Dear friends, I have a prayer request.
My dear friend Debbie's daughter Elissa is in the hospital trying desperately to hold on to her unborn baby boy. She is only about 26 weeks and her water broke last night. This is the young woman I've spoken of in the past, who overcame abdominal cancer and losing an unborn baby as well as a husband. (to divorce) She is now happily remarried and expecting their little boy. Please help me pray the child is able to stay in the womb long enough to survive when he's born.
Thank you for your past prayers and for this one as well.
God is good and is still in control.
B
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Legacy
Yesterday, a Proverbs 31 woman was laid to rest and I attended her funeral. Her name is Norma, and she is not a close family member in the sense of relativity or genealogy. But she is close in my heart as well as my husband's. Her family is close knit, and they have been devastated by her loss, even if they are elated that she is with the Father and her husband now.
In the service her son delivered a moving eulogy. The things he said of her were so very honorable. So very loving and warm, as well as funny. We were all moved to tears at his words.
Proverbs 31: 28 was read and in our online Bible study we have been in Proverbs, so that was a particular blessing to me.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her."
The pastor pointed out what a blessing she was to her family and to the church.
Verse 20: "...Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy" He spoke of the work she'd done in her church, and how active she was for years and years, still attending Sunday School as often as health would permit. In past years she carried countless children to VBS, and worked with the Red Cross in relief efforts.
When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she would always answer, "Having and raising my three children who I love."
On the way home, and afterward, I thought about what was said about this woman. I pondered on how loved she was and what kind of legacy she left.
Will that be the kind of legacy I leave? Will my children rise up and call me blessed? Have I done the kind of job raising them and loving them that would leave them with words and feelings such as these? Do I have such a countenance that my daughter would gladly spend years taking care of me and being my companion? Or am I so self centered, and shallow that spending time with me would be a burden? Will my church family care enough about me to fill the church to overflowing at my passing? Or am I just taking up space in a pew?
When I leave this world, I hope and pray two of the many many good things spoken about Norma, are said about me by my children and by church members and friends. She was an active and devoted child of God, and she was loved greatly by her family. If this is a selfish wish, I will admit guilt.
I had a dream once, where God asked me the one thing I wanted of Him. I answered, "To be remembered as kind." He told me He would grant that request, but it would cause me regret. I'm not sure what he meant, but I think it was that being kind would leave me unable to defend myself at times. If that is the case, I bear that burden gladly. Leaving a legacy of kindness is a good thing I think.
In the service her son delivered a moving eulogy. The things he said of her were so very honorable. So very loving and warm, as well as funny. We were all moved to tears at his words.
Proverbs 31: 28 was read and in our online Bible study we have been in Proverbs, so that was a particular blessing to me.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her."
The pastor pointed out what a blessing she was to her family and to the church.
Verse 20: "...Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy" He spoke of the work she'd done in her church, and how active she was for years and years, still attending Sunday School as often as health would permit. In past years she carried countless children to VBS, and worked with the Red Cross in relief efforts.
When asked what her greatest accomplishment was, she would always answer, "Having and raising my three children who I love."
On the way home, and afterward, I thought about what was said about this woman. I pondered on how loved she was and what kind of legacy she left.
Will that be the kind of legacy I leave? Will my children rise up and call me blessed? Have I done the kind of job raising them and loving them that would leave them with words and feelings such as these? Do I have such a countenance that my daughter would gladly spend years taking care of me and being my companion? Or am I so self centered, and shallow that spending time with me would be a burden? Will my church family care enough about me to fill the church to overflowing at my passing? Or am I just taking up space in a pew?
When I leave this world, I hope and pray two of the many many good things spoken about Norma, are said about me by my children and by church members and friends. She was an active and devoted child of God, and she was loved greatly by her family. If this is a selfish wish, I will admit guilt.
I had a dream once, where God asked me the one thing I wanted of Him. I answered, "To be remembered as kind." He told me He would grant that request, but it would cause me regret. I'm not sure what he meant, but I think it was that being kind would leave me unable to defend myself at times. If that is the case, I bear that burden gladly. Leaving a legacy of kindness is a good thing I think.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Special Delivery
Yesterday I delivered the quilts, bibs and burp cloths I finished for the NICU at St. Vincent's Infirmary in Little Rock. What an experience that was! I am going into detail so bear with me. I was just so full of joy with this!
When I arrived, all the nurses seemed to rush into the station to see what was going on. And when they began to make exclamations of delight, I was so humbled. One asked me to give my story on why I was doing this, and my answer was something like this:
"My grandson was here in the NICU for a couple of days 14 months ago, and y'all were so good to him. God has blessed me to be able to stay home and keep him, and I wanted to share that and bless others."
The director of the NICU, Jenny, asked me what my grandson's name was, and they took some photos of me holding their favorite quilt. She asked if they could post my photo and story on the wall board and I gave them the ok. She then took me around to one of the rooms, to show me how they could drape the quilts over the little boxes where the babies were monitored. And oh my....
