tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82266871170682917962024-02-21T01:46:27.295-08:00An Excellent EndeavorUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-43254138547378865212013-09-01T09:09:00.000-07:002013-09-01T09:09:47.919-07:00There's More to Come
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly,
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.''
- Maya Angelou<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">The day we realize that life isn't everything we
wish it were is the day we start to find the path to maneuver through and still
find joy. It takes some longer than others to make this wise discovery
and unfortunately, some never quite get there. I know I've not got it all
under my feet but I'm thankful I'm on the path to finding more joy each day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">We all go through hardship, trials,
misunderstanding and struggle with circumstances in our lives that are beyond
our control. Some are more painful than others as they reach closer to
our hearts while others just create frustration and aggravation. They all
affect us in some way though and none of it is pleasant to go through.
The ones I want to talk about however are the deep dark cocoons that we
find ourselves in...the ones that heartache is present and we struggle trying
to find the truths in the midst of our pain. We struggle through trying
to hear the voice of God and the direction He wants for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">The thing I find interesting about the butterfly is
that "he" was created to do a little bit of his life as one type of
being and then to go into a place of darkness for a period of time. The
butterfly spends the first part of life as a caterpillar eating and sleeping
until it reaches a time where things begin to change and he decides to cocoon
himself into darkness at which point things start to take place and change begins.
Now, I don't know about you but I don't think I'd make a very good
caterpillar. I don't necessarily like change and I don't like the
thought of living in the dark. I like to be in control of my
circumstances and if I couldn't see the end outcome, I wouldn't be the one to
voluntarily encapsulate myself hoping that I was going to turn into something
beautiful. So, like you, things happen in life and although we don't like
it, we unwillingly enter into darkness because there is more that we can become and the
process begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">What happens to each of us in the time of darkness
is different and we each have different things we go through in learning,
sharpening, feeling and experiencing so that we can become more of what we were
created to be. During these times it is pertinent to remember that there
is more to come. We need to do what we must during this process as
painful or frustrating as it may be, in order to survive and eventually break
free of our cocoon so we can become more. Not because we want to but
because in order to survive, we have to. In your darkness, don't forget to pack hope, praise and bit of joy into the cocoon with you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">''There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary-we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!'' Romans 5:3-5 MSG</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">Blessings!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">Missy</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;">Butterfly Image courtesy of Ana Cole: </span> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SolhfulPhotography">https://www.etsy.com/shop/SolhfulPhotography </a></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888846547040106599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-60299911001439226162013-07-17T06:33:00.000-07:002013-07-17T06:33:13.176-07:00Mr. Clanky This week as I was telling my husband about my endless stories with the boys, he said, "You have the best job in the world." As a stay at home mom I don't always think this, but he is right; I do. When I worked in the corporate world, I felt like I lost sight of the important things in life. I lived and breathed deadlines. Now, I live and breathe my boys and their crazy antics. Seeing life through their perspective, I believe, has brought me even closer to my heavenly Father.<br />
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There are days where I get myself all worked up in a tizzy about absolute nonsense--Take yesterday for an example. I had an old acquaintance who was supposed to stop by for a visit. Immediately, I began cleaning the house (as if she were to believe that my house always looks that way). After hours of cleaning and running myself ragged, I looked around and the boynados had managed to destroy the two rooms I had just cleaned. It seriously looked as if I hadn't touched a thing. I became so overwhelmed and angry! Just when I was about to lose my temper, I began to hear the soft and high pitched giggles of my little guys. I peeked in my baby's room to see what was so funny, and there they all were, all three of them--the baby in his crib and the boys on the opposite side-- jumping in tandem and giggling uncontrollably. Innocence. Pure joy.<br />
<br />
Later that day I shared the best conversation I have had in a long time with my three year old. It went like this: Luke (in a funny high pitched voice), "I'm Mr. Clanky." Me (racking my brain through all the shows we've seen) "Who's Mr. Clanky?" Luke: "Me!" :) Ah yes! The obvious answer ;) I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! God spoke to my heart at that very moment. Could it really be that simple I thought? "Yes," I could hear Him saying, "yes it can be."<br />
