Philippians 2:27 Part 5 A Look Back in Amazement. Simple Scrappy Sampler & A Simple Bday Gift!

Hi there!  Tada!  Here is the final part in our series on Philippians 2:27!  In Part 1 we talked about God's mercy and Paul's use of the word "but" again.  Part 2 discussed the phrase "sorrow upon sorrow".  We continued our discussion of this phase of our lives in Part 3 adding that God uses these times in to grow and strengthen our faith.  I guess in Part 4, I shared how God built our faith in the "sorrow upon sorrow" 

Philippians 2:27 Part 5
Scripture

Prayer

My dear LORD and Savior!  How blessed I am by the faith You have grown in my heart.  I'm grateful for Your healing touch - be it here on Earth or in Heaven.  

I'm also grateful that Paul used the phrase "sorrow upon sorrow".  It reminds me that as we journey through these valleys, You are there.  We are never alone and our tears are never wasted - not a one.  

Thank You that we can trust that our pain is never without purpose.  Help us to have grace, faith and courage during those times!  Amen.  

Simple Scrappy Sampler With Sashing!
I just love my local quilt shop!  Via my friends' gentle guidance, they turned what could have been a "ok" quilt into an explosion of Spring and celebration!  I was going to go with with sashing, but I'm loving this purple!  My daughter suggested cornerstones as well.  Though they weren't exactly fun to sew, the final result was well worth the effort!  

Soon the whole top will be finished and off to Stephanie!  I'm so grateful that Jennie from Clover and Violet offered this BOM!  

A Simple Birthday Gift

This week is my daughter's birthday week!  She will recieve a few small presents all week - and here is one of them!

"A hairy something or another," You ask?  Actually, yes!  It's a dishcloth/scrubbie!  I used an Avalon yarn by Cascade purchased at my local yarn shop, Quillen Fiber Arts!   (They have an online store!)  I added in some of Red Heart's Scrubby Yarn in "Duckie".  It was a nice combination!  

I made some a while back as a tester for my daughter.  I figure with four kiddos and a hubby, she would give them a good workout.  She loves the combination and asked for more!

Request completed!

Some regular dishcloths made from the same Avalon yarn are coming her way as well.  

A Look Back in Amazement.

I've begun printing out my blog and I still cannot read those posts....it's so painful.  I did skim the first couple of posts and was amazed at the faith God infused my life with!  Here they are just in case you're interested.  Admittedly, they were tough for me to even skim through - and that's ok! I just need more time.  It's amazing how far God has brought me - and will continue to bring me - and you, my dear reader!  You, too, are invited to join hands with Him.

Post 1: How It All Began

Post 2:  How It All Began Part 2

Post 3: Going Public!

I'm linking up to

Hookin’ On Hump Day at

Petals to Picot

And

Moogly

Fiber Tuesday at

The Quilting Room with Mel

and

Oui Crochet Community

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Writer Wednesday @ Becoming Press

Philippians 2:14 Part 2 2015 $7.50 Victory Quilt Finished!

Philippians 2:14

Scripture

Continued from here.  

I

never

grumbled 

about

having 

triple

negative

breast

cancer.

Instead 

I prayed 

for 

strength,

courage,

grace,

wisdom,

discernment

to

minister

to the medical staff,

my family,

loved ones,

and myself.  

Something to ponder.

Something to really ponder.

Are we only 

aware of our reactions

in times of great stress?

How about in the little things?

Can God trust me to

live without grumbling?

What would happen if, 
instead of grumbling,

we prayed

for

strength,

courage,

grace,

wisdom,

discernment

to

minister?

Prayer

LORD, how I love You 

and trust You as my loving Father!  

You are so generous to give me 
this time in my life 
when I can 

study, ponder, and apply 

Your Word to my life.  

But, to be honest, 

this morning, 

I feel like 

I've been run over by a God Truck!

Joyfully and with growing awareness,

I'm seeing a behavior 

that needs to be changed.

