The Cycle of Comfort Part 2. Stitching, Reading and Gratitude!

 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

The Cycle of Comfort Part 2

Last week's comments on this topic were so thought provoking!  I hope you take a moment to read them.  Perhaps many of you are also tired of Lie #1 as listed in Matthew West's Truth Be Told?  

Lie #1:  "You're supposed to have it all together.  When they ask how your are say, 'Never better.' "

To be even more transparent, "Truth be told", I was also thinking about social media and the perfect lives presented.  (A quick image search on "social media vs. reality" illustrates my point.)  Let's remember that no one's life is perfect - not even mine.    

Which leads us to...

Lie #2:  "Everybody's life is perfect except yours, so keep your messes and your wounds and your secrets safe with you behind closed doors"  

A lady at my church started a ministry to mentor the younger ladies.  She made a good point which I'll paraphrase:  

"At church, many of the younger ladies may see some of us 'more mature' ladies with our perfect (ahem) lives at church, not realizing the pain and trials the Lord has helped us overcome!  Let's be real with them and share our experiences and, more importantly, how the LORD has seen us through!"

I know through personal experience this is true.  Years ago as I was ministering to a young lady from church, she responded, "That's easy for you to say!  Just look at your perfect life, your perfect husband, your perfect kids!"  Oh my dear, sweet lady, if only you knew the truth.

So, I decided then and there to become vulnerable and transparent:  I shared my testimony.  

Needless to say, she was shocked at all the "imperfection" in my life - past and present. 

As we turn to Abba Father during our trials, our pain, our sicknesses, He comforts us!  Why?

So that we in turn can comfort others!  

Throughout the years, I've realized that if, during times of tribulation, I can focus on the comfort offered by my LORD and Savior, I have hope.    

Certainly, there are times when I simply weep and thrash through my pain and confusion.  Eventually, as I receive the comfort offered the LORD, peace enters my soul and I am able to begin learning from Him and, more essentially,  am able to comfort others via His comfort.  

So, regardless of your trial,  you are not alone:  someone else has walked your path.  

Let us share our realness and God's immense grace and strength - the person described in the previous lines may need you more than you know.  

BOOK DATE

 Currently Reading

I haven't finished any books this week, but am close to finishing My Beloved World by Sonya Sotomayor. It's a great read!

  Mary Alice and I are continuing our book club on Arsenic and Adobo, though, admittedly I fell behind.  

We chose our books for the rest of the year!

June: Camino Island by John Grisham
July: The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley
August: In A Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo
September: The Midnight Library by Addie LaRue
October: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Nov-Dec: The Ghost and the Christmas Spirit by Bobbi Holmes

Next Up:  

STASH REPORT
Yarny numbers

I finished a couple of dishcloths.  Other than that, no changes in yarn numbers.  

	Yarn/Project		Ounces In	Ounces Out	Net
6/6/2021	Dish Cloths			2	2
		JuneTotals	0	2	2
		Annual Totals	124	72	-52

 Fabric numbers

I did indeed finish binding the Gecko quilt!

Stephanie, from Be Sew Creative, did a great job quilting it!

Sandy, also from Be Sew Creative,  helped me choose the perfect backing fabric!

I also made this little panel quilt!  For the first time ever, I quilted my own quilt and made a quilt in a day!  Yea!

I was inspired to try quilting a quilt on my own via this reel by Erica Taylor Jackman on Instagram.  Then @crafty_sigkapoli and I shared a conversation about our nervousness about tackling quilting and viola!  This little nursery rhyme quilt was born!  

I never cease to be amazed at how different lighting changes the appearance of a quilt!  

My fabric numbers are definitely looking good!

	Project/Type	Yardage In	Yardage Out	Net
6/6/2021	Gecko Quilt		13.77
	Nursery Rhyme Quilt		2.5
	JUNE TOTALS		16.27
	ANNUAL TOTALS	25.692	48.38	22.688

Here's my productivity numbers after finishing a few odds and ends and these quilts.  

TO DO TUESDAY

Last Week's List

An unexpected home remodeling project came up, but I did finish two quilts!  

1.  Prepped Projects:  Kit the next 10 Qube Crush blocks.  😏

2.  Finish the prayer shawl. 😏 

3.  Finish binding the Gecko quilt.😀

This Week's List

This coming week is jammed packed.  You may know how long it takes to cut out sampler blocks with different fabrics, so this week's list is similar to last week's.  

1.  Prepped Projects:  Kit the next 10 Qube Crush blocks.  

2.  Finish the prayer shawl. In fact, this will be my Slow Sunday Stitching project that I will link up to Kathy's Quilts.  

GRATITUDE FOR THE SMALL THINGS

LeeAnna's I Like link up helps me focus on all that I can be grateful for!  

This is an old school recipe my family still loves -
papas, cebolla y bologna!  

This little cactus bowl has a few baby blooms on it!
I'll keep checking on it during my walks.

Chico loves going for a ride!

This little plant is such a survivor!
We thought he was a goner, 
but he surprised us!

My sister brought me this lovely bouquet of flowers!

This is the first time Kitty gazes out of our front door.

Here's a before the pen look at my journal.

Here's a close up of the sticker on that page.
This quote is so very true.
It's ok to walk away from toxic people.

This is a picture of the same cactus.

It's all a matter of perspective.

Linking up to:

Sunday Scripture Blessings @

Peabea's Photos and Scribbles

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts 

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 

@ Book Date 

To Do Tuesday @ Chris Knits

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)

Your comments are so appreciated! 

I read each one and will respond by email to you! :)