Monday, November 28, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
fall update
all of today's beadwork photo uploads were finished right at the beginning of November for a conference in Kansas City at UMKC, where i had a booth space. (i photographed them as i finished them but only now uploaded them to Flickr and here on the blog; facebook usually gets priority when i finish beadwork. i'm trying to be more organized this month now that the "conference rush" is over with.)
also working on some Christmas beadwork orders for some friends, along with my usual gifts.
the dogwood blossom pins are the most popular item this season.
as for me personally i'm still forging ahead with the weightloss (currently i've lost 120 lbs. Praise God!)
i'm still struggling with the diabetes, arthritis and the neuropathy, along with the meds. its one "battle" at a time most days.
Thank God for my prayer circle too, they've been a tremendous encouragement in every way to me and the Lord's bringing me through His Healing Grace moment by moment.
also working on some Christmas beadwork orders for some friends, along with my usual gifts.
the dogwood blossom pins are the most popular item this season.
as for me personally i'm still forging ahead with the weightloss (currently i've lost 120 lbs. Praise God!)
i'm still struggling with the diabetes, arthritis and the neuropathy, along with the meds. its one "battle" at a time most days.
Thank God for my prayer circle too, they've been a tremendous encouragement in every way to me and the Lord's bringing me through His Healing Grace moment by moment.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Can people see the Love of Christ through you...?
Can people see the Love of Christ through you by how you "act" online?
often I have to double-check my online behaviour whenever I get convicted by the Holy Spirit about this. trust me, there is a sick pleasure in ranting & complaining about every little thing that makes my blood boil. (i'm already on high blood pressure meds too) usually for selfish, self-absorbed reasons I believed the whole online world needed to know every piece of poisonous drivel that floated through my mind, on every conceivable topic.
right.
it's been a little over 20 years since i first got convicted of this type of angry, bitter behaviour of mine and whenever I start slipping back into that old habit, that's when the Holy Spirit brings up that moment to me.
I was in high school and talking to a girl at school, complaining about something and cursing up a storm in the process. A few minutes later the subject was changed and we started talking about religion, that's when i casually mentioned i was a Christian. The girl i was talking to stopped in her tracks and said, "i couldn't tell you were a Christian, i never would've guessed by the way you talk."
OUCH!
i pretty much stopped talking right then and there. i don't even remember what happened the rest of that day because of how LOUD the conviction was of my own behaviour then.
i didn't have an online transcript/history to refer to back then, not like i do now. but that online written history of mine does help me look at my behaviour more accurately too.
i also have to take little "breathers" from social networks and blogs when i notice that i'm slipping back into the old behaviour. Praying before i post always helps me to avoid the knee-jerk reaction/impulsive ranting to anything.
i'm not perfect....not by a long shot, but it's a great reminder to me to act more Christ-like, even online.
often I have to double-check my online behaviour whenever I get convicted by the Holy Spirit about this. trust me, there is a sick pleasure in ranting & complaining about every little thing that makes my blood boil. (i'm already on high blood pressure meds too) usually for selfish, self-absorbed reasons I believed the whole online world needed to know every piece of poisonous drivel that floated through my mind, on every conceivable topic.
right.
it's been a little over 20 years since i first got convicted of this type of angry, bitter behaviour of mine and whenever I start slipping back into that old habit, that's when the Holy Spirit brings up that moment to me.
I was in high school and talking to a girl at school, complaining about something and cursing up a storm in the process. A few minutes later the subject was changed and we started talking about religion, that's when i casually mentioned i was a Christian. The girl i was talking to stopped in her tracks and said, "i couldn't tell you were a Christian, i never would've guessed by the way you talk."
