Becoming More than a good Bible study girl

My new year's resolution this year is to read at least one book every month. Now if you read my husband's blog - brokenbows.blogspot.com, you might be laughing right now. He is going to read at least 63! He's a "reader", I'm not really.. I don't mind reading per se. But once I sit down to finally read, I start thinking of so many other things that seem much more productive. So I get up and clean, peruse facebook (again!), play with my girls, or do something crafty, etc. The few times that I do start to read, I often fall asleep! SO... new year, new me- right?! My first book was called Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl. By Lysa TerKeurst

 

I must confess that I did have a head start on this one. I had started it a few months ago and then life got in the way (as it usually does with me and books!).  I can't tell you how many books I've started and then put down and never picked up again. So I started it up again. It was a great book. She writes like how you would expect to talk with a wise friend. She is very real about her background growing up and mistakes she has made along the way. She is a real person, mom, wife, and friend just trying to live life the best she can and to love Christ with all she has. She writes to inspire you to do the same. There were some relationship chapters about how we as women (most of us anyway) are guilty of judging others, especially other women, so harshly, and about how we covet others' circumstances and things. She brought up a great point.

"Whenever I get an overly idyllic view of someone else’s circumstances, I often remind myself out loud, “I am not equipped to handle what they have—both good and bad.” (p. 99).

This really spoke volumes to me. I know that I really struggle with this sin. When we have a great day, or just come out of church it can seem easy to have a good attitude and be looking up toward God. But what happens when you have a bad day? Lysa talks about how to still see God through the good and the bad. It might take some time, but someday we will see that God has a plan to work it out for our good. I struggle with this as well. I understand that everyday is not going to be great and can work with that. But the really difficult tragedies- I often ask "Where is God in this?" This and a few other books have helped me start to answer this question. Many times through difficult situations, people find God, and/ or find a deeper relationship with Him. I am now daring myself to pray "dangerous prayers" to challenge myself to see how God can work in some amazing ways. I just have to let go.

"What if instead of seeing aggravations as inconveniences, I saw them as reminders to draw near to God?"  (p. 199). 

This is from the LysaTerKeurst website...

Lysa knows what it’s like to consider God as just another thing on her to-do list. For years she went through the motions of a Christian life: Go to church. Pray. Be nice. Longing for a deeper connection between what she knew in her head and her everyday reality, she wanted to personally experience God’s presence.
Drawing from her own remarkable story of step-by-step faith, Lysa invites you to uncover the spiritually exciting life we all yearn for. With her trademark wit and spiritual wisdom, Lysa will help you:

• Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence and praise.

• Discover how to have inner peace and security in any situation

• Sense God responding to your prayers

• Stop the unhealthy cycles of striving and truly learn to love who you are and what you’ve been given.

• Learn how to make a Bible passage come alive in your own devotion time.

Order now from Proverbs 31 Ministries and help support this vital ministry for women.

Some crafty things I've made (with how to's)

Here are some things that I have made lately. I wanted to show you how easy they were to do for some gifts. Too bad I didn't think of this before Christmas! 

 

 

 

This is a easy one! Find some cute patterned knee socks, ( I found these at the dollar store!), cut off the part that would go on your foot. Fold up the bottom and hem. That's it! Great for little ones- makes for easy diaper changes.

I got this idea from another blog I read- www.makeit-loveit.com. 

I used a different wearable blanket Livi already had to trace an outline.Sew up the sides. Don't be like me- i got carried away and accidentally sewed the arm holes shut too!;) Putting in the zipper can be a little tricky if you have never done it. Cut the fabric down the middle. Line up the zipper up, fold over the fleece and sew closely to the zipper. I left like a V neck on the top, but if you were going all the way up, you might want to make a little flap extra and sew it over the top of the zipper- like the store bought ones... Last finishing touch- I used my silhouette and cut out the words "sweet pea" b/c  she just looked like one all bundled up in her cute green little "snuggle suit!"

Easy with the Silhouette- I used some "Steam a seam" interfacing, I can't make myself break down and buy the silhouette brand ones yet. I had to do a couple of cuts, but finally got it to work! Ironed it on and Voila! These were for my nieces for Christmas.

How to:  Wrap a wider ribbon around a foam wreath base. You can glue or pin it. Then cut lots of ribbon, about 3-4 in. long, loop it around and put a straight pin in it. You could probably hot glue it, but be careful with cramming you fingers in there too! Keep going till it looks really full. Then you have a cute wreath. I was thinking a Christmas on would be cute with different shades of red and green ribbons.

Made with my Silhouette and some freezer paper: Cut designs out on Sil, or you could trace them on to freezer paper and cut out yourself. You would probably have to do simpler shapes though... Then the shiny side kinda sticks to the fabric. Iron that on for a good hold. Then use acrylic or fabric paint and dab on generously through the stencil. Make sure when you cut the big stencil, you leave room around the wording or design. I didn't realize that and it became a little tricky to paint without getting it all over. Let dry a few hours and then peel off. Instant personalized bib ( or anything really!) If doing another color like the one in the middle with green and says baby on board, you can do this stencil over the first shape now. 

Saw this on Pinterest: Canvas with my babies feet dabbed with paint. Word to the wise- use a paint brush and paint the bottom of their feet! Much less mess!:)

Saw this on Pinterest too! How to: foam wreath, then cut out about 3'' across circle of newspaper ( a bunch!), hold in middle and have the rest flare out, hot glue the middle to the wreath, bunch a lot around- you want it to be really full. Comes together pretty quickly and is a unique looking wreath. I got lots of compliment at my craft show.


Hope this encourages you that YOU can do it! Any questions, please ask. Half the time I have to stop myself at craft shows because I want to tell everyone how easy and fun it is to make them. But then I remember that I would like to make a few dollars at the show!;)

Happy 2012! A new beginning...

Well, nothing like a 2 year break! I have been feeling more up to blogging lately, so what's a better time to start up something new than the new year? So let's catch up, shall we? I now have 2 daughters- a 13 month and a 3 yr old. We just celebrated Isabella's 3rd birthday on Monday. It was a Madeline themed party. Very cute- but more work than I thought it would be. I've become quite a fan of Pinterest lately, and therefore my head ( and boards) are overflowing with cute ideas now! So I found some ideas to springboard off from and do the party on the cheap. Here's some pics from the party:

My girl! Lookin' so cute in her Madeline hat and dress I made

A poor man's version of Madeline;) For the game, pin the hat on Madeline

Made with my handy dandy Silhouette! Little Treat boxes:)

Bubbles and prizes

The table set up

Made with my Silhouette, too!!

Did all this work, and forgot to take a pic with all the yummy food my wonderful husband made.

The cake that I dubbed "Madeline's hat that fell in the dirt!" Don't look too closely b/c the cake crumbs kept getting in the frosting! No cake boss, but it'll do for a 3 yr party.

Also here's some from our little one turning one mid Nov., the theme was very hungry caterpillar. She is always ready to eat, so it was quite the perfect theme:)

Ok enough birthday pictures!

So what's this blog going to be about now? A little bit of everything which is my life as a busy stay at home mom of two precious little girls. I enjoy sewing and doing some crafty things- far from perfect, but fun, and maybe I can show off some new things as well as give inspiration and help along the way. I am home schooling ( preschool for now) our 3 yr old. She's going to be too smart way too soon! I really feel blessed that I am able to stay home and still use my college degree of elementary education a little too. I am found some great blogs that have really helped me along the way. I hope to be one of those for you as well...
If for nothing else, I hope that this blog serves as a little journal for me and an encouragement for you:)