Ordinary Days

Well today should be just an ordinary day.

Yesterday was suppose to be but some kind of bug showed up in my body. I think it left and went on its way.

Hopefully by tomorrow you will see some sketches show up on the blog.

I am hoping to at least get organized and figure out papers, than sketch or choose sketches.
Remember we will be doing 6 pages three 2 page spreads at this months class.

I hope your wait will be worth it.

Have Faith, faith in me, in you, in life.

So have you seen anything new in scrapbooking. Sketches, layouts, cards, some technique you want to try. I am going to give you until 11:59 pm NewYears Eve to post on here or leave a message on my home phone (not my cell), telling me an idea that excites you about scrapbooking. Come on I really need some NEW ideas. Every class member who replys will get a small prize.

New Years day is just around the corner also. So have you figured out your word for the New Year. I am still working on it.

JOY and PEACE are found in Believing.

You Just Don't Know What I Know

If you are dealing with frustration and beleive in GOD's Love and are searching for ways to handle that frustration, watch the Joyce Meyers show today.

The message today really hit home again for me and hopefully you will find a message for you in it.

I think I will watch this episode everyday until I can follow it completely.

deb

Class for January.

I am really sorry to do this but I need to change the January Childs play class to January 17.

My great neice is being christened on January 10 and I need to attend it.

If you can not make the 17, let me know.

Thanks
deb

Schedule

After today I have some free time I think.
So my plans are:

Monday take down tree
Tuesday and Wednesday I have the girls.
Wednesday night I have tax meeting.
Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday.
Nothing planned.

I know for sure I am going to crop on Saturday and Sunday.
Maybe on Friday also.
If you would like to join me please feel free to.
I really only have a few days left to get the pages done for class. Nothing designed yet. I really need to get some of my personal pages done.


If you are coming please let me know. Only for the purpose of setting up enough tables.

Prayers Please

Today we have a family get together involving all of the Lyle and Ebeling families. Please pray that everyone respects each other.

This is the first time that most of my children will be together in quite a few years.

We have a hall, so there should be enough room.
It is only for 4 hours.
All Bills siblings are suppose to be there. Hopefully the snow will not stop Bob from coming. Bill so enjoyed spending time with him on Thanksgiving.

I think everyone else is close enough that it should not be a problem.

This is the last celebration that we have planned.
I don't think we are doing the New Years thing.

Merry Christmas

Hope you are remembering to enjoy your time. It really only matters to you what is done and what isn't. The real joy comes from being with friends and family.

Merry Christmas!

Good News!

Grace is for everyone!

As we celebrate this holiday season, remember to love those who are being unloveable. Those who attack us need our love more and more. I think it is the hardest thing we are asked to do in our love walk. Pray and ask God to handle them, don't answer them until you ask from help from God. Be the example of how we should live.

My first instinct is to counter attack, but I know this is wrong. My attack never makes me feel better, only worse. So why do it.
Give it to God and ask and receive his Grace.

God loves everyone.
We should too.

Laws came through Moses, but life and grace came through Jesus Christ.

Celebrate Jesus' Birthday offering your love to everyone as you gather for this Holiday Season.

Merry & Bright!

Who have you blessed this season? Nope, not talking about your "obligations to give"

What have you given from your heart, your love walk. Is to the stranger on the street.
Did you put something in the red bucket, toys for tots, volunteer anywhere?

You can not have joy if you are selfish. You have to give. Sometimes it is hard we think so and so has so much more, it is so much easier for them. Not so. I know no one who are not extremely blessed and they have so much to give.

a.) we almost always have something that someone else needs....that is probably really easy for us to part with...whether it is our time, our talents, our knowledge, a possession.......and

b.) that when God whispers to you the needs of others......please listen. and

c.) God works things out in ways that are funny and amazing and show His capacity for finding solutions to ANY problem..perfect solutions where everyone comes out feeling great.

As we prepare to celebrate this glorious season take a few minutes to pray to ask for peace and blessings, to ask how you can help and who you should help. And then listen to Gods whispers and follow through.

Holidays

Can you beleive that Christmas eve is the day after tomorrow. How much do you have to get done yet?

Changes!

For change to occur in your life, it’s not only important that you stop being a prisoner of your circumstances. You also have to choose to become a prisoner of hope. This means being a person who cannot get away from hope. If you’ll do this, you’ll receive double of anything that’s taken away from you. That’s a promise from God.

Food for thought

Crisis Pregnancyby Kevin H. Grenier

"The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child...'" (Luke 1:30-31a)

Imagine what it would be like to be a teenage girl who suddenly finds out she is pregnant. Although the people in her small town love her, people are people. Soon the young lady’s reputation is ruined as everyone gossips and speculates about who the father is. To make matters worse, her boyfriend decides that since he is not the father, he is going to break up with her.

So there she is, scorned, ridiculed and abandoned. All of this because Mary, the mother of Jesus, said, “I am the Lord’s servant,” when the angel appeared to her.

At first, Mary was able to visit her cousin, Elizabeth and avoid the negative attention in Nazareth. But when she was just over three months along, Mary had to return home. Of course, as the weeks went by it became more and more obvious that she was pregnant. Mary tried to explain what happened, but it comes as no surprise that no one believed her. The fact that she claimed God made her pregnant added to the scorn and ridicule she experienced.

Everyone in town, even her family members, must have been wondering what it was that sent her off the deep end. They also began to wonder about Joseph, too, when he decided to stay engaged to Mary. Was he as crazy as she was? Or was he really the father of the child?

After a few months, Joseph told Mary that they had to travel to Bethlehem. The Roman emperor required all men to go to their family’s home for the census. At first, getting out of town may have been a welcome relief. In place of the emotional struggles, though, came physical ones. Mary had to travel over sixty miles on rough paths and hills on the back of a donkey, lurching back and forth with each step – all this when she was at least eight months pregnant.

Finally in Bethlehem, Mary suffered the indignity of giving birth in an animal stall. She was inexperienced and far from home. None of her female friends and family members were there to help. Instead, Mary may have been assisted by Joseph or perhaps some of his distant relatives. There, in a barn, the ordeal of the past nine months came to an end with the birth of a baby boy!

As Mary looked into the face of this little baby, all the pain she had experienced may have melted away as a wave of deep, maternal love spread over her. A baby! What a joy to hold and cuddle this precious new life!
Perhaps, too, as she held her child, Mary also contemplated what it meant to give birth to the Son of God. But could she even begin to grasp the future that was stretching out before her? It would be an odd mixture of the typical and the heavenly. She would cook meals and care for her husband and child. She would also be visited by foreign dignitaries, hear stories from shepherds and avoid King Herod’s soldiers by fleeing to Egypt.

As the years progressed, there would be times of extraordinary joy, deep confusion and intense anguish. It would all be capped off with a resurrection – an event that probably filled Mary’s heart with great joy and wonder, but may have left her with even more questions about what in the world God was doing. The courage Mary showed before the Nativity would be needed time and time again throughout her life.

Sadly, we often lose sight of the courage of this young girl amidst the familiarity of the Christmas story. We forget all the struggles she faced and we fool ourselves into thinking that straw is a nice bed, not scratchy and uncomfortable. Mary was ridiculed, rejected, scorned and mistreated - and all of this came upon her after the angel proclaimed to her that she had found favor with God!

Mary’s experience reminds us that God’s favor does not equal our comfort. Rather, His favor results in glory. Her story also teaches us that we may be going through the most difficult time in our life and still be exactly in the center of God’s plan. The struggles we face do not mean that we have been abandoned by God or that He does not love us. God more often chooses to enable us to rise above our circumstances, not avoid them. Certainly, His love does not go away even in the midst of great difficulties.

A young peasant girl in Galilee endured shame and ridicule, was misunderstood by everyone around her, and experienced great physical discomfort. You and I experience the blessings that resulted from her faithfulness. No wonder Scripture presents Mary as a role model for us to follow.

This WeekThe secret to Mary’s success, and the secret to our success, is a deep trust in what God has said to us – even when circumstances scream in our ears the opposite message. So this Christmas, let’s draw hope and strength from the Nativity. Let’s marvel together at the great courage and faith of a young lady whom God favored with a difficult life on earth and eternal honor in heaven.

Prayer“Father, thank you that Mary chose servanthood over comfort and rebuke over reputation. Thank you for her example of self-sacrifice and obedience. Lord, I pray the you would grant me the grace to walk before you as nobly and faithfully as she did. May I, too, be found faithful to you regardless of the path you call me to walk. Amen.”

WOF again

Another inspiration from the WOF blog

Apparently, laughter is the one human activity that exercises the liver. I never knew the liver was in need of exercise, but just knowing laughter does for my liver what laughter does for my blood pressure causes me to dash about for daily humor with the well-being of my liver in mind. — Marilyn Meberg

Its funny that after only attending for 2 years, I can hear these readings in their voices. Guess they really did make impressions.

If you are in need of a cheap gift, Ollies has the small book and cd for Cinderella, from Steven Curtis Chapman, for 3.99. He gave his testimony and perfomed on Friday evening at the conference.
His story his heartbreaking, but they are one amazing family.
He is back for the conference next year and his wife joins in the conference also, but I think she is coming until the school year 2010-2011. I would love to hear her but I don't think she will be at Columbus.

How many of you are going this year?

Basket Ball

Wonder why there is so much violence today? It has to be girls Basketball: )
Wow what a rough sport.
I attended the AE vs Spencerville game last night. It was a good game, but of course the team I was cheering for lost. Only by a few but a loss.

Hopefully I will get to see many more games this year.

Women of Faith

Surfing the net, while listening to Joyce Meyer, came to the Women of Faith website. I clicked on the blog and reading the inspirtations of the day, it was just like being back at the conference and listening to the testimonies. This was todays.

When I understand that pain, loss, and difficulty have a purpose, a work to do within me, I can learn to see meaning in my suffering. — Patsy Clairmont (All Cracked Up)

I went back and read a few days. So nice to find things that help me understand why!


http://blogs.womenoffaith.com/

Do you have a bucket list?

What's on your bucket list? Have you shared it with your anyone
What are you doing to work thru it?
Have you checked off one item?two? How long have you had it.

If you don't have list of things you want to do in your lifetime, make one. Look over it everyday. Prioritize what is most important.
Write down the steps to accomplish one item on your list
Document how long it should take you to reach this goal.
Get to work!

See how easy it is?

What are you missing?

If you concentrate on what is wrong, or what is going on that you don't like, you miss so much of what is amazing.

How many of Gods blessings are you missing, by looking in the wrong direction.

It is so hard to see the light when we are walking in the wilderness. If we just listen we can find and follow our way out. Don't make it more difficult than it needs to be. Ask God to lead your through and follow his lead. Not your heart, your head, but Gods direction. Don't spend 40 years wandering when it is only an 11 day trip.

HELLO?

You are allowed to post. I know you all have something to say.
I know your words have worth.
Words are powerful. Have you thought of your word for 2010.
I think Ali Edwards (correct me if I am wrong) is the one who started the word for the year.
This is the info I had saved from last year(I changed the 2009 to 2010)

"Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2010? It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.

One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.

So think of YOUR WORD and post it.
deb

Move Move Move

Making progress, slept better last night, might be because I actually got up and did something yesterday.

Hope to accomplish something today.

What's on your plate? Are you doing anything?
What foods are you making for the season?
Any specialities you only make at the holidays?

Contest
Post a recipe, of a favorite holiday food, under this post and you will get a ticket for a door prize at club on Wed. (forgot to give it out at last months class).
Come on it only takes a minute to post. I know you guys are great cooks.
There is only three of you reading the blog so you have a great chance to win.



Oh by the way, I have had scrappers block for ages, can't design a thing. I think it is over. The ideas are going thru my head now, when I don't even have time to attempt to put them on paper. Hopefully they will still be there in January: }

One of those emails I hate, but food for thought.

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now. A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered The family ate together at the table.
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?'
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless.

Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family.. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Not just the elderly but what examples are we setting for our children and grandchildren.

Club

Club Wednesday night.
I am baking a ham, and making a brocolli soup, each of you need to bring a finger food.
We will not be doing a project, no time for it with presents and gift exchange.

You will need to bring your little gifts, your gift exchange and a finger food.

We will start around normal time and eat about 7:30.

See you Wednesday.

Organizing

I have club at my house in a couple of days. It is a disaster. I have not really started my shopping, I have only baked one type of cookie, (and gave them away), I put up my tree but have no other decorations out (and am not sure I am going to). I bought things to make gifts and don't have them started. Yea! Merry Christmas.
So all of these thoughts this morning brought me back to I need to get organized. I need to organize my home, my life, my time, my health. Have really become addicted to tv and computer again. Need to get it together.

