Direction
Nov. 9, 2008
Nov. 9, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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It's time for me to revisit Return of the Daughters and Defending the Fatherless. I had a conversation last night, in which a younger mom was encouraging me with work opportunities in my new area, and I was almost ready to go out tomorrow and get an application. It is so hard to take a stand when folks don't understand what you're trying to accomplish or why. It's hard to make the see the importance of what you're trying to do when it doesn't make sense or seem practical. It's hard when their views are so very different from yours. I've been praying for direction recently and strength to stand for what I've encouraged all of you to do, to remain at home, in spite of everything everyone may say. Right now, in addition to praying for direction, I'm also praying for a miracle, because it feels like that is what I'm going to need to hang in there. Hoping it's a little easier for each of you, Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Why Patchwork Cottage
Nov. 1, 2008
Nov. 1, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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WELCOME TO PATCHWORK COTTAGE
I will be leaving this post at the top for awhile, so be sure to scroll down to check for more recent posts Why Patchwork Cottage When I left "the world" to come home in 2001 and be the mother of my children, it was a HUGE leap of faith. I'm sure that many thought I was being foolish. I believed then, and still do that my calling is to be a Keeper-at-Home, (Titus 2:3-5). In 2003, I was inspired to begin doing patchwork quilts the way my grandmother had, as a means of supporting my family. It took me a long time to find the faith and courage to let the inspiration become a reality. This summer, I've sold 4 quilts that I made "on spec." and I have had a very promising custom order (which I hope to share pictures of with you soon). The word PATCH means to make of fragments or to produce crudely or hurriedly. That describes my quilts. They are no fuss, no muss. Okay, maybe that is not entirely true, but it is the concept behind them. The work PATCHWORK means something made of pieces of different materials or needlework, as a quilt, made with odd patches of cloth. That is definitely my quilts. But it is also our approach to homeschooling. I think from now on instead of saying we do a "hodge podge", I'm going to say we do a "patchwork" approach to choosing our curriculum. It sounds so much more . . . well, us. A QUILT is defined as a badded bed coverlet, and a COTTAGE as a small house or a house used for vacations (and this is certainly what we strive toward attaining in our home, a restful, get away atmosphere). INDUSTRY is an earnest, steady effort or any branch of productive manufacturing enterprise. That is definitely what I do, when making quilts. I have my own little Cottage Industry. Each of these words is exactly definitive of Patchwork Cottage and what we do. So, while I will still continue to share support and encouragement with those of you single moms who are homeschooling and striving to be keepers at home, I will also be sharing some of my other efforts with you as well. As Always, May the Lord Bless you richly, MaggieRaye |
Wish/Wants/Needs List
Oct. 25, 2008
Oct. 25, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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It never fails, when we lack resources I can think of millions of things I wish/want/need. So I decided to keep a list. By putting it out there for the world to see I hope it will do two things -- help me keep things in perspective and give others the opportunity to help. Two other single moms who've been regular readers and great cyber-friends, have both had the opportunity to be a blessing when they became aware of these type of things. While their blessings may seem like "nothing" to you, let me assure you that they were very significant to us. One mom sent me embroidery floss that had just been hanging around her house - Thanks Lizzie, I'm still using some of it, so you have had a little part in some of the quilts I've made recently. Another mom sent us cucumber seeds this past year, because in our area they were "scarcer than hens teeth" and we truly enjoyed the bounty from those, including the pickles that we made to give away to those who helped us move - Thanks Rachel for your part in helping us bless others, as they blessed us during our difficult move. Too often single mothers feel as if they have nothing to give and are always needing help. Sometimes it's true, but there are so many little ways that we can help each other, if we know the need and if we are willing to the still small voice when the Holy Spirit nudges us to do something (usually something that just does not make sense) for someone else. So, in the event that you feel so led, here is my "Wish/Want/Need" list - which will grow and change periodically, I'm sure. The Private Life of Tasha Tudor (This was an excellent and encouraging book. I have a shelf in my library that is just books related to homeschooling and single parents and single parent homeschooling. I think there is much to be gleaned from the life of Tasha Tudor, and I'd love to be able to share that with others.) A Song For Your Honor (This is the one homeschool/single parent book I am aware of that I do not own, yet. I'm seriously contemplating buying it for myself for Christmas. A story about a recently widowed mother and the battle she faced to continue to homeschool her children. As a side note, she lost her only son this past spring. I happen to come upon the information in the blog sphere, at the time I was researching the book. The praise in it is the amazing