Lord, make me an instrument

Since I have moved back to Ely I have kind of felt that I haven't been taking time to serve others like I should.  I know I should just do it, but it seems I am so busy it is difficult to just get my visiting teaching done.  I often think I should call this person or that and invite them to attend an activity with me or such, but for one reason or another I do not follow through.  At times I feel I have lost the ability to hear or feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  Whenever I think this, the thought comes to mind that I am serving the primary children each week through the efforts I put into my Primary Chorister calling - but some how I still feel I need to serve the sisters more. 
Last saturday we had a stake RS activity and as usual I thought of several sisters I should call and invite, but didn't do much as I was busy preparing for a class I had to teach at the activity.  I arrived early set up my class which wasn't until the afternoon.  Looked for a few sisters I might know and sat at a table waiting for things to begin.  Soon I saw a sister from our ward come in, she is a good friend of mine, but is an older sister.  She looked around and saw most of the tables that had people at them were full and didn't see anywhere inviting to sit - She headed out to the other side of the cultural hall.  I tried to get her attention to sit with me as there was one seat open.  She kept walking and I thought perhaps she was heading to the bathroom, but for some reason I ran after her and told her to come and sit with me.  Which she did.  We had a little breakfast and a great opening speaker and then we headed off to classes.  When they announced the classes I thought none of these are for my friend as she is great at all these things, but she attended them anyway (always a great example to me).  After the first class I didn't really see her the rest of the day and I went on with the things I needed to do.
At church the next day she handed me the following note:
Thanks for being a friend yesterday and sensitive to the spirit.  I would have gone home.  I've lived here all of my life and have never felt so detached from everything as I have lately.  Your kindness was felt deeply and appreciated.
Now I don't include this to toot my own horn, only to realize that sometimes we are instruments of the Lord in small ways that we may not even recognize.  I remember thinking after I had chased after her, "Why did I do that so abruptly?" as I was in the middle of talking to someone else.  Yet if I hadn't she would have headed out the door.  Most of the time we don't receive little notes letting us know we were an answer to someones need and so we don't recognize that the spirit really is working through us.  So I guess we just keep trying and doing our best.  As I was an answer to her, her note was an answer to me that I am still worthy to feel the spirit and act on those promptings even small ones like this.

Beginning Sewing and a little for more experienced as well

I taught a class at a Stake Relief Society Preparedness day and thought I would post the info here for everyone.  I was asked to teach a beginning sewing class.  I figured most would not be true beginners, so I mixed a beginning with a skill most probably wouldn't know.

We started out making continuous bias tape.  (the not so beginner skill) Most I have seen on the internet were a little different.  This is the easiest and makes quite a bit, about 4 yards out of 1/3 yard of material.  It can be saved to use on other projects or quilts.

Then they had the choice to make a pillowcase or a pillowcase dress (so called because you can make it out of a pillowcase, but we just used material.

Pillowcase Dress With Handmade Bias Tape

Busy summer is coming to an end!

We have had a very busy summer.  Starting with the end of June and Melanie's baby being born and then she came to stay for about a week and a half.  Then the end of July Selina, Richie, and Kamry came as well as Melanie and kids and then the next week we added Chelsea and Gavin and April, James and Everett.  Eventually everyone available was here for a week including our landlord, who decided to fix the basement ceiling the same week.  We spent the week playing games, attending Trevor's Eagle Court of Honor and tending babies and more babies.  It was great to be together.  We missed those who were unable to attend.  Apil and James are now in China and waiting to hear where they will be placed for their internship.  Sounds like the baby did well on the plane and they arrived all in one piece.  They will be happy to get settled for a time as they have done nothing but travel since the baby was born - Ohio to Maine then Ohio to Nevada - then Nevada to China.  Lots of places in a months time.  Well since pictures speak a thousand words, here they are.  Our summer that flew by and now back to school next week.  (Sorry about the random order as I can't figure out this new blogger)