A Hard Lesson to Learn

I heard this song for the first time over two years ago, probably closer to three. Why is it that the simplest things are the hardest to learn? I'm still learning what it means to be on my knees.

I tried to embed the video, but I can't get it to work right. So, I provided the URL instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nG1PWtAcck

The Lord's Purpose

Today's verse of the day is from Psalms.

Psalm 138:8
8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

The reason this is significant to me is because the sermon Sunday was about the Lord's purpose for me. I fully believe my purpose is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that he as God came to earth to be a man, that he lived a perfect life, that he died on the cross for my sins, that he was buried, and on the third day came back to life, and that because he did this, I will live in Heaven with him forever.

So I know my purpose. And I'm fairly certain I know my gift, or talent as some would say. I believe that I have the gift of Benevolence. So I know my purpose, and I know my gift. So how do I use my gift to accomplish my purpose?

This is the question that has been rattling around my brain this week.

VIP Quilt, pt 2.

It's on it's way, it's on it's way, I'm so excited, it's on it's way! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

Okay, here's the story. If you recall, awhile back I mentioned a lady who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her name is Heather, and you can read her blog here. I felt especially close to the situation, because of my mom, and I felt called to make her a comfort quilt.

So I asked a mutual aquaintence to find out her favorite colors. The friend came back and said, "sagey greens." I found myself thinking, "Uh oh. What's a girl to do? All I have are brights!"

Except, after my mom got sick, I got some of her quilts and told her I would finish them for her. And wouldn't you know it, one of the quilts was .... drumroll please .... SAGE GREEN! The friend said it then, I'll say it now: It must have been a God thing!

Anyway, the quilt is now quilted, bound, labeled, and on it's way to Heather. Hopefully, it should get there either Monday or Tuesday.

This is the label. Simple seemed best.

A picture of me with the quilt.

A picture of a really cool sunset that I just had to share.

Isn't that color deliciously beautiful?

The VIP Quilt

I've been working on a quilt for a VIP. I am happy to report that it is finished. Except for the label. I plan on mailing it Saturday morning. Pictures (and link) to be added in an edit because my camera is hiding from me.

You will never understand.....

Wow. I found myself thinking these exact words earlier today. "Dale, you will never fully understand my depression and how I feel right now." And then I read this article. What a reality check!

After all, my mom told me less than six months into my marriage, "Men are not mind readers, don't expect Dale to be any different. You have to communicate." And I've tried, really tried, to communicate my feelings and thoughts.

Except lately. Lately, it just seems like everything is dark and hard to bear. But the challenge has been given. I must find a way to communicate to him so that he will understand entirely.

"Dale, this depression feels like having your entire box of Magic cards being soaked with dishwashing soap, but it also feels like not knowing what cards you have." Or.... "When you were overseas, and lonely in the middle of the night, and couldn't see the stars because of all the light pollution... that's how I feel. I feel like I can't see anything because it's so dark but also crowded out by the distractions of life, and I feel extremely lonely in this, because it's hard for me to vocalize it."

Or how about, "Dale, you know how you sink like a rock in the swimming pool? What if you were in the deep end and couldn't get to the surface? That's how I feel. Like I need a breath and can't get it because I can't seem to get to the surface."

Communication is everything.

Lil Bit Pictures

Oh boy oh boy oh boy. I got some absolutely GREAT pictures of Lil Bit this afternoon. The first one is my favorite, and I think.... I think I can say this is my best picture EVER!



Do you see the one tear in the corner of her eye?

This is the very next picture I took after the teary eyed one.








This look is the "Okay, Mom, I've had enough picture taking. Let me finish watching Blue's Clues now." :P

Quilting and Fabric Postcards

I made a fabric postcard today! These are real fun to make. This one is going to my friend Lynn.


This is a closeup of some of the flowers and the machine applique I used.



This is a quilt that my mother pieced. I'm quilting it, and I'm going to be sending it to a VIP. More about that later.


