Is this a test?

Yes. It is. But it's the good kind. Actually, all tests are good.

(The following is an excerpt from the girltalk blog today)

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." James 1:2-3

Nancy Wilson has some helpful thoughts on trials and testing:

So, how do we react when tough things happen? We should view it the way the Bible tells us to view it. This is a test. God sends His children pop quizzes and tests from time to time to see if we are learning our lessons, if we are paying attention, if we are reading our assignments.

Read her entire post here.

"Oh, the sewing machine, the sewing machine, a girl's best friend..."

Of all the things I wish I could do (at the moment), sewing is on the top of my list. I can sew--but I'd like to be able to sew all the time and very well. Of course, both of those are impossible as I'm not going to try. Instead, I've been feasting my eyes on these wonderful sewing sites:

JJ Heller's Blog --if you don't know who she is, you're missing out. Look her up on MySpace and listen to your heart's content.

Adey's Blog --member of SewRetro.

Uber Chic for Cheap --a wardrobe blog.

Burdastyle --a pattern site.

Freshly Picked --so Hip it Hurts.

I dare you to add them to your Google Reader and not get hungry for sewing.

"She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle...She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet...She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple...She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." from Proverbs 31