Designs By Hilmarose

And the winner is....

2008-09-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for entering the draw... I will be having another one soon so keep your eye out for it! I wish I could sent all of you something!

There were 2 winners... I haven't finished the things for the second winner yet but will get em sent out as soon as I do!

Winner #1 is MAE

Winner #2 is KRISTEN
Ladies... Please send me your deets!!!! Hilmarose At AOL dot com

Word Verification...

2008-09-03T08:28:00.001-07:00

(Don't forget to enter my blog candy draw)

I HATE it!!!!! So many times I want to leave comments but when I click and see the verification letters I just close it out!!!! I have a few hundred blogs in my reader and and if a lot post each day that is way too many to do verification. The blog owners are the ones missing out on my comments, as well as many others!
ETA: I am soooooo very sorry to my readers!!!! I thought I had turned OFF the verification but after reading someone's post about the owner not seeing it unless they go in settings I went and it was ON!!!! I know I turned it off in the old blogger but when we switched to the new one it must have been automatically set! AGAIN... I AM SOOOOOOO SORRY!!!

Thanks Julie for the button!!! Go read her post about it too!

Chris has been campaigning and here is what she has to say:

ARGUMENTS AGAINST WORD VERIFICATION

Everyone will have their own view, but in my case, I regard the removal of word verification as a basic courtesy to my visitors who are kind enough to take the time to leave comments. Being aware of their comments through comment moderation, but not hindering them with word verification is the very least I can do to reciprocate their courtesy to me.

The problem with word verification is that it takes too long. The characters are very often hard to decipher, and it’s frustrating when you get them wrong and have to re-enter the little suckers!

So this campaign is on behalf of busy bloggers. Please spare a thought for the poor bloggers who work so hard at getting round as many blogs as possible to leave sprinkles of blessing and good vibes wherever they go. The terrible proliferation of this awful plague of word verification is a blight on their efforts to make the Land of Blog a cheerier place.

I think most people don't realise that they have word verification on their blogs by default, or how easy it is to switch it off, and perhaps not realising how annoying it is for other bloggers. Either that, or they’re under the misapprehension that they will be bombarded with spam messages. This is not the case. I’ve had mine switched off now for three of the four months that I’ve been blogging, and have had two spam comments. The responses I’ve had from other bloggers to my earlier posts on this topic back this up. (You can see the comments in response to my previous post on this subject, HERE.)

For safety’s sake, have comment moderation on for sure, but please consider canceling word verification on your blog. Maybe for a trial period, and see how you get on.

Unless there are thousands of comments being left, comment moderation shouldn’t be too much of an issue for the blog owner, and other bloggers will also be more inclined to leave comments if they can see that you don’t use word verification.

However, each to their own, and if you disagree with me, that’s cool. We can agree to differ and not visit each other’s blogs! lol ;o)

OK.. rant over. If you have read all the way to the end, thank you for putting up with it, and ~ obviously ~ do what you wish on your blogs, but I had to say something. I love to get around and leave comments, but word verification spoils the experience.

Of course, when I get my new job, all this will be academic to me, as I will then have a life, and I won't have time for much blog-hopping!! Not that blog-hoppers need to get a life.. Errr... think I'll stop digging now, before I get into REAL trouble!! lol ;o)

Sharing a wonderful post

2008-08-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

This is a blog I visit regularly... I started because of her recipes but go back now for her posts... everything including the recipes. Tonight I ran across this post ... it was very thought provoking about photographs and memories.... here is a small excerpt:

"One day that will be all that's left of me . . . just a few pictures in a box. Will someone wonder about who I was, and what I stood for, or will I have left a legacy that speaks for itself?? Will they look into my eyes and see the joy there . . . and the pain . . . and the hope?? Will they see all my yesterdays linked to their tomorrows . . . will the essence of my being be able to reach down through the passage of time and speak to their hearts??"

Please go read the post for your self and see if it doesn't touch you at your very core.

(and don't forget to enter my blog candy draw here!)

Sometimes I just need a reminder...

2008-08-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

I found this on Beestamper's blog... she found it on another blog.
Just about made me want to cry... after just passing the 3rd anniversary of the death of someone very close to me.
To listen scroll down and mute my song video

(Don't forget to enter my blog candy... scroll down)

Chrissy's Blog candy

2008-08-28T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here is yet more blog Candy!!! She is offing it for a number of reasons... to me the greatest being to celebrate her NEW career as a Stamp Designer! PLEASE GO SUPPORT HER!!!!

(don't forget to scroll down for your chance at mine!)

EVEN more BLOG CANDY!!!

2008-08-28T17:39:00.000-07:00

There is so much candy out there!!! Here is Sally's!

(don't forget to scroll down for your chance at mine!)

want to win over $200 in free stamps?

2008-08-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Want to win over $200 of free stamps?
Check out here how you can... and it is a very worthy cause!!!! I know alot of people are struggling and here is away we can help!!!

Kristen's blog candy!

2008-08-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

Kristin has some wonderful blog candy up for grabs!!! Magnolia stamps to top it off!!!

(don't forget to enter my blog candy draw... scroll down!)

Three years ago today

2008-08-21T18:50:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today I lost one of my best friends... My Daughter's Daddy.
I miss you soooo very much... I would give anything just to talk to you one more time, to see your smirky smile, to hear your smart alec comments, to feel your hug... But most importantly I would give even my life if Cassie could just spend one more hour with you.
I love you and miss you so very much my friend. Life has not been and will never be the same without you in it. I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( I should have taken the picture AFTER I cleaned of his head stone)

BLOG CANDY TIME

2008-08-21T15:56:00.001-07:00

I said I was going to do blog candy at 50,000 hits... well, I passed it without realizing it!!! from my stats counter I am at 50,521.
I know MOST of my hits were from when I gave out digi templets for scrapbooking but have no idea how many since I started doing what I am doing now... So here are the rules: Just post my candy on your blog, and post a comment on this post.
School starts here on Sept 3rd... so after school I will have my daughter pick a winner. PLEASE check back to see if you have won!
This is what I have so far (I plan on adding stuff that I have made and a few supply things): File folder box, box and six 3x3 cards and a little note book.
I may even make a different set of things for a second winner.
Thank you for visiting my blog :)

COMMENTS are now CLOSED... I will pick a winner by the morning... life is crazier here than I thought being the first day of school and after school activities!

Blog Candy Alert

2008-08-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

Debbie has some wonderful... wintery blog candy up for grabs!!!

Be Still and Know

2008-08-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

This came in my in-box... wanted to share:

MountainWings A MountainWings Moment
#8228 Wings Over The Mountains of Life
-------------------------------------------------

Be Still and Know
=================

In my life I have faced many struggles.

I am human and by nature I have grown sin weary and overburdened.

My hands have worked alone, in vain to build masterpieces
that always fall short of perfection.

In the midst of despair, I place my discouraged heart
in the hands of the one who softly whispers,
“Be still and know that I am God.”

I place my confidence in the one who faithfully works
to do what is positively right for me.

I rely on the perfect knowledge that keeps Him from doing
anything in my life that is not exactly what I need.

He is the Lord of creation, and yet He is committed to gently
knocking at the door of my heart.

I adore the God whose love is so pure that He sent His son to
live a perfect life for me. His love is so holy that He sent
His son to shed His blood on the cross for me.

I treasure the God who will never stop forgiving me.

My hope is in the one who knows the depths of my heart and still
loves me so passionately and watchfully.

The one who softly whispers,

“Be still and know that I am God.”

~A MountainWings Original poem by Billi Jo Bentley, Albany, OH~
Based on Psalms 151

Forward this issue to a friend or send them the link below:
http://www.mountainwings.com/past/8228.htm

Katharina's blog candy!

2008-08-08T01:22:00.000-07:00

Katharina has some woonnndeeerrrful blog candy up for grabs!!!

The winner of her blog candy gets the complete Whiff of Joy Guardian Angel Collection by Elisabeth Bell ( 4 stamps ) for free!!!!

Missing....

2008-08-07T16:10:00.000-07:00

The hardest part of my daughter being gone... Missin' one of my little guys!!!
I missed his first birthday yesterday. He is eating his "birthday pancake"
Don't ya just love those eyes?!

I miss you David!!!!!
(pronounced with a short a, with the i sounding like an e_ Da-veed)

My beautiful Daughter!!!

