New {Layout} and RAK Winner!

For your Thursday today, I wanted to share a new 8 1/2 x 11 layout for Blue Fern Studios using the newest paper line called Déjà Vu. Click here if you missed the post introducing the new papers, stamps, and chipboard for this line. It is so beautiful, and I hope you can see that in today's layout.

Grateful

This 8 1/2 x 11 page is a photo of my daughter from this weekend. She is headed to a military ball, and this past weekend, her sister did her hair and makeup as a trial run. She also tried on her dress and jewelry. I won't get to see her when she goes to the ball so this was my only chance to get photos. She sure looks beautiful! I used the April Blue Fern Studios sketch for this page. I also used the new Blue Fern Studios Déjà Vu Luminaires and Petites Cartes paper along with the new Halftones stamp set. I used lots of Blue Fern Studios chipboard pieces: Trailing Scrolls, Collage Frame, and the title Grateful for You.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Déjà Vu Luminaires and Petites Cartes 

Stamps: Blue Fern Studios Halftones, Becky Higgins date stamp 
Stamp Ink: Jenni Bowlin stick candy, Tim Holtz dusty concord, Hero Arts India ink black 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Trailing Scrolls and Collage Frame (painted with Kuretake watercolors, Adirondack lemonade dabber, and Prima Colorbloom iris mist), Grateful for You (painted with Americana purple cow paint and Prima Colorbloom iris mist) 
Embellishments: Prima Corine flowers, Petaloo Dahlia and Botanica mini flowers, cheesecloth, enamel dots, sewing machine

RAK Winner

Sorry to post this a few days late. The winner of the Blue Fern Studios Ornate Crosses chipboard is Maureen Hayes. Please e-mail me your address, and I will get your chipboard in the mail to you!

"Blogger Maureen Hayes said... 
Patter, I truly love the Ornate Crosses chipboard the best, because finding any religious chipboard is very difficult and I like to include religious items in my art. Thank you for the chance to win some of Blue Fern's lovely pieces. I wish you and your family a very blessed Easter, 
Hugs, Maureen 
April 3, 2015 at 3:28 PM"

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a joyous Thursday!

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #17, He Knows

These past couple of weeks, God has been talking to me about burdens. First, as I was listening to KLOVE driving to an appointment, I heard Lisa TerKeurst say, "Don't miss the blessings because you are focusing on the burdens." I immediately called my daughter and asked her to write it down for me so I would not forget. Such a beautiful quote that I needed to hear. Then my second daughter calls me from college, and she asked me if I have heard of the new song by Jeremy Camp called "He Knows." I told her I had not, and she told me that I needed to listen to it. So, off I went to search for the song. It is a new release so it's a bit hard to find but if you click here, you can listen to it. Look what the chorus says:

Chorus

He knows, He knows

Every hurt and every sting

He has walked the suffering

He knows, He knows

Let your burdens come undone

Lift your eyes up to the One

Who knows, He knows

To read all of the lyrics, click here. I encourage you to read them because they are very powerful.

And did you notice that word again—burdens? Moses in Numbers 11:14 cries out to God "I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me."

Notice how Moses turns to God with his burdens. Are your burdens pushing you towards the Lord to seek Him and trust Him more? Or are you heavy on complaining? Our reactions to our burdens and trials reveal our true spiritual maturity. We need to trust Him, depend on Him, and glorify Him. When we truly rely on Him, we are not shaken by the burdens and chaos among us. He gives us purpose in our trials. His love and peace are abounding! If you feel like you are burdened and your load is too heavy, remember the Lord is there to help you. Will you trust Him?

Psalm 68:19 "Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens."

Isaiah 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You."

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

1 John 5:3-4 "In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."

I decided to do an 8 1/2 x 11 page today. I printed some black and white images of the things that are going on in our family now—spinal problems, canine epilepsy, Chiari Malformation, etc., etc., etc. If I focused on these things instead of the Lord, I would be utterly overwhelmed, miserable, and defeated. Do I struggle each day? Yes, but I must remember to make Him the focus knowing He has a plan and that we need to glorify Him through it. I trust that, and it's what keeps me going.

