Philippians 4:11. Covered In Love. 2018 Library Love Challenge.

Philippians 4:11
Scripture

Observation
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  

Whatever. 
The. 
Circumstances.
Application
To be content whatever the circumstances?  Think of Paul's life:  
flogged
imprisoned
beaten
stoned
shipwrecked
lost at sea
hunger
cold
under constant threat
(2 Cor. 11:16-30)
Yet, he learned to be content in 
WHATEVER
circumstance.
As we journey into 2018, can we 
seek at least 30 seconds of contentment every day?
joy?
gratitude?
Sometimes, even this can be so difficult to do as we are buffeted by life.
Maybe, just maybe, if we can achieve this goal every day for 30 seconds,
the next week will find us doing it for 45 seconds,
60 seconds,
15 minutes
and so on.
Baby steps 
to contentment.

Prayer
Dear LORD, You know how hard we fight to be happy, but to me, joy is more important.  For when we have Your joy, we have strength Nehimiah 8:10.  Please give us strength to spend 30 in a state of contentment every day - regardless of our circumstances.  Lead us out of darkness into Your light.
Amen, my Abba, Amen.

Covered In Love Blocks Finished
As I perusing my "drafts" in blogger I found this post!  Unbelievably, (or not so much in my case!  :D), I forgot to share this finish with you last year! 

I was able to make the 20 blocks for the August/September Covered In Love Block drive!  Yea!

For those of you new to this project, Kat is a nurse whose mission it is to help families as they say goodbye to their loved ones.  Nurses or hospital chaplains deliver a quilt to the dying patient and cover them with this gift of love.  Then family members have a transitional item to take home with them.  This quilt will provide incredible comfort in the days and years to come.  I know.  You see, when my mother-in-law was dying, my daughter bought a simple quilt from Target that, 10 years later, still brings my husband great comfort when he is feeling down.

So, to honor her memory, I make blocks for Covered in Love.  

For January and February Kat from Kat and Cat Quilts has brought back my favorite blocks for Covered In Love - string blocks!  Here is a sampling of blocks my daughter and I made last time:

 We left them at the 10.5" requested,

 played with layouts,

and I learned how pretty a constant color in each block just pops.  

I wonder if you might have some strings needing a home?

2018 Library Love Challenge

After much patience, I have finally finished a novel!  This is a huge achievement because during and after chemotherapy, reading books was such a challenge!   After much patience, perseverance and re-reading, I finished my first book, The Red Tent by Anita Diamant!

To the best of my recollection, I started it in Sept/Oct 2017 and finished it in early Dec.  It took a while, but I did it, praise God!  
To mark this special occasion, I decided to join the 2018 Library Love Challenge.  

I heard about it at Irresponsible Reader.  This challenge had me at "support your local" library.  I'm all for supporting local businesses and organizations.  

My next read is Maeve Binchy's Nights of Rain and Stars.  I'm also thoroughly enjoying this one as well!

Linking up to

Monday Making @ 
Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays

@ Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

It’s Monday! WhatAre You Reading? @ Book Date

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 4:8 Part 3.. Chili Contest Anyone? Covered in Love Progress. Book Date.

Philippians 4:8 Part 3
Part 1  Part 2
Scripture

Observation
This verse remains in my heart.  Paul is making some serious assumptions about what is true.  After all, we all have different truths, right?  Believing lies about ourselves have become our truth.  Aha!  But, we can find truth in God's Word.  You see, Paul is doing what he always does - pointing us to God.  We should be thinking on God's Word, HIS truth.
Application
So, I've taken some of the verses from Part 2 and went from this:

to this: 

 During a sermon, Pastor said it was easy for him to find time for Scripture memorization.  He decided that every time he looked at his Smart Phone, he would look at his verse.  Then he asked, "Do you realize how often we look at our phones?"

Here's my new lock screen:

Friends, so many times it's easier to believe those negative thoughts that have been pounded into our brains.  Let's reverse this by filling our brains with whatever is 
true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy!
Prayer
LORD, thank You for this post.  I am hoping and praying that not only will my mind be filled with these thoughts, but also healed from the negativity that can rear it's ugly head.  Let us all be filled with whatever is 
true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy!  Amen.

Chili Contest Anyone?
A friend of mine needed some bibs for a chili tasting contest.  She made the pattern, cut out the fabric and I offered to sew a few up.  Here's the first two!

Thankfully, they are pretty basic and easy to sew.  Pretty cute, don't you think?

Covered in Love Progress
Kat @ Kat and Cat Quilts has a wonderful charity sewing opprotunity called Covered in Love.  She provides quilts for people who pass away in the hospital.  They are "transition items" to bring some comfort to the families.  This opportunity immediately grabbed my attention because we have the quilt that covered my mother-in-law during her last days.  Ten years later, it still brings great comfort to my husband.  


