The Last Month of My Life in Pictures

instead of blogging I've been...sewing, trick-or-treating, cheerleading, reading, studying God's Word (mostly this one)

Perhaps I'll be back when I have more words...

Is it true?

A couple of weeks ago, a very sweet and wise woman in my Bible study shared something that I thought might be just what I need.  It was a little tool of sorts.  Each time she speaks, she tries utilizing it.  She asks herself a series of three questions:  "Is it true?  Is it kind?  Is it necessary?"  I would love to say that I have started using this tool when I speak, but that would be a lie.  I have referred to it a couple of times.  I am practicing, honing my skills if you will.  Those last two questions are just so stinkin' hard to get by.

And despite my failure to master this tool, I wanted to share it.  I am hoping that you will be more successful than I have been.  And I am hopeful that my practice and honing will return some success soon!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

Click on the link below to enter to win this dress from Grosgrain!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

I'm claiming a healing

I've been away from blogging for a while.  I've simply been doing other things like reading, Bible study, sleeping, sewing, embroidering and such.  And we spent last week at the doctor.  The kids had croup.  Ash was out of school for 4 days.  And in the middle of all of that, I was able to see a rheumatologist.  Which leads to my blog title.  Here is my story.

I unintentionally had appointments to see two rheumatologists.  I had intended to cancel the later appointment with Dr. T, but kept forgetting.  Thank you God for my forgetfulness!  On Wednesday at 4:30, Dr. T's office called asking if I could be there at 8:30 the next morning to fill a new-patient cancellation.  I had to hold back a "H*ll yeah! and a "Woo hoo!" and a "Hallelujah, praise Jesus!"  I squeaked out an "Of course."

Dr. T listened to my account of life over the last 4 months.  She looked over my previous blood work.  She twisted and turned my joints.  She checked my reflexes...I hate it when doctors do that!  And then she said this:  "You may have had a virus that has mimicked RA (rheumatoid arthritis)."  My response was surprise of course.  I had read and heard about this possibility, but dismissed it since I had two consecutive months of positive test results.  So additional blood work was ordered for a definitive test for RA and for an explanation for my extreme fatigue.

The result...all NORMAL!  I did say "Hallelujah, praise Jesus" when I got the results in the mail on Wednesday.

Later that day I was talking to Daddy Pea about it.  He posed a question.  "Did you consider that this was actually a healing from God?"  Well, he asked something like that.  He typically uses bigger words than I do, but you get the idea.  All I could think was 'Wow.  It is possible isn't it?'  It would be so easy for a doctor to explain it as a virus and for me to accept her wisdom.  Because we most often think earthly.  A virus makes more sense in our simple minds.  A virus is easier to explain and accept.  But perhaps it was a miracle from God.  A miracle performed just for me and those around me.

Then I was sharing my news at Bible Study on Thursday morning.  And I shared what Daddy Pea had asked with our BSF teaching leader.  She suggested that it is quiet miracle.  I realize that many won't believe it to be a miracle of healing.  Again, we just don't think spirtually or heavenly most of the time.  If it can't be seen and explained in a tangible, earthly way, we can't accept it.  This past week, we studied John 2.  John tells of Jesus' miracle of turning water to wine.  This was a quiet miracle.  No one except for Mary, His disciples, and the servants knew that it was Jesus who provided the wine.  It is believed that Jesus performed this miraculous sign only for them because, in His words, "My time has not yet come."  John 2:11 says, "He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him." 

Well, His time has come and I am sharing my quiet miracle.  I have a renewed faith in Him.  I am giving Him the glory.  And I'm claiming a healing.

Thanks for all who have prayed for me.  Keep praying for continued healing for my fatigue and residual joint pain and swelling.

Gratitude: My Cup Overflows

I have an attitude of gratitude this week.   My cup is overflowing.

Did I win the lottery?  No way.

Did God heal my rheumatoid arthritis?  Not this week.

Did Daddy Pea's business pick up this week?  Well a little, but that's not it either.

Did my children behave perfectly this week?  Seriously??!!


God did much bigger things than those this week.  His blessings were abundant.  Oh, I am feeling some gratitudes coming.

Five Six Gratitudes

1. Daddy Pea being home more...because of slow business :)
2. Fourth graders who were eager to learn in Sunday School this week
3. A husband who rarely (possible never) says no
4. New friendships made through Bible Study Fellowship
5. Encouragement from my sisters in Christ this week
6. Miracles that God is working in people around me

God is Big

Princess Pea lay on the rug  next to my chair.  She was gazing up at the ceiling as if daydreaming.

"Mom, I'm thinking about how big God is."
"You are?"
" I think that God is bigger than our house."
"Yeah, He's way bigger than our house."

With her arms stretched out wide she said, "He is so big that He can wrap His arms around the whole world."

"He can.  And He's so big that He is here with us and He's at school with Ash."

"YEAH!"  she agreed with excitement and awe.

Then she began a new game of "There He is over there.  And over there.  And over there."

I'm sure that God finds humor and delight in her new game.  She loves Him so much.

My prayer is that her love for Him will never stop growing.

Quilted Patchwork Pot Holders

Simple title...simple post this time :)  I made these pot holders for my sister last Christmas and knew that I wanted to make more.  I finally did.  These will go in my Etsy shop.  The ones on the left were made with Christmas in mind.  They are patchwork on one side and solid red on the other.  The set on the right is in shades of green, blue and brown.  The reverse side is a brown and white floral.

And I made a couple more scarves.  Pink and black for a sweet girl, LK.  And the funky polka dot/floral/stripe one will go in my Etsy shop.