grateFUL HEART

Happy Birthday...

2012-01-21T13:18:00.000-05:00

Today is a great day in our home! My dear, sweet hubby turns 50 today! We don't have anything really big planned for today, but we did just get back from 4 days at Boyne Mountain. Time to relax, change the scenery and just be together. It is always good to step back and reevaluate things and be refreshed. We are so grateFUL we had that time.

So this morning I got up and made Pannekaken (Norwegian pancake) and Canadian bacon for breakfast. No cake, but I did serve Luke a fried cake for his birthday celebration.

"For You, Lord, have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence." Psalm 21:6

Praying birthday blessings all over my hubby today and in the years to come! Choosing to live today... with a grateFUL HEART! *carin*

Peace in 2012...

2012-01-05T19:37:00.000-05:00

I am so sorry I have not posted in almost a month! Our Christmas was great! We kept everything very low key this year, which was nice and relaxing! Peaceful was what we were striving for.

Which brings me to the card I want to share... it was one of my Christmas card designs and it fits with this post:

I can feel there may be big changes in 2012! There are things that God is working on in me. I have this overflowing burst in my heart from all He is showing me... it is exciting and a little scary at the same time. I know if I take my focus off God I could easily be overwhelmed. I was reading in James 4 today, where it talks about just getting through today... that was just what I needed. I know I only need to get through the next moment and then the next moment after that. God gives me the strength I need to take that next breath... if I expect more than that then I am doing it on my own. And if I can do it on my own then I will "boast" in my own strength and what glory does that bring to God? I will share more when I am able, but for now I just need to take that next breath! *Ü*

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Bliss...

2011-12-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

Hubby and I so enjoyed a couple of days up to Boyne Mountain… it was just what we needed... I didn’t see how much until I was there. Thank You Lord for this time! I could not believe how relaxed I was… just being and not doing… how precious that was! My life really is not super stressful, but it is just very busy and being able to take a step back for a couple days was a breath of fresh air!

In honor of the beautiful sunshine and my relaxing couple days I am sharing a card... no it is not a Christmas card... I really need to get going on some Christmas projects!

Now to change gears a little... Seventy years ago today the bombing at Pearl Harbor happened. I am taking time to remember the sacrifice that was made on that day, but I also need to remember the sacrifice God made through His Son everyday.

The dictionary says: Remember - keep something in memory; keep somebody in mind; give somebody a gift; commemorate somebody or something.

With reverence and thanksgiving I honor past action to give purpose to my present service to You, Lord.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

November... flying by!

2011-11-16T11:15:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe November is half over already!!! It has been an interesting few weeks... I finally got my car back after Luke hit the deer... it only took 5 weeks, but I survived! Yesterday was opening day for firearm deer hunting in Michigan, so my hubby was out before the crack of dawn... he shot a buck, but it ran and he tracked it for hours until the blood-trail disappeared. I felt bad for him, but he takes it all in stride. I had prayed that he would get a deer the first morning so he could be done for the season... I guess I should have added that he would also bring it home for us to eat!!! *Ü*

We have had a beautiful fall and only a bit of snow last Friday, but it was gone pretty quickly. In northern Michigan we know the snow will soon be hip high before long, so it is a little nice for me this year, not to have to deal with it quite yet.

For a few weeks now I have been feeling like something is going on with me... like Papa is preparing my heart for something BIG... it is exciting, but a lil' scary too! I just keep moving ahead, searching His Word, praying for clarity, believing His promises, and trusting Him every step of the way... none of which comes easy for me!!! Just being honest!

I did have a breath-taking moment last night with the sunset Papa painted for me, so I thought today I would share it with you. Just when you think you are at your wits end... He gives you a reason to look up and know He is in control... to know He loves you so much and He only wants good for you... to believe He has great things in store for you and He will be with you every step of the way!

Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalms 27:14

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Reflect the Light...

2011-11-04T13:47:00.000-04:00

I was thinking this morning about the warmth of the sun and the warmth of the Son. We had a very frosty morning at our house this morning, but what was so cool was as the sun was rising and warming things up… the frost started to disappear. Although where the bushes were still casting shade on the ground, the frost was still remaining. It looked really neat. It made me think of how when things are left in the shadows and the light cannot shine on it… life stays cold and hard. As the light from the sun got warmer and higher in the sky, the light covered and warmed up everything.

I was reminded that even when circumstances leave me feeling in the shadows… the Son is still shining on me from within. I cannot let my light be hid under the shadow of circumstances. “No one lights a lamp and hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand so that those who come in will see its light.” Luke 11:33

The same way the sun reflects off the crystal-like frost… I pray I let the Son of God reflect His glorious light off me and through me. I am so grateFUL for Papa's love and comfort, no matter the circumstances.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Love... Obey... Serve...

2011-10-31T13:20:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about serving the Lord... why some people do it without hesitation and other people feel like it is not worth their time. Ok, maybe that is not why they are not serving, but that is my impression. I had a conversation the other day with a man who said he was not serving in the church because he "serves" with his checkbook. I could not believe that he actually said that! I was flabbergasted for a couple reasons... first of all tithing is not serving, it is just giving back to God a part of what He has blessed us with. Secondly, God doesn't want our money... He wants our hearts, completely! You cannot buy God's blessings. The only response I had for this man was that I hoped he would do whatever the Lord laid on his heart... frankly, that was my "nice" answer, but I truly hope only good for him.

This maybe a little simplistic but this is how I see it... You can stand there and look like a follower of Christ or you can walk out your faith through service and be a follower of Christ. Do you love God?… then obey Him… Do you obey God?... then serve Him… it is as easy as that!

"Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves servants to obey, you are that one’s servants whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?" Romans 6:16

I have a little gift idea to share with you today... I made these tile coasters for a gift. The Medallion stamp from SU is one of my favorites! I just received my SU order from my party I had a week ago, so it is time to sort through the boxes! It is almost like Christmas!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

He Gives Strength...

2011-10-13T21:00:00.001-04:00

We have had gorgeous weather in northern Michigan that last few weeks! We really could not ask for a more beautiful fall... thank You, God! The colors in the trees are starting to fade in spots or the wind has blown them away. The weather people are saying it is going to get cooler, but what do they know??? Although I know this sweet weather cannot last forever. :(

I am 46 years old and I am dealing with a fluctuation in hormones... there are 1 or 2 days a month when all I want to do is cry! It is crazy! Granted, I tend to be a weeper anyway, but not like this. I was having an influx starting yesterday... I just feel so tired, alone and isolated. That is not like me at all, normally. I had been praying and told God I feel so weak... I said to Him I am tired of trying to be strong... it is really hard to admit that, even to God who knows everything! I opened my Bible to do my quiet-time and I read in Isaiah 40:26-31. Verse 31 is one of my favorite verses, but it was verse 29 that spoke to my heart...

He gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak. Isaiah 40:29

Papa God is my strength... I just need to let Him be. I don't understand what is in me that thinks I can be strong on my own! The struggle between the flesh and the spirit... hmmm... that I am sure is my problem. I want to say I am thankful for great Christian women that helped me through the day too! God has blessed me... big time!
We have had a lot of weddings lately, so I have another wedding card to share with you.

Okay, I guess I am done with all my random thoughts... my hubby is gone for the week, so I have to share my thoughts somewhere... thanks for listening!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Spiritual Children...

2011-09-29T14:02:00.001-04:00

I know it has been so long since I have posted... life has been so good and so busy! Fall is moving into northern Michigan... hope it does not go too fast! The colors are just starting to look so beautiful!

A close friend of ours just gave birth to a precious baby girl. Her name is Quinn Ivory... all babies are great, but baby girls hold a special place in my heart... maybe it is because I am a girly girl. Here is the card I created for her:

A happy hello Baby Quinn!

I just have another thought to share... I just saw a famous person on TV talking about IVF and infertility. What she said was that giving birth to a child is the greatest opportunity to truly touch another human's life. I guess I understand what she means, but it made me think... as a follower of Christ I have an opportunity to truly touch another human's life... if I follow God's calling and share Christ with those I have in my life. This verse came to mind as I was contemplating this:

God makes the childless woman to be a homemaker and a joyful mother of spiritual children.

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Psalm 113:9

It has not always been easy to here statements like that, but because I know who I am in Christ Jesus there is freedom from any pain that use to cause me! I praise Him for what He has done in and through me and for what He is going to do!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Comfort and Peace...

2011-09-11T07:02:00.000-04:00

Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am in trouble; my eye wastes away with grief,
Yes, my soul and my body! Psalm 31:9

Remembering the loss... grateFUL for God's mercy to give comfort and peace in our troubled hearts!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Simple Summer... (part 6)

2011-08-29T12:24:00.002-04:00

I see my simple summer slipping away!!! We have had such a great summer... very busy, but so good! I have a simple summer pic to share with you today. This is my sweet hubby taken on a fishing trip... we went with some friends on Friday night. First of all, I don't really fish, but I love to socialize... secondly, they were fishing for salmon and no this is not a salmon in the pic!!! LOL

I need to show that man more affection I guess!!! *Ü*

I also have a card I want to share... we have so many weddings we are invited to in the next short while and this is the card I made for a wedding we went to last week. I saw a card on SCS that inspired me because the wedding was done in the vintage look, but I cannot remember whose card it was, sorry.

Lastly, I want to share this verse with you... it really encouraged me this morning. Sometimes I just need to be reminded that God is my defender. Some days it is only His peace that gets me through.

“The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.” Exodus 14:14

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Mess into Masterpiece...

2011-08-13T19:10:00.000-04:00

I know that God created me perfect in His eyes before I ever took my first breath, but life and sad choices marred His perfect vessel. In Jeremiah 18 it shows me that He, the Potter, takes the messed up vessel and makes something beautiful out of it again. All it takes is confession and my willingness to let the Master remold me into a new “work of art.” I am so grateFUL that no matter the mess I have made out of my life… Papa can take those pieces and make something that is great in His eyes!

To give them beauty for ashes,
      The oil of joy for mourning,
      The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
      That they may be called trees of righteousness,
      The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

It is wedding day for some friends of ours and here is the card I created for their special day:

Hope they like it!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

A Lesson 21 Years in the Making...

2011-08-11T11:00:00.000-04:00

Twenty-one years ago today I married the love of my life! So I have some thoughts on our marriage I want to share with you... if that is okay. It is just me speaking honestly to you my blogger friends.

I have had many times in my marriage where I thought it just can’t get any better than this! But there have also been a few times where I said to myself… is this as good as it will ever be? The latter of those two thoughts are in the times when I have become lazy, stubborn and selfish… yes, I admit it… SELFISH! I quit putting effort into daily married life. I thought more about my needs/wants than the needs of the other person in this relationship. In those times, I stopped living through Christ’s strength and started trying to do it all on my own. When I said, “I will,” 21 years ago… I had no idea what that really meant! In our couple’s devotional it has been talking a lot lately about unconditional love. I knew this is the kind of love God has for me, but I never even grasped an inkling of what that means in everyday life.

I can see now how I spent so much of my married life not loving my sweet hubby unconditionally. I loved him as my possession… he was here for my “amusement” to be at my beacon call. It was not in an intentional way, that is just how I thought it should be, I guess. But as I look back I see that was how I treated him so many times. I am so sorry for wasting so much of our time together in that way! I know past hurts led me to hang onto Luke with both hands, like a kid squeezing the daylights out of a new puppy! I loved him because of how it made me feel to have him; I didn’t love him for the sake of just loving him. My concern was not how my love made him feel, but how I felt by “loving” him.

During Heart Quest I realized I loved him too much… not a good love… it had turned into an idolatry-type love. Because a person had treated me so awful in my past, and then Luke treated me so wonderful, I put him up on a pedestal. I put him before God so many times… not because that was what Luke desired, but because I could love someone that I could actually see and touch. I was putting demands on Luke that I had no right to. God showed me how I had to back up and let go of my destructive, “loving” ways with my husband! I gave my marriage to God for real this time… I let go of my possessive “love” for Luke. It was very scary for me after almost 20 years of marriage! How could I stop loving Luke as much as I did, so I could love God more?

In that very moment I gave it all up to God… that very second I told God, “I will love You with my whole heart before anyone else,” that He showed me that it was because I was willing to do that, He in return would teach me how to love my husband in a new way. I could see my fear came from the idea of having to love Luke less so I could love God more, but what really happened was because I chose to love God more, in return that left more room to love Luke even more than before. It makes no sense but that is what has happened! Looking back at the work God has done on me in this area of my life is so overwhelming… my heart feels like it is overflowing and of course it is flowing from my eyes. Our marriage has never been better! I don't say that to brag, but to give God the glory for the work He continues to do in our marriage of three.

I just realized that unconditional love has no capacity amount… it is as big as we are willing to let it be! Wow! When I stopped putting a limit on my love for God then that just took the limits off my love in all areas of my life! Why do I not let God be as big as He wants to be in my life? He wants to be my “everything” and I hold Him back to being my “something” so many times! I am still a work in progress, but I am so grateFUL for where Papa has brought me and where He is going to take me.

Happy Anniversary to my sweet, loving, adorable husband! Luke I love you beyond measure! ;)

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things... And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:5-7, 13

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Hopscotch...

2011-08-04T19:23:00.001-04:00

I was reading in Joshua 1 a couple days ago, and while I read this verse where God was talking to Joshua, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” (1:3) I was seeing how God allows every step I take. He has promised to be with me every step of the way… just like He promised Joshua and the children of Israel.

“Be happy with what you have because God has said, “I will never abandon you or leave you.” Hebrews 13:5b

Am I really aware of that fact at all times? Do I take that promise for granted? I liked to play Hopscotch when I was a kid… I would toss the stone on the Hopscotch area to see what spot it would land on… that would determine where I could hop and where I couldn’t hop. I wonder, do I “play” my life out like a game of Hopscotch at times? Do I carelessly pitch a “stone” out there in my life and wait to see where it will land to determine where I will or will not go? Is that living my life with strength and courage (Deuteronomy31:6)? Is that living my life with purpose?

When you make a mistake or you forget to do something important… do you ever say, “I didn’t do it on purpose”? Of course you didn’t do it on purpose, but did you do it with purpose? God has given us a gift of life and an even greater Gift of eternal life through Christ… am I doing my best with what He has given me? I pray for guidance from God to live my life with purpose on purpose!