Remember this fabric pull for the August/September Covered in Love blocks?  Well, I feel like the LORD wants me to make 20 blocks.  Here's my progress thus far!

Book Date
I'm still reading/studying Own It by Michael & Hayley Di Marco.  It's quite an interesting read.  Usually I read non-fiction books rather slowly so I can really digest them.








I'm also still enjoying The Red Tent by Anita Diamant!  




I'm linking up to

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading? @ BookDate  (This link up actually has me reading more!)

Monday Making@ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays

@ Cooking Up Quilts

MovingIt Forward Monday

@Em’s Scrapbag

Show and Tell Mondays with Bambi

I love reading and responding 
to your comments!

Philippians 1:14. Covered In Love + OMG.

Philippians 1:14

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

I love what Paul is saying here: 

And because of my chains

Paul is not denying his situation. 

He is stating, “Yup, I’m in chains.” 

Period.

Not so quick. 

Remember verse 12?

He prefaces his statement about being in chains with the fact that this trial has a positive God-spin on it: 

It serving to advance the gospel!

My dear brothers and sisters, 

whatever we are going through, triumph or trial, 

can all be used to advance the gospel! 

Application
I can honestly tell you that having 
Triple Negative Breast Cancer 
has been one of the 

biggest challenges, 

yet also one of the 

biggest blessings 

of my life.  

Even the resulting fatigue and exacerbated fibromyalgia have been a blessing. 

During my trip to Houston, my treatments and now, my recovery, 
I have grown in Christ, 
been given countless opportunities to minister and be ministered to, 
made many new friends and 
grown in compassion, 
empathy, 
love, 
joy, 
peace, 
patience, 
faithfulness, 
gentleness and 
self-control 
(Well, to be honest, I’m still working on that last bit!).  
Sound familiar?

Now granted, I do have my difficult days.  And that’s when I allow myself a pity party inviting

fear, frustration, anger and depression

as well as

God, my Father,

Jesus,

The Holy Spirit,

faith, joy, peace, and victory!

I learned this lesson from this book:

Praying Through Cancer:

Set Your Heart Free from Fear:

A 90-Day Devotional for Women

And guess what?  It’s not just for women!

So, I strongly believe in stating the facts as they are.

I also believe that

Now, there may be times I say it 

through clenched teeth or with a sigh, 

but I say it and I mean it…..

because it’s true.

PRAYER

My dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for

giving me grace,

healing me of TNBC,

showing us that Romans 8:28 

is so very true.

Amen.

-https://www.causes.com/causes/650132-help-spread-the-good-news-gospel/updates/580060-romans-8-28-niv

Covered In Love and OMG

So, I had a monthly goal and it got erased from my list of priorities when I remembered this charitable sewing opportunity:  Covered in Love.  When I read about it, I knew this was my God Wink, if you will.

Kat and her "cat" are the sweetest pair I have seen online!  Kat is a nurse who saw a need for family members and patients who are dying in a hospital setting:  a quilt.  This quilt is delivered to the patient by a nurse or hospital chaplain.  

Then, after the patient passes, the family can take it home as a memento or, as she called it, a transitional object.  Kat linked to this site for more information on transitional objects.  

I related to this.  We had a special store bought blanket.  As my mother-in-law grew increasingly ill, she would spend weekends with us.  That blanket quickly became her favorite.  

During her last hospital stay, we took it to her and it warmed her until her last breath.  Now, a few years later, whenever my husband is sick, sad or just missing his mama, I cover him with it, and he is greatly comforted.

All Kat asks for is a quilt block a month.

I can do that.

But of course - the more the better!  

She provides the pattern for each month.  

This month it's strip blocks. 

I can do that, too!

So, my OMG is to make 12 strip blocks.

Wanna join me?  

If so, check out her site for all the information.  

http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/2016/09/second-verse-same-as-first.html

UPDATE:  Silly me, I forgot to show you my first three blocks for Covered in Love!

Nine more blocks to go!  :)

I'm linking up to One Monthly Goal at Red Letter Quilts, Monday Making at Love, Laugh, Quilt and Moving It Forward Monday at Em's Scrapbag.  Wanna join the parties?

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Philippians 4:12 - 13. Covered In Love Blocks. Book Date.

Philippians 4:12
Scripture

Observation
Verse 11 stated that Paul learned to be content whatever his circumstances.  He goes onto to say in this verse that he 
- knows what it is to be in need and to have plenty; 
- he learned the secret of being content in any and every situation
- whether he is fed/hungry or living in plenty/in want.  

Regardless of his circumstances, he has learned the secret of being content.  

Application
Wow.
Who of us can say that regardless of our circumstances, we have learned the secret of being content.  What is that secret? 
My heart cries out to know it.
What is that secret?!!
Here it is:

I. Can. Do. All. Things. Through.  Him. Who. Gives. Me. Strength.

ALL THINGS.

