Count Down til Christmas - Advent Kit

Hi all - well I am back!!!  Sorry for not finishing out the daily downloads, but I do have the rest of the kit for you today....

I have been having problems with my blood pressure since my baby was born.  So on Monday (1 week ago), the Dr put me on BP meds - and I had a bad reaction to it.  So I am seeing if I can lower my BP with diet, exercise, & resting in the Lord.  So far, my BP has gone down several points.  I am hoping and praying that it will normalize....

I hope you enjoyed this Advent Kit.  It will be available for awhile.  I have some plans for it - making a printable version (for sale) that we can use next Christmas to count down the days....  Thank you for stopping by to download this kit....

Download Here

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Count Down 'til Christmas Dec 16

Hi all - well here is today's download... a mini-kit....

I hope you are enjoying all of these downloads!!! I have been having fun making them for you!!!

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas Dec 15th

Hi all - yes, this one is really late... Yesterday I went and downloaded the trial version of PSP X2. I ordered it online yesterday from Best Buy for $40. But it may take a few weeks to get here, since it is on backorder.... So I got caught up in playing with this new upgrade!!!

So here is a QP for yesterday and I will have todays download done in a few minutes....

Download Here

Here is a LO I did with this QP...

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 14th

Hi all - time is really flying....  Christmas is almost here and 2007 is almost gone....

So here is a couple of bells to help ring the holidays in....

 

Download Here 

 

 

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 13th

Hi all,

Today's freebie represents our outside weather LOL...

We do have quite a bit of snow here...

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas Dec 12th

Hi all, sorry this was really late.  I finished this earlier than we had to run out so that we could shine our "lights" caroling at some nursing homes.  What a wonderful time we  had ministering to shut-ins!!

May these candle light up your LOs!!!

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 11th

Hi all - here is today's freebie.

This sheaf of wheat represents the delectable food that we are blessed with Christmas....

 

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 10th

HI all - Here is today's freebie - and earlier in the day!!!

I had fun making these candy canes - I hope you like them too!!!

 

Download Here

Christmas Around The World

HI all - Welcome to Christmas Around the World!!!

Thank you to FishnMomDesigns for heading this up!!!

You can find the links for the Downloads to this huge Free kit here.... 

This is a preview of my kit...

Plus some freebies I made for a chat at Hummie's World.

Here are my Downloads

Backs

Elements 1

Elements 2

Elements 3

Elements 4

Chat Freebie

Enjoy this fantastic mega kit - be sure to leave lots of lovin' for each of the designers!!!

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 9th

Hi all- finally... here is today's freebies.

Today, you can download 3 overlays and a paper...

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 8th

Hi all- sorry this is so late.  I am having problems with PSP - it takes forever to edit the text in these previews....

Enjoy these pieces to today's download!!!

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 7th

Hi all - Here is a pair of trumpets to herald in your LOs....

I hope you are enjoying my Count Down 'til Christmas!!!

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 6th

HI all - Here is the 6th Freebie.

You can download these 2 10 Commandments elements.

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 5th

Hi all - Here are 2 cuddly lambs for today's freebie.

I hope you are enjoying these downloads!!!

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 4th

This was definitely late today....

So without further ado, here is today's freebie - 4 Overlays.

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 3rd

Hi all - Here is Day 3!!!

Sorry this is late, but we had to make an unexpected trip to the doctor today...

Today's freebie is of stars....

 

Download Here

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 2nd

Hi all - Here is today's freebie!!!

I thought I would ever get the preview finished - my laptop was having issues... LOL

Enjoy this version of Noah's Ark.  It comes with and without trim.

You will also find my Noah's Ark Kit here.

Download Here

 

Count Down 'til Christmas - Dec 1st

Hi all - well I decided to do a freebie a day until Christmas!!!

Come back everyday and get a fun Christmas item or two!!!

Today you will find a cute Gingerbread Boy & Girl!!!

 

Download Here

 

This is based on the Jesse Tree, a Celebration of Advent...

Themed Thursday - DOTS

Hi all - This is a LO I did a few weeks ago....

 

Themed Thursday - Sweet

Hi all - well I thought I would do a little catching up on the Themed Thursdays.

Right now, I am slowly adding things, as I have way too much on my plate...

 

I made this LO the other day...

Verse Of The Day - Be of Good Courage

Psalm 27:14

Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart;
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!

 

This is such a great Psalm - I just love the Psalms!!!

Psalm 27 - verse be verse:

1. We have nothing to fear - because God is our light, salvation & strength
2. Our enemies are unsuccessful - they stumble and fall - because of God
3. We have confidence - not fear
4. Here is a key - we must desire to seek God daily!!!
5. He will hide us and set us on high - HIS protection
6. We will be lifted above our enemies - safety...  sing praises to GOD!!!
7. He has mercy on us and will answer our prayers.
8. Say "yes" to seeking after God
9. He is there - He will never leave nor forsake us
10. HE will take care of us
11. He will teach us HIS way - and lead us
12. He will protect us
13. God is good, HE is a living GOD

After all of this protection, love, goodness from the LORD we come to verse 14:

• We need to wait on the LORD - we need to rest in HIM, knowing that HE WILL take care of us
• We need to be of good courage - we are waiting on HIM, trusting that HE WILL take care of us
• We need to draw our strength from the LORD - HE WILL strengthen our heart - HE IS the source of our courage
• We need to wait on the LORD...

