A Fresh Start

Have any of you made New Years resolutions?

I would like to finish my "read the Bible in a year" plan which I started... ahem... a few years ago. I would also like to eat healthier, be a better wife and friend, build my Etsy shop, etc., etc. When I started thinking about everything that I wanted to do I became overwhelmed with the laundry list.

That's why I have been especially inspired by my pastor's January sermon series: A Fresh Start. In this series Pastor Steve has been analyzing Biblical people that were given a clear and fresh start in their lives. I was especially motivated after reviewing Job's life story. I can't imagine losing EVERYTHING that I valued and still worshiping the Lord without question. Kind of puts my "New Years resolutions" in perspective.

You can listen to the first sermon in the series here.

Advent Adornment

The Advent wreath has been a part of the Christmas tradition since the 15th century. Advent is a time of reflection and waiting. Here is the advent wreath that I had the honor of preparing for our church this year.

The wreath developed after I had a chance to view the Advent graphics that would be used at our church. I was impressed with the simple lines and colors that I saw and decided that often simple is best. So tried to mimic the graphic with materials that would be readily available locally.

I started with the traditional green wreath to represent eternal life. I added red grapes and grape vines remembering that Jesus referred to himself as "the vine" in John 15. The wheat element is actually an ornamental grass because I didn't have any wheat available and this grass had greater impact from a distance. Wheat of course is remembering that Jesus is "the bread of life" as noted in John 6. The black frame is actually a black serving tray covered with black scrapbook paper. I used crayons to create the chalk board look. The plate is supported on a picture easel that fits inside the wreath.

Today was the fourth Sunday of Advent so all of the candles have been lighted. They represent Hope, Preparation, Joy and Love. Tomorrow we will light a white candle to represent the birth of Jesus our Saviour.

 

"Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel." which means, "God is with us."

-Sheryl

The Fruit of My Labor

Psalm 128:2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be! NLT

As you all knew, this summer has been especially hard for gardeners, including me! However after much dedication to watering I was able to taste my first ripe cherry tomato today!

Since watering was such a task, I got crafty and buried half of a two liter soda can with small holes drilled in the lid for slower watering.

I am also enjoying my snapdragons and day lilies.

Have Courage, Have Strength

This Bleeding Heart was given to my mother by my grandmother. I love that our history is in our garden as opposed to a dusty ole' attic.

Advent Is Here

Hello all, this is Sheryl, one of the mommas, Mom to Marissa and Krista and daughter to Helen.

Over the years one of the family crafts that we have enjoyed has been the advent wreath. Some years it has been a real wreath. Some years it has been an odd shape or unique material. The main requirement was that we all slow down enough to meditate for a bit on the real meaning of Christmas. This year I didn't have small kids to "help" make the wreath or give input so I got crafty on my own. While I listened to the old and familiar scripture and songs of the season I thought about Emmanuel, God With Us. With out being weird I just sort of saw what I wanted to make while I was singing Emmanuel. I didn't really think about it, I just could see a vision of what I wanted to make. I hope that it will be an encouragement to you and those that enter our home during this season.

I started by stenciling the letters onto a piece of corrugated white plastic that I had at the house left over from another craft project. Then I cut the letters out with a combination of scissors and Exacto knife.

Next I spray painted the word white just to freshen it up a bit and painted on some silver glitter.

When it was dry I added it to the mantel arrangement. I have it arranged to be our Advent "wreath" The Christ candle is in the center of the mantel and you can see it in the middle of the word.