I recognize that I have been somewhat absent in the blogosphere lately.  When the Ruminant Scribe came into being in 2015, I was submitting a new post every 3 or 4 days.  I then went to submitting a post twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday.  That schedule continued uninterrupted, for the most part, until 2018 when my postings became more sporadic.

I apologize to my readers for the drop off in submissions, but I have been working on a new avocation.  I have posted previously about the surprise Christmas present that my husband gave to me in December of 2017.  It is an incredible embroidery/sewing machine.  And, I have been enjoying it tremendously ever since it was given (at least after I had taken the classes so that I knew what buttons to push, how to thread the machine, etc.).  Then, after somewhat mastering the sewing aspect of the machine, I had several more lessons on how to use the embroidery aspect of the machine.  I have had fun!

Several years ago, the women of my church got together to sew dresses for children in  Southeast Asia and Africa who are cared for in a ministry called Homes of Love.  The children who were orphaned or abandoned are brought into a home where they are loved and cared for by their house mother.   [For more information about Homes of Love and the wonderful work that they are doing, see their website at homesoflove.org/]  The homes undertake a marvelous work, all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, the Homes of Love motto is “Creating Families for Life”. The ladies in our church wanted to help by creating and sending some much-needed clothing.  (See the post “Clothed in … what?” dated February 13, 2018.)

The dresses that I started making in 2018 were known as pillowcase dresses.  They are loose and easy to sew, at least they are not too problematic for a beginner sewer like me.  (It had been a l-o-n-g time since 7th grade Home Economics sewing class, and, in case you were wondering, sewing is not included, in any way, shape, or form, in the law school curriculum!)  So, the pillowcase dress was good for me to use as I began my sewing adventure.

However, now that I have learned (in a rudimentary sense) how not only to sew but also to embroider on this marvelous machine, I have begun making Tee-Shirt Dresses with embroidery on the shirt and, sometimes, on skirt as well.  It has become an avocation in which I have been blessed to participate.

These dresses are certainly not professionally sewn.  But, they are prepared with love and prayers as I am working on them.  And, the Lord had given me much pleasure in making these clothes for children who may not have had a “nice new dress” to wear in a long time.  It is not much, but it is something that the Lord can use for His glory.

More recently I began making some shorts and tops for the little girls.  This has been a new challenge since I had never made “pants” before.  I guess I’m not too old to learn, although, again, they are not as error free as a professional outfit might be. But they, too, are made with love and prayers for the safety and well-being of the children who will receive them.

I then combined the embroidery on the tee shirts with shorts, cut the tee shirts down a bit so the shirt would not hide the shorts, and then added a pocket to the shorts.

I think I have provided at least 25 dresses and 4 shirt/short outfits to be sent to the Homes of Love since the first of the year.  All this is simply to say, my posting activity has plummeted, and now you know why.  I plan to continue posting on the Ruminant Scribe. I just wanted you to know what has been consuming my time.

Blessings to you and thank you for patience as I try to balance the sewing avocation, posting on the blog, church work that we lovingly offer to our Lord and Savior, and family activities with the loved ones who God has placed in our lives and hearts.

Father, thank You for all the blessings that continually come our way, through your great mercy and love.  You are the Father of all mercies, and we praise your name for your steadfast love and kindness to us.  Let us be careful to give You the praise and honor that rightly belong to You, our God, our Savior, our Lord, our heavenly Father.