The Fury of The Wind...

Our hearts are broken tonight...

As we pray for those whose lives

 were forever changed this week

by the devastating winds...

We, on the coast,
experienced just a small sampling
of this fury last evening...

As the skies darkened...
and the power flickered...
And the winds began to blow...

A large tree fell near our home
knocking down power lines...
starting a fire...

We were amazed...

It seemed as though
it was just moments later
when we heard the sounds of the sirens...

Our town volunteer fire department
arrived on the scene...
and quickly put out the blaze...

Tonight, as we remember those
 who have lost so much...

We pray for God's healing touch...

And we continue to thank Him...

For all the brave men and women
Who risk their lives everyday
To help others in need...

"Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends..."

John 15:13

The Covering...

Ole' Man Winter was mighty rough

on my poor little greenhouse...

 Last spring, we had a few tears and 

so we just did some minor repair work...

But this year,

we knew that we would need to

recover the entire structure.

 So, several Saturdays ago,

my husband spent the morning

stripping off old plastic and wooden lathes...

And removing the window that Samuel made.

This window was such a wonderful idea...

Sam made it out of an old wooden ladder

so that the greenhouse could get more
cross ventilation!

My assignment was to work on 

making a plastic covering 

that would simply slip over the top.

We had never tried this before...

But I thought that if we cut 3 pieces

and I sewed them together

using homemade bias tape...

We could fit it right over the top...

Sort of like a toaster cover!

I made the double sided bias tape

out of a recycled floral shower curtain.

I made 72 feet of bias tape
which I cut into 4 lengths of 18 feet
and then sewed two together for each end.

I was so pleased when the covering fit...

just like a glove!

My husband then began the task

of refastening lathes...

And putting new plastic on the window...

 

 I just love the way this window works...thanks again, Sam!

Finally, all covered

and ready for my seedlings!

And now my little plants

will have the protection that they need

both from the cold and wind...

And the warmth they will need

to nurture their growth.

This covering reminded me

of the covering that David speaks about

in Psalm 105...

The Lord provided a covering
for the Israelites as they traveled
towards the Promised Land...

The cloud would protect them
from the heat of the desert sun...

And the pillar of fire
would remind them that
even in the midst of the darkness...
God provided a token of His Light.

"He spread a cloud for a covering;  

and fire to give light in the night."

 Psalm 105:39

 Unquestionable Proof...

Of God's amazing love

and protection.

Little Scraps of Happiness...

I'm so excited...

I got a package in the mail today!

I feel just like a kid

in a candy shop!

What a special treat!

 In March,

All Things Vintage Sheets

hosted a whole month

of vintage sheets give-aways...

Thank you so much, Jen!

And I was fortunate to win

a whole package full

of vintage sheet fat quarters

from Jen

at Little Scraps of Happiness!

It was wrapped so beautifully

with a sweet  little card attached...

I've got so many ideas for these!

What a wonderful assortment!

And don't you just love that name...

"Little Scraps of Happiness..."

It made me think of all

the "little scraps of happiness"

that the Lord adds to my life

each and every day.

For example,

yesterday I went grocery shopping

with my youngest...

(seems funny to say that when he 

now towers a good 5 inches over me!)

We were in the checkout isle...

and Samuel was unloading the cart.

 This was our last stop

after running many errands

and I was more than ready to head for home.

We both happened to glance

at one of the magazines displayed

on the rack

at the same time...

The title on the cover read..

The World's Most Beautiful Woman

Without batting an eyelash

Sam looked at me and said...

"Why isn't your picture on the cover, Mom?"

The girl at the register smiled...

And me?

Well, suddenly...

all the cares of 

the day seemed to disappear...

and I was floating on air.

Samuel had just given me a 
"little scrap of happiness..."

 And it made my whole day!

 "A happy heart

makes the face cheerful..."

Proverbs 15:13

Not Just For Your Head...

 I've recently been having some fun

with some vintage pillowcases

that I acquired from our local thrift shop.

Who says that pillowcases

have to be used only on pillows???

I thought that they would be

just about the perfect size

for making market bags!

 Since many of the cases were so pretty...

I decided that I would make them reversible!

And I thought some of you

might want to try this...

So...this is what I did!

 First, I picked out two coordinating 

pillowcases for each market bag.

Then, using my rotary cutter, 

I cut 18 inches up from the bottom.

With the remaining fabric, I cut two 

4 by 22 inch pieces for straps, 

and one piece 3 inches by 10 inches

for the roll-up tab.

 To assemble the straps and roll-up tab,

fold each piece in half (lengthwise),

iron, then fold in half again,

and iron again.

Top stitch along long edges.

Do this on both straps 

and roll-up tab.

 Turn the "bags" inside out,

and draw a thin pencil line

3 inches across all corners.

Sew, and trim to 1/4 inch.

Baste the handles

to the front of one of the bags.

Then place one bag inside the other...

make sure that right sides are together.

Stitch around the top,

make sure to leave an opening

for turning!

Turn right side out

and top stitch...

You're almost done!

 To attach the roll-up tab,

first turn under 1/4 inch

on each end.

Sew on a 1 inch velcro piece,

Then fold tab in half,

and sew to bottom of bag

right in line with bottom seam.

Now...roll 'er up!

 And now that we've seen

that pillowcases aren't

"just for our head..."

We can apply this same

principle to God's Word...

In fact, our Lord Himself

Taught in the scriptures

that having just "head knowledge" itself

would not bring salvation.

We find in John 5: 39-40
that Jesus says that the Pharisees
searched the scriptures
and knew them well, 

believing all the while
that they had eternal life.

But the scriptures clearly pointed to Jesus
and they weren't willing to come to Him.

Their focus was on living out the
commandments of the law...

They were missing the whole point.

It was heart issue,
not a head issue.

They needed to realize
who Christ was and to repent.

And so do we...

Simply memorizing the scriptures
isn't enough...

For God's Word is not
"just for our head..."

"You search the Scriptures 

because you think that in them you have eternal life;

it is these that testify about Me;

 and you are unwilling to come to Me 

so that you may have life."

 John 5:39-40

All That Glitters...

The last time my sister came

over from Vermont 

was an emergency visit.

My dad was not doing very well

and she came over suddenly

to help out for a few days...

My sister and I are alike

in many ways...

She, too, always has her

hands busy

knitting or crocheting.

On her last visit,

since she left so suddenly,

she just threw her knitting into

a gift bag from her closet.

I wish that I had taken a picture

of that bag...

It was VERY sparkly and silvery...

Not really Nancy's kind of bag

and we kidded her all week about it.

She would pretend to whine...

"Well, if I had a bag like mom's

I wouldn't need to put my knitting in this!"

You see, my mom fell in love

with the denim bag that I made

last month...

And so I gave it to her.

So, while my sister was here this week,

I decided to make a her bag of her own

but I wanted it to remind her

of that "special" knitting" bag

from her previous visit!

 I didn't have any "sparkly silvery" material

but I did have some rather

glittery gold...

that I felt would be just perfect for the lining!

As I worked on this project...

I thought about the saying...

"All that glitters is not gold..."

which stated simply means...

"Do not be deceived by things or 

offers that appear to be attractive."

Isn't this a snazzy lining!

As my machine hummed...  

I started to ponder

all the current excitement 

and controversy over

the "prosperity" gospel.

The prosperity gospel, 

also known as the health and wealth gospel, 

preaches that God wants his people to be prosperous;

spiritually, physically, and, most of all, financially. 

All we have to do is believe it, 

receive it, and act upon God’s promises.

If this is true...

then why is it that so many Christians...

~go to bed hungry?

~or die from cancer?

~or suffer persecution at the hands of others?

Yes, it is true...

that God blesses us abundantly...

But the Bible that I read

tells me... 

"If any man will come after me, 

let him deny himself, 

and take up his cross daily, 

and follow me"

(Luke 9:23)

Jesus calls us not to seek our own happiness

but to seek the glory of God

by giving ourselves to Him

and for others.

The "prosperity" gospel's problem

is that it focuses on

"getting our wants..."

The gospel of the cross

focuses on the

"giving of ourselves."

Perhaps one of the best role models

of the Bible is the apostle Paul...

Who was by no means "prosperous"

by worldly standards...

nor did he ask to be...

But instead...

found glory in his infirmities...

"And lest I should be exalted above measure 

through the abundance of the revelations, 

there was given to me a thorn in the flesh,

the messenger of Satan to buffet me, 

lest I should be exalted above measure.  
 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, 
that it might depart from me.
 And he said unto me, 

My grace is sufficient for thee: 

for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 

Most gladly therefore will I 
rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, 
in reproaches, in necessities,
in persecutions, 
in distresses for Christ's sake: 
for when I am weak, then am I strong."

2 Corinthians 7-10

Today, on this rainy "April showers" day,
it is my prayer... 

"That the trial of your faith, 

being much more precious

than of gold that perisheth, 

though it be tried with fire, 

might be found unto praise and honour 

and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ..."

I Peter 1:7

"Fun fur" for her hats!

In A Box...

My sister and brother-in-law arrived 

last evening from Vermont

to spend a week with my parents.

They stopped at our home first.

As they came through the door

Don was carrying a big box.

As he set it by the stove,
Nancy said,

"I've cleaned out my craft supplies

and I had a whole box full of things

that I know I won't use

but I think you might like!"

Well, you'd think it was 

my birthday...

I was so excited!

They stayed and visited for a bit...

catching up over warm cookies 

and milk...

I was really glad to see them both,

but I must admit...

I kept thinking...

"I can't wait to see what is

in that box!"

After they headed down to

my parent's house...

I opened it...

and what wonderful

surprises I found inside...
Much better than I 
could have ever imagined!

Craft ribbon for making bows
for Christmas wreaths...

Various embroidery kits, looms,
basket making materials, and hoops...

Crochet cotton for tatting and fine lacework...

Various wooden items for painting,
candle making and glass etching supplies...

And many, many other wonderful
treats!

But perhaps my favorite
discovery was this vintage
"doll world" magazine...

 Complete with paper dolls right inside!

You see, even though I tried to imagine
what wonderful surprises were inside...
I was still totally amazed when I
actually began taking the items
"out of the box"...

For inside, were things
that I'd never dreamed of!

As I sorted through these
items and put them away this morning,
I began to think about the
various ways that we
put God "in a box"
sometimes....

Sometimes, I think,
that we forget the God
whom we serve.

Hebrews 13:8 tells us

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday,

and to day, and for ever."

Why is it that we doubt that

 the God who parted the Red Sea;

and fed over 5000 with a 

few loaves and some fish,

and who brought down

the walls of Jericho

with the sound of a trumpet...

could possibly perform

miracles in our lives today???

Joshua and Samuel came in from

working outside
and I asked them what they thought
about the phrase
"putting God in a box"...

Josh's thoughts were that people
put God "in a box", so to speak,
when they limit Him to just one
part of their lives,

such as Sunday morning for an hour...

Instead of focusing their
whole lives completely on Him.

So today,
as I sort through my new crafts
I am praying about
taking God
"out of the box"
in every aspect of my life...

Imagining no limits...
for the One who
simply spoke the world
into existence.

"He hath made the earth by his power, 

he hath established the world by his wisdom, 

and hath stretched out the heavens 

by his discretion."
Jeremiah 10:12

Remember Shirley Temple?

Blooming Inside...

What an amazing blessing it is...

To have the Lord speak to us

and show us areas in our lives

that need examining...

I was washing dishes this morning...

humming as I listened to one

of my most favorite hymns... 

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, 
Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul." 

As I gazed out the window

at the light mist falling on the pond...

I thought...

"Well, at least it isn't snowing..."

And suddenly,

my heart felt so convicted...

For I realized that for the past few weeks

I had been grumbling 

and complaining about all

the snow we've had this winter. 

Wanting spring to be here...

Wanting to see flowers blooming...

Wanting to start my garden.

And the words from that beloved hymn

spoke so clearly to me... 

"Whatever my lot,  
Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul." 

It was then I realized

that despite my singing...

It was not "well with my soul..."

And I felt ashamed.

And then, the Lord

showed me this...

Suddenly, 

I didn't need the flowers

to be blooming outside...

For on this dreary mist-filled day...

The flowers were blooming inside for me.

Ladies,

please forgive me...

for all the past posts and comments

about "being tired of all this snow"

and "wanting so badly for it to be spring."

For as I gazed at these beautiful

sun-filled blossoms

I was reminded of Philippians 4:11-13

"Not that I speak from want,

for I have learned to be content

in whatever circumstances I am.

 I know how to get along with humble means, 

and I also know how to live in prosperity;

in any and every circumstance

I have learned the secret 
of being filled

and going hungry, 
both of having abundance 

and suffering need.

 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

Despite my circumstances on the outside...
The Lord is "blooming" in my heart
and that should be more

than enough for me!
 

Even my new potholders are "blooming!"

"But godliness with contentment

is great gain..."

I Timothy 6:6

Are We Reversible?

It's the first day of April

and here in Maine...

truly an April Fools Day!

What started as this early this morning...

Will leave us with upwards of a foot of snow 

before ending tonight!

So much for planting potatoes this weekend!

So, instead of hanging out clothes...

It's a perfect day for....

 baking brownies!

and chocolate chip cookies!

And working on some sewing projects.

Last week mom was cleaning out

her linen closet...

and she gave me several sets

of vintage sheets and pillow cases.

Many of my crafty blogger friends

have been making all sorts of 

wonderful things with vintage sheets

such as quilts and aprons.

Recently, I came across this pattern

for a reversible bag
while visiting
Sophia's blog.

I decided to give it a try
with some of the vintage sheets
that I had acquired.

Don't you just love this floral?

While sewing away at my machine...
I began to think about the word
"reversible"
and what it means.

For one thing...
Something that is reversible
is the same shape on the inside
as well as on the outside.

It started me pondering...
Am I the same shape on the inside...
As I am on the outside?

Is the "side" that I show
to the world...
The same as what is in my heart?

Do I do the things that I do...
not for personal glory...
or self gratification...
or public acknowledgement...

But solely for the purpose
of being obedient to my Lord
and pleasing Him?

This is my prayer today...
No fooling!

"A fool hath no delight in understanding, 

but that his heart may discover itself."

Proverbs 18:2

Super easy!

 ***Editor's Note***

Didn't get this post out yesterday...

Today is sunny and the snow is melting...

HURRAY...SPRING IS HERE!