Mosaic Monday Art Camp 1

Welcome to Mosaic Monday . . .
I haven't joined in a while.  I am glad to be back and share some cool art . . .

These photo's were taken last Thursday.  I got to go to art camp at the juvenile detention center where my Cowboy and I are Chaplains. 
It was our first time for art camp.  It was so much fun.  I thought it would be fun to collage/mosaic and share the photo's.   You can click here to read the story on my Thankful Thursday post. 

The Art Camp program will be presented monthly throughout the spring and hopefully into the summer.  I'll be taking photo's at each camp.   This time I just went in and started snapping shots  And then a couple of hours into the day the other volunteers had begun talking to the boys and giving them a Bible.  Then they shared a special verse with each boy.  I was watching and taking photo's and it came to me that I could put the verse on the art.  By that time the day was almost over and I didn't get a chance to take any more shots.  I was in the process of taking shots of the boys holding their work.  Which unfortunately I can't share with you. I took those last shots and cropped them to only include the artwork which is what I used for the mosaic. 

I will be taking each of the individual photo's and adding the Bible verses to them.  I'll post them Wednesday for Wordfilled Wednesday.  Please come back by and see them. 

I am so looking forward to the February Art Camp.  I can't wait to share more photo's.  Click Here to read the Art Camp Story.

Thanks Mary for offering Mosaic Monday at your Little Red House!  Click here to join Mary for todays Mosaic Monday.  She is sharing some very pretty winter photo's.

Reading along the Journey . . . Read On

Marriage Monday

It was over 30 years ago that I did this . . .

 I don't usually write alot about what happens behind these closed doors.  If you happen to be a regular reader you might have noticed the page/tab I have set-up for The Love Dare.  And, if your a regular visitor you might have already noticed that there is nothing there. 

You see most of the time I am angry.  Most of the time I am annoyed.  Most of the time I am not this . . .

Oh I am really good at cooking dinner and keeping the laundry done. I am really good at keeping the house clean most of the time.  But I am not so good at Praising my husband.  I am not so good at supporting him.  I am not so good at having confidence in him.  Because . . .

• I am really good at finding fault. 
• I am really good at expecting too much
• I am really good at critizing
• I am really, really good at 'I want'

and the list could go on and on and on. 

But I realize that at least in my head.  Not so much in my heart.  That God expects me to be forgiving. 

Even when he happens to be feeling bad (he struggles with extreme pain in his knees) and he doesn't say he's feeling bad and he gets in a bad mood and yells at me over something insignificant. 

Or he happens to be a little snippy and make a comment to me that isn't so nice. 

Or like the other day when he came home about an hour before I expected him and I was in the middle of laundry.  And I was moving stuff around in my sewing room area (in our bedroom) and I was putting up in a closet some fabric and books to make room to put the dirty clothes hamper in a more out of the way place.
And I had a stack of books and papers in the middle of the bedroom floor that I was sorting to throw away or put in the closet.  And I had the computer on the floor because I was also writing a post between laundry loads.  One thing I do well at least I think so is multi task.  And, besides all this chaos in the middle of the bedroom floor is a really, really big dog and her dog bed. 

Which left actually no room to walk if you have good knees.  But imagine having bad knees. 

But in my defense all he had to do was say something like "Um honey I realize I came in an hour earlier than you expected.  But I would really like to get to my closet without stepping over the dog, and piles of fabric.  And piles of books and papers and ...."  But did he say something nice like that No. Of course not because he can be a ______ .  Well we won't go there but I am sure you have an idea of what I was thinking. 

He yelled at me.  And then when I yelled back he actually pointed his finger at me.  Which really, really, really made me mad.  And I was mad the rest of the day.  He left to go to work.  And I was still mad when  he came home.   The next day I was still mad. 

Even after praying for over an hour while he was at work.  Even after God tried to work on my heart and my spirit.  I was still mad. 

And then something happened.   God's grace.  God's patience. And God's loving kindness broke through all the anger.  And I . . .

looked into the mirror and I saw . . .

not a beautiful shining crown.  Not a woman of noble character.  I saw a broken and rusy, tarnished crown.  I saw a woman that expects too much.  I saw a woman that needs God's grace.  I saw a woman that needs her husbands grace and forgivenss. 

