Of Roller Coasters & Dreams

I secretly like roller coasters. They totally freak me out though. It’s the Anticipation of What Might Happen that gets me.  The slow clicking movement to the top and that first drop -aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Seriously. Anticipation does more to mess with my head than anything else. I can think through the Worst Case Scenario like nobody’s business. I know that I’m not alone in this.

But roller coasters? Don’t tell my Sweetie, but I’m game to go again, when we can. I love the sound and rhythm of the wooden coasters. Clickety-clack, clickety-clack. Scream!! The adrenalin rush is sometimes a little more than my five-foot tall person can manage however sometimes jumping is in the best thing ever.

God writes straight with crooked lines.

A long time ago, about twelve miles from here, the Priest that my sweetie and I worked with often reminded us that God writes straight with crooked lines – roller coasters!!! Think about Adam & Eve, Mary and Jesus. Eve gives into temptation, Adam goes right along with her, through them our relationship with God is mis-ordered. Mary says yes to God, Jesus is conceived in her womb and through them our relationship with God is restored. There’s a whole lotta stuff that happens in between.

A couple of weeks ago I gotta job with a company where, when I get through the training and make all of my samples, I’ll be teaching people how to use stabilizers and embroider well with them. I had two full days of learning what each stabilizer and product does, I’ve been working through the software and youtube videos, and last night I made my first ever in-the-hoop project.

As you know I’m a hard core quilter. When teaching the goal is to have each quilter learn how to pair needles and thread, understand tension, and how to control the machine – all while stitching out motifs. At the end of the day that is the information necessary to machine quilt well. Then comes the hard part Practice. I practice regularly with fat quarter sandwiches because I need to keep honing my skills. When I don’t practice regularly when I get to the machine there is a little fear that wells up. Gah!

As I finished the first project and started some piecing for another project Oceans came on. As you know I love that song, the sheer trust in God speaks deeply to my soul. I love the sound, and movement of the ocean, thunder storms because in the middle of this I often hear Jesus speaking, “Peace!”. All through the last few years of some personal stuff going on (I’ve alluded to it in the blogs), Oceans has become the prayer to pray, kind of like the Our Father, and Hail Mary…it’s that song that brings comfort, challenging me to rest in God’s grace and mercy, to Trust deeply that whatever may come He is in the middle of the storm.

I don’t remember the phrase that caught my attention last night that pointed out several things last night however this wave of calm washed over me, giving me a clear sense that I’m going in the right direction. That this opportunity to learn and grow, and teach and encourage is where I need to be right now.

I was a little freaked out as I got started, needing a couple of friends to remind me that I can do this. I can make mistakes, and figure out how to fix them. I can throw the embroidery hoop off and fix it. I remembered how to do that from all the teaching on the machines. See the thing is that while there’s a learning/making curve the creative side is responding to this learning in a way that I didn’t expect.

Psalm 63:

R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
for your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

As my favorite Priest said a couple of months ago maybe you’re thirsty. Prayer, quilting, looking, seeking, learning and tidying up are all part of that process of renewal.

So the dreams I’ve been dreaming about quilting, my career, and more –  I can still dream. They are good dreams, they are a gift. And, there will be plans for a roller coaster ride next summer.

God bless!

Teri