testimony I see in the life of the children of this woman.) Embroidery Floss When quilting this is something you can never have enough of. Colors don't matter much. Common colors are always best, as they are the ones that go the quickest. However, shades and unique colors are always welcome, because there is a certain amount of challenge in working them into a project. Buttoms Not just ordinary buttons, although I can always use those, too. Unique buttons. Buttons with a theme (tea cups/gardening/insects/trains/shoes). I use buttons a lot in quilts. Right now our family is feeling blessed and we have an abundance of our needs. We have no room to complain and are quite content, but for those folks who ask, "what can I do to help?" For now these are my answers. Oh, and a two fold prayer: First, the funds to come in for us to buy a portable electric piano, to replace the acoustic behemouth that we parted with when we moved and second, a "real house" with a "real yard" which I can work from. I'd like to return to give lessons in patchworking, but the complex we currently reside in does not allow tenant to operate a business from their apartments. Blessings on the eve of the Lord's Day, May yours be filled with His peace, MaggieRaye |
Quilt Exposure/Prayer Request
Oct. 24, 2008
Oct. 24, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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A long time back, I saw an article about a quilt guild in Texas (I think) that had made quilts to go with children's books to be displayed at school libraries and summer rec programs etc. I thought it was a lovely idea. At the time, I approached our children's librarian about doing a quilt related story time or two. I just never quite got to it. Recently, new town, new library, I decided to fill out the volunteer application that came in the "Get to Know Your Library" packet we received with our new library cards. At the bottom, I put a note that I would be particularly interested in doing story hour related to children's literature and quilts. Today (the third time this week) while we were at the library, the Director came out, with my application, and said that she would be very interested in talking to me some more about the story hour and would I bring in some samples, for her. So. . . I am now scrounging to pull together all my children's quilt stories, and to finish three small quilts to share. Oh, she also asked if this could be used in a display in the library. Yikes! That is really putting them out there. It's both exciting and scary at the same time. So pray that she is impressed with the real thing as she is with the idea. Pray that this is the direction we should be going in. And maybe even pray that we find a real house to rent where I could work (teach quilt classes) from home and we'd have a real yard again. We miss our yard A LOT!!!!! Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Inspiration and Hope: A Famous Single Mother
Oct. 22, 2008
Oct. 22, 2008
Posted in Book Reviews
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My children think I'm eccentric. Okay, I confess, the word they use is weird. Every time I talk about buying 20 acres and a yurt my almost 17 year old convulses in disgust. Mention homesteading and she writhes with fear. I even have a key chain that proclaims, "I'm NOT wierd, I'm gifted." Today we decided to take our libraries BINGO challenge and for the next year we're going to attempt to read at least one book from each number group (non-fiction) and type (fiction) on the BINGO cards -- there is the potential prize of free books involved. So, reading my first book today, I chose "The Private World of Tasha Tudor" (Another confession - I picked it because it had few words and lots of pictures). However, in the process, I learned some amazing things. My kids would classify her as "weird" -- how many normal people run around New England barefooted -- especially once the weather starts to turn cold? She inspired me. I want to live on a farm from another century, grow unkempt flower gardens and quilt. I don't know if I could live without my computer -- but maybe I could trade it in for a smaller, portable model, and then I wouldn't have to right???? After all, she had a telephone. What I learned that really amazed and inspired me was that she was a single mother. And at the time of her divorce, all of her children (4) had their last name changed to her maiden name with her. I feel a kinship to this woman in ways you can't imagine. What I also learned, from the circulation desk volunteer was that she passed away this year - June 2008 according to Wikipedia . How very, very sad. It made me sad that I couldn't drop her a little note, thanking her for living the life she dreamed, and there by giving me inspiration and hope to continue in my dreams. As we've spent the last month settling in to our apartment -- which I still am not thrilled with -- I've done a lot of praying about what the Lord has for us. Today I called a friend and shared with her the coincidence of picking up this book and reading it at this time -- there are no coincidences with the Lord, right? -- and said, I think I'll start praying very specifically for the piece of land for our "forever" family home. Even if I have to put an old trailer or a yurt (sorry Lizbeth!!!) or something equally unique (read weird) on it for us to live in, at least it would be "ours" and we could have dogs, and cats and birds and goats, and chickens, and rabbits, and who knows what all. I definitely recommend the book, and I'm seriously considering that I may need to own it to add to my collection of inspiration from other single mothers section of my personal library. Have you read it??? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
I Was Wondering . . .
