Back to basics

This has been a rough summer in so many ways, I keep trying to get back to basics, but sometimes that is just hard to do.  I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  This much I KNOW.  God loves me and His love is never failing.  He has a purpose for me and my children and my children's children and He is faithful and just to get us all to the finish line.  If you are impressed please pray for my family.  Jeff needs wisdom in his knife business and favor at his "real" job, Corey needs a financial miracle, my Dad is still recovering from a recent surgery.  Several family members need to know God and we all need heart adjustments I'm sure.

Empty nest

Well Sarah is back at college, she finished her quilt all by herself and she did a great job.  Rachel is getting ready to start her senior year of high school, she doesn't come over as much as her sisters always did, so the house is really empty feeling.  Hopefully I will get to feeling good enough soon to get back to quilting and things I really love.  Looking forward to what this year will bring.  Trusting in God and dreaming big.

Time Flies

I can't believe this summer is almost over, seems like it just started.  I had so many things I wanted to get done this summer.  Oh well.  This has definitely been the year of my plans not working out but it's all good and I know God is in control. 

Sarah is leaving for college again next week!  It has been wonderful having her home, she is growing into a fine young woman and she loves God with her whole heart.  Rachel is going to be a senior and all that entails.  I just love that kid, she called me yesterday so excited about her senior pictures, can't wait to see them.  Abby thinks she may have found a grad school so praying it works out.  Stephanie is a senior at Texas Wesleyan, she has gone to school almost full time and held a full time plus job and is graduating with honors, so very proud of her.  Corey has started a new career and Whit is going into 8th grade.  I'm so proud of all of them.  God has been good to me.

I've not had much time this summer for quilting but I'm hoping to get back to it this fall.

Training a new generation

This summer, Sarah my step daughter has been learning to quilt.  She designed it, bought the fabric and has been working on it most of the summer.  She finished the quilt top yesterday.  It looks awesome!  So very proud of her.

As a Mother, it's always rewarding when one of your children likes some of the same things you like and then takes it that extra step and wants to learn from you.  I firmly believe in the biblical principle that older women should teach the younger.  It's all about handing down traditions.  My grandma quilted but for whatever reason I never learned how to quilt from her.  I want to be sure that any of my children or my childrens children that want to learn something from me have the opportunity to do so.  What a blessing.

Passages

Today we said goodbye to a dear friend, Nancy.  She planned her own funeral and it was probably one of the most awesome funerals I have ever attended.  It was uplifting and brought glory to God but also was all about her.  She was an amazing lady and will be greatly missed.  She was a true Proverbs 31 woman and her children have surely risen up and called her blessed.  Rest well sweet Nancy until we meet again.

The Puzzle Quilt

I am working on a puzzle quilt and it’s turning out pretty cool if I do say so myself! Lol

As I was sewing the pieces together this morning God started talking to me about our puzzle pieces. Wow, you see this quilt I’m working on is not a specific pattern, you just cut the pieces sort of randomly and sew them together, because of that they don’t always “meet” together exactly right. However, once you get them all sewn together you don’t even notice the little imperfections. You just see this beautiful splash of color and creativity. Scraps of cloth sewn together that bring joy, warmth, comfort and convey love. For me a quilt is a huge example of love. Someone took a lot of time and effort to make it and then gave it away.

That is how our lives are. We all have little segments of our lives that seem random, don’t exactly fit with our ideas, our wants, our desires, our plans. We have people that annoy us or bring us joy or occasionally bring us pain. Some of us have jobs we hate and jobs we love. We have family members and friends that are not walking the same path we are. But what would life be without all those little pieces that don’t seem to fit? Life is meant to be enjoyed, savored, even the mistakes and pain and hurt. They all work together to either make us forgiving and loving or angry and bitter. It’s our choice. God wants us to choose life and forgiveness, but He will never force us to do that, He gave us free will. But oh look how rich life can be if you choose the light and not the dark! We can be victorious over the pain, over the loss, over the hurt and despair. It’s a choice. Choose well my friends. Let Him come and heal your hurt and pain and wrap you in His quilt of love.