Jun. 13, 2009

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
About a year ago, I had a baby shower for a nurse ministers to the people of Haiti. Items were collected for New Mom Bundles and to help the clinics. New Mom Bundles consisted of a flannel receiving blanket, three cloth diapers, a set of diaper pins, a pair of vinyl pants and a onsie. The clinics would like more of these items, and now I'm heading off to start collecting and assembling these items. If you'd like to help, you can email me for where to send the items. I'm currently collecting: flannel receiving blankets new born disposable diapers cloth diapers diaper pins new born vinyl pants onsies cotton bonnets There may be other items as time progresses. If you'd like to more about the ministry you can visit www.mainehaitianministries.org Blessings, MaggieRaye |
May. 29, 2009

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
This is a personal and less than pleasant post to share, but I think it needs to be done. Recently, while struggling to stay at home and keep our head above water, I defaulted on my student loans. Well, the collection company found us. This is not what unsettles me most. The girl handling my account, knew about my blog. How does that happen, since you all know I don't use my real name, or much connected with my physical location here. Once again, I find myself pondering, while I've been an encouragement to many, how much of my life do I want "out there"? I'm actually going to try to explore this a little further today. I've googled myself and can't find any connection between me and my blog. Anyone have any suggestions? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
May. 5, 2009

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
My daughter sent me this in an email - I just had to share, because this should be a classic among homeschooling moms.
|
Apr. 17, 2009

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
My mother sent me an email this morning with the forward below in it. It reminded me why I'm not using my teaching degree -- at least not "professionally". Blessings, MaggieRaye After being interviewed by the school administration, the prospective teacher said: 'Let me see if I've got this right. 'You want me to go into that room with all those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning. 'You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and s**ually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self esteem and personal pride. 'You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job. 'You want me to check their heads for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, and make sure that they all pass the final exams. 'You also want me to provide them with an equal education regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents in English, Spanish or any other language, by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report card. 'You want me to do all this with a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a bulletin board, a few books, a big smile, and a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps. 'You want me to do all this and then you tell me. . . I CAN'T PRAY? |
Mar. 3, 2009

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Wow! I've been off line since Friday - on going computer stuff - so I was shocked tonight to see that I am the Featured Blogger this week! I've been thinking and praying a lot lately about where God wanted me and what He wants me doing, and how I can share the Good News of the Gospel and lots of stuff like that. Most of all, I've been praying about encouraging others and how my quilts fit into all of that. As Tia pointed out there are some empty catagories but hopefully those will be filling up again soon. And wow the pix that is on my profile is really, really bad. Sorry about that. I guess it was the best one at the time, available. We'll have to see if we can't fix that soon, too. Since that was taken, I've lost close to 40 pounds - but that is another long story - maybe for another post, maybe not. I actually think that my profile picture is worse than any drivers license or state id picture I've ever had done. I should actually have the kids do a new picture. I have "bangs" again. And one dear friend who hadn't seen me in a while said, "Wow! They really make you look so much younger" And I wonder how old did I look??? Okay, maybe I don't want to know. We'll I'm thrilled at the encouragement I received, and hope that you find some encouragment here yourself. I can't promise anything. This time of year I'm so busy seeking encouragement, I forget to share it. I will say this. We've been totally blessed in the last few months, living near family and having an amazing new church and making friends, God is so good. I just have to remember to count my blessings, instead of how many more inches of snow we've received..... Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Feb. 4, 2009