OUCH!
i pretty much stopped talking right then and there. i don't even remember what happened the rest of that day because of how LOUD the conviction was of my own behaviour then.
i didn't have an online transcript/history to refer to back then, not like i do now. but that online written history of mine does help me look at my behaviour more accurately too.
i also have to take little "breathers" from social networks and blogs when i notice that i'm slipping back into the old behaviour. Praying before i post always helps me to avoid the knee-jerk reaction/impulsive ranting to anything.
i'm not perfect....not by a long shot, but it's a great reminder to me to act more Christ-like, even online.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
penny pendant
framed a penny with copper colored seed beads (size 11) using brick stitch; strung on a black satin cord.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
sunset (6.22.2011)
this was taken from the parking lot of Lakewood Truman hospital, yesterday.
had i not gone to the ER for some bruised ribs i would've completely missed out on this view and the photo opportunity itself.
so yes, thank you Lord for this sunset and for getting me through a very long night in the ER.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
conviction
yes it's my own conviction, but i thought i'd share it anyways.
i had noticed a pattern of emails to a friend of mine over the last 3 months, and how last month had changed dramatically. the first 2 months were normal amounts of emails; about once or twice a week totalling 5-6 emails per month. then in May it jumped to nearly 25 emails...which averages out to almost 1 per day; and on some weeks it was that way.
my first thought when i looked at the totals was, "wow May really sucked!" for both of us; me for all of the emails i had sent to my friend and for my friend who endured all of it.
that number kept coming back to me in my head too all weekend long.
what's weird is that i had got convicted of it a few weeks ago and had tried to apologize to my friend about bombarding him with my emails. well, his response was that i never bombarded him and to not feel guilty about it; that i was simply sharing about the prayer ministry work as part of a believer in Christ. and that it's always good to do so as part of the Body of Christ.
but then more spiritual attacks ensued and the emails kept pouring forth.
so now, here i am, again feeling convicted about grieving the Holy Spirit by not bringing all of this (my problems and prayer requests) to Him first. and at many times to Him alone. i'm still asking for clarity from the Holy Spirit on this one as well because the enemy can do a really slick number on you when it comes to guilt. using guilt as a tool to keep you from doing the Work of the Lord.
i haven't said anything to my friend yet about this second conviction. but i am making a change in my approach. both to emails to all of my prayer partners and my prayer walk with the Lord. bottom line the LORD has to come first. everything else comes second and NOT in a complaining tone or heart attitude.
there was something else the LORD had said to me that's been sticking out in my mind and that's this:
"when are you gonna stop confessing everyone else's sins?"
OUCH!
of course He's right, but yeah another thing that's gotta change.
i had noticed a pattern of emails to a friend of mine over the last 3 months, and how last month had changed dramatically. the first 2 months were normal amounts of emails; about once or twice a week totalling 5-6 emails per month. then in May it jumped to nearly 25 emails...which averages out to almost 1 per day; and on some weeks it was that way.
my first thought when i looked at the totals was, "wow May really sucked!" for both of us; me for all of the emails i had sent to my friend and for my friend who endured all of it.
that number kept coming back to me in my head too all weekend long.
what's weird is that i had got convicted of it a few weeks ago and had tried to apologize to my friend about bombarding him with my emails. well, his response was that i never bombarded him and to not feel guilty about it; that i was simply sharing about the prayer ministry work as part of a believer in Christ. and that it's always good to do so as part of the Body of Christ.
but then more spiritual attacks ensued and the emails kept pouring forth.
so now, here i am, again feeling convicted about grieving the Holy Spirit by not bringing all of this (my problems and prayer requests) to Him first. and at many times to Him alone. i'm still asking for clarity from the Holy Spirit on this one as well because the enemy can do a really slick number on you when it comes to guilt. using guilt as a tool to keep you from doing the Work of the Lord.
i haven't said anything to my friend yet about this second conviction. but i am making a change in my approach. both to emails to all of my prayer partners and my prayer walk with the Lord. bottom line the LORD has to come first. everything else comes second and NOT in a complaining tone or heart attitude.
there was something else the LORD had said to me that's been sticking out in my mind and that's this:
"when are you gonna stop confessing everyone else's sins?"
OUCH!
of course He's right, but yeah another thing that's gotta change.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Priest Child Porn Case
Diocese Faces a Lawsuit and Other Criticisms Over Priest Child Porn Case
still praying over this case and the issues themselves.
still praying over this case and the issues themselves.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
thank you (prayer)
Thank You LORD for this Blessing you've sent into my life,
my friend,
my prayer partner,
my fellow believer,
my teacher,
and mentor.
Thank You LORD for speaking through them,
when I needed your instruction and advice.
