My Joy

Have I ever shared how much joy my children bring me?

Yes, they argue and disagree and yes I have to referee those disagreements.  But there is something that far out weighs even those...
When I hear their joint laughter over an endeavor they have taken on together, when they are coming up with new skits, when they are standing up for one another against outsiders that try to come against them, when they pray for each other and when one feels sad and the other two are racking their brains trying to figure out why.

Yes, I've been blessed beyond measure with these 3 monumental joys in my life and you know what?  I would NOT trade them for anything in this world.

In our society today, the world would have us to believe that 3 children are more than enough.  That actually we could stop at two if we have a boy and a girl and the only reason to have three might simply be because we had two of the same sex the first two times.  Or society would have us to believe that putting children on hold until a more perfect opportune time comes is more than ok.
Yet when I read my Bible, I read in Psalms 127:3-5  It says that children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the had of a warrior are the children of one's youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!!! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gates.

No, my children are not my regrets, my children are my blessings and I am blessed beyond measure because they are in my life.  My only regret is my choice of closing off my womb and putting a halt to the many blessings God could have given me.  However, that will not stop me from praising Him for the one's He gave me before my poor judgement and decision.

I feel like Mother's Day is every day and today I am abundantly blessed to be their mother!!!

Uncertainty

I'm in the market for a new job.  I've wanted to be closer to home and not have to deal with the long commute every day.  It would also mean that I would have more time at home.
I know God has told me to step out on faith and get back to the basics as I was in late 2005.

There is just one little problem...I'm afraid!!!!

The difference..I wasn't working then and had no choice but to TRUST HIM.
Now, I'm working and I've come to the point where I rely on my income instead of the Source of my income.  I've gotten comfortable.
Not to mention that I've heard so many say I'd be crazy to go to a lower paying job just for the comfort of being closer to home.  That I'd lose all these great benefits that many are wishing they had.
Aghhhhhh, just enough to drive you crazy!!!!

I would rather step out on faith than have Him to allow me to get to the point where I have no choice.

Life is never dull!!!

A name for my business

FINALLY!!!!
I've chosen a name for my business!  I've been pondering and praying over that for months, not sure I would ever come up with one and then not sure the one I came up with would be suitable or likable.  Would it sound cheesy or would it really represent me.  However, I like it!!!

STITCHESNHEMS

I'll set up my Etsy shop soon.  I want to get a few of the items I plan to sell made up first and THEN do a bit more reading on how to set up my Etsy shop.

I'd love to get some tips, pointer, ideas for my profile and introduction to my shop, so if you'd like to volunteer some I'd be extremely appreciative.  If there is one thing I don't do well, it's brag on myself.  I just find it so totally hard to do and yet I'm told that is exactly what I will need to do in my profile.

Crib set progress

My sister is due to have my nephew in April. She asked me to make his crib set and they've chosen Texas Longhorns as his theme.
Here is a pic. of the dust ruffle and sheet...the bumper pads and blanket are yet to come. Stay tuned.




- iTasha

Roman Shades Anyone???

I was checking out another bloggers post and saw this link on how to make Roman Shades.  I've
printed out several how to's, but none that were this simple or that made me feel like I could do it
myself. 
Let's just say I'm direction challenged...I'm a total visual and usually have to google videos to be
able to do much of anything!!!!

I've got to finish the crib set I'm making for my sister, but these shades will be my next project, as I've
got mini blinds that are breaking, broken, and just in need of replacement. 

--------------------------------------------

GRATEFUL:  For life itself!!!


PERSONAL GROWTH: 
Mark 9:23 "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, in His Word I put my hope."

Lord's Day

I don't usually post on a Sunday because that is usually God's time and family time.
It's still God's time, I'm just sitting here singing praises and working on organizing my sewing area.  The children, however, have abandoned me to go outside in the warm sun to visit some friends and get some fresh air.  I don't mind the peace and quiet right now, I've got time to pray and focus on some thoughts and so forth, so I'm really not complaining.

Church was awesome!!!!  Pastor Tony Evans is taking this entire year speaking on knowing God. He did announce this morning that this will probably go on longer than a year and none of us objected one bit.  Part of the series will include the various names of God.

Today he spoke on our fruit as Christians.  That if we are hanging out with Christ, our fruit in our lives will reflect that as well.  Yet if we are finding our time is spent mostly with other people not following Christ or hobbies or other time sappers, then our fruit will reflect a weak walk with Christ.
Colossians 1:9-12.....John 15:1-5 He gave an analogy of the vineyards in Napa Valley.  He said the grape vines are tied together and hoisted on these poles throughout the vineyard so that the grapes don't cause the vines to be on the ground.  This enables them (grapes/vines) to get the full use of the sun and the fruit is full and luscious.  If they are allowed to drag to the ground then they are down in the dirt, unable to utilize what the sun is offering, this would kill the fruit and halt the production of more fruit.  He then mentioned that on grape vines are these things called sucker shoots.  They have no real purpose, they don't produce anything, they just begin to syphon off the nutrients that is needed for the grapes.  He related these sucker shoots to some people in our lives, hobbies, television, etc. that take from our time with God.

I love how he can use every day things and intertwine them with Biblical things for a clearer understanding.  And as usually when he said stand and lets pray, I was NOT ready to go!!!  I could sit and listen to him teach for hours on end...he's just that good.

We were going to have this big Sunday dinner, but the kids all asked for chili/cheese tater tots.  So we'll prepare the big meal and have it tomorrow, but tonight we are going to just chill with chili/cheese tater tots.

Ok, I'm off to continue organizing.  Have a blessed Sunday and spend some time abiding in the Vine and allow your fruit to reflect that of Christ!!!!

Win a sewing or embroidery machine!!!!

Giveaway

The Quilt Shoppe is giving away some beautiful fabric and a $25 gift certificate.  Check it out and enter to win!!!!

Our Weekend!!!

I thought I would wait until tomorrow to write about the Texas Rubies Retreat my daughters and I attended...(check out Above Rubies)

This was the most blessed weekend I've had in such a long time.  It is always great to be around other like minded women.  It is refreshing to hear that wanting to be a wife/mother in today's society is not only ok, it is what the Lord planned for us women all along. (yes even in this imperfect world)
It is also wonderful that my daughters could be a part of this and see and hear so many ladies rejoicing in motherhood, womanhood, and femininity.
I was able to put faces with names that I've only encounterd on our eloop (check out yahoo groups Texas Rubies).  To meet some women that know other women I also know that aren't a part of the group and realize just how small the world really is.  And for my daughters to meet new friends that are striving to be all God called them to be and embrace motherhood/womanhood as well.  The teaching was amazing, the worship was splendid, the ladies were blessings, and the Holy Spirit was THERE!  REFRESHING!!!!
I went to this retreat expecting to hear from the Lord and with no intentions of spending a dime because, well, check out my previous post.
I spent $12 whole dollars and it was the best twelve dollars I could have spent the entire weekend.  I purchased the devotional Nancy kept speaking of...Daily Light on the Daily Path.  I needed something that would be Word filled for our family devotions, yet not be so long that I couldn't enjoy them now that I've returned to the single parent role.  In other words, I needed short spurts or shots of the Word.  This devotional has a morning reading and an evening reading...I can do that.  Nancy even shared that her husband reads the morning reading and prays over their day and family.  In the evening around the meal table, he reads the evening reading, they discuss and ask questions, they each pray and then pray for a different country or nation as well.  I thought, hmmmmm, I can do something like that.  And we'd all be getting doses of the Word!!!!
Well, I got up this morning as we were preparing for the final message this morning.  The lodge was still dark, as many women had not awakened yet.  So I stood by my bunk with this book laying on the top bed and my phone in hand as a flashlight.  I read this mornings reading:
March 7
Morning Reading
Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name. Isaiah 54:5

This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:32
You shall no longer be termed Forsaken,...but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married...And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.  Isaiah 61:1-3
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation...as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy. Hosea 2:19
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35

I was standing on the side of that bed and I wanted to shout and scream for joy as the Holy Spirit so sweetly spoke and ministered to my heart.  A peace beyond understanding wrapped around me and my heart was filled with joy.  He calls me Hephzibah, which is Hebrew for My delight is in her.
He delights in me.  I am no longer to call myself forsaken or feel forsaken. He rejoices in me and all my life.  He clothes me with salvation and is betrothed to me forever, in righteousness and justice, in lovingkindness and mercy.  NO ONE can separate me from the Love of Christ!!!!!!!!
I am valued.  I am loved.  I am His and He is mine.  No matter what comes my way or what my husband has done to me, I am FAR ABOVE RUBIES....PRICELESS!!!

When we returned home this afternoon, my girls and I laid down and were out...I'm only up because I got hungry, but will soon head back to bed.  But before I did that, I thought, let me read this evenings reading:

Evening Reading
My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:15

All His saints are in Your hand. Deut. 33:3
The word of the Lord came to [Elijah], saying, "Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.  And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there."...Then the word of the Lord came to him saying, "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there.  see, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." 1 Kings 17:2-4, 8-9
Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on...For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. Matthew 6:25, 32
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

He loves me so much, if need be, he will command the birds of the air to feed me...I have no need to worry about anything, not even the bills I have this month with no money to pay them.  He knows we need these things and He has forgiven me for not tithing and will take care of our needs.  I casted my cares, hopes, dreams, visions, and desires upon Him and He will take care of those along with my concerns, fears, and worries.  But with all of that, my mother's FAVORITE scripture...Prov. 3:5-6 and she would quote this to all who went to her with a concern or worry.  She quoted it to us almost daily.  I will trust in the Lord, I will acknowledge Him, I will not lean on my own understanding...My God will direct my every path.  He loves me just that much.

However, don't think this is just for me, because He loves you just that much too!!!!!

Be blessed and good night!!!

PS.....I linked an online KJ version of Daily Light on the Daily Path...you can go here and read the very thing I read today.  It looks like the entire book is there!!!!! WOW I had no idea.  Be blessed by this reading.

Me being honest

May I be honest with you?  It’s been a while since I’ve picked up
my Bible just to read it and not been in church.  It’s sad to say that
these things happen, but after the death of my father and the issues
with my husband, I went through a period of not picking up my Bible.  I
just didn’t know where to meet God at in the Word, but I did do A LOT
of praying during that time.  Sadly this time after my mother’s
passing proved to be no different.  I’ve picked up my Bible and gone
to church.  Picked it up during our sparse family devotion times.
However, I’ve not had a quiet time with just my Lord in the Word in a
long, long, time.  Like I said, I’ve spent many hours in prayer
though. 

Yesterday, I decided to pick up my Bible and read.  The Lord didn’t
prompt me to a certain passage or book, in fact as I was driving in to
work I decided to begin reading
Psalms and Proverbs again which coincides with the days date. 

So, I get in early enough that in my suite there is only me.  I asked
God to speak to me through His Word.  There are so many things that are
heavy upon my heart and when I begin to pray for them or through them, I
get overwhelmed and basically melt down to tears. 
My question before reading these scriptures was…Lord where are You?  I
feel like I’m going through so much again and I can’t seem to see
where You are in all of this and yet I know You are there.  I wish You
would just cover me and protect me from all the hurts and pains I’m
feeling, all the uncertainties, all the feelings of rejection.

In yesterdays reading, here are a few things God spoke to me:
Ps. 3:3 - You, O Lord, are a shield about me, My glory and the One who
lifts my head.
Ps. 33:20 - Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our
shield.
Ps. 63:8 - My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.
Ps. 123:1 - To You I lift up my eyes…
Ps. 123:2 - …so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He is gracious
to us.


In Today’s reading, I again said Lord, I need to hear from You.  Your
Words coming off of someone else’s lips just won’t do in a time like
this, I need to hear from You. 
I’ve not quite finished with today’s reading because I was a little
late for work, but at this moment, this is what I’m holding on to…
Ps. 34:10 - …they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good
thing.

I’ve been praying about my finances and the bills I’m faced with
yet again as a single mother and began to feel overwhelmed.  I don’t
understand why I’m in this place that I’m in, why I’m brought so
low (except for humility), but Lord I’ll trust you to provide what we
need.  I asked for forgiveness, because once again I didn’t tithe to
pay bills and all of them still won’t get paid.  Talk about a vicious
cycle!!!! 

Even through it all, I’ve seen that God is indeed faithful and that
His love for me is ever so strong and deep. 

Please be in prayer for me and my girls as we attend a retreat this
weekend very near our home.  Nancy Campbell will be speaking and it is
always such a joy to hear her rich teaching of the things God has laid
on her heart for mothers, wives, women, daughters, and families.  We are
excited!!!

Blessings…

I'm still here

MIA:  Yes, that’s been me.  I thought for sure I would have blogged
more than I have, but alas life has happened and continues to happen.
Sometimes I just want to plop down
And say stop the world, I wanna get off!!!

Seriously though, I’ve been working hard and sewing a lot as well.  I
finally finished my
Nieces baby quilt and matching burp cloths.  I’ll have to take pics.
and post later.  I will
Begin my soon to be newest nephews crib set with matching burp cloths.
His parents requested Texas Longhorn theme.  So the quilt will be Texas
Longhorns and the rest of the set will just be their colors.  I’m
trying to improve my skills on the items I’m planning to sell in my
Etsy shop.  I’ll keep you posted.  As of now, I’m still in the
planning stages, but my dream/desire is to be able to sew full time and
return home with my children.  We’ll see what God has to say!!!

My family is well, moving forward in the grieving of my mother.  Some
days are harder than others, but we’re moving along.  It’s still
surreal to us that she is really gone.  We all sort of wait with
anticipation for her to walk through the door or call.  We found a video
of her on one of our cameras, it brought me to tears.  To not only hear
her voice, but to see her moving around and talking.  Man, that was
hard.  We’ve got tons of family videos we’ve not gone through yet,
but I’m sure when we look at them it will be a rough day as well.
That’s another day to worry about unto itself.

I’m cherishing this moment I am in right now with God.  I’m not
where I want to be this is true, but I’m at a place of peace and
confidence with Him.  I don’t know all that He is doing, but I know
that He is in control and He’ll work all things out for my good…even
if I have to go through the hard times to get to the good. 

In the meantime, Keep Lifting Him up!!! I am…