Woke up with "Faith Book" on my mind..anyone want to join?

This is the beginning of the Faith Book.... I will post the step-

by-step photos after I go see some little first graders today.

It is NOT finished.... have to let the paint dry before I can do

details and add scripture reference without getting my hand in

that wet pink paint. But this is just a little glimpse of what I 

started last night. I will do another one tonight and post pictures.

Hope you decide to follow along and post some scripture, or

quotes or lyrics that you would like to put in your book.  Until

I see you later....HOPE you all have a joy filled day lovelies!!

I will upload a picture tomorrow of my first day's "Faith Card"

and show you step by step how to make your very own

(including the cover and back page). If you are at all like me,

stinkin' thinkin' can creep up on you fast! In times like these

I try to remember the scriptures I've hidden in my heart.

However, as I have gotten older, some of them are harder

to recall.  So, what better way to memorize them again and

draw from the daily to help me remember God's promises,

sometimes a quote or sometimes lyrics may touch me....and

I will have those inserted in my Faith Card Ring or Book...I

have to see what I have in my craft room in order to find out

which I will make.  Hope to do a class at New Heights Baptist

Church soon.  Feeling better EACH day! "Delight yourself in 

the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." 

Psalm 37:4   Hope you join me!

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a Chickadee

sang. But, the man did not hear. So the man yelled "God, speak

 to me!" And, the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did 

not listen. The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." 

And a star shined brightly. But the man did not notice.

               And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And, a life was
                born. But, the man did not know. So, the man cried out in despair,
                "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!"  Whereupon,
                 God reached down and touched the man.  But, the man
               brushed the butterfly away and walked on.  Don't miss out
            on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

                   ~Unknown

Starting the day with a song in my heart!!

This is so appropriate for MY STORY

for this moment, this very season in my life..... thanks again Melody Ross.

I am not sure why it took until my mid 30's for me to realize 
that my past, or the twists and turns along the way, 
do NOT define me, but it makes ME who I AM.  

You are who you are for a reason.You're part of an intricate
 plan. You're a precious and perfect unique design, Called 
God's special woman or man. You look like you look for a 
reason.Our God made no mistake. He knit you together
within the womb,You're just what he wanted to make. 
The parents you had were the ones he chose ,And 
no matter how you may feel,  They were custom designed 
with God's plan in mind, And they bear the Master's 
seal.No, that trauma you faced was not easy. 
And God wept that it hurt you so; But it was 
allowed to shape your heart So that into his likeness
 you'd grow.You are who you are for a reason, 
You've been formed by the Master's rod.You are 
who you are, beloved, Because there is a God! 
Russell Kelfer
Uniquely created by God with a free will.... each mistake made,
 He allowed ...and each time I always found my way back into
 His arms.  His mercies are new every morning. We judge ourselves
 and others judge us enough to cause so much STINKIN' THINKIN'
 that we get off of the road we should be traveling after "messing up" 
or making a "bad choice".  We sometimes fret so much we become
paralyzed in fear. We become chained to regret and fear of the
future, instead of looking ahead at THE NEW PAGE we
have every single morning to BEGIN again.  "He gives beauty for
ashes... strength for fear, gladness for mourning, peace for despair!!"
 I have finally realized that MY Father does not want me to walk with
my head down, He wants me living a joy filled life.  The first step was 

to realize that IN ALL THINGS I AM TO GIVE THANKS.... 
because the good , the bad , and the ugly make MY STORY. 
 I am thankful for it all!!! 

Love this quote...and love
how the artist illustrated it! 

Cards and other Creations

My Crafting BUDDY.... Thing One (aka. ChriTsy aka. Christy)

Hand painted teacher door sign... pencil.

These will be ready for purchase at the
Rustic Charm Vendors Gallery in Summit, MS in May. 

A Storybook Wedding.....

Hayden leading the way...... (CrossesbyRobin)

Flowers by The Flower Nook of McComb, MS.....

The beautiful wedding couple...Rusty and Hannah.... photographs by Maureen Wilson Photography.

And Hayden leads the couple out.  

Rustic Charm Vendors Gallery in Summit, MS in May

MY CROSSES AND CREATIONS...It's YOUR story, make it MEANINGFUL!

 (Photo from bravegirlsclub.com)

I love finding beautiful quotes and artwork

that inspire not only my creativity, but also my soul.

 This picture reminds me that there is meaning in each season

of  my life and each season makes it MY UNIQUE STORY.

After getting diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1990, God

blessed us with two beautiful children and if I had NOT been

diagnosed with RA, I would have probably gone back to work.

So as I begin to look back on MY STORY...and

make it meaningful for myself and for my children,I begin

to have a different perspective about the trials in MY STORY.

I have always known that God is a Father that will never

leave or forsake His children.... I KNOW THAT I KNOW..
He is with me each step of the way. But, being honest,
I would have to admit during those DOWN moments, I often
times got lost in the "what if's" and didn't just simply trust in
His perfect timing. Today as I look  closely at this season in
my life, disability retirement, I begin to find that God
allowed me (through the diagnosis of this disease) to be
at home with my children from birth to 7th and 9th grade.
That is a   blessing and I'd not take ONE moment back!

Yes, there were days of extreme pain. Yes, I was very
young and my marriage was very young as well.
Yes, it took me a long time to learn how to live with a
chronic illness. BUT IT IS A PART OF MY STORY.....
and without it .... my life would not have been the same. 

It's all about perspective! 

Yesterday, my first day of retirement, I called my husband
 (boss) and asked, "MayI take the day off? I am not able to
open my hands today." He replied, "Yes you may!Now you
lay back down and rest today. Your benefits are endless in
this new job baby. You don't even HAVE to call in...you just
have to take care of you." How beautiful is that! No dock in
pay, don't have to count my sick days and keep up with how
many I have left, I have vacation days whenever I need them!
Today, my second day of retirement. I was able to take my
daughter to pick up her prom dress and earrings at lunch. If I
had been working, I would not have been able to do this.For
 the past two years, I had been coming home from work
hurting so bad I would end up going to bed early so I could
work the next day. I had NO ENERGY even on good
days to do anything. I know that as my immune system
strengthens, I will be able to volunteer at church, the school,
and do more painting for the gallery in Summit. 
There will be no more fretting  about this
season in my life  for another second...

And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love  God and are
called according to His purpose for them.
Romans 8:28.
My Crosses and Creations
Rustic Charm Vendors Gallery
Summit, MS