Family Love

Well, my step daughter left yesterday to go back to TN. It was such a great week that we had together and I was sad to see it end, so I took comfort in the Lord and the wonderful memories that He has allowed us to share by scrappin this page. She is truly a lovely young lady and her brother and sister are so blessed to have her in their life. We love you Tori always and forever!!!

Supplies:

Stamps: CTMH Spot on Backgrounds
Ink: CTMH Crystal Blue
Paper: CTMH white daisy, All dressed up paper stack,
Accessories: CTMH buttond, KI memories metallic letters

Girlfriends of God

I found this to be so comforting for my own personal situation, but don't we all have a situation??? This scripture from Corinthians 12 is so powerful and helps to put life into perspective. Life doesn't seem to get any easier and we know we are going to face difficult times in our lives however with the Lord we don't have to be weak, cast down or defeated. We literally can be empowered and strong in our struggles by the power of His Holy Spirit!!! Amen and thank you Lord. I pray that whatever circumstance that you may be facing that you will see it as an opportunity for God to move powerfully in your life. Enjoy this devotion by girlfriends of God. Their website is on my side bar.

June 16, 2008

The King's Kids

Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV).

Friend to Friend

The angels were hovering low in our church on this particular Sunday morning. It was a special day for a group of ten "kids" known as the King's Kids. They were leading worship by singing a special song -- only many of the kids couldn't carry a tune, walk on their own, or even control their limbs. We sat in silence as the unlikely band of worship leaders stumbled onto the stage. Each of these children of God had a disability and visible handicap. The "Kids" lined up on the stage, many with adults standing behind them to support them, both physically and emotionally. Kristen, a young lady with Down's syndrome appeared to be the leader. She stood out in front of the others with confidence and strength of passion.

The sound track began and the King's Kids began to "sing" with their hands in sign language. "Press on," their hands proclaimed. With wide sweeping motions and uninhibited praise, Kristen sang with arms and hands to the One who loved her most.

There was one girl in particular who caught my eye. She was not able to do the signs by herself. Her limbs were much too weak and uncontrolled. I watched as this gal leaned into a woman standing behind her and surrendered her arms and hands. While the others signed the words to the song, the woman moved her young challenged hands in tandem with the others. Beth simply leaned into her helper and relinquished control.

Then God spoke to my heart, That is what I want you to do. Lean into me, relinquish control, and allow me to move your life in a symphony of worship.

We all have disabilities. Some are visible to the naked eye and some are hidden except to the trained eye. While the handicaps vary, God longs for each one of us to do as Beth did on that Sunday morning. Lean into Him, relinquish control, and allow God to move us to His song.

There was not a dry eye in the 2,000 seat sanctuary. Their disabilities were visible, yet those of us who sat in the pews had disabilities that were not visible to the naked eye, but just as real. God turns our "disabilities" into our abilities when we lean into Him and allow His strength to work through our weaknesses.

As God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9NIV). Therefore, I say with Paul, "I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 1:9-10 NIV).

Today, lean into God and allow Him to move your hands and feet to the song that He is singing for you.

Let's Pray

Dear Lord, thank You that when I am weak, You are strong. Take my hands and feet and move them to Your rhythm of life. I yield myself totally to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

How would you describe your willingness to give up control of your life to God?

What are some areas that you tend to hang onto?

What do you think would happen if you gave control of your life totally to God?

Blessings!!!

Hello my friends!! I hope you all had a great Sunday. We went to church and then celebrated Father's Day at our favorite BBQ place. How did you all celebrate Father's Day???? I would love to hear about it!

Yesterday a friend of mine said she had a surprise for me, I thought "hmmn a surprise????" It's not my birthday, it's not Christmas....