A good life can just happen, but a GREAT life must be lived on purpose!

Simple Summer moment... big ole' frog taking a dip in our pond.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Simple Summer... (part 5)

2011-07-29T10:16:00.001-04:00

We went blue berry picking last week... what fun! It was early in the morning but very warm and humid... I lasted 1 1/2 hours before I decided it was time to go! My hubby and I had about 11 pounds of those plump, delicious berries, not to mention all that went into our mouths while we picked! That was a fun "Simple Summer" moment for me. Here is me in my blue berry picking beauty!!! *Ü*

Have a good Simple Summer day!

“I will never forget your guiding principles, because you gave me a new life through them.” Psalm 119:93

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Simple Summer... (part 4)

2011-07-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

It is cherry harvest time in Michigan... luv those Traverse City cherries! So I am sharing a "tasteful" simple summer shot of this yummy fruit!

Heading to the Thumb for the weekend... new nephew, Levi, will be baptized this Sunday. We are also hoping to pick blue berries while over on the other side of Michigan.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Simple Summer... (part 3)

2011-07-21T22:07:00.000-04:00

On this very hot, humid, summer day I was privileged to spend a small part of my day handing out food to people for "Feed America." It was an honor to be part of this! BTW I sweat my butt off, but it was worth every drop of sweat!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Simple Summer... (part 2)

2011-07-16T10:03:00.000-04:00

Beautiful, sunny Saturday morning here in northern Michigan! Love mornings like this... the windows are open... the sound of the fountain in our pond... breakfast served to me in bed before hubby left for work... ahhhh, yes simple summer morning! But that can change quickly... they say the humidity will be moving in and I have a few errands to run to get ready for our Usher/Greeter picnic, which is tomorrow.

Sharing the gorgeous sunset we were blessed with last night as we sat with our neighbors around the fire-pit and roasted marshmallows... simple summer s'mores... yum!

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind," Ephesians 4:23

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Simple Summer...

2011-07-15T13:02:00.000-04:00

I know it has been sooo long since I posted last, but no matter how hard I try my summer has been so busy. I am devoting the rest of my summer to be a "simple summer." Simple joys that make up a great summer.

Today is my daddy's 71st birthday... Happy Birthday Dad! I am grateFUL to have been blessed with such a good daddy!

Also, we had a new member added to the Orth side of the family... Levi Luke Daniel Anderson was born July 7 to my hubby's baby sister, Anne, and her husband Wayne... congratulations to them! Levi has a 13 year old sister and a 4 year old brother too. Can't wait to get my hands on this precious bundle! So my simple summer picture is of our new nephew, Levi!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Why?

2011-06-27T13:13:00.000-04:00

“Why do I love God?” That is a question I came across as I was reading the other day. Have you ever thought about it? Do I love Him for what He does for me or gives me? Or do I love Him because of who He is? I think of the verse, "We love Him because He first loved us.” I John 4:19 … He gave His love first… how can I not love Him just for that alone??? When I think about His love I actually feel my heart start to bubble over… it feels like something bubbles up out of my heart, up through my throat… making me want to shout for joy and filling my eyes with tears of joy. The mere mention of God’s love or the name of Jesus has that effect on me… how amazing is that… how amazing is He??? I can trust that no matter the circumstance He will always do what is right! I can know that if I focus on Him then any circumstance in my life will not be my main concern. So why do you love God?

Have a bridal shower card to share today... I used the "center step card" method on this one... I liked how it turned out and that I was able to make it so personal for the bride to be... that is a picture of the couple on the day he proposed.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

What Really Matters...

2011-06-15T15:55:00.000-04:00

What really matters to you? Do you have your priorities in line? I can say that I do... I can even believe that I do, but do I really??? Are there days when you just try to squeeze one more thing into your plans, but what does that do for you? When I have a day like that or even many days it usually leaves me weary. In those times it is so easy to lose track of what really matters.

I know for myself the first thing I need to do is to rest in God's presence. It is a busy world but if you take just a moment or two to read a verse, talk with Him... let Him know how much you adore Him... how thankful you are for how He has blessed you... how He loves you. It is true God knows everything there is to know about us, yet He desires to spend time with us.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5

I have a graduation card to share with you today… I had to add a little sparkle… I just had to.

I would love it if you would share with me what really matters to you.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Basking in His Beauty...

2011-06-04T08:31:00.000-04:00

God's wonder... last night we had a gorgeous sunset here in northern Michigan. I am so amazed how every sunset is so unique... with every stroke of His paintbrush He creates a new masterpiece. It can be from one minute to the next... as you can see in these 3 pics that were shot one right after the other.

I love that He shares His beauty with us even in the everyday things! Have you taken the time lately just to bask in the beauty of His nature??? It seemed like a long winter for us and that spring would never get here, but the anticipation has only made me more grateFUL for it now that it is here. How about you... share one precious spring moment with me... the colors, the fragrance, the sounds.

We have a 17 year old house guest for the next 10 days... should be interesting, but in a good way. It is quite an adjustment, especially for me, having a teenage boy living in our house. I can get stuck in my routine (in case you didn't know that) and for the next 10 days I will be stepping out of the boat when it comes to normal day life! Stretch me Lord!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Have Patience...

2011-05-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

The moments in life when patience is needed but you just don’t want to give them. You can pray about something and then wait for an answer. Sometimes there is no answer right away and in those times you may be asked to be proactive in the matter or sometimes you may be told to just wait. Lord, give me patience to be patient!

I was reading in Numbers 20 this morning about Moses losing patience with the children of

Israel

, when they came to him once again complaining about the lack of water. Out of Moses’ frustration he didn’t listen close enough to what God told him. Instead of speaking to the rock as God told him to do, he hit the rock. God still gave the water but Moses had consequences to pay for disobedience.

For the past few months I had been going through a difficult circumstance. When I would pray on it the answer I kept hearing was, “not now, wait.” It was hard for me to do that… I wanted so badly to make things seem “normal” again, but what I had to do was just be patient. I cried many times… I was frustrated many times… but I knew that through this trying time, if I was just patient it would be so worth it. Just over a week ago, God showed me that it was time, and I reached out to turn things around. The waiting period was so hard, but the end of that waiting period is so sweet. Now that I am on the other side of this and onto a new improved chapter… it has taught me not only patience, but that the people in my life mean more to me now than ever before. God, I thank You for putting wonderful women in my life and I thank You for strengthening me through the waiting.

"The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Ecclesiastes 7:8

A couple little bookmarks to share with you, sorry the picture isn't the best. Of course, they have butterflies and Stickles!

It is rainy here in northern Michigan, but it could change any minute!!! Have a great Memorial Day weekend and take time to remember those that have gone on before.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Share the Comfort...

2011-05-25T09:19:00.000-04:00

Life has seemed a little hurried and harried lately... not sure what that means but that is just how it feels to me!!! *Ü* There have been a few changes in my life with friends, family, and me. I have felt off emotionally/physically lately... plain and simple it is a hormone thing. I just keep hoping it gets better... my husband is an incredible angel for keeping up with my changing emotions. From 40 to 45 has been great years and I really hope for that to continue. Sorry, don't mean to be whining!

What I do know is that when I struggle... Holy Spirit is always here to comfort me. And through the comfort He gives me, I will be able to pass that comfort on to some one. "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." II Corinthians 1:4 I have a note written in my Bible next to this verse... My suffering can never outweigh God's comforting!

That is what I am holding onto today! How about you?

I actually have a card to share with you today. This card was created for my niece, Morgan, on her confirmation.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Father knows...

2011-05-12T11:54:00.000-04:00

Can't believe it has been almost 2 weeks since I posted on grateFUL HEART. It has been a busy couple of weeks! There are some changes going on and it takes me a little time to get into the groove of change. Also I started a new blog directed at our ladies ministry at church... it is called "Coffee Cup Corner"... which is funny because I can't stand coffee, please check it out.

I was able to get away last week for a couple days with 3 great ladies... it was so refreshing to go to the condo at Boyne Mt. and just relax, laugh, talk, cry, eat and do nothing we didn't want to do!

This week has brought a whole new "opportunity" for change... we found out 3 weeks ago that our kitty, Lollipop, had diabetes. We tried treating her with pills, but she continued to lose weight... she went from 10 pounds down to 5 in the last 6 weeks or so. My wonderful hubby wanted to do whatever I was ready to do and finally this morning I let her go. I didn't want to see her suffer anymore or get worse. The vet was very sympathetic and Lolli went to sleep very gently. I feel relieved it is done but I am gonna miss my little kitty so much. She was my constant sleep companion... Luke on my right and Lolli on my left. When she was really little she use to sleep across my throat at night.

I am sorry I don't mean to be such a downer, this is just where my heart is today. I am very grateFUL for the time she was here with us.

Aren't two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Matthew 10:29

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

It is Finished...

2011-04-23T20:38:00.000-04:00

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." John 19:30

It is finished… my Savior paid the price for my eternal life when He drew His last breath on the cross. He covered my sin with His blood… He loved me with His life. He rose from the grave and conquered death. Now His Spirit lives in me so I can finish the work I have been called to do. His power is mine to use… His keys to freedom are now mine to share… His grace is my gift to receive. All regret or guilt is gone and new life has come, because it is finished. If there is ever a doubt of how much I am loved, I can look at the cross. It is finished… but it is not over… I will finish strong because of Him.

I pray you always remember the Cross, but the victory came in the resurrection… have a great Resurrection Sunday!

With a grateFUL HEART, carin

Past... Present... Future...

2011-04-20T13:06:00.000-04:00

Is it really April 20??? We got piled on with snow last night, but I choose to keep praising my Creator even with this white "stuff" all over the ground. It really doesn't look like Easter is only 4 days away!!!

Have another birthday card to share with you. This is the card I made for my sister, Renee. If you are one of her blog followers you may have seen that she posted it on there.

Past… Present… Future. To some people those words can stand for… Regret… Frustration… Worry.
After reading in Ephesians 5 I see it this way: Past ~ the love that God gave through Christ to redeem me (v. 25) … Present ~ in love He is sanctifying me (v. 26)… Future ~ by His sacrifice and love He will present me to His Father in flawless perfection (v. 27).

No need for me to stress… I have decided to let it all go and let Him have the control.

Feeling blessed and highly favored today! God is so good! How about you?

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Destroying Walls...

2011-04-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

We are getting snow here in northern Michigan... actually it is thunder snowing right now as I write this. Let me see April 19th and we have had over 4 inches of snow this week... interesting! So I am sharing a Springy looking card today...

Also, I was reading in Ephesians 2 & 4… in 2:14-22 it is talking about the walls being broken down between the Jews and the Gentiles… that by the sacrifice of Christ the walls that divided us were torn down. “For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us,” (v. 14 - Amplified)

Then in Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul is begging us as Believers to walk worthy of what God has called us to. Live with meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another in love (Fruit of the Spirit). In verse 3 it says, “Endeavoring (being eager with effort) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” The sacrifice of Christ brought the wall of division down and we are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:22)… He is here with us right now so that we may live in the spirit of unity to fulfill God’s plan.

Another thought I had was if Christ died to bring down the walls between Jews and Gentiles, why is it that Believers are re-erecting the walls between each other??? If we have a union with Christ, then how can we not live in unity with each other… isn’t He what unites us??? Lack of unity will always hinder God’s work… if I will not live in unity with other Believers then I better just get out of His way. Lord, don’t let me be a hindrance to Your work.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

His Peace...

2011-04-15T10:01:00.000-04:00

Fabulous, fantastic Friday to all of you! Going for a quick trip to Traverse City with the hubby for some word related things, but I am hoping for a short stop at a store I want to go to too!

Just a quick post... I have been coming across so many verses about “peace” the last few days. In Isaiah 26:3 ~ You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

And Psalm 29:11 ~ The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

So I looked up the definition of Peace ~ freedom from war: tranquillity: a calm and quiet state, free from disturbances or noise; mental calm: a state of mental calm and serenity, with no anxiety; harmony: freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people.

Now that is the way I want my life to be... the answer is right there for me... keep my mind on the Lord... lay all my burdens at His feet.

Also a card to share... it is kink of funny that I would show you such a busy card when my post is about "peace", but I find doing these Zentangle cards to very relaxing to me. I made this one for my niece's birthday.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Bliss...

2011-04-11T16:06:00.000-04:00

I want to share something I shared a couple weeks ago with our "unity prayer circle" we have before Sunday morning service. But first I want to share a card with you...

Living a life in "Bliss" with my Heavenly Father.

I have been really praying for clarity in my life... in regards to relational battles. I really never thought of conflicts with friends or family as relational battles, but it was made so clear to me. I feel like this is something all of us might deal with, but probably women more than men. I think we care way more than we should about being accepted by our peers... we can be our own worst enemy. Am I wrong about this???

Anyway, what was revealed to me, more or less, was why do I waste my breath defending myself or proving my point when it is just a distraction and a waste of time, not to mention it zaps my strength that could be used for God's glory. I can see now that if I stop trying to be “right” and choose to live righteous then God will give me perfect peace.

It is true that trying to defend myself from blame will only leave me with bitterness. It is also true that no matter what anyone says about me or does to me will never stop God’s perfect plan and promises in my life… I have to remember… it is His business… He is my Defender. It is NOW that I will walk away from relational war and wrath and into a life filled with peace. I am determining to fight for the things worth fighting for… winning souls for God’s Kingdom.

In Romans 12:18-19 it says …If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

I pray God will give us the wisdom to steer away from relational traps set by the enemy to distract us. I pray for the Holy Spirit to rise up in us and take control, giving us the words to speak when we may be faced with a relational war. I pray we never again exhaust ourselves with useless arguments. I pray that we will keep our eyes focused on God’s big picture and push past any relationship that can hinder us from being all God has called us to be. I pray God will fill us with His grace and love and boldness to deal with any difficult relationships we may encounter. In Jesus’ name.

The whole chapter of II Samuel 22 is so great, but verse 24 fits so well with this thought of relational battles… I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.

Remember there is no relationship in this world that is worth more than your relationship with the King of Kings.

No matter what the conflict or with who the conflict may be I have the choice of how I will handle it. If it takes at least two people to have a relational war, and I am not going to battle, then there will be no war. “A soft answer turns away wrath.” Proverbs 15:1… the battle will stop with me because I choose to be blameless in God’s eyes. I have no control over what anyone else will choose to do, at this point it is all about my heart being in tune with God’s heart.

