Virtual Smooches: January RECAP

Hello, friends:}

I've been sharing my Virtual Smooches videos over on the VS blog with just sneak peeks here...so I created a post with all of my January videos and creations-- just in case you've missed any! **NOTE:: Thursdays are my video days on the VS blog. Mark that in your calendar! 

***Be sure to change your settings to HD before watching! THANKS:) 

January 1: 2014 Bloopers

January 9: CAS Sympathy Card

PS stamps: Spiritual Sampler; PS dies: Roses 

January 22: Baby Shower Ideas (gifts and more)

PS dies: Wine Tag, Digits, Numbers, Hearts, Onsie, and Ornaments  

Use this wine tag and Borders 1 die to create a BIB! Kim's idea--- so clever:)

PS stamps: The Welcome Wagon; PS dies: Wine Tag, Ornaments, Welcome Word, and Baby Shower  

PS stamps: Cuteasaurus; PS dies: Wine Tag, Borders 1, Hearts, and Onsie  

PS stamps: Spiritual Sampler and Shindig   

December 12: Christmas Series- Custom Gift Boxes

PS stamps: Uplifters; PS dies: Hot Spots Small Set 1 

That's it for me today-- be sure to stop by the Virtual Smooches blog for more inspiration! And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for challenges and a chance to win a Paper Smooches gift certificate! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

Virtual Smooches: Sav Challenges

Hello, friends:}

Today is Yesterday was my day to share a video over on the  Paper Smooches video blog- Virtual Smooches! 

I let Emily share a video for the new February release... you will love the new stamps and dies! And you should definitely check out Em's video HERE! 

Today I'm sharing a quick masculine, clean and simple card (these fit the Sav Challenges from last year) that you can make for your husband, child, or even a friend or parent:) I also challenged myself to use up some of my paper stash!

Here's a sneak peek of my video:

THANKS so much for stopping by--- be sure to go HERE for my video! Be blessed:}

Paper Smooches SPARKS: January Designer Drafts challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! This week we are sharing a DESIGNER DRAFT challenge. 

This week we are inspired by the following sketch:

**Sentiments can be placed anywhere on the sketch.

Ok---so I think I'm on a roll for 2015--- well this is the first sketch so I'm doing good so far:) I'm following sketches! LOL! I think I followed this sketch 98%! That's WAY WAY WAAAAAAAAY more than EVER before! The only change I made is that I took away the scalloped edge.

I used the Becky Higgins Project Life Coral edition for the papers.  I thought they were very masculine and could be used for my Father-In-Law's bday card. Once I had the idea for this card, I pulled out the new PS Incognito stamp set and stamped the mustache in both Imagine Crafts Rich Cocoa and Espresso Truffle  inks. I thought it would give the mustache good texture- LOL! To finish the card, I added a die cut sentiment into a speech bubble die cut (using the PS Birthday Words and Speech Bubbles dies). EASY! Happy birthday, Kevin!!!!!!!!!!!

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs, get inspired, and leave them some love. 

Katie

Larissa

Lori

Lynn

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends January 31st. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

deep{er} #23: reflections

Hello, friends:)


First of all.... THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your encouragement and for stopping by to read my weekly reflections! I'm humbled and honored to share this precious time with you! 

I hope you had a great week, and I pray that the Lord spoke to you or maybe revealed something to you! 

UPDATE: Last week's post was hard for me to write, and I just have to say that I haven't stopped thinking about the "world" and how I conform to it! It is a constant pull to be "cool" and "trendy"... to wear what is in style and to be on the social media sites that are "hot" or have the most followers... OY! I didn't realize how much I conform to this world! Last week's post was a real eye opener. 

And not even just in how I conform to the world... I have realized that I believe A LOT of lies that the world says is truth or says is "ok". Maybe I can go into this more next time or in the future... but let me just say... WOW! EYE OPENER! My goal now is to really live like Jesus and not follow the world or these lies! I'll keep you posted! 

Here are a couple of pics from this week. Trav and I sit in our study room and practice songs for Sunday throughout the week. I just love that Olsen likes to hang out with us- mostly sleeping:) 

Yup! I'm out of the boot, but only for a little bit of time each day! Praise the Lord my ankle is healing:) 

LOVE that Olsen is zonked out on the floor!  

And I don't think I've ever shared this photo. Our Pastor put this together and shared it on the New Hope East Facebook page at the beginning of January (possibly even at the end of December). Trav and I are enjoying this new journey and are realizing that God DID have a plan after all! Our trial was hard, but God was preparing us for this new position.

REFLECTION: There's so much I want to share with you--- This week I've had many thoughts and reflections happening in my life! For example, my thoughts on the "world" (I mentioned this earlier- kind of a continuation from last week)... Chapter 3 from our marriage study group, You and Me Forever- (I mention this later)... but I think I'm going to reflect on what I'm studying. 

I started reading the book of Acts because our Pastor will be taking us through this book for the entire year. I'm using the Today In The Word August 2014 devotional. I've only read chapters 1-8 so far.

Acts is all about how the early church was started- which is AMAZING to think about. I am in awe of how the Word spread all the way from the disciples and apostles to ME! I can't even describe how thankful I am that these followers would be faithful and share the Word with people who they "didn't even like" (It says in Acts 8:5 that Philip went to Samaria--- the Jews didn't even like Samaritans! But he went and spread the Word! And they believed! And then they shared and more believed... and more believed...and on and on until I believed when the Word was shared at an event at my college in 2002!). 

Here's a quick story about my background---- I was raised Catholic, and we went to church every week, as well as CCD classes on Thursday. But I always knew there was something more... like I knew (inside) that following Christ meant more than just attending church. At college, I started attending a non-denominational church and learned that church is great, but it's a relationship with Jesus that changes your life. And it was at the AFTERDARK event (where Derek Web was speaking... with Tim White, I think) that I asked Jesus into my heart. That was November 6, 2002. 

But who planted seeds in my life before 2002? So many people! And I'm so thankful! I wish I could name them all or remember all these saints, but it goes even further than them. Who spoke the Truth to those who spoke to me? And who shared the Word with those people before them? And where did these people learn about Jesus? I bet this timeline of followers would be massive! And it could trace back to Acts! LOL! 

So here's what I've come up with as my reflection and goal this week----- I want to plant seeds everywhere! I want to share the love of Christ with those who are hurting, with those who don't know, with my family, with my neighbors, with those I'm afraid to talk with... with EVERYONE! I've heard some churches ask the question, "How many people have you led to Jesus?" And then they say, "If you don't know a number, you are in trouble!" Really!? That's not true- at least I don't think it is! You could plant a seed in someone that is watered and nurtured by someone else who shares Jesus with your friend. Is it great to lead people to Jesus- YES! But is knowing a number important? Not to me. What's important to me is living a Christ centered life-- sharing His love/grace/forgiveness/patience/etc. wherever I am and in whatever I'm doing.

My goal isn't to know a specific number of people that I've led to Jesus, but I do want a huge number of people to see Jesus in ME! I hope that makes sense! Now don't get me wrong, I would love to say, "I taught Mary about Jesus and led her to a relationship with Him." But I don't think that is my goal--- if I focus on getting a specific number of people to know Jesus, I think I would miss the most important goal of being like Christ and showing who He is. I just want to share the Word and Jesus' love with everyone I encounter. I want to spread the gospel so that this timeline of followers will continue to the "ends of the earth" {Acts 1:8}! 

***NOTE: Trav and I cannot figure out if the word I've used is correct: lead or led? We looked it up in the dictionary and Thesaurus... oh my! I think I need to go back to school! LOL! Either way, you get the idea:) My friend Laura told me to change it to "led". :)

My goals for this week:

1. Pray pray pray :) *I'm doing good... hopefully I will share a video of my prayer journal soon:)
2. Continue reading You and Me Forever- we just finished Chapter 3... OH MY! I originally was going to reflect on this chapter, but it was too much! You definitely need to read this book! LOVE!
3. Continue with Today in the Word Acts Bible study.
4. Continue with chapter 4 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse
5. Start working on my 2015 Spiritual Goals. *Honestly, I usually don't get to my "New Year's Goals" before March! LOL! So I've got time to get them sorted out:)
6. Find time to complete another video for you-- I've got SO much I want to share;) 

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. I also am praying that God would open our eyes and heart to His Will, love, and Word. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

Virtual Smooches: Baby Shower Ideas

Hello, friends:}

Today is my day to share a video over on the  Paper Smooches video blog- Virtual Smooches! 

I was originally going to share these projects last week... but I was just having too much fun with my Grandma:) 

I have created a couple of ideas for a baby shower using the Paper Smooches wine tag die. And to be honest, during a phone conversation the other day, Kim gave me the idea for the "bib"!!! LOVE her-- she's so clever:)  

Here's a sneak peek of my video:

THANKS so much for stopping by--- be sure to go HERE for my video! Be blessed:}

Paper Smooches SPARKS: January Anything Goes (wk3) challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! Another Anything Goes challenge starts today!   

That's right--you get to create ANYTHING you want (as long as you use Paper Smooches stamps)!! This is the BEST challenge ever!!! 

I made a super super EASY card today! This was Trav's mom's birthday card! This card has detail with the sewing and sequins... but it's got a simple and beautiful design, which is perfect for any one! 

I wanted to create a simple card with a watercolor rose (similar to THIS card)--- so I pulled out my PS Roses dies and then used my Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Radiant Neon Electric Coral ink and Ink Potion No. 9 to make a watercolored background. SUPER easy! To finish my card, I die cut a curved bottom using the PS Borders 1 die.

**I just realized that I also used the ICT White Pico Embellisher to make the flower pop! I love my Pico Embellishers! 

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs, get inspired, and leave them some love. 

Alice

Angeline 

Erin

Jenny

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends January 24th. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}

deep{er} #22: reflections

Hello, friends:)


Welcome back!! It's been about two weeks since I've posted-- we have been super busy!

UPDATE: We've been busy starting the year and beginning our journey as the Worship Leaders for New Hope East Campus. Last week was our first week leading the worship, but the past two weeks have been filled with meetings, meetings, and meetings! We LOVE this new adventure and serving the Lord again with the gifts that He's given us. This is a dream come true! We appreciate your continued prayers! THANK YOU! 

Then... my grandma came into town! She stayed here with me for a day and then we headed out to her Winter home in Avon Park. I had a great time with my grandma. I especially enjoyed having her attend my Bible study group on Monday night. She literally talked about that group the whole time I was with her- she just loved that there were so many women (my age) who were interested in the Bible! She even said that she wanted to try and attend a Bible study up in Indiana when she returns home. That got me to thinking about giving her a devotional book **NOTE: My grandma is a Catholic. She never has done a devotional. My favorite thing about her trip this week was that she completed 2 days of her new devotional! Both times I walked into the living room about to go to bed, and she told me that she finished her reading for the day. I just love it! I pray that she will continue to go deep{er} and continue to read this devotional book! 

This is how I found her devotional- it's on the side table in the living room, open with a pen. Grandma said she liked the first couple of devotions-- hopefully she will continue to read it:) 

REFLECTION: So for this post... I'm doing something different for my reflection. I am going to get real honest and just share my heart. 

The past week I have really felt "the world" coming in on me. I'm not sure if it's because I've stepped into a new position at a church or if it's just something that God is revealing to me. All week I've heard things (from family and on TV/etc) or seen things that just break my heart. This world NEEDS Jesus! 

This world is getting worse. Temptation and sin are everywhere. And what breaks my heart is that "Christians" are not different... most of them conform to the world. Now don't get me wrong--- I've conformed to the world too! So maybe I should say that it breaks my heart that I am enticed and go along with (believe/follow/etc) the world. 

But I'm tired of that, and honestly, the Bible says I shouldn't follow the world [Romans 12:2]. 

Example #1: So just last night I was with Trav at our local mall. We were in a store, and he was trying on pants. I was sitting on my scooter (I decided to use it since there would be a lot of walking), and I saw a pair of sweat pants for $40! Forty dollars!?!?!?! 

Goodness! And then I saw a super cute tank top on the top shelf. 

And THEN I saw what it said, "Good Girls Like Love Bad Boys". **I just reread the shirt--- I thought it said "like"... it's even WORSE now that it says "love"! :(

Really? Is that appropriate? Wouldn't you want your daughter to wear a shirt that said "Daughter of the King" or "Precious and Loved". What breaks my heart is the message on the tank top. This feeds young girls' minds that bad boys are the prize/goal and that it's ok to be "bad". Oh how that is wrong! 

The Truth is that each girl is precious and loved so much by God. And God wants these girls to find, fall in love with, and marry a man that treats her like Jesus loves His church. We should honor God with our body and relationships.  

I just want to sit there in that store and tell each young lady that buys that tank the Truth. Or buy each tank so no one would get them... but then I would promote this company by buying this shirt... maybe I should make my own shirts to sell. Either way, I just wish there was a way to stop these lies. I don't want any girl to follow the world like I did-- believing these lies and making choices that they might regret someday because what they did dishonored God. 

Example #2: This is a bit more personal. I love my family so much that I want nothing more than for their hearts to be opened to Jesus and the Truth. And I should say that it's hard each time situations like this come up. I just don't know what to say, and I feel like I'm being attacked (persecuted) because I'm a "Christian". 

Ok--- these are the type of things that are said that make my heart sink. 

• God grades our sin on a curve (i.e. murder is worse than lies, etc).
• It's ok to cuss because God knows how frustrating some situations are.
• I can't _____ (drink, cuss, etc) because of Savannah.

There are other things said in conversations, but these are the most outrageous because they are so far from the Truth! And the worst part is that all I could say is, "That's not true! The bible says..." **NOTE: The worst-worst-worst part is that I couldn't say where in the Bible my proof was located. Not that that mattered- the ones who say this don't care if I can locate it in the Bible. Their response is to just end the conversation before it starts by saying we could believe two different things. Which is also FAR from the truth! Especially if we are both "Christians".

When responding, I try really hard to not be pushy/etc. And I try hard not to lose my temper. How does one defend God? How do you put out the fiery darts of lies and misconceptions from the devil? Can I just shake my family and yell at them, "You don't KNOW the Truth!" Ok that last question is not a real question... and the first one isn't either. I know it's not my job to defend God. My job is to share and speak the Word. It's God's job to open up their hearts. 

(sigh)

I'm changed. I am no longer who I was because of Jesus. I want to share the Truth and help others. So I guess my reflection this week is that I want to find a way that gently shares the Good News and Jesus with my family and with the world. 

My Prayer: Help me, Lord! I want to be the light in this world! And please open up my family's eyes to Your Truth, Word, and love! Open their eyes so that they would see how much they (we all) need You. Help them to accept Jesus and be changed!

My goals for this week:

1. Pray pray pray :)
2. Continue reading You and Me Forever- Trav and I are doing a book study with our pastors using this book. We are on chapter 3! LOVE!
3. Continue with Today in the Word Acts Bible study.
4. Continue with chapter 4 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse
5. Start working on my 2015 Spiritual Goals.
6. Find time to complete another video for you-- I've got SO much I want to share;) 

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}

Paper Smooches SPARKS: January Picture Perfect challenge

Hello, friends:}

Today we start another weekly challenge over at Paper Smooches SPARKS blog!! This week is a Picture Perfect challenge.  

This week we are inspired by the following picture:

 

Picture: Credit

Instantly I saw the birch tree branch and knew I had to use the PS Autumn Groves set for my creation! Then I was on Pinterest and saw THIS photo and thought that I could recreate something similar by using the whitewashing technique and Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Memento Luxe Wedding Dress ink. LOVE! 

You can kind of see the whitewashing technique on the trees-- I just used a watercolor brush, lots of water, and Memento Luxe Wedding Dress ink to color the trees in. SUPER EASY! 

I also used the PS Scripty Sayings and the Sassy Script (small hearts) stamp sets, as well as the Seasonal Tree (birds) and Hearts dies. 

That's it for me today--but be sure to stop by the other Paper Smooches SPARKS DT members' blogs, get inspired, and leave them some love.

Alice

Angeline

Erin

Jenny

And don't forget to stop by the Paper Smooches SPARKS blog for more details!!!! This challenge ends January 17th. I cannot wait to see what you make!!! 

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:}