This is a picture of Blue Christmas at our church today. The window panes are real and part of the Christmas Stage Setup. They have snow on the windows and a candle. In front of the windows are two tables with candles to light for each person who died.
Today at our church they had a Blue Christmas Program to remember all of the loved ones lost this year. It was a very moving program. I lost my MIL in April, however this service had me missing my Dad who has been gone 30 years. The pain is still there and I was surprised that this hit me during this program.
It was a beautiful program of music, talking, testimony and lighting of candles for all who were lost this year. A video with music and pictures of those lost played on the screens. Oh my, not a dry eye in the house.
In January they will offer classes to help those grieving through their difficult time.
Here's a pretty version of Silent Night for you to listen to.
I have some cards to share. This card is from Kathy H. from SCS. She is on the birthday random act of kindness group. Isn't this a cute card? Thank you Kathy.
This is a card from Kay who is also on the SCS BRAK committee. Thank you Kay for this beautiful card. I love your layout.
This is a card from Jane who just got this set with punch from me. Thank you Jane for being such a great friend.
This is a card from a dear friend Emily.
Here's a card from Hope-Thanks Hope for the beautiful card.
This is a card from my dear friend Jan. Thanks Jan for making my day.
This is a card from a dear friend named Jan. Thanks Jan for such a colorful card.
This is from Patty. Thanks Patty for thinking of me on my special day.
Blessing of the Day: I got to attend Blue Christmas.
My heart aches for all of the families who have lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to be a parent of a child who was cut down in the beginning stages of life. So innocent and trusting of the adults around them to keep them safe. Those adults around them did as much as they could to protect them. It is no match for the mental illness of some who also possess a a gun. I pray that god will let his mercy, love and peace flow abundantly upon those involved in this tragedy. I also pray that God continues to help those of us who work in schools continue to love the kids we come in contact daily and know clearly where to go in case of an emergency such as this. We have regular drills in Parma where we practice with an outside or inside intruder in our building. I pray to God that we never have to use what we've practiced.
Take a look at what my Sweet Sarah wrote after yesterday's horrific event in Connecticut.
Sarah Craig
-
Dear Adam Lanza-
I have nothing -
nothing but deep sorrow.
How could you destroy the innocent?
How could your mind justify such actions?
You have stolen so much.
Hopes, dreams, goals...
You've stolen futures - lives,
and left only agony in your wake.
Was that your goal?
Is this the legacy you wanted to leave?
So much sympathy I have for them,
so many tears I shed for them,
that there are none left for you.
Tell me -
Is this really how you wanted to be remembered?
Massive prayers for everyone involved in the shooting. ♥
I think she said it so well from her 16 year old heart.
Blessing of the day: My kids are homeschooled.
Thank you for visiting today.
Blessings,
This week is crazy busy. I haven't been this busy in such a long, long time. Sunday was church at 6 p.m. I just love this contemporary service. Monday was ladies latte at church. 500 women come to listen to the pastor's wife speak, and we eat cheesecake, goodies and veggies then talk at round tables about the message of the evening. What a blessed time this is. I usually feel like I don't want to go but am so blessed when I do go. I have become a table leader so I am forced to go. I get so much out of this evening once a month.
Tuesday was our couple's Bible Study. Tim and I do a study with another couple and we switch off houses each week.
Wednesday brings Ladies' Bible Study with 5 dear friends.
Thursday-tomorrow is my birthday so we will celebrate that with dinner and gifts. Friday brings Card Ministry at church. I need to have 150 cards ready by then to make............have barely started.
Saturday is Blue Christmas, a time of remembering a loved one who has died this year.
Then back to church on Sunday...................what a whirlwind of activities.
I'm so far behind that I haven't sent out birthday cards for this month and my sister's gift is still sitting here to be sent. She and I share a birthday and I'm so thankful for that. :) Hi Annie!
I made a few baby cards for us to make Friday.
Here's George Winston's rendition of The Carol of the Bells. Love his music and this is wonderful to listen to and relax.
Blessing of the day:Tim made Salmon for dinner and it was scrumptious! I also got to see some dear friends tonight.
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Wow, it seemed to last forever, being in a card making slump. I'm thankful that God has enabled me again to stamp and created cards, do challenges and feel good about it all.
Today was a bit depressing from the weather to a memorial service and back home again where it was dark due to the rain and dark skies.
I went to a memorial service for a friend who was 58 and died of cancer. Her parents made the arrangements and had her memorial at their not her church. It was a Presbyterian church with the organ and all. I felt that the service wasn't very personal at all. The preacher didn't give any information about Karen. Many times they will make reference to times they've visited or stories family has told, etc. This wasn't like that at all. There were references to Heaven, but not a relationship with Jesus, which is what Karen had. There was no celebration of her life here or in Heaven. It was depressing............I know she's in God's arms and at peace. No more pain, or suffering. Thank you Lord for walking Karen home to Heaven. This is Laura Story's song called Blessings. I thought it was the perfect song for today and how I'm feeling.
I was able to post some cards so I'll share them with you. This first card you were challenged to make a springtime card.
Here's my card for Springtime. I love Irises and these were fun to color. This is an old stamp by PSX. I colored with Copic markers, then cut with SU window frames framelits. I edged by sponging amethyst ink. I so miss this color from SU's collection. I added this to the daffodil background that was embossed with SU's Lacy Brocade folder.
Here's my card for today's challenge. I found these stockings which inspired me to make my card.
I love the silver paper with these stockings. I used a different embossing folder for the stockings and the top note piece.
I had fun looking through Pam's gallery. I chose this card as my inspiration.
I changed the ornaments to stockings, embossed the background and added my candy cane ribbon behind the stockings. I also added little jingle bells.
Our challenge was to make a card with things we love like from the Sound of Music. I have to say I love the movie The Sound of Music. I need to get that and watch it again sometime over Christmas vacation. My card shows the favorite things heat embossing, lace, ribbon, sponging and bling. What a fun challenge. I also love coloring with Copic markers, but that will have to wait for another card. LOL
Here's a cute card that my friend Jane made. She said she saw this somewhere on the net but didn't remember where. I think it's adorable!
So am I the LAST one to know about the site spotify? It is so great to be able to pick songs to play then add them to a playlist and listen commercial free! Thanks Ben for that suggestion.
Ben was our tech guy tonight. He helped Sarah and I get set up with Google Calendar so we can put events on our own calendars and they will be added to each other's calendars. Love it. Tomorrow we'll get Tim hooked up with it.
Blessing of the Day:I was able to say goodbye to a friend at her memorial service.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Blessings,
This says it all especially at this time of year when the reason we celebrate Christmas can be lost.
If you're having a bad day, just watch this.
Having a slow week where I don't feel like making cards. I need to put it into gear and get some done. I need Christmas cards to send out and card designs for Card Ministry.
Blessing of the day: I feel better and will go to work tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
It was a balmy 62 degrees today in Cleveland. It is supposed to be around 39 by Wednesday. Can't complain, who'd believe we had 60's in December?
I got to play the Technique Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers today which was to make a snowman. Here's my snowman.
Here's my card for today's challenge. Thanks Joan for the push to make a snowman. I've been wanting to try one of these snowmen for a long time. I used white paper and cut circles then added adhesive and white flock to make the snowman fluffy. I found some retired SU paper with a flocked snowflake and added it as the background. Not sure what the saying will be, but I'm just thrilled that I got the snowman done! LOL
Here are some gift card holders that I made last night here too. Aren't they cute? I love the little present with the pretty ribbon. Here are several gift card holders I made using Selene Kempton's tutorial found here. http://stampinfunwithselene.blogspot...gift-card.html
I loved using the silver glitter paper and the ribbon I got at Joann's with the white and silver.
I showed the inside of one which I left blank for a message inside. That way it could be a thank you, Christmas, or Birthday for this season.
Thanks Selene.
Here's a new song from Matthew West called, Into the Light. It is from his new CD. I looked for a video with pictures but couldn't find one. I found one with lyrics so that will have to do. Listen to another inspirational song by Matthew West, who takes letters from fans about their life, and writes songs about them. God does some amazing things through this amazing Christian man.
I've been using a protein drink as part of my new way of eating. Tonight I used the chocolate protein drink mix with milk and frozen raspberries. Yum!!! I am so full now and it was an 8 oz. drink. I put it in the the mini blender I got and it was amazingly good! Tim made one for himself, and he kept saying how full he was!
Blessing of the Day: I got a lot done at work today.
Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings,
Check out this video called Kings and Queens by Audio Adrenaline....Taking care of the least of these is what we need to do. This holiday season we need to keep in mind it's not just stuff under the tree for us and loved ones. We need to give to others who don't have the bare necessities.
I was able to make a few cards last night and here they are. I still have lots more Christmas cards to make so here's one I did for the Queen for the Day challenge.
Here's my card from the sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers this week. Better late than never. LOL
Isn't this cute? I CASED it to honor Sharri as the Featured Stamper of the day.
This kitty reminded me of my Sweet Sarah who loves kitties and hot chocolate with whipped cream.
Posted by my dear Sarah Annie on FB. Sounds like some wise council here.
Sarah Craig
When something bad happens, you have three choices: you can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you. ♥
I say, add God to the mix and you'll be strengthened for sure. You'll also know you're not alone in the trial. He's right there with you, maybe even carrying you.
Read this poem:
I found out late today that a friend and customer of mine died last Thursday from cancer. Before this I tried calling her and found her number was disconnected. I went to her house with her order and found it locked up tight, no dog barking, no one watching the sports on tv. A Pastor from church called me when he got my email and told me she had died and was with the Lord and not in pain any more. So glad you are no longer in pain Karen. You are in God's arms tonight and happier than you've ever been. Karen was only 58 years young.
This brought forth a question that I had to email to demonstrator support. What do you do if your customer passes between the time they order and delivery? Can I return her merchandise for a credit since I paid for it? I can't use the things she ordered. They are not my style at all. We'll see what they say.
Our sermon tonight was taking God to work with you. What would that look like we were asked.
Gotta work on this for sure. Lots to think about. How to represent Christ in my workplace where I can't mention Him. I've got my work cut out for me.
Blessing of the day: So glad God is there to carry me. I don't know how people 'do life' without him.
Okay, so I'm on this healthy eating plan with Tim and I've lost 15 pounds. Do you want to know where I've lost those pounds? My face, fingers, and wrists! My rings slide around on my finger and my bracelets are fitting now so I can wear more of them! That's cool, but come on, don't you think that I could see a little loss farther down? LOL
In time that will come too. I'm feeling better and almost ready to add exercise. I have to be really motivated to do that.
I was listening to this song and ya know how you listen because it's a catchy tune but don't concentrate on the words? Well this song was like that for me. I finally listened to the words and loved what they had to say, so I want to share them with you.
All This Time is a song by Britt Nicole. Take a listen.
I actually got a card made today. The first on in almost a week. It was for the inspiration challenge on Splitcoast.
Here's a verse I found today and really liked thinking about it.
Today we took my FIL to Longhorn Restaurant for lunch. It was a very nice time. He enjoyed getting out of the house and having fun with us. We stopped by for a little while after lunch to talk and visit for a while. He's' done remarkably well since my MIL died in April. The poor guy is still after the funeral home/cemetery to get the headstone put in. It's amazing how long this is taking. He said now they may have to wait until Spring to put it on the grave site.
I went with a friend, Emily to a craft show in a lady's house. It was amazing all she's done! She said it took her 4 days to decorate the house. She puts things up for Christmas but then adds her items which many are Christmas or Snowmen, to her rooms. She also had a large display of jewelry in her dining room on her table. Oh my goodness, I'm so glad I got on her mailing list. She has these weekend shows three times a year. There is a Spring and Fall show as well.
Next Emily and I went to Trader Joe's to shop. I love going to that place but hated it today with all of the people there. We waited until about 4 to shop.......It's so hard to look at things with people pushing carts behind you or reaching over your shoulder to get things.
Outside My Window...it's still dark and I can see the Christmas lights shining brightly. I love the lights of the season. They make me so happy. I am thinking...that today will be fun taking my FIL to lunch. Tim the kids and I will do that. I am thankful for...the ability to spend time with Tim's Dad now that he's alone. From the kitchen... coffee brewing as it's early. I am wearing... pj's and socks-debating going back to sleep. I am creating... nothing right now. I've been in a slump, not wanting to make any cards. I am going... to try to stamp today. I hope I can come up with something. I am reading... Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann I am hoping... that I can desire to stamp again soon. I am hearing... my Christian music on Air 1, online from my laptop. One of my favorite things... is snuggling up under a warm blanket to read. A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Do the best I can for the kids I teach. Here are some pictures I thought were worth sharing...
Today is my sister Patty's birthday. Happiest of Birthdays my Sweet Sister!
Today was an early day at church. I met with the Congregational Care Minister to go over more things and talk to a family who wanted to help with this ministry. They wanted to work on writing cards.
Next we went to our last marriage class. We heard a testimony of a couple who works in the marriage ministry. It's amazing they were still together after listening to what they had to say.
After their testimony, we were to talk in our groups about the lesson. A woman in our group was crying and we found out she is in a place where she doesn't want to be married but can't leave. We prayed with her and talked with her. I felt so badly for her. We're going to support her any way we can.
Tim and I came home and worked on the kid's Christmas lists. We decided what we wanted to get them and purchased many of them online. Sarah and I got many of her gifts during our Black Friday shopping spree.
I had time to photograph my cards and upload them to Splitcoast website. Then I updated my blog.
Here are some cards I did and two that were from friends.
This is from Our Daily Bread Stamps-Rocking Chair. You colored the image then used the die cut to cut out the rocking chair.
Love this little guy Rhubarb. He was colored with Copic markers.
Look at the beautiful card Hope, (the Hope) sent me a glittery card. It really shines Hope and put a smile in my day.
This card is from a dear friend Val. She stopped over for an hour or so Wednesday afternoon.
I can't believe that tomorrow we will have to go back to work. Oh well, each day I go to work is another day closer to Christmas vacation! Sorry, Hope. LOL
Blessing of the Day, Tim asked me if I wanted to have a weekly date night!
Today I had fun stamping with Emily. She and I use stamping as therapy. We're both teachers who teach young children. She teaches first graders and I teach Kindergarten and Second graders. I also have two 4th graders.
Here are some of the cards I made. I had colored these images during the craft show weeks ago and I finally got to put them together into cards.
Blessing of the day: We got our Christmas things out and decorated. It's easiest if we do this during Thanksgiving weekend because things seem to get crazy after this.
Thanks for coming by, I love your comments.
Blessings,