Thank You LORD for working through them,
when I needed to see Your example being lived out.
Thank You LORD for blessing them
when I needed to know how to give & receive Your blessings.
I am truly thankful and greatful to our LORD for you,
for the gifted and loving Blessing that you are.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
my friend,
my prayer partner,
my fellow believer,
my teacher,
and mentor.
Thank You LORD for speaking through them,
when I needed your instruction and advice.
Thank You LORD for working through them,
when I needed to see Your example being lived out.
Thank You LORD for blessing them
when I needed to know how to give & receive Your blessings.
I am truly thankful and greatful to our LORD for you,
for the gifted and loving Blessing that you are.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessing prayer
May the Lord pour out His Spirit on you,
filling every area of your heart,
spreading to every person that you meet,
resounding in every word that you speak,
reflecting in every thought that you think,
directing you in every step that you walk,
protecting you in every place that you are,
teaching you, correcting you, loving you,
shaping you and growing you
into the creation after His own heart,
the true and wonderful blessing that you are.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
filling every area of your heart,
spreading to every person that you meet,
resounding in every word that you speak,
reflecting in every thought that you think,
directing you in every step that you walk,
protecting you in every place that you are,
teaching you, correcting you, loving you,
shaping you and growing you
into the creation after His own heart,
the true and wonderful blessing that you are.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
reading marathon
i still plan on creating a beaded clematis design and making the beadwork itself...eventually.
currently i'm in the middle of a reading marathon, if you will; reading 5 different books at the moment. yes, i love a challenge.
3 books are from the Biblical Legacy series by Henry Blackaby; lessons from the life of Paul, Samuel & Mary. the 4th book, Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. and the 5th book is one i just purchased (on a whim), The Grace of Catastrophe by Jan Winebrenner.
i'm still doing the prayerwalk through the neighborhoods between the convent and the elementary school too.
currently i'm in the middle of a reading marathon, if you will; reading 5 different books at the moment. yes, i love a challenge.
3 books are from the Biblical Legacy series by Henry Blackaby; lessons from the life of Paul, Samuel & Mary. the 4th book, Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. and the 5th book is one i just purchased (on a whim), The Grace of Catastrophe by Jan Winebrenner.
i'm still doing the prayerwalk through the neighborhoods between the convent and the elementary school too.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
wine clematis
from the same garden as the purple clematis that i photograped earlier; these wine-colored ones are on the other side of the trellis-archway
another bead artist I admire
i have a new favorite bead artist to add to my list of rockstars, if you will....Joyce J. Scott
caught an episode of Craft In America tonight on PBS and her work just blew me away.
http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_fiber/story_269.php
she combines beadwork, sculpture, quilting and glasswork while creating pieces that deal with current social & racial issues...an artist after my own heart.
caught an episode of Craft In America tonight on PBS and her work just blew me away.
http://www.craftinamerica.org/artists_fiber/story_269.php
she combines beadwork, sculpture, quilting and glasswork while creating pieces that deal with current social & racial issues...an artist after my own heart.
prayer and research
I'm still following the local priest's case as closely as I can online, but I've also began a great deal of research into abuse itself, particularly by the church and other organizations of influence &/or authority. Epidemic....or Pandemic is all I can say on how much has occurred. *shakes head*
At any rate, I'm forging ahead through all of it and still keeping everyone involved in these cases in my prayers.
At any rate, I'm forging ahead through all of it and still keeping everyone involved in these cases in my prayers.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
neighbors
the other thing that happened wednesday, besides the discovery of the orphan kitten outside my door is the drama unfolding next door at the convent.
*sighs*
it made the local news and that's how i learned of it too; a priest, that was living next door at the convent, was arrested & charged with possession of child pornography.
for about half a day i was speechless...and then the words started pouring out of me, and mostly to my good friend & pastor via emails.
he's been a great listener and friend to me over the years, even more so recently with all of the drama i've been dealing with.
i can feel that something productive and effective is about to happen within the Church very soon in light of this current trouble with my catholic neighbors.
i'm prayerful and hopeful that we as the Church can learn from this and become more prepared and take even more preventative steps in protecting children & families from abusive behaviour.