Some up close details of the cornerstones and pattern. This quilt isn't finished yet. It will be stitch in the ditch and nothing fancy.

I've had a really hard time with my quilting or even sewing since my mom passed away. I have also been battling with depression, made worse by a recent change in medicine. If any of you have fought this, you know what I mean when I say I have had a complete lack of interest in just about everything. My hope is that this postcard and this quilt will jump start my creativity again. Well, here's to sewing!

Comfort Food

There's just something about comfort foods. Something reassuring about having a food that your momma prepared for you as a child. For me, it's chipped beef and gravy over toast. Or potato soup. It's so reassuring that even though my mom is gone, that her legacy lives on in the simple act of preparing dinner for my family.

"I AM"

The question was asked in my Sunday Bible class, did Jesus ever specifically say "I am God" and not just "I am the Son of God"? So, I've been looking. And I can say, the answer is yes
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From Exodus 3:13-14, Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "
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Then from John 8:58, "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

Jesus uses the same "I AM" that God used. This is obvious because in verse 59, At this, they (the Jews) picked up stones to stone him.
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From John 18:1-9.
1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.
2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.

"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

7Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"
And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

8"I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go." 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."
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And from Mark 14:60-64
60Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" 61But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ,[f] the Son of the Blessed One?"

62"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

63The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 64"You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"
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Jesus said no less than 3 different times the phrase "I AM" resulting in what the Jews considered as blasphemy, because he was claiming to be God. They wanted to stone him for this.

To me, this is absolutely reassuring to me to find this. Jesus wasn't "just a man with God's DNA." He WAS and IS God Almighty! It was reassuring to me, and I wanted to share it with my blog friends.

Insomnia, pt. 2

3:30. 3:30! I don't have any clue as to why I did it. I'm EXHAUSTED, and the day hasn't even started. I'm grumpy, and have already snapped at the girls. I'm wondering.... coffee anyone?

Is it insomnia?

It's 2:13 am, and I'm exhausted, and I know I have a ton of work to do tomorrow (actually later today). So why am I not in bed? Is it insomnia? Is it old age? Is it inherited? (Thanks, Mom!) I'm going to go try to sleep now.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Beautiful eyes

Thought I would post a picture of my beautiful girl with the beautiful eyes. It's hard talking dominant and recessive genes with a soon to be third grader. She has these unique eyes. DH and I both have blue eyes. Little sister seems to have blue eyes. So why, how did she get these greenish eyes with flecks of gold? Anyways, here's her picture. :)

Blog Counter

I added a blog counter from BlogPatrol.com last night. I don't know why, but I have a curiousity as to how many people actually read my blog. The funny part is that all 6 visitors that are currently listed... are me, myself, and I. ROFLOL

And on a different note, today's letter of the day on Sesame Street is "J" which includes many different variations of the word "JUMP." Do you know how funny that is to watch a 2 year old jump just because someone on tv is jumping?

Maybe it's my lack of sufficient sleep that's making me a bit crazy right now. I simply must go to bed before 2 am.

Oh, one more thing......... Eragon. Read the book, skip the movie. :)

More books

5 Minutes for Mom is having another book drawing.

Post 101 and more practice pictures

I've been playing with my camera today. I took over 150 pictures. :O Here are a few of the results.






I so wish this last picture was in focus and not blurry. It is so beautiful.


Anyway, that's enough for today.
Hugs,
Melinda

Baby pictures

Sorry for the blurriness. She doesn't sit still for very long. LOL

Stargazer Lillies

Please keep in mind that since Dale "adjusted" his computer, that I've lost my photo editing software. Which is okay, since it forces me to take better pictures. :D

The Table, pt. 2

I said I would post a picture of the table, and here it is. I don't have any good photos of our apartment yet. Sorry.

I have also been reading a good photography blog called i speak film. The next photos I post are inspired by this lady. I'm also going to be posting some more buildings on my other blog, so make sure you check them out. :)

Hugs,
Melinda