Click the "Watch This" link on the right side of this page and be blessed!

I had this video right on my blog, but Blogger grabbed it from YouTube instead of GodTube, and conveniently cut off the best part - the end! (Thanks for telling me, Karolee)

So just use this link instead, and BE BLESSED!!

Lord, I pray that You open eyes and hearts everywhere to see and know the One and Only Truth!!

Thank you, Jesus, for being my everything!

OK, NOW it's finished.

Wrapping up the Preseason Charity Project

OK, here is the sweater and scarf for my Football-a-long. Isn't he cute posing with my Peyton Manning jersey? I am actually also making a hat that I hope I can finish quickly. I'm worried about my Red Scarf deadline! My scarf is turning out beautifully, but it's certainly not very speedy to create!

Before the Guilt Consumes Me!!

Thanks go out to Karolee for both my "Nice Matters" award and my Bloggers Reflection award. Of course, I was vain enough to post the pics of the awards before I even acknowledged them. So, Karolee, I am sorry.

Karolee gave me the Nice Matters award some time ago, and I have thought about who to pass it on to. I have only been in Bloggyland for two months now, and really don't know many people yet. So, I will give it to four people who honestly deserve it, and just be a rebel because I didn't give it to five!

1. I know for a fact that it will go right back to Karolee.
2. Her cousin Leah.
3. My blogging "mentor" Marybeth Whalen.
4. An awesome ministry leader, Lysa Terkeurst, who left me my first comment ever.

Back on track

Wow, have those last few posts been real downers, or what?! I must apologize. I know some people use blogs like a diary, but that wasn’t really my plan. However, it seems to have become so just a bit. Mine was meant to be an outlet for my writing, which I have no doubt is a God-given gift. Not that I’m like a best-selling author or anything. Not by a long shot. But I do feel that God has given me the gift of writing, so if it is only intended to reach one person, and it did, it was a success.

I wanted my blog to be a place for others to be encouraged, uplifted, entertained, and to hopefully get a glimpse of my Jesus.

I won’t lie. Things have been crazy hectic lately. I really haven’t had time to post. And when I did, I probably shouldn't have. I’ve been reading other’s blogs, and finding great things. I found the encouragement, uplifting, and entertainment that I wanted to offer others. And I got a glimpse of my Jesus. When I really wasn’t looking for Him.

Hence the problem. I’ve been so busy, and preoccupied with troubles and worry. Even though I’ve kept up my daily Proverbs Challenge chapter reading, I haven’t made much time to listen or look for my Jesus. And in return, He quietly watched me, without making much of an appearance. It worked. His absence was noticed, and got my attention. I didn’t see or hear much of Him. Until this weekend. And then His words, His presence, and His comfort starting appearing everywhere.

Thank you God, for seeking us out, even when we don’t seek You. Thank you for speaking, even when we aren’t listening. Thank you for tapping us on the shoulder before we get too far off that narrow path, and leading us back. Thank you for walking through the woods with me, even when I’m so focused on what’s happening around me that I forget You’re there.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13-14

I love walking on that narrow road. Don't you?

Yes, I'm still alive!

Just not getting to the computer much. This week the kids all got back to school, my brother had back surgery, and I caught some nasty cruddy bug that won't let me take a full breath without coughing up a lung. Today, we have two uncles coming to visit and my house is a mess, my husband had some tenants announce that they're moving out, and he's got several homes on the market that he's finished. And we all know how the real estate market is right now. (If I haven't told you before, he's a builder.) It's been a very emotional week.

So, I just wanted to let you know that as soon as I get a real moment, I will actually write something with substance.

Thanks for sticking with me!!!

Just not enough time...

I hate to say this, but my blog may just have to slow down, as if that's possible. I have to say that I suddenly have so much going on, that I'm not sure where to start.

This blog was supposed to be sort of a writing ministry. I hoped that what I wrote about my Christian walk would bless someone. Would plant a seed for someone. Would make a difference for God's kingdom. And now, I struggle to find time to keep it up.

You all know about my knitting. That is still happening at lunch breaks, nighttime while the TV is on,and in the car while waiting. I plan to finish my two charity projects. I hope they are on time!

This photo:

is my two oldest sons this morning. The oldest went to high school freshmen orientation, and the youngest started kindergarten. We've been busy preparing, with summer reading list book searches, school supply shopping trips, and meet-your-teacher days.

I offered my writing skills to our pastor when he mentioned a church newsletter. Monday, I became the general editor of that. I now get to design, plan, recruit for and contribute to that. On a tiny budget to boot.

My husband and I are refocusing our attention on our marriage, our family and our faith. I can see such a difference just this week already.

I am working this weekend.

