GoldenAngelsWorks

THE BUZZARD, THE BAT AND THE BUMBLEBEE

2012-01-20T21:31:00.004-07:00

ENDS UP WITH EXCELLENT ADVICE

THE BUZZARD
If you put a buzzard in a pen/coop that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

THE BAT
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

THE BUMBLEBEE
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem... just look up!

Sorrow looks back,
WORRY LOOKS AROUND,
But faith looks up!
Live simply,
love generously,
care deeply,
speak kindly, and
trust in our Creator,
who loves us.

Share this with a friend... I just did.

Wet Pants

2012-01-12T14:56:00.001-07:00

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....
There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden,
there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet.
He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly
imagine how this has happened.

It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find
out he will never hear the end of it.
When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.
The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with
a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a class mate
named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is
filled with water. Susie trips in front of the
teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water
in the boy's lap.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is
saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!'
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule,
the boy is the object of sympathy.

The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts
to put on while his pants dry out.

All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning
up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful.
But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been
his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.
She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done
enough, you klutz!'

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the
bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers,
'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie
whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'
May God help us see the opportunities that are always around
us to do good..

Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more
than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Each and everyone one of us is going through tough times
right now, but God is getting ready to bless you
in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.
This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards.
Let's continue to pray for one another.

The Prayer:

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those
that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now.
Show them a new revelation of Your love and power.
Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy..
Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace.
Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs.
Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.
Amen.

A new look for the New Year!

2012-01-01T13:49:00.002-07:00

What do you think?

Sarah's giveaway

2012-01-01T08:53:00.001-07:00

Sarah is having a giveaway to celebrate the New Year! CLICK HERE

Come join in the fun.CLICK HERE

My little stitching bug is sitting on my shoulder and saying "I hope I win! I hope I win!" LOL
CLICK HERE

Loved my visit

2011-12-28T21:56:00.001-07:00

I got to have my grandson come for a visit today. Here are some pics to share with you.
We were all in Heaven although, the visit just did not seem to be long enough.

FInished

2011-12-26T20:08:00.000-07:00

I finished the KU Bird into a pillow and the co-worker that wanted me to make this absolutely LOVED it!

Even other co-workers liked it.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

2011-12-25T07:28:00.001-07:00

May today bring you lots of love, happiness and joy!
Always good when it can include stash but the others are more important.

This is 'Faith'

2011-12-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002.
He was born with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg
which need to be amputated.

He of course could not walk when he was born.
Even his mother did not want him. His first owner also did not think that he could survive. Therefore, he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'.

By this time, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted
to take care of him. She is determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself. Therefore she named him 'Faith'.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfing board to let him feel the
movements. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him to stand up and jump around. Even the other dog at home also helped to encourage him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his 2 hind legs and jumped to move forward. After further training in the snow, he now can walk like a human being.

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he just attracts all the people around him.

He is now becoming famous on the international scene. He has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows.There is even one book entitled 'With a little faith' being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies. His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'.

In life there are always undesirable things. Perhaps one will feel better if one changes the point of view from another direction.

I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to
everyone and that everyone can appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day that follows.

Faith is the continual demonstration of the Strength of Life. A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this circulating. All you are asked to do is keep this circulating. Even If it's to one more person.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

2011-12-23T16:50:00.004-07:00

A Stitcher's Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, and, oh, I was weary.
My stitching unfinished, my eyes getting bleary.
The stockings weren't finished, the chimney was bare.
And I knew that morning soon would be there.

My children and husband were tucked in their beds,
But visions of backstitches ran through my head.
I'd stitched ornaments and presents and gifts by the ton,
And now, I was finally, almost, almost done.

As I poised my needle for one more backstitch,
I heard something outside that made my hand twitch.
I jumped up from my stitching, and flew to the door,
Pressed my eye to the peephole, tip-toe off the floor.

My stitching forgotten, I peered into the night.
When suddenly, I got a terrible fright.
On my porch appeared Santa, holding his sack.
He knocked softly, and I took a giant step back.

I unlocked the deadbolt, and let Santa in,
He entered and gave a mischievous grin.
"Hope you don't mind if I come in the door?"
"Coming down the chimney can be quite a chore."

He said "You're up late. Still working I see."
"Do you know how tired you're going to be?"
"I know, Santa," I said, with a sigh,
"But I'm still backstitching the stars in the sky,"

"And the fields on that stocking look blobby you know,
I need to backstitch the drifts in the snow.
I've been stitching and stitching and stitching, no rest.
I just tried to finish stitching too much, I guess."

"I know what you mean," he said with a smile.
"This is my busiest time of the year, by a mile."
He stooped down by the tree, and he opened his sack,
And began to pull presents out of his pack.

"I've got some things here I think you might like,
An oak stitching frame, and a brand new Ott-Light.
A bundle of floss, and a great big mat cutter,"
I smiled and felt my heart go a-flutter.

He put down gifts for us all, then he waved his right hand.
"Go to bed," he said, glancing at my floor stand.
He gave me a wink, and stepped out the door.
I just stood there a moment, glued to the floor.

After he'd left, I turned back to my chair,
Picked up the stockings, and started to stare.
The backstitching was done! The stars lit the sky!
And on my son's stocking angels sung on high.

I ran to thank Santa for this final gift,
And watched as his sleigh started to lift.
I heard him exclaim as he pulled out of sight,
"Merry stitching to all, and to all a good night!"

My silly idea

2011-12-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

One of my blogger friends, Kristy had posted how to darn socks. Click here!
I took that idea and had darned one of hubby's sock heels.... still waiting to see what he thinks after wearing it.

Well one of my favorite sweatpants got a couple holes in the butt near the center seam. LOL

So I decided to use that darning method.
I cut a little of the area to make darning it in a heart shape easier.
I think I did a good job....
What do you think?????

A special video

2011-11-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here is to wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

My family could not resist in sending you also a early Christmas Message!

Another finish

2011-11-14T15:35:00.000-07:00

This was a quickie that I just finished as finish #36 for 2011.

Pattern is a Lucie Heaton freebie called Happy Frog.

Just a quick reminder

2011-11-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Christmas is coming faster than we can believe....

Just a reminder that I have blankets, baby hats and jewelry for sale.

You may go to one of my pages to see what kind of work I do... but please go to my Sale/Trade album to find out what is for sale.

Click here or the words Sale/Trade.

The more I sell the more I have to spend on my kids for Christmas.

A great source

2011-11-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a great place to get your crafting books as well as non-crafting books.

I have gotten some wonderful stitching, beading books, and stitching aid's through Crafter's Choice.

Right now they are having a sale you get 4 books for .99each and a free gift!

To go to check it out click HERE.

Yahoo a happy dance!

2011-11-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

I am doing a happy dance today! Finish number 35 for 2011!

A coworker who has been watching me do my stitching..
She is paying me to make the pattern and stitch this for her family member's Christmas gift.
She kept getting excited at watching it progress as I would stitch it on breaks and on the commute to work.

So without further ado.... Here is her KU bird.

Hubby's Halloween Costume

2011-10-31T05:29:00.000-07:00

This is my hubby in his Halloween costume for the company costume contest.

RIP William Franklin Ullrich

2011-10-26T19:44:00.000-07:00

My oldest daughter came home to find that her beloved gopher tortoise William had passed away.

It was a very gruesome sight and I am so sorry she found him.
She was given him in 2009 for Christmas by her boyfriend.
They both said goodbye to him as we buried him.

Please say a prayer for the two of them to find comfort during this time.

So Good!

