A fresh new start...

So often we make our plans, dream our dreams, ponder new ideas...and then do what we can to bring them to pass. Along with prayer and trust in God, these have made up the common thread to my journey this past decade.

Looking back over this year thus far, it seems to have been sweeping by without me really noticing some of the events and moments which would normally have captured my attention.

Being diligent with details, attending to things which genuinely must be dealt with, stepping each day to the rhythm of a routine which works - much of this has been hit or miss for a while as we spend all our weekend time looking for a house to purchase before the end of September deadline.

And when you allow neglect to take hold there will always be ramifications you would rather not face, circumstances which can no longer be pushed aside, a reckoning and time of accountability.

This whirlwind year literally swept my beloved and I away from order and routine and we're not very good handling chaos so perhaps you can imagine our growing anxiety from this season of not getting things done, the wearying acknowledgement of falling behind and needing to catch up, our desire to think with clarity, and morning by morning prayers for help. Even our physical health has been a battle many times over due to lack of rest.

I mean, really, where else can we go when life has been shaken, stirred and poured out, but to God?

I'll be honest and say that I am not sure what part God played in events recently, but I do know nothing happens without His knowledge so I am trusting that the extra challenges will do me good and not harm.

First, the good news...

We bought a home. The right one this time. When we went through our list of heart's desires for our very first home most have a tick beside them. And then there were the things we forgot to ask for, the things which were personal and never spoken aloud, but kept deep within our hearts - like a front door with kookaburras...

Every step towards acquiring this home has been achieved in the past eight days, we only have the final hoop to jump through now - bank approval - and this should come through in a few days, God willing.

Secondly, we have a new grand baby on the way. Our dear middle daughter, Anita, is expecting her second bundle of joy in March, and of course I am planning a quilt already.

Now the not so good news...

Over a period of about six weeks my 'Jenny of Elefantz' instagram account has been hacked more times that I can say, and eventually it became a daily event. The final hack left me without any access at all, no way back in, no help from IG...all my avenues, the ones I'd previously used successfully to take back what was mine, were closed. Believe me, I tried all options but this time with no positive result.

If you follow me on IG you'll discover my page has a new name, a new persona, though all my photos are intact. Please unfollow that page. I have requested it be blocked due to impersonation of me but so far nothing has happened.

I was angry, felt violated deep down inside for many days, and the more I tried to rise above it the more I felt sick. And then my husband held me in his arms and I just cried and cried. Three years of building that account, following and customer base, gone. All I could think of was "what a waste".

But after that cry I laid it all at the feet of Jesus and took a fresh breath of hope...

Life is series of new beginnings, decluttering and fresh starts, yes?

So just as I closed my FB business page in July and began a lovely new page, so I have chosen to begin a fresh new Instagram page, one that encompasses what I love most...a gentle domestic life.

In fact that is what it's called...

@gentledomesticity

If you've previously followed my old IG account please consider following along at my new IG address, and if you haven't followed before I'd love to have you drop by.

There will still be new designs to see and progress pics along the way, but there will also be much more about living the gentle domestic life because I do believe that's down the shaded tree strewn path I'm now meant to wander further along.

And my heart is no longer angry or upset, but excited, calm and expectant.

There truly is joy in the ordinary and I may have lost my way a bit in that regard as I panicked over lost business avenues, but ultimately God is in control and if I trust Him then I am to trust Him wholeheartedly with what life throws my way, even when at first it feels downright awful.

I'm wondering about you?

Have your nice neat plans recently had the carpet swept out from under them?

Is your heart anxious, are anger or disappointment creating shadows over your mind that block out hope?

God is for you.

When everyone else is against you, He is all for you.

I have seen this in my life for 27 years, and though some deep losses and griefs have never been resolved to my liking, HE IS THERE carrying me through the shadowlands with a love and compassion that no man can duplicate.

Are you ready for a fresh outlook on your situation?

Ask God.

He's listening.

Update on my FREE Alphabet Pincushions Stitch-a-long which begins here on the blog and in my weekly email newsletter:

In response to many questions...

1. There are no material requirements as I'm using my scrap basket to make each alphabet stitchery into a pincushion.

2. There are no actual pincushion patterns but I will discuss the basics of how I make each one.

3. Each free stitchery can be embroidered in colours of your choice. I'm choosing the thread colours to match the fabrics but will give you a list of threads used for each one just for your own reference.

4. The free weekly patterns will NOT be available from my shop. I will share a download link in the newsletters and here on on the blog.

(sign up for the free newsletter here)

5. I will not jump ahead for anyone so please do not ask. I am stitching along just like you are. We will begin at A and end with Z.

5. Each of the alphabet stitcheries will fit easily inside a 2 1/2" square.