Shine like the Stars

My Dad is retired from the United States Navy, aviation division. He and his crew flew P3 airplanes over the ocean tracking Russian submarines during the Cold War. He job was the plane's navigator. He read the map, charted the path, and always knew their location. My Dad is brilliant. He could get his men home over the dark ocean in the middle of the night by following the stars. One of the highlights of camping as a kid with my Dad was finding ourselves in the middle of no where under a brilliant summer sky filled with pinholes of light. My Dad could point out every constellation.The stars have meaning to me because of this, they are a connection to my Father. For him they were a map that could guide him and his men to safety.
The stars were also significant to another group of people. There is a beautiful old spiritual that was born out of the era of slavery. The song called, "Follow the Drinking Gourd" speaks of landmarks and rivers, and in the chorus admonishes the listener to "Follow the Drinking Gourd." The song was actually code,a map, for the underground railroad telling the people what season to leave in and where to go. The "Drinking Gourd" represents the Big Dipper,which points to the North Star in the handle of the little dipper. The North star pointed the way to freedom.  
In Paul's letter of Philippians he challenges followers of Christ to shine like stars. The context here is critical, it reads, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." Do you see it? If we grumble and argue then our stars do not shine brightly pointing the way of Jesus to those around us who are watching.It becomes a cloudy day.  Furthermore, we are each given gifts from the Spirit to benefit those around us. Everyone of us is important. We have to stand in our spot to form the constalation that points the seeking world to Jesus. Our faithful service, our lives free of grumbling and arguing make us into stars that shine brightly for the kingdom of God. Often the world around us feels so dark, my light feels so small. What may to me feel like a pinprick in the vast black sky of life may be the North star,  that helps to guide a searching soul to Freedom. I leaned out my kitchen window tonight, with all these thoughts about the stars and God using my life to be a light I was longing to see a little light from heaven. The sky was overcast, and I had to look way out to spot a single star burning strong, flickering in the distance. Look, it's like me I thought, little me shining my light, hoping to lead a dear soul home.

Cafe curtain-skirt

Photo's by Brooke Loveless, age 6.

 

My daughter Brooke is crazy about horses. She is constantly reading horse books, and if you ask her what she is going to be when she grows up she will confidently reply,"A horse rider teacher." She has never actually been on a horse, but I guess that is a detail. All that said, we will soon be celebrating her 7th birthday. For her party theme she has chosen horses. I saw this fabric at a friends garage sale this past weekend, and to be honest I was crazy about it. I've always loved western things. My Dad's from Tucson Arizona and my Grandpa was one of the last sheriffs to patrol on horse back. I can't help but love things that are "cowboy" because it makes me think of my Grandpa and my Dad. So inspired by the upcoming birthday party I turned a pair of cafe curtains into this skirt. I pulled my beloved boots out of the closet today and had a lot of fun wearing my new skirt. I know you can't help but think of the scene in the sound of music where Maria turns her curtains into clothes for the kids. That is why I love the idea of "Gilded Burlap". I get amazing energy when I am remaking something old into something fabulous. I think that everyday has a reason to be beautiful.

Time Makes the Ache Deeper.

People often say, "Time heals all wounds." I couldn't disagree more.Yesterday was Dominik's fifth birthday. Dominik is our son who was stillborn because of anacephalie, a condition where the top of the head does not fully close. I always miss him, but yesterday the ache was deeper, the pain stabbing. I cried till I almost threw up. We have three beautiful, healthy children. I hold them in my arms most hours of the day. Some may think that they would fill the gap for Dominik, but the truth is I think watching them makes the hurt worse. Because of my children I fully grasp the love I have for them. I understand the joy of spirit as I watch them at each new stage discover God's world. I realized for the first time yesterday that Brooke and Dominik would have been 17 months apart, the exact spacing of my youngest two. I love how they play together,and I wanted that for Brooke. I really want a family of four kids, like I had growing up. Now with my diagnosis with Crohns disease chances of that look very slim. I want him fiercely. This was our first year to have a spring dance recital...what a wonderful experience. I was so proud of Brooke. She was stunning, poised and beautiful. I want to follow that up with an afternoon at the baseball field. I want grass stained knees and muddy cleats at the back door.

