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.

Owl’s Call

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

The owls are calling
deep throaty hoots;
that linger in frozen air
stiff as icy bedsheet;
comes a lullaby calling
past frigid tall trees,
across marshy pond,
over mellow meadow;
they are calling, calling,
calling as morning smiles
and owls say good night!

Monday: A Second Bloom

Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies …

I Peter 4:11

My Christmas cactus is behaving oddly and I’m enjoying the benefits. It is in a second bloom since November. When it originally bloomed it was before Thanksgiving and I thought “crazy it’s not Christmas yet”! Now, it’s blooming a second time and next week is Valentines Day. Maybe it’s a Holiday cactus?

How often, as a Christian, do we do things which may not seems normal to others? Perhaps, it’s our taste in music, books or movies which confuse others. Maybe it’s our constant need to attend church regularly instead of sleeping in on a Sunday. More so, is it our conversation which shares Bible thoughts, instead of gossip regarding others? In many ways our lives are different from before our lives were committed to Christ.

I’m sure there’s some horticultural reason for a cactus’s second bloom so quickly after the first flowering, but I prefer to think it was meant for a lesson. We are in the world, not of it. Take a step to impress God, not man. Let the fragrance of your life glorify Him today and this week.

Happy Monday

Winter Wood

How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Psalm 104:25

Winter wood in snow knee-deep;
as red fox snoozes, fast asleep.

Chickadee wears a winter’s muff, 
sings sweet tune so grand a stuff;
dapper snow falls, powder to fluff.

Feathers fine as winter flower;
fluff flakes in fine snow shower,
tiny wings hold such great power.

Squirrel scampers looking for more
power strides, seeking winter’s store;
climbing, carousing white forest floor.

Tiny paws dig in frosty, frozen land.
Floor rumbles slowly spills like sand;
grey tail swishes and swirls so grand.

Six stately deer afoot in icy winter pond,
grand a sight, a herd with nature’s bond.
What doth sneaks and moves beyond!

Snow settles on a coarse deer hide.
Then, beyond the wood they now glide;
sauntering from lunch with such stride.

Winter wood settles and stills; when
fox pokes his nose up from his den.