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Sometimes I overcomplicate things far more than I need to--case in point, my house cleaning episode. My friend ended up cancelling. All that stressing and frantic cleaning for nothing. As I said before, sometimes I overcomplicate things. I would like to encourage you, if you have a tendency to do this as well, to remember that God reminds us that His ways are not our ways. If you have a moment, I encourage you to read Isaiah 55. <br />
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As adults, we tend to think we need all the details. We want to know how we are going to get from point A to point B. We want to know what we will need to bring or what preparations we need to have in order. We are frantically cleaning house for people who were never coming. Or searching for the answer that was never intended to be there in the first place. Just like my conversation with my three year old, when God says in Isaiah 55, "<span class="text Isa-55-1">Come, buy wine and milk </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Isa-55-1">without money and without cost," why do we say to ourselves, "Can it really be that simple?"</span></span><br />
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Yes. Yes it can. "My ways are higher than your ways." Some things are just not meant to be figured out. Sometimes they just are. We forget that He has gone before us and knows what lies ahead. His thoughts are not our thoughts and there is purpose in that. There is joy in not having all the answers and overcomplicating life...Perhaps that is why we are called to have childlike faith...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa80I-ZJ-Gdfz_OfQE17ila_IodR9atNL4xrAPkWA-AzGKkF-P2GyMor4ZMlY2c5jpUIOg8DHD-8nq5ZZVNtgO7NiU_TpugqUZtM_gWEJjozfUmeT38uROmn1znyFAnGy9tP2Oy6pCoOx/s1600/Graham+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa80I-ZJ-Gdfz_OfQE17ila_IodR9atNL4xrAPkWA-AzGKkF-P2GyMor4ZMlY2c5jpUIOg8DHD-8nq5ZZVNtgO7NiU_TpugqUZtM_gWEJjozfUmeT38uROmn1znyFAnGy9tP2Oy6pCoOx/s320/Graham+boys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Written by: Jacklynn Graham of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RaisingMavericks?ref=si_shop">Raising Mavericks</a></td></tr>
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JD Greysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00800241057694937571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-29362922978494046822013-07-14T22:12:00.003-07:002013-07-14T22:12:52.262-07:00D.I.Y. Inspiration - Oilcloth Peg BagI thought I'd share a rather practical tutorial today, from a fellow Australian. Ros, from<a href="http://www.sewdelicious.com.au/2012/07/oilcloth-peg-bag-tutorial.html"> Sew Delicious </a>has a tutorial on making an oilcloth bag for your clothes pegs (that's what we call them here in Aussie-land - I'm not sure if the same term applies where you are).<br />
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I think I probably chose this particular tutorial today because I have laundry on the brain. I have spent much of the day trying to catch up on washing, folding, ironing and putting away clothes. Isn't it strange how the dirty laundry seems to multiply after a weekend away? Anyhow, I hope you enjoy today's D.I.Y Inspiration. Don't forget to visit the original <a href="http://www.sewdelicious.com.au/2012/07/oilcloth-peg-bag-tutorial.html">Sew Delicious blog post</a> for all the step-by-step instructions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-46904389286612072402013-07-14T07:07:00.000-07:002013-07-14T07:07:22.275-07:00The Bee in Me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="color: #262626;">"According to all known laws
of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too
small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies
anyway, because bees don't care what humans think is impossible."
-Bee Movie</span></i><span style="color: #262626;"> <a href="http://jetsetstudios.com/portfolio/beemovie/"><span style="color: #0000f1;">http://jetsetstudios.com/portfolio/beemovie/</span></a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was busily getting "Mom" things done
after popping in Bee Movie for my kiddos to watch. I'd seen bits and
pieces here and there but had never seen the movie in its entirety. The
movie trailers were done and I walked over to get the remote, hit the play
button and turned to head back to the kitchen. The movie starts with a
quote and it caught my attention. I'm sure at that point I became a real
annoyance in the life of my children as I rewound it a few times to listen so
it could really sink in, and then I wrote it down to further
contemplate...because I'm a thinker and that's what I do...I must analyze
everything!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are so many things that this quote offers in
relating to our lives. I'm certain you can come up with a few of your own
that may relate to you personally. Fortunately for you, I'm not going to
bore you with all of the ways I feel this quote could apply to life, I'm going
to take just one and focus on it. It's amazing to me that in everything
God creates, there's a story. There's a bigger picture and if we look
deep enough, we can figure out how it might relate to us or something else.
I've personally never sat and watched a bee and realized its disposition,
surprising, I know. I've never noticed that a bee is "fat" or
that it's body is much bigger than what its wings should allow to take flight.
I've only noticed how they love to suck nectar from flowers and that I
personally enjoy honey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know that the Lord sits watching us at times
after speaking to our hearts about things. I can only imagine the
patience He has<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> </span>as well as </span>the desire at times to kick us in the rear end to get us in
motion because He knows the end result. He often warms our hearts to things
He wants for us and things He would like to see us fulfill in our lives and the
lives of others. Sometimes it's just a small thing that can be accomplished
in a matter of minutes but we just can't seem to get the words or actions out
because of what we imagine others might think. Sometimes it's calling us
to do something we really don't want to do, but the outcome if we follow through
can be so fulfilling for us that if we don't do it, we are really going to miss
out on a huge blessing. At other times, it's a calling that may take a
lot longer, perhaps a path we need to take in life with a very specific goal in
mind that will ultimately chang<strike style="background-color: white;">e</strike> our life and several others along the way
and likely end up blessing you beyond belief all along the way. I believe
that each pressing from the Lord that we feel will ultimately end in a lesson
and or a blessing for ourselves and others. Some may think this life is
by chance but I believe nothing in life is by chance and everything has a
purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God designed the bee, fat little body and all.
God designed us as well. The Great Creator obviously knows what we
were created for and what our capabilities are regardless of what others may
think. He knows what He created each of us for regardless of what we
think of ourselves. Human theory and law doesn't necessarily matter when
it comes to God's purpose for our lives. When God works with us, there is
something quite different that happens when we choose to follow His lead.
He blesses us with supernatural power to accomplish exactly what we know
we can't accomplish alone. To others this may seem a little "out
there" but I know from experience that when I rely on His power, I am able to see Him being glorified and others may see Him as well. I know that
I am not good enough on my own to fulfill God's purpose or to bring Christ's
light to others lives. There is nothing I can say or do on my own that points to Christ. I am
not perfect, I make plenty of mistakes. When others look at me, they see
all of the faults I have, they see that I am capable of hurting them, of making
them angry. I am human and the only thing that makes you and I different
is the fact that we have been made clean and pure in Christ's eyes. The
truth is, if we did not have the supernatural power of Christ in our lives, people would never be able to see our Lord in us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I challenge you to take a look inside. What
is it the Lord is talking to you about? What is it that you feel is too big
to accomplish? What is it that you feel others would question and doubt
if they knew what you felt called to do? I believe we are all called and
can be used for greatness...if we believe. There is nothing the Lord will
place on our hearts and minds that cannot be accomplished with Him. It
may be taxing on you and you might have to keep working at it. You mail
fail several times before you make progress but friends, get moving, He
will not ask you to do anything that cannot be done with His help. He
will not leave you alone and you will see Him and His ways if you follow His leading. Get those fat little
bodies in motion; give your wings a workout and fly. <!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"So, brethren, we [who are born again] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free [the supernatural]." -Galatians 4:31 AMP</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"This also comes from the LORD who commands armies, who gives supernatural guidance and imparts great wisdom." -Isaiah 28:29 NET</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many Blessings,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Missy</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888846547040106599noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-52150570759783691682013-07-09T19:21:00.001-07:002013-07-09T19:21:50.898-07:00Treasury Tuesday! Well, its Tuesday again...already! I'm really sure that some weeks the days go by so much faster than others! And I realize that Tuesday is almost over and I really wanted to take a moment to share one of our Team Jabez July treasuries. I really love the sweetness of this collection that Dianna of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodsSecretGarden" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodsSecretGarden</a> put together and don't we all just need to hear that we are loved! <br />
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I'm looking forward to seeing all the new team treasuries that are made this week and to sharing more with you next Tuesday! <br />
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Blessings!<br />
~Jean xoxo<br />
<script src="http://www.craftcult.com/js/trwi.js?s=2&l=MTU4Njk3ODl8MjcyMjEzNDg1MQ&r=-1&t=a&m=0&si=6440613&u=15869789&sn=TheWoodsSecretGarden"></script>
Jean Saxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756479425754717577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-46444460818258458932013-07-07T21:38:00.000-07:002013-07-07T21:38:53.904-07:00D.I.Y. Inspiration: Newspaper Gift BagsDo you find it hard to throw out old newspapers (even if they are going to the recycling plant)? I have to admit, sometimes I do. I think to myself, "I bet I will need that later today if I throw it out now!". So I have a small stash of newspapers - to use under kids' painting or craft activities; to cover the floor of our birdcage, and for various and sundry other uses. Here is another use for those newspapers you have lying around, courtesy of <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html">How About Orange blog</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqc683SQrmuRPgfaP-Top_zPJQ689Wxinyego9sR_Ddf6RHILRCHVelVXZnq_BIx9F8eSS5UUciwNjbCm-djiIQ_XTdVgBmY5vMEWR7tCYVQI1MaUfqSMBP2bUTaNBJE8YEiEN_Om8xws/s400/newspaper-gift-bag-tutorial.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Make your own gift bags using newspaper! Don't forget to follow the link to <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/how-to-make-gift-bags-from-newspaper.html">How About Orange</a> for all the instructions. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-23539082448408398562013-07-06T22:37:00.000-07:002013-07-07T07:09:50.935-07:00Mustard Seed Faith
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I became a Christian in 1999 I told God I
would do anything for Him...anything with just one simple request.
"Please Lord, I want to serve you with all I am but please don't ask
me to go to a foreign country." So a year or so later, the
opportunity to go to Africa dropped in my lap. I really didn't give it
much thought even though there was this ever so slight tugging at my heart.
I thought surely that wasn't Him tugging at my heart...after-all, I did
tell Him I'd do anything but just asked that He'd honor just that one small
plea. As time passed, I started seeing more signs and feeling even more
tugging on my heart. The Lord just wouldn't stop nagging until He finally
spoke so loudly that I could no longer deny that He indeed wanted me to go.
However, the Lord has an interesting character, He can make things very
clear to you in life and let you know He wants you to do certain things but He
isn't going to make you do anything you aren't willing to do. So as I
struggled, I decided I would follow His leading, face my fear, and decide to
trust Him and in August of 2001 I was on a plane headed to the far away place I
asked him not to send me too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When we finally arrived we met up with the
missionaries there. I remember loading up into a Land Rover and sitting
in the back on some benches with a few of my friends. We started driving
down these roads...paved at this time (only 10% of roads in Tanzania are paved)
and I remember looking out the windows at a bunch of land...no homes, no
businesses, just a lot of brush and land. Every once in a while in what
seemed to be the middle of nowhere I'd see a person, generally a man, standing
on the side of the road dressed in tribal garb with a long "stick" as
I called it. One of my friends had been on a trip to Tanzania before so I
asked her "What in the world do these people do all day?” In that
moment, my mind was perplexed. All I could figure is that these people
must be either very lazy or very bored.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We ventured down into the middle of nowhere until we
finally arrived at one of the missionary homes near a Masai village. This
would be the beginning of a journey that would impact my life and I would be
forever changed! I was in Africa for about 3 1/2 weeks and we did some
amazing safari but for the most part we were there with the people. We
helped them clean up, build, paint, and repair schools. We went to church
with them; we shopped their markets and bought forever-treasured souvenirs.
I had once in a lifetime experiences over the next few weeks...I'm
talking about the stuff that you see in National Geographic and think you would
never experience. I was privileged enough to be welcomed into their
traditions and villages. One night, they held a celebration, in our honor.
They killed and roasted a goat and later I joined in the tribal dance
with them as they taught us how they danced. I watched kids stand in line
to be served porridge for lunch and as the line got shorter, the pot ran dry
and kids were turned away without food. I rode a quad across the field to
one of the schools in a dress...stood in the back of a very packed and quite
small Toyota pickup truck on a very bumpy road to get to the school each day.
I was offered a quite a few goats for my hand in marriage...Ha! We
had story time in which one of the men told us the story of being chased by a lion;
he literally got in a fight with a lion! He showed us the scars on his
legs from the claws of the Lion and how told us his story of survival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was invited to a Masai man's home for Chai tea.
He had become a Christian and had several wives and children before
coming to know the Lord. He shared with us his experience, how after he
came to know the Lord, he still had to care for all of his wives and children
but choose just one to live with. He traded in his life of
polygamy to serve the Lord. He shared with us how he would pray for
us every day when we would leave and the passion in his voice and heart was so
rich that I know he honors his word and prays, still today, for each of us.
He stood before us with a faith and belief stronger than what most of
could even get close to. He was a man who loved and served God with
everything he had and knew God on a deeper level than we could probably
imagine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another Masai woman invited us into her home...a
hut made of sticks and mud that was no larger than a 5x5 ft. area. I'll
never forget the tears I held back as she welcomed us in, offered us food to
eat and was so very proud of her home and how honored she was to be able to
share it with us. Tears...there were many tears. Tears of joy,
tears of hope, tears of living a journey that was so filled with material
things in my own life and somehow I still wasn't filled with the appreciation
and life that these people were filled with. One Sunday morning I was
blessed to have my ankle wrapped with a coil that they use to adorn themselves.
I sat on a chair as the woman wrapped this thicker than hanger copper
wire around my ankle into a perfect coil. To this day I still have no
idea how she was able to coil that material from straight metal to a perfect
coil around my ankle. Blessed by her, myself and several of the other
girls who had their ankles wrapped collected some money to bless her with.
