Walking. Bible Study. Crafty Stuff.

Physical Issues
I have been battling my second cold in one month.  So, in an effort to rest, my posts may slow down for a bit....but maybe not...I so enjoy them.....but they may be more....simple....for now.

Fatigue is again my companion - 
from what I hear fatigue will be around for a while - 
maybe even years.

It's an "after chemotherapy, radiation and too many surgeries" effect.

Or so they tell me.

It's very frustrating.  
I really hate it.
And I don't hate many things - 
not even boiled okra.  
                           
I have heard that exercise helps.
So, tonight I'm gonna try 5 minutes on the elliptical again.
Tomorrow I'll walk for 10.  
There's something about the great outdoors....that's healing.

http://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/happiness-fun/things-you-can-enjoy-doing-while-walking/

Bible Study

Being that energy is in short supply around here, I'm simply sharing a couple of encouraging songs.  Be blessed!

I first heard this song when I was living in another city driving to my radiation appointment.  It's so true, especially that first line.

Just Be Held was written a year before his own cancer diagnosis.  Here's the story. 

All you 
cancer patients and survivors,
people with other illnesses,
hurting people
out there, 
we don't have to be strong - 
this is our time 
to 
just 
be 
held.  
I know it's hard.  
Let's do this together, yes?

Crafty Stuff
Isn't crafting the best?  It's so healing!

 Here's is Baby M2's baby afghan with the first border on it!

  Here's is my go to book of patterns for choosing crocheted borders!  

Here's the border I chose!

9/19/16

OMG Pink and Brown Baby Quilt:	Ray’s pjs	Baby M2’s crochet afghan
Embroider and attach label Done!	Hem Done!	Design and begin border Done!

I met all my goals for last week - even the pajama pants!  Funny thing is, when my husband tried them on for me to hem......they were already hemmed! 

To Do List for 9/26/16

1) Hand Sewing – binding ABC quilt

2) Quilting - Secret Project

3) Regular Sewing - Frankenstein sew           batting scraps

4) Crochet - Baby M2’s crochet afghan,         crochet ½ of the 42 Blue Dots for             border 

5) Quilt Labels - Michael’s Dallas Cowboy       Afghan Label

6) BOM’s & QAL’s – make squares for             Drunkards Path – Blue and Quilty 365

I'm linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River and To Do Tuesday at Stitch All Things.  


Dear Friends, this is my truth!

Philippians 1:13 Part 2. 1 Design Wall Fun! :)

Philippians 1:13 Part 2
Scripture

 

Observation

As this verse continues to stand out to me, I reexamine this part:

As a result,

it has become clear

throughout the whole palace guard

and to everyone else

that I am in Chains for Christ.

Philippians 1:13

I picture Paul imprisoned and have been asking myself: 

How did it become clear to everyone else, including the “whole palace guard” that he was a man of faith? 

What were his actions? 

What were his words? 

What about him,

his behavior,

his “manera de ser” (literally translated – manner of being)

led those around him to not only know he was a believer, but also to gain more confidence to proclaim the message of Christ?

http://images.knowing-jesus.com/i/philippians-1-14-confidence-in-my-imprisonment-gold

Application:

At first, as I pondered these words and the ensuing questions, I sincerely doubted that I live my life in such a way that those around me would gain courage and confidence to speak their faith.

And then I realized I was almost beginning to believe a lie – almost.

Here’s why.

About five years ago we a contractor came to our home to give us an estimate on some extensive work we were going to have done.  It was taking a while because we got to talking.

Then he mentioned his wife was outside in the truck waiting for him!  Eeeesh!  I went out to talk to her and asked her to join us inside.  A friendship was born!

Just a few months later, the work was finished. 

During the Christmas season and we came home to find a package at our door.  It was a gift from them! It was this wall hanging.

I was amazed.  When I called to thank them, here is what my new friend said,

“When I saw this, we just had to give it to you

because it really describes you guys!”

I was deeply humbled.  After just a few interactions with us, this was how they saw us??!!

Amazing and humbling.

Let’s be careful what we believe. 

Today I’ve learned a valuable lesson:

Before I believe

A negative thought about myself,

I will pray

and ask God to show me

His truth.

https://thechristiangazette.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/god-causes-everything-to-work-for-good-romans-828/

So

Where you/I see a mess,

He sees a message.

Where you/I see a test,

He sees a testimony.

Where you/I see a trial,

He sees a triumph!

Where you/I see a victim,

He sees a victory!

Prayer

LORD, thank You for precious grace and mercy. I'm so humbled and grateful that others see me as You do.  This is beyond my comprehension and I can only give all credit, praise and honor to You!  Please let us all remember who we are IN YOU and that your mercies are everlasting! Praise you!

Design Wall Fun!

I decided to go ahead and put up my portable design wall because my Be My Neighbor block came out so pretty!  Here's Block 1!

I'm linking up to Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt and Moving It Forward Monday at Em's Scrapbag.

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Philippians 1:13 (Part 1). Slow Stitching Sundays.

Philippians 1:13

Scripture

Observation

You know, I believe Paul and Timothy encouraged each other during this time.  By their lifestyle and speech the guards were able to observe Christ within them.  Also, Paul had to have witnessed to them – he had to have. I get this. 

My very being is Christ.  To live is Christ (Philippians 1:21).  I cannot

Exist without somehow sharing my faith.

Have friendships if I cannot share this part of my life.

Even write this blog without sharing my faith.

IT WHO I AM.

Don’t get me wrong.  I have many friends who are non-believers. 

And we love each other dearly.  

We are heart sisters.  

You know who you are!  :)  They understand me and I understand them.  We respect each other.  

The same goes for my family members who are also unbelievers. 

We respect each other’s beliefs

We love each other.

God has recently worked through 

one of my loved ones to make His point.

Application

I have placed myself in chains, but not for Christ.

As a result,

it has become clear 

throughout the whole palace guard 

and to everyone else

 that I am in chains

for Christ. 

Philippians 1:13

Oh, I thought I was in God’s will, in fact I was sure of it.  

But, my dear loved one, 

He lets us know when we’re not.

I have been ignoring

His whispers,

His prodding,

His voice.

Why?

Because only I could do

what I thought needed to be done.

Might you be doing the same?

It became clear to the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains.

The palace guard weren’t believers – at least several of them weren’t.

And one of them 

has been speaking God’s truth to me.

God worked through him 

to shout out (not literally!) His whispers.

I hear You, LORD.

I always did.

I just didn’t want to let go.

But whom better to release my loved ones to than to You? 

Do you struggle with this as well?

Are you in chains as well? 

Running yourself ragged

Saving the world?

Stop:  Who’s problem is this?

Look:  What is my/your part in it – if any?

Listen:  To what God is tell me/you about this problem – REALLY listen

Realize: I/You am/are nobody’s Savior.  But, we can be their prayer warrior.

Yup, I can do that.

I bet you can, too!

https://qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-e437fe0d3c936695edf412dae5321333?convert_to_webp=true

Prayer

Dear Father,

Thank you for helping me to see where I was wrong.  Thank you for using my loved one to shout (not literally of course!) Your Word to me when I refused to listen to Your Still Small Voice.

Thank You for this time with You in giving me direction.  Help me to release to You and please comfort as I do so.

Thank you, LORD!  You’re the best!

Slow Stitching

Today I'm back on focus and using my Sundays to work on my Grandmother's Flower Garden!  Yea!

Then perhaps I'll play a bit and make some progress on this Christmas gift for my grandbabies.

I'm using this tutorial for their felt food lunch! Of course, lettuce, tomatoes and a bag of chips are in the plans as well!  

I'm linking up to Kathleen's Sharing Sundays and Kathy's Slow Stitching ! Sundays!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Philippians 1:12. Baby Quilt Finish!

Philippians 1:12
Side note: I wrote this Bible study up a couple of days ago for tonight.  A friend called me from another city.  She is in deep crisis.  We've been on the phone and texting for several hours.  This study fits her situation perfectly.  God knew.  He always does.  Please pray for her!

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, ^b that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 

Interesting:  “what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.” 

Many times, when we hear, “Can I get a testimony?”, we hear people tell of how God has worked to miraculously worked out a situation and answered prayers. 

God is always working out situations.

God is always answering prayers.

But sometimes

It’s

Not

The

Answer

We

Expected

Or

Wanted.

12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,

^b that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

Those test results show disease.

God heals us or a loved one in Heaven rather than here on Earth.

The pain is inflicted.

The tragedy occurs.

Then what?

12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,

^b that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

I have seen and experienced 
many things that shook my faith.

I even walked away from God for a period.

BUT, I have come to learn that indeed

12Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,

^b that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

I’m not saying it’s easy

To experience or even understand.

I am saying it’s real.

Now, as crisis, pain, hurt, illness

Occur,

Or

As unexpected memories

Suddenly flood my brain,

In the midst of my tears,

I am learning

To pray for my will

And then 

pray,                                                      

“Not my will but Yours.”

found here: https://tillchrist.wordpress.com/tag/lords-passion-c/

Art Source:

Art Source: mygodmymusicmylife.wordpress.com

It’s a learning process,

And many times

An extremely

Difficult

Painful

One.

But

I am slowly learning

That these times make me stronger.

These are not the original artists for this song.  It's actually Mandisa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFY2Hdh7cvA).  However, as a cancer thriver, this video of the song ministered to my heart.I actually purchased her song and added it to my Itunes for these times:

2Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,

^b that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

Prayer
My dear LORD, help me to praise You always, to trust You in the good and trying times.  Bless me, my family and friends with Your presence.  Let them know that what has happened to them,
what is happening to them,
what will happen to them 
will serve to advance the gospel.
Please strengthen and enourage us!
In Your name I pray!
Amen and Amen!  

Baby Quilt Completely Finished!
I'm so excited! I finished the baby quilt!  It's a double win because I met my OMG!  Here's a few pictures of the journey from start to finish:

Tada!

Can I get a Whoop Whoop?

I'm linking up to 

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop! at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and 

Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts.

http://www.clipartkid.com/happy-dance-the-political-carnival-iy6Kzw-clipart/

Dear Friend, This is my truth!