I saw a woman that needs to be loving and kind even when I don't feel like it.  Because God said to. 
And I pray that God will keep being patient with me and teach me to be loving and kind even when I don't feel like it.  

On the Journey to kindness,

Today I am linking with e-mom at  Marriage Monday.

Because someone near and dear to me had a rough week last week. 

And, I want you to know that even though we try to pretend all is well with the world. 

And that well all try to pretend that we are almost perfect.  And that our marriages are perfect. 

Well we're not.  We're human.  We're Real

  I pray that you are encouraged not by my actions but by my heart.

If you have any encouragement from being united in Christ, if any comfort from His love if any

fellowship witht he Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by

being like-minded, havingthe same love, being on in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of

selfish ambition or cain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 2:1-5

I am thankful God hears my cry for forgiveness.  I am God gives grace.

I am glad that my Cowboy gives grace.

Thankfully on a grace filled Journey . . .

My Bad

Yep I have to say "My Bad".  I have no idea what happened last week.  I didn't get a lot of posts done.  And, I didn't get a lot of Bible reading done.   I can't even tell you what happened.  Other than we were really busy with a lot of stuff that I won't bore you with!

This week here's what I plan to do . . .

And I plan to pray for you.  I plan to email you.  I plan to leave comments.  And encourage you to do what I need to do . . .

Dust a weeks worth of dust away and get back into reading!  Let's do this thing together!
Even though I may not come by and visit you.  Or send an email.  Or leave a comment.  I am praying for all of you!

If you haven't joined our little group yet it isn't too late.  Jump right on in and start reading your Bible everyday! 

I am challenging myself to get 'back on track' this week!  I challenge you!  Let's  Read On together. Reading along the Journey

Blue Monday--Blue Linky's

Happy Blue Monday I thought it might be fun to do something different and share some of my favorite linkys that all happen to have Blue buttons.  Or at least alot of blue on them. 

 First  my favorite and the first one I found.  Wordfilled Wednesday is a day dedicated to photo's that illustrate God's word.  When I first started participating I was pretty clueless.  I didn't know how to put words on photo's.  Amy was kind enough to let me use her post each week and link up.    After a few months I figured it out and started making my own.  Mine are not near is nice as Amy's or some of the others that participate each week.  But I love it.   Go over and check out WordFilled Wednesday Amy is now linked with Internet Cafe Devotions.  Click here to visit.  Be sure and go by on Wednesdays! Click here to visit Amy's blog. 

 This one I ocassionally visit.  I usally think about it when I visit my friend Denise at Shorty Bear's Place who I visit everyday because she Blesses me!  Click here to visit Denise.  She has the button on her blog.

 One of my absolute favorites.  Amy had the amazing idea to post videos of favorite Christian songs found through the week.  Go by on a Saturday and visit.  You will be Blessed.  Click here.

 And a new one I love, love, love.   I don't think I have actually participated here yet because I haven't gotten anything finished that I have photo's for.  I'll be posting the grandsons quilt this week!  Come by on Friday to check it out and go over to Sarah's too to see lots of amazing quilts and finished projects.  Click here.  Oh and Sarah's blog name is Confessions of a Fabric Addict. That could be my name!

 Next the newest I have found and joined.  Cindy had the amazing idea to memorize scripture in ABC order.  She has spent who knows how many hours coming up with a verse for each letter of the alphabet.  I started last week and I am challenging my kids to memorize with the grandkids.  Looking forward to this helping to bring our family closer together!  Click here to join Cindy. 

And last only because that is how the photo's loaded.  One of my favorites.  Thankful Thursday is the brain child of the amazing Iris at Grace Alone.  On Thursday we post about things we are Thankful for.   She also hosts Marriage Monday on her blog which I want to join soon.  Thankful Thursday now rotates to different blogs each month. In January the hostess is Laurie.  You can click here to join this week.

And one more Blue button . . .

Of course have to include Blue Monday!
I hope you enjoyed visiting today. And maybe you found a new linky you might want to join.  If so link up and leave a comment and let the hostess know I sent you by!  Oh and don't forget to visit Sally for Blue Monday!  Click here!   

Thankful Thursday

A day late but I have a great Thankful post I wanted to share.  I really meant to write this yesterday but it was one of those days when things just kept happening and I just never got a chance to post. 
But it was an absolutely amazing day and I wanted to share it with you! 

Yesterday we got to go to the juvenile detention center (prison) where we are chaplains.  We were able to help with a new program that was being provided by another group.  They were kind enough to allow us to help and I got to take pictures. 

This is Anne.  She was the director of the program which was called Art Camp.  In this photo she is sharing about how she became an 'artist' at the age of 40 (something).  God just spoke to her heart and told her to paint.  She didn't know why but she responded.  Anne has had no formal training.  Not even an art class in school.  (at least not in 30 or so years)  But she is an amazing artist.  She didn't know at first why God spoke to her until she realized that she could share what he had given her with 'our' boys.  And so, with God's grace Art Camp was born.  This was her second program at our facility.

We met at 9:00 yesterday morning.  We were allowed to have 5 boys come to the program.  (They were taken out of school.)  Anne shared her testimony with them and talked a little about art.  She showed some examples of how a talent to draw and paint can be used.  Most of the boys are actually very talented artists.  Many can draw very well and can copy almost anything. 

The sad part is what they typically draw are tattoes. And, if they have any desire or interest in using thier skill it is usually to be a tattoo artist. 

Anne showed examples of greeting cards and advertising elements and photography and explained to them how they could use thier talent in many different ways.  She explained to them that 'art' isn't just famous paintings in museums. 

And we also learned about a lot of different mediums.  We learned about using glue, mod podge, burlap, paint of all kinds; rocks and other 'texture' elements.  We learned about using sharpies with paint.  It was amazing.  I learned so much.  I came away wanting to paint!  

And, I even came home with an idea for a quilt.  One of the ladies was doodling or drawing.  All the boys made pencil drawings and then put the drawings on canvas.  I thought the lady was just doodling while she was talking to one of the boys.  And then she got a canvas and started painting.  Just 'playing' around she said.  But the actual painting was so cool.

Each of the boys were paired with an adult.  They worked through the day together and at the end of the day they were given Bibles.  The adults shared a verse with each boy and underlined it in the Bible. 

I wanted to show you one of the boys paintings.

This is actually the unfinished painting.  I didn't get a good one of the painting alone. (I can't share photo's of the boys)   When I noticed that he had written the reference on his canvas it gave me the idea to put the verse on each painting.  So I started taking more photo's.  Then I wrote down all the verses.

I am planning on putting the verses on each photo. Once I am done then we will print them and give the boys a photo of their art with the verse on it.

It was so much fun!  I loved the opportunity to spend the day with the boys yesterday.  I am so thankful that God is opening the doors and providing new programs for the boys.  I am thankful that he is allowing us to spend more time with the boys!   Even though we provide the Sunday church services.  And, we have a drama team and have weekly practises we don't get a lot of one on one time.  I am happy and grateful that
God is opening more doors that will allow us to have more one on one time!  I am Thankful!

A to Z Memory Verse Challenge

For a couple of years I have been wanting to work on memorizing Bible verse with my grandkids.  I loved the idea of doing it in order of the ABC's but I never did follow through.  But this year I am!    I found this amazing challenge over at Cindy's blog.  I just love her header and the verse she dedicates her blog with!

Cindy started this amazing and easy challenge.  A verse every two weeks.  Easy Peasy even for young children.  I just started we are behind a little but at least the first verse she chose was pretty easy.  We all (at least the adults) already know this one.  Just gotta learn the reference.

I love the photo she made so I wanted to share it.

One of the things things I want to do is illustrate each verse with my own photo or one I find on the web.  I already have an idea for this one.  Just gotta get the photo and get it illustrated.  I think it will be fun and encouraging sending them to my kids that live out of state. 

My son and his family live in Missouri.  This challenge I hope will be a way for all of us to communicate more and spend time together even if it is through cyberspace.   

One of the things on my To Do list for 2012 is to be a better long distance Grandma;  what better way?

