Stories Along The Way (October)
These sections will be mostly my journey updates. Eventually, I will add a whole section just for stories people have shared with me through this website.
October 1
Only a couple rows on the New Blanket today, but finished yesterday's dishcloth and made 2 more. It's that point in the year where you need to dress for winter in the morning, dress for summer at noon and dress for monsoons at night... it will be impossible to finish the New Blanket before winter ends. Every day, I am more sure this blanket will not end up being for me.
Just a few more dishcloths until I can mail this next set of 50!!
October 2
I have 50 dishcloths ready to go for mailing! I can't mail them yet because it's the weekend, plus then I won't have any to spare- but- 50 are ready!!
On the New Blanket today, I wanted to finish one more row so I'd start a new colour fresh tomorrow but my neck said put it away for tonight. Hands were fine though :D usually I stop because my hands had enough.
There are endless prayers knit in to everything I knit ❤️ we live in such a cruel world.
October 3
No New Blanket tonight but I did work on the Special for Christmas item. I don't think I will get many of this one done before Christmas. Even 1 a week will still only be 11 at most and I don't even have the first prototype done yet. Probably by next Christmas (if Jesus hasn't returned yet) I can have 50 or so done. Knitting is so slow.
I did get 3 dishcloths done today though! Pictures tomorrow.
October 4
Only one dishcloth today and it was a bit small. Balled up the next batch of yarn and almost ready to start knitting it.
October 5
Today I came across a young man, grieving the loss of a friend. I almost didn't turn around because I was determined to get some other things done. And. Wouldn't you know it, the thing I had thought I needed to tell him, ended up not the thing we spoke of at all!! But. If you're reading this, "Don't forget to look up."
Finished the day with a surprise abundance of chocolate too!!! ❤️ Thank you!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
October 6; a day of silence on the website
October 7
No blanket today. Pictures of dishcloths tomorrow.
October 8
Today I was far more ambitious than my ability to complete things. I did get more than is expected done but I did not reach all my goals, by at least half.
No New Blanket today, but did knit dishcloths.
Still exhausted enough that I'll be fast asleep any minute though!
October 9
Busy day today. Pictures of dishcloths tomorrow, no New Blanket today- though I did go buy a blanket adequate for fall a few days ago and it is keeping me too warm already!
October 10
Didn't feel well today.
October 11
Still didn't feel well today....
October 12
Still not up to snuff but did manage to knit some on the New Blanket today. Happy Thanksgiving folks!
October 13
Today I sent the next set of 50 dishcloths!!! I had planned to mail dishcloths to all the places I showered along the trip to my mom's hometown next. Even though I did not spread her ashes and still have them, I did the right thing. When it is time, God will let me know what to do with her ashes. That is the last thing I need to do before I die, so perhaps God is making sure I still have something to hold on to.
God has amazing and wonderful plans for me. In this life and the afterlife. Right now, people are standing in the way of what God really wants for me and has wanted all along. I have to wait it out. I have served Him well, despite the many people who have said otherwise.
Once this batch of yarn is done, I will focus on the new thing for Christmas. What I have been trying to do will take way longer than is manageable but still trying anyway.
The rest of the day was all out of sorts. Plans changed in a hurry and I am going to bed hungry but not empty. But. I finished this day, handing out 2 more dishcloths. One of which was a scenario I have mulled over quite a while, wanting to recognize some unsung heros without becoming a danger. Today, I had my chance!!
Where there was sadness and despair, God has carried me and given me the chance to keep on the path He is making for me. Won't be long and my blog will become unnecessary and the updates and Stories Along The Way will become more testimonials from people who saw God shine in their lives.
Tonight, a man was changing a flat tire. I offered to help but I don't look like I know what I'm doing- even though I once taught a passenger how to change their flat tire. But. I dipped back to my car, grabbed a dishcloth and left it on his hood. Then, within about 1 minute, a random tow truck driver came along and helped the guy!! Help he could trust. I am not insulted he didn't want my help- to be honest, I don't want to get tire-changing dirty to begin with, I can't just go home and change- I wouldn't want me to help either because I know I don't look like I could change a tire in my sleep. I know I don't look like an AZ driver. I barely look like I am homeless. But. When he didn't want my physical help; a little dishcloth, a prayer to be carried through his trouble- and within minutes, a tow truck driver arrived, ready and willing to help! I left a dishcloth for him too when I later emerged from my car. Though another tow truck went by right after I got back in to my car and now I am wondering if I even left the dishcloth for the right driver, or if I told the right driver inside, that I left the dishcloth for him. I may be a work in progress(though I have always relied on God to lead me), but it just goes to show how much God has a sense of humor!
