Look what I picked up yesterday!

I made a decision last year that I would start framing some of my favorite pieces so I could look at them rather than leave them rolled up in a box in my closet.  I couldn't wait to frame my little caroler Chanson de Noel by Ekaterina Chaykovskaya once I had her finished.  Didn't she turn out lovely?  I have her hanging in my dining room where we eat all our meals, so I see her at least three times a day!  I bought a companion piece when I bought her so I'll have to dig around and see if I can find that one and stitch her too.

This next piece is Victorine Marker 1897, a SAL I found here.  It was unfinished for a long time because I was interrupted while stitching it, and didn't get the last few pages.  If you visit the link above you'll see the last few pages are still missing.  Luckily for me most that was left was border and I was able to do the mirror image from the side that I did have the pieces for.  I also searched around until I found the exact alphabet and was able to fill in the last few letters.  Where there's a will, there's a way so they say!  I guess I can't understand why some designers don't allow you to finish something you've put so much time, effort, and materials in just because life gets in the way.  It's free to begin with...I just don't get it.  Anyway, here it is framed and I love it.

And now, if you don't like reading about "real life" you can stop reading here.  I had a very rough weekend.  A friend of mine took her husband to the emergency room Friday for what she thought was something that needed treatment but didn't think it would require admittance.  Turns out it was cancer, and he lost his life yesterday.  My mind is reeling over this horrific turn of events.  Also over the weekend, Ben's girlfriend's step dad was admitted to the hospital and they are recommending Hospice care for him.  Another friend's daughter -in-law lost a baby she was carrying for the past 6 months over the weekend.  I have to say, it's almost like PTSD with all that Katie went through during the last few months of her life and losing my Mom so suddenly earlier this year.  It seems lately that you can never be too comfortable with your life when it seems to be going well, because things could change in the blink of an eye.  It would be so easy to sit here and yell at God and blame Him for all the heartache and evil in the world...or wonder why He hasn't heard my prayers and saved the life of such a godly man and healed relationships in a family torn apart by tragedy.  I guess this is where faith comes in, and honestly I've seen Him perform great miracles, but I'm angry He didn't perform them here and now.  I guess I'll understand one day, but today is not that day.  Lord, help me in my unbelief.  If you can, would you help me pray for those involved in all these situations, and pray I have the right words and actions to help those who are hurting today?  Thank you from the bottom of a weary prayer warrior's heart.