Practice, practice, practice

For the past few weeks, I have "practiced" in participating in the Proverbs 31 on-line study"blog hop".  You see, I need the practice.  You may, or may not, recall that the whole reason I began this blog was so that I had something to put on the application when I submitted two blocks for the Quiltmaker 100 Block publication.

And, as you may or may not recall, I had one of the blocks be accepted for the publication.  The publication (100 Blocks, vol. 8) will go be available for sale on November 19th.  I will be participating in their blog tour that will take place between November 11-15.

I have been told that they will be sending some post ideas.  I look forward to receiving them and "entertaining" you as I share my love for quilting, my faith and how the two come together.  I recently read Marie Bostwick's book, Threading the Needle, and loved a statement in the story...

I doubt there are any books out there titled "Quilting taught me to Pray",

but maybe there should be. 

Praying and quilting has taught me that there's a little more to me,

and a lot more to life, than I had realized.

 

 

While I may not have any earth shattering ideas that will revolutionize or change the world, I do enjoy quilting and making the world a better and happier place with each quilt I complete - one piece at a time.

 

 



The Great Life

As I finish up the Proverbs 31 on-line Bible study of Lysa TerKeurst's "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God" and their final blog-hop I reflect on the Psalm 81:10.

I am the Lord your God,
    who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

 

It takes great faith to trust God for the provision of our future.  (You can look back on my blog to get a few more details of our current situation. http://melvalovesscraps.blogspot.com/2013/04/an-oasis-in-desert.html and http://melvalovesscraps.blogspot.com/2013/05/he-makes-me-lie-down-in-green-pastures.html .)  Dave has been saying for months in our night prayers, "if it is only $1.50 a day that we earn, may it be enough."  I echo that prayer.  I echo it with every trip to the store and with every meal that we prepare and every bill as it comes due. 

 

We often recall the story from a close friend of his trust in the Lord when he has had need after need met, mostly by total strangers and how he had "just enough" money for the trip that he was about to make.  He had visited a church and when the offering came around he dropped in the remainder of money ($14) that he had in his pocket.  The $14 had been earmarked to assist his friend with the cost of gas when he dropped him off at his next destination.  He was trusting... At the end of the service the woman sitting behind him tapped  him on the shoulder and tucked a $20 in his hand and said, "The Lord told me that you need this."  He responded quickly with a "thank you" and then in his mind with "What's the six bucks for, Lord?" 

 

As it turned out our friend helped to pay for the gas, as planned, AND had the opportunity enjoy one last short visit over a cup of coffee with his driver.  The cost of the coffee with a small tip?  $6!

 

So, I open wide my mouth and know that you fill it.  The visual I have with this is me standing in the rain, arms outstretched, face lifted and mouth wide open... Praising Him.

 

I also recall a memory of our daughters (now grown), at age 4 and 2 standing in the rain in a similar fashion singing "if all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops, oh what a rain that would be!"  Good times, good memories.

 

I think I will head to my sewing room and make a quilt that reflects the perfect provision and timing of God.  Please consider coming back to see what I come up with.  You know it will be "Blessed from Above and Made with Love".

 

 

 

 

A Fresh Vision... A New Season

With the passing of the holiday weekend, hearing about kids returning to school and seeing lots of "first day of school"pictures from all of my friends on facebook, I am reminded, again, that Dave and I are in a new season of life.

For 18 years, even after becoming empty-nesters, I held to the tradition of beginning a week of deep cleaning the house when everyone was "back to school". This year is different. Sort of...

I always had a period of adjustment and sadness/disappointment when Dave went back to work after having much of the summer off.

With Dave not returning to TSJC and starting up a home based business in the shop, I celebrate that he is close by and await with great anticipation and excitement as our new season unfolds.

But what about my "fall cleaning"?  The other morning Dave happily said, "I'm going out to the shop" and knowing he would be out there for several hours, I kicked the dog out of the house and went to it.  The kitchen got a much needed deep clean.  The next day I moved to the bathrooms.  By the end of the week I will have the whole house (mostly) deep cleaned. Yay!

So ... borrowing a quote from Amy Grant, "Watching the seasons change is always a good reminder to embrace the changing seasons in our lives."

As I approach the end of the Proverbs 31 on-line Bible study "What happens when women say Yes to God", I embrace this new season with excitement and a Fresh Vision. 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11