Oh, yeah. Then there's that book that a certain publisher wants when I finish it.

I have been given a blog award that I posted, but haven't responded to. Nice.

I have my knit giveaway prizes to mail, but can't find suitable boxes to mail them in.

Do you see how I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed? Guilt is beginning to set in over what I haven't done. Fear is growing over what I might screw up. Then there's that thought that perhaps I need to scale back a bit.

So forgive me if my blog gets quiet. I'm just going to get quiet before the Lord and prioritize...

Women of Faith Amazing Freedom Atlanta

Well, how to recap this weekend?

Hot. Cold. Emotional. Hilarious. Amazing...

The temps were certainly 90's, some tell me 100's. Fortunately, most of our time was indoors, but I know it was HOT. But the conference center was FREEZING! ALL THE TIME! My boss would love it. She is constantly on menopausal fire :-)

Beth Moore was, well, Beth Moore. With Travis Cottrell. :-) Her topic for us was comfort. She can tell it best herself here. Just incredible. How does she make herself be such a vessel???

The Women of Faith ladies told such emotional stories. We laughed, we cried, all the usual woman stuff! But I have to say, one of my most favorite parts was Anita Renfroe. Keep in mind, I had never heard nor read anything by anyone there except Beth Moore. So when Anita got on stage, I had no idea what I was in for. I do not think I have EVER laughed so hard in my ENTIRE life, and I love to laugh. Thank goodness that I just laughed till I cried and not until I peed in my pants!! I have GOT to find a DVD of her to share.

My roomies were Angie and Jackie, and we got along fine. No fights over the bathroom, we weren't late for anything, and I think we all slept well. Yay!

The bus ride each way was good, too. Our driver Bill was a hoot. Going down was dark and early, and driving back was dark and late. Only a little knitting time though! First, it almost made me carsick, then Bill turned off the lights and I couldn't see. Then, I needed double-point needles to do my teddy bear sweater neck and didn't have them. Finally, I left it on the bus without realizing that I wouldn't be back on it until we were coming home.

But it was all good!! I didn't take my camera, because I never use it even if I have it. Hopefully someone can give me some and I can post them here to show you our lovely ladies group!!

Bibs and bedding and babies, Oh My!

This hip mama is too cool! She lives right here in my hometown and she makes the most awesome baby must-haves. If you have an itty-bitty or need to find a great baby gift, check out Quilt Baby.

Visit her blog here

and her flickr page here.

Member of top 100 etsy childrens boutiques:
http://etsykids.gotop100.com/in.php?ref=173

You'll love her!!

For Knitting Info...

go to my newly developed blog, Givin' Knit Away. I don't want too much miscellaneous stuff one one blog, so we'll see how hard it is to maintain two!

A few days off...

I have so much to say, and so little time! It will just have to wait, because I have to pack!

The women's ministry (called Patterns) of my Pinnacle Church is going to the Women of Faith Conference in Atlanta this weekend! Yea! Cheer! Clap!

We have to meet our bus at 4:20 AM tomorrow. Yuk! Boo! Hiss!

But, I don't have to drive, and might actually get to knit! And we get the pre-conference with BETH MOORE! YEA! I love her!

I will not be taking my computer, so you won't hear from me until Sunday or Monday. It's for the best, though. I need a break...I feel like my new friend Kelly, as she posts here.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Like the Governator says, "I WILL be back..."

If I Only Had a Brain...

Thanks for your patience, everyone. It seems that I started a freebie giveaway, promised to announce....what was I saying? Oh yeah!

THE WINNERS!!!

OK, ladies. The winners are two of my favorite bloggers:

1. Karolee wants to give her winnings to a 12 year old new knitter in her group
2. Marybeth wants to give hers to her 13 year old daughter

I will try to locate email addresses for both of you. I need a mailing address to send you your goodies!! If you see this before I contact you, email me at ehingersoll@cs.com.

Congrats and enjoy!!

Red Scarf Project 2007-8

You'll notice a new button on the right of my posts. It's for the Red Scarf Project, through the Orphan Foundation of America.

We all think of orphans as little kids living in a group home, or on the streets. Maybe you think of Oliver Twist. Fact is, orphans come in all shapes and sizes, ages and races. And finding the Red Scarf Project last year introduced me to a group that I'd never considered. Orphans who were never adopted, who have gone on to college.

Imagine moving in to the dorm. Who helped them? Who went shopping with them to get necessities? Did they get to shop at all?

Imagine that they make the dean's list. Who do they call to celebrate with?

Imagine that their roommate has a devoted and loving mom who sends care packages to them often. How do they feel, knowing that there's no one to send a package to them?

Introducing the Orphan Foundation of America, and the Red Scarf Project. The Orphan Foundation supports these young people in many ways. Their website, www.orphan.org, gives tons of information about how. Ways like mailing care packages during final exams. Providing mentors on-line. Sending hand-made scarves from everyday knitters like you and me, to brighten these kid's day and their wardrobe.

Join me, and everyone at superblog Now Norma Knits at supporting this awesome organization.

After all...

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27


This is last year's donation...a cashmere blend bamboo stitch scarf.

Do me a favor: if any of you decide to support this group, could you comment here and let me know?

Thanks!!!!

Football-a-long progress

OK, so here are some pics of my progress so far. I used a pattern set from the Cubs for Kids site, and here is what I have: a stockinette scarf in white, and the beginnings of the sweater. These are in Indianapolis Colts colors, even though my husband wants to argue with me and say that my blue yarn just isn't dark enough. Well, this is as close as I could find. And it's much darker than it looks in this photo.

My scarf is just so "blah". I may have to add fringe or an edging of some kind. We'll see. I'm still waiting for my invite to post on the Football-a-long site and flickr page, but I'm knitting anyway! And you can see it first here! (I know you guys are SO stoked about that =))

GO COLTS!

What American Accent Do You Have?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The South   That's a Southern accent you've got there. You may love it, you may hate it, you may swear you don't have it, but whatever the case, we can hear it.
The Midland
The Inland North
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Right on! Thanks Leah!

A few moments of peace...

are few and far between when there is a sick child in your midst. My five year old has had a fver of 101-102.5 since Wednesday afternoon. The doctor said that it's probably Enterovirus, and that we should let the fever go if we can all stand it. Fever's really are beneficial for healing.

Well, when you could fry an egg on his forehead, you're gonna try to bring it down. TRY being the operative word. Motrin and Tylenol are neither one enough to bring it fully down. Reaching the point of not knowing what to do here. Already seen the doctor, now it's the weekend (isn't that always how it works?) Hopefully it will break tonight and that will be the end of it...

Well, our worship leader Josh Fowler debuts on CMT tonight, so I'm off to check it out!!

Show and Tell Friday

These are pics my 14 year old son took of the Egg-streme Egg Drop our Pinnacle Church did for Easter this year. Instead of an egghunt, we dropped 17,000 plastic eggs filled with candy and prize vouchers out of a helicopter onto the Pisgah High School (my alma mater: Go Bears!) football field. Our local school board let us send flyers home with students to announce it. That morning, we unexpectedly woke up to snow and temps, if I remember, in the 20's and 30's. I expected it to be cancelled, or few to show up in those conditions.

Boy, was I wrong! The first picture is of the stands filled with over a thousand people. I wish I could remember the official turnout, but regardless, God was at work that day!!! The second shot is of a few of the eggs that were age-appropriately placed on the field before the majority was dropped from the chopper.

And yes, ALL those eggs were individually hand-stuffed with treats by Pinnacle staff and volunteers!!!

An Inspirational Blast from the Past

I just recently ran across an article that I had printed out a few years ago, called Blessed Are the Piece Makers. I was so touched by it, because at the time I was thinking of opening a yarn shop of my own. I wanted my shop to be just like the one described in this article, High Country Amish Quilts.

Even if you don't have a store, I think this article will speak to volumes to whoever reads it. If only more businesses (and people in general!) operated like this one...

(Sorry, the picture is a bit blurry)

Take the Proverbs Challenge!

OK, I'm taking the Proverbs Challenge over at My Montana Moments.

Are you up to it?

Finally, a post about knitting!

OK, the Colts logo from Wordless Wednesday DOES serve a purpose. Yes, they are the reigning Super Bowl champs. Yes, they are my favorite team. Yes, they have an awesome godly coach. But the logo is for...

my first knit-a-long (KAL)!!!

Check it out here. I LOVE football, and the first project is charity knitting for needy kids! DOUBLE BONUS!! (Can you hear the arcade sounds? :-)) I'm supposed to check out Cubs for Kids, pick a pattern, and knit along with everyone who participates! I'm making a hat, sweater and scarf combo for my teddy bear, in Indy Colts colors. I was hoping to have some in my stash, but alas, I shall have to go shopping. Darn :-)

I haven't posted much about knitting yet, but that is about to change. I'm about to start a separate blog for it, I think. I'd like to devote one just to charity knitting, which is my thing. My family doesn't own anything I've ever made. It's all been given away, or I have my projects stored in a box until I decide what to do with them. I feel so good when I send something to a worthy cause...

I'm excited! I'll post photos as I go!

GO COLTS!!!

Wordless Wednesday

I'll explain tomorrow...