Where do you draw your strength from???  Job - money??? Friends / Family??? 

Or from GOD - the only ONE who CAN give you true strength???

Are you courageous???  Are you waiting on GOD - the one who is there for you???

Are you waiting on the LORD???  We have nothing to fear with God on our side!!!

Monday's Motivation - October 15, 2007

Hi all - I'm back!!!

Jessica is now 3 weeks old!  I am slowly recovering - it takes a lot longer when you are 43... LOL

 

THIS WEEKS MOTIVATION -

1.  So what do you have planned for this week???

2.  Have you ever used a template???  Have you ever created a template???   Try one this week....

 

My Week's Goals -

I will definitely be taking tings a bit easier....

1.  Do at least 1 LO a day - Digitals Challenges

2.  Complete LO for 3S Challenge

3.  Do memes

 

So what are your goals for this week???

Also I would love to see your Journaling LO!!!

Please share below using Mr. Linky...

 

 

Verse of the Day - Our Great God

2 Samuel 7:18-29

18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19 And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? 20 Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord GOD, know Your servant. 21 For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. 22 Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD.^[c] For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 23 And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24 For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God.
25 “Now, O LORD God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said. 26 So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.
28 “And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 29 Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

The beginning of this chapter is when King David desires to build a temple for God.  God promises David, that he will have a son who will be the one to do this....  This passage is David's praise to God.

1st, David acknowledges all that God has done for him, and that HE has revealed Himself to him. 

Thus, David acknowledges:

• You are great, O Lord God - David makes the right conclusion.
• There is none like You - God is God alone
• Nor is there any God besides You - He is the one TRUE God
• according to all that we have heard with our own ears - we are without excuse, we have / can hear of God personally!!!

"Let Your name be magnified forever!!!" (vs 26)

"O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant." (vs 28)

Have you listened to God's Word???  Have you acknowledged that HE is the one true God??? 

Praise the Lord that I can serve our GREAT GOD!!!

Verse of the Day - A Future & A Hope

Jeremiah 29:11-14a

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,

How does your future look???  Do you have hope???

In Jeremiah 29, we find that God is on our side:

• He knows the thoughts he thinks toward us - God is thinking of us, we are not forgotten, nor forsaken
• His thoughts are of peace and not of evil - God is holy, He is just, He gives us peace
• He gives us a future and a hope - there is no need for despair, God has a plan for us....

What do we need to do???

• Call upon God - we need to turn to HIM, He is already there for us
• Go and pray to Me - God wants us to come to HIM, to pray to HIM, to lay our burdens before HIM, to trust HIM
• Go in confidence - "I will listen to you" - God will listen to our prayers, HE cares, He loves, He is there waiting...
• Seek Me and Find Me - search with all your heart - we need to earnestly desire to seek after God - this needs to be a daily commitment on our part...  He is there for us, we just need to tap into HIM!!!  WE NEED GOD!!!

How does your future look???  Are you seeking God with ALL your heart???  Are you tapping into the only resource that can give you true hope???

 

Seek God today!!!

Verse of the Day - My Salvation

Psalm 62

1 Truly my soul silently waits for God;
         From Him comes my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation;
He is my defense;
         I shall not be greatly moved.

Where does your salvation come from???  How do you make it through life's trials???

 

In Psalm 62, we read:

• "Truly my soul silently waits for God" - are you waiting on God???  Or are you running around, half-crazy, trying to do everything on your own???
• "From Him comes my salvation" - are you relying on God to help you???  Or are you trying to do everything on your own???
• "He only is my rock and my salvation" - only God is our true salvation!!!  He is our rock - our FIRM Foundation!!!  Only HE can provide the stability that we need!!!
• "He is my defense;" - How can we lose, with God as our defense???  PRAISE THE LORD - We can't lose!!!  The victory is already HIS!!!  We ARE on the winning team!!!
• "I shall not be greatly moved." - WE HAVE WON!!!  We do need to stick with God - HE will stick with us!!!  But we must NOT be doing everything on our own!!! 

Are you choosing to be on the WINNING Team???  Choose to put your trust in God TODAY!!!

Verse of the Day - Wise Counsel

Proverbs 19:20-21

20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
      That you may be wise in your latter days.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,
      Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

Where do you seek counsel???  Is it from wise sources???  How do you determine wise???

 

In this passage, we are told to:

• Listen to counsel - it is important for us to seek counsel - others advice especially in major decisions
• Receive instruction - what use is counsel, if we refuse to listen???

Now, where should this counsel come from:

• Many plans are in a man's heart - we have many different thought, but how are we to discern what is wise???
• the Lord's Counsel - will stand!!! counsel that is wise and true is from the Lord!!!

So how do we find the Lord's counsel??? 

• Look to God's Word - the Bible
• Seek counsel from mature, wise Christians - pastors, leaders....

It is important for us to seek wise counsel - especially for major decisions.  We personally have a select group of people that we seek advice.  We listen to what they say, weighing their opinions - looking at all of the pros & cons (so to speak).  Of course - we first are seeking the Lord in much prayer!!!

