Choose Joy

This morning at 5:30 A.M. I lay in my bed anxious to check the topic for today's 5 Minute Friday post. As I scanned the page my heart sank. The topic... JOY, but the inspiration for its choosing left me already struggling to find such. 

Sometimes it's hard to choose joy.

But that's exactly what Sarah has done. Found at the top of her blog, the words, CHOOSE JOY, courageously encourage all who visit to do so.

Choose joy.

In the midst of pain, in the midst of sorrow, in the face of death.

Choose joy.

Sarah chooses joy, because she knows it is not found in her circumstances. She has been sick for a very long time and received information this week that her body is shutting down. Hospice has arrived and a friend is updating her blog as she rests. I am continuing to pray, my friend, Gitzen Girl. :) You can read her story here.

I first linked up with Sara in July 2010. What a fun idea of bringing everyone together to create. A gracious host, an encourager of gifts.

Not to be confused with temporary happiness, joy is found deep inside, wrapped in the knowing of our Savior, the everlasting love of God, hope in the One Who never changes.

Our source of joy never empties...never runs out...never changes.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

I pray that joy continues to fill and overflow Sara, whether God chooses to heal her on earth or in heaven.  I am sad to think of her leaving, of not being able to read her words or see her pictures, but I find joy in knowing God has made known to her the path of life, and at the end of her life, her joy will be made complete.

I pray also for each of you. That you might know joy as Sara knows joy. That you might choose as she chooses...keeping before you the truth that this world is not our home but a temporary place on our way to a land too wonderful to imagine...a place where tears are wiped away and love is consuming and we are whole.

A place in His presence.

A place where our joy is complete.

In honor of Sara, I am linking with The Gypsy Mama and The Mom Creative.









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YOU: create

I missed the last couple of weeks posting with Sara over @ Gitzengirl so I was determined to join in this week even though I'm out of town!  I was really excited when she started several weeks ago because I LOVE to create things, and this will give me some incentive to get the glitter out! 

Having said that, there was no glitter this week! :)  I've been out of town staying with my sister and helping my niece transition into her own bed and her own room!  I think we've succeeded....so that's my accomplishment for this week! 

I remember my first child....18 years ago this month!  We put her in the bed with us and she slept there for 4 years until our second one came along!  Our next two kids never had a chance...they went straight to their baby beds! :)  My niece is 20 months and my sister's first and only baby, so she's ahead of the game according to my time table!

Logan and I are leaving today to go home.  We have been here for 6 days.  He and Rylee have had a great time playing together!

So much fun, in fact...that this was a common scene :)

In keeping with our topic, CREATE, and in anticipation of Fall (I'm always anticipating Fall),I thought I'd post a past project.  

A Happy Fall Card for a friend

I love scrapbooking scissors, pretty paper, polka dots, girly fonts, layers, glitter, and brown stamping ink for distressing edges! Oh yeah...and PINK!

Happy Thursday everyone!!  Don't forget to check out all the other blogs that linked up today with Sara at Gitzengirl!

See ya next week! :)

XO

Shelly

YOU:create - Week 2

It's week 2 for YOU:create with Gitz!  I'm so excited....this actually encourages me (gives me an excuse) to break away from the monotony of the day (and the laundry) and create something.  I love all types of art: painting, crafting, sewing, photography, card making, etc.  I've even taken a beginner ceramics class and would also love to learn wood working! :) 

But for this week, I chose to make a picture frame.  My husband has a construction company and sometimes I get to rummage through his leftover pieces of wood.....one man's junk is another man's treasure, right? Well...sometimes. :)

My friend, Audrey, actually told me about this project.  Thanks, girl!

To start, I found a scrap piece of wood, wide enough to stand up on its own.  I then sanded all sides and corners to make it as smooth as possible.  I used modge podge to adhere my chosen scrapbook paper, letters, etc.  I used a cross stamp to add  a little something extra and embellished with a little bling bling! :)

I used hot glue to attach my decorative ribbon on the edges as well as the bow, and also my hand painted polka dotted clothes pin to hold my picture.

Drumroll please!

Oh yeah, one other thing I "created" this week.......

My son had "nerd day" in his youth group at church Wednesday night so we headed down to a nearby  Goodwill store to find the perfect clothes!  How'd we do?  :)

And don't 'cha just L*O*V*E the hair?!  It takes talent, my friends.

Happy Creating!! 

XO

Shelly