Magnolia

How tight plum petals cling,
like lids of a sleeping babe.
Now, dew drops drizzle down
stiff foliage, as tears shed
from battered, broken heart.
How slowly the bud unfolds,
like those of butterfly wings!
Then slowly does the bloom
retreat, and falls back to earth,
one day to stir a new rebirth.

“… be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4;22-24

Skunk Cabbage

Perennial pearled plant;
what a hooded wonder!
One, mild maroon model
striking solitary spadix,
fleshy petal-less posy;
wading at winter’s end.

Wetland wonder, most
native animals avoid,
bitter is your tasty bite.
Roots dangle deep about
melting spring streams;
my steps silently stirred.

One seeks, the changing
warmth of coming season,
as your color unveils a
common green growth!
Snow has passed, the bud
now faded and too it’s work!

Today, I went a-wandering
along woodland lane pressing
path; to seek a single slice
wondering of this rare plant.
Your passion in frozen earth,
ever melting spring’s snow.

The leader lifts its face!

“For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; He will come down and tread on the high places of the earth. The mountains will melt under Him, And the valleys will split like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.”
Micah 1:3-4

Last Quilt Challenge: Facing Your Fears

For this challenge, I chose the trails of the world. Grief, pain, suffering, war and the unknown. I used these verses as my inspiration:

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.” John 1:4-5

Knowing that through the darkest trials that we may face, Jesus is the Light. Thanks for the great challenges!

https://kimlapacek.com/2023/03/14-6-conquer-a-fear-challenge-6-of-project-quilting-season-14.html

Goodbye Winter

Drip, drip, drip

down the ivy lattice;

past the butterfly haven

and onto my frozen garden.

Snoozing, snoozing

are the tiny purple crocus;

nestled with bulgy tulip bulbs

in rock solid soil stiffer than ice.

Drip, drip, drip

are dangling wet icicles;

all pooling atop the mounds

gathering crystals in the snow!

Snoozing, snoozing

on my comfortable bed,

pup curled at my frozen feet,

just waiting for the drip, drip, drip;

March melting once again!

Spring’s Cleaning

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
Matthew 4:17

Clouds veil the sky;
it’s the first of March
cheery birds in grey
sky; passing winter
spring comes slowly,
steadily, with stealth.

Crows call, call,
endlessly calling
geese on the wing
destination north;
honk, honking,
honking high in sky.

Patches of snow
puddle, dirt rising
resembles sin;
unclean hearts
unlike lives
unrepentant sin.

Spring comes
with the geese,
with melting snows,
it’s grey, cloudy skies;
and spring cleaning.
Consider life’s purpose.

Trapezoid Tote

My reverse Trapezium bag made from scraps and stash. The bottom piece is from my last project and the back piece was a leftover from an Operation’s Christmas Child sundress. The only thing new is the batting. I’ve just run out due to all these wonderful challenges ☺️

Big enough for a Bible!

Jemi’s Noble Quest, a story of Creation; A Novel Quilt

I was so excited for this next quilt challenge; A Novel Project. Of course, there can be several meanings to “novel project”. I took it at face value and depicted my very first book I wrote, “Jemi’s Noble Quest”.

As a writer, there’s nothing more exciting than one’s first published book. “Jemi’s Noble Quest” is the story of creation. It holds adventure and some mystery. Written in Bible times, it brings to life the Jewish culture.

On the bottom right-hand of the quilt, is my interpretation of Leviathan. A bit comical portrayal, but the best I can do with my sewing abilities and simple machine. This is a creature Jemi’s meets in the story. The butterflies on the left, reflect a prayer Jemi cherishes (see below). As for the zebra, Stripes, you’ll need to read the book which is available on Amazon as a paperback or ebook.

“If only we could have wings like a butterfly, our burdens would be lifted high to the heavens and God’s shower of blessings would fall to our feet.”
14.4 – A Novel Project – Challenge 4 of Project QUILTING Season 14

Come join the fun!

Beloved Stripes

Leviathan

As the Wind Blows

The wind goes toward the south,
And turns around to the north;
The wind whirls about continually,
And comes again on its circuit.

Ecclesiastics 1:6

The wind blows,

as wild geese fly.

Trees shake their

branches say hello.

It’s late winter,

gray clouds float by

quickly on a breeze;

as cranes sing a deep

note that wobbles

in the air and floats.

The forest sways;

quivers and quakes.

Cranes tangle

in tug-of-war,

wings soar and sway

upon great gusts.

Squeaking and creaking

echoes in the woods.

Wind, wind, oh how

the wind does blow.

Monday: 2 Minutes With God

Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you,because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

John 6:27

Do you have two minutes for God each day? Think about it! Consider all He has done for you; even during the trials. What is spending time with God worth to you?

How many days can you go without your favorite food? How many days can you diet before you want to quit? Now, can you tell me how many days you can go without any food? Or maybe try eating only junk food for a week or two and see what happens. Your body needs the energy found in food. Every cell cry’s out for nutrition.

Now, think of your spiritual needs. Can you give God two minutes of your day to feed your spiritual well-being? We are not made only with a physical body, but have within us spiritual needs. God created us with a part of which will live on for eternity; our spiritual side which needs to be feed.

May I remind you that God gives you your next breath. His angles guard over your life. When healing comes, it’s because He allows it. And when your prayers aren’t answered immediately, it’s because He is working in your life. Everything about you is a blessing from God!

Spend two minutes with God today. Make it a priority and see how satisfied you can be after feeding your spiritual well-being.