 

Do YOU seek WISE counsel???

Verse of the Day - Fear vs Trust

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

Wow!!!  What timing for this verse....

As you may know, On September 23 (8 days ago) I gave birth to our 9th Blessing!!!  Well since then, I really did not sleep very much until this past Sunday - a few days ago....  I did not sleep the 2 nights in the hospital and with other things happening at home - I did not sleep very well there either....

On Friday & Saturday nights - I kind of had some huge problems because of this lack of sleep... I was not in the right frame of mind.  My blood pressure was sky-rocketing and I just felt physically unwell....  So that led to some panic attacks....  They were mostly a struggle pertaining to this verse....  the fears of man verses trusting in God....

Have you heard Casting Crowns' "The Voice of Truth"??? 

Chorus:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Well the fears of man - possible medical problems, all kinds of fear - were running rampant in my head....  There were all kinds of fears that the enemy was planting in my head - causing me to become paralyzed with fear.... but the voice of Truth - Jesus - The Word of Truth, was fighting for me.....  God is in control, He holds all things in His hands - were some of His promises running thru my head. 

Because I had NOT been spending much time fellowshipping with God in the few weeks prior to giving birth - I had allowed some fears to get a tiny foothold in me....  I got distracted....  I was not completely trusting in God.....  So these fears tried to take over....

I do praise the LORD - that very soon after I started panicing - I asked for someone to bring me some Praise & Worship music - so that I could hear the truth - to have God's abilities - mentioned in this music to seep thru me - to remind me of the Truths about God's Power.  As I listened, I drew strength from God - as I was reminded of HIS Marvelous Power!!!  I was able to sleep very peacefully for several hours that night....

Saturday night - my blood pressure was extremely high - both numbers from the lack of sleep and rest....  But I was able to go to sleep somewhat and just trust God that He was in control and would be with me....

On Sunday, we all realized that my body was very much exhausted and that I really need to sleep - I slept 5 hours (several naps) during the day - and that night I was in bed for 14 hours - sleeping most of that time.... (off and on with feeding baby....) LOL

So.... what has this taught me....  I am getting older and it was harder for me to recover after birth... LOL

Actually - I realized that yes, I have come a long ways in this past few years in trusting God 1st - but there is always room for improvement....  We (I) have to daily - every moment, choose to trust in God to be our ALL in ALL.  We need to listen to HIS voice and not the voice of the enemy.....  We NEED to listen to the Voice of Truth - Jesus.... 

I thank God for this experience and every time I go thru anything that is HARD - because I know that we have a GOD that truly cares about the minute details of our lives.  HE TRULY CARES!!!

Introducing

Hi all - Our newest blessing finally arrived....

Scrapping Hiatis

Hi all,

I thought I would give an update.... I am still waiting for baby....

I just thought I would give you all notice that I might not be real consistant right now with my posts....

Most nights I am not sleeping very well, either up real often, or I can't fall asleep.  Then I am not to with it during the daytime....  So that makes it hard to think coherently to do the challenges, memes, etc. 

SO, if I am with it - I will post, if not - it can wait....

But it won't be long and I WILL BE BACK!!!

 

Lori

Themed Thursdays - Overflowing

Hi all,

Here is my take on Overflowing....

At 1st I thought I could do "Overflowing my Clothes" - since I am about out of room in my maternity clothes....

But, I did not want to gross anyone out - including myself.... LOL

When I got to my photos - I saw these showing my weight loss.  I have not scrapped these yet....

I knew, especially with me holding out my shorts - that these would be perfect.

At the beginning of this year - I actually had gotten down to a 65 lb loss!!!

Currently, I am only 5 lbs more than in these photos....

As soon as the baby is born - I should be close to the 65 lb loss!!!

I can't wait to scrap those photos!!!

 

This is one of Simply Sarah's Templates

O.N. Designs Template Challenge & Faithbook #3

Hi all,

O.N Designs is having a template challenge!!!

I decided that this template would work great for Faithbook Challenge #3 - scrap  your favorite song....

 

I really love how this LO turned out!!!

Thank you for looking!!!

Mondays Motivation - September 3, 2007

Hi all,

Even though it is Tuesday - I thought I would still post my Motivation Goals for this week....

It is getting soon for my baby to appear - and I am getting a bit restless.... LOL

 

So how did I do last week???  Well I don't think I did that many LO's  - I did NOT do any of the wedding photos.... realistically I think I need to wait until AFTER the baby is born now.... LOL  I did ok on the other things, but I found out late in the week that hubby was actually OFF for the 3 days!!!  So we did some family type stuff!!!

I also have been crocheting like crazy - I found some neat baby patterns online and have been having fun!!!  I will have to take photos when I am done and put them up online!!!

 

This Weeks Motivation -

1.  So what do you have planned for this week???

2.  How much journaling do you do in your LO's???  This week make an effort to add more journaling to your LO's!!!

 

My Week's Goals -

I think I will take it a bit easier this week....

1.  Keep up with the Memes - or catch up.... LOL

2.  Do some LO's - the new challenges started at Digitals on the 1st - I have made the list and have been doing some planning....

