When I asked hubby to draw a bird for my blog freebie, he drew this Humming Bird first as he's been seeing them about our house lately.
I told him to get a plain piece of paper to draw it on, but he's a guy and guys aren't supposed to listen to their wives (or that's the way it feels to me) and so he grabbed a lined piece of paper anyway.
So, I made him suffer by watching me manually erase every single line as I extracted. I'm so mean.
Okay, but flipping the coin, isn't it awesome that he was willing to participate in my hobby?!! We had some fun quality time together.
Just as I mentioned with yesterday's freebie bird, feel free to make a bird or two or three with this graphic and share it on your blog. Let me know where it is and I will do a blog post sharing the links to them all.
Oh, what a fun weekend we are having already, just laying about giggling. This is the way Labor Day weekend should be...a rest from our labors. So many people plan to travel. Nope! I'm happy to be home this weekend!
So, I was reading the 4shared comments and two people wrote "go raibhmaithagat."
I was like..what!
So I did an internet search on it and found it means Thank You in Irish!
Oh, I have Irish heritage, so it made me smile! My great-grandfather came to America when he was 16 from Ireland.
*********** Each Saturday, a new printable Bible Bits will be posted. Download it, print it, post it where your family gathers, talk about it, and pray about it with your family. Use it as a screen saver for the week.
Bible Bits are in this folder . Click to open the thumbnail. Under the thumbnail you will see a link entitled “get original uploaded photo.” Open that link up before right clicking to save it.
I decided to combine these two events today because I thought this photo for the Bible Bits was "simply beautiful!" I took it at Shaw's Garden and I like the way I utilized the "Rule of Thirds" to place the bird on an intersection of the thirds. (See my tutorial)
So, here's my thoughts on this Bible Bit for this week.
I am going to do a series of Bible Bits based on Galations 5:22-23 and a writing on those verses by Max Lucado. You can do an internet search for "The Choice" by Max Lucado and find it in many places on the internet.
The Choice Max Lucado
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23/New Living Translation
It’s quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love . . . No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
************** I just love how he makes the the fruits of the spirit a choice. A great guy named Daniel sent me this poem a few weeks ago when I was struggling with making a choice not to let someone know that she was rubbing me the wrong way. Her behavior kept on all day and I was utilizing everything I had not to speak my mind. I vented to Daniel and he e-mailed me this wonderful poem. I thought it was perfect to separate out into a series for the Bible Bits.
No occassion justifies hatred, writes Lucado. Yes, I was hating this person the entire day. It was rubbing at me and eating me up inside the entire day. However, it did not justify my hate. My bitterness towards her was not justified. I had a choice to choose love rather than hatred and bitterness.
Today I will love God and what God loves, writes Lucado. I love this as it is so simply put. I have had lots of discussions over the years with other people and it is a wonderful thing for Christians to remind each other of. God loves everyone! Yes! Even those people that we have difficulting loving, He loves! If I could only learn to look at them as God looks at them. If only I could give myself an attitude adjustment! I CAN make a choice to love all people.
Since there seems to be a recent theme about birds on my blog, I have a freebie for the digital scrapbookers.
I have a bird in my photo above and I wrote about the trend of birds in digital scrapbooking just yesterday -- read here.
So, I asked my hubby to draw me a bird so that I could extract it to share it. Didn't he do a great work?
I asked him what his bird's name was and he said, "bird." Then he quickly changed it to "Bill Bird." So, welcome Bill Bird!
You can take the pattern and fill it with your own papers. I filled it and made two birds that are included in the download. I would love to see what you do with the pattern!
Feel free to fill them yourself and share your completed birds on your blog. If you let me know where they are, I will share a link to your blog in a future post.
He made two birds, so there will be another freebie tomorrow!
A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."
One of these things is not like the others, One of these things just doesn't belong, Can you tell which thing is not like the others By the time I finish my song?
Did you guess which thing was not like the others? Did you guess which thing just doesn't belong? If you guessed this one is not like the others, Then you're absolutely...right!
..............Sesame Street Song
OH....the digi-trends! Here is a sampling of kits all with the "thing like the others!" I could have given you 20 more samples, but I got weary of posting them!
Can you spy it?
Over the years, I have watched one trend after another take hold and then fade away. Maybe it is time I start pointing them out for fun?
Really? What kind of "activity" layout would you use a bird on?
I just don't get the fade.
I wonder what I could come up with that I could give away commercial use on this blog that would make every new kit? Wouldn't it be great to have my name in all the TOU's out there! Oh, I'd be famous! (Ah! Wait--that's another post I've got in mind--stay tuned.)
Weren't owls the fade in the 70's? My mom had them in her kitchen! And they were orange!
I do not see them here -- oh wait? And then again!
Just taking a quick moment to send my thanks for the awards! Goodness, I cannot keep up with you all!
I recently met Shirley when she did one of my tutorials. It's nice to see her again.
I have never met Addy before, so it is always nice for me to get to meet more of the people who read this blog. I know there are many Subscribers and some days I wish they would just leave a comment so I could meet them! Thanks Addy!
On August 11th I had an unpleasant experience, but not one that is unfamiliar to me. It is frustrating for me as it has happened often over the years, even before I opened my forum and gallery, even when I only had free written tutorials online.
I had an instance in another forum where I "just asked" if I could post a link to one of my tutorials to help someone and all of my posts were immediately deleted and my signature line was edited to remove it completely. I had a link in my signature line to my blog from when I posted there years ago and it was not corrected back then and so I did not think twice about changing it.
Sure, I could participate in the community without any identity in my signature line, but that is like being a "nobody." No one will have access to even my blog to read my personal posts to get to know me? It would be a one-way digi-friendship.
To say the least--it really stings whenever I am rejected. I feel so often that the digital scrapbooking community does not like me or accept me. It hurts.
COMPETITION STINKS!
I have a site where I try to be supportive of all other sites, but I am not always welcome at other sites.
Yes, I do believe in abiding by rules, but often the rules prevent me from participating at other sites.
Competition STINKS! I know other designers and site owners can identify with it. We have to always walk on the edge, wondering if our posts are taken the wrong way, considered advertising, or if we are welcomed into the community.
I just want everyone to have fun together and quit competing against each other. It causes isolation and hurt feelings. We want everyone to feel welcome in our digi-communities--everywhere!
Why should we all be so afraid to post? Because those with marketing minds have messed it up for the rest of us who are just scrapping and having fun and helping each other. There are those designers who pop by a forum just to post an advertisement and not participate in the community. I have plenty of them at my site even.
Since I love helping people so much, it's also hard for me NOT to post when I see PSE questions. How could I be in a community and stay away from that? But then again, in answering many of the questions, it is easiest to just point people to one of my free written tutorials or free videos rather than to spend time retyping things? That's what started my free tutorials long ago as I grew tired of retyping the same answers to people and in this way I could just send them a link to the answer.
A teacher at heart cannot walk by a question and not help. It is hard to be a part of another forum and not be allowed to help by just sharing my tutorials that are free (without even mentioning I have a subscriber area with more) and I do not have time to retype everything over and over. It just stinks to watch people go unhelped.
It is SO sad that we cannot work together better as a community without competing against each other. It is not my style.
Jenn White said: "If you're secure in the quality of your product, you really shouldn't have trouble with people posting links to other sites." I think it is a very valid point.
BLATANT ADVERTISING IS A NO-NO! WHAT MY SITE HAS TO OFFER
On the other hand, neither do I believe in blatant advertising. As a consumer, it always rubs me the wrong way.
That's why I have my site set up the way I do to accomodate both. I allow any links in signature lines and do not mind you sharing links to any inspiration or tutorial anywhere (as that's what I enjoy most!). I just see no need for ads in my forums, although I have "enabling" threads which is different. It is more for word-of-mouth "hey I like this" posts.
I also have an open gallery with one exception---unless you are a subscriber, all layouts must be as part of forum discussions. This is to curb CT advertising layouts. But if someone is on a CT and wants to participate in a challenge or share in other conversation, I am not concerned where the products are from!
A NEW LIST OF PLACES I AM WELCOME
So, I posted a thread in the private DST designer forum and requested to know which sites I was welcomed to answer PSE questions and have a simple link to my blog/site in my signature line. The responses were heartwarming.
I made a list of everyone who welcomed me, which is below.
