WEAVING AND BELIEVING...

Do you ever read something that just GRABS you?

Well, I just did...it was over at Lallee's Cottage...she wrote:

God's shalom of

peace--the literal

translation refers to a garment intricately

woven with many

threads making a cloak that completely envelopes and cloaks us (keeps us safe,

warms us--brings peace).

Sometimes we don't like the stories (or people) God chooses to weave us into.

When we comply, by His strength, then we become part of that beautiful garment.

It was this question that really caught my eye: Whose life are you denying to be

woven into to bring them blessings?

What a wonderful question. It

started my wheels pondering...

Denial is a decision...

By denying we are 'keeping our color out of their

life

tapestry' when we 'hold our strings too tight and refuse to let them become entangled with the other colors'.

Why is it we seem to let our eyes go to the knots first?...seeing the ugly, seeing the mess, seeing something we don't want to spend time trying to unravel. I certainly find myself thinking things like this.

We talk ourselves into denial because it is the 'easier stitch to wrap around our needle' and slide away from the Holy Spirit

speaking in our heart.

Our denial turns us away before 'seeing the pattern from God's view', the view where the LIGHT is JUST RIGHT.

Shadows don't overtake His view of His creation because He sees to the very HEART of each soul, He knows

the hairs on every head, and He knows every 'string' by name.

Anyone working with yarn knows that more complicated stitches are best when executed with 'soft hands' while working the harder, more entangled stitches...they become the most-valued portions of the project.

Knots on the back may mean a new direction or a changed color...sometimes we 'run out of thread', we give up on our project and throw the 'unfinished piece' in the bag where it will be alone, without the loving hands of commitment to complete the pattern once intended.

Who but God's people, those who read His Word, should be able to recognize a bad decision (at the moment) but KNOW that God uses poor decisions and/or bad choices to BUILD UP a blessing in His creation. God calls us to be His hands, to reach into that bag, pull out those unfinished pieces and share His Love in every stitch until it is 'completed' and allow yourself to be 'worked in' to someone else's project, too...they might need a blessing of friendship, or possibly forgiveness.

And, hey, they might like your color!

Remember: You're the only YOU God has ever made...and He didn't 'leave you in the bag'!

Blessings,

Project 365...back in the swing 'o things!

JOINING THE CROWD OVER AT SARAH'S FOR PROJECT 365...8/16 God has so blessed us with a new facility where we will be holding worship for our high school students...

wow, what powerful worship and praise. They were very intentionally listening as the WORD was brought to them after the singing and announcements.

8/18 - I was in the mood to have some fresh, yes, fresh green beans (that ALWAYS calls for Yukon golds to be chunked and put in the pot)...Do love ham-seasoned green beans?

Along with the beans, I had gotten fresh kale...so I cooked it down too. All that wonderful pot liquor has to be sopped up with cornbread, so into the oven went 12 cornbread muffins and the sliced tomatoes were waiting for them to make it to the table! >

It's also the beginning of our DISCIPLE program again at our church... Last year I took a class (Jesus In the Gospels)...This year, I'm facilitating again. It's always fun getting ready (buying new folders, pens, highlighters and small agape treats.) We'll be studying the prophets the first half of the school year, then dig into Paul's writings.

I've been diligent this week with working out...and I have to say I am a little disappointed because the pounds haven't been coming off...I know I'm getting stronger and breaking in a new med all at the same time. I must be more patient with myself, but it's still hard to stay positive...losing the weight is NOT my only reason for exercising. Have you had any exercise/weight lost challenges?

As a facilitator, I'm the timekeeper...not a teacher. I am a learner among learners ... so, I also have daily reading, pondering, notemaking to work into my schedule now.

Having recently taken the crocheted sandals and caps to the church, I have gotten new 'desert-colored' yarn to make a shawl to send to our "fighting troops" in Afghanistan...our group will be sending care packages to some of the troops. This is an easy double-crocheted slant stitch ... every 5 rows of single color, then I add my next color and do a row with both, then I drop the first color and only continue with the second color...I like the way it's making it look so far. I'll probably do a finishing edge with some type of scallop. Do you crochet or knit?

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we've moved into our new area of the church, which we grumbled over a few times because of misplacements and changes but we know it is a BLESSING and we don't want to grumble like God's people did in the desert. We are PRAISING HIS NAME for the blessings He's given and will be giving to these young ladies and gentlemen as we lead them through Bible study and worship. It's my week to lead the lesson for one of our small groups...and I've worked to prepare scripture cards for the teens to read (in case they forgot their Bibles which will be a time saver)...Second Chapter of Mark..."carrying a friend to be let down through the roof and healed of his sins and his physical disability."...

Have you helped 'carry' a friend this week?

