So...

...it's been awhile.

I'd love to cram all in one post all the things that the Lord has done in my life over the past year. Wow, a year has flown by and we're about to enter another year; I feel as if I've entered a time warp. So, let me explain, no time, let me sum up - I got away from doing full time sewing lessons and went on a sabbatical due to health issues back in December of 2011, during which time I got quite a bit of writing done and worked on eBay and the like (as well as held Bible studies with girls from my church, went to conferences, watched the kids, and tons of stuff I seem not to be able to remember right now). Then, I taught sewing lessons to religious refugees. This was an awe-inspiring experience that paired my love for missions and sewing together. Talk about amazing, to enter a room full of women that could not speak a lick of English and who didn't know how to sew, to leave when the course was finished, with a group that could have simple conversations with you and could get work in sewing factories and businesses!
The summer of 2012 found me planning and preparing to become a Jr. High Comp. and Lit. teacher/tutor which was definitely out of my normal league! I enjoyed stretching my knowledge and abilities in this area and found it so rewarding to be able to invest in so many lives. The Lord really helped me out in this area! Now, I am waiting on the Lord for direction in the next phase of my life and in the meantime I plan to keep my hands and mind busy. Thus, the rebirth of this blog; a place where I hope to share the thoughts and ideas that are running around in my head and to showcase the things that I plan to create!

Jesus Calls Us O'er the Tumult

Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying, "Christian, follow me!"

As of old the apostles heard it 
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for Jesus' sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship 
of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, "Christian, love me more!"

In our joys and in our sorrows, 
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
"Christian, love me more than these!"

Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, 
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.~Cecil F. Alexander

Yesterday, at church we learned about living under the control of Christ.  It was so significant to me that, like this song, no matter what life hurls our way we have a Savior who is calling us to follow and love Him each day.  Life takes on a whole new meaning as we view it not from the tasks we have to do, or the problems we are facing, but through the grace of Jesus. We can have confidence to know that He has it all under control, we just have to yield ourselves and truly follow Him!

My Secret Place

God sent me the birds to show me that
life soars on the wings of faith.

God sent me the trees to show me
how small my problems really are.

God sent me the flowers to show me that
I need not worry about life or its needs because
my Father in Heaven doth always provide.

God sent me the animals to show me that
there is reason to sing and rejoice no matter
what is going on in the world.

The Lord revealed these things to me when I was, outside, in His presence, and all around me life was full of His praise; showing me how much we humans don't trust Him when He has done so much for us! May your heart be encouraged today as you go outside and see how nature truly does declare the Glory of God!

(Pictures from Allposters.com)

True Love

They say there is a young lady in New Haven who is beloved of that Great Being who made and rules the world. They say that He fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she hardly cares for anything except to meditate on Him. If you present the world to her, with the richest of its treasures, she disregards it.  She is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a singular purity in her affections. You could not persuade her to compromise her true Love even if you would give her all the world. She possesses a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and kindness to these around her. She will sometimes go from place to place, singing sweetly. She seems to be always full of joy and pleasure, and no one knows exactly why. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have Someone invisible always conversing with her.

 

Written of Sara Edwards by Jonathan Edwards, her future husband
(From Marriage to a Difficult Man by Elizabeth Dodd)

Picture by Johnson

Why Were You Born?

This video, created by my Pastor, was such a blessing to me! I encourage you to send it to your friends and family who need to hear God's message of His wonderful plan in creating them! This will soon be available as apps for the 'iphone' and 'ipad' and hopefully for other cellphones as well!
It will also include further information to learn more about each slide soon!

My favorite slide is - "Why were you born?---- Because God wanted you here!"

How simple yet profound! I did not create myself so I have no right to dictate my path in life. I was wanted here by a Master Designer and He has a special plan for me and for each of you as well!

Excellence vs. Perfection

Excellence is willing to be wrong,

Perfection is being right.

Excellence is risk,

Perfection is fear.

Excellence is powerful,

Perfection is anger and frustration.

Excellence is spontaneous,

Perfection is control.

Excellence is accepting,

Perfection is judgment.

Excellence is giving,

Perfection is taking.

Excellence is confident,

Perfection is doubt.

Excellence is flowing,

Perfection is pressure.

Excellence is journey,

Perfection is destination.

~Donna Otto from "Between Women of God"

"Who can find a virtuous (excellent) woman..."

Proverbs 31:10a

This was an eye-opener for me! The Lord really showed me how ugly my perfectionism can be in light of the virtuous model that He has set forth! God does not want me to be "perfect" in my own strength and power, He wants be to allow Him to show forth His strength through me!

He Giveth and Giveth

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,

Our God ever yearns His resources to share;

Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;

The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
~Annie Johnson Flint

We sang this song in church yesterday. The Lord touched my heart so deeply as I heard these beautiful words. These words came from a lady plagued by rheumatoid arthritis who was a "shut in". She lost her family and was alone in the world, except for her sister and her Lord. She witnessed the Lord's infinite power and mercy and the Lord used her mightily to minister to others.

This encouraged me, because, sometimes, I don't feel like I have much to give and I am so overwelmed with burdens that I bear, but Jesus comes and giveth and giveth and giveth again. This too is my testimony. May you too come and give all your burdens to Jesus and experience the rest and peace in Him.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. "
Matthew 11:28-29

(Picture from All-Posters by Annie Henniker)