Sunday Psalms

Psalms 27:1-14, KJV 

A Psalm of David

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 

9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 

11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 

12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 

14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

No Fear

One would think that after having twelve children, I wouldn't have fear of labor and delivery, but both myself and my husband, have voiced to each other that we are experiencing fear this time (when we haven't in the past). We don't really understand why, but we know that with God, there is no need to fear. I am reminding myself of the following verses to combat the fear.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 KJV 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Exodus 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Judges 6:23 And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

Daniel 10:19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

41 Weeks and Counting

I was having a discussion the other day about whether or not maternal age and/or the number of pregnancies increase the chances of post-due date babies. So, I decided to do a little research and see if anything applied to my situation.

• On average, due dates are actually wrong because the average woman goes 5 days past her due date.

• The maternal age of the mother can increase the chances of going post-term.

• If the mother has had a post-term baby before, her chances go up.

I guess that is to say that I am actually only 2 days past my due date if you calculate the average that go over. I am older, obviously, with this pregnancy than in previous pregnancies. And I have had one pregnancy go past the average. All of my hospital births ended up being before their due dates. Since switching to home births, I have had pregnancies that have gone 3, 4, & 5 days over, one right on her due date, and one that went over two weeks over.

Another factor would be more weight gain during pregnancy, however, I have gained less this pregnancy than my previous pregnancies. I usually gain close to 25 lbs and this time I have only gained 17. I attribute this smaller weight gain to Plexus as my eating habits haven't changed. Now, whether that is because it is helping me control my hunger and sugar cravings, or if it is because it has given me more energy so I am more active, or a combination of both, I don't know, but it is the only thing that has changed for this pregnancy.

Even though I am 41 weeks, I feel great (well, as great as a 41 week pregnant lady can feel). I still have energy to continue to do what I normally do in a day so I count that as a total win.

I am intrigued to see how Plexus will affect my labor and delivery as well as my postpartum experience. I have heard wonderful things about how women have experienced better labor and deliveries on Plexus. They also say that they either no longer experience postpartum depression or it is greatly lessened. I even read about how it has increased milk supply for women who struggled with it in the past.

I will definitely continue to share my personal testimony of how Plexus has changed this pregnancy! Do you have a Plexus and pregnancy testimony to share? I would love to read about how it worked for you!

Be Still and Listen

1 Kings 19:1-13 KJV

1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Elijah was a great prophet of the Lord. He had done mighty works in God's name. He had stood up to false prophets. He had proven the prophets of Baal as fakes. He had raised a boy from the dead (through his prayers and supplications). However, even this great man of God felt defeated when Jezebel threatened him.

He ran and asked the Lord to let him die. I would call this depression. He let the fears of this world overcome him and block out the truths he knew of God.

God was right there with him the whole time, though. God provided him sustenance to sustain and strengthen him. God continued to guide Elijah to where He wanted him. God still spoke to Him.

Most people, especially in a deep depressed state as this, would want to hear God loud and clear, but that isn't how God spoke. He needed Elijah to stop listening to the things of this world and focus on what He was saying. God didn't speak in the roar of the wind or the crashing of rocks or even in the blaze of a fire. He spoke in the stillness that followed the chaos.

When life seems overwhelming and you aren't sure you can go on, get quiet and listen. Be still and pay attention to what the Lord may be trying to tell you. He still cares (He asked Elijah what was wrong). Listen to God-not the world.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 25:21

f thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

God's Word often tells us to love others and do good to them. It never says to only love and help those who are kind or those who return our kindness to them. No, we are to love and help all. That means to show God's love, we must even love those who are unkind to us, those who hate us, and those who don't like us. Be Christ's hands and feet to all!

The Wisdom of God, Part 2

Man thinks he must improve how food is grown or even the "food" people eat. Why? God is the one who is all wise and He already created food for us to eat and a way to grow that food.

Psalms 104:14 says, "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth." God is the one who causes our food to grow! All the chemicals and lab work may make it look like more food is being brown, but once that is done, it isn't the food God created anymore and often lacks nutrients we need. In addition to not being nutritious, it poisons our water systems and soil for future uses.

Case in point, verse 15 of Psalms 104 tells us God made bread to strengthen man's heart. Christ is also called the Bread of Life. God created grains to make bread be good for us. Why then are so many people unable to have gluten/grains? Because the grains today (at least in America) are not the grains God created.

Man has "improved" grains in his "wisdom" to grow more and faster. Then in some cases, they pull out the guten so they can add extra gluten to things to make them rise more and need less grains, thereby being cheaper to make. This is not healthy for us evidenced by the number of people who literally get sick when they eat it.