Go see the other entries for Project 365...It's been a G0d-blessed week!!

U GOTTA SEE THIS PIC...THANKFUL THURS.

JOINING SONYA today for THANKFUL THURSDAY

1. SO, SO THANKFUL: Our little social bug Katie is on the mend and is happy again...They had their appointment back at the hospital...This time she enjoyed some of her favorite things:

therapy dogs

the library

lobby fish tank

dancing clowns

garden

“storybook fairy” (little old lady/pink princess gown/crown)

2. so, so thankful for doctors...The main reason for visiting: to see Dr. K, the doctor who has bee n trusted on ALL her surgeries (the first @ a mere six pounds...a very tiny heart, indeed). Dr. K has placed her heart in his hands,

literally--he certainly isn't 'just another guy in a white lab coat'! (The heart surgeons are like Elvis — everyone knows when they’re in the building!)

Thank you, Jesus, for providing Dr. K the knowledge and expertise in caring for Katie!

Surprise (and joy) overtook Katie as her mommy snapped this precious photo:

UPDATE:

3. so, so thankful...Katie's incision, post-infection, is continuing to look better and may not require stitches

4. so, so, thankful....she may not have to have followup surgery to re-do the wiring around her breast bone!

5. so, so, thankful...God built an inate LOVE in us...our God hole..in such a special, saving way. We can share His love with others throughout our lives, during good and bad situations!

Jer. 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Blessings,

OVERNIGHT...YEP, OVERNIGHT!

PRAYER CONCERN/ERIN'S bone marrow transplant completed this past Saturday:

praying for minimal side affects from the meds;

praying for a "little bit" of graft versus host disease (GVHD) battling and doing their jobs

*************************

Senior year has begun...it's finally here...

(CLICK EACH PICTURE FOR A LARGER VIEW)

from THIS....

TO THIS...

PRAISE!!

Our friend's Bone marrow TRANSPLANT WAS ACCOMPLISHED TODAY!

May God use both the giver, and the receiver, to His Glory.

Mosaic Monday...WAREHOUSE WHOLLY!

Joining MARY @ LITTLE RED HOUSE...

CLICK ON THE COLLAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW...

A collage of our new YOUTH SPACE in Gibson Wing...
can you guess we're 'a little' excited'!!!!!

DON'T FORGET: Go SEE all the other mosaics too!

"Give thanks in ALL circumstances..."
Yes, we give thanks...
we are eager to see

WHO ALL God touches through His blessing...
in this place,
in their hearts while in this place,
in the world as they go out from this place!

May it ALL be to your Glory, Jesus!

Jer. 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Blessings,

SO "PROJECT-365" LATE...

Joining SARAH again...and I know I'll be the last one on the list...

The two shots below are actually from the week before; however, these ladies are so sweet and very intentional with their "shawl ministry"...I didn't want to forget to share how excited I get when we get to visit and work together...love it!

A special ANGEL prayer square was made for Katie by Ms. Beverly--I had to get a picture of this sweet woman who loves to share her talents with those who are suffering.

Still working on getting stronger and longer with my workouts; and thanks to BeStill&Know, she's motivating me to stay consistent with our workouts. Her gym has more equipment and it was very comfortable working out in her air conditioning on Monday :)

Once we were done, I knew we needed to get a pic, so we decided to do the COOL thing and put on our glasses so you couldn't see the obvious pain and strain re-ignited sparkle in eyes from the cardio work (or the lines around our eyes)

On Saturday I finally took the opportunity to make INA GARTEN's PLUMB CAKE TATIN...it tastes great and you can't tell that I overfilled an 8" pan with the batter for a 9" pan and the batter flowed out of the pie pan all over my oven had a couple of interruptions while it cooked...I was just thankful I was able to get it out of the glass pie pan.

Plum Cake "Tatin"

INA GARTEN Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 1 hr 0 min Level: Intermediate Serves: 6 servings

Ingredients
6 tblsp (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temp, plus extra for greasing dish

10/12 purple plums, cut in half/pitted 1 3/4 cups gran’d sugar, divided

2 extra-large eggs, room temperature 1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup plus 2 tblsp all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp kosher salt Confectioners' sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 9-inch glass pie dish; arrange plums in dish, cut side down.
Combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan and
cook over high heat until it turns a warm amber color, about 360 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
Swirl pan but don't stir. Pour evenly over plums.

Meanwhile, cream 6 tablespoons of butter and remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar in bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, until light and fluffy.
Lower speed and beat in eggs one at a time. Add sour cream, zest, and vanilla and mix until combined. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt and, with mixer on low speed, add it to butter mixture. Mix only until combined. Pour cake batter evenly over plums and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, invert cake onto a flat plate. If a plum sticks, ease it out and replace it in design on top of cake. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar.

