Joy of the Lord

"The joy of the Lord is my strength." - Nehemiah 4:8-10
Could the scripture just as easily have said the happiness of the Lord is my strength?

Seems to me there's a distinct difference. But allow me to backtrack a bit to describe just how I found myself pondering on what some might, at first glance, dismiss as a question of semantics. After all, joy or happiness seems pretty much the same.

Here's how it all got started. A man approached me after the sermon a
couple of Sundays back and asked offhandedly: "Well, is the Lord
taking care of you? You're happy? And things are going your way?"

I hesitated a bit and, for some reason, did not simply offer a casual
reply. Instead, I answered each question. "Yes, the Lord is taking
care of me. There's no doubt in my mind about that. But, no, I'm not
particularly happy. And most things do not appear to be going my way
at the present."

My response was more than my acquaintance had wanted, for sure. And
we talked it out for a bit and all ended well, but the thought had started for me.

Once a week I have the privilege of serving in an Amish practice my
wife and I have developed. Among the families I serve on a "house
calls" only basis is a man and his wife and their five children. Two
of the children, ages 6 and 8, are severely challenged with cerebral
palsy and require constant care of the most basic sort. They must be
fed one bite at a time. They must be clothed and bathed daily. And
they must be transported, as both are wheel chair ridden. There are
no hired hands - no nurses or nannies. The Amish man and his wife are
also dairy farmers which is a twice a day, seven days a week
enterprise. Need I say these people are busy? Burdened is more
descript.

Without fail, I seem to mention to these two parents how impressed I
continue to be with their stamina and determination. Their wearied
countenances belie the pleasant manner in which they conduct
themselves. For some reason, on this particular visit, I mentioned to
the man that I had been tossing around in my mind the definitions of
happiness and joy.

To my surprise, the Amish dairyman, normally reserved in nature,
uncharacteristically pounced on the subject. "Well, there's
difference alright. Let me tell you." I let him.

"Happiness usually comes out of your circumstances. You know, when
things are going your way, so to speak. Joy, on the other hand, comes
from knowing God's in charge no matter what the circumstances."

This is a man, I thought to myself, who knows from whence he speaks.
I could see he was not finished. So I let him continue.

"Now, the devil likes to work your circumstances to take the smile
off your face. He wants you unhappy. That way he figures he can
weaken your walk with the Lord. My wife and I figure the best way to
defeat that old codger is to keep it in mind that he wants us
unhappy. So we figure God gave us these kids and in the condition
they're in for a reason. The Book says His ways are higher than our
ways. His thoughts, higher than our thoughts. If God wants it this
way then we best find a way to appreciate ourselves. That's what I'd
call joy. Happiness? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes we're
just bone tired of the whole picture. But the joy comes in knowing
that God's in control."

I was both speechless and convinced. This man had obviously been
working for quite some time on finding joy in the midst of his
surroundings. The model these two parents had shown me down through
the years left me without argument. If their example was proof
enough, then there definitely is a difference between happiness and
joy.

My next patient was himself a bishop in the Amish settlement. An
elderly man, he had suffered an aneurysm at a fortuitous moment, I
might add, while visiting a friend in the hospital. Because he was in
the hospital, his life had been spared. "Right place at the right
time," the bishop had told me once when I visited him during his
recovery. On this particular day, I mentioned to him that his color
was particularly good and that he was carrying himself with renewed
strength and confidence.

"You're looking fit and fiddle," I said.

"Fiddle's more like it," he joked.

Then he shared with me how there was a time during the darkest hours
of his setback that he had actually wished it were over, that he
could have gone to his eternal resting place.

"That bad?"

Yes, that bad," replied the bishop. "I was hurting so and the fatigue
was so heavy that I just wished that the aneurysm had hit me harder
or at a different place and time."

The man walked outside with me as I prepared to depart from his home,
having adjusted him, his wife, and two daughters. Out in the lane, a
group of five or six kittens were tumbling each other about as the
mother lay out flat in the gravel.

"Ornery little things," the Amish man said with a grin, gesturing
toward the newborns.

"Yes… and it sure is good to see you smiling and happy," I said.
Which, of course, renewed my pursuit of the difference between joy
and happiness. I asked, "Do you find there's a difference between joy
and happiness?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, I do."

The bishop told of a "car wedding" he had once gone to. "You know, a
how do you say it a 'ceremony' conducted by a preacher who wasn't
Amish," he explained. Anyway, I'll never forget his statement to the
couple. He prayed that they would "find joy amidst their sorrows."

There it was again, I thought to myself. The joy of knowing that a
sovereign God is in charge regardless of circumstances or how things
appear.

My appreciation for the difference between the two words joy and
happiness might best be summed up during a wake I attended for a
blonde haired, blue-eyed, 4-year old Amish girl who had died from
morphine intoxication administered during what many today consider as
routine surgery -tonsillectomy. Which, seems to me, begs the
question: "How do we factor in cultural differences and any fears or
misgivings those might evoke in a patient prior to the administration
of anesthetic?" I had seen the girl the week prior to the scheduled
surgery and I was not particularly pleased with the parent's decision
to proceed, but their minds were made up after months and months of
tonsillitis in their child. It was not a visitation I was looking
forward to, but I had received a phone call, detailing the times and
place which, of course, was the home and felt "called" to be there.