We sat her down and the missionary handed her about $300 in US Dollars.
The Masai believe crying is a sign of weakness and did all she could
to hold back tears of joy as she had just been blessed to the equivalent of
winning the lottery. That money would take care of her and her family for
years and years to come...and we did our best to honor their belief and not
just fall into weeping ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then there were the children...I fell in love with
the children. I wasn't married at the time and did not have kids of my
own. I never really connected to kids unless it was my niece and
nephews. It wasn't that I didn't like kids but I just didn't have a
reason to connect on a deeper level then. The Masai have a tradition in
which the kids when approaching an adult come "head first" or
"forward" for lack of a better explanation. They do this
waiting for you to reach out and touch their head, which signifies that you are
giving them your blessing. I didn't understand it and thought it to be a
little strange until I myself had one of them come to me in this manner and I
touched their head giving them my blessing. I can't explain it but there
was just something that happened in my heart at that moment. I connected
on a level that I never expected and found myself wanting to give each of them
my blessing. Today, I may not know each name or even remember every face
but that as I pray, I can pray for each and every head that I touched. It
wasn't long into our trip that I was nicknamed ''Miss Popularity'' by one of
the guys leading the trip. He thought this was the perfect name for me
due to the fact that wherever we'd go, if there were kids nearby, the entire
group would just flock to me. It was as if they could sense that I was
interested in them and wanted to connect with them...that they mattered. The
majority did not speak English but that didn't stop us from communicating on
deep levels. They were interested and in awe. They didn't have hair
on their bodies and would touch the hair on my arms, both women and men and
children had short hair. They were just enamored with my long hair and
would sit and twirl it, play with my hair clips, look at my painted nails and
look at me for hours. Some of the best parts of my trip were sitting on
the ground with children all around me, laying on my lap, sitting with me,
looking at me and me looking at them. There was a heart connection that
was so strong and meaningful that I will never forget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">About half way through the trip I hit a level of
emotional fullness. I had seen and experienced so much with the people that
I simply could not take one more thing in without gathering my thoughts.
I went to a safe place not to far from the building we were working on at
the school to be by myself for a while. I sat and chatted with God...I
cried my eyes out and tried to process everything I possibly could. When
I left for Africa, I went with the idea that I would be bringing Jesus to a
people who needed Him. That I would be changing lives and reaching to
help them. I had no idea when I went to Africa that they would impact me.
In fact, I am quite certain that they changed me more than I changed
them. In the big picture of things, we have it all. We have big
houses, food on our table at each meal, jobs, cars, lots of "stuff"
and things to do to keep us busy and entertained. And when I first
arrived, I could not fathom walking around with a stick all day in the middle
of nowhere. We think they are poor and do nothing but struggle in life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">True, it is not easy to have to figure out where
you are going to get your next meal, how to get medical help when you need it,
how to take care of your basic needs on a daily basis, keeping clear of
wildlife and lions of all things! However, the fact of the matter is,
they have what matters most. When we die we aren't taking a thing with us
to Heaven except our soul. We aren't taking our houses, our cars or all
of the things we think we love to Heaven. Where does this all this
"stuff" we are chasing fit in when we look at the importance of life?
It doesn't! What does matter is the other souls that will or won't
be in Heaven with us someday. What matters are the relationships that we
have with people, with Jesus. When I think about that, I realize how poor
we are in America. Most of us have our basic needs met to survive but we
have to fight to have relationships with people! We don't have a clue
what's it's really like to struggle for basic needs. If you ask me, our
battle and struggle is different. We have to fight against the daily
schedules we have in place so we can do what we have to in order to pay our
bills and get more "stuff" and in that daily way of life we don't
seem to make much room for others or getting to know Jesus on a deeper level.
Most of us don't count on Him to have our daily needs met, we do it
ourselves and then lack in relationship, trust and faith in how great and more
than capable He really is!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The people in Africa told stories of miracles that
happened in front of their eyes. A boy named Moses that they buried dead
and was alive a few days later. I know and have heard of miracles
happening here but when the people in Africa tell of these miracles, they tell
it as if it is no surprise to them. As I see it, they have a different
and deeper level of belief than we do. They are not busied with the
nonsense that we are chasing. They are not competing to have bigger and
better things like we do. Instead they are focusing on a relationship
with Jesus (those that know Him), their daily schedule is not getting in the
way of knowing Him. Jesus is not a God put on a shelf while they try to
meet their own needs each day. Instead they trust the Lord; they believe
He is a God of miracles and provision. They TRUST Him, they KNOW Him, and
pray for miracles and daily provision in their lives and because they believe
without a shadow of a doubt that He is faithful, things happen!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are plenty of verses in the Bible that I
could use in connection here but this one talks about the Disciples when they
try their hand at driving out a demon in a boy. When they were
unsuccessful, they asked Jesus why they were not able to drive out the demon.
