as of late...

A few things my family and I have been up to as of late:

Raegan being a cheeseball while I'm shooting photos of new pieces

New pendant necklaces I made for my Etsy shop

Jesse and Raegan snowblowing the few inches of snow we got recently (this kid LOVES being in the snow)

And Raegan wearing her backpack and helping me out with a little housework (apparently I don't unload the dishwasher fast enough)

team player!

I just joined an Etsy team this morning.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, you can read more about Etsy teams here.  I joined a team called Midwest Street Team.  It is a smattering of artists of varying degrees who live in the "midwest".  I browsed through some of the members (to my surprise, I found a member who I have already made a purchase from and LOVED) and thought I would share some of their items that caught my eye.  Please check out their shops and give them some encouragement.  We Etsians just love that.

PajamaEatersbyKate - Pajama Eater  (I have GOT to get one of these cuties for my daughter.)


IndigoCrochet - Crocheted baby rattle


Vintage Beach Tree Fine Art Photography - HoneybeeDawn.  This shop has some beautiful still life photography that I just couldn't quit thumbing through!  (I wanted to post a picture, but refrained because I wasn't sure the artist would appreciate that....something about copyright laws... :) )

MNPrairieCrafts by Amanda McBrady makes my heart smile.  I desperately wish I could crochet, although then I'm pretty sure my entire house would be wrapped, covered or filled with crochet items of some form.  I couldn't pick just one of her items to post, so please look through the whole shop, it's sure to make your day. So adorable!

And this is an item from one of my already favorite shops who just happens to be a member of this team.  The shop is called Perfect Pendants Plus, and i have been using this item


to create these glass pendant necklaces.  I LOVE them.

 

Happy browsing everyone!!

please pray

I know this blog probably does not have a ton of readers, but I am writing this prayer request anyway.  I know that God hears prayer whether it is prayed by one person or by thousands.  There is a person in my life who is close to the end of her life and she does not know Jesus.  In fact, she refuses to know Jesus.  I am not close with this person, but she is very dear to people that are very dear to me.  People that have prayed and prayed for her and have told her about Jesus numerous times.  Yet she still refuses to acknowledge him. I ask that you pray for a miracle in her heart today.  She may have days left or she may have months, we are uncertain, but I know that without an absolute miracle taking place in her heart, she will spending the rest of eternity in hell.  Please pray for this miracle, that god would find a way to win the battle for her soul before it is too late for her.

Happy Valentine's Day!

A little fun for today....these beauties of mine were featured in this Etsy treasury list yesterday, just in time for Valentine's Day.  It is a gorgeous list and I was more than happy to be included.  Hope everyone gets to spend the day doing what you love with the people you love.

wisdom is priceless

We finished our read-through-the-New-Testament project at the end of last year (or round about since I got behind over Christmas break :) ) and I was feeling kind of guilty that I didn't really have another reading plan lined up.  I should start with this: the beginning of the year is always a rough time of year for me.  I know it's supposed to be all clean slate, fresh start, new goals thinking, but for me it's the dead of winter and I desperately need some warmth and sunshine, I get overwhelmed by feelings that I should have resolutions and goals, but I don't, then I have a quick change of heart and try to restructure a whole bunch of things in my life, only to get overwhelmed by all of that pressure and give up.  I know, it's a vicious cycle and I'm working on it.

 So this year, I am taking it easy, not rushing into any changes or goals, and just letting myself enjoy the time I have with my daughter everyday and letting myself breathe just a little.  I have to admit it feels excellent.  Like, an I could do this all year kind of excellent.  And I decided to take this new attitude and apply it to my Bible reading.  I remember my pastor telling me that whenever he is in between reading plans or studies he reads through the book of Proverbs.  It has excellent and straight to the point directives and instructions for your life that are written in an easy to read and understand format.  Just what I need right now.

I started reading through the book about a week ago and I am surprised at how deep these harmless little verses can penetrate.  I have read so many verses that I think "wow, that's so true!" or "ok, God, I get it." (I won't share all of them).  It's an easy book to read, there are 31 chapters so it's perfect for a monthly reading plan, and the verses are actual instructions on how to live your life.  Who doesn't need that?? I am really enjoying hearing from God in these tiny little Proverbs and I'm only on chapter 12.  I would really recommend reading through this book to anyone, whether you are new to faith or have been a follower of Jesus your whole life.  If you've found yourself in a lull between readings or you're just not sure where to start reading, flip your Bible open to this great little book and hear what your Jesus wants to tell you.....