I Have Said It Before, And I WILL Say It Again...

I know, I know... I have not been around much. Life has thrown me some curves that just had to take priority. Actually, I have been sputtering in the creative area just because I have been so preoccupied with other areas that need attention. Important things. When you see your kids struggling with things, you must stop and give attention. When you see your home being overrun by the Laundry Monster, you must stop and give attention. When you are so tired that you haven't the energy to focus on those important things, something has to give, and you must give attention. On and on and on...

Anyhow, as much as I have missed being in touch more, being creative, and all that, I am truly grateful for this chance away, too.

I have been learning a lot in this mini season of waiting and rest and re-prioritizing...

The verse from 1 Corinthians 10:13 especially comes to mind over these last few days. Those of you who know me best will be especially blessed by my news, and feel free to shed a tear or two of joy with me. I assure you that even as I write this a tear or two will be shed.

First, my Lord is faithful. There is no doubt about it.

Second, the verse... :-)

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation (I have also heard it could be used as TRIAL) has overtaken you except what is common to man. But God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will, with the temptation, provide a way of escape."

I have dwelt on this verse so many times over the last... 6 years. Really. It has been 6 years since we moved here to Italy, and our time here has been one of MANY challenges. Many is even not a strong enough word, but... it will suffice just to get the point across.

There is not enough time to share the struggles I have had, but... I can share this. I recently have felt an amazing peace in spite of even more challenges. I have wondered at it, and just praised God that He has finally helped me to be content even in the hard days. I am not perfect at it, but I HAVE gotten better.

A friend came over last week for supper. And I was blown away as we ended our time together. She had a WORD from the Lord for me, which confirmed, that after 6 YEARS of challenge and trial, I am entering a time of REST. I am overwhelmed by God's faithfulness.

You may think me strange to be grateful for the hard times I have suffered... I am because I have implored the Lord to use those times to bring "beauty from my ashes", to bring blessing in spite of some horrible moments.

As I have learned to surrender and trust My Lord, He has taken it all, healed my heart, and blessed me and my family with more Faith in Him, with Joy Unspeakable, and Peace that passes all understanding.

I have to trust in, cling to, rely on, and believe in my Jesus because without Him I could never survive the challenges, at least not with joy, peace, hope and faith.

Only with His help have I had that. Only with His help have I been open to helping others in my own need. It is only in Him that I have flourished instead of dying because of the pressure, stress, and exhaustion of too many trials, and many times all at one time.

I am blessed because I KNOW that He cares for me, and if He cares for ME... for sure He cares for YOU.... YOU... YOU...

HE says the He is the "same yesterday, today, and forever"... Not me, Him. And what He has done for me, He can and will do for you... when YOU learn to trust and surrender. Trust in, cling to, rely on, and believe in HIM with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and let Him make "beauty for your ashes."

Be blessed, dear one. Even as I write this, I am wondering who does not believe these words. I weep for you, and I ask that God fills your heart with faith to believe. As He does you will come to understand even more that "Faith is the substance of things HOPED for, the EVIDENCE of things NOT YET seen." (Hebrews 11)

Blessings on YOU, your family, your marriages... Blessings in Jesus' name!!

A Cake As Poetical As A Rainbow... Gorgeous!

Whisk Kid: Say it with Cake...

I have found the cake I would consider using for every birthay from now until my last child is 18. It is gorgeous, and is SO fun. Come check it out!!! Click the link above.

And have a great day!

Mozi Esmé: Review/Giveaway: The Princess and the Three Knights

Mozi Esmé: Review/Giveaway: The Princess and the Three Knights

I would seriously love to have this book!!!

A Mix Of Days...

Today is certainly a mix of days... So many things to rememeber, mourn, half-mourn, and celebrate, I almost do not know where to begin.

Today is my and my husband's 10th Wedding Anniversary. Yes, that is something to celebrate!!! :-) I am truly blessed to have found my match in every way. My brother-in-law gave a great toast for our wedding which I think of in spitter-spattering moments of my life. "God must have smiled on you when you were born because He knew that one day you would marry my brother." Believe me when I say that it was the sweetest of cheers.

If God smiled on me, He must have chuckled under His breath at Anthony because He knew that his life would never be bored living with me. We sure have a lot of the spice that comes from life. Someday I should do an allegorical story of the different spices that exist in our home. (giggle-giggle...)

What do you expect mixing together an Italian and an Hispanic person? Hah!

Anyway, I just want to say... Anthony, I love you and am so grateful for you. I am honored to have you for my husband and as the father of our children. I am blessed by your amazing work ethic, your sense of humor, your love for your family, your care for other friends and family members, and your desire to do your best at all times for your family and God. You are an amazing man, and I am in awe that I can call you "My Own". For, Song of Songs says, "I am my beloved's and He is mine."

Happy 10th Anniversary!! I look forward to the rest of our lives together. No matter the challenges, trials, sorrows, fears, joys... may we always stay focused on Jesus, who loves us both to distraction, helps us to love each other better than we ever could without His help, and is working in us both "to bring us to completion".

It may be a long road with lots of curves and potholes, but I am grateful that I have you with whom to travel along that road. I love you!!

May "God bless you, keep you, make His face shine upon you, and give you peace..."

(Numbers 6:24-26)



And, moving on... Who new that my beautiful wedding anniversary would be so full of sorrow for so many? As we know, it is also the anniversary of 9-11, the day the Twin Towers fell. May God continue to comfort those who lost on that horrible day, and may He save America from itself. Help us, Lord, to remember what you say in 2 Chronicles 7:14...

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

And my other anniversary... It is 6 years today that we have lived in Italy. It sure has been an amazing experience. I would not ever lie to you and say I have enjoyed it all. It has NOT been an extended vacation. But, it has been full of growth, blessings (three of my five kids were born here, for example), sorrows, missings, longings, and so many difficult lessons trying to be learned.

Thank You, Lord, for being patient with me, for loving me, for Your mercy and grace, and for granting me "strength for today and hope for tomorrow" in all of my many seasons.

May my life be a blessing to you, and may the fragrance of my heart and soul bring Your heart pleasure. May it be to you a sweet smelling sacrifice of praise to You. Amen.

Sometimes trudging, sometimes gliding, sometimes crawling, Sometimes walking, sometimes trodding, Sometimes running, sometimes barely moving...

My best attempts at goodness, faithfulness, patience, long-suffering, love, etc... are nothing in comparison to Yours with me. In all of my attempts, hopes, desires, failures, growths, and trying-to-be-faithful moments... I am Yours. Thank You, Jesus!


Click HERE to see the papercut card I made him. :-)

OOH!! A Prompt Journal...

I love this idea... a prompt journal.

"20 library book pocket cards, bound together with sturdy chipboard covers,
and using a lovely patina-ed antique silver wire.
This handy little prompter measures approx. 3" x 5".
Of course, every page has a book title which suggests something to write about or
illustrate. It could also be used for a spontaneous game of charades!"

That is what my blogging friend, Nathalie, says as she describes a giveaway she is hosting to win one such prompt journal. I love it and would totally use it.

If you are interested in putting in your comment to win as well, click HERE!!!

Try to do something creative today, and have fun doing it!!

I will do just that! :-)

Papercut Giveaway!!!...

Come and check it out!! I am doing another papercut giveaway. Join, one and all!!!

Click HERE to find out more!!!

Ends September 17th... Results will be shared September 18th.

Weave Your Way In Me, Lord...

This is how I feel about my papercuttings... It is my own tangible way to understand God's own role in being Creator, Master, Artist of my life. I have an idea which I draw out in pencil. I correct, adjust, and organize, then I cut it out carefully, anticipating that, with each snip or slice, I am getting closer to the official surprise piece of art. I am never 100% sure how a piece will come out, but I love that rush of hope and joy that fills me as I see it all coming together.

I love that God KNOWS the perfect way to Create, Correct, Adjust, Organize me and my life. He does not guess, but KNOWS. I can trust that He really does see the whole picture, and He knows what is best. His seeing is for the past, the present, and the future, and my ways, in every sense, are known to Him.

Weave Your way in me, O Lord!!

Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..."

And...

Jeremiah 29:11 says, 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."

Corrie ten Boom Quote: (which I remembered when looking at Mud And Coffee's blog... Thank you for the reminder!!)


MY LIFE IS BUT A WEAVING

My life is but a weaving
between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oftentimes He weaveth sorrow
and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper
and I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent
and the shuttles cease to fly,
will God unroll the canvas
and explain the reason why

the dark threads are as needful
in the skillful Weaver's hand,
as the threads of gold and silver
in the pattern He has planned.