SBS Lesson #4- Peace

This week's lesson at Scripture Scrappers is on PEACE. I had a very peaceful day yesterday and seeing the sunshine again was an added benefit. While we needed the rain, it seemed like it was never going to end!! As I reflected on the idea of peace I realized how much I enjoy The Peace during the service on Sunday mornings. I love exchanging handshakes and hugs with those around me and holding up a peace sign to those I cannot reach. Usually we exchange greetings to one another such as 'Peace be with you' or 'God's peace'. Yesterday Kathi reached over and said 'Live Long and Prosper'. I love her!

On my layout I used a picture of the small chapel at St. Paul's and beautiful flowering trees that I took on Sunday morning. I was so glad to have my camera with me to capture the beautiful blue sky and the lush green grass (thanks to the rain!).

Here is my layout for the week:


This shows the hidden journaling that is behind the picture:


May the peace of the Lord be always with you.

I created this layout using Danielle's Sketch at Right at Home. It was very challenging for me. I don't know how many times I have tried the paper strips look, but it never looks quite right. I can't tell you how long this layout took because I had to leave it overnight and come back to it. I really enjoy the finished product!

Here is the layout:



I used Cosmo Cricket papers, ribbon, chipboard, and rub ons and Prima pearls from the March kit over at the Nook. I also used a Maya Road sheer from the April kit. Love their kits!

SBS Lesson #3-Peace

This week's lesson at Scripture Scrappers is on PEACE. I had a very peaceful day yesterday and seeing the sunshine again was an added benefit. While we needed the rain, it seemed like it was never going to end!! As I reflected on the idea of peace I realized how much I enjoy The Peace during the service on Sunday mornings. I love exchanging handshakes and hugs with those around me and holding up a peace sign to those I cannot reach. Usually we exchange greetings to one another such as 'Peace be with you' or 'God's peace'. Yesterday Kathi reached over and said 'Live Long and Prosper'. I love her!

On my layout I used a picture of the small chapel and beautiful flowering trees that I took on Sunday morning. I was so glad to have my camera with me to capture the beautiful blue sky and the lush green grass (thanks to the rain!).

Here is my layout for the week:


This shows the hidden journaling that is behind the picture:


May the peace of the Lord be always with you.

Joy

This week's lesson at Scripture Scrappers is on JOY. And what a topic I needed to reflect on!!

We shouldn't only rejoice in the Lord when things are going our way. We should praise the Lord even in when times are tough. Doing so will bring more joy into our lives. I tend to keep a positive attitude about things and be joyful in all that I do, but I have been struggling lately to be my normal self.

A great moment of joy for me this week was on Monday night when my dance classes received their costumes. The looks on the girls' faces were priceless. They LOVED their costumes and looked beautiful wearing them. To see their happiness really made me smile. I was responsible for the joy that these girl's had. ME! (They also said "Miss Rachel, you have really good taste!"--- I loved hearing that!)

I created this layout for this week's topic. A place that brings me great joy is St. Paul's. I love the Labyrinth and have many peaceful and joyful memories there.



God is good!

Start Your Engines..

I spent ALL day yesterday at Bristol Motor Speedway. It was a blast! We sat in one of the suites above turn #4. It was a great view. They fed us wonderful food and we didn't have to wear ear plugs!!! I loved spending time with Ryan and going to my very first race!



When I got back from the race I made this card using the March Kit from The Nook:


I also made this card today:



I made this card and layout last week with the March kit last week, but failed to blog about them...





Speaking of The Nook and their FAB kits- I cannot wait to receive the April Kit! So far I have had two kits from The Nook and they are amazing and inspiring! You will not be disappointed! I splurged this month and also ordered this Limited Edition kit and several kit add ons!

SBS Lesson #2

This week's lesson at Scripture Scrappers is on love. Before I go any further, the Scrapbook Bible Study has a new site and it is a great growing community in Christ. It is a great place to gather inspiration from other great scrappers!

I have had a rough week at work. Working with children in foster care can be challenging, but I feel that I deal with the emotional parts of work pretty well. I try not to let work spill out into my personal life, but this one case has consumed my life since Friday. My attitude has been less than peachy and I have truly been challenged this week. Rather than give my stress and anger up to God, I held it in my heart this week and I really felt the effects of it. I am so grateful for Danielle and her lesson this week. Perfect timing, in my opinion. I needed to focus on Christ's love and bring His love back into my heart. I feel a lot better after praying about it and scrapping my layout about Christ's love. 

Here is my layout for this week:

I want to end this post with the way that I began my blog, with the Prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me and instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

What powerful words to try and live by. I know that I can sow love. I have faith!

Thanks for stopping by!

No Fast Food

In addition to taking on a daily Bible study and devotional I gave up all things fast food for Lent. I cannot tell you how amazing I feel! I have energy galore and I feel truly satisfied with what I am eating. I am making better choices and I'm conscious of what I am eating. 

I slipped up on Saturday because my mother bought Bo*Jangles for the family and I felt bad that she spent that money and I wasn't going to eat with her. I had the delicious fried chicken, but it wasn't as tasty as I remember it being. I also had cole slaw, dirty rice (they call it dirty for a reason), and green beans. The green beans tasted completely like ham and fat drippings. YUCK! 

I encourage you all to try a fast food free diet for a couple of weeks. It really makes a difference in the wallet and the waistline!

2 months down, 10 to go!!!

For my 24th birthday I set 25 goals for myself. Since it is the 16th of March I thought I would update on my progress...

1-Train for and finish a 5k race. - I'm working on this. Getting in shape is HARD work!

2-Learn to sew.   Haven't started...

3-Learn to enjoy sewing.   Ditto....

4-Be fiscally responsible and save money.  - I'm doing pretty well, but I want to keep it up

5-Cook at least two meals a month for my family. - I've cooked a couple times for my 

family/friends, but I need to cook more often.

6-Make a piece of wall art (Supplies).  Haven't done this yet...

7-Take at least 6 classes towards my masters degree.  - I'm taking 2 now, hopefully 3 this summer and 4 in the fall. Hopefully I will meet this goal!

8-Re-learn to play the piano. - I don't know that this one will happen...

9-Practice reading music. - I'm practicing more at choir of trying to sight sing. I need way more 

practice!

10-Visit friends more often.  I need to find/make more time for this one...

11-Keep my closet and drawers organized.  - I'm not doing so well with my organization. :(

12-Write more Thank You notes.  - I've been doing a good job with being thankful.

13-Use my YMCA membership.  - I've going at least once a week, which is great considering my 

schedule!

14-Finish every scrapbook that I start. - I think I will modify this goal...I have new scrap related goals!

15-Give handmade cards for all birthdays, holidays, etc.   I'm doing very well with this.

16-Recycle more. (Which includes convincing my grandparents to recycle their stuff too!) -Needs more attention!!

17-Drink more water.  I'm doing well and carrying water everywhere!!

18-Hike several sections of the Appalachian Trail. I'm going to wait until it is a touch warmer!

19-Go see the gingerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn.  I have to wait until November/December

20-Go whitewater rafting at least once.  Summertime goal!!

21-Let my hair grow out.  So far, so good...

22-Practice Pilates basic mat at least three times per week.  Needs work!

23-Plan a trip out of the country.  This may have to wait...

24-Plan an awesome 25th birthday bash.  No plans yet!

25-Be creative everyday.  I think I'm doing alright here!!

Scripture Scrappers

Danielle Wycough has started a Scrapbook Bible Study blog! I'm so excited for her and for the chance to grow in faith through something I love so much! The group is called Scripture Scrappers and here is the adorable blinkie:



I'm using the new Bo Bunny Edgy mini album for this topic. I had planned on using some Christian themed paper, but it looked so cliche'- so I went with the new Bo Bunny which is bright and cheery! I used a clear cut sticker from Flair Designs. I really enjoy my title page for this album!




I look forward to creating with Scripture Scrappers in the future. I hope I will be able to complete this entire album!

Fun Frilled Goodness!

I received a VERY full box of goodies today from Fun-Frilled! I won the goodies for this card.

With the goodies that I received I created this birthday card:



I will add pictures of the rest of the goodies and credit the companies tomorrow. I'm pooped!

Cousins

I created this layout tonight for a challenge at The Shaker Box and I absolutely ADORE it.

*EDIT* I won a prize for this layout!!! Yay!!!

I was inspired to create a layout about my amazing cousin Brittany. She is so passionate and I love being her friend and family.
(She kicked my butt running tonight and agreed to help me train for the 5k race I mentioned in my 25 by 25 post.


Everything I used in this layout is from the March kit from The Nook.





I had an amazing, relaxing, perfect weekend. That is all. Here is a layout about my day at Westglow Spa:

Focus on Me Friday

Challenge #2 at My Scrapbook Nook was to take a picture of your purse and all it's contents and scrap what it says about you. Here is my layout for this week's challenge:





The hidden journaling tag reads:
Contents of my purse on 3*6*09
Planner, wallet, pens, hairbrush, makeup, toothbrush from my dentist appointment, Westglow Spa gift certificate, highlighter, work phone, MY phone, & post it notes.

What this says about me:
These are the things I carry every day (minus the toothbrush and the gift certificate). I rarely brush my hair or wear makeup, but I carry those things everywhere just in case. My planner is my security blanket. I rarely leave home without it. I hate carrying two phones, but at least I'm not on call this week...that means three phones. I went to the dentist on Tuesday, but I haven't cleaned out my purse since then. I bet there is some floss in there too! I also have a fantastic boyfriend that gave me a day at a spa for my birthday and this is the first free time I've had since January!!!

2 Sketches 4 You- Kazan's Sketch #21

I created this card using Kazan's Sketch #21 at 2 Sketches 4 You. I used Basic Grey papers and rub on, American Crafts letters, Making Memories flower, ribbon from Wal*Mart, and a button and twine from my stash.



I created this card with my mother in mind. I *think* I can save it for Mom's Day, but I may not be able to keep it that long, it may just be a just because card!

Today was a lazy snow day! I cleaned up a bit and organized my scrap stuff! I needed a day like today!

I'm hoping to get some more scrapping done today...maybe there will be another update later!

love

I made this card based on Card Sketch #84 from {Sketches} by Tamara.

I used Bazill cardstock, Basic Grey Bittersweet patterned paper and rub-on, Maya Road flowers and chipboard, bling from Michael's, and some ink that I can't track down right now. I made this as a quick card to give to my ever supportive boyfriend, Ryan. I inked the chipboard in a very pink ink, but felt it was too bright for the papers so i tried to give it a sort of distressed look with a brown ink. I also tried to outline the letters to give it some definition.



It has been a very busy hectic week. I haven't had nearly enough time to be creative lately!!!

I must find more me time...