Philippians 2:15. Covered In Love

Philippians 2:15
Scripture
Observation
Doing everything without grumbling or arguing can be difficult.  But, look at the reason why God asks us to do this!  

So that we may become 

1) blameless

2) pure

3) children of God

4) without fault in a warped and crooked generation

5) to shine among them like stars in the sky.

We become.

This is a process.

As we learn to do EVERYTHING without 

grumbling or arguing,

we become all these things.

It takes time.

And it's worth it.

Application

These last few days, I've kept this Scripture in the back of my mind. 

God has helped me to control 

even my thoughts so as not 

to grumble mentally or argue.  

Guess what happened in my heart!!!!

My empathy, love, understanding, tenderness, patience and gentleness 

grew even more!

I learned that if we focus on the negative,

we receive negative.

But, my dear reader, if we learn to focus on building the character of Christ in ourselves, 

We become free.

Prayer
LORD, thank You for this time together!  I am learning so much from this study and pray that others are blessed as well.  Help me to remember what You are teaching me that I may live it out.  When I fail, gently help me to ask forgiveness and to forgive myself!  Father, life is so much more pleasant with grumbling or arguing!  Thank You for teaching me this lesson!
Amen.
                                     
Covered In Love

I finished my January/February 
Covered in Love blocks.  
Kat's tutorial was so easy to follow!

My blocks seem to have a 
mind of their own 
as they chose their finished sizes!
My daughter suggested that I add

1/8" to my cuts 

so that my blocks won't be too small.

How do you all manage this quandary?

I am learning so much via Kat's 
Covered In Love Block Drives!
They fulfill such an important need!
Here is the tutorial for the 
March-April drive 
just in case you're interested!

I'm linking up to

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

atConfessions of a Fabric Addict 

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sew Some Love at Kat and Cat Quilts 

Philippians 2:12b Part 2 of 4 Quilt Block Book

Philippians 2:12b Part 2
Scripture 
Observation
We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, but not be fearful.
No one can do the hard work of deepening 

our faith, 
our relationship with Christ
our maturity -
both emotional and spiritual.

Application
Tonight I'm going to share how I used to see the verse.  In the next post, I'm going to share what I've learned via study of this verse - it's amazing what God is showing me. Amazing.
I wrote here and here that I am working on boundaries right now.  Naturally, this is how I'm approaching my Bible study time.



As a young mother, I believed I could save my kids....
if I was a good enough example,
if I pushed them hard enough,
if we were in church every time the doors were open,
if we did family devotions.......
you see where I'm going with this?

Now, I've realized that everyone has to work out their own salvation - 
for I am not their Savior!

I'm learning to detach with love.  
I'm learning to pray for my loved ones
instead of 
pushing them.
I'm learning to share my 
experience, strength and hope,
but to give advice sparingly.

I'm learning to get out of God's way 
so that He can have His way.

I'm learning.

Prayer
LORD, we have gone back over my live and I'm so grateful for all You have taught me over the years.  Moreover, You continue to teach me to get out of Your way so that You can have Your way
in my life and in the lives of the ones I love.

You are teaching me the power of prayer is never a 
"All I can do is pray for you," situation.  

Instead it's a powerfully victorious situation in which I say,  


Amen and amen!
Dear Friend,
this is my truth!

Block Holder Books
Would you be interested in learning about a tool that increased my productivity by at least a zillion percent!  
Perhaps a tiny exaggeration.  
I made both books 
and 
finished the last ten blocks of 
my Simple Scrappy Sampler 
in less than two days!
How did this happen?
1) I spent one evening making the books.
2) Then I cut up blocks for the rest of my blocks for the Sampler and placed them in the book.
3) Then, I sat down and sewed them together.  It was the smoothest sewing time I'd ever had!  

Before I knew it, the blocks were finished! I was so surprised when I turned the page in my book and there wasn't another block to sew!

