Advent 4- Follow Me

Bible Journaling Series- #201

Advent 4

Follow Me

They had been hearing about Jesus,

listening to him,

wondering about this man.

Andrew has some things

 right here in the story.

There wasn't a long drawn out list of 

pros and cons.

It was fully IN.

No question.

Oh, may this be my daily-YES.

Remembering my baptism,

preparing my heart,

and clearing away anything

 that prevents me from-

Following.

Supplies:
Inspire Bible
Prismacolor pencils
Fine-point Sharpie marker
Signo -Uniball white pen
Alpha letters
Washi tape

Advent 3- Victory Shield

Bible Marginalia Series- #200

My Shield is with God.

That certainly provides

 both comfort and strength.

Part of the Advent story is our God- 

the righteous Judge.

He must send the one to redeem His people.

And we sing praise and thanks...

in carols and songs...

to the name of the Lord, Most High.

Advent 3-Victory Shield.

The Tree of Promise Devotions 

by Natalie Grace Hartwig.

Supplies:

Colored Pencils

Gelatos

Fine-point Sharpie marker

Remarks- cardstock stickers-

American Crafts  

Advent 2- Covenant Promise

Bible Marginalia Series- #199

Oh- so rich and wonderful 

are the waters of grace 

in the rainbow symbol.

Old Testament promise 

carried into the hope of the New Testament

 through the manger of Christmas 

and the cross of Easter.

It is one BIG NARRATIVE plan

 that our loving Lord

 is working out in His Kingdom.

 Let us not forget the God

 who keeps His promises.

 In a world of dismay and disappointment-

there is refuge, solace and gift.

I am clinging to the 

promise of COVENANT.

Supplies:

Tree of Promise symbol

Pearlescent watercolors- Michael's 

Fine point Sharpie marker

Pebbles Mini ABC Stickers- Container store

 The Tree of Promise Devotions
 and the Symbols- (Natalie's Symbols)
can be found in the uploaded FILES section
 of the DC Metro Visual Faith community here:

Tree of Promise Advent Resources

Advent 1- Alpha and Omega

Bible Marginalia Series- #198

Alpha and Omega-

The Beginning and the End

The Circle of Eternity....

Who is..

Who was..

and 

Who is to come...

the Almighty.

A good place to start in heart preparations

 for this Advent Season.

Supplies:

Online image

 Colored pencils

Washi tape

Fine-point Sharpie marker

Here and About- The Iron Grate- Fenton, Michigan

The day after Thanksgiving

and a trip to Fenton, Michigan.

Small town anytime-

 over a crowded shopping mall.

 Just strolling through town with hubby,
 two daughters, two sons-in-law, and two strollers.
Chilly and misty Friday morning.

 And then the good fortune stumble
 onto The Iron Grate.

 A feast for the eye and all the senses.

 The scents gather you in 
as soon as you step inside.
One son-in-law said quickly- 
"this is how I want my home to smell."

 Everywhere you look 
is a delightful collection of antiques,
 vintage reproductions and assorted gift items.

An attention to details.
Home decor.

Nothing feels small-town in this space.
It is like stepping into an European emporium 
as soon as you close the door.

 Drawers and niches.
Neutral tones that become rich
 in the presentation.

 Christmas preparations
 have certainly arrived.

 As I placed my small treasures
 on the counter to purchase
 I had to give kudos to the hostesses in house.

I believe there are 
some talented owners here.

As I finished setting my items

 to purchase on the counter, the hostesses said-

"Do you know we have an upstairs?"

It didn't take long for the women
 in our group

 to ooh and ahh over the 

unique baby and children's gifts.

 I have to set notes on my 
vintage typewriters at home.

 The entire shop is filled with 
interesting lamps and lighting.

 Mercury glass.

 Gifts galore for shopping for the person who
 has "everything," 
or to pamper a special loved one.

And for the love of all things PAPER.

An interesting display on a door 
hung from the ceiling as a table.

 Candles

Linens  

Bedding for the discerning customer.

Vignettes and tablescapes galore.

Monochromatic mastery.

And chatting as I tarried to leave-
 a bit of the story:

Sisters, Kirsty and Tara, along with their mother,

 Londoner Elizabeth Dickens, 

who brought this store to life 37 years ago,

 welcome all to 103 W. Shiawassee Ave.

Mom is a former art educator,

 and utilized her love of beautiful things

and creative display.

I shared that I would tell others
 about this gem of a store.

And a glimpse in the window
at the crinkled paper garland
with a sigh as we leave.
Just checking with a glance around-
 that we really had not been transported far away. 
Yes, magical does exist
 in downtown Fenton, Michigan.

And here is their website:
The Iron Grate

And Facebook:
The-Iron-Grate

Give Thanks!

Gathered in Ann Arbor 

this year with the family here.

Glimpses of fall all around.

One little one putting 

together language galore.

Sharing a meal.

Sharing the story of the

"Marianne Latall" linens on the table.

 This little one figuring out imitations-

and with a smile.

What a blessing-

 two of our girls together.
Grandson #4 on the way.
And Lord-
we thank you for everything.

A Century of Thanksgiving

  A collection of vintage Thanksgiving cards-

always comes out this time of year.

They are displayed in a seed packet holder.

It is easy to rearrange them.

But it takes awhile because 

of reading the back side of each card.

 Most of the cards are a

 hundred years old or older. 

Lots of turkeys, pumpkins, flags,

 harvest bounty,

and fall leaves.

Postcard notes talk about family stuff

 and health news-

have about got the grip.

A card printed in Germany.

None of the cards in this collection from a century ago 

 include any faith- based greetings or Bible verses. 

I thought that would have been part

of the culture of gratitude a hundred  ago.

And so-

a reminder that we need to draw near,

and keep close to our hearts- 

all that we hold dear.

And in all things- 

Give thanks. 

Amen.