A missionary goes about spreading the Good News of the Gospel to all who will listen. That’s a good thing.
What does a REmissionary do, then? Well, I’ll tell you.
A REmissionary does for things what a missionary does for people – offer new life for old things. A missionary tells people how to get rid of the garbage and get a new life in Christ. A REmissionary takes old things and gives them a new life…either by repurposing them or refurbishing them. Sometimes you can’t even tell what the original life was!
That’s how I felt after I came to know the Lord Jesus: new, totally revamped, nothing like the old me. I was an old thing…an emotional basket case, lost, hopeless, ugly inside old thing (although age-wise I wasn’t very old at all, under 30), with a chip on my shoulder bigger than Texas. Now, over 30 years later, I still feel like a new creature!! I can vaguely remember what my life was like B.C. (before Christ), enough to know that is NOT where I want to be now.
And so, we come to how I became a REmissionary. I like to take something old and try to squeeze a little more life out of it before I throw the skin away. Just a couple of examples. Take old jeans. Beat up, torn in places, zipper doesn’t work any more, pockets are frayed. Those make GREAT purses!
A shoulder pad from a sweater…the seam ripped right out of that satiny material. So I took the pads out. What can you do with an old shoulder pad??? Make a catnip mouse out of it, of course.
A thimble that’s too big…some broken sewing machine needles…a couple of straight pins that are just a wee bit rusty or bent…three or four little buttons….Look at the beautiful little flower-pot they make. Pop a magnet on the back and voila! A cute little decoration for the sewing room, the fridge, the office file cabinet – or any other metal surface needing a touch of spring. I found a great inspiration for this here, at Dollar Store Crafts; although I made mine differently, it’s the same basic principal. See what you can do with stuff that just needs a new mission in life!
uh huh…nice.
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thank you – I try! All this stuff pictured here has been given away or sold now. On to other things to make!!
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Well done. I can get behind this kind of attitude, when so much of our society is all about “throw it away”. Well done, again.
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I grew up very poor, and EVERYTHING got a ‘second chance’ – which is probably where I got this mindset in the first place. There’s something to be said for being what this society considers ‘disadvantaged.’ I learned to appreciate what little I did have! Thanks so much for your comments – I love hearing from folks!!
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That is an AMAZING irony! “what this society considers ‘disadvantaged.’” I hear where you are coming from and understand COMPLETELY! I will be back here. It says something for being ‘disadvantaged!’ Woo Hoo!
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Thanks so much – and thank you for stopping by to swap howdies! 😆
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Great stuff! I’ve got the same sort of mindset, but not the abilities…yet.
When you live in a rural environment you see people’s inventiveness and creativity in full bloom…they repurpose things to decorate their yard, etc. I just love it!
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oh, I have seen some really cute stuff people have used in their yard. One person had an old rowboat that had holes in the bottom, and they used it for – what else! – a flower bed out front. And another one I saw on the way to the coast used a bed frame for their flower bed. Love it!
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Hello, dear one! Love your site! 🙂
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thank you so much for visiting, and for the nice comment!
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Love it; thanks for inspiring me with the idea of “REmissionary.” Many many blessings to you as you draw near to the only One who rewards those who seek Him with the greatest reward and blessing; HIMSELF!
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Thank you for this – when I first thought of the name “REmissionary,” I had no idea it would even be noticed by anyone other than family and close friends. I’m humbled and honored to have someone be inspired by the idea. Blessings to you too!!!
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“Old things with a new mission” really got my attention. You’ve been blessed with a way of writing. Thanks for the like and have a great day.
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aw shucks ya make me blush. 🙂 thanks so much!
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Just wanted to let you know I have nominated you for the No Strings Attached-Gratitude Award. I hope this will be welcome news for you. I also hope you will visit the other nominees, and they will visit you. To see more about the award and accepting this nomination (no strings on this one), please visit my post at http://wp.me/p2ekZU-E4. All the best!
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Thank you SO MUCH – this comment went to my spam folder, so I didn’t see it until just this minute. Good thing I check spam before I delete it!!
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😉 Glad you saw it! You’re very welcome – I enjoy your posts!
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Aw shucks…thanks! Now, since it’s Saturday morning, I get to kick back in bed with my morning coffee and browse all those other nominees to my heart’s content. *sigh* I am so blessed.
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😉
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I adore your calling as a re-missionary! God bless!
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thanks so much – it’s been a fun journey so far. more awaits!
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Dear Lubby Girl. I was invited by Esenga to the Ligo Circle of Appreciation and it is my turn to invite you. I hope you will accept it.
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Thank you for thinking of me. I appreciate it, but I will have to decline.
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I like that – remissionary activity applauded – and it’s creative too 🙂
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aw shucks…thanks so much!! 🙂
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I’ve long had a passion for fabrics and somehow that seemed to segue into re-use projects, so I know what you’re talking about 🙂
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You and my mom would have been great friends. All of her life she was interested in creating things out of raw materials — some of which most people would not have given a second thought to. She was so talented and such an excellent seamstress as well. She made a lot of the clothes for our whole family. I never developed her talent for all that kind of work, but I was the joyous recipient of some of the most unique and beautiful clothing pieces that she made — and the envy of many of my friends.
I’m sure the Lord is very pleased with your way of thinking as well — and with your method of spreading the Gospel by making the analogy to what He does with our lives.
May the Lord make His face to shine on you today as you do your happy work.