I used black and white photos because these 'things' needn't be my focus. The colorful paper with the scripture is what should be my focus. I need to cling to Him and His Word! I also used a sketch that I have had pinned for a while. You can see the sketch by clicking here.  And finally, I used the new Blue Fern Studios paper line called Montage and the chipboard pieces Circle Code and Adore, Love, Cherish.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Montage Wisdom and Invitation, Paper Trey Ink cs 
Stamp: Our Daily Bread Designs Scripture Collection 7 
Stamp Ink: Versa Fine onyx black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink black soot 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Circle Code (painted w/Adirondack Dabber lemonade and Jenni Bowlin Dabber malted milk), Adore, Love, Cherish (painted w/black gesso and Glossy Accents)
Embellishments: Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, Prima Bistro Blooms Nugget and Soubrette orange flower, Prima packaging, Bella Blvd. washi tape, misc. cheesecloth, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Blessings, and I pray that you allow Him to carry your burdens!

{Art Journaling} His Will

Today I wanted to share a page with you that I started several weeks ago. I had actually started the background, and it was terrible. I set is aside and worked on other pages. Then I told myself that I would not waste a page, and that there are no mistakes in art journaling. Embrace it, and enjoy! So, that's what I did. Once I played with the page some more and covered areas I didn't like, I think overall I am happy with it now. Here is how it turned out:

Those older Prima flowers can cover lots of things. LOL! I used Prima Color Bloom Mist to color the flowers to match the page. If you have older Prima flowers, hang onto them. You never know when they will come in handy.

The quote is by Dr. Henrietta Mears:

"God has given us a will to choose His will."

The day after I found this quote, we found out that one of our girls may not be going to college in a couple of weeks as she may need back surgery. It's in God's hands, and we will find out just 3 days before we are supposed to leave for school. It has been hard for her and for all of us, but we have to trust and choose His will for her even if that means she has to stay home.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you are inspired to try an art journaling page with a quote you love. Blessings,

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #12, Hello, My Name Is

Today I want to start off by asking you to read the words to today's song. Don't listen to the song yet, just read the words:

Hello, My Name Is by Matthew West

Hello, my name is regret
I'm pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I'm the whisper inside
That won't let you forget

Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I'll drag you right back down again
‘Til you've lost all belief

These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time

Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I've been saved, I've been changed,
And I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King

I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new 
Has proven it's true 
Just take a look at my life 

What love the Father has lavished upon us 
That we should be called His children 
I am a child of the one true King

And click here to listen to this song.

So, do you ever feel defeated? Do you ever regret something that you have done? Do you let that drag you down? If we are honest with ourselves, we all feel that way at some time. As Christians, we cannot let those lies drag us down or cause our faith to falter. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had to give a guilt offering to atone for their guilt and shame.

Leviticus 5:15-16 "When anyone is unfaithful to the Lord by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord’s holy things, they are to bring to the Lord as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering. They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven."

Death is a consequence of sin. So, prior to Christ's death on the cross for our sin, the Old Testament sacrifices were still in place. However, as Christians, we must remember, that Jesus went to the cross to take away the shame, the defeat, and the guilt. We are alive in Him and not defined by our past. But we must confess our sins daily so that we can receive forgiveness. In Him as we confess, we are forgiven!

Leviticus 5:5 "When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned."

Romans 6:10-11 "The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

Leave sin and guilt at the cross where Christ left it. We are forgiven, and we are not to doubt or hang onto guilt! Jesus broke sins' power over you and over me. Because I have a relationship with Christ, I need to look at sin differently. I need to confess it. I need to change my way and become more like Him, and I need to leave it behind once I am forgiven. I can't live in guilt and shame as I did before knowing Him. I am a new person. For instance, once I got married, I got a new name. I began a different life with my husband. I also have a new name and life in Christ, and I need to live differently than I did before. Do I leave the shame, defeat, and guilt behind? Not always but I should! Does this mean I no longer sin? Absolutely not! I sin daily! If I continue to live a life dominated by sin, that is devastating to a believer and dishonoring to God. I am His ambassador so I need to change and live in obedience to Him. I am a constant work-in-progress! He is molding me. How about you?

Isaiah 64:8 "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand."

The fact that we are saved by grace does not give us the right to sin. It give us the freedom to obey! Jesus not only paid the penalty for sin but He broke it's power. So, leave the guilt, the shame, and defeat behind. You have heavenly characteristics! Which ones have you taken on? Which ones do you need to add?

Psalm 34:5 "Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Romans 9:33 "As it is written: 'See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Romans 10:11 "As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.'"

Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Let your life show that you are child of the one true King!!!!

For my 6x6 page today, I used Blue Fern Studios papers Blue Fern Garden papers and chipboard. See the supply list below the pictures for specific product names. And the scripture I chose was Hebrews 10:22. I just love that verse, and it goes so well with today's song.

Papers: Blue Fern Garden Picnic and In Bloom, Memory Box cs 
Stamps: Tim Holtz Ultimate Grunge 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Layering Stems (painted with gesso and 13arts Ayeeda matte raspberry paint), Blue Fern Bits (painted with gesso) 
Embellishments: Prima Lil Missy flower and crochet icon, Petaloo pistachio botanica minis, Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, Tim Holtz mini paper clip, misc. ticket, misc. washi, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Blessings,

A New {Layout} and Sketch

Today I wanted to share a layout of one of our vacation photos from a week ago. This is our oldest daughter (by a minute), and we were out on a dock at Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island. I used the June Blue Fern Studios sketch as well as the new Blue Fern Studios paper line called Ombre Dreams. Here is my 8 1/2 x 11 layout:

The two chipboard pieces are called Heart Borders and Techno Rings. To color the Heart Borders, I painted the border with gesso first. Then after that dried, I added Prima Color Bloom sunshine, iris, and peony mists. To color the Techno Rings chipboard, I again painted the piece with gesso first. Then I added some Prima Color Bloom peony mist. Once that dried I stamped some hearts onto the chipboard with 13arts Ayeeda Paint in matte raspberry.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Shannon's Dream and Julianna's Dream 

Stamp: Tim Holtz Ultimate Grunge, Unity heart background, Becky Higgins date stamp 

Stamp Ink: Archival jet black 

Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Heart Borders (painted w/gesso and Prima Color Bloom sunshine, iris, and peony); Techno Rings (painted w/gesso, Prima Color Bloom peony mist, and 13arts Ayeeda Paint matte raspberry then stamped w/Unity hearts) 

Embellishments: Prima Princess Castle flowers, Petaloo pink and lavendar mini botanica flowers, Tim Holtz film strip ribbon, Hobby Lobby doily misted with Prima Color Bloom tea stain, My Mind's Eye antique alpha and word sticker, Zva Creative pearls, misc. lace, misc. enamel dots, sewing machine

And here is a look at the awesome June Sketch Challenge from Blue Fern Studios.

Click here to see all of the challenge details as well as the wonderful prize package and other sample layouts from the design team! I hope you will join us, and thanks for stopping by! Blessings,

{3} Cards to Share

Hello everyone! It's the end of the month, and it's time to share my Blue Fern Studios creations. Today I have three cards for you that all use the new Ombre Dreams papers from Blue Fern Studios. I hope you find some inspiration for this new, gorgeous paper line!

Love
On this card, I used the Tangier Page Panel. This is a 12x12 chipboard panel but I cut just a small piece to use on the card. The paper is called Ginger's Dream from the new Ombre Dreams paper line.

To color the chipboard, I used three different colors of gelatos to match the papers.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Ginger's Dream, Paper Trey Ink cs 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Tangier Page Panel (painted w/gesso and Gelato colors buttercream, lemon, and metalic mint) 
Embellishments: Prima resin angel and Color Bloom sunshine spray, Petaloo ivory faux dried mini, Kaisercraft Happy Snaps Collectables, Hug Snug hand-dyed seam binding, Project Life Just Add Color 2x2 card, CTMH pewter paperclip, misc. cheesecloth, sewing machine

Thank You
I don't work with purple very often but Joyce's Dream paper has such beautiful colors in it, that I couldn't wait to play with it. You can see the paper is mostly lavender with hints of torquoise and green. Truly beautiful! I also used the chipboard piece called Lace Rounds. This particular piece fits perfectly on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card!

To color this piece of chipboard, I just painted it with gesso and pearlescent liquid acrylic.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Joyce's Dream, Memory Box cs 
Stamp: Anna Griffin Chalkboard Sentiment Stamp 
Stamp Ink: Archival jet black 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Lace Rounds (painted w/gesso and FW Pearlescent sun-up blue)
Embellishments: Prima Corine flowers and Color Bloom lime wedge, vintage coal, and iris sprays; Petaloo purple botanica minis; Divine Twine; Hug Snug hand-dyed seam binding; sewing machine

