Hello There! I hope you all have a wonderful 2019! There will be some changes here that I hope will bless you! I'm also hoping they will help me "work smarter, not harder!" Take good care and Happy New Year! Monday's Strength.
Like I said in my last post, let us go forth into 2019 with the LORD's joy, confidence, faith, trust and hope! Perhaps if we remember this Word, we will be better equipped to do just that! Book Dating
Though I fell behind in The Story, I'm still enjoying reading it!
Doing Busy Better by Glynnis Whitwer was at first a disappointment, but I'm so glad I stuck with it! There are those books that take a bit to capture our hearts and minds.
As for audio books, I've enjoyed listening to Angela Hunt's Fairlawn Series! I'm on the fourth and final book, She's in a Better Place.
Next up will be: Six Day Hero, the Hb by Tamara Stein. I've fallen off my reading wagon and am eager to enjoy the ride again. Pressing On! I press on toward the goal...Philippians 3:14a
Here are my weekly goals for this week!
1. Finish these two Christmas Pillows!
2. Finish two matching machine embroidered mug rugs. I have so much to share! I've gotten hooked on machine embroidery! 3. Finish one crocheted dishcloth. 4. Make progress on an afghan for a special lady. Instead of a prayer shawl, I'm making her an afghan. She and her three young daughters lost their husband/father three years ago to brain cancer. She is now fighting breast cancer. I'm hoping this afghan will be large enough for her and her daughters to snuggle under. That's it, folks! It's nice to end the year with plans for a great future!
The
effects of various types of abuse are still there.
But,
I am doing the hard work to be a thriver:
Talk
therapy.
Growing
in my faith.
Support
groups.
Begin
gentle with myself.
Forgiving
those who hurt me.
Forgiving
those who failed to protect me.
Understanding
that man has free will.
Understanding
and believing that all things
work together for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
I
no longer ask, “Why me?” , but instead ask, “God, please use this experience to
help me help others.”
I
no longer ask, “Where were You, God?” because He has shown me exactly where He
was: at my side weeping.
I
can tell you that every experience
I have had has served to bless others in one form or fashion. Therefore, it was worth it.
God
is faithful.
God
is trustable.
God
is there – when you are ready.
He
is also there when your loved one is ready.
https://serenityvista.com/
the-three-cs-of-al-anon/
It
is not your fault.
You
are not responsible for their habits.
You
did not cause them to drink/drug.
You
cannot cure them.
You
cannot control them.
Our
loved ones need to make their own choice:
Will
they be a victim?
Will
they be a survivor?
Will
they be a thriver?
By
the way, so do you, my dear reader.
When
my children tell me about a bad
“mothering moment”, I now am ready with a
heartfelt response:
“I
am so sorry. Don’t blame me, you showed
up without an owner’s manual!”
It
may sound trite, but it’s true.
We
do the best we can at the time with what we have.
Period.
None
of us came with an owner’s manual.
But
we have The Manual to learn. God’s
Word.
Maybe
you’ll pick it up and try reading it, if you haven’t already?
Our
series has come to an end. Here is the link to the first post and then you can follow the links to subsequent posts if you like. I hope you have been
blessed and encouraged in some small way.
Be Blessed my dear reader, Be Blessed!
Scrappy Four Patch Progress
More patches made:
And more to be pressed and sewn up!
So excited! Finished Tree Hugger I had mentioned before that I have been taking classes at my LQS this summer. One of them is a PhD class - Projects Half Done! This beautiful wall hanging for Hoffman is called Sew Into It Tree Hugger by Cindi Edgerton. It was a previous class and I took it to finish last Saturday. It was my first paper piecing project and I'm tickled at how it came out!
The tree skirt was a bit time consuming, but worth the effort.
It now hangs in the quilting queue. I plan to use red binding for the finish! Did you notice it would work as an Advent Calendar? I see making the decorations in my future!
Book Date Reading
My church is taking a break from reading this book for the summer. I finished the Old Testament and will also take a break so that I can read it with my church in the fall. So far, I'm still enthralled with this book! I've read through the Old Testament in this book! Yea!