And (one of) my wonderful Son-In-Law... Josue

Saw this quote today... fits perfectly with the changes in my life!
What the caterpillar calls the end, The Master calls a butterfly ~~Richard Bach

More Blog Candy ALERT!

2008-08-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Michelle has some wonderful blog candy up for grabs!!! I love the colors!!!!!!!!

Blog Candy Alert

2008-07-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

My bloggin Sister Sonja has some really cute blog candy up... check it out!

Comin home!

2008-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my baby comes home!
She went to Florida with my other daughter last month... after 6 weeks she flies home tomorrow! She is NOT ready to leave there but... what can I say? She has to come home sometime! Next summer, Yahwey willing, she will get to spend another month.
This is her at the ocean.

What kind of music I am!

2008-07-27T10:57:00.001-07:00

Well.... this did NOT surprise me!

You Are Country Music

You are friendly, down to earth, and fairly conservative.

You are true to your friends and your upbringing. Change is hard for you.

But beneath your old fashioned attitude, you are expressive and artistic in your own way.

Very few people can express pain and pleasure as eloquently as you can.

What Kind of Music Are You?

Always wear...

2008-07-23T11:05:00.001-07:00

Boots while you are splitting wood! And this is after two hours with an ice pack!
I had on sandles.... the wood fell faster than I could move my foot!

Kraftin Kimmie's Challenge

2008-07-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

well... I have only done one other sketch challenge... this isn't exactly a sketch challenge so I guess you could say this is the first "challenge" I have done! but when I seen this I knew I just had to do it!
It is from Kraftin Kimmie's Korner
we were to take her book and use it for inspiration! I did... made mine almost exactly like hers! but I really like how the cover came out (I still have to finish the inside of the book)
Sorry about the lighting!
TFL

Accordian File box

2008-07-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

I found this on someone's blog who is going to be selling it in a "class"... I so wanted to make one... but was thinking about the cost.
Then in my blog reader... I was sooooo excited.... Dannie had posted a link to the instructions!!!! (check out her blog!!!) It ended up not costing me a thing except the supplies of course!!!!!
I want to publicly thank her for posting the link! I know Yahwey used her to give me one of the little desires of my heart!!!! and she blessed me without even knowing it!!!
Here is a link to the site... you have to have a free membership but they have some cool projects!
It is the july 4th episode called "expanding Memories"
http://sbl.tvweekly.com/

Struggling

2008-07-09T21:09:00.000-07:00

Well... I have been struggling with Kathy's passing (see last post) and today I got some crushing, devastating news about the health of my oldest (2 1/2 yrs) grandson... I don't want to really go into it right now except to say that the doctors believe he will be completely deaf but years end and could be going blind on top of it (he has been having some issues seeing somethings, which we thought was just depth perception issues)। At least now, after 2 1/2 years testing, they have a diagnosis... good on one hand, because they know what they are dealing with, but very devastating on the other... because of what it is and there is NO treatment... NO cure.
IF you want to read about it here is a link....
http://www.cdc.gov/cmv/signs.html

I forced myself to be creative today to try to pull myself away from just feeling overwhelmed with life... I made 4 cards and a card box... not sure who I am going to give it to or if I will try to sell it (would be my first for cards) anyway, Here they are and TFL.
Box is in center back.

and the box.

RIP Kathy... I love you

2008-07-06T21:04:00.001-07:00

Life is so short.... Even when you know it is almost time to say good bye to someone you are never really prepared.
Good bye my sister :(
You no longer have to imagine, you see Our Messiah face to face.
(thank you Lillie for the slide show)

(To watch music video scroll down and push pause on the video in the right side bar.)

Blog Candy Find

2008-06-30T10:19:00.001-07:00

Nikki has some wonderful blog candy for reaching 10,00 hits... check it out!

I've been Tagged AGAIN

2008-06-13T09:23:00.000-07:00

This tag is different than what I played before...so I will play!
I was tagged twice with this tag...
first by Char and then by Anita, my friend across the water!

The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. Ten Years Ago
I was moving into this house exactly 10 years ago this week!!!!!

2. Five Things on todays 'To Do List'
1) CLEAN
2) Clean
3) Clean
4) work on a magazine holder I am making out of foam board
5) maybe go to Michaels.

3. Snacks I enjoy
a) Peanut butter cups
b) kettle corn
c) Peanut M&Ms

4. Things I would do If I was a Millionaire
a) The first thing I would do is buy my oldest a car.
b) I would build a homeless shelter for families and single women.
c) I would find a way to help some Jewish people go home.
d) I would help to get an out of print Bible printes again... it is a Bible that uses the names of Yahwey and Yahshua and is as close to the original that they can find.
e) I would buy my own house.

5. Places I have lived
I have lived in many places... being married to the military for 20 years.... we only lived in the USA though, lets see... we lived in Washington 2 times, both in Oak Harbor. we lived in California, San Francisco area. we also lived in Detroit, Tennessee and Phillidelphia. At the moment those are the duty stations I can remember. Now I am back in washington... the State I was raised in.

I TAG....
BECCA

JULIE

JENNIFER

AMY

MELANIE

Ready, Set, Don't Go!

2008-06-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

This has been a "sad" week-end for me....
All of my girls were here... together for the last time, for awhile...
maybe years.
My second to the youngest, the one on the far left,
is moving to Florida with her hubby and one of my grandsons.
She has never been far away...
she is STILL my baby even if she is married and has a baby of her own.
Reminds me of Billy Ray's song...
"Ready, Set, Don't go!!!!!!"
I love you guys... I will miss you horribly...
But I know you must follow Yahwey into your destiny....
I let you go in His hands!

"() indicates them singing together"

[Billy]: Shes gotta do what shes gotta do
And I've got to like it or not
Shes got dreams to big for this town
And she needs to give them a shot
Wherever they are
[Miley]: Looks like Im all ready to leave
With nothing left to pack
[Billy]: Aint no room for me in that car
Even if she asks me to tag along
(God I gotta be strong)

[Miley]: Im at the startin line
Of the rest of my life
As ready as I’ve ever been
Got the hunger and stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
[Billy]: Shes waitin on my blessings
Before she hits that open road
Baby get ready get set don’t go

[Miley]: Looks like things are fallin in place
[Billy]: Feels like there fallin apart
I painted this big old smile on my face
To hide my broken heart, if only she knew
[Miley]: This is where you don’t say what u want so bad to say
[Billy]: This is where I want to but I wont get in the way
Of her in her dreams and spreading her wings
*Miley is the the backgrounds singing "im ready to fly"

[Miley]: Im at the startin line
Of the rest of my life
As ready as I’ve ever been
Got the hunger and stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
[Billy]: Shes waitin on my blessings
Before she hits that open road
Baby get ready get set (don’t go)

[Miley]: Im at the startin line
Of the rest of my life
As ready as I’ve ever been
Got the hunger and stars in my eyes
The prize is mine to win
[Billy]: Shes waitin on my blessings
Before she hits that open road
Baby get ready get set please don’t go

[Billy]: Don't go
[Miley]: Let me go now im ready
[Billy]: Mmmm Don't go
[Miley]: I’ll be alright, I’ll be okay
You know that ill be thinking of
You each and every day
[Billy]: Shes gotta do what shes gotta do
[Miley]: Let me go now
[Billy]: Shes gotta do what shes gotta do
[Miley]: I've gotta do what I've gotta do
*sings "fly" while fading*
[Billy]: *says "shes gotta do" while fading*

ONE more post for today!!

2008-06-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

I started this blog an eon ago... before I was making cards etc... when I was really into digital scrapbooking.... it took me awhile to put a stat counter on it and I didn't reset it when I started doing cards... I just looked and my hits are at 49,442!!!!!
When I reach 50,000 I am going to be giving away some blog candy... I will start posting pics starting tomorrow! When I reach that point (50,00 hits) I will take all the comments between today and that point and enter them into the draw... you will get extra entries if you post it on your blog... just let me know in your comment!

PIF

2008-06-06T11:30:00.000-07:00

3 posts in one day... LOL
Here is the first current PIF, I won this one from Bela. She sent me 3 card kits... Thanks Bela!!!
Now for the PIF....
Here's the details:
1) Be the first three to comment to this post.
and email me your snailmail addy (get my email by clicking on my profile)
2) I will send you some "PIF" stamping goodies... may be a little while, but I will get it sent.
3) When you get your package post the PIF on your blog...Committing to send three others some goodies.

WHERE OH WHERE is SUMMER???? and another share

2008-06-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

I have lived in this house 10 years... as some know I only heat by wood.... this is the first year I have EVER needed to STILL be burning wood in JUNE!!!! Where is the summer???????

OK... here is a pic of some more happy mail I got! It is blog candy I won from Beverly
Thank you Sweetie!!!!!!
My next post will be a PIF!

updating 1

2008-06-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Since I hadn't been blogging lately I have a lot to post but I will do it a little at a time!
First off I have won a couple blog Candy prizes
I won Kazza's blog Candy! (I just used her picture) THANK YOU SISTA!!!!

I will try to get the other posts done soon... I have some PIFs to share so that means I will be posting my own PIFs soon!!!!!!

25% off your total regular purchase at Michaels

2008-05-22T11:17:00.001-07:00

I always enjoy finding these goodies on other people's blogs, I am still not feeling well but I got this in my in-box and thought I would share... 25% off your total regular purchase at Michaels HERE
Enjoy!

MORE blog candy!!!

2008-05-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

This is BIRTHDAY blog Candy!!!! Check out another Deb's blog candy!!!!

Deb's Blog Candy!

2008-05-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

Deb is trying to reach a goal... so go check out her blog candy!!!! Just remember... you can only check it out cuz I wanna win it!!! LOL

Michelle's WONDERFUL Blog Candy!!!

2008-05-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Michelle has some wonderful blog candy!!!!! Check it out!

New Monogram Stamps (New to me anyway)

2008-05-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been so quiet in here lately... life has been busy but I have managed to read the blogs in my reader.
I wish I could remember what blog I first saw the monograms from florishes but I can't. I loved them so much I had to buy a set for myself.
this is one of the sets I have made... it is for my daughter Stephanie (red is her fav color). I thought they turned out pretty well. Here is the link to see them for your self at the website. I wish I had the money to buy them all!!!!

More Blog Candy

2008-05-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

Cass has some WONDERFUL blog candy!!! Check it out!!!!

Ila's birthday blog candy

2008-05-01T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hey... check out Ila's BIRTHDAY BLOG CANDY!!!!! Her Birthday is a day before mine... I wish I could give out birthday blog candy too! maybe next year!!1

Purple Blog Candy!

2008-05-01T16:48:00.000-07:00

Purple is one of my fav colors too ... I want to share michelle's purple blog candy!

Gratituesday:Yahwey and Yahushua

2008-04-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

I am grateful today that I learned the names of My heavenly Father and My Messiah Yahwey and Yahushua! Learning their true names has been freedom for me.

Kazza's Candy!

2008-04-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Check out Kazza's Birthday candy!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTA!!!!!

Tagged!!!!

2008-04-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged twice!

Charlene and Allison have both tagged me to play the 7 things game!

7 Things Game:
The Rules for 7 Things:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

My 7 things:

I am a lover of Yahwey and Yahushua.
I married three months after I turned 17.
For 20 years I was a navy wife and moved across country. I am now a single Mom.
I have lived in my present home for 10 years... the longest I have ever lived anywhere. Including as a child. And it is a RENTAL.
I have 4 daughters, one still at home. One granddaughter and three grandsons... They call me Nana.
I never knew I had any crafting ability until I had been married a few years.
At one point in time I had my own craft business but never got into paper crafting except scrap booking. I got into digital scrapping....One day blog hopping I found altered items and now I am attempting to make cards.

I am tagging

FREE Pentel Oil Pastels

2008-04-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

I found a link (from http://www.moneysavingmom.com/) to get these for free Click here and be sure to enter the promo code SA2008

Gratituesday

2008-04-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

I decided I was going to do a "Gratituesday" as hosted by Heavenly Homemakers. I have so much to be thankful for but it seems that when circumstances are difficult I often forget all of those things. It has been colder here than normal and I am almost out of wood (that is all I heat with) but for this Gratituesday I am thankful that I have wood to heat for this day.

I found more blog candy!

2008-04-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

Tracy Jane has some blog candy on her blog celebrating her birthday next week!!! Go check it out!!!

Li'l Buck's Blog Candy

2008-04-15T21:24:00.000-07:00

Check out the blog candy Misty has on her blog!! Her blog

Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers-16

2008-04-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

I am soooo excited to be part of the Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers-16! THANK YOU SOOOO VERY MUCH for letting me join!!!! I am not sure what it all entails but I am eager to start!!!

lets see... I am a single Mom... one daughter at home (age almost 11) and 3 grown daughters (22, 25, and 28) who are all Moms themselves now. I did scrap booking for a long time and started digi scrapping when it was barely even heard of. And now my new passion is cards and altered 3-D items. I just started card making a couple months ago and I love doing it when I have my mojo!
Not sure what else to say right now except... THANK YOU AGAIN For letting me be part of the group!!!!

Katherina's blog candy

2008-04-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

Katherina is celebrating her 30th birthday is coming up at April, 17th.
To Celebrate She came up with an extraordinary candy.
She is giving away one brand new, original Hänglar and Stänglar stamp! And some stamped images!
Check out her blog!

Shout Out to SheetLoad

2008-04-03T20:39:00.001-07:00

Check out the "Sheet Load" blog and down load their April issue! I am sure you can get older issues too! If the link doesn't work for some reason here is the web address http://sheetload.blogspot.com/

More PIF

2008-04-01T22:31:00.000-07:00

I signed up for some PIFs soooo I need 3 more people to sign up with this post.
More will come in the next few days or next week as I may leave town for the weekend! remember if you sign up you must pay it forward to 3 more people. With this PIF you need to have a blog and post it there. There are many different versions going around but just promise to PIF and, to me, it doesn't matter if you send it out right away or if it takes a LITTLE while!

a link to some wonderful blog candy!

2008-04-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

Nikki is offering some wonderful blog candy for reaching 15,000 hits!
Go check it out!!!! http://nikkiscardsandnews.blogspot.com

new cards from sketches

2008-03-30T19:29:00.000-07:00

I did some cards based on a couple sketches... I didn't have the stamps they were using but I used what I had. http://mypaperworld.blogspot.com/
I sure wish we would get some sunshine so I wouldn't have to use my flash!

The stamps I ordered from Rubbernecker, the ribbon is from dollar tree and the paper I had from my scrapping days.

Anyway... there they are!

My First Card post

2008-03-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

Well... I think I am finally brave enough to upload a couple cards I have made.
I made these for a PIF I already did... The papers I used were from a blog candy I won from Tosh (http://stamptalkwithtosh.blogspot.com/2008/02/thank-you-gift.html) . One of the stamps, The "Thank you" stamp I got from the same person... she was sweet enough to throw in some extra stuff since I had just started stamping. the other 2 stamps were borrowed... and the saying was computer generated. The ribbons I got at dollar tree.

So... there ya go... my first card post!

PIF now Closed

2008-03-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

I now how the first 3 people I need for the first PIF in this round:
Nancy Grant http://inkcicles.blogspot.com/
and
Belas http://belascreatingplace.blogspot.com/
and
Julie http://juliescraftycorner.blogspot.com/

Ladies please mail me your snail mail addy's (thru my profile)

I can't think of a title!!!!

2008-03-27T16:34:00.001-07:00

I only have one person for my PIF (scroll down) anymore takers????

Another "new to me" Blog

2008-03-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

Oh MY!!! I WISH I lived where Heather lives!!! I would go crazy on ribbon for my new card making venture!!!! Check out her blog!!! And be sure to sign up for her Blog Brownies!!!!
http://www.stampdetails.blogspot.com/

My newest Grandbaby

2008-03-26T23:15:00.001-07:00

I am REALLY bad about sharing on my blog but when my daughter sent this pic from her cell I just had to share it! such a good pic with his eyes wide open!!! and them just looking at each other!
I will try to get better at posting here.
Funny how when you stop giving out freebies no one seems to come (I know there are some because you have emailed me.. lol)
Anyway... I started crafting and making cards so I hope to get past this thing I have with this blog and actually start posting some more pics and pics of my creations!

PIFs

2008-03-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

This PIF is now closed... check later for another!!!

