Thursday, December 2, 2021

Weekly Word: Stayed On Him Part 4, Reading, Stitching and Gratitude

Hello There, 
This week has flown by with a bit of Christmas shopping, sewing and reading!  I hope you enjoy reading the last of our Stayed On Him series, a new Zoom book discussion I joined, how I'm still a tad bit in the negative with my stash, the cute little softies I'm making for my grandbabies and my digital gratitude journal!  
Time for this week's post.  Here's is an index should you have a special interest you like to read first!  
The Weekly Word - is a short devotional that sometimes becomes a Bible Study series.  
My Reading Life - is filled with current, completed and upcoming reads as well as an occasional short review.      
Stash Report and To Do Tuesday is where I'll share share stats regarding my fiber usage and acquisitions, goals met/lack thereof and photos of my projects. 
Gratitude Journal - Sometimes I get lost in my own stinky thinking.  This digital journal reminds me to count my blessings!    
Depressed?  Grieving?  Just Plain Sad? Part 4
As we continue our series of dealing with depression, grief or sadness, let us remember our goals:
1) to take the time we need to process these emotions in a healthy manner, 

2) to keep our minds stayed on Him.  Perhaps Terrian's song, Stayed on Him, will be a source of encouragement to you.


A third person who dealt with grief was our precious LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The following verses offer deep, soul changing lessons and I encourage you to pray as you read them.  Ask God to speak His personal message to your heart.  As for my heart, I see that Jesus' first reaction was to weep, to grieve, for his friend, Lazarus.  
He thanked God for hearing his prayer...but we don't know what he prayed in His heart - it's not said.  One could easily assume that he prayed that the LORD would raise Lazarus from the dead, but I wonder?  The Word also says that our LORD Jesus was troubled.  He could have prayed so many words before He prayed out loud.  
He thanked His Father for hearing His prayer.  Thankfulness, praise, and gratitude immediately followed Jesus' expression of grief. 
Then, after expressing His grief, praising His Father, He took action: He ordered Lazarus out of grave.  Now, indeed this is the real miracle, raising Lazarus out of the grave.  
But, many times, our LORD gives instructions after He performs a miracle.  In this case, here's what He said:

"Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Let me write that again:
"Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
This really stood out to me.  As we release whatever it is we are grieving, can we remove the "grave clothes" and let that person, feeling, event, heartache go?
Yes.  But it takes time.  Remember Ecclesiastes 3:4:  a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, a time to dance.  And as Daddy taught me:  Give time, time.
Let us keep our  minds stayed on Him!

Let us not loose hope in the struggle!

We will not be put to shame 
because we have God's love in our hearts!
Let us go forward, 
giving ourselves time to grieve in a healthy manner, 
keeping our minds stayed on Him,
and placing our hope in Him
who loves us so!

You know, my dear reader, I'm writing to myself as much as to you.  Blessings my dear...

My Reading Life

This month I'm reading mostly Christmas books, starting off with another Buddy Read book chosen by Mary Alice, The Ghost and the Christmas Spirit by Bobbi Holmes.  However, I am also eager to finish the books I started in November.  
I've been exploring Reading Challenges for 2022 as well as totally enjoyed a new to me Zoom Book Club Discussion via our local library.  We simply discuss whichever books we've been reading.  Here's the link if you're interested!
  
Currently Reading

Finished
★★★★★
I absolutely fell in love with The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict!  The story was well developed flowed well.  
Belle da Costa Greene successfully walked a fine line
that, sadly, has yet to be completely erased. 
Stash Report


Yarny Numbers
Here we are in the last month of the year and I seriously doubt my yarn numbers will change much.  

Fabric numbers
My grandbabies' Christmas gifts required more juvenile prints than I had, so my daughter generously gave me some of her fabrics to use.  I'm not sure how much of her's/mine I'm using, so I'll split the difference once the projects are finished.  
Other than that, I forgot that these beauties from the Songbook collection wandered into my sewing studio!  :)


Here are my numbers!  Not bad at all!  :)