Even find contentment in the midst of great trials.  
We can do this - moment by moment - one day at a time.
Be gentle with ourselves.  

As I go through my trial, I have a prayer I'll be praying.  A friend taught it to me.

Perhaps there is some a problem that is 
- completely out of your control, 
- or perhaps you need to walk away so that God's will will be done.  
Your heart is broken.
You have no power in the situation.
It's time to let go and let God.
And it's so excruciatingly difficult and painful.

My dear reader, God can be trusted, with our
fears,
pain,
emotions, 
loved ones - 
everything.

Prayer
Abba, I praise You for Your leading, for Your strength, for You.  As I walk through the valley, I know others are walking that way as well.  Bless us with courage, strength and peace my LORD.  Let us lean on Your everlasting arms and recieve Your comfort and joy - for it is Your joy that is our strength.  Let us learn to be content in all circumstances.  Let us learn and see that we can do all things through You who strengthens us!
Amen.

Covered In Love Blocks
Tonight I finished these 12 blocks for Covered in Love. 

I still have some strings left, so next Monday, I'll be making some more!  I wrote about this wonderful charity and my reasons for participating here.  

Perhaps you have time to make a few string blocks?

Book Date

https://www.goodreads.com/
book/show/41958.
Nights_of_Rain_and_Stars

I'm still enjoying Nights of Rain and Stars by Mauve Binchy!  I just love the characters and can hardly wait to see where their lives will end up!

https://www.amazon.com/
NIV-Story-Audio-CD-Continuing/
dp/0310421772

Our church is reading The Story The Bible As One Continuing Story of God.  Also, very enjoyable.  I really like the comments interspersed throughout the pages.  



Linking up to

Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt

Main Crush Mondays

@Cooking Up Quilts

Moving It Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag

Showand Tell Mondays with Bambi

It’s Monday!

A Quilting Reader's Garden

What Are You Reading? @ Book Date

Philippians 2:24. Covered In Love. Things I Like.

This post is a bit longer than usual, but I believe you will enjoy a look into my living room.  LeeAnna from Not Afraid of Color has a "Things I Like" post every Thursday. She encouraged me to write one, so I'll end this post with a pictorial of Things I Like!  UPDATE:  I just realized this is a linky party - silly me!  Here's the link if you want to join in the fun!

Philippians 2:24.

Scripture

Observation
In this post I wrote about Paul is preparing to send Timothy after he himself finds out the outcome of his trial.  In spite of his serious circumstances, Paul is still confident - in the LORD!  Isn't that where our confidence comes from?  

Application

Yes!  It is!

https://onsizzle.com/i/real-queens-
fix-each-others-crowns-remember-that-2747626

Saturday morning was spent ministering to a neighbor, helping a friend diagnosed with cancer and having coffee with another friends living with cancer.  It was a wonderful morning of ministry and being ministered to - all at the same time.  


As I walked joyful and carefree in to Wal
-Mart, I tripped and fell right on my left hip and leg.  Somehow right big toe nail got scrapped up as well!

One would think I would have at least fractured my hip after kissing the cement with it, but not even a bruise!  I'm fluffy - so I guess God's hand helped me to bounce!Only my big toe is complaining and swollen.  My nail has decided to begin the process of jumping ship after it's abuse!  :)

After God's angels helped me up, I purposefully and with pain induced tears, praised Him anyway with confidence. I refuse to let even these little things take my joy.  

Prayer
LORD, You know I am frustrated because I won't be able accomplish all I want to with this big ol' toe of mine, but I still praise You!  You have given me the confidence of knowing my life is in your hands!  Thank you for Paul - for inspiring his words!  
Thank you that we can all have this joy and confidence in You despite our circumstances!
Amen!

Covered In Love.
Admittedly, I'm a bit intimidated by this cycle's Covered in Love block - but it looks like so much fun! Here is Kat's picture!

http://katandcatquilts.blogspot.com/2017/02/grandads-shirts-block-drive.html

 Her tutorials are so well written that I just have to give it it go!  I took the first step - with my husband's help - by pulling the fabric!  
What do you think?

OOPS!  I forgot to post the picture!

I Like #1
My pics are from my living room only because
1) it means minimal walking and
2) the winds are up to 50 miles an hour!  

This is Mia and Sammy.  They never leave my side
especially when I'm under the weather.
Mia is facing the camera - yes, my blog is named after her!
Sammy is camera shy.

A portion of my library.

Books I'm reading/planning to read.

  These little angels are from one of my favorite artists -

Kelly Ray Roberts.

Another Kelly Rae Roberts work of art.

This was given to me when I was undergoing chemo.
The artist is Paula Haynes. 

I love friendly looking owls!

I'm linking up to

Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Needle and Thread Thursday 

@ My QuiltInfatuation

                  Let's Bee Social at

SewFresh Quilts


I Like @ Not Afraid Of Color