Learning to Knit in Ireland

I went to my first Ladie's Bible Study at our church fellowship. I was the only one there with kids this time. (I pray that we are not a disruption). This is my first time going because Ruthie's nap schedule has changed, allowing me more flexibility in the morning time. The group gets together at 10:30 am. Well the posted time is 10:30 am but because we are in Ireland and things are more flexible here, as I was getting ready to leave at 11 am from the church because no one was there, everyone walks in. Note to self: I will do errands first next time and then come at 11 am. Mary, who is the neatest and one of my most favorite people in Ireland makes the tea and brings in the cart with biscuits (she is in the second picture). We hang out a bit and chat. Then the ladies pull out the knitting supplies. While the ladies knit, Carol reads to us. Each week she is reading a chapter from Elizabeth George's A Woman After God's Own Heart. I am so excited because I love that book. Jeannine Kennedy lead our Sunday School class in that study over six years ago. It was a life changing book for me and I am sure will be so again as I will glean probably different parts that I missed before.

I love hearing Carol read. (the lady in the top picture) I told her I could just tape her and send home the tape and have people listening to it over and over again just to hear her accent. The ladies are teaching me how to knit. They tried today but I was so brain dead I could not wrap my head around it. We are doing baby hats and it was a pattern they were doing instead of a standard stitch (that is my excuse and I am sticking to it), so next week they are going to just teach me the standard stitch and then let me do a scarf. I am so excited about learning to knit in Ireland. How cool is that for bragging rights?

It is amazing to get to know these women and their lives and how God has worked in their lives. It reminds me of what Pastor Bobby from Lifesong Las Vegas said one time: When you grow up in the Bible Belt in America, everyone knows the standard answers but when you have Christ work in your life in a place like Las Vegas, where the answers are not standard, the power of a changed life through a personal relationship with Christ is undeniable. The stories I have learned and more I cannot wait to learn and someday tell you are amazing!!!!