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
I will start right off by apologizing for the length of this post -- but it so irritated me that I had to share it. Now it didn't irritate me the way you may assume. The ignorance of people is what I find irritating. Let me just say that is the Lord were to bless me with a husband, and He blessed our marriage with babies, I'd still be having babies in spite of the fact that I'm not longer 30something.
The final issue is the most important one: What does the Bible say about having babies? For Christians, the Bible is our standard for faith and practice. Everything necessary on the subject of having babies is found in God’s Holy Word. It is both the starting place and the “final court of appeal” for prayerful Christians who desire to make wise decisions regarding the womb. Related issues include: Why are children a blessing? What does it mean to be fruitful? How does the Bible specifically link low birthrates to national judgment? Does the Bible promote, condone, or encourage baby banning? Is it a good idea to have babies in times of economic hardship? These questions and others are answered in our CD, Children and the Dominion Mandate, and the book Be Fruitful and Multiply, both of which are included in this week’s special offer. If you have ever found yourself wondering how to respond to such questions, or if you have friends or relatives that disapprove of the number of children in your family, these indispensable tools will help you to use Scripture to reason through the many complex issues which are on the table. Save 30% on Our New Collection: The Blessing of ChildrenThe Blessings of Children Collection is available now through February 10, at the special price of $42.70 — a 30% discount. The set includes The Duggars: 20 and Counting, Demographic Winter: The Decline of the Human Family (DVD), Be Fruitful and Multiply, and Children and the Dominion Mandate (CD). This special offer expires February 10, 2009 at Midnight (CST). Order online at www.visionforum.com, or call us toll-free at 1-800-440-0022.View The Blessing of Children Collection. | |||||||||
Sep. 18, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Okay, it is taking way longer than I thought to download all the pix I wanted to tonight, so I've got time to update you on the information I promised in my last post. Please go by and check out Hand Me Down Fundraiser Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Aug. 13, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Some of you, who've been coming here for awhile, may recall that in the spring, we were blessed to receive a grant from the Homeschool Foundation. In addition to that, one of the "extras" we received was a copy of the new Homeschoolopoly Game. We waited, and waited, and waited. I'd about given up on it ever arriving. Well, it did, this week, with a lovely note, from the wife (Pamela Berthume) of the couple that sells the game, explaining their family situation over the last year. I was moved to tears as I read the letter. Last night the kiddos and I sat and played Homeschoolopoly. Please understand that this was a HUGE sacrifice for me, because I seriously dislike all forms of Monopoly, It's a hard situation in my house, as I have one child who is a serious Monopoly freak and another who would like to be. It just takes too long, it doesn't move fast enough to hold my attention and I can always think of at least 110 other things that would be a better use of my time. Well, we played the short version, with one or two slight family modifications, and had a wonderful time. Ironically, I the woman with no license and only two children was the proud possessor or three out of the four possible vehicles on the board. If you are a family that plays board games or likes monopoly, I'd seriously recommend that you visitwww.homeschoolopoly.com and purchase a copy of this. It will be one of those heirloom items to pass on to your grandchildren, no doubt. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Aug. 8, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Well, Now I've figured out the whole Photobucket thing -- and incase I forget, which I'm prone to -- I've printed out Janet's precious picture tutorial (did I say THANK YOU), so I should be fine -- I need to start adding photos for you. Even though I will have photos in the Currently Available For Sale Category, by the first of the week, it will probably take a little longer before we are able to get them up on Blessed Baby's website, so that you can actually purchase them. Be sure to check out the Gallery of Past quilts also, you'll be able to see some of my past efforts there. May the Lord bless you with sunshine this weekend (or rain, I'd be happy to send you some of that - free shipping - no sales tax). May the Lord bless & keep you, MaggieRaye |
Aug. 2, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
If you would like to be kept up to date on new posts and would like to receive an email whenever I put up a new post, please drop me a quick note at patchworkcottage AT yahoo DOT com I'll be starting this as soon as I have those who've expressed interest. Always, MaggieRaye |
Jul. 31, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Last night we had the opportunity to visit the church we've attended for the bulk of the last three or four years. It was so awesome! We went to hear a visiting pastor from Haiti share, because we are going to be sponsoring children in his school. It was so good to see familiar and friendly faces. It was so good to feel missed and to have folks genuinely glad to see us. I say this, because I know as of late, I've been harsh about some of my experiences and feelings about churches today. I want you to understand that I am not anti-church. I do see churches falling short, but churches are made up of people and even good people are still sinners. It is meant to encourage single mothers, to know that they are not alone, because many have experienced what I've shared. Once we can stop taking it personally, it's easier to deal with and pray for those who have hurt us. It was also a blessing to listen to my almost 8 y.o. son, as some very well thought out questions -- when did that kid get so smart? He has a heart fot the orphans in general and for those in Haiti especially. It was so cool to watch him talking to the visiting Pastor, after the service -- or trying to, there was a slight language barrier. Interestingly, the Love of Christ seems to bridge that gap. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jul. 15, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
