...things which seem to turn to man's disadvantage...

"The Christian turns again and again from that bewildered contemplation of history in which God is so easily lost, to the prayer of filial trust in which He is always found, knowing here that those very things which seem to turn to man's disadvantage may yet work to the Divine advantage. On the frontier between prayer and history stands the Cross, a perpetual reminder of the price by which the Kingdom is brought in."

Evelyn Underhill, Abba, 1940

 

"And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Grandma's Fern

My garden of last winter has whittled down to one surviving and thriving fern.

Return of the Purple Finches

The purple finches are back and are giving resident chickadees a run for their bird seed both in the feeder and on the ground.

Orchids by Morning Light

Another Mitten

First Colorwork, First Mittens

After telling Hannah I thought I'd leave colorwork knitting to her, I got inspired. Here is my first tiny pair of mittens drying after being wet blocked (a shaping method). There is much room for improvement in my colorwork and mitten work, but it was a fun and brain stretching first try.

When I can see my face in it

"'When He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold'... This picture of the Refiner is straight from Eastern life. The Eastern goldsmith sits on the floor by his crucible. For me, at least, it was not hard to know why the Heavenly Refiner had to sit so long. The heart knows its own dross. Blessed be the love that never wearies, never gives up hope that even in such poor metal He may at last see the reflection of His face. 'How do you know when it is purified?' we asked our village goldsmith. 'When I can see my face in it,' he answered."

Amy Carmicheal, Rose From Brier, 1933