Cowboy Daniel

One of my favorite web sites is www.scrapbookmax.com . I scrap for a hobby and a couple of years ago I discovered digital scrapbooking. I was skeptical at first, then I decided to try it. Now I am totally hooked. My papers, embellishments, templates, etc, fit neatly into my computer until I am ready to print pages. I can use each paper, pattern, frame, embellishment, etc an unlimited number of times. I can even scrap when I am traveling via my laptop. And clean up is EASY! Overall it is also less expensive, which leaves me more money for my other hobby, quilting. Each week the designers at Scrapbook Max present a challenge that is intended to help you learn more about digital scrapbooking and how to maximize what you can do with your software. I happen to use their software because it is very reasonably priced and user friendly. The challenge last week was to randomly select a photo from our files and scrap it. I landed on this one of Daniel. It was in a file of "undated" photos and I haven't decided yet whether I took this photo in fall 2003 or spring 2004. Other than the missing date, I really liked how this turned out. I used a kit called "All American Cowboy" by Yardbunny.

Wisdom and Words

Proverbs 15:1* (Photo credit: stephen.h2010)

The ladies in our church are going through the Beth Moore studies in the book of Proverbs. This week the topic was "Wisdom With Words". Beth used several passages from Proverbs and from other books of the Bible to show that just as God breathes life through his words, we are made in his image and our words have power. We need to pray for wisdom and use our words to bring life and healing to others. Proverbs 12:18 says "Reckess words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Beth read that verse and questioned how many of us are walking wounded with holes in our hearts because of words that others have spoken to us. When she said that, I sensed God asking me how many people have I cut deeply with my recklessly spoken words. I didn't hear what Beth Moore was saying in the video during the next few minutes because God and I were having a pow-wow. God called to mind something I had said that very day that I needed to repent of and apologize to the person I had spoken to. I am so thankful that God is in the business of changing me. I know that what we say is really a reflection of what is in our hearts. Jesus prayed for believers in the garden that God's love for Him would be in us. "Lord, I want people to know I am yours by the love that comes from my heart, revealed in my words and my actions. Please make me more like your Son, who only spoke what You told Him to, the way you told Him to, and never used words recklessly when He was here on earth. Give me wisdom so that my words will bring life and healing to others." Here are some more verses about wisdom with words:

John 12:49-50
2Cor 4:13
Proverbs 18:21
Proverbs 15:4
Heb. 4:12
Proverbs 18:8
Hebrews 13:15
Proverbs 15:28

Bragging On My Kids

I know it irritates others when a parent talks constantly about their children's accomplishments, how wonderful they are, how smart, how cute, blah blah blah. So, I will try not to go on and on about it, but I am proud of my kids and this past week and a half they have given me reason. Josh and Emily both helped in Vacation Bible School last week. Emily, though, was in the classroom for 2-3 year olds and worked herself weary every night and kept her good attitude. Daniel, my cautious one who doesn't like to try new things, has been learning new games and actively participating in VBS and children's church. Josh took two CLEP tests and passed them both with very decent scores, earning dual high school and college credit in those classes. I didn't get photos of any of those activities, so in honor of Josh's academic progress, I dug out an older scrapbook page and scanned it into the computer. I had to do it in two parts and stitch the photos together, so it may not be the best quality.

Friends And Flowers

Wow, has it really been over a month? Time goes so quickly! We've been on the road again. We had a very busy time in Florida. We got to spend time with friends and say goodbye to them before leaving for language school this fall. God opened doors for us to make new contacts and speak in churches and small groups. We got to spend a couple of days with my parents, which is always a blessing. After we got back we had a few days to recoup and then we drove to Columbia, MO. to speak at a church that we were members of in the early days of our marriage. It was a real treat for me to get to see friends I hadn't seen in 12 years and walk the halls again of that church. Our first two babies were dedicated in that church and we met some amazing friends there, so we will always have a special place in our hearts for Calvary Baptist Church. Here's a scrapbook page I did with a photo from our trip. Ben and Shirley were our Sunday School teachers years ago and are dear friends.