Just Because
For this card, I used Charlotte's Dream paper. I also added a bit of modeling paste and mist though I hated to cover up the beautiful paper! I also used the Bits of Honey chipboard and just covered it in gesso. I wanted to leave it white because of the colors scheme I chose.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Ombre Dreams Charlotte's Dream, Memory Box cs 
Stamp: Anna Griffin Chalkboard Sentiment Stamp 
Stamp Ink: Archival jet black 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Bits of Honey (painted w/gesso) 
Embellishments: Manor House Creations flower, Zva Creative flower, Prima cradle robin and Color Bloom cobalt spray, Hug Snug hand-dyed seam binding, bakers twine, sewing machine

Thanks for stopping by today, and remember you still have time to join us in the May Sketch Challenge. Click here to see the details and join in! Blessings,

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #9, Broken Hallelujah

First, I want to thank you all for your prayers for me as I have experienced this unknown health issue. Your prayers truly mean the world to me, and I thank you all!

For today's lesson, I have a bit of a story for you. And I hope this isn't all over the place and that you can connect it all. LOL! So, let's get started. As we were on vacation last week, I went on my first bike ride on the beach the morning after we arrived. I love to be on the beach no later than 7 a.m., and I just ride. Sometimes I am alone, sometimes I am with the family or just a couple of the kids. We ride until at some point we stop to pray then turn around to head back to the house. Well, as I began this very first ride, God put a desire on my heart. I wanted to find a large conch shell. I have never collected shells or wanted one but all of a sudden there was this desire. And not 2 minutes later, I found a large one. In fact, it's the largest I have ever seen in the 25 years we have been going to this beach. I was SO excited and ready to keep it until I turned it over. Yes, you guessed it, there was a snail inside. He was very far from the water, and it was low tide. God never intended for me to keep this shell. He wanted me to return it to the ocean. So, I picked up this beautiful guy and returned him to the water.

For the rest of the week, I still had the desire for a conch shell. Every one we found was small and filled with a snail. So, on Thursday, I asked God if I could please find an empty shell and that He make it obvious to me that it was empty so that I could keep it. Well, you guessed it, I came across one. Not nearly as large but it was upside down, broken on the side, and very obviously empty. I picked it up, put it in my basket, and began to cry. I said "Lord, this is what You wanted me to see. This is just like me. I am broken without You." I voiced that out loud and one of my girls said "I wondered when you were going to put two and two together." Smart girl. LOL! Anyway, sometimes I don't know what to pray; He does! Sometimes I feel so broken as I go through a trial but once through it, I can usually see His amazing, wonderful purpose. When I don't rely on Him, I can be very rude and mean. I am broken!

And as I thought about the broken shell and my brokenness, He then put today's song on my heart—"Broken Hallelujah" by The Afters. I began to sing it out loud, and I cried my eyes out. Thankfully the beach is always empty this time of day because I was a mess singing this out loud, riding my bike, and crying. I was a sight! But honestly, He is where I need to turn at all times—when I don't know what to pray, when I don't understand a situation, when I try to rely on self and fail so miserably, etc. I need to always turn to Him! He is there waiting. Why don't I do it?

Before you read any further, I encourage you to click here and listen to the Official Lyric Video of "Broken Hallelujah." And now that you have done that, let's look at the lyrics up close with a few scriptures. The lyrics are in quotes below.

"I can barely stand right now

Everything is crashing down

And I wonder where You are

I try to find the words to pray

I don't always know what to say

But You're the one who can hear my hear"

Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."

Hebrews 7:24-26 "But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens."

God gave me Romans 8:26-27 on Monday, May 12th. I was told that the soonest I could get in to see the specialist about my health issue was mid-June. I cried because I knew I could not wait that long. God knew it too because within two hours, the phone rang. It was the specialist's office asking if I was available on May 14th (just two days later) to come in and be seen by the doctor! I did nothing! It was ALL God. He knew I needed to be seen before June. He intervened. Even my family doctor asked how I managed to get in within two days. I told her it had nothing to do with me but it was all God that miraculously made it happen!

"Even though I don't know what Your plan is

I know You make beauty from these ashes"

Jeremiah 29:11-12 "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.'"

"I've seen joy and I've seen pain

And on my knees I call Your name

Here's my broken Hallelujah

With nothing left to hold onto

I raise these empty hands to You

Here's my broken

Here's my broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You know the things that have brought me here

You know the story of every tear

'Cause You've been here from the very start

Even though I don't know what Your plan is

I know You make beauty from these ashes"

Job 16:19-21 "Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man He pleads with God as one pleads for a friend."

Revelation 19:6b "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns."