I am signed up for a few PIFs (pay it Forward) so watch for me to be posting them and my offerings!!! I will do them one at a time so as not to confuse myself!!!!

The first 3 people to comment or email me (see my profile for email addy) about this post will receive something from me.
For this one you do NOT have to have a blog but MUST promise to Pay It Forward to 3 other people requesting them to do the same.

A new WONDERFUL blog I have found!!!

2008-03-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

Check out this blog http://sassy-crafts.blogspot.com/ and help support her in her new venture!!! While u r there check out the blog candy you could win!

In LOVING MEMORY

2008-03-05T20:19:00.001-08:00

In loving memory... forever in our hearts.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and
You are now with your two sons who left here before us...
we will see you all again... and we will walk the streets of gold together forever...
With the Lord, A day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day...
we will be there before you know it....
and we will never ever part again.

REMOVE THE STONE! Let Out the Thing that is Rotting and Beginning to Smell

2008-02-15T00:11:00.001-08:00

February 12, 2008

Anne Elmer:

"REMOVE THE STONE! Let Out the Thing that is Rotting and Beginning to Smell"

Dealing with Disappointment

At this moment in my life, I seem to know quite a few people who are dealing with great disappointments and have had their fair share of sufferings. Many are dealing with issues they feel God has done to them or has not done for them, or are struggling with situations He has allowed to happen. They feel let down by Him.

Some time ago, a lady who evidently had many problems came to see me and asked for prayer. This lady was the first of many people who I have met with similar hurts and disappointments. I got on my knees by her side and waited a few minutes in silence while I shouted quietly to the Lord, "Help!" She had asked for prayer for something specific, but I did not feel this was the real issue. Suddenly the Lord spoke to me and said, “She cannot accept the answers to your prayers because she is too wounded by something that happened a long time ago.” When I told the lady what the Lord said, it opened the floodgates and she cried and cried. Many years previously, something happened to one of her children and she had not forgiven God for allowing it to happen. Even though she had tried to forgive Him, the disappointment remained, meaning she could not trust her Creator with very many other things.

I set out to search for what the Bible says about disappointment, and frankly, I did not find it very satisfying. Romans 5:3-5, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance...character...and hope. And hope does not disappoint us..." I cried out to God and said, "This is not true because I can think of many cases where hope has disappointed." Yet I know it is true because it is God's Word and God cannot lie and I do believe it. I kept asking Him to show me what all this was about.

The Greek word used here is "kataischuno" and it means "to be ashamed or to be humiliated." Isaiah 49:23 says, "Those who hope in Me will not be disappointed." I was not yet satisfied, so I spent time asking the Lord to make it clearer to me. We must always choose to trust Him, and I know there have been many times in my life when I have been disappointed, but I have chosen to say, “His ways are not my ways,” and continue on with Him.

Recently the Lord prompted me to look up Isaiah 55:6-9 in its context: "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon. 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

I read this Scripture and said, “OK Lord,” and He said, “Read it again, and then again, and again.” Suddenly I recognized that the evil man of whom this verse is speaking of, is me. Do not get me wrong, I know that I am forgiven and blessed, but the Lord is teaching me about walking in the TRUTH and how His thoughts are true and mine are often not, because they are based on my experience and my emotions and on the situation as I see it, not on what the Bible says. 3 John 1:4, "I have no greater joy than to hear that My children are walking in the truth." This has all to do with the "renewing of the mind" and "being changed" from glory to glory (see Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18). I began reflecting on all this and asked the Lord to take away disappointments from my life and to help me align my thoughts with His thoughts. Then I can come alongside those that need help in this area.

Stones and Tombs

I remember Mary and Martha who had said, "If only You had been here Lord..." They too had been disappointed by the Lord's late arrival on the scene. As I was praying through these things, the Lord gave me a picture of a heart. At the bottom of the heart laid a "stone," and I heard Jesus shout as in the story of Lazarus, "Move the stone." John 11:39 says, "'Take away the stone,' He said. 'But, Lord,' said Martha, the sister of the dead man, 'by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.'" There is a reluctance on Martha's part to allow the stone to be moved because behind the stone there will be a bad smell, and things are disintegrating, rotting, and wasting away.

What is rotting at the stone in your heart and needs to be let out of the tomb? Some of the things we leave in our hearts are not meant to stay there. They are buried things in the natural. They are things others think have passed. They are events in our lives that were painful. They may be big or small. Maybe there is a time when we prayed and God did not do what we asked--maybe the loss of a child; maybe the death of a person very close; maybe a broken relationship; maybe a permanent illness or handicap; or maybe something we did wrong that we have buried deep down.

People now see other relationships in our lives, other children, another job, and they think we have moved on...that we have "gotten over it." But we know in our heart of hearts, these memories are still there. Maybe we remember these things and visit the tomb often. If we really think about it, we know there is nothing of use, nothing worthwhile in the tomb. But we keep the disappointment there. We know what is in the tomb--rots. But we do not want the tomb to be opened (there would be a bad smell); we want to keep it firmly under our lock and key to keep the memory in our hearts. It symbolizes for us (as it did for Mary and Martha) our disappointment that the Lord did not do what we wanted Him to, and He did not arrive on time. In this part of our hearts we keep sadness, hurt and unforgiveness that we hold against the Lord. We move on with our lives, telling ourselves we will get over it and have other children, new friends, a new marriage, a new job, but if we keep something locked away, it rots and it smells bad.

Like the moth and rust which corrupts in the physical world, so issues kept hidden in our souls end up rotting. Unforgiveness turns our hearts sour. Anger turns to bitterness. Disappointment results in lack of faith. We say, "God did not do it then, so I cannot trust Him to do it now." No matter how many good answers to prayer we have had since the event was put in the tomb, there is always the "doubt" which holds us back, and the weight of that stone in our souls. Today Jesus says, "Take away the stone. Let that thing out, and let it live with Me now."

Today Jesus weeps as He did before the tomb of Lazarus. Why did He weep? Some thought it was out of love for Lazarus; but He knew He was going to bring him back to life, so it could not be that. Maybe it was out of His love for Mary and Martha; maybe His frustration at their lack of faith; or maybe He was sad at being blamed for being late. I do not know, but I do know He weeps today for those of us who still have the stone over a tomb in our hearts. I know today He is saying, "Remove the stone. Let out the thing that is rotting and beginning to smell." Today He is saying as He did at the tomb of Lazarus, "Take off the grave clothes and let it go" (John 11:44). Today He is saying, "My ways are not your ways, and My thoughts are not your thoughts."

I was beginning to understand, but yet I still felt the reaction of Mary and Martha was OK because they did receive their brother back. When I started this study, most of the people I was thinking about may not have a resurrection of those lost hopes. So I kept on asking and of course the Lord showed me the answer.

Take No Offense Toward God

Luke 7:20-23, "When the men came to Jesus, they said, 'John the Baptist sent us to You to ask, "Are You the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"' At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So He replied to the messengers, 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.'" The New King James Version says, "Who is not offended by Me."

Jesus came to set the captives free and John the Baptist knew that, but where was John? In prison; and we most likely suppose he was waiting for Jesus to set him free. Jesus' reply to John's disciples was to look at what God is doing and not look at what He isn't doing. We have the choice. John had the same choice. We can choose to look at what God is not doing and be disappointed and offended. Or we can choose to praise God for what He is doing and not dwell too long on what He is not doing. As we know, John never got out of prison. Why? We do not know. Jesus could have done it, couldn't He? He was God. But Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing. When Jesus heard what had happened to John, He went away on His own to talk to the Father.

Matthew 14:12, "John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place."

We do not hear that He asked "WHY?" Why is never a good question, because His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. We must trust Him and let Him deal with our disappointments. We must choose not to be offended. We must realize when we blame God for not doing what we wanted, it is tantamount to sin. And Jesus died to pay for our sins. His death allows us to be free of all that binds us. When we harbor those thoughts in our hearts, they rot and cause us problems in the future.

For a long time now the Church has been singing, "Lord, I give You my heart, I give You my life, I want to live for You..." and "Purify my heart...Refiner's Fire." But at the same time we have been saying, "But not this part of my heart, Lord; this stone has been there a long time and is too comfortable. If you move it, there will be a bad smell." I thought of the verse in Matthew where Jesus talks of "whitewashed tombs," and I saw for many of us, our hearts are pure--at least the parts we have allowed Him to have. Many hearts have been washed in His Blood, but there is still the stone. The first commandment Jesus speaks of is to "love the Lord your God with ALL your HEART."