3.  Do another Faithbook page - journaling page

 

Non-scrapping goals:

1.  Have a baby???

2.  Start school - TODAY!!!

3.  Do some crochet stuff to blog etc....

 

So what are your goals for this week???

Also I would love to see your Journaling LO!!!

Please share below using Mr. Linky...

 

 

Verse of the Day - Good News!!!

2 Timothy 1:13-14

13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

The books of Timothy were written by Paul - to Timothy, a young pastor - as words of encouragement.

We are to HOLD FAST (remember, cling to, etc):

• to the Pattern of sound words - look to the Scriptures
• you have heard from me - again looking to the Scriptures, not to man's advice.
• these words are spoken / shared in faith & love in Christ Jesus - again they are from God Himself!!!

We can DO it:

• Good thing - the good news of the Gospel - the Scriptures
• Committed to you - we all need to be doing this ourselves - sharing the Scriptures with others
• we can KEEP this commitment through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT who lives in us!!!

Not only has GOD given us HIS WORD, but HE has given us HIS power through the HOLY SPIRIT to share the Good News of HIS love for us!!!

 

Do you share this GREAT NEWS with others???

Restlessness

Hi all,

I just thought I would mention that I am a bit restless now....

The last few days I have been taking a break from anything to do with scrapping....

I have actually been doing a lot more crocheting - found some neat baby patterns....

As you may know, I am in the last days of waiting for baby - so I may not be totally on top of things!!!

Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Lori

Verse of the Day - Worship

Psalm 95

1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!
         Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
         Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
         And the great King above all gods.
4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
         The heights of the hills are His also.
5 The sea is His, for He made it;
         And His hands formed the dry land.
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
         Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7 For He is our God,
         And we are the people of His pasture,
         And the sheep of His hand.

What a great Psalm of praise to our God!!!

vs 6 is about us coming to God in reverence:

• let us worship
• let us bow down
• let us kneel before God - who is our maker

vs 7 tells us why:

• He is our God
• we are His people - here we are likened unto sheep / and He is the Great Shepherd.

So why & how should we worship God:

• He is the Rock of our salvation
• Be thankful
• Shout joyfully
• He is a great Go
• He is a great King
• For He has made creation and has power over it!!!

What an Awesome God that we can Praise & Worship HIM!!!

How often do you take time to worship God???

Themed Thursday - Persuade

Hi all,

Well this was almost hard to do... but I did one of Jenny.

She has us all wrapped around her little finger - especially when she is being so sweet....

Simply Sarah's Template

Verse of the Day - How Can We Be Blessed???

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man
         Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
         Nor stands in the path of sinners,
         Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
         Planted by the rivers of water,
         That brings forth its fruit in its season,
         Whose leaf also shall not wither;
         And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
         But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
         Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
         But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

This is one of my favorite Psalms!!!

So ho can we be blessed???

• Do not seek the counsel (advice) of the ungodly
• Do not stand in the paths of sinners
• Do not sit in the seat of the scornful

We need to be careful of our "friends".  Are they people that will lift us up, or bring us down???  Will they influence us to do unrighteous (bad) things???  Friends DO have a big impact on our lives....

If you "need" to spend time with ungodly people, do you shine like a bright light set on a hill???  Don't let your light be quenched!!!

Wacky Wednesdays - August 29, 2007

Hi all,

It's time for WACKY WEDNESDAYS!!!

I was looking thru my photos the other day and came across these goofy ones.

I was wondering how what I would do with them...

Then when I thought of this weeks Wacky Wednesday, I knew that I would use them for this LO today!!!

 

Here is my Goofy Girls...

Template by Simply Sarah

 

So do you have some goofy photos that are just begging to get scrapped???

Please share a LO with us!!!

 

Verse of the Day - Do You Believe?

John 6:29

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

This verse is in the midst of a passage where the people were seeking after Jesus.  In the previous verse, they asked Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 

This is Jesus' answer....

• Believe in Him whom God sent
• This is referring to God's Son
• This IS Jesus!!!

Then the people wanted a sign that they could believe in Jesus.

Do you believe in the One that God sent???  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.  Acts 16:31

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40

Are you doing the work of God - believing in Jesus???

If you DO believe, are you sharing this GOOD NEWS???

Scraplift - My Little Girl

 HI all,

I found my scraplift!!!

It was in Scrapbook Etc Photography Mag 2005.

Is it out of my comfort zone???  A bit, because I truly did a scraplift - I wanted to change some things, but I didn't.

 

Scrap Addicts Sundays - Mother / Child

Hi all,

Well this weeks challenge kind of left me wondering what to do... LOL

I really want to wait on this LO, so instead I got it ready...

 

I actually made this Quick Page last month for the Digital Quickies Challenge.

I used Glenda Ketcham's Aunt Dories Doo Dads

This will be easy to update soon...

Monday's Motivation - August 27, 2007

HI all,

So how did you do last week??? Did you stay motivated???

Well I thought I would go thru my list and see how I did...

1. I did scrap a lot of LO's last week and did get a good mix of new and old photos done!!!

2. I did try something NEW - the new memes.... I hope you will join me in these.... they sure kept me motivated!!!

3. I did most of the memes, in a little while I need to do the Scrap Addict Sundays - I was too wiped out yesterday....

4. I was encouraged when I went to Saturday Scraps - she was already planning on doing it again this week.... it was a fun kit to work with!!! I left her some lovin'....

5. Best of all, I finished the Digitals Challenges pretty early in the week!!!

THIS WEEKS MOTIVATION -

1. So what do you have planned for this week???

2. Go take a look in some galleries, and find a LO to scraplift!!!

MY Weeks' Goals -

1. Continue to scrap LO's, at least 1 a day (old and new photos) - Scrap Wedding PHOTOS....

2. Find a great LO to scraplift - maybe something totally out of my comfort zone - for fun....

3. Keep up with the memes - try to do the ones I host the day before... so that I am ready....

4. Find someone new to encourage this week!!!

5. Work on LO's etc for the Chats....

NON-Scrapping Goal - Finish getting ready for the baby....

So what are your goals for this week???

Also I would love to see your scraplift!!!

Please share below using Mr. Linky...

Verse of the Day - Perfect Peace

Isaiah 26:3-4

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
      Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
      For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

We can have Perfect Peace!!!

• We must keep our mind on God
• Remember who HE IS
• Remember what HE has done
• Remember HIS promises
• We must trust God
• HE will walk beside us all the way
• HE will give us HIS strength
• HE will provide

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. " 

• I can do because HE gives me HIS strength
• I can do because HE gives me HIS perfect peace

Don't we have an awesome GOD???

Saturday Scraps - August 25, 2007

Hi all,

Here is my LO using Bannerwoman's Little Miss Merissa Mini-Kit...

This was a fun LO to do!!!

Verse of the Day - Love the Law

Psalm 119:161-168

161 Princes persecute me without a cause,
         But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
162 I rejoice at Your word
         As one who finds great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor lying,
But I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
         Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 Great peace have those who love Your law,
         And nothing causes them to stumble.
166 LORD, I hope for Your salvation,
         And I do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,
         And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
         For all my ways are before You.

This is another section of this acrostic poem...

The theme of this section is the law.

• My heart stands in awe of Your word.
• I rejoice at Your word
• I love Your law.
• I praise you because of Your righteous judgments.
• Great peace have those who love Your law,
• I do Your commandments.
• I love them exceedingly.
• I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
  

God's Word is very important!!!  We should love it, it brings us peace - it will keep us from stumbling.

How do you treat God's Word???  Do you read it daily???  Is it part of your every day life???

Verse of the Day - Love the LORD

Psalm 116:1-2

1 I love the LORD, because He has heard
         My voice and my supplications.
2 Because He has inclined His ear to me,
         Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.

The Psalmist has give reasons why he loves the LORD - because the LORD listens...

• He hears my voice
• He hears my prayers
• He listens to me as an individual!!!

Therefore the Psalmist has declared he WILL call on God for as long as he lives...

 

God truly cares for us as individuals!!!  The Bible tells us He numbers our hairs; He provides better than our earthly fathers; He will provide our daily needs; He will give us strength; He gives us hope....  The list goes on ad on!!!

 

God truly loves us - He blesses us beyond our comprehension....  

Do you LOVE God???

Do you spend time with Him daily???

Do you allow Him to guide you in everything you do???

 

How can we not say THANK YOU to such an awesome loving God???

Themed Thursday - COLOR

Hi all

Here is my LO for COLOR.

It is with emphasis on the red of Tiffany's guitar...

This was also for DeDe's Chat at the Scrapping Garden - it was an ad challenge.

Verse of the Day - My Help

Psalm 94:18-19

16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers?
         Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?
17 Unless the LORD had been my help,
         My soul would soon have settled in silence.
18 If I say, “My foot slips,”
         Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.
19 In the multitude of my anxieties within me,
         Your comforts delight my soul.

This verse is very comforting:

17 Unless the LORD had been my help,
         My soul would soon have settled in silence.

So, how is the LORD my help???

• If my foot slips - His mercy will hold me up!!
• His comfort delights my soul in my anxieties!!!

So, what is mercy???

mer·cies

1. Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary; clemency.

Examples of justice must be made for terror to some; examples of mercy for comfort to others. Bacon.

2. Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence. Luke x. 37.

3. Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help.

In whom mercy lacketh and is not founden. Sir T. Elyot.

4. A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor.

The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 2 Cor. i. 3.

So, what is comfort???

com-fort

1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.] Wyclif.

God's own testimony . . . doth not a little comfort and confirm the same. Hooker.

2. To assist or help; to aid. [Obs.]

I . . . can not help the noble chevalier: God comfort him in this necessity! Shak.

3. To impart strength and hope to; to encourage; to relieve; to console; to cheer,

Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men. Bacon.

That we may be adle to comfort them that are in any affliction. 2 Cor. i. 4. (Rev. Ver. ).

A perfect woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command. Wordsworth.

So GOD is compassionate towards and makes us strong!!!

Wacky Wednesday - August 22, 2007

Hi all -

Introducing Wacky Wednesdays!!!

I thought this should be fun!!! So please share a wacky, silly, crazy LO that you have (or you can make a new one)!!!