2011-10-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

I saw this on my friend Kim's blog and loved it so much I had to share!!! Thanks Kim!

(Please visit her blog... she has some wonderful posts including her 2 week review of the Chevy Traverse. She has also done a review on the Chevy Malibu. What a lucky lady to be able to drive these vehicles for 2 weeks and be able to give them and us her opinion.)

My son's second stitching accomplishment

2011-10-10T19:15:00.001-07:00

My youngest boy wanted me to share with you a big accomplishment of his.

If you all remember previously my son tried his hand at counted cross stitch.

He really does not care for stamped cross stitch but he decided he would try it anyway with this special piece.

Now this piece has another run of first's for him....
He learned to handwash his stitching, iron his stitching, sew it into a pillow, stuff the pillow and then sew the pillow closed.

Here he is proudly showing off the front and back of his piece.

I became a grandma today!

2011-10-02T18:30:00.003-07:00

Announcing my first grand baby Tristen James Andrew!
We can not take baby pictures without having a screaming pic. LOL
(Please ignore the date stamp as I did not realize it had not been reset after changing the battery)

New finishes

2011-09-27T19:46:00.001-07:00

As I had discussed in a previous post...
I was asked to make quilt squares for a wedding quilt.

I had posted the first and second squares as some of my finishes.
I guess in some way I can count the 23 other squares as individual finishes.... so here are 12-34th finishes of 2011.
(don't mind the date on the pics... forgot to change the date after putting in a new battery... OOPS)

upclose view of the two small squares.

Here is the large poem square that is supposed to be in the center of the quilt to be made.

Here is the pic of all the squares hanging during drying.

Doing a major happy dance

2011-09-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine is celebrating her second year of life that the dr's said she would never see due to cancer.

Please help me send the happy thoughts to her by posting a uplifting message here.

May you have many more joyful years to spend with your wonderful family VELDA!!!

Sharing my birthday with you.

2011-09-11T21:09:00.004-07:00

It first started off last night when I chopped my hair and bought the bottle to color it.
I am not sure how much I like the cut but you cannot change what has been done. LOL
My daughter decided that she would do the coloring part of my new look.

Then I get up and there is a message on freecycle about a florist shop that is giving away free a dozen roses to whomever shows up. The catch is you have to give a rose to 11 people and keep one for yourself in remembrance of 9-11.

So in the memory of those lost and in doing my own birthday wish I went and picked up my dozen roses.
I got at least 2 hugs from strangers and got so many Happy Birthdays today. It felt good.

I also had a birthday celebration today with my family. I got a stuffed Eeyore, Eeyore pajamas, angel earrings, angel windchime, and white moccasins bootie shoes.

The only bad part of my day was when I was on my way to get my dozen roses I seen a car accident.
I had to pull over for a while as I cried hysterically and prayed that God would wrap His loving arms around the lady that was in the accident.

This talks to all of us!

2011-09-11T20:12:00.001-07:00

This was sent to me today in email.

Why Does God Allow Evil?
by Rick Warren

This is the crisis we're in: God's light streamed into the world,
but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness ...
because they were not really interested in pleasing God. John 3:19 (Msg)

The horrific mass murder of innocent Americans on 9/11 left all rational
people shocked, angry, grief-stricken and numb. Our tears flowed freely
and our hearts carried a deep ache.

With pain is so heartfelt and so personal, it’s only natural to ask,
Why does God allow such evil to happen? If God is so great and so good,
why does he allow human beings to hurt each other?

The answer lies in what is both our greatest blessing and our worst curse:
our capacity to make choices. God has given us a free will.
Made in God's image, he has given us the freedom to decide how we will
act and the ability to make moral choices. This is one asset that sets us
apart from animals, but it also is the source of so much pain in our world.
Every one of us is capable of making selfish, self-centered or even evil choices.
Whenever that happens, people get hurt.

Sin ultimately is selfishness.
I want to do what I want, not what God tells me to do.
Unfortunately, sin always hurts others, not just ourselves.

God could have eliminated all evil from our world by simply removing
our ability to choose. He could have made us puppets --
marionettes on strings that he pulls.
By taking away our ability to choose, evil would vanish.

But God doesn't want us to be puppets.
He wants to be loved and obeyed by creatures who freely, voluntarily
choose to love him and each other.
Love is not genuine if there is no other option.

Yes, God could have kept the terrorists from completing their suicidal missions.
He could have short-circuited their ability to choose their own will instead of his.
But, to be fair, God also would have to do that to all of us.
While you and I aren't terrorists, we do hurt others with our own selfish
decisions and actions.

In a world of free choices, God's will is rarely done!
Doing our own will is much more common -- much easier.
Don't blame God for the tragedy of 9/11.
Blame people who ignored what God says to do:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."

In heaven, God's will is done perfectly.
That's why there is no sorrow, pain or evil there.
But this is earth, a fallen, imperfect place.
We must choose to do God's will every day. It isn't automatic.
That is why Jesus told us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

The Bible explains the root of evil:
"This is the crisis we're in:
God's light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere
ran for the darkness ... because they were not really
interested in pleasing God" (John 3:19, Message).
We're far more interested in pleasing ourselves than we are in
pleasing the one who made us.

Many other questions race through our minds during dark days,
but the answers will not come from pollsters, pundits or politicians.
We must look to God and his Word for comfort and direction,
for answers to our questions.
We must humble ourselves and admit that each of us often chooses to
ignore what God wants us to do.

I suspect houses of worship across America have been packed this
weekend, as they were the weekend after 9/11.
In times of crisis we cry out to connect with our Creator.
The urge is deep-seated and universal.
The first words uttered by millions on Sept. 11, 2001, were, "Oh, God!"

We were made for a relationship with God, but he waits for us to choose him.
He is ready to comfort, guide and direct us through our grief.
But the choice is ours.

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.,
one of America's largest and most influential churches.
Rick is author of the New York Times Best Seller The Purpose Driven Life.
His book, The Purpose Driven Church, was named one of the 100 Christian
books that changed the 20th century. He is also founder of Pastors.com,
a global Internet community for pastors. © Copyright 2011 Rick Warren.

It's that time again!!!

2011-09-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

Time for my birthday wish not for myself, but for others. (since the attack this has been a yearly request.).

That always seems so well needed and not meant to offend anyone in any way..

My birthday (for those that do not know I was born on 9-11) request is:
Say hi or I am happy to see you or even say a prayer or send good thoughts for someone you do not know.

I know that this request I made after 9-11, it has really blessed a lot of people for those that fulfilled the birthday wish.

I have had so much happen around my birthday that I can't help, but try to really help out those around me not necessarily financially but emotionally. (Terrorist attack 9-11-01 and father passed 9-06-04 and then Katrina hit 8-28-05)

So let's just pull together with love, understanding, compassion and faith that all will work out.

Thanks to those that feel the desire to fulfill my birthday wish!

I miss you dad!

2011-09-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

I am writing this to remember my father who passed away to go to Jesus' waiting arms on Labor Day September 6th 2004!

You are missed daily!

WOW

2011-09-05T17:46:00.002-07:00

This was wonderful.

HE SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

If you ever feel that you are so insignificant that God does not care about you or that He does not want to listen to your prayers, you will be encouraged by Romans 8:32. There, you are assured that your heavenly Father loves you unconditionally. There was nothing so precious to Him that He would not give it up in order to provide for your salvation. When the Father gave His precious Son to save you, He proved once for all that His love is boundless.

