Weekly Word: Written on Stone. Plus My Reading, Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 Hello There,     

Thank you for stopping by for a visit!  Here's a little blog housekeeping snafu I just discovered.  Perhaps it will help you as well.  I usually just delete all my SPAM messages, but tonight I went through them and found tons of comment emails there!  I'm sorry to those of you whose comments got lost in that file!  I am working on posting them as well as answering your kind comments.  Please, bloggers, learn from my mistake.  Check your SPAM file before you  press "delete all SPAM."  😉

The Weekly Word is a bit different this week as I'm adding an extremely basic tutorial as to how to make a stone altar using what I'm calling "testimony stones."  For those of you who prefer, you can simply write encouraging, uplifting messages on them.  

Take good care, my sweet Readers!  I'm looking forward to catching up with you!

Here's is an index should you have a special interest you'd 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!    

Faith, Trust and Breast Cancer - Here you will find updates on my post-treatment journey with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. 

The Weekly Word

After reading Psalms 18-21, I was taken aback by the despairing tone in the opening verses of Psalm 22.  (These verses compare to Jesus' words at his crucifixion (Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:34.  In fact, throughout this psalm are descriptions of Christ's crucifixion which is interesting as this occurred so much later.)

David's obvious pain and feelings of being abandoned by God tore at my heart. 

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?  

Why are You so far from saving me, 

so far from my cries of anguish?" 

Ps. 22:1

David feels forsaken, far from God, anguished and alone!

My God, I cry out by day, 

but You do not answer, 

by night, but I find no rest.   

Ps. 22:2

Remember who David is - a faith-filled man who has seen God move multiple times.  God Himself called David "a man after My own heart." Acts 13:22  

David did not stay in his despair, however.  As evidenced in the very next verses, he recalled God's faithfulness.  

In the midst of deep feelings of forsakenness and abandonment,d and despite his repeated cries to his Heavenly Father, David told God that he remembered who He is, that He is faithful to us, and that   

He trusts God, in spite of being mocked by the people around him (v. 6-8).  He remembered his faith was place in him by God was from the day he was born (v. 9-10).  He ended this section of the Psalm with a prayer asking for God's presence in his life and acknowledging that only God can help him. 

Can you relate to David's feelings as described in verse one and two?  Have you felt alone, abandoned even by God?  I know I can answer, "Yes," to both of those questions.  But let us recall, feelings are not fact.  

During these times, let us follow David's example and recall the faith of our ancestors (if we are so blessed to have faith-filled ancestors) Additionally, let's remember our testimonies of God moving in our lives.  

How can we do this through the veil of despair?  Perhaps by listing events God has come through for us and revisiting that list.  

What I am about to share is not my original idea, so if you know the originator of this idea, please let me know!  

I have found a small stone altar effective.  It's simply a bowl/plate filled with what I'll call testimony stones.  To make one all you'll need are some smooth stones, a sharpie and a container/plate to place your stones.    

As God moves in your life, take a few minutes and write it on a stone.  Include as much, or as little information as you choose.  Here is an example of mine.  

On the front of my stone, I wrote the month, year and event.  "The appointment for the Mako Scan came through."  On the back of the stone, I wrote the Scripture reference as well as a note about the verses.   Not physically beautiful, but spiritually gorgeous and impactful. 

If you already use testimony stones or choose to do this , I'd love to hear about your experience!  Perhaps this could be a family altar where everyone participates?  It's up to you.  The important aspect is to have a visual reminder of God's faithfulness in your life so that you can be reminded who God is and be encouraged during times of trial.    

Blessings to you, my dear Reader!

My Reading Life

Currently Reading

Finished

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed Hurricanes in Paradise by Denise Hildreth very much and would give it 4.5 stars.  Initially I found it a bit slow, but Hilkdreth skillfully developed the characters' in such a way that I wanted to know their hidden pasts.  After chapter nine, I was completely hooked.  Hildreth also sprinkled in some life lessons that I will be including in my reading journal.    

My hard copy focus for this week will be Once I Was You by María Hinojosa.  

Stash Report

Yarny numbers - no changes in yarn

Fabric Numbers

Last week I forgot to add in the numbers for the 8 hexies I finished, so here you'll find those, plus this week's hexies.