Oct. 22, 2008
Oct. 22, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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My first or second year in homeschooling (we're in our 8th now) I heard about and procured a copy of Robinson's Self-Teaching Curriculum. Let's face it, I'm sentimental and the story behind it's beginnings tugged at my heart strings. Further, it was put together by a single homeschooling father. This man knew what I was facing, needing to work and educate my children. Now I confess, I have not used it religiously, but it's approach is the backbone of how I homeschool. It works nicely with the Charlotte Mason approach, and uses much of the same literature as many "new" curriculums. I was wondering how all of the Robinson children had turned out, many years later. Well, the Lord has a funny way of answering my prayers and curiosities. We're in a new town, and hence there is a new library (which I might add we are totally enjoying - I think we got to the library about 2 -3 x a week now). In their magazine section they are doing better than our old library, they actually carry two homeschooling magazines: Home Education Magazine - which our old library had; and Practical Homeschooling. Now, truthfully, neither one of them really appeals to me, but then, the longer I homeschool, the less and less they all appeal to me. There is just too much commercial stuff being pushed in most of them. However, I did decide today to check out a copy of both. Where is all of this going? Well, the issue of Practical Homeschooling (#81) that I checked out happened (there are no coincidences with the Lord) to have a brief article on the Robinson's and their curriculum in it. So, if you're interested in Robinson's Self-Teaching Curriculum and how the children of this have turned out check out Practical Homeschooling #81 (March/April 2008) pages 24 & 25. I think I'll continue to use it as our foundational curriculum and to recommend it to other single parents as well. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Humble Pie
Oct. 15, 2008
Oct. 15, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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Okay, I guess I have gotten a little too proud of all "my" accomplishments here over the last couple of years. The Lord has seriously been bringing me down a peg or two here, with our new move, I thought I'd share, hoping that it would be a warning and an encouragement to all of you. First, I loved having a washer and dryer, yes it was in a gross, stinky basement, but it was mine and I could use it whenever I wanted to, day or night, and I didn't have to have cash on hand to do it. Yup! The things we take for granted. Now, I have access to coin-op laundry on site, however, with 23 other families in the same complex and only 4 washers and dryers available -- well, you do the math. It seems like there is a steady flow of traffic in and out of our little laundry. The praise in all of this is that I can go to my families which is near by, and we do , however, it is humbling to have to ask and to be in that position after having been so independent. That brings me to another thing. We came with the idea that we would be a blessing to my extended family. So far, all I can see is every time we have to ask for help, and it's been tons with this move and all the transitioning. Asking for help is something I've never been good at. Then there is my whole personality needing to "do" something to help myself, and God, rather than just letting him take care of things. There is also the battle (mostly internal) of knowing there are those out there who would tell me that I need to "do" something. Praise the Lord for long distance phone calling (something new which is a mixed blessing) that allows me to call those who are like minded to remind me that training my children is what the Lord has called me to do and that if I am obedient He will take care of the rest. So, here I sit, struggling against the waiting...again humbled that there is little I can "do" right now. Then there is the apartment. After going from a house with a yard to the apartment, well that certainly is humbling. Neighbors on every side use to be bad, but now it is worse. They are literally on top of me. So we're praying - as I'm finishing unpacking the last of the boxes, that the Lord would very soon present us with a house to rent with a washer and dryer of our own, and a yard that at least gives us a little sense of privacy. In the mean time, I'm working daily to find blessings in our small space. I certainly am having time to focus on homeschooling and can see what the kids are accomplishing and that is a very good thing. We are within walking distance of our library and this is also a very good thing. And I figure just about the time I get the last box unpacked, we'll find a house that we can rent, but if not, then the Lord probably has some more lessons for me to learn here, first. How about you? Has the Lord taken the opportunity to humble you lately? Care to share? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
What's Up With The Quilts?