As You well know, 

I'm pretty talented at grumbling!

So, LORD, help me to begin 

this new "grumbling-free" journey.

Please help me to

pray instead of grumble, 

to lean on You, instead of myself, 
to encourage rather discourage,

to eagerly watch You work things out,

instead of doing it myself.

To trust You even more.

Abba Father,

I love You!

And I know You're 

sitting right next to me grinning.

I'm grinning with You.

Kinda.

I Love You. :)

Amen.

2015 $7.50 Quilt Finished!

In my hometown, we are blessed to have a local, brick and mortar quilt shop: 

Bernina Sewing and Design. 

It’s a non-alcoholic version of the TV series, “Cheers”.

Everybody knows your name.

They will drop everything to

hug you,

pray with you,

laugh with you,

or

cry with you. 

I love them. 

I really do.

And they love me.

They really do.

In 2015 I joined their $7.50Club .One can literally make a quilt top for $7.50!  

2015 was also the year of the fight for my life.  Completing a block every month was difficult. Tears, late nights, phone calls to friends for help, chemo side effects and fatigue were certainly involved.

But so was God, determination, courage and love.

I presented this quilt to my dear husband

as a thank you/36th anniversary/Valentine's gift.  I told him how much I appreciated him taking care of me.

I remember him 

waking up for work at least 45 minutes early to feed me at least a quarter of a thin bagel with an egg on top,

gently bathing me,

tenderly holding me as we both cried,

ferociously battling the insurance company,

tirelessly driving an extra 1.5 hours a day for six weeks to stay with me in our hotel during daily radiation treatments, 

and not one grumble.  

I am so very blessed!

My husband and son holding up the quilt on a cold, windy afternoon.
My Sammy is supporting their efforts!

He shed a tear or two when I gave it to him.  So did I.  

The backing is made from my favorite fabric used in the quilt.

I'm linking up to

A Quilter’s Reading Garden

Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Finished or Not Friday 
at Busy Hands Quilts

Main Crush Mondays

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt

MovingIt Forward Monday at Em’s Scrapbag

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

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

Philippians 2:2, Day 8, Gift 8: Felt Lunch is Finished! PIcture Heavy! :)

Philippians 2:2

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

Yet again Paul points out the importance of unity with the phrases “like-minded”, “same love”, “being one in spirit and “of one mind”.  In fact, he says his joy would be completed by their unity.

APPLICATION

Unity is essential in the church if it is to survive.  We sometimes shoot our wounded from our high horses. 

If we can just learn to respond with

encouragement

comfort,

tenderness

and compassion

what a difference it would make!

Sometimes, unity cannot be achieved for a variety of reasons.   There are times when ties must be cut such as in toxic relationships or to protect the vulnerable.  There are many Scriptures to support this. 

Let’s be honest, we all probably have someone in our lives we have had to cut ties with.  But, let’s search our hearts, forgive them and, yes, even pray for them with tenderness and compassion.

PRAYER

LORD, help me to live this challenge out.  There are those I miss in my life and I’m sure my readers have the same situations in their lives.  Comfort all involved and let us all know and show tenderness and compassion. 

Let our churches have unity that Your goals may be achieved.  Amen.

Day 8, Gift 8:  Felt Lunch

Hello there!  Man, have I’ve been sick!  But, you know what?  There’s nothing like slow stitching to chase bronchitis and sinus infections away!

After almost a year, the Felt Lunch is completed!  Everything is hand stitched except for the "ridges" on the chips. Just a reminder, I found the pattern here.

Now for the pictures!

A sandwich starts with bread,

 and add your meats.

Mayo or mustard?

I like both!

American or Swiss cheese?

How about some lettuce?

Do you like tomatoes on your sandwich?

How about some of Ama's

special chips?

Tada!  Lunch is served!

I'm linking up to

Kathleen's Sharing Sundays 

at the Creative Side

Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt, Main Crush Mondays

Join the parties!