Weekly Word: He Lives! Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 

Hello There, 

Happy New Year!  I hope you all have had a safe, blessed holiday season!   Can  you believe that today we took down our inside decorations? 

Our holidays were nice, but very different without my parents.  I thought it would be harder than it was.  My family's support of as well as many prayers lifting our family up eased the pain. 

I'm looking forward with hope, but also a heaviness  about the unknown future caused by life in general, the pandemic, the political and social situation in our nation as well as around the world are heavy.  

I have to focus on today.  I also focus on what I can do to make our little corner of Earth better and more joyful for myself and then for those around me.  

You, my readers and your comments are a huge part of my life.  Even now, as I write these words, a smile came across my face.  As I read and respond to your comments, I oftentimes find myself smiling.  The support our blogging community offers is priceless and effective.  

So, let us move on to 2022 holding each other up, sharing our lives and moving forward with actions that will brighten our world.     

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!    

The Weekly Word

I love how the LORD knows exactly what we need when we make time to be with Him!  During my time with Him today He brought me to this verse!  David was sharing how His LORD saved him from his enemies, listing all He had done to protect His child.  (I highly recommend you read Psalm 18 in its entirety.)

Focusing on Psalm 18:46 has the potential to lift our spirits if we are experiencing challenges or to enhance our time of praise and worship!    

As we enter 2022, we will have a variety of experiences, some of which will be joyful or very painful.  However, whether we are rejoicing or weeping, one truth remains:  

These two verses offer great reassurance as we go into the unknown of 2022, especially after the last two years! Perhaps we should print out several copies of them and post them around our homes and vehicles to remember that our LORD's words will never fade away and that He lives!  Furthermore, let us remember to praise Him regardless of the situation.  

Yes, we will often weep and ask, "Why?", but let us praise Him for the comfort and faithfulness God offers.  

Beloved Reader, I am preaching to myself as 2021 closes with difficult news.  In spite of this, I praise God through my tears and fears for the comfort of these verses He offered me today during our visit.  

These will be my verses for 2022.  And my word for 2022 is more of a mantra.  

HE LIVES.

HIS WORD WILL NEVER FADE AWAY.

PRAISE HIM IN EVERYTHING.  

My Reading Life

Many of the books I finished were via audio as last-minute Christmas preparations kept me quite busy! I am looking forward to reading a few more Christmas books through the beginning of January as well as moving onto my Reading Challenges! You can learn the details and join me in the Lifetime of Reading Challenge by commenting here!    I'm looking forward to Reading year 2022 starting with Sheila's at Book Journey for her First Book of the Year event by continuing the Christmas Spirit and reading Christmas by the Book.  Full transparency:  So many Christmas books came in from my local library that I couldn't get through them all, hence I'll still be reading holiday books in January.  

Currently Reading

Finished

The Ghost and the Christmas Spirit was, I believe, a cozy mystery that Mary Alice and I read for our December Book Buddy Read.  Initially, it was hard to get into the book as there were so many characters.  On top of that, I had to figure out who were people and who were ghosts.  The last third of the book was a fun read.  ⭐⭐⭐

Ahhh, Snow Angel was a fabulous, rare re-read that I enjoyed.  Be aware that domestic violence as well as alcoholism are discussed.  These scenes may be triggers for some readers.  The wisdom of a child, the value of communication, forgiveness and understanding are powerful take aways.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  

I really enjoyed L.A. Weather and am hoping there's a sequel.  I only gave it a four star rating because there were some scenes and language that, in my opinion, were unnecessary.   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Noel Street was a book I enjoyed - but I really enjoy Richard Paul Evans' books.  This one conveyed how racism hurts everyone - especially children, how parents work hard to protect them and showed the heart of a returning soldier experiencing PTSD.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐      

I had seen a Mrs. Miracle movie, but not read any of the series of books about her until now, though I have enjoyed other books by Debbie Macomber.  A Mrs. Miracle Christmas was reminiscent of the old television show, Touched by an Angel.  (Am I dating myself?)  It had some nuggets of wisdom, a love story and a beautiful example of waiting on God.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How the Finch Stole Christmas was a light read, though it seemed to drag in places.  I found myself skimming through chapters.  ⭐⭐⭐

A Snowy Little Christmas was a light, also predictable read that moved along smoothly.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐   

Did Not Finish

Stash Report

Yarny Numbers

I finally picked up my crochet hook last night.  It was nice to create without worrying about the Christmas deadline!

Fabric numbers

Oh my, so much fabric walked through my door this month!  My daughter gifted me this Lella Boutique Christmas Morning panel quilt complete with backing and binding!  It's already in the LAQ's studio along with another panel quilt! 

These snuggly flannels at a whopping 13 yards will be at least one large quilt.  They are cut up and ready to be sewn together.  

I picked up these "go withs" fabrics (11.5 yards) discounted between 30 and 50% off.  They are next in line with their companions to go on the chopping block.    

I made four more of these mug rugs for Christmas for a wee bit of fabric out.  

My grandbabies welcomed their Flatties with open arms and hugs!  The three boys had different colored eyes so they would know which ones were theirs.  

Even with all the additions to my stash, I'm ending the year in the black by about 3.5 yards!  

To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List

1.  Machine Sewing:  Stitch up four Flatty Dogs!  That will be enough for the week!  :)  These were stitched up and were welcomed with hugs from my grandchildren.  

2.  If I get the doggies stitched up, I'm hoping to make some mug rugs for my own home.  I did make more rug mugs not only for my home but as more gifts as well!  This pattern is from Kimberbell's Mug Rug CD volume one.  

I love how the look changes with different fabrics!

3.  Sunday Slow Stitching - Today I'm hoping to find a few quiet moments to sit in my early Christmas present with my QAYG hexies kit and slow stitch.  I'm so grateful for my reading/stitching chair!  Yes!  I was able to make some hexies!   

This Week's List

1.  Sunday Slow Stitching:  How I love to slow down and slow stitch.  It's simply good for my soul.  I'll keep stitching up my hexies.  

2. Crochet: It would be great if I finish up this hexagon afghan for my granddaughter's birthday!  

4.  Machine Sewing:  I'll not meet the December 31 deadline, but I'm on the last steps of finishing up Melva's Santa Fe Trail SAL.  

5. Gift Sewing:  Order/pick (from my pattern library) the kiddos new softie pattern for Christmas 2022.     

   Gratitude Journal

This post  about being a can of oil from 

Joanne Viola's blog touched my heart.  

I made a family favorite the other night:  carne de puerco con chile colorado (pork with red chili), sopita de macaron (macaroni and cheese Mexican style) and beans.  Yummy!

This quote from Toby Mac Speak Life  

was confirmation to me.  

Isn't this song beautiful?

God's grace is amazing.

Kitty is becoming so domesticated!

Perhaps you'll visit these link ups!    

A Spirit of Simplicity

Sunday Salon @ Readerbuzz

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts 

Sunday Post at the Caffeinated Reviewer

Sunday Stash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? @ Book Date 

To Do Tuesday @ Texas Quilt Gal

Pictorial Tuesday @ Peabea's Photos & Scribbles

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

I Like @ Not Afraid of Color (Thursday)

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Friday)

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