I am moving along on the last baby quilt on my current list. It's funny that posting my progress gives me an odd sense of accountability, Dear Void...which probably means I'll actually assemble this top today and maybe get it sandwiched up ready to tie. Yes, I'm going to tie this one...not quilt it. I'm tired...*sigh*
The main fabric has a forest scene with deer, bears, and little animals with slight pink flower in it. I feel like the picture doesn't make it look as well blended as it truly is in person. The fabrics go together really well. *promise*
This is a fawn lovie ...made from an repurposed linen shirt. This baby is due the middle of January. Her name is Piper! I'm excited to snuggle her!!
1. Where have you found unexpected magic or delight this holiday season? Generally, this season is busy...but add a bit of illness and it can create a perfect storm of craziness. This year I was key leader over childcare for our living nativity servants for two long weekends, my son became quite ill with a virus, I was also scheduled to sing every Sunday morning and I got a allergy/cold combo. Although it may seem strange, I found unexpected delight in going through this crazy storm My church family (especially my small group) rallied around me and helped serve when I was short servants. I was delighted to see how God taught me to lean on Him more...how He preserved my voice and allowed me to have a great Dr who listened and treated me well, and that He healed my little boy and helped me enjoy the days at home with him. God is good all the time. 2. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering? Will you/have you gathered in your favorite way this month? I love LOVE love white elephant parties. They are so fun...and I usually laugh a lot. I love the cooky creativity of the gifts. Our small group is having one on Thursday! Yay! 3. Time has named 'The Silence Breakers' (women who came forward with stories of harassment) 'person of the year' for 2017. Would you agree? If not, who do you think deserves the title? R.C. Sproul recently passed away. I found it very encouraging to read about his life...HERE! 4. How did you spend your time this year? Are you happy about that? Elaborate This year was very busy...I worked to finish biblical counseling training and it is interesting to see how God will be using what I've learned for His glory. As usual, it is not exactly what I might have thought or planned but His ways are always better than mine! 5. Bid farewell to 2017 in ten words or less. Humbled...dying to self...alive to Christ...in Him alone! 6. Insert your own random thought here. I like to pick a word to focus on each year. I picked Steadfast 2015, Humble 2016 and I think I will pick Word 2017...I know I need to be in God's word more...and I'd like to focus on my own words coming from a right heart. "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty." Jeremiah 15:16
Still was the sky over Bethlehem
伯利恆城夜空恬靜
Bright were the stars that lit the way
星光燦爛光照前程
Distant the sound of angel voices
遙遠傳來眾天使歌唱
Telling the world that hope is born today
告訴世人今天希望由生
Hurry, shepherds run to the manger, leave your sheep and come
牧人趕快來撇下羊群立飛奔馬槽
Come with gentle kings and people all
與東方眾王朝見嬰孩
Hurry, hurry run, kneel adore open your hearts to him
趕快, 趕快來, 跪拜他，將你的心打開
The world is born a new in humble stall
卑微馬槽已更新這世界
Bathed in the glow of the soft moon-light
一輪明月皎潔晶瑩
there on the golden straw he lay.
映照乾草迸發金光
Close by his side we shall ever stay
我們渴望永依主身旁
Tell all the world that love is born today
告訴世人今天主愛沛降
Hurry, shepherds run to the manger, leave your sheep and come
牧人趕快來撇下羊群立飛奔馬槽
Come with gentle kings and people all
與東方眾王朝見嬰孩
Hurry, hurry run, kneel adore open your hearts to him
趕快, 趕快來, 跪拜他，將你的心打開
The world is born a new in humble stall
卑微馬槽已更新這世界
Hurry, hurry, hurry run to the manger
趕快, 趕快, 趕快到馬槽
Hurry, hurry, hurry run to the stall
趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕到馬槽
Hurry, hurry, hurry come to the manger
趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快到馬槽
Born is the Lord of all
今天救主降生
Hurry, hurry, hurry run to the manger
趕快, 趕快, 趕快到馬槽
Hurry, hurry, hurry run to the stall
趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕到馬槽
Hurry, hurry, hurry come to the manger
趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快到馬槽
Born is the Lord of all
今天救主降生
Hurry, hurry, hurry come to the manger leave your sheep and come
趕快,趕快來,撇下羊群立飛奔馬槽
Come with gentle kings and people all
與東方眾王朝見嬰孩
Hurry, hurry run, kneel adore open your hearts to him
趕快, 趕快來, 跪拜他，將你的心打開
The world is born a new in humble stall
卑微馬槽已更新這世界
Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry hurry, hurry, hurry, run
趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快, 趕快來
Run, shepherds, run!
