A matter of heart...

 It's been quite the week for our family, especially for sweet Blossom and her man. An ultrasound on Tuesday afternoon revealed that their precious little boy has a hole in his heart. 

As you can imagine, this was a shock, and not being well versed in such things it did take their breath away somewhat. Time was needed to learn, to process their own emotions and to come to peace with what is ahead of them.

The wee bub, though not quite so little as he measures much larger than an average 32 week baby, is content inside mummy's womb and though there's been much talk of bringing him into the world a couple of weeks early, dear Bloss feels he should stay right where he is until he's naturally ready to meet them.

Another complication, but this time for Blossom herself is a diagnosis of hyperalgesia, which is incredibly painful as it affects all her nerve endings. It should disappear after the pregnancy so we are praying that is so.

I was blessed to care for Cully May and Rafaella twice this week while Blossom had her ultrasound and then her doctor's checkup at the hospital two days later.

The girls love being here, which is a great thing because they adore their mummy and miss her terribly on the rare occasions she cannot take them with her. Cully May gave the cubby house a jolly good scrub first of all...

...while Rafaella watered all Poppy's raised vegetable beds. She watered herself rather well too. Ha ha!

When the girls arrive here the first thing they do is kick off their shoes and put their gum boots on so that can go tramping through the chicken coop and explore the yard to see what new thing Poppy has built or what flowers they can pick or what vegetables Nana will gather for lunch.

It was a mostly overcast day, so perfect in this heat to play outside, but occasionally the sun would peek through and they'd retreat to the undercover cubby.

Cully May was quite taken with the chive flowers yesterday as they were the same colour as her skirt and t-shirt....

...and Rafaella thought the flowers on my coriander were so pretty that she'd like to take them home - though a little while later she asked, "Nana, can I eat them?" I said yes and so she did! I did explain though that we don't eat all flowers only the ones Nana says are okay. Phew.

Once the clouds cleared completely we went inside and they set up their tea set ready for morning tea. Rice crackers and hummus first and later a plate of watermelon, grapes, strawberries and cheese. They definitely know that there's feasting at Nana's house and even know where I hide the 'sweeties' so later on they continued feasting on Honey Jumbles with cups of real milky tea. 

When Blossom arrived back at lunchtime I had French chicken salad sandwiches ready and a pot of tea brewing. I'd baked a new bread recipe earlier in the day (after making my own oat flour in the NutriBullet) and it was delicious for these sandwiches, very hearty. 

Life has a way of presenting new challenges at unexpected times, some we are quite unprepared for, others we have a little experience with...but it's important to remember that there is no challenge or news that God is unaware of, and as you walk the path which is set before you, one you may not have ever chosen had you been given a choice, HE IS RIGHT BESIDE YOU.

Blossom knows this, she has no doubt that God is her shield and her strength, that He will direct them through whatever is ahead. He loves her baby boy more than she, He loves Blossom more than I do. He holds her precious family right close to His heart and will never leave them nor forsake them.

The little girls don't know or understand any of the secret things that are happening inside mummy's womb with their baby brother, but they do know he is loved just as deeply as they are and that their home is a safe sanctuary where they shall welcome him into one day soon and spoil him with abundant squidgy hugs and kisses. 

I'm reminded often that the people I pass in the street, the men and women we watch fishing on the river as we drive by, the shop assistants who serve me with a smile at the supermarket, our doctors, the police officers often seen patrolling our neighbourhood, the bus driver stepping out of his seat to help an elderly woman on board...all these people live their own challenges, mostly hidden from our view, rarely mentioned. 

Most everyone you meet has a story to tell, something to laugh about, something that brings tears, something to strive for, celebrations to cheer and something which requires a personal battle. I imagine many of you are currently facing your own trials, needs and/or celebrations, so I am praying the Lord's strength and joy is increased in whatever circumstance you have been placed in this season of life.

May I ask that you hold Blossom, Ross and their baby boy in your prayers, that you pray for the girls to sleep well (they don't) and be filled with the peace of Jesus through these weeks of waiting for their 'baby bruvva" (as Rafaella calls him), that you offer praise to the Lord for Blossom's unwavering faith in our God and her trust in all His ways, that God would show her His good pleasure and His healing? 

(((thank you))) - this means the world to us as we do not have other believers in our family. xx

I shared this pattern early last year, but if you missed it I'd like to offer it again today. A simple design but the verse speaks volumes don't you think?

