Pondering

God brings you to places in your life that most of the time as christians we question. 

(seriously, why are we always questioning GOD? )
He puts us in situtations (perhaps uncomfortable ones) to lead us places.

About 3 years ago i walked into a brand new fabric store with a frappichinno in my hand
And one of the best friends i have ever had by my side. We walked in ( no children ) and it was glorious. I think the sky may have opened up and angels started to sing.
As we were walking around fondling fabric Jen's phone rang.
We had to leave the fabric store immediatly and run back to her apartment. Her refrigorator had broken and the landlord was replacing it, right then. We emptied the old frig and awaited a new one to load back up.
Anyway, after a while we did get to return to our glorious fabric shopping. I think we both purchashed some amazing amy butler on that trip and some heather bailey nicey jane. (i could be wrong)  this was my first visit to the store. Jen, moved away.... And i continued to go into this store, weekly. It was one of those places that you could just go and talk to like minded people. A community.  I got to know the owner Beth, and the lovely girls who worked their, Emma and Kourtney. They became friends. Anyhoooo, the reason i am telling you all this is because in 2012 some ladies wanted a place to have a Modern Guild to meet and beth very generously offered her store as a place for these meetings to happen once a month. Beth told me about it and i went. Now i will tell you something you may not know about me. I do not enjoy going places i dont know anyone. I feel awkard and uncomfortable and i just dont like it. If i have a friend with me irs a completely different story, but i did not know a soul. God placed me there to meet some incrediable ladies whom i have become very good friends with, some of them very close friemds with.
Exactly where i sat amoungst all the women there was exactly appointed by God. I did not know it but i was surronded by believers. I think it may have taken 6 months or so of getting to know them and realizing the woman 4 of us are christians. It has been lovely getting to know them.
Anyway, i just want to encourage you to do things that are out of our comfort zones. Good, amazing things are coming for me. Great things that i am so very excited to share with you.
Sometimes God pushes us in a direction thats uncomfortable. Go with it. You just might be able to look back 3 years later and see how God put in place amazing things just for you. 

Dear 2014

Dear 2014,

I am praying that you are a better year then 2013. Don't get me wrong I did some amazing things I never thought that I could or would have been capable of, but I am happy you are over. There I said it.
I made a lot  of quilts this year. In fact in just the month of November I made 5.  I designed all of them and I was very very pleased to give them to some very very special people in my lives... I did keep one for the sofa.

We also began our homeschooling journey. (never ever in a million years did I think I would write that sentence) A Kindergartner and a Ninth Grader. It is Amazing and I am so Blessed that we followed where we felt God was leading us.

I watched our wonderful Lulu pass away. She was a wonderful fuzzy gentle love for almost 12 years of  my family. It was hard. We miss her. I miss her still.  We Welcomed 2 weeks ago into our family a new fuzzy boy. Buckrams Happy Happy Happy,but that is his formal name we just call him Wally. He is A LOT of work and I am looking forward to when he is a little more grown up and can really truly be part of the family. Although I love (almost) every moment with him..... especially when he is napping.



I watched our oldest daughter slipping away. It hurts. Its a heavy burden and I CAN NOT carry it on my own. I have to give it over to God and allow him to work in her life. Let me tell you, its not easy. We love her but like I have said before, God her heavenly Father loves her more and has a plan for her life. So thank you to all that have been keeping her lifted in prayer. Please continue to do so.

I also met some wonderful new good friends. And who would have thought I would meet a bunch of Christian girls in our quilt guild. WHAT a BLESSING. I can't even tell you. I really can't tell you. Its crazy how and where God places people in your life.

I was baptized this fall and we found a  church where I feel like I am truly being taught the word. So happy about that.

I am not going to make any resolutions but I am  going to try harder this year to be better at planning dinners .... and getting housework done. I want to blog more again,  I want to open up my etsy store and sell handmade quilts that I design. I also want to work on public speaking and I would also like to add to my list a showing of my photographs in a gallery..... (one can dream)  So my list isn't too big. Oh and I have to think of a word for this year. My word last year was Beloved.  I still need to focus on that word....

anyway, out with the old... in with new. (is that the saying)

Good bye 2013, I learned a lot about myself this year, this the last year of my third decade....  i pray that I can put all that I learned to good use. Helping others in their hard times.  that would make it all worth while.

Amy

Triangle quilt

IF you take a look at my pinterest  Quilting board 

I have pinned a lot  of very interesting triangle quilts. 

I knew I wanted to make one with solids and one print. 

I wanted it to be soft and cuddly for the sofa. 

The cutting of all the triangles took the most time. 

I kept hitting the ruler with my blade and went thru a few blades in the process. 

I tried to use fabrics I had on hand. 

And the print came from my friend. She brought me some fat quarters from a trip to Niagara Falls.
It was perfect. 

In the quilt I used some blue  cotton couture. It was incredibly soft and I knew it would make the perfect back for my cuddly quilt. 

 I just kept it simple and echoed all the seams by 1/4 inch on all sides.

 I absolutely love the back.
Where the triangles all intersected it made a perfect star. 

For the binding I went with a Denyse Schmidt. 

I LOVE IT! 

It is just as soft and cuddly as I had dreamed it would be. 

 

I also treated myself to Sunday Morning Quilts. 

I love all the inspiration in this book. 

You never know

I met someone today and shared with them what was happening in my life. How God is working in our Emily's life and what amazing things are beginning to take place. When I was done sharing with her and praising God she looked at me and said, " you'd never know. Your smiles and happy every week when I see you." Man, I have to say that made me happy. It made me feel that I am trusting in The Lord to take are of Emily. I am not taking on the stress of the situation I instead and giving that to The Lord. Praise God. I don't want to wear the stresses of my life. I don't want them hanging heavy on my shoulders. I want to follow God and what his word tells us.