牧人快奔 by the Chinese Church
So, there's been a bit of a baby boom around our church. At first I was only going to make baby quilts for the seminary wives (girl/cactus, boy/fox)...but then I was invited to the surprise adoption shower (boy/turtle) for a fellow worship team member...and since two more of those are expecting (boy/hedgehog, boy/owl)...AND...our one special friend in our Faith Group is expecting too (girl/deer). All by the end of January! So, all hopes of finishing my Christmas quilt this Christmas are gone...
This is my first attempt at a hedgehog lovie ...but this year I've already made a fox and a cactus so I can do anything...Meet Hedgie!
And the hedgehog flannel quilt...
Next up... two quilts are girl/deer quilt and boy/owl quilt.
What comes to mind when you think of the word: different. Write about it in 5 minutes or less.
Ready...Set...Go!
Different...how I wish things were...but...Sickness again...for another Christmas. But, at least this year it's not the stomach bug. This year my little man is down with a high fever...I wish I could make that different...but even in this hard different...
...is precious time of watching cartoons and taking naps...and even more naps with Scruffy! Different is just different. God is good.
Different...is how late I'm getting my Christmas ornament gifts done. No longer living on my sweet cul-de-sac means many less to make. Sniff sniff... But, different is just different. There are new neighbors to meet...and carols to be sung. God is good.
In a year you think you'll do so many things...I am thankful that God hasn't left me the same...I have grown and changed in his grace. I am different...God is so good!
1. What's something blogging has taught you about yourself? For me, blogging is cathartic 1. providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions. 2. a medicine that causes the bowels to be purged. I guess it's a way to spill my guts. HA! It's good for me to write out my thoughts...especially as I'm normally inclined to say things I shouldn't. Many times I write things I never post just to get the thoughts out and organized. 2. Leftovers...are you in the 'reheat and eat' camp or the 'put them in the fridge until they spoil and then toss them' camp? What's your favorite thing to have leftover? What can you not abide as a leftover? We had potpie filling (peas, carrots, turkey, gravy) over biscuits using leftovers before we headed home from my parents' house. The leftovers stayed with my family so I don't have to deal with them. I do enjoy frying mashed potato cakes...sort of an easy latke. I'm tempted to make mashed potatoes so I can do that...ha. 3. 'Me time'...your thoughts? I think it's all too often an excuse for selfishness. It sounds like a nice thing...but it's often a showing of discontent. It makes me think of "You will know whether you have the heart of a servant by how you act when you're treated like one." If you clamor for "me time"...then you're thinking of yourself. "Only two choices on the shelf...pleasing others, or pleasing self." Now, before anyone yells at me... I know that it's important to spend time alone and rejuvenate. There's nothing inherently wrong with having "me time" and often you'll be a better wife, mom, etc. for that time alone. But...usually... when I hear women talk about 'me time' they aren't simply mentioning a good stewardship of their time alone so they can steward their time with others better...they are usually complaining. 4. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with? I have a few friends who come to me for advice when life is hard...because they know I will point them to the Truth of God's Word...gently but firmly. Often, this is hard and not without risk to the friendship...but they don't want someone to whisper what they want to hear...and our friendships have actually been stronger for it. They are generally people that I go to when life is hard because I know they will point me to Truth too. 5. If your childhood had a smell what would it be? Tell us why.
Lilacs...I used to play in huge lilac trees as a little girl for hours and hours.
6. Insert your own random thought here. My re-entry schedule from Thanksgiving has been nutso. My last counseling training class was Monday (9a-9p) and then I didn't stop moving yesterday and yet, still didn't get things in order. I think maybe I don't multi-task as well as I used to...and I get distracted easily. *squirrel* I need to get out my little fridge printable that says..."I will live by a standard of grace, not perfection." Beating myself up is getting old. It is not living according to the standard God sets for me...so I'm striving to please someone or thing, other than God, when I act that way.
