Nov. 5, 2009 - Mid Term
Well, it's been awhile since I've updated. Now that I have FB, it seems like I"m never here. Or maybe it's that I'm teaching a class. Or it could be that I'm taking a class.
We've reached the midterm point and I'm on the down hill side of this one.
I talked to a lady this morning who was so encouraging. She said she felt I was an inspiration to her, because she had a hard time homeschooling as a married mom, and couldn't imagine how hard it must be for me. She recognized that it must truly be the Lord's calling, because no one would do this for the fun of it. This was so refreshing.
We're approaching the holidays and the busyness of all of that. How are things with all of you?
Blessings, MaggieRaye
Oct. 15, 2009 - Updating
It's been awhile, I know. Things are very, very hectic right now.
I'm taking one of the two classes that I have left to become a state certified teacher -- no I'm not giving up and going to work, just trying to add credibility to my business and to be able to be a blessing to homeschoolers by providing annual assessments.
I'm working on growing Patchwork Cottage into a viable business -- so far this year we're doing about 4x better than we did last year -- and in a faultering economy. God is so good. I have 10 sewing students and have sold several quilts.
I'm a regular volunteer for our state homeschool organization -- I seem to be busier than ever before and know I'm doing more than the hours that dhhs requires for us at present. Job security is a good thing.
And Facebook has certainly replaced blogging as a major time stealer in my life. It's so easy to just have it up in the background when I am working on business or school related things....
Oh, and I'm homeschooling.
But hey, you all know I'm home all day, every day, so I must have plenty of free time, right??? Bring on the Soaps, diet Coke and BonBon's....
Gosh, I only wish.
How are you doing?
Blessings, MaggieRaye
Sep. 28, 2009 - 1001 Books To Read Before You Die - For Those Who Love Lists of Books
I am researching Robert McCloskey for a paper I have to write for the class I'm taking. In the process, I found this list. I thought I'd share it. I'm trying NOT to feel pressured, but I haven't heard of 1/2 these books, and of the ones I have heard of, I may have read 1/2 of them.
If I'm going to do everything I'm suppose to as a homeschooling mom and read all these books -- I'm gonna have to get busy, like yesterday.
http://www.librarything.com/bookaward/1001%20Books%20You%20Must%20Read%20Before%20You%20Die
Blessings, MaggieRaye
Sep. 24, 2009 - Too Cute Not To Share - "You'll Get Your Quilt"
A friend sent this to me in an email:
> You'll Get Your Quilt
>
> Sunday after church, a mom asked her very young daughter
> what the Sunday school lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be
> scared; you'll get your quilt."
>
> Needless to say, the mom was perplexed.
>
> Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the mom
> asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was
> about.
>
> He said, "Be not afraid; thy comforter is coming."
Sep. 18, 2009 - Two Challenges
I recently posted this on my FB and thought I'd share it here too - though I realize I'm writing for a biased audience here:
How many of you work in a position where you spend 6-8 hours a day in a desk, in an office with 15-25 other people, who are all doing exactly the same thing you are at the same time? Do you take your coffee breaks, potty breaks and lunch breaks all at the same time, together? Considering this, how can we say that school prepares our children for the real world of grown up life?
The second challenge I'm sharing here and did not bother to post on FB:
If we deny Christ in the little aspects of our daily life, how can we possibly believe that when it comes to the big things -- like giving our life for our faith -- that we would actually stand true to Him?
I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now and even challenged my children with it this morning during family devotions.
Blessings, MaggieRaye
Sep. 10, 2009 - One Last Thing
I realize this is the fourth post in less than a 1/2 hour, but it's the last one, for today. In the past my readers have been great supporters of my efforts to remain at home. If you're in the cleaning out mode or would like to be and you have any of the following items, here are some things I'm looking for:
embroidery floss
polyester fiber fill
narrow ribbon - in 12" or longer pieces
hankies - mens or ladies
flannel - complete yard width, 1/2 yard or longer
this is for making diapers for Haiti
Blessings,
MaggieRaye
Sep. 10, 2009 - A Lesson from God in Patchworking
While some of the theology might be a little off, please understand it is the ideas and principles that spoke to my heart and I wanted to share it. Again, no criticism please, not even the constructive kind. I'm my own worst critic where things like this are concerned.
Enjoy what the Lord would have you glean from it.
Blessings, MaggieRaye
A Lesson from God
In
Patchworking
Several years ago, I began to seek verses that I could use to put together a tract related to patchworking to give when I made quilts for sale or gifts. I hit wall after wall of frustration.
This last week, I woke up one morning, with several verses on my mind. These verses all spoke to my heart of the way the Lord works in our lives and the way patchworkers work their craft.
As a patchworker, I take rags, scraps of fabric, cast off clothing, worn out linens and I give them new life. My goal is that folks might see Jesus in me. Jesus redeems us and gives us new life. Those of us who are destroyed, worn out, useless, hopeless, can all have a new life in Christ.
Isaiah 64:6 says, “ But we are all as an unclean thing; and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…”
Before I can turn a bag of rags into something useful, something beautiful and new, I have to clean them. I have to cut away the bad spots, the stains. I accept the rags as I receive them, and then I clean them up. I don’t expect to receive them ready for use. Likewise, Jesus doesn’t expect to receive us ready to serve Him. He cleans us up first.
Psalm 51:7, 10 says, “Purge me with hyssops and I shall be clean: wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. … Create in me a clean heart, O God; renew a right spirit within me.”
Matthew 7:19 says, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”
When I’ve cleaned up the rags, when I’ve cut out and disposed of that which is no good, thus redeeming the rags, again to a useful purpose, they are given a new life. They become a small part of a bigger picture. They are no longer what they once were, a pair of pants, a shirt, a dress. The old life they had, has passed away. They have a whole new life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”
Christ redeems the rags of our righteousness and gives us a new life when we trust in Him.
1 John 1:9 says, “ If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Where are your “rags of righteousness”? Have they been redeemed? Have you been given a new life?
Sep. 10, 2009 - What Have You Been Up To?
Just in case you were wondering what I've been up to lately. . . I'm getting more New Mom Bundles assembled to send to Haiti with Maine Haitian Ministries (http://www.mainehaitianministries.org/).
So, this is what I've been up to, what about you? What are you doing with your days?
Blessings, MaggieRaye
Sep. 10, 2009 - Have Facebook? Become a Fan.
Patchwork Cottage Shoppe now has a fan page on etsy. If you have FB please become a fan.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Waldoboro-ME/Patchwork-Cottage-Shoppe/127731917140
Blessings, MaggieRaye
Sep. 7, 2009 - Did You See???
Did you see my etsy mini? LizBeth put it up for me last week. This is the first chance I've had to stop by my own blog and see how it looks. Thanks kiddo!
Now you can have one stop shopping -- just like WalMart only WAY better. You can come by and read the latest news at Patchwork Cottage, and see what's new at Patchwork Cottage Shoppe all at the same time! Way cool, huh?
Praying all have a blessed Labor Day!
MaggieRaye
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