After church she pleasantly greeted me with this beautiful gift bag, a smile and hug and then we parted ways. I have been going through a bit of a transition in my schedule and have been in a quiet place lately, seeking direction from the Lord. I have not been very active on my blog and a little unsure of where the Lord is taking me. Being the emotional person that I am I have been experiencing a rush of different feelings. Sometimes a little hug or an encouraging word from a friend can make all the difference. Well the Lord allowed a conversation to take place in which I could share my heart and all of the confusing emotions that have been flooding my heart. I love how when you least expect it, the Lord sets up a divine appointment. To me that was such a blessing. I love the gift of friendship and the way the Lord can bring comfort and healing through those friendships.

So as if this wasn't enough of a blessing, I open the gift bag given to me from my friend and out pops 4 BELLA'S!!!! I took a second look, because I don't actually own any. Yep, they were Bella's!!! I couldn't believe it. Now I get excited over a new pencil, so imagine my retardedness over 4 Bella stamps. WOW! What can I say, I was speechless.

Ya see, the thing that blessed me the most was the fact that my friend knew me! There's nothing sweeter than feeling loved and cared for and that is how I felt when I opened that surprise.

It takes time to know someone and to know the little stupid things that really don't mean anything yet can mean everything. God is so good to allow us to enjoy the little things in life but the gift of friendship is precious and priceless. It takes work, time and interest to truly care for someone and I pray that you all have someone in your life that's worth that investment. I encourage you all to take the time to know someone and to bless someone today. Just a smile, a hug, a handmade card, a lunch date, an encouraging word ..... this just might be what someone needs. See how you can bless someone today, you'll be blessed that you did!!!!



Thanks Becca! I love you stupid head!!!!!!! (trust me y'all she likes it when I call her that don't ya?)


Smiles and Hugs,

Melanie

You Rock!

How fun!!! Just received this very cool You Rock my Socks award from Aimee, whose blog definitely rocks!!! So you'll want to make sure you check Aimee's blog out on my sidebar under SBS sisters. She always has something rockin and on top of it she is a total sweetie. Gotta love it. I am looking forward to scrappin all these vacation photos so keep an eye out! But for now...

Check out CTMH.com to view some cool project videos as seen on PBS. They feature some great stamping techniques and a mini album made with our card kits. This website definitely rocks!!!

Buy 2 get 1 FREE CTMH stampsets!!!!!

Stampaganza!

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This doesn't come around very often so stock up!!!! To order visit my website and have your order delivered right to your door step!!! If you are local please call me and I can place the order for you and hand deliver it to you!

Don't forget about the stamp of the month, which you can earn for free with your $100 order!!! Happy Shopping!!!


Smiles,
Melanie

Our trip to grandma's and pop-pop's

Me and my hunny!!!

me, my mom and my brother

my mom, me and my aunt Olga...

me and mom....my mommy!!!!!

me and my brother

Me and my sister in law Silvia at my brother's 40th b-day party!

my mom, me and my dad... we were watching the kids fish with pop pop and daddy.

Lexi and my dad...grandpa

Lexi and pop-pop

Lexi and grandma...always such a sweet reunion!

Me, my mom, Lexi and Cameron enjoying some puzzles from Uncle Mike & Aunt Silvia at my brother's house. Congrats on your first home!!!!

Fishing at grandma's and pop-pops! Sun fish and catfish were the hot fish for the day!!!

Here we are at Delray Beach, it was simply gorgeous!

Cameron always a step behind finding treasure.

Here's our humble little sand castle...such fun for the kids

Daddy thought it would be fun to bury Cameron in the sand and he was right!

No more fear of the ocean, Cameron was having a blast in the water

Here's daddy hard at work!!!

Thank you Lord for your amazing creation and for the simple pleasures in life!!!!

Hello!!!!!

Hi everyone!!! Well we made it home. It's a pretty interesting story but I don't have time to go into it now. My step daughter just flew in yesterday and we have a jam packed week ahead of us. My computer is broken but fortunately I have my laptop. I will post pics and lots of stories soon. I have missed seeing everyone's blog and how everyone is doing. Can't wait to catch up. Hope you are all well.

God bless,
& Smiles,

Melanie