Create Smiles Laughter

Ready Or Not

2011-08-12T14:38:00.000-04:00

Seven years ago I started reading a book by Tony Evans Called Totally Saved. For what ever reason I did not finish this book only God knows. I was asking myself while I was getting ready for vacation hmm, what book to take? I pull the tote filled with books from under the bed out falls Totally Saved, Okay? really God? Now after seven long years of holding on to this book? Really? You want me to read it now? Was I ready to read this book? Hmm only time would tell. Once again, I started to read thinking am I truly Saved? My answer is Yes. I knew that I accepted his gift with open arms, after all nobody else in my life that I have a relationship with would send their only son to Die for me on the cross. It just might give me a better understanding of my life. Being Totally Saved is a True gift. While I love to be creative, I don't see myself as a Teacher NO WAY NOT ME GOD!! Why are you sending these people to me? Why are they asking me to start teaching them things during Central Crafters? Okay Run, Hurry up run away, Ha ha now you are really showing me your Humor God. Really you have have to send the Pastor's Wife also the Head honcho for Children's Ministry after me to Make your point clear? me help? with Crafts For Kids Camp! Am I ready for this? Ready or Not Can I tell you that Kids Camp Pandamania Changed my life once again. I was filled with fear doubt also oh no what if I'm a failure? Am I ready to get in front of these Kids of God's, to share with them what a gift his salvation really is. That it's the only gift I know of that no one can physically see it or take it away! I was to busy trying to change myself instead of letting God Change me into the person he has desined me to be. I failed to see that it did not matter if I was ready or not God was ready. He was the one that gave me strength, also when I messed up one night's bible point he gave me the Humor to start over, the kids thaought that was great!!
1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Only Jesus can save us so why do we waste so much time trying to change ourselves? Ready or not? Today I can say I'm ready.

