Hand-Crocheted Corner-To-Corner Baby Afghan

Knowing that Grandlittle #12 is on the way my thoughts can't help but wander toward babies so this is my latest craft project..a hand-crocheted baby afghan.

 I love this corner-to-corner stitch and the beautiful pattern that it creates.

I am listing the items in my Etsy shop online and am experimenting with afghans in plain and variegated colors and with and without ribbons along the border.

Here's a picture of the latest afghan that I'm creating...

Won't it be pretty? I can't wait until it's finished.

Just thought I'd share!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

Sarah Coenen, You're A Winner!

Sarah Coenen, congratulations! You're the winner on the Baby Bootie Giveaway and I've got a pair of camo baby booties with your name on them. Please e-mail me at proverbs31heart@yahoo.com with your mailing address and I'll get those out to you right away! :)

Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway and God bless!

All My Love, 

~Rebecca

Stake Out An Island Of Calm In A Chaotic World

"To tea is to stake out an island of calm in a chaotic world. Always make time for tea." ~Author unknown

Sunday Afternoon Ramblings - 1/12/14

Good afternoon, Dear Friends! And greetings! It's been so long since I've been with you to just sit and visit a spell.

Our whole family (John and I, most of our children and grands) have been sick with one thing or another (influenza, strep, bronchitis, etc.) since the middle of December or longer and we just can't seem to get on top of it. Plus, with the super cold weather my dad's COPD has flared up something awful which has resulted in emergency room visits and more doctor appointments. 

BUT...praise God! Despite the fact that I'm extremely weak and tired...today is a good day! The sun is shining, a strong, warm wind blows from the south, the temps are in the low 60's, and I anxiously look forward to spring!

Earlier I was looking through past posts on this blog and another one that I used to have and it amazed me how ever so slowly the color has seemed to fade from my life. It seems as though, after hard times fell on our family a few years ago, I've never rebounded. The things that I once did...the things that added flavor and color and spice to our lives I no longer do, participate in, or enjoy. THAT is going to change!!! 

I am thankful for this down time. Even though we completely missed Christmas dinner and our Happy New Year celebration this year, it has given me a chance to think about the past, the present, and future. It's given me time to reflect on what (and who) is important, what (and who) is not important, what needs to be done and what doesn't. 

As I recover from weeks of illness it is with renewed strength of spirit that I look forward to a new week and all the possibilities that it holds. I KNOW that God has a good plan for my life and I KNOW that I have not been living it. I keep getting the same verse over and over again...

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). 

I need to get back into regular, daily fellowship with the Lord, stop worrying about things that I can do nothing about, and stand strong in faith knowing that the Lord is able to make a way even in that which looks impossible in the natural.

I suppose this sounds like nothing more than incoherent ramblings to those who are reading, but there is purpose in it. If nothing else it confirms my heart in writing. 

I pray a blessing over each and every person who reads this blog today...over them, their family, their home, and their church family. May God richly bless you in all that you do and say on behalf of Him and His Word!

Love In Christ,

~Rebecca

BABY BOOTIE GIVEAWAY

I thought for a fun New Year's giveaway I'd give away a pair of BABY BOOTIES (classic or camo) to someone who might enjoy them for their own baby or for gift-giving.

There are five ways to enter for your chance to win a pair of CLASSIC BABY BOOTIES for the baby in your life. Just make sure to come back here and comment on each one that you choose to do, because the more you do the better your chances of winning !

Here are the five ways that you can enter:

1) Leave a comment telling me which color of booties you prefer should you be the chosen winner (you have a choice of green, blue, or pink camo or classic colors in blue, pink, or white). 

2) Somehow link my blog with yours (share my link on your page, comment about my blog on yours, etc.) Leave a comment and a link here so others can find it.

3) Check out my shop on ETSY.

4) Join HEARTH AND HOME on Facebook.

5) Publicly join Rebecca's Hearth and Home here.

Don't forget to leave a comment here for each way you choose to enter AND make sure I've got a way to get a hold of you in case you win!!!

This contest closes Wednesday, January 15, 2014.

Thank you for taking the time to enter!

Love,
~Rebecca

Happy New Year!

Greetings, Dear Ones!

What a blessing it is to be with you on this first day of a brand new year! It is with great joy and anticipation that I look forward to all that the Lord has in store in the days ahead and I pray that 2014 will be a year of great blessing for you and your family, as well as our own.

In recent months time, energy, and vision has slipped away from me and I'm afraid I've done nothing justice. It is with renewed strength and fresh insight from the Word of God that I determine to take back ground lost over the past several months (years) and move full steam ahead in all that the Lord has called me to do. It may take a little time to regroup and refocus, but, determined to do so I am!

One of the areas that I want to really focus on, and totally recommit to, in 2014 is a fresh commitment to the Truth and integrity of God's Word. For far too long I've allowed the negativity of others to silence me and their wrong actions (and inaction) to detour me. No more!

As the world around us sinks further and further into sinfulness and depravity (and the church into apostasy and lukewarmness), it's time for those of the true body of Christ to rise up, straighten up that full armour of God, and stand firmly on Biblical principle no matter what. It's the only way that we're going to survive all that is coming on, and is even now, in the earth around us.

We don't need to fear anything or anyone. We just need to stand firmly on the Word and put it into practice.

Other areas that I am seeking the Lord's will in and want to focus on in 2014 are health and wellness, debt freedom, and Biblical femininity.

What are some areas that you and your family are seeking the Lord's will in and want to focus on in 2014?

Well, my friends, I just wanted to pop in, say "Hello!", and wish you and yours a Happy New Year! I wish you all the best and pray the Lord's greatest blessings over you and yours in 2014!

Until Next Time...
~Rebecca