It's time to move the stone.

Anne Elmer
Bestselling Author, Transported by the Lion of Judah
Email: anne.elmer@editionsdelasource.fr

Anne's Bio:

Anne and her husband Malgwyn were both born, brought up and married in the North of England, but after 16 years in a small Lancashire village, they moved to live just outside Paris, France, where they have had an open-home policy for many years, and where they now run a small Christian publishing company, publishing books in both English and French. Married for over 40 years, they have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. Together they are praying to have a Christian conference centre in the Paris region. Anne is the author of The ElijahList's best selling book, Transported by the Lion of Judah and has recently given up her job as a part-time English teacher to spend more time writing and expanding her ministry as an international speaker and author.

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

ElijahList Publications
310 2nd Ave SE,
Albany, OR 97321
www.elijahlist.com
email: info@elijahlist.net
Phone 1-541-926-3250

I'm a bit of a cynic

2008-02-14T21:50:00.000-08:00

Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real"

You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love.

You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart.

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!)

Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic

What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays

Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

(He is my )Everything

2008-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

You need to turn off my song (right side bar) before you hit play on the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyheJ480LYA

Storm Damage

2007-12-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

There is soooo much storm damage around here... you can't help seeing it on the news... but I wanted to share some pics of my ex-in-laws basement (we may be ex but we still love each other as if we weren't!)... there is a creek that runs alone and thru their property... it was too full for the culvert so it made a new path thru their yard... right down the little hill that leads to their basement, shattering one of the glass panes of the sliding glass door and cracking the other... BUT... They still HAVE their HOME... many around here lost everything they had...
The water presser was so great it toppled shelves that had crates of books and other things on them... carring some all the way outside.
we were able to save the Christmas decorations that were given to her by her mom before she passed away... some of them hand painted.... for that we are also VERY thankful!!!! Tomorrow the clean up begins in earnest!

Free Christmas printables

2007-11-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

Ten Two Studios has free holiday printables beginning December 1st. Every day from December 1st through Christmas, she'll post a new image on the calendar. the catch is that you must post a link to the countdown on your blog, web site, group or message board before you begin downloading. Just post your link here and just sit back and wait until December 1st. Have fun downloading your free printables!!! http://countdown.tentwostudios.com

Dust If You Must

2007-11-25T21:19:00.000-08:00

I got this in my in box... wanted to share it.
How many of us are just existing and not really living?

Dust If You Must
=================

How many countless hours have I spent cleaning? I used to spend
at least 8 to 12 hours every weekend making sure things were
just perfect, "in case someone came over." Then one day I
realized that no one came over; they were all out living life,
having fun!

Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the
"condition" of my home; they are more interested in hearing
about the things I've been doing while I was away living life
and enjoying it!

If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice:
Life is short - enjoy it while you can!
And people don't care if your house is spotless just as long as
they're welcome.

Dust if you must but wouldn't it be better,
To paint a picture or write a letter,
Bake a cake or plant a seed,
Ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must but there's not much time,
With rivers to swim and mountains to climb,
Music to hear and books to read,
Friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must but the world's out there
With the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
A flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must but bear in mind,
Old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go and go you must,
You, yourself, will make more dust.

Remember, a house becomes a home when you can write "I love you"
on the furniture!

~Author Unknown~

My new surprise

2007-11-15T23:16:00.000-08:00

This is what my daughter found as she walked into my kitchen....
My landlords, who by the way can't afford to put a new roof on my house because he got hurt and can't work, who are on a very tight budget because of it, who has to put their house up for sale in the spring, who have the other rentals on the market because they are hurting so bad financially, are in mexico for their annual vacation. I am soooooo ticked off it isn't even funny!!!!!!!!

so I guess they have just shown me once again that even tho I have been here for almost 10 years, and have never asked for anything, except when my laundry room did the same thing, I guess I still really don't mean shit to them.

BTW... I didn't know they went to Mexico until I called them to tell them about my rof... had to call the cell because there was no answer at their house. Ya know, my bed room was leaking really bad a couple months back... that is when she told me all of the stuff I said above... I actually felt bad for them... not any more.

I Believe

2007-10-21T22:03:00.001-07:00

I got this in an email... wanted to share.
The photo I took at Deception Pass Bridge...( in Washington state)

I Believe
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe
That just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I Believe
That it is taking a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words, it may be the last time you see them.

I Believe
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe
That money is a lousy way to keep score.

I Believe
That sometimes when I am angry I have a right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe
That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe
That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe
That the people you care about the most are taken from you much too soon.

I Believe
That life is more precious than money will ever be able to be.

For the Moms

2007-10-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

Forever in my heart

2007-10-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

I was working on word art for the yahoo group and I remembered this layout with the quote that I just had to share with them... (soon ladies)
I am really missing Jose' ... This quote was soooo true in their case... our case... just 8 short years he was in Cassie's life, ten short years in mine... It wasn't long enough... but I am thankful for the time we did have. He may not be here to hold his hand but he will forever be in our hearts.
I miss you my friend.

Oh what a difference a year makes

2007-09-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

As I was looking at photos yesterday I found last years Fair pictures....

Oh what a difference a year makes! Just one more reminder to cherish every moment! hmmm a new word art? Maybe!

Our fun week-end!

2007-09-17T22:24:00.001-07:00

I kept Cassie out of school today... so she had a 3 1/2 day weekend as I took her out early Friday so we could go to our friends and celebrate the Jewish new year with them... the first one we ever observed... and it was a BLAST!!! But today we did something fun too!!!! After we took my 2nd oldest to her Doctor's appt ( she is pregnant and due in March) we spent the day at the fair together... Shana, Hayley (my SGD), Cassie and I... We had soooo much fun but was pooped by the time we left (at about 9pm)... these are only a few of the pics I took.

I just LOVED the look here!!!!

and here!!!

I can barely tell this is Cassie... LOL... but she wore her flip flops...
notice the bare feet! No, She didn't lose em... I was holding them for her.

The 2nd to last ride of the night. I was tired and cold and didn't take any pics of the actual last ride they took together.Now it is back to the grind... school for her... lol.

pain .... Memories

2007-09-14T08:58:00.001-07:00

Here is another LO I did of pics I took during that ocean trip... I still pray that she will learn that she doesn't have to hold on to the pain to hold on to the memories.
I can't remember the font I used for the word art but it is a quote I will be re-doing for the yahoo group.
If you came to see the quote share I sent thru already scroll down to the last post.

My daughter's eyes

2007-09-14T08:35:00.001-07:00

I took this picture at Ocean Shores a few eeks after Cassie's Daddy went to Heaven... It was a very difficult time... It really still is especially for her... I finally got insurance and found a counselor for her... I met with him yesterday and she meets with him next Thursday... She has really been hurting the last few weeks and in tears a lot... his death anniversary (august 21) and his birthday just past on the 8th of September.

Credits:
Color Vision Page set by Mona Minnie
Word Art by me.

Oh Taste and See That The Lord Is GOOD

2007-09-06T08:25:00.001-07:00

I have to do an update here about the lesson learned from the wood. How ONLY The Father can take one devotional and one small act of obedience to bring more blessings.

My blessing was the wood itself.

After I got all the wood I kept looking at all the pressed board and asked the Lord how I was going to get rid of it... I had someone who said he could take it to the recycle place but I also knew, from experience, that could be a lonnnnnggggg time before it got taken away.

He told me to call my friends across the street to see if they could use it for anything. Her husband is in Cali right now so she said she would get back to me.
After awhile she told me that that wood was EXACTLY the kind of wood her husband had wanted to get to re-do something (she didn't know for sure) So they are taking all of it except the scrap pieces that are too small for anything! They were blessed from my blessing!

As I was sorting and stacking the wood it was almost overwhelming...I had been working on it all day and the day before.... so I was flat out getting tired but I wanted to get it done so if he brought some more then I would be ready..... I ask the Lord for the grace to do it and He gave it to me.... I then asked Him to send someone to help me stack it. He told me to call my son-in-law and offer to pay him to help. It wasn't very much but I couldn't think of how I could pay him... the Lord showed me how so I called him.

They couldn't be here until almost an hour by that time I had it completely sorted and as I looked at the pile I thought "I can do this myself, why did I even call him?" But I was impressed to just let them come and him help me. So I did. Come to find out my daughter had made a mistake when she added up the bills and they really needed the little bit of extra money but she wouldn't have just asked me for it, she is not like that... So...If I didn't have the wood then they wouldn't have that little bit of money.

To sum it up....

The wonderful man who gave me the wood doesn't have to pay to dump it (or have to use the gas to haul it 20 miles)
I have wood to last me about a month,
My friends have the wood to do what they wanted to do,
and my daughter and son-in-law have a little gas money,
One act of obedience, though totally ONLY THROUGH HIM ( I WOULD NOT HAVE LISTENED HAD HE NOT GIVEN ME THE GRACE), brought multiple blessings!!!!!

BTW... The pile was/ is Taken care of except a tiny bit of little pieces I need to find a container for...and a little pile that my neighbor is going to burn in his burn pit... it only took about 30 minutes after they go here.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!!!!

because you prayed, He came with deliverance; because you prayed, He came with provision.

2007-09-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

The other day I received an email with a teaching type thing in it... It read in part

"....So many times, we keep crying to God to open the gates of Heaven and send blessings, when we could simply open the gates we have and gather the blessings God's "already" caused to be left at our gates--when we prayed! But this takes action--we need to act, open the gates, step out in faith and believe God!

Nothing will happen that you do not pray for; but many times the blessings you prayed for are already at your gates. Because you prayed, they were sent to you; because you prayed, blessings were stored at your front door; because you prayed, He came with deliverance; because you prayed, He came with provision.

God will never answer a prayer that has not been made. But then again, God will never answer your prayers by sending quail flying into your camp already roasted! ( I LOVED THAT PART!!!!)

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Conrad Lampan
Revival Highway
Email: connect@revivalhighway.org

You can read all of the word given at this place.. It is REALLY GOOD and I saw alot I had never saw before!

http://www.elijahlist.com/words/html/textonly-090207-Lampan.html

Ok... so to get to my point... every winter that I have lived here (this will be my 9th I think) I have stressed over getting wood to burn as I only heat by my wood stove.. long story but the heaters are NOT good... anyway.... I many times have to chose between food etc and wood to keep us warm...
I didn't want to spend another winter living here and going through the stress... I just wanted to move... but without the funds I am facing another winter in this big, old and drafty house.
Yesterday I had to take my daughter to the store... as I was coming home I saw a huge trailer filled with scrap wood in someones yard. The Holy Spirit told me to stop and ask them if they were throwing it away and if I could have some... uuummmm yeah... NOT!!! I argued with Him... knowing I hardly ever ask for help because I have learned many times that if I do then I am either told no or made to feel like 2 inches tall for even asking... or I ask and they say yes but then don't follow through...
anyway... I came home... kept thing about it... but then I pushed it out of my mind... How could the Lord ask me to do something that was totally against everything in me. When I woke up Monday morning The Holy Spirit was at me again... telling me to go to that house... I again argued with Him.... He finally won... I got in the blazer... prayed all the way... said "If that is you Lord You need to give me the grace because I can't just go to some strangers house and ask them for their wood" He said that if I didn't listen I would miss my blessing... then He reminded me of the part of the word I read that
"we could simply open the gates we have and gather the blessings God's "already" caused to be left at our gates--when we prayed! But this takes action--we need to act, open the gates, step out in faith and believe God! "
That really got my attention... Knocking on their door WAS OPENING THE GATE.
After driving past their house a few times I pulled into the driveway... almost trembling, I knocked on the door... A little old lady came to the door... I asked and she said I could take what ever I wanted (her son is a contractor and it was all going to get dumped at a wood recycle place... he had to pay to dump it) ... I could only reach a little but her husband came to me and told me I could have some branches that he had cut up... I took the lumber I had loaded home... then went back for the branches...
The Lord told me to give them my name and address and tell them to tell their son that he could dump it at my house if he wanted... that I could use as much as was there and whatever I couldn't burn I would dispose of... like pressed board...
At any rate... their son came and dumped it my yard today (Tuesday) see pics...He also told me that he gets a trailer full like that about once a week...Of course I told him he could dump a few more here!!!
... After looking at the pile I knew there would be lots of work to do... sorting stacking cutting... I thought about all the work BUT I was NOT about to complain even though the dread started to come over me... Then The Holy Spirit reminded me of another part of the word I read...
"God will never answer a prayer that has not been made. But then again, God will never answer your prayers by sending quail flying into your camp already roasted!"

REMEMBER...
because you prayed, He came with deliverance;(He delivered me, at that moment, from the fear of asking strangers for something.. I may struggle again but for that moment anyway I was delivered) because you prayed, He came with provision. (He provided the wood for me to burn!!!)

I was thankful for the "quail" He had send me... and I am NOT about to complain about having to roast it!!!! HE IS SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!

If You made it this far... Thank you!!!

Daddy IS HOME!!!

2007-08-22T18:31:00.001-07:00

I have so many pics I want to get uploaded but since Daddy came home yesterday I want to get them up first.
The plane landed!

I couldn't resist the smile I saw across the tarmac!
Watching them hug brought tears to my eyes. They are so in love and they are finally together again... now more of a family.
He finally got to see his son in the flesh instead of just email pics!
Another tender moment.
He loves his daddy already! He couldn't keep his eyes off of him! And every time baby cried (even when Momma was holding him) all daddy had to do was hold him and he stopped!
That is all for now.

More pics

2007-08-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Blogger isn't really liking me today.. but I wanted to post some more pics... finally got it done.
Wish I could be working on my scrapbooking stuff but she doesn't have the proggies on her pc... soon I hope... she wants me to stay till her hubby gets home the 22nd... I guess we will have to see.
David is such a cutie... and so far he only cries when he is hungry or needs his diaper changed. She is a good Mommy... and very patient.
I miss you all and hope to be back soon.

David Miguel

2007-08-08T19:09:00.001-07:00

David Miguel ....
(Spanish form of David)
August 6, 2007
Born at 2:38 PM
(after less than 6 total hours of labor, including 38 minutes pushing.)
8lbs 15.2 oz
21 inches long.
He looks like his Daddy... except he has his momma's ears.

Livingroom Camping

2007-07-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

just wanted to show you what my living room looked like last night and this morning. :)
Cassie wanted to sleep in her tent... It has been cold and raining out... this was the next best thing.

just a pic

2007-07-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show you all the people... If you click the pic you will get a large pic and you can see all the people esp on the bridge itself.

Here is the color guard from the naval hospital at Bremerton. They came up behind us when we were crossing over from Gig Harbor.

Just an apology and an update

2007-07-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Before I say anything else I must ask a favor from you... If you believe in the power of prayer please pray for little miss Cassie... it has been almost 2 years (august 21) since her "Daddy" went to be with Jesus and she is REALLY struggling with missing him...The closer it gets the worse her grief is... now she can't even be at her sister's house with out crying for me.... I wish I could type here what she said to me the other day but I can't... lets just say it was a REAL eye opener for me. I need to find a grief counselor for her fast.

Sorry I have been away too long... and sorry to my list for not sending for a few days... thought I would get some rest BUT... spent the last 4 days driving through horrible bridge traffic. IF any of you live near the pudget sound... Tacoma really... you know exactly what I mean... they have been building a new bridge and traffic is horrible!!!
Anyway... Thursday i had to drive to aburn to babysit while my daughter went to an important appt. Left Cassie there to help her, was supposed to be until saturday but she was missing Mom so I had to go pick her up Friday afternoon instead... traffic is beyond horrible on Friday afternoons and evenings.
Saturday I had to drive back to aburn for a birthday party... sorry I can't show the birthday girl but she is one of Brandi's Foster children and it wouldn't be a good idea.

Then this morning we woke up early again and went and "walked" the new bridge. We started out on the Gig Harbor side and it wasn't very crowded.... everyone and their brother started out on the Tacoma side and soon there were tens of thousands of people!
We sure had a lot of fun!
We were just starting out on the Gig Harbor side... not many people.
Here cassie is "cutting the ribbon" Still not many people...
Still heading to the Tacoma side...Now we are on the Tacoma side... you can't tell here but there were thousands of people around us. I took more pics and will post more with the people later.
We FINALLY made it back to the Gig Harbor side and i had to take a few more pics on the bridge....
We watched history being made today and it will be something cassie will remember for the rest of her life.

