Prayer request

Well it's the end of the month and tomorrow another kit comes out at Scrapbooking from the inside out. The new theme is "yearning". I will post my new layouts for that kit tomorrow but before I wanted to mention the last challenge Rachel had posted on the theme for August "Safety" Here is what she wrote:

God promises a safe landing but not a calm passage.

Bulgarian Proverb

Have you been in an unsafe or unsure situation, physically or emotionally, and come through it safely? What did you learn from the journey? Did the bumps in the road add to your understanding of yourself? In what ways? Would you go back and change the bumpy road to a smooth one?For the design twist, please use a bumpy road or obstacle image.

I did not get a chance to do this challenge but I found it intriguing. Sometimes the very thing that makes you grow are the bumps in the road of life. Some of those seem a lot bigger than bumps and can downright make you miserable. When you are going through it is hard to see that the struggles you are facing are necessary and will help you grow. I am still going to do this challenge, it's on my "to do" list.

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I am at a crossroads (or a bumpy road) right now and I'm not liking my options. For years now I have had pain in my wrists ( called De Quervains) it used to come and go. Lately it comes around a lot. Some days are tolerable on other days I use my wrist/thumb supports. First of all do you have any idea how hard it is to cut with your thumb immobilized?

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Well six months ago they gave me cortisone shots to see if the pain would go away, it didn't. As a matter of fact it got worse. I am a wimp and I did not want to back because it hurt so bad and he wanted to do surgery. Now I have pain going up my arm and my doc said you have to go see the surgeon! I have an appointment next Wednesday. I know I have to do something, my whole arm hurts now in addition to both my wrists. What is scary is that besides the 4- 6weeks recovery period there is no guarantee that it will work. I was doing research online and some people have said their pain did not go away ! The thought of having surgery is bad enough but the thought of going through all of this and it's not any better. :0

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On the other hand what if it does work?

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So I need your prayers. Prayer for healing, prayer that doc does a good job if I let him do it. Prayer for discernment to know what to do now. I can't imagine not scrapping for 5 days much less four to six weeks because of recovery time!

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If you have gone through or know someone who has gone through this surgery I would lve to hear your thoughts on the subject. I know I am crazy about scrapbooking and it seems silly but I am also a mother of five and ababy girl is only four so constant pain is not good for my temperment.

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Ok enough seriousness for one post did I mention...

I made this for a challenge at Treasured Scrapbooking. (Background paper is Bisous, I created the calendar myself, used my cricut for letter, vines, dragonfly and flowers. Pearls are for Kaisercraft. I drew, wrote on and painted freehand just for fun. The word "beach" is Thickers I sprayed with Adirondacks Color Wash. I dont remember who makes the rub ons, the glitter is from Stickles.)

Don't forget to add me to your prayer list!

You and me

"You and Me" Out for Publication

Woo hoo! So I am the featured designer over at Bisous Paper! You can check it out here http://www.bisous.biz/design_team.htm and see my gallery for Bisous here http://www.bisous.biz/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=568! So of course "you and me" is on Bisous paper! This is a pictre of me and baby girl that our little night owl(5) took! Not to shabby! He's getting pretty good at this!

Last week the kids (all except baby girl) returned to school. I can't help but treasure the "alone" time with baby girl. Well Friday she went to preschool. Ah three hours by myself! We still get our alone time as she gets out at 11:40 and the rest of the kids don't get out until 3:50pm. Lets just say I am very excited about those three hours! In a family of 7 you don't usually get time alone in the house! LOL! So what did I do my first three hours? Well a quiet breakfast, listened to my fave speaker Charles Swindoll http://www.insight.org/ (with NO interruptions!), a little paperwork for the school and scrap booked of course! I can't wait until Monday!

More details...

Don't forget to visit me at Bisous!

I wish someone had told me that...

Well you know that I have been super busy lately! Here is a layout of me and one of my best friends. We got to visit a bit when we were in California. Not enough time if you ask me - seems like my time is always rushed! The prompt was from Treasured Scrap booking - it was "I'd rather..." Pretty simple huh? It was hard to answer at first. Made me feel like I was looking for something to be dissatisfied with, but then we went to Cali and as soon as we left our friends I was so sad because we miss them so that I knew how I would answer this question...The journal reads:

I wish someone had told me how hard it would be to say good bye to good friends. We just got back from visiting California and we only had one afternoon with our closest friends. I miss California, the beach and our friends.

Laughing out loud and hanging out at Newport Beach was the order of the day; I miss being able to do that. Life gets busy and we take for granted the little things in life that makes it so fun. Sometimes I wish we had not moved, don’t get me wrong I love our life now- and I certainly don’t miss the traffic! But I do miss our friends, especially this one…a lot.

Some close ups - I used clear embossing powder to make it look like water. I used sand that I brought home from the beach, and I bought the paper on Cali, perfect for my layout.After I did this I saw that Rachel had posted this at Scrap booking Form the Inside Out.

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. George Eliot
Do you have, or have you had a friend who embodies SAFETY for you - someone with whom you can truly be yourself? Tell us about her or him, and what that safety means to you. For the design twist, please use a pouring or sifting image - flowing words, or flowers through a net, or something else!

"Sifting image"? Hmmm how about sand? Coincidence? Perhaps.
Or maybe I am growing as an artist.

That was then, this is now

Is it Friday already? This week just flew by! So here are my last layouts from the Safety kit at Scrap booking from the Inside Out. I love the stories that come form the topics at SFTIO. The topics always make you think and do layouts that you might not have thought to do; layouts that really do tell the whole story-who you really are. These layouts are about me. The one below I was a junior in high school and the one here is me now. (These are the other pics from the layout "I'm Yours" on the previous post.) I would love to know personal info, thoughts and feelings about my mom and/or grandmother. I hope that one day my kids will cherish these layouts.

Me -junior in HS. (Note the white spot in my hair? It was dyed purple). Also the high top Converse tennis shoes- they were hot pink and so were my jeans!

Lastly here is a layout about our family friend Ms. Emily.

One of the of hardest things about living so far from family is finding people who love your kids as much as you do. People that you can trust with your kids are hard to find. Emily is not local, she flies in from where we used to live yearly so we can take our teens and the youth choir and drama team(AAoP) on the road. It is truly a blessing and I am praying that we will find more people like Emily(locally) to make a difference in our lives.

Last but not least I want to share a little info with you! Melissa over at http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-give-somethings-awayjust-because.html is doing a fantastic scrappy giveaway! Truly I don't know how she does it! So YES I must mention it, because I too have entered. Not likely to win but hey a girl can hope right? She is giving away a Zutter ~ Dreamkutz Page Cutter Tool , a Kaiser Craft Chipboard Family Tree, a Kaiser Craft Cupcake Album a Kaiser Craft Mini Album Bookshelf (Adorable!) and 1 8x8 October Afternoon Cherry Hill paper pack! How cool is that?

Well have a wonderful weekend!

Be Encouraged

You know what I love about baby girl? She has such a wide range of facial expressions and does not care or even notice when I am photographing her! She is the perfect subject for taking pictures! When I saw these I knew the perfect song to go with it. Oh yes - you know I love music! This one is "Praise you in this Storm" by Casting Crowns. I love Casting Crowns! But I digress... Baby girl knows she can pray and God will come to her rescue. She prays for others all the time. Here is a close up of the lyrics...

I hope you can read it, if not it says:

"I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" and as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm."

The song also includes one of my favorite scriptures Psalms 121: 1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Good to remember when times get tough! This layout is from the safety kit at "Scrapbooking from the Inside Out". When I think about "Safety" I can't help but know that all I need comes from my Lord. This is something that I want my kids to know and remember. I take comfort in these scriptures.

Ahhh...which brings me to my next little project (from the same kit)

(This is also from a sketch at Creatively Yours Sketches.) I made this after having a conversation with my choir director (when I was a kid) we talked about the kids that were in the choir , and she was disheartened that many were not involved in church anymore. I want her to be encouraged because some of us are and some of us are carrying on her legacy. I am, through my own children and the children (ahem...teens) God brings our way as hubby and I lead "An Act of Praise" our youth choir and drama team. So be encouraged N! This one is for you ((hugs)).

She made a phenomenal impact on my life and hubby and I work very hard to provide that same type of mentoring for others. I know that I would not be the person I am today had it not been for her involvement in my life.

Hmm...is there someone in your life that you could be mentoring?


Change of subject...( I told you yesterday I have lots to share this week!!!)
***Aspiring design team members

Looking for some exposure or a resume builder?

Creatively Yours Sketches is choosing future "Guest Designers" and "Creative Guests" based on scrappers' interest and participation by interpreting our Sketches! Be SURE to leave a comment and a link to your CY Sketch creation! We will then visit and leave you a comment, and request your CY Sketch-based work for the October 16th 2009 Creative Round-Up Feature post at CY.
A Guest Designer and Creative Guests will be chosen from this as well.

There are no prizes can be offered to readers, (they are not affiliated with any store or business). However, your work will receive excellent exposure on our beautiful Sketch Blog when they do our October Creative Round-Up, or invite you to fulfill a week-long "Creative Guest" position or a month-long "Guest Designer" position. !
Questions? Please feel free to contact Ali MacDonald,@ Creatively Yours via: peteali@eastlink.ca (Tell her I sent ya!)
* Direct Link to your main site: creativelyyourssketches.blogspot.com

Keep checking in! And if you didn't already check yesterdays post too! Thanks for stoppin' by!

10 days

"If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours... "Wow I feel like I've been gone forever! A road trip with "An Act of Praise", 10 days, 13 teens me and hubby to Las Vegas and Ca for a ministry tour was amazing and exhausting. (I would love to post pics of that but I don't have parental release forms yet.)
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We started out putting together this trip because we felt like it was time our team did something different and it was perfect. God is pretty awesome like that, so we did and it worked out beautifully. In addition to ministering in music, drama dance, the youth got to share their testimonies and pray for people. We did a lot of service projects that included lots of cleaning , repairing, painting - whatever was needed, wherever we went. We worked with inner city kids, did outreaches and worked with the homeless ministry. Our team was blessed as they poured into others lives. I was truly proud of our team, and we are forever changed by 10 days. (Did
I mention their ages are 11-17 years?)
"I'm not my own.I've been carried by You, All my life"
Before we left I had tons of projects due but on the road I did not get time to post them. This is one of the projects I did for Scrapbooking from the Inside Out. The kit is called Safety and it was full of gorgeous purples and blues. (I love purples, blues and greens!) Thanks Rachel ;)

You know I will share a little secret - just because you become an "adult" does not mean that you have it all together and that you are walking confidently at all times. Everybody fails, everybody has fears and everybody questions. (Shocking isn't it?) This layout is especially meaningful to me because of the song I used. I totally identify with the lyrics.

"Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free"

The song is "Hope Now " by Addison Road.
I love singing this to myself. This ministry tour help put things into perspective and this song is
a perfect reminder of that. We can all difference, you just have to be willing and God is always there - we are the ones that walk away and forget who He is.

"When my life is like a storm
Rising waters, all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm"

"Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free"

I have tons of things to post so this will be a busy week on my blog , I hope that you will stop by often!
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OH!!! I almost forgot!!! "Scrapbooking from the Inside Out" is doing a giveaway! Now this is very exciting because they are giving away scrapbooking supplies that aren't even out in the stores yet! When you sell scrapbook supplies manufacturers give you full lines of their products in hopes that you will purchase their lines. Well I am not so lucky to be one of those but you can win some if you go here http://www.scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.blogspot.com/ !

Today

Hey hey! On the road (5 more days) and keeping very busy!! Scrapbooking on the inside out revealed their new kit so I am able to post some layouts - unfortunately I am very pressed for time (not to mention exhausted!!!) so this will be short! This was made with the safety kit. This was inspired by a blog post that Mary K. Brennen wrote. I asked her if I could use it and she so graciously said yes.

Here is the journaling Mary wrote - (I changed boys to kids because I have both)

Today I am asking for a little chaos. Chaos will remind me that boys will be boys, and in the midst of your chaos there lies perfection.

Today I am asking for a bit of clumsiness. Clumsiness reminds me that all boo-boos both big and small will heal, but only the perfect band aid can be applied by Mommy.

Today I am asking for a temper tantrum. Temper Tantrums remind me of your stubbornness and how those apples didn't fall far from this tree.Mary K Brennen

Today I am asking for a little nonconformity. Nonconformity reminds me of your uniqueness and your uncanny ability to create "your own" style.

Today I am asking for mud pies and puddles. Mud pies and puddles allow me the opportunity to still enjoy "bath time" and watch as you splash one another clean again.

Today I am asking for a sniffle. Sniffles remind me that my nose wiping days are numbered. This causes Mommy to reach for 2 tissues: one for your sniffle, one for my tear.

Today I want you to walk ahead of me. Walking ahead of me reminds me of your curiosity and your need to just be a kid.

Finally, today I am asking for a hug. This final request may seem a bit more selfish than the other request, but hugs remind me of a job well done. They also remind me that you get it. You get that life is precious, you get that it's nice to be loved, and lastly, when there's no one left in the world who understands, you get that you can always count on your Mommy to listen.

Isn't that awesome? I just had to use it! (Thanks Mary!) I will post again soon!