An after thought: Sometimes I need to bite my tongue to keep my tongue from biting others.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Friendship...

2011-03-29T10:03:00.000-04:00

I was thinking about friendships. I am blessed to have great friendships in my life. The thought of having a "forever friend" is such a comforting thought, but can that always be the case??? I understand the thing of “loyalty” in friendship, but if a time comes that a friendship is stopping you from doing what God has called you to do… what then?

These are some questions God has laid on my heart to ask myself… Is a friendship putting up road-blocks? Is a friendship causing me to step away from serving? Is a friend’s offense becoming my offense? Is this friendship hindering the Lord’s work? Are there bad changes that have happened so subtly that I don’t even see it? Am I ignoring words of truth from other good friends? Are things I am hearing and believing to be truth from this friend taking precedence over what is in God’s Word? Am I putting so much stock in a friendship and being a good friend that I have replaced God with that friendship? I guess the ultimate question for me when evaluating all this is… Is this friendship making me sharper for the Lord or is it dulling my edge?

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens

the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

It is great to have good friendships, but I always need to remember that there is no relationship in this world that is worth keeping if the cost is a broken relationship with my Heavenly Father.

I pray for loving, encouraging friendships in your life. I pray that God puts the people in your life that will keep you on the path He has planned for you. I pray that you will seek God as your ultimate friend. I pray that you will make the choices that are pleasing in God's eyes. In Jesus' name.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Bloomin' for His Glory...

2011-03-24T09:02:00.000-04:00

I have been going through a little bit of a rough patch… at times I feel like I am losing my mind! *Ü* Some may be hormone related, some may be the enemy, but what I do know and believe is that through it all if I can keep looking to Jesus and keep praising God… I am on the right track. I may be praising Him through the tears, and that is okay at least I continue to praise Him.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. I Peter 4:12-13

It is hard sometimes to realize when I am going through something painful, those are the times I can be growing the most in the Lord… those are the times when God’s glory can be revealed more through me… those are the turning points in my Christian walk. It is hard when people may not understand the choices I make… choices I know God has called me to. It is difficult to have people turn their back on you. I was reading this morning how when trials come it is like having the soil turned over in our “potted plants”… I need to let my soil be loosened up and weeds pulled out. God wants to loosen things that can choke our lives and stop us from radiating joy. And yes, unfortunately it may be those same people that have turned their backs on you that also could be choking out your joy.

It is not fun to go through painful or troubled times, but if stirring up my soil is what it takes to move me forward in my walk with the Lord… I look with anticipation for the joy and fruitfulness to come… it will be greater than I could ever imagine! It is not easy and sometimes can be lonely but I choose to surrender it all to God.

“Those who bless God in their trials will be blessed by God through their trials.”
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Identity Crisis...

2011-03-19T10:21:00.000-04:00

Life has been so busy lately... all with good things, but just VERY busy! I haven't even taken the time to stamp lately... I need to get back to that. I do realize that sometimes in the busyness I can lose track of myself. I really felt like I needed to share this on our identity.

Everyday your identity is under attack. You are bombarded by the enemy’s lies… he wants you to feel worthless. Don’t look to things around you to find your worth. You are God’s, and He doesn’t want for you to go through an identity crisis… you are His Treasure.

“… out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be His treasured possession.” Deuteronomy 14:2b

Papa God is the only one to appraise your true value and worth. When you think about Him sending His Son to die on the cross for you… doesn’t that already prove how much you are worth to Him. At this very minute, embrace what you are – God’s treasured possession… His crown jewel… chosen one of the King. Our Heavenly Father is the only One who defines you!

Imagine how highly He thinks of you… you are loved and accepted by Him for who you are. Treat yourself as the precious jewel that you are, because that is what He wants for you. Don’t settle for anything less than your worth… see yourself through the loving eyes of your Creator. I pray you will never let anyone tell you who you are, accept for your Heavenly Father, He is the One that knows exactly who you are because He created you.

Praise His holy name because He has made you the wonderful woman you are… maybe not perfect on earth, but perfect in His eyes. Love yourself for who you are now, but love yourself enough to keep growing in the Lord… giving Him all the glory. He is right there with you ready to lead you from glory to glory… grab hold of His hand and don’t be afraid... He only wants the best for His best… let His light shine through you, my dear sisters.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Beautifully broken...

2011-03-10T10:38:00.000-05:00

Guess what... more snow in northern Michigan!!! It is very white here, maybe I should go out and build a snowman. Ok, maybe not!

Do you ever have those moments when something is said to you in a joking way, but to you it just feels mean? Well, that happened to me... there was this "funny" incident that happened a few weeks ago... I laughed about it at the time, but it was one of those things that you say, "ha-ha, that's funny, now let's move on." If you know what I mean??? Well, someone that had nothing to do with this incident came up to me and told me they had a good laugh a couple days ago over this thing that had happened to me. Let me tell you I was not in a great mood to begin with, plus I had a terrible headache... I don't have a problem laughing at myself when something is funny, but I didn't appreciate being laughed at, as I saw it.

Luke and I had a discussion about it and I felt like he was just trivializing how bad this made me feel, so I told him I wasn't going to talk to him about it. I know, probably not the best attitude but I was so frustrated and my head was just pounding so hard from the headache... I just dropped it, even though I was feeling old and ugly, hurt and misunderstood.

Okay, fast-forward to this morning... when I got up my hubby had left a marker in the “My Princess Warrior” book at the page entitled “Beautifully Broken, My Beautiful Warrior”. It talked about the weakest points in me are the places where God can shine the brightest. He wants to use my brokenness to make me beautiful for His glory. He will rebuild whatever is broken to become more beautiful than I can ever imagine. It talked about Esther and how God took her heartache and brokenness to be used for His glory and actually, if you read the book of Esther... she was used to save a nation.

Let me tell you these words in this book were just what I needed. God has blessed me with the best hubby in the world... I love, love, love that Luke is the husband God has called him to be. Praise to You, oh Lord!

I want to share my prayer for spiritual beauty… I pray to see how beautiful God has created me and how He is turning my brokenness into greatness. I will believe Him when He says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” I bring my weakness and brokenness to Him so that He can restore me and turn me into something more beautiful than I could ever be on my own. I pray that all of Heaven’s beauty will shine through me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

I have let this hurt go because I will not let the enemy have his way in this… I am beautiful in God’s sight… He is the only one that I need to validate who I am.

I hope that if you are feeling down or not too beautiful today... these words may be a help to you... let God's glory shine brightest where you feel the weakest.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

The Potter's Hands...

2011-03-03T16:59:00.000-05:00

I feel like life has been so busy the last couple of weeks. There has been a lot of really great things happening and going on, but there are also those things that I wish would not be part of my daily living. I am feeling like life is spinning out of control at times… I like to know exactly what I am doing… I like to have things organized and set to go, but I don’t see any of that going on right now. People have been so great… very encouraging.

Are you feeling under pressure from test or trials in your life? Just remember those are the times that God can use to form us… those are the times when I am “pliable” to either let Him make me what He wants to make me or I can keep fighting against it which will leave me broken and more or less just a blob that He has to start over again to form.

And the vessel that the potter made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the LORD came, saying: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand! Jeremiah 18:4-6

When I feel like my life may be spinning out of control that is the time the Potter’s wheel is spinning me to make me evenly formed into what the Potter has planned to make me into. The problem comes when I take my eyes off God and I focus on the circumstances or the mishaps in my life… that is when I become “dizzy”… that is when I let this journey through life get the best of me. I also realize the times when I feel like I may be under fire, both from people and the enemy… those are the times that God can fire the clay that He has formed. A masterpiece is never put into the kiln only once… in may be fired and then taken out and added to with more glaze to make it more beautiful. It is a process… it isn’t a quick process, but God, the Potter, has shown me that the masterpiece He is making me into is a slow and sometimes painful process… perfection will take a lifetime and that is okay because He has the plan for my life. He loves me just like He made me, but He also loves me so much that He doesn’t want me to remain where I am.

I know it seems totally insane in human thinking to be joyful in trials, but that too is a choice… how will I choose to handle when yucky things happen???

“My brother and sisters, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” I Peter 1:2-4

Just a thought... if you can’t praise God in the bad things then do you really mean it when you praise Him in the good???
Besides knowing are never alone in this life... a word of encouragement would be to stay in God’s Word… pray for His guidance… ask Him for patience and for His joy to bubble up in your heart… hold on to His peace, His is the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

From Bondage to Redemption...

2011-02-26T09:45:00.001-05:00

Things have been so busy for the last couple weeks... mostly good, but a few not so good things too... life is staying in balance, more or less. Today I just need to share my heart, I don't really have anything crafty to share, but I hope you will read this post even though it is a little lengthy.

I was reading in Exodus about the children of Israel. Exodus 6:6 says, “Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”

I could see how that the children of Israel are like us today, in that they were in bondage to Egypt… Pharaoh was keeping them enslaved to Egypt… they saw their lives as having no choice of what anything in their lives would be… they seemed to just throw their hands in the air and surrender to being slaves for the rest of their lives. Just like them so many of us today are living in bondage… bondage to our past, our circumstances, our defeats, our sin… we have thrown our hands in the air and said, “I surrender, life is just too hard and unfair.” But we have a choice, will we continue to live in bondage and let the enemy continue to tighten up the shackles we have on our hands and feet and our hearts or will we surrender to God who will rescue us from our bondage… He will redeem us… He is waiting with an outstretched hand to release those chains of bondage.

I am talking first about salvation… surrendering your life to Christ… asking for forgiveness of your sin and asking Him to be your Lord and Savior… that is the first step needed to remove the bondage of sin. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:9-13

But I believe this is also talking about people who are Believers already... there are many times in a Believer's life that we let circumstances bring us so low it is hard to even look up. Not only can Satan deceive us but we can deceive ourselves… we can get so far off the path God has for us, we may not even look to His Word for help, comfort, or understanding… or in some cases we look to His Word for bits and pieces that we can construe to fit the way we are feeling and deceive ourselves into believing we have every right to feel the way we do and that everyone else must be wrong. Instead of dealing with the problems in our lives head-on we talk about it with others and if we can get others to agree with us and whatever the “injustice” is, then they can take on that offense with us and we can shackle them to us in this bondage. You know the old saying, “misery loves company,” well I believe that also could be said of bondage, “bondage loves company,” because it can get to be a very lonely road to travel.

Please understand this is coming from my heart, not from condemnation of these… I know what it is like because I have been there too. (Romans 8:1) My heart is sadden when I see people that are trudging along in the Christian life so unhappy they have anguish of spirit (Exodus 6:9 So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.) I pray I never let myself get bound to lies, deceit and sin again. I also pray for those Christian friends that seem to be spiraling downward from whatever hurts they have taken on… I pray they would look up and see God’s Truth… I pray they would confess, forgive, and let restoration begin in them so they can step out of bondage. There may not be any good answers or what we think are good answers, but we can continue in bondage or we can choose to just give it ALL up to God. I believe this is breaking God’s heart and it is also breaking mine, but I will not let others’ circumstances put shackles on my heart… I can’t.

Life can be tough enough, so why would anyone want to live a life in bondage if they know better. I am not saying I am perfect I just believe there is a difference between sinning and being bound to sin... I would rather die than go back to that bondage. We as Believers need to continuously be on guard… I Peter 5:8-11- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

God impressed this so much on my heart... I knew I had to share it. I don't know who might need it besides me, but my hope is that these words God has given me will be a help to someone reading this. It was written with a spirit of love... believe that if you believe nothing else.

Blessings, with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Choices...

2011-02-18T13:24:00.000-05:00

It has been a very busy week... the highlight being that my hubby and I are taking on the Usher/Greeter ministry at our church... we have over a hundred wonderful people serving in this ministry, but the thought of it can be overwhelming if I let it be. In my devotions today it talked about the choices we make in our life bringing us to where we are and who we become. Here is a great quote about that, “life is not made by the dreams I dream but by the choices I make,”… my life is summed up by the choices I have made. We don’t always choose the circumstances in our life but we can choose how we will react to the circumstances. Every moment of my life is a choice. The choice can be a wide-range from really bad choices, mediocre choices, choices that are good, or choices that are in the caliber of excellence.

“…that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10

My pastor has been doing a series called, “Crossing Over”… when God is leading you to something new in your life will you choose to cross over to the place He wants you to be… not only cross over but cross over with excellence. Are you willing to fight every natural impulse and choose to do what God is asking you to do… even when your family and friends may not be joining in on your choice??? I desire for my life to be pure, blameless and fruitful for the cause of Christ. The idea of crossing over to something more, to another level, can be scary, but I believe that if God is calling me to something more… He will also equip me to do what He has called me to. All choices will have a ripple effect… don’t you want it to be a good ripple? I know I do… I am choosing to live a life filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Here is the anniversary card I made for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary that was the end of January. Love, loyalty and God... that is the secret to a long marriage. I am blessed to have parents that are still together.

Have a blessed day... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Totally loved...

2011-02-14T16:07:00.000-05:00

Today is Valentines Day… I have always loved this day. From when I was little to being a "grown-up". I loved making a box for my Valentines to be delivered to in each grade of elementary school... of course it had to be as pretty as I could make it... oh, how I wish I would have had Stickles back then!!! WOW! can you imagine the sparkles???

I really don’t remember being cynical about Valentine's Day, even when I was “alone” before I met my wonderful hubby. If a person looks hard enough they can always find love in their life in many forms... friendship, family, showing kindness to strangers, and best of all the love of a Heavenly Father. Share the love!

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." John 15:13

So I am wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day with this card I created for a friend...

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Stand fast...

2011-02-10T10:27:00.000-05:00

I read in Acts this morning about Stephen and how he was stoned for preaching Christ. He was a man that was willing to do whatever in took for the cause of Christ. He was a man that was willing to take himself out of his comfort to lead people into the comfort of the Savior. If my life was threatened would I keep speaking up for Christ? My life is not in distress for my stand, but am I putting myself out of my comfort to lead others to His comforting arms?