Let's bring a smile to everyone's face!!!

Here is a silly LO of my youngest daughter several years ago...

I have tons of silly photos to work with!!!

So how about you???

Do you have a silly LO???

Please share your Wacky LO!!!

Verse of the Day - God’s Everlasting Love

God’s Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“ For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”^[c]
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What powerful words... If God is for us, who can be against us?

How is God for us???

• He did not spare His own Son - Jesus is HIS only Son (John 3:16)
• He delivered Him up - He let Him be sacrificed for our sins

How does that affect us???

• How shall He not with Him also freely give us all things???
• Jesus is God - HE did NOT stay in the grave, HE is now in Heaven!!!

What things is He giving us???

• It is God who justifies. (vs 33)
• It is Christ who died, ... who also makes intercession for us.  (vs 34)
• we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (vs 37)
• Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (vs 38)

WOW!!!  What a Wonderful & Loving God we have!!!

Template Tuesdays - August 21, 2007

Hi all

Well one of the popular items in digiscrapping is templates. So I thought why don't we share our new favorite finds each week??? There are tons of free ones being made each week - plus lots for sale.

So, today I have a free one that I made up yesterday...

Download Here

I went looking for the templates I saw the other day - they were for sell... somewhere.

They had cool swirls on them... oh well - lost....LOL

Please share a free template you have or a great find that you would like to buy or just purchased....

I look forward to seeing your templates!!!

Verse of the Day - Peace

Psalm 42

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
         So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
         When shall I come and appear before God?^[b]
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
         While they continually say to me,
         “Where is your God?”
4 When I remember these things,
         I pour out my soul within me.
         For I used to go with the multitude;
         I went with them to the house of God,
         With the voice of joy and praise,
         With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
         And why are you disquieted within me?
         Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.^[c]
6 O my God,^[d] my soul is cast down within me;
         Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
         And from the heights of Hermon,
         From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
         All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
         And in the night His song shall be with me—
         A prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my Rock,
         “Why have You forgotten me?
         Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
         My enemies reproach me,
         While they say to me all day long,
         “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
         And why are you disquieted within me?
         Hope in God;
         For I shall yet praise Him,
         The help of my countenance and my God.

This is a great Psalm for when things are going rough.  That is why I included the whole thing here...

 

We all face trials.  I have heard a saying - "You are either going thru a trial, just went thru a trial, or are getting ready to go thru a trial".  There are always things around us that test us: grumpy people, accidents, illness, moves, etc - all things that cause stress.  What do we do in the midst of stress???  How do we react???

Hopefully - we are trusting in God!!!

8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
         And in the night His song shall be with me—
         A prayer to the God of my life.

God is ever-present with us!!!

• Daytime - He gives us His lovingkindness
• Nighttime - His song shall be with us

God should be our lives!!!

I especially like the last verse too - what great promises!!!

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
         And why are you disquieted within me?
         Hope in God;
         For I shall yet praise Him,
         The help of my countenance and my God.

 

We have HOPE!!!

We can still praise HIM!!!

We have the best HELPER!!!

 

Thank you God for being with us, for giving us strength, for giving us hope!!!

Saturday Scraps - From Aug 3, 2007

HI all

Well I have been wanting to do this challenge, and I finally got down to it!!!

Plus, I also started one of my goals for Monday's Motivation - to start scrapping both old and new photos....

 

So this is my LO of Stephanie from 1993.

These older photos are all scanned in, pre- digital cameras...  Some are not of great quality, but we did not take as many photos.  So I have to use what I had - I sure would hate to lose the moment!!!

 

Kit - Miss Mint's Foxy Lady

Monday's Motivation - August 20, 2007

Hi all!!!

I was talking to Hummie last night about how all the scrapping Meme's are Thursday thru Sunday.... I thought it would be neat to have other ones the beginning of the week.... ( I guess I have caught the Blog virus... LOL)

So how about:

Monday's Motivation - inspire, set goals, etc

Template Tuesdays - share your favorite template, one you designed or a great find you found THIS week

Wednesday??? not too sure on this one....

If anyone else would like to take any of these, just ask, I am willing to share!!! I have just gotten motivated to do LO's etc with these memes!!! How about you???

THIS WEEKS MOTIVATION -

1. So what do you have planned for this week???

This will be 1 thing we will do every week. I will also include a more specific challenge for each week...

2. Try Something NEW - technique, challenge, etc

I had been trying to scrap old photos for the past couple of years - with 8 kids can you imagine all the photos we have accumulated over 19 years??? But recently, I have been doing a lot of the newer ones. They are so much more fun, because I remember what happened in most of the photos.... SO, I decided, I need to scrap old ones & new ones. Then it won't become as much of a drudgery.... LOL

Goal 1 - Scrap at least 1 LO a day - with 1/2 being older photos

Goal 2 - Start new memes to inspire and have fun (Something New)

Goal 3 - Do Themed Thursdays, Faithful Friday, Scrap Addicts Sundays

Goal 4 - Encourage Are We There Yet in Saturday Scraps

Goal 5 - Finish the Digitals Challenges

I think that is a good start!!! LOL

So how about you??? What are your scrapping goals for this week??? Please share with us!!!

