curate and celebrate

AWAKEN AND RENEW

The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10 NLT

Photo taken by my sister

TWEAK AND NOURISH

CHEF'S DELIGHT: FRENCH BAGUETTES. In one of our weekly visits at the library, my husband borrowed this book. He delights in flipping the pages of a cookbook and trying out new recipes. He tackled the challenge of baking French baguettes last weekend while I was enjoying a virtual craft and chat session with my small group. It took him 29 hours from start to finish. The aroma of bread baking in the oven was just incredible. I couldn't wait to eat it, even though I was trying to cut back on extra carbs. The enjoyment of savoring the taste and texture transported me back to strolling in Paris with a baguette in hand.

CREATE AND EVOLVE

BABY BLANKET BINDING: SEWING WITH UNEVEN EDGES.I try not to waste fabric if I can avoid it. For this project, I chose to keep the uneven edges of the blanket instead of making them all the same. I'll admit, it took me some time to get the corners right. I had to measure and trim a lot before sewing the edges. Surprisingly, it turned out pretty decent for a beginner like me!

REFOCUS AND DELIGHT

THE POWER OF OBEDIENCE AND HOPE IN AWARENESS AND ACTION: THE LIES WE BELIEVE AND THE BAD COMPANY WE KEEP. We have all, at some point, entertained self-sabotaging thoughts, made excuses that prevent us from achieving our full potential, maintained friendships that bring us down, and clung to unhealthy relationships in both our personal and professional lives. Jesus' words in John 10:10 have heightened my awareness of the enemy's persistent actions and what Jesus has accomplished for me. He came so I could experience life to the fullest. Am I truly living a rich and satisfying life if I'm shackled by lies, fear, worry, and toxic relationships?

How can I embrace this fullness of life? In John 15:1-8, Jesus declared: "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father." This scripture emphasizes "remain in me" five times, highlighting the importance of abiding in Him. It speaks of asking Him for anything we desire, and it will be granted. The first thing that comes to mind is seeking His wisdom to discern the lies I believe and the company I keep. Which relationships need to end, and which need healing?

I am someone who addresses the obvious issues. My dad often said I should have been a lawyer. In a Sunday message I recently heard, Bishop Dale Bronner expressed what I've always wanted to convey instead of simply saying "address the elephant in the room." He said: we are able to conquer what we are willing to confront. I firmly believe that the power of Jesus to transform us, through our obedience and hope in Him, drives us to confront limiting patterns and embrace change, allowing us to reach our fullest potential and experience the fullness of life.

What lies are you believing? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Do you need to release self-sabotaging thoughts and unhealthy relationships? Are you waiting for the perfect moment? Now might be the best time. As Jesus told those who believed in Him in John 8:31-32, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."