*sighs*
it made the local news and that's how i learned of it too; a priest, that was living next door at the convent, was arrested & charged with possession of child pornography.
for about half a day i was speechless...and then the words started pouring out of me, and mostly to my good friend & pastor via emails.
he's been a great listener and friend to me over the years, even more so recently with all of the drama i've been dealing with.
i can feel that something productive and effective is about to happen within the Church very soon in light of this current trouble with my catholic neighbors.
i'm prayerful and hopeful that we as the Church can learn from this and become more prepared and take even more preventative steps in protecting children & families from abusive behaviour.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
the "cuteness factor"
I'm pretty certain it's something God put in every woman to be "drawn out" by the cries of a baby, or a kitten, or a puppy, or any kind of small helpless creature that hits that "mother" button in all of us, no matter what age we are.
I've always had a soft spot for animals, since I was little.
*shakes head*
That's how we get "hooked" into caring for them. Call it compassion, sympathy, "the cuteness factor", or being such a girl, it's still highly effective whatever you label it as.
At any rate, here's the little girl I found outside my house, sitting in the middle of the street, crying at the top of her lungs:
oh and if you would like to adopt her just message me on Facebook or email me: angielina74@yahoo.com
I've always had a soft spot for animals, since I was little.
*shakes head*
That's how we get "hooked" into caring for them. Call it compassion, sympathy, "the cuteness factor", or being such a girl, it's still highly effective whatever you label it as.
At any rate, here's the little girl I found outside my house, sitting in the middle of the street, crying at the top of her lungs:
oh and if you would like to adopt her just message me on Facebook or email me: angielina74@yahoo.com
Monday, May 16, 2011
purple flower
found this on the way to the library this afternoon. no idea what kind it is but i'm in love with the color naturally.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
the challenge ahead
the challenge (personally) is giving my current "discouragements" over to the LORD.
i don't know why i have it stuck in my head that if i keep voicing my opinion that it will matter or that i will somehow persuade it into the outcome that i want to happen. *shakes head*
pride perhaps.
so yes, take this spirit of discouragement from me LORD and help me to find Rest in YOU LORD.
i don't know why i have it stuck in my head that if i keep voicing my opinion that it will matter or that i will somehow persuade it into the outcome that i want to happen. *shakes head*
pride perhaps.
so yes, take this spirit of discouragement from me LORD and help me to find Rest in YOU LORD.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
new phone & other news
my wonderfully generous sister sylvia blessed me (& both of our parents) with new cell phones yesterday!
i can't stop playing with the darn thing either *giggles* i love my new toy!
thank you LORD! thank you LORD! thank you LORD! for blessing me with an awesome sister, who in turn blessed me with an awesome gift & just in YOUR perfect timing too (of course)
going to a ladies luncheon in a little while; can't wait to see allison foreman again, plus all of the other wonderful women of God.
i can't stop playing with the darn thing either *giggles* i love my new toy!
thank you LORD! thank you LORD! thank you LORD! for blessing me with an awesome sister, who in turn blessed me with an awesome gift & just in YOUR perfect timing too (of course)
going to a ladies luncheon in a little while; can't wait to see allison foreman again, plus all of the other wonderful women of God.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
still beading, praying and waiting
that's it in a nutshell. I'm still here, still doing beadwork almost everyday, still praying and studying the Word, along with creating new beadwork designs (when inspired to do so); still dealing with the Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet and legs; still working on my weightloss (-77 lbs to date); still unemployed since mid-June of last year, with little to no income these days.....yes my FAITH is getting a complete and total workout this past year.
you could say at the very least I'm getting STRETCHED within my Faith in God.
especially when it comes to being 'still' and 'waiting on God and His timing'...wow does that hurt somedays. Especially when I'm constantly resisting the temptation of old bad patterns and habits, like self-medicating with almost anything especially food or painkillers.
I know it's worth it, getting through to the otherside of whatever HE has in store for me.
you could say at the very least I'm getting STRETCHED within my Faith in God.
especially when it comes to being 'still' and 'waiting on God and His timing'...wow does that hurt somedays. Especially when I'm constantly resisting the temptation of old bad patterns and habits, like self-medicating with almost anything especially food or painkillers.
I know it's worth it, getting through to the otherside of whatever HE has in store for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)