Pink, purple, sparkles, butterflies....and 2 Peter 3:18

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."
2 Peter 3:18 

As I coach Girls on the Run, I am growing myself.  The girls are challenging me and holding me accountable to answer the same questions that I ask them.  And because we're a public school I cannot bring up a discussion about my faith, but I can let it show through the way I treat the girls at the sessions that we have.  I hope I am showing them the "grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" through my actions and words.  

I chose this vase today because of how thankful I am for Girls on the Run.  It was a custom order for a girl about 9-11ish.  Her mom ordered it as they are redoing her room in hot pink and purple butterflies.  It was done with Sparkle Mod Podge to give it that glitter effect.  The accenting butterflies were found at a local craft store.  Turned out to be a perfect match!

So here's to all of those girls who challenge us and capture our hearts just by being themselves!

Grace and Peace, Sparkles and Butterflies to you!

Andrea

Candy Dishes and Psalm 51

 

So it's all about sweets.  Todd and I went grocery shopping tonight.  We were headed to the check out lanes with a fairly healthy selection of fruit, vegetables, and select other groceries when we passed............the Easter candy.  Not only was it Easter candy, but it was the CARMEL filled Cadbury eggs.  Yummy.  And not only was it the CARMEL filled Cadbury eggs, but they were on sale...buy 2 get 2 free.  And now after I have enjoyed one of them for dessert, I got to thinking about Easter.  

  Right now, we're going through the Lenten season and dying to all of our sins.  This is a time of lament that is leading to the joyous celebration of resurrection.  So now friends, as there's not much snow left, and if we can turn to God and trust in Him, we will begin to feel the burden of our sins being lifted.  So, as you sit in your quiet place with God.  Look to Psalm 51.  I will, and when I am finished, I am going to enjoy my other carmel Cadbury egg.  :-) 

Psalm 51
(For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.)

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds; they haunt me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner; yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me, now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you. You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering, you would not accept it. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with worthy sacrifices and with our whole burnt offerings; and bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar. (NLT)

 Above are two of the candy dishes that I have done in the past.  I am focusing on them because of the wonderful thing called chocolate that we see an abundance of at Easter time.  With magazine letters and black tissue paper on the underside of these candy dishes, they're great for any kind of candy!  They say "Share A Sweet" and "All Gone, Get More."  The square one also says, "Mmmm."  And I think chocolate is Mmmmmmmm.  

May all of your burdens be lifted and you find peace!

Andrea

Black Daisy - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Weddings are the topic of thought for this vase.  I gave this vase as a gift at a bridal shower.  I sneaked a peek at the couples registry and saw that there was a lot of black.  :-)  So I went to town.  The dominant color is black and is accented with teal.  I was a little nervous about mixing the patterns, but it all turned out good!

I also have my second anniversary coming up in May.  It is amazing what a marriage can go through in two years time!  Accomplishments and struggles, and growing through both.  Always knowing that God is on your side and will help you through the toughest of struggles, is such a comforting thought.  Sometimes in the heat of the moment, it is hard to remember that God is on your side, but when you are supposed to remember Him, He makes Himself known.  

There are things about Todd that drive me bonkers and there are so many more things that I appreciate so much!  Sometimes I feel like he knows me better than I know myself.  Knowing that God brought us together for us to be there for one another, and that God is part of it, makes our relationship even more special. 

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."    Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 

May God send you someone so that you have someone to help you up, and to keep you warm, and to defend you if needed.

Love and Peace,

Andrea

Green Gem - for my Jenison friends

This post is dedicated to all of my Jenison friends!  Along with my family, it was my friends at Bursley Elementary that showed me that was I was doing was worth it.  When I displayed a few of my vases in the teachers lounge there, my fellow teachers showed interest and even purchased some!  This is one of those first vases that was purchased.  A green vase with green gems...everything about it says "Jenison!"  I am so proud to be part of the Jenison teaching team.  They're a phenomenal group of people. 

I am reflecting on my time in Jenison with friends and colleagues.  I have watched them go through good and joyous times and I have witnessed their hardships.  I have watched friends see the joys of babies and marriages, and the joys of success in each student.  But I have watched as friends have been diagnosed with cancer, have dealt with struggling students in more ways than one, and have watched as families have been separated. Romans 12:15 fits the Jenison family.  "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."  As I have witnessed all of this good and bad, my Jenison family has been there for me.  They have been there with advice, encouragement, and a shoulder to cry on.  They have been there to share with me in my joys of getting married and the fear of my father having cancer.  So to my Jenison friends, I send a giant thank you and a big squeeze!  Thanks and I will see you tomorrow!

Andrea

Chic and Sassy Candle Holder

Psalm 18:28

For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

When I am going through a time of darkness, sometimes it is really hard to believe that the Lord is always there for me and he will bring the light.  Reminders from friends and quotes read online can help, but sometimes all it takes is sitting alone in a quiet room with a candle burning to remember that light will come soon.  Candles bring a sense of light and warmth to a room and make me feel at home...literally and spiritually. 

 This is the latest candle holder that I made.  It has been sitting around half finished for quite some time as the first idea I had in my mind didn't turn out looking quite as I expected.  It was just too sparse looking.  So, with the addition of the white flowers and the pink ribbon at the top, this candle holder is complete.  It will hold up to a 3" pillar candle, but I recommend something with a separate base in it for easy removal.

To finding the light...

Andrea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, Ash Wednesday it is!  The beginning of Lent.  The beginning of a 40 day sacrifice...or two.  I have chosen to give up eating after 7 pm and coffee.  This morning when I thought of giving up coffee, I thought, 'No...that would be way too hard!'  Ummm...duh!  That's the point!  So, right then and there the decision was made. What are you giving up?

And in memory of coffee...I am highlighting the mugs that I have done!

These mugs may look like coffee mugs, but they're not.  They're pen holders!  I love filling them with coffee beans and a few matching pens!  It provides a great smell and a cute and useful addition to your desk! 

The brown mug is done with glossy finish Mod Podge, brown tissue paper, and shimmery ivory tissue paper.  The blue one with silver shimmer Mod Podge, dark blue tissue paper, and magazine letters to match.

I am also following the Lenten experiential calendar from Mars Hill Bible Church.  You can find it at http://marshill.org/lent2011.

May you find peace and joy in your sacrifice this Lenten season!

Andrea

My 1st Wedding!

 I am so excited that these are finished!  Not because I was sick of doing them, but because they look so beautiful together with all of the different colors!  These are going to be set in trios on picnic tables for our friends' Nate and Abby's wedding on April 30.  The goal is to place like colors together.  Example:  Yellow, Light orange, and Dark Orange or Navy blue, Sky blue, and Pale Blue.  But who knows, we may end up just taking 3 random colors!  Either way, they'll look great!  I tried to fancy them up a little bit, but Abby said to keep it simple.  And as hard as it was for me to give up that artistic touch, I think they'll be PERFECT the way they are!  Thanks for letting me help with your wedding Abby!  We (Todd and I) can't wait!

And for my thought today...

"Remember your Creator
   in the days of your youth,
before the days of trouble come
   and the years approach when you will say,
   “I find no pleasure in them”—..."          Ecclesiastes 12:1

Sometimes we get so caught up in ourselves and our lives, our struggles and joys that we forget to remember who gave us life.   It's time we remember Him while we are truly alive.  Let's not wait until it's too late...

To life...

Andrea

Updates

Grandma's Cactus - Finally transplanted into the bigger pot!  It looks much more comfortable in its new home.  Fresh potting soil and some river rocks make this a great accent to my dining room table!

 Before...                                                               After...

Snow Wonder - I had added a bow to snow wonder a long time ago, but couldn't find the pics.  Guess what!?  I found them.  Here's is one showing how much a ribbon can do!