Use the link below to download the free pattern. Perhaps if you have already stitched it for yourself you may choose to stitch it again as a gift for someone needing a reminder of Who they can trust, Who is their shield, and Who will hold them when the world feels as though it's falling beneath their feet.

DOWNLOAD "You O Lord are a Shield"

Bless you heaps, sweet friends.

Hold fast to Jesus, for He is right within reach....

hugs,

Psalm 23 block 9...

 

This month we're stitching the final block of Psalm 23 which will also complete the last internal page of the book. 

Truly, what a beautiful promise Psalm 23 gives us as it draws to an end - "and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever". David knew this and did not doubt for his eternal assurance was birthed in the truths God had given him through the course of his life and that same promise of an eternal home is ours if we accept Christ as Lord and Saviour and walk mindfully in His ways. 

It occurred to me this morning as I sat outside around dawn watching the moon dip lower in the sky and the sun rise out of a dark horizon that there are many, many dear women (and men) who once accepted God as Father and Creator and lover of their souls but something happened in life which caused them to doubt or reject Him. 

One of the very first lessons the Holy Spirit taught me as a new believer almost thirty years ago was not to look at God through the eyes of man; not to judge Him by the way others in the church treat me; not to confuse the church with GOD Himself. 

For the church is man made, filled with believers (and even non-believers who attend out of habit or tradition rather than belief) who are just as broken and sinful and prone to unpleasant attitudes and responses as we are. The church overflows with the struggles of broken humanity and from that many dear people have been hurt and turn away from God because they mistakenly see what happens within the church as coming from Him, as a reflection of His character...and that's simply not so.

God wants to nurture the best in us, He wants to see us flourish in the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control - because by this we begin to show others Who He is and the substance of His divine character. 

None of us are perfect. But He is.

We are all broken in some way, but He is not. He is the Healer, the Restorer, the Eternal Hope we must cling to. If you've fallen away from the Lord, or have lost confidence in Him for any reason, turn back toward HIM, run into His arms. Seek the healing of heart and understanding of a situation that He offers.

I want to see all of you on those heavenly shores when Jesus returns. I want to meet you, hug you, hear your stories, rejoice with you and praise our Saviour together. 

NEXT MONTH

In case you've missed any of the previous blocks the download links are HERE where you can also see photos of the completed book. All patterns will remain free until the end of 2020. Go HERE to watch the page construction tutorial.

Next month I'll be sharing the steps to sew the book cover as well as the title embroidery.

THE COMPLETE PSALM 23 Book Pattern is now available HERE in my EtsyShop.

On Friday I'll be back with a short tutorial and some photos of a few projects I recently completed. In the meantime, be blessed in all you do and say, be generous in all you have to offer, and be kind to your own sweet self because Jesus loves you.

Loving hugs

Are you following me on Instagram? If you'd like to I'm over HERE

Noticing the small things and block 5 of my BOM...

I think when life has a number of anxieties our minds tend to look at the landscape of real or perceived troubles, and that's when a sense of overwhelm can almost sweep you off your feet into a mental state of panic or fear.

When we look far and wide or spend too much time focused of the enormity of a problem, such as many are doing with the worldwide pandemic right now, we soon begin to miss the small things that our hearts need to ground us in the here and now, the gentle everyday things which display beauty to the eyes and plant seeds of calm in the soul.

I've truly been exhausted of late, unable to sleep, arthritis pain pushing itself to the forefront of my days, migraines returning suddenly due to overcast and humid skies - and none of these had anything to do with the pandemic. It's been an accumulation of many things and probably stems from doing too much too soon (in the garden) after the heart issues found in January. 

The past couple of days I've slowed right down, considering the need to be intentional with all I do and not just ploughing on regardless as is my natural tendency.

I walked around the garden with my camera in the morning and focused on the little things which can so easily be missed as I gaze over the quarter acre we call home.

There is truly so much beauty in the small things; those individual elements which thrive alone and yet together within their surroundings.

I'm blessed to have birds of all kinds dwell in and around our trees and gardens, and though I daily welcome them and feed some, yesterday I really looked at them to examine these perfectly designed creatures who choose to spend time in our environ. The first photo above is a female yellow breasted Sunbird who drank from the Geisha Girl leaves as I watered it and the tomatoes underneath. I thought she would take to flight when I ran inside to get my camera but she did not...she continued to drink and I continued to water, both appreciating each other - her for the water I offered, and I for the beauty and companionship she gave in return.

I looked under the pumpkin vine in the front garden and imagined it a shady respite for lizards and the many green tree frogs we have around the house...