After I put up my last post, I realized it might be good to share with you the specific ministries we've connected with, so that, if the Lord leads, you might be able to help them, too. Homebound Missions www.homeboundmissions.org This is, of course, our largest commitment as a family. There is lots of sewing to be done, diapers is our thing. Collecting gently used summer clothing is another project we have done. My favorite is hosting baby showers, where all the gifts go to Haitian orphanages. The Livesay Family - livesayhaiti.blogspot.com We discovered this family through Homebound Missions. We love to read Tara's descriptions of life in Haiti. If you want high gloss, "missionary" stuff, this might not be the spot for you. Tara is very real in her writing about daily life with a house full of children in Haiti. We are praying for this family and hope to one day to be able to meet them in real life. We like meeting real live missionaries. His Hands For Haiti www.hishandsforhaiti.org This is our newest connection. We've known about them for awhile now. Sometimes the Lord just has to put something before you over and over (because we're "dumb as a hake" right Jamie?) before we actually follow through. We are blessed with the privilege of being able to sponsor one of the children from His House orphanage. Haitian Ministries www.hatianministries.com Through His Hands for Haiti, I learned about this ministry. We are currently working to prepare New Mom Bundles that can be distributed by their clinics to newly delivered moms for their babies. Heartline Ministries wwwheartlineministries.org Through Tara Livesay, we learned about this ministry. Their Women's Program will also be the recipients of New Mom Bundles. Haitian Children's Home www.haitianchildrenshome.org While we haven't officially begun helping this ministry yet, but I am exploring ways that we may be able to include them in what we are already doing. I just received my list of their most needed items. Still waiting for the Lord to direct on this one. When the Lord helped me to close one door, one I'd known I needed to, but had been dragging my feet on, He flung open, not one, but many windows all in one place Haiti. Do you suppose He's called my family to serve Him in Europe? Or maybe Canada? Sometimes I miss the obvious, but I think I'm getting the picture on this one. Has the Lord given you an obvious calling, that you just keep missing? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jul. 11, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
I recently have had contact with a nurse who does short term missions trips to Haiti, and helps in three clinics. I also "talked" with another lady about her womens program. One of their programs gives New Mom Bundles to mothers who have recently delivered or are near term. The bundle consists of a t-shirt, diaper, and receiving blanket, if I remember correctly. Because of my work with Homebound Missions, I decided this was a project I could and would like to take on, but I wanted to do it a little different. You know me, I'm just wanting to do my own thing. So the New Mom Bundles I'm putting together are pretty much the same, except that instead of one disposable diaper it has three cloth diapers and a set of diaper pins. Now here's the part where math comes in. A cloth diaper from WalMart costs $1 A days wages in Haiti $1 If you figure a days wages in the US based on an 8 hour work day at $7/hr. (American Poverty) that translates to $56. Would you be able to afford diapers if you had to pay $56 a piece for them? 4 diaper pins or 1 pair of vinyl pants cost about the same as one cloth diaper. How about a simple three snap front t-shirt from Gerber? Cost approximately $2.85 3 days wages in Haiti $3 Would you be able to spend three days wages ($168) for a single t-shirt? A home made flannel receiving blanket $5 A weeks wages in Haiti $5 Would you be able to spend a weeks wages ($280) on a single flannel receiving blanket? The total New Mom Bundle including the time to put them together and the cost of shipping them to Haiti will cost $15 and it may well be the only gift the mom receives to celebrate the arrival of her new baby. 3 weeks wages in Haiti $15 Would you spend 3 weeks wages ($840) on a single baby shower gift? How about $15? This math lesson certainly has made me reconsider my own American poverty. As a single mom with two children, I see, in comparison, how truly blessed we are in our poverty. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jul. 6, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Today was a church at home day. The Lord knew, and earlier in the week, the John MacArthur CD I'd requested over a month ago, arrived. Perfect timing, as usual. The Message: A Biblical Response to the Church Growth Movement. It was powerful, it was amazing, it was convicting. I thought about all the churches I've attended, and measured them by this message (read "scripture"). There were very few who measure up - maybe two - out of many, many churches. Even allowing for our humanity, this is not a good thing. Interestingly, MacArthur goes back to the first church, which is a subject that has come up in several different places lately as I'm reading. How far away from the model Christ gave us we are. The last point in his sermon spoke the most to me, it spoke of the qualifications of the leaders -- not just the verses we typically think of from Timothy and Titus but also the character of those men who were chosen to minister to the needs of the widows in Acts. If we'd only return to these standards. If you're up for a great message, that will make you think twice about what the purpose of church really is and what the church really should look like, I recommend this for you. If you're comfortable being B.U.S.Y., doing all those church activities then you probably don't have time to listen to it anyway. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jul. 3, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Someone sent me a link to this really cool site, where you enter your birthday (day and month only). And it tells you what your BirthVerse is. Check it out! My BirthVerse Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Jul. 2, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