I do not have a lot of time to visit other forums, but I just want to know where I am safe to help others or not. I do not have a lot of time to go reading all the TOU's everywhere (which is a sad excuse really).
A quick reference for me is great--and I will certainly turn to this list from time to time to visit also.
If you would like your site added to my list, please leave me a comment.
Much of what passes for Christianity promises salvation through the elevation of the self. Their theology goes up the scale -- do, re, me -- and gets stuck on "me", instead of the Way of the Cross.
Don't laugh at me, but when I got the CBS e-mail alert that said, "Sources Say Biden To Be Obama's Running Mate " I thought it was spam mail about terrorists. I had to do a double take. All these "bin-this" and "bin-that" names make me cringe and my eyes skipped straight to that when I read it.
Obama-Biden looks too much like Osama Bin Laden -- sure it does! Just mix up the letters and take out the "s!"
AND THAT folks...is about all the politics you'll get out of me!
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I wanted to bump up this post I first made on December 6, 2006. I am not sure how many of my current readers read back through old posts.
Troy has begun to send out these wonderful cartoons again by e-mail and they have always been one of my favorite e-mails!
****** So, here's another one of my most favorite e-mail subscriptions.
These Christian cartoons are absolutely wonderful. What makes them even better is what he writes about the cartoons which makes the cartoons so applicable to life. I have enjoyed his e-mails for many years. This guy's been spreading his faith for a long time. I'm sure Jesus is smiling on him.
To sign up for his email list, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Always! Why does LIFE come at me! I do not do anything and it happens. How much more of life can I take?
Sigh.
I returned home from the busy weekend only to have hubby share with me in the light of the headlights cutting through the darkness a hole that appeared in our yard.
Sometime between 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. tonight, it suddenly got larger. It measured over 6 feet deep.
Now I've got visions of sinkholes dancing in my head. Will it reach my house? How big will it get?
I never dreamed I would have to worry about sinkholes. We've lived here safely for 22 years now.
Speaking of dreaming....I hope I don't let these visions and worries keep me from sleeping.
I haven't the slightest idea how to handle this new problem.
I remember the story of a simple couple who were visited by their new pastor. When the man came home at the end of the day, his wife said, "The new minister came for a visit today, and she asked me a question I couldn't answer."
"What did she ask?" "She asked me, 'Does Jesus live here?' "And what did you answer?" "I didn't know what to say." "Well, why couldn't you tell her that we are very respectable people in our town?" "But she didn't ask me that." "Then you could have told her we go to church when we feel like it and don't have anything more important to do." "But she didn't ask me that either." "Then you could have told her that we pray at some of our meals, especially when we have company." "But she didn't ask me that, either -- what she asked me was, 'does Jesus Christ live here?'"
I can see it being very handy when you are away from your home computer and in need of some quick editing. The interface is easy to follow for someone who has utilized Photoshop Elements.
I did not see a text tool, but it did work quickly and easily for the many tasks it does provide.
I made this screen shot with it, but did need to save it first as a .jpg with Paint and import it, but then quickly cropped it. Certainly a link that is a keeper!
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to, ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute The substitute wanted to know what to play. "Here's a copy of the service," he said impatiently. "But you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances."
During the service, the minister paused and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up."
At that moment, the substitute organist played "The Star Spangled Banner."
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!
Okay, this one is lame. I was looking for something wrinkled and came across this, uh, paper stuff in the photo. Some weeks ago my husband had picked it up and said, "here, take a photo of this, it would make great texture." Isn't that funny. I guess sometimes he does listen to me and my digital scrapbooking ramblings.
So, I wondered what kind of texture it really would make, so I played for a while last night.
After playing, I've decided I'm not sure it is such great texture, but if you can utilize what I came up with in playing, feel free to download.
I made them in the same colors as the July Color Palette Design Challenge because I've never had an opportunity to do it! Whew. Okay, so I can call it done, but if you want to find other things in the same colors, you can see what others have done in the forum (and join us!...it's never too late!)
I would love to see how you use these papers. I was trying to imagine in my head what they could be used for as they are sort of glistening. Okay. Odd is a better word, but surely someone can make something artistic out of it, right?
Son: Mom, after I do my math homework, will you take me to [her] house?
