My Moment as a Makeshift Decorator

I designed this through a decal shop on etsy and it came out perfect! I wanted this space of our church nursery to feel separated from the rest of it. I used a very, shaggy brown rug (representing a nest) and then I had some pillows made shaped like eggs for the kids to hold when being read to. I hope you enjoy this idea and pass it on!!!

My Moment as a Make Shift Decorator

I was searching for just the right fabric to have curtains made for our "jungle-themed" room. I had looked online and in stores and was feeling very discouraged until I found something that matched perfectly and it was a shower curtain! So, I took it home, shortened it, and found matching shower rings to hang it from the curtain rod. It looks awesome and I can wipe it down with clorox wipes. Definite plus in a kid's nursery room :).

From the Pages of My Journal...

9-24-2011

          We just received word that baby Elise has passed away. She's almost 2 years old and has undergone 2 heart transplants in the last 8 months. I have been weeping all night for her mother. I cannot imagine burying one of my precious, little girls. I just keep praying that God gives me wisdom, as far as, how to comfort this family. Sometimes, we struggle with the "why?" and geting answers, but I think God just wants us to trust Him. Romans 8:28 is still apart of God's Word and He is still our hope, joy, peace, and life. I got up out of bed hoping to get something from God's Word to comfort my own heart and the Lord gave me this,
 Luke 20:35, 36, and 38- But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and that resurrection...Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.
Elise is equal unto the angels and is a child of God now. I am just praying that the Lord lets the family know that she is with Jesus now, which is far better (Philippians 1:23- For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ which is far better:). Maybe she will get to meet my mom?...:)

The name was changed of the baby to protect this family in our church.

ThRiFtY NiFtiEs idea #3

        Vintage Windows are one of my favorite decorating pieces because they are so versatile. I found this one at Goodwill for 9.00. It had a hideous gold mirror attached to it when I bought it, but a hammer is handy for removing nails ;). This is hanging above my couch and I have tried to keep the decor on it simple and rustic. For Christmas we hang our stockings from the top because we don't have a traditional fireplace mantel. I get so many compliments on something so simple!
         If it does not come with a sill on the bottom, I would add one so it can be used for holding things. If you like the look without the sill, there are other ways to use these types of windows. You can print off your favorite family photos to the size of the individual windows. Then take the window and pics to a custom frame shop. They will put the photos in properly, but you will only be charged for the backing and hanging hardware, at the most, 10.00! It looks great too!!!

ThRiFtY NiFtiEs idea #2

CHURCH PEWS!!! I know this sounds funny but there are tons of churches out there who are storing old church pews in the basement or somewhere on the property, that are not needed anymore. The older the better! When we first came to our church, this was one of 2 pews that were going to be taken to the dump, but I asked if I could take it and they said, "sure!". I did not even paint it because I love the wood elements and white accents with my wall color. I made one pillow and had the other 2 to decorate the seat. I also invested in some baskets for storage underneath! I now have more seating AND more storage for $40.00. (that was the price of the throw pillows and baskets)

ThRiFtY NiFtiEs idea #1

Adding glass elements to a blank space in your home can add sparkle without it feeling "over the top" or holiday specific. This is one corner of my kitchen counters and this total look cost me about $30.00. The large glass jar in the back is from Goodwill (woo hoo- love awesome Goodwill finds). I filled it with wooden balls and clearanced, holiday cranberries. The middle, vintage-looking jar was actually filled with apple juice from Whole Foods. I washed it out and wrapped my favorite wallpaper border around the center and it is now our "vacation money" jug. The glass cheese dome I was fortunate enough to find at a flea market for $11.00. It gave my kitchen counters (which are very bland), the feminine, slightly rustic boost they needed to make me smile!

Kids say the Darndest Things...

Me- "Haven, what did Jesus do?", Haven- "He cried on the sauce for our kins!"

MONDAY MAKEUP TIP #1

Use foundation that is one shade lighter than your skin color to hide wrinkles. Darker foundation fills the "cracks" in our faces, thus highlighting the very spots we are trying to cover. Try it! You will notice a difference.