The apostle Paul concluded that if God would not spare His own Son in order to provide for our salvation, how would He not willingly give anything else at His disposal in order to care for us? He sacrificed so much to give us eternal life that we can rest secure in the knowledge that He also wants to give us abundant life (John 10:10). In light of what God did for us at the cross, should we not approach the throne of grace with confidence? God’s response to our prayers is not based upon our worthiness but upon His love and grace. Our confidence in prayer comes not from who we are but from who He is. Nothing we could ask of Him could ever compare with the price He paid for us at the cross.

How wonderful to know that God loves us so much! We can live with confidence and anticipation knowing that almighty God is willing not only to give us eternal life, but also to help us experience it fully!

Blackaby Ministries Found here.

Some inspirational songs that talked to me today....

2011-08-25T12:52:00.007-07:00

I loved this song when I heard it. God is really talking to me these days as each test comes it's way and it just makes my faith stronger and look forward to the day I can give him a big hug.

This song "strong enough" really talks to me. There have been so many times I wondered how God thinks I can handle everything I go through during this life.

Matthew West - Strong Enough
From the album The Story of Your Life

You must, You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through

Well forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

(Chorus)
I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us

Well, maybe, maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up
Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

Chorus

Cause I'm broken
Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God
and You are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Chorus

Which brings me to one of my favorite sayings... If God brings you to it he will help you through it!

Something we all need to think about!

2011-08-11T14:36:00.002-07:00

If you are Not being treated with love and respect, check Your price tag. Perhaps You have marked Yourself down. It's YOU who tells people what you are worth by what You accept. Get off the clearance rack and get behind the glass where the valuables are kept! Learn to value Yourself more! If you don't no one else will!

something new

2011-08-10T18:02:00.000-07:00

I made this necklace and bracelet for a co-worker.
I really like how it turned out and I hope she likes it and enjoys it.

How neat is that...

2011-08-10T16:17:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on the bus on my way home... doing my usual reading of The Left Behind series.
A guy came in the back door of the bus and starts saying....
"You need to accept Jesus as savior of your life!" He kept going with his little sermon.
People on the bus including the driver were kind to him and let him speak.
Then after about 2 or 3 minutes people on the bus and the driver said we need to get moving again.
The guy and the bus driver exchanged their God Bless You's and it was back on the road for us.

That was such a neat thing to witness.
It is not often that you see the love and kindness expressed without all the hate being added in.

I pray that you will have a Blessed day and a wonderful rest to end your day.

Ok safe to say....

2011-07-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

That I definitely have had a smoking needle to have two updates in less than a week.

Hope you like how it is going.... I now can see just how tall this piece will be.

Time to head for bed as I have some long hours the next 3 days at work.
Hopefully I can find stitching time as this drive I have to stitch this piece feels like a major addiction. LOL

Wishing my baby boy....

2011-07-26T05:44:00.000-07:00

Wishing my baby boy a very HAPPY 12TH BIRTHDAY!!!!
Seems like yesterday you were born.... yet from day one you were ready to zoom!
You have such a love of life and seem to give the world your love any chance you can.
I LOVE YOU!

Yippee!!!!

2011-07-24T16:12:00.001-07:00

My oldest daughter is back from camp and with her came my camera. Yippee!!

So here is your long awaited update of Jesus Wept!

I am really having fun stitching this one... right now it is like a major stitching addiction... I stitch until my eyes can no longer stay awake...
Work keeps getting in the way though so time to stitch is not often enough.

Here is another one and a request....

2011-07-17T16:08:00.004-07:00

I just finished this towel that makes 11 finishes for 2011.

(UPDATE: I used DMC's variegated thread on this one)

**************************************************************************
My request is for any reader that wants to comment to please not advertise about other blogs.
I may post about other blogs but that is my choice.

I have not been screening the comments left on my blog and hope I will not have to start.

If you would like me to visit your blog or a blog you have found then please email me.

This blog is for me to share my life, family, my love of my art that God has given me and have readers get to know me and smile at what they read and see.

Thank you.

Been working on

2011-07-17T12:50:00.003-07:00

I have been working on a few things.
I still do not have my camera but I put my stitching in plastic and used the scanner.
Hubby does not like me using the scanner for my stitching as the thread and material fibers get into the glass and makes things not come out clear.

At least I am able to still share some things.... pics of Jesus wept and RMC will have to wait for the camera to return.

Anyway here are a few pics.

The first one is my hardanger stocking that has been previously posted but now it has a hanger on it.

The next one is a teddy in a stocking ornament. (finish10 for 2011)

The next two are quilt squares that a friend asked me to stitch for a wedding quilt. (There will be 12 of each design made.) (finish 8 and 9 of 2011)

Wishing my beautiful baby girl...

2011-07-07T17:10:00.000-07:00

I am wishing my beautiful baby girl a very Happy 15th Birthday!

Seems like yesterday I was going to toy stores looking for pretty doll clothes for you to wear!

This is Patty's first t-shirt from ToysRus which I stitched her name on in my handwriting.

OH MAN

2011-07-01T07:44:00.001-07:00

There is alot going on in my life right now .... I won't go into detail here but I will answer any email...

Anyway, I get this in my email and it basically was like God immediately trying to call me down and keep me focused....

STAY FOCUSED by Rick Warren

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” Hebrews 12:2 (GNT)

A number of years ago, I made a list of young pastors in America that I thought needed prayer, just like people prayed for me when I was just starting Saddleback Church. Ten years later, as I look back on that list, half of those guys aren’t even in ministry anymore. They flamed out financially, emotionally or morally. They are no longer serving God.

Life is not a 50-yard dash; it is a marathon. I want you to make it to the finish line. The only way to do that is to focus on Jesus, not your circumstances. As Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.” To endure the unendurable you must see the invisible – Jesus.

In dog obedience training, they put a dog at one end of a room and its master at the other end of the room, with a plate of food in the middle. And then the master calls the dog. If the dog eyes the food, he’s a goner; he’ll go straight for it. So they teach the dog to focus his eyes on the master. If the dog keeps his eyes on the master, he won’t be tempted. Instead of heading for the food, he’ll head straight to the master.

You need to keep your eyes on your master or you’ll get distracted. Get your mind off your circumstances and your problems and focus on God’s goodness to you in your past, his closeness to you in your present and his power to help you in your future. Do what Jonah did as he sat in the belly of the great fish: “When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord” (Jonah 2:7 LB).

If you find yourself at a point where you’ve lost hope and you think you’re never going to get a job, or you’re never going to get married, or you’re never going to have a baby, or you’re never going to get over your illness, turn your thoughts to the Lord and focus on him.

Take a look at this new curriculum from Saddleback Resources: Raising Your Kids without Raising Your Blood Pressure

Happy Father's Day and Happy Birthday!!!

2011-06-19T06:39:00.000-07:00

I am wishing all the Fathers out there a HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

I am also wishing my oldest son a very HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY!

This was wonderful

2011-06-16T14:25:00.003-07:00

I had just gotten done talking to one of my son's about how this one person would always agitate and insult him. I told him that he should just look at her and say God Bless you and walk away.... who knew I was giving him excellent advice?

When You Are Insulted, Choose to Pray

When it comes to being insulted, there is something Jesus said in Matthew 5 that can make us scratch our heads.

"If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also". (Matthew 5:39 NCV).

In order to understand this verse, we need to understand the culture of that day.
In biblical times, a slap was not an act of violence. It was a backhanded slap indicating an insult. When you slapped someone on the cheek, you were insulting that person. Many times the person would slap back with another insult.

People insult you to gain control. If they can get you to insult them back, you've given them the higher ground and it puts them in control.

