Weekly Word: Curve Balls + Stitching and Gratitude This Week!

 

Hello there!

Thank you so much for visiting!  I hope you enjoy this week's post filled with God's Word, books, fiber projects, a fiber stash report and a bit of likes and gratitude from this week!  

Speaking of this week, let us pray for everyone affected by the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas.  I have to move on from this topic.  Emotions run deep.

My recently retired hubby and I are adjusting to our new non-schedules by enjoying slow mornings and relaxing evenings on the patio filled with good conversation, our favorite music and some slow stitching.  Thus far, this transition into a new era of our lives has been kind of wonderful.  

However we all know life can throw curve balls as well. 

Wednesday's Word: Psalm 13. Wednesday's Wrap Up. I Like Thursdays.

 Wednesday's Word: Psalm 13

Isn't life interesting?  There are highs and lows, hills and valleys, joy and pain.

David begins Psalm 13 with feelings of abandonment and defeat, 

but ended with rejoicing and praise.  What changed David's heart and attitude?  How did he go from defeat to victory? 

Monday's & Tuesday's Strength: When Our World Collapses. Book Date. Pressing On.

Monday's Strength: When Our World Collapses

Continued study of some of the verses shared in Lynn Austin's Until We Reach Home.
When I was but a young girl, I asked Grandpa about married life. I was curious because I knew Daddy had been born during The Great Depression. I wanted to know how Grandpa had managed as not only was he supporting Grandma with a baby on the way (Daddy); he was helping to support his mother and siblings.

Jesus Asked It #13. Wednesday Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Jesus Asked It #13
Jesus Asked Series: 1,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 
I have various Bible studies on my blog.  I've decided to focus on one - the Jesus Asked It series.  I hope you are enjoying it!
This verse is a tough one - giving our kids what they ask for.  

In context, this verse is saying that of course, when we seek the Lord and His will, He will respond with the appropriate answer.  
 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.8For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:7-8
I also read the Bible as a my own personal love letter from Jesus.  I sometimes take it quite literally, such as in this case.  In each alternative gift mentioned above, they were inappropriate (the stone) or even harmful (the snake).  
My dear loved one, sometimes, when we see our loved ones suffering via their own decisions, we want to help, we want to rescue.  But as I learned long ago, and am still learning, when we get between our loved one and their pain, we get between them and God.  
Sometimes, the best gift we can give is lovingly giving them the dignity to live with their own successes and/or failures.  All the while praying that our Father in heaven will give good gifts to those who ask Him.  Matthew 7:11
Believe me, I know how heart breaking this can be and my love, compassion and prayers go out to those of you going through this.  I've learned and continue to learn that as long as I rescue, I become that person's God.  I need to let God be God in my loved one's lives.  

Wednesday Wrap Ups 
This is kinda funny.  I finished this quilt top, my LAQ did a fabulous job quilting it and then I bound it using a scrappy binding.  But, did I take a picture of the finished product before I gifted it?  Nope.  Silly me.  Anyway, here is the finished flimsy!

I also finished quilting Pat's quilt.  As I mentioned before, Pat's mother-in-law pieced it, began quilting it, but passed before she could complete it.  I was honored to finish it up for the family.    

I machine bound it - a first for me.  

Pressing On
Last time my goals were:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama. ✔
2. Continue to work towards a new normal.✔
This appears to be changing every day.  My health/limitations/successes change every day.  Flexibility and acceptance are my new words.  

This Week's Goals
1.  Visit Daddy and Mama.
2.  Write at least two blog posts.
3.  Finish up this month's Stitcher's Garden block and finish up one "tardy" block.
I wonder, do you set weekly goals for your personal, blog and crafty life?

Check out these fun parties!

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication  
To Do Tuesday @ Home Sewn By Us

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Wednesday's Word. Wednesday Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word

UPDATE:  My husband send me this link to the story behind the above mural

 created by:  Gabe Vasquez and Justin Martinez

July was such a fun month...filled with birthdays (three of them!), holiday celebrations, celebrating the signing of the Korean War Armistice with my parents as well attending a ceremony unveiling a wall placed in the County Courthouse honoring all veterans from all the military branches.  Daddy is a proud Korean War veteran.  And I am proud of him.  

Then came August 3 and the mass shooting in El Paso and Dayton.  I am El Paso born and raised and my family lives there still.  Emotions are running high.  I'm making even more trips home to give comfort to my elderly parents and the rest of my small family.  I'm emotionally drained, but still trying to live life to the fullest.
I can do this because of a word God gave me many years ago when I was totally broken before Him:

I pray these words give comfort to those who are hurting around the world.

Wednesday Wrap Ups
I had started this wall hanging by Suzn Quilts.  The mini Dresden plates are complete and I am now hand appliqueing them onto their squares.  

 This one is made from my left very "leaves".  Is that what they're called?  

Pressing On
Last time my goals were:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama for an overnight.✔ Instead of overnights, I am making more frequent trips to see them.  
2.  Finish up the two  Month 4 blocks for my Stitchers' Garden. ✔ 
3.  Quilt 15 minutes a day on a friend's quilt.
X
This week's goals:
1.  Visit Daddy and Mama.
2. Continue to work towards a new normal.


Check out these fun parties!

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication 

To Do Tuesday @ Home Sewn By US
(This linky used to be hosted over at Stitch All The Things and is now hosted by Roseanne and Sue of Home Sewn By Us)

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confession of a Fabric Addict (on Fridays) 

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Wednesday's Word. Wednesday Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word

"...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...."

Whom will we serve?  It's our choice.  During a sermon on loving our family on purpose, Pastor was sharing wonderful parenting tips.  As an adult survivor of child abuse as well as a parent who has made mistakes, I wondered if some of those listening may be 1) wishing they had parents such as the ones he was teaching about or 2) were parents who are burdened by mistakes they have made.  I fit into both categories.  

Before the defeated one could tangle me up, I recalled Joshua 24:14-15 - choose this day who I will serve.  I modified it to fit my needs for today by telling God and myself that I will  choose this day whom I will serve, 

the demons of my past 

or

the God of my future.  

I choose to forget what is behind - yet keep the lessons learned.

I chose to strain toward what is ahead.  

I wonder if you are living life constrained by the demons of your past, as I was?  

It doesn't have to be that way, not at all.  

Join me in taking steps toward a freeing, joyful life in serving the God of our future!  

It's so liberating!

Wednesday Wrap Ups
Tada!  Here is my finished Morning Glory flimsy!  I absolutely love it!

I'm pressing the top and using a fat back for the backing.  Then it'll be off to my LAQ!  I'm thinking about using a scrappy binding.  We'll see!  
Pressing On
Last week's goals were:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama for an overnight and maybe even this weekend.  ✔
2.  Add the sashing to the Morning Glory blocks. ✔
3.  Finish up two blocks for my Stitchers' Garden. X

This week's goals:
1.  Visit Daddy and Mama for an overnight.
2.  Finish up the two  Month 4 blocks for my Stitchers' Garden.
3.   Quilt 15 minutes a day on Pat's Quilt.

Check out these fun parties!

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication 
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confession of a Fabric Addict (on Fridays) 

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Wednesday's Word. Wednesday Wrap Ups. Pressing On.

Wednesday's Word

I was so blessed by last Sunday's sermon.  My faith was renewed and I am claiming victory again, in situations where I had once lost hope!
Pastor Dale stated: "When you have a prophetic word, it trumps everything the enemy is trying to throw at you."
Amen!  

Let us hold fight the battle well, holding onto our faith instead of allowing it to become shipwrecked!  


Wednesday Wrap Ups
I made another sewing kit....and a little needle book.....guess I hooked on them!  Here's the first kit.  
Here's the new one!

 Of course I made the vinyl pouch!  According to my nail tech, with a few changes, these would make great purses for those who attend sporting events in which the security personnel need to search purses and such!  Just sayin'!  
Yes, my furniture is naked!  Kitty would love to lay on it and rub her claws all over it, we take  off the cushions/cover them up!    :)

 This is the second one I've made using Amy's fantastic tutorial at Lots of Pink Here.  Of course, I made a few changes.  :)

 This "Teeny Simple Needle Cases for Friendship Group", (pattern by Natalie Barnes of Beyond The Reef)  was inspired by Nancy's post over at Grace and Peace Quilting.  She made them for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes  back in 2017.  Here's my version:

Pressing On
Last week's goals were:

1.  Visit Daddy and Mama.  ✔  I was supposed to head home at midday for my sewing class....but we were having so much fun that I invited them to "ditch class" with me!  We had a great day!
2.  Finish up the last few blocks of Morning Glory. ✔ Will be sharing the last block and sashing soon!
3.  Finish up two blocks for my Stitchers' Garden. X and not a single regret.  Spending time with my parents was my first priority.  I also took time to have lunch with a friend.  Sewing and such will always be there.  

This week's goals:
1.  Visit Daddy and Mama for an overnight and maybe even this weekend.  
2.  Add the sashing to the Morning Glory blocks.

3.  Finish up two blocks for my Stitchers' Garden. 

I'll be linking up to:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication 
To Do Tuesday @ Stitch All Things
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop? @ Confession of a Fabric Addict (on Fridays) 

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

I Like...Jesus Asked It #8. Stitchers' Garden Block 2

Jesus Asked It #8
Jesus Asked Series: 1,  2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

You know, I used to be pretty talented at worrying.  In fact, it is a skill I can still pick up at the drop of a hat, a heart, or a hint of bad news.  Then I realized that fear was the real problem.  As I found myself beginning to worry about something, I began asking myself, "What are you afraid of?"  Fear is often disguised as worry.  I needed to face my fears. 
I then realized that this acronym,

False Evidence Appearing Real  

is so true:  most of my fears never came to pass.  