Here is what He answered:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Because you're not yet taking <i>God</i> seriously,”
"The simple truth is that if you had a mere kernel of faith, a poppy
seed, say, you would tell this mountain, 'Move!' and it would move.
There is nothing you wouldn't be able to tackle.' Matthew 17:20-21
MSG<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be Blessed!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Missy</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888846547040106599noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-34646147587475887932013-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:002013-07-06T07:45:04.966-07:00Shop Spotlight of the Week: Maggie of Distlefunk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This weeks Shop Spotlight of the Week is Maggie of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Distlefunk2?ref=pr_shop_more">Distlefunk</a>. Distlefunk offers a unique line of jewelry and clay pendants, lovingly handcrafted by artist, Maggie Montgomery.</div>
Her work is amazing! Take a look at a few of her awesome creations below! Please stop by and see all the stunning items in Distlefunk Shop!
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><b>About Our Team</b> Team Jabez is a fun place to help promote one another and learn to grow our businesses. We are a small, Faith Based team with outstanding shops and great photography. Our teams goal is to grow together in Excellence!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: orange;">Team Jabez Members: If you have a chance, please show some shop love by taking a moment to favorite and promote on your favorite Social Media. Thanks!</span></span></div>
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by Kelly of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellybermudez"><span style="background-color: white; color: cyan;">KellyBermudez</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-11787105788485667412013-07-03T06:50:00.001-07:002013-07-03T08:11:15.551-07:00Awesome Takes Practice The first time I ever stepped foot in my mom's red and white Ford 150 pickup truck to learn to drive, I thought I was going to be awesome. Seriously! I thought that I would just turn it on and go. Hahaha ;) I still remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a Sunday afternoon, and she let me drive the family home from church. Excitement soon turned to tears when I was passed by a glaring elderly couple annoyed at my 20 mile per hour speed on the 45 mile per hour country road. My teenage ego was crushed! I was being passed by "old" people!<br />
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Oh goodness! I share that story because of the underlying thought process that was going on. I truly thought that operating a motor vehicle was either a given ability or it wasn't. I was crushed when I wasn't as good at it as I thought I would be. And when I was passed by the elderly couple, a sense of permanence overwhelmed me. I thought I would never learn to drive. What I failed to realize was that driving takes practice!<br />
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Fast forward almost thirty years... In May, I opened my Etsy shop. That same teenage girl driving that big F150 pickup truck somehow decided to take the wheel of my Etsy shop because I, once again, thought that I would open up shop and Boom! the sales would just take off! (I hope you are giggling to yourself just a little bit). If you have found yourself in this same boat, it is important to remember that like anything, Etsy takes practice.<br />
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In the two months I have had my shop open, I have made so many changes. I learned so much from others around me. My shop today looks nothing like the shop I opened in May. I would say that for a select few, Etsy is an ability. Just like in life, there are some people who just have this natural ability to succeed in any situation with very little effort. It is important to remember that these individuals are the exception to the rule. For the rest of us, running an Etsy shop takes research and perseverance. <br />
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Remember that your current situation right now is not permanent. With a little practice and perseverance you will obtain success! Just give yourself a little time!<br />
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Written by: Jacklynn Graham of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RaisingMavericks?ref=si_shop">Raising Mavericks</a></td></tr>
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JD Greysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00800241057694937571noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-47261325512168580112013-07-02T06:43:00.001-07:002013-07-02T06:43:25.081-07:00It's Treasury Tuesday! Wow! So many beautiful treasuries were made for the month of June by the ladies of Team Jabez!<br />
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Yes, I realize it is now July but I just couldn't let all that beautiful work from last month slip by without posting a couple for you. These two collections jumped out at me. The first by Caroline of JanieJumps reminds me of the morning I'd like to have every day...peaceful and beautiful and time with The Creator in His Creation.<br />
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You can find Caroline's shop here: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanieJumps">www.etsy.com/shop/JanieJumps</a><br />
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The second...well, it is July and Thursday is Independence Day! I'm looking forward to celebrating and watching some fireworks too! I hope you each get to relax and enjoy the day as well and take time to thank the Lord for the Freedoms He has given us in our county and those who have fought to ensure them for us! <br />
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Thanks Kelly for this great reminder of our Freedoms! <br />
