This One's Personal.....

Last week, I posted a new Sweet Diva music tote (and am not linking to it because that's not really what this post is about) and showed several other embroidery options.  I mentioned that I really liked them all and that it was hard to choose which one I would do first.  While there is some truth to that (I did mull over it for several minutes), it actually wasn't that hard.  The one I chose was this:

Have you ever taken a Spiritual Gifts test?  

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in ourministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

Romans 12: 6-8

We all have them, and if you don't know what yours is, I highly encourage you to do some exploration and find out!  

Mine is Mercy.  I have often joked that it sometimes feels like a curse {not really....I am thankful for who I am and how I am.....and how He will be faithful to continually shape and mold me when my heart is willing}.

Spiritual Gift of Mercy Defined

The gift of mercy is the capacity to feel and express unusual compassion and sympathy for those in difficult or crisis situations and provide them with the necessary help and support to see them through tough times.

People with the Gift of Mercy

They have the ability to "walk in another's shoes" and to feel the pain and burdens they carry. They desire to make a difference in the lives of hurting people without being judgmental. They may have a difficult time evaluating the intentions of others and at times appear naïve.

Mercy in Scripture

Jesus taught on mercy (Matt. 5:7; 9:13; 23:23). He is repeatedly described as having compassion (Matt. 9:36; 15:32; 23:37; Luke 7:13) and was so filled with mercy that He sometimes wept (John 11:35). Jesus' mercy included an attentiveness to and concern for children (Matt. 19:14). Dorcas "was always doing good and helping the poor" (Acts 9:36). Also, the good Samaritan is one of the most classic stories ever told on the subject of mercy (Luke 10:30-37).

Do You Have This Gift?

• Do you find yourself being drawn to people who are needy, hurting, sick, disabled, or elderly?
• Do you often think of ways to minister to those who are suffering?
• Do you sense a great deal of compassion for people having personal and emotional problems?
• Do you find that when you visit those who are suffering it brings you joy rather than depressing you?
• Do you find yourself responding to people more out of compassion than judgment?

~borrowed from The Resurgence, because they describe it perfectly!

This gift of Mercy has me in it's grip right now, as I participate in the 40 Days for Life Campaign.  My heart literally aches, my soul hurts......and not just for the smallest lives that are at the mercy of choices made by others, but for the girls, the women, that are making choices that will place a burden on their own souls for the rest of their lives.

I know this is true, and although I know that I would care passionately about this issue anyway, I know that it grips me with a vice-like hold because it's not just an "issue" for me.....it's personal.

Someone that was once close to me made this choice long ago, or perhaps the choice was not really hers.  I was young, and although it's not talked about, I remember.  Because I was young, I think some think I have forgotten.

I have not forgotten, and I have watched from afar as this person that I love dearly has run from God, blamed God, and hurt daily.  Hurt from and for many things I am sure, but I know that this has to be one thing that has never let her go......and I literally ache for her.

As I stood last Friday watching girls walk into a clinic about to make that same choice, I could picture that someone and wanted to stop them, wanted to help them.....wanted to do something.  I wanted to whisk them away to another local clinic, one that could offer the support and help they really need, and find the One that they need the most.

And so I pray.  And I fast.  For 40 Days.  And as my heart aches, it aches for her.  The one that's close to me.  The one I love.  I pray for her, I ache for her.....I cry for her.  I cry and beg the Lord to reach her.......to show her that His Mercy forgives all, that His blood covers all, that His love heals all.

I beg Him to show her that He cares.  And forgives.  And that there's nothing that we can do that is beyond His realm of healing.

 I pray for her to experience this Truth.  This Truth that drowns out all of Satan's lies.  This Truth, this Gift that can reunite her with that precious life one day, if she will only take it.

And if the one I love, I hurt for,  I pray for, and can't stop thinking of  happens to read this...... I want you to know that His Healing is available to you.  I beg you to let go of all that hurts you from the past and take it.