If a Believer is finding opposition from a family member or friend what do they do??? Do they back down from what they believe or do they keep moving forward for Christ… even if it might cause them to lose family or friends??? When confronted with hostility we need to stand fast in the Lord… that is what will see us through when the pressure is on. “Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown, stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.” Philippians 4:1

Stephen was stoned… how much more physical pressure could there be??? Yet as he was nearing death he said, “Look! I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” (Acts 7:56) His focus was still on Christ… he was being stoned to death and he still was focusing on Christ! How many times do I let the smallest things take my focus off Christ??? Waiting in line at the grocery store… the furnace quitting… the cat hacking up a hairball on my light-colored carpeting… the pastor saying something I didn’t agree with… I could go on, but I won’t. The enemy will throw all kinds of stuff at us to get our focus off the cause of Christ… don’t give him a foothold! And if you are standing fast in the Lord then there will be no room for the enemy to get a foothold either. Just remember, when you are facing opposition, maybe it shows that you are doing something that really counts for Christ… think about that!

I have another "Sassy Sak" to share with you today... I am making these fun and fashionable purses to sell at a local boutique, but I am willing to take orders too.

Thanks for stopping by today! with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Shaken to be stirred up...

2011-02-07T10:47:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! I use to not like Mondays but now it is not such a bad day. How are you spending your Monday?

I was reading in Acts 16… the account of Paul and Silas being put in jail and how they sang praises to God... in jail singing praises!!! An earthquake came that freed all the prisoners, but none of them ran away. I remember learning about this story many times in Sunday School as a child, but my focus was always on Paul and Silas… I saw it was God that caused the earthquake to show His might and make the people see that they needed to let Paul and Silas go. I now have seen it from a different perspective... I saw it from the point that it really didn’t have so much to do with Paul and Silas but with the jail-keeper. He needed to be shaken awake to realize what he needed in his life. The bad circumstance that Paul and Silas were in was a way for this jail-keeper and his family to come to know the Lord.

So my question is… when bad things occur in our lives are we only focused on what the bad is or are we looking for how God can make His good out of it??? A hard lesson to learn is that it is not about me… it is all about God… when I say that and surrender to it my heart feels so much lighter… the weight of whatever is going on in my life is lifted. Whatever it takes... all for His glory!

One final thought on this… I can see sometimes Papa shakes me so I can see what He wants me to see and sometimes He shakes me so someone else will see what He wants them to see. Just a thought???

... the jailor rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Acts 16:34

I received a SU Big Shot for Christmas from my parents, along with the Bigz Lg. Scalloped Square die. So I have started to create what they call, "rag purses"... I like to call them, "Sassy Saks".

For you that may not know these saks are machine washable and reversible... that is why the 2 pics... the one on the right is the side that I think is a little more whimsical, and after you wash it it will get a more frayed look. You might notice too that I added a pocket on the side for your cell inside and out.

Hope you have a good Monday... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Truth is Your Armor...

2011-02-03T10:54:00.000-05:00

It is already the 3rd of February!!! Sorry it has been a couple weeks since I last posted... been keeping myself busy with other things I guess. The snow storm hit here with a "thunder" but we are hearty people and it hasn't kept us slowed down too much.

Do you have those days when you just get down on yourself? It can be anything from not having ambition to get things done to not liking the way your jeans fit you... come on we all have those days! This morning I read in “His Princess Warrior” book... it is a devotional book my hubby gave me for Christmas… I haven’t read it in a few days... I get my regular quiet-time done and then I get busy with other things… I almost opened it yesterday but then I got busy with other things again.

The one I read this morning was titled… "Truth is Your Armor". I know the enemy has whispered his lies to me… and sadly I was content in wallowing in them for a short time yesterday. I repented of the lies I was taking on as truth and this is my statement of Truth that I wanted to share with you…

...I will crave Truth in every area of my life. I will find peace in the path the Lord has led me to travel. I will know the Truth in every and all situations and the enemy will not be able to deceive me. In Jesus’ name, I will completely ignore the lies this world throws at me and I will embrace the Truth that I am a precious daughter of the Most High God. My confidence in His Truth will become contagious and blessings and favor will follow me every day of my life because I choose to reject lies and walk in Truth… this is my prayer of Truth and I speak in boldly in Jesus’ name.

I will know the Truth and the Truth will set me free. John 8:32

I have a masculine birthday card to share today:

I have a new fondness for the Fleur de Lis... it has so many great meanings, including the Trinity... this one was cut out with my Cricut Expression.

Hope you found something here today to find a little encouragement.
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones...

2011-01-20T12:09:00.000-05:00

My sister, Renee, had gall bladder surgery yesterday... she is doing pretty good. She says she is just really sore. It has not been a fun few weeks for her but now once she recovers from the surgery... it will be so much better!

There are so many people having difficulties. I was thinking how that as we face heartaches in life we need to completely trust God’s goodness and plan so that we can overcome anything that is put in our way. Those stumbling blocks that could trip us up and knock us down need to be moved in such a way to be used as stepping stones… building blocks of faith. Our circumstances, both good and not so good, are part of our journey of faith. We may not understand why things happen or how what has happened can be used for good at the time… we just need to trust that God is in control and will make all things work for His good. And sorry to say, some of the greatest lessons learned are the most painful to go through. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” I John 5:4 We may not be feeling like overcomers today, but I believe that I am because I am born of God, and besides, He told me so.

Wanted to share this wedding card I created for a wedding a couple weeks ago... I think is turned out simple, but elegant. Got to luv the SU (Stampin' Up) punches!

Hope you have a blessed day!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

He is Sufficient...

2011-01-18T10:40:00.001-05:00

I am starting with something crafty today... as you can see by the banner on my blog I am a customer of "PrintOnIt"... right now they have a great sale going on their vinyl, just click HERE to see the sale. I would so appreciate it if you purchase anything from PrintOnIt that you would go through my link here... they have other crafty items too. This is nothing great but it is vinyl I purchased from PrintOnIt and cut with my Cricut to decorate my laptop.

I woke up this morning determined to seek God’s face and to not let myself stay in this crappy, crabby state of emotions. I am realizing a pattern here that has been occurring over the last 4 or 5 months… the week before my period starts I turn into a blubbering basket case. I hate that! I really have not been a big PMS person… during-MS, yes, but no pre-MS. Why does it have to be this way now? Also, I find it very disturbing and annoying when I hear other women make comments like, “oh you are getting to that age when hot flashes will start and your hormones are a mess.” If that is the case, at that very moment I DON’T WANT TO HEAR THAT!!! I pray that as I move into this next phase in my life that I do not become one of those women… it is almost like they are saying, “AHHA we got another one to add to our little menopausal group.” Don’t get me wrong, since I was 11 once a month, like clock-work, my uterus has shed what it needed to shed, but if my womb (I really don’t like that word, “womb”… it sounds like a little kid trying to say, room) is never gonna be used to carry a precious little baby… I am more than thrilled to stop this monthly “expression of womanhood!” *Ü*
Okay, I guess I have gotten off track here. The point I am trying to get at is that this week every month for the last while has been a bad time for me to deal with the enemy’s attacks… I guess it is a good time for him but not so much for me. I am left feeling not worthy, not a good wife, not a good friend, incapable of doing anything right. Please tell me some of you reading this can relate. I know that these are just feelings and I can’t live my life by these bad emotions, but for the first day or so of this week… I really struggle. I feel sorry for my poor, loving hubby… he just doesn’t know what to do to help.

This morning I came across a verse that really spoke to my “crazy” heart… “Not that I am sufficient of myself to think of anything as being from myself, but my sufficiency is from God." II Corinthians 3:5 I really needed to be reminded this morning that I am made sufficient (enough) through Christ by God… He has written this on my heart which is so much better than just writing it on paper!

He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9 This is another verse I wanted to share because it has greatly impacted my life. Papa is so good at giving us just what we need when we need it if we are willing to seek Him.

Hope you have a blessed day. with a grateFUL HEART, carin

The Word is "All"...

2011-01-06T12:12:00.000-05:00

I am trying to memorize Psalm 34 with a verse a day during the first 3 weeks of January. I use to memorize so much out of necessity, not really because I loved to memorize. I had to memorize hundreds of verses when I was on a Bible quiz team as a teenager. Even though most of those verses were memorized for competition I am so thankful today that I have those verses stored in my memory and my heart. At the age of 45 I am finding it not so easy to just memorize… I don’t want to memorize just for the sake of saying I have done it… I want it to be something that sinks down into my soul… I want it to be a very personal, intimate time for soaking up Papa’s Words. It use to be very important for memorizing to be “word perfect”, but now I am finding that just doesn’t work for me. I have had to take this Psalm and make it personal to me… I have to envision these words being spoken by me to God… making it personal has so much more impact.

“I will bless the Lord at ALL times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord, the humble shall hear of it and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord and He heard me, and delivered me from ALL my fears.
I looked to Him and was radiant, and my face was not ashamed.
This poor woman cried out, and the Lord heard me, and saved me out of ALL my troubles.”
Psalm 34:1-6
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The word “ALL” really stood out to me in these verses… “all” – the whole amount or quantity is affected; the greatest possible; complete or total.

I have always been an “all or nothing” kind of person… I am sure a lot of that stems from perfectionism… if I couldn’t do something perfectly then I just would not do it at all. Over the last year I have learned to let the perfection thing go, or rather I am working hard on letting that perfection thing go… I’m a work in progress!!! I am learning that not giving my ALL to God is not the best way to live my life. So many times I would choose to hold back small parts of my trust or faith or even love from God… I would choose to put Him in a “box”… I didn’t let Him have ALL of me… I would keep Him limited in my life. I do believe that God can do whatever He wants to do, but I also believe that He gave us freewill and He will not step into areas we are not willing to give to Him. When I have gotten to know Him more as my Heavenly Father and not a big, scary, untouchable judge… I can see who He is and that He gave It ALL for me…He has not held anything back. “He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?” Romans 8:32 … and ALL He asks is that I give my ALL for Him. It is not a condition of His love… He has already given me All of His love… it is out of my love and awe for Him that I want to give my ALL.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with ALL spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians 1:3

Had to share this snowy scene from our few days spent up to Boyne Mountain... it was a great relaxing time with my hubby... refreshed for the new year!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

The Word is "Overcome"...

2011-01-03T10:38:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a word with you today and the word is "overcome". I was watching something on tv this morning and they were talking about changing the way your brain thinks, like bitterness, unforgiveness, regret, etc. They were saying how when you dwell on those things it actually changes your brain matter, almost like leaving a “black hole” in your brain. The word, “overcome” kept coming to my mind as I watched this… my thought was, this can only be overcome by the power of faith in God. Then I opened my devotional and the title was “An Overcoming Faith”… so I asked God what He wanted me to see from this. He reminded me everything in my life that I have overcome has been only through my loving Heavenly Father.

I heard in my heart that a true overcomer is one that keeps going, keeps trusting, keeps being faithful even when things aren’t the way I want or the way I think things should be. It is not being able to change the circumstance… it is just trusting that God knows what He is doing, that He is in control, that He has my best interest in mind to further His Kingdom. I also thought of what Christ went through, He overcame death and the grave, but the circumstance of how that had to happen; a horrible, humiliating death on the cross, was not the way He wanted things to be, as it says in Matthew, “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.’” Matthew 26:39
The definition of "overcome" is - to conquer a problem, defeat somebody, to win or be successful despite obstacles. I cannot overcome anything in my life without keeping my focus on Christ and the strength that only comes from God. Are you feeling like you can overcome today? Seek His face through His Word, through prayer... you have the strength to overcome if you are a child of the One who has overcome the world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T08:46:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that is December 31st already! Where did 2010 go??? I guess the phrase, "time flies while you having fun," must apply to 2010! It is very warm here in northern Michigan, by warm I mean in the 40's... all our snow is sinking into the ground or evaporating into the air (it is very foggy). It is kind of yucky out!

This is the time of the year everyone takes a look back at the "highlights" or "low-lights" of the year past... but I am choosing just to glance at the year past. My devotions was good this morning… it talked about looking in the rear-view mirror to see where you have been and what God brought you through… that is good. I have always said that if you turn your head to look at what was behind, you will drive yourself off into the ditch, but the idea of glancing in the rear-view mirror... I like that. You can see God in the rear-view mirror but you can also see Him through the windshield. “He will never leave me nor forsake me. The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

Glance behind to remember, but I must be focused on what is ahead to keep moving and growing. Looking ahead is far more productive. What is that saying “yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift that's why it’s called the present.”

I have one more picture to share of a gift I made for someone... the giant cup is from Pampered Chef and the decorations are from SU.

Off to do some errands... groceries, post office, and pay taxes (yuck). Have a blessed New Year!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Peace through Christ...

2010-12-24T14:05:00.000-05:00

Christmas Eve... I am set I think. I am content in what I have gotten done and the rest doesn't matter. My devotions this morning was about peace… the peace that Christ came to give us. I was thinking about Mary and how on the night she was to give birth she had no warm, comfortable spot to be in. What would I have said if it were me? “what do you mean there is no room in the inn? Can’t they see that I am about to give birth here? How can they expect me to go to that dirty barn with all of its animal smells and have a baby? No tv and no running water? Do they realize who I am?” But no, she did not take offense. She knew that there were more important things for her to be concerned with. Why would she want to waste her precious moments with offense in her heart??? Why do we so many times let the simplest, mundane, silly things push us over the edge to being offended? I am sure Mary was not thrilled with the idea of giving birth in a stable, but she knew it was going to be alright. She had the Peace living inside her… she knew His peace that passes all understanding even before He was physically in this earth.

You often hear people say, “all I want is world peace.” What is each one of us doing to make that a reality? To be perfectly honest, none of us have any control over “world peace”… all we can control is the peace in our own heart. Don’t let minor things put the scars of offense on your heart. This world can be brutal, but even when the world is raging around us… we can have that peace in our hearts. Do you have IT? I like that little saying, “No God, no peace… know God, know peace.” “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 … He is so precious to me.

Sharing some baked goodies with you today! My snowflake cutout cookies with edible glitter.

The second pic is cakeballs... my first attempt, but they turned out good and they are sooooo yummy!

Off to two services at church and then heading to my parents for a couple days.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

In His Season...

