IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.I would have talked less and listened more.I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.'But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

T-shirt quilts

In 1999 it fell to my son Joshua to design the T-shirt for the cross-country team in high school. It seems like yesterday! He chose a brilliant tie-dyed design and splashed across the front was "W2K". Everyone was concerned about what would happen at the turn of the century but I was curious as to why he chose the popular phrase for the shirt until I saw the back. Emblazoned across the back read "because it's shorter than a 4K'. There are several of those T-shirts from schools, clubs and vacations that may have faded from favor as everyday wear but still have a place in my heart and memories. They are pretty easy to convert to a cuddly blanket or pillow if you can sew a straight seam on a sewing machine. I am awestruck with admiration to those who craft beautiful quilts, works of art really. My quilts are fashioned from memories and old clothes, making something new and useful from something old or of little value. When I was young I remember making a tie for my dad out of leftovers from whatever I was making. Poor Daddy! This was the sixies and the fashion was very bright and bold from fushia to chartruese. He bravely wore each one.

When a favorite piece of clothing wears out or (more common of late) doesn't fit, I can cut out pieces and simply sew squares together and eventually have a warm blanket. I love to keep the temperature low and cuddle with a quilt and a cat. Here is a link to my favorite website about making a T-shirt quilt. http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/teequilts_how.html

I think the heavy fleece fabric makes a good backing. I also use the same square to make into pillows using old pillows I find at resale stores.

Blank Slate

God has given me a blank slate for a bit so I thought I would try and take some time to write on this blog and hopefully edify my young friends sharing some things I have learned along the way. I will put up info on making a T-shirt quilt, my laundry prayers and another I saw online and whatever else comes to mind or you request! I have been blessed greatly by my "Titus 2" woman who still speaks into my life and keeps me on track and plugging along so I guess it's my turn to allow others to learn from all that God has allowed in my life, good and bad. So, may my words be like apples of silver and in accordance with sound doctrine as I teach what is good.

103 Verses tell of God's love for me!

Psalm 33:5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.

Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, "O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, "For he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever

2 Chronicles 20:21  "Give thanks to the LORD,for his steadfast love endures forever."

2 Chronicles 7:3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

Deuteronomy 7:7  It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39

Numbers 14:18'  The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love

You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26

Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23

Cracked Pots

The Cracked Pot - Author Unknown -
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his master’s house it had leaked much of it’s water and was only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God’s great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don’t be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.