Faith, Trust and Breast Cancer: Psalm 16:7-8 Can We Be Shaken?, Literary Life, Finding Joy

Hello There,

I hope you all had a good week! We've been enjoying lovely fall weather in Southern New Mexico. Due to all the rain we've had, our yards and the desert are gorgeous!

This week's devotional is fabulous, if I say so myself! 😇A funny thing happened today. Chole and I were playing while listening to K-LOVE. I stopped and simply raised my hand in praise while petting her. She got real still and quiet as if she knew that was a special moment. I have to wonder, "Do dogs go to Heaven?"

I'll be sharing some more of the of the cowls I've finished on the collaboration blog, 1 Xmas Item a Month. From what I can see, it was started by Narell from Pins and Whiskers in 2013/2014. Here is her "Grand Opening" post. I'm not quite sure when I joined in the fun, but it did help for Christmas to live in my heart all year!

Well, now you're all caught up! I hope you enjoy this post and the rest of the week!

The Story Behind

Paul Wickham

Homesick for Heaven

Take good care and, as Daddy used to say,

"Make memories; it's later than you think."

HERE'S A WORD

As I prepped for this study, I simply highlight all the words that describe what God does for us in my Bible and make a list of them in my journal. I'll follow the same format here.

The Presence of the LORD

(Acts 2:14–36)

A Miktama of David.

1 Preserve me, O God,

for in You I take refuge.

2I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;

apart from You I have no good thing.”

3As for the saints in the land,

they are the excellence

in whom all my delight resides.

4 Sorrows will multiply

to those who chase other gods.

I will not pour out their libations of blood,

or speak their names with my lips.

5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;

You have made my lot secure.

6The lines of my boundary have fallen in pleasant places;

surely my inheritance is delightful.

7I will bless the LORD who counsels me;

even at night my conscience instructs me.b

8I have setc the LORD always before me.

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will dwell securely.d

10For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol,

nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.e

11You have made known to me the path of life;

You will fill me with joy in Your presence,f

with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

- Psalm 16

The LORD preserves us
The LORD provides and is our refuge
The LORD is our chosen portion and cup
The LORD makes our lots (boundaries) secure
The LORD counsels us
The LORD instructs us
The LORD remains at our right hand
The LORD will not abandon us
The LORD will not let us see decay
The LORD makes known to us the path of life
The LORD fills us with joy in His prescense
The LORD fills us with eternal pleasures at His right hand

Just look at what God does for us! Words cannot capture all He does for us, but David sure captured quite a bit!

As I read Psalm 16:7–8, a comforting image came to mind: God guiding us through the bright, busy hours of the day and continuing to instruct us through the quiet of the night.

It made me think of that familiar saying, "Things will look better after a good night's sleep." Have you ever wondered why that is? Night naturally forces a pause. It slows down the noise around us and offers our bodies, minds, and hearts a chance to truly rest in Him. How many times have we gone to bed weeping or weighed down by a problem, only to wake up with clarity or a gentle sense of peace? That isn't just time passing—that is God softly speaking to our hearts in the stillness, offering loving counsel and quiet solutions while we rest.

It brings to mind the promise in Psalm 30:5:

For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

When we spend our days listening to His Word and our nights resting in His care, we learn to receive His instructions and carry them out. Naturally, the more we listen and obey, the closer to Him we grow. As we tune our hearts to His voice and act on the guidance He gives us, Psalm 16:8 truly becomes our daily anthem: I will not be shaken.

Next week, will look at Psalms 16:8 a bit more closely. For now, please enjoy your day in the beauty of God’s nature.

Please know this:
You are loved. You are not alone. You are being lovingly prayed for.

FIBER FUN

I broke down my "To Dos" into three categories: Finish, Focus, Prep/make a kit, and Be Kind = Soft Deadlines. FoF represents the Fields of Fancy BOM, which I'm doing with Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics.

Last Week's List

1. Finish Grandchild #3's ornament

Partially done. Just need the last half of outlining.

2. Focus Jalapeño placemats

My husband asked me to make another set of four placemats for our aunt, which provided an opprotunity to reduce scraps! All 10 placemats are stitched and layered for the quilting to begin.

