New week!

First things first- I drew names for the RAK celebrating my 100th post last week, but forgot to post it here! I had two entries and of those Jen was the winner! I've put together some Thickers, rubons, ribbons, and other neat things!

Last week I created this layout about my experience at Penland School of Crafts. I used paint to mirror the texture of the paint in the picture. The paper and rubon are Basic Grey, the letters are Making Memories and American Crafts, the flowers are Prima.
Join us over at the Scripture Scrappers Community and Blog. We are starting a new 6 week Bible Study!

Scripture Scrappers

Scripture Scrappers is back up and running!! We have started a new Bible Study this week and I have posted my reflection's on this week's lesson on the blog!

Here is my layout for this week:


Go check out the blog and the community!

SBS Lesson #7-Goodness

Check out Scripture Scrappers to see my full post on Goodness!

WOOHOO!

So I don't know that I have talked about it being officially announced that I am the Design Team Coordinator for Scripture Scrappers! I'm so honored and blessed that Danielle felt that I could handle this position! I'm also blessed to be working with three amazing women! Danielle, Melissa, and Ramsey are FABULOUS girls and I'm honored to call them my friends! The Scripture Scrappers Community is up and running! Come check us out!!

I found out today that one of my cards is going to be included in the first issue of Christian Paper Crafts Magazine due out this fall!!! I'm so excited! This is going to be my first time being published!! So just a little toot of my own horn!

I'll share a preview of the card, but not enough to give it away! ;)



I am the WORST keeper of good news! I just have to shout it out loud!!

Hopefully I will be back again this week to post some layouts and cards!

SBS Lesson #6-Kindness

Here is a shortened version of my post over at the Scripture Scrappers blog!

When I think about kindness I think about thoughtful gestures that are done, not for thanks, but for the simple fact of helping someone in need. My church has a Prayer Shawl Ministry. Volunteers knit and crochet prayer shawls for people in need of prayers. They can be given to those with terminal illnesses, someone having surgery, a woman who is having a baby, or someone who is just in need of a hug and some prayers. They do not sell them, they are given away and donations are accepted in order for the ministry to continue. I adore this ministry for what they do. Wrapping yourself in one of the shawls is like being hugged a thousand times over.

In my layout this week I used a picture from my church when the prayer shawls were being blessed. I also used verse 21 from Proverbs 21

"Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor"

Thank you for allowing me to share with you!

SBS Lesson #5-Patience

I have posted a layout and some thoughts on this week's topic over at Scripture Scrappers. This week's topic is patience and it is definitely something that I need to reflect on more often.

In creating this week's layout, I thought about Spring and how we have to be patient all Winter for the sunshine and warmth. This past weekend I took a tour through Duke Gardens and saw the most beautiful flowers and trees. It was warm and the sun was so bright, the flowers were in full bloom. (It is back to freezing temps where I live...a little more patience I guess...) Here is one of the tulips that I photographed on Saturday.




So head over to Scripture Scrappers and check out my post!

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!

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!

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!