Thank You, Jannette, For Your Comment! Slow Sunday Stitching

Hello Everybody!
I hope you're all enjoying today's beautiful weather, the LORD's day and some Slow Stitching!

Don't you just love reading the comments left on your blog?  Sometimes a comment just sticks out and makes me really think.. Such was the case with this comment left on this post.  

I started responding to Jannette's comment and realized it was turning into a follow up post, so I contacted her and asked her if I could share her comment and the following response.  She gave me her blessing.  

I learned so much from her comment!  I hope you do as well!

Thank You, Jannette, For Your Comment!

JannetteMay 4, 2017 at 10:11 AM

I struggled with those words from Paul too - good to see the "amplification" of that verse! I need to work to see the best in everyone, especially when it's someone that has wronged me many times in the past....

LOVE your cardigan! The longer back is great too - I often find that sweaters "ride up" on me, leaving my back exposed. You won't have that problem!

Jannette, my dear, your words pricked my heart.  I discussed them with a friend and she helped me to see that assuming the best requires trust.  Furthermore, assuming the best of others varies based on the situation - especially when that person repeatedly hurts us!  Hence the trust issue.

I recall what another of my children's  youth pastor said, 

Sometimes, to me, assuming the best simply means accepting the fact that the person who has hurt repeatedly hurt me is simply a hurting person. 
They have no peace.  
They will hurt others before others can hurt them.  
So, to me and in this type of situation,  
"assuming the best" 
is realizing that 
hurting people hurt people.  

With this realization, I can begin to develop compassion.
This can be so very difficult!
Honestly, in some circumstances, 
it takes me years and 
I'm learning that that's ok.
It's a process.
The result at the end is simply that forgiveness is easier.

Forgiveness, to me, is certainly not saying, 
"What you did to me is ok."
Nor am I required to trust that person again.
As defined by Webster, forgiveness is 

"to cease to feel resentment against (an offender)"

So, for me, forgiveness is freeing because I am ceasing to feel resentment towards the one who hurt me - I am free!

via GIPHY
Consequently, I am able to assume the best of those who repeatedly hurt me by 
assuming they are 
simply hurting people who will hurt others, they are lost or bitter - 
and I'm in their line of fire.  

The point is, 
I can only take care of 
my side of the sidewalk 
by forgiving them and 
trying to assume the best - 
to the best of my ability.  

I don't say these words lightly.
I have know great pain - 
emotionally, physically, you name it - 
at the hands of others.

I can finally say that after many years of tears, anger, bitterness, pity parties, hard work and prayer, I have forgiven them  and assume the best of them.  It has been a long, difficult road, but it's worth it.  God has shown me the other side of the coin via therapists, good friends and His Word and I am finally free!

Jannette, I apologize for this "book".  You really sparked a precious light in my own walk with God and I will always love you and be grateful to you for that - even though we've never met.  You are indeed my sister!  You will be in my prayers!  I praise God you stopped by and commented!  

Take good care!

My Dear Readers, 
I pray you were as blessed as I was by the thoughts sparked by Jannette's comment. Happy Sunday!

via GIPHY

 Slow Sunday Stitching
In keeping with my Tuesday To Do List posted at To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things, I'm working on my Fabri Flair Bio-Sphere gifted to me by Marsha Cowan, co-owner of my LQS, Bernina Sewing and Design.   

It's quite different from traditional EPP.  The template is thicker and stays in the project to maintain it's form. 

While the sides are easy to attach to the bottom of the bowl, I find sewing the sides together challenging. But, once I find my groove, it goes really quickly!  It's fun to learn a new twist on EPP!  

I'm eager to begin the second Fabri Flair project I was given - the Large Radiant Star!  

I'm linking up to 

Sunday Slow Stitching 

@ Kathy’s Quilts

Sharing Sundays 

@The Creative Side

Finished or Not Friday 

@ Busy Hands Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

@Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Philippians 1:28 Part 2. Sewing News: A Gift a Day. Pinwheel Coasters

Philippians 1:27b-28

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

“without being frightened

in any way…”

As they endured attacks on their church, their faith, and their very way of life, Paul is saying that by them standing in unity and without fear they will have the victory!  Furthermore, this will be a sign to their opposition that they – instead of the Philippians will be destroyed.  God will save the Philippians.

APPLICATION

In today’s current societal climate,

these verses are so encouraging.

The divisiveness in our country is sad.

So much hate.

So much ignorance.

Almost everyone is under attack by one group or another. 

Most of us fall into one of the

“undesirable” groups. 

But you know what?

I truly believe these verses:

My dear friends,

sometimes no response

is a response.

Sometimes our no response,

frees our God to respond

on our behalf.

The battle is not ours,

but God’s.

We need simply to march

in unity and faith,

pushing forward to the prize.

We need to prayerfully

take our positions, stand firm,

and see what God will do!

Meanwhile, we can be courageous and encouraged

as we face our tomorrow’s knowing

God is with us and for us.

PRAYER

LORD, how many times have I picked up the battle and futilely fought it on my own strength?  This led to defeat, frustration and, surprisingly enough, weakened faith.  Help me to recognize that

the battle is Yours and the victory is ours,

there is power in numbers and unity,

that you are my warrior, my strength, my shield!

I praise You for this! 

Thank You, LORD,

for this amazing gift of

safety,

peace

and

victory!

Amen.

Sewing News:  A Gift a Day

You know, in January I always say to myself that I will take time every month for Christmas sewing and I don't.  Then, I'm in such a last minute rush that I'm too tired to truly enjoy the season - much less the reason for this wonderful season!  

So this year, I lowered my expectations of myself and I did start early.  But, then there's that one perfect gift I can make for so and so!  

I still don't want to pressure myself, so I decided to make a Gift a Day.  I want these gifts to be meaningful, personal and something that can be finished in an hour or so.  Every day I will be posting a gift a day on my Instagram account @miaismine22 under #agiftaday!  

A couple of posts are already on Instagram, but I'll sharing about them more in detail here.  So, without further ado, here's the first one!

Day 1, Gift 1:  Pinwheel Coasters

These Pinwheel Coasters went up really quickly because

1) I used some scrappy HSTs left over from another project

and 

2) I used a self-binding method.

I am over the moon because my daughter loved them and asked me to write a tutorial!

So, I will be making another set for the tutorial to be published very soon!

Blessings to all!

I'm linking up to:

Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River 

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication 

Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

Update of Mind Map. To Do Tuesday. Giving Time, Time.

Hello There!

Thank you for visiting!  I'm so glad you're here! Whether this is your first visit or you're a regular reader, "Welcome!"

Update of Mind Map.

With the completion of Baby M2's hat,my percentages went up to 33%!  I'm a third way through my list!  Yea!

To Do Tuesday.
Here's my list from last week.  A lot got accomplished!

11/15/16

DONE!  Hand Sewing

Wool jubilee leave mat

-   Continue stitching

I used beads instead of buttons,

plus.....

there's a surprise twist to this one!

Oh Oh!  Quilting

Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree

DONE!  Christmas Sewing:

Add borders

Purchase batting and backing

Make backing

Hopefully, find a long arm quilter who can finish it by Christmas

Oh Oh!  Regular Sewing

Grey Hand warmers (make 5 more ) 

alter blouses

DONE! Crochet 

Baby M2’s afghan crochet 21 more green dots

DONE! BOM’s & QAL’s 

Dot Quilt – appliqué dots to foundation fabric

Quilty 365 – appliqué circles to foundation fabric

This week's list will be much shorter because I really want to meet my OMG goal of finishing the Advent tree for my son! 😍

To Do List for 11/22/16

Hand Sewing

Wool jubilee leave mat

-   Join back to front

Quilting - Advent Tree

Continue to hand quilt the Advent tree

Bind

Wash

Attach ribbons for the 25 decorations for Advent tree

Present to my son

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

Giving Time, Time
This week is a fabulous opportunity to be filled with gratitude and thanksgiving to our LORD and Savior!  