You can visit Kelly's shop here: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellybermudez">www.etsy.com/shop/kellybermudez</a> <br />
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<br />Have a Blessed week everyone! <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">~ <span style="font-family: inherit;">Jean</span> xoxo</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.photoladz.etsy.com/">www.PhotoLadz.etsy.com</a></span><br />
<br />Jean Saxonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14756479425754717577noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-84119699978729208392013-07-01T01:58:00.002-07:002013-07-01T14:39:00.003-07:00D.I.Y. Inspiration: Cardboard Box House<br />
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It is miserable weather where I live at the moment - cool and wet winter weather (I live in Australia). My children are going a little stir-crazy indoors, but one game that keeps us all entertained is "hide and seek". Both my young kids love to hide in the cardboard barn-style house that their Daddy (who happens to be an architect) made for them. Here's some inspiration to Do It Yourself, courtesy of <a href="http://bbpaperandink.blogspot.jp/2010/06/make-something.html">Paper & Ink</a> blog. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous cardboard box house from Paper & Ink</td></tr>
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Please visit the original blog post by<a href="http://bbpaperandink.blogspot.jp/2010/06/make-something.html"> Paper & Ink</a> for all the instructions. And hey, have fun! <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-13274686916532705272013-06-30T07:35:00.000-07:002013-06-30T07:35:09.805-07:00HelloWe all have a past...we all have things we've done that we regret, things we count as failure, things we are not proud of. We've experienced how it feels to hurt others and we've experienced how it feels to be hurt by others. We find ourselves in a place of pain trying to grasp for any piece of comfort or understanding that we can reach....and yet there are still times when we never find that peace we are looking for. <br />
All of these things add up to create what we feel and think about ourselves. This brings us to the present. What we believe about past situations and ourselves creates how we respond to situations and people in our lives today. Often times, we live in the failures and negatives that others inflicted on us. We choose to live and believe in the lies that we don't understand because it's awfully hard to believe that we are really worth something or good at something when others have told us different. It's even harder to move forward when we can't understand the reasoning behind why they did or said what they said. At least if we knew they were jealous, or bitter toward us we could have factual information to understand why they did what they did and not take it to heart. Perhaps we could stop believing the lie and begin believing the truth. <br />
We face things in our lives everyday that are lies...either lies that the enemy has created or lies that we believe from things we have faced in life. We look in the mirror and see what we have been told by others instead of seeing the true beauty we are. We doubt our abilities to be capable of doing things we've been told we're not good at. We believe that someone is better than us. We believe we can't make a difference in our world because we just don't have what it takes or because we are just one person. We believe we aren't good Parents and Grandparents. We find ourselves questioning if we are good enough, if we can be successful. We spend way too much time dodging bullets and trying to explain away why we are doing what we are doing. Trying to prove that we are good enough with an I'll show you attitude at times. We spend way too much time living like we believe the lies instead of believing the truth.<br />
So what is the truth? The truth is we are all broken vessels...some of us trying to live for God but all of us saying things and doing things that hurt others, that place false beliefs in others. We can't place our worth and belief in others. We are God's and we need to stop living in the past and start believing and living like we are His. It starts with us; nobody else can do it for us. It's funny how often we are complimented and it makes us feel good for a moment but then go right back to focusing on the negative. Do you know who you are? There's a song I want to share with you today that speaks loudly and clearly of who you are and whose you are! I hope you will take the time to listen to and watch the video. I hope it will minister to your heart and soul and that you will start making steps to start believing the truth in your life. You have no idea how much power there is in believing and living the truth. When you live in His kingdom...you are unstoppable! There is nothing you can't do with His supernatural power and so many lives you can reach and lead to the light! We are so much more than what we think we are...stop thinking and start believing.<br />
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Be Blessed!<br />
Missy<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888846547040106599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-24456875505252081012013-06-26T05:50:00.000-07:002013-06-26T05:50:59.901-07:00Heavy Heart<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stitched heart found at DistleFunk2</td></tr>
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Is your heart heavy? Are you feeling weighed down with worry, stress, fear? Lately, it seems like everyone I know seems to be going through some type of tough situation. Perhaps you can relate. News of cancer returning, looming medical bills, lack of income, and physical injuries cover just a few of the situations I have been praying about. Sometimes it seems like I can never <em>do</em> or <em>say</em> enough to help. Often I want to swoop in and "fix" everything. And the truth is, <em>I</em> can't. The word helpless comes to mind. I feel helpless, in that my heart is burdened and weighed down with my inability to make things better.</div>
