Friday, August 27, 2010

Calling all friends and family!

My son's school is doing a very interesting donation fundraiser.

What do I mean by donation you may be asking?

Well each item in the catalog gives you a donation range. (12.50 to 17.00)

Please take a look at the catalog online.

If you would like to support my son's school let me know.

I will give you the needed information to make your purchases count for him and his school.

He has set himself a goal to receive at least 20 items ordered to join in on a fun lunch field trip!

Thank you to everyone that decides to help him make his goal!

If you would just like to make a donation just let me know.

This is great!

You Are Meant To Be - Steven Curtis Chapman for the new Veggietales movie!!!

I LOVED THIS!!!

Devotion – God is Knitting Together Our Lives, Despite Our Illnesses
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb,” (Psalm 139:13).

Knit one, purl one. Knit one, purl one. Knit one, purl one. Every summer my family would travel from Indiana to New York to visit my aunt for a week. During those visits, Aunt Marge always took time to teach me how to knit, crochet, sew, and embroider.

My aunt’s unconditional love for me was a portal through which I envisioned and believed that God loves me. Aunt Marge had shortcomings, just like everyone else, which helped me believe that a perfect God would continue to love me, in spite of my slipped stitches.

Years later, when I was pregnant with my first child, every month, without fail, I received a package from Aunt Marge. I eagerly opened each box to discover beautiful handmade baby clothes and blankets. What a demonstration of love! The hours involved in each creation were countless. And, of course, I, too, was sewing and crocheting for my baby-with the skills that Aunt Marge nurtured in me.

During my pregnancy, I “just happened” upon Psalm 139. I dearly love this metaphor of God knitting-my Heavenly Father sitting long hours in a rocking chair, lovingly creating me. I have a feeling that this same Needle Artist is just as active in my life now, repairing tears and patching my worn spots.

Those monthly packages, wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine, were the embodiment of my aunt’s unconditional love for me. Reminders of God’s love are packaged in the Bible-and tucked away in my heart, just waiting to be opened.

At the age of sixty, I am now a cherished antique, and must be handled with care. I need to accept who I now am-tattered though I may be. We can trust that God is still stitching and patching our lives, even though the patterns may include such dark threads as anxiety, pain, fear, discouragement, anger and grief.

Knit one, purl one. Knit one, purl one. Knit one, purl one.

About the Author:
Linda Elmore Teeple writes passionately about her personal foibles and flub-ups-and God’s gracious response. Happily married to Rex, Linda also enjoys being Mom, “Nina” (grandmother) and an almost-retired family therapist. She loves dogs, nature and dark chocolate. Fibromyalgia, arthritis and multiple spine issues challenge her to seek God in the midst of life’s challenges. You can connect with Linda at lindyteep@yahoo.com and her blog.

This story is from Rest Ministries Chronic Illness Pain Support Devotionals

Monday, August 23, 2010

A special thanks!

This is a post of special thanks going out to Annie she sent a special RAK to my son!

She had posted about one of her crochet pieces in the shape of an elephant... I had commented that I need to make sure my 11yr old son (who I catch often looking at the blogs from behind me) does not see this great piece as he loves elephants.

She then asked if she could send the piece to my son. I was shocked to the extent of her generosity and said sure she could send it to my son. She decided to finish it in the form of a needlebook for him since he has been learning to stitch.

He received the elephant today. He was so excited when he saw the elephant and hollered "HOW DID SHE DO THAT!" Then he realized there was even more to the surprise meaning that it was a needlebook to keep his needles safe. He then began to jump for joy and yell "YES! YES! YES!"

Thanks again Annie!

I think your surprise was very well received! Just look at this smile!!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Wishing my baby sister......

I woke this morning with a very warm feeling in my heart.

Remembering that my little sister was born 29 years ago today.

That was one of the best days of my life.

Happy Birthday Danielle!

I love you so very much!

Friday, August 20, 2010

I so needed this today

Friday, August 20, 2010

The cure for procrastination by Rick Warren

"There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength." Phil 4:13 (JB)

The Bible gives us five actions we can take to stop procrastinating.

1. Stop making excuses -- "The lazy man is full of excuses." (Proverbs 22:13 LB)
What have you been saying you're going to do -- one of these days? What do you make excuses about? The number one excuse I hear is, "When things settle down, then I'm going to ...." Things will never settle down. You must make a choice to priorities what is important.

2. Start today -- Not next month, next week, or tomorrow. "Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then." (Proverbs 21:1 GNT) None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow.

I want you to write down three things you know God wants you to do, one item each these three areas: your family, your personal life, and your career. Choose one of those three and decide to start today. Even if you can only work on your goal fifteen minutes a day, do it - you'll feel so much better!

3. Establish a planned schedule -- Proverbs 13:16 says, "A wise man plans ahead. A fool doesn't." (LB) If you fail to plan, you're planning to fail. You need to designate some specific time slots each week for the things you need to do. Whatever it is, put it on your calendar. And if it's a big task, break it down into small pieces. Break it into bite sized pieces.

4. Face your fears -- We hate to admit we have fears because we think they're a sign of weakness. But fear is a sign of humanity. Only fools are not afraid. You've heard it said, "Courage is not the absence of fear, it's moving ahead in spite of our fears."

The Bible says here is nothing you cannot master with the help of Christ who gives you strength.

5. Focus on what you gain, not the pain -- There are very few things in life that are easy. You must push through the frustration and look at the gain beyond the pain. Concentrate on how good you're going to feel once you've finished the task.

Galatians 6:9 says, "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we reap a harvest." (NLT)

Don't ask, "What do I feel like doing?" Instead ask, "What does God want me to do?"

Jesus never said life would be easy. There will be sacrifice and commitment. But there is tremendous reward when we do the things he calls us to do.

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There is a cost to procrastination

There is a cost to procrastination by Rick Warren

A lazy person has trouble all through life. Proverbs 15:19 (LB)

"Procrastination takes a problem and makes it a crisis. The longer you wait to start, the harder it becomes to begin."

When you procrastinate you're saying one of two things to yourself, "It's easier to avoid this than to face it" and that's wrong. The other one is "It will be easier to handle this tomorrow (or later)" and that's wrong too.

The Bible tells us that there is a cost to procrastination.

Procrastination causes problems -- The Good News translation of today's verse says, "If you're lazy you'll meet difficulty everywhere."

There was a time when I would frequently run out of gas. I'd watch the gas gauge going down, but I'd keep thinking, It's not convenient to fill up right now. I'll get to it later. And I always paid for it! It was always worse than if I had just stopped to take the time to fill up with gas.

How many home repairs have you been putting off? You know they're getting worse. One day you may go home to find something like the roof has fallen in! Because you let it get worse.

Procrastination takes a problem and makes it a crisis. The longer you wait to start, the harder it becomes to begin.

Procrastination wastes opportunities -- "If you won't plow in the cold, you won' eat at harvest." (Proverbs 20:4 LB) When opportunity knocks, open the door! Take the advantage while you've got it. If you don't, you'll miss it.

Procrastination hurts people -- Laziness prevents us from being loving. Love requires commitment, energy, and work. A lot of people just don't want to work at being loving; it's easier to be lazy. Many marriages break up because the root cause is laziness. Both partners knew exactly what needed to be done to make the marriage work but one spouse -- perhaps both spouses - are unwilling to make the effort necessary to save the marriage.

Procrastination causes problems with our children too. Lazy parents produce problem kids. How many times do we know the kids need to be disciplined but, because we're tired, we don't do it? For instance, we ask our kids to do something or clean something up and they resist. Rather than making an issue of it, we say, "Forget it! I'll do it myself." It's easier to give in than to discipline.

Prayerfully consider the price you may be paying for procrastination?

Why Do I Procrastinate?

Why Do I Procrastinate? by Rick Warren

Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17 (NIV)

"What have you been postponing? Ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?""

The Bible has a lot to say about procrastination. Just take a minute to read today's verse and really let it sink in. I know the things I ought to do and I don't do them. And I know the things I shouldn't do and I do those. But I procrastinate on the things I really want to change in my life. Why?

