God is for me!

Romans 8:31b-32 If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all- how will he not also, along with him graciously give us all things?

This week’s verse made me think of a competition, specifically a tug of war. Every summer our church has a big picnic in the park where we play games afterward. It always ends with the big tug of war, with the girls on one side and guys on the other. The girls usually win because we have more on our side of the rope. When the little kids have their tug of war, they want the biggest and strongest on their side. In the same way, in a spiritual tug of war, I want to be on the winning side. That is why I am glad that I am on God’s team. It is a good reminder when I am feeling alone, that God is in my side. 

Create a card project that uses everything. The opposite of CAS - toss on the embellishments and or different papers, textures.

I am offering these coffee filter flowers as the prize for this week's challenge make sure you check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for your inspiration:

Kristine
Linda
Miesje
Peggysue
Traci

I was listening to this song this week as I was making my card. I hope it blesses you like it did me.

MFP March Blog Hop Mother's Magnolias

 Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
Flap My Wattles Featured March 21
Wild Horses Featured March 22
 Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Chrissy Karen K. Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Harriet Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Mark's Finest Papers Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

 

My daughter Johanna loves to find bargains. About a month ago she was at STAPLES and saw these journal refills. They are basically a notebook with a white heavy cardstock cover. She got a couple of them at $.50 a piece. She thought that I would like to alter them.She knows me so well. I covered the front of the outside with blue and brown cardstock that I covered with lace. I then added the floral dp and two of the magnolias. About 10 pages apart, I randomly stamped the small magnolia on the inside top and bottom of the pages of the journal and added a touch of color.I plan to use this journal as a prayer journal.

MFP March Blog Hop Wild Horses

 

 Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20
 Flap My Wattles Featured March 21
 Wild Horses Featured March 22
Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Chrissy Karen K. Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Harriet Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Mark's Finest Papers Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

I masked the mountain image and stamped it 3 times. I grew up in Arizona and loved seeing the mountains and desert in the springtime. I love where I live now, but not very many mountains in Iowa. Some hills maybe, but not mountains. When I was growing up I loved hiking Thumb Butte in Prescott, AZ. If you would like to see that mountain, you can look at these photos that I found online

 THUMB BUTTE in WINTER

THUMB BUTTE in SPRING

I printed Psalm 121:1-2 to put with the mountain and cacti image.

I love this song by Casting Crowns. It has Psalm 121:1-2 in it towards the end. I hope you are blessed by it.

MFP March Blog Hop Chickens -Flaps my wattles

 Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20 Flaps My Wattles Featured March 21 Wild Horses Featured March 22 Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Chrissy Karen K. Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Harriet Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Mark's Finest Papers Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

This chicken card was so, so much fun to make. I was thinking about my sister when I was making this card. She and I have been intrigued by the feral chickens that live on the island of Kauai. We would love to see the wild chickens on the beach. I have had this dp,  that was given to me by my secret sister at church. I thought I would never use it becaue beaches aren't really my style. But it worked out perfect for this card. The little speech bubble was cut from the dp . Perfect for my beach Rooster.
If you would like to read more about the feral chickens and see a photo of one you can check out this post on  THIS BLOG

I was thinking about chicken songs and this song came to mind. It is an older song. Do any of you remember working out to this song in school?


Hope you have a blessed day today.

MFP March Blog Hop Lighthouses

             Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's March Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Lighthouses Featured March 20 Flap My Wattles Featured March 21 Wild Horses Featured March 22 Mother's Magnolias Featured March 23

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on March 24, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday March 23, 2012.

Lois Vicky Anne Pat G. Karen H. Patty P. Mary Marilynn Chrissy Karen K. Pam Debbie Nancy Bonnie Harriet Kathy Brenda Toni Tangii Anna S Mark's Finest Papers Our big promotion  this month! With the purchase of the March New Release Package, you will receive this stamp set for FREE!

Our March New Release Mini:

Brick Wall

I wanted to use nautical dp, but I didn't have any so I made some. I started by drawing vertical and horizontal lines and then sketched some "land" I scanned it on my computer and printed it on a paper bag. I then burned the edges. I stamped the light house on white. I cut it out and glued it to the map. I added twine and sheet music. I stitched the edges and then did faux stitching around the sides.

I love this old gospel song called THE LIGHTHOUSE. I hope it blesses you.

Changing of the seasons

I find it easy for me to get into patterns in my life where everything becomes predictable. Get up, put on the same old clothes, eat the same breakfasts, drive the same route to work, do the same job, come home, cook the same old meals. It becomes comfortable.

At a Bible study last week we were examining if we were addicted to our routines. Sometimes, God asks us to step out of our comfort zone. To do something differently than what we normally do. CHANGE!

I have to admit that I don’t like to change. I want to keep things the same. I have the illusion that I can control what goes on around me. Truth is, I have little control over the changes in life.
A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk, shivering as I moved my little space heater closer to me. I looked out the window at the grey sky, bare branches and brown ground. I got the feeling that it was going to be winter forever. Today as I look out that same window, I am wearing shorts while looking at a bright blue sky, budding trees and green grass. One of my favorite country songs has the line “…Life’s about changin’ nothing ever stays the same.”

I am comforted in all the changes in my life with the truth that my Savior, my God doesn’t change. Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday and today and forever.”
This week marks a change in the seasons. I really like the thought that God is control of these seasons. That is why I chose this scripture for this week’s Stampin’ Sisters in Christ Challenge: Psalms 104:19 says “He made the moon to mark the seasons.”

My challenge for you is:

With the change of seasons this week, make a card/project showing something related to the new season.

I took this photo of a magnolia tree this week.

So that was the inspiration for my card. The magnolias on my card are a sneak peek at a Mark's Finest Papers set that will be released this week called Mother's Magnolias.

Our Sponsor this week is Taylored Expressions.

Someone will be blessed with this set. FAITH IN BLOOM.

Check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for your inspiration:

Kristine
Linda
Miesje
Peggysue
Traci

I love this song called every season by Nicole Nordeman.

I wanted to share this version with you sung by Kenneth Cope,

because the photos in this video are stunning. I know you will be blessed by it.

Lights in the darkness

Ephesians 5: 8-9 “You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.”

Wonderful scripture that was chosen for this week don't you think?

My family loves exploring caves. We have been to Carlsbad Caverns. We are really blessed to live close to Hannibal, MO, and the cave that was the inspiration for Mark Twain's book Tom Sawyer. A couple of years ago my kids and I went down in that cave. There are electric lights, lighting the way. About half way down the cave, the guides turn out the lights, the darkness is so dark that you can't make out your hand in front of your face. I'll admit that it would be a little scary to stay in total darkness. Perhaps a little dangerous as well, because you couldn't see where you were going or what you might run into.

Lucky for me, even on the darkest of nights where I live there are little bits of light. From the stars,the moon, the street lights, night lights... even the glow of my cell phone. It doesn't take very much light to change the total darkness. A couple of summers ago the electricity went out because of a storm. We took several candles and lit them so we could have light. The first candle even by itself, gave light so we could see. After we had lit several more candles, their combined light made it even easier to see.

I think it is amazing that God has chosen us to be His lights in the world. Just like the candles, when we work together that light is stronger and brighter and makes it easier for the world to see Him.

The challenge this week is to
Create a card or project that uses both dark and light. Opposite colors; black/white, brown/ivory, deep blue/baby blue, red/pink etc.



Pizazz Aplenty is this week's sponsor.

Check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for your inspiration:

Kristine
Linda
Miesje
Peggysue

His Wings

Psalm 91:4a "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge."

I love this verse that my friend and Stampin' Sister in Christ, Kris choose for this week. It is such a wonderful word image of God's protection.

In Deuteronomy 32:10 -12 in the song of Moses is says: "...He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over it's young, that spreads it wings to catch them and carries them on its pinnions."

David, in Psalm 15:8-9 says" Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me."

The challenge this week is to make a project: Things with Wings (Images of birds. angels, butterflies, other things with wings)

Our Sponsor this week is: Digi Doodle Shop
Check out what my Stampin' Sisters in Christ have created for your inspiration:

Kristine
Linda
Miesje
Peggysue
Traci