The ensemble I serve in sang this song this past Sunday.  I sang it for you.  There is nothing that can keep you from His love, if you will only receive it and seek His song of Salvation......there is little that would bring me more joy than to see you stand by His Grace.

 "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

~ Romans 8:37-38



Because I'm Absolutely Sure That Babies Like To Coordinate.....

I finally got around to making some matching burp cloths for 2 of my most popular ♥Sweet Sugar Baby♥ items....

To match my sweet Puppy Rag Quilt/Lovey :

......and to match a very similar, but monkey-friendly version....

I recently had a request for a name and birth date instead of the above phrase:

Cute, yes?!

These are so precious.....and would look adorable personalized with a name or monogram along the bottom fabric band, don't you think?  I do.....they make me wish I had a little one to use them on.  But I don't.  Sigh. That's okay......I can still enjoy making them for my very ♥sweet friends♥ and ♥customers♥!

As always, they come with a ♥sweet♥ little poem, just don't forget to ask for it! ; )

By the way.....yes, I know that babies don't care whether they coordinate or not. ; )  The Mommies do ~ and that's ok ~ those little years pass by so quickly....I think we should go all out while we've got them to enjoy!!

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And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

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Linking up with:

"Stronger" by Mandisa

Is your soul singing today?  Do you have a song in your heart?  If not, stop and visit the "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" link-up at Signs, Miracles & Wonders.  By the time you listen to all the songs linked up, perhaps you will find yourself feeling refreshed & encouraged, and maybe even singing a few yourself.  I think our lives are always a little easier when our hearts are open to hearing the song He has for us! ♥

This song never fails to encourage me.....and to wake up the fighter within me when I'm feeling frustrated, exasperated, etc.. I've never heard a song by Mandisa that isn't full of Truth!  If you can't relate to this one, then you must not live in the same world I do.... ; )

"Stronger" by Mandisa

♫♪ Hey, heard you were up all night

Thinking about how your world ain't right

And you wonder if things will ever get better

And you're asking why is it always raining on you

When all you want is just a little good news

Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head

It's gonna end

God's right there

Even if it's hard to see Him

I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under

Hold on just a little bit longer

He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever

And things can only get better

Believe me

This is gonna make you stronger

Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger

Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can

Hold on and let Him hold your hand

And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus

Oh, lift your head it's gonna end

God's right there

Even when you just can't feel Him

I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life

He will be faithful to complete it

If only you believe it

He knows how much it hurts

And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under

Hold on just a little bit longer

He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever

In time it's gonna get better

Believe me

This is gonna make you stronger ♪♫

Beefy Calzones

I have a  recipe for you....because it's on my menu of things to make within the next week or so, and apparently there's a few of you out there who have missed my regular recipe posting! =)  Roast is on sale this week, so I'll be stocking up and roasting for future recipes like this one......

These calzones are always a hit with my family. =)  I make my own pizza dough and double the sauce to make sure we have plenty for dipping. I also frequently toss in 1 cup of frozen green pepper/ red pepper/ onion blend instead of the onion and bell pepper called for. I have made them with ground beef, but our *favorite* way is with leftover roast beef. Either way, they're good! These freeze well also.  Try them.  You'll like them.  If you don't, your kids will! ; )

Beefy Calzones

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb beef roast 
• 1/4 cup onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup bell peppers, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup A-1 Steak Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 (11 ounce) packages refrigerated pizza dough
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded ( 8 oz.)
  

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, cook beef, onion, pepper and garlic until beef is no longer pink, stirring to break up meat;drain.
2. Keep warm.
3. In small skillet, over medium-high heat, heat tomato sauce, steak sauce & Italian seasoning to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
5. Stir 1 cup tomato sauce mixture into beef mixture; set aside.
6. Keep remaining tomato sauce mixture warm. Unroll pizza dough from 1 package; divide into 4 equal pieces.
7. Roll each piece into 6 square; spoon 1/3 cup reserved beef mixture onto center of each square.
8. Top with ¼ cup cheese.
9. Fold dough over to form triangle.
10. Press edges together, sealing well with tines of a fork.