3. Prepare/make a kit for boy's quilt

This goal is partially finished. I had chosen to do another Disappearing Nine-Patch with these fabrics, but I didn't have enough of the orange. Consequently, this week there will be a new choice of fabrics to complete this project. Just off the cuff, I auditioned the second set, but there are still a few other ideas bubbling in my head.

4. Be kind = Soft Deadlines - which are good for my mental health!4. Be kind = Soft Deadlines - which are good for my mental health!

SQUIRREL ALERT!

While looking for a Leader/Ender project,

I came across this little book by Moda

packed with fantastic ideas for using 2½" squares (mini charms)!

Since I’m completely addicted to these cute squares,

I just had to make this cute basket with red and white mini charms!

This Week's Goals

1. Finish Grandchild #3's ornament

- Take this over the finish line!

2. Focus Jalapeño placemats - Quilt at least four of these

3. Prepare/make Prep this Korean Layer for my next quilt

4. Be kind = Soft Deadlines - which are good for my mental health!

15 MINUTES TO STICH

I’m joining the Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch' challenge at Life in Pieces helps us to develop the habit of daily creativity. I machine stitched 6/7 days this week. My friend and husband are thrilled that I'm back to machine sewing on a regular basis. Thank goodness for Kate's link up to get back to what I enjoy.

Week: 89% Month: 82%

LITERARY LIFE

MAILBOX MONDAY - is a gathering place for readers to share books that they added to their shelves or eBook readers the previous week. Some of these books were recommended by you! Do you see your reads below? Thank all of you for sharing!

I've picked up so many books from ereaderiq.com in the past, that now I'm being much more selective. No books this week.

Another Bookish Book!

Last week I shared how much I enjoy books about librarians and libraries. In the comments section, Terry from On Going Projects said she also enjoys them. She even shared a book she just finished, "The Boxcar Librarian" by Brianna Labuskas. Perhaps you might have a few bookish favorites? Please share them in the comments section!

I also checked out the last part of Nancy's Mehl's series,

The Kaely Quinn Profiler, from Libby.

This Week's Review:

I reviewed the first book, The Last Thing He Told Me

by Laura Dave

back in 2022 and loved it!

I loved it so much that I added it to my personal library.

Then I found the second book in the series!

↓

***** Who knew it was a series? I certainly didn't, but I was happy to find Laura Dave's The First Time I Saw Him! Owen has to disappear to protect his wife, Hannah, and Bailey, his child. As Hannah forms a comfortable, new life with her step-daughter, Bailey, danger lurks around the corner. Can this family of three finally unite and enjoy a life together? I was on the edge of my seat as I listened to this suspense filled read! While hoping they would be successful, Dave made it clear that the dangers they were facing had long arms that reached across the globe. I loved both books and, yes, I'll be making room on my bookshelves for The First Time I Saw Him! Highly Recommend.

FINDING JOY

LeeAnna's I Like on Thursdays at Not Afraid of Color helps me consistently find the joy in every life. Oh, LeeAnna, you are a lady after my heart with this week's prompt!

What is a comfort food you love to cook or bake as the weather gets colder?

Albondigas (Meatball Soup)

Alison Osorio’s recipe from Masienda is the closest to Mama’s.

Caldo de Res (Beef Soup)

Maggie’s recipe from In Mama’s Kitchen is the closest to Mama’s.

Caldo de Pollo (Homemade Chicken Soup)

Alison Osorio’s recipe from Masienda is the closest to Mama’s.

Lorena’s Caldo de Papa con Calabacitas (Potato and Zucchini Soup)

Lorena is a dear friend of mine and a fabulous cook!

We have a new locally owned quilt shop Quiltfield! And it's only a 30 minute drive from me! Michelle, the owner has brought in a wide range of multi cultrual fabrics such as these beautiful Asian fabrics, colorful Mexican fabrics, and Liberty of London fabrics!

On my first visit

I picked up this pattern for a Rice Bag. I

t's a fabulous pattern that can be made two ways:

English Paper Piecing or whole cloth!