2010-12-23T09:14:00.000-05:00

Only 2 more days! Are you all ready for Christmas? I always like to reminisce a little this time of the year... I was always a sneak at Christmas-time… if I got the chance I peeked at gifts my parents had hidden in the house. Even went as far as opening a gift that was under the tree that had been wrapped at the store before Mom brought it home. Yes, it was jean gauchos… I must have been about 11 or 12 years old… gauchos were the rage then! Um, and I wasn’t alone in that one, my older sister, Renee, was also a part of that… we even tried them on before carefully wrapping them up again. I have always been a lil’ nosey, sorry to say, but it is true. I always wanted to know what was next… I am a “planner” so I would use the excuse that I need to prepare and knowing will help me with that… that is just a pile of bologna! The truth is that I wanted to know so I could be in control of the situation… and by doing that I missed so many great moments because I was not living in the moment.

I am finding this way of thinking doesn’t mesh well with my life as a follower of Christ. I am not in control of my life, but I have the choice of whether I am going to let God control it with me going through life kicking and screaming or go through life with peace and trust. Something is always going to control my life… will it be fear or will it be faith???... will it be grateFULness or will it be disappointment???... will it be love or will it be hate??? We all have the choice. And He said to them, “It is not for you (me) to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” Acts 1:7 May you choose to fill your day with faith, grateFULness, peace, and love.

Wanted to share this paper and canvas project I did for a friend as a gift. I luv, luv, luv the SU butterfly embosslit folder! And of course, more SU rub ons from my stash. The saying is, "A small thing done in love is a great thing."

Have a blessed Christmas Eve Eve. with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Let It Be...

2010-12-20T22:06:00.000-05:00

So are you all ready for Christmas? Has there ever been a Christmas when you felt totally prepared? I am finally getting my Christmas cards in the mail... yes, I let it go once again until the last minute, but at least I am sending some, unlike last year.

In reading about Mary, Jesus’ mother, when the angel appeared to tell her of her pregnancy… I was thinking of how her mind must have tried to play tricks on her… I realize she must have had incredible faith to begin with because she was chosen by God to carry His precious Son, but she was still human. In verse 38 of Luke 1, Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. The words, “let it be to me according to Your word”… am I willing to say that??? Will I humble myself and surrender all always to my Lord, no matter the cost? This reminds me of the song, “Your Love Never Fails.” The part of that song that says, “You make all things work together for my good”. His love has always been the same… unbelievable… unimaginable love. It is so hard sometimes to just let it all go, but I know… I believe Papa has always brought things into my life that were only for my good, even when I couldn’t see it or didn’t want to see it! And I know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 HIS PURPOSE! Surrender is a daily thing with me, just like I am sure it was with Mary too as she saw her belly getting bigger and bigger… and people talking about her, but His promise is the same today with me as it was back then with Mary... I have to surrender it all to allow Papa to make my life significant for Him.

I am sharing my very simple Christmas card with you... consider this my Merry Christmas greeting to you. I am only sending to family that is far away or shut-ins... hope it cheers up their day.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

No Hustle and Bustle.

2010-12-16T08:03:00.000-05:00

As I was reading Psalm 42, my heart was aching for friends/family. I can see that Satan is really working in places where families are doing good and causing him the most damage. In verse 9, “I will say unto God my rock, Why have You forgotten me? Why do I mourn because of the oppression of the enemy?” I can still remember the message I heard, how that Satan’s greatest weapon is discouragement… if he can discourage then he has got us where he wants us. In those times we may feel so alone, like the verse says, “God, why have You forgotten me?” but it is in those dark times when we have to dig deeper to see His light shining in us. It is kind of like discouragement pulls the blinds on our heart, those total light-blocking blinds, we need to find something or someone to help pull the blinds up. When it gets so bad we may not even want to look to God’s Word for the encouragement we need… that is when having great, encouraging people in our lives is so important. Do I see when someone is discouraged and needs a word of encouragement from me? Am I allowing myself to be led by Holy Spirit to see those moments when my encouragement is needed? Am I willing to do whatever God asks me to do, no matter how uncomfortable I may be?

Christmas prep is still in full motion... it is coming ready or not!!! Spending today with a friend shopping in Traverse City... praying for peace in my heart... no hustle and bustle! Thought I would share a pic of our Christmas tree... it has been up and decorated for almost a week!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

I am Still Here...

2010-12-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am still here... I just have been so busy since we got home from Thanksgiving at my parents'. Last week I spent everyday getting our church decorated for Christmas and helping to get things ready for the servant/leader Christmas party that was on Friday. It was a busy but very fun week. Here is a picture of me and my friend, Stacy hanging snowflakes from the atrium area at church... it is a long way up there.

Next Monday is our Night Out For Ladies Christmas event, so this week is spent in preparation for that. We usually have anywhere from 300-500 women... so there is lots to do again this week. However, when I woke up Saturday morning I had a scratchy throat which has now turned into a chest cold. I have too much to do... I don't have time to be sick.

Our Christmas tree is up with lights, star and tree skirt, oh and 3 ornaments but that is it so far! It will all get done and what doesn't I just have to let it go.

I was reading in II Corinthians 1:3-7 this morning and the thought came to me that my suffering will NEVER outweigh God's comfort... I am so thankful for that.

I just took some cough medicine and now I am gonna cozy in for the evening in my "snuggie".

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 30)

2010-11-25T22:15:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving! We did... although I am very tired. I was awake before 5 a.m., and we were on the road to my parents' by 7:30 or so... long day by oh so good!

So on day 30 I am so grateFUL for safe travels, the love of an incredible man of God, time spent with family, and all that of you that may be reading this.

I do realize that a day of thanksgiving should be a daily thing... and I really try to make that happen in my life, but I need to try harder... it is hard to stay in a bad mood if you are speaking what you are grateFUL for... don't you think?

"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

Time to crawl into bed... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 29)

2010-11-24T22:16:00.000-05:00

We just got home from Testimony Night at church... I look forward to it every Thanksgiving Eve... it is so great to see how Papa God is restoring marriages and families. So on day 29, I am grateFUL for being established in the faith. I can't imagine how hopeless my life would be without Christ.

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6-7

I am a big fan of Josh Groban and a couple of years ago I purchased his Christmas CD... on that CD was the song titled, "Thankful"... every time I hear it my heart overflows with gratitude. Take a listen here. Hope you are blessed by it.

Heading to my parents' in the morning for a long weekend... looking forward to family time.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 28)

2010-11-23T20:00:00.000-05:00

It seems “funny” that when I did my devotions this morning that this was the verse that jumped out at me… “For He (Christ) Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,” Ephesians 2:14. What I am grateFUL for today is for the peace I have through Christ.

Shortly after I wrote the above statement... the devil quickly leaped in there and tried to set me off track. Satan will not steal my peace!!!! I went searching for scripture to set my mind back on heartfelt peace and I came up with, “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. It can be easy for me to shut out the external noise in my house, being most days I am the only one home, but it is the internal noise that is the tough one for me… yes, the voices in my head! The noise of worry, anxious thoughts, second-guessing… sometimes even after my quiet-time with God those things can start echoing in my mind again. What I need to be reminded of is that Papa has given me a way of “sound proofing” my mind which in turn brings peace once again to my heart.

First of all I need to remember that God understands my dilemma and He will always provide a way to calm my heart. Secondly, do I want to continue to carry my worries or am I willing to exchange them for His peace??? “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7. Lastly, I need to remember it is a choice on my part… who is more capable of handling anything in my life??? I already know that I find that peace, only Papa can provide, when I let go of the “noise.” Just writing all this down has helped me and I hope it helped someone else too.

I have to share a picture of the "pie man" that lives in my house! My hubby makes the best pecan pie around... I never make pies because he always makes them, including homemade crusts. He is a keeper!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 27)

2010-11-22T22:15:00.000-05:00

On day 27... I am grateFUL that God gave me the chance to help out a friend that had surgery last week. Took goulash and pecan tarts to them for supper. Stayed and visited for awhile... hope I was a help... hope they liked supper.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 23-26)

2010-11-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

Once again I am sorry that I just didn't blog the last few days! I had lots to be grateFUL for though.

Day 23 - I was grateFUL that I was part of a church-wide fast... we are in the midst of trying to choose a new lead pastor, so the fast was for prayer and guidance in this. I fasted facebook and blogging, which many days takes up too much time! ;) If you think of it, please pray for our church in this matter.

Day 24 - I was grateFUL for a trip to Arnie's Crafts with a good friend... a little craft supply retail therapy! Plus, we had dinner with some great couples that night too.

Day 25 - I was grateFUL for Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel... okay... sappy, silly, maybe, but I luv them!

On day 26 I am grateFUL for child-like faith. I accepted Jesus into my heart as a young child, which I am sure back then I didn't realize how blessed I was that I had the foundation set by my parents for that to happen. Every person can come to Christ with child-like faith, but us adults can learn from the little ones! "When the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' they were indignant and said to Jesus, 'Do You hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes. Have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise?'" Matthew 21:15-16 Don't let life or being "adult" stop you from having the faith of a child.

Sharing a Thanksgiving Day card today... I don't do many but I have this cute little turkey stamp from SU so I had to use it. *Ü* (sorry the lighting on this was so poor)

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 22)

2010-11-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

I am grateFUL for a hubby that warms my side of the bed for me! Night all!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 21)

2010-11-16T20:25:00.000-05:00

It has been a busy day, but I accomplished a lot... so that makes it a good day! On day 21... I am grateFUL for the things I was able to accomplish today. Not everything went favorably, but that is okay... I will deal with it and like the bookmark below says, "All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today." There maybe "flowers" tomorrow. *Ü*

Okay, so here is the rest of my story from yesterday... the pilot made an alarming announcement that we would be landing at Detroit Metro Airport instead of Detroit City due to freezing rain, he said the City Airport had shorter runways and they were afraid the plane would slide off the end. Ok, now you have my total attention! I was a little shaken and started to silently pray, but I knew all would be okay. As the plane attempted to land… the closer we got to the ground the windier it was… it was like being on a rollercoaster… weaving and tipping and tossing back and forth. We got within a couple hundred feet of landing and all of a sudden we took off again with full throttle, or what seemed like full throttle. Again, the pilot made an announcement, saying we had to take off again because of massive wind shears… so we were to circle for awhile until the wind died down… we circled for what seemed to be forever… when the pilot’s voice once again came over the speaker… this time he said we were running short on fuel and we had to land no matter what. The flight staff prepared us as good as they could, but I was really scared… being all alone and so new at flying. The gentleman sitting next to me calmly folded his newspaper, and started to speak words of assurance to me. He reached over and held my hand, the whole time speaking words of comfort to me. It was a landing like I could never imagine and hope I never experience again, but this man, that I know God had set next to me, brought me such peace. As we unloaded the plane he said he would find me at baggage to help me and to keep an eye on me. I looked for him, but I never saw him again… it was like he vanished. I don’t know this man’s name… I probably would have a hard time even giving a description of him… what I do know and believe is that at that very moment, when I needed that human connection… he was my angel… an angel sent from God.

Since then I have thought many times about the verses, Hebrews 13:1-2 “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” I like to believe this might have been my one time I actually saw my guardian angel. Farther in that same chapter is this verse, “So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6 The Lord helped me that day by giving me this man to help me on that specific day… whether he was really a celestial being or not… he was sent from my Heavenly Papa to comfort me in that moment.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 20)

2010-11-15T16:43:00.000-05:00

It is opening deer season here in Michigan today, so my hubby has the day off... yes, there are businesses that close in this neck of the woods for opening day! So today I am grateFUL for the extra time I get to spend with my hubby on this Monday! That is one of my favorite past-times! *Ü*

I also am trying to get back into tatting... here is a little sample of my beginning again with tatting.

I have a story to share with you too. This time of the year reminds me of Luke’s time stationed in Oklahoma in ’91 for officer’s school. He left the first part of September and was gone for 5 months. I had my hair salon open at the time so there was no way I could go with him. After 5 weeks, I flew down to see him (my first flight ever) for a long weekend. Then 6 weeks later I flew down again to spend Thanksgiving with him… that time I went on Wednesday and came home on Monday. It was a great Thanksgiving, filled with many “firsts” including… the first time I wasn’t with my family for Thanksgiving and the first time having Thanksgiving dinner in a restaurant. It didn’t matter where I was or what I ate… I was just so grateful to be with my hubby (we had only been married for 15 months at that time). The interesting part of that trip started on the flight home. I flew out of Oklahoma City to St. Louis with a 4 hour layover before flying onto Detroit. Four hours in an airport by myself… now remember this was before laptops and cell phones… 4 hours turned into 5 hours because of bad weather… finally after all that time I was on my way to Detroit City Airport. I was in the aisle seat and I was seated next to an older man in a suit who spent the flight reading a newspaper… I was very shy and didn’t speak much to strangers, plus I took Dramamine for air sickness so I was a little out of it. As we got close to Detroit, the pilot made an alarming announcement...

I didn't want today's post to be too long, so I will finish my story tomorrow... please "stay tuned".

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 19)

2010-11-14T21:53:00.000-05:00

It has been a very dreary day today... weather-wise, but really good otherwise. Great morning at church... love to worship and a good message too.

On day 19 I am grateFUL for words of kindness. I am the sort of person that will speak my mind, trying always to do it in a kind way. I also use a lot of humor, in fact I really have trouble relating to people that don't have a very good sense of humor... they probably have a difficult time dealing with me too. *Ü* I try to speak only life giving words and not waste my breath on unnecessary words... trying to speak words of kindness and encouragement to others, and this morning I had so many people speak kind words to me. When that happens it can turn a dreary day into a cheery day. I don't live my life by what others say about me, but it is nice to hear positive things and not negative.
"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Psalm 15:4

Here is another little project I made for a gift. I bought the picture frame a long time ago at a surplus type store, wish I would have bought more.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 18)

2010-11-13T09:20:00.000-05:00

Getting an early jump-start this morning. Hubby is working and then I think we are heading to Traverse City for the afternoon... we have not been to TC since August!!! Going for no particular reason, just sometimes you need a change in scenery.

On day 18, I am so grateFUL that I am significant... I may not feel like... I may not even think it, but Papa God told me so in His Word. "Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!" Psalm 139:16-17
Growing up I always felt like I didn't belong and you know, especially as a teenager, you just want to fit in, but I never did really. I accepted Christ into my life at a young age, so I always knew I was "not of this world" but that didn't make it easy to be different so many times. I probably even resented it at times... that my values and moral/spiritual compass wouldn't let me go have "fun" that everyone else was having. Not saying I was perfect... I got away with plenty, but I never stepped too far over the line before the Holy Spirit redirected. When I read chapter 139 of Psalms and especially those verses above... I am just amazed! Papa not only created me and loves me, but He sees me as significant... and He sees you as significant. Now, that is something to be grateFUL for... don't you think?