To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List


1.  Sunday Slow Stitching:  Keep up with my daily QAYG Hexagons.  Yes!  Here's some photos!

2.  Slow Sunday Stitching:  Work on my mittens. Yes again!  I'm making great progress here as well! 
Here are two finished ones, 
two that are almost finished
and two that need a bit more stitching.
3. Crochet: Progress on both Tranquil afghans and make more dishcloths. Haven't touched a hook in months.
4.  Machine Sewing:  Prep my catch up blocks for Melva's Santa Fe Trail SAL.  Not yet.
5. Gift Sewing:  Secret sewing for Christmas! Not yet.  I'm almost finished prepping these softies! They're called Flatty Dogs by La Todera Sewing and Craft Patterns.  
This Week's List
1.  Sunday Slow Stitching:  Keep up with my daily QAYG Hexagons.  During the week, I usually post a couple of progress photos on my Instagram account.  :)
2.  Slow Sunday Stitching:  Today's goal will be to finish these mittens up.  
3. Crochet: My projects will have to wait a few more weeks.
4.  Machine Sewing:  Prep my catch up blocks for Melva's Santa Fe Trail SAL.  
5. Gift Sewing:  Secret sewing for Christmas! Finish prepping the Flatty Dogs and stitch up a gift I can't show yet!  :) 


   Gratitude Journal
This lovely poem was read at one of the funerals we attended last month.  It's beautiful and brought me so much comfort!  Perhaps it will bless some of you?
When I Must Leave You
by Helen Steiner Rice

When I must leave you
For a little while-
Please do not grieve
And shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you
Through the years,

But start out bravely
With a gallant smile;
And for my sake
And for my name
Live on and do
All things the same,

Feed not your loneliness
On empty days,
But fill each waking hour
In useful ways,

Reach out your hand
In comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you
And hold you near;

And never, never
Be afraid to die
For I am waiting for you in the sky!

I am so enjoying reading this little devotional!
It's great for family, singles, couples, groups - anyone!

Here is the annual handmade gift
I'm making for my grandkids this year!

Kitty gets an almost bird's eye view of the neighborhood
as she perches here!

So true.....

Please meet "The Beast", a quilt my daughter made for me!
It's a queen sized quilt made of tiny triangles and 30's fabrics!  
This one is usually on my bed.

Ok, no photo on this one, but I made the most amazing 
Strawberry Banana Bread!
Here's the recipe!
As always, I added pecans very liberally!

Last, but not least, here is our dear Chico
posing (just barely) in front of the deer.
Daddy had these in front of his home for decades,
then my sister used them last year
for her last year before they moved.
Now I will continue the tradition.


Perhaps you'll visit these link ups!    
A Spirit of Simplicity


Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)




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16 comments:

  1. Flatty Dogs sounds like fun---for you and the kids.

    My daughter-in-law is deeply missing her mother this year. Her mother passed away in January. She is struggling. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

    I had intended to read Personal Librarian this year, but somehow I never got around to it. I will have to see if I can find a copy.

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  2. Beautiful thoughts and great reminders about grief. This time of year can be especially hard for many.

    I have wanted to read Personal Librarian as well, glad to hear you enjoyed it. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery looks intriguing too.

    Have a good week!

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  3. The Beast is a gorgeous quilt! Enjoy making your flatty dogs!

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  4. Love the stockings, and thanks for that last poem!

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  5. Your stockings are looking wonderful and I love those little Flatty Dogs. They are as cute as a button. Have a fabulous week.

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  6. Why, Chico looks right at home with those reindeers. Such a lovely poem. I have not read a Helen Steiner poem for a very long time. As for 'The Beast' how gorgeous it is. LOVE all those little triangles of pretty 30's fabrics.

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  7. My sister loved The Personal Librarian, too, and says I must read it! Still haven't ready anything by Marie Benedict... next year for sure. Have a good week.

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  8. So many fun projects! Please share the reading challenges you come across. I'll read any genre except the classics....that a challenge I had to give up. Some were just awful.

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  9. Thank you for the encouraging verses. Sometimes Christmas is a sad time.

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  10. An everlasting strength is appreciated.

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  11. Lovely poem, love the quilt! Have a great week. https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/12/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-10.html

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  12. Love your felt stocking ornaments! I’m going to need to make six more after my six are complete. Can you point me to a pattern name or designer? Thanks 😊

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    1. Hello There!
      All the wool stockings I've stitched up have been by Rachel T. Pellman at Rachel's of Greenfield. Nice to find a fellow wool Christmas stocking stitcher! :)

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  13. I get gooseys every time I read the Lazarus story. It's probably the one story in the Bible that demonstrates Jesus' humanity to me more than any other. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and I love your Dad's "Give time, time".
    The Flattys look cute, and wow on "The Beast"! Are those mountains peeking over your pretty patio wall?
    Thank you for linking to To Do Tuesday!

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  14. flatty dogs... OMGosh how adorable. I am in awe of how fast you read, and will go check out your books. Someone's recommendation today wasn't at our library. Love and happy holidays and glad you're surviving... this life...

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  15. So many things going on in your blogosphere!!! I love the poem from the memorial. And I picked up a book recommendation from your list. Fun reindeer for your front yard! And love the scottie dogs!! I've made a couple of those in the past myself.

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