Gold and God's promises...

Last summer we had lots of fires and we truly found out what was important - each other. Not our belongings - although Great Grandma's quilts, needlework and recipes are important in their own right.

Yesterday the call went out - one one of my other jobs is to take photographs, so I went. The fire wasn't bad - a lot of smoke really. But there was rain and lightning....which could cause even more fires. I decided to hit the road - sugar, sand, road - to get back to town. Here's what the Sandhills look like after a rain...and it was amazing.

Some of the most beautiful cloudscapes I've seen along with a double rainbow - God's promise.

This summer has been completely the opposite - not too hot. Moisture. Humidity - which is something not too common in the Sandhills area. But it's always better than fire. And most important - Gold!!! Yes, those round bales of hay the ranchers cut, rake and roll is gold for their livestock. How's this for something Gold at the end of the rainbow?

He's answered a lot of promises lately - not just for me but for family and friends. I'm eternally grateful my deer, deer Lord!!!

 Praying your summer is going well - and that you realize the prayers that He has answered for you as well. Because He's there and He does listen.
Thank YOU Lord.

If you're interested in visiting the Sandhills area, go to:http://sandhillswesternvacations.com/

Meanwhile, what prayers has He answered for you lately?

Love is patient...1 Corinthians 13:4-8...Happy Mother's Day

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails.

Mother's Day will be upon us this May 12. Was your mother a saintly woman flying around the house with gossamer wings humming a sweet melody? Mine wasn't either. 

And as a mother I sure wasn't either. Such as life. We're all imperfect beings trying to make it in an imperfect world. 

BUT you are who you ARE today because of, or in some cases, in spite of, your mother.  

The Good Book instructs: Parents, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

And our Lord is very giving. He is very forgiving. Our Lord is LOVE.

I do love my mother very much yet I've procrastinated in making her birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, everything-for-the-last-few-years gift.

I made these purses for myself more than 15 years ago for my childrens' weddings. (None of whom have ever gotten married, by the way.)

This is the first one...

 This is the second one....

This is the third one  - I had intended on three weddings; one for each of my boys.

My mom always wanted one. So did my very, very, very, deer friend. Through the years, my deer friend has hinted oh so delicately on "really wanting a purse like you made..."

And that's what love is all about.

 Her flavor is a little more primitive...rustic...but I added a hint of elegance to the subdued, yet rich fall colors along with an old, knotted, jade necklace for the handle.

 Obviously, my friend got hers first...

It is now my mother's turn. How did this post begin? Love is patient...
Think of all the ways your mother was patient with you growing up. Or not. Here's hoping you can return love to her and to your children...real or furry (dogs and cats, and birds, and critters all count).

It is now my mother's turn.  She is kind...does not boast and is not self-seeking. She is not easily angered.
So I'm trusting that I can - AND WILL - get this done before the next snow fall.
Our last snow fall was Wednesday May 1...I took this photo that day which shows a mothers love so perfectly.

So, my deer ones, may you have a very happy Mother's Day because Love never fails! And it is the best gift there is...ALWAYS. I love you mom!!!

YOU'RE LOVED!!!!!

 

There's nothing worse than not feeling with it. Feeling frozen out. 

But the neat thing is that it doesn't matter because Jesus loves you ALWAYS!!! 

 

 And here's the part that will set you free!!! Jesus loves you because of what's in your heart!!! Not how big your bank account is or isn't. Not because of who you hang around with or who you don't. Nor does He really care how immaculate your home is. He cares most about the love in your heart!!!

Here it is, Holy Week and that should have you feeling pretty ducky! 

Why? Because He died for you and me to live life to the fullest!!! 

So if you feel frozen, or left out...or know someone who does, remember YOU'RE LOVED!!!

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, 

shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

The Prayer Pet Pattern, YOU'RE LOVED will be available soon!! 

Look for it on FearNotPatternCo.com or 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FearNotPatternCo?ref=si_shop

Fear Not...it's Valentine's Day~

 

I absolutely LOVE this scripture and was playing with typography - ta-da...here it is artfully designed. 

This scripture means so much to me, not for just everyday life, but also while tackling the creative process.  Not every stitcher is right handed, but the implication is that the Lord will help us and we need not fear the process - whatever it is. 

Having a crew over for Valentine's Day? Fear Not...He's there to help you. Deciding on whether to send that person a card...or not...Fear Not, He will help you in that decision. Overwhelmed that you don't have a special love? Fear Not...He loves you more than you'll ever know - just as you are!!! 