This Week's Devotional:

SUNDAY SCHOOL

3-4-12

I TIMOTHY 4:11-16, 10

THESE THINGS COMMAND AND TEACH…

Introduction:

Paul is writing to Timothy in these verses and explaining to him that he needs to teach these simple principles about living the Christian life to the brethren so that is what I am going to do this morning! Once you have mastered something you generally become a ________ of whatever subject you have mastered? A teacher. And I believe Timothy probably already understood these things, but Paul was just reminding him to teach others. We are going to look at some of the action verbs that Paul uses in this passage and see how they apply to our own lives.

1.       BE – thou an example of the believers…- Being living proof that Christ is real and what He has done for you is real enough for you to wear your Chrisitanity like a badge of honor. Not something we hide away around certain people. Living your life above reproach in every area. Giving no person reason to doubt your Christianity. And being able to encourage others spiritually

a.       In word…- what we say

b.      In conversation…- how we live our lives in front of others

c.       In charity…- how loving, forgiving, and longsuffering we are

d.      In spirit…- do we let the flesh rule our lives?

e.      In faith…-do we trust the Lord?

f.        In purity…- are we keeping our mind, hearts, and bodies clean before the Lord?

2.       Give- attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…- Study God’s Word and know what you believe!!! Know how to witness to someone, know what the Bible says about sin, Know what the Bible says about living a holy life. How do we find out what a book says inside? We have to open it, and read it!

3.       Neglect Not- the gift that is in thee…- Remember who you are. Remember that Christ died for you and you can become a profitable Christian. Remember who you represent- everywhere you go and everything you do. Remember who you were and that will motivate you to tell others who Christ is.

4.       Meditate- upon these things; give thyself wholly to them…- Think about God’s Word throughout the day. He will give you Scripture to apply to your daily life if you will just ask Him. He is waiting for you to ask His opinion. Pray before you read your Bible that God would speak to you. Keep a short sin account with God so that He can commune with you freely. Confess sin when you pray. And then meditate on Hid Word all day. You will be surprised when you realize how much of your life is already in the Bible.

5.       Take Heed- unto thyself, and unto doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee…- PAY ATTENTION!!! I cannot emphasize this point enough. Our society is working very hard to get people to forget what they are doing, to downplay their sin, and to be “normal”. There is no “normal” in the Christian life. You were bought with a price which automatically makes you different than the “slaves to sin” you associate with on a regular basis. Know what you are doing. Live the Christian life on purpose! Purpose in your heart to do God’s will. It will not happen automatically, because we have a free will and our hearts our wicked continually. Pay attention to what you are seeing, hearing, doing, and saying. Know what God wants you to do and measure the rest of your life by it.

Conclusion- This may seem a little strange but I wanted to end with verse 10 even though it precedes the rest of the Scripture we used (read verse 10). I am not going to tell you that living the Christian life is easy. You will suffer sometimes. You will suffer things from those you love, those you look up to, the World, and those you respect. But what you must remember is that God is worth serving and without Him you would not have life. He is worthy of our life and He will reward you for your suffering someday. There is a payday! Just remember what He suffered for your sake and it will keep our hurt in the right perspective.

From the Pages of my Journal...

9/3/11

             
               I just have been thinking today about how blessed our little family is. I told my husband yesterday, "God loves me and I don't know why!" I truly don't know- but He always find ways to show me He cares. Sometimes it is big ways, like my mother-in-law just giving us a vehicle big enough to hold our munchkins. Sometimes, it is subtle ways, through the motions of everyday and sometimes, it is even through chastisement, letting me know I am still one of His own. Jesus loves me this I know, Jesus knows me this I love.
              The Lord gave me precious times with Him while we were in Ohio last month. I know I have been burying the hurt of losing my mother for months now. I was trying to be strong for my husband and children, and in a way, I felt like it was holding me together too...but it wasn't. I was hurting more and at very random times because I would never let it out. While I was in my hometown, I went and sat at her grave and cried. I cried because I was missing her, but also, I was finally letting myself remember her again. I was finally allowing myself to hurt. It took me a year and a half to let my mom back into my heart. I am not even sure if that makes sense, but that is how it feels to me. God has been with me through all of this! He really is my sustainer and my confidant. I love Him and I want to serve Him with my whole life!

I will not work my soul to save,
For that my Lord has done,
But I will work like any slave,
For love of God's dear Son!

This was written in one of my mom's journals. I will keep it close to my heart always.