We're so blessed, we opened a new wing (in our church) today...and we named it after one of our saints that recently passed away...it will be known as the Gibson Wing and his wonderful, sweet wife, Ms. Daisy, was able to be with us for the consecration.

My Sunday school class sure enjoyed our new surroundings; we started a 50-day adventure on the book of Mark

The largest area of the new wing is dedicated to our youth group...THE WAREHOUSE will be our new gathering/ worship space for middle/high schoolers. We're blessed to enjoy a new conference room, offices, a large stage, audiovisual enhancements, a new cafe...(cup o' joe, hot chocolate, soft drinks and lite snacks)...and we can cook in a mini kitchen, should we need to provide for a special event (without having to go upstairs and interrupt the BIG kitchen).

We're so EXCITED....is such an UNDER STATEMENT!

Hope you have a great week...

DD starts school 2morrow! Ugh, 5:45am is going to come so quickly...

STEADY AND COUNTING the days 'til she goes home

GREAT NEWS...OUR PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED...After blood work and X-rays, Katie may potentially go home on Tuesday or Wednesday after having been in the hospital for one month since her Glen Procedure/heart surgery .

Katie loves her some ELMO!! Isn't it wonderful watching a 2 1/2 year old baby girl playing with a balloon after she's been through such an ordeal?!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

She's STANDING on the promises!

Katie’s wound continues to look better with each wound vac change.

--really healing well from the inside up to the skin level.

The great news:  Katie tarted walking on her own yesterday. She has been walking around her room, and has spent time playing in the playroom.

The doctors anticipate discharging Katie sometime next week.  (YEAH!)

Here is a video of Katie standing next to the couch in our room for the first time in a month...

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2 Verses of STANDING ON THE PROMISES

1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
   Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
   Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
   Standing on the promises of God.

   • Refrain:
     Standing, standing,
     Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
     Standing, standing,
     I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
   When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
   By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
   Standing on the promises of God.

PUBLISHED BY Russell Carter, 1886

More PCBH,FL, Day/Evening 4

SIDENOTE: IF YOU HAD A LOVING GRANNY like I did, you'll enjoy Rachel's post! :)

OK, back to MY post...you're probably getting tired of my vacation pics; however, I'm re-living it each time post and write about it...I so want to go back.

I enjoyed every minute and would love to STILL be there. Join me in GOING THERE again to show you the remaining days of our vacation journey...what a blessing! We started the day shopping ... light-changing keyrings, shirts, and book bags from DEL SOL...california rolls, shrimp tempura & teriyaki chicken...shirts from Guy Harvey (so cute and beachy!). The girls enjoyed the beach again...wonderfully pleasant afternoon at the beach (almost empty), nice scenery and, of course, they enjoyed getting to talk the 'cabana boys'...oh, I remember those days.

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As we were leaving for dinner, the sunset was gorgeous, AGAIN, and we wanted to stay on the balcony forever were STARVING and wanted to go eat MORE seafood…once home, it took me forever to figure out the fireworks setting on my camera and I creatively captured a few pics

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MONDAY MOSAIC & KATIE UPDATE

First, an Update: A Good Weekend

Katie had a good weekend

--started sitting up in her stroller

--talking a lot

--starting to act like her sweet baby girl self again.

She has even told some of the nurses, “See you again,” instead of, “Lady go bye-bye.”

--The doctors believe they have her infection under control. (PRAISE!)

white blood cell count and CRP

(which measure the body's fighting infection and inflammation) are back to their normal levels. (PRAISE!)

--continuING IV antibiotic

--Her body is healing the wound from the inside out (it’s getting smaller) and there is just healthy tissue growing – no visible sight of INFECTION.

On a cute note: Katie's calling Mommy & Daddy by their first names...when she wants her way... she recently said, “I love James” not, “I love Daddy,” but specified James.

It just melted daddy’s heart.

NOW FOR THE MONDAY MOSAIC, JOINING LITLE RED HOUSE:

WE ENJOYED A GREAT CLOSEOUT TO OUR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM...THEY START SCHOOL NEXT WEEK.

WE SO LOVE SPENDING TIME AT OUR CAMPGROUND--IT WAS ONLY APPROPRIATE WE SPEND OUR LAST SUMMER PROGRAM OUT IN THE WOODS ON HOLY GROUND...EATING, SINGING, PRAISING, AND HEARING HIS GOOD WORD TO TAKE US INTO THE NEW YEAR!

THIS SUMMER HAS FLOWN (click on the pic for a LARGER view):

DID YOU DO ANYTHING SPECIAL OVER THE WEEKEND?

Jer. 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Blessings,

P.S. Great GIVEAWAY HERE @ BELLA VISTA, go check it out :)