I have begun regularly reading The High Tide Club. There's a bit of mystery and intrigue that I am enjoying.
I started Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herse and am already sucked in. It's interesting to be in the mind of a person struggling with their faith and wondering how in the world this romance will come to be!
Audiobooks
I am currently listening to The Time in Betweenby MarÃa Dueñas. I am hooked on both the book and the author! I hope to read more of Ms. Duenas' books!
I've started How Hard Can It Be? by Allison Pearson. It is the second in the Kate Reddy series. I have put it on hold until I finish the above book because of library time limitations.
Finished
I put off finishing this book because I didn't want to say goodbye to Malala. But, I finished it last night and was not disappointed. I recommend reading this book slowly so you can digest the thoughts and story of this young lady.
Robyn Carr did not disappoint with Any Day Now. Though it is the sequel to What We Find, it can be read as a stand alone as well. I've also decided to stretch a bit and joined the 12th Annual Canadian Book Challenge hosted by Melwyk at The Indextrious Reader! So, from now until June 30, 2019 I should read 13 books by Canadian authors or about Canada. You can find all the details here. I don't know many Canadian authors, so this list is very helpful!
LORD, Tonight, my heart continues to be heavy for my own family and other families that are hurting. I pray that hurting families drop their shame, their pain, their hurt and come together to support each other in all manner of trials. I pray You bring Isaiah 61:1- 3 to pass for myself, my loved ones and especially for @veecrow and her family.
I started this sweet Christmas Tree Skirt and it was done before I knew it!
The
pattern was from Debbie at Msdebbie2u. It was so easy to
follow and memorize! Thank you, Ms. Debbie, for making my tree look so
pretty!
I used one my most precious, hoarded yarns from many years ago! It was Red Heart's Holiday in Aran/Gold and Wine/Gold. I finally found the perfect project for this sparkly yarn.
Of course, I must also highlight the Christmas Star my granddaughter made me during her art class with Vicky!
This precious ornament is traditionally the first one on our tree. As a retired military family, we spent more years than I care to count away from each other/our families. As we place this ornament on our tree, we remember and pray for our military families.
Stash Report
New Year. New slate - wiped clean! I'll probably be in "the red" for a bit as my LQS, Bernina Sewing and Design, is continuing their 40-50% off selected fabrics! I really need blenders, soooooooo......yup in "the red" for sure! Here's this week's acquisitions:
Observation Because of Jesus' obedience to the Father, even unto death, eventually EVERY tongue will acknowledge him as LORD! Furthermore, this acknowledgement is to the glory of God, our Father! Application Woohoo! Hallelujah! I just love to praise my Jesus! I do - even if sometimes it's through tears! I remember when the nursing home called to tell me my mother had passed away. Now, mind you, she and I were not close at all. However, for the last year and a half I took care of her. Just the same, when I got the call, I held Baby B. in my arms and sang a quietly sang praise song as I wept.
The other day, Baby M., who is now seven, asked me, "Ama, why are you so loud?" I am. I truly am. Not obnoxiously loud in social situation, but when a favorite song comes out on KLOVE I sing - loudly! Here's how I responded: "You know, I know your mama is quiet and you really love that quietness don't you?" "Yes I do!" "Well, sometimes the joy of the LORD so fills my own heart that it bubbles right out of my mouth and I have to sing and dance!" "Hmmm." I must admit, I have a terrible singing voice, but thank God that the Word says He loves our praise - and doesn't mention that a requirement is to have a lovely singing voice!
Prayer LORD, You are amazing! Thank you for the gift of praising You! I just love to praise you - even with my voice! :) You are good, all the time, all the time, You are good! Amen! Dear Friend, Turn up the speakers on your electronic device and dance your heart out as you listen to this song! Come on! I dare you! Double dog dare you! You'll feel so much better! :)
![She's In a Better Place (The Fairlawn Series Book 3) by [Hunt, Angela]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51fCedhlosL.jpg)