Our family is not only gluten free, but grain free due to adverse reactions when gluten/grains are consumed. However, when our oldest went to Romania, she could eat and enjoy all different kinds of breads and grain because they do not allow GMO foods to be grown there. This case just shows that it isn't the grain itself which is bad, it is what they have done to it.

Sunday Psalms

Psalms 148:1-14 KJV 

1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. 

6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. 

7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: 

8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: 

9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: 

10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: 

11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: 

12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: 

13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. 

14 He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

Great Things He Hath Done

Mark 5:19 

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

"Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee". How often do we do this? We should always be ready to share what God has done and is doing for us.

What great things has he done for me?

Chad-I am still amazed at how God brought Chad and I together, how He kept us together when we were dating, and how He has drawn us closer to Him and one another through the years. Chad has helped me grow into a better woman, better wife, and better mother.

Our children-God blessed us beyond our imagination with our children! Considering Chad didn't want any children and I only wanted four or five, He not only blessed us with more, but changed our hearts to align with His in respect to desiring children and raising them for Him. People say they can't imagine life with many children. I say I can't imagine life without my children! They have helped me become a better person.

Provisions-God shows us His care for us by providing for all our needs! I have countless stories of how He provided for us when we thought there was no way. He has sent us clothes for the children when they were in need and we really didn't have money to buy new clothes. He has sent food when our shelves/refrigerator were getting bare. He flooded our bathroom 9 years ago so we could use the insurance money to add on so we had the space we needed without going further in debt. He has sent people into our lives to show us His love just when we needed to be reminded. He has always provided and I know He will continue to do so.

Friends-God has brought so many people into our lives in unusual ways that quickly became friends and who show us love and support in ways we couldn't have imagined. I remember praying for a couple of years for Him to send me a best friend and He was faithful and sent me a friend who is always there for me when I need her, who encourages me, and prays for me. Again, I can share countless stories of the friends He brought to us.

Church-God has blessed us with some great church families over the years. When we first moved to where we live, He led us to the church that would help us grow closer to Him and learn of His desires for us. The people we called family in that church many years ago are still family to us. Five years ago He called us out of that church and led us to another church that, again, has helped us draw even closer to Him. While it was a hard transition for us to leave the one church and find another, I can see His purpose through it all and now we have even more people to call family!

Plexus-I have to say that Plexus is a true blessing from Him! I have struggled with my health for years. As a mother, I almost always put the needs of my family above my own and all those years of neglect have taken their toll to a place where I couldn't ignore the issues anymore. I truly feel so much better and I know that although my body still has more healing to do, I am on the path to better health. The energy I receive from the Slim helps me not only function with my normal tasks, but allows me to be more active overall which is something I severely lacked. The BioCleanse is helping my body get rid of toxins that for too long were building up. The ProBio5 is helping my gut find a heal and find the balance needed to function properly. Ease has been reducing my inflammation throughout my entire body which helps me feel better and allows me to move more which in turn keeps me active. I am looking forward to how Plexus will continue to improve my health!

What about you? What great things has He done for you? I would love to hear you share what God has done! Please either share below on the blog post or even as a comment on Facebook if that is how you found this post.

Let us share God's goodness with others!

The Wisdom of God

Psalms 104:1-35 KJV

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: 4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. 19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. 20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. 27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. 28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth. 31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.

I have been struck lately about the conflict between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man.

Most Christians will agree that God is all wise and created a perfect world.

Romans 16:27

To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. 

1 Timothy 1:17

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jude 1:25 

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Genesis 1:31 

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Many will however, also say that God gave us brains to use to "improve" His world or His ways. Personally, I disagree with that and I think anyone who truly believes and trusts in God should as well.

Yes, God has given wisdom/intelligence to man, but when compared to God's wisdom, man's wisdom will always be secondary. We may think we are wise, but our ways are not God's ways.

I will be looking closer at Psalm 104 in the weeks to come and sharing my thoughts here. I would love to hear your thoughts as well.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

While this fits with the actual, physical building of a house, I would like to look at it in view of marriage. Most people do not just rush into marriage. It is wise to make sure you are marrying who God has for you. Also, it is wise to realize that love is a choice and make that commitment. Once married, living in understanding for your spouse will strengthen your marriage, thereby, establishing your house. You must seek to understand your spouse if you desire a strong marriage.

We Remember

Sunday Psalms

Psalms 84:1-12 KJV 

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!

2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 

3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 

4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 

7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. 

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 

9 Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 

12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

God's Work

Beet Root

For the last few years, my naturopath doctor and herbalist have told me I need to eat more beets. The problem . . . I don't like beets. I can tolerate roasted beets and beet soup, but even then, I just don't eat enough. When I was researching Plexus, I was pleased to find out that Slim contains beet root!

