Hope & Peace...

Lookin' like it is gonna be a pretty nice weekend in northern Michigan... maybe it will get out of the 30's... yah!

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This time change from day-light savings to standard is kicking my butt this week... we get an extra hour back & I am thrown off schedule. Is anyone else feeling it???

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Wanted to share 2 more cards from the pack with you. I know they are very simple, but sometimes simple is best. I used textured cardstock, MS butterfly punch, stickles for the body of the butterflies.

Did two layers to give dimension to the butterflies. Colors are SU Purely Pomegranate & Pretty in Pink with Raspberry Tart dsp.

"But whether we are at home with the Lord or away from him, we still try our best to please him." II Corinthians 5:9

I am making lasagna today... yummy... I have been so hungry for it & we are having some friends over to share. Oh, Luke is making homemade ice cream too!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

He strengthens me...

It is a sunny but very cold day today... thank God for the sun! I just don't know if I am ready for this "winter" weather yet. Ready or not here it comes!

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Went to a friend's home today to work on some Christmas projects for our ladies' ministry. We have a long ways to go, but thrilled we got it started!

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I haven't mentioned the whole weight loss thing in a few weeks. I have not gone to WW in a few weeks, but I am still trying to exercise some & watching what I eat. I just couldn't aford to keep going at this point, but the good news is I have lost another 2 pounds, so now my total is 10 pounds off!!!

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Here are 2 more cards I did for the pack I sold... I did 2 of each of these colors.

They both contain sponging & heat embossing. The CS is Baroque Burgundy, Sahara Sand, Night of Navy.

That is one of my favorite verses too! Hope you enjoyed your short stay.

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with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Blog Hop

Here is your invitation to the Friends of Faith Blog Hop on November 14, 2009. Please pass the word. grateFUL HEART blog will be participating along with Women to Women Sharing Jesus and many other blogs.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

He likes me...

Our last few Fall days have been very chilly... brrrrr... we woke up to snow on the rooftop this morning... of course it didn't stay, but that is okay! Once again I am preoccupied with a "to do list"... you can know for sure that posting on my blog is always on my list, but doesn't always get done... sorry.

I had an order for a dozen cards from a great lady at our church... this is the 3rd time she has gotten cards from me. So over the next few days I will be sharing the different cards I did for her pack. This is a nice SU set called "Wings of Friendship"... did 2 in each color combo. The first being turquoise

and the second is an old "in color" called Marigold Morning. Used my brayer & some heat embossing.

I came across this verse this morning:

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"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1

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I am reading a book called "The Original Sanctuary"... it is about finding the true freedom Christ has for us... what He gave himself for... He was condemned so we wouldn't be. Since I started this book I have been thinking a lot about how many times I "condemn" myself over some of the silliest things. One of my favorite verses is:

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"For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." I John 3:20

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God has created each one of us as the special people that we are... He loves you and me. What I have recently come to know is He LIKES me too. In my mind I know He is God... He has to love me because He is God, but I never really thought about Him liking me. Have you ever thought about Him liking you? Do you think of God in that way?

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One more thing to check off my list... thanks for stopping... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Off and running...

Had to take the time to post something today... I miss my blogging... I have just gotten too busy being busy! How does it get so out of control at times... I know there are plenty of people out there in the same predicament... where do I jump off??? Take a moment & check out Stressed or Blessed at WTW... it is just what I needed to be reminded of... now how do I do something about it??? You would think that a person that has no "real" job should have all the time in the world, but there is so much I want to get done & so little time to get it all done.

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I am reading a book called, "The Original Sanctuary"... I am only in the 4th chapter & I have gotten so much out of it... it is mind blowing for me. The writers of this book will be speaking at our church next weekend & at Night Out For Ladies too... I am really hoping to finish the book before than. So I thought I would share a little paragraph from the book that has to do with my busyness. This is from a section of the book titled, "from the heart of God to me."

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"Your value lies not in what you do, but in what you are. And you are My child! You have endowed abilities and talents given to you out of My resources to complete the tasks that I have set before you. If you are pursuing My plans and My Kingdom, the resources from which you will draw are endlessly Mine. However, if the plans are yours, you are on your own."

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Are my plans God's or am I running my own agenda??? Something to think about.

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Also, wanted to share this card I did at the scrapbooking retreat last weekend... it is a "wiper" card... that SU "bambi" set is so cute... once again it is my sister's set not mine.

Today is the Harvest Festival at church so I need to get scooting... Luke & I are "team leaders" of the inflatables... yes, that is right what we use to call "moon walks"... should be fun.

Thanks for stopping... be blessed... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Here for you...

I am home once again. Had a good week with my family in the Thumb, but I am glad to be home. Although today I feel like I am running around like a chicken with its head cut off... so to speak. I have so much I want to get at but seem to be spinning my wheels.

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It was a great scrapbooking retreat. The devotions were great... really made me think... not only think but change what needs to be changed. We had a journal contest at the retreat... they gave everyone a notebook & we were to each design a cover. This is mine... I didn't win, but I did get to keep the journal. I like that peacock stamp from SU... I don't have that set but my sis does, so it was fun using her stuff! Thanks Na! You can't tell in the pic, but I put diamond stickles on the tail feathers... it looks so glisteny & sparkly.

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Are there ever times in your life you hesitate to say or do what you know God would want you to because you are afraid of making people around you uncomfortable? I have had those times... why do I let others' feelings come before my obedience to God? I now see that in those times I am putting more value on the creation then on the Creator. God loves me without end... He should always be at the forefront of my actions... I am His child.

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"Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don't know who we are. My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is." I John 3:1-2

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Thanks for stopping... I am really hoping to start posting a little more regularly.

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with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Trick or retreat...

Today is the first day of the scrapbooking retreat at Bay Shore Camp in Sebewaing (pronounced "Seab-wing)... hope to be there by noon. I am excited since I have never been, so I don't know what to expect... I know God is gonna do something good though. My "old" friend Wendy is the devotional speaker for the weekend... I have a lot of history with Wendy & I am so thrilled she has been moved by God to do what she is doing. My sister, Renee, & I had a part in Wendy coming to Christ when we were teenagers, so I feel that I have a part in her ministry even if it is just my love, prayer & support. Plus, she is a little crazy & so much fun... you know I have a little crazy in me too!

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Anyway, they have a silent auction at the retreat so I am giving these Pampered Chef Prep Bowls with some yummy kisses in them to be auctioned off. Would you bid on these if you could?

Here is a quote for the day: "the closer we walk with God, the clearer we see His guidance." I pray I am right on His heals today!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin