Art in Ministry

I took a course called "Art in Ministry" this semester.  It was a 1-credit independent study course that we made up essentially as my "I don't want to be deported" class.  (I needed one credit to bump me up to full-time status in order to meet the requirements of my student visa).  It was actually a great class and a change from all the paper-writing that I do in every other class.  I read a few books (Art for God's Sake by Philip Ryken and Amazing Grace by Jonathan Kozol).  I was asked to submit some of my thoughts from the readings and to create an art piece in response to both of them.  This is it:

I'll write more on that later.  For now, I need to study for the final I have tonight!

It's official...

I feel like I am officially a knitter and as happy as the little girl in this photo.  Happy because I never have to do the task that she is doing ever again.  I never need to wind a ball of yarn while someone else holds the skein, or while it is propped up between the backs of two of our dining room chairs (although that was a great day when I discovered that one).

Let me back up.... When I was in College at Northwestern I used to walk into the Yarnery or other cute yarn shops and for some reason would pine over the beautiful Yarn Swift they would have for sale.  (Actually, I must admit that I recently learned that they are called "Yarn Swifts.")  They were too expensive and unnecessary for a college student to buy.  After all, it is a good work out to hold the yarn between my feet and hold them up in the air while I wind yarn.  But this beautiful thing now belongs to me and was a gift from my mother-in-law for my birthday. 

For those of you who are curious, this is a yarn swift:

How wonderful!  But it gets even better...

I also used to go into those cute little yarn shops and steer clear of the yarn that comes like this, just because I knew the hassle it would cause when I got home.  Now, I head right to it and I'm actually disappointed when the yarn I want is is already a ball!  The other day I got this and *horray* I needed to wind it into a ball!

Now if that's not bad enough, I got a package in the mail that is a Christmas gift from my dad.  No, I did not cheat and open the box, the box just happened to be adorned with a huge picture of what is inside.  It is official, I must be a knitter if I have one of these in my house:

So now this is what I have under my tree.  I added a bow so I wouldn't be tempted to open it just to peek because I know peeking would turn into using and it would never make it's way back into the box.

  

W.I.P.

As I have mentioned before, I am totally addicted to knitting these days.  Maybe it is stress, maybe it is the season, I'm not sure but things sure do feel pretty hectic around here.  There is not any one reason for the stress or my feeling overwhelmed.  Maybe just too many good things going on... school, work, clc, marriage, friendships, family... the list can go on.

I did read in a magazine last week (not a knitting one, mind you) that knitting helps lower stress hormones and increase endorphins.  I now have proof that knitting makes you happy.  I'm not sure that Grant would buy that as a valid source, but that would not be anything new.  You should ask him about that... it's a pretty funny story.  That might explain why I have been knitting a ton lately and that my hives are a little less obnoxious.  (I have had pretty severe hives every day for almost 6 months now.)

Anyway... onto my thought behind this post.  One of the knitting websites I have discovered recently is Ravelry.  If you are looking for yarn-related inspiration, go no further.  It is fun to take pictures of the things I am working on and what I've completed.  I'm not sure anyone ever sees what I post, but it makes me feel productive and useful.  Just today I made the connection between the label on Ravelry "WIP" or "Work In Progress" and the title of our little blog.

I was in String Theory Yarn Co. in Glen Ellyn this afternoon and there was a woman working on what looked like a sweater.  She had put a lot of work into what she was making only to find out that she had made a mistake right at the beginning and unfortunately she had to pull it all out and start over again.

I named this blog "Work in Progress" because I feel like that represents me (and us) well.  It is amazing to look back and see areas of my life where I have grown and changed and areas where there are mistakes... to go with the knitting theme.  Those areas that are "mistakes" mean that I might have to pull out a lot of work that has been done and re-do it, even when everything beyond that mistake looks fine.  Pulling work out is frustrating and can be hard to do (when a lot of time has gone into it), but it does make me more familiar with the pattern and it does make me a better knitter.  I've even learned how to fix some mistakes without pulling a whole sweater apart now that I've been knitting for a while.  At the same time, other mistakes and glitches (and there will always be mistakes and glitches) are part of what adds character to hand-made work.  I hope that my life turns out like that - something unique and hand-made - one that reflects that handywork of my creator and my willingness to let him shape me.

friends

day 13. a photo of your best friend(s)

I (unfortunately) don't have much time to write today.  I realized a little late into the holiday weekend that I had a ton of work to do for class this week so I am attempting to make up for my lack of work today.  I do like today's photo prompt, though.  I immediately thought of the first picture because it has 3 of my favourite people in it and it is totally ridiculous.  It is also a pretty typical scene when we're all together.  They say that you make some of your closest friends while you're in College.  In my experience this is true.  The second photo is (of course) from our wedding just before the ceremony started.  Oh, to be surrounded by wonderful friends and family lifting our marriage up before the Father.  That was the one time that whole day that brought me to tears.  A moment I would gladly live over, and over again!

Giant Trees and New Jobs

Keeping up with these photos has proven to be a weakness!  I just don't think of posting every day, and most days I forget that I even started this.  This probably shows how good I am at keeping New Year's resolutions, right?  I'm SO good that I even forget to make them!

I think I'll just pick up where I left off.  Day 12. A Photo of You

This is probably the most recent picture taken of me.  Last week Grant and I used our final Wedding Target Gift Card to purchase a new Christmas Tree.  I have been wanting a full size tree for a long time now and I finally got my wish.  Gosh, it's good to be married and to have an excuse for these things.  The conversation in the store went something like this:

Katie: "This is the one I wanted!  Do you like it?"

Grant: "It's beautiful... but looks awfully big."

Katie: "It's not that big"

Grant: "I don't know about that."

We proceeded to put the HUGE box into our cart.  Once we got home we had nowhere to store the big box, so we just decided to put the tree up (even though it was before thanksgiving).  We had to rearrange a bit of furniture and in the process we realized that we really did get a big tree.  Or maybe I should say that I realized that we had bought a big tree.  Grant was being dramatic about it and I collapsed on the floor laughing about it.  I laughed so hard that I cried.

Needless to say, the tree is big but it is perfect.  That is once we moved the extra chair out our living room.

In other news... GRANT GOT A NEW JOB!

This has been a long process for us, but Grant was offered a part-time position as a Youth Minister at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Warrenville.  We first heard about this position in the summer through our friend Amy (who also works there).  It was a pretty exciting opportunity, but at that point we were not able to think about what we were doing next week, let alone for the next few years.  Grant decided not to pursue it for many reasons.  We have been set on picking up and moving after we finish Grad School and our time in Res Life here at Wheaton with hopes of moving closer to one of our families.  What has happened over the last few months as we have settled into marriage is that we've also opened up to different possibilities, ones that even include us staying here in the midwest a little longer.  Then we heard in October from someone else that it was still open.  Suddenly it seemed like perfect timing.

We are both very excited about this opportunity.  I am excited to see Grant do something that he is so gifted at (and yet doesn't always realize it).  I am excited to be a part of a small church and to build new connections.  I am also excited that we already have friends in that church and that we're not starting totally from scratch.  At the same time, this transition is bittersweet.  We have both loved and appreciated our church that we've been going to for the last three and a half years here.  It has not always been easy, but it has been home for us.

I'm a little behind...

I'm a little behind on this one.  I was held back on Day 8 of the photo challenge because I thought the the prompt was terrible.

This will be my attempt to catch up from the last few days.

Day 8: a photo of your favourite band/musician

Okay.  So Nat King Cole is NOT my favourite.  But I pulled out the Christmas music on Friday (when Grant and I set up our tree) and he is consistently my favourite for Christmas.  That, and the Home Alone soundtrack!

Day 9: A photo of your family

The most recent family photos are (of course) from our wedding.  This is my family.  I love that my mom must have said something funny and the rest of us are laughing.  This is a sight you see with us pretty often!

This is my new family and they're wonderful.  You couldn't ask for better in-law's and I'm very blessed!

Day 10: A photo of you as a baby

I don't have many digital photos of myself as a baby but Lindsey had posted this on facebook a while back.  I'm not sure what I'm scowling at, but I think it accentuates the fact that my nose was (and still is) so small.

Day 11: A photo of your favourite film(s)

Hands down, my favourite movie.  I'm not totally sure why, but this is always my go-to movie.  That, and Grant and I joke about how I married this guy:

Frank Navasky.  Grant often asks if he is like Frank.  In most ways he is not.  But there are a few striking similarities.  One being Grant's passion about very specific things and his complaints about others.  If you know Grant, you know what I mean.  He does not like typewriters though... that's too bad.

Someone I Love

Day 7:  A photo of someone you love

This is Grant.

