Philipians 1:24b. To Do Tuesday

Philippians 1:24b
Application con't.  
In my last post, I was sharing how I had set a fleece before God to remain at the school I was teaching.  I began sharing a story about one of my students.  Please read about it here.
It won't take long....I'll wait for you.....

Ok, now here's the rest of the story:

During Parent – Teacher Conferences I shared my concerns with her mother.  She began to weep and shared a horrific event that occurred in their family.  I was numb with shock.  Suddenly everything made sense.

I wept with the mother.  We both knew that over the next few years, their family would be in a battle of their lives.  So, I did the only thing I knew to do:  I shared Jesus with her.  

Within two years, as my student entered 5^th grade, she was in a Special Needs classroom – no inclusion at all in a Regular Education classroom.  My heart was broken.  

Then, as the school year was coming to a close, my student gave me the note asking to see me.  I sought advice from our school counselor who told me, “I know you.  You’ll have no peace until you know what she has to say.  Go see her.”  She was right.  My student would be leaving our school for middle school very soon.  I just had to see what was on her heart.

At precisely 2:20 I found coverage for my classroom and went to see her.  Here is what she wanted to share with me:

“Miss, remember what happened in third grade?  And remember what you told my mom – about Jesus and to pray?  Well, I just wanted you to know that she did!  

And now, she has a prayer group in our home every week.  And she tells all the ladies that ‘If you have a problem, pray, turn to Jesus!  And go see Sra. (Mrs.) ________!  She’ll help you! 

Oh, and Miss, I’m going to be ok.  It’s ok, that I’m in this classroom.  I just wanted you to know, ok?  I’m going to be ok!”

Then the 2:30 bell rang.

I had my answer.

I wanted to leave that school so bad.

But I had my answer.

So I stayed until I left teaching many years later to care for my firstborn grandson.

But God was faithful and showed me where He needed me to be.  

He is always faithful - 
and right on time.

PRAYER

LORD, like Paul, I wanted to leave the situation, but You confirmed Your calling on my life and in that school.  

You know how difficult the following years were for me.  And I know You were there for me.  

Through

the good and the bad,

the beautiful and the ugly,

the joy and the pain,

You were faithful!

As my readers face their own challenges, I know You are with them as well.  Let them feel You, 

hear You,

trust You

as Paul did,

as I learned to do!

Thank you!             

Amen!

To Do Tuesday
Here's my list from last week.  Not much was accomplished.  I've spent quite a bit of time in the Emergancy Room in our local hospital.  Two different friends fell ill and they're needs were naturally more important than my list.  

11/02 – 11/9

Hand Sewing

Done!  Wool jubilee leaf mat 

     X Plan reverse side

     X   Cut out patterns

Quilting: This is my OMG

In progress Quilt Advent tree

This is the entire panel.

The Nativity part was so hard!  

The tree itself wasn't too bad, but I did end up purchasing a quilt stand.  I couldn't seem to manage holding the hoop and stitching at the same time...

I'm not sure if hand quilting such a large project is for me....ha!  And it's just a wall hanging!  :)  

However, I'm planning to hand quilt my Quilty 365.  

I would love to hear your suggestions, stories and about your beginnings in hand quilting !  I'm sure that there are many other readers who are contemplating or, like myself, venturing into hand quilting for the first time!  

Please share your experiences in the comments so that we "newbies" and even the experienced hand quilters can glean from tips, remember and perhaps even smile at stories of humble beginnings and be encouraged.  

Christmas Sewing:

X   Finish flimsy - pinwheel quilt

Regular Sewing

In progress Grey hand warmers (5) X   alter blouses

Crochet 

Done!  Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 more yellow dots plus started on the green dots

BOM’s & QAL’s 

Done!  Be My Neighbor – cut fabric for block three  I even put it together!

X Dot Quilt – join dots

X Quilty 365 – prep circles for applique

Here is my new list for the coming week. I suspect I won't finish it all, but it really helps me to focus.  