October 14
Today I stopped off at a chuch I have never been to before with intent to light a prayer candle. I did not get to light the candle specifically but I did get on my knees and give it to God.
And of course, I left a couple dishcloths!
October 15-16
Though things have been a little quieter with the website this month, I am still fully on this path and lead by God. I don't take days off from being homeless. I don't usually plan days off from the website or knitting, but sometimes I have to. Though I still do some knitting, even on the worst days. If anyone wants to know why Jesus healed on the sabbath, that's it right there. People suffering don't get days off from suffering. Regardless if that is physical or circumstantial. Most of the time, if I don't post anything, it is because I was doing something equally important. I don't expect the folks checking in on the site regularly, to check it every day either. But. If anyone has felt disappointed by my lesser posts this month so far; just know this month is only half over. Halloween is on the way and while many different religions carry many different beliefs about this holiday, its purpose is All Saints Day, November 1st (and the point of trick-or-treating was that adults went house to house, scaring off demons, in costumes scarrier than demons are).
God has shone so much already this month that I keep wondering how he's not exhausted. I certainly keep God busy (in a good way that makes us both smile) and there are some 8 billion people in the world for him to care for. I don't know how God has this much time for me all the time when I can barely get from one day to the next, sleeping 1/3 of it away... but He does. Cause He's awesome like that.
October 17
Today was certainly a day.
My car wouldn't start again and my rescuer got the day off. Someone else was able to use a charger to boost me. Later in the evening, sat with someone near ready to collapse and chatted a while.
God, please shine. Please make your glorious light so undeniable that even people on the wrong side start wanting whatever that is. God, please show anyone on the fence that your way is The Way and keep me safe in the process.
Thank you God, for all you do. Please sort out whatever the latest attacks are, faster than I have time to dissect them and keep me and people safe in the process.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
October 18
I did manage to attend a church service at a church I have never attended previously but still the denomination I was formally baptized in (though I was nearly drowned once previous to that so some may consider that a form of baptism- and spent 10 days hospitalized for a fever when I was just a baby so some may consider that a form of baptism also).
Regardless, I was grateful for the familiarity at least. I struggled with that when I attended services at a church that was not my base faith.
Truth though; God is absolutely everywhere, all the time.
October 19
Accomplished a fair bit knitting today. The New Blanket is now larger than the width of the table at the one place I stop at. As the cold weather comes, my opportunities to knit will dwindle and cold weather will lake knitting very painful. I will certainly keep plugging away, but- it is going to be a very tough winter ahead.
I have much to say but right now, I am under attack again. Was it a mistake to speak forgiveness maybe? Who knows. What I do know, is that God loves me and did not want this to happen to me. That full circle rainbow was not for nothing. God has made many promises to me over the years and people have stood in the way of nearly all of them. God is certainly more powerful than they are but how he will handle it is up to him.
I have seen God stand up for me, even being homeless. A dream about washing under my car saved me from the exhaust nightmare I was dealing with. People make their judgments. God speaks the word.
I put my trust in God. Even if it kills me. In fact, I agree with Paul the apostle when he says "to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Many will come claiming to be him. Only one will really be him. I see people on street corners all the time claiming Jesus has returned and they usually aren't even Christians. I am not knocking other religions but I have considered the source when they say that. If Jesus' second coming had happened and I somehow missed it; then so did you!
I spend a lot of time trying to comprehend everything in Revelation. I see the book of Revelation being done to people on an individual basis and I see it being done on a grand scale. Regardless who thinks they will or won't be safe during the supposed "end times" one thing is abundantly certain; Jesus will only come back in his own time and killing people like it's the rapture, isn't going to make him come back faster.
God be with me. Even if I stand alone.
God would never give snakes. Ever.
