Celebrating the opportunity to be Thankful

Here in the United States we are celebrating our Holiday of Thanksgiving.  It is a day of family, Breaking Bread and reflecting on the richness of our lives.  Prosperity and Peace are the by products of living a Godly life and having  a relationship with our creator, The Lord Jesus Christ.  People can be happy and wealthy without Him, but these two sets of elements are not the same thing.  If you are interested in finding out more, Read the book of John in the bible  and you will discover the difference and the Loving Savior,( I am like a broken record saying that aren't I)!

 

I am thankful for many things.  I have the best husband and companion on the planet and we have our health, I have three wonderful children.  My mom is 86 and doing great, I have two sisters Cheryl and Robin, that I love and that love me. I have In-laws that if I could have hand picked , it would be them. I am thankful For Jane, Lori and Beth and Betty, friends for decades. We have a cozy little house and bread on our table.  More than anything I have Jesus and He has  me;                                               The Eternal One who calls me by name. 

I hope you take a moment today to reflect on all the Good things in your life and express thanks and appreciation to those that have blessed you and to the Blessor. Have a wonderful day!

 

   Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Re 7:12

 

 

WOYWW#234 and why do I never get any better at this!

It is What 's On Your Workdesk Wedensday #234, for a world wide tour of desk tops Go to Julias' awesome blog 'Stamping Ground"- you'll be glad you did!

 

I took a break from card making, blogging, workdesk touring and just about everything else that kept me at me desk for the last two months.  It was a great break and now I feel like a Newbie back at card making!  I am working at getting the flow back, I might have better luck at the flow when I get the 'clean' back.  My craft room has been a multipurpose room during the break and I feel the need for a reorganization to happen!

 

I did want to participate in this weeks' hop and Mojo Monday, so for this WOYWW I am combining the two.  I have to ask myself this question, why can't I  copy and get the copy right??  Every time!  You should see me at stamp camp class, my card is stashed never to be seen by my stamp camp chums, I never get them right!  True to form, I didn't do the mojo as sketched either, so the card needed a redo before I even got halfway through!!

Here is the sketch

 

My workdesk (s)

 

 

Getting ready to print the focal point

First error: I didn't print in a way I could use a round punch

 

So I corrected that to be a punch-able.

So much craft room disarray has me searching for stuff, I had to trace a circle and cut. Of course the punch was where it was supposed to be and I found it after I cut the circle!!

 

 

Next assembling:

 

My work desk is not complete without a cup of coffee!

and here is my card:

 

 

Not quite the same as the card sketch, but I like it!!

 

 

This is one of my favorite scriptures too, because it speaks to as the friends of God, call and He will answer.  I first read this verse in 1980, I tried it, I called on God and felt Him answer, clearly in a way I could understand.  The key is to listen and keep listening until you understand.

 

For more inspiring cards click over to Word Art Wedensday  and Twist of Faith where I also submitted this card!

 

 

This is my Great Dane Luke, he is the biggest baby on the planet

he has been standing on the other side of my desk for the last hour whining, because it is 2am here and he wants to go to bed!  He won't go upstairs unless I do and I can't holler at him because it will wake DH up!!  UGH!

 

All I can say is he better sleep in the AM!!

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Ginny M

 

 

 

 

 

Monday's: a new week and a clean canvas!

I'm teaching my teen class from a book called "Success for Teens" by the editors of the Success Foundation.

 

This is a great book for teenagers! The book is in a workbook format and while it is not doctrinal or even "religious" it is very adaptable to the Sunday School setting.  It focuses on making small changes for the positive in our lives and how it can cause dramatic change for good over time.

I started this class in August and started making small changes my self, and now only 4 months later I am so very glad I did!! 

Ever have one of those moments when you think why didn't I do this earlier?

 

(not me, but you get the visual)

 

You could also use the line from the old gospel song, "little is much when God is in it."

 

For example:

I decided I needed to go back to whole food eating and cooking, I mean 100% for our health sake.

So I went through the pantry and got rid of everything that wasn't a building block of something else or totally healthy.  I got rid of the Whites: white rice, white flour, white pasta, white bread, mayonnaise, miracle whip, ranch dressing, bluecheese dressing,  Cows milk cheese (we are dairy intolerant here - boo hoo). Once you cut all that stuff out, you realize how much room you have for the good stuff!

In the freezer, all premade food went.

now I make our breads from whole grain flours, pasta I make from whole grains and veggie powders. Yes I do have the time, but even when I didn't have the time I did this so you can too, only don't be like me, Stay in the wagon!!

Long grain and short grain Brown Rice, Quinoa, Spelt, Barley, Oats. loaded up in large canisters.

Raisins, dates, cranberries, cherries, apricots, prunes, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, and almonds sit on my shelves in beautiful glass jars.

 

 

We can purchase all these lovely things because we don't purchase chips and soda and crackers and cookies and cakes and donuts, boxed meals, frozen meals or go to fast food restaurants.

 

We eat less meat and twice the veggies and  fruits. Carb items are made from whole grains so they are healthy! We use olive oil, coconut oil and butter.  Unsulphored Molasses, raw local honey and grade B maple syrup are used in moderation and enjoyed greatly!

 

We made the slight shift in our eating which lead to a huge shift in our eating which lead to a giant difference in my waist line; 10 inches to be exact.

 

To give you an idea; This girl is holding a 50lb sack of potatoes:

 

 

This is how much weight I have lost, plus a 3 pound carrot cake!!

**53 lbs and still going**

 

It was painless

But

it was prayerful.

 

I have to tell you, because I am eating this way and exercising  - a word on that , I am 53 so you can bet I am not doing anything anyone else couldn't do! Mainly I walk and row and use an elliptical-

I am not hungry and I feel great. I am not dieting, I am eating the way I should be eating.  I am lining myself up with a more godly and respectful plan of eating for the Temple.

 

I am applying this slight edge principle in many other areas, I am reading the Word more every day, I am prioritizing my life and events on a healthier schedule.  If I don't take care of myself, I won't be able to take care of those that need and depend on me.  Let me help you re read that : If YOU don't take care of yourself, how will you take care of others?

 

 

 

 

God has a plan for each of our lives, following his plan for our lives brings us peace and prosperity.

When we are in sync with the goodness of God, it becomes part of our lives.

When He is our default operating system,

We run the way we are designed.

We are not bound in addictions,

We are not buried in anxiety,

We are not full of fear.

This is a lifetime Operating System and it take a lifetime to get it right.

Making slight changes guided by the Holy Sprit, can make huge differences in every area of our life!

 

I challenge you to take a look at your life and ask The Lord where you can start making slight changes that will add up to big differences!

 

 

 

 

Some good reads: for peace and health!

 

 

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day and feel the peace of God in your life!

Ginny M

The place of Victory

It is Sunday afternoon and I am posting in between church services.  The "Steves" and I had a  wonderful lunch together, roasted chicken and potatoes, lots of veggies and homemade oat bread.  Sunday's table feeds us both physically and spiritually. It is the one day a week we know we can sit down as a family and just talk.  We have dinner every night, at the table but now that Steve is an adult he is usually working or on the go. I miss those days of us all being together, and now that that season has passed for the kids I am very glad it was something I insisted on and I hope they will do the same when they are busy raising their families.

We had a great time in Clinton, NY.  The purpose was to be with my Father-in-law while he was recovering from a surgery.  He did very well and is feeling great! We were able to go on long walks and have dinners with friends and family. 

 

Clinton is a very charming town,

Lots of little shops and coffee houses.  It is the home of Hamilton College and seems to always have a very positive vibe.  I look at this town as my future home, and when we walk through the village streets I feel like Abraham claiming the land.  When I married Steve 11 years ago, I knew when he retired we would come back to his home town, and for Steve, 25 years later he is ready and I am ready, We both feel The Lord is making the way for us, just as he did Abraham. We don't know when , but we are getting ready.   It is very exciting and of course bittersweet.  I am thankful my family and friends are only 3.5 hours away, and easy drive and one that we are very used to making.

I had a conversation with a friend and (I was addressing a concern in my own heart) this morning and it had to do with there seeming to be needs in the church that go unmet.

I had to say we know that God is sufficient in all things and that He promises to meet all our needs. I whole heartedly believe this, that God alone is perfect and that His great love for us and to us is with out flaw and without lacking.  

But the question remains, why do some people remain hindered to the point of not growing in grace or in the natural seasons of life.  Marriage problems aren't resolved, finances a wreck, year after year, anxiety steals peace; The cares of life smother the Joy of Grace.

As I listened the answer came to me.  In the life of the Christian, Grace is the default, unmerited favor. We do not earn it and cannot be promoted in it, Grace just is, it pours from the Mercy of God, it is magnificent, it is part of the anointing of God in our lives, it is what he gives us to live in this world and to serve Him with gladness. And while grace abounds, so don't the consequences of sin, this runs concurrent with grace and we cannot escape the effects it will have in our lives.  We get sick, we get broke, we get flat tires, we get cancer and people we love die.

So how do we live in the state of victory ? The answer comes from John 5:8 

A man had a problem and he told the Lord the problem hindered him from the victory that was only a few feet away from him.

The man said in affect he could not receive the victory because he had no one to get him to it.

Jesus said "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk"

This is the answer: Obedience

The man took up his bed and walked. I think if he argued with Jesus and said; "look I have never walked in my life, but I have faith that if you could bring me to the victory I will receive it".  I think if he had done that, he would have laid there waiting another lifetime.  Instead he simply obeyed  God.  He took up his bed and walked.

Obedience to God is always the right answer, there are so many times in life where we see the victory, we believe the victory is there but just can't seem to get to it.  We wait patiently for Godly circumstances to carry us to it.  I think that is why so much waiting is going on.

In the conversation I related this to my friend and told her I needed to rethink a few things, am I Obeying the voice of God in my life or am I waiting for the wonderful blessing to carry me to the victory?   My own question has made me think a little deeper about my own walk with God and made me to realize I can't carry anyone to the victory, as much as I might want to, or they might want me to, the Victory in our lives hinges on one thing:

Obeying God

 

 obedience

 

which God honors more than sacrifice

 

I challenge you to look into your life and if you aren't at the place of victory, Ask God why and see if you have missed a calling of obedience to your life from the Lord.

You can know that is what I am doing, I want to live fully and freely in Victory.

Victory is the portion of the Church Triumphant.

 

Thanks for stopping by and if you are in New England, Stay Warm!!

Ginny M

Traveling and digital printing tips

This week Steve and I are headed to his home town, Clinton NY. We'll be there with family and friends for the week!  We've been looking for to this trip and an entire week off. Young Steve  is home working,so he holds the fort down and we are fancy free!!

Before we leave early today I wanted to share a few cards I made for Karen Murray over at papercraftmemories.com.  Karen is a wonderfully talented digital artist.  A super busy home schooling mom of 6 and active church member.  We share a love for the word of God!  Here are a few cards I made for her Esty shop samples!

For Christmas:

When making samples you have to keep things focused on what you are sampling.  In this case it is the scripture and the sentiments more than stamping.  I enjoy making verses the focal point using beautiful papers, and I am more and more using digital.

A few more for friendship verses:

 

 

I highly recommend you visiting Karens Etsy shop, her images a perfect and they are very cost economical.

 

When using digitals I have found that if I turn my printer on black and white only I get a superb crisp image. Supposedly it will not make a difference, but it does.

I purchase my ink for my HP deskjet 920c (found on the tree belt, cleaned it up and has worked perfectly for 3 years) on the web at various sites and usually pay about 16.00 for three black in cartridges!!!!

you can also go to Word Art Weds Blog for free scripture verses by Karen and a ton of great ideas!

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Ginny M

 

New Directions

I 've been gone for 6 weeks from my blog, it hardly seems like 6 days!  I had to stop blogging for a little while because frankly I was even boring myself! I love card making and I love the art of ink on paper, I have for decades and I will probably for decades to come!  But there has to be a point to the things we do and I had to think Just what exactly am I doing day in and day out , both in my blog and in my real life.  Do you ever feel that way?  I'm 53, the important days of raising my children are done, they all made it to adult hood and I made it to their adult hood. So what am I supposed to be doing now?  I am not of the puritan mindset that every minute of every day needs to be profitable, to me that is a fast way to have a stroke and be just plain miserable! But there should be a point of doing what ever it is I am doing!

 

There is an Asian expression "The days of wine and rice"

 

 

The expression refers to the early days of the middle years, the days when your kids have grown, when you have established your own personal empire, the days where you look at the legacy that you will be imparting to the next needy generation.  I am looking at those days now. and I am embracing them.

 

 These are the years of freedom I have labored for my entire young life.

This was the point I looked forward to when I was raising my kids and working two jobs, when I married Steve and we labored together for the day of prosperity.

 

There will be changes in my blog and some of my readers will not like them and not want to continue reading, I understand that but there is just so much more to life than our hobbies!  It all boils down to when you leave, what will you take with you?  Well one thing I know there won't be a U-Haul full of Rubber stamps following me to the cemetery! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I will take is the Love of God, His mercy, His peace and His Joy!

 

I will have  of stamp art But I will also include more healthy cooking ideas and recipes, reviews on products and trials on new tastes!

 

If you remember I went on a  craft spending fast?  Well something got a hold of me during that and I realized my spending and crafting was totally out of balance! Now I know not everyone has this problem, but I did!!  So I still haven't purchased and craft things because I still don't need any new thing!

 

Yes, I have bought other things But I have also pulled away form the computer and the social media network, I got out side and reconnected with people.  I've lost 53 lbs, I've gone from a size 18 to a size 12 and yes I feel really good!

 

I've reconnected with teaching teens in away that I haven't for some time.

 

We're looking at big family changes and we are ready for them!

 

 

My Wonderful husband is cancer free, feeling better every day from the side affects of treatment:

 

Here he is after running 5.5 miles in 65 miniutes

 

After I peeled the dog off him, we both walked Luke another 3 miles.

 

In the Kitchen:

I am cooking whole foods and Homemade breads to nourish our bodies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 These are things I want to share with you too, because they make me happy and healthy! 

 

 

The absolute very most important thing is this:

 

 

 

 The word of God

 

I'm not going to preach at you, but I will share peace, Joy and Love.

Jesus said "I am the Truth the Life and the Way"

When we walk in the ways of God, we will have peace, and prosperity no matter what life's storms blow our way!

 

 

 

Thank you for spending some of your precious time reading my blog!

Tomorrow I will have some cards made for Karen Murray at WORDART!!

 

Ginny M