At the open casket, I lost composure and began to shake a bit in the
room full of men dressed in black and white and women in plain, dark
dresses and bonnets. The child's grandfather who had been seated
right near the casket immediately stood and rested a hand on my
shoulder with these words, "The Lord's in charge here. She's truly in
a better place."

I could see the joy, the strength, in this man's face. There was no
denying it. The joy of the Lord is his strength.

So, yes, indeed there is a difference between joy and happiness. The joy is knowing that God is always in charge, no matter the circumstances. Recognizing that joy can lead you to discover the thread of happiness that flows from it.

- - - - - - - - - -
The author: Dr. Will Tickel is a practicing chiropractor in southern
Ohio and Cincinnati who particularly enjoys his work among the Amish.
He is a published author of two books relating to health and healing.
He may be reached at willtickel@aol.com

January 4th - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Day



1774-1821
Foundress-Sisters of Charity
Canonized by Pope Paul VI
September 14, 1975

St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was born on August 28, 1774 to Richard Bayley and Catherine Charlton of New York City. She was raised in the Episcopal Church in the United States. Her mother, daughter of an Episcopal priest, died when Elizabeth was three years old.

At age 19 she married William Magee Seton, a wealthy businessman in the import trade. Five children were born to the marriage: Anna "Annina" Maria (1795-1812), William the Second, Richard Seton, Catherine Seton (1800-1891) a Sister of Mercy, and Rebecca Mary (1802-1816) whom Elizabeth called "my soul's sister".

Although busy with raising a large family and the management of their home, Seton continued to show the concern for the poor of the city which her father and stepmother had taught her. She helped to organize a group of prominent ladies who would visit the sick poor in their homes to render what aid they could. This circle was informally called the "Ladies of Charity" due to their conscious inspiration by the work of St. Vincent de Paul in 17th century France.

During a trip to Italy for her husband's health, he died there and Elizabeth and one of her children stayed two years in Italy with her husband's business partner and his family. It was in Italy that she was introduced to Catholicism. When returning back to the United States, she sought instruction in the faith and in 1805 entered the Catholic Church.

At the invitation of the Archbishop, she established a Catholic girl's school in Baltimore, which initiated the parochial school system in America. She also founded the Sisters of Charity.

One commentor says of her "Elizabeth Seton had no extraordinary gifts. She was not a mystic or stigmatic. She did not prophesy or speak in tounges." But it is perhaps her very "ordinariness" that makes her such a good model for stewardship. She put her whole life - all of her time, all of her talents, all of her treasure - at God's disposal, saying to her religious sisters, "The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner He wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will." Such wholehearted devotion to the will of God is a sure recipe for good stewardship of the gifts we have received.

We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our
lives - that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God
as in a constant communication with Him .

~Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

The "Carra" Sontag

The "Carra" Sontag
Hand-made for Rachels'
Seamstress Services

Ahhhhh, the most beautiful Sontag arrived the other day. The "Carra" Sontag, AKA: Bosom Buddy, became popular in the mid to late 1800's.

"Sontag is a woman's crochet'd or knitted jacket that has long ends crossing over the front and tying at the back; and it commemorates Henriette Sontag (1806-1854), a German operatic coloratura-soprano singer, ennobled in 1826. In 1828 she married Count Rossi."

For several years I had wished to offer this crocheted garment on the Rachels' web-site but was unable to concentrate fully on it until this year. And I am so thankful I did, as it is most stunning! Created by the maker of all the crocheted caps on the Rachels' site, "Carra" is expertly hand-crafted and will last for many years with proper care. In addition, a new crocheted cap is offered that I have put together with the "Carra" Sontag. Called the "Carra" Coif. Has just the right amount of coverage to keep your head warm during the cold days.

Made in a wool-ease yarn that is 80% acrylic and 20% wool, "Carra" is hand-washable. Per request, one can also have the "Carra" made in another yarn fiber.

If wishing to order a "Carra" Sontag for the holidays, order asap, as only a few can be made up for holiday gift-giving. It is located in the Clothing-Quaker&Plain Category on the Rachels' Seamstress Services site.

The History of Crochet

The origins of crochet date back to 16th century France, where nuns used hooks for making beautiful lace. In fact, the word "crochet" comes from the French term for hook. The art of crochet was carried by the nuns to Ireland. Here, Irish girls skillfully copied many rare old patterns and crochet became a refined accomplishment required of well-bred young ladies.

Although modern crochet dates back to the 16th century, various crude forms of the art have been found in many earlier societies as far back as 2000 B.C. One of these forms was accomplished with a needle similar to a fisherman's needle. Another form was developed from an early mariner's technique of looping without tying a knot. It is thought that weavers combined these methods in an attempt to find a simpler method of weaving using sticks. These crude 'hand-weaving' tools eventually became crochet hooks.