There was a tiny tiny little boy in this photo that you can't see. His name is Cayden and he was so little and frail. Jenny asked if I'd like to give the quilt to his mother, and I did. I wish I had been more prepared for that, because I was really at a loss for words. The only thing that came out of my mouth was, "Would you like to have this quilt for your baby?" And his mother put her hand over her mouth and began to cry.
I touched her on the arm and told her, "Oh please don't cry honey. This is from God and not from me." I then asked the baby's name and the nurses did a little talking, explaining she could hold the baby with the quilt if she wanted to, and drape it over the box where the baby lay. As I was leaving, they took another photo.
I told this sweet Mama and her husband, "God bless you." and left the room. We went back to the nurse's station and talked a little more, and I explained that I would bring more as I got them made. They were all so appreciative and I thanked them several times for allowing me to do this. God is so good.
I didn't ask what was wrong with Cayden, didn't feel it was my place, but God knows. I prayed over the quilt and the child who would receive it while I created it. I know Cayden will be ok. I hope that the next time I go, I stay in the background a little more and put God in the foreground. And I hope and pray that He will give me better words to say. Words of wisdom and comfort.
I'm not sharing this to give myself credit in any way. I just wanted you to see how doing God's will, participating in a ministry FOR HIM, and helping "the least of these" can be such a powerful blessing.
When I arrived, all the nurses seemed to rush into the station to see what was going on. And when they began to make exclamations of delight, I was so humbled. One asked me to give my story on why I was doing this, and my answer was something like this:
"My grandson was here in the NICU for a couple of days 14 months ago, and y'all were so good to him. God has blessed me to be able to stay home and keep him, and I wanted to share that and bless others."
The director of the NICU, Jenny, asked me what my grandson's name was, and they took some photos of me holding their favorite quilt. She asked if they could post my photo and story on the wall board and I gave them the ok. She then took me around to one of the rooms, to show me how they could drape the quilts over the little boxes where the babies were monitored. And oh my....
There was a tiny tiny little boy in this photo that you can't see. His name is Cayden and he was so little and frail. Jenny asked if I'd like to give the quilt to his mother, and I did. I wish I had been more prepared for that, because I was really at a loss for words. The only thing that came out of my mouth was, "Would you like to have this quilt for your baby?" And his mother put her hand over her mouth and began to cry.
I touched her on the arm and told her, "Oh please don't cry honey. This is from God and not from me." I then asked the baby's name and the nurses did a little talking, explaining she could hold the baby with the quilt if she wanted to, and drape it over the box where the baby lay. As I was leaving, they took another photo.
I told this sweet Mama and her husband, "God bless you." and left the room. We went back to the nurse's station and talked a little more, and I explained that I would bring more as I got them made. They were all so appreciative and I thanked them several times for allowing me to do this. God is so good.
I didn't ask what was wrong with Cayden, didn't feel it was my place, but God knows. I prayed over the quilt and the child who would receive it while I created it. I know Cayden will be ok. I hope that the next time I go, I stay in the background a little more and put God in the foreground. And I hope and pray that He will give me better words to say. Words of wisdom and comfort.
I'm not sharing this to give myself credit in any way. I just wanted you to see how doing God's will, participating in a ministry FOR HIM, and helping "the least of these" can be such a powerful blessing.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Another Thoughtful Thursday
I am thoroughly enjoying the Women's Bible Study that Tonya from Hillbilly Handiworks is leading. We are studying Proverbs and it's pretty cool if you ask me. Kudos to Tonya!
Even though it's still HOT, the temps in our area have dropped a tad. And I mean a tad, but any little bit is precious.
LMW is growing too big for his britches and is a joy to behold. I'm so thankful I get to stay home and keep him.
I delivered quilts to the St. Vincent NICU today. It was a moving experience that I will share in another post.
I've been thinking about adding a page to my blog about my faith. It may be boring reading for others, but if I'm supposed to do it, I will. I'm still sort of waiting to see exactly what God wants me to say.
My brother is crashing with us some these days. He has been living at my Mom's house since her death, and just hired on in Hot Springs at an avionics place. The drive from Rison to Hot Springs is just too much for his vehicle every day, not to mention the cost of gas. It's not quite as far from my house. I'm hoping and praying he will be able to find a place of his own, as that is his desire. I don't mind him being here at all, just want him to be happy.
And since he is staying in my sewing/guest room, my sewing is not coming along as I'd like. I wanted to do Tonya's paper pieced heart, but it's not working out for me. I'll have to put that off. Sorry Tonya.
That's all for today boys and girls. Have a good one.
Even though it's still HOT, the temps in our area have dropped a tad. And I mean a tad, but any little bit is precious.
LMW is growing too big for his britches and is a joy to behold. I'm so thankful I get to stay home and keep him.
I delivered quilts to the St. Vincent NICU today. It was a moving experience that I will share in another post.