1. Tradition...how tightly do you cling to tradition when it comes to holiday gatherings and celebrations? For instance do you always do the cooking, never eat at home, always go to grandma's, never miss the parade, always watch football, never change the menu, always eat at 2 PM, etc.? Have you ever celebrated Christmas or Thanksgiving away from hearth, home, and family? How did that feel? We switch between my side of the family and my husband's side of the family each year. Each side has it's own, very different, traditions. Lately, it seems, I am the pie baker! Transporting pies is a trick! This year it's seven pies going six hours! Generally, we celebrate Thankmas the day following Thanksgiving...because we won't see that side for Christmas. Last year, because we moved in the Fall, our parents (both sides) blessed us with coming to us for the holidays. That was nice. This year, it's back to traveling! I'm kinda looking forward to it...ROAD TRIP! 2. Help...is it easy for you to ask for help or are you a do-it-yourselfer? How is that a good/bad thing? I am a do it yourself-er...much to my chagrin and dismay. I think I'm getting better at asking for help but I'm still likely to take on too much, get overwhelmed and not reach out for help. Part of this is due to the fact that I'm a perfectionist...or control freak, *ahem*. I like it done my way. I notice that as I'm now teaching my children daily household chores...I'm finally beginning to loosen my grip on many things. 3. Abundance...what is there an abundance of in your kitchen?
PIES!
4. Name...the smallest thing you're thankful for? the biggest? My niece and nephew are the smallest things I'm thankful for...and I am anxious to kiss their cheeks and play with them! The biggest...oh, I am overwhelmed with God's goodness to us this year...but I think the biggest thing is Darren's successful back surgery...How God saw fit to restore my husband's health and mobility! 5. Key...What do you think is the key to living a more grateful life? A focus on true stewardship...in it's focus of God owns everything and I own nothing. Everything I have, God has entrusted to me. I can either increase or decrease what I have. God wants me to increase it. I can be called into account at anytime, and it could be today. It is a perspective I need to keep all the year through. 6. State your own random thought here. I'm super excited to now own a rice cooker. I'm hoping to use it to stretch food at our church potlucks. In a university town we go through food...fast. I'm also going through a "rice phase" because one of my dear friends has corrupted me. I had no idea there were so many different kinds of rice...and they are all wonderful...and so different!
What comes to mind when you think of the word: excuse. Write about it in five minutes or less!
Ready...Set...Go!
Lately I've been struck by the fact that there is a big difference between an apology and asking someone for forgiveness. Generally, an apology is an "I'm sorry"...but with no owning of bad behavior. It is empty and full of excuses. It also leaves the wronged person with very little to say or do...and with a clear understanding that the other person is far from sorry.
There is a better way. If we first acknowledge that we have sinned: "I was wrong" followed by 2.identifying that specific sin in it's biblical name: "What I did was selfish, rude, dishonest..." and then 3.identify a biblical behavior to demonstrate our resolve to repent..."I should have been clearer" or "The next time I will tell the truth no matter how afraid I am of the consequences" and then finally "Will you forgive me?" Measuring ourselves against God's standard for our behavior leaves no room for our excuses.
This truly leads to heart changes...it removes all those awful excuses we make for our bad behavior. We see our sin FIRST, as WORST, and MOST! So often we think we can make these excuses as we wait for the other party to be sorry or own their part of the conflict. That's not what God has called us to...Stop making excuses...truly ask for forgiveness...let God take care of the rest.
Ephesians 4:32 "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
Moving has taken me out of my comfort zone. I am very friendly and extroverted...and although I have developed loads of acquaintances in this first year, I often feel uncomfortable. In many ways, no one really knows me even yet. It has changed how I extrovert. I worry I am more surface-y myself as a result...and feel convicted to better invest in friendships. Proverbs 18:24 really shows the contrast between two types of friends. I can have loads of acquaintances but still come up empty. However, even one friend of the second type is a great blessing. A genuine and authentic friend is someone who sticks closer than a brother. Since brotherhood is one of the strongest relationships we know...someone who sticks closer than that is a trustworthy friend, indeed. So, when I feel uncomfortable in this new place, I am thankful for technology and how it allows me to stay connected to my closest sisters in Christ. And I am thankful for the opportunity to lovingly invest in new friendships here and be a friend that sticks closer than a brother. God is good and I am comforted.
2. Your least favorite spice?
Lemon Pepper. I think I get this from my grandmother who can't stand it. It's not truly lemon or pepper. It seems artificial somehow. It overpowers even in small amounts. I especially don't like it on fish or chicken.
3. What's a small change you'd like to make?
I can think of plenty of big changes I need to make...but small changes? Well, I guess a small change I'm making to my exercise/diet health plan is to not enter in my exercise. Someone pointed out to me recently that it creates the wrong mindset or motive for exercise. I need to exercise because it's good for me...and let the app just log my calories and nutrition. So far it's worked...I lost two pounds last week.
