Daily Reflection

I'm still finding this difficult. It is the reflecting of my day that is getting to me. Wednesday was the beginning of Lent. Pastor had emailed me to tell me he was going to talk about Examen, so I promised I would be there. Well, I got a coughing spell and left for a few minutes, so I'm not sure what I missed, but it seemed as if he had just started talking about it when I got back. It helped me to become more motivated to practicing it, so I am going to try this again.

There are 5 basic questions dealing with your day.

1. what am I most grateful for today
2. what do I really want for myself today
3. what ways have I experienced God's love today
4. what choices did I make today that were inadequate
5. how will I let God lead me to a brighter tomorrow

As I was waking up today, I was thinking what I could write. I knew it was going to be cloudy, rainy and colder today. I knew I was going to sleep as late as possible. I knew that is was not necessarily healthy. On the other hand, I knew that I wanted to make plans for Friday. Because I chose only one day to hide from the world, does that not make it okay? Number 5 is about hope. Did I not have it with me today? I think I did. Maybe I succeeded. Maybe not. I don't know.

Pinch Proof

St Patricks Day is just around the corner. This is a card designed by Arla. Notice the textured white cs made by Stampin Up's new dies!

Love Like You Mean It

I think this is my last card from November & it's a good one. There was no name with it, so if this is yours, let me know. I like this little pickup from Loads of Love. It reminds me of my Grandfather's. I think we all have certain things from our loved one's life that remind us of them. My sister also shares this memory because she recently brought it up in a conversation we had.

I remember, a long time ago, I went to Omaha shopping for living room furniture. For some reason I was looking at LazyBoy rocker/recliners. When I found one I liked, and sat down in it, images of my Grandmother came instantly to my mind. I took it! Grandma, Grandpa & my Aunt Neva each had their certain place to sit in the evenings after dinner to watch tv, craft, or read. I hope each of you has such a comforting memory. If not, I am sure you are creating one for your family and I know that it will be cherished.

For The Men In Your Life

Purchase Totally Tool for $25.95 and receive 12 6"x6" pieces of To The Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper AND some fun manly card ideas in an exclusive file available only to those who purchase it.

Available till April 1, 2009.

ps: I would like to thank Heather S for this great idea!

For Him

Another swap from November, this one is done by Lisa. This stamp set reminds of home in western Kansas. Thanks for sharing this Lisa.

A Wonderful Evening

My church has just started it's first Christ Care group, they can be made up of 6 to 12 people. I would describe it as a Christian group that both shares their struggles and supports the others in theirs. The meetings are designed by the same person who started the Stephens Ministry, if I am remembering correctly. They are designed with a great structure and purpose. We also discuss the Bible & it's stories which can be easily seen in our daily lives. For those of you who know me well, you will recognize how this is a perfect fit for me. I felt very much at home in this group & I am looking forward to getting to know 11 other ladies from my church helping me turn this large church and my anonymity into a small church family like the one I group up in and have been searching for the last 30 years.

Thank You

I'm among the living again. Thanks for being patient. At our last meeting, I was given some swaps from our November meeting that I missed. The theme was a "manly card." This was done by Lily. I really like this card, the colors, the way it looks aged & the western them.

What's Going On

I have several projects that need to be scanned into my computer to share with you. I hope to have that done this week. Also, I just finished a scrapbook page that needs to be photographed. I was scheduled for a crop this Saturday for a fundraiser for the Topeka High School Band, but it is being rescheduled. Arla, a fellow demo, & I were planning several classes for greeting cards & my scrapbook page. Guess I will come up with another one at that time.

My scrapbook layout kit isn't ready yet. I usually order my photo prints thru Wolfe's and have them delivered to Jayhawk Pharmacy. When I went to pick them up, they didn't have them, they were still at Wolfe's. I'm not sure where the problem lies, it may be me. Hard to believe, huh? So, anyway, I will get those picked up tomorrow morning.

When I get home, I need to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies for a friend's birthday party tomorrow night. It's a stamping party! More projects to share - I
love it. She didn't want a cake, she wanted cookies. Can you believe it?

Friday, Arla & I getting together to make some punch art. I love punches in my paper crafting & Stampin Up has the best. Stay tuned for that, too.

Have a good day all!

Daily Reflection

Several of my friends have lost someone close to them recently. One lost her mother, two have lost their pet, and another lost her husband. The third anniversary of my parents passing is just around the corner. Although an anniversary can be very traumatic, as in a Vietnam Veteran who suffered many traumatic events and countless losses, I don't believe my anniversaries will be so painful.

Today's Daily Devotion is titled "Triumph in Death." It reads:

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 RSV)

Today marks the anniversary of Martin Luther’s death. As he lay dying, Luther confidently confessed: "I pass away; Father, I yield up my spirit into Thy hands; Thou hast redeemed me, Lord, Thou faithful God."

I'm not sure how this will sound, but this speaks loudly to me. I can imagine great comfort at the time of my passing. The pain & suffering will be gone. I will be going to a place so beautiful that we don't have the words to describe it. The colors there are so much more than what we see here on Earth.

Today's prayer is particularly appropriate & reminds us how our faith can help us live, even during such sorrow.

Dear Lord, give us the faith not only to live but also to die confidently and victoriously. Amen.

To Bonnie, Lisa, Nancy & Sandy I wish you faith.

Happy Day

This is the scrapbook page I have been wanting to show you. It was my inspiration for the Merry & Bright card. I just love the texture that the burlap added to my page.

Recipe:

Basic Gray Decorative Paper

Riding Hood Red Textured CS

Other CS

Whisper White CS

Burlap

On Board Essentials (chipboard frames)

Hodgepodge Hardware Antique Brass (retired)

Happy Day Rub-ons (retired)

Chocolate Chip Stampin Write Marker