Scrapping Servant

…by my first blogging friend Karla or Ainsley’s Mom :o)  Exactly a month ago she tagged me, I think it’s about time I played along, lol!

I like being tagged but I am a slow runner, so it usually takes me a while to chase.  I remember in first grade (when I made it a habbit to chase the boys around) I never could catch them!  LOL… but know I caught the best one… sorry… anywho…                   

Here are the rules: 

• Pick up the nearest book of at least 123 pages.
• Open the book to page 123.
• Find the 5th sentence.
• Post the next 3 sentences.
• Tag 5 people.

My book is called “For Women Only” by Shaunti Feldhahn.

My husband and I won both these books from the Couples Valentine Dinner we went to with my church.  I have started to read it and really like it, but I have not finished yet.  My husband finished his in one day and it has blessed us both… here is my excerpt…

“They make rigorous decisions to avoid unwanted visual invitations, to turn away from those that arise, and - when unwanted pictures arise anyway - to rip them down with all sorts of diversionary tactics.  I heard that mentally running through baseball scores and household projects were popular thought substitutes!  Honestly, it sounds exhausting.”                   

 TAG YOU’RE IT!…

1.  Elaine - The Miss Elaine-ous Life
2. Natalie - Normal to Natalie
3. Nicole - Livin’ Lovin’ Laughing
4. Melanie - Life is a Marathon
5. Nichole - Our Uzbek Journey

BTW… These are all ladies I met from the 5 minutes for mom blog party :o)

Last week I shared with you all about how God was leading me to finally be obedient and let go, well He was really reminding me of this all week, it was amazing to me!  My God is so stinking good to me, I just need to be willing to listen!! 

The first “reminder” was through a new blog friend, (Michelle at Delightful Evidence) God had a song waiting there titled (guess what?!) LET GO!  Listen to the song HERE and check the words out HERE, my goodness!!!       

 The second was another song on the radio in the car by Barlow Girl titled (GUESS WHAT?!) LET GO!!!  Listen HERE and see the lyrics HERE. 

I learned… He wants to supply ALL my needs, I need to stop worrying and looking behind or ahead, nothing will happen unless I’m obedient, I need to trust that He’ll catch me, I won’t make it if I continue to do it alone… and I do feel so alone… but I am ready to live what I believe!     

I was reminded just tonight in my My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers that I need to be still, and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).  I found I need tenacity, which is more than endurance, “It is endurance combined with the absolute certainty that what we are looking for is going to transpire.  Tenacity is more than hanging on, which may be but the weakness of being too afraid to fall off.”  “‘Cause I’m about to let go, and live what I believe, I can’t do a thing now, but trust that You’ll catch me, when I let go!”  Will you let go with me?  I can’t wait to hear how you all have grown just this week, and get to know you better with…      

 Week 2 Bonus Question: How do you minister for the Lord?  Can you share a photo?      

My Answer: My husband and I serve in Youth Ministries, Jr High and High School now.  It has been our calling from the Lord to (as my old youth Pastor would say) “Preach the Word and Love the kids”.  It has been an incredible blessing over the years and I praise God that He still wants to use a wretch like me.  And the photo is an old scrapbook layout (of coarse) of us with our 5th graders :o) 

The Mommies at Mommies United are having a blog party that starts tomorrow!

 I know a lot of us just finished having a party over at 5 minutes 4 mom (the owners of A Rocking Horse to Love, Pedal Cars and Retro Collectables, and a great blog linking tons of great other mommy blogs) but I don’t think I’m quite done partying and meeting new friends yet.  

Check out my party post from my last party HERE.  

I’m glad to meet you… if you are new to my site be sure to say hello so I can stop by your site also.

 I always make it a point to answer most of my comments, and as I do I visit my visitor’s blogs. 

Thanks for stopping by.   

Join me ladies in this new Meme…  I posted my song below in the first video, and if you want to see the words and or cords you can view the second (it’s humorous!).  Oh, the song is Divine Romance by Phil Wickham.  This particular song just makes me want to fall on my knees to reciprocate my love to my Savior.  Thanks for recording them Phil, Praise be to Jesus!

…My Walk Monday…

 I am starting this in hope to have a home for accountability and encouragement in my walk with Christ Jesus.                 

Each week I would like you to share a post on a bit of your walk with the Savior.  It could be anything like what you learned that morning in devotions, what you are struggling with, a new worship song you learned, a prayer request,  a new Bible study you started, a praise report, you get the idea… anything that is a cause for growth in your relationship with the Lord.

   I will also have bonus questions posted from week to week with hope that you will answer and we will all get to know each other better.  After you write your post and answer the bonus question sign-in to the Mr. Linky for the week you are participating.           

 I shared my first post below and made a button (below) so you can post it on your blog to encourage others to join.  Just click the button below to find the page with the code to copy and paste the into your sidebar.

 Ah yes, and if you are a non-blogging Christian that would like to participate you could leave your info in the comments on each week’s post :o)  

Find all of my - My Walk Monday posts HERE. 

So as you know if you read Sunday’s post God showed me a lot of disobedience in my life at the retreat I recently went to… well one of my first steps of obedience was to buy this book.

I usually always find interest in the book reviews and always look through the books at the book table, but I NEVER buy any of them, even if I feel like I am supposed to because I always have the excuse of having too many unread books already at home.                                     

Well this time I bought the one that was jumping out at me (now I see… for obvious reasons).  It’s a good book so far and I am only the second day in… it’s a daily devotional type book.  Mine was only $3.50, good thing too, it made it easier for me to be obedient in buying it :o)

 Here is what I am learning so far (some of it is review but with my disobedience I NEED it)…                                   

* my selfishness is a painful chain that binds me.

* dying to self would be less painful than being bound to it. 

* that which is dead does not suffer. 

 * I can choose to carry the cross God means for me to have, or with my unwillingness to suffer I can add a tormenting inner battle to it.

*  I will suffer more and with less growth if I continue with stubbornness clinging to self.

* humility makes me more easily teachable.  

* personal weakness helps me realize that God wants me to be lowly and obedient.  (There’s that word again!)  This is a choice I have to make, something I just have to do. 

  Week 1 Bonus Question: Do you know the date of your born-again birthday?  How old are you spiritually?

 My Answer: Yes it is January 5, 1998.  I’m 10 years old this year!  :o)

If you want to join Sunday Scrappin’ click HERE.

TA-DA… I finished my to-do from last week (except for the tags, I decided not to make them).  The picture I’m sharing is of the paint cans that were purchased at the Ladies Retreat I recently went to.  The right was a favorite because of all the techniques I used, and the left one was a favorite because of the paper and the colors, it was also I new design with the small torn paper on the top.  There is also another can’s picture in THIS post.

TO-DO… Let’s see… scrap wise I would like to make a couple cards, that’s a good goal… I won’t push for more.

 This week’s Bonus Question: What’s on your craft supply wishlist right now?  Lots of jewels and some flowers because I just had another girl!  A Tim Holtz Design Ruler because I don’t want to use my wooden one anymore, and I like the holes for poking.  A Round Monogram Stamper from JustRite Stampers and the small letter set to go with it… because it is just plain cool (I saw it’s use in a magazine once).     

… I’m sure not all of you know, I went on a Woman’s Retreat this last weekend with my church.  It was beautiful and relaxing, but it was also very trying at the same time.  God really showed me a lot of disobedience in my life, a lot of rebellion, and pride with some pretty hurtful situations… let’s just say I have a lot to work on now.

Here’s some pictures that I thought you would enjoy from my weekend…

Don’t you just love the pinecone pinapples, the wonderful view and my beautiful baby?!  My little one was sucking on her fingers the same way my daughter was the day she was born, look  :o) 

Hey ladies!!!  I am so excited, the party is finally here!  Welcome!  (PS>>> THE GIVEAWAY ON THIS POST WILL NOT END UNTIL MARCH FRIDAY 28th :o)

Let me introduce myself… my name is Carolyn, I am a born again christian, and a mother of 3. My youngest was born just 7 weeks ago, my oldest is 3, and my middle is going to be 2 in April.  I am 25 years old and have been happily married for 7 years.  I love scrapbooking and encouraging others in doing so… hence the Scrapping Servant :o)                                

Here is a great photo of my 3 little ones…

I also have a recipe to share from a party I went to at my church on Valentine’s Day… I even took a picture for you… doesn’t it look YUMMY?!

 Mini Cheesecakes

• 1 (12 oz) package vanilla wafers (Nilla or generic brand)
• 2 (8oz) package cream cheese (Philadelphia Cream Cheese or generic brand)
• 3/4 white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 can cherry pie filling (make sure it is in heavy syrup not the one in water)
• 1 - 2 Reynolds FOIL Baking Cups (32 per package)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Put one vanilla wafer per one foil baking cup (or crush vanilla wafers and place them into each cup as much as you like)
3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
4. Fill each baking cup to 1/3 - 2/3 (it’s really your call on how much)
5. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or even less depending on your oven’s temperament
6. Cool and top with cherry pie filling (again, as much or less as you like it).
7. Chill and serve (it really tastes way better chilled)

Oh and be sure to leave a comment on this post to enter in a little giveaway I will be having for the party… sorry it took me so long to post what it is… it’s an altered paint can perfect in place of any regular gift bag, or as an Easter “basket”, a great place for keepsakes, it even comes with a key!

Speaking of gifts… here is my list of most wanted…

• #1 - the rocking horse from the beautiful twin mommy’s online store.
• #59 - $25 cash from A Cowboy’s Wife.
• #55 - $23 cash from An Ordinary Life.

HeY LadiEs I wOn!!!  Prize #122  - Assortment of Scrapbooking Supplies valued at $25.

• Provided by: Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders… Thank you Amy!
• Prize details: This package includes a hot pink, 20 page, 8×8 canvas covered, post bound album, some 8×8 paper, and a variety of stickers and embellishments.

Look… this is the first one I finished, I will post the others later.  This is also the one I was afraid I would not like because I originally had orange ribbon on it too, I like the blues much better.  What do you think?  If you want to learn how to make your own altered can I have a tutorial HERE… I also have tutorials for some other fun things like an altered frappuccino box, a recipe box, and a brown paper bag album.