All it takes is a little spark to light a fire...

Tonight after a nap (oops, took a nap at 7pm) I decided to make a few things.  I've had a few Clementine boxes laying around that needed some attention.  One of the boxes was a co-workers that I said I'd paint for her to turn into whatever she wants!  I also got the idea to paint one up fancy for a friends birthday.  I love when inspiration sparks.  Hubby came home from his evening job and said "I'm so glad to see the Cricut out again...I was getting worried!" haha.  

Both items I want to keep for myself, but know they will be well loved at my friends house.  I love that I already had every piece on hand, so I'm calling this a FREE, but loved gift! :)

I really want the smile bird wood plaque!  I will have to pick up some more wood at Michael's and make myself one!  My friend is in the dental industry, so I thought the word "smile" was cute & appropriate for her.

A few new projects

I'm waiting for the Dr's office to call back about my kidney...so I thought I'd share a few things I made last month.

I found this little wood box on clearance at Michael's for $ .74.  It had a slight crack on the top.  I painted it & covered it with a little scrapbook paper...and sealed with Modge Podge.

I needed a new wreath for our front door.  Previously I had made a cool crayon one, but we were afraid it was going to break.  I purchased a foam wreath at the Dollar Tree and ribbon from Micahels.  Gotta love the hot glue gun!

I then added 2 flowers from Michael's and hot glued them to the wreath.

I found this cute little plate and plate stand at the Dollar Tree, along with this little statue.

I painted the plate torquiose and added a bird with the Cricut.  I decided to leave the little statue alone for now.

Last, but not least I saw a cute little vase at the dollar spot at Michael's with the words "love" or "live" on them.  I really wanted one, but held off.  When I was getting the recycling ready to take out I noticed my little lime juice bottle would make a cute vase.  I washed it up & removed the label and cut out "love" from my Cricut and saved myself one whole dollar! :)

Using my powers to create for good!

It's been a few weeks since I've painting or modpodged something.  It's been weeks since I went to Goodwill or Michael's.  I was afraid I lost all ideas on what to make or create....until this week.  I cleaned-up and organized the storage area in kids church, but I needed a way to help the leaders find things faster.  I made a key in Excel, everything is typed up & says which drawer or bin it's in by a number or an animal.  This way any of us can use the sheet to look something up and find it faster.  I used my Cricut to cut out numbers and animals.

This is the finished product.  Everything is marked on the outside..but it also has a number or animal.

Drawers have numbers and bins have animals.  This will save us so much time and so much money.  No more guessing if we do or do not have an item.

Cleaning & organizing gives me such a happy feeling!

Child of God, pray & make you stronger

When I was a little girl my mom had this print in our house.  I thought I was the little girl next to Jesus - since I looked just like her.  My brother Eric looks very much like the little boy peeking out through Jesus' hands. 

"I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15

This is my new motto.  Instead of whining, yelling, complaining or pouting...I need to pray and stay calm!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, 

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"1 Thessalonians 5:18-20

Stronger by Mandisa

Artist: Mandisa lyrics
Title: Stronger

Lyrics to Stronger :

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you ...

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

 

This is the stuff you use!

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

This morning I woke up feeling sorry for myself, feeling slighted...spending too much time looking at others and getting prideful.  I was feeling like God was forgetting me, all the good things I've done and not getting what I want.  But, it's not about me, it's about being obedient and following what God wants me to do.  

Songs really speak to me and this particular song really helps me to see how God uses all these things in my life to show me humility, love, selflessness, and patience.

Artist: Francesca Battistelli lyrics
Title: This Is The Stuff

Lyrics to This Is The Stuff :

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Oh Oh Oh Oh
This is the stuff You use

I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please 'Cuz I can't find my phone

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

45 in a 35
Sirens and fines while I'm running behind
Whoa

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world
Oh Oh Oh

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
And I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

Oh Oh Oh Oh
This is the stuff You use

Listen and watch it here 

It's not about winning, it's about doing your best!

This week I've come across Romans 12 several times.  It first started on Tuesday in staff prayer time.  I got the word "that we're one body...all on the same team."   The next day I read it on a blog I follow and the following day it was in a quiz question I read to the kids.

We all have different gifts, talents and abilities.  We're all working for the kingdom of God.  We should not put each other down, we should not think highly of ourselves, we should not compare ourselves to others.  Everyday I've asked God to remind me of these things.  I want to work together with others, not to be part of strife and condemnation.   I'm so thankful for a living God and His living word.

Tonight on a television show the winner of a food competition said when he saw his daughter he was going to tell her "Daddy did his best."  He went on to say he's teaching her to do her best, and that it's not always about winning.  I love that.  I want to be my best, I want to please God...I want to help others, I want to be an encourager....it's not about always winning...it's about your effort.  My efforts should be in the Lords plan for my life.

Here is the "New International Version"

Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice

 ¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

 ³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

   “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

 ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

My husband makes me laugh!

Lately hubby has me cracking up!!

He cannot read out loud the word “Tortilla.”  On more than one occasion when reading me the grocery list or at the grocery store he’s said “Tor-tila.”  He makes me double over laughing.  He can say the word no problem, he just can’t say it while reading it.

Last week he asked me “Did the groundhog see his face?” in reference to Groundhog Day.  Hmmm…the only way the groundhog saw his face is if it had a mirror.  “Do you mean see his shadow?”  Yep, laughed at him…not with him.

At church last week he was reading quiz questions to the Junior Bible Quizers and read the name (Pontius) Pilate as Pilates…like the exercise, not as Pilot.  I heard about that from one of our helpers! J  I guess the kids looked at him like “what?”

The best has to be when we were watching The Office.  He pointed to Michael Scott/Steve Carell and said, “I can’t believe he’s marrying a Kardashian.”  I said he’s already married.  “No, I saw it online and on a magazine, he’s marrying a Kardashian.”  I insisted he dreamed this up.  I went so far as to do a web search on Steve Carell and Kardashian…nodda. He said that a Kardashian is marrying Michael Scott.  I started laughing and said his name is Steve Carell, and he’s married.  He went online and looked it up…sure enough he saw the name Scott and assumed it was Michael Scott.  Hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

 This his "why are you taking a photo of me, again?" face.  I love you!