Oops...missed some days...Day 4

Today was a tough day - tougher than what I've had in a while and I'm thankful that it ended with a dinner out with friends. It was the best ending a person could have. Not to mention a meal that was totally a comfort, homemade, like moms!!!

And do you know what else I'm thankful for...laughter. At the table, we were laughing at the antics that shaped our day. It was fabulous that we were able to shed them with a laugh vs. coming home alone and cry or mope.

My motto is: God has a plan!  I'm so glad His plan included key people in my day today! All day long HE placed the right ones at the right time.
 
I'm also thankful that God will forgive me for not keeping up with these posts!

God's hot, steamy, love notes....

Even when you don't know what He's up to...He'll offer you reassurance by the way of golden hope - see the golden heart at the left? It says HOPE!
Of course, HE always lets you know you're loved. How do you suppose that heart came to be on the hot, steamy, kitchen window?
It was His way of letting me know how cherished I really am - more than I'll ever know at a time I needed Him. You are always cherished more than you'll ever know too. ALWAYS remember that!

Second chances and do overs

I love photographing the wonders of our Lord...such as this full moon Friday. And it occurred to me that God is a God of second chances. He does believe in do overs. Why else would there be seam rippers?
Of course that is from a sewing sense...but in other things in life, He always offers us a chance to make our wrongs right. Ask HIM...have hope and believe!

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!

Song of Hope...

The pattern for Song of Hope is nearly done. It's in the proofreading stages right now. I'm so hopeful that this pillow pattern will bless women who have had or will undergo a mastectomy. The pattern will be available at FearNotPatternCo.com very shortly...

There are two other patterns  in the works that will be using Northcott's Quest For A Cure fabric line. My aunt, who lost her mother to cancer, (my grandmother), thought it would be nice to have something In Memory Of....
That design is currently being sewn together, but will have multiple uses but more on that later.

 In my opinion, cancer isn't for pansies. The third will talk about that but will be for someone who just wants to purchase this lovely fabric so they can help with the cause...

And give us all HOPE!

Remember, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Northcott's Quest For A Cure fabric line is already available.

This is for my mom, dad and their friend Nancy...

...it's also for all the women out there who have or have had, or know women who have or have had cancer.

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking of a pillow panel that would incorporate fun flowers, the pink ribbon and a big heart all created out of varying shades of pink wool applique.

It could be a gift for someone you know. For yourself. How about for someone you don't even know? What a way to brighten up a cancer patient's day?

Should it have an envelope on the front like the panel Seasons of Blessings (in the first post)? I had someone tell me that when they found out they had cancer, it was a blessing, because it made them realize the important things in life. The REALLY, REALLY, important things...family and friends.
Not how clean her home was or wasn't. Not how much money she did or don't have. But that she had her family and friends, and that she'd made new friends and was able to be a blessing to them.

Wow! Courage.

So...I want to know what flowers you think would symbolize courage, hope and strength? I want to hear from women who have had cancer and what would cheer them up.

Please share....you don't know whose life you may bless.

It could be Nancy's.

Seasons of Faith

It's been a long while coming, but finally, they're done... Seasons of Faith pillows and pillow panels. We all go through different seasons in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Some are good, some aren't the best, and some are down right sad. 
It's not always easy to give our problems to the Lord, nor is it always easy to remember to pray for our loved ones. 
But Seasons of Faith pillows and panels can help get the job done creatively. Each one has a scripture you can pray for yourself or for a loved one...stitch by stitch. 
There are three different pillow designs - one for the advanced seamstress, one for the intermediate and one who is either a beginner or wants to get it done fast without a bunch of fuss!
Currently, there are four panels: Season of Hope, Season of Peace, Season of Blessing, and Season of Faith. 
The panels come off the pillow and can be changed with the seasons and easily stored so you won't have a lot of holiday pillows to pack away at the end of the season. Simply swap out a panel and you're good to go. 
Maybe making all four at one time is a bit intimidating? Make one every year and give as a gift...remembering to pray for your loved one, or a situation that is going on in your life. 


The patterns are made and printed in the U.S.A. 
Contact fearnotpatternco@yahoo.com or call 402-376-2719 to place an order.
All five patterns are $37.99 plus shipping.