Here is a little birthday card I made... it is my sister, Renee, that taught me how to do the owl... I think it is a woot! (sorry couldn't resist!)

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 17)

2010-11-12T22:16:00.000-05:00

Can't believe Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away. Looking forward to going "home" (to the Thumb where my parents live) for Thanksgiving... we haven't been there since the first part of August for a weekend... too long.

I asked my hubby to share what he is grateFUL for today, first he said me, and I told him that couldn't be his answer. LOL So then he said he is grateFUL for the beautiful Fall weather we have had and such a great harvest.

Here is a wall hanging I made for a friend's birthday. I know I got this idea from someplace on SCS, but I am not really sure from who, sorry.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 15 and 16)

2010-11-11T09:54:00.000-05:00

I am so grateFUL today for the men and women that have given their lives, serving our country, protecting our freedom. There are not enough words to express my thankfulness.

"Father God, please place Your mighty arm around those men and women who are sacrificing right now for us. I pray for their families... God give them the peace and comfort that can only come from You. I thank You that through You and Your Son we are able to know what true FREEDOM is. In Jesus Name, amen."

Remember, FREEDOM is never free!

Off to spend the day with some super duper ladies... 2 of which have birthdays today! Happy Birthday Ruth and Laurie! Chatting, eating, laughing (for sure), and yes, even a lil' stamping... what more could you want in a day??? I might have something to share with you a little later, but it is a birthday surprise so don't want to ruin it.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 14)

2010-11-09T20:29:00.000-05:00

Today was a much quieter day... went through a lot of piles and threw out a bunch of needless stuff. Oh, that feels so good when I take the time to do it. Clutter out of the house helps me keep the clutter out of my mind! Anyone else like that?

We had a great Night Out For Ladies last night at church, which leads me to what I am grateFUL for today... I am grateFUL that Papa God has called me not only to be a wife, but to be Luke's wife... I have been so blessed with a hubby that is so much my opposite that we compliment each other perfectly, or as perfectly as we can... it just keeps getting better and better. I am not bragging... I am just giving God the glory He deserves.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 13)

2010-11-08T22:14:00.000-05:00

It was a busy, long day so this will be short and sweet. On day 13 on am grateFUL for a good report from my second mammogram and ultra sound, and having supportive friends that care for me. Thank You Papa for bringing goodness in my life.

with a grateFUL HEART, cairn

30 Days of grateFULness (day 12)

2010-11-07T18:57:00.000-05:00

It was a busy day today, but a good busy. Starting with an extra hour of sleep with the time change, but you know I was still up very early. I served in the information center at church this morning for first service then was able to worship at second service. It was a great message... love a pastor that will get up... speak the truth... maybe even step on my toes... just be very genuine. My hubby and I were privileged to have lunch with 3 awesome men... that was good. Then we were off to a funeral home visit... not so good, but necessary. I had mixed feelings about the passing of our friend... so sad to see her go, but rejoicing that her 8 year struggle with cancer is now over. She is resting in the arms of Papa God.

So on day 12 I am grateFUL for time... the time Papa gives me to live this precious life and hopefully use it to reach out and touch others lives with His love. Time to serve Him... time to worship Him... time to spend with my hubby and friends... time to just share a smile or a kind word with someone... even time to take a nap on a Sunday afternoon with my hubby.

Here is another of the cards I created... I luv the SU "In Colors" and they look so nice against Chocolate Chip.

I would love to hear what you are grateFUL for today... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 11)

2010-11-06T19:35:00.000-04:00

On day 11 - I am grateFUL that I got to spend the whole day with my hubby. This time of the year he works every other Saturday (Spring and Summer it is every Saturday), so I so appreciate days like today. I slept in a little longer than usual and he made breakfast for us... then we went grocery shopping in Cadillac... he doesn't mind shopping and that is so much help to me... I don't mind the self-checkout but it is so much easier with 2 people. He even helped the lady ahead of us bag her groceries.

I also got to go to one of my favorite places today... Arnie's Craft Store in Houghton Lake... it is one of the best craft stores around here. We met my sister and her hubby there... they are in Houghton Lake for the weekend celebrating their anniversary. We had a late lunch with them and spent some time chatting... the guys didn't chat so much but me and my sister kept the conversation going! *Ü* I hadn't seen my sister for a couple months, so it was great to just spend some time together. Happy Anniversary Renee and Frank!

Here is another one of the cards I created yesterday. These are different colors for me to use, but it turned out okay... I think. And I am "thinking of you" as I post this.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (days 9 and 10)

2010-11-05T20:51:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I am posting 2 days together again today... I have been feeling under the weather most of the week and yesterday just got away from me without posting on my blog.

On day 4, I am grateFUL for peace... peace that even when I am not getting much sleep at night because of coughing... I know that Papa is there watching over me and giving me strength. ‎"The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace." Psalm 29:11

On day 5, I am grateFUL that I was able to do some stamping. I haven't done too much lately and I need to get back in the habit... it can be like therapy for me. And here is one of the cards I made using Really Rust, Always Artichoke, So Saffron. The trim I bought at Hobby Lobby... when I saw it I thought it would look pretty used on cards, especially with Fall colors.

Gonna go snuggle up on the couch with my hubby... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 8)

2010-11-03T22:16:00.000-04:00

Today I am grateFUL for LOVE... love from Papa God... love from my dear hubby... love from my family and love from great friends that are like family. A kind word, a warm smile, a gentle touch, a big hug... I pray I will be known for my love.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 7)

2010-11-02T21:12:00.000-04:00

I am grateFUL on day 7 to live in a country where I have the right to vote. The process may not be perfect but it is the best we've got.

That is all I got for today... I am feeling a little under the weather... hope I feel better tomorrow.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 6)

2010-11-01T16:44:00.000-04:00

I am grateFUL on day 6 for the Seasons… the Seasons of nature and the Seasons of life. I love living in Michigan where we are able to enjoy the different Seasons… I will admit that some Seasons could be shorter than others, but Papa God’s creation is so unbelievably beautiful.

Just like the Seasons of Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall… life has many Seasons. I was reading in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 - “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” As I am looking back over some incredible things that took place in the last 10 months I am also reminded of some sad things as well… friends that have been in my life for only a short season, but through sad circumstances are no longer a part of my life. I can remember a message our previous pastor gave about how friendships may not be friendships that we are meant to have forever. Sometimes people are brought into our lives for a time to learn from in a mutual way. I have had friendships where my friend took a wrong turn that was detrimental to my well-being… but like our pastor said, those are the times we just may have to vacate that relationship. It doesn’t make the friendship any less than it was, but it does take strength to see the problem and to part ways for one’s own sake. If you are going through something like that now… it is not fun, but it can be a learning experience… search God’s Word… pray for guidance.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (days 4 and 5)

2010-10-31T08:36:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was such a busy day trying to get caught up on housework... with no electricity for over 24 hours and then once it did come back on, we had septic problems (yuck), so needless to say the dishes were stacked up and so was the laundry. I can't stand to live in a messy house, if someone else has a messy house I don't mind being in it, because it isn't my mess!!! *Ü*

So my day 4 would have been that I was grateFUL I was able to get the dishes done and the laundry washed, even though it isn't folded or put away yet (I hate folding and putting away laundry!).

We also had a wedding to go to last night... it was a beautiful Fall wedding. So here is the card I made for the young couple.

The words say, "There is no remedy for love but to love more." The colors I used were Always Artichoke, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron... and of course had to add a touch of Diamond Stickles.

Now for Day 5... I am grateFUL for the sacrifice of Christ. He died to redeem me once and for all. When I read about the sacrifices that people had to make in the Old Testament, under the law... I really don't know if I could have done it. I was reading in Hebrews 10 this morning... this passage really shows how the greatest Sacrifice of all actually took our sins away. Verses 14 and 18 made this so clear... "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified... Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin." Thank You, Papa God.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness (day 3)

2010-10-29T22:17:00.000-04:00

It has been a long day, so I will make this quick. On this 3rd day of grateFULness I am grateFUL for love in my life... love from Papa God... love from my hubby... love from my family and friends... and the chance to be able to love all of them in return. Love is an action it is not a thing. Share a little love today.

Here is a wedding card I made for our oldest niece that got married this last summer. We have a wedding to attend tomorrow so I will have to take the time to do a little crafting in the morning... yay!

"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:9

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULNESS (day 2)

2010-10-28T14:51:00.000-04:00

Okay, yesterday I was finally gonna post something on my blog and before I could hit publish... we lost our electricity! The area was having a severe wind storm and it took out our power. All day yesterday from 11:30 a.m. on. So this morning, needless to say, it was a little chilly in our house. I was able to go to our church and shower and wash my hair this morning!!! You don't realize how much you rely on electricity until you don't have it.

So today I am grateFUL for my church and a warm shower. Right now I am sitting at church writing this post... it is like a refuge for me... especially today when I am feeling a little like a refugee.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

Just found out our electricity is back on!!!
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

30 Days of grateFULness

2010-10-28T14:25:00.000-04:00

I am such an "all or nothing" kind of gal... sometimes that can be really annoying to me. Once again I have let my attention be on so many other things that I haven't blogged in weeks! I really haven't hardly stamped in weeks!!! YIKES! I really could use some stamping therapy in my life right now. I have "collected" some craft items... I got in on the SU closeout deals (yay) and then the other day I went with a couple friends to a grand opening of a Hobby Lobby an hour away from home! Yes, that is the closest Hobby Lobby to us.

Fall is going so fast... can you believe Thanksgiving is a month away??? So, to get myself back in the swing of blogging I am attempting to do "30 days of grateFULness"... the grateFULness is not the hard part for me... the sitting down and blogging everyday just might be the challenge, but lets take a stab at it. I really hope some of you will participate in this as well and at the end of the 30 days I will have some blog candy to give away. So stay tuned!

On day 1 ... I am grateFUL for Papa God's provision. "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26 So many times I let myself focus on what I don't have rather than what I do... God is so faithful to supply all my needs... I don't understand how He works it all out, but I don't have to understand it... I just have to believe.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

PS: In the middle of posting this we lost our power so it is being posted today.

with much love...

2010-10-04T12:23:00.000-04:00

I am sorry it has been so long since I have blogged. I have missed it but I have also let other things stop me from doing it lately... poor utilization of my time. I wish I was better at that. I have been journaling plenty, just not putting my thoughts on here.

Here is a card I did using SU Wings of Friendship, SU border punches (luv those), and swirls embossing folder with the Cuttlebug. The words, "with much love" was stamped with a cheapy dollar stamp I picked up somewhere.

Do you read the Old Testament much? I must admit I have not always appreciated the Old Testament like I should... until recently. I find the story of Hosea interesting… Hosea is a little book that I really never thought much about. To be totally honest there is much of the Old Testament I never thought much about, sorry to say. I always loved the stories that were told to me in Sunday School, but let’s face it I don’t recall ever learning about the story of Hosea. It really wasn’t until I was preparing a Bible Study schedule for our ladies' ministry at church that I really paid attention to it. Hosea loved and married a woman that couldn’t or wouldn’t be faithful to him. She ran off to the other side where she thought the “grass looked greener”… after many years of living a very unbecoming life, she was all “used up” and those people she thought were her friends really wanted no more to do with her. Her husband, Hosea, came and found her and was willing to take her back and love her unconditionally, no matter what she had done or what other people thought. It taught me that God is our loving Husband, we turn our backs on Him many times, but He is always ready and willing to take us back… all we have to do is turn back to Him.

I see this as a love story…I love love stories, but it breaks my heart when I think about the pain it causes to have someone turn their back on you... even through all that pain you can still give forgiveness to that one that hurt you… throw pain and pride to the side and just forgive! Now, look at the same story from the point of the one that needs forgiveness… how much does my Papa God love me? He will never give up on me even though I may give up on myself… what lovely assurance is that? “I will heal her faithlessness; I will love her freely, for My anger is turned away from her.” Hosea 14:4

See, a love story, like no other love story. Lord, let me walk in Your way, so I don’t have to fall in my own ways. (Hosea 14:9b)

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Precious...

2010-09-14T11:55:00.000-04:00

While reading my devotions this morning I was reminded about something from when I was a kid. I remember when a bird had gotten in the house… it came in by accident and then it couldn’t find the way out. That bird kept flying to the windows thinking it looked like the way out, but all it was doing was batting itself against the window pane. It seemed like a good option of escape, but of course it wasn’t. We tried to push this poor, scared bird towards the opened door which would have led it to freedom, but in its panic it just didn’t understand that.

That made me think of how we as humans get ourselves into places or situations that we have no right being in and then we look for a way of escape. God’s Plan has given us all a way of escape but so many times we choose not to follow His plan. We think we can do it on our own and what we do is just bat ourselves against the “window pane” which in turn causes pain and anxiety. God has an open door for all to come to Him… He waits with open arms. All we have to do is run to Him and surrender our ideas to His divine Plan. It is in His arms we find true freedom.

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Luke 11:19

My hubby just got back from Quest, (it is the male equivalent of Heart Quest, which I attended in April). Five and a half days with Father God and no distractions... which means no phones, so I missed him so bad, but I knew God was doing awesome things in him while he was gone. I made this card/mini album and sent it along with him as a surprise for while he was gone... I didn't want him to forget me *Ü*.

I love that picture labeled "Precious"... that is us taking communion together on the church property before the church was built... it means so much to me to have this picture. There are so many times those precious, intimate moments are never recorded in a picture. I thank my friend, Vickie, for capturing this moment. Can you tell I adore my hubby? I am awestruck by God's goodness in my life.

Hope you have a blessed day and thank you for stopping.
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Remembering the goodness...

2010-09-11T11:03:00.000-04:00

Nine years ago today things changed in the world, as we knew it. People with hate as their agenda stepped over the threshold into pure evil. I give honor to those men and women whose lives were taken in such a horrible way.

I was reading this morning in Romans 12… about evil and goodness. Evil is never overcome with hate… evil can only be overcome with goodness. And truly pure goodness can only be found in God through His Son, Jesus Christ. I can hate what these people did, and I do, but I must ask Papa God for His goodness to work in me to forgive and actually love these people that hate us and what we stand for… not sure if I am there yet with that… but my awareness of it is a first step in the right direction. I do know that my focus can’t be on the evil… in has to be on God’s goodness… Christ died for ALL, sometimes that is a “hard pill” to swallow when evil has caused such personal devastation… I guess that is why we need God, because there is NO way to do that on our own.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." – Psalm 121:1-2
"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12:21

“As light overcomes darkness, goodness can overcome evil.”

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Smile... God Loves You...

2010-09-01T10:27:00.000-04:00

I am feeling pretty good this morning... I have been having quite a bit of back pain, but after my chiropractor treatment the other day... it is so much better. He gave me some core exercises to do and doing them has helped... who thought exercise is a good thing??? LOL

I really want God’s leading in me today… "Lord, help to go where You want me to go, say what You want me to say, do what You want me to do. Help me to stay focused on You." That word, "focus" is still so important to me... it just keeps popping up and I know God is really working on me with my focus.

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9… I don’t want my words to be “lip service” to Papa God… I will not let my worship for my Lord be about me… only about Him. Once again it goes back to focus… where am I focusing???

I have a funny picture to share today... I had poured some orange juice for breakfast and when I looked into the glass this is what I saw "staring" back at me...

Isn't that too funny! A smiley face looking up at me... I knew it was going to be a great day!

Here is a simple birthday card to share today. My SU order came Monday so I am excited to finally get to play with some of it.

Blessings to you... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Being Attractive...

2010-08-22T08:58:00.000-04:00

I had a fun Stampin' Up party on Thursday... I think it went great! My parents are here visiting with us for a long weekend... it is good to have them here.

This is a birthday card I made for a lovely friend of mine that loves butterflies!

Philippians 1:9 says, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,” or in the KJV the word is “judgment”… is this talking about discernment of how we choose to live our life… to know what is righteous… to know what is pleasing to God??? I like to look up verses in other translations, in verse 11 of this same chapter I read in the Message translation in verse 11 they used these words, “making Jesus Christ attractive to all”… that hits the nail on the head! I am to live my life in a way that makes being a Christ follower attractive!!! I shouldn’t be a whiny or bitter or complaining or Sunday-only Christian… I need to seek God out daily to give me what I need in my spirit to live a life that is attractive to others and draws people to Christ, not drives them away from Christ. That should be my focus always… not always how it turns out but that is to be my focus. I pray for the Word to be soaked up in me until I have enough to pour it out on those around me… let me be a "full sponge" for the Lord… let me be filled and rung out for God each day that I am blessed to walk this earth. This is the desire of my heart... to make Christ attractive by the actions of my life… I want to be a representative that draws all men to Him… He deserves the glory and praise of all creatures of the world.

Better get ready for church... have a blessed Sunday! with a grateFUL HEART, carin

True Love...

2010-08-17T11:14:00.000-04:00

Sorry it has been so long again... summer has been fun-filled and busy... which is a good thing. My hubby and I went away for a few days last week to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. We had such a nice relaxing time. Here is the card I made for my sweet hubby:

I am so blessed with such a loving man of God... God is so good that He gave me a hubby that compliments my personality perfectly... and let me tell you that has to be an act of God. *Ü*

I also had the opportunity of created a card for a 70th anniversary... yes, 70 years! That is almost not heard of anymore. A friend from church asked me to make this card for her in-laws.

I had bought this shiny metallic 12x12 paper not knowing what I would use it for and then this was perfect for it. The words on the front say, "True Love Stories Never Have Endings." I hope this couple has many more years to celebrate... maybe I will be asked to make their 75th???

I have lots to do today... I have family coming to stay for a few days, so I have a little cleaning to do. My sister, Renee, the SU demo, is coming to do a party for me and my friends on Thursday... so excited. If you are in the area... you are welcomed to come!

Thanks for sharing a little part of your day with me! with a grateFUL HEART, carin

God is Greater...

2010-08-04T16:26:00.000-04:00

Some days I just feel like I am really hearing the voice of God in my life and then other days I am deafened by the silence… I know God stays the same, so I know it is me. Do any of you have that problem?… I would think any human being does. I know that some days I seek after God more than other days… I let myself get off track by circumstances and distractions around me... people just going on about stuff that is not important in the scheme of eternity. I am not saying that in a condemning way, just speaking real life. The great thing is God knows my heart… He knows me way better than I know myself.

I love these verses in I John 3:17-21 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” I have TRUTH living in me… that does not waiver from feeling to feeling… that does not change as my emotions change. I am a fairly emotional person, so I am so amazed God gave me all these emotions as a very important part of me, but He also gave me His Truth to be able to control my emotions and not act or react based on my emotions. I don’t always find that very easy to do, so on the days when I “feel” off track I just need to hang on to the Truth I have living in me.

I have a journal to share with you today... I made this for my hubby. I used embossing folders with the Cuttlebug, heat embossing, and I cut the Fleur De Li's out on my Cricut. He seemed to really like it.

Well, that is it for today... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Just Worship Him...

2010-07-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

I can’t believe only one week left in July! Time just seems to fly! What an incredible Summer we have been blessed with. We had a few storms last week but nothing big right where we live... some very nice rains. It was a sunny day on Saturday, but in the late afternoon we got what I like to call a spontaneous shower... the sun was still shining and it produced this beautiful sight out our front door. All glory to You, Papa God!

I came across these verses in Acts….17:24-25…"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.” … when I read these verses my thoughts went to worship. I didn’t grow-up really knowing too much about worship… worshiping God was spoke of in the Bible times but I didn’t ever find myself grasping the “concept” of worship. I loved God and knew Jesus as my Savior at a very young age, but until the last few years I truly never knew what it meant to worship Him. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of how I failed to worship my Lord for all those years… I know I can’t look back… when I learn to do better I do it and that is all that can be asked of me or any of us… right?

Okay, back to the verses… God is so magnificent that He created everything… He is all knowing… all powerful… self-sufficient. He doesn’t need anything from any of us. I don’t have to worship Him because He needs my worship… I have to worship Him because I NEED to worship Him. I need to come into His presence and recognize His greatness… I need to open up my heart to His mighty power… I need to surrender my will to His will… I need to show Him honor for giving me life and freedom from being a slave to sin… I need to love Him for Who He is and for what He has done for me… He is God and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. And the great thing is, I can be sitting on my back porch looking out over a field of oats and I can worship Him… there is no special “equipment” required accept a grateFUL HEART.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

because I CARE...

2010-07-23T15:52:00.000-04:00

I am so sorry I have not been very on the ball with my posting this summer... maybe because our summer in northern Michigan has been such a nice one... what a difference from last year!

I went last week to my sister's SU openhouse in the Thumb with my friend, Ruth... we had a great time. Since my birthday was this month I received some SU gift certificates to use so I was able to order some of the new colors... so excited to get my new stuff... it will be like my birthday all over again (only I don't have to get a year older) *Ü* Here is a card I made as one of the projects at the openhouse... luv the colors... what do you think?

I have to share a praise with you today... as my regular blog peeps know my mom has been having health problems. She is doing much better but still has a way to recovery... still praying and believing she will be restored to better than before. Yesterday she actually ventured out on her own... she drove herself to the hair shop to get beautified. She hasn't driven in months... it just thrills my heart to hear this progress... God is so good all the time!

"I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." - Psalm 7:17

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

Hear It... Do It...

2010-07-12T08:15:00.002-04:00

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” - James 1:22 That verse was in my devotions for yesterday… I memorized that verse years ago, and even though I saw or heard the Word over the years, many times I didn’t do it. I was thinking how it is like sitting down at a beautifully set table to have a fabulous meal… you know where all the forks, spoons and knives are in their proper place… shiny, polished crystal glassware… heirloom quality china… oh yah, and cloth napkins, of course. You are seated in your chair ready to take that first bite of a scrumptious meal… you place that bite in your mouth and chew it and chew it and chew it, but then instead of swallowing it you spit it out. Do you ever get the nutrition you need from that food?

Our physical bodies need food as fuel to keep us going… just like our spiritual bodies need nourishment from God’s Word. We might open our Bible and read the precious words on the page… we can read it and read it and read it, but if we don’t ingest It and do It we never will receive the “nutrition” we need from It.

I have been challenging myself a lot for the last few months to be a doer and not just a hearer. I know I have lived so much of my life looking “good” on the outside, but my motives have not always been what they should have been… living and doing things in a prideful way. I have to daily check my motives… is it to honor and glorify God first and foremost??? Hear It and do It... let that be my passion!

Off to get ready for Night Out For Ladies, but wanted to share a quick card with you...

I saw this layout somewhere but can't remember where... sorry. Hope you like it... those colors scream Summer to me.

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

Birthday Wishes...

2010-07-08T21:47:00.000-04:00

Today is my 45th birthday! I have had an incredible day. My PFFs made my day so good. I was picked up at 9 a.m. by Ruth and Heather (aka PFFs) and taken out for breakfast, which included a little gift. (don't ya know) Then they took me to Ruth's house to spend the day "playing" in her craft room. Every so often either Ruth or Heather would leave the room and come back in with a little gift for me. Must have ended up with 7 or 8 special little gifts... including 3 bottles of Stickles and a gift certificate from SU!!! It was just a fun day of laughter and only a couple happy tears! Thanks Ruth & Heather for being my PFFs! Love you girls!

I have received so many birthday wishes from my facebook friends... makes me feel so loved. One message really struck me... she asked me, "what do you think God was feeling when you were born?" Wow, I have never thought of that... have you thought about that for your own birth? A few months ago I would have thought not too much about that, but now I know how much God loves me and how precious I am to Him. He was happy the day I was born... He could see all He had in store for me... He could see all the good and the bad... and He still loved me so much. I don't know about you, but that just blows my mind and makes my heart leap with joy. Papa God is so precious to me!

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well." - Psalm 139:14

I just had to share this with you all. Thanks for stopping!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Something Better...

2010-07-06T16:45:00.000-04:00

Today I read in Hebrews 11… the “faith chapter”… all these great men and women of the Old Testament that lived and died by their faith. I saw something new in this chapter that I know I have read but never really “saw”… in verse 39 and 40 – “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” They had faith that could move mountains, so to speak, but they, these heroes and heroines of the Bible, didn’t get to live to see the Promised One come. We live in the day of grace… how thankful I am for that... if I had to live under the Law (check out Leviticus)… I just don’t know if I would have made it… sacrificing animals and all the other stuff. Praise God that He made a way that was better for us through the ultimate sacrifice of His precious Son… once and for all... and I am walking in that Truth today.

I have a wedding card to share today... it was done with window sheet sent through the Cuttlebug for embossing. It was hard to get a picture because of the glare, but this gives you the idea. The finishing touches were the half pearls and of course an embossed butterfly from SU embosslet.

It is a hot humid day again here in northern Michigan, so we are having something simple for supper, but I better get that going. Thanks for stopping... sorry it has been so long since I have stopped in! *Ü*
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Imagination...

2010-06-22T10:50:00.000-04:00

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" II Corinthians 10:5

Imagination… that is a word I have lived too much of my life by. I can have a very vivid imagination, which is good in creating, but when imagination turns to negative thoughts… that is where the problem lies! In Genesis 33… where Esau and Jacob were going to meet up with each other so many years after Jacob had stole Esau’s blessing… Jacob imagined Esau would still be mad and maybe want to kill him, but that was not the case.

There have been so many times when I would walk into a room of strangers or acquaintances and just know they were looking or thinking critically of me. I could have the whole scenario playing out in my mind, when none of it was true only my imagination. The devil loves to play off our imagination… it is like we are doing all the work for him… you know the thoughts… “that person thinks I am not good enough”… “they are staring at this big zit on my face”… “they think I don’t belong here”… “what if I trip and fall as I walk across the room”..."are they laughing at me?" All those condemning thoughts of inadequacy… we do it to ourselves and then let the enemy have his fun too with our help. I know that my imaginations of inadequacy have come from me not being secure in who I am in Christ… human fear over Christ-like faith. If the devil can keep us from living in our faith in Christ then he has got us where he wants us.

A couple years ago God really spoke to me about living life “out-loud” for Him. All the insecurities that I lived everyday of my life with were keeping me stifled and I was becoming stagnant for Him… I was determined that with God’s help I was not going to live one more day based on my insecurities or emotions. Not saying that I don’t have trouble with that anymore but I try to live day to day and moment to moment trying to conquer that with comfort and guidance from the Holy Spirit. It is so freeing and actually refreshing not to have those imaginary conversations going on in my mind… I saw the people around me as my enemy when they were not my enemy… my enemy was my own imagination.

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,.. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." I Peter 2:1, 4-5

I have a little graduation card to share with you... embossing folder with the Cuttlebug... SU corner and edge punch... mini butterflies... and little half pearls... thought it turned out pretty.

I know this is a long post today, but I felt like I needed to share this. Asking once again for prayers for my mom... she has been through a lot over the last year and it is all catching up with her... she is dealing with major mental anguish and she is in the hospital once again... God hears our prayers and we believe for complete healing in Jesus' name.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

The Weekend...

2010-06-19T12:01:00.000-04:00

I just noticed my "blogoversary" was yesterday... 2 years since I started "grateFUL HEART"... how time flies!

It is Saturday morning... 2 days before the first day of Summer... 1 day before Fathers' Day, but as for today... it is a BEAUTIFUL day!

No stamping for today but a funny picture... Do you remember the 1989 movie, "Weekend at Bernie's"? Well, here is a picture I took of a couple friends and my hubby...

Disclaimer... there was no one harmed in the production of this picture nor was there drugs or alcohol involved! LOL

Okay, now on the serious side... just a verse to share too... Psalm 91:1-2 Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. Then you will say to the LORD, "You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you." (Contemporary English)

Have a great Saturday... with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Security...

2010-06-18T11:50:00.000-04:00

I hope you haven't totally forgotten me... I am so sorry I have not posted in weeks... that is so not like me, but life happens and I don't take the time to write it down. *Ü* I spent almost a week at my parents, trying to be encouraging to my mom who is still having health issues (prayers still appreciated).