I've been thinking about adding a page to my blog about my faith. It may be boring reading for others, but if I'm supposed to do it, I will. I'm still sort of waiting to see exactly what God wants me to say.
My brother is crashing with us some these days. He has been living at my Mom's house since her death, and just hired on in Hot Springs at an avionics place. The drive from Rison to Hot Springs is just too much for his vehicle every day, not to mention the cost of gas. It's not quite as far from my house. I'm hoping and praying he will be able to find a place of his own, as that is his desire. I don't mind him being here at all, just want him to be happy.
And since he is staying in my sewing/guest room, my sewing is not coming along as I'd like. I wanted to do Tonya's paper pieced heart, but it's not working out for me. I'll have to put that off. Sorry Tonya.
That's all for today boys and girls. Have a good one.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thoughtful Thursday
My blogger friend Marcia wrote a post about where we've been and where we are now and where we fit in. And it made me think about how my tastes have changed. My focus has changed, my life has changed.
I don't have any photos, but when my children were small, I painted. I painted a lot, and tee shirts were my specialty. My children would make fun of me, because everything I saw, I would see the colors and say, "That would look good on a tee shirt." I bought Christmas gifts two years in a row painting tees, thank you very much. But that fad quickly died out.
At that time, I was into my country kitch mode of decor. Our house was pretty rustic, down to the splintery interior walls, so I painted country.
I had a band saw, so there were lots and lots of little wooden country things sitting around and hanging on the walls. This dogwood was one of the last band saw creations I painted.
I couldn't bear to give this one up, so it moved with us to our new home 9 years ago. It's still in my bedroom. I like painting dogwoods and have to restrain myself from doing it all the time.
My former style of decorating. SR is still into it, so this is in his "man cave".
I designed this dresser way back then, and my awesome father created it for me. I can't bear to paint it...yet. Although I might one day, unless one of my children takes it. Please take it... It's so big, but holds so little. I don't know what I was thinking. Still in the country mode I guess.
My tastes have changed as has my life. I no longer live in a rustic home in the deep dark woods. I now live in a little house inside city limits in a different town. Smooth walls, level floors, no floral wallpaper, no splintery walls. This is more my style now.
Oh, there are still some country touches to be found around this place. We all take our past everywhere we go, but for the most part, my style is what I found is called, "American Casual" because I like antiques, but I like traditional and contemporary as well. It's a mix of all I think.
My focus now is mainly on the grandson, and quilting. That being said, Jesus is still Lord of my life, or at least I want Him to be. I don't know if I will ever really give over to Him as I'm supposed to, but the desire is there. I am no longer isolated in the deep woods, but have sort of "come out into the light" of a different world. I have my church, my blogger friends, my children are grown with families of their own, my husband will retire in two years, and life is good. Life is very good.
I don't have any photos, but when my children were small, I painted. I painted a lot, and tee shirts were my specialty. My children would make fun of me, because everything I saw, I would see the colors and say, "That would look good on a tee shirt." I bought Christmas gifts two years in a row painting tees, thank you very much. But that fad quickly died out.
At that time, I was into my country kitch mode of decor. Our house was pretty rustic, down to the splintery interior walls, so I painted country.
I had a band saw, so there were lots and lots of little wooden country things sitting around and hanging on the walls. This dogwood was one of the last band saw creations I painted.
I couldn't bear to give this one up, so it moved with us to our new home 9 years ago. It's still in my bedroom. I like painting dogwoods and have to restrain myself from doing it all the time.
My former style of decorating. SR is still into it, so this is in his "man cave".
I designed this dresser way back then, and my awesome father created it for me. I can't bear to paint it...yet. Although I might one day, unless one of my children takes it. Please take it... It's so big, but holds so little. I don't know what I was thinking. Still in the country mode I guess.
My tastes have changed as has my life. I no longer live in a rustic home in the deep dark woods. I now live in a little house inside city limits in a different town. Smooth walls, level floors, no floral wallpaper, no splintery walls. This is more my style now.
Oh, there are still some country touches to be found around this place. We all take our past everywhere we go, but for the most part, my style is what I found is called, "American Casual" because I like antiques, but I like traditional and contemporary as well. It's a mix of all I think.
My focus now is mainly on the grandson, and quilting. That being said, Jesus is still Lord of my life, or at least I want Him to be. I don't know if I will ever really give over to Him as I'm supposed to, but the desire is there. I am no longer isolated in the deep woods, but have sort of "come out into the light" of a different world. I have my church, my blogger friends, my children are grown with families of their own, my husband will retire in two years, and life is good. Life is very good.
Online Study
I'm joining in a women's online Bible study hosted by Hillbilly Handiwork's Tonya.
I'm sure she'd love to include you if you'd like to join us. Her focus verse is 2 Timothy 3:16:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
I'mnot looking forward to having sore toes....
I'm sure she'd love to include you if you'd like to join us. Her focus verse is 2 Timothy 3:16:
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.
I'm
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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