According to His Riches in Glory

Wow! God is so good.... I am just utterly amazed at the rich and varied ways He sends blessings into our lives. A couple of passages have come to mind on days when I have been surprised by God's provisions.

1 Kings 17:12-16 (The Message)

12 She said, "I swear, as surely as your God lives, I don't have so much as a biscuit. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. After we eat it, we'll die."
13-14 Elijah said to her, "Don't worry about a thing. Go ahead and do what you've said. But first make a small biscuit for me and bring it back here. Then go ahead and make a meal from what's left for you and your son. This is the word of the God of Israel: 'The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not become empty before God sends rain on the land and ends this drought.'"
15-16 And she went right off and did it, did just as Elijah asked. And it turned out as he said—daily food for her and her family. The jar of meal didn't run out and the bottle of oil didn't become empty: God's promise fulfilled to the letter, exactly as Elijah had delivered it!

2 Kings 4:1-7 (The Message)
1 One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves."
2 Elisha said, "I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?"
"Nothing," she said. "Well, I do have a little oil."
3-4 "Here's what you do," said Elisha. "Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors. And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside."
5-6 She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, "Another jug, please."
He said, "That's it. There are no more jugs."
Then the oil stopped.
7 She went and told the story to the man of God. He said, "Go sell the oil and make good on your debts. Live, both you and your sons, on what's left."

Don't you love that!

Our new policy around here has been to "shop at home first". And boy the shopping has been pretty good. Especially when you clean things out! I found flour in the freezer when I thought I was completely out. I found Christmas cards (not in the freezer) really cute ones, and plenty enough to send to all our friends. (just when I was about to order new photo cards of all of us) Not to mention that they perfectly fit into my holiday color scheme. (the one I apparently have been dreaming about at after Christmas sales for the past few years) All of my holiday papers match - I love that.

I have gone into my closet with an eye for new holiday church outfits. I mean I have been wearing the same boring things for several years and I was getting desperate. I adjusted one beautiful wool black and white window pane plaid skirt that I have never worn and made an outfit with a white shirt and cute black jacket that I got on deep discount several months ago at TJ Max - (a Michael Kors of project runway fame). I worked today to embellish an old white shirt with black buttons all over the collar and adjust the three quarter sleeves that I haven't liked. It looks great. I cut out a jumper out of fantastic boarder fabric in dark gray that I have had for years. I will sew that together tomorrow and I have another couple of ideas brewing in the back of my brain. I decided to look at things with the eyes I inherited from my grandmother. My mom's mom was one of the last of 13 children. She could make a rag over into something cute. Thanks Nana for the love of sewing.

Speaking of sewing -here's another blessing. Just when I was about to give up on a sewing machine for Haley for Chirstmas, I got a message tonight on freecycle to see if I still wanted one! Yes, Yes a thousand times yes I responded. I'm trusting it will be just the right thing for Haley.

Also, here is my redone little sewing nook.

Now I need some ideas for Holiday party on a shoe string! We are having the pastoral staff over and several people that have ministered to our family this year. About 12 couples in all. We are having a few desserts, slushy punch, coffee and hot apple cider - any ideas???