Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Soul-Tending Reading 2015


Soul- Tending books for 2015

Books read on the journey 
this past year.

Books about Social Media Gospel, 
Bible Journaling,
Neighborhood Missionaries,
Prayer,
Our Calling.
Continuing the Jan Karon journey,
and a 
glimpse of life in a far away country.
Giving thanks for all the ways the 
Lord meets me 
in reading, and growing each year.
For He is good indeed.



Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Denninger Christmas


This post was scheduled for a Dec 29, 2015 
automatic publish
 and somehow that did not work.
 So here it is to close out the 2015 year.
Sometimes it is the simple memories
 of preparation that make the Christmas season -
 just so special.

A bit of the gatherings around the house.
















And all that I need into
 the next year----Jesus.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Wilson Baby Shower

 SARA - mommy to be - end of January



 festive gatherings



 friends all here





Blessings shared

Momma and her girls

For this child have prayed

Friday, December 25, 2015

Christmas 2015

The Gifts of Advent- 2015

Candles of Light 
that shine forth into 
the world-
 proclaiming the birth of the King
 that comes to save all people.
On this Christmas Day- one gift
brings all in all- 
to all.
For this I am so humbly grateful -
for this merciful present to ME.


Thursday, December 24, 2015

Exalted Gift- Advent 26



Magnified Gift- Advent 26

"Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exalt with all your heart,
 O daughter Jerusalem!"
Zephaniah 3:14

Very few things of this world 
are to be exalted,
and held in superior or lofty status.
We fail, we disappoint, 
we lose.
The paradox of this humble birth 
is the eminent and high-ranking status
that is rightfully His.
And on this Christmas Eve 
we can honestly be jubilant and
in a state of extreme happiness.
No matter the circumstances, failures,
 death and departures that have been this past year. 

THIS CHRISTMAS-
we can rejoice that 
THE ONE and ONLY KING 
 is to be exalted.





Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Magnified Gift- Advent 25

Magnified Gift- Advent 25

Jesus came into a world torn by tension
 and turmoil from his very first days.
Suffering and oppression were part of the 
strife of the land.
Yet, in the midst of this insecurity 
and uncertainty Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord
 and my spirit rejoices
 in God my Savior." 
Luke 1:46-47

Mary's response reminds me that
 my Advent response is to magnify 
 the Lord in the middle of the mess-
even when answers are unknown 
and we really don't have certainty
 about many things in life.

Lord, even when you ask of me 
"inconvenient things"-
 let my response be one that 
shines light on this gift 
to magnify 
the greatness of 
a tiny baby.


Creative Haven- Advent Gathering

 We used recycled greeting cards
 to work with for this gathering.
Some were full size and 
some were made smaller with torn edges.
 Gold, green and red doilies 
could be added for dimensions.
Dangles of bells and vintage buttons
 were also added.



 And a simple project  
can't go wrong with glitter.


Materials were also set up so that the cards
 could be chosen to use as a tip-in 
and highlight a verse for Bible Journaling. 
These young crafters came as a group 
after early dismissal from school.
They had a lots of fun 
and wanted to know the date
 of the next gathering.



The project used 5 by 7 canvas 
that they either dry brush painted with acrylic paint 
or used Distress stain to add color to the canvas.
Make sure and do the sides.
Hymn verses, ribbon and tagboard image
 and cardstock completed a project here.

 Creation Station-
 the "Findings Room"



The canvas project makes a great "shelf sitter"
 or they can be hung on a wall.
 My friend Bonnie Hughes
 did up three projects trying different techniques.
This one has glimmer background.

 Watercolor and the edges of the cards 
have been highlighted with distress inks.

Crumpled Tissue paper 
with blue watercolor added.
Eve and Leah used this creative time to make their 
Counting Gifts and Prayers by the Month Journal.
All in one sketchbook.
 All in one place.
 Spiritual practice.
Prepared to see His Goodness.

 
Leah came with her "charge". 
This sweet little girl 
was the youngest attending.
She got some pampering 
and lots of oohs and ahhh.

Somehow I always miss getting 
photos of all who grace our door.

A take a breath moment in Advent to stop, 
and just let all that "to-do" list vanish.