What Jesus was saying in Matthew 5 is to just let it go. Don't play their game. Give the situation to God.

It takes a lot of strength not to insult someone in return. So how do you do it?

Remember what God says about you. No matter what negative thing that person says, remember that God says he loves you. God made you, and he has a plan and purpose for your life. God's opinion is more important than any other person's opinion.

Instead of retaliating, God wants us to break the cycle in a different way. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for (1 Peter 3:9 NLT).

How do you return an insult with a blessing? Pray."Pray for those who insult you"(Luke 6:28 GWT).

How do you pray for somebody who has hurt you? King David, a man after God's own heart, prayed for people who insulted and rejected him. You can find many of those prayers in the book of Psalms. What I love about his prayers is that he begins many of them by telling God his honest feelings about the people who hurt him.

That's how our prayers should start. Don't pretend to be pious; God knows what is on your mind anyway. Tell God how you honestly feel. Admit you are struggling to pray for the other person, but then ask God to bless him or her. Honest and humble prayers have the power to make a difference in this world.

Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of The Relationship Principles of Jesus.

Shirley & Marcy

2011-06-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it.

She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.

The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.

As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?'

Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.'

The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?'

'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.'

'Shirley Goodnest?' Who the heck is she and why is she following us?

'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mum makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you;

the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always.

A new finish

2011-06-05T12:37:00.001-07:00

I have finished the other towel that I wanted to make. This means I now have a matching pair. Yippee!

This makes finish #7 for 2011.

I am using the photo from the other post only because my daughter has taken my camera to camp. So I will be without a camera for 7 weeks. :(

I will see if my mom or sister will allow me to use their cameras for taking pics.... until then I will continue to stitch and will hopefully be able to update posts with pics at a later date.

I have done a little stitching on my RMC piece(UFO) and Jesus Wept(WIP). (not really enough for a pic yet but hopefully I can do some more on them so that a pic will be warranted when a camera is available.)

I am off work this week so I hope to do lots of stitching but I know I will have to share that time with cleaning house. I have only one of four children home right now. One was given the boot to go live with family, one is gone for 7 weeks at camp and one is gone for a week to camp. So we will see how things go!

Calling all animal lovers!!!!

2011-06-01T05:04:00.000-07:00

Poor Smudge, Meghan's kitty needs your help!!!!

His momma "Meghan" needs your help to pay for the surgery he needs to remove the thorns and to give him the medication he needs to deal with allergic reaction the thorns are creating. Meghan's family needs your help. "We love Smudge and what is more, he and Meghan are bonded so much, he rarely leaves her side."

Poor Smudge found himself in trouble yesterday as he must have ran head first into Jumping Cactus (click to see the nasty Cholla Cactus) thorns.

Please go to the blog here to donate anything to help poor Meghan's kitty.

A new finish

2011-05-25T15:32:00.002-07:00

This is cross stitch finish #6 for 2011.

This pattern is "This Nest is Blest" by Erica Michaels.
You may get this free pattern here.

I plan on making a matching pair but hey.... gotta celebrate the finish anyway.

This pattern called for a birdhouse button.
Being that I was putting this pattern on a towel and I did not have a button.
I figured out how to put a birdhouse on there.

This pattern also calls for Splendor threads and I used DMC. (feel free to ask me what colors I used.)

I think it looks great.
What do you think?

Sorry and Graduation Night

2011-05-25T06:11:00.005-07:00

I have been wanting to comment on so many of my dear friend's blogs but blogger is having it's issues.

On a different note. My Stepson Jonathon graduated last night and I wanted to share some photo's.

This is Aleishia and Grandma Dude and they are happily waiting for the ceremony to start.

This is Aleishia and her brother after the ceremony.

This is Auntie and Jonathon after the ceremony.

This is Dad and Jonathon after the ceremony.

This is Grandma and Jonathon after the ceremony.

This is Grandma Dude and Jonathon after the ceremony.

This is Kendra (pregnant girlfriend) and Jonathon after the ceremony.

This is Mom Mom (great grandmother) and Jonathon after the ceremony.

This is a not so happy mom and Jonathon after the ceremony.
I was very unhappy with this boy.

He did not invite his littlest sister or little brother to the ceremony.

****EDITED**** Many have asked why he did not invite his littlest sister and brother. He was only allowed to have 10 tickets and he picked who he wanted to go. He had agreed that if 2 of the people he wanted to go could not go that his brother and sister could go. When one of the two people said they could not go he gave that ticket to his girlfriend’s sister instead of his own.

A new update on Jesus Wept....

2011-05-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

Well I finally forced myself to do some stitching this last Saturday.
It is what I did for my quiet time for Mother's Day since I had to work on Sunday.

Anyway, here is my updated pic of Jesus Wept.

REMEMBER you can look on the Jesus Wept page to see all progression together.

Yahoo! I am so proud of.....

2011-05-07T10:42:00.001-07:00

I am so proud of my sister!
Yesterday, I had the honor of watching my sister graduate from Grand Canyon University.
I sat there during the whole ceremony with tears just streaming down my face.

She came home with 2 Masters of Science.

One was for Addictions Counseling and the other for Professional Counseling.

She can add them to her Bachelor's Degree for Musical Education from Arizona State University.

She is also waiting for the closing on her first home.

I love you Danielle and I am so proud of you!

Wanted to share some beauties

2011-04-27T10:03:00.001-07:00

I recently learned to do a granny square and decided to make a couple of things.
My first and second crochet blanket finish for the year. The hats are done with the knifty knitter looms.

Here is my first blanket and hat set.

Here is my second blanket and hat set... this blanket is 50"x50".

I really love the green set a WHOLE lot. Then again I really love green. LOL

Another wonderful email...

2011-04-25T15:18:00.001-07:00

I got another wonderful and very inspiring email today and would like to share with you.

Problems Force Us to Depend on God by Rick Warren

I'm a mess. I'm nothing and have nothing: make something of me! You can do it; you've got what it takes God. Psalm 40:17 (Msg)

"I am in deep trouble Lord! Rush to my aid, for only you can help and save me." Psalm 70:5 (LB)

Jesus warned us that we’d have problems in the world. No one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering, and no one gets to skate through life problem-free. Life is a series of problems. Every time you solve one, another one is waiting to take its place.

Peter assures us that problems are normal, saying “Don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you.” (1 Peter 4:12 LB) God uses these problems to draw you closer to himself. The Bible says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NLT)

Your most profound and intimate experiences of worship will likely be in your darkest days -- when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great, and you turn to God alone. It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heart-felt, honest-to-God prayers. When in pain, we don’t have the energy for superficial prayers.

Joni Eareckson Tada notes, “When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus.” We learn things about God in suffering that we can’t learn any other way.

God could have kept Joseph out of jail, kept Daniel out of the lion’s den, kept Jeremiah from being tossed into a slimy pit, kept Paul from being shipwrecked three times, and kept the three Hebrew young men from being thrown into the blazing furnace, but he didn’t. He let those problems happen, and each of those people were drawn closer to God as a result.

Problems force us to look to God and depend on him instead of ourselves. Paul testified to this benefit: “We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us ….” (2 Corinthians 1:9 LB) You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got.

From Saddleback Resources –
Prepare for your Decade of Destiny – Life Management Curriculum includes Making the most of what God gives me; Managing my troubles; Managing my time; Managing my talents; Managing my treasure; Managing my team.

Get your own free subscription to The Purpose Driven Connection Daily Devotional, your daily inspiration via email.

Easter Reminder: Christ's Crucifixion

2011-04-23T13:54:00.003-07:00

These are the pictures of the crucifixion of Christ Sculptured from metal by a man near Amarillo, TX ...
The crosses are made of metal also.
The man did this out of the kindness of his heart.
Someone donated the land on which to erect them.

IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.

IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION;

IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN;

IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES and FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD.

IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,

IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END

IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE

IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;

SO, WHO IS HE? HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY.

THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL,

THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN.

AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER.

REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS. AMEN!

IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!

The Greatest Man in History! Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him.

He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!

If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. Send this to all on Your buddy list. If not just ignore it.

If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said. 'If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven.

Look what I received

2011-04-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

I got my giveaway prize from Mouse in the mail today.

The picture does not do the pillow justice.... It is absolutely beautiful!

hardanger finishes

2011-04-14T06:11:00.002-07:00

This is my first and second Hardanger finish for the year.

I did these during the past two weeks.... the stocking was just finished last night.

Here is my hardanger heart.

Here is my hardanger stocking. (need to add a loop to hang it)

What a wonderful tribute....

2011-04-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

This is a wonderful memorial.... more people should go through life the way this wonderful young lady did!!!

In honor of Carissa

I LOVE THIS STORY!!!!

2011-04-13T08:32:00.002-07:00

This gives me an even greater love for the smell of rain!!!!

The smell of rain
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery.

Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.

That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.

Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.

'I don't think she's going to make it,' he said, as kindly as he could.

'There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one'

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.

She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.

'No! No!' was all Diana could say.

She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four.

Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away

But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana’s underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love.

All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.

There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.

But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.

At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time.

And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life.

She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby, when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, 'Do you smell that?'

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, 'Yes, it smells like rain.'

Dana closed her eyes and again asked, 'Do you smell that?'

Once again, her mother replied, 'Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain.'

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, 'No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest.'

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children.

Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.

During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

You now have 1 of 2 choices. You can either pass this on and let other people catch the chills like you did or you can delete this and act like it didn't touch your heart like it did mine.

IT'S YOUR CALL!

'I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.'

The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end.
________________________

ANGELS EXIST but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS.

Congratulations

2011-04-11T07:09:00.002-07:00

Congratulations to my winner's of my giveaway.
You all have been contacted via email and or through your blog.

vEr0n!c@ veronicaoyh@gmail.com
kari http://goatfarmerswife.blogspot.com/
omashee aka Barb omashee@msn.com
Carissa jordans0597@yahoo.com
Moon_Child moonchild776@aol.com
gracie ghorton1@cox.net
stitchypie83 tracyroberts83@hotmail.co.uk http://stitchypie83.blogspot.com/

Thank you to all the people who entered my giveaway.
I hope you enjoy my blog and continue to visit and comment!

MY GIVEAWAY - closed!

2011-04-11T01:02:00.000-07:00

I am having a giveaway celebrating 7 years of blogging!!!

I need to figure out what the prize will be but 7 in a big number in my life.... and to be blogging for this long is a amazing thing!

You do not need to be a follower but I would not mind you following me if you would like... the more the merrier! LOL

You do not need to blog on your blog but I would love it if you spread the word.

All you need to do is post that you would like to be included in the drawing.

I will be updating this post when I figure out what the prize(s) will be.

I hope you will all join in on the fun!

I will be ending this drawing on APRIL 11th!

YOU TOOK MY PARKING SPACE AT CHURCH

2011-04-01T16:23:00.002-07:00

This was sent to me and it really made me think......

You took my parking space at Church

One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out.
Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, " I always park there! You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down.
A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"
The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down.
Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!"
The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.
Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.
Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"
The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place."

When you read this, say a prayer.. That's all you have to do. This is powerful.
Maybe, just maybe, we can get the world to start thinking of who took our place..

"Let Jesus Walk Into Your Life"

Another loss...

2011-03-25T09:16:00.002-07:00

Another loss to the cross stitch community!

Jerry Kreinik - a legend in his lifetime

http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com

The world of cross stitch would not be a wonderful place without you. You will be missed by many.

Prayers of peace and comfort to your family and friends.

A new start

2011-03-18T07:51:00.002-07:00

I am really excited to start the day.

I had a job interview on Wed. and was told as long as my pre-employment questionaire came out with approval I had a job. They told me that I should know by Friday evening.

Hubby came home last night and asked me 3 times if I had gotten my job and I told him not yet.
Then about 5-10 mins later I got the call that I would be starting my training today.

I am so excited.... after being without work for almost 2 years.
I just want to get out there and go go go! LOL

Hearts For Christchurch

2011-03-04T15:56:00.001-07:00

Grab your needles, thread and fabric.

A world wide event has started to explode into action.

Hearts, hearts, and more hearts and you can help.

Please support Evie Harris in her endeavor to provide a heart to as many Christchurch residents as possible.

There also might be an exhibition ..... how cool is that !!!!!

I will have to see what I can come up with.

How about you?

Hop on over to http://heartsforchristchurch.blogspot.com to find out what you can do and where to send.

Finish #5 for 2011

2011-03-04T15:08:00.004-07:00

Design: Christmas spider web (2002 Freebie)
Designer: Sanman originals
Fabric: 22 count aida (stitched one over one)
Fibers: DMC
Start Date: 3-4-2011
Finish Date: 3-4-2011

FInish #4 for 2011

2011-03-03T06:05:00.006-07:00

I would like to share my new finish with you....
Although, it is still awaiting the 2 acorn buttons that I need to buy.
I will consider it finished!

Design: Thanksgiving Dinner (2002 Freebie)
Designer: Sanman originals
Fabric: 22 count aida (stitched one over one)
Fibers: DMC (2 colors of six strand had no conversion but by looking at others finishes of this piece. I did my best to pick out the colors that looked like they would work.)
Start Date: 2-28-2011
Finish Date: 3-2-2011

WOW

2011-03-02T12:01:00.002-07:00

In the past week or two I have received the two prizes that I have won from the many OWOH drawings that I had entered. I am so happy with what I won.

First I won a dove mug coaster Carol Hansen's drawing on her blog.

The other prize I won was a beautiful green (oh man I love green lol) necklace from Amy Severino's blog. It is absolutely gorgeous and the picture just does not do it justice.

Thank you ladies for the wonderful prizes! I love them!

Sad news for the cross stitching world.....

2011-03-01T12:59:00.003-07:00

Lisa Roswell, designer of The Primitive needle was taken from the cross stitch world, her family and friends in a tragic flood.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/weather/weather_news/crews-in-norwalk-search-for-woman-swept-away-by-flood-waters

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/norwalk/news/2011/feb/28/woman-trapped-car

My thoughts and prayers go out to Lisa's family and friends during this very sad and very hard time. She will be missed so much.

May her family and friends find peace and comfort.

RIP Lisa!

A post by her daughter on Lisa's blog.
http://witchstitches0.blogspot.com/2011/03/this-is-lisas-daughter-mariah.html

I absolutely needed this

2011-03-01T07:36:00.006-07:00

If you are in need of your daily giggle then this is the video for you......

This little cutie is laughing at dad ripping an employment denial letter!

Finish #3 for 2011

2011-02-22T13:04:00.002-07:00

I had been working on a piece for hubby. I did not like how it was turning out.
I intend to finish it but I do not like it enough to give it to hubby so I may just have to stitch it again on a different color material. Will take a picture of it soon.

I have been working on Rocky Mountain Christmas on and off all weekend.
Not much progress done to show yet. Hopefully will have a picture soon.

I have finished a real small piece just to see if I could do it.
It is on linen or evenweave. Not sure of the count but it is like a tea colored material.
So here it is.... what do you think?