False Evidence Appearing Real.

Then I heard this version:

Face Everything and Recover.

Recovery takes courage.  My dear reader, you are stronger than you think, I am stronger than I think.  Whatever your situation, you are not alone!  Remember last week's reading?  Go ahead, take a few minutes to read it.  

You are precious to God.  Instead of wasting time worrying, fill your time with memorizing Scripture!  If you like, begin with the verses from last week.  Take a deep breath, believe and fight back - be courageous - have faith - believe!  As you believe and fill your mind with power Scriptures instead of worry and fear.  I promise you that you will find peace and serenity if you do this.  What do you have to lose?
Thursday's Likes!

I am linking up to LeAnna's weekly "I Like" link up.  It's a fabulous exercise in remaining in an attitude of gratitude all week long!  This week is a special one as it is her 140th link up!  Wow!

I like...

going from a messy cutting table

to a neat one!

I really like my husband and his help in taking these prescription/vitamin jars from trash 

to safe places for needle/pin trash cans. 

I like when my garden comes to life after a sleepy, dry winter.

and this little guy greets me every morning  from the doorway.

Finally, I like the idea of these 

Quesadilla Tacos!

Yum!

Stitcher's Garden Block 2

I completed my LQS's Stitcher's Garden Block 2!  I'm using 1930's reproduction fabrics.  In fact, I seem to be using them for most of my projects this year!  They are so beautiful!

I'm excited for next month as we will be using the Bernina Circular Embroidery Attachment #83.  It's supposed to make embroidering the designs on the Drunkards Path much easier!  

Linking up to 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

I Like Thursdays @ Not Afraid of Color

Your comments are so appreciated!  I read each one and will respond by email to you!  :)

Finding His Peace. Slow Stitching. Stash Report.

Philippians  4:10
Remember the lesson from Philippians 4:9?

Learn from our mistakes - as Paul did.

Turn it around - as Paul did.

Find God's peace - as Paul did.
I'm working hard to find God's peace with the "new" me.  Yesterday's "Survivor's Rant" is definitely true - frustration and grief abound.  (To understand this post, you might want to read yesterday's post.)  But, I trust God's plan for my life...even this different life post-cancer.  I just need to make peace with it and His will.  

Funny, it seems like an oxy moron - trusting God yet needing to find peace with His plan...

Yet, that's where I am right now.
As I write, these words keep coming to me:
"He knows the way that I take."

After I searched for them online, I found this verse from Job:

And this my dear reader, is my peace, my smile, my hug from my Abba Father!

You see, during my initial treatment for triple negative breast cancer, I was strong enough to walk 2 miles twice a day.  The LORD prompted me to begin my walk with praise and worship music.  Then, He asked me to listen to the book of Job EVERY DAY, twice a day.

I did this for a at least 8 weeks: for such a time as this.  Chemo brain has made me fuzzy, but these words keep coming to my mind tonight.  

I have found peace as I'm writing this post.

It's ok if I'm not the same strong and healthy child of the King anymore.  It's ok.

Because, He knows the way I take and I shall come forth as gold because even though I didn't have peace, I still trusted Him. 

And so can you.  Whatever you are going through, whatever you have lost, whatever your heart's cry is, you
can
trust
God.
Amen.

Slow Stitching
I'm hoping to make mor progress on Prayer Shawl #5!

I'm using Yarn Bee's Sugar Wheel in Bubble Gum Trail.  These "wheels" of yarn are a nice change from our traditional variegated yarns.  Thus far this is one skein.  I'm thinking this shawl will use about 1 1/3 skein of yarn.  

I'm also looking forward to some down time to work on the Advent Calendar for my grandkiddos!  It may not make it for this year, but we'll see!

Here's what I was able to accomplish today!

I have 1-8 embroidered and hopefully by the end of the week all of these will be joined by a blanket stitch.  The back stitch, Thread Heaven and shorter strands have been working well.  These just may be done on time!  

Stash Report

I bought two yards of beautiful gauze on sale to make some infinity scarves.  I also purchased this kit to learn paper foundation piecing!  

The class was fun!  I'm hoping to finish this project before Christmas!

Fiber Stash Report:  November 12, 2017 (started 6/11/17)
Fabric used this week	3   5/8 yds
Fabric used to date	45    ¾  yds
Fabric Added this week	4  1/6  yds
Fabric Added this year	41  2/3  yds
Net Fabric	4  1/12 yds
Yarn used this week	2 oz
Yarn used to date	124 oz
Yarn Added this week	7 oz
Yarn Added to date	149 oz
Net Yarn	25 oz

Looking at my numbers, I wonder if I could use 100 yards of fabric in 2018?  if I could use 200 yards of yarn?  Hmmmm.....

Linking up to

SundayStash @ Quilt, Paint, Create

SundaySlow Stitching @ Kathy’s Quilts

SundayStash @ Mollie Sparkles

Spiritual Sundays