This pattern came from Fresh Fabric Treats: 16 Yummy Projects to Sew from Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes & More with Your Favorite Moda Bake Shop Designers.  The Block Holder Books I made were designed by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.

Julie gives very clear instructions for making two sizes of quilt block holder books.  The small book holds blocks up to 10".  The large book holds blocks up to 18".

The closed Block Holder Book.

Here is the book's front cover! 

So pretty!

Here's the inside front cover!

Don't you love the fabric?

It's "Sew Be It" by Debie Hron.

Here's one of my blocks from the

Simple Scrappy Sampler.

I'm using Happy Tones

with a variety of 

white on white fabrics.

I highly encourage you to make these books!  

They are a great project because:

1)  They're pretty!

2)  They're easy!

3) They are a stash busting project!

I only spent $3 or so on flannel!

4) They truly add to productivity!  

5) They make sewing even more fun!

I'm linking up to 

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Finished or Not Friday at 

Busy Hands Quilts

Philippians 2:9. Green Chile Stew. Crazy Quilt Squares.

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 2:9

OBSERVATION

Therefore........... Consequently, as a result of His obedience,

God exalted Jesus! 

Not only exalted him – but exalted him to the highest place.

Plus He gave Him the name that is above EVERY name!

APPLICATION

There is a reward for obedience.

We please God.

If we can obey Him in the smallest of requests, He knows He can trust us with more – and our own faith is built up.

I’m learning to listen to His voice,

and respond to the needs of those around me

when HE wills it.

Green Chile Stew

Yesterday my husband asked me to make him Green Chili Stew.  Yum!

He loved it so I decided to share my recipe!  It's perfect for cold, wintry days with beans and flour tortillas or homemade bread.  Are you hungry yet?  Is your mouth salivating?  I've changed the recipe a bit from the original, so here's my new one in a PDF file!  This is a first for me, so please let me know if there are any hiccups!  :)  Also, I used a translator to translate it into Spanish.  I haven't translated since I left the classroom, so please forgive any errors!  Enjoy!

Crazy Quilt Squares

I made these squares for a friend for Christmas.  I had made her a set before, but when our waitress admired them, she generously gave her one.  She has mourned her lost square for years.  So, I made her two more!

This was the beginning of one square.  They always look so funky at this stage!

                  I'm linking up to

Main Crush Mondays

at Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday 

at Em’s Scrapbag

Slow Stitching Surprise. Progress On My Grandmother's Flower Garden.

Slow Stitching Surprise.
Do you remember this project?  It was a quilt along from Carole at From My Carolina Home.  She called it Autumn Jubilee.  

In this post I said there was a surprise twist to it and then I never showed you "the twist" that I added at Christmas!

Tada!  Here it is!

Here's the "Fall Side".

I made a few changes.

I added beads instead of buttons.

(Didn't have any buttons to match.)

I didn't add the bottom layer of wool.

And I made it reversible!

This was my daughter's idea.

I like it.  :)

We all know wool is expensive.

But I am hooked.

I may make  more candle mats as gifts.

Progress On Our 

Grandmother's Flower Garden

Many of you have seen this picture of the Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. The reason I call it "ours" is simple. 

When I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, my daughter jumped in and started helping me to make it.  So, it is ours.  

The top row should be all connected by tonight, tomorrow at the latest.  

My daughter and I...

well...this quilt is so special.  

I'm so glad God healed me 

so that we can continue to work together on this beautiful expression of 

love, tenacity and beauty.

I love it.

I really do.

I'm linking up to

Kathleen's SharingSundays

Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt

A Bed For Marley and a Song

A Bed For Marley

I love this little guy!  

He's my "grand-dog"! 

He's laying on my legs

as I'm babysitting him. 

He lives with my son.  

He gave my son back to me.

Long story; 

not mine to tell.

But I love him.

Here he is a mere two days old.

His mama died.

My son became his parents - 

both mama and daddy.

My son does landscaping work

in all types of weather.