Verse of the Day - IS God 1st Place???

Psalm 16

1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
         My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the LORD always before me;
         Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
         My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
         Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
         In Your presence is fullness of joy;
         At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

I love the Psalms - they really speak of how God works!!!

This Psalm is a great one of God's protection.

In verse 8 (today's verse) - the Psalmist wrote:

8 I have set the LORD always before me;
         Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Why did he say this???

• He trusts God to preserve him (vs 1)
• He has confidence that God will counsel him (vs 7)

What will he do with this information???

• He will set God always before him....
• This is an everyday choice - every moment....
• God is 1st - look to HIM for your confidence!!!

What is the result???

• I shall not be moved (vs 8) - confidence in the LORD
• My heart is glad, glory rejoices (vs 9)
• Rest in hope (vs 9)
• Path of life (vs 10-11)
• Fullness of joy (vs 11)
• Pleasures forevermore (vs 11)

WOW!!!  What God gives us when we seek HIM 1st every day!!!  How can anyone NOT want these things???

Scrap Addict Sundays - Father & Daughter / Son

HI all

I have to share this LO!!!

It is one of my favorites of my hubby and our oldest...

Themed Thursdays - GROW

Hi all - Here is my LO for this weeks Themed Thursdays - Grow.

As I was thinking about what I should do - I knew NOW I had a purpose for the photos I have been taking of our trees!!!

 

 I used the DSS Summer Things Kit...

DSD Tailgate Party LO

Hi all-

Here is my Heritage LO for this party...

I have not done too many heritage LO's yet...

With 8 kids and another on the way, I have a lot of photos to scrap of them....

This is my Maternal Grandparents!

Verse of the Day - Live For Christ

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

So what is this verse talking about???

Well Paul was writing about how he had been suffering for the LORD (prison etc)....  He was encouraging the Philippian church that it was NOT all for nothing....  That Christ would be glorified in all that he (Paul) did!

If we live a life that glorifies Christ (DIGG?) - it may not always be an easy road.  We may be persecuted, ridiculed,....  But if we are sticking to God's Will / Standards in our day to day living - that will definitely Glorify God!!!

So how is "to die is gain"???

• We are all sinners:  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23
• The result is that you are separated from God:  "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD" Romans 6:23
• But God offers a way:  "For God so LOVED the world (you) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, will not perish, but have everlasting life"  John 3:16
• Jesus did NOT stay dead:  "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." Matthew 28:6
• We just need to BELIEVE:  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" Acts 16:31

If you believe all of this and have trusted Christ to be your Savior - then you know that you will spend eternity with HIM.  So when we die - we go to heaven!!!

 

BUT - we have work to do here on earth....  We need to spread the gospel - the GOOD news that Jesus died and rose again!!!

I'm Back - Sort of

Hi all - just thought I say that I am back....  I have been sick the past few days....  I am still really worn out - 43 & pregnant with #9.... 

It won't be too much longer and I will be gone for a few days at least, but that will be to have the baby....

I just found out that the hospital I will be at has Free Wireless Internet in the rooms!!!

So hopefully I can even bring the card reader and get pics of the baby up ASAP!!!!

Thank you for reading!!!

Hopefully I can get the Faithful Fridays up soon and a special freebie...

 

Lori

Scrap Addict Sundays - Sons / Daughters

HI all - well here is LO I just did of 4 of my kids!!!

The other day they were having a great time having a water fight!!!

Verse of the Day - Why are we here???

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  (Ephesians 2:10)

What is our Purpose???

• We are His Workmanship - we were Created in Christ Jesus.  We are HIS!
• We are Created for good works.  We were not made - just for nothing.  We are to be doing good works!
• Prepared Beforehand.  God had a plan - even before we were born!
• We should walk in our good works.  This should be our way of life!

God created us for a purpose -we are planned - we are wanted - we are HIS!!!  We are a good creation - after God created man (Genesis) HE said "It was VERY good"!!!

We are to be doing good works - they should be a part of our lifestyle, not just an afterthought.  These works do NOT get us to heaven though.... 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

But these good works we should be doing in Praise of our Creator!!!

 

We do have a purpose!!!

Verse of the Day - DIGG (Does It Glorify God)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body^[a] and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Hi all - well this passage has a powerful punch...  Do we Glorify God in our bodies???  How can we do that???

• Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit - where He dwells, given by God
• We are not our own - we belong to God
• We were bought at a price - What price???  Jesus DIED on the cross for OUR sins
• Therefore - all of the above is why we should glorify God in our bodies, and in our spirit because we belong to God!!!

So how are some ways we can Glorify God in our bodies???

Physical

• What we eat - are we eating healthily??? Do we eat tons of junk food???  How does what we eat effect our body? energy? strength???  DIGG???
• What we do - are we active or passive???  How much exercise do you get???  Now it does not have to be a routine - but do you walk etc???  DIGG???
• What we wear - does it bring an unusual amount of attention to ourselves??? DIGG???

Spiritual

• What we eat - do we read God's Word daily?  Are we eating tons of junk food - TV, music, books etc that are not spiritually healthy???  DIGG???
• What we do - are we active for the LORD???  Do you exercise your faith???   DIGG???
• What we wear - Do people know that we are Christians???  When you are shopping???  at home???  at work??? where-ever you are???   DIGG???