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As I thought about these feelings, this verse came to mind. Matthew 11:28 says this, "Come to me, all who are <em>weary</em> and <em>burdened </em>(Another version uses heavy laden instead of burdened)..." Wow, heavy-- what a word. Are you like me, in that, you tend to worry yourself to the ground? I will lie awake at night trying to go over in my mind how I can make a situation better. The funny thing is, I know that worrying will not change the situation. Yet, I still do it every time. All that I accomplish is that I wear myself down even further. My battery becomes even less charged until I wake up running on empty. <br />
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The best part is, there is more to that verse. "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you <strong><u>rest</u></strong>." Aren't you tired of being tired? Be encouraged! Though you can't "fix" everything, know that there is one who can. It may not be how you think it should be "fixed" but know that there is <em>purpose</em> and <em>wisdom</em> in that far greater than you could ever think or imagine. When you are looking to your mind for the answers, don't forget to look even further. Jeremiah 31:25 says, "I [God] will <em>refresh</em> the weary and <em>satisfy</em> the faint." Can you even imagine that? How nice would it feel to be refreshed? To be rejuvenated?<br />
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May you be encouraged that you need not run on empty any longer. Seek Him and His word and He will give you rest.<br />
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Written by: Jacklynn Graham from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/raisingmavericks">Raising Mavericks</a><br />
Artwork by: Maggie Montgomery from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Distlefunk2">DistleFunk2</a>JD Greysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00800241057694937571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-1402039455500483992013-06-24T04:05:00.000-07:002013-06-24T04:05:26.174-07:00D.I.Y Inspiration: Vintage Book Sewing Kit<br />
Today's D.I.Y. Inspiration comes from <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/03/v.html">A Beautiful Mess blog</a>. A sewing kit is always a handy thing to have, and what a sweet way to store one - inside the covers of a vintage book! You can slip it into your handbag or purse, to pull out when needed. Or it would look equally delightful on a bookshelf, provided you can remember which book to pull out in a stitching emergency!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage book sewing kit via A Beautiful Mess blog</td></tr>
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Head over to <a href="http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/03/v.html">A Beautiful Mess</a> to find all the step-by step instructions and more photos. <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-88773485161347953672013-06-23T05:43:00.001-07:002013-06-23T05:43:37.797-07:00Creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eV_W6wURnvI/UcbtIBghJcI/AAAAAAAABfw/F5QteWGo2bQ/s1600/il_570xN_408166648_5100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eV_W6wURnvI/UcbtIBghJcI/AAAAAAAABfw/F5QteWGo2bQ/s320/il_570xN_408166648_5100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/118377419/ephesians-210-you-are-gods-masterpiece?re...">You are God's Masterpiece</a><br />
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Many of us here with shops on ETSY create. We have a gift, a talent, a desire and a passion to make or create something of value. It takes a lot of thought and effort and it is not done without vision and purpose. I'm certain each one of us has a story of how a certain piece or item came to be, of how our shop became what it is today or what it is becoming for the future. <br />
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God created us and in doing so, I can guarantee He dotted every "i". He crossed every "t". He designed every intricate detail about us and retouched every flaw. Our God pours His heart and soul into each and every one of us that He creates. You were created for purpose and you are valuable. And just like us, when the masterpiece is finished, He looks down in admiration. He loves us. He swoons over His great creation and is proud of His work.</div>
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The point I am making here is this. Creation is not just by chance. Creation is is done with purpose, vision, and intention. You were created with a plan in mind and you are beautiful in His sight. With every stitch of our being we should be praising our great Creator and have a desire to fulfill our purpose. Don't question who or what you are...don't question if you are here for a reason...You were created! And you were created for greatness!</div>
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''Everything was created through him; nothing-not one thing!- came into being without him. What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out.'' John 1:3-5 (The Message)<br />
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Have a blessed Sunday!<br />
Missy <a href="http://www.unchainedbracelets.etsy.com/">www.unchainedbracelets.etsy.com</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888846547040106599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-11593283930534887812013-06-22T06:04:00.001-07:002013-06-24T04:06:20.127-07:00Shop Spotlight of the Week- JersyMaid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This weeks Shop Spotlight of the Week is Sharyl of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" ref="http://www.etsy.com/shop/jerseymaid?ref=seller_">JerseyMaid</a>. