EMBROIDERY NEWS, AND A POST FROM MY SON

I can feel a fever coming on over here...or maybe an obsession...or maybe it is FINALLY the fun I was looking for, haha.  But!  I have been thoroughly enjoying my embroidery attempts these last couple of days.  Don't get me wrong, there is still TONS to learn and practice, but it is no longer the overwhelming, "I can't do this" experience it was.  I have managed to finish my shirt for Sam and it is not only darling, but ON the grey shirt I planned on too, lol.  Then!  I decided to be REALLY brave and put together one for JD WITHOUT practicing it first...WOW....who would have thought?  And it came out pretty good.  Now in the future when I use a design that is as dense as this one was I will probably use a top stabilizer as well as a bottom one, and I will NOT buy the inexpensive embroidery thread again, but like I said, still lots to learn. I have found a way of getting a t-shirt on the hoop that doesn't take me HOURS, and a few more tricks to running my machine. I have also found MANY more machine embroidery sights, and more ideas and inspirations than I can possibly put to use.  But I did find some very vintage dish towel designs that I can hardly wait to try out.  However, first I need to find some flour sack dish towel sights online that don't cost an arm and leg.  All of this my mother would just love.  I can honestly just imagine the things she would say, and her eagerness to add her ideas to mine.  But I am letting my heart just dwell on she would be happy I am enjoying it now, and leave the rest of those thoughts alone for now.  So here are my last two shirts...

JD HAS A BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH TOO...7 ALREADY!  HOW CAN THAT BE?  PLUS, HIS SISTERS GOT THE APRONS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO FOR NO GOOD REASON, HAHA, SO IT IS HIS TURN IN GRANDMA'S OPINION.  HE PICKED OUT THIS DESIGN BTW

AND HERE IS SAM'S PARTY SHIRT!  I WILL PUT HIS TWO SHIRTS IN THE MAIL TOMORROW MORNING, SO THAT IS ANOTHER THING OFF MY LIST

I intend to spend this afternoon putting the binding on the Christmas runner I finished quilting the other day.  Probably seems like no big deal at all (the easy part!) for all you seasoned quilters, but having never done this before I am a tid intimidated at creating mitered corners and a disappearing finish.  But I have certainly watched enough tutorials, so it is time to try my hand at it.

One last thing I wanted to tell you about.  My son felt led by the Lord several months ago to present a straight forward gospel presentation to the city of Escondido.  He really had no idea at the time just what this would entail, but he was willing.  I honestly wish I could tell you all the details of how the Lord has brought this to pass, but it would take a LONG time.   But the end result is, this Sat., in one of the main downtown streets of Escondido there will be food trucks, and an outdoor concert by the band LoveLite, and then my son will present the gospel in a very evangelical way.   I am VERY excited about this event, and would ask if you feel so led, to please cover this whole thing in prayer.  The enemy is never happy at these kind of plans, and the spiritual battle will no doubt be VERY strong. He put together a really neat video about this and posted it on Facebook and some other sights, but I for the life of me cannot figure out how to get it on here.  He also wrote a really good post yesterday for 9-11.  I decided to copy and paste it here not only so that you can read it, but also I can keep a copy of it in my books.  If you are in the area of Escondido, or would like to come to this, you can email me or leave a comment for more details.

Twelve years ago today our country was forever changed. I’m sure most of us can remember where we were, what we were doing, and the horrific thoughts that raced through our minds on that tragic morning of September 11th, 2001. It is not my intention to conjure up all of the emotions and questions that sprang up out of the rubble of that day. Although I will take some time today to consider the lives that were lost, the heroes that emerged, and the men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, to protect our country, that's not the focus of this post either. Really, I just have one question. What spiritual lessons have we learned, or not learned, in the last 12 years as a nation? A nation in which the overwhelming majority of the people still claim to be Christians.

I seem to remember church buildings that were absolutely packed with people in the weeks, even months, after the attack. Some of those people were afraid, hurting, and looking for answers. But by and large it was more than that. There was repentance. A deep understanding that, as a nation, we had strayed so far from the biblical values our country was founded on. It’s not to say that the attack itself was God’s judgement. But in the midst of tragedy and pain, many in our country turned to God for strength, only to realize they were not nearly as close to Him as they thought they were. Trials also have a way of setting priorities, there were many in the wake of September 11th who were reminded of what really matters in life. Simply put, it was a wake up call. Sadly, 12 years later, I am afraid that we have hit the spiritual snooze button once again. We have been lulled back into compromise and complacency. We commit sexual immorality and we call it our civil right. We commit murder and we call it choice. We have banned prayer and we call it freedom. We borrow money and we call it investing. We deny God's Word and we call it intelligence. The world is headed towards destruction and chaos, and yet we shake our fist at God and arrogantly proclaim, "we know best!".

Oh dear God forgive us! We have sinned against You and we have turned our back on Your Word. In Your abundant grace and mercy lead us once again to repentance. May we humble ourselves and cry out to You oh God for wisdom and direction! Oh Lord, forgive! Oh Lord, heal! Thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus, and the life that comes through His death and resurrection. Send revival to this land, that Your name might be lifted up in America once again! Holy Spirit sweep through the dusty halls of the church and light a fire in the hearts of Your sons and daughters. Grant us boldness to preach the gospel, stretch out Your hand to heal. May signs and wonders be done in the name of Your holy servant Jesus! Lord please bless the United States, not because we deserve it, but according to Your grace, and for Your glory.

Sincerely,

An American who believes the only hope for our country is genuine revival.


I am looking forward to this week-end as always, and hope you all find the joy and blessings that He has put in all of our lives, everywhere.

Debbie