Here's a little about the beet root in Plexus Slim👇

Beet root can improve blood flow to the brain and can slow the progress of dementia. Beet root has a number of nutrients that are important for general health including potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium and dietary nitrate. Potassium lowers heart rate and regulates metabolism. Sodium and magnesium help with proper fluid levels within the body. The dietary nitrate in beet root is linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced incidence of heart disease. (Anybody have blood pressure issues?!)

💜Beet root is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and iron.

❤Beet root also contains folates that aid DNA synthesis within the cells. The fiber in beet root helps to slow down its conversion into glucose, which makes it good for those with Type-2 diabetes. The fiber can also help to reduce cholesterol. (Anybody have cholesterol issues?!)

💚The nitrates in beet root widen blood vessels for better exercise and athletic performance. 🏋️‍♀️🤾‍♂️🏃‍♀️Beet root also contains silica, which helps to strengthen bones and hair, as well as to maintain good skin condition.

And you thought it was just to make it pink! 😉

Would you like to find out even more about Plexus Slim?! I would love to chat with you about the ingredients and benefits-just send me a message letting me know you are interested!

Worship Loudly

Nehemiah 12:27-47 KJV

27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; 29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. 31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, 33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35 And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: 36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. 37 And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. 38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; 39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. 40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: 41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. 43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. 45 And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. 46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

The wall is complete and the Israelites desire to dedicate not only it to God, but also to return to full use of the temple. They bring the people together and worship God with song.

There are two choirs who walk on top of the wall singing praises until they meet at the temple. This must have been loud and the sound reached many places. All those around the city would have hard not only that the wall was complete, but they would have heard their worship of God.

What a testimony! This makes me think of how our church's partner church in Guatemala worships-doors wide open with lots of microphones so the whole neighborhood can hear!

In addition to this loud worship, they ensured the continued worship in the temp by providing for the needs of the temp and the priests. They made sure everything was in place to return to the standards set before by David and Solomon.

This makes me examine how we worship. Do people hear us worship? Do we provide for the needs of our churches? That provision is a form of worship, too.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Proverbs 23:4

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

What really caught my eye in this verse is the second part. The world will tell you that money, and lots of it, will fix your problems. However, riches are temporary. Yes, it may make aspects of our lives on earth easier, but it will not solve all our problems. God gave us brains to use, but that doesn't mean that we always know best. Our wisdom is nothing compared to God's wisdom.

Marriage Moment Monday

Don't be so busy doing things that you don't have time to pray! Prayer is the most important thing you can do for your marriage.

Sunday Psalms

Psalms 33:1-22 KJV 

1 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. 

2 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 

3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. 

4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. 

5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 

7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. 

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. 

9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 

10 The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 

11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 

12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 

13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 

14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 

15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. 

16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 

17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. 

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 

19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 

20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 

21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 

22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Up-cycle Sewing

Even though I have two five-shelf bookshelves filled with fabric, it sometimes happens that a child asks for something to be made that I don't have either the right color or enough of the color the child is requesting. This is what happened when my 3 year old had her birthday.

I always try to make (although sometimes I purchase) a dress for my girls for their birthdays. My 3 year old for some reason has grown a love for the color orange. I knew that she wanted her birthday dress to have orange in it and since she was in need of more clothing, I figured I would make some dresses for her birthday gift and they might as well be orange, too.

Since I didn't have much fabric with orange, I had to start looking. Anyone who sews or who has purchased fabric lately knows that fabric is not cheap and making clothes isn't always cheaper than purchasing because of the price of fabric. Well, God provided fabric for me through our local thrift store!

"Pillowcase" dress in which I added small sleeves
from the fitted sheet.

I found a twin fitted sheet that was orange and pink striped for only $1. The next week, I found an orange pillowcase ($ .50) and orange flat sheet ($1). I now had lots of orange to work with since I was up-cycling from previous products! I also still have lots of fabric left to make more clothes for her in the future!

We had been given the "Birthday Girl" shirt, but
since my daughter is long waisted, it was too
short to use as a shirt so I turned it into a dress.

I did end up purchasing orange thread. I could have made any of these dresses work by using either white or pink, but it wasn't the look I wanted. Of course, that one spool of thread will last through many more uses so I didn't mind spending it. In any case, I spent less than $5 for three dresses (plus material to make more)!

I love the frugality of up-cycling as well how much better it is for the environment. It also sometimes helps with time management because I can use things like the hemmed edges, or in the case of the last dress, half the dress was already done. Besides, it is just fun to give new life to something that most people just discard.

Do you enjoy up-cycling? I would love to see some creations you have made from up-cycling (and it doesn't have to be sewing related).