...then marvelled at how many pumpkins are growing from just one seed. I found six established and many more just starting out.

In the raised bed my husband set up a few weekends back the rocket and radishes and coriander and beetroot are all waving in the breeze and lifting their leafy coats to the very warm late autumn sun.

And nearby some of the many zinnias we've planted bloom happily to welcome more bees and hopefully ladybugs.

Even the Thai basil which has gone to seed is flourishing a pretty purple dress.

After a harsh summer and early to mid autumn the lavender really struggled, but after time in the shade, more water than usual and some worm tea its recovering and shows signs of offering fragrant stems in winter.

And it is the lavender which has made me understand that once again the sheer length and harshness of our tropical seven-month-long summer has taken more energy than I have to spare these days and that here, in our final weeks of autumn as we await winter's appearance, it is time to slow down in some areas of life in order to rest, refresh, restore, heal and also appreciate the small things around me that too often are missed by scanning life as a panorama of days and not focusing, not letting my eyes rest, on those precious moments which ebb and flow around me.

What small things have you missed recently?

Can I encourage you to take some time this coming week and look with fresh eyes and open heart at the little things?

Something I'm enjoying more than I imagined is knitting a cardigan for Cully May. I began one cardigan a few weeks back, and as it was my first return to knitting in over a decade or more I chose what I thought was a simple basic pattern...but I was not aware until I purchased it and began knitting that the whole thing is knitted in one piece and with US terms.

Truthfully, I was fine until it came to knitting in the sleeves and then it got too much. Double pointed needles (which I have never liked), circular needles (which I also do not like) and instructions that made no sense at all...well, I began to feel that awful overwhelm and as I was already very weary it seemed I was tumbling into a black hole of sadness and uselessness. 

You know, when I knitted garments for my children it was sheer joy from start to finish. 

I loved the little designs within the pattern, and I loved sewing the fronts and back and arms and necks in place, piece by piece. And not having that sense of peaceful 'rhythm and ordinary ways' as I knitted Cully May's cardigan just made me sad. I wanted to love every stitch to the end.

But it was not to be.

So I unravelled the lot.

And I searched online for those wonderful ordinary patterns of the old days written with Australia/UK terms and found a lovely Etsy Shop who sells them.

I've now completed both fronts and am working on the back. 

Every piece knitted separately the way I remember, the way I enjoyed.

And you know, Blossom loves this pattern much more than the original. In truth, we're both happier with the old ways in many things so instead of pushing to do something new that isn't really necessary and certainly doesn't fill our contentment tanks, we'll just enjoy what makes us happy.

I'll never knit a top-down cardigan, sweater or four-double-pointed-needle socks and that's okay.

Life is a gift from God and along with occasional trials comes many joys, and as someone said to me recently, "don't bring a time of trouble on to yourself before the time of trouble". With regards to knitting this means don't make something that causes you sadness with feelings of failure and distress. It's only a cardigan. Knit the one that makes you content and happy with every stitch.

Does this ring true in your life or are you happier to pursue new things?

THE 23rd PSALM BOM

This month's block is the second half of Psalm 23:4...

Ladybugs, flowers and words of truth and certainty from the Father -

"For Thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Psalm 23 is certainly the perfect chapter for us to hold close to our hearts this year.

I pray that as you stitch you will feel the Holy Spirit's presence and the assurance of God holding you close.

THE COMPLETE PSALM 23 Book Pattern is now available HERE in my EtsyShop.

I will leave you today with something else that is small and yet vast beyond measure with what it offers. 

Scripture.

One verse in God's Word can change a moment, a day, a life. Don't be overwhelmed reading chapter after chapter each day because you think you should...there are seasons for that, but more often there are seasons for soaking in small sections and letting the Holy Spirit bring it to life with the Light of Christ, shining it upon our hearts with understanding of how that verse or passage applies to us personally. 

I'm very slowly going through Psalms at the moment and there are days when I read and re-read the same Psalm over and over, highlighting sections or one verse and then writing it in my journal. Oh I cannot tell you how many lessons the Lord is teaching me right now, but they go deep and are rich with His love and right with His correction.

This coming week...this month of May...look for the small things, choose the ways which bring you joy, and let the beauty and love within God's Word breathe refreshment and peace to your heart.

Loving hugs

Block 4 of Psalm 23 and some ideas...

I should never be surprised when God highlights a particular verse at just the right time.

Like this month's verse.

How very apt. How needful for so many. 

I am not fearful (especially after what I shared in this post) but that does not change the occasional moments when it threatens to rise in me after I've been out grocery shopping or when my husband returns from work at the school. 

I let myself acknowledge the threat in that moment and then I let it go. I offer it to God and continue on in my daily rhythms, each task measured and mindful in light of what has now touched so many lives, families, regions and economies of the globe.

Dear heart, do not let fear control you, cripple you or rob you of your peace. Do not let it frighten you into despair. Do not allow it to fill your heart with dread or steal your joy.

For most of us life has changed dramatically over the past month or two. In my country, and probably yours, we are in lockdown. We are to stay in our homes and only venture out for absolute essentials - food, medicine, work. There are heavy fines in place for any unnecessary movements out of doors or gatherings of more than two people.

This in itself can bring about a fearful heart, a despairing heart...indeed, a lonely heart.

But safe indoors, attending to our homes and gardens, accessing family through various internet measures, can offer it's own safety and genuine opportunities for creative avenues we may not have pursued under normal circumstances.

Consider today what you love about your home, consider the aspects you would like to change and what you can use on hand to bring that about. I was chatting with Blossom about the old tv series, The Waltons, and of their inventiveness, their frugality, their resilience during the depression of the 1930's to soldier on, make do and mend, use what they had on hand...and their faith in God. I wish those programs could be shown on television again...how deeply encouraging they would be now as we seem fairly certain a depression is coming again.

Late last year I watched an entire series on Youtube called Wartime Farm. There are eight episodes and they were brilliant in showing how Britain's farmers adapted to the food shortage and the extreme conditions of wartime.

Here is episode 1...

I'm going to start over with this series again because it was fascinating, informative, encouraging and in light of life amidst COVID-19 it also reminds me how the human spirit can lift in the darkest and most challenging of times.

Take your eyes off the news for a bit - let them rest on God's Word, do some stitching, prepare a garden, create a delicious meal or treat with simpler ingredients, write a letter or send a card to loved ones and friends who may be isolated and alone, download an audio book (many libraries have this option if you cannot afford to purchase books that way), dust the book shelves and brew a cuppa to sip while you reacquaint yourself with all those books you purchased many years ago but never had time to really enjoy. I have many home-based books and sewing books on my shelves just begging to be opened.

I know these are all small things in the big scheme of life, but honestly, sometimes we need to do the small things because there's a lot of big things happening around us that can tend to create a sense of overwhelm or lack of control.

But within your home, your God-given safe sanctuary, wherever that is, let peace and joy abound.

Set yourself some simple tasks and take your time as you work through them, being sure to add in a few thoroughly delightful tasks amidst the regular homemaker chores.

Put on some music, the kind that lifts YOUR spirit - dance...sing...or drive that vacuum cleaner around with a sassy sway (if you're like me!).

What feel-good movies are you drawn to on days when life is a bit much or you're full up with a head cold? Write a list and add them to your daily tasks because looking after mental health is very important right now and time out to just let the weariness or impact of our new daily lives drift way for a while is a healthy tonic.

The photos above are of this month's block + another bonus block in our Psalm 23 BOM for 2020.

Make another page just the way you made last month's page using the verse block and the comforter block (here)

You can also see my second version in the pastel blues and pinks. The fabric behind is what I've been using for the applique and it will also feature as borders when I make these new blocks into a wall quilt.

THE COMPLETE PSALM 23 Book Pattern is now available HERE in my EtsyShop.

I had a wonderful chat with Blossom and the girls via Facetime this morning so my happy tank is nice and full again. Not seeing them, not cuddling up on the couch and being squished with toddler arms is difficult, but I praise God we have the technology today which allows us to see each other in our homes, read books to the children, share a cuppa, and feel far more connected than our daily phone conversations. What a blessing. 

It may be many months before the restrictions are lifted but let us not lose heart dear ones...this too shall pass, and I believe if we put our minds to the task we will come through it with a renewed sense of gratitude for what we once had, and a new sense of gratitude for the lessons of simpler living we are learning now. 

Before I go, if you or someone you love has been affected by COVID-19, please forgive me for not offering the comfort you need, for not being able to remove the sorrow or circumstances you face...but know that this day I am praying for you, and I ask everyone who is reading this post today to join me and pray also.

May He be your strength, comfort, hope, provision and truth.

Loving hugs

Homemakers Heart and a new free pattern...

As I get older my mornings tend to begin earlier, and at least once a week that early is around 3am.

No matter what time I go to bed, these 'middle of the night' wake ups (as my husband refers to them) have become a regular rhythm to my week.

At first it used to bother me, but then over time I began to embrace the dark quiet hours before dawn and after filling a glass of cool water I'd slip into the sewing room with my Bible and close the door before turning on the light. This is a small home and a light on in any room will shed it's glow far and wide, disturbing the one who sleeps - my beloved husband in this case.

Early Sunday morning, after a rather restless night, I sat down and opened my Bible. I had not chosen any particular passage to read, just allowed the pages to fall open where they may and at the very top of the left hand page this is what I read...

"So we do not lose heart."

I'm not the most emotional person, and due to some deep tragedies, challenges and griefs over the decades I have learned to push through and move forward when new trials come upon me. It can at times seem as though I'm a little cold or distanced, that perhaps I should weep or show some outward expression of anxiety, but more and more as the years pass I can easily keep all that emotion under wraps and keep going - mostly because I have such faith in God carrying all situations in His care and in His overall plan, but also because wallowing in self pity or embracing fear does nothing more than exacerbate difficult times of trial. 

To have HOPE in the Lord is to trust that the plan He has for my life and the lives of my loved ones will be the best plan, and shedding off fear or anxiety when trouble comes frees me up to look forward and not be immobilised by circumstances. 

Sometimes this can challenge me, especially my mother heart when it involves the children, but only for a short while. Choosing Christ over others, choosing Him over the world, believing His word over man's...therein lies my confidence, hope, assurance, strength and direction. 

But Sunday night there was a restlessness in my spirit, a different discomfort, one which made me seek the Lord as I lay in the dark bedroom, only the sound of the whirring ceiling fan above me breaking through the otherwise quiet pre-dawn hours.

Father God showed me that even though on the surface I was very cool, calm and collected while this worldwide pandemic spread, continuing to affect more and more precious lives, underneath there was fear. It was subconscious, pushed down because I do not allow myself to entertain anxiety or fear anymore...but it was indeed there. And He made me face it. He made me bring it up to the surface and actually think about it...to deeply ponder the 'what ifs', the changes, the possible ramifications of this new normal most residents of our globe are already, or about to, experience.

I found this quite sobering, quite heavy, and then eventually quite a relief to have allowed myself to acknowledge the feelings deep inside which I'd been burying. 

You know, our Lord is incredible...He took me through those emotions for more than my own sake, but to give me a glimpse at what many of you are feeling right now. And if I could, my arms would reach through this screen and I would hug you so tight and pray His love would envelop you like a thick woolly cardigan and keep you safe and comforted and assured in the weeks and months ahead.

So when I opened my Bible and saw that verse it was God speaking directly to my acknowledged fear and bringing calm and assurance to my heart...and within minutes my fear was all gone. Still is.

Blessed assurance indeed.

That's when I drew up this little stitchery for you. I knew exactly what it should be, a brooch that you can pin to your shirt, or cardie or dress each morning to remind you that we should not lose heart. 

The design is 2" x 3" and I sewed a little safety pin at the back for pinning on each day. Quick, simple and exactly what we need to hold fast to. 

You can download the free pattern at the link below:

DOWNLOAD "SO WE DO NOT LOSE HEART"

As most of us will be home isolated these days I wonder if you have a friend who might benefit from having this little brooch as well? It would fit in an envelope (if you're still able to post) and be a blessing of love.

Can I encourage you to read the entire passage from 2 Corinthians 4:16 to 5:9?

May you find strength, hope, comfort and assurance. 

I have self isolated at home, and of course this means separation from my precious Blossom, Cully May and Rafaella. Because my husband is a high school teacher and schools in our state are not closing, we know that life is unpredictable and he could possibly bring the virus home at some stage and we must protect our daughter, her husband and family, especially as Ross now works solely from home. 

We chat every day and Cully May tells me 'everything' she has done; keeps me laughing that's for sure. Blossom and I are focused on honing our homemaker hearts during the months ahead and learning the art of doing with less, making do and mending, being extra creative with less ingredients, and bringing a new order to our daily lives. 

We stocked up on fruit and veg last week, our pantry will see us through for a while, and though one fridge died this morning and the hot water system broke down last Friday, life is humming along productively. 

I haven't tried this before but it occurred to me that storing peeled garlic cloves in olive oil would be wise as I've seen it done (on Pinterest) but never felt the need to try it. Until yesterday.

As we're vegan I spend a lot of time each day preparing meals and treats which are healthy and look for ways to tweak regular recipes to suit our needs.

I found this wonderful recipe for a blueberry crumble cake on Saturday and all I had to substitute was frozen blueberries for fresh, almond milk for dairy milk, and spelt flour for wholemeal (and I did not serve it with cream).

I enjoy my hours in the kitchen! Especially now that I use the dishwasher. 

Ha ha!! Confession time - I hated dishwashers, always believing it was best to wash by hand.

But then we had the plumber out a few months back and he was telling us that homes where a dishwasher is used have less problems with blocked pipes because the water from the dishwasher is boiling and clears the pipes.

So I begrudgingly decided to use the dishwasher twice a week. Then I discovered how much more fun it was to create in the kitchen when I did not have to wash all the equipment afterwards so now I fill the machine throughout the day and set it to wash after dinner. 

I tend to do a lot of food preparation and baking all at once now which in the overall scheme of things gives us better meal variety and helps with time management.

This cake was sooooo delicious that it will be made again and again. I've never been a real fan of pecans but I do keep some in the freezer, however this recipe has changed my mind about them and now I love pecans.

I wondered how long it would take my husband to like lentils after we went vegan in mid January. They've been a staple of mine for decades, but he was not a fan so I'd always make him something else. Surprise! He really loves dhal nowadays so we have it once a fortnight and I make enough to serve leftovers for lunch a couple of days later. 

On Sunday morning we went for a drive down to Pallarenda, a fairly deserted beach on the edge of town. Looking for somewhere we'd not be bumping in to people but could breathe the sea air and walk along the sand freely, this beach was perfect. Apart from a small family much further along the shore we were all alone, collecting sea shells.... 

...and cuttle fish skeletons for the wild birds who visit our feeder each day. It was a glorious hour in the sunshine, not too hot (finally), and we came home refreshed and invigorated.

Did you stitch the free Homemakers Heart pattern I shared in early March? I used it on the cover of my current home project, the Homemakers Binder. You'll find it here

On Monday and today I began gathering together all the things which I want to store inside the Binder so there's a great mass of ideas and printouts across the dining table at the moment as I fine tune what to use, what to discard and what to sit in the 'still thinking about it' pile.

I am hopeful of getting it all finished tomorrow...I do say hopeful but one never knows.

On the other side of the dining table is my desk and it is quite serene at the moment after a jolly good clean and tidy on Friday.

Friday is the most intensive cleaning day of the week as I prepare for a restful sabbath and I usually have a list to work through so that I stay on track.

Last Friday's to-do list included scrubbing the bathroom, the toilet, the front of the kitchen cabinets, inside the oven door, pulling the entire bedroom apart to vacuum, dust and polish, sheets were changed, four loads of washing hung and dried and folded, meals prepared and floors vacuumed and mopped. 

I was so tired on Friday night that I was falling asleep in the middle of stitching a new design so Mr E sent me off to bed where I fell into a wonderfully deep and restful slumber. Next morning I ached all over and realised my Friday to-do list was longer than it should be and this coming Friday I shall be a bit more restrained.

With regards to my health, I'm feeling really good. I chose not to find out what was wrong with my heart and just give this vegan lifestyle a chance to heal things naturally. What has amazed me most is the lack of migraines - I have gone from 16 to 20 a month, down to one a month.

And my energy has returned, I no longer struggle to breath easily, I'm not easily fatigued (unless I put my wonder woman cape on and do too much) and my digestive system is the best it has ever been.

Thanks for all those prayers...they DO make a difference.

This week's Homemakers Heart Task:

How long since you pulled the bedroom furniture away from the walls and vacuumed under and behind it? 

This week your task, should you choose to accept it (yes, I know, there's a definite Mission Impossible vibe here but let's call it Mission Possible), is to go through your bedroom and clean it top to bottom. Don't worry about inside the wardrobes or drawers this week, focus on the actual room itself - the window sills, curtains, floors, ceiling fans, lights and doors.

Change up the decor if you can for a fresh feel - add some flowers, candles, indoor plants, change the bedspread, make a new cushion for the bed, switch lamp shades, switch photos or pictures on the wall...in general, walk in the room with new eyes and see what you can do to give the room a makeover from what you already have on hand.

Our room is so much nicer now! It just took a bit of thought and a rummage through what we already had stored in the linen cupboard as well as some swapping of things from one room to another. 

For those who asked about Miracle Spray you'll find the recipe HERE

God bless you all, precious friends and readers across the globe.

May you be wise and diligent to follow the health guidelines in your country and remember to pray often...God hears. 

Loving hugs