I don't have time or motivation to spend an entire morning or afternoon cleaning & dejunking, but I can spend 15 minutes here and there. I don't have to do an overwhelming project all at once. It can be dealt with 15 minutes at a time.My decluttering criteria is a mix of advice from the FlyLady, other organizational gurus, and my own particular needs. Here is my list to help me decide whether or not to keep something:
1) Do I really LOVE this item or does it make me happy?
2) Does this item bless or help my home in some way?
3) If I have more than one of this item, do I really need to keep it?
4) Do I use it at least occasionally?
5) If we're not using it now, and don't expect to use it anytime in the foreseeable future, would it be hard or expensive to replace if I honestly think we might need it or want it later?6) If I move, would it be more costly to move it or to replace it?7) If none of the above, WHY would I want to keep it? "Because I paid good money for it" is NOT a good reason to keep something!
So Clean it up!

So with all of this I kept the boys last night, they are so wonderful. I kept Taylor the other day and she is adorable. I see Lindsey everyday after school and get to spend time with her. Ethan and Ky started basketball practice so will get to go to their games soon.
So life is really great!
And will get to spend Wednesday with good friends.

Shopping

When did I begin to hate shopping. Well instead of buying presents I bought things to make presents, so now when do I find the time.
Not brite Uh?

Depression

Discouragement, New Beginnings, Disappointed, Reappointed, Let go of what lies behind, don't let it lead to Depression. Depression leads to despondency and that leads to despair.

Find the reason, the reason you are not getting things down, the reason you are not enjoying the season or your life. What keeps you from not accomplishing what you wish to. Some things take work, it is worth the work to find the reasons.

You must physically take care of yourselves, low blood sugar, stress, other deficiency can cause the problems.
Vitamin D is a large source missing right now, and especially in our area, iodine is also deficient.

Look at your diet, your physical activity, your sleep schedule. Take care of your self and work towards bettering all wakes of your life.
Celebrate the progress you do make.
Find Joy and Peace with in your self today.

Cold!!!

How are you handling the cold? Me not so well. So what are your positives to making the cold tolerable.
Give me some guidelines on enjoying the cold.
I need a little Christmas, if I have to put up with the cold at least give me a little snow to brighten the scenery.

What have you seen?

Do you have your camera in your purse. Are you really seeing?
Make sure you are looking as you go about your day. Don't forget to take photos of the not so important things as well as what you think is important today.

What do you want you kids to remember? or grandkids. Can you really explain how far the world as come and the difference we see today compared to yesterday.

Take photos of everyday things. Make sure you get a photo of a light bulb, Christmas lights around your house. Who knows, next year we might be required to only use lcd lights.
They are different.
I am thinking about cleaning out my videos. Take pictures of the tapes, and the cds. Do you have any albums left, take pictures of the 45s, 33s, tapes, cds, mpc players.
What about telephones. Flat screens tvs. Record the past thru photos.
Just thinking about changes today and where we have been and where we are going.
What changes are you remembering?

The Journey

Are you enjoying the journey, your path through life? Do you have PEACE?

If you are worried, upset, frustrated, angry, fearful, you can not be productive.

Stop allowing yourself to be controlled, it is a choice that you make. Someone else does not make you feel these ways, it is your choice.

During this time of joy and celebration, crave and pursue PEACE.

Be blessed today.
deb

Hope this link works,

This is so cute.

http://www.scrapbook.com
It didn't work but if you go to above and search for Christmas Kids 2009
it is a cute video.

http://www.scrapbook.com/videos/953.html

Hopefully I got it right.

A reminder

Found this question on Becky Higgins blog this morning.
Just a reminder of what we should be doing everyday.


What are you doing today that will uplift another person? Your child, your co-worker, spouse, father-in-law, neighbor. Think of someone. And do them a little bit of good.

She also has some digital page links for her kids albums down a few posts. They are worth looking at. She has a nice way of keeping up with her kids albums.

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/

Trials and Tribulations

I know many of us have had some hard times recently. Dealing with life and all it has to bring.
Today Joyce Meyers has a good program on about dealing with trials.
She is on several times per day.
On my tv she is on channel 4, at 7:00 AM, 2:30 PM, and 6:30 PM.
She is also cable lifetime at 7:00 AM

I find her positve messages bring peace to my life when I am feeling blue.
Hope this helps.
deb

Class

Hope everyone had a good time at class, and you find more ways to use your stamps.
In January we will have our next class. We will be doing 6 pages, so plan for about 3 hours of class instead of the 2 hours. Our class will be on January 9,