Zippy's Slipcover Adventures: Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord!

Shortly after I became a Christian at age15 I began to feel a different tug at my heart. It was God calling me into ministry. I clearly remember the day I told my pastor that I was feeling called to the ministry. I remember telling him I was afraid God was going to call me to go to Africa and I did not want to go to Africa. At that time all I knew of people "in ministry" were that they were pastors (men only), music directors (able to sing), youth ministers (lively, outgoing, and somewhat crazy), and missionaries. I could not sing to save my life, I wasn't a man, and I knew I did not want to go to Africa (in my mind all missionaries went to Africa) so I thought that youth ministry was what God was calling me to (if you know me you would never see me as a youth minister). In college I went on a number of revival teams and soon learned that as much as I loved kids, I was not cut out to be a youth minister. I went to graduate school and became a social worker. After I graduated I went to work at a Christian children's home and believed that was what God called me to do. I ministered to babies, kids, and youth. I ministered to biological parents, foster parents, step-parents and adoptive parents. I ministered to women in prison and people imprisioned in their addiction. I ministered to social work interns and my co-workers. I ministered for 23 years and 8 months.

In January of this year God allowed me to lose my job and my ministry (or so I thought). One of my biggest losses was ministering to hurting people. I thought I would never be able to minister again. Praise God I was wrong. In spite of the worry I knew God was in control. In spite of all the evil that surrounded my losing my job God's plan prevails. I still do not have a job but believe God's plan is unfolding and continues to minister through me every day. This week alone I have been given the honor of praying with three friends and someone I had never met before. Praise God I can minister outside of FBCH.

Last Sunday I went to Joann Fabrics after church to buy some piping for the next project. While there I passed by a lady I met at Publix last year while picking up lunch one day. She was undergoing chemo for her cancer and my mother had just been diagnosed with lung cancer. We talked briefly and I promised to pray for her. I saw her again a few months later and got an update. Last Sunday I passed by her at Joann Fabrics and stopped to talk. I found out her name and that she was undergoing yet another round of chemo for her cancer. I promised to continue to pray for her again. She wanted to pray for my mom which prompted me to ask where she went to church. She doesn't attend but considers herself "spiritual". That opened an opportunity to share Christ and invite her to church. All that to say, God continues to use even my sewing to minister in His name. His mercies are new every morning and Praise God one day He will turn my mourning into dancing (can't wait to do that dance!).

So do you want to see what I have been up to?

Do you remember the dining room chair covers I made a while back for my first client? Remember I wanted some for my old dining room chairs? These are the chairs.

Before

Kind of country looking don't you think? Well that was ok in 1989 when I loved that style. Now... The chairs are in good shape so no need to get rid of them but they need some help. So slipcovers to the rescue. Here are the covers on the old chairs.

After

Don’t they look soooo much better?

Another happy customer.

The best part is that because they are white I can bleach them which is a good thing because Cody seems to love the chairs. (Cody is my cat, actually my son's cat.)

With the dining chairs done I started work on my pajama chair. While I loved the pajama chair fabric I did not have enough to cover the ottoman that went with it. I did have enough of a new fabric I got on ebay not long ago.