Thank you God for talking to me through Angie's post.

2011-02-22T07:05:00.003-07:00

A dear blogger was being used by God to talk to me this morning.
Angie has a wonderful blog filled with the most beautiful creations.....

I am borrow part of her post as it really talked to me today.

"I continue to pour my heart out to the One who knows everything about me, who loves me unconditionally, and never leaves me. God knows my complex emotions and thoughts and carries me through.

Just this past week, I asked myself a couple of hard questions.
1. What am I afraid of that keeps me from the feet of Jesus?
2. What do I want more than Jesus... what really keeps me from him?

Well, my list was a mile long for the first question.
For the second, I only wrote down two words before I was completely stopped in my tracks. Security and control.
Plain and simple. In a life of feeling very afraid and insecure and everything seems like complete chaos, those are two things that I find myself striving for.
But Jesus gently reminded me of this IMMEDIATELY upon writing those two words down: My security comes in believing that HE is in control. Ahhhh.... I can firmly stand on this truth and trust that no matter how crazy everything in my life looks, feels, and is, NOTHING got by my God. He is not taken by surprise. What an incredible comfort. I'm choosing to believe in His love, protection, and provision for me as I continue to walk through deep waters. And as I look for His presence in my present moments of every day, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. Yes, that peace that passes all understanding is MINE!!! I don't have to know what is coming next (although I honestly would really like to! ha!) but I trust He knows and He will walk with me through it, whatever it is, no matter how bad, not matter how crazy and scary. Thank you, Jesus!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29: 11-14

I'm believing in my future and I'm seeking.... "

Thank you Angie for posting this post and allowing God to talk to your readers.
When they really needed to hear that they may be feeling the same thing and feeling very alone in those thoughts.

Wow what an artist!

2011-02-17T15:43:00.003-07:00

My daughter has become an awesome artist.
I am so proud of her.

What do you think.
Here is her newest piece... A self portrait!

A dream....

2011-02-16T09:24:00.005-07:00

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to have an LNS of your own?

There is someone online trying to liquidate a full inventory of a cross stitch store for 5,000.00.

WOW! Just think if I could find 100 people including myself who is willing to provide 50.00.
I would be able to buy it. LOL

I think I would then allow those that contributed their 50.00 to receive a 50.00-75.00 in supplies for their help. Then I would open an online LNS.

Like I said a big dream!

What do you think?

2011-02-14T16:51:00.002-07:00

Trying to make my blog more enjoyable by adding more pages showing work.

I hope this makes your visit more enjoyable.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Robert's Poem

2011-02-11T13:17:00.001-07:00

This is a poem, Robert my son did at school about his cat.
(his friend helped him with the drawing)

In case you cannot read it....

Mittens
Really Playful and funny.
Good and fun to play with.
Nice when I play with him.
Mad when I mess with him.
Teen cat

These are good

2011-02-11T08:46:00.005-07:00

I just had to share these.....

Free

I am free to choose my thoughts and shape my world.

Just as I walk or drive in the direction I am looking, I also move in the direction of my thoughts. If for any reason I decide to walk a different path, I am free to change my thoughts to direct me there. I am free to shape the course of my life.

If I'm holding persistent thoughts of limitation of any kind, I gently sweep them away and replace them with encouragement. I affirm the truth that I am capable and worthy, because the power of God is within me. With this power, I am free to choose my thoughts and shape my world.

With attentiveness and practice, I form a new vision that reveals more of my God-given potential. My thoughts steer me toward fullness of life, joy and inner peace. I am grateful to God for the freedom of thought.

The truth will make you free.--John 8:32

People Who Don't Know God Worry by Jon Walker

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Matthew 6:31-32 (MSG)

"Do you believe that if you follow Jesus, you will lack nothing?"
When we worry, we reveal the places in our lives where we are trying to do things on our own as opposed to trusting Jesus to do what he promised.

This means we can view worry as an opportunity to increase our faith. Rather than worry, or feel bad about our worry, we can take the things we worry about and bring them to the feet of King Jesus. We can say, “Jesus, I’m having trouble with this one. It keeps me worried. I’m giving this worry to you and I’m going to trust you to take care of this.”

Then, we have to take thoughts captive, just as the Apostle Paul teaches. What that means is, when we start to worry, we have to take that thought and send it to Jesus. “Jesus, I am worried about the mortgage, but I am sending my worry to you because you have promised to take responsibility for providing for my needs.”

This simple transfer, in and of itself, will strengthen your faith because it requires you at a very basic, yet intimate level, to acknowledge the sovereignty of God. It is a simple step of faith that will help you clearly see when and how Jesus provides.

Jesus says worry is characteristic of people who don't know God and the way he works. And because of their ignorance, they fuss over things. They have no idea that God knows their needs and so, as Pastor Tom taught yesterday, they try to do for themselves what only God can do.
“But you know both God and how he works,” Jesus says. Jesus always brings us to a choice: ‘Do you believe that if you follow me, you will lack nothing?’ If your answer is yes, then why do you worry? If you answer is no, then what keeps you from trusting Jesus?

Jesus died so you could be free from worry. Worry is a choice, but you can choose instead to trust in Jesus and walk in the wonderment of how God provides.

This devotional is by Jon Walker, editor of the Daily Hope Devotionals and author of Costly Grace.

Believe You Are Who God Says You Are by Buddy Owens

“And we … are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

This week’s devotionals are by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Way of a Worshiper’.

I want to help you learn to confess your faith, and then let that confession lead to life change so that it demolishes your old way of thinking and gives you a new way of thinking about life, God, yourself, hardship, your family and your world.

And here’s how to do it: Stop confessing lies. Confess your faith! Say the same thing God says about you. Let it change the way you think . . . and it will change the way you live.

Here are some things the Bible says about you that need to become things you say about yourself. Start every day by confessing these truths --

My Faith Confessions

* I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
* The Son has set me free. I am free indeed! (John 8:36)
* My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
* I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
* He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. (Philippians 1:6)
* There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
* Nothing can ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:38-39)
* In all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28)
* God is faithful. He will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
* God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
* My light and momentary troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. (2 Corinthians 4:17)
* He is able to do immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me. (Ephesians 3:20)
* God is for me! Who can be against me? (Romans 8:31)

When you say what God says (confession), you begin to think what God thinks (repentance). So let this be your confession of faith. And let it be the foundation on which you build your new life.

This is not the power of positive thinking. It’s not your good thoughts that will turn your life around. God’s power will turn your life around. He’s just asking you to believe he is who he says he is, believe you are who he says you are, and then live like you believe those things.

Does that mean bad things will stop happening? No. But it does mean you will experience many more victories than losses because the Word of God is at work in you.

Gotta Share

2011-02-10T10:11:00.002-07:00

My hubby sent this picture to me in email and I have to share....

The title was..... "Hundreds gather to protest global warming."

Celebration!!

2011-02-07T10:32:00.002-07:00

Today hubby and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary.

Not only that .... for those that do not know yet....

I have been featured on the Nordic Needle Newsletter.

Here is the link for those that do not receive the newsletter but would like to see.

CLICK HERE!

Wanted to share

2011-02-03T05:47:00.003-07:00

What a wonderful little girl..... She really knows how to tell stories.

Please enjoy her versions of these stories. I know I sure did.

Jonah and the Whale

David and Goliath

Noah

Mr Bone Jangles is home

2011-01-25T18:10:00.005-07:00

I had the pleasure of taking Mr.Bone Jangles to his new home with the chiropractor.

I walked in her office and Nikki said "What is that?"
I turned it around and said "Thank you for taking care of my daughter?"

Her immediate response was...... "SHUT UP! REALLY? NO WAY!"

She was so happy and her face was blood red.
She could not believe that I made Mr Bone Jangles for her. She even said the color of the material is the color of her walls.

NIKKI,
I am so happy that you love Mr Bone Jangles! Thank you for all you do.

It is reactions like this that makes stitching gifts for others more than worth it.

Mr Bone Jangles Framed

2011-01-24T17:52:00.001-07:00

Here he is framed and ready to go home!

He is doing a Happy Dance!

2011-01-24T04:01:00.002-07:00

Mr Bone Jangles is doing a Happy Dance and singing.....

YAHOOOOOOO I AM FINISH NUMBER 2!!!!!

You heard him right he is my finish number 2 for 2011.
He is off my UFO/WIP list of to do for 2011.

He will be framed today and dance his way to his new home tomorrow.

Praising God!

2011-01-21T20:24:00.004-07:00

I am PRAISING GOD for His wonderful loving arms!

I had a close call tonight..... I was driving home alone and was almost in a head on collision.

This had more of an effect on me than it would have on most people.

The reason I say that is because when I was 7, I was in a head on collision.
There was only 15 inches between the windshield and the front bumper left.
I watched in horror as the two vehicles collided.

So there for when it was time for me to learn to drive as a teen.... I could not.
I dealt with mental issues and flashbacks for years.

It was not until last February that I got my license at the age of 38.

So tonight when this near miss happened with God by my side.
I was calm and seemed to be totally at peace until it was over.
I kept repeating over and over, Thank you God, Thank you God!
I immediately had to pull over and was then hysterical.

After calling my mother to help me calm down I drove slowly home.
Still continuing to say over and over, Thank you God, Thank you God!
When I got home my whole body was shaky and had to get a huge hug from my husband.

I still am not totally calm and it has been over an hour and a half.

Please keep me in your prayers that.... when tomorrow comes I can get back behind the wheel and know it will all be ok.

As Promised

2011-01-18T07:07:00.002-07:00

Several have wondered how Mr Bone Jangles is coming along.

Here he is.... just need to do his legs and shoes now.

I cannot wait to see him finished so I can give him to the lucky recipient.

My first finish

2011-01-12T14:57:00.004-07:00

My first finish of 2011 is a small that is part of the Oakhaven Designs 2011 SAL.

The colors of the piece did not come out right with every picture I tried to take. The color of the material is 28count Navy blue.

Time to get back to Mr Bone Jangles.

We will miss you RENE!

2011-01-09T17:55:00.002-07:00

Rene, We will miss you and your love of needlework.

May God hold you in His arms until we all get our chance to see you again!

Praying for peace and comfort for your family!

Thank you to Mel for allowing me to use the pic she created from Rene's stitching.

An update and an award

2011-01-07T08:43:00.003-07:00

Well I think I have made some good progress getting myself past my disappointment in the frog's visit. I got myself motivated and got back to work on Mr. Bone Jangles.

Here is my progress pic of him.

I need to get moving and start a small for hubby for our anniversary.... I got exactly a month to stitch it and get it done.... it is a Sanman Original piece.

I was also given another award....

I was nominated by Lana for the stylish blogger award! Wow! Thank you so much, Lana!!

So, now I have to pick 5 things that people don't know about me and then nominate 5 more people.

1. My oldest daughter was named after another little girl I knew. (huge, long story)
2. Do not like being told I cannot do something... I will prove you wrong.
3. I take more S..... from others then I should. lol
4. I collect porcelain dolls.
5. I love yellow roses.

And now I have to nominate 5 people...

1. Linda K. (You always encourage me to keep on stitching.)
2. Bette (Your support is never ending)
3. Tammy (Your designs are adorable..... I need to get to work and stitch some... hmmm maybe an idea for my smalls. LOL)
4. CJ (I enjoy looking at your beautiful stitching)
5. Annie (I absolutely am in love with some of the beautiful pieces you come up with..... always looking forward to seeing more and more.)

If I nominated you and you have already done this, don't worry about doing it again! But I do enjoy your blogs, I enjoy MANY blogs, but just wanted to throw a shout out to these ladies!

My pieces for 2011

2011-01-04T12:03:00.006-07:00

I would like to show you where my pieces stand at this moment that I will be working on this year to start out with.

I chose to work on 5 UFO's and 2 New starts for my New Year's Goal.
When a UFO is finished it will be replaced with a new UFO.
When a New start is finished it will be replaced with another new start.
Oh so you know.... my new starts will be smalls.

I figure by doing this plan I will be able to finish what has been hanging around unfinished, get the joy of new starts and also the joy of finishes.

Anyway, my UFO's that I will be working on are....

1. Jesus Wept.... ** See pic above to see current pic**
OOPS.... this is a WIP that will be taking one UFO's place....

2. Rocky Mountain Christmas by Marty Bell.... will be doing a SAL for this one... hope it helps.

3. Girl with cosmos
4. Mr Bone Jangles by Glendon Place (upset as this is the piece I was stitching in the new year on and found out yesterday that 1/3 of his chest was stitched wrong due to the working copy of this pattern being put together wrong.)

5. French Mime (This one is the piece I taught myself to do Counted Cross Stitch... yeah I know... I did not do the easy thing and start with something small....)

I am still trying to decide what smalls I will work on.
Oh wait.... I decided to make the OakHaven SAL be my smalls since there will be 12 smalls all put together into one piece.
SO until I pick out the other small please cheer me on with these 5 UFO's and the small SAL.

Thank you!

Happy New Year to all my Friends...

2011-01-01T12:03:00.006-07:00

Well yesterday was a pretty good day.

We enjoyed watching my daughter in the parade (boy was it cold.... 37*) and then came home for a relaxing night.

I stitched away and plan on doing some more in a few minutes.

Here are some of the pictures from the parade.

Reminder to watch the Fiesta Bowl

2010-12-31T09:19:00.001-07:00

Some of you have asked me to send you a reminder to watch my daughter in the Fiesta Bowl parade.

Fiesta Bowl Parade
Phoenix, Arizona
Friday, December 31, 2010, 11 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live local coverage on ABC15 and a live webcast at www.abc15.com.

I am so excited to see her in this parade. This is a big accomplishment!GO ALEISHIA! GO GIRLS! GO ALEISHIA! GO GIRLS!

I finished a UFO dedicated to RENE

2010-12-26T22:40:00.004-07:00

I decided to pick up one of my UFO's and I finished the cross stitch part on it.
I am counting this as a finish even though I need to still make it into a needlebook.
This is my 15th finish for the year and #3 UFO finished this year.

I am also dedicating this finish to Rene (ILCS) from Las Vegas. I miss you Rene and hope God will allow you to stay with us a little longer. Although, I do not want you hurting anymore.

Prayers for you every day.

Love ya my stitching sister!
Thank you for showing me a new love for hardanger.
I do not think I would have tried had you not offered the lessons.
I will think of you every time I do hardanger.

WOW HUBBY IS WONDERFUL!

2010-12-25T21:16:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago, my husband took me to a woodworking shop to pick out wood for my Christmas gift.

So I picked out some beautiful wood that in a few spots looked like it had wings.

I had no idea what he was going to be making for me but knew it would be wonderful.

Anyway, he had a ton of road blocks to overcome in order to finish it and he got it done just in time for Christmas. Although, he was not able to put the velvet in it like he wanted...

I am absolutely in awe of his beautiful work.

What do you think?