Oct. 6, 2008
Oct. 6, 2008
Posted in Current Quilts for Sale
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Good Morning! For those who are here for the quilts, here is what is up. After much prayer and discussion, currently, Patchwork Quilts will be available for sale through Blessed Baby Boutique in Farmington, Maine. They will actually be available to see, touch, and purchase at the shop, not online as we'd previously mentioned. You can see what is available for sale at our photobucket site as well as seeing previous quilts. I have not had the time to post them here yet, but hope to do that in the future. I will also be contacting galleries and shops in our new area, to see about the possibility of quilts being available through them. I've gone from a work space that was 9' x 12' to a section of my dining area that is about 3' x 4 '. Needless to say, everything is a little chaotic. While I'm planning new quilts, there is no room to work yet. I have a master organizer (thanks Mom) coming this weekend to help whip things into place. Hoping to have everything back up and going in short order. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
In and ... "settled" ???
Oct. 6, 2008
Oct. 6, 2008
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Good Morning! I figured for my regular readers I should update you. We're into our new place, praying it is only temporary. I'm suffering from severe pride issues as of late - so you can imagine amidst the boxes and chaos of moving and having to have and ask for so much help - it just isn't pretty. I miss my independence so much!!!! I can only now begin to imagine how our elderly feel when they are taken out of their life long homes and placed into facilities. Ugh!!!! Also, I hate it when we've worked so hard to play by the rules and those around us are so obviously, are NOT! I'm praying for huge, and unimaginable blessings on this one. We have much to be grateful for and yet the things that loom large in my site are the things I'm struggling with and through, especially with and for MattMann. Lizbeth has moved so many times, that she seems to be taking it all in stride. On a very positive note, I think we've found the church we'll be attending. We've visited it several times, but both of the kids are excited about Sunday School and the worship service is family integrated and it's a well established church with heirarchy and accountability. We miss our friends so much! We miss the space of our big house and yard! At the same time, there is no doubt in my mind that we are where the Lord would have us to be for this season in our lives. We are very close to many members of our extended family for the first time in many, many years. The walk from our place to the little store, library and post office, is just amazing. The kids already have their library cards - that was a first priority. We're still amidst boxes! But we're back to doing our school work and I'm hoping next week to get back to work quilting. I'll be posting more about that in the next post. Check in, leave a comment, and let me know how things are with you. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Hand Me Down Fundraiser
Sep. 18, 2008
Sep. 18, 2008
Posted in Miscellaneous Stuff
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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 |
Update on Quilts and etc.
