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In many ways, 2022 (like 2020 and 2021!), did not turn out as planned. In February, my brother-in-law Bob passed away. Then in June, my brother-in-law, Chuck passed away. Later in June, my mother had a major stroke. We do not live near any extended family so we did a lot of traveling. It was great to spend time with family, but unfortunately, it was due to sad circumstances.

These events also brought crystal clear clarity that we will not live forever and our days of good health are likely limited. So we planned a trip–a bucket list trip ...

Sometimes things just come together and fall into place. A few months ago, I read the book Soundtracks by Jon Acuff.

The book is about overthinking and how it can paralyze us into complacency and inaction. I loved the book since I tend to overthink EVERYTHING. Jon defines overthinking as “when what you think gets in the way of what you want.” He further says that overthinking steals time, creativity, productivity, and joy. Who wouldn’t want a guide to give you more time, creativity, productivity, and joy?

Throughout the book, Jon teaches ways to replace negative thoughts with positive ...

Recently, my husband and I were having a discussion where I was laying out all the reasons we should sell our house and move. I pointed out all the things I don’t like about the house;  the rooms are too small, there’s no wall space, the kitchen is dated, the dining room is wasted space, this needs to be replaced, that needs to be fixed…you get the picture, and how it would be impossible to fix all these flaws to make it my dream home. After a few minutes, Jim stopped me and said, “You are not ...

How are you at waiting? 

This past week I was waiting in line at Walmart. I was only getting a few things but decided to go through a line with a live cashier rather than the self-checkout. There was only one lane open and the woman in front of me had a cart heaped over and spilling out with merchandise. I was not in a hurry and since it was one of only a handful of times I have gone into a store in the past year, the wait was a little therapeutic.  

I was not in line long, however ...

For some reason, Jon Acuff’s writing really resonates with me. I have read all his books at least once and his latest, Soundtracks, is a gem (look for a review of this book very soon). Anyway, Jon recently posted on his Instagram account (@jonacuff) an offhand remark made by John C. Maxwell.  You probably recognize John C. Maxwell’s name, as he is a well-known pastor, speaker, and author of dozens of books on leadership.

John Maxwell was asked, “What’s the first thought you had when you woke up?” and he replied, “I can’t wait to add ...

This past week I visited my mother in person for the first time in 15 months. Talk about a happy mother’s day! It was a joy-filled day, indeed, even though we celebrated a week earlier than the actual Mother’s Day. We had a wonderful reunion even though the few days we spend there didn’t make up for the lost time.

My mom is such a blessing to everyone with whom she has contact. She is selfless and helps everyone in any way she can. One of my mom’s most remarkable traits is that she never speaks ...

The phrase “the joy of grandchildren” can be interpreted in two ways. First is the joy that grandparents have with their grandchildren. The absolute highlight of our week is the time we spend with our two little ones. It is exhausting, but we love watching them grow and learn from week to week.

The second meaning of the phrase is the inherent joy within little kids. We witnessed this kind of joy last weekend at our granddaughter’s third birthday party. This celebration was very emotional for a number of reasons. First, where did three years go? I can’t ...

Praising God through song is probably what most people think of when they hear the word “praise.” The praise and worship part of church services has always been my favorite. From traditional hymns to contemporary praise, these songs are what I typically find myself singing throughout the week.

I am so grateful for my morning routine which includes reading, a short workout, and some quiet time in the Word. If Jim isn’t up by the time I finish all this, I will do some piecing or handwork and listen to music. Almost always in the morning, I listen to ...

The Sunday Meditation topic for April is praise. There are many ways to praise God and I will touch on a few of them over the next three weeks. First of all, what is praise? Dictionary.com defines praise as “the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.” When we praise God, we exalt him for his character and who he is. We express adoration and wonder for all he created. We thank him for bringing calm in the midst of chaos.  We glorify his name.

One of the easiest ways to praise God is through prayer. Often ...

Wishing you and all those you hold dear a blessed Easter.

The post Sunday Meditation: He Is Risen appeared first on Patchwork Sampler.

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NIV)

Whenever ...

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to ...

Hope in a Season of Waiting 

What have you waited for this past year? For most of us, we have probably waited for more things in the last 12 months than we have the rest of our lives. We have waited for celebrations: births, weddings, birthdays, graduations, and even celebrations of life. Jobs and school have transformed into at-home activities. We have postponed events, concerts, movies, and theater. We have longed for travel and restaurants and backyard barbecues. We have even waited for groceries, haircuts, gym workouts, and library books. So much waiting for so many things, yet we have ...

…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

For the record, spring is my favorite season. Social media is always filled with people singing the praises of fall and every time I hear “happy fall, y’all” I just want to cry (for many reasons, haha!). Fall isn’t happy.  It is the precursor to winter. It is the season when trees turn brown and then bare. Daylight gets shorter every ...

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10 

Earlier posts about love were teachings on how we, as God’s people, are to love one another. I didn’t want the love series to end without writing about God’s great love for all his people.  

Isaiah is such a treasure trove of wisdom, hope, and prophecy. My small church group spent almost TWO YEARS studying this one book of ...

Recently, I started posting a Bible verse for reflection on Sundays. This week it is Mark 12:28-31. If you are just here for quilting, feel free to scroll down for this week’s Women of the Bible blocks.

     28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
     29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with ...

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:8-11

What better day than Valentine’s Day ...