When you are hurting, when you don't know where to turn, will you turn to Him and joyfully give Him praise trusting that He knows what you are going through and that He will use it for His good?

For my 6x6 page today, I used the Job 16:19-21 verses. I just loved how it really went with this song and what has been going on in my life. I also used the new amazing Blue Fern Studios papers called Ombre Dreams along with the Blue Fern chipboard piece called Jeweled Trinkets.

Blue Fern Studios papers: Ombre Dreams Shannon's Dream and Dream Cards 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink gathered twigs 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Jeweled Trinkets (painted with gesso, Luminarte pink grapefruit, and Shimmerz Paint caribeean sunset) 
Embellishments: Prima Soubrette B and pink/orange, Petaloo pistachio burlap blossoms and ivory faux dried minis, My Mind's Eye alpha stickers, Kaisercraft hot pink pearls, Wild Orchid Crafts leaves, misc. cheesecloth, sewing machine
Sketch: Flying Unicorn Mojo Monday Sketch 5.19.14

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Have a wonderful week ahead!

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #8, Lift My Life Up

Having children grow up and go off to college is hard! Those of you that have been through it know what I mean. We are an extremely close family, have had family time every single night together for many years, and letting go is so hard for me! I keep reminding myself that God did not call me to hold onto my children. He called me to let them go because He has plans for them. They are to leave us.

Matthew 19:4-6 "Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

A couple of weeks ago daughter #2 was chosen as lead guitarist for a band that will travel to five different states this summer. They will be gone for seven weeks and serve as camp counselors as well as ministering to the children there through music. I am having a terrible time with this. I was looking forward to having her home with her sisters and with us for the entire summer. Those were my plans. I have been so excited and anxiously awaiting our time together this summer, then this. I have cried. I have struggled but then when I asked her if she felt that this is what the Lord wanted her to do and she responded with "yes," then I had to let go and let Him lead her. Does it still hurt? Oh my, yes! But then when I think of the lives God may touch through her, I get excited. This is not about me; it's about Him. 

Ephesians 1:11 "In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will."

His purpose is to bring salvation to the world through His Son Jesus Christ. He is using her for that purpose. What a privilege! Why would I want my selfishness to get in the way? And didn't we raise our girls to live for the Lord? Yes! So, why is it so hard for me when she is only doing as He has called and as we have trained her?

Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Luke 18:28-30 "Peter said to Him, 'We have left all we had to follow you!' 'Truly I tell you,' Jesus said to them, 'no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.'"

So, how does today's song apply to the above? Our song today is "Lift My Life Up" by Unspoken. Let's look at a few of the lyrics:

Verse 1
You brought me this far 
So why would I question You now 
You have provided 
So why would I start to doubt 
I've never been stranded, abandoned 
Or left here to fight alone 
So I'm giving You control

As I read those lyrics, I know He has brought us this far in raising our children, and He won't abandon us or them now. He has a plan and a purpose for them and for us. It's a new chapter.

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 20:24 "A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?"

I may be sad about our daughter being gone so long but I am sure in the future as we look back on this, we will be able to see the amazing things that God is doing in her life. I need to turn complete control over to Him and trust that He has amazing plans for each of our girls. 

So, where do you need to turn over control to Him? Is it with your children, finding employment, a relationship, dealing with aging parents, etc.? These words can apply to so many of our day-to-day situations. He knows all and controls all things! Will you trust and surrender to His will today?

Job 37:14-16 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes His lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who has perfect knowledge?"

To listen to this song and see all of the lyrics, click here. Let the words sink in and think about where He may be calling you to let go and trust Him.

For my 6x6 page, I used Pion papers from the May C'est Magnifique kit. I also used the Blue Fern Studios Mini Ring Things chipboard that I left raw. I felt the raw chipboard went great with the colors in the papers. The scripture I chose was Proverbs 19:21 because it really spoke to me. If it were up to me, I would want my girls home but my plans are not His plans. I trust and know His plans are always better than my own!

Papers: Pion Design Till Mor and a Day in May, Bazzill cs
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink frayed burlap
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Mini Ring Things
Embellishments: May Arts twine; Heidi Swapp stickers; Petaloo pistachio and natural Burlap Blossoms; Prima First Dance Something Blue flowers; FW Pearlescent waterfall green paint; joint tape; misc. lace; misc. bag; misc. ticket

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Have a joyful week ahead!

