Techno pro I am not!

I have been unable to be present on the world wide web lately. We have some how exceeded our FAP guidelines(again) and are currently searching for a new high speed wireless provider that doesn't care how far off in the boonies you live and doesn't limit your band width (or will at least allow you to pay a reasonable rate for what you do use). I have been having difficulty downloading my emails and uploading replies and pictures.

My Dear Hubby is currently investigating (by trial and error) a new system that is allowing me to post. We have discovered that it is not our solution already, however it is allowing me access. If you think dial-up is slow-- try seeing what happens when you exceed your bandwidth. You wait forever for something to load and finally get an error message saying that for some reason it won't!

Here is a photo I have wanted to post for several days now. I gifted this to a very inspiring woman, a true prayer warrior. I think this photo would fit right in with all the Chico's catalogs. It would do well to grace the cover even, but then again I am very biased. It was taken on the small rock garden that we have at the end of my flower bed. Maybe I will be a great photographer yet. The other photo I took was against the blue sky and you could see the necklace better but it was not as artsy as this one.

Great things have been going on with only one minor dent in things-- yeah it really is a dent. My 8 year old turned into a little boy when I wasn't looking. My husband allowed the boys to shoot a blow-gun at a styrofoam target a few times and my little one decided it was a great idea to try to shoot the leaves off of a tree on the other side of mom's car. Do you see where this is going??? Well he is only 8 and is not a skilled marksman yet so, what does he hit? Yup, you guessed it, my car. Did you know that a blow-gun dart will shatter a car window? Let me tell you, it can and it did. The back driver's side window is completely shattered and to add insult to injury my hubby lost his cool and kicked in the glass causing a dent in the door at the bottom of the window jam. Not one of our finer moments but all is well and the car can be fixed, right? I just thank God that we know a man that owns a well renowned paint and body shop that can fix it. I think we all learned a lesson--and I don't think I need to spell them all out either LOL!

I trust that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving-- I had a chance to see my brother for a little bit, and he got to know how attached my little one can get. I think it made him feel good to know that his nephew loved him even though we don't get to spend much time together.

Have a blessed day and I hope to be blogging more.

The first Pink Ribbon Turtle was drawn for today and I am still waiting to announce who the winner was!

Light the Fire!

The flame has been fanned into a bright bonfire that sheds light on those things around it. It helps a lot when you can see more clearly what you are setting out to do. The more I bead lately the more He reveals His plans for me.

Let me explain. I beaded a hat to sell on my etsy shop, but instead of taking photos of it sitting on my desk, I asked a special teen to come and model it for me. ( No photos yet, she is a very busy senior in HS) It made me realize that I will get more than a great photo, she will be getting some much needed positive attention (all seniors in HS need extra attention). Scripture says we are to be priests and kings--(not to think of ones self more highly than another, but to present the image of Christ). Why not feel uplifted, encouraged and even valued? Why not be beautiful while we are at it? If one of my beaded pieces does that, then it was worth it, no matter how long it took to make.

I have also begun a secret project- I am not exactly sure what specific plans God has for it, but I know it involves the Rise Youth. Only a couple of people have seen the beginning of this bead project, but it promises to be another growing experience for me in my artistic endeavors.

I do have photos of the Wavy Cuff Class that Sherry taught a few weeks ago. It took a while to do this one as asymmetrical work is more difficult for me to work freely in. The photo is taken before it was sewn to the metal blank so that the beadwork can be seen flattened out. I am extremely happy with the way my "F.R.O.G. Pond" turned out. (FROG stands for "fully rely on God")

In my world (backyard) I stand at the edge of the pond in the warmth of summer and look at the wonders of His creation. If you really think about it, it will blow you away!

I am blessed to have alot of His creation staring me in the face (living in the country). I am also blessed to have a Church family that cares about my family and I they are always praying for us and encouraging us.

Have a blessed day Y'all!

A great vacation!

The first weekend in November I took a little mini-vacation. One (two) of the ladies from the Dallas Bead Society offered me a place to stay in town while I took the two classes from Sherry Serafini. (Thank you so much, Lexi and Karen.) I hardly slept a wink- goodness knows I tried. It really didn't matter, I had enough energy for three people.

I felt renewed and reaffirmed in my calling to bead. I know it may sound silly, but this is a gift from the Lord. He has been sending folks to encourage my creative gifts for a while. Sherry was no different. She understood the calling to bless people through our art. She even prayed that morning for the Holy Spirit to give her the words for the day. Needless to say- we connected not only through our love of beads but through the Spirit. That weekend was a divine appointment from God designed for us to encourage, and uplift one another. I think we knew it was just meant to be and it moved us both. She is pictured below with her beautiful creations.

One of the other students made a comment that cemented what I already knew but had been ignoring, a calling to teach. I know I teach 4 and 5 year old children twice a month, but I mean something bigger. I am referring to the connection between God as the Creator and His creation reflecting His image as creative beings. Teaching others the will of God that includes and demands we be a reflection of Him, or "Jesus to the World".

My Journey into beading began in October of 2003 and was inspired by Sherry's front page work in Dec of that year. I have been a quick study and I know that it takes time to develop as an artist. I have time- my children are at an age where I can do more without them. In just a few more years, I will be able to do much more without even having to find someone to "cover" for me. In the mean time, I will listen to His leading and discover, learn, and apply whatever He sets my hands or mind to do.

He has plans to prosper and not to harm me. You can believe He has those same plans for you.
Above is a photo of my new Friend and Mentor and below it a photo of the collar made from her class. (not exactly like the class, but then we all have to make it our own)


Have a blessed day everybody-- Know that God loved you so much that he sent Jesus to save you, to bless you, to love you and even to forgive you.