11/09

Hand Sewing

Wool jubilee leave mat

-    Cut out patterns

-    Begin stitching

Quilting

Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree

Christmas Sewing:

Sew blocks together

Buy sashing fabric

Regular Sewing

Grey Hand warmers (5 more ) & alter blouses

Crochet 

Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 more green dots

BOM’s & QAL’s 

Dot Quilt – join dots

Quilty 365 – prep circles for applique

I'm so grateful to all the linky party hostesses!  Your parties have contributed so much to my WIPs and UFOs becoming finished projects!  Thank you!

I'm linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotionby the River, To Do Tuesday at Stitch All Things and Fiber Tuesday at The Quilting room with Mel.  Dear Friends, this is my truth!  
By the way, I apologize for the varying sizes of the text in this post.  It's completely unintentional.  :)

Philippians 1:23. Block 3 of Be My Neighbor. OMG!

Philippians 1:23

SCRIPTURE:

OBSERVATION:

NOTE:  I am displaying both verses 23 and 24 because they are one sentence and really go together. 

Paul is torn.

He is torn between going to be with his Savior or serving his Savior here on Earth.  His heart’s desire is obvious to me as he states, “…which is better by far…” after the choice of going to be with Christ.

   

Please note, he doesn’t simply say that to be with Christ is better, he states, “is better BY FAR…”.  Interesting wording.

APPLICATION

In the last two weeks, various circumstances have led me to face my feelings on illness, death, my parents’ aging, and the acceptance of both. 

I know with terminal illness I have adopted a friend’s attitude:

As long as there is life,

There is hope!  Can I hear an Amen?!  J

Philippians 1:23 gives me a lot of comfort regarding death.  It is far better to be with Christ! 

This song is one of my favorites!

This verse also comforts me:

I’ve always seen my parents as strong, wise, unbreakable.  But, now, in their mid 80’s and late 70’s, recent events have shown me they are still full of wisdom.  But, the reality is we all grown old and weaker.  It’s so strange though.  

I wonder how you, my readers, deal with this issue?

I’ve decided to appreciate every moment I can have with them.  It’s a gift – and I realize it always has been a gift.  I’ve realized that they are not disabled or weak, just a bit more tired.  

This is not my parents,
but it sure reminds me of them!

Now that I'm stronger again, I'm so glad we live only  about 1 1/4 hours from each other so that I can visit them weekly again!  And I'm so glad we love each other so much!  Yes, love....it's wonderful!  

I'll share a song my dad often refers to when he's teaching me to live life to the fullest!  

 

Many times, as we would sit with my husband’s grandmother, she would state that she was ready to go.  She was tired.  She had fought the good fight.

But, here, Paul longs to be with Christ, yet he knows he still has work to do!  People to reach, teach and disciple!  And so, while we have the strength, let us be encouraged to do the same!

PRAYER

LORD, I surely don’t know what direction these studies will take.  Sometimes I feel so awkward and without direction, yet You faithfully guide my fingers as they type.  Thank You!  

I’m sure there are many hurting people reading this little devotion today/tonight.  I ask You to comfort and guide them through their difficulties.

Also, my LORD, encourage, confirm and guide those who are trying to live their lives as a godly example.  Let them know somehow that their efforts are making a difference!  

Thank You for helping me to make peace with illness, death and my parent’s aging.  Thank You for Your guidance, tools and loving reminders to grapple with these issues.  I pray they bless someone else as well.  Amen!

Block 3 of Be My Neighbor

Part of my To Do List was to cut the fabric for Block 3 of Moda's Be My Neighbor QAL. Well, I'm really hoping to get it sewn up as well, but we'll see. 

Here's my fabric pull!

Here is the Advent Tree I'm hoping to finish this month. It's my OMG goal!

Here it is with all the decorations placed on it!

I'm linking up to Needle and ThreadThursday at My Quilt Infatuation.  I'm linky up my OMG - One Monthly Goal over at Elm Street Quilts - it's new home for the rest of 2016 and into 2017!

Thank you so much for visiting!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!  

Take good care!

Here it is with all the decorations
placed on it!

Tuesday To Do List. Secret Sewing. Let's Party!

I made significant progress on my Tuesday To Do List!  Yea!  

10/11- 10/18

Hand Sewing

*Finish last bread slice for felt food

Quilting

X Pot holders

   need binding

These scraps turned into this!