Sep. 18, 2008
Sep. 18, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I'm online tonight, uploading some more pix into Photobucket. You may want to stop by later and check out the new albums I'm adding. One is of past quilts. The other is of lap robes I've done this past year for our church's Ladies Aid group. These quilts are used in the state chaplaincy ministry, so they go to nursing homes and hospitals. Our move progresses forward and I'm way calmer and less tweaked than when I last posted. God's hand seems so clearly to be guiding this move, in such amazing ways that I can not even begin to share here. Quilts, yes, I know some of you have been waiting for the official word of what is available for sale. For now we've hit a small bump in the road with our co-op and since it's most important that we take care of our members, website stuff needs to wait. They will be available through Blessed Baby Boutique. However, if you just can't wait that long, please let me know. We can work something out privately, and the co-op can still benefit. The quilts for sale are the ones in the first album on photobucket - except for the one with baby LizBeth on it - that's now officially a family heirloom. I'm going to try to put those photos into a specific album marked so that you'll know they are the quilts for sale. However, as always, I'm running out of time, but not things to do, so I don't know how far I'll get tonight. One final note, the Lord's hand clearly seems to be working in the area of quilts also - through Blessed Baby, He has brought another WAHM into my life, who does clothing consignment as a fundraiser for local schools in her area, the clothes that she can't sell are very likely going to end up in -- yes, quilts. I will try to get her information up here tomorrow so you can all go by and check out her awesome website, maybe do some early Christmas shopping, you know it's never too early to start. Praying for the Lord's blessings on your day, MaggieRaye |
Dark Cloudy Days
Sep. 12, 2008
Sep. 12, 2008
Posted in Just Ramblin
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Moving is not fun! Just incase you've never moved or if it's been a really long time, let me assure you it is not fun. I don't care how much of an adventure you try to turn it into for the kids. At the end of the day, when your normally tidy house is in disarray amidst half packed boxes and there is barely a path from the bedroom to the bathroom, it is not fun! I've had several dark days, inspite of the sunshine. Those clouds that just hang over you, no matter what you do to lift them. There are a lot of reasons, and thanks to praying friends, the dark clouds are lifing. This is a great move for my family. There is no doubt in my mind - when I can think out from under the clouds - that the Lord's hand is guiding this move, each step of the way. We'll be closer to family. This is a bonus as it has been years (13) since I've lived close to my extended family. We get a chance to start fresh after three very difficult years. No one knows are past, and so there is no one to be unforgiving and hold it against us. It will be a fresh start for all. We have several church choices - and interestingly, my children are leaning toward the more conservative option, as their preference. The kids always amaze me. MattMann is settling in, after many days of tears of leaving the only home he's ever really known. I'm grateful for praying friends, as I believe this has made all the difference. We're even taking part of his dirt pile with us. The dirt pile, is more of a pit, that he's dug in the back yard, but he spends hours out in it digging, playing with his trucks, just being a boy. LizBeth is thrilled to be around "babies" ranging in age from 4 years down to 2 weeks in age. Today, was one of the hardest good-byes. A young mom, that I've known for six years, since before she was a mom, when she was a college student. She signed my quilts ( I made myself a signature/going away quilt for all our homeschooling friends to sign). She told me I'd been the spice in her life during our friendship. That sometimes I was the salt. It was sometimes bitter and hard to take, and other times I was the sugar, that sweetened things, but that regardless, she'd grown, and she was thankful. Don't know about you, but I was ready to cry. How do you answer that? What do you say? I thanked God, because it means, even when I can't see it and don't feel it, He is using me for the Titus 2 role that I feel so called to. I will miss her and I pray that we will be able to maintain our friendship, even through the distance. Even though we've had some really rough and rocky roads, and there are times, I'm not sure we'd have considered the other one to have been a friend, the fact of the matter is, that really, it's more than a friendship, she is truly a sister in Christ, and I believe that is why things are the way they are for us now, in spite of everything. And so, the official count down has begun. We have 17 days remaining in our big house in the mountains, before we move to our apartment on the coast. 17 days, to pack, and cry and say good-byes, and cry, and return library books, and cry (I thought the librarian was going to cry yesterday, when we went in for our last real visit) , and get in doctor's appointments, and incase I haven't mentioned it, I think we'll probably cry a little. We've lived in this house the longest I've live anywhere in my adult life or for that matter, anywhere since I was 11 years old, when my mother sold the house i grew up in and we moved from a small town to the city. I know it's a good move for us, I know the Lord has something special waiting, but it's so hard to let go of the familiar and say good-bye. Fortunately, I don't have to say good-bye to any of you, you can just keep on reading, from where you are and there will possibly only be a little hiccup of a change - a few days where I won't be able to write - in things for us. Praying His blessings on your day, MaggieRaye |