(Warning: The following is cheesy)

He makes me coffee in the morning and tea at night.

He got me addicted to The West Wing and Alias.

He does the dishes (and will even wipe the counter off although he hates doing that)

He cooks dinner with me and for me.

He loves his family.

He goes on adventures with me.

He buys me flowers.

He makes me laugh.

He tries to do impersonations of me.

He goes to Starbucks with me (well, sometimes).

He loves to read and learn and loves magazines.

He loves bicycles... unless they're from Target or Wal-Mart.

He loves people.

He is flexible.

He laughs with me and at me.

He is up for anything.

He loves to go rock climbing.

He gets excited about the kind of wool in his socks.

He treasures his friendships and has great friends.

He is genuine and honest.

Seriously, I cannot say enough about him.  He is quirky and fun and loves me well, even when I am cranky and stubborn.  He is my friend and my husband.  And although his presence in my life makes me  aware of my own selfishness and brokenness, he also makes me more aware of God's grace and his love for me.  I hope (and pray every day) that these are not just the words of a newlywed, but the beginning of a life learning to live with, love and partner with someone.  

I pray that I will grow in love and respect for him each and every day.

Oh, Walgreens!

Day 6: A photo that makes you laugh

This picture cracks me up!  Grant and I were in Walgreens on Sunday getting passport pictures taken (for my green card application) and we had to wander around the store for a bit while they were printing. Grant saw this first and pointed it out to me, and I did a double take.  I thought he was just pointing at the Barbie-like dolls because of their clothes but no, no!  It was much better than that.  Seriously... is this appropriate?  I don't have kids, but I'm pretty sure I would not want to give this to any little girls that I know!  I do like that they are called "Lovely Patsy" dolls.  I wonder who "Lovely Patsy" is?  

I think that Miss. Blue and Miss. Pink are in need of some of this:

 Warning: Do not search for "Duct Tape" in Google Images.  You will find this picture, but it is amidst a plethora of horrible pictures too!

Day 5: a photo of you

What to say about this picture?  I don't have many photos of just me since I am usually the one taking the pictures I have.  This picture was taken kind of late at night, sometime in August.  Grant and I had come back from California, our honeymoon and then California again.  I was sad that our wedding was over (since the planning took up much of my spare time and I didn't know what to do with myself) and sad that I'd never get to wear my dress again.  We were also addicted to playing Super Mario on the Wii (which we got as a fantastic wedding present from Grant's cousins) at that point in the summer.  I am not sure exactly how it happened, but I had a idea, put the dress on and ran into the other room to get Grant out of bed to come play the Wii with me.  Unfortunately, my dress (as with most wedding dresses) was not that comfortable to lounge in, but the photo result was worth it.

Finally Finished & Happy Birthday

I did it!  I finally finished one of the sweaters I started two years ago!

This past Friday was my *cough* 29th birthday.  One of the ways I celebrated was not doing any school work and it was glorious.  I had finished most of the sweater so I went ahead and stitched it all together, knit the collar and the plackets (a word I never would have learned had I not started knitting) and sewed the buttons on.  I learned how to knit buttonholes too.

I included some pictures of the inside, partially because I was impressed with how this pattern went together AND (from what my mom has told me), my grandma would be proud. Apparently she used to always tell her kids that the back had to look as good as the front on things they made.

And finally.... this is me and my wonderful birthday gift from my mother- and father-in-law, Cerena & Gordon. (THANK YOU!)  I have wanted one of these yarn winder things forever.  I think Grant also loves it because now he doesn't have to hold the yarn while I make it into balls.

This weekend I heard Grant tell a group of students that everyone is nerdy about something... that it's not just people who like star trek.  I think in typing this post I may have just realized what one of those things might be fore me.

I think I'll stop there even though I have more photos to post from the weekend.  Grant and two of his friends raced their first Cyclocross race this weekend (which was a blast) so pictures will come soon!

Day 4: a photo of the last place you went on holiday

The last place I went on holiday was Barbados for our honeymoon.  It was beautiful and warm and perfect for us since it was their off season and few people were there.  Our memories of this trip are unfortunately clouded by the fact that Grant's ears filled with water and he couldn't hear all week and it was the beginning of my 5-months (and counting) experience of hives and a trip to the emergency room.  It was a trip to savour since we're not likely to have a week spent sitting on the beach or by the pool anytime soon.

