crochet the creativity and energy is contagious, besides there are dozens of people who will cheerfully teach you how to knit or crochet.

After a glorious day my husband and I took the ferry back to NJ. I returned home filled with creative ideas to last a lifetime, but I’m going back next year for even more.

Love,                                                                                                                                                    Terry
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/