To be sure, since 2014, it's a difficult week as well.  Because of this, I am a bit more emotional - to be honest - a lot more emotional.  

On Monday 

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

I had a mammogram.  

On Tuesday 

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

my doctor called in the early afternoon

to let me know that I had an 

abnormal mammogram.

I told my husband, 

sister-in-law 

and my sister.

On Wednesday

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

we noted that it was 7 years since my mother-in-law's passing.

She passed the day before Thanksgiving.

Also

On Wednesday

of Thanksgiving week 2014, 

I had a diagnostic mammogram.

The radiologist told me

there was no doubt that I had a tumor

located right next to the chest wall,

deep inside my left breast.

Because of the location,

he highly recommended that we go to 

MD Anderson ASAP.

His kind technician 

prepared the CD's that I would need.

Late in the evening, 

on Wednesday 

of Thanksgiving week 2014,

my husband and I left his office broken. 

But, we had a Thanksgiving dinner 
to prepare as we welcomed 

our family into our home.
And then

for our journey ahead.

So, my dear reader, you may understand that this week I will taking a break from our Bible study of Philippians.  

I'll still blog about sewing and such, 

but our study will continue later.  

I need time 

to reflect,

to heal,

to praise God,

to give thanks.

And I know you understand.

And I love you for that.

Dear Friend, this is my truth.

Be Blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Philippians Overview Thus Far. Blogging. A New Experience in Slow Stitching

Philippians Overview Thus Far, Friends, Blogging

I love the progression of Paul’s letter thus far!

First, he identifies himself as the author.  (v.1)

Second, he lovingly greets the recipients.  (v.1)

And then - how awesome is this – he blesses them!. (v.2)

He blesses them. 

Next, he not only tells them how grateful he for them but also why! 

Finally he shares the great hope he has for them.   (v. 3-8)

Let's remember his powerful prayer as well! (v. 9-11)

This is a great way to begin a letter!

Then he begins to encourage the Philippians – though he is the one in chains.  (v. 12-14) 

This powerful message has truly blessed me this morning.  To see an example of such love and strength does my heart good.  

Paul definitely had some extremely difficult moments in his life.  

And so have I.

And so have you.  

And we experience our sadness, grief and depression for a season.  

And then, when the time is right,

we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and go on

to be the best we can be,

to encourage others,

to love others,

to see the good in life.

And, yes, life is good!

https://dontgiveupworld.com/wallpaper-pick-yourself-up-and-carry-on/

Today’s sharing comes from the realization that I have some growing to do. 

But then, isn't that what life is - 

a continual growing process?

Blogging

I love how God works through

doctors,

friends – both online and in person,

family and others

to show me a new growth opportunity almost weekly. 

Oh, yes, my dear friends, life is indeed good!  My cup overflows with love and gratitude for you all!  Your comments of encouragement, your views and your emails are so wonderful! 

You’re changing me.  You’re making me a “commenting follower” of blogs.  Even if I just have a few quick thoughts to share, I’m beginning to comment on many of the blogs I follow. 

Because that’s encouraging. 

And don’t we all need encouragement? 

My dear friends, visitors, family and friends, I’m grateful for you and I pray peace, love, joy and a seam ripper free day for you today!

A New Experience in Slow Stitching

I finally took the plunge into hand quilting the first row of my Quilty 365 quilt!  What in the world was I afraid of?  It's fun!

A good friend, Victoria, is helping me along. I layered the top and batting and took off stitching.  Then she made a great point:  Add the backing fabric so that my stitches will show on the back as well.  That would be perfect as I want to journal the reasons I chose that particular fabric on the back. The quilted circle would be the perfect place to do so!  

But, then we have the sticky problem of the first row of quilting is already done.....

We discussed some solutions, but I'm not worried, something will come up and it will be fine!  This is so much fun!

I'm linking up to Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework, Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching!   

Dear Friends, this is my truth!