How about you?  Are you a long distance grandma? Why not join us?  Here's the link to Cindy's blog. 

And, why not join me in reading through the Bible this year?  Read On!

Wordfilled Wednesday Proverbs 31

 Cowboy has the privilege next month of performing his first wedding.  We are praying for the sweet couple as they prepare to begin their new life together.  It really is a privilege and an honor to be a part of their wedding.  I'll be taking photo's (my first wedding too).  The bride is on staff at the juvenile detention center where we serve. 
What a blessing it has been to see the staff trading places while on duty so they can come to service if only for a few minutes. 

I am praying for all the brides this year as the plan and prepare for their weddings.  Praying that they are preparing their hearts and that God is giving wisdom and molding their characters.

Thanks for visiting today please follow this link for more WFW posts and beautiful photo's and scripture.

Join me Reading the Bible this year.  Read On . . .

Titus Tuesday Errands with Happy Children

What to do today?  I don't know about you but rarely do I have to ask myself that question; because I usually have a million things to
do!  I bet you do too! 

I have never been a list maker. 

 At least I thought I wasn't . . . LOL. But I realized I am.  I just never actually wrote down a list. But I always seemed to have a plan in mind of what I/we (me and kids) would need to accomplish during the week.  And during the day. 

I realize belatedly I/we might have accomplished alot more had I actually written down what I/we needed to do. 

Today I want to encourage you to make a list.  I know for us as a family knowing what we needed to do each day helped alot!   Whether your list looks like this . . .

Or your more of an old fashioned girl . . .

A daily or weekly list encouraged us to keep on track.  I realized that for my family it not only helped us to get things accomplished but it really helped our family get along.  My kids knew everyday when we left for school what 'the plan' for the afternoon after schoolwas.  Having 'a plan' really made after school errands much easier for us.  I think it had a lot to do with that the kids knew what was expected each afternoon.  So instead of sitting in school all day making plans to play with neighbor kids, or play nintendo or a million other kid things right after school.  They knew that their plans would happen once we were home after a couple of stops. Basically they would get in the car expecting to stop at the cleaners or at the store.  And they would have a happy attitude about it.  Once we learned this it made our drives much quieter.  No whinning or crying about running errands. 

One thing that I didn't do that my daughter does with her 3 year old is . . .

. . . making a list together.  This is a new habit for her.  And probably comes from our habit of  planning our days.



When I saw her making a list with my grandson I couldn't help but think of this verse.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he/she will not turn from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Give it a try; include your child/children in making plans for the day or for the afternoon after school.  I would love to hear from you if you try this.  Let me know if it makes your after school errands happier times. 

Oh and BTW here's what my list looks like these days . . .

I am planning to Read the Bible through this year.  Wanna join me?

Click on the Read On 2012 on my sidebar.

Joining Darlene for Titus Tuesday. Click here.

Blue Monday Don't Fence Me In

Last Monday Sally shared a blue fence near her home.  It gave me the idea to see what I could find. 
Enjoy . . .

First I found just a simple Blue structure.  Not sure it is a fence maybe a barn wall.  I would love to have a barn this color. I could just imagine hanging a finished quilt on it for a photo shoot! 

Then I found . . .

This adorable fence.  I imagine it is a an 'old ladies' fence.  I could see this at my grandmothers.  I am speaking kindly of the 'old ladies' here.  I am one of them!    And then I found . . .

Another great example.  I wish I could virtually put all these together for my dream home.  But of course it would also include . . .

A cat because of course there is the barn and where there is a barn there are mice.  Ick and EEEK!  And by the way my cat would not be walking along the fence to stalk the birdies in our bird houses!
And then of course it would include . . .

This one was my favorite.  Which BTW gave me the name for this post. 

Of course my dream home would always have a dog!

Thanks for coming by.  And don't forget to visit Sally!

Read On Week Two Re-Cap

 How was your week Reading On?  I love this new photo.  I think it will be perfect for a Read On button! 

I would love one! Does anyone know how to make one?

This re-cap starts with a huge I am Sorry!

Yep I have to ask you sweet Read On girls to forgive my lack of encouragement on week two. 

My only excuse is I had a hard time logging on my phone.

But, the good news is I got the inter-net today.

Yea

I am Happy, Happy, Happy!

So from now on I'll be stopping over to say hi. I will be encouraging you and writing a lot more posts. 

I hope to write regular Read On posts and I am going to work on the Read On blog.  Stay tuned on that. 

And now for my Week Two Re-cap my week reading was pretty normal. 

I didn't read on the weekend which is probably going to be the norm for me.  We are just so busy.  Most Saturdays we are finishing up preparing for Sunday morning.  And then on Sunday we have church.  In case you don't know my husband (Cowboy) is a chaplain at a boys detention center.  I do the music for the services.  We love it but it is really, really stressful.  Usually on Sunday afternoon we come home have lunch and then just wind down.  Usually we end up having a nap.  So not much Reading On.

The rest of the week I did manage to read everyday a little.  I completed Ezra and Nehemiah.  Both books were amazing to me.  Reading about the dedication of both of these men is inspiring. I also read the devotionals in Men of the Bible it really helped me to understand what I was reading.  I think what got me most was there discription about how the 'people' kept falling away from God.  Makes me wonder why he puts up with us?  As I read I was sad that they just couldn't get it right. 

After I finished Nehemiah I decided to read Psalms.  I read 37 and 38. It was the end of the week and after reading Ezra and Nehemiah I decided I need something a little easier to read. 

Tomorrow starts week 3.  I am happy with my accomplishments so far.  I am taking this challenge very seriously.  But I am also not pressuring myself with this.  I guess basically because I don't want to expect too much of myself and then not follow through. 

I really need your encouragement and prayers.  So far I  have      

actually looked forward to reading.  Which is new for me.  I feel your prayers! 

I will be around much more now that I have the inter-net so I'll encourage you more. I do pray for you everyday. 

I am looking forward to hearing what your reading and how it is going with you.  Please post or email or comment and let me know how your doing. If you need specific prayer please let me know!

And, invite someone to join us! 

Have a great week . . .

 Read On

I Love My Husband

Joining Monica at A Typical Housewife for this . . .

Love this challenge!  

Click here to join.

Wordfilled Wednesday redo

Today I thought it would be fun to repost a previous WFW with a change . . .

The first time I posted this photo and verse I didn't know how to put the words on the photo! 

Yea!  

I hope you like the 2012 revision.

It is perfect for my goal this year . . .

My goal in case your a new visitor.  (Thanks for stopping in) is to Read the Bible this year!

Read On

Wanna join me and Read On?  Just leave a comment.

Check out my other Bible posts!

Reading along the Journey . . .

Read The Bible --Titus Tuesday

I was still thinking about how I wanted to write my Read On post this morning.  And while I was thinking I thought I would visit Darlene at Time Warped Woman and check out her post for Titus Tuesday.

Funny thing she was kind of thinking the same thing today. 


I/we are thinking about those goals or resolutions or plans made for  . . .

My biggest goal this year is to Read the Bible.  You'll be seeing Read On a lot around here this year and on my comments on your posts too!  It started with my desire to Read The Bible.  The whole Bible this year.  And, I knew I needed help and encouragement so I asked some bloggy friends to join me.  BTW this is your invitation! 
Then as I began to write posts and listen to what some other sweet sista's were saying I realized that maybe just managing to read everyday is a huge challenge.  And actually it is for me too.   And so the idea of reading the Whole Bible may be more than some of us can wrap our minds around!

After realizing that I was actually even more challenged and excited . . .

It actually was a little liberating.  Because it didn't seem like such a huge task. 

I know there are some of us that find it difficult to find a minute or two for ourselves. 

And so, dear sweet sista's I give you permission to just read what you can.  LOL.  But just do it!
I would love for you to join us.  Whether your challenge is reading everyday a little or a lot. 
Join us!   I am here to encourage you. 

Please leave a comment on any Bible post or send me an email.  I will pray for you everyday.  I will send you emails and visit your blog just to encourage you.  

So if your considering 'throwing in the towel' on your goals for the year, don't do it!  go over to Darlene's for her great and encouraging Titus Tuesday post .  Click here.

And don't forget my invite to join us!
Read On . . .