Halloween Roundup

 

An October 1939 Etude magazine 

sets the mood for a bit of trick and treating.

Mr. Smiley pumpkin sitting on a ruffle pile.

Brown glass and velvet pumpkins.

Fall buddies.

Hanging out and just watching Fall roll in...

Cute kids all around with this Michigan crew

for Laura and Joshua.

Ninjas and Such-

Jess and Dan and Family.

WWE-  The Bloodline.

Sara and Josh and the fierce crew.

Grandma Meier hanging out with the guys.

Gigi and We the ONES.

Scripture Scribing

 

There are always new offerings at Visual Faith ®Ministry 

inviting people to spend more time in the WORD.

I assess my own IEP- Individual Education Plan 

to see if something meets the way I connect and learn.

Also, how does it fit in with the practices I am already doing? 

Do I need to delete something to try something new?

First of all, the month is set up to work

with 12 sections of Scripture a month,

not the usual 30 or 31.  

That seemed more doable.

I made an envelope journal with 14 large envelopes,

hole-punched and connected with three O rings.

I labeled  them 1-12 with a couple 

extra for the index card supply I decided to use.

I wrote the theme for the month- Worship-

on each card with the assigned section

of Scripture and numbered them.

I placed them in the envelope and the month was ready.

But, I am always in the remedial class.

Sometimes one time isn't enough to jar my memory.

I decided to simply use a Journaling Bible

 that is pretty empty and also scribe the verse

 or verses right into the margin of the Bible.

I have set up a M,W, F rhythm.

Easy to get caught up if I get behind.

Generosity was the theme for October. 

I set up the whole month at the beginning.

That works best for me- to be ready.

I am ready and set up for November.

The theme is Thanksgiving.

Each month comes with a short Bible 

reflection for each Scripture selection 

written by Carolyn Bira.

It is a free resource you can put in your cart,

download and print right here:

/scripture-scribing-thanksgiving-by-carolyn-bira

Won't you join me and try Scripture Scribing?

Join the practice in the way that works for YOU!

Worship into the Week- Beyond Ordinary

 

Worship into the Week

Luke 18:9-17

Let the Children Come to Me

Jesus spent alot of time with needy people.

Often they didn't see their great need.

The tax collector story in verses 9-14 

 was directed at people who 

"trusted in themselves 

and treated others with contempt."

The disciples could easily have been frustrated 

with all the people that wanted to be close to Jesus.

Looking for something.

Healing. Hope. Power.

The story of Jesus and the children

 is a continuation of the humility topic.

The cultural view of children 

in the time of Jesus was certainly- less than. 

Children were being brought to Jesus by parents.

Children knew that Jesus was approachable.

In the follow up to "thinking much of yourself"

he punctuates it with lifting up the lowly children.

In fact, he adds an exclamation point 

that the Kingdom of God belongs to little children. 

They know the Kingdom way. 

They recognize the Savior.

He blesses the children.

They lead the way.

Let us join with a humble heart.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Ministry Printable

vcy-graphics-only-october-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-october-2022

Magazine Cutouts

Colored pencils

Vintage stamps

Distress Ink

Hanging out with the Wilson Gang

 

Sunday afternoon gathering in the 

wood shop with the Wilson boys and Papa.

Making plans for what to build 

and what tools they might need.

We tried a new pancake recipe that 

Gigi heard about- so we tried it out.

Pancake batter streamed on a griddle like noodles.

We named ours Panoodles.

Served with powdered sugar 

and real maple syrup and bacon.

Can't go wrong with that plan.

Bugs and stream walk exploring.

So much to see on a beautiful Fall day. 

Setting up the castle play is something we love. 

But, all of a sudden there was an

intergalactic medieval castle invasion. 

Till next time then-

 when we set up play with the gang!

Blessed to be a Blessing

 

Blessed to be a Blessing

L to R- Rev. Dr. Bill Harman- SED President

Rev Phil Krupske- Senior Vice President for Gift Planning Services-LCMS Foundation

Connie

Rev. Dr. John Denninger- Gift Planning Counselor

David Fielder- President LCMS Foundation

 

John was installed last week - Oct 18, 2022

as the LCMS Foundation Gift Planner 

for the Southeastern District.

Accepting this call is a blessing to

still be serving in the Southeastern District.

We give thanks for this group of faithful leaders

 and the opportunity to serve with them.

The LCMS Foundation was established in 1958 

as a stewardship ministry of the church 

and dedicated to the belief that the Foundation would,

 “be a vehicle which can, and under the blessing 

of God’s will, usher in a completely new era for our church.” 

 

Worship into the Week- Equipped with the Word

 

Worship into the Week-

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

All Scripture is Breathed Out by God

Preach the Word

Credit is given to God by Paul 

for His rich Word to us.

Infallible words, promises fulfilled.

A Jesus who fulfilled every Old Testament

 promise about the Messiah.

Paul was living in the New Testament 

while the words were being gathered

 to bring the NEW hope.

Even the words of Paul were gathered into the story.

God's Word into the future includes us in this story.

What a blessing to know we are a part

 of an inspired conversation 

and we are equipped for every good work.

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-october-2022

Worship into the Week

worship-into-the-week-october-2022

Vintage stamps

Colored pencils

Diecuts

Distress ink

Crossing Seasons

 

Celosia and Lilacs.

Blooming at the same time.

Never happened before in my garden.

Normally we would be moving fall 

into frost and freeze.

  That is on the way.

