Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

A Time For Everything

We're winding up our last couple of weeks here at the mission so I wanted to finish up this little quilt that I started earlier in the summer - Paganini by Carrie Ross (Schnibbles).  I have the book, which is one of my favorite night time browsing books, and a couple of individual patterns.  Love her stuff!  Last summer I made a couple dozen pincushions from one of her patterns and gave them away before I left here to folks who work at the mission.  I loved making this and when I get home and get it quilted I'll scallop the border and bind it and use it on a small table beside my husband's recliner.  And before you ask, yes I'll put glass on top of it because he's notorious for spilling coffee!  I did a little more hand quilting on the pillow I showed you last time but ya'll....my fingers are sore!  I had to stop quilting last night because of it.  My thumb and forefinger feel bruised.  :(  Not to be stopped from stitching I started the bottom panel for Twas The Night Before Christmas - it didn't hurt to do embroidery.  Not sure what's up with that.

This week will be bittersweet - the last week we'll be here for the summer.  We're coming back for one week in September with our church team, but in this job, well it will be another year before we do this again.  I love it here.  I know I've said that over and over but it's true.  It is truly sacred ground and lots of good work is done for people all over the world by people from all over the United States.  

The other side of that coin is that I miss my children and my grandchildren, I miss my friends and neighbors, I miss my house and my sewing room and I miss my routine.  I also miss my bathroom which I don't share with DH.  I miss that a lot.  :)

But like it says in Eccliastes 3 there is a time for everything...which means there was a time to come here and there's a time to go home.  The time has come.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:  a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

20 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Beautiful post. Love the Schnibbles patterns too.

Arkansas Patti said...

How nice to be able to accept and embrace "the time."
Have a safe trip home.

Adrienne said...

Praying that your last days there will be special! Take each moment as a gift from the Father's hand and carry it home as a precious treasure. I would miss my children, grandchildren and home, too, but one of these days perhaps my sweetheart and I will do something similar to what you are doing.
~Adrienne~

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

The Schnibbles patterns look great. Glad you have had this special time and are now coming home.

Julie Fukuda said...

One of the joys of having more than one work in progress is that you can trade off when your fingers or the weather, or your mood or whatever tells you it is time. Love that little piece!

Wendy said...

Beautiful post, Marlene! I wish you many, many blessings during your last week and safe, happy travels for your trip home. BTW, which book is it that you have of Carrie's with the adorable little patterns in it? Hugs to you!

Lori said...

Thank you for everything you do there! I never thought about putting something on a table and putting glass over it. Duh! What a great idea! I may have to try it when I eventually get around to finishing something. ;)

Marge said...

I just made the Open Season from the Schnibbles book. And I just bought fabric for another one. Love that book!

Enjoy your last few days there. You are a blessing to so many!

molly said...

Good reminder about everything having its time.....That's a lovely quilt pattern, don't think I've ever seen it before.

Marilyn Robertson said...

Yes, there is a time for everything. Thanks for your little reminder. Your little quilt is going to be a beauty!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Thank you for all you do. Enjoy your last days and let use know of your safe arrival home.

Mama said...

A beautiful, peaceful post and a perfect reminder for us right now, as always: God's timing is always perfect.

Grammy Staffy said...

Yes, there is a time and a season for everything. Thank you for reminding me of that. I have had a hard time lately in this season of my life. Thank you for helping get back perspective. I appreciate your kindness and your support.

I know that it is hard to leave your mission.... but it will be good to get home. You deserve a rest... I hope you will get one.

Have a good week. God bless you in all that you do.
Hugs, Lura

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

I love the Scnibbles, it will look so pretty scalloped. I will be praying for a safe journey home for you~ happy homecoming! :)

FlourishingPalms said...

It's simply a wonderful thing you've done, giving yourselves to help missionaries. I'm so glad for you to appreciate the activities you've seen there. I also completely understand about being away from home. It's something I've struggled with myself as we've been retired and have been traveling more. It seems we SHOULD go, be other places while we are able-bodied, but it's difficult to adjust to "not belonging" when returning home! Bless you for doing that and understanding that there is a time for every purpose. Another Bible verse that's recently held my attention is Acts 17:26b - he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

Carol said...

Wow, your time down in LA went fast! You are so generous, giving of your time each summer to help others. Enjoy your final week and make more memories and then safe journey home. Being away for such a long stretch makes you appreciate coming home all that more. I love that Ecclesiastes verse. I'm singing it as I read it! lol It is sooo true!

Carol (NJ)

Lighthouse Photography said...

Marlene, this is Gmama jane logged in under my daughter's blog. I couldn't find my way out of her blog and into mine as of yet! I'm babysitting my grandson James. That passage of scripture was one that I have always loved even though it gives me a melancholy feeling...maybe it's the song, To Every Season Turn Turn Turn, that I associate it with that gives me that feeling. Travel safely and I hope you will readjust quickly back into your home routine.
Blessings
Jane

Jacquie Wallace said...

I love your posts about your work there. I'm sure you're ready to go home, though. I would sure like to do something like that when I retire!!

Tracy P. said...

You are so wise Marlene! Savor today. Blessings on your final days of this chapter.

monkeymom said...

Yes, there's a time for everything and it's time for you to come home!