Mom: Sure, but when is she going to come over here and hang out?
Son: When I my room is cleaned.
********* What! Did I hear that right? Did he just say "homework" and "clean room!"
Oh, the true joys of motherhood -- and looking forward to future daughter-in-laws. God knows who my sons' future wives are and I pray that He is protecting them and keeping them strong in their faith (and developing their level of patience).
I found a great download of a nice recipe booklet for SeaPak Shrimp. I love shrimp, but rarely cook with it as my men do not like it. If I buy it at the store, I usually buy the SeaPak brand, so I am excited to be able to read this booklet.
They also have some recipes on their site. The links to watch video recipes really has me curious! Hmmm...doesn't this one look good? Oh, and with a glass of wine!
I was aware that we had sites to show us where convicted sexual offenders live. I was aware that we have sites to tell us the best gas price in town.
However, I was not aware that we had a site to inform each other where the speed traps in any town are located. Check out Speed Trap Exchange. It was right on for my city.
A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve, is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."
That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.
There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. "Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today."? So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. "H-M-M, " she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today."? So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. "Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail." So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head. "YEAH!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him in front of the service station. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. "Reverend," said the young man, "sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip." The minister chuckled, "I know what you mean. It's the same in my business."
THOUGHT 1 - The things we should do, but do not do.
I spent a long time last night (okay, all evening) creating these three icons and testing coding to get them to work in the forums. I was excited when I finally figured it out! My brain hurt.
I have seen these buttons in only a few digi-forums and figured that it was because they were so difficult to install. I have been hesitant to attack it! However, I am glad I did!
I was reflecting about how long it took me to achieve this small task. Was the time worth it? It seems I spend so much time on little things, attacking them one at a time, that I wonder if my time is well spent.
My thoughts wandered to that of others. Wow, for all the years I've been visiting digital scrapbooking forums and never realized what really goes into maintaining one behind the scenes. I feel guilty for not being more appreciative towards the administrators of these places.
I want to invite you to join me in going to those places you visit regularly and reach out to the owners and administrators with thanks. If you lurk and are not comfortable on the Internet, then send them a personal, private message. Go ahead! Make someone's day by doing the unexpected.
Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (I've blogged about this verse before--it's often on my mind) When I ask God for forgiveness, I contemplate as to whether there is anything I should have been doing, that I have not done. I feel I sin just as much by not doing things as I in doing things.
THOUGHT 2 - Who am I?
Why does spelling have to be so inconsistent? Really, is it Phillips or Philipps?
If you have ever done genealogy, you will undoubtedly have become frustrated with ancestors having change the spelling of their name somewhere through the timeline.
So, isn't this just proof that through all time people (especially teens) try to find themselves and their identify? Truly a comfort to us all to know we are not alone.
How ironic is it that I see genealogy as a way of finding myself? Read here to see the irony of What Heritage Means to Me. From a scrappers perspective, I feel it is one of the best things I have ever written.
THOUGHT 3 - Do not be afraid to be healed.
I have been watching the Michael W. Smith videos of his song, Healing Rain.
The video on YouTube has the embedding disabled, but you can watch it here. You can also watch a clearer version here from its original, exclusive owner, "20 The Countdown Magazine.” It is the video which is third from the bottom of the page. When it opens in Windows Media Player, be sure to click the button on the bottom right hand corner which enlarges it to a full screen.
I like this version of the video as it has Michael in it and I can see it being his own interpretation of the lyrics.
The first thing that hits me with this video is that there are SO many people in the town, each one of them are hurting and in pain. It makes me think about how there are so many people all around me that are in pain and hiding it, and yet I am oblivious to it. How can I reach out to them?
We see two main characters, one who is homeless, one who is a drug addict, and one who is alcholic, who finally step out into God's healing rain. I see that Michael, himself, invites them to step into God's grace. I think often we as a society do focus on those that are hurting the most and do try to help them. However, what strikes me even more is all the people standing around watching them in the rain.
The other people just stay on the sidewalks? Why? As I pointed out in the first paragraph above, in the beginning of the video I saw them all as hurting people. Why do they continue to hide their pain? Why don't they step out into the rain and receive healing from God? Do they think their pains are not significant enough?