I have never set out a vase

 of lilacs with my pumpkins.

The lilac bush has been struggling 

and actually lost most of the leaves.

But, on a yard walk I spotted 

some tufts of lavender blooms.

In October.

After the middle of October.

I am thankful and grateful 

for this uncommon blessing.

Lilacs are a favorite 

and they bring my JOY.

Celosia and lilacs- 

certainly a sign of Amazing Grace

Nestled with vintage books

 and it is a perfect thing.

I 

I have a habit of sleeping with the lilacs 

bedside when they are in bloom.

So, I will keep that standard of behavior.

Even in October.

Especially in October.

A Studio Redo- 15 Tips

A recent trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana 

gave me some time to help sort, 

organize and arrange a studio space

 for my sister- Teresa.

We cleared most things out and were blessed

 to find 2 matching Romweber armoires.

They matched the light wood of her table and chairs 

and a post on 1st Dibs listed them for sale at $3750 each.

Our second hand finds were an amazing steal deal!!

The mid-century burl wood and mirrored pair were a find.

1st Tip- Shop second-hand or thrift.

The pullout drawers and shelves were perfect

 for the vertical storage 

we were looking for in the studio.

2nd Tip-  Optimize vertical space. 

But, as in ANY project-

 it gets worse before it gets better.

3rd tip- put like things together.

4th tip- label everything.

So you can find things and also put things away. 

We found a trio set of vintage Needlecraft magazines

 that she had stashed.  The "frameless" plan 

was a great way to let the gold colors 

and soft pastels stand out in the grouping.

5th tip- use what you have.

A rolling cart from Michaels allows for a stash

 of often used supplies right there.

  If it needs to be wheeled to another part

 of the house- that is easily done.

Plastic storage was used in the closet space.

6th tip- Use coupons to shop for storage.

Small boxes with lids were used to separate like items.

All sorts of other containers were upcycled for sorting.

7th Tip-Recycle and reuse. Shop your house.

The vintage oak armoire had been

 in her house for many years-

 a gift from our parents.

Pull out drawers make optimum use of space.

We decided we liked the look of the vintage storage items

 when the cupboard doors were open.

8th Tip- Tool boxes, old shop drawers and 

photo slide cases are great for studio supply storage.

A ladder was brought in to fill in behind the lamp.

A small oak bookcase serves to hold

 daily materials for Bible Study and Visual Faith journaling.

9th tip- Put daily use Devotional supplies all together.

 The small stand on the left might 

have been a vintage magazine rack.

 It was retrofitted perfectly to store 

12 by 12 plastic "project" cases.

10th tip- Reimagine all items for a new purpose.

The 12 by 12 project cases work 

great to store supplies according to 

both project and liturgical season.

We decided a family gallery wall 

was a great way to use the corner space.

We added favorite mementos and Bible verses.

11th Tip- Plan for future growth. 

Vintage photo slide cases are great 

retrofitted as tag storage drawers.

A large wooden box holds 

Visual Faith projects all together.

Easy to find, share and add to the collection.

12th Tip- Fun displays add interest.

On the far side of the room is a large closet

 that had already been fitted with wire shelving.

The closet is for less used supplies 

and material storage for events and projects.

All things for gelli printing are placed together.

13th- Store all things for an art process together.

Make it grab and go.

Less used items are up high and may need a stool.

Items used more often are eye level.

14th Tip- Plan for "less motion" to retrieve an item.

15th Tip- Same size and stacked storage boxes

 are the best use of space.

Teresa is all set for studio time.

A fun gift to work together

 on this creative project.

I give thanks for this sister who also serves

 as a Visual Faith® Ministry coach. 

Marking the Journey

 

September 24, 2022 was a very special journey

 to Concordia University Chicago

 for the Maroon and Gold Event.

I was blessed to receive the 

2022 Distinguished Alumni - Graduate Award.

I graduated in Dec 2013 with a 

Masters in Church and Community Leadership.

Husband John made the trip with me.

                        Our walk on the campus brought back 

many memories of 3 daughters and 2 sons-in law

 who graduated from here.

My youngest sister, Teresa,

was able to travel with us for the special event.

It was very fun to share this day with her.

The room was beautifully set with

 Maroon and Gold for the evening.

Another Award went to Uichi Kajiyama, BA '98 

Distinguished Alumni, Undergraduate. 

He is a very remarkable musician 

with a world-wide influence.

It was a record-breaking fund-raising event

 as they raised $593, 094. 

The CUC Board of Regents surprised the audience

 with a gift of $150,000 to the 

Rosa Young Opportunity Scholarship. 

Senior Mackenzie Hean-Marcoux 

is the first recipient and was awarded by 

Rosa Young's great-niece, Mary Wise BA' 65.

We loved sitting with Mary and her grandson at our table.

A fun surprise was to have Dionne Lovstad-Jones

 join us for the evening.

She is a part of the 

Visual Faith® Ministry Leadership team. 

Dionne also works for the LCMS Foundation,

 so John and she are now teammates.

It is a humbling thing to be recognized for this honor.

I give thanks to God for His rich blessing

 in my life as I seek to live out 

my vocation and calling-

 To Make Him Known.

Here is the link to the video shared that evening.

CUC Alumni Video

A special thank you to Pat Maier, Deaconess Sally Hiller,

 Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies, Rev. Dr. Justin Rossow, 

and husband- Rev. Dr. John Denninger 

for their kind words for the Alumni video.