Sunday, June 6, 2021

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.








  

13 comments:

  1. ENjoy stitching your prayer shawl today... such a beautiful colour!
    I love "The Giver" with so many interesting things to think about!

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  2. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be real with others and find comfort and compassion.

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  3. Love the gecko quilt! The serpentine stitch is a game changer for quilting without straight lines. It always looks good. Picked up on that watching Pat Sloan.

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  4. What a beautiful and truthful song!

    I've always be pretty honest and open, but becoming chronically ill 19 years ago really made me live a transparent life. I just don't have the energy for pretending to be perfect! I agree - a very thought-provoking song.

    Your reading plans sound great! My husband recently read Camino Winds (didn't realize Camino Island came first!). And I read both The Midnight Library and Addie LaRue at the end of last year and enjoyed both very much - lots of good books for you to look forward to!

    Sue

    2021 Big Book Summer Challenge

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  5. We all have a story to tell; vulnerable stories to help each other. Your Gecko quilt is a beautiful finish, and love your sweet Nursery Rhyme quilt, too. Sweet photo of Kitty looking out the door.

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  6. Compassion and comfort truly are like a healing balm and so easy to receive. And, a great feeling to pass it along to others.

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  7. Great finishes, and love the color of your prayer shawl! Hope you have a great week!

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  8. Great finish on your Gecko quilt!

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  9. Lovely quilt! Looks like you are getting things done! Thanks for linking up with To-Do Tuesday!

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  10. I'll have to check out those books. Always looking for a good book to listen to or read. I agree - so many 'perfect' lives depicted when truly everyone has hardships and things they are dealing with. I hope you have a peaceful week.

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  11. The gecko quilt is just great! I put the Sonia Sotomayor book on my list at the library. Thanks for the recommendation!

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  12. You finished the Gecko quilt, and it looks great! I agree that being open and honest is so much more helpful for us as we walk this life together. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Love the gecko quilt. Really nice. This month I am working on all the quilt tops I fired up on the wardrobe shelf and ignored. It feels good to be furthering them along - sometimes guilt needs to be listened to and acted on! Great pics for your future book club. I have In a Book Club Far Away on the library reserve list so will have it some time in the future. I think its a debut novel as far as I remember.

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