Marley goes with him.

So I made him a little bed

which is also a "go bag".

Here's the pattern I used.

Thank you, Simplicity!

The bag needed to be durable, 

so I used lightweight denim

for the outside.

Can you see the pockets?

I used velcro 

for ease of opening them.

By the way, 

I discovered that denim

is hard to sew through.

I used a denim needle.

I'm open to any tips

you have to offer!

I used red velour for the inside.

Marley also got a fleece blanket 

made out of this fabric.

Thank you, Jo Anns.

I love this little guy - 

my grand dog!

Thank you, God, 

for our Marley!

I'm linking up to

Can I Get a Whoop! Whoop!

at Confessions ofa Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday at Busy HandsQuilts.

A Song

I went to a funeral today.

Here is a song that I hope will bless you.

It certainly has blessed me over the years.

Philippians 2:3-4 . Complete! Baby M2's Afghan!

Philippians 2:3-4

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

Paul is referring to the dissension in the church in Philippi.  He gives solutions to dissension:

APPLICATION

I recall a conversation with a non-believer who was confused about a teaching about the acronym J.O.Y. 

By placing Jesus first, we are in tune with His will for our lives.  Consequently we can live our lives confident of His guidance.

By placing others’ interest above our own we become better listeners.

What is this person truly saying?

What truly is their need?

These verses are saying,

“Let go of your own agenda.

Really listen to others.”

When we ensure that those around us know that their voice is being heard,

stress and tension are eased.

Then, the peace of God that passes all understanding enters.

PRAYER

LORD, as we go into 2017, help us to listen –really hear - the needs of those around us – even if they drive us nuts.  Give us discernment and understanding that we may meet needs that are deeper than the surface issues. 

Let us become humble servants to all Your children. 

By the way, LORD, if I am one of those who drive others nuts, help me to learn grace!  

Dear Friends, this is my truth!

Complete! Baby M2's Afghan!
I finally finished Baby M2's afghan!  
Here is a bit of the journey.
Step One:  a row of dots


Step Two:
Connect the dots!  LOL!

Step Three:  Connect more dots and add a a mini border

Step Four:  Search my go to border book for a cute border.

Step Five:  Make a bunch more dots!

Step Six:  Attache said dots to the afghan and wala!  

I used Teresa Chorzepa's Dotty Dots Afghan pattern that can be found on Ravelry with Lion Brand Modern Baby yarn and I loved it so much that the extra skeins will become another afghan....one day!

UPDATE:  1/5/17

I forgot the Linky Parties!

I'm linking up to Hookin' on Hump Day which is hosted by two sites - 

Petals to Picots and Moogly!

Linky Tuesday at Freemotion by the River 

To Do Tuesday atStitch All Things

Hello There! Secret Sewing Reveal

Hello There! 

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It’s great to be back after the rush, illnesses, hustle and bustle of the holidays!  Tons have been going on here in my little corner of the world –

some sad,

some hard,

some joyous and silly.

Most of all, it’s been fabulous having time with famiy and friends.  My husband gave me a happy surprise by taking extra time off!  I love when he does that! 

I’m starting off slow this year with a reveal of a secret sewing project! 

Finished Quilt

Well, here is some secret sewing I completed!

Step One:  Fabric Selection

I chose to use Kanvas Studios' for Benartex Dancing Dragonflies.  

This was my background fabric. I need to get the name!  

One of my goals is to learn the designer's names and their line of fabric that I love!  

Step Two:  Sew a half square triangle - more like 72 HSTs!  

Step Three:  Now sew those HSTs into pinwheels!  Oh, remember to take apart and restitch the pinwheels that are going the wrong direction!  

Step Four:  Beg my longarm quilter to have it done in time for Christmas! (She did!)

Step Five:  A bound and labeled quilt!

I'm linking up to the following parties! Stop by and join the fun!

Kathleen's Sharing Sundays

Monday Making at Love,Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays