It's Called Unconditional Love...

My little guy: "Mom, why did you and Dad do all this cool stuff for me even though I'm bad?"
Me: "You're not bad. Don't say that."
My little guy: "No, like sometimes I do bad stuff or I don't obey you guys."
Me: (Lump in my throat) "Well, because we love you always. No matter what.  Mommy and Daddy always want to do good for you and give you good things... it's called unconditional love."
My little guy: "Oh..."
Me: "And guess what? That's how God loves us. Even though we don't always obey. Even though we sometimes choose bad over good. He loves us.  He died on the cross for us."
My little guy: "And He even died for the people that did bad stuff to Him..."
Me: "Yes, He sure did..."
*************************************
This conversation took place today at the park.  Our two oldest daughters were at volleyball and water polo practice and our youngest daughter was at a summer program at her school.  Marco and I decided we would spend some special time with our little guy at a nearby park. We brought his fishing poll and he did some "fishing" (translates to casting, reeling in, casting, reeling in, splash tip of poll in water, get distracted by every splash or movement around him...), then we went exploring and tried to catch some frogs and ended it with him playing at the play ground and getting wet at the splash pad.

After the conversation, you better believe that my husband and I both looked at each other with so much gratitude in that moment. So thankful for my little Thinker.  He talks a lot.  Yes, he sometimes gets out of control or gets too loud or acts without thinking - but this kid's got a heart of gold.

So thankful I took the time to listen.  To really hear him and answer his questions.  We constantly learn from our kids.  That's okay, you know.

Did you know that our God loves us no matter what? He doesn't care what we look like, what we know, how much money we have, or what church we go to - or even if we go to church at all.  That is not what makes Him loves us.  He loves us because we are His children.  He created us.

So stop worrying my friend. You can't make Him not love you.  Ever. Even when you are "bad" or sometimes do bad things.  It's called grace. It's called unconditional love.

Romans 5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Come away with me...

After two months of feeling like I was running myself ragged, I woke up yesterday and decided that I would take it slow. No matter what.  Those of you that know me best, know that this was not an easy decision for me.  There is always so much that I could be doing.

I know that it's not good to feel like I can't relax or shouldn't take some down time.  I sometimes joke that it's a "sickness"... but now I'm thinking that it really is.
I was brought up with the idea that if you were ever sitting around or sleeping in or whatever - you were lazy. In college, many of my roommates would insist on their nap time.  It was detrimental that they have this time of re-charging.  I didn't think it was a bad idea and even envied them a little because, to be honest, I didn't even feel like I knew how to take a nap.  I'd lay there with my mind all a buzz thinking about what I had accomplished or needed to accomplish.  Then the feelings of guilt would start to set in.  Feelings that I would appear lazy, irresponsible or weak for laying there IN BROAD DAY LIGHT. haha. Sounds ridiculous now.

What on earth?  I have carried this feeling into my adult life. Even after having a cesarean section with my first born and losing enough blood to need a transfusion, I felt I better get up after the anesthesia wore off to take a shower and make my self presentable in case someone should stop by for a visit.  

Writing it out makes me feel sad, because I am seeing even more how awful it is.  I would never allow a friend of mine to think that way, but here it is and I am living like this.  I remember reading a comment my sister made in a Bible study group that we were both in where she mentioned that she always has "leisure time".  I can't remember anything else she said, but that part about struck me dumb.  I can't even imagine having spare time like that...

Well, on top of it all, these last two months just seem to really catch up with me.  Physically I have been sick, emotionally I have not been well, and spiritually I have even been feeling a little depressed.  But no time to think about that! Busy, busy. So much going on with a Senior in high school and all the end of the year events.  Then there are three others that are in school and going in different ways, church, life, work... *sigh*

So yesterday morning, I woke up.  I went downstairs to make omelets for Marco and Naomi - her request since she has CST testing this week and needs the extra protein boost. As I am cooking, I am whispering a prayer.  My heart is heavy and I don't even know why.  I just stop what I'm doing and I say right out loud, "LORD, I need you."  I decide that I am going to have a special talk with Him after I drop the kids off for school.

I drove to a nearby park and brought my tea (we were out of coffee creamer) and my camera and I walk. I decide that I will take it slow.  I will not rush home to laundry. I will not think about all the things I could be or should be doing.  I walk. I stop. I listen. I sit.  I realize that there is so much beauty right there at the park on this early morning. It is practically in my backyard.  How did I not ever know this? Oh yeah. No time.

 I discover beautifully painted houses, a huge memorial rose garden with benches and walking paths...

I sit for a while and I just look.  I take in the sweet scent of the flowers bright.  I realize I am crying and that I feel Him saying, "Just rest. Just sit and do nothing."  So I did. It was an actual battle for me 'cause I kept thinking that I better get going.  But I sat.

I think I was praying, but I don't even know for what.  You know how sometimes you just need to cry and you don't even know why you're crying? Like you are so tired and you have just had enough and everything is just achy?  Yeah.  That. I finally let myself feel that.  I can't believe I am even telling you.  That's another issues I'm dealing with...being transparent here again.  I didn't feel like my own blog was a safe zone for me anymore, but I don't care.  I'm going to make it my safe zone. I need to do this.

I began to think about verses I'd learned in the past about resting in Him.   Verses like 1 Peter 5:7 that tell us to cast our burdens on Him because He cares for us. Matthew 11:28 tells us who are weary and burdened to go to Him for rest...

But then I remember a verse in John 6.  I was studying the chapter a while back and remember that there was a verse that stuck out and almost made me laugh.  I had to look it up to remember it, but it was Mark 6:31 where it says:
"Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat."
Do you know why I laughed? Have you ever been so busy that you forget to eat?  I have!  Sure, I make up for it later (not always in the best way), but that's how busy I get and that's how busy they were.  They didn't even have a chance to eat.

But then Jesus, who always cares about our needs and knows them even when we don't, told them to come away with Him to a quiet place to eat and rest.  I know that it's what I needed to do.  I knew then that it's what I need to do.

I will still have a full schedule - of that I am sure - like these baby ducks that travel in a row with purpose, but I can make time for what is the most important thing.  Don't get me wrong. I have my "devotions" every day.  I get my Bible study in every day.  But do I really get alone with Him? There are too many distractions... Maybe I should come more often to this place that reminds me to "be still".

Oh, what a long-winded, but necessary post.  More for me - but maybe even for you.  I am glad that I took the time to look around, to observe, to be quiet, to listen because He had many gifts for me that morning and I am going to go back to look for more.

Happy May Day my friends. I pray that this month, you will also make time to get away to be alone with Him.  I can't wait to see what else He has in store for me.  He gave me rest yesterday and I can carry that into the rest of my week.  For that - I am thankful!

A Year In the Life of an Art Journal | one

I am happy to be taking part in A Year in the Life of an Art Journal challenge again.

This year the prompts are for photographers as well as art journalers. 

The challenges are given out on the 15th and 30th of every month.

Here is the challenge for January 15, 2013:

PROMPT: New Year's resolutions or ONE WORD. 

Do you make New Year's resolutions, or take part in the ONE WORD project? 

SHOOTERS: Shoot your mug with your word or something that symbolizes your word.
(Sharing on Monday Mugshots on fb also)

BOOKERS: Use watercolors on your page to emulate your word... (if you don't have water colors, watered down acrylic paint will do just fine.) use color to convey that word and what it means to you. While your paint is WET, sprinkle salt on it, and let it sit. When your paint is dry, brush off the salt.  (people taking part in the creative prompt can put their mugshot for this prompt on this page.) 

 I have been choosing a word for my year for the last five years.

I tend to over-burden myself about unnecessary things 

and this year, I've decided it's time to MINIMIZE.

 For these pages I used a double spread in my almost complete (YAY) journal that was already gesso'd and started covering it with a layer of mod podge and then random pages of vintage text from dictionaries, old scouting book, vintage hymnal, worn copy of Pride and Prejudice, etc.

I just mod podge'd away and didn't worry if there were wrinkles or anything.

Then I started painting on a water color wash of orange...my favorite.

(Make sure your page dries in between each thing you do.)

I added two pictures that I printed off quickly on my regular printer.  One is of my coffee mug that I wrote my One Little Word on.  I used a Sharpie Marker and free-handed on the mug. Then I placed it directly on the oven rack at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or so.  Won't wash off now. :)

The other picture is a little setting I made with some Scrabble tiles to spell out MINIMIZE.

   I added scribbles of oil pastels and gelato here and there.  Did some smudging.  Then I took some Bahama Blue acrylic and just let it drip down my page.  Just anything that made me smile and broke up the orange a bit.

 I began to write random words that represented things I wanted to minimize.  I used a Sharpie marker for the bold words.  Then around the word I used a Glaze gel pen to write how I would MINIMIZE those areas. 

I have found that the Glaze pens work great on top of any type of medium - even the waxy oil pastels.

 I may continue to add things to the pages that I want to MINIMIZE as I think of them, but this is it for now.  

To MINIMIZE fear:

Psalm 56:3~But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

Colossians 3:15a.~Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

Do you art journal or like taking photos? You can join in on the fun twice a month too!  Just head over to Rachel Whetzel's page to play! 

This is how you do warm and cozy...

In the left corner, we have milk chocolate and dark chocolate hot cocoa mix, peppermint sticks, and marshmallows.  The milk was being warmed up on the stove and whip cream stayed chilled in the fridge.  Then there are chocolate covered peppermint creme sticks (tastes like Peppermint Patties), Pumpkin Spice chocolate covered pretzels, Harvest mix caramel popcorn, Cappuccino caramel popcorn and Chocolate wafer sticks.

I made little paper cones for them to fill up with the goodies.  So fun!

 S'mores cake pops!  These turned out so good. Chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting for the cake balls, dipped in chocolate (melts) and rolled in crushed graham cracker.  

 Stephanie can make herself comfortable anywhere. =)

 Naomi loved getting in the festive mood.

 Some of the ladies and girls relaxing and enjoying each other's company.  I see you Danielle! ;)

Marco and Luca enjoyed their time together. He goes back to Germany soon, so I am so glad they are getting a chance to play and catch up. =)

Lots of churches either re-arrange their schedule or cancel their mid-week service because of Thanksgiving and lots of families are already out of town for the holiday.
We decided to have a get-together at our home for whoever could still come.
I am so glad we did. It was such a nice time that we had.  We ate, fellowshipped and then spent some time listening to my husband (Pastor Marco) talk about giving thanks in all things - in any circumstance.  It was short and to the point.  We also shared prayer requests and then prayed over them right then.
I am so thankful for our small church and for my friends.  They are like my family and each person has a special place in our hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving my friends!! God bless you!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
18 In every thing give thanks: 
for this is the will of God 
in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Scripture Picture...

Faith.Hope.Love...

I've just started a Bible study with a group of ladies on facebook.  We are following the set up from Good Morning Girls.  This is my fourth time leading a Bible study with this group and I am loving it!
There is accountability and encouragement when you try to do something like this with a network.

I am currently working on (yes, it is WORK) getting in shape and shedding some pounds.  I have tried to do this many times, only to get discouraged and give up.  However, this time around, I am not alone.  My sweet husband is doing it with me!  We are really pushing and encouraging each other and it seems when one of us has a weakness, the other is strong and helps to get us through.

This is what I am hoping for in this Bible study.  Those that are in the group are there because they have a desire to get into the Word of God.  They want to know more.  
But let's fact it.  It's not always easy.  

In a perfect world, we would rise from our beds, pour our coffee and get right into our devotions and let it carry us through the day.  Guess what??? This world is not perfect and we have crazy, busy schedules.  We have jobs outside the home, we have children and a husband to care for or other responsibilities and sometimes just taking time to sit and relax in the Word feels like an impossible feat! 

However, you and I both know that we need it more than anything.  So, make time.  Somehow, find a few minutes to check into God's Word and search for that nugget of truth.  Ask Him to guide you.  

This week we are learning about faith, hope, love, truth and GRACE... Grace, Grace, God's Grace!!!
It's not too late to join us.  Just find me on facebook and shoot me a message and I would be glad to add you to our friendly group of ladies.  You will be glad you did!

"Mom, I've never heard God's voice..."

A friend of mine had her daughter (who is now in jr. high) go through all of their dvd's and they gifted us about 20 new movies/cartoons/games/etc.  My kids got a whole set of Veggie Tales dvd's and they've been watching one after the other (could get just a wee bit annoying haha!).
Well, my youngest child Marco (age 5), was watching the Jonah one and "Jonah" must've mentioned "hearing God speak" or "hearing God's voice" and my boy, who is so thoughtful always, looks at me and says: "Mom, I never heard God's voice.  I really tried, but... NOTHING." As he said it, he had his hands going and his face was all scrunched up. He was really worried.   Awwww.  I almost started crying.
I told him that there are different ways that he could hear God's voice.  He could hear God's voice when he gets that feeling in him to do something right or that nudging that says 'no' when he's about to do something that he's not supposed to be doing; he could hear God's voice when Mom and Dad are talking to him and telling him how much they love him or how special he is, because God uses people we love to feel His love here on earth...
I continued giving him different circumstances where he might hear God's voice and he listened intently.  I also told him that one day he might actually hear God's voice in his heart or in his dreams - who knows?
He was very glad to know that he could hear God's voice.  My boy takes things literally and I am so glad I didn't not shrug off this question.  He seemed content after our talk and happily went back to watching the show.
Of course, I felt like I might just have a cry after that because of his tender heart.  Oh, how I want to protect it.  There are so many evils out there, so many hurts, so many lessons to learn, so many temptations and choices that we are faced with day to day.
Then I also thought about how I, as an adult, also want to hear God's voice.  It is something I CRAVE.  I don't want to hear a 'still, small voice' either.  I want to hear Him loud and clear!!  I have to be transparent here and admit that there were times that I was more concerned about what others had to say to me regarding my relationship with Christ or what THEY thought would make me a better "christian".
I am so glad to say that I no longer depend on any person to be THAT voice.  I have heard the Voice of TRUTH and it is a voice of GRACE and MERCY.  It is a voice of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.  I hear it when I read His Word, when I commune with Him, when I worship Him, when I listen to music - all kinds of music, I hear His voice when I see beauty around me in an otherwise ugly world, I hear His voice when I have paint on my brush or ink under my fingernails and I hear His voice through those that love me just the way I am.
Yes, often times His voice is one that teaches, corrects and even chastises - but I always know when it is HIM because it is spoken in love - not condemnation.  It is convicting and firm, yet I know it is Him and not just guilt...
Isaiah 30:21
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left.
Do you hear God's voice?  How do YOU hear Him?  How do you know it's Him?

Ladies Banquet: Sweeter Than Honey

These were our favors.  All wedding favor items were on sale at Michael's, so I got these jars and then filled them with quality honey.  They have a little cloth and baker's twine that came with them. So cute!...

Psalm 19:10~More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Our ladies banquet this year was a "Sweet" success. =)  Our theme was "Sweeter Than Honey".  I thought I'd share some of the little details that went into this event. 

 I found these adorable honey pots at TJ Maxx.  I added the tags with the theme and theme verse on it.  I used them as table decor and then gave them away as door prizes.  They were a favorite!

 I split the ladies into two groups and we had an ice-breaker game.  The winning team received these honey stick bundles.  I bought them at Cost Plus World Market and then bundled them into threes and added the ribbon and the hand-stamped tags.

Lorany, a friend in our church, generously made a bunch of these to use as centerpieces and favors for the gathering. They are adorable bumblebee cake pops.  The can was a baby formula can that we covered and decorated.  Holes were drilled into the lid to hold the pops.

 We also did a "Can you guess how many?" game with honeycomb cereal put in a mason jar.  This was passed around and numbers were guessed. The winner got a pack of Altoid honey flavored mints with a honey stir stick tied on for fun.

 I bought this already made flower arrangement at Michael's on clearance.  I added ribbon, theme tag and verse and hand-stamped tag with a honeybee on it.

 We held the banquet at Marie Callender's restaurant.  They served a wonderful brunch buffet which included: scrambled eggs, beautiful sausages, bacon, quiche, fried potatoes, mixed fruit, muffins, juice and coffee.  It was delicious!!

 I bought a couple of these on sale at Michael's as well.  I tied a honey stir stick to the handle, added tags, added some Bit O Honey candy for all to help themselves and used it as table decor.  I gave these away to the lady that brought the most guests and to another lady that made all the cake pops for us.

 The set up looked lovely with the yellow and black.

 I also bought some honey that had actual honeycomb in it and put it out for all to enjoy.

 I was getting ready to announce the winner of the guessing game before I shared my little devotion with the ladies.  I shared that the Word of God was sweeter than honey and more valuable than fine gold.  Without It,  we would be lost.  I need a handbook to help me be the best mommy, wife, friend, daughter, person, etc that I can be.  The Bible is that handbook for me.

This is a picture of me with my girls Taryn, Hannah and Naomi.  They are such a blessing in my life.  I learn so much from my children who are all so different in their personalities.  It's really humbling to see the strengths AND weaknesses they pick up from Marco and I.  Keeps me on my toes to try and always be a better, continually learning mommy, friend and wife.  This is my life.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made...

I recently had the privilege of speaking at a Mother/Daughter banquet at my father-in-laws church.  The theme was Hawaiian and I did my talk in English AND Spanish.  I also made about 80 favors to give to the ladies to remind them how much Jesus loves them and thinks about them.   I thought I'd share my talk here with you all.

My girls and I

My sister-in-law and mother-in-law

Today, I would like to share some of my favorite verses with you.  I want you to meet God, the Creator of everything.  God spoke and the world came into existence –His imagination created the heavens and the earth and all they contain: stars and planets, mountains and oceans, animals and plants.  And as the highlight of the whole thing, God created people like you with the unique ability to wonder at the world around you and give Him the praise He deserves.

Psalm 8

1:O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

3:When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained

These verses tell us that our Lord created all things.  Today, we are celebrating with a Hawaiian or tropical theme.  Have you ever really thought about all God created in this area?  Think of all of the beautiful plants, the beautiful flowers, the colorful birds, the incredible creatures of the sea, the powerful volcanoes, …

I could go on forever and that is just talking about things relating to the tropics!!  My friend, do you realize that our Lord made YOU to be in charge of these things?  To enjoy these things?  To put these things to our use?    Wow!  He sure does love us and cares for us.  God knows that as women, we like beautiful things – so He gave us so much to look at and appreciate. 

Do you appreciate all He created?  Do you teach your children to appreciate nature and to take care of it?  I am not talking about “Mother Nature” or “worshipping” nature.  I am talking about looking at every beautiful gift our Heavenly Father has provided for us.

Let’s take a look at Psalm 139.  This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. 

Psalm 139:14

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Ladies! You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  Women are very special to our Heavenly Father.  Do you ever feel that as a woman, wife or mother that you are not valuable to God?  Do you realize that He is the One that put the Savior of the world into a woman’s womb?  Jesus is the Lord who appeared to women first after His resurrection.  God does not favor man.  On the contrary, He teaches us that men and women have equal value in His sight.  When you give Him your devotion, when you sit at His feet and learn from Him, He’ll treat you with dignity and give you the delights of your heart.

Do you ever feel that your role as a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, etc. is unimportant?   Well, if you do – you are wrong!!  You are so special that God thinks of you all the time!  Look at Psalm 139:17-18.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

His thoughts for you are more in number than the sand!  Have any of you ever been to the beach?  I challenge any of you to try and count the grains of sand that you can pick up in the palm of your hand.  It would be impossible.  Now, imagine all the sand in this world!!  Do you see how beloved you are by our Lord?

I made 80 of these little favors to remind the ladies how much Jesus loves them.

I made the jar for my mother-in-law

Mothers, I know that you may feel weary in your duties at home.  Some of you may have to work outside the home as well.  Oftentimes, you feel unappreciated – but you should not.  You need to realize that your position as a woman is very important and you have great responsibility!

Here are 3 points I’d like you to know:

1. In order for us to be the mothers we need to be, we need to sit at His feet.

Read your Bible and study Him. Read a little bit every day and learn to know Him. There is more to Jesus than His birth and His death and resurrection. He is the source of wisdom. He is the source of love.

2. Teach your children the amazing grace of Jesus.  Teach them to appreciate all of His creation.

By reading the stories of Jesus to your children, you will all learn together how to be like Jesus. You will learn how to love each other. You will practice together being like Jesus, looking at each other through the eyes of Jesus.

3.  Live each day in the realization that what you do as a mother, grandmother, wife, etc. has value.

Just as Adam was trusted with the things of the Garden at the beginning of Creation, we are entrusted with the lives and souls of our children, our husbands and our families.  You have been given a beautiful responsibility, so hold your head up and live as someone that has been fearfully and wonderfully made!

So, I have been contemplating...

a lot about ministry,
grace,
prayer,
parenting,
friendship,
vitality,
relationships whole,
relationships broken,
mortality,
substance...
It's all just so much.

I find myself smiling,
getting a big cry stuck in my throat,
pleasantly surprised,
feeling blessed,
feeling lonely,
feeling overwhelmed,
being grateful,
being confused,
learning,
guarding my heart,
sharing,
acting out,
withdrawing...
Sometimes, it's not enough.

Proverbs 4:23~"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."