Crochet was refined into a craft during the 16th century in French convents, but it was not until the 19th century that crochet was recognized as one of the "womanly arts" on a level of popularity with knitting and embroidery. Women fleeing France brought the technique and the French name "crochet" to England around 1820. A quarter of a century later, crochet was introduced in Ireland as a cottage industry with which people could make a meager living. The beautiful rose designs of Irish crochet were used in edgings, tablecloths, and delicate blouses sold all over the world. Unfortunately, the modern machine copies have lost much of the delicacy and beauty of the original handmade crochet.

Traditionally, crochet has been worked in cotton threads for purely utilitarian items such as tablecloths, napkins, and bedspreads. Today, crocheting employs many types of threads and yarns for an endless variety of garments, afghans, and decorations for around the house.
                                      Taken from the Leisure Arts Book "I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting!"

Sewing Machines and their 'parts'

I just received the long awaited for sewing machine part late last week! I have several sewing assignments to catch up on! What a challenge to find the essential part for my two year old Janome machine! The main dilemma was that the sewing center that I do business with, here in Ocala, burned to the ground a few months ago and they lost their entire store! So, they had so many parts coming in to re-supply their inventory, the Janome Supply Center could not keep up with it.

I was so lost without my Janome main machine. A friend knew about my dilemma and offered to me a hardly used, 1950's 'Royal' machine, still in the cabinet that belonged to her mother. I was so surprised when I went over to see the machine, as I did not have knowledge before-hand how unused it was. It took a day or two of tinkering around with, and it works wonderfully...only straight and zig-zag stitching. When I get some time I need to research where to buy a zipper foot for this very usable, but older machine. I think it may be like an old car...built well, but parts are harder to find. And I had hoped for so long to have a back-up machine, and thankfully, now I do.

Meantime...I needed a breather this past week-end from trying to catch up on everything and decided to do some baking. Two loaves of Amish White Bread were made. This makes fantastic French Toast!

Picture to the left is the bread dough divided in half after the first rising. I only use King Arthur Flour for everything I bake.

The picture below is the finished bread. Bakes for 30 minutes after pouring melted butter on top.

That was enough fun for the week! Back to sewing now to catch up. I am ever so happy to have my main sewing machine back working.

Amish White Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups warm water

2/3 cup white sugar

1 ½ tablespoons active dry yeast

1 ½ teaspoons salt

¼ cup vegetable oil

6 cups bread flour

___________________________________________

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until resembles a creamy foam. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Kneed dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, approx. two hours. I always let the dough rise in a warm oven. Punch dough down. Kneed a few minutes and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place in two well oiled 9x5 loaf pans. (I use glass pans) Allow to rise for 45 minutes, or until dough has risen approx. one inch above the pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

"The Jacket"

Some of the first pattern
pieces of 'The Jacket'

The Jacket was born in early 2011, from an instanteous thought and a quick e-mail that I thought would not travel far.

After some time, plans were made between The Jacket originator (myself) and the recipient of a light tan, sueded western style, custom-made jacket.

It was an exciting time, most certainly, full of anticipation, from choosing the perfect tan sueded fabric and matching lining, to the style, down to the right buttons. The sample jacket then arrived in the mail that I used for measurements. Soon thereafter the sueded fabric and lining arrived from the specialty store. It was so very beautiful. Just touching the fabric gave you a peaceful and serene feeling, like touching the first rose petals that have newly come forth.

Then, I became ill for several months. I needed to keep my other orders going out and did not have too much time to concentrate on 'The Jacket'. But he was always there, patiently waiting for me, beckoning me to come over and sew a few stitches.

Inside lining of a 'welt' pocket.
A light poly/cotton fabric was sewn
over the nylon lining  for extra durability.

The summer of 2011 came with full force and temperatures soared into the triple digits. I have never known heat so intense before. The highest this past summer was 116 degrees and was a day to remember. 'The Jacket' was partially started by this time, and the front 'welt' pockets just starting to appear. He ('The Jacket') was taking form, like molding out of clay.

The pockets were actually quite fun. I was afraid at first, not having the opportunity to make many 'welt' pockets. But I discovered that it was not too difficult at all. One just needs to concentrate and be patient.

All during this time, the recipient was so very patient. Periodic updates were e-mailed to inform of the progress. In mid-September, I knew he needed to be completed, since the cooler weather was arriving soon. He became my friend by this time. Greeting me in the morning with his happy tan color. I looked at the seams and how they were turning out. Everything had to be perfect.



'The Jacket' owner
Made by Rachels'
Seamstress Services

Then the final week arrived (Sept. 27th). It was time to finish up and part with my friend who saw me through many happenings since early March. He joined with me in unison to accept the final seams and the lining, which were hand-sewn in.

He looked so healthy and well and I needed to pack him up and ship him to his new owner, who was so very happy to receive him. Washing/care instructions were given and I have no doubt 'The Jacket' will be treated with respect and dignity.

Good-bye my dear friend. I had the honor and pleasure of putting you together with the utmost care and attention.

For a long a happy life,

Your Creator,

Lisa

of Rachels'