A Wreath of Snow

“A Wreath of Snow,” by Liz Curtis Higgs.

 On that cold, snowy evening of Christmas Eve when Meg boarded the train, the last thing she expected was to run into a man from the past who, when he was a teenager had caused great pain for her family.   When Gordon Shaw overheard the conductor saying Meg’s name, he realized he knew this young woman.  Unsettled by the chance meeting, stammering and embarrassed, Gordon could only say “Gordon” when introduction could no longer be avoided.  At this point Meg still had not recognized this handsome stranger and believed that Gordon was his last name.  Being a man of faith and moral principal, Gordon was working out in his mind how to set right this misunderstanding.  He also was trying to put the words together to confess that he was the teenager who lost his grip of the curling stone handle that struck her brother and caused his paralysis 12 years ago.  However, before Gordon could speak, the train shuttered and came to a violent stop, throwing the passengers this way and that.  Thoroughly stuck in a snow drift, the train could neither go forward nor back up. 

This is the beginning of a story of lies and secrets – Gordon pressed by Meg to keep his true identity from her parents; Meg wanting to hide her part in deceiving her parents; and the brother Alan deceiving everyone for 12 years.  But it is also a story of love, repentance, and forgiveness.  As Gordon’s heart always sought to follow the leading of the heavenly Father, he must live by his belief that light is better than darkness and the truth is better than lies.  Thus, Gordon took the first step that brought healing to his heart and started a chain reaction of events that eventually led to exposing the darkness and bringing healing to Meg’s family.

“A Wreath of Snow” is the first book I’ve read which was written by Liz Curtis Higgs.  I was captivated by her portrayal of Gordon’s close walk with the Lord.  It was so simple and natural and trusting.  I could “feel” Him in Gordon’s life and how it seemed that He just reached out from the pages of the book into my own heart.  I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Liz Curtis Higgs.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books book program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Christmas Card Making Party!

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of hosting a Christmas card making party at my home for some of my church family gals.  Amid laughter, eating, talking, laughter, eating (get the picture?), we did manage to make a few cards.  What a fun memory-making time we had!  I wish I had a recording to play for you – you’d have to join the laughter just from listening to it.  Anyway . . . here are the 3 card designs we made.  I did the embossing and die cutting ahead of time with my Cuttlebug.  I really like the new Spellbinder Christmas dies.  How did we ever get along without this invention???

Spellbinders Frosty Forms & Spellbinders Labels 18

Spellbinders Lacey Circles

Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia & Cuttlebug EF Disressed Stripes

While shopping for cardstock, I made a great find in the Christmas Stories double sided paper line – Christmas Bingo cards – 12 to a sheet.  Immediately I thought this would make a great ice-breaker game for my party.  I could hardly wait until I got home so I could get started.  After cutting out the Bingo cards I glued them onto a rectangle of heavy weight Christmas paper and added a small embellishment at the top.  Next I went to my stash and pulled out some kids’ white letter tiles, glued a red CS square inside, used stickers to make the Bingo numbers, then covered the inside with Diamond Glaze by Judi-kins, giving them a nice clear, glossy finish.  Next, in that same “stash” I had a white box (like a pencil box or a cigar box) that I had purchased about 6 years ago and now, finally, found something to do with it, so out it came to be decorated which was accomplished by using some wonderful, beautiful Graphic 45 Christmas paper from the "Christmas Past Collection."  The finishing touch to the box was adding the name of the game on the lid using brown wooden letters and a button in each corner.  And finally I rounded up a bunch of small colored buttons (with lots of red and green) and put them in a clear plastic container to use as the game pieces.  Oh, the name of the game you ask, “Button Bingo” of course.  Oh, well, maybe not the greatest choice, but it was all I could spell with the number of wooded letters I had on hand. J  Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of how it turned out.  We had lots of fun with it – too bad we only had time for one game.

 In case I don’t have time to post again before Thanksgiving, please know that I’m thankful for each one of you and pray that our Heavenly Father abundantly blesses your family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day.

Annie

Another Good Book!

From the first page of “Rare Earth,” by Davis Bunn*, I was drawn into the tension and intrigue as Marc Royce begins his assignment in Kenya, where he was sent by his employer, Lodestone Associates. Lodestone was a major provider of armed security services around the world. In Kenya, Lodestone was supplementing UN security details, also providing Medevac helicopters, field hospitals, and personnel. It recently had added a new division that provided emergency relief supplies. The U.S. State Department was receiving information that someone at a very high level of power was providing extremely profitable supply contracts to a corporate ally in return for kickbacks. But now things were heating up. The State Department was receiving rumors that Lodestone was up to something far worse. Marc was undercover in Kenya as a field agent for Lodestone, but in actuality he was a covert op for State Department Intel. Action and danger was expected by Marc when he entered Kenya. What he did not expect was that he would become so personally involved with the people whose land had been stolen and who barely survived in the squalor and chaos of the refugee camps. And he certainly didn’t expect to become involved with the cause of the lovely Messianic Jew, who was an aid worker at the Red Cross camp.  This is a wonderful story of how Marc Royce, a group of displaced Christian tribes in Kenya, and a kibbutz of persecuted Messianic Jews in Israel, work together toward a common goal of bringing justice and finding a place that can be called "home."  


Once again Davis Bunn made his characters jump to life from the pages of the book. He provides just the right amount of detail and description to draw you into the story, all the while building layers of suspense and action. As badly as I wanted to know how the story ended, I was sorry to finally reach the end. I really liked these characters and wanted the story to somehow carry on. It seems that Davis Bunn always has a great story to write. I look forward to his next one.

*This book was received free through Bethany House Book Reviewers in exchange for my unbiased review.

Is there a Jezebel in your Life?

“Confronting Jezebel:  Discerning and Defeating the Spirit of Control,” by Steve Sampson was originally published in 1996. During the following years, he continued to study more about the evil spiritual principality of control and in 2012 he published a revised and expanded edition. The author shows us that more than the name of an evil queen, Jezebel is a spirit of control who works its evil on men and women with passive spirits.

Mr. Sampson does an excellent job of explaining the Jezebel principality – the characteristics of a Jezebel, the sinister strategies of Jezebel, what it’s like to see a Jezebel in action and the damage it can cause, with one purpose: to work against the move of God’s Spirit. Amazingly, the people who have a Jezebel spirit of control can have a magnetic attraction, especially to believers who have little or no interest in learning about spiritual warfare. Passive believers can be easily manipulated by people with a Jezebel spirit of control. They are dazzled by the strong leadership qualities of a Jezebel, while behind the scene the Jezebel is planting seeds of discontent, mistrust, and doubt. Their lack of knowledge and preparation makes it impossible for them to even recognize the effects of demonic forces. The author goes on to teach us how to confront and battle the Jezebel spirit of control, all based on biblical truths with scripture included. “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].” Eph 6:12.

I definitely would recommend this book as one everyone should read. It will really open your eyes and make you aware of how important it is to put on “the whole armor of God.”

*This book was received free through Bethany House Book Reviewers in exchange for my unbiased review.

Altered CD and Radiant Pearls

Hi friends,
This afternoon I've been busy making a card for a swap so I thought I would share with you what prompted this particular card.   In an online stamp club that I belong to, 2000 Stampers, recent discussion has been about coloring mediums.  Copic markers were mentioned several times.  Most said they loved the Copics but hadn't been able to master the shading technique.  I have to admit that I haven't invested in Copics because most of the time I don't have the patience to spend enough time shading.  I did take a class one time from Ellen Hutson using Copics and the results were fabulous.  Using a less expensive medium, I pretty much can get the same results using a paint brush doing watercolor with Marvy Markers.  If I had a bigger arts & crafts budget, then . . . .  But you know how that goes.  I might be tempted yet.  In the meantime, one of the coloring mediums that I like to use is Radiant Pearls. This CD was altered by stippling it with several colors of Radiant Pearls.  Stippling is a fast way to cover an area and make a background for stamping.  I used Memories dye ink for the stamping.  Stazon might work ok, but I haven't tried it yet.  To embellish this Altered CD, I stamped an image on vellum, roughly tore around the edges, and used a Thermo-o-web vellum adhesive runner to attach it to the CD.  I love this adhesive - it does a super good job of being invisible.  Lastly, 3 flower buttons were added.  To attach the CD to the Card I used Scotch Adhesive Transfer Tape.  This is another tape that I think is wonderful and is absolutely the best to use on pages of altered books.  If you use glue to stick the pages together they become stiff, but with the transfer tape, the pages remain pliable and soft.  If you've made some altered CD's, I love for you to leave me a link where I can see them.  If you haven't tried this technique yet, then I encourage you to give it a try.  If you mess up the first one, toss it in the waste can and grab another CD.  There seems to be a never-ending supply coming through the mail.  Happy stamping and may the Lord cover you with His love.
Annie

Time Out for Romance

“The Fiddler,” by Beverly Lewis is a sweet story about the chance meeting between a young, beautiful Englisher  woman and a handsome, charming Amishman.  Having lost her way in a rain storm, followed by a flat tire, and no cell phone service, Amelia Devries began to feel frantic, thinking she would probably have to spend the night in her car and wait for daylight before she could look for help.  As she sat staring out in the blackness, she caught a small glimmer of light in the distance and thought she saw a faint outline of a cabin in the clearing.  Making up her mind to check out the cabin, she got out of the car and sloshed through the water and mud to the cabin. 

When Michael Hostetler opened the cabin door, he was definitely surprised to find a beautiful, but wet and bedraggled, young woman standing in his door way.  When he found his voice, he invited her in, showing every kindness by providing a towel, some dry clothes, and a hot cup of tea.  Surprisingly, they felt quite at ease with one another and soon were sharing stories about their very different backgrounds.  Interestingly, they found that they had one thing in common – they were both trying to leave a life that was planned by others, definitely not what each personally longed for.  During the months that follow, Michael and Amelia develop a deep friendship with an undercurrent of romantic interest and an unexpected longing to spend time together.  They find that they share many of the same personal troubles.  As they continue to share their problems, trying to help each other find solutions, their budding romance is also challenged by many cultural obstacles.

Actually I prefer to read action and suspense novels, but once in a while it’s very relaxing to read a slow-paced book that’s almost like a fairy tale.   It was very interesting to read about the Amish and learn that living an Amish Plain life is not always as happy and peaceful as it’s made out to be. 

This is the first book I’ve read by Beverly Lewis.  Although I probably won’t have time to read many of her books, I would recommend it to those who like to read love stories.

*This book was received free through Bethany House Book Reviewers in exchange for my unbiased review.

Best Fishes for Birthday Wishes

During our church stamping get-togethers, I've had several gals ask how I figure out how I'm going to make a card.  So I decided to share with you my thought process when setting about to make a card -- it's actually probably fairly similar to what you do yourself.  I'd be interested in knowing how you work it out.  Needing a masculine birthday card, I started browsing through all my stash to see what I could pull together.  One of the things I love to do is pull out the possible stamps that I could use and then start the process of coordinating the matching scrapbook papers, card stock colors, and embellishments.  But not too many options or I'll feel overwhelmed.  Once I get everything laid out and look it over, most of the time a design just pops out at me.  On this particular card, I selected 3 or 4 fish stamps and 3 or 4 sentiments, then found several patterns of scrapbook paper that would coordinate with the fish stamps.  Next I pulled out several colored sheets of card stock that would coordinate with the card stock.  Having it all spread out before me, I find it really easy to decide which combination to use.  This card was perfect for my pastor as he loves to fish.

Card Front

Card Inside

This next card is one I made for some friends who just bought and moved into a different house after spending about 35 years in their first home.  The house stamp is one of the first Denami stamps I bought in 2000.  It's one of those stamps that I can't let go of but rarely use.  Funny how we can get so sentimental about our stamps. 

Now that I've had a break, rested and cooled off, I'm ready to go back to the flower beds and work another hour in some shaded areas.  The temp is in the 90's, but it's just too beautiful to stay inside.  Hope you're having a great weekend.  May the Lord bless you all with His quiet presence.

Annie

FEARLESS, by Eric Blehm

Saying that this book deeply impacted me seems like hardly enough to cover the range of emotions I experienced while reading it. This is the true life story of Adam Brown, who was a Navy SEAL operator serving in Afghanistan with the elite DEVGRU team, otherwise known as SEAL Team Six - the group that took out Osama bin Laden. He was an extraordinary man of faith, love, kindness, courage, compassion, and bravery. He was a man who gave his all for God, family, his SEAL Team brotherhood, friends, and country. Although I knew how the story would end, I really couldn't bring myself to believe it. Adam was shot down while on his last team mission in Afghanistan.

As he was growing up, Adam wanted nothing more than to be the best that he could be at whatever he did. When he became a teenager, his goal was to wear his high school’s football jersey, even though he was undersized. With gritty determination, Adam accomplished everything he set his mind to. After his high school years, Adam fell in with the wrong crowd and soon found himself in a downward spiral of destruction. His recovery began when he gave his life to Jesus. He stayed on the road to recovery because of his unshakable faith in God, the love of his wife Kelly, his family, and his newly determined goal – to become the best of the best – a U.S. Navy SEAL.

This was my first look into the world of Navy Seals. I was absolutely fascinated. The applicants are well screened to even get a foot in the door. The men who do get accepted begin a strenuous, dangerous program of training. Only a small percentage reaches the next tier. Adam's goal was to reach the top tier – DEVGRU – Naval Special Warfare Development Group. The DEVGRU SEALs are “one of the United States’ premier Special Missions Units, capable of executing top-secret missions anywhere in the world.” Adam pushed on with great courage and determination. With his unflagging faith in God, he overcame every obstacle - a crushed leg, almost losing all the fingers on one hand, blinded in his right eye which eventually had to be removed, arthritis, back problems, constant pain. The training never stops. Once a Seal begins missions, most of his time between missions is spent in more training. That's why they are the best of the best.

The author Eric Blehm interviewed ten of the men from SEAL Team SIX. Seven of those men “. . . were locked and loaded on a CH-47 helicopter that was approaching a landing zone in Wardak Province when an insurgent-fired rocket-propelled grenade struck the aft rotor blade, causing the CH-47 to crash into a dry creek bed and explode. Everyone on board was killed: thirty U.S. forces and seven Afghan soldiers.”

In disbelief the author said, “Never could I have imagined that nearly every SEAL I’d visited with and spoken to about Adam Brown would perish in the single worst loss-of-life incident in Naval Special Warfare history.”

As he did everything in life, Adam Brown carried out his last mission fearlessly. He is truly an American Hero. He is truly an American to be proud of. My heart is broken for what he and so many others have sacrificed for me. My heart weeps for the families left behind who also sacrificed for me.

May the Lord bless and protect all our soldiers.

Annie

The Truth about the Lordship of Christ

 

“The Truth about the Lordship of Christ,” by John MacArthur is one of three books in the Truth Series.  After reading this one, I am inspired to also read the other two, “The Truth about Grace,” and The Truth about Forgiveness.”  These books are teachings of the core aspects of the Christian faith.  Whether you are a newbie or a well-seasoned Christian, learning for the first time or just being reminded and refreshed in your convictions, “The Truth about the Lordship of Christ,” is a book that will definitely speak to your inner spirit.

John MacArthur is a skillful writer and teacher who draws you right into comparing the life you are living with what God is willing for your personal relationship with Him.  The book has only six chapters, but they are wonderful chapters full of knowledge, assurance, biblical references, encouragement to believers, and explaining the consequences to unbelievers who deny Christ.  The chapter titles are:  Lord of the Universe; Lord in Our Lives; Daily Submission; Holy Living: Confession and Restoration; and Ultimate Destination.  Mr. MacArthur delves deeply into God’s character and purpose and how it applies to our daily walk of faith – things like the sovereignty of God, that only God can declare us righteous, the importance of repentance and of receiving a renewed mind, salvation. God wants us to have a Christ-like character, to become sanctified.  John MacArthur explains, “Sanctification is the continuous operation of the Holy Spirit in believers, making us holy by conforming our character, affections, and behavior to the image of Christ.”  What a loving and merciful God we have, who wants to make each of us like His own Son!  How grateful I am for that privilege.  I absolutely loved this book and recommend it be put at the top of your book reading list.

I received this complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Publishing through their BookSneeze program.  A positive review was not required and the opinion expressed here is my own.

Robins & Birdhouses

Hi friends!  Are you stuck inside the house this afternoon like I am.  I just couldn't brave that wind today.  Although our spring time has seen a lot of rain showers and cloudy weather, there still have been enough days of sunshine to get outside and work in my flower gardens.  There's just something special about digging in the dirt and planting flowers.  And a special treat is watching the birds and listening to their sweet music.  I have a special little corner in the garden where I can sit very quietly and watch them dance and hop around in the branches overhead and listen to them sing to each other.  And I often think of Matthew 6:26 where Jesus says, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?"  What assurance it is to know that God will provide for my every need just as He does for the sparrows.  Wow!

My card, today, is not of sparrows but of robins.  I always get so excited when I see the first robin -- and the first ladybug, too!  I'm participating in a swap where the challenge is thinking outside the box when it comes to the shape of the card.  We're to make any shape except square or rectangle.  So as I was searching the web for some ideas, I found this adorable birdhouse card on a blog called "Create! With Dee."  Dee has a great video tutorial on her blog that you can check out here: 
http://createwithdee.typepad.com/my-blog/2011/05/video-template-for-birdhouse-card-.html

So here's my take on it, and now I only have to make about (gasp) 13 more (a few extra than what the swap calls for).  This is just an adorable little card and the paper combinations are endless.

Dee doesn't give written instructions, but she does list all the supplies and tools she used.  In case you want to make one of these sweet little things, I've listed a few measurements and tips:
1.  The birdhouse is cut on the fold of a 4 1/4" x
     11" piece of CS, folded in half.
2.  For the roof, cut two 1" x 4 1/2" pieces of CS.
     Dee ran them through a crimper but I used a
     Cuttlebug EF called Distressed Stripes.
3.  Since I don't have a 1 3/8' round punch, I used a 1 1/2" round punch and it worked just fine.

Hope you give it a try!
Annie

When I Was a New Mama . . .

Boy, does this bring back memories!  Being a book lover, I began to read to my son when he was only months old, and then carried on with my granddaughters as they were born.  This story is exactly the kind that I liked to share with them.

“God Gave Us You,” is a very sweet little board book written by Lisa Tawn Bergren and beautifully illustrated.  It is about a Papa and Mama polar bear and their Little Cub.  One night as Mama was tucking Little Cub into bed, she asked, “Mama, where did I come from?”  There follows a delightful and loving conversation where Mama answers questions from Little Cub and explains that Little Cub was a truly treasured gift from God.  Papa and Mama were so excited and even the angels in heaven were celebrating because Little Cub was growing inside Mama.  As Mama’s tummy got bigger and bigger, Papa talked to Little Cub and sang to her because he wanted Little Cub to be born knowing his voice.  They prayed every night to God that Little Club would have straight bones and a strong heart, but most of all that someday Little Club would love God.  Mama continued with the story and when she came to the end, Little Cub went happily to sleep because she knew that God had given her to parents who wanted her and loved her very much.  The story is so touching that I believe if you read it to your child, he or she will truly feel like a gift from the Lord.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review and really enjoyed it.

Kay Arthur, "As Silver Refined"

I’ve spent several months trying to finish reading, “As Silver Refined,” by Kay Arthur*.  Once I finished reading the book, I spent another month attempting to write a review of it.  It never became clear to me why this book has been such a struggle, other than being put off by the many uses of “beloved,” “oh my friend,” and “dear child of God.”  But on the other hand, these phrases may be just the comfort that many hurting women need, as though the words were spoken from a loving mother, aunt, or friend.  So putting the sugar coating aside, I can say that Kay tackles many problems and disappointments of everyday living and provides counseling and biblical truths that will “melt and burn away the undesirable elements in your life, leaving you pure and radiant – like refined silver.”  Would you like to overcome dejection and despair?  Would you like a better understanding of God’s sovereignty, meekness in action, and the secrets of everyday endurance?  You will find lots of guidance in this book which will help you to become stronger when life doesn’t turn out like you planned.  The use of this book was well received by a women’s bible study group in our church.

*This book was received free in exchange for my unbiased review through WaterBrook Multnomah Book Publishing Group.



February Challenge - Use 3 or More New Supplies

It's a good thing there is an extra day this month or I wouldn't have gotten this posted on the blog in time.  The cards were finished a couple of weeks ago but just no time to post.  I was able to use 9 new products this month -- whoo hoo!  The first card was done using a crayon resist technique.  I really love the die from the Fleur De Lis Pendants set from Spellbinders.    Inside, the sentiment says:

"The chair to sit in while thinking about art."

The sentiment for this card is

"Get comfy, rest and get better."

There isn't a card sample to go with the "Love" stamp shown above.  I forgot to take a picture before I sent out the card.  Oops!

Well, two months down, and ten to go and I'm lovin' it.  Can't wait to see what will be used in March.  So until next time, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing."  Rom.15:13

Annie

January Challenge - Use 3 or more new card making/scrapbooking items.

Hi fellow stampers!  Well, here goes on month one of my monthly challenge using 3 or more new card making items.  The idea here is NOT to buy new supplies or tools, but to use for the first time from what I've already purchased.  Repeats don't count.  I'm really excited to do this monthly challenge until I've used everything that I just had to have, but instead the purchase sat on a shelf or in a drawer unused.  It's definitely time to move forward and I'm ready to meet the challenge. 

For this month I chose a Valentine theme because it's my time to provide a project at a monthly stamp club that I belong to -- and Valentine's Day is only a couple of weeks away.  Here are pictures of the outside and the inside of the card:

The new products from my stash are the Sizzix Bigz die called Card, Zig Zag 3-D (Pop-Up), Sizzix Heart #1 from the original Sizzix dies, Martha Stewart anywhere lacy heart punch, and the Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper.  The corner chomper I've had for just ages and I just discovered that I love it.  Why did I let it sit around for so long!!! 

I really liked all these products.  The pop up card die came with instructions and was extremely easy to use.  Easy is definitely good.  Well, there you have it - looking forward to the February challenge.  Post what you think of these tools - would love to read it.
Annie

Enemies of the Heart

I didn't realize that I had heart disease until I read this book.  I also discovered that the type of heart disease I have can't be treated with a prescription drug.  If you decide to read this book, you might be as surprised as I was to discover that you are afflicted with a spiritual heart disease.  Perhaps it's time for a check up.

Being an excellent communicator, Andy Stanley keeps you riveted to Enemies of the Heart as he discusses four destructive emotional forces that compel you to act in undesirable ways and have the power to destroy your home, your career, and your friendships. Guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy are described by Andy to be a spiritual heart disease that has the potential to “destroy you and squeeze the life out of your most valuable relationships.”

Andy quotes Proverbs 4:23 NASB, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.” Whether it be good or bad, whatever is in our hearts is eventually translated into words and deeds. Reading this book will likely cause you to realize that you too, like many of us, have a spiritual heart disease that we aren’t aware of. Thankfully, in his easy to understand and practical advice, Andy helps you get to the root of your bad heart condition and provides biblical direction for healing.

Once again, I’ve been enlightened and inspired by the writing of Andy Stanley. I’ve already recommend it to several friends and will certainly promote it through my church library.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers as part of their Blogging for Books book program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.