Do you think anyone might be interested in ordering one of these boxes?

**UPDATE** this one is 6 1/2 long x 2 1/2 high x 5 wide.

Minions

2010-12-25T17:11:00.001-07:00

I created a minion and want to share him with you.
To create your own click on the word minion.

My minion wants you to know he hopes your Christmas is a great one and also wishes you a very Happy New Year.

I just have to share

2010-12-24T09:06:00.003-07:00

This morning we celebrated with our kids Christmas as tomorrow we go to my sisters to have Christmas.

Anyway, if you remember back in February my hubby got me a special gift for our Anniversary/Valentines day gift..... If you need a refresher click HERE!

Well I made a decision to take it back so that I could help get our family some food as we had hit hard times. Hubby did not want me to but I told him that we really need the money to feed the kids.... I could always get it again later.

OK, back to this morning.... hubby handed me a box and said MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY!
I open it up and there in the box is THE NECKLACE! He replaced the necklace that I had to return.

The real kicker is that he said it had been sitting in plain site under my nose for 2 weeks and I never knew it was there.

I am so thankful for a wonderful hubby!!

WOW what a start to Christmas!

2010-12-23T17:59:00.004-07:00

The past 3 days have been exciting! I cannot wait to see what Christmas brings after all this. :)

I received my winnings from Robin's "My trash is your treasure giveaway".

I received a Herrsherners surprise box.

I also received from my aunt in California a surprise package containing this apron and this "Stitch Master Floor Stand and Three Accessories". When I thanked her for the surprise package she said "Merry Christmas to the best mom in the world." Tears started flowing if you had not guessed.

Then I decided to spread a little Christmas Cheer and meet one of my oldest online ANGELSISTERS!!!! I also took her out shopping so that she could buy her 3 little girls Christmas presents. I sure hope they like what we picked out for them. Love ya Kris!!!!

An interesting History lesson

2010-12-20T17:36:00.004-07:00

I was sent this in email and I wanted to share as I thought it was very interesting.

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out 0f the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were NOT permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit-- Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today.

This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol... so pass it on if you wish.'

Is anyone interested?

2010-12-15T11:21:00.002-07:00

I have been given these leaflets and cannot use them....
I am wondering if anyone would be interested in paying shipping to have one or more of these bundles sent to them????

Painting package
Colorpoint leaflets (4 different)
Silk painting leaflets
Tole series (7 leaflets -ex: tole red, tole blue….etc.)
Plaid’s one stroke home study series volume 1
Create your own designer décor
Fabulous florals
The complete guide to decoupage… the new way

Crafting package
Gloobies – Easter buddies leaflet
Gloobies – polar playmates leaflet
Magnetic ideas for craft foam
Magnetic art foam book #3
Friendly plastic for kids
Magnets and stick ons – foam series leaflet
Craft stick farm
Fun with craft sticks
Crafting fun with uni-stiks
Styrofoam and trims decorations
“spoolie” animals
Creative animal faces
Chenille craft
Holiday decorating with magnetic sheeting
More adventures in celluclay instant papier mache

Macramé and other crafts
Wreaths with fabric cord
Muffit bath set leaflet
Macramé inspirations
Macramé holiday
Macramé animal art
More cornhusk dolls
How to make cornhusk dolls
Tin can doll furniture
Aluminum can apparel
Figure draping
Draped dolls from discards
Cones to pine for
Candle magic
Nature creations
Gift item patterns
Heart felt friends and critters
Party & tray favors the year around

Crochet, Needlework and needlepoint
ASN Crochet a white Christmas (binder of leaflets)
Crocheted collars book 2
Star pearl cotton book #27 (old booklet… says 10 cents on it LOL)
Crochet a collar
Crochet collars
Crochet fantasy magazine august 1994
Crochet collars III
Many other patterns…. From internet or that were taken from mags
The creative circle kit 1925 – Kitchen spice sacks
American Indian needlepoint designs for pillows, belts, handbag and other projects
Beginner’s needlepoint leaflet
Needlepoint basics leaflet
McCall’s needlepoint with step by step instructions for beginners

Quilting and sewing
Dream spinners – doll pattern #157 Let’s pretend
Puff’n Stuff accessories
Sassy lady!
Magic with marbles
Simplicity casual cut-ups
Nostalgic noel
Pillow parade
Pillow and cushion patterns
Soft country plunkettes
Pick a place mat
Soft touch kitchen originals
Bandana fashions!
3 pieces of material (mint green, pink and salmon)
Misc. quilt patterns taken from magazines
No sew mop dolls
No-sew calico animal baskets

HELP HELP HELP!!!!!!

2010-12-13T14:26:00.003-07:00

Calling on all cat lovers for a little help... my cat/dog likes chewing the artificial tree.

The yucky tasting stuff (ex: bitter apple) that you spray on things to make them not chew.
He loves the stuff!

To keep him out from beneath it we put things that have pokie ends... he loves laying on them.
So no ornaments on the tree this year as he also loves to run and take a flying leap into the tree!

I cannot put gifts under the tree... he eats paper and cardboard... HELP!

A cute little finish!

2010-12-12T20:23:00.003-07:00

This is my 14th finish for the year! An Easter Bonnet pin.

I got the pattern from Herrschners.com and stitched it over 1 with DMC.

Unfortunately, you cannot see finish #13 as it is for an ornament swap through facebooks....

Secret Santa 2010.

I am jumping for joy

2010-12-11T14:59:00.003-07:00

My daughter Aleishia and her drill team (flag twirlers in the marching band) tried out for the Fiesta Bowl Parade today.

They came in First Place with a Superior Rating!

They will be in the Fiesta Bowl Parade!
The parade is on December 31st, 2010.....
SO if you get a chance to watch the parade on T.V. I hope you enjoy her performance!!!

Look what I received

2010-12-09T06:00:00.001-07:00

I received this beautiful ornament from a FaceBook group.... Secret Santa 2010.
It is so beautiful.... Thank you Kitty!

Long awaited update to Jesus Wept

2010-12-07T15:02:00.002-07:00

I had not realized how many people are watching my progress on Jesus Wept.
I thank you all for following this and keeping me on my toes.
I so cannot wait to see this one finished as it means so much to me.
You all help with the motivation that is needed to keep going and I appreciate it.

So without making you all wait any longer here is the new updated picture.... (pictures at top of blog have also been updated.)

I so needed this....

2010-12-04T06:53:00.001-07:00

After dealing with a rough couple of months.
I am also getting ready and preparing for the holidays as they come.

I come across this video with the help of a friend's post on facebook.
It must of been something I really needed to hear today as the moment it started tears just start flowing uncontrollably.

I hope you enjoy it too.

My idea for stitching...

2010-12-02T15:28:00.004-07:00

I have been seeing everyone deciding to do special stitching goals for the New Year. (ex. starting 15 new projects)

I think I am going to do something a little different.

I think for me my stitching goal is going to be working on 7 projects.

The only difference is...
I have a long list of UFO's and I so badly would like to get them finished.

So here is my idea.....
I am going to stitch on 5 of the UFO and also be able to start 2 new ones. That way since most of my UFO are 5x7 or larger.... I can chose to make the 2 new ones be smalls.

That way I can work hard on what needs to be finished and also be able to finish something in the progress....

If those 2 smalls are finished - I can add 2 more new smalls as long as I continue to work on the other 5 UFO's. Should I finish one of the UFO's - I will just add another UFO in it's place.

This way they will keep getting worked on but I still get satisfaction of finishing something and starting something new.

What do you all think? Anyone want to join me in trying to do this?