11. Repeat with remaining dough, filling & cheese to make a total of 8 calzones.
12. Bake at 400* for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
13. Serve with warm sauce. Garnish as desired. Serves 8.
    
    
     Notice my new banner?  Come back next Thursday for another recipe.....I've put myself on schedule! =)
    

40 Days for Life

Sept. 28 - Nov. 6

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

I've been trying to slowly get back on schedule with my blog posts (really, I have!) for several weeks, and get back on schedule with two of my favorite link-ups at Mom's Mustard Seeds and Faith Barista.  The fall-out of being involved in so many activities, taking trips right before our school year began, school actually beginning, trying to put ideas for Sweet Diva (blog, store, classes) into action and schedule new sewing classes among scheduling my own children's extra-curricular activities has made my brain feel like the ball being thrown furiously about in a pinball machine!

I heard about the 40 Days for Life organization a while back and have been wanting to participate in the next campaign since.  I almost missed it, but thankfully, through a friend's Facebook post, I didn't. =)

There are few issues that I feel as passionately about than abortion and the sanctity of human life.  So passionately, in fact, that I find it hard to discuss or debate about in person because my emotions get the better of me and I end up sounding like a bumbling idiot! ; ) I think I might sound like a bumbling idiot more often than just on passionate issues =), but there's something about writing that allows me to express myself in the way I intend....and find that it has become an outlet that helps the quiet, shy side of myself ~ who is often intimidated at putting myself in the spotlight ~ find my voice.

Today, I begin participating in a commitment to prayer and fasting ~ taking action for those who cannot defend themselves, taking action Biblically and peacefully to make a difference in the fight for LIFE.  What better issue to bring me out of my fog and get my blog back on track?

I have always been passionate about this fight, but once God took me from a young woman who wasn't sure she would have children (fear and insecurity over my abilities be a good mother) to a calling that has so blessed and consumed my heart and soul, the fight became even more personal.  I love being a Mom, I love children......and what our society & culture is doing breaks my heart.

As I begin this 40 day journey, I am prepared for a closer walk with my Lord and call on His name for change and protection for His weakest, most fragile little ones that are at the mercy of those whose actions can take their precious lives.  It's not too late to join me, even if you're reading this after the official journey has begun......jump in when you can.  The sincere efforts and prayers of God's people are not limited to our program dates and times and will not return void.  

Let me know if you do join our vigil.  I'd love to encourage you!



♫♪ A Very Sweet Music Tote ♪♫

I've had this music tote in my head for way too long, and finally forced myself to make time to actually make it!  Perhaps I shouldn't have used my favorite colors for it.....I think I might keep this one for myself! ; )

It measures approximately 13" wide x 14" high, has two outer pockets, is fully lined in black and has 4 roomy inner pockets in the ♥hot pink♥ contrasting fabric.  ♥Hot Pink♥ makes me happy, but other colors are just a request away! =) =) =)

It took me a while to find music note fabric that I actually liked and once I did, it was quilted by yours truly! The tote has a heavy weight inner lining so it will stand up to whatever you might want to put in it {music, perhaps? ; ) }!  I think I will put music in it, but might even use it for other things as well.....because I like it that much!!

 The back looks just like the front, only without the embroidery.

A view of the inside & my favorite ♥hot pink♥ fabric (did I ever mention that I like ♥hot pink♥?)! =) 

My favorite part of this tote is the embroidery on it, but it's not the only option available!  As always, I love special requests! ; )  Here are a few other designs I came up with......I had a hard time deciding which one to use.....which one is your favorite?

I don't think Blogger wanted me to do this post today....I have spent a ridiculous amount of time getting these photos to load right side up!!  So, if you're reading this, feel free to comment....any comment {as long as it's rated "G" ; ) } to reward me for my efforts....if I wasn't determined to lose a few pounds, I would be having a therapy session with lots of chocolate right now! ; )

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And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~ Colossians 3:17

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Linking up with: