Choose This Day, Reading, Stitching and Gratitude

 

Hello There!

I'm so glad you're here!  In The Weekly Word we will look at who we choose to serve - our present and future or the demons of our past.  In My Reading Life , I've actually finished several books and starting some great new ones!  I'm changing a bit about My Stash Report as I've started a new project that merits changes!  I'm glad to check off items from To Do Tuesday!  You know, Kathy's Sunday Slow Stitching link up fuels my love for Sunday Slow Stitching!  

What would we do without finding a bit of joy and gratitude?  I hope you enjoy this week's Gratitude Journal !  After I respond to your comments, I look forward to visiting your blogs as well! 

The Weekly Word

Joshua 24:14 has so much wisdom to offer us!  As I re-read it, this first part stuck to me:  choose this day who you will serve.  

In this instance, I chose to look at Joshua 24:13a as this:  Who will I serve? the demons of my past or the God of my present and future?  

Foreigners, Reading, Stitching and Gratitude

Hello There!

I'm so glad you're here!  In The Weekly Word we will look at what the Bible says about foreigners.  In the Reading Life  section I'm excited to share some great books.  My Stash Report remains, but I am sewing again!  I met some of my To Do Tuesday goals and am making progress on my Sunday Slow Stitching mittens.  My Gratitude Journal continues to ground me in gratefulness and the art of seeking joy in everyday events.   I hope you enjoy your visit!  After I respond to your comments, I look forward to visiting your blogs as well! 

The Weekly Word

I wrote about a book, Barrio America by A. K. Sandoval-Strausz here, but wanted to share a Scripture he shared as a beginning quote that has inspired this post. 

As a Latina, as a woman, as a person, I have been shocked, hurt and angered by the intolerant, racists comments I've heard on the news spoken by our leaders, heard in my community, even spoken by my neighbors and friends.  What is so sad is that most of these people are even unaware of their biases!  This post may anger some of you, but that's ok because I've listened to so many speak their truth, now it's time to speak mine.

Some foreigners, refugees are hurting people who are fleeing their countries seeking safety, shelter and a future for themselves and their children.  Or perhaps they have all these things.  Perhaps there basic needs are met and they are simply seeking a new, improved life for their families.  Whatever the reason, they are to be treated with Christ's love.  In face, Jesus was a refugee!  

People who look different from us are not weaker. Nor should we lump them into one characteristic. We are all created in God's image, so when we make racists comments, what are we saying about God himself? When we refuse to show love and kindness to foreigners, refugees and those who look different from us, what are we saying about God Himself ?

When I read Leviticus 34:19 I was pleasantly surprised that God Himself would address this topic.  Then I realized there are many verses welcoming immigrants, refugees with the love of Christ (If you're interested, explore this page, or here).  

As I explored sources for this post, this post from Natalie Regoli at Connect Us stood out.  In fact, I wrote many drafts for this post, but Regoli's article is very well written, explaining my heart completely.  

Though this post may not be as eloquent or fully explain my heart, I do pray we, as foreigners on this earth learn to treat foreigners, refugees and those who look different from us, with compassion and grace - much like the grace our Father has shown us.  

Will we be His army?

Reading Life

As  you can see from the list at the end of my posts, I link up to several reading linky parties!  

You can click on the books' images to be directed to a review page on  Goodreads.  :)

Currently Reading

With all the changes in life these days, my granddaughter and I have skipped a week/two of our book club.  However, we were able to meet yesterday and had a blast playing "Guess the Capitals of the States" game as well as discussing our book, Island of the Blue Dolphins!  

The Midnight Library came in from my own library, so that one has priority to finish as there are others requesting it.  The Invisible Husband of Frick Island has been such an entertaining read for my Buddy Read!  I picked up another audio book from Libby, Whose Names Are Unknown and am already pulled into the story.  

Finished

It was nice to switch to a lighter read this week!  Alice's attitude about living adventures rather than simply reading about them was refreshing.  I enjoyed reading about her growth as a person, Lillie's guidance and wisdom were a fabulous addition to the book.  A definite four star read!

Next few books 

I am slowly working my way alphabetically through my TBR list at Goodreads  by finding audiobooks available on Libby.  With my trips to see Mama and Daddy, this is a great opportunity to read.  😉 We Hope For Better Things is one of those golden finds!  

My Stash Report

 is a Sunday Stash link up at Quilt, Paint and Create where we share our stats regarding our fiber usage and acquisitions. The Slow Stitching Sunday link up is a place where we share our hand sewing projects.  I find I need some slow stitching  every day!    

Yarny numbers

 No real changes here -

or here.....

Productivity Stats

I've almost finished my second set of mittens!  

The final Qube Crush blocks are finished! 

 

To Do Tuesday

 is a link up party in which we cheer each other on as we share the progress/lack thereof regarding our weekly goals!  Thank you Chris @ Chris Knits for hosting!  

Last Week's List

-  Sunday Slow Stitching:  Finish the mittens.   Almost there!  Perhaps by next week!

-  Crochet:  Progress on my afghan/s and dishcloths. Goal completed!

-  Machine Sewing:  Prep for Melva's Pieces of the Past Sewalong. Barely finished in time for this post! 

This Week's List

- For my Sunday Slow Stitching I'm hoping to finish my mitten set!  

-   Crochet:  This will be my long-term goal:  Progress on my afghan/s and dishcloths. 

- Machine Sewing:  Stitch up and link Melva's Pieces of the Past Sewalong. 

Except for Melva's Sew-a-Long and the final mitten set, I'm considering putting all my other projects on hold to begin focusing on Christmas sewing and crocheting.  Hopefully, that will stay the December sewing crunch!  🎄

My Gratitude Journal

I've always loved this corner art in my neighborhood.

This same person made good use of these beautiful bottles.
I wonder where they came from?

Our recent rains have lead to many beautiful blooms in our neighborhood!

I love this cute little burro that was by the register at a restaurant!

Poor Mia!  It's late afternoon and she's worried
about my husband as he's not home. 
She doesn't understand that he's working night shift tonight.....  

I hope you all have a blessed week!  Until next time, take good care!

Perhaps you'll visit these linky parties I sometimes link up to when I have quilting/crochet/books to share:  

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 @ Chris Knits

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication (Wednesdays)

The Loop Scoop hosted simultaneously by

Petals to Picots and Moogly

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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God's Protection, Reading, Stitching and Gratitude

   

https://dribbble.com/shots/2626626-Welcome-Gif

Hello There!

I'm so grateful you stopped in for our weekly visit!  Life here in New Mexico is in full transition and my heart is a bit flustered, but tonight, as I wrote about God's constant presence in our lives peace engulfed me.  A Reading Life section includes some great books I've finished as well as my current and future reads.  The Stash Report is is a link up party I joined to share my productivity numbers, fabric/yarn that comes in or goes out as well as new projects such as a new BOM I joined this month!  In To Do Tuesday you'll see the advancement on my Slow Stitching projects which include three crocheted afghans and a wool mitten Christmas tree decoration set.   My Gratitude Journal keeps me grounded.  I hope you enjoy your visit!  After I respond to your comments, I look forward to visiting your blogs as well! 

            THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

God always provides - always.  Tonight, as I post this blog post late, He provided this song.  Oh my dear reader, how true it is.  He provides...He provides....

We can worry, we can freak out, but it won't help at all.  

God's Protection, Reading, Stitching and Gratitude

  

https://dribbble.com/shots/2626626-Welcome-Gif

Hello There!

Welcome!  Thank you for stopping by!  In this week's post I'll be sharing from Psalm 104 as well as some of the books I've read, am reading and plan to read, a new slow stitching project and weekly gratitude journal!    I hope you enjoy your stay with me!  

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

After several years of intending to read it, I just picked up The One Year Book of Hymns and was so blessed by this morning's reading (8/5)!  Mary Artemisia Lathbury wrote the first two stanzas as she watched the sun set.  

The Cycle of Comfort Part 3. Reading, Stitching, and Gratitude!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Hello There, 

Thank you so much for visiting my weekly blog!  We are reflecting on Matthew West's song, "Truth Be Told", books I'm reading and going on my weekly Gratitude Journey.  I hope you enjoy your visit!  

, 

The Cycle of Comfort Part 3:  Come as you are

 

Lie #3:

"There's a sign on the door, says, "Come as you are" but I doubt it
'Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn't you say the church should look more like a hospital
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigals
Like me"

Oh, my heart is full and hurting when I listen to and even read these lyrics.  How can we help to set a feeling of welcoming for ALL in our churches?  How can we let EVERYONE know that they don't have to wear the "right" clothes, speak "properly" and other such foolishness to come to church to praise God and hear His Word?  

A Little of My Story. Stitching, Reading and Gratitude!

  THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

As I was writing the third part of The Cycle of Comfort, I felt like it's time to take a break from "Truth Be Told". I would like to share a bit about myself and hope I don't bore you!  :)  

I'll start with these verses as they are my calling:  

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom  for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,