The Bible says you procrastinate for one of five reasons.

1. Indecision. "A double minded man is unstable in all he does." (James 1:8 LB) Have you ever sent a waiter away at a restaurant because you couldn't make up your mind? Indecision causes you to postpone buying a car, choosing a college, getting married, buying new clothes, changing a job.

2. Perfectionism. "If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!"

(Ecclesiastes 11:4 LB) If you wait for things to be perfect, you're going to wait a long time. You don't have the time or the money for things to be perfect.

3. Fear. "The fear of man is a trap." (Proverbs 29:25 LB) Have you been postponing going to the dentist? Or having that needed surgery? Or getting into marriage counseling? Sharing your faith at work? Ask yourself, "What am I afraid of?"

4. Anger. "A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive." (Proverbs 18:9 GNT)

Procrastination is a way to get back at people we don't like. We delay. Kids are great at procrastination. You ask them to clean up their room. They do it but they take so long doing it. One of the reasons may be that they're resisting your control. Procrastination is passive resistance. I don't want to do it because I don't like you telling me to do what I have to do. Anger causes us to put things off.

5. Laziness. "Lazy people want much but get little, while the diligent are prospering." (Proverbs 13:4 LB)

One of the most popular words in America is "easy." If it's easy, we like it. If it's hard, we don't like it. Can you imagine a best seller titled, "Ten Difficult Steps to Change Your Life" or "Fifteen Difficult Ways to Get in Shape"? If it's easy, we like it. If it's hard, we don't like it.

The next time you find yourself procrastinating, stop and ask yourself why. Then ask God to help you overcome it so you can move forward and do what you need to do.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Many ask me WHY?

Many ask me "Why I believe, Why I love and follow Jesus. How could I stand firm on my faith when I have been allowed to go through.... sexual abuse, multiple miscarriages, so much hurt, being allowed the pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia, polycystic kidneys and PTSD...?"

I think this poem says it all!

You Ask Me Why I Follow Jesus

You ask why I follow this Jesus?
Why I love Him the way I do?
When the world’s turned away from His teachings
And the people who serve Him are few.

It’s not the rewards I’m after
Or gifts that I hope to receive
It’s the Presence that calls for commitment
It’s the Spirit I trust and believe.

The Lord doesn’t shelter His faithful
Or spare them all suffering and pain,
Like everyone else I have burdens,
And walk through my share of rain.

Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose,
And that joy only Christians have known,
I never know what comes tomorrow,
But I do know I’m never alone.

It’s the love always there when you need it;
It’s the words that redeem and inspire,
It’s the longing to ever be with Him
That burns in my heart like a fire.

So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?
Well, friend, that’s so easy to see,
But the one thing that fills me with wonder is
Why Jesus loves someone like me.

– Author Unknown

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Just thought I would share

As some of you know.
My 11 yr old son was trying his hand at some cross stitch.
Has decided to switch to stamped cross stitch, since I was having to mark his aida for him to know where to stitch.
Anyway, I would love to share with you his first cross stitch piece. Pattern picked out by him, stitched by him and even modified by him as he said his kitty needed a smile.

Friday, August 06, 2010

Popcorn

Well I have finished another UFO. This makes number 8 for 2010!

He is Popcorn the bear... he was one of those freebies that come with the stitching magazines you buy.
I have realized that most of my UFO's are pieces that I made a mistake and could not figure out where.... and since I hate mistakes I put the piece down and find something else to work on.

Well this one I could still not find the mistake but I decided to keep going and finish it anyway.

Yes, I am slowly getting better when it comes to leaving mistakes that do not seem to show.

I just need to figure out what I will finish this one into.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Destiny - Meet the girls

This is square 5 of 16 squares. I will be stitching each girl twice so I can make a quilt for each of my daughters.

This is my 7th needlework (counted cross stitch or hardanger) finish for 2010!

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Who ever thought....

Our cat Mittens fell asleep on my son's skateboard.

The only thing I could think of saying is,
"I know skateboarding can be tiring for kids but cats too! LOL"