Creative Haven-Gathered Together

We gathered mid-July 

for a Creative Haven event

 in my home.

Karen works on a

Prayers for my Children calendar.

Even the littlest might come for a bit.

Eve snuggles her little grandson.

Autumn and Amy 

journaling in Bibles.

Welcome- first -timer- Sonja!

Deshua uses a heat gun to dry

 a napkin in her Bible a bit faster.

We tried our hand at Polaroid Praises.

Thanks so much Michelle Bowden!

Prayer Calendars,

Napkins in Bibles.

 A special service in the Interleaved Bible-

 there is a full blank page between every page.

Polaroid Praise Watercolors,

Journal prep 

and an Enduring Word Bible margin.

Autumn hand -drew the elephants 

and we all thought they were a stamp.

Paired with a very thin napkin on the page-lovely.

Sharing more about the Enduring Word Bible.

What fun to see it on the cover 

for the new CPH Fall Ministry catalog.

And Koryn-

handmade macaroons-

 for everyone!

Thanks and what a treat.
Can't wait till the next time
 we can be together.

Bible Journaling with Kids

It is always good to 

share great resources.

Chelsea Wojcik

was at Creative Haven 

early March for a book signing

 of her newest book-

Bible Journaling with Kids.

It has been a blessing to be a part of 

watching this journey.

Chelsea is such an encourager 

for those who desire to bring 

this processing tool 

for time in His Word

 and share it with children.

 She shared pages from her Bible

 and stated that it is simply-

pray, read and talk.

 It is not about having your children 

"copy" your pages.
She loves it when her children surprise her with
their simple understanding.

It may be a basic Biblical truth that becomes

 the focal point of a Bible page.

Chelsea gives practical guidance 

for using supplies "in the house." 

Her education background shines

 in the way of making 

complex topics "come alive"

in approachable and tactile ways.

Blessings in this journey?

Time of worship with her children,

marking the journey along the way,

and awe-inspiring truths about God.

Sharing our goodbyes.

The Women of Margin Madness-

the Bible Journaling Ministry 

at Burke Community Church
 in Burke, Virginia

has been a rich blessing 
in the Visual Faith journey.

L to R- Connie, Sara McCormick,

 Michele Bowden, and Chelsea. 

Some are moving to new places 

and we give thanks to our Heavenly Father- 

for bringing us together along the way.

I am thankful for having the opportunity

 to write the forward for Chelsea's book.

May the Lord bless these friends 

as they all continue to serve in His Kingdom.

Books can be ordered from her website:
http://www.biblejournalingwithkids.com

Hope Legacy Paper Bag Journal

Sharing a Keep the Faith project

from 14 years ago.

 My mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer

 and began chemotherapy treatments.

 I started sending my parents 

notes of hope and encouragement.

After her death in August 2004, 

 I was helping my dad sort life,

and I found the notes

and cards taped all over the house.

They were in the bathroom,

inside cupboard doors, and

on the wall of the bedroom.

 I didn't know what to do with them.

But, I knew one thing.

 I didn't know how to grieve

 the loss of a parent.

Somewhere along the way,

 I had seen a paper bag journal project.

This was long before Pinterest, 

and I don't really know how 

we came across new ideas.

 I used 6 basic lunch bags 
(not the extra large size)

 placed end to opposite end 

and a small pink paper bag for the center.

 The layers were hole punched

 in the center through all layers

 and tied with ribbon.

 The pockets serve as places

 to add the notes and memorabilia.

Recycled greeting cards-

(from sympathy cards) 

served as the extra embellishments.

I added a page of mom's handwriting.

Double sided tape secures the items on the pages.

Flaps are formed with a hole punch and a brad.

When sorting through boxes of old newspaper, 

I found the newspaper article 

about my great-grandmother's death in 1922.

When I saw what had been written 

about her in the church's newsletter-

Emanuel's Lutheran Church in Tipton, Indiana, 

 a new life's purpose was being shaped.

Great Grandma Anna was 

"a faithful wife to her husband, 

a devoted mother to her children, 

she was mindful not only of their bodily

 but also and especially of their  spiritual welfare."

That's legacy.

The forming of spiritual centering

 from one generation to the next.

Passing the baton.

So the pieces came together within

 the layers of a paper bag journal.

A grieving heart grasped the words of hope

 in Bible passages secured along the way.

I began to SEE the purpose unfold

 of my journey ahead,

for the sake of my children and their children.

 Meaning-making is not meant to be difficult,

but it does become clearer with the hands-on

 tangible, visual gatherings along the way.

Perhaps then, the story to bless 

the next generation is a bit easier to find.

Anna Bauer-

my grandmother with her siblings.

Katherine Elizabeth and Constance

 Maybe a simple "Keep the Faith" tool 

brings hope and encouragement to another 

mom or dad-

for the sake of the next generation.

Lenten Words and Phrases- Journal Project

Lent and Easter Words

Working with the handout from the 

Visual Faith Ministry website and trying a

Traveler's notebook.

Using simple die-cuts and washi tape.

Washi tape

Journaling card

Alphas and Die Cut

Added some Distress ink

 to the torn edges

A bit of stamping

Gelato ink for color

and simple supplies

A doily and some stickers-

a little butterfly sticky note

 Decided to add to the journal with 

some of my favorite Lent and Easter hymns.

Was fun to look up some 

of the history of the hymn writers.

 LWML margins, Pat Maier designs,

and downloads from purejoycreative
my-redeemer-lives-scripture-cards

 Sally Beck worship notes from 

Melinda Ransdell's 
unconventionally steadfast blog
holy-week-sermon-notes

Also  photos from our trips to Israel, 

Lucas Cranach's woodcuts from The Passion

You can find this resource here on the

 Visual Faith Ministry website 

and download here:

Lent-easter-words-project

(You just have to add to the cart- 

no need to give Credit card info -we don't

collect funds) 

Creative Haven with a Heart

 So we gathered this week
 for a bit of heart therapy.

My friend Sybil MacBeth- (at table)
author of Praying in Color 

stopped by for the afternoon of creativity.

And a 3-D canvas card for husband Andy.

Time to meet a new friend.
Carolyn-so glad you stopped by to create.

Chelsea Wojcik- (r)

author of Bible Journaling with Kids

chats with daughter Sara and grandson Levi.

Chelsea shared her finished project

 from another gathering.

 Chelsea also shared a project

 that we LOVED.

She sends a photo and a prayer

 to the godparents of her children each year.

She gives them the prayer

 that would bless their children.

Spiritual parenting together- awesome.

Some of the Canvas projects

 made by the group.

Newcomers hang out with 

some experienced crafters.

All sorts of things to create and inspire.

Fun with an old red

 Lutheran hymnal.

We love because He first loved us.

God sent His son for me.
Gathering in a home-
to share visual faith stories
that bring HIM glory.