For Dominik's birthday we sent him balloons. Adam, and I released "Happy Birthday" balloons, Brooke had Spiderman, because she knows what 5 year old boys like, Alexa wanted the cupcake and Henrik Elmo. We all wrote him a message, or drew him a picture and sent them to heaven. I was good. It made me really wish we had a birthday party here instead of just releasing balloons. I wonder what theme Dominik would have chosen. Alexa had lots to say about it. She told everyone at the store that the balloons were for her brother who is in heaven. She decided that she wanted to see him. Then she looked at me with a puzzled face and asked, "Do I have to be dead to see him in heaven? cause I don't want to be dead," she said. We all talked about how we missed him and wanted him here. We spoke of the confidence we have that we will see him again because we believe in Jesus so we will go to heaven someday. We talked about how Jesus is taking good care of Dominik. We realized that he would be in Mrs. Crump's young five kindergarten in the fall. I felt sad, really really sad. I'm sad that our world is so broken. Sad that sin wrecked what God intended to be perfect. I'm sad that we don't have our son here with us, sad that I'm sick, sad that life is hard and we have to teach our kids how to cope with it. Most days I count my blessings, I find the silver lining, the gold woven in the burlap, but today I'm just going to ache. I recognize the broken darkness of the world we live in and the great need we have for our Savior Jesus Christ. One day He will restore it all to His perfect design with a new heaven and a new earth. I long with hope for that day.

Gilded Burlap Jeans

Blessings on my sweet neighbor Kristen who has an awesome garage sale every year. Her kids are just a bit older than mine and seem to be one season ahead. I am sure that I am one of the few Moms who would be really excited when a few pairs of jeans with holes in the knees came home with me. I was antsy to decorate them. On Mothers day night my gift from my family was that I ignored my normal evening chores and spent the night rescuing these jeans. Brooke loved the animal print. The key in my opinion to "patching"  pants is to extend the design beyond the knee. I like to use fusible interfacing to stabilize the material and to  stick it in place with the iron before attaching with free motion sketching. This entire project was FREE!

Five Loaves and Two Fish

"This is what I've got Jesus, I'm just a kid, and this is my lunch. It's yours if you want it." I am certain that the little boy who had come to hear Jesus had no idea that he would watch his lunch feed a multitude of over 5,000 people.
This weekend I was able to feel what that little boy felt. "I'm just a Mom", I said to Jesus. "I have a few bags of clothes and some extras from my house. I don't have any tables, and I surely don't have enough stuff to make a decent sale. I feel you calling me do a garage sale and to trust you. It's yours if you want it."
The Holy Spirit was nudging my heart and I listened. I posted on my blog that I'd be doing a benefit sale. Once it was in print I was held accountable...no backing out. I doubted, I didn't know if it would be worth the effort. I second guessed, how can my $.25 items add up to anything worthwhile? I got overwhelmed, how can I possibly sort through all of this stuff? Then I just decided to trust, I stayed in motion. God sent reinforcements and all jobs got done. Then I watched in amazement as God kept multiplying our offerings. The exact people that needed what we had showed up. A friend stopped in who was looking for sleepers to send to a women's health clinic in Bolivia. I sent her on her way with a bag full for free. Our youth pastor and his beaming wife stopped in and the treasures that I was having a hard time letting go of from my girls found a happy home. A young pregnant girl stopped in with her mentor from "Big Brother, Big Sister" and they walked away delighted with their bag of bargains. A mother six weeks from her due date with her second child found her self starting from scratch after a move and an unexpected pregnancy. She left with her arms full for the same amount of money that would have brought home one outfit from "Babies are Us".
After the sale I was exhausted, but energized in my soul. I said to my husband,"this makes me want to look for the next way that we can be generous." A few hours later I got a phone call that dear friends of ours had a fire in their house in the night. Praise God they all made it out OK. They had escaped moments before the floor collapsed. All they had was literally the pajamas that they were wearing. The friend that called me said that they were in need of extra blankets, and adult clothes. I had two beautiful quilts in the garage that several people had looked at during the day, but no one had purchased them, and boxes and boxes of adult clothes that had not sold. She came the next day and loaded her car to the ceiling. All of the leftover children's clothes were delivered to Alpha women's center who helps over 4,000 Mothers a year. All these blessings and you are wondering so how much did you raise for the missionaries in Africa? Drum roll please...$600.00 God is still a God of miracles.Clearly, He multiplied our meager offerings.  "I don't have much Lord, but it is yours if you want it. "

Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."