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That just totally made my day! Thank you SO MUCH. My mother could take something apart and make a whole new thing out of it – by hand. I never got that skill, but I did inherit her love of sewing and her feel for frugality…usually. 🙂 Sometimes I get a bit frivolous though. I’m just thankful the LORD saw fit to equip me with a sewing machine and a good brain.
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Your “About” page is unique and clever! It’s so fun, personal, and purposeful! Looking forward to your ideas on re-purposing my stuff.
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🙂 Just as soon as I retire (that’s on my wish-list right now) I plan, Lord willing, to do a LOT of this stuff!!
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http://speakingabouttravel2.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/the-illuminating-blogger-award-another-year-end-award-thank-you/
Hi, I have nominated you to receive the Illuminating Blogger Award. Please check out my post. Thanks.
Denise aka friendlytm
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Thank you so much for thinking of me! I am very honored.
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Thank you for your prompt response. Happy New Year!.
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I love your mission so much, I’ve followed your blog. I do like that thimble – so pretty.
I’m a Christian and a great recycler myself but, unfortunately not gifted creatively. But there is very little that goes in my waste bin that hasn’t been used at least twice.
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me too! I’m a die-hard scrapper – comes from living life the hard way as a kid, I reckon. I love that little thimble too, and I’ve considered making another one, soon as I get another thimble that’s too big or too small. I’ve got everything else just waiting to be used. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words, the sharing of our faith, and the follow!!
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So cool! I’d bet my kitties would love that catnip mouse! I love the pin flowers in the thimble…why didn’t I ever think of that back in my sewing days?
What a pleasure to meet you here in the blogosphere – I’m looking forward to many happy returns to your blog 😀
~Lyann
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My friend’s kitties did love them (I made a few for them, other than the one pictured). Better than tossing the shoulder pad, huh? 😀 And it’s nice to meet YOU, too, here in Blogovia. 🙂 I’ve been enjoying the voyage so far through this amazing land.
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Oh, Blogovia! I really like the sound of that 😀
Here’s to continued wonderful voyaging through this amazing land!
~Lyann
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Thank you for your like. It is always good to hear from you.
I hope that all is well with you and your loved ones.
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thanks so much – things are going well right now, praise the LORD for that!!
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Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post ‘What’s in a Name?’ I don’t have the patience to REmissionary anything, but I like your take on it. I love the flower pot magnet absolutely ingenious. I need that right now as it’s a pretty dull and dreary day.
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been thataway here too – dull/dreary, that is. I have enough stuff gathered up, all those rescued bits & pieces of art supplies (some folks call it garbage, but what do they know) to make another one of those adorable thimble magnets. I’m a-fixin’ to make one in the near future. 😆
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What a lovely way to look at the world! Everything is filled with possibility. 🙂
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Hi Sarah! Yup, no sense in tossing something until I’ve checked all the possible uses for it first, eh? My mother taught me that. Good woman! 🙂
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I love the little thimble flower pot. It is so sweet!
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Thanks so much – it was a really fun one to make, too. Now I have enough broken needles to make another one, just need another old thimble!! 😆
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It’s a very damp and dreary day here in Wiltshire (UK), but I am smiling and laughing out loud as I read your blog. Absolutely inspirational in so many ways! Many thanks!
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aw shucks – thanks! It’s been very, very rainy and windy here too, and the creek has risen a lot (we live right on a creek, hence the name we gave our house – “Creekside Cottage”). Thankfully it’s not into the yard yet. I’m so glad you stopped by!! I’ll be moseyin’ back your way too, since I loved that jeans to skirt idea I saw there.
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Congratulations! I’ve nominated your blog for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award. You can find more information here: http://discoveringmarie.wordpress.com/post/
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aw, thank you so much for thinking of me! that’s a real blessing.
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I do enjoy your blog I thought it three best way to share you with others
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What a great subject; I love giving old things a new life. I used to refurbish outdated and ugly furniture and chandeliers by painting and distressing them. It was very rewarding to take something someone left at the curb or sold for a few dollars at a garage sale, fix it up and then use it or sell it to someone who would appreciate it!
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boy howdy on THAT! That’s part of what got me started on this journey – that and my first ever jeans purse. 😆
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I love your term Re-missionary and your amazing testimony. So glad you found my blog so I could find yours!
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aw shucks – thankee so much!
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Very cool! Love your testimony, as well as how you repurposed items! 🙂
I liked, followed, and shared the link on FB. Happy Valentine’s Day.
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Wow – you did?? Share on Facebook, I mean. Thank you so much for that – I don’t remember anyone doing that before, so I really appreciate it!! I was just over looking at your blog, and I like very much how you introduced yourself and your hubby. 😀
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You are welcome. I enjoyed the things that you shared. Thank you! My husband’s super special to me. 🙂 Thanks for the “likes” also. 🙂 Looking forward to reading more from you.
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Here’s the link for you to see it: https://www.facebook.com/carolyn.justice.7
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Thanks so much – I’ll head over there!
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well, now I’ll just have to add you as a friend on FB so I can see all your stuff. 🙂 Thanks again for this!! 😀
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What an inspiring philosophy, one we could all learn from! I think I’m going to enjoy hanging out here.
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Well, welcome! Jes’ come on in, set yourself down, and we’ll share a cuppa and a thought or ten! 🙂
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When I read BC, my first though was British Columbia (Canada). I’m happy to hear you found Jesus and repurposing your spiritual self.
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Yah, I can see how you’d think that – I usually think that at first too (I work with a gal from BC). Thanks so much for the great comments!! I’m a work in progress, and thanking the Lord for His patience with me.
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