{SCRLLC14} Scripture Lesson #5, Let Them See You

Yesterday as our family was driving to SC for the day, I heard a story on KLOVE radio about today's song. The DJ mentioned that this song was never meant to be on the radio. It was a song that the JJ Weeks Band would sing before their show asking that God help the audience see Him and not them because the show is not about them—it's about God. Well, this song did make it to the radio, and I must say it's amazing. I pray you love it as I do. It's called "Let Them See You" by JJ Weeks Band. You can read the lyrics and listen by clicking here. You can also listen to the acoustic version by clicking here.

So, what does this say for us today? First, everyday we have an opportunity to show Christ to everyone we come in contact with. It's not about what I have done or what you have done. It's not about us; it's all about Him. Give Him the glory. Our greatest personal calling is to glorify Him. Never take any of the glory that God has for ourselves. It is meant for Him. He uses our daily circumstances to transform us into the people of faith who will glorify Him. Where is He working in your life? What are your motives for doing something? Are your motives pure and seeking nothing in return? When our motives are pure, we will see the glory of God. Do things to please Jesus not man! 

Deuteronomy 32:3 "I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!"

Psalm 92:8 "But you, Lord, are forever exalted."

Isaiah 43:7 "Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made."

Acts 17:28 "For in Him we live and move and have our being.’As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.'"

Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness."

Revelation 19:7a "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!"

When we know how much we are loved by the Father, we live with purpose and passion. Does your life reflect that? He cares deeply and through everything, He will glorify Himself. God uses our circumstances to glorify Himself to those around us. My life and His should be inseparable. When people see me they should see Jesus. We need to be careful about seeking our own glory. God will not honor that, and His glory is at stake. If we are filled with pride, that leaves no room for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in and through believers. What area of your life do you need to turn over to Christ? Will you make the name of Christ famous in your life daily?

For my 6x6 page today, I chose two verses: Deuteronomy 32:3 and Revelation 19:7a. I thought that both of them were perfect in what I need to remember to do daily—praise His name and give Him the glory. My page isn't too fancy today because I thought the background papers really made the page pop. I also used the Blue Fern Studios Fancy Fob Watch chipboard painted with Twinkling H2O good news green. The background text paper comes from a severely water damaged book that I got for free titled "Layman's Bible Encyclopedia." It's wonderful for using on paper crafting projects.

Papers: Prima The Optimist 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Fancy Fob Watch (painted with Twinkling H2O good news green) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink brushed corduroy 
Embellishments: Petaloo Paper Flowering Vines orange, New Camelia tulip yellow, Botanica Minis yellow, and fuschia wild blossoms; Jenni Bowlin tag; wood veneer from Diana McRae; May Arts twine; My Mind's Eye Chalk Studio decorative frame; Simple Stories Daily Grind bits and pieces, sewing machine

Remember to use Keyword SCRLLC14 when posting your creations in any online galleries. Also, please leave a link to your creation here using Inlinkz! To see all of the information regarding this challenge and the previous studies, please see this post here. Blessings to you as your study and enjoy His word!

A Layout for My "Book of Me"

If you remember, I am working on a "Book of Me" this year. I have two layouts in my album thus far. You can see those layouts by clicking here and here. Today, I wanted to share a third layout I just completed before church this morning to go into my album. It's shows the cover of my favorite book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it! One of my daughter's has read this one three times now I believe. Truly a great, great book based on the story of Hosea in the Bible.

For this 8 1/2 x 11 page, I used the lastest sketch from Flying Unicorn. I also used Blue Fern Studios papers and a title from the Blue Fern Studios chipboard set called Spiritually Speaking. I painted the title with Shimmerz Texturz and then I inked over it with Archival ink. That is the first time I have done that, and I think I will use that technique again.

Papers: Blue Fern Studios Garden Timeless and In Bloom, Memory Box cs 
Blue Fern Studios chipboard: Spiritually Speaking (painted with Shimmerz Texturez gold mine then inked with Archival coffee) 
Stamp Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink antique linen, Archival coffee 
Embellishments: Manor House Creations Ohh La La flowers, Kaisercraft chino pearls, Tim Holtz burlap stencil, Prima resist canvas lace and Say It In Crystals, Flying Unicorn metal butterfly, Hobby Lobby doily, Jenni Bowlin journaling card, Petaloo Botanica minis pistachio and pink, Wild Orchid Crafts leaves, joint tape, sewing machine

I hope you have enjoyed today's inspiration. And if you haven't started a "Book of Me," why don't you join me. You could start with the three topics I have already done. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!