Inspired by wisdom

2011-05-21T09:53:00.000-04:00

I alway thought I knew about wisdom, well maybe I'm just learning a little bit more about it these days. As I look back over the last three years of being a part of the inspired Artist workshops I have realized that I have grown so much in so many ways. How do I thank all of the Men & Women that have touched my life in some way. DONNA & BILL get first shout out!! Some don't know the story so I'll share a little of my world, I have always loved basketball thank God all three of my sons did as well that is how I came to meet Donna & Bill. Bill's Dad and Uncle know my husband. Found this out by reading Simple Scrapbboks Magizine where I first started following Donna. I was amazed at what she was doing deep in my heart I had so many of the same ideas stiring inside of me, adding diffrent media into scrapbooking but was such a coward. First year of Inspired Was all ready to roll and I heard this voice Nope not now, well we lost my Mother In law that January so I said nope just can't do it.
Second year I'm pumped nothing is stopping me!! Even though again Death knocked at my door with the loss of my own Dad I had to do Inspired. So Joey & I check in Joey goes to the room I go to the lobby to wait to saee if I see Donna Instead I see this woman with this Huge smile walking towards me and asks me if I am here for Inspired. Yup now my great friend Mac. Later Joey and I meet Donna & Bill. I was so excited, felt so blessed by their hospitallity most of all for getting to know Donna later that night as I walked through the hallways by myself headed back to my room Donna Grabbed my hand and said come Share our story of how we met. Not my Story she said our's I felt such a bond from that moment on several hours, giggles, laughs, smiles later I made it back to my room with only a few hours to sleep. In my first class I meet up with Lotty & Katherine. They knew my weakness right away fear of taking Classes and not being as good or worthy? Sound like something you may have expierenced on some level hey? Well then as the day went On I meet the Sweetest Mother Daughter Team Mary & Catherine. So now I have a new Mom & Sister how darn awesome is that. Classes are going fine then I come to this sweet ladies class with CC Cookies Yup Stephanie Ackerman's Class so I'm sitting there doing fine then I start to panic thinking is this right Im sitting here having fun We Lost my MIL my Dad then to boot My FIL is battling cancer too? I had a total melt down trying to compose myself as Lotty and Katherine are helping me Stephanie Stands right next to me, whispers breathe your doing fine, I shared with her what was going on with me hestiantly glad I did though. After that class I took a breather went to the bar had lunch with Joe I ate sooo much yummy Nope not at all I over ate... Story of my life...that's another time. So then it's time for the next class I get seperated Lotty & Katherine so I'm in panic mode once again Until I see this Blonde there she was the lady from the Lobby darn what's her name I thought whew she calls me over to the table, rest is history for that year. Really year three and Im still going back for more Inspired?
I m feeling somewhat nervous once again I walk into Stephanie's class sit Down and she walks up to me and say's MaryElla how is your Father In Law? Gives me a big hug and shares some wisdom with me. Love you Stephanie!! I go to this jewerly class whereI really don't think I know anyone and Detria & cameron call me to there table two of the sweetest gals. Okay now Im in the Mosaic class, Im totally panicing once again I know what Im doing but fear is settling in, when out of no where this geourgous young lady steps up to me and puts her hand on my back lean in say's its okay I get it, she ask's me can I show you something? I'm Like sure she does exactly what I was afraid to do makes different stitch desins on My Mosaic thanks Bree Love you to pieces. Then In the Suze's Class along with Mac and Bree I meet this amzing gal standing on a chair making everyone laugh Cheryl you are amazing. Thank God for Facebook!!
Okay here we are at our last Inspired workshop, Im coming back from Lunch with Joey, All of a sudden from the coffee shope I hear this quite voive hey you, I turn and it's Bree I intoduce Joey to her and say okay see ya friday LOL We sat and talked for hours the wisdom within this young lady was just what the Dr odered for me I. I sat and listened to her something very hard for me to do! LOL but it's what I needed to do. When Bree got the Call that our Mac was just a few minutes away we went and sat and waited for the limo wow what and enternace we all stood there hugging!! Later when Bree went to get Cheryl and we were in Donna's Studio she ran in the class and Hugged and Kissed us yup we made that scene in class. So many more people have touched my life along the way. I'm even blessed to say the conversations with Palo have for every etched a special friendship in my heart. Then Katie & Kelli are the Sweethearts that helped me through with words of wisdom from a higher power and I have two new sisters forever!! Bill & I also have a special bond and I'm so thankful that Iknew his uncle & Dad or I would have never had the courage to come to Inspired!! I know in my heart this is thebeginning of the Journey for me not the end !!! I will always look at the world like a rainbow so many colors and you never know when the Posiblities are there! Thanks to all of you who have touched my heart and if your not mentioned here trust me you still touched my heart and you all know who you are!!!

Gratitude List Day 1

2009-11-12T21:12:00.000-05:00

1. Gods Love and Mercy
2. Three Amazing Sons
3. Two Awesome Gsons
4. My Cuddle Buddy Tropper (My Dog)
5. My Sisters in Christ
6. Mom & Steppop
7. Sisters
8. Artistic Abilities
9. Computer
10. Medical Benifits
11. someone that understands my TN
12. A Patient & understanding husband
13. Yummy Food
14. Coffee & Tea
15. Sunrise & Sunset
16. The Beach
17. My Suv
18. My New QUITE Wash Machine
19. new Cannon Camera
20. A Comfy Bed

Inspired

2009-05-27T07:21:00.001-04:00

I am back from my Journey to Concord NC where i attened Inspired 09 and it's not the end it's just the beginning of a new Journey. I learned so much and made many new friends had a blast with Donna & Bill Downey!

Motivation

2008-10-11T11:04:00.003-04:00

It only takes a spark of the Spirit to get me motivated. It's great to have such neat friends in the scrapping world that can do this just by sharing a little piece of who they are. Then there is my brothers and sisters in Christ that can give me another type of Motivation, with these combined I know I have great potential to grow everyday. It's smiles and laughter that we normally like to capture, but when a part of you is also filled with tears and sorrow I believe that too is also important to capture in our life, it's who we are and who we have become, what we are doing, where we are going, that gives others a tatse of what we are all about. As I share my journey I hope that I too can give someone a little bit of the spirit and motivation I feel. I am very proud of who I am and where I am at. I have had a whole new outlook on life in the last five years of my life and for that I have our Lord and Savior to thank for that it is walking his journey with him that has given me the strength to Live life as it is!!