Freaked out about bills? Fear Not...He's there to help you through the darkest of valleys, all the while holding your right hand. 

You will make it to the mountain top! And He'll still be holding your hand. What a comfort!

So then, be brave, all the while knowing that He'll be helping you in your endeavors - He will help you in creating the perfect gift for your loved one with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co...even if at this particular moment it's you. Because HE loves you that much.

So Fear Not and enjoy the creative process. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Fully Rely On God....FROG!

It's a new year and today it was a balmy 55 degrees and we're still praying for moisture here in the Midwest. While it's beautiful, I opened the windows to let some of the nice in and the stale out.
And that's what HE does for us when we have faith and Fully Rely On GOD.
The First Baptist Church, located in Valentine, NE, requested permission to make the Fully Rely On God pattern for their shut-ins and college students.
The put together this display after having a work day making the frogs. What a clever idea! And what wonderful, colorful, frogs and with such endearing expressions.

Welcoming the parishioners in the vestibule of the First Baptist Church

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble! Psalms 46:1; How's that for a reminder to Fully Rely On God..in all our circumstances.

What creativity and color!!!

What expressions!

What if we ALL Fully Relied On God?

Edna was in charge of coordinating the project and gathered these pages for the kids to color as cards to be included in with the Frogs as"Gifts of Love."There are also sheets that show the ids how to draw a frog and other scriptures that go with the theme: We love because He first loves us, 1 John 4:19; Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart, Psalm 37:4; The LORD watches over all who love Him, Psalm 145:20; God is our refuge and strength, An ever-present help in trouble, Psalm, 46.1...which brings us back to trusting our Lord and Savior!

Is your church helping shut-ins? Would you be interested in using Fear Not Pattern Co patterns? Please let me know and e-mail me at fearnotpatternco@yahoo.com! Have you used Fear Not Pattern Co patterns, please share them and I would be happy to feature them on the blog!!

Prayers for Newtown, Connecticut

December 14, 2012, a day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it?
How so?
We can be glad that we're free and able to pray to a loving God who will give all who ask, His peace, love, and comfort, under circumstances that are grim. 
We can pray for our "neighbors" even thought they're many states away. We can ask HIM to wash away their tears, hold them, and heal their aching hearts.
This is the season of Miracles. God does have a plan.
During a difficult season of my life I decorated my Christmas tree with cards from friends and family. I also wrote this on a piece of paper and attached it with a twist tie:
Christmas is not in the presents but in HIS presence. 
May the families of Newtown, Connecticut, feel the gift of HIS presence and a nation praying for them in their sorrow. 
Amen

It's not what you know but Who you know...

The pattern for the Season of Living pillow panel has been at a complete standstill for many reasons. The first being our summer was so hot and drought filled which led to many devastating fires.

Smoke has filled the sky while this pivot protects this meadow.

 We're hoping for many wet snows this winter and haven't had much. Of course, we're all dreaming of a white Christmas as well. This is the Season of Miracles, and with God, he can do ANYTHING!

The fire area shortly afterward with deer (haha) sweet snow!

 Back to the Season of Living pillow panel, I didn't keep very good track of how many strips to cut and their dimensions when I made it. I tried to replicate it and was styimied. I asked my friends and family to help me with the necessary math needed to come up with those numbers; and that didn't turn out very well.
At the right time, He sent me someone who helped figure out the checkerboard. After Christmas, I will get that pattern written and on the Web site. What a nice gift to get that little nagging issue finally settled.

Meanwhile, I'm praying that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas, and that we all remember the reason for the season.
The first gifts were gold, and tree sap - frankincense and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh are fragrances and when burned are incense. According to HowStuffWorks.com they were an important commodity and were used for personal, religious and medicinal use.

Have you heard the saying, "Wise men still seek Him"? Seek Jesus this year with all your heart. He is a wonderful gift to share with those you love - and for those you don't love so well....Jesus would say, "Love thy neighbor as yourself." How's that for a gift? Take that leap of faith! Mend those fences!

Leap at the chance to share His gift of love with your neighbor and yourself.

 It's not always the easiest but the best. Not the shiniest...but the best. Not the most fragrant...but the most medicinal for you and your neighbor.
And the best medicine for our area would be nice, wet, snow so the people here could get on with their Season of Living!

Dear Lord, we thank you so much for the moisture we have gotten already and are thankful for that which is to come.

May you and your deer (haha) family have a very Merry Christmas. 

 May the gift of patterns or a gift made from a pattern from Fear Not Pattern Company bless you and the recipient - a friend or neighbor? Or yourself perhaps?

 Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to the King of Kings!