4. Do you enjoy visiting historic homes? If so, of the homes you've visited which one was your favorite? What historic home near you is open to visitors? Have you been? Southern Living rounded up eleven of the best in the southern part of the US and they're as follows-
Monticello (Jefferson's home in Virginia), Nathaniel Russel House (Charleston SC), Swan House (Atlanta), Ernest Hemingway's home (Key West), The Biltmore (Vanderbilt home in Asheville NC), Mount Vernon (Washington's home in Virgina), San Francisco Plantation (Garyville, Louisiana), Windsor Ruins (Port Gibson Mississippi), Longue Vue House and Gardens (New Orleans), Whitehall (Palm Beach FL), and Pebble Hill Plantation (Thomasville GA)
Have you been to any on the list? Of the homes listed which would you most like to visit?
I've been to re-located historic homes. I'm not sure that counts. For example, I grew up near Farmers Museum in Cooperstown, NY and they have many old historic buildings there. I guess the Fenimore Art Mansion across the way is a historic home...although it isn't set up as a home. A few weekends ago we went to Turkey Run State Park and toured the Lieber Log Cabin on the property... it was relocated to that spot but is really old and amazing! Huge trees were used to build it...bigger than we have now and woods that are virtually extinct. I think the Biltmore is close to where my parents live now...hmmm...maybe I need to plan a trip.
5. What's something you think will be obsolete in ten years? Does that make you sad or glad?
I think less and less paper will be used...especially in banking and business. I think that remote controls will no longer be needed with voice command and wearables...especially with so much streaming. I think that voice command, face recognition, and fingerprint technology is set to make passwords obsolete too.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
It is cold and rainy here today. Just above freezing. Kinda wish it was snow. It will be a perfect day to finish the laundry and get some reading done. How is the weather where you are? How are you enjoying it?
A few lines in this song kept coming to my mind this week. I haven't sung it in years...so I hunted it down on youtube and wrote out the words.
My nature is a mire beneath my footsteps.
My heart is but the source of all my pride.
Oh God, of power and grace,
I fall before your face.
In mercy grant this wretched soul a heart that you'd revive.
Revive my heart
Revive my heart
I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness
Revive my heart
Revive my heart
That I rejoice in you, O Lord
Revive my heart
I'm overwhelmed how such a Holy Father,
Would stoop to lift one up so small, so weak.
With self denying gaze, I repent of all my ways,
Unworthy of your pity Lord,
Forgiveness now I seek.
Revive my heart
Revive my heart
I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness
Revive my heart
Revive my heart
That I rejoice in you, O Lord
Revive my heart
Here's a sneak peek at a turtle quilt and lovey for a sweet baby boy that was just added to our church family. Unlike most baby quilts this one is being done FAST and only with what's in my stash. This sweet couple had a very, VERY fast adoption...and oh, he's such a sweet little peanut. Sweet is the word of the day, by the way!
My flash did something strange to the fabric...it's not an olive green...it's more of a true green. I'm combining pinwheels (my favorite and fast) with this darling turtle flannel I've been hoarding for years. It's all flannel (front and back) with no batting. They drape really nicely!
What comes to mind when you think of the word: silence. Write about it in 5 minutes or less.
Ready...Set...Go!
There are periods of time where I really struggle with silence. Usually it's when I don't want to deal with all the loud things floating around in my heart and mind. I have learned that when I am uncomfortable with the silence...(I must have the TV on, or music playing, or be reading deeply in something fluffy and entertaining)...During those times it is good for me to examine...why?
Another thing about silence is that it's never really silent. I sleep with a fan on all year through...that hum is far from true silence...but I would say it is quiet and peaceful in the room. Similarly, I have two antique clocks ticking and chiming at various intervals throughout the day. This has become a part of the silence and peace of our home...However, I notice that it's far from silent because when we have guests they often comment on the clock noises.
Over the years I'd say my extroverted-ness is waning. I crave silence (peace, quiet, reprieve) in ways that I never did before. As I work to be more God-pleasing than people-pleasing I find that it is absolutely necessary that I spend time in God's Word and Prayer...in the silence...to gather what I need in my happy extroverted life.
1. In a rut, in a jam, in the groove, out of synch, off balance, out of touch...which saying best fits some area of your life currently (or recently)? Explain. Off balance. I've been doing too much people pleasing. I suppose it should be called "attempted" people pleasing because you can't please all of the people all of the time... and most of the time, you don't. It's so freeing to re-evaluate priorities and put first things first. It's delightful to have time for things I enjoy but have been so busy I couldn't take time to enjoy...blogging for example. 2. What is it about somebody else's style of work (coworker/employee/shared volunteer project/household chore) that makes you crazy? Why? I had no idea that having children would so magnify and show me my control freak ways. My daughter is very particular...very neat and organized. My son, like his father before him, is what I call a "pile-er-up-er"...piles of stuff follow them. How they find anything I'll never know. I'm thankful that I've never seen my husband's work desk...pretty sure I'd freak out! We have it figured out...I set a few "collection points" around the house...and any piles must be in those areas at the end of the night. 3. What's a tradition that always makes you feel at home? I love the tradition of mornings. I think this started when I was a little girl. The smell of coffee, the quiet, the calm, the new beginning. I loved mornings when I would visit with my grandparents in the summer (the walk up the mountain, the newspaper distribution, breakfast, devotions)...I love mornings at my parents house (coffee, quiet, slow paced, talking)...and I love mornings with my own little family (coffee, quiet, snuggles, candle burning and my Bible). 4. A favorite song with a girl's name in the title or lyrics? Any reason why this is a particular favorite? I know all the songs with the name Lola in them. "Lola, she was a showgirl..." "Lola...la la la lola." "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets"...My mother's name is Lola. Obviously, we teased her with these songs...she objected to my naming a baby after her...now that the name is coming back into popularity she kinda wishes she'd let me. It's a very pretty name...with unfortunate song subject/lyrics. She was named after an Aunt, I think. 5. Share a favorite quote, verse, or saying relating to gratitude or thanksgiving. "And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." Col. 3:17
6. Insert your own random thought here. My sweet Emma has been home sick with strep throat and pink eye. Although it changed my week's schedule dramatically it has ended up being a sweet time. I got some house work done...and we watched cooking shows and chatted.
I've been looking through years of past posts. It helped me remember what I miss about blogging and gave me ideas for getting back into the habit of writing down the collective memory.
In the past it helped me to organize blogging by day of the week. Some of my favorites from the past were memes that I'm not sure are even in existence anymore.
There were very few bloggers I kept up with during my almost year long hiatus...
I've continued to follow Barbarah @ Stray Thoughts. I'm excited to start keeping up with The Week in Words again. I've been reading hers but not posting mine.
Wednesdays will also be easy...I've continued to follow Joyce @ From This Side of the Pond! I'm excited to re-join the weekly hodgepodge.
Five Minute Friday- I remember being a part of this meme and enjoying the challenge of writing on a topic for five minutes only.
I had created a few funny day tags of my own.
Tube Tuesday- a chance to share videos. I stopped this at one point because I was frustrated by technology. We'll see if I can now overcome that hurdle.
HIM Sunday- A play on words...a chance to share lyrics... HYMN/HIM...get it?!
Sew Saturday-I enjoy posting about current sewing projects...especially now that my daughter is a part of the fun. The issues I had with this was not being able to show the projects being worked on because they were gifts in progress and/or not really being able to show any progress because well, sometimes the progress is s l o w!
Caffeinated Randomness-this is rather self explanatory...and I really enjoyed these rambling posts. Definitely have to do those again.
I have followed several quilting blogs...but they don't generally have memes that I can feasibly keep up with...seriously, these women are *crazy* productive. I have also followed big christian blog conglomerate blogs...Desiring God, TGC, and Challis.
A sidenote: I used to also maintain another blog...predominantly for family not on Social Media. Frankly, Dear Void, I'm thinking of using that instead of Facebook...as I'm once again fed up with it all. Long.Story.Short...they had an app whereby I could simply check groups and not have to sift through the junk stuff but they took it away and now I'm annoyed, putting it mildly. I keep telling myself that there are people who live without the darn thing and there are people with better self control too...but I have ministry groups on there and not all communications make it to email...also, I'd probably never see pictures of my extended family if I got off. As sure as I say I'm going to take a break I have an urgent prayer need (Lubby went in the hospital last time I tried that) OR I get back on to realize I've left a person hanging regarding an important question or someone has died...It makes all of my people pleasing issues gang up and turn into hives! I have issues, Dear Void...*sigh*
Autumn is my favorite season. It is a time of amazing wonder at God's creation. Every year I think it's prettier than the year before. It is a time of slow down and speed up. Slowing down the outdoor activities, more cozy, quiet reading before a crackling fire, school is full scheduled mode. Speeding up for the approaching holidays, of ministry outreach activity, of preparations for winter.
Autumn is a time to consider stewardship. God owns everything and I own nothing. Everything I have, God has entrusted to me. I can either increase or decrease what I have. God wants me to increase it. I can be called into account at anytime, and it could be today.
Autumn is a time to remember things that brought me joy that I haven't made time for...things like blogging. It is also a time to realize the things I'm striving after that are exhausting and need to be let go. It's evaluating the balance and asking if it's bringing God glory...or if I'm just exhausting myself trying to build my own lame kingdom.