Psalm 55:22 

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 4:7 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6-7 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 John 4:18 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:28  

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:2-4 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

a resume

This Sunday, in church our pastor was talking about a resume. In particular Paul's resume . 

It was impressive. 

He then asked the question. What's on your resume. 

When He was talking about that I started to feel things. 

Things stiring inside me. 

Someone had asked me the day before, 

"What did you do before you were a Mom?"

I answered, " I have been a Mom since the age of 19. " 

I don't think she was expecting this answer, as she had had a professional career 

before being a mom.

For some crazy reason in this society we live in this answer just doesn't seem to cut it. 

it should, but women tend to look down at other women for this very answer. 

If I had to write a resume,

I could put down a lot of different jobs. 

I could but down Wife, Mother, Friend. 

Blogger, Quilter, Crafter, Photographer. 

Oh I might just put down Artist... 

I can add Home schooling Mom to that list and 

interior designer. 

But whenever I think about myself, I often feel I can do many things

but I don't excel at any of them. 

(now I know that the thought is straight from the Devil) 

I want to see myself as a child of God. Beloved. 

I want to be a nurturing  person who lives for the Lord. 

I want people to see his light in me. 

I want people to see the miracles that God has so graciously

preformed in my life. 

Like Restoring my Marriage. 

I want to shout it from the roof tops. 

GOD is the only reason my marriage is alive. 

God restored my marriage. 

God healed our broken hearts .

I want that to be my legacy. 

I want people to know that God wants to heal them

no matter what the circumstance, 

failed marriage, adultery, feeling betrayed. 

God can heal it and make it new. 

Our daughter has walked away. This summer she walked away. 

I was so angry. I was mad. 

God. Please don't tear my family apart a second time. 

I can't bear it. 

I cried that on my knees. With all of my being. 

I cried it out to God. 

I felt as if I had failed Emily. 

I felt like such a failure as her MOM. 

I was so sad and heartbroken for a few weeks. and then God gently reminded me

"I love her more" 

"I love her more then you could ever love her. I have her. She has turned her back on me.
Let me handle this. Give it over to me"

I can not tell you the peace I felt about her when I pray this.

I pray that God will use these circumstances to give her 

a heart for the Lord.

back to my resume.
I think my ultimate resume would be this

Proverbs 31:10

^10 [b]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

My Favorite part of that scripture is

Her Children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

Oh How i have to read that over and over again. My job is to
 1. Live for Christ so that others see him in me.
2. Be like this Proverbs 31 10: 31 woman.

And someday when I stand before my Judge I want to hear the words.
Well, done, my beloved. Well done. 

thoughts

Funny and sad how instagram has changed blogging. 

I have been so busy with life and everything else that goes along with it that

I don't really feel like devoting time to blogging. 

That last statement is both true and sad to me. 

I LOVE homeschooling and I am so very happy and blessed that 

my kids are loving it as well. 

I finally found a church I am being fed in. 

I am so happy that Sara is thriving in this home environment. 

She even got a job at the local hardware store twice a week. 

She is loving her youth group as well. 

It is good. It is wonderful. 

We are adjusting to this life, Summer had some of the strangest 

craziest things happen. We are adjusting. 

Ww lost our puppy LULU  (11 1/2 years old) 

the Second week of September. 

It has been so sad without here. 

I miss her. 

I miss her barking. 

I just plain miss her. 

Maddie keeps asking when we will be getting a new puppy. 

My husband and I want to very different breads.

I would like another female bearded collie

and he wants a male german shepherd. 

hmmm. 

We may just end up getting 2 puppies and raise them up 

together. 

People think we are crazy. 

We are. 

I don't care what people think. 

Even though there is a lot of craziness going on

God is good. 

He blesses us. 

He continually blesses us. 

I will end with some lulu pics. 

the day we brought her home. 

Here she is about 10 months old. 

Em is probably around 8 and sara is 3

what lies ahead.

A day before we left. Sara Shared with us that she had been thinking about being home schooled. 

she thought it would be a great idea for her. 

She will be entering 9th grade. 

(in 2 weeks) 

oh boy. part of me was yelling HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY. 

while part of me was saying... OH NO this kids smarter then I am .... How will I teach her.

Oh that devil he tells us lies. doesn't he..... 

but rest assured... I spoke to a good friend that home schools her 4 girls

(1 in high school) 

and I am confident.

I. CAN. DO. THIS. 

I love that this girl of ours wants to be HOME. 

Home to build Character. Morals. Christian Values. 

I love that at such a vulnerable time in her life when 

most 14 year olds want nothing to do with their parents, 

well, mine does. 

Man I am welling up inside.

I am so happy and feel incredibly blessed that I 

will get to nurture and shape her just a little longer. 

You see as I am writing these words 

God is making me think about some things. 

Sara was only about 2 when I had to go to work full time 

crazy hours. 40 plus a week. 

My sister watched her. 

What a BLESSING that was and still is.

But I missed out. 

I have always felt that I missed out. 

and now God is granting me this extra time with my little girl

while she is growing into a incredible young lady. 

I can't be more excited. 

I can't even begin to tell you all that this means to me. 

Especially at the season in my life 

where so many changes have been happening 

in our lives / family / work 

Sara, she makes me smile. And laugh, and think. 

She makes me twitchy with her love for MATH. 

she makes me sing praises for the gifts that GOd has given her. 

and she is humble what a beautiful quality. 

It is going to be an exciting and wonderful journey we are about to begin in 

a short few weeks. A journey that is going to be hard at times and lovely at times. 

I can not wait.