Time to buy new shirts
Sep. 11, 2008
Sep. 11, 2008
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You know it's time to buy new shirts when your son comes up behind you and says, "Mom, you need to fix your shirt, you look like a lady construction worker." Yikes! Here is the story behind it. I've lost a fair amount of weight in the last year, and someone gave me a bunch of awesome clothes. I was also given several pair of jeans. I haven't worn jeans in a long time. This has been really awesome as we're packing and the chilly fall weather has descended much too quickly over New England. I'm happy to have jeans to pull on. However, the jeans and shirts came from too different families, and the shirts are great to wear with skirts, but not with jeans. They are just not long enough. Have a little guy who is also chunky, we've spent much time working with him to avoid the exposure of "the plumbers crack" and having a teen girl we've worked very hard to be modestly but not frumpily covered. You know that your children have learned the lessons when they start pointing out the flaws in your clothing. My son is not the only one. LizBeth busted me for an "inappropriate" shirt on Sunday. I really hadn't noticed, and thought it looked great. Ouch! So right after we move and get settled - say just in time for - oh, Christmas maybe, I think I'm going to need to go shopping for a few new, and appropriately fitted items. I'm thing MuMu's might be good - of course, the prints might offend my fashion conscious teen, but what can you do? Praying your having a blessed day, MaggieRaye |
Not for the Serious Minded Reader
Sep. 5, 2008
Sep. 5, 2008
Posted in Just Ramblin
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Okay, you were warned in the Title, this is not for the serious reader. And yet, there is an element of seriousness about it. If you've seen the movie, The Wedding Planner, you'll understand that the new favorite line around our house is, "You saved. . . . my shoe." If you haven't seen it, you just won't appreciate the rest of the post in it's entirety. My daughter is developing an addiction to shoes. Now, I really wouldn't mind, if they were practical shoes she was actually going to have many occasions to wear. But these shoes.... Today she bought 4 pair of evening/prom type shoes -- remember please here, we live in rural (read the woods or hicksville) New England. We need things like LL Bean Boots 3/4 of the year, just to be practical. The dressiest place we go is church, and Bean Boots are standard issue for this about 6 months out of the year, as well. No real need for one pair of cute little black strappies, (which she already owned) never mind four more pair of these types of shoes. Oh, her behalf, at least she did buy them to match the three formal dresses she has in her closet, which she really has no occasion to wear either, but that is fodder for another post. These are shoes that city girls wear to proms, evening out for dinner in a nice restaurant, office parties. Serious, fancy shoes. Now, the serious side of this is that LizBeth's aunt is feeding this habit, by working for Dyeables. The shoe warehouse is seriously less than a block away from our house. There are no retail stores near us that carry these shoes, but we have access to them. This is not good for someone with my daughters "condition". But on the upside Scripture does teach that we should, "Train up a child. . " and to be good stewards, so I will tell you that retail, todays purchases would have cost . . . are you sitting down, cause this is really kinda. . . well, mind blowing really. $392.85 not including sales tax or the hand bag that her aunt bought for her that retails for $33.99 - who actually spends that much on something that small???? Okay, the catch is that it was a warehouse sale so LizBeth spend a grand total of $2. Yes, that is right. I've trained her up well. If she must buy those ridiculously impractical shoe wanna-be's, at least she got her money's worth (after all she saved $390.85, which she didn't have to begin with, but hey, it's a nice thought, right) -- well, maybe... I'm still not sure that they were actually worth $2, but I know that they were definitely not worth $392.85. Champaign taste and a beer pocketbook, yup it's genetic. I have grand taste -- though not in shoes, but I think this even tops my wildest of wild moments. And most of all, it's just fun to tease her about in front of the whole world -- or at least the small corner of it that stops by here. Oh, and now, there are four more boxes to pack and move, way to go, LizBeth, we're suppose to be paring down not adding stuff to our personal belonging.! Hope you enjoyed this little side trail from our normal seriousness. Blessings amidst the silliness, MaggieRaye |
Responsibility - Part III
Sep. 3, 2008