DIGG???  Does It Glorify God???

 

Personally - I struggle at times in some of these areas.  Actually God is always working on me in ALL areas of my life!!!  AMEN!!!  DL Moody once said " the closer I get to God, the worse I feel".  The Apostle Paul also said these types of statements. There is always something more that God can do - to fine tune us to become more like HIM!!!  I thank God - that HE cares enough to keep working on me!!!

 

My Personal Goals:

Physical

• Eat - continue to eat in a healthy manner- I am pregnant and I crave sweets right now.... LOL  About 1 1/2 years ago I had some health issues that required that I lose some weight.  In one year, I lost 65 lbs - by just eating a very healthy diet.  Lots of fruits, vegs, etc. 
• Do - well I am on bedrest right now with my pregnancy.  But as soon as I can after the baby is born, I plan on starting my walking routine (dvd - Leslie Sansone).  I just love it!!!
• Wear - LOL  I am almost out of clothes as the baby continually grows and grows.... 

Spiritual

• Eat - my routine got messed up during this pregnancy.  Now I praise the Lord that I have been doing these verse of the day devotionals!!! 
• Do - Share God's Word thru LO's and challenges, be a good wife & mom, etc
• Wear - that people won't have a doubt that I am a Christian.  It won't be by just what I say, but how I act.

These are my prayers - I pray that I continue to grow in the LORD and I continue to ask myself DIGG???

Verse of the Day - Rejoice in God's Word

Psalm 119

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
         By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
         Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
         That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O LORD!
         Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared
         All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
         As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
         And contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
         I will not forget Your word.

To understand verse 14 - we need to look at the context of the verses surrounding it.  Psalm 19 is an acrostic poem - each section is a letter of Hebrew.  The above passage is one whole section.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
         As much as in all riches.

• We are to rejoice in whose testimonies???  God's!!!
• What are these testimonies???  His Word (the Bible), His Commandments, His Statutes, His Judgements, His Precepts, His Ways,   - all of these are found in the Bible!!!
• How are we supposed to react???  We are rejoicing - glad - holding God's Word precious - as in all riches - like the very precious Word of God is - very important in our lives!!!

Many people know verse 11

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
         That I might not sin against You.

If we regard God's Word as precious - then we should know it - to the extent that it is hidden in our hearts.  We memorize it, we study it to the point that it becomes a part of us!!!  This is a way that we can Rejoice in God's Word beyond all earthly treasures!!!

Blog Celebration - 2000 Visitors

Hi all - I am having a blog party!!!

To celebrate and say thank you for visiting my blog -

I am giving away a free kit at my store!!!

 

YES you can get a free kit!!!

Just go to my store

LAImel Designs Digital Scrapbook Store

and use this coupon

89740d15c0

This coupon is valid thru Sunday July 12, 2007

Verse of the Day - God is our refuge & strength!!!

Hi all - I have been looking at the verse of the day at the top left of my blog

 and I have been thinking about blogging about it daily...

 

Today - I start!!!

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

What does that mean to me???

• Refuge - a place where we go for comfort, safety, peace of mind.
• Strength - power, ability, the "strength to go on"!!!
• Very Present Help - WOW!  there to help us NOW!!!
• Trouble - whatever fears, problems, difficulties are effecting me now. 

 

"GOD is" 

• HE is the one to get us through anything that life may throw at us!!!
• No matter what happens, HE is there with us - that's a promise!!!
• Go to HIM and rest - be at peace - knowing that HE is in control!!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

 

 

Themed Thursdays - FORCE

Hi all - I am really excited about this weeks challenge!!!

 

Here is my LO for "FORCE"

SCRAP ADDICT SUNDAYS - Family

Agring started a Scrappers Meme a few weeks ago - and I decided to join her too!!!

I made this LO about 1 year ago - it is one of my favorite LO's of my family!!!

I do need to do an updated one sometime - I guess I should wait until after the baby is born....

This is also on my family website!!!

Themed Thursdays - Cars

Hi all - maybe this is not what you expected???

Joshua has always had a love for cars!!!  At a pretty young age he would even watch Nascar with Dad!!!

Rockin' Girl Blogger

Well Hummie tagged me...

Roberta Ferguson started this meme.

So now I have to pick some ladies and tell why I think they rock!!!

Sandy - she is a great lady and friend!!!

LadyNRed - she is a great encourager!!!

Karla - she is a great witness for our Lord!!!

Maddy - She helped build my confidence in scrapping!!

Actually I have to back-tag Hummie.... LOL  She has been such a great friend, mentor, chat buddy etc!!!

and best of all... a sister in the LORD!!!

Photo Challenge - Filters

Hi all - here are the photos showing the different filters built into my Panasonic camera....

Original

Cool

Warm

B & W

Sepia

Using Shutter Speeds

Hi all - I played with the shutter speeds on my computer...

and here is my results... not as good as others....

This one is Jenny twirling - using each of the different shutter speeds...

Outside at dusk...

I really like the top right photo....

These bottom photos were taken last using the Night Portrait settings...