Happy Fourth of July to my readers in the United States!
I hope you all are doing well! I am rejoicing as I celebrate another 6 month breast cancer check up.
However, this summer two acquaintances have passed from cancer. This naturally led me to dealing with Survivors' Guilt yet again. This time, I decided to face it head on and find some guidance and comfort in God's Word.
I hope you enjoy this Thought for the Week, my crafting, stitching and gratitude photo journal!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
I found Parkview Health's article on Survivors' Guilt very helpful. I'm sharing some highlights from their article as well as my own thoughts and Scriptures that came to mind.
Many of us have Survivors' Guilt for one reason or another. It's simply when "one has the feeling of guilt of having survived a trauma/illness when other’s have passed."
This is completely normal. Remember, God created us - and that includes our emotions. There is nothing wrong with our feelings, it's how we deal with them that is important.
Many times we simply need to "renew our minds."
How can we do this? By reading/listening to His Word, listening to praise and worship music, journaling and, of course, talking it out with a trusted person. After renewing our mind, we can then focus and find our way to God's will for our lives.
Which leads us to the next step as mentioned in the article: finding our purpose. As a baby Christian, I read Isaiah 61:1-3 and I knew that I'd found my purpose! However, I am learning through this journey of being a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor, that I need to also minister to myself.
I need to go to God so that He can help me achieve each of the following steps for my own life issues.
(1) to bind up the brokenhearted,
(2) to proclaim freedom for the captives and
(3) release from darkness for the prisoners,
(4) to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
(5) to comfort all who mourn, and
(6) provide for those who grieve in Zion—
(7) to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3
Verse 3b is our promise of the results of this work: Those we minister to will be called oaks of righteousness - including ourselves!
God wants us to be victorious! Let's allow Him to do the work in our lives so that we can life fully and productively for His glory!
I wonder if some of you have a "life Scripture" that defines the call of God on your own life? Would you like to share it in the comments?
I'll be continuing this study in the following weeks. Hopefully, you can join in! 😊
BOOK DATE
Currently Reading
Upon Daddy's recommendation, I watched the movie, Same Time Next Year. When I saw this book was based on that movie, I just had to start it via audio!
After reading Stormie O'Martian's testimony, I was inspired to read her book on praying through fear!
This is the next book Mary Alice and I are reading for our "Book Club For Two"!
Finished:
I loved this book so much! Though I listened to it on audio, this will be one I read again via hard copy. There are so many true dichos (sayings) that I must capture them in my reading journal. Five stars for this book!
As the wife of a retired Air Force member, I could certainly relate to this wonderful book. Tif Marcelo completely captured the military experience from the military families' point of view. She made many good points in her book regarding our experience. The plot was well written with a twist I wasn't expecting.
This was a great read. Besides being well-written and having a strong female protagonist, I was intrigued when I learned that it's based on a the true story of The Lost Woman of San Nicolas. My granddaughter began another book as we waited for hardcopies of the book to come in, so this one will also be re-read as soon as she finishes her book.
Next Up:
STASH REPORT
Yarny numbers
I finished 3 dishclothes, which took 6 ounces off my stash.
I really must share two new projects though. I fell in love with Lion Brand's Manadala yarn in Tranquil. After hoarding it, petting it and admiring it, I decided to start this project, a moss stitch afghan - a rather large one.
I'm not one for single crochet patterns, but I'm enjoying the moss stitch, which is basically a repeat of single crochet, chain one. I'm planning to create a beige border to frame these colors. 
According to my math, these new afghans will require 2 more skeins of yarns, which I purchased. So, here's my numbers ending the month of June.
Fabric numbers
Nothing in/out this week! This week has been a crocheting week for me. We've had beautiful rainy days and my hands just wanted to crochet.
Productivity Stats
No changes here.
TO DO TUESDAYLast Week's List
1. Prepped Projects: Stitch up the last few Qube Crush blocks. X2. Continue to progress on my hexagon afghan. 😊
I've made significant progress on my Hexagon afghan (pattern by Camelia Rose) by creating one corner.
3. Stitch up my pile of mending - yuck! X
4. Slow Stitching: Progress on my Christmas Tree. 😊 It's finished and posted on the 1 Xmas Item A Month blog hosted by Narelle who also blogs at Pins and Whiskers!
This Week's List
1. Prepped Projects: Stitch up the last few Qube Crush blocks.
2. Continue to progress on my hexagon afghan.
3. Stitch up my pile of mending
4. Slow Stitching: Make progress on my deer mitten. 
GRATITUDE JOURNEY
I hope you enjoy this week's Gratitude Journey which will be linked up to LeeAnna's "I Like" party on Thursday.
I've spent much of last week indoors enjoying our oh so rare rainy week.
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| Our hibiscus teased us, then produced a beautiful flower! |
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| This mother and son team crochet beautifully! |
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| We never know the difference one act of kindness can make. |
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| How inspiring is this?! |
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| How true is this? |
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| After purchasing her cleaning PDF, trying them out with great success, my daughter told me about her cleaning strategies. I'm jumping on board this month! |
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| Kitty was trying to decide if to snuggle with Mia. She ended up hunting instead! |
Linking up to:
Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)
I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Friday)
Your comments are so appreciated!
I read each one and will respond by email.
You can also expect a visit from me as well!
I can relate to your thoughts of Survivor's Guilt this week. Besides my husband's cancer journey this last year, I have one dear local friend who went through breast treatment and is doing well, but another who lost her battle with glioblastoma recently. We've definitely talked about survivor's guilt here! I'm wondering what you're thinking about both The Giver and 28 Summers. Interesting reads, but definitely lots to think about in both! Your 12 pointed afghan is really neat!
ReplyDeleteLove that hexagon afghan! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThat yarn does make beautiful projects. It looks soft too. Love the mittens So cute!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat little reindeer mitten is adorable... great idea to work on Christmas projects year round. That mandala yarn is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on passing another 6 months milestone! Every day cancer free is a blessing!
This is my first time dropping by your blog. Yay for 6 months free of cancer. Face it. God isn't finished with you yet. You are loved and he holds you in his hands for a purpose. I love the yarn work. I appreciate it from afar but don't know how to do it myself. Drop by my blog, if you have time, so we can get to "know" each other. My Sunday Salon
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty afghan you are working and darling little mittens. Have a lovely week
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on surviving.
ReplyDeleteIn a Book Club Far Away sounds good.
Wishing you a great reading week
My oldest friend has just begun that journey, and I'm very worried for her. We've had several friends and family members who have passed over the last couple of years, so I know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Giver and Island of the Blue Dolphins. I read them both during my Newbery quest some years ago.
I have had different life scriptures that were special at certain times of my life, but the most consistently meaningful one is Jeremiah 29:11, and I have clung desperately to it at times! I had to Google triple negative breast cancer, and it sounds pretty scary. I guess survivors' guilt does eat away at the joy of surviving, and it's good that you found helpful words! I love seeing your crochet progress here. Moss stitch is a favorite, and I used it to make a huge scarf/almost shawl in my favorite yarn of all time - Yarn Bee Aurora Borealis Mustang Twist!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a great weekend.
I have a similar kit of felt to work on… love yours… any tips???
ReplyDeleteI loved this post today and loved the giver for sure… try out the sequels if you like that one!
Kathi
I love your mitten/tree ornament so cute!
ReplyDeleteSo sad that you have to deal with survivor's guilt. Enjoy every single day!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and thoughts on survivor's guilt. Island of the Blue Dolphins is an excellent book and means even more as I get older and learn that it was based upon a true story. Love your afghan, and you always have such neat projects going on.
ReplyDelete