October 20-21
No New Blanket today or yesterday but plenty of dishcloths.
I am at a good point right now where I can just get the Christmas one done tomorrow probably and will probably make the Christmas one by request only.
"Dear God,
Please help in areas that became known today and the last few days. Please heal the things I have asked for healing on, especially the things that have happened to me in recent years. I am so glad I have the name of Jesus in my heart that sometimes I forget, not everyone does. If my openness about God has turned anyone away from this site or made anyone have to face past traumas from various religious history, God heal what's still hurting them too so they can return to you with ease, except those who are against you. Thank you for loving me; your yoke really is easy. Amen."
October 22
Thank you God for blessing this brain, this heart and these hands of mine. It may not be perfect but I started what I am now calling the Christmas Scrubbie from just an idea and now it is a (however unshapely) whole thing. The women who taught me to knit gave up their lunches to do so and I hope they know how much it means to me. I missed bathroom breaks and meals finishing this today, but now the first is done!! (Even if it looks like a child could do it- believe me it was anything but easy)... though so much is lost, this one skill shows me again and again, all is not lost. Thank you God for all your blessings.
I saved way too much yarn for the Christmas Scrubbies though so when this batch of yarn is done, I'll start knitting all the Christmas yarn as dishcloths.
Almost finished a second of the Christmas Scrubbie tonight but still need about 2-3 more hours (about 10 hours total) so had to call it a night. Second one is looking much sharper already and I have simplified the pattern, as complex as it still is. It's knitting in the round which few knitters ever learn how to do. I will give both of the first two to the intended recipient of the first one too as redemption.
I love how round 2 is turning out though! I knew the first one would be imperfect but I had to see how it finished before I could start making adjustments. I love it!!!
October 23
Today, I managed to finish the second Christmas Scrubbie and almost did a 3rd, just finishing touches remaining. Now I am adjusting the pattern a little more subtly. I will try to make a 4th tomorrow too, while I have enough dishcloths to hand out still. I didn't quite finish a dishcloth today, but I have plenty on hand right now anyway. Not tons, but enough. I did get the Christmas Scrubbie down to about 4 hours so I should be able to do at least one every few days once I resume dishcloths normally. The pattern is not perfected just yet. But it's close. Hopefully the next one I do will be flawless. But- maybe it will be a few more before one is perfect (proof I am not Jesus- cause he was flawless first try!- still pretty awesome, but only by God's grace). Pictures will probably start getting posted of the Christmas Scrubbie next week. But 2 are already sent!!!.. to the same person.... I'll have big updates like month change etc next week too.
The Christmas Scrubbies are very hard on the hands so I have put myself to bed early and can barely keep my phone in hand writing this. Switching back and forth between dishcloths and scrubbies should make a difference though.
Praise Jesus for this idea!!! It's awesome even imperfect and I am so excited to finally post it!!
October 24
5 Christmas Scrubbies have now been completed! 1 was flawless but not perfect and I gave it away to a father/daughter duo celebrating his birthday on the road! Sure, it's for washing dishes, but I told the kid never to stop making things by hand.
My neck has had it with me though. I went for a wall to try to loosen the pain a bit and it helped for a few hours but now it will be early to bed and pray I can rest well enough that it's better in the am.
Pain is always worse in the cold weather but this is awful and there's almost nothing I can do to make it better (though I still do stuff to make it better).
Here comes the winter. This neck injury is mean. Very very mean.
October 25
The Christmas Scrubbie is now on the website!!! Still a few adjustments to make on the site but for today, that's all I've got!! November is added (but not started yet) and managed to figure out how to make the Stories Along The Way section a drop down instead of a plethora of pages!! Finally!!! I may be pretty awesome but I am not even average when it comes to technology. I didn't have a home computer growing up and learned to type on laminated pages instead of actual keyboards. Adaptable, sure; smart, nope. Creative, all the time; understanding tech, barely. Huge thanks to the website company for making me look smarter than I am though. I could never have made this site if I had to know coding, graphics etc.
But. I have reached my limit for today. So- remaining adjustments can wait for some night when I'm in less pain and can't sleep!
The Christmas Scrubbies are getting better with each one I do and the first perfect one will be #7!