"Healing rain, I'm not afraid," continues the lyrics. Why are we afraid? Why are all those people afraid? What are these lyrics trying to tell us?
I have been having some struggles and pain this week. After almost 24 hours, I took my cast off of my injured foot as it was just causing it to hurt more. I have started walking about on my heel--so much better than with crutches or a rolling chair, especially since I can now bear at least that much pain. However, I'm not supposed to be walking on it. If only the doctor knew, I might be in trouble.
Without the outward appearance of the severity of my injury, know one cares. People do not even ask how I am. I go without eating because I am trying to stay off of it. I stand on it to do work, even though I should not be. So, God made me to take pain well and I would rather endure the pain than ask for help. No one offers to help me. At home, everyone is busy with their own life and gone to school and activities. I am alone except for the very end of the day when a little bit of help comes to me.
I made a commitment to someone not to air my complaints in the forums ever again. Since I am the owner, I am looked at differently than others and need to be careful to remain professional. I can never know how my personal life is coming across to others, so it is best to learn to bridal my tongue.
I attempted to share with my prayer partner so we could pray for healing together, but she was down and out about her own life and unintentionally avoided my problems. It just was not a good day for her. I understood. Instead, I tried to put my problems behind me and reach out to her in an e-mail--that's what God would want me to do.
I have been blessed with many good and long lasting friends. However, I cannot make myself pick up the phone to call them. I have my Mom and my siblings. I am sure they all care about me, but calling them would feel like I am asking for sympathy--so not my way. I am not one to want attention.
So, I keep quiet. I keep to myself. I just take care of myself and endure the pain (both physical and emotional). This is the way I have always been. I know I can get through it, so I just do it rather than speaking up. But then --
stupid me -- because of my own actions, begin to feel all alone. Lonely. Going through it by myself. Like no one cares. And I start to cry. Stupid me. So much for being tough and strong.
I want people to care, but I do not want any attention. Why can't I have it both ways?
Why do I share this stuff on my blog? I share because I know there are other people out there just like me that may come along and read it and be comforted in knowing they are not alone. There are other people in the world just like them -- me.
We are all just like the people in that video. Go ahead. Go back and watch it again.
We are surrounded by people, but alone in our pain. Do you ever feel lonely in a crowd of people? Do you ever feel like you have to do it all by yourself?
My pain may not be seen by others and I may even be fooling myself that I am okay if I just tough it up some more, but God sees. He sees my pain. God sees my tears. God is so full of compassion that I can see His tears in His eyes to match my tears. He does not want me to be afraid to come to Him. He wants to comfort me and heal me, both physically and emotionally.
God wants me to let down the walls that keep everyone else at a safe distance. He is probably sending them to me anyway, but I am keeping quiet and not reaching out and taking the help. I bet they would if I asked. It reminds me of that poem of the guy and the boats:
One day a man fell out of a boat and started to drowned. Another boat comes along, “Do you need any help?” The man replies “No. God will save me.” Another boat comes along, “Do you need any help?” “No. God will save me.” Another boat comes along, “Do you need any help?” “No. God will save me.” The man drowns and in heaven asks God, “Why didn’t you save me?” God replies, “I sent you 3 boats!”
Looking back at the video, I notice the relief in their faces as they stand in the rain. Have you ever stood in the rain without an umbrella like that? I have. It is something everyone should do at least once. There is something magically wonderful about how it feels. Then I usually dance about singing, "I'm singing, and dancing, in the rain!" Yes, I can be silly.
Isn't it wonderful to know that God wants me to walk out into his healing rain to feel relief from my burdens? I should not be afraid to be washed by Heaven's rain of all pain. I should always go to Christ with my pain, give up my walls, and accept His healing. I know He wants me to be healed as he is full of love and compassion.
Healing Rain Michael W. Smith
Healing rain is coming down It's coming nearer to this old town Rich and poor, weak and strong It's bringing mercy, it won't be long
Healing rain is coming down It's coming closer to the lost and found Tears of joy, and tears of shame Are washed forever in Jesus' name
Healing rain, it comes with fire So let it fall and take us higher Healing rain, I'm not afraid To be washed in Heaven's rain
Lift your heads, let us return To the mercy seat where time began And in your eyes, I see the pain Come soak this dry heart with healing rain
And only You, the Son of man Can take a leper and let him stand So lift your hands, they can be held By someone greater, the great I Am
Healing rain, it comes with fire So let it fall and take us higher Healing rain, I'm not afraid To be washed in Heaven's rain To be washed in Heaven's rain
Healing rain is falling down Healing rain is falling down I'm not afraid I'm not afraid (repeat)
I made a few layouts the other night utilizing the glass filter in Photoshop Elements. I want to invite you in tempting your creativity in using this filter on your layouts. Join me in the forums.
Each Saturday, a new printable Bible Bits will be posted. Download it, print it, post it where your family gathers, talk about it, and pray about it with your family. Use it as a screen saver for the week.
Bible Bits are in this folder . Click to open the thumbnail. Under the thumbnail you will see a link entitled “get original uploaded photo.” Open that link up before right clicking to save it.
Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Write about this verse and link us up so we can come to read!
***** Here are my thoughts on this verse.
Every morning when I wake up, I consider my goals for the day. Every night, I reflect as to what I have achieved that day. I am not sure why I have this practice, but when I have been unproductive, I get depressed. When I have accomplished things, I feel good.
This verse reminds me that I should not be thinking each morning first about what my goals are, but asking God what his goals are. What is it that He wants me to do today? When I go to bed at night, is He smiling at me because I accomplished the things He wanted me to do?
Much of You by Steven Curtis Chapman
How could I stand here And watch the sun rise Follow the mountains Where they touch the sky Ponder the vastness And the depths of the sea And think for a moment The point of it all was to make much of me Cause I'm just a whisper And You are the thunder and
I want to make much of You, Jesus I want to make much of Your love I want to live today to give You the praise That You alone are so worthy of I want to make much of Your mercy I want to make much of Your cross I give You my life Take it and let it be used To make much of You
And how can I kneel here And think of the cross The thorns and the whip and the nails and the spear The infinite cost To purchase my pardon And bear all my shame To think I have anything worth boasting in except for Your name Cause I am a sinner And You are the Savior
I want to make much of You, Jesus I want to make much of Your love I want to live today to give You the praise That You alone are so worthy of I want to make much of Your mercy I want to make much of Your cross I give You my life Take it and let it be used
To make much of You
This is Your love, oh God Not to make much of me But to send Your own son So that we could make much of You
For all eternity
I want to make much of You Jesus I want to make much of Your love I want to live today to give You the praise That You alone are so worthy of I want to make much of Your mercy I want to make much of Your cross I give You my life Take it and let it be used To make much of You
It has not been that long since I've shared all the warm fuzzies through blog awards, but I have another list for you! I cannot keep up! Please go visit these awesome ladies who have honored me.
DreamScapper is an awesome lady! Head on over there for some scrapping inspiration!
Babette always has such a fun personality. Need a lift? Go visit her!
I have never been to Blind Sight Designs before, so what a pleasant surprise to receive a message from her. She has some creative hybrid ideas on her blog.
If you have never been to Wags's blog, you really should take a moment to visit it. She does a wonderful work in reviewing various sites about the digital scrapbooking world. You are bound to find some new places to visit from her blog.
Not long after one of my posts, Doxie Designs was moved to write her own thoughts on the subject. I grew a tad bit more by reading her thoughts and would invite you, as a fellow Christian, to head over there to read what she wrote also. The Spirit moves!
Did I forget you? Please let me know! I have trouble keeping up!
How FUN! I used to subscribe to the RSS of What the Duck until it no longer worked. I was disappointed. My favorite cartoon. When it is all about photography and photoshop, how could I resist the humor!
How excited I am to see that they are not animated and on YouTube! Of course, I subscribed right away! Check it out!
Template #43 is now in the Subscriber Area in BOTH rectangle and square.
I did this layout with Sandie's photos for the Photos Done Many Ways Challenge. I welcome you to join us. After doing three layouts of other's photos, you will earn a turn to have others do your photos.
I have never had an interest in this topic as I have always created in either 8 1/2 x 11 or 8 x 8, the original size that I also print in.
However, I have had students at my local class ask me why the majority of the people create in 12 x 12 and print in 8 x 8. The only answer I could give was that future generations may want to print the layouts in 12 x 12 (although you do not) and you can always downsize, but not upsize.
However, I learned a lot tonight in playing.
I had intended this to be a YouTube video on my blog so that you could watch it, but it just got way too long, so the video will be in my Subscriber Area.
However, I did learn that you must use 18 point (Arial) text in a 12 x 12 layout to have it resize down as a 12 point text font for an 8 x 8 layout.
This has certainly changed my opinion even more against creating in one size and resizing down.
1. Resizing down does make the text smaller--possibly too small to be readable.
2. Smaller layouts utilize less hard drive space.
I also learned that you do not even need to print sample pages, as I have done in this graphic, to see the changes.
Try it. Create a 12 x 12 page with 12 pt Arial text. Resize the layout to 8 x 8 and observe the new point size of the font text already on your page.
With school almost in session, we all need more crock pot recipes!
Hot Beef
3-5 lbs. chuck roast 1 can beef broth 1 package au jus mix 1 package Italian Seasoning Mix (Good Seasons) 1/2 can water (or a full can from the beef broth) Chopped onion, if desired
Put all in crockpot and cook on high for 8-10 hours in crock pot. Shred with fork.
We had a great day on Saturday for our anniversary. We traveled to St. Louis and ate lunch with an old high school friend of mine and her husband. Then we went with them to Shaw's Garden. I got lots of great photos to be able to use for the new "Bible Bits" here on my blog.
My friends had to leave early, but we went back and and did some "bench hopping." We decided to sit for a while at a bench and then move on. We just wanted to relax and enjoy each other's company. It was wonderful--much better than rushing through trying to see all the places. At one point, we actually laid down on the bench--as a scrapper, of course I thought it would have made a great photo, but I did not have anyone to take a photo of us. :) We played with holding the camera out at length getting a photo of ourselves kissing and that was such a hoot! We captured some really silly photos that I will have to scrap.
In the evening, we went to the Bissell Mansion. If you have never gone there, you need to! It is not in the best part of St. Louis, but the entertainment and food are wonderful. It is expensive, but well worth the cost per laugh.
The night consists of a four course meal and acting. Between each course, the two actors liven up the room. Each diner is assigned a part in the acting--some with speaking parts and some with none. The whole evening lasts three hours.
This is the second time we have been there and it took us 20 years to find the time to go back. Both times, I laughed so hard the stupid smile wouldn't come off my face most of the long drive home.
In my part, I was to ask about the tables if anyone else was playing the part of a cop. Little to my suprise, the actor was the cop. I was to be a flirty dance instructor. I'm not someone who flirts in real life, so I found the party hard, but fun! Of course, having someone playing the part of Patrick Swayze sitting next to me did help my mind get into the part. lol!
Here is was, our 22nd anniversary, and I had to say the following line to someone else!
"Once I heard you say you were a private eye, it made my body want to move fluidly, skipping and jumping through the space of my environment, undulating my body to the pulsating rhythms that exude from your aura!" John Vullo, Author
Whew! Was I glad to just get through that line! Go ahead, try saying it outloud. Now try saying it with a room full of people listening! Whew.
Hubby had a lot of lines and with his comedic ways, he was hilarious for me to watch. I guessed the "who done it" correctly, but hubby guessed his character did it, which was incorrect.
On Sunday, our church had a "Holy Graffiti" party. We met in the building which is being constructed and wrote God's Word all over the structure. Of course, it will soon be covered up with wall board, but what a great idea!
Hummie's World is a place for digital scrapbookers to participate in a community to learn digital scrapbooking through videos and tutorials using Photoshop Elements. There are classes available for all program users.
Come and share and grow with us!
The Subscriber Area is low cost at $5.50 per month to access all there is available here at HW.
Any good, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-being, let me do it now; let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.- Drummond
Some Christian writings are a collection of poems, inspirations, and writings sorted by topic. Great for church secretaries or sharing by e-mail. Some writings are not my own, but are believed to be public domain, except when credit is given. It is my intention to obey copyright laws and, therefore, if you are the author of any of these writings and desire the writing to be removed, please do let me know. If you are aware of any credit that should be given to a writing, please let me know.
DreamScapper 
Babette 