A friend read this to me this morning, as we talked on the phone. She was going to give me a copy of it, but I had to have it now, to share, so I searched for it, online, and found it. It was just too precious not to share. It made me really stop and think. I hope it does you as well. Blessings, MaggieRaye WORLDWIDE SATANIC MEETING AGAINGST CHRISTIANS
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said; "We cannot keep Christians from going to Church". We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth". "We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Saviour". "Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken". "So let them go to their Churches; let them have their communion services, but steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a personal relationship with Jesus". "This is what I want you to do," said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Saviour and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this ?", his demons shouted. "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, and borrow". "Persuade their wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles". "Keep them from spending time with their children". "As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!" "Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice". "Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR, CD's and their PC's going constantly in their homes and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly". "This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ". "Fill the coffee tables with sexy magazines and worldly newspapers". "Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards; Flood their mailboxes with junk mails, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes..." "Skip skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they will become dissatisfied with their wives". "Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. give them headaches too"! "If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly". "Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them Easter bunny so they won't talk about His resurrection and power over sin and death." "Even in their recreation, let them de excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted". Keep them too busy - (Being Under Satan's Yoke) to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays concerts, and movies instead". "Keep them busy, busy, and busy"! "And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences. Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus". "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause. It will work! " It's quite an effective plan". The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives. I guess the question is, has Satan been successful in his schemes? Over to you, dear Christian, be the judge! |
May. 30, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Even in the midst of so much to be thankful for, I find that discontentment can subtly sneak in. For anyone who says what we watch doesn't impact us I would beg to differ. Recently I sat and watched every single episode of the Christy series -- including 2 or the 3 that PAX put out so we'd all now how the story ended. I find myself wondering why I can't be a back woods school teacher or have some other equally "romantic" ministry for the Lord. Never mind He's blessed my life with the highest calling there is . . . But, I want . . . And then there is the whole preacher, doctor thing. . . yeh, I know I know, I have the perfect provider in my Heavenly Father. But, I want . . . It's not only where we go and who we hang out with that can cause discontentment, if we do not guard our hearts, some of us foolishly even pipe it into our homes and inflict it upon ourselves. So, the Lord being gracious and perfect put Hebrews 13:5 in my devotional reading the other morning, and I find myself claiming it over and over again recently, Roughly paraphrased it says to be content with what we have for the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. OUCH! Single mom's be cautious -- idle amusements, something as simple as watching a "good" movie with your children, has the potential to stir up our sin natures. I long for the day when I have learned to bask in the Lord's trustworthiness and not want anything more. How about you? Have you searched out the reasons for your discontentment so that you can pull those weeds from your garden? If you don't, they'll only grow . . . Blessings, MaggieRaye |
May. 29, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
For about a year now I've been blessed to work helping Homebound Missions minister to two orphanages in Haiti. I'd like to expand our efforts as a family and start adding orphanages from other countries to our efforts. So, if you know of a Bible believing ministry that serves orphanages (we don't care what countries) please email me the contact information for the program. Thanking all of you in advance, MaggieRaye |
May. 27, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
Today's thought for the day: I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am. - John Newton |
Apr. 23, 2008

Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
|
** I think this post is similar to what many future posts will be like. Thank you to Susan Lemons for sharing it on a Yahoo! group that we both belong to. May the Lord bless your homeschooling endeavors today! MaggieRaye When Your Hut's On Fire
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me?' Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers. 'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied. The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God. P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today. |












