March 6, 2026 - early Lent Check-in

Happy Friday Friends!

It's the end of the second week of Lent, and I thought I'd swing in to chat.

I'm having a very fruitful Lent so far. I think one of the most fruitful Lent's I've (maybe) ever had.

I have a story....

the first week of Lent I received an email. I opened it and it was a link to an online Lenten Retreat on "Discernment of Spirits" by Dan Burke. 

Hmmm...

I didn't sign up for any retreats. I didn't know who Dan Burke was. But regardless, I followed the link and watched the entire series of videos probably around 6 hours worth. At the end I was...

well gobsmacked. I don't even know how else to say it, because I didn't sign up for it, but somehow I received this retreat free. Now when I first read "Discernment of Spirits" I was like, what in the world is that? Once I tuned in and voraciously watched all of the videos I realized I had been given (at the very least) a "God moment" but honestly, I think I received a miracle.

 

You see I have a problem with thinking back 20-30-50 years ago and remembering all the dumb, stupid, horrible, not so very nice things I've done all my life. 

OR 

remembering all the not so very nice things done to ME over those years. 

I also have a *pride* problem

 and a *wrath* problem 

and a *gluttony* problem 

and an *avarice* problem

There's so much more sinful about me...but these are the root causes.

I was struggling with that at the time I received this email.

Discernment of Spirits really means in simplified talk: determining if your thoughts are, from God or from somewhere else. 

Well so....

if you need a gift like I did and this interests you and you believe it will help you:

 I'm giving you the link to sign yourself up and watch: HERE

It has made a HUGE...HUGE difference in my life. 

I've bought several of Dan's books, and am reading...

watched his conversion story easily found online by searching....

 listening to his and his wife's podcast...

He has made a very, very large impact on my life. 

I hope the retreat may help make an impact on your life, if you need it. 

*******

This Lent, stitching wise, I am focusing on:

Vervaco's Face of Jesus

A very sweet friend that I made by gifting this kit to her several years ago (when I first stitched and conquered this beautiful piece) returned the favor to me after she read that I was going to stitch this again this Lent. Imagine my surprise when her sweet note and package landed on my doorstep. 

Dearest Eileen, I thank you! 

This time I was hoping to keep it since the other three I have given away. But I'm going to be honest, I don't think I will be able to keep it....

There is a person that keeps popping in my head and I think perhaps I need to give it to her. 

(It's my Mom.) 

Anyhow...we will see....I can always stitch it again....I will anyway because I like to always keep one on hand ready to give away, because - as I've said before - I just can't think of a better gift to give someone. Just give them Jesus!

Here's where I am as of this very minute.

Not that far...but I must say stitching it for the 4th time, I'm finding it less hard. HA HA...

 

I've been thinking about that fact - my finding it less hard - and I think back to the time when I was stitching it for the first time. I was heavily into smalls, definitely not full coverage pieces, so I wasn't used to a page covered in symbols. Now having several larger pieces done under my belt - Santa of the Forest, a Dimension Gold piece, a Mirabilia...I'm thinking that I've found my stride with them, trained my eyes. Maybe I've just grown up. 

********

I also have finished two more quilt blocks for Cora's quilt:

Here is Merida, the Scottish Princess

I LOVE how I did her skirt...which heavily resembles the actual animated Merida. and look closely at her background fabric - they are Scottish thistles. My own granny was of Scottish descent (her last name was Campbell) and I loved her so. So this block reminds me of her. 

and I also designed and created what will be the 15th block on the quilt:

I have a couple of embroidery machines and so I was able to create it that way, by using one of them. 

I love how it turned out!

Here are all the blocks together, so far:

Here is the designer's quilt, called Princess Parade and it is a digital download in her Etsy Shop. I have a link in previous posts, if interested.

with the 6 blocks done, I have 9 blocks left....I think I can! *maybe* 

the date is on it now, so I have to.....that's why I did that block....reverse psychology, it typically works for me.

I've had a bit of a stumble on my hip...

I overdid it last Saturday evening...big time. We were going American Woodcock hunting (well looking). My son in law and myself are birders. The American Woodcock is in our area only until the end of March and they are mating right now. They do a dance/spiral flying for their ritual.

So off we went (in the dark because they only sing/dance at night) stomping through the edge of a meadow/wood line area. We FOUND them! And witnessed the ritual, but it took 2 hours - walking and standing. . . . 

 Sunday morning I could tell I had done too much the night before, because I hurt...all over. Monday morning I was having nerve pain shooting down my thigh. It felt (seriously) like someone was pushing a cattle prod on my thigh. Oh heaven's it hurts so bad. Not constant, just when I would bend - to either sit or bend over to pick something up. 

Wednesday was (what seems to be) the crescendo of the pain. Thursday it calmed down quite a bit. Friday (today) seems like it is even better with much fewer nerve pain shots down my leg. 

Man it feels like white hot lightening. My surgeon told me (I called him) that is what happens when you over do. He also said, I am just 4 months out and I may feel good, but that doesn't mean go whole hog stomping around looking for birds. And of course I'm Vonna and Vonna always goes: whole hog. 

BUT....lesson learned.

I am fasting every single day - except Sundays which are traditional days of being able to celebrate - and I'm praying and offering my fasts (which are one very light, simple meal only and water all day) up for all of you asking for prayers and for our country and world. For peace in the hearts of men...

Until more toward the middle of Lent...

may you find peace, love and joy!

All my love, 

Vonna