^{A huge thank-you to all who contributed to the sale. All of our little bits came together and God used them to create something great. Blessings on you. Your treasure is in heaven.} 

Addicted to Ruffles

If I had the luxury of designing an entire spring line RUFFLES would be the theme. I'm addicted to ruffles. I've yet to find something that is not elevated to the next level the more ruffles it has. These pictures are from a gift that I did for our sweet neighbor friend Alana. She just turned four and I wanted a fabulous gift to bring to her party. She was the inspiration for this playful set of apron and chef's hat. Perhaps it is better suited for  a photo shoot or dress up day than actually wearing in the kitchen with Mom, but I couldn't resist all of the girly frills. As with most things that I design it evolved as I was creating it. I love details and just kept layering them on. It was a delightful process. Happy Birthday little Alana. We are so thankful that God put your family in our back yard!

Valentine Party Highlights

Here are some highlights from the Valentines Day card making event. It was so fun to share creative energy with other artists. Brooke's dress was done with free motion "fabric sketching".

Garage Sale to benefit the George's family

In my last post I declared that I was letting go of some stuff and holding a sale to benefit a family. I've left the door open as to what family and God has recently answered that question. Adam and I have been good friends with Tim and Shell George since childhood. Tim was best man in our wedding and Shell's younger sister was my best friend through middle school and high school. Summarize to say we've grown up together with our lives woven tightly together. Tim and Shell along with their 4 children are missionaries to Mozambique. They have decided to call Africa home in order to spread the good news of Jesus to the people there. They are incredible people with hearts of compassion that humble me every time we talk. One evening we were delighted to have them over for diner while they are in the U.S. for a bit. We asked them for an update on their financial support and they shared that they were coming up short. The effects of this touch not only their daily needs, but their ability to have supplies to serve people well, and plan for their future such as retirement. We asked them how this made them feel. With quiet resolve and amazing peace they replied, we would like to just find a way to live on less. In this moment I knew this was the family we needed to try and bless. My offering is small, I'm a Mama with some extra household goods. My dream is big. If we all come together we could bless them in an extravagent way. A way much bigger than me, something that says, God did this. As you clean your closets this winter and spring consider setting things aside to contribute to our sale. Here is my plan...

1.I intend for the sale to benefit our immediate community so if you donate you have earned the right to "swap". If there are things that you are in need of you may take them. This way we network within our local community. 

2.100% of the money brought in from the sale will go to the George's ministry account. This is used to buy supplies. An example would be when Tim teaches a class the men attending often do not have simple things like a notebook or pen so he provides them for them out of this fund. 

3.The sale will be on May 11&12 to coordinate with Bailey's Grove Sales. Drop off of goods and swap will be Thursday May 10. 

4.Please drop off items priced, after the sale I will have a charity pick up unwanted items. 

5.I am in need of tables, hanging racks, help with kids ect. So let me know if you'd like to participate. 

Check out George's blog at georgesinmoz.blogspot.com

Keeping stuff costs you.

I've had the idea that keeping stuff costs me rolling around in my brain for a few weeks now. It is a powerful thought and a complete para dime shift for me. You see by nature I love to re-purpose, snag a bargain, or give new life to something handed my way. This means that I can see the good and usefulness in things that others may over look. This also means that I may hang on to something that should possibly be let go of. Thankfully my husband  balances me and we purge things out of our house on a regular basis. Also we've had a history of moving often and I often come back to the thought of "Traveling light". However, I have always thought it makes sense to keep something if you could use it someday down the road. I mean why would you want to buy it twice? Then I started to really ponder Luke 12. The whole chapter is so deep in wisdom that it is worth your time to read it over several times carefully. The part that kept coming to my mind was the parable of the "rich fool". He had a great harvest, then decided to build bigger barns to store his grain so that he could take it easy for a few years. It is the context where the famous saying, "EAT, DRINK and be MERRY" comes from. Only instead of it being something that we stencil in our dining rooms, Jesus is saying that he was a fool. This man had put all of his treasure on earth instead of in heaven and we have no guarantee of tomorrow. I've been on an organizing rampage in my house. The question that I've started to ask myself is," What is my bigger barn that I want to build?" Stick with me here. I realized that everything that I hold onto costs me something. For example I spent $15.00 on bins for hats, gloves, scarves, etc for my coat closet. The person who has one pair of gloves need not buy a bin to sort them into. Also each time I handle something it requires a moment of my time that I never get back. So every time I have straightened my closet the more things I have to handle the longer the job takes me or rather the more it costs me. This is a breakthrough. Lets say that you are given a bag of free stuff, awesome right? Well yeah, but follow me here. Then a while later you score some great deals at a garage sale, and you hang onto some stuff that you can re-purpose. Before you know it what may only have a true value that is very small forces you to buy a shelf, build a shed, or even buy a bigger house. And with that in mind I intend to be much more discriminating about both what comes into my life and what I let stay. Life is measured in moments and I don't want to miss any because of my "treasures". By posting this I am now accountable. You have the right to call me out, to stop by and take a look at my back room(yikes!!!)OK so it's a work in progress, but you get what I'm saying. And I challenge you to travel light as well. Perhaps you have been the steward of several items that it is time to pass along and bless someone else with their care. The less you have the less you mend, fix, fold, paint...I am trying to remember this as I shop. What is new and crisp today will soon be faded  and stained, perhaps I shall just have a few things and take really good care of them. I'm still processing, I'd love to hear what you think.
 Luke 12:32-34 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In order to put this into real world practice I am hosting a garage sale this spring. The proceeds will go to help a family in need.

