And the Winner is...

...Robyn! She is a friend from the Kansas era of my life. Robyn is a woman of many talents whom I admire. She may not know this, but she is one of the reasons I chose to homeschool. She is beautiful, artistic, witty, and compassionate. She is a free-spirited woman, and I miss being around her.

I'm so happy you won, Robyn! My only regret is that you are this amazing seamstress, and stitching on vinyl gets a little hairy, at least for me. Hopefully you can overlook the mistakes and feel the love! I think you'll have to message me with your address. Not sure I have it.

Élvezze, édes barátom!



40 Days of Now: Day 26

(This post is part of a series. If you'd like to know what it's all about, go here.)

 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.  A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

(Luke 19:1-10) 

Jesus, I thought of You today as we passed by sycamore trees on our walk. Like Zacchaeus, I've been eagerly looking for You each day of this 40 day adventure. And just as You were with Zacchaeus, You've been so gracious to me. You looked past his sin and his physical appearance, and shot straight for his heart. You saw this short man's curious longing for You, and You graced his home not only with Your presence, but with Your salvation. Zacchaeus was undone, cut to the heart, a changed man after just a moment in Your presence. Oh, Jesus, You are so wonderfully beautiful and good. Thank You for seeing the longing in my own heart, looking past my many shortcomings, and spending time with me anyway. You have graced me with the gift of Your presence, and I am forever changed. ~R

40 Days of Now: Day 25

(This post is part of a series. If you'd like to know what it's all about, go here.)

Jesus, I see You now in this wild and wacky girl and her love for her new baby brother. Her adoration of him is sweet, but it is also fierce. She doesn't want to share him with anyone else. She looks on him with eyes full of wonder and joy that he is really here, alive and precious. And if she could, she would hold him in her little arms forever, I think. 

The love coming out of this eleven-year-old has me thankful once again for Your extreme love for us. For me. Oh, it's so much easier to say that You love us as a collective group. It's less intimate and scary. But You do love me, don't You? I know You do! Just because it's harder to say doesn't mean it's any less true. You really love me! Suddenly that reality is hitting me fresh and I am moved to tears. Your love for me is fiercely passionate; You don't want anyone else to have me. Your love for me is sweet and tender. You look on me with eyes full of kindness and joy in what You have made. And I am Yours! I belong to You, Lord. Once again, I receive this great love of Yours, and I love You back. ~R 

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

(1 John 3:1)

40 Days of Now: Day 24

(This post is part of a series. If you'd like to know what it's all about, go here.)

I've seen undeniable evidence of You, God. In this Now moment, I am a witness to life. Your presence, Your touch cannot be removed from this. Air rushes in, filling lungs. Blood surges, giving warmth and life. Baby cries. Mama laughs. Family rejoices. You are here.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

(John 1:3-4)

40 Days of Now: Day 23

(This post is part of a series. If you'd like to know what it's all about, go here.)

Jesus, I felt Your presence tonight in a circle of children who were quiet, ready, and open. They were open to what You want to teach them, and so ready to believe You. I love that Your truth penetrates the youngest of hearts. Oh, Lord keep my heart young and open. I want to be quiet and always ready to hear Your voice. I long to believe You like a little child. ~R

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

(Matthew 18:1-5)

40 Days of Now: Day 22 and a Giveaway!

(This post is part of a series. If you'd like to know what it's all about, go here.)

Hello, dear friends! This is a day of celebration at our house, and I'm thinking of how I see God the Father in celebrations and anniversaries. A read through the Old Testament will reveal that God is the author of festivals, feasts, and special ceremonies. This gives some insight into why we love to set aside special times of coming together, remembering, and rejoicing. We are made in the image of the God Who celebrates! 

 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

(Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)

So, over here the news is my baby is four and my blog is one! Ben gets to pick where he wants to eat dinner tonight, and he's already chosen Burger King. Not my fave, but that's okay, because I get to choose how to celebrate one year of writing this blog. I choose a giveaway! I love giving things away, especially things I make. So many good things have happened as a result of sharing my story here. Highest on the list is the blessing of hearing your stories in return. Thank you so much for sharing with me the good things the Lord has done in your heart, too.

So...do you want a nice tote? You know, to tote things in? With a front and back pocket? You do? Oh, good, 'cause I'm giving this one away. You see, I have an excess of this lovely cream vinyl. I fell in love with a fairly large half-price remnant, because it's so soft and supple, kind of like nice leather. And it wipes clean with a damp cloth. I know, because she got slightly dirty in the photo shoot, but she's all clean now!

If you'd like to be added to the random drawing, leave a comment here or on facebook. If you have trouble leaving a comment as some have mentioned to me, feel free to send me an email: pioneergirl(at)embarqmail(dot)com. Happy entering! I hope you win!

P.S. Don't be shy.

40 Days of Now: Day 21

(This post is part of a series. If you'd like to know what it's all about, go here.)

Lord, I actually saw Your hand in my own hand today. As I stitched strip after strip of fabric, my hand was there, guiding it through, keeping steady, making sure it stayed on course.

I feel Your hand on me. On a day like today, when my emotions seem so out of control, Your hand steadies me. It isn't heavy or forceful. Your hand is gently guiding me, helping me stay on Your path, smoothing down the wrinkles that frustration causes in my soul. Keep Your hand on me always, Lord. I need You more than anything. ~R

You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. (Psalm 139:5)