It’s NOT a Mystery, It’s a TAPESTRY

When reading once again the Book of Mormon Introduction, specifically the Testimonies of Eleven Witnesses, [men offered the chance to tell their experience(s) with the plates Joseph Smith translated for the book in the early 1800’s] the fact that the majority of these men were ‘family’ stood out for the first time. Several days later in a study session the presenter posed the question to the class, “Does it bother you that all the witnesses were members of the same household?” 

I have concluded the following; The fact that they are related only cements my assurance that God has a plan and directs the events on earth continuously. That there were a group of people living in the vicinity of the Smith Family who had the same beliefs, faith in God and went about serving to that end while searching to know more testifies of that. How wonderful for that family that they could share in/discuss these amazing experiences within their home would have been an added ‘tender mercy’ of support for one another. And there is the obvious realization that they would have been prepared to accept, having love for one another would have been the norm vs. contention, jealousy, or animosity one with another… take for example what if this opportunity had presented itself to Lehi’s family with the obvious personality differences they had. Or if Joseph would have had to travel to find a group of this caliber or even individuals who would have had to take on this ‘calling’ or responsibility individually without that familial support? Heavenly Father’s Plan is expertly woven with many threads coming together to enrich our lives and enhance our experiences here! Hence a TAPESTRY.

15 January 2024              

Imprint Bestills Angst

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Last year when life’s pleasures, travel, my bucket list were in the then, the following presented itself when driving through the Canadian countryside and has left an imprint on my heart/soul;

No God No Hope – Know God Know Hope

The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ [circa 1820] reaffirmed this foundational truth “…we can hope, we should hope, even when facing the most insurmountable odds”.  These past months as I’ve been perusing the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ the following threads are repeatedly woven throughout; Remember, Repent, Rejoice – today’s 3R’s.  To Know God is to remember, see, receive eternal truths taught – to Hear Him!

Then, repent. UGH you may say.  I get it.  In my days as a quilter my nemesis is unpicking; stopping, losing time going forward to figure out best options to correct an error, painstakingly removing tiny stitches that were put there with good intent or maybe even in haste without careful thought to just get through the task now realizing that result is thwarted, so must step back, undo, redo, and resolve to be more careful moving forward… As in life repenting is to change, resolve to rid ourselves of mistakes, darkness, angst, frustration, discouragement, in essence to heed the earnest invitation from a loving God to be more intentional in seeking the light, even the perfect brightness of Hope by coming unto Christ – to Hear Him!

“Every minute in angst 60 seconds of hope is lost”,

yet Albus Dumbledore reminds;  [Hope] can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the LIGHT. – Know God

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So rejoice.  In the now, this time of possible dearth as to things of the then, possibly it is wise to realize as you cannot do the things you’ve always done, only do what really matters. Remembering and repenting bring us to Know God and free us up to rejoice, find peace, happiness, and joy in the journey; i.e. what really matters-Know Hope.
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Gray Threads; Silver Linings

I was asked yesterday, “What brings darkness, what brings light”? In my mantra to remember, resolve, rejoice I can easily recall dark threads amid life’s fray, but then Christ stretched forth his hand and burdens lightened to gray, and even silver linings mercifully entwined my heart.  f2 ⇒f3-1 .                                                                 

The day to day then and more-so-now desperate times bring darkness; tensions, stressors, frustrations, angst, if we succumb to desperate measures in dealing… For example, Emerson cautioned, “for every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of Happiness”, but more to the point, one  5-minute episode of anger is so stressful that it can impair your immune system for more than six hours.  WOW, just WOW.  I can remember there are eternal truths given, as mortal bodies can be full of light or full of  darkness depending how we see, receive, or resolve to seek the light.  It is then we are able to see those silver linings…rejoice.

“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the LIGHT‘.  A. Dumbledore    

IMG_0280 (2)zRome, Italy – 2019

Raveled Threads

Tear Bottle circa
10 A.D.

Life gives us patterns, but at times it can feel so scrappy, chaotic, or the pattern seems to be lost, difficult to locate and though having followed the steps meticulously beforehand, the stitches now seam uneven, while constantly on pins and needles searching for solace.

At this point, in looking to tomorrow, give pause to ravel the myriad of threads, gray or otherwise, that brought you to this place, time, role, existence. Remember, recall, reflect, even rejoice over all that is good, of value, happiness that can hug your heart realizing introspection is a choice inherently granted and one of our most sacred freedoms.

f2 Our ♥, the seat of our will, our moral agency, our personality, character, and individuality, is where we determine what we are and what we will do.

Such introspection can lead one to be receptive to personal resolve, renewal, revitalization, righteous action and soul renovation. Hopefully, it can resurrect old feelings of self-worth. Yes, self-worth. We are loved, we have an Advocate; One who knows us, cares about us, and can forgive anything if only we will seek, ask in faith and then remember.

Years ago, I was visiting an antique store, a fave haunt of mine.  I reached the top of the vintage wooden stairs, finding a plethora of eye candy when I saw the following tucked on the shelf;

                    “I asked Jesus, “How much do You love me?”                                                                                               ‘This much,” He answered,                                                                                                   and He stretched out His arms and died.

It gave me pause, and still now as I write, I feel revocation. At times in my life, my heart has been broken unto the gushing out of many tears, but others swollen with joy unto that same gushing. At these times, I remember, recall, reflect for I have learned there is a sacredness in tears; they are a mark of power, a Higher power lifting me and hugging my heart. They are my messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.  Sometimes they are all I have to give to Raveled Threads.

Positivity In Kind

It Sew Matters

Sews and Knows – Sewciology 101

I keep hearing the words ‘Stay Safe’, ‘Be Kind’ in the same oration. A worrisome commentary, I say in these crazy times. Is there anyone out there not going through any stuff of some kind? With COVID we’re told the key factor in returning to the things we need and want to do, is the Positivity-Rate. [For example, for schools to safely reopen to on-campus status the Positivity-rate should be below 5.]

What is the Positivity-Rate concerning Kindness in all aspects of our lives? Shouldn’t that number be off the charts? Have we become a malevolent society in general, callous in our dealings with any and/or all in our midst?

As a young mother, I x-stitched the following and hung in our home...”Home, the place we’re treated the best and grumble the most.” Do/did I really treat them with deserved ‘best’ or could that be why they are/were grumbling? Sew, what to do? Where’s a playbook pattern in this? Here’s a thought; I may not be able to hold back the waves, but I can learn to swim or even ride them in/out.

“No act of kindness however small is ever wasted.” Aesop

Two words; ‘Constant Focus’ is a dynamic duo that makes ‘change’ doable or ‘duo’able! We can choose kindness which frees us up to be happier, or happy again since happiness is an attitude where we either make ourselves miserable or happy and strong. The effort to that end is the same.

  1. Being considerate of others will take [you] further in life than any education attained…
  2. Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of WISDOM.
  3. An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair almost anything.
  4. Kindness is a gift we all can afford to give.
  5. Kindness is a gift of to self. It begets peace/joy.

Life is scrappy, but maybe we could all search our personal stash to mend our ways…Smile [oops, harder in a mask]. Sew, do wear a mask for kindness sake, then know “your smiling eyes make a jealous blue turn into grey gray”  [Smiling Eyes, showaddywaddy].  Say hello, please, thank you, pray for someone; it actually can be-kind-to-self as well, be patient, offer assistance, serve another… What’s in your stash?

***Be Safe, BE KIND, Be Happy.***

f2 Threads Sew Gray

The Present

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Sew Quilt It

With school reopening here today am reminiscing of elementary teaching days and the excitement of it all. But, that is yesterday/history. I recently came across this photo we took at the base of the Spanish Steps in Italy of a drain age old and worn, yet ‘sewvivin’ the fray. The World is a plethora of shapes, patterns, artistry to be revitalized… into quilt blocks;

-it is eight pointed, but a LeMoyne? The points not truly diamonds, but then they’re difficult to create.

Tomorrow no longer a mystery as I found an online QAL @gigis_thimble [though my stars are a mix of diamond and HST] this Branded fabric line from Sweetwater for Moda speaks of sewlace for this end of summer cabin retreats, Stash Hash quilt awaiting completion. Check it out as more reds, taupe and blacks to compliment the amazing blue hues found here.

Today then, in this wonky world a Gift is to find purpose in whatsewever brings you joy. It’s been said, when you can’t do what you’ve always done, only do what really matters. It’s the Present.

Threads Sew Gray.