Valentine Card Making Event

Please Join me on February 4, 2012 from 10:00-noon for a Valentine Card making event.
Cost: $5.00 to cover materials.
Also please bring a sweet or savory treat to share.
This event has been opened to Mom's with children who are old enough to join in and create with us. (No childcare provided. Please include only older children that you know can sit by you and create for two hours.)

Please RSVP to Michelle at redloveless@yahoo.com subject line: VALENTINE or call me at 616-554-3698

Looking forward to sharing the love together!

Valentines Braid.

Heart Braid for Valentines Day. Start by parting hair in the middle. Then trace a heart at the crown of the head and secure it with a pony tail. braid the outside first, then braid the middle and incorporate the ends of the first braids into the center braid.

Henrik's Bag

I love to re-purpose, it is a lot of the thought behind "Gilded Burlap".  It is taking something common and raising it to the next level. Henrik is my third child. My first child had an impressive diaper bag. The inside contained individual zip top bags with everything carefully folded and lined up so that I was prepared for everything that could possibly happen. By the time Henrik came I realized that the nursery probally didn't need a first aid kit, or a complete meal. Most of the time I put one extra diaper in my purse and a couple of wipes and called it good. As a result of this Henrik's things were often in whatever flowery handbag I happened to carry.My husband didn't think this was cool, so I went hunting for something in the house that looked "boyish". I came up with this bag that I got free with my subscription to Martha Stewart Living Magazine. I took off the Martha stewart label and personalized it for Henrik. I am please with the result. I traced the letter "H" onto some "wonder under" and ironed it on. Then I sewed around it with a zig zag stitch. I wrote his name on the back using what I like to call "thread sketching", basically it is free motion sewing. I added a few scribbles of sketching where the two colors come together  to reinforce the bag as it was comming apart a bit, and to add intrest.
Just a comical note, every now and then I see a Mom with one of those enormouse bags and my first instinct is,"wow she is prepared". Then I think, poor thing she has her hands full as it is and then to add that ridiculous bag is so unnecessary. Would someone please tell her to just stash a change of clothes in the side pocket of the car door and save her back!

My one word.

Dear Maggie,
This post is for you my fellow blogging friend. As well as for anyone else who is kind enough to read my post. I enjoy following your journey and was challenged by the idea you shared of picking one word to define 2012. I've rolled this around in the background of my thinking for several days now. Today it was confirmed. Eternal. This is not an effort to sound spiritual or to pick a really significant word. It truly represents the reality of the year behind me and the opportunities yet to be discovered.
In October of 2011 I had a ruptured appendix. I was sick but we couldn't find the source for over two weeks. At that point the pain reached a level that I could no longer bear and we went to ER. A CT scan showed a ruptured appendix. By God's grace it had formed an abscess and all of the toxic infection had remained contained instead of poisoning my whole body. Then a week later I had an event that never has been clearly identified. They say either I had bacteria in my blood or I had a severe reaction to medication. Whatever it was I nearly died. It sounds a bit dramatic, but it is the fact of my story. The sobering reality is that life is very fragile.  Eternity has been brought right up close. With a heart of gratitude I realize I've been given a bit more time before I have to stand and answer before God for my life.I wrestle with the tension between earthly/temporal things(think decorating, clothes, sewing) and eternal things. I recognize that I do need to be a good steward of the material things that He has trusted me with. However, I am sure that He will not ask me questions about what color I decided to paint my living room. My perspective this year I hope has made a noticeable shift. I can spend so much of my life on the temporal. So much effort, money,and time on things that are gone in a flash. I find freedom to pursue my artistic passions in the thought that we are made in the image of God. He is the ultimate creator and so it makes sense why we are wired to be creative. I think of our God who cares that the lilies are clothed in beauty, and cares so much more for me. So while it is good to make my nest a beautiful safe refuge for my family,and to cloth my children in beauty,  I must keep in the front of my mind the relationship of the people in my life. I need to serve my Savior in all things. Eternal. I want every moment to count.
See Maggie's post at www.apairofpinkshoes.com

