Is it Mary or Martha?

The challenge this time was to think about this verse & then create something that reflects what God has shown me.

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

My hidden journaling reads:
My strengths are often my weakness as well.  I'm organized, efficient, creative, a leader and problem solver.  However, those ways that God has gifted me, if used for my own things, rather than God's...just cause me to be busy doing "good things" and not "God things".  Ironically I have already been going through a time of re-evaluation and quiet reflection with the Lord about my life.  I want to 'Be still and know God'. 

What I found is that it's much harder for me to be still than to organize an event with dinner, decorations & a program for 450 women at church.  I know what it's like to be Mary.  And frankly I always thought Mary was really kind of lazy and let Martha carry the load.  Sometimes I still do.  But I also realize that Mary had time well spent.  No regrets.  And what Mary did was much harder for me. 

What I've come to know is that I'm a little bit Mary and a little bit Martha.  I really should never compare myself to them, but only learn the lessons God wants me to know through them.  If my eyes are set on God and His desires for my life, I can never go wrong to walk in that obedience.  God's will becomes clear as I walk in obedience.

The Prayer of My Heart

Another challenge was to create a project with a scripture or prayer that is the desire of my heart.  A sketch was also provided.

I have to say that there is no such thing as the perfect Christian life.  No matter how many things we strive to do correctly, we are still living here on earth.  And that means that while living an abundant Christian life, we can (and will) still face trials of many kinds.

But no matter what, my faith that God is still in control at all times is steady.  Even when it doesn't look like things are going 'right' on the outside.

One of my favorite verses is:

Isaiah 30:21

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I have prayed that over and over for my boys.  In our new house it is also hand written on the floors of their bedrooms (along with many other verses) as I prayed for them.  It's under the carpet and they may not know it, but they are walking the Bible every day. :)

I am resting in knowing that God is the Protector, Provider, Abba Father and Voice of Reason to my boys.

Original Sketch by Nuts About Sketches:

Products used can be found at Lucky Girl Crafts--- November Family Traditions Kit.

Who God Is

I'm being challenged with this:
Spend some time thinking about God and who He is.  Create a layout that represents that in your life.

About 10 years ago I heard a teaching that gave me a better grasp on the awesomeness of God.  God of the universe...and beyond.  God before & after all time...the Alpha & the Omega.  God of the Old & New Testament through today.  God who knows all--and still listens to His children all over the world at the very same time.  And cares about a child's pet frog which dies as much as he cares about those we have lost in war.

I am not worthy of such a God.   And yet I am a daughter of the King of Kings.

Here's an exerpt from the teaching:

The world is spinning out of control.  Who can make sense of it all?  Anybody?  I AM

Nothing's real anymore.  I AM

What's the point?  I AM

I'm taking care of everyone else, who's taking care of me?  I AM

I don't think I can make ends meet.  I AM

Who can put all these pieces back together again?  I AM

Who can I trust?  I AM

I need help.  I AM

I need a rush.  I AM

I need a fix.  I AM

I need a drink.  I AM

I need hope.  I AM

Nobody's listening to me.  I AM

I just need a second chance.  I AM

I want security for my family.  I AM

Who's on my team?  I AM

I don't have anything to live for.  I AM

I've done all I can and it seems like it's never enough.  I AM

I can't.  I AM  I'm weary.  I AM  I quit.  I AM

I'm looking for Mr. Right.  I AM

My children need a daddy.  I AM

Somebody hold me.  I AM

I am not, but I know I AM!

I AM the way.  I AM the truth.  I AM the life.

I AM the beginning.  I AM the end.  I AM the first.  I AM the last.

I AM the sustainer.  I AM the life giver.

I AM the rescuer.  I AM the provider.

I AM the hold it together guy.

I AM the Lord and there is no other.  

I AM God and there is none beside me.

I AM the glorious one and it's all about me.

Okay, Ruth here....please know that I AM  is God.  Here's the verse in reference:

Exodus 3:14

 ¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

 

Products used can be found at Lucky Girl Crafts,

the November "Family Traditions" kit.

An Engaging Pre-Holiday

He: 

Gave This:

To Her:

To become THEM:

And we are saving the date:  October 8, 2011! :)  We couldn't be happier!

Dinner with the Ya-Ya's

I'm still working on some trip photos and I'm having a blast doing it.  Yesterday I blogged about using up some kits and this is another layout I did this week with my Scrapbook Sussies February Kit.  I *love* Crate Paper and this line was no exception.  Still love it!  The stitching on those clouds makes me very *happy*!

These ladies I affectionately refer to as my Ya-Ya's.  In fact at one friend's son's wedding last January I met a gal who was dating another one of my friend's son's (wow....that's kind of hard to follow, sorry) and she said "Oh are you one of the Ya-Ya's?  I laughed and said "of course!". :)

After working on these photos for a few weeks I'm thinking we need to make another trip! :)

I'm entering this layout based on this sketch (from the Crate Paper Blog) at Sketches in Thyme as well.

I still have a little secret....you'll have to catch that post in a couple days, but I PROMISE it's a great one! :)

Not a Cloud in the Sky

I've been on a kick lately....a 'use it up kick' with my kits.  I love them to bits.  And when they are down to 'bits' I then break them up and either make a mini card kit or put the embellies away and throw the scraps in the scrap bin.

This is the last of my Scrapbook Sussies February kit.  I think I have officially used it up to the point I only have a mini card kit left.  I've made 3 more layouts with it this past week.

This layout I made as a challenge layout using sketch #129 at Creative Scrappers.  Not a Cloud in the Sky is a page about our girls trip to the beach in Texas.  We had clear skies 6 out of 7 days and it was perfect!  Every once in a while you need a break from the sun, right? ;)  I love stitching so I went to town on this layout and added a Jillibean Soup journal spot with an Ali E stamp on it to the layout as well.

Here's the sketch at Creative Scrappers by Aphra Bolyer: 

Kim is hosting an Open Sketch Challenge at Sketches in Thyme this week as well, so this is my entry to that.  You can join in too, there is still time.  Just click the link.

Journaling Class

Have you ever taken an online class?  I have and I love them!  I don't have a local scrapbook store that offers classes and this is my opportunity to take one and to be inspired by the best scrappers around the country.

I took a sketch class last month at Inspired to Scrap and it was fantastic!  Stacey offers Weekend Warrior Card Classes, classes on using your tools and so many others.

December will have 15 Days of Journaling Inspiration and you won't want to miss this class!  Let me share a little more about the class and the special offer for you!


December 8-22 : 15/15 – 15 Days of Journaling Inspiration – $15
“Black Friday Week” Special- Class is only $10!!
Features of the class-
Whether you want to write a little or a lot, this class is for you!! We’ll be inspired by journaling ideas, prompts, challenges, page ideas, samples and more in this class.
Access to a private area of the message board
Daily journaling inspiration
Photo and/or Video tutorials
All new samples and layouts to spark your creativity
Encouragement and support to complete 15+ layouts
Inspiration from fellow classmates
Prizes!!
**Plus an extra two weeks to complete the challenges to be entered into the prize drawing!

I hope you will join us!