Summer at the Yampa River Botanic Gardens

Just sharing a few photographs I took on our recent weekend at Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I had just returned from a 3 day weekend in New York City with both daughters, future Mother-in-law of our daughter, and future sister-in-law for a wedding dress shopping weekend. I was tired.
I will be honest, I am not a big city gal by any stretch...and I had very little sleep. So to turn around and leave again after just unpacking my bags...I needed some peace and quiet and nature to soothe my traveling nerves.

The neat thing about these gardens is the earth is divided into subplots; and a community organization or group of people adopt a plot and plant it and care for it. So there is a lot of variety and I am sure pride in these gardens.

I wish I could remember what these spherical shaped flowers were...they were light and airy and the prettiest color!

Did I mention she found the dress?! It was actually the first dress she tried on...then just to be sure she tried on about 3 more...but went back to the first. I can not show pictures just yet of our dress shopping; as the wedding is still a year away! One thing I learned about New York City...it is missing trees! So I found some as soon as I got home, and almost hugged one. We did see a lot in Central Park...but the city is severely lacking. Why did that not surprise me? 

Thanks so much for your visit...hope you have time to bask in the beauty of nature soon!

Call Me, Don't Mean Maybe!!

Hi there! This is one of the other sets in last month's Flourishes release that I happily won, "Call Me,"...and wanted to use this cute little phone with this week's The Deconstructed Sketch to submit another card for this week's Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #225 to use "Scallops." My circle mat is scalloped, along with the bottom edge of my middle panel, which unfortunately is covered up by part of the center pennant panel. But it is there!

This was a fun little image to color up to suit your tastes. When I was a young , probably 8 or 9, I received the cutest "play phone set" that had an actual ring tone and red light that lit up when someone called from the other line. They were connected with wires and ran on batteries, I imagine...and since I had no sisters to play with, I spent hours playing "secretary" on my play phone. I became pretty proficient at taking messages, but not sure who was on the other end to receive them!

Now that our oldest daughter moved to New York, which I found out using one of those hand phone apps is over 1,500 miles away...I will probably spend a little more time on the phone! This card will go to her. Thanks for stopping by. What's going on with you?

Timeless Tuesday Tea Rose

Hi there, friends! Last month I had the oh so fun privilege of winning the entire Flourishes stamp release!! I rarely win anything, so I was pretty excited; but to win from my favorite stamp company, that was even better!

For this week's Timeless Tuesday Challenge 225; I actually water colored my favorite in the set,"Old Tea Rose." The challenge was to use "Scallops" for your card. This type of ribbon treatment works so well when you don't have the room for a bow, but you want to dress up your card with some pretty ribbon! For this card, I stamped with Versamark ink, on watercolor paper, then white embossed, giving me raised lines to keep my inks inside the rose. I used a variety of SU! and TH distressed inks. The ribbon is scalloped across the bottom with a string of pearls, which I felt a befitting finish to such an elegant rose!
This card uses the Color Made Easy card stock in Crocus and Candy Pink packs. The ribbon was also part of the CME selections.
Thanks so much for your visit today!!

CTD246

I decided to try a color challenge new to me: The Color Throw down.
After organizing my SU! inks this weekend; I wanted to find a challenge to try out different color combinations.

I used The Cutting Garden stamp set from PTI  and the colors above in the challenge, except Certain Celery ink substituted for Pear Pizzazz ink. Frosted stickles were added for sparkle. The card was inspired by another one viewed on a sketch challenge.
Thank you for looking!

Flourishes Textures of Nature Challenge FLLCJUNE13

This week summer hit my home state of Colorado with nary a Popsicle in sight...hot and windy with two days of record setting temperatures. Being outdoors right now is not something I want to do until around 9 o'clock in the evenings. Sun and dry temperatures have started another string of wild fires, none of which are near us, thankfully!
So it is good weather to stay indoors and play along with this month's new release Challenge at Flourishes: Textures of Nature.

My card used designer paper for the flowers in the corner and the library card...it is all one piece. The stamp of the little girl watering the flowers was added to the paper.  The sentiment and stamp are Flourishes, the touch of nature is the wood grain designer paper and the wood butterfly which I accented with three tiny rhinestones. The gorgeous ribbon is hand dyed and a gift from my dear friend, Diane Noble.
I have been doing a lot of watering our flowering pots this week...and I have one pot of basil that I hope to see flourish a lot soon!
Speaking of nature,right out the back door of my parent's home in Grand Junction (the western slope of Colorado) is the Colorado National Monument. You can see some of these rock formations as you look from their yard. My girls went hiking there the weekend of my Mom's memorial service at the house.