Organizing Fever

January is here. Society is pathetically predictable at times. Why is it that the headline on every January issue of a women's magazine highlights weight loss and organizing? I guess it is because they are two things that we all aspire to and think that maybe this will be our year of success. This January finds me captive to illness (all of my family has endured the stomach flu-yuck!). And so I am stuck looking at my nest thinking, I have to be able to make this place better. I have to be able to live within the spaces that I call home. I think we often play victum to thoughts like," if only I had a bigger house, or money for organizing systems then I would be able to be organized". So far all of the projects that I've tackled have been done with things that I all ready have...rearranging containers,and utalizing my ever faithful printer. Take a look. 

Now I am both inspired and humbled. I recognize that I have more than will actually fit into my spaces and so it is time to purge. My plan is to have a spring garage sale and to pick a family to benefit from the proceeds. Will you join me? As you organize box up your extra stuff and I will host the sale. Please leave a comment if you want to participate or if you would like to nominate a family that you think deserves the proceeds. I'm thinking that the night before could be a swap of sorts between participating families so that we can help each other too! I'll post more details as the date gets closer.

Thy mercies are new every morning.My New Years story.

MAMA,MAMA....the sweet sound of my little Henrik woke me up this morning. As I walked down the stairs with him clinging to my neck a wave of gratitude swept over me. A new year, Two thousand and twelve. The turning of the calendar has never felt very significant to me. This year is different. This year I have walked to the edge of existence and God's strong hand kept me walking. I began the year diagnosed with Crohn's disease and had to process the reality of living labeled with a chronic illness. For a while I struggled feeling like it was written on my forehead, like it would forever define me. The weight of the original news began to settle and symptoms were controlled and I began to live normally with it in the background instead of it always on my mind. Late this fall my appendix ruptured. At the height of the chaos that followed I remember thinking that I was at the max of what I could bear. I felt so fragile like one more poke or pain would tip me over past my limit. The staff would tell me how I was strong, and had done such a good job tolerating pain. I remember replying that I didn't feel strong, and I no longer wanted to be brave. I was empty, exhausted, and hanging on by a thread. Adam was my rock in all of this. He wouldn't let me quit. He prayed over me in powerful ways. He held my hand. He resolved from day one that we would trust God and that in this journey we would give God glory. I held on relying on the faith that I had established my whole life. I knew the truth that God was with me and would carry me. I know the theology of suffering, that it is not if we will go through hardships, but when, so nothing about this experience surprised me. I watched for ways that God was working. I leaned on the prayers and love of the people of faith that surrounded me. In the middle of the valley surviving took all of my strength. I remember thinking, "I should read my Bible".Then I pictured where it was in my bag in a cabinet and thought," I can't do it, it is just too heavy and I am tired". In those moments I would lay back and think about the verses in my heart. Then I would sigh," Lord Jesus intercede for me". I was weak, He was strong. I think of the words that I sing as I lay Henrik down each night...Yes Jesus loves me, yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so. I believe those words. They are tucked in my heart. And so my story comes full circle. A new year a fresh slate, how am I going to live? How can I put my treasures in heaven? How do I lay the foundation for my children so that when (not if) they are called to walk through the valley they will be leaning on their Savior Jesus Christ? I need to refill my soul with Scripture and walk along side of other believers so I am ready for whatever the next chapter holds. This year I begin not with a resolution, but with gratitude of heart longing to walk near to my Savior in a way that changes who I am.

"Gilded Girls" Valentine Card Making Event

You are invited to come and create handmade Valentines. 

This year my New Years Resolutions would require an entire list. At the top would be:

1. Spend more time with friends. 

2.Nurture creativity.

3.Send more mail that requires a stamp. 

And so I am hosting what I hope is the beginning of a new chapter with a "Gilded Girls" creative event.

Please bring a savory or sweet snack to share. A suggested $5.00 donation is appreciated to help cover the cost of supplies.You are welcome to bring along your own materials if you wish. You will go home with at least one card made with love by you! 

Saturday, February 4, 2012

10:00am-Noon

Space is limited, RSVP is required. Please send email to redloveless@yahoo.com subject VALENTINE or phone at 616-554-3698. I will confirm your RSVP and give you location information.