I scrapped

2007-06-27T12:03:00.001-07:00

I finally did a LO with one of my templates.
For those of you on the list this is #63... which will come in a few days...
Kit used is "lilac Garden" by Miss mint http://www.peppermintcreative.com/ it is a freebie right now... IF you want it better hurry!

Grace mail and please pray for Sara

2007-06-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

I needed this today and thought I would share... my "grace mail"

"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." Jude 24-25, NASB

"Faithful is He who calls you and He will bring it to pass." 1 Thessalonians 5:24, NASB

Corrie Ten Boom stated this truth so succinctly: "In God's faithfulness lies eternal security." Erwin Lutzer, Pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, has said, "God's investment in us is so great He could not possibly abandon us."

If God can keep the universe going, if God can maintain the fixed order of the sun by day and the moon by night, then He is able to keep you! "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me..." Psalm 138:8a, NASB

Some 350 years ago William Secker wrote these words: "Though Christians be not kept altogether from falling, yet they are kept from falling altogether."

To subscribe to grace mail daily devotionals go here http://www.calvaryphx.com/ subscribe box is on the left side.

ALSO... PLEASE PRAY FOR SARA (and any others you know that suffer with depression)
http://simplysara.typepad.com/lifesimply/2007/05/being_down.html
I have a clue where she is... as I "live" there most of the time... It ISN'T a place I like to call home but I am afraid that is where many of us live.

I find myself in that fog again today after being overwhelmed by everything in my life yesterday. BUT GOD will see me through!

just Sharing some pics

2007-06-26T10:52:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share some pics.... you can see how downright disgusting the floor in that room was once the carpet was removed.... that is what took me so long to scrub :)
I used to always wonder why it was sooooo cold in the back bedroom during the winter....no matter how high we had the heat in there.... I found out.I put a good sized screwdriver straight back into that "crack" ... it went up to past the handle!
The white dripping down is the primer I used last time I painted the room.... I miss that green but it was time for a change.... and Cassie wanted pink. :)

After I removed the 2 sets of carpet tack strips.

The "crack" is now filled with the expandable foam stuff... hopefully it will be warmer in there IF I am still here next winter... or for who ever moves into here after I am gone.

Update on Cassie

2007-06-24T19:57:00.001-07:00

Some left comments and some sent emails wondering about Cassie and how I am doing.... so I decided I needed to give you one!

Cassie is doing wonderful! Just like it never happened! I know she remembers the pain but now all the pain is behind her... oh once in awhile she complains about a little pain by one of her 3 incision sites but for the most part she is pain free.
The top pic was taken the day after she came home... she was working on one of her artsy things she got while she was in the hospital.
The second pic was taken the other day... she wanted to help me prime the walls in her bedroom... so I let her.
Her room is pretty much done... just got to prime and paint the trim and base boards... but I will get to that someday.... she has most of her stuff moved back in and I will try to get before and after pics up soon... it was A LOT of work!!!! And I am burnt out on it... that is why the trim and base boards are waiting!

well.... lets see.... what else....
I have been very busy with things.
As I just said...I have just about got the back bedroom fixed so Cassie can move back into it... actually she pretty much has... I don't remember if I told you but when we had that big storm in December a branch went through the roof... the water destroyed the ceiling, the carpet and a bed that was in there... well, I have been waiting for 6 months now for the landlords to fix the room... the carpet got torn out so there is only a wood floor in there... and it is NOT in good shape at all... They decided they were not going to replace the carpet, so i had to tear out the carpet tack strips and remove many staples from the floor itself.... the floor was VERY dirty and grimmy and just plain yucky!!!! I spent 5 hours the other day scrubbing and scraping the gunk off the floor... so now when you walk in there the floor feels clean and smooth instead of yuck! It still isn't pretty but it is clean. We now have 2 big rugs in there.
Before I worked on the floor I primed and painted the walls and the window frames. So I really have been doing things but not really getting a whole lot of what I really want to be doing done. I worked going though and sorting stuff last night in the "storage" room upstairs... I REALLY want to have a yard sale and get rid of stuff that I no longer want or need so that WHEN God releases me from this house I will be ready... it is sooooo time for me to get out of here.... they don't do a whole lot even after I tell them... besides the back bedroom being messed up, I have a leak in my bedroom ceiling, my living room ceiling and one in my kitchen above the side window... they know about all of them but haven't done a thing to fix them! I guess since they don't gush water... except the kitchen one ( I have to put bath towels down when it rains)... they assume I am just fine and happy to live this way. The one in the bedroom ruined a couple pictures I had hanging on my wall and is now spreading further into the room.

So all I can say is for me it is time... but I don't know where I am supposed to move to (you know where it would be if it were my choice, burlington or Mt. Vernon) nor do I have the finances to move... that is one reason I want to have the yard sale... to help with that.

It is funny... in the last few weeks my blazer window broke so I can't roll it up or down, my microwave went out, my lawn mower broke, my dryer has broke and now the blazer's has problems with the steering wheel/ignition.... BUT for now I am doing OK I think... Oh I have my moments especially when I have to do something that a husband normally does... some things that a very hard for me to physically do... but I think I am OK.

Now that I have written you a book and probably put you to sleep I need to get off the pc and get some more stuff done.
So... there is the update... probably more than you all wanted to know!
Hugs to you all!!!!

Psalm 139

2007-06-09T11:20:00.000-07:00

As some of you know I have been dealing with a lot of depression lately. And wondering what it is all about... why I keep going into this place... and why I haven't been able to stay out of it.

Many sent me emails of encouragement and many left me comments on 4 shared.... but Someone sent me an email that really helped me to look at it a different way... a way I had known before but had forgotten because I had taken my eyes off of the Lord and became hard of hearing because I was blocking off everything and focusing on "me" and what "I" was feeling.
She said...

"God has many purposes for us all..even those of us who suffer in mental pain an anguish...some times..I think we must bear the Lord's pain..for him..as..there is to much suffering in his world...and that it is a priveledge..he gives us ..because he knows..our faith is undying in him...."

So many times I have been reminded that we share in the sufferings of Christ... and we share in the sufferings of those He created, those He loves. How can we ever feel compassion for someone else if we never experience the pain they feel? How can we ever REALLY reach out in love to help someone if we have never needed someone to reach out in love towards us? Our pain, our sorrow, our suffering is NOTHING compared to what He endured BUT it IS REAL, and even as we are going through it we CAN reach out to others suffering... and we can go to our knees and lift THEM to the Father's throne... AS we pray for them He brings our healing also.
We need to remember, and be reminded sometimes... this really is NOT about us! we may be experiencing the pain at the moment but there is a world FULL of people going through their own pain... may we look beyond OUR pain and bring some comfort to others... May we comfort them with the comfort we have been comforted with.

And just awhile ago The Holy Spirit impressed upon me to re-read the following scripture.... may it bring comfort to someone reading it... as it did to me! When the darkness seems to cover every aspect of our life may we REMEMBER that The Lord is right there with us! He said He would NEVER, NO NEVER leave us or forsake us! May we remember that he descended into the dark places of this earth but He came OUT!!!! May we remember that we are MORE than conquerers through Him who loves us... and may we remember... that GREATER is HE who IS IN us than he that is in the world.
As you read the following passage... think about what The Holy Spirit is saying TO YOU...

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

...

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Every Day is a Precious Gift

2007-05-28T17:10:00.000-07:00

After our recent experiences with Cassie I saw this word art by Lindsay Jane... I knew I had to do a Layout with a pic of Cassie after she came home from the hospital.... Every day is truely a precious gift!
Just yesterday, a 17 yr old girl died about a block away from my home... and one of my friends lost his cousin in a head on collision... you just never know how fast someone can be gone from you...
I am soooo blessed that Cassie made it through her ordeal, that her heart is still beating and there is breath in her body... Though today she is back to being a kid... back to being a 10 yr old going on 20... I need to remind myself but for the GRACE of GOD she would not be here... For IT WAS INDEED The FATHER who saved her life....

Here she is playing with her Brother in law Tom and her nieces yesterday at her sister's baby shower.

Word Art by Lindsay Jane

http://lindsayjanedesigns.blogspot.com/

Kit: by Rina: Imagine

Not a freebie but BEAUTIFUL! Available here:

http://store.scrapbook-elements.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6794

template by Me

The Fern and the Bamboo

2007-05-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

I got this in my inbox... wanted to share with you... if you are like me, you have those days when you need a reminder.

THE FERN AND THE BAMBOO

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality....

I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me.

"Look around", He said.

"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light. I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

The same in year four.

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling,

you have actually been growing roots?

I would not quit on the bamboo.. I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.

"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

"Your time will come", God said to me.

"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?"

He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned "Yes." He said,

"Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me.

And He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness;

bad days give you experiences;

both are essential to life.

Author Unknown

Canvas Texture overlay

2007-05-21T20:06:00.001-07:00

This is the next overlay I have for you... it is canvas.
http://www.4shared.com/file/16024934/28b3dfb3/HRMR_Canvas_Overlay.html

I am still not up to par from my weekend... guess it was too relaxing with my friends! It was really a good weekend with them and with the Lord... I just really didn't want to come home! OH well... I am home.
Hope you can use the overlay. again... click on the pick to get a close up.

a quick note

2007-05-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

I will be away from the PC in a few hours until Sunday night sometime... you can still send requests to join the yahoo group and I will deal with them when I get back...
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

Just Sharing

2007-05-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Cassie (My 10 yr old) got a blow-up bed for her birthday... Why? I don't have a clue but I know she LOVES it!
Anyway... last night my sweet granddaughter spent the night... they had a lot of laughs... they decided to blow up the bed then buried each other with my throw pillows.... (there wasn't any sand to bury each other in!)

But this was my favorite shot... they were both soooo cute and sleeping pretty much in the same position... I just couldn't resist!!!! The flash didn't even wake them up!

just a short note

2007-05-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

I got an email and I wanted to share part of it....

"I get very sad when I see on 4shared hundreds of downloads and only a couple people say thanks. It really isn't hard and like you said you can do it while waiting.

Anyway, THANKS for all you do, there really are people out here who are grateful for designers like you who share their talents with people like us!!!!!"

and another one:

"I try to leave comments when I download freebies. I'm not really sure how the blogger name thing works since I have a google account and not a blog. I am pretty sure I've left you a comment on 4-shared under the name @#%$&. I think your 4X6 templates are awesome! I can understand your frustration at people not leaving thanks for what you give. I know I am going to make extra effort to thank every single scrapper that shares with others. Thanks for sharing your talent and also for being bold enough to stand up to rudeness. "

I am posting these because I have only gotten two RUDE comments... probably from the same person.... who didn't even use their real names. AND Their opinions about HOW I share my freebies or why I share them doesn't matter.
Does EVERYONE who downloads leave a comment now? NO... but that wasn't the WHOLE point... but as another blogger wrote me in an email... maybe the person being so rude was feeling a little guilty? Maybe.... I just don't care anymore.

THANKS EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!... As someone else put it to me...

"...don't let them silly people in your garden...they will grow like weeds honey...your to beautiful...for that...I got a few dandelions in my garden too..smiles....that is part of their game plan...I am sure..upsetting people....."

That is sure something to think about!
HUGS everyone!!! Have a WONDERFUL EVENING/Day (which ever it is)!!!!

For a good laugh

2007-05-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

If you want a GOOD LAUGH....You have got to go read this post!!!!
As a mother to 4 daughters this means alot!!!!!
http://photojenic.wordpress.com/2007/05/16/first-dates/

BURLAP texture Overlay

2007-05-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Again... pink paper is just to show the texture... and click on pic to get a close up view.

PW is bluebells

http://www.4shared.com/file/16024914/1a85bd31/HRMR_Burlap_Overlay.html

New Texture Overlays

2007-05-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

although all of my texture overlays will be shared through my yahoo group I decided to share a few on my blog.
This one is Berber... click on the pic for a better example. Pink paper is NOT included and is only used to show the texture.

http://www.4shared.com/file/16024844/66302343/HRMR_Berber_Overlay.html
Password for these is bluebells

A Note EDITED!!!!!

2007-05-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

THIS NOTE IS FOR THOSE WHO NEVER LEFT A COMMENT ON 4SHARED OR ON MY BLOG.... OR SHARED MY LINKS THOUGH OTHER GROUPS!!!!!!!!
ALL of you who left even one comment, or NEVER shared my links, can ignore this
At the risk of sounding like a B@$#%... I started the yahoo group to share my templates (and other creations) with those who actually at least said thank you EVEN ONE TIME on my blog or one 4shared, and to TRY to keep my stuff from being shared with others that didn't even come to the blog.

I make these freebies so they are mine to give as I see fit... just as it is for everyone who makes and gives... if you don't like what I have done go somewhere else... there are plenty of freebies elsewhere.
As I posted before... IF YOU HAVE LEFT COMMENTS PLEASE GIVE ME THE NAME OR INITIALS YOU LEFT THE COMMENTS WITH... THERE WERE A FEW THAT LEFT THEM EVERY POST... SOME THAT LEFT THEM MOST THE TIME... AND SOME THAT LEFT THEM ONCE OR TWICE. they are the ones I want to keep giving to. And THEY ARE THE REASON I AM STILL MAKING THE TEMPLATES... IF IT WEREN'T FOR THEM I WOULD ONLY BE SHARING WITH MY FRIENDS.
so with that.... If what I have said upsets you or offends you... I am truly sorry... but as I read other peoples blogs that offer freebies it is really ticking me off that soooooo many can't even take the 2 seconds it takes on 4shared to leave a comment while the file loads, even those on dial up can do... I KNOW I DID and many others do it ALL THE TIME. people put lots of time and energy into making the freebies and are very giving people and sooooo many just hit the download and for get their manners!!!!!!

Don't come here to MY blog whining and posting/ or try to post a nasty comment... MY BLOG I will have it set up how I WANT... my freebies... I will GIVE THEM HOW I WANT!!!

My Favorite present

2007-05-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

I got some really good presents for Mother's day... and some beautiful flowers... some roses, lilies, and the above lilacs (and something else) ... they were picked by hand and arranged by my 10 yr old. I just love the thought and love that she put into it! (NOT THAT I AM DISCOUNTING THE OTHERS AT ALL!)... these really touched my heart.

A Mother's Beatitudes

2007-05-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

A Mother's Beatitudes

· Blessed is the mother who understands her child, for she shall inherit a kingdom of memories.
· Blessed is the mother who knows how to comfort, for she shall possess a child's devotion.
· Blessed is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness, for she shall be proud of her offspring.
· Blessed is the mother who is never shocked, for she shall receive confidences.
· Blessed is the mother who teaches respect, for she shall be respected.
· Blessed is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes the bad, for in like manner the child himself shall make evaluations.
· Blessed is the mother who treats her child as she would be treated, for her home shall be filled with happiness.
· Blessed is the mother who answers simply the startling questions, for she shall always be trusted.
· Blessed is the mother who has character strong enough to withstand the thoughtless remarks and resentments of the growing child,
for, in due time, she shall be honored.
Leonora Zearfoss

Need Email addys

2007-05-11T18:17:00.000-07:00

I have started a yahoo group.... If you would like to join PLEASE send me an email to the addy below. it will be faster that way, I won't have to go searching for email addys. If you have psoted comments on my blog or 4shared please, in the email, type the name you have left those comments under... THANKS.

designsbyhilmarose@yahoo.com

do not just leave a comment here... I need to email addy to send the invites.
or you can go to the home page and request to join... which may take longer because I am approving everyone who requests to join.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/designs_by_Hilmarose

If you just leave a comment on the post about the yahoo group and don't have a blog I won't be able to send an invite to the group.... please send me an email at the addy below... THANKS

Sweetheaven
Tamsen,
educ8ed1
and
Eve
I need your email addresses...
Please email me at

Designsbyhilmarose @ Yahoo.com (without spaces)

Question

2007-05-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

I am considering starting a yahoo group or google group... If you are interested please email me at designsbyhilmarose at yahoo.com
Those that take the time to email will be the first to get approved if they want to join. In the future this may be the only way to get my stuff.
So if you are interested then let me know.