To Do Tuesday

Last Week's List

1. Sunday Slow Stitching: Stitch up one hexie a day and make progress on my embroidered tea towel! ✔  I made 8 more hexies and prepped a rainbow of more!  

 

2. Crochet: Finish the rest of the 2nd skein  ✔ Even started on the 3rd skein!

3. Machine Sewing: Stitch up the rest of the blocks of Row 1 for  Pieces in the Garden.  ✔ 

I also prepped Row 2! 

4. Christmas Sewing List:  Prep my four grand children’s 2022 Christmas softies ✔  Not done.  My knees gave out on me.    

Next Up:  
- two Christmas quilts for my own home (Can you believe I haven't made me even one?!) 😲
- a Christmas table topper

This Week's List

1. Sunday Slow Stitching: Stitch up one hexie a day and perhaps finish the embroidered tea towel!  

2.  Crochet: Finish 1/2 of the 3rd skein

3.  Machine Sewing: Stitch up the blocks for Row 2 Pieces in the Garden.

4. Christmas Sewing List:  Prep and begin stitching the grandchildren’s 2022 Christmas softies 

Next Up:

- two Christmas quilts for my own home (Can you believe I haven't made me even one?!) 😲

- a Christmas table topper

Gratitude Journal

It's been so dry, windy and dusty here in Las Cruces that I prayed for rain.  Instead, God sent snow!  I took these photos on the way to El Paso for doctor's appointments.  

Let's remember to keep our precious truckers in our thoughts and prayers and they deliver their loads!

My husband and I discovered another new restaurant, Taconeta, and thoroughly enjoyed these delicious beef and fish tacos respectively.  

This is a class description from Explore Academy interested me - check out this reading list!

Nothing better than a delicious green chile stew for a cold day.  I use diced beef stew meat or pork.  After I season and brown the meat with a bit of garlic, onions and spices, I add the potatoes.  I finally add the green chile, tomatoes and cilantro to seal the deal.  My family likes it served with freshly cooked pinto beans and flour tortillas.  

After a morning of sewing, I was glad I meal prepped these mason jar salads.  The 16 ounce jars are too small for all my toppings and greens, so I use two jars:  one for the greens and the other for more greens as well as toppings and homemade salad dressing!  Yum!

Over at her blog, Birthes Rom, Birthe shared an amazing three pocket pouch by Owl Be Sewing.  I do believe this will be going on my "Learn to Make" list.  Don't think these would make fabulous gifts?  Thank you, Birthe, for sharing!

Faith, Trust and Breast Cancer

This week has been a whirlwind of doctor appointments, labs and imaging appointments due partially to my upcoming surgery and partially in my goal to begin taking care of myself.  Now that my family is more settled in California, I'm taking care of long neglected issues.  

Next steps:  I've completed all pre-surgery labs and imaging and next week I have the appointment to get clearance for surgery.  

Now for a word to and about our precious caregivers.  When I was undergoing treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer, we were blessed to be able to attend a a conference for cancer patients and their caregivers.  One of the sessions was actually for caregivers.  The presenter as well as many participants were "double winners" - they were caregivers and had at one time also been a cancer patient.  Without exception, every one of these special people stated it was by far more difficult to be a caregiver than a patient.

I found this to be so true as well.  When I was taking care of a family member, I broke away for a quick doctor appointment.  She tenderly asked me how I was doing.  I had now idea how to respond as my focus had been on my family member.  She gave me some wise and exceptional advice:  Every day do at least one thing for yourself, no matter how small. 

Though I initially scoffed at her idea (who has the time when we are in the midst of caregiving?), but I tried to follow her advice.  Sometimes, all I did was sit in my car, listen to the radio and sing to one of my favorite songs.  Other times, I read for five minutes.  Or sometimes, I just sat and enjoyed a few moments of peace.  The benefits were amazing.  I felt stronger, calmer and refreshed.  

How can family members support caregivers?  Offer them a few hours of respite care, cards of encouragement and appreciation,  small gifts or listen to them without judgement.  These are just a few ideas, but I'm sure you have some great suggestions as well!  How have you supported caregivers?  Perhaps you can share your ideas in the comments.    

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You can also expect a visit from me as well!

Here are some blogs I sometimes link up to!

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)