Christmas Sewing

* choose pattern

* purchase background and sashing

* backing fabric – waiting to determine final size of quilt

Regular Sewing

* Tablecloth for prayer garden bistro

Crochet 

* Baby M2’s crochet afghan crochet 21 blue dots for border

BOM’s & QAL’s 

* Be My Neighbor:  finish Block 2

* Quilty 365: Learn to QAYG

* Quilt at least 1 block

 Here's my list for the coming week!

10/18-10/25

Hand Sewing

Finish potato chip bags (4)

http://snazzlecraft.blogspot.com/2009/01/free-felt-food-pattern.html

Quilting

Sew Binding on pot holders

Christmas Sewing:

Cut fabric; begin sewing triangles (42/84 is the goal!)

Sorry, no pictures, 

this is a Christmas quilt!  Shhhh!

Regular Sewing

Finish Advent Tree

Crochet 

Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 yellow dots

BOM’s & QAL’s 

750 – Finish Drunkard’s Path (orange)

1031 – Block 6

Be My Neighbor - cut out Block 3

Dot Quilt

Quilty 365: Catch up on picking fabrics 

I'm excited to be working on a Christmas gift quilt!  I know it's late in the season to get it quilted in time, but I at least I can show the recipient the top!  Unless my daughter can do it.....We'll see!  Either way, it'll be great!

Dear Friends, 
This is my truth!

I'm linking up to Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River and To Do Tuesday at Stitch All Things.  

Philippians 1:19. Quilty News: Block 2 Finished!

Philippians 1:19

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

Naturally I would include verse 18 in this study of 19 because they are one sentence.  But wow!  There is so very much in this one sentence:

^18bYes, and I will continue to rejoice,

¹⁹for I know that through your prayers

and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me

will turn out for my deliverance.

Philippians 18b-19

Let’s remember that Paul is rejoicing that the Gospel of Jesus is being preached whether by scrupulous or unscrupulous people.  All that matters to him is that Christ is preached.  As long as He is being preached – Paul rejoices. 

 

So, he continues to rejoice for or because he knows something. 

What does he know?

 

How does he know it?

Via the prayers of the saints

AND

The help given by Spirit of Jesus Crhist.

APPLICATION

http://indulgy.com/post/hqB5yAwug1/
silent-prayers-answered

See, our prayers are vital in all circumstances.  I truly believe they move the heart of God and via His Spirit, our knowledge and depth of insight grows. 

So, when we are lost,

when we don’t know what to do,

when our friends or loved ones are hurting,

when all looks hopeless and pain abounds,

when all we can do is pray

THEN PRAY!

So many times I have said,

“I’m so sorry!  I can only pray for you.”

And I have felt helpless.

Have you?

But NO!

It’s not “I can only pray for you!”

Prayer moves the very heart of God!

Prayer releases the Holy Spirit to

comfort,

show discernment,

lead,

guide,

and give peace.

It was the prayer of the saints and the moving of the Holy Spirit that gave Paul the knowledge that what was happening to him would turn out for his deliverance. 

http://www.clipartkid.com/reconciliation-20clipart-clipart-panda-free-clipart-images-P2lNrM-clipart/

He could rejoice.

He could rejoice while in chains.

And

the prayers of the saints

contributed to

his joy while in chains.

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for this insight into the connection between prayer and rejoicing while in chains.  Thank you for pouring into my heart and brain.  So many of my friends that read this blog have very real needs right now, LORD.

You know their needs, Father.

You know their situations.

So, I ask you to meet their needs,

comfort them that they may comfort others,

provide for them,

and

keep them safe.

You are amazing, Father.

And I love You.

Amen!

Quilty News:  Block 2 Finished!

Slowly but surely I' making progress on the Be My Neighbor QAL!  Here is block two.  

Next up, I'll be using this pile of scraps to make something beautiful!  More Christmas secrets!

I also found these two orphan blocks. 
Maybe they'll become 

a tote, 

a hot pad, 

a pillow?

Who knows?

As my husband always says, "We'll see..."

I’m linking up to Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt and Moving ItForward Monday at Em’s Scrapbag.  

Dear Friends, this is my truth!