Sister solidarity!! I love this picture. Our daughter, Caitlyn, on the right...just moved to Saratoga Springs, New York two days ago. I miss her already. Our youngest, Erin and I plan to visit her in two short weeks.
Thanks for popping in...always appreciate hearing from you and what is new in your corner of the world.

Do Not Fear!

I have made a small stamping goal for myself: and that is to break out some sets that have not been used much or at all...I sometimes purchase these in a fit of giddy excitement when I see a new release and all the DT's designs...then by the time they arrive at my door; I've usually moved on to something different and don't remember what I originally saw that had me so excited. Kind of like a little kid at Christmas I guess.
So, I have made it a point this past week to go back and look at some of the original DT's samples, and began with making a similar card and then branching out once I became more familiar with the set. Baby steps for now.
So here is one that was on the PTI board using "Everyday Blessings" and "Life." I am slightly enamored with these floral images and enjoying experimenting still with some different colors. I used the spritzing technique for the floral and stamped on watercolor paper.

The floral were done in regal rose and orange and the stems in mellow moss. Double stamped on to another   green card stock and trimmed with banner edging and overlaid the words as you can see to bring more attention to that phrase.
This verse has really spoken to me, as I was stamping, I also meditated on these words and prayed for those in my life right now that need a big dose of courage and trust in the Lord. I hope this card encourages you.
I read this today and wanted to remember it...as I am still in mourning over my Mom's death. So many times, when someone dies, everyone is afraid to mention their name as they don't want to make you cry or uncomfortable. I have made it a point to remember my Mom out loud in front of family and if I cry, I cry...but each time I do it lessens my grief somewhat and brings honor to her memory.
" The mention of my mother's name may bring tears to my eyes, but it never fails to bring music to my ears. If you are really my friend, please don't keep me from hearing the beautiful music. It soothes my broken and heart and fills my soul with love."

CASEing, Take One and Two!

So what do you do when life has put you on a bit of stamping "hold" and you miss it but have no idea how to get back into it? Like most of you, I head over to my Pinterest stamping boards and find a card that speaks to me and looks somewhat attainable to my skill level and then CASE! I do try to remember to go back on their blog and leave a comment, too!
So this first card is my attempt inspired by one I fell in love with from Silke Ledlow's blog, "My Life." This is another stamp set that hadn't seen much ink yet, Papertrey Ink "Life," and the sentiment is PTI Mega Giga Guidelines.

I always love Silke's use of white space, design, and scored backgrounds. The only change I made to her original card is the addition of the crochet lace and ink colors. Inks used: Poppy Parade, Regal Rose and Pool Party.
So with that card done, I became more adventurous and tried out another combination of inks and changed up the top corner a bit...

Inks used: SU! Cameo Coral, Island Indigo, and Baja Breeze.
And then I wanted to add a faith sentiment  to my card but use the same PTI Life background floral. This card's scripture is from the PTI "Everyday Blessings" set.

The above card was made by using my favorite technique, spritzing an inked stamp and stamping on watercolor paper...the paper has a lot of texture and softens the images. I added a jeweled rhinestone for a little sparkle and interest. Colors: Island Indigo and Sahara Sand, and the sentiment stamped in Memento Cocoa ink.
Before I was done, I had six cards created...all from one design with slight variations. When my husband came up it was a bit past dinner time, the ink pads were all stacked in a colorful array on my desk, and like a little kid, I proudly showed him my "Just Because" cards and said, "I can send this to anybody, just because." To which he replied. "That's good. Now I am going to go heat up some dinner...Just Because...I am hungry." And then we both chuckled...
Guess my experimentation went a little long...but it was refreshing to my spirit to see all the rainbows of colors and inks. Therapeutic and not a time waster at all!
Hope to see you soon...thanks so much for dropping in!

CAS(E) this Sketch!

I have been on a CAS spree this past weekend...making several cards and having fun trying out ink color combinations. I saw this sketch challenge on a friend's blog and decided to try out this sketch to move the process along:

I needed a little boy's birthday card...and realized I have no little kiddo stamps. I guess that is because I don't have any little kiddos in my life...my daughter needs to get married and fix that! :) But anyways, I had ordered this Stylish Sentiments Birthday set from Papertrey Ink and found one of the stamps in the set  works well for a child's card. So thanks to the sketch inspiration and a few banners from the MME Six by Six paper collection, and one single Bobunny brad with a star (thanks to a gift from a friend,) I was able to make this card:

And like the card says, "Yay!" I made a card! Thanks for looking...this is not  my usual style, but I really like the design...the repeated star from the brad and border on the right to carry out the celebratory theme!
And it was pretty easy...the hardest part was picking out the color scheme and papers!

Just a Little Hi!

Hi there stamping friends! I made this card awhile ago...it is an adorable Stampavie image that I had only inked up once before. I combined it with these pretty blue papers and a PTI blooms die for this card creation. I had not used my copics in so long, was a little nervous, but I like the way the little mouse turned out...what do you think? This was meant to go to my Mom; I made it ahead of my visit and planned to put it in the mail as soon as I returned home as she always loved little critter cards and I know this would have given her such a smile in the happy blues and yellows! Now I will probably use it for an encouragement card for someone who just needs a little cheer.

Thanks so much for the sweet comments, encouraging cards and thoughts. And thanks so much for stopping in...hope this little guy brings you a smile!

I'm entering this in the WAW (Word Art Wednesday) Challenge...you may use any "family friendly" card and this fits! The girls there always have beautiful scripture and designs...hopefully I can add a couple of scripture cards soon!

When a loved One Dies

When a loved one dies...I have had quite a few loved members of my family pass on in my lifetime...so the experience of grief is not new.  Yet with each one, depending on the person's role in my life, their age, the expectancy of their death, etc...the way I have experienced loss has been very different.
My Mom, who was and is still very dear to me, went to be with The Lord on April 14. I have so many mixed emotions involving her death. During the past year and a half, it has been beyond difficult, the waiting day to day, the worry from being so far away. I spent a lot of time just pleading with God to give me the "right" time to go and see her. My main concern was that she did not die alone, and that she would know the important role she had in my life. Yet I was afraid to say anything to her that might lead her to feel an obligation to stay...so any words I said had a finality to them and were absent of my impending loss or emptiness. I arrived on Mom's birthday and spent three days just visiting. When she would say that the doctors told her she only had a few days left, my answer was, well, Mom, only The Lord knows how many days you have left. And by the third time she told me this, as she was lying in her bed at night, and I answered the same way, she said in her weak but resolved voice, "That is right. And I may just surprise everyone...I may just continue to live; God may heal me...and then everyone would know the power of The Lord." That's the spirit, Mom...and I hope to always remember her words of faith on her last night on Earth.
Well, The Lord answered all my prayers. I was right by my Mom's bedside the day she died, holding her hand, getting her ice chips, moving her from side to side for her to be comfortable...bringing her coffee in bed as she missed her morning cup that day. Even after we knew she was comatose...I kept holding her hand and whispering words of assurance and scripture when it came to mind, or part of a hymn. It struck me that being with someone when they are dying is a lot like being with someone when they are giving birth...only the rebirth is to a heavenly realm and not an earthly one. There was no special sign when Mom left us, no eyes opening or talk of angels, but I knew they were all around us because of the peace and joy I felt.
 The night before, I had laid in the bed next to her for a little while to just be with her and talk. The hospice nurse had told me the day before that she was glad I was there and urged me to say my "last words." I looked at her and smiled and said, "I already have. I tell her every time I am with her and she knows how much I love her." Yet that last night, we just talked of little things...nothing of huge significance...but at the end of our conversation, I felt compelled to say, "Mom, I am so blessed to have you to talk to my whole life." And she answered that she was so blessed to have me to talk to...and I realize now that is what I will be missing most. Knowing where she is has brought me so much comfort, and knowing how God remembered my prayers and allowed me to be with her spoke to me of His great care and concern.
I have heard people say, life goes on...in response to a loved one dying. I always thought that was an unkind thing to say...for the person that is still here...life does go on, yes. But it is not the same. I wrote a tribute to my Mom that my husband read at her Memorial which we held for a small group of family, friends and hospice workers at their home. I'll be sharing that in my next entry.
Thank you for sharing with me in my joy and my sorrow.

Flourishes FLLCMAR13 Second Entry

Please see my previous blog post for details on this card using two blues and a pop of yellow for Flourishes March Spring release challenge! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Major Meanderings

Life is full of changes...you hear that often, and some days when you are in the midst of  mundane routine, life seems to move slowly, and you inwardly wish for change.  Sometimes change is good; but I find that to be true when it is elective change. Being on the receiving end of others' decisions that not only involve change for them, but my life also affected in a cataclysmic way is not good. At least it doesn't feel that way to me.
In the past month or so life has felt like a slow-moving tailspin. The kind of sensation which I experienced recently, plunked into the passenger seat while my youngest daughter navigated my jeep down an icy road. Down an icy road, ice covering snow, that hydroplaning that happens when the wheels don't quite touch pavement and that little pocket of air is all that exists between your life as you know it or panic. The seconds of holding your breath as the car spins...assessing the situation in a millisecond, calmly telling your daughter what not to do...do not brake...stay calm, stay calm...
Let's see now...in the last few months...my husband quit his job. A big job. He retired for "long enough to rearrange his sock drawer," and then he started on as a President of a start-up tech company. Which everyone knows means nothing. The company could stay, it could go, and it all depends on too many things which I know nothing about. What I do know is that means any plans for a move or long trip are temporarily put on hold. Temporary meaning four years or tomorrow.
My Mom's health is changing. So is my Dad's. I get emergency calls from caregivers, quick trips over mountain passes sometimes covered in snow...decisions made and decisions reversed by others who do not know better. It is frustrating, and at times heartbreaking. But the thing is...you have to be there...so you realign your life and you set your priorities and you stop all that you were doing before, and you sit and wait for you do not know what...the call in the night, the update from the hospice nurse...a text that waits a week to reach you while you hold your breath once more.
Our youngest daughter finds her dream place in the city. She has lived in our town since fifth grade. Do not feel sorry for me...we have been blessed as parents. Yes, my nest has been empty. She elected to live in the dorms, then a condo with her older sister. But graduating college and starting off on her career path, living in the same college town was just not hip anymore. So she packed her belongings and we hauled. And I cleaned. And cleaned. And cleaned the condo that had not been empty for at least six years and had seen many room mates come and go. And as I scrubbed, I was able to let go of some of the sadness that she would not be living close by anymore.
Our oldest daughter announced she was going to move to New York. But that one is still a little ways out on the horizon.
Changes in friendships, group bonds formed over time and given a year or more to develop suddenly stopped because those leading them felt they could no longer. And there was no one to step up and take the place.
Change in church. A pastor let go because of a sin committed that left many of us reeling...the impact of sin leaving it's imprint on everyone and the question of how to move on in forgiveness and grace and yet to continue to trust.
So when life changes seem to be coming hard and fast and there does not feel adequate time to gain traction and equilibrium...what do you do?
For me, I stop. I slow down. I listen to His spirit, guiding me through his word, and to books that seem to be speaking to me and encouraging me. One I am reading and gaining so much insight from is "Dancing with my Father," by Sally Clarkson.
 I give. I give my time away...doing for others because it is always a blessing to help when you know that you are making a tiny difference in a young mother's day by taking her child to the pet store and the car wash and out to eat.
I wait...to hear His voice directing me which way to go. Which also involves prayer and rest.
And I reassess what I am doing. My stamping is again on a leave of absence. I am not on any teams, so have no obligations...for now I will stamp when I need a card or am inspired to try something new.
This blog was initially named "Major Moments," because my life is busy and my interests are varied and I do not want to dedicate my blog solely to one thing.
I am taking a class tomorrow. I am stretching myself to try something new...this time with Annie Sloan's chalk paint. So tomorrow I will be surrounded by pretty colored paints rather than inks and my pallet will be wood rather than paper. I am ready for a change. And in this case, change is good!

Vintage Challenge from Flourishes

I am home again...and I don't even have my bags unpacked. But a little unwinding was in order, so I found one of my favorite stamp challenges by Flourishes, and spent an afternoon fashioning a card. This week's Timeless Tuesday Challenge #205 was to create a vintage card. I have had this set for a long time, and still had not used it. A little intimidated by the coloring, but the copics came out and I am so happy with the way it turned out.

I used some lacy nestabilities, beautifully hand dyed ribbon from my friend, Diane Noble, a prima rose and blush pearls from Kaisercraft. I used quite a few copics for shading and antiqued the paper with some Tim Holtz Ink. The challenge was to create a "Vintage" card, and I think these colors and stamp accomplish that.

Thanks so much for your visit today...blessings on your day!

I Heart Puppies...Valentine's Day!

I'm having so much fun with the adorable images  in the Snow baby Love digital sets from Daydream Designs store. (You can click on the button on the sidebar to take you directly to the store.) This puppy was combined with two papers from the "Love Me True " Digital Paper Pack. A pretty simple layout shows off the red and white color scheme so true to Valentine's Day! This card will go to one of my puppy loving family members, probably our youngest daughter, Erin. She wants a puppy so badly, but she keeps hoping I will get one so that she can just come over and puppy sit, since she works as a full time professional and can't really take the puppy to work. I keep reminding her I already have one (very old and very needy dog,) and one that I take care of a lot...so that makes two. Although getting a puppy has been on my mind a lot lately, too. I know after so many years of dog ownership, what a big responsibility they are and how much time they take especially at the puppy and elder puppy stage!! So will probably wait a bit longer. Sending you puppy love...thanks for stopping in for a visit!

Christmas All Year Long!

For those of us that were feeling a bit behind the Christmas Card production last year...or you are like me and always get in the stamping swing a wee bit too late...there is a monthly Christmas card challenge on the Fan Club Forum at Splitcoast Stampers. This month's challenge is "Wedding~use something old, something new, something borrowed, or something blue."

I used Flourishes stamps for this stocking template card. The ribbon and heart were "borrowed" from another card.
I had a lot of fun making this card using the stocking template!! And if I am able to find this card by next Christmas, I will be ready!!
Thank you for coming by today!

Winter Solitude

We had a freshly fallen snow this morning...putting me in a dreamy mood and not wanting to get out of my pajamas. I am dwelling as long as I can in the solitude, reeling in the urges to move on to the next big holiday or event...just enjoying the moment for today. This set from Papertrey Ink, "In the Meadow" was paired with a rustic woods papers to make what I hope is a suitable birthday card for my Dad.

I think he will enjoy this winter scene and it is the first time I have made the gate fold...opening up into a pretty inside accompanying sentiment. Or should I say "handsome," since this is supposed to be a "guy" card?

My Dad has a birthday the day after mine...which has always made it easy to remember!
I decided, I really like this fold, I enjoy being able to use some of the coordinating paper to add some visual interest to the inside.
Thanks for stopping by...wishing you winter solitude this week.

Erin in Ireland

This is my beautiful daughter, Erin. This photograph was taken last year while she was studying for a semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain. During those short six months, she managed to visit several countries, booking a late night plane ticket on a Thursday and spending a weekend here or there. This was taken in Ireland, where exactly, I will have to ask her again. She said it was the most beautiful spot ever. And here she is, holding a lamb. This picture melts my heart. I just had to share it. Thanks for stopping in...

Snow Baby Love!!

Hi there, friends, and Happy New Year!! I feel like I've been away so long! We just got home a few days ago from our "cabin-condo" in Steamboat Springs. This was our first Christmas spent there, and the first time we had guests staying with us for Christmas and the week after.  Everyone wanted to enjoy all the fresh powder on the slopes (that is except for me, the only one who does not ski.) We had 23 inches while there, which made the family, especially my husband, happy! Steamboat Springs is famous for it's "champagne powder," a light airy snow that is perfect for skiing! And we had a lot of that!
While there, we had our daughter's Lab mix dog, Daisy. Daisy is full of personality and loves the snow! I wanted to share a picture here, the one taken over our winter holiday, and the side by side of her after she returned home back to the normal routine. Does anyone else feel this way after Christmas??!

She's our big Snow Baby!!

Do you see her grinning in the first shot? Oh, she makes me laugh!! She loves the snow!! My husband would take her up one of the hills by our place, all uphill, and she would just run and leap into the snow!
And she is the inspiration for the next few cards I will be sharing from Daydream Designs, Snowbaby Love, an adorable new release that showcases puppies, snow, hearts,and sweet little girl images.

I used the Love Bingo cards and the Snow baby Love color digis for this card. The embossing folder is a Marianne's Designs.

And because I didn't want to stop stamping...here is another card made with the same set and the snow baby love sentiments...the inside of the card contains the rest of the phrase, "And love makes it all worthwhile."
I love this little girl pulling the puppy on the sled, and accented her already colored outfit with coral polka dot papers and a snippet of paper in one of the snow baby digi paper packs.
There are so many images in these sets...I will have a few more to share soon featuring a Valentine's theme.
Take a look at Daydream Designs store; (you can click on my link or on the sidebar) and  you can have these sets in an instant and get going on your stamping. So much fun!!
Thanks for stopping in and sharing in one of my fondest memories of this Christmas. I may have to share a couple more photos; it was a very memorable time.

When He Comes

Christ came the first time as an infant, born in time and space, small and weak. He will return as the everlasting King, great in strength and glory.
When He came the first time, His glory was shrouded and concealed from human view; when He comes the second time, His glory will shine brightly. His first coming was obscure, witnessed by a few poor shepherds and the like. Few recognized who He was. At His second coming, every eye will see Him and all will know who He is.
He came the first time as the Lamb of God; when He returns , it will be as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. At His first coming, He was judged and condemned to die by sinful men; when He returns , it will be as the Judge, to execute justice and judgment on all who have refused to repent of their sins.
When He came the first time, only a few bowed to pay Him homage; when He returns, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The first time, He washed the feet of the disciples; when He returns, all His enemies will be under His feet.
The first time He came, He wore a crown of thorns; when He returns, He will be crowned with many crowns, the King upon His throne. He came the first time to make peace between God and man; when He returns, it will be to make war on those who have rebelled against Him.
He came the first time as our suffering Savior, He will return as our sovereign, reigning Lord.
Hallelujah! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Excerpt from the book: The Quiet Place. -Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Stockings were hung...

One of the many things I love about this time of year, celebrating Christmas, are the Christmas cards and letters received from family, friends, and many of them stampers, just like you! This stocking was completely CASED by my friend, Dawn Burnworth, who is so ultra talented, especially when it comes to coloring images. I used a stocking card she sent as color inspiration for this card/ornament and as a template!  I have not colored in oh so long with copics...so it always helps to have a guide. I did not post a picture of Dawn's card today...I may wait until I have a few and post them all together. But this one is being mailed out so I thought I'd better take a picture before it goes in the mail. I used white prisma pencil to add a very rudimentary stocking stitch on the toe and heel...and also use it to highlight the stockings a bit. That is a little helpful hint I learned once upon a time.

I will be back before Christmas...may you take time to breathe, enjoy the special sounds, sights, and aromas of this wonderful season where we anticipate celebrating the Lord's birth and soon return!

Stampin' Sisters in Christ~Autumn Wreath

Today's Sunday devotional and stamp challenge is brought to us by our dear and wonderful Kris Breach, the founder of Stampin' Sisters in Christ.
This week's verse:

Galatians 6:9 "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

This week's sponsor is: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps

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This is personal...and right where I am...so don't read the next part if you don't want to know.

I struggle a lot with discouragement lately.  Losing heart, wanting to give up the fight, wanting to give in to whatever my human nature is telling me to do...straddling the place between what I see in front of me, and what I believe God will bring to pass... as I wait and wonder WHEN is my situation going to change? When am I going to be delivered from this trying person/situation in my life who returns my kindness for coldness, is unresponsive or rude to my advances, who I feel completely deflated and defeated every time I am with them?  And will I survive with my emotionas and mind intact until then? These are the questions I wrestle with.   Sometimes the good deeds we do, the long suffering we endure, the continuing to bless in spite of wrong doing is just plain old hard. As a woman, I long for a relationship...a deep relationship with my own family members. I want to be included in their lives, to know that I am loved as much as I love...but there are times I feel left out, ostracized, and ignored.

So this verse is good for me to be taught by...and fitting for my present circumstances. I love to look up commentaries on verses and the meanings of the words in scripture. I learn so much that way and come away with a much deeper understanding of the meaning and the application of what the Bible is saying.

The NASB version says:

"Let us not lose heart in doing good." 

The meaning of those words, "losing heart"  is to act or behave badly in some circumstance. To turn coward and/or lose one's courage. To grow tired, discouraged, faint or fainthearted.

Well, I am there...on the verge of behaving badly, ready to lose courage, feeling fainthearted...all of the above. But God says to not grow weary...to continue... continue to pray, continue to love, continue to forgive, continue to reach out...and by the way...while we are waiting ...continue to encourage others to do the same. While I am waiting, I am still to be obedient...and to reach out to others with that phone call, or taking that young Mom out to lunch and encouraging her...whatever the Holy Spirit is prompting me to do.

Here's the thing: I don't want to let the feelings of defeat I have in any relationship in my life take away from one single thing God is calling me to do. And I can not afford to allow defeat to rule my life for even one day.

There are so many messages out "there" in cyberland on dealing with difficult relationships in your life and how to get past them. I read them, and they make some sense on a totally humanistic level...they say things like "Move on from the drama, don't waste your time on people who don't appreciate you,"  or "Surround yourself only by those people who lift you up." Admittedly, these are paraphrased... but where in the Bible does it tell me I can dispose of people in my life who are not lifting me up or who cause drama? But God loved us "while we were yet sinners..." And He commands us to love others as He has loved us.  This scripture is telling me to keep on, not to give up. And to trust God with the outcome.

And even though I have yet to experience the promise...I am to keep believing that at THE RIGHT TIME...I will reap a harvest of blessing. So my question of WHEN? earlier is answered by God's answer of "THE RIGHT TIME." His right time...not mine. My dear husband reminded me of that this morning as he listened to me sob ...."You need to trust in God's timing." Is he wise, or what?  So if you're in a situation and waiting and possibly becoming discouraged...I hear you. I understand. Let's encourage each other.

My card: I didn't get the best photo of the true colors on this card...It is one of those that I played with a couple of different dies : the smaller one is SU! and the larger one is PTI. The wreath is from PTI, embossed in bronze embossing powder. The little flowers sprinkled through are in SU! inks more mustard, blue bayou, and poppy parade. The kraft mat is embossed and the bow is hand dyed seam binding. I added blue rhinestones around the wreath and stamped the word, "Home" on the inside of the wreath.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share a little bit of my heart with you. Blessings on your week!

Happy Birthday ~Stampin' Sisters in Christ!!

This Sunday is SSiC's 3rd Birthday and we invite You to celebrate with us by way of a Birthday Blog Hop!!
You should have arrived here from Sandie's Blog...and when you leave, please stop by SSiC and leave a comment there letting them know you've completed the Birthday Blog Hop!

Helen is our lovely challenge hostess. The challenge is to make a birthday card and is inspired by this Scripture: John 3:3 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Please be sure to read Helen's devotional on this Scripture.

Scripture Challenge

Wishing you a blessed Sunday morning!! Today's we celebrate a new week, scripture, and challenge on the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog. Our challenge is brought to us by the talented Candace. Please go to the SSiC blog to read Candace's devotional thoughts this week and see what the lovely team has made!
This week's scripture:
Proverbs 30:5 "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."

The challenge: Use a sentiment only: no images.
Our sponsor: Our Daily Bread Designs: 15.00 g.c.

I love featuring scripture on my cards! God's word stands alone. It is beautiful and I don't want to ever forget the simplicity and truth in God's word...alone!! Sometimes we are tempted to "add to" or "embellish" the Bible either because we think adding our own application (experiential)  or what we think it means, (subjecive,) will give more credence to or somehow add to what God has already said.  Some add allegories or mystical experiences to scripture when it is not there (or anywhere for that matter!) Scripture is sometimes taken by others and bended, embellished, added to, taken away, sifted through, watered down, to the point that if you do not know it, you may be very confused just what God says! Rather than letting scripture rule, and context reign...we allow our own finite minds to rule and our own preconceived notions to reign.  But if we were to just take scripture and first, regard it as "true" and "God-breathed," then meditate on it...that is when we are allowing God to speak through it, and that is where the power of the written word to "teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness is!"  (2 Timothy 3:16)
Last night I was having a conversation with a lovely woman and we were discussing the recent devastation of the fires in and near our community. I told her that two days after the outbreak in Colorado Springs, I had attended a Christian conference right in the heart of Colorado Springs. While the fires raged  just west of us,we had a powerful time of prayer for the community and state:  beseeching God for His protection, His mercy, and His provision...but also to please send rain!! And within just a few days, we had downpours all over our state, putting out those fires. The woman I talked to agreed with me that it was prayer, but then she added this, "Well, Mother Nature, God, whatever you want to call it... the power of prayer and community put out those fires." As a believer, I am certain that God is God, and not Mother Nature, that He alone is sovereign over the weather! And we have Him alone to thank for bringing us the rain!! And am I ever thankful for that!
This is a stamp image  I've had a long time and have not yet used...I think it was gifted by a friend. I decided to attempt to match the ink to the d.p...and used a small ink spot to ink up one word. The leaves are a Sizzix die, shaded in a deeper blue ink, tiny prima flowers for added elements, two layered Spellbinder dies, and one pretty designer paper! I had a lot of fun with this challenge, and hope you have the opportunity to join us this week!
Thanks for stopping by...until next time, wishing you a blessed week!

SSiC~Preparing a Place

I am excited to be this week's hostess at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This week the verse and challenge choice are mine, along with the devotional. Please be sure to stop by the SSiC blog and see all the fun and beautiful DT creations!
The Scripture:

John 14:1-6

"Do not let your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going."

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My latest past time has been refurnishing and decorating a bedroom at our mountain “cabin” in Colorado. Due to the basement flooding, we had to throw out all the existing furniture, redo the drywall and replace carpeting. So, buying new beds, shopping for cozy comforters, sniffing mountain scented candles, scouting out a beautiful pine armoire and rustic hand carved shelving…all in the name of comfort and home…have taken a lot of my time and attention. All the while, I am anticipating our two daughters driving over the mountains from their separate homes for family gatherings in our cozy retreat. I am envisioning the welcome they will feel as they lay down their suitcases and plop on the beds, snuggling under blankets and laughing the way they used to as little girls. I have been, without even realizing it, preparing a place for them. Getting this room ready has brought me much delight because each detail and decision was made with my daughters in mind. There is just one more thing to complete the room…a nice soft night light.


When I read this passage of scripture, I can’t help but be amazed. The same God that created the universe in six days has spent the past eons of time preparing a place for his children in heaven. Jesus often refers to heaven as “my Father’s house.” And there are many “dwelling places” in this house. Culturally in Jesus time, families were joined together by adding an additional wing on to a single dwelling as the son would marry and bring a wife into the family. These wings formed a community around a single courtyard or patio. The picture here is of communion with the family of God.

Jesus is preparing a place for us. I can sense the anticipation in this passage, the longing of the Father to be with his children. What a comforting thought! If you are a mom and have children leaving home for the first time to college or moving away for a new career, take comfort! If you are a daughter whose parent or child has gone home before you, take comfort. If you have a prodigal, and like me, are looking down that long road searching for their face, take comfort! If you are weary of this world and its anxieties and cares and feel there is no place to lay your head, take comfort! Jesus is preparing a place for you!! I can almost picture the pillows fluffed, the welcoming glow in the windows. But we won’t need a night light. His light will fill the place, for He will reside with us in all His glory. I can only imagine the homecoming we will have!!

Revelation 22:5 “And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun because the Lord will illumine them, and they will reign forever and ever.”
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My Challenge: Create a card or project that depicts something that says "home" to you!

The first card uses an image that best reflects my devotional.
Here is my cozy cabin, all decked out with snow and a hint of Christmas in the air! I used Flourishes stamps and the Tuesday Challenge sketch featured this week on the Flourishes blog.  This card uses Flourishes "Snow Fun" set, Flourishes keyhole dies,  and colored in copics (light beige for trees and fence shading,  blues for snow and sky, and reds for the cabin.)  The background is a Sizzix folder with the edges inked in Tim Holtz Antique Linen ink. A Webster's "sparkler" is the final touch to my card, along with some glitter for snow. I combined two ribbons, a cream crochet and layered a deep red cream-edged over it using a 1/8 inch scor-tape.

My second card uses this week's sponsor's digital image! DRS Designs has generously sponsored this week with a 10.00 voucher to their store! I love this coffee image, it is cool and hip. And guess what, I learned something new! Paper piecing with digital! Home means a cup of coffee, and of course, hospitality. I used a lace doily for the side panel, a bright blue ribbon topped with a corduroy brown button and a brown pearl.
I do not usually dabble in digital, but wanted to give it a go. I used a tutorial from my friend and fellow SSiC DT member, Diane Noble.You can find the tutorial on her blog, Diane's Designs, with an exciting announcement. Diane has followed her dreams and has started her own store, Daydream Designs. This weekend she has lots of samples, tutorials, and free images to boot! I think I may have to learn digital to utilize some of her beautiful and unique designs. I won't spoil it for you, just go and take a look...you will be blessed!
 I hope you enjoy my creations this week...
And more importantly, I pray you are comforted by today's scripture.
Thanks so much for your visit. I hope you can play along in my challenge this week...and have fun creating your own homey creation!!