Sep. 3, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I warned you! This is my soap box, and it's been a long time since I've stood on it -- well unti recently. However, with all the commotion of packing, having not found exactly where I want to pack this, I keep tripping over it, and taking the opportunity to stand upon it. This mornings little vent is about a dual responsibility, shared by us (single homeschooling moms) and the church. Matthew 6:24 says, "No man can serve to masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and espise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." While I know this largely speaks to serving the world and God or money and God, I believe the principle can also be applied to the welfare system. Once we've been pushed into it, and become dependent upon it, there is little room to serve God, while jumping through the bureaucratic hoops that are required of us. So where is our responsibility, to stand firm, for the Lord and to resist being forced into this ungodly alliance with the worlds government. To resist being taken out of our homes and away from our children -- because this is the first thing the welfare system does, as soon as it can possibly get away with it. Our responsibility is, and though this sounds easy, it is not, to live and walk by faith and not by sight. (That was for me more than all of you, this morning.) I'm reaching another crossroad in life, not just with our impending move, but also with my faith. I've walked and lived by faith before, sometimes boldly. Right now, I'm not sure I have enough faith to step out the way I need to and live it. For so long we've been referred back to the welfare system, over and over. We've continually been encouraged to go to the State first, and that the church would fill in any gaps still left. I know in my heart this is wrong, but I've been too sick to fight back. I've been too tired to fight back. Now, I'm feeling as if the Lord would really have me take the stand again, for Him and Him alone, trusting in His provision, totally and completely. As you think of me, keep this in prayer. Also, ask the Lord if you are where He would have you to be. Now, I said there was dual responsibility here, so what is the church's responsibility in this? I believe their responsibility is to step up to the plate, and be the first to help all in need (whether single mom's or others). Not last as a gap filler, but first. The cry for help should be answered by God's people not the world. Needs should be met from within the body not from without. Throughout the scripture God clearly shows that those who oppress the poor, the needy, the widow and the fatherless will be judged, scourged, that the Lord will not let them go unpunished. For my own part, this makes me sad. I would not wish this on anyone, even those who've hindered me. So that's it for now. Maybe today I'll find a place to pack this soap box away, until after we move. Or maybe the Lord will speak to my heart again, and I will need to step upon it. Blessings as Always, MaggieRaye |
This Should Make Things Easier
Sep. 1, 2008
Sep. 1, 2008
Posted in Current Quilts for Sale
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For those who want to go by Photobucket and have a look at currently available quilts, here is the direct URL: www.photobucket.com/patchworkcottage That should take you directly there. I'm hoping to add some other albums this week. One of previously sold quilts (maybe), one of quilts I've made as gifts and of course the ones I've done for the nursing home ministry. We'll see what time allows for. In terms of packing. I have two completely empty storage closets, and three empty cupboards in the kitchen. Half my sewing room is packed - the other half must remain functional until the last possible moment, as must the computer/office space. Here's hoping you're having a blessed Labor Day. MaggieRaye |
Responsibility - Part II
Aug. 31, 2008
Aug. 31, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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I recently posted on Responsibility - my favorite soapbox. Shortly afterwards I read the following devotional and realized this needed to be a part of this soapbox. No matter how little we have, there will always be someone who has less. You may encounter someone today who has no smile, certainly you will have one to share. So single moms, when you feel that the church is not keeping up with their responsibility, do a personal self-check and make sure you're keeping up with yours. In addition to gleaning, I believe we are responsible to give, as we are able. Here is the devotional: God's Calling Journal, August 30, p. 253 "Give abundantly. Feel that you are rich. Have no mean thought in your heart. Of Love, of thought, of all you have, give, give, give. You are followers of the World's Greatest Giver. Give of time, of personal ease and comfort, of rest, of fame, of healing, of power, of sympathy, of all these and many more. Learn this lesson, and you will become a great power to help others and to do mighty things." Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bossom." So, are you gleaning? Are you giving? I figured if I believed strictly in giving 10% of my money for tithe, I would have little to give. But if I give 10% of my time and talent, too, well, then there is something to share. I'm hoping this week (yah! I know, I'm overly optimistic at this point) to put on Photobucket some of the quilts I've done for our Chaplaincy Ministry. I figured out this morning 10% of my day is 2.4 hours, that is the minimum I need to give back to the Lord. 10% of my work week is 3 - 4 hours, that is the minimum I need to work for the Lord or for my work to count for the Lord. Then there is 10% of my income, which is not much, but that also is the minimum that I need to give back. Let me just put a side note here, in light of recent life experiences, I do NOT believe that the 10% you give back to the Lord MUST be done through your church. The Lord may lead you and your family to tithe of your time, talent and treasure in some other way. Supporting your local church is as important as them supporting you. However, when the church is not supporting those with needs, because they are busy building buildings or adding programs, I feel a personal direction to give to those where I know there is a real life sustaining need first. So are you gleaning? Are you giving? Are you upholding your end of the responsibility? I am trying to. May the Lord bless your Lord's day, MaggieRaye |
Responsibility
Aug. 29, 2008
Aug. 29, 2008
Posted in Single Moms as Keepers at Home
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If you've been here before you know I have a soap box (or three) that I get on from time to time. I've been thinking again about the church and their responsibility to single parents who choose to home educate for the glory of God. I'm again convicted that they are falling short of their responsibilities. Last night I was reading a booklet called Trail of Blood which is about the history of the Christian church from a Baptist perspective. It was written prior to 1940, though the copy I was reading was republished in 2000. Interestingly the writer talked a lot about keeping the church separate from the government. Hello? Did anyone else just read that? Keeping the church separate from the government., now there in a novel thought - NOT! It wasn't until he quoted Christ in scripture where He says to render unto Caesar (the government) that which is Caesar's and to render unto God that which is God's. I don't know if anyone else has given this any thought, but I think that just about sums up where I stand on Christians (whether single mother or others in need) being pushed from the care of the church into the hands of the government welfare programs for support. I once again feel assurance in my stand upon my soap box. On a slightly different note, I've also been praying about what responsibility we have as single mothers, or others that qualify as "poor and needy". We should definitely have our priorities in order and should be training up our children FIRST, then ministering within the church, where we can, according to our resources. We should also be practicing gleaning, where and when possible. I'd like to write a longer post on this idea alone, when I'm not packing or working on quilts or trying to start our homeschool year. Yes, the big yellow buses are rolling through our neighborhood, and while other children don back packs and lunch boxes, my son is running around barefooted in his cowboy hat, shooting the enemy with his cap gun in my front yard. It's a good thing we've been here for years and our neighbor's know us. Well, that is it from my brain this morning. I picked up some clothes yesterday at the fill a bag for a dollar rack at the local thrift shop, so I need to go start tearing them apart and preparing them to be quilt fodder, amidst packing, and trying to have a yard sale in less than perfect weather. As always, May the Lord bless your day, MaggieRaye |
Who Visits You?
Aug. 28, 2008
Aug. 28, 2008
Posted in Just Ramblin
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I just came from my Sitemeter. I am always interested in where people are visiting me from. In the last 100 days I've had visits from countries: Vancouver, British Columbia Santa Atarina Brazil Louth Ireland -- I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment, since I've noticed you are a regular visitor. Kilkenny Ireland Cataluna Spain Palmerston New Zealand T'ai Wan Berlin Germany Hamilton New Zealand I'm always curious what brings people from so far away to my little corner of the blogsphere. Hoping that someday my quilt shop draws customers from these corners of the world as well. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Update on Moving
Aug. 28, 2008
Aug. 28, 2008
Posted in Just Ramblin
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It's official! We are moving! It was kind of scarry submitting our 30 day notice the other morning, we've been in this house for 5 1/2 years. Do you have any idea how much stuff you can accumulate in 5 1/2 years with two children? Yicks! Where to begin.... Oh, where are we moving? I'm glad you asked. We're moving to the coast of Maine. I can't wait. We'll still be here at HSB and my quilts will still be available through Blessed Baby Boutique online. We're still working on getting those up online, but you can catch a sneak preview of some of them over at Photobucket. If I'm absent a little bit over the next month, bear with me. I'll be packing, moving, unpacking and sewing. Plus we still have to figure out how to do homeschooling work on our Haiti related ministries amidst the boxes of stuff. Now I'm off to the dentist, the a dr's appointment, trying to cram in all those final appointments before we move. Looking forward to being settled and quilting, homeschooling and being near family. That will be the biggest blessing in the whole move. Until next time, with blessings, as always, MaggieRaye |
