One sock finished one to go

After almost 3 months I finally finished my first sock. I followed Ann Budd's pattern for a basic sock using my birthday yarn from R.P. She also started me on the sock the weekend of the MD Sheep & Wool festival. Thanks R.P. Hopefully, it won't take as long to complete the second sock.(:

Meanwhile, I'm working on my Russian language skills while riding in the car so I'll be able to speak some phrases come September! Thank you everyone who has contributed toward this trip and those who are praying for me!!! bal'SHOye spaSIba(thank you very much)

I've also been trying to learn a bit of Swedish for when I visit my relatives afterwards. Stockholm is only an hour flying time from St. Petersburg so I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity to visit my distant relations and try to see the places where my great-grandparents lived before immigrating to the U.S.

Trying a post using an Apple iBook

My brother is letting me borrow a small laptop to take on my trip to Russia so I am testing it out to see if I can post without any problems. I am planning to post updates and pictures on the blog while I'm over there. At this point, I am really surprised at the number of people who want to support me on the trip there! I'm hopeful that I'll be able to fit a lot of things to take to the kids in my luggage too. I'm really excited that the knitting charity, Children in Common, are having me bring handknit items to the children in St. Petersburg.

Shine like stars in the universe

I liked these verses read in church today:

1 Timothy 6:6-8
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

I think it is good for me to be reminded that I did not bring anything into this world and will not take anything with me. It helps me to gain perspective on life when I think on that verse, especially in the modern American culture of obtaining material things and wealth.

Phillipians 2:14-16a
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..."

I really liked the analogy of us being like stars shining in the universe. I tried to picture myself like a shining star because of the God who illuminates me. That is a high charge, to do everything without complaining or arguing, and I can say that I fall short of that on occasion. But it gives me hope to know that people can still see that light.

In my first year in college, I remember meeting a young man who was searching for spiritual truth. He recalled to me that the first time he saw me there was a light glowing all around me. Later during a conversation about spiritual things he prayed to receive Christ. I will never forget that day and still remember his words about seeing that light. So let us all who know the Lord shine like stars in the universe!