Day 3: a photo that makes you happy

Okay... for this one I just couldn't decide.  In trying to find a picture of myself a year ago for day 2, I also ran across both of these.  Both these pictures are from my first year at Wheaton and they both make me SO happy.  The first is the Peter Pan costume that I helped Drew make.  Drew was one of our RA's that year and he had great costumes.  We stayed up late watching Finding Neverland while we cut out the green felt and sewed away.  The finished product just cracks me up... especially with those lime green tights he had on!

The second picture is with our ARD that year, Jim.  I dressed up as Pam from The Office for Halloween and since Jim's name is Jim, he was perfect as "Three Hole Punch Jim."  This was another great memory from that first year.

Day 2: a photo of yourself a year ago

This is Grant and I with his Grandpa (who they call Grose Pop - if I spelled that correctly) a little over a year ago.  This picture is significant because it was my first trip to California with Grant, my first time meeting many of his family and my first pie ride (and also the time that I decided that I wanted to marry Grant).  The pie rides are my favourite Burns' family tradition (so far).  Everyone rides tandem bikes to Mom's Apple Pie.  I love bike rides, especially when there is some sort of pastry mid-ride.  This photo is also significant because Grant's grandpa passed away a few weeks after our wedding.  He was an amazing man and I feel privileged that I got to know him.  This second picture is of Grant and I on the funny "folding" tandem that we rode.

Photo Challenge

My friend Jenny (who I was an RA and ARD with in College) posted this on her blog and I thought I'd join in too!  I love to take photos and I realized that I rarely take any of things that happen in day to day life.  So here goes.  Here is the link for the 30 Day Photo Challenge - just in case you want to join in on this too!!

Day 1: your facebook profile picture

This is one of my favourite photos from or wedding in June.  Such a great day and we have incredible pictures to remember it by thanks to our fantastic photographer, Emily.

Unfinished Projects

I recently joined a website called Ravelry.  A friend of mine (who also loves to knit) told me about it and I love it.  I was inspired to pull out all of my old knitting projects and take "in progress" pictures.  I have a few other projects that require less attention so I'm working on finishing those first, but I am officially inspired to finish these ones!  

This sweater was meant to be a gift for my friend's newborn baby.  That same baby is almost two years old now!

This is a sweater I was knitting for myself.  I love.love.love these Dale of Norway patterns but I got stuck on the sleeves.  I also started this one two years ago.

This is the amount of yarn involved in this sweater that I have still yet to knit.  *sigh*  This is going to take me a while!

The buttons. I had actually forgotten that I had those.

The sleeve.

Somehow it feels like posting this will be my accountability to finish these projects.  I sure hope so!

Home Sweet Home

Over fall break Grant and I were lucky enough to take a quick trip back to Calgary. It was SO good to be able to see family and help my mom sift through some of my old toys and school stuff (since she recently sold her house and is moving soon).  I love going home... especially since I have been homesick lately for my family!  We didn't take very many pictures, but here are a few that we did manage to take:

A trip home would not be complete without a trip to the mountains.  We were looking after my sisters dog, Oliver who enjoyed an ice cream cone!  I can't wait until I get to go home again... or hopefully family will make their way out to Wheaton sometime soon.

Addicted to Knitting

Grant thinks I am addicted to knitting... and he may be on to something!  You see, I often have phases that I go through.  This is most evident with food (right now I love steamed edamame with a little salt) where I'll eat a ton of something for a few weeks and then it will slowly evolve into something else.  Well... the phase for the last few weeks is knitting.

I went to MN a few weeks ago and went into one of my favourite knitting shops called The Yarnery.  I saw this sweater and it looked simple enough and quick to knit, so I went ahead and bought the yarn and the pattern:

After I finished this sweater (which I love), I was inspired to finish another sweater that I started last year:

This one didn't turn out quite so well.  It looks great when I'm not wearing it!  Since I finished it, I have tried altering it a bit and it is fitting much better... although not my favourite.  To top it off, since washing it it continually smells like a wet sheep and sheds.  But it's very warm!

We took a very quick trip to Calgary for fall break to see my family and I knit these cute slippers on the plane ride there and felted them while in Calgary.  I love these, especially since I was able to use leftover yarn and buttons I found in my mom's house. 

Okay... so maybe I am addicted.  But the green seater and these slippers did not take that long... and the cable sweater I started a long time ago!  I know, excuses, excuses.  I suppose this is a productive way to procrastinate!