The other day I saw someone write, "I wish I could see into the future just for a second." I know how dangerous that would be and I told her so, but now this morning in my quiet time I saw that how even one second could change one's path for a lifetime… one split second! Why do we as humans think we need to know everything… choosing knowledge over life. In II Timothy 6:17 it says, “As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” Even the news on TV… reporters think that they need to know everything so they can inform the world of “everything” that may or may not be going on… personally I don’t want to or even need to know everything! Ironically, having too much information can just lead me down a path of uncertainty… it makes me want to take the control out of God’s hands and put it into my own incapable hands… I fight with being in control everyday… it is a choice everyday, sometimes even minute to minute, to hand all control over to God… completely trust Him. In reality I know I never have the control anyways… I just think I do and all that does is make me miserable and more controlling!

If a person could see into the future just a couple seconds how would that couple seconds change the choices they would make? And by making that choice how would that choice change the next choice and the next choice… see it would be like a domino effect… and what happens to dominoes when one starts going?... they all eventually fall. I don’t know about you but I do not want to live my life trying to keep all my “dominos” standing. God sees the big picture. I only see a pixel in the big picture, and I am so thankful for that.

What is secure? My security lies in the mighty hands of God, my Father, my Provider, the One who holds my future.

Yes, I do have a birthday card to share with you today... I saw a card like this somewhere... maybe on SCS??? I don't have a stamp to make the grass-look so I think it is so cool to be able to use the edge of my stamp pad. And of course the butterfly fanatic that I am... I have the butterfly die folder from SU. Luv it!

Okay, I need to get some other stuff done today, so have a sweetly blessed day... thanks for stopping.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

In Remembrance...

2010-05-31T07:42:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day! This is the day that we as Americans set aside to remember and honor those that have fought for and are still serving to keep our freedom. I am so thankful for their sacrifice... not only the ones serving but their families as well.

I also was thinking today where in I Corinthians we are given the Lord's supper to use in remembering God's sacrifice of His dear Son. "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." - I Corinthians 11:24 I stand in awe of this Great Sacrifice each and everyday of my life. I know that remembering Christ's death through communion is so important, but also important is remembering what Christ did by my choosing to live in that freedom... living my life in a way that others can see what Christ's death, burial, and resurrection mean to me. I live to honor God by living to bring others to Him.

I have found a new form of expressing myself artistically... I think it is called "zentangle"... I call it artistic doodling! Here is a card for my first attempt... I chose to use color as opposed to black and white.

So what do you think?

We are spending the weekend in the Thumb with family... Luke is heading home today but I am staying for a couple more days I think to help out... or at least that is the plan. I hope you have all had a great weekend and thanks for stopping and "remembering" with me.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Happiness Always...

2010-05-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

It has seemed like a long week... don't really know why, but kind of glad it is Saturday. It is gray and gloomy out right now... looks like a nap could be in my near future. Went to Cadillac to pick up a few groceries... early before too many people were out and about. Not that I don't like people but then I didn't have to fix myself up too much to go... ahhh yes to sweats!

There have been some very trying times in the last few weeks... with my mom, who btw is doing better, thank You Jesus... the pain is under control a little better and the confusion she was having from medications is getting worked out too. Then our church has been under attack from the enemy not from the outside but actually this time from within the church... I know and believe it is going to be okay, just hate to see hurting people... we could use prayers on both of these.

What is so incredible that even when all these distractions in life are trying to defeat... there is still so many things to be grateFUL for in my life. I can see it so much clearer when I focus my eyes on Papa God. One blessing that just happened has to do with our mortgage. When we bought our home 5 years ago we went with an adjustable mortgage to get a really good interest rate... and since at the time we were paying another mortgage on the house we were trying to sell... every little bit helped. So we knew we had 5 years before any adjustments... with that deadline approaching, we knew we needed to do something pretty quick. Here is the good part... we got a letter from our bank yesterday to advise us of the interest change, which in turn would change our monthly payment. Our interest rate dropped by almost 2% which in turn lowered our payment over $100 a month! We were expecting in to go up by 2%! We have struggled a little financially since I lost my job 2 years ago, but we just continued to give faithfully to God... there was never a question. We found it easy to praise Him through the struggles and now to have this wonderful thing happen... I just had to share that blessing with you... I still find it hard to believe! What I do believe and know is God is so faithful... we can never out-give Him. We give Him glory and praise!

" 'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, ' If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.' " Malachi 3:10

Just a quick card to share... I luv those colors... those are happy colors to me.

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed weekend!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Just a thought...

2010-05-15T11:52:00.000-04:00

I was reading about Lazarus & his death in John 11. I always found it interesting that Jesus waited 2 days until after Lazarus had died to go to Martha & Mary. I know that if it were me I might have did some complaining about Jesus at that point… in fact I have complained against God in my desperation over lesser things… once again I am so glad my life is not written down for everyone to read! God knew that if this man lay dead for 2 days in the tomb, then that miracle of him being raised would be a “spectacular” miracle… so many people would see it and believe. It was like the “pre-show” to the raising of our Savior from the dead… with all of man kind’s eternal life attached to that miracle. God could have raised Lazarus from the dead from right where Jesus was, but He chose to wait. Hmmmm.

I know I have a problem with patience so often… “God, I would like to place my order for a miracle. I would like it quick and precise, and please deliver it with over-night express.” I know I have been there many times, okay maybe not those exact words, but it might as well have been. Like with the thing with my mom’s back… it is hard waiting, but I believe and I have even envisioned her being better than before. When that happens… oh the glory that will be given to God, but for now I will give Him glory for each day my mom keeps going and moving through the pain. That is all I can do… He is the only answer.

I hear many people say they just keep holding on waiting for the "glory"... but glory is now... I believe we are living in the glory we received through Christ. As we mature and as we grow through each step we take and the closer we move to God the more we can see His glory in our daily lives. A believer's goal, for lack of a better word, is to share Christ with as many people as we can to build God's kingdom and to someday live in Heaven with Him... that IS the ultimate glory, but while we live our life here in this imperfect world... don't look past the glory God has given us in our lives now.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." II Corinthians 3:18

This is just a thought I had and decided to share with you my blogging friends.

Did a couple more cards yesterday... here is one... I got the idea from a lady on SCS but I am sorry I couldn't find the card again on there to give the lady credit.

I think that button punch is very cool... luv how it punches and embosses all at once.
with a grateFUL HEART, carin

small Wonder...

2010-05-12T16:09:00.000-04:00

I started reading in the book of James this week... in chapter 1 where it speaks of counting it joy when you have trials or temptations... not always an easy thing to do. But if you read in verse 4... "But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing."

...trials bring endurance, steadfastness, and patience in areas where God knows I need to be strengthened. It is a process... the process of a child of God striving to become more like Christ each and every day. If I look at it as a process then I can say, "I get to endure, be steadfast, and patient." These things are working towards completing the work in me... perfect and lacking nothing. I do realize that will not be completed until I am no longer in this world, but isn't that what believers are to be moving towards and being a witness of? Yes, it may be three steps forward, two steps back, but I am not going to live my life as a "white-knuckle" Christian any longer.

I am trying to get back to doing some "just for fun" stamping, so here is my rendition of Michelle Zindorf's card (sunny day tutorial #330). I didn't have the same stamps she used or all of the inks either, but here it is.

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Summer Sun, Bravo Burgundy, Black, Gable Green

CS: Summer Sun, Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke

I also put a little "Small Wonder" saying on there with acetate. What do you think?

Having chili for supper. Have a few other things to get done before getting ready to go to church tonight. Thanks for stopping in.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Sorry...

2010-05-11T16:53:00.000-04:00

Sorry it has been a week and a half since I posted last. In ways my life seems like it is in slow-motion but in other ways it seems to be going so fast. I don't know if any of you ever feel that way. I have been trying to change a couple things with myself and some days it is good and other days I wonder if it is for the best.

Anyway, my mom is having a very difficult time with her herniated discs... she is in the hospital right now. She is there to get a few things straightened out with meds, which should make her more comfortable. She needs to get moving, but the pain is keeping her from moving and then what they give her for the pain makes her not feel like moving... yes a vicious circle. Please keep her in your prayers. Her name is Sandy.

"...He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing...As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." John 15:5b and 9

The message at Night Out for Ladies last night had to do with staying plugged in to the Holy Spirit and abiding in God, His Word, His way and His power. I am still struggling with abiding... I know I don't have to prove who I am in Christ... I believe because God called me as His chosen daughter through Christ that I am all I need to be. What is hard for me is figuring out that the things I am choosing to do under the heading of service to the Lord... am I doing it to serve or am I doing it to stay busy???? Am I being led to do it or am I driving myself to do it??? So many questions, just waiting for the answers. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Here is a pic from NOFL last night of my friend Heather and me.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Why Shoulder that Burden?

2010-04-30T07:56:00.000-04:00

It is a gray Friday morning... lots to get done today! I am helping with a Mother and Daughter Event at our church tonight, so I have a few last minute things to get done for that. I am helping my friend, Ruth, with the card making "station"... very simple cards... I will post them later.

I went on a "hike" last week while I was gone to Heart Quest. I had a backpack on my back that was probably a little too heavy... in fact when I had help getting the pack on I almost fell over backwards. It would have been funny... lying flat on my back... sometimes that can be the best place to hear from God!!! Anyway, as I was walking in the woods my shoulders starting to really hurt... it was a heavy load to be carrying on my shoulders. It was at that point I felt God say to me, "why do you insist on carrying all the 'weight' on your shoulders when I will carry it for you?" That is a great question... why do I do that when His promises are so clear???

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

Do you have a burden you are carrying today... Papa God is ready to take it from you, but you have to let it go first.

Here is another shot I took last week on my hike... thought the birch trees made a neat "frame" for the quiet, calm lake.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Glory...

2010-04-28T11:28:00.000-04:00

I am back! I got back on Sunday afternoon after spending 6 days with Papa God in the "wilderness," so to speak. When people asked me what Heart Quest is, before I would say it is like a retreat, but now I know it is not a retreat... I would call it more like a "charge"... there was no retreating involved! It was life changing for me... so much has been lifted off my heart... I am choosing not to pick up any of that "junk" again... I will live in the freedom Christ died to give me.

This is a pic I took on a hike through the woods at Rockwell Lodge where I was last week. It is an ok picture but it reminded me of something I wrote in my journal a few days back and I thought I would share it with you... I have thought a lot about the word, "glory," lately. The word in itself is a beautiful word to me. When I think of Christ's glory... I picture Him standing with this beautiful light shining from around Him... like when you look at the sun and put your hand up to shade some of the brightness but there are always those beams of light escaping around your hand. It is like Jesus is eclipsing the glorious Light from behind Him. Christ is standing between me and that Light to protect my human eyes from the glorious light of God. The old song, "O That Will Be Glory for Me," just came to my mind... the words, "when by His grace I shall look on His face... that will be glory for me."

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." I Corinthians 3:18

Thanks for stopping to welcome me home. with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Rejoicing in Truth...

2010-04-20T09:27:00.000-04:00

I am leaving this afternoon for my Heart Quest... I am very excited, but also a little nervous... I so hate not knowing what to expect, but what I do know is that just through my 30-day prep... God has revealed so much to me. I still am having trouble taking it all in... I am so thankful for journaling... that way the devil cannot take that revelation in Truth away with his lies... I am rejoicing in Truth. I will be spending the next 5 1/2 days with some wonderful women, but more importantly with endless time with my Papa. How much better can that get???

"And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:10-11

A mini card (3x2) for all you princesses!

Have a good week... I know I will... oh if you would say a prayer or two for me... that would be so appreciated.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

My Heart Rejoiced...

2010-04-15T22:27:00.000-04:00

It has been a busy week... I am trying to get everything done before we go away tomorrow... Luke and I and some friends are going to Boyne for the weekend... hoping for a nice relaxing weekend. Then next Tuesday I leave for Heart Quest... the time has come so fast... I'm a little excited... a little anxious... a little nervous, but not too much... I am sure the nervousness will come on Monday, but maybe not????

I went into my craft room/office to straighten up a little tonight and saw my new Medalion stamp from SU and it was calling out to me. So I had to take a few minutes to make it feel welcomed and here is what I came up with... I also used my new Selabration set, Whimsical Words, and SU DP but I can't remember the name of the paper.

Luv those little colored half pearls.

It was a gorgeous day today and this sunset was the beautiful finish to this day...

"Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;

Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope." Acts 2:26

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Beautiful...

2010-04-08T09:06:00.000-04:00

Hope your week is going good... I have been a little less than motivated this week... we were so spoiled with the nice weather last week and now this week... cold, damp, rainy... yuck, but I know we need the rain... so I am thankful for God's raindrops.

I have been very preoccupied with my prep for Heart Quest... it is less than 2 weeks when I go. I can't even begin to tell you what God is doing in me right now. I have said many times before I am a crybaby, but the way Papa is opening up my heart through this prep... I didn't know the meaning of the word, crybaby! I know I have a sensitive heart... but even when your heart is sensitive there can still be hard, stoney places in there... God is doing a "gravel-ectomy," on me, so to speak... LOL! And yes, even though I hate to admit it... all the other people that have gone to HQ and said every Christian woman should go... they were right! Do you hear me ladies... I said you were RIGHT!

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

I have a little bit of spring for you today... my laptop had snowflakes on it through the winter, but I thought it was time to "spring it up"... vinyl does a great job for this!

I know it is a little cartoon-like, but it makes me happy to see it... and a good reminder of the beauty God has put into all of us in the world. "beautiful" was cut on my Cricut, the rest were punches.

Off to help with ladies' ministry stuff at church and then Bible study. Thanks for stopping.

with a grateFUL HEART, carin

Garment of Praise...

2010-04-03T13:02:00.000-04:00

We have had a few just glorious days this week... better weather than we had all last summer in northern Michigan. Thank You, Lord. The day before Easter... so how will you be celebrating the joy of our risen Lord this weekend? I will be serving in the information center for first service and Luke is serving as service director for both services... we will worship together singing praises to our Lord in the 2nd. Then we really have no plans... that is one thing that is hard about living so far away... missing out on family gatherings, but it will be good... Luke and I have each other... I do enjoy his company!!!

Here is a magnetic bookmark I made for a friend. That verse speaks volumes to me... how God could take my brokeness and make it beautiful again. The sadness from Christ dying for my sin and then the JOY that came on that glorious resurrection morning... clothing me in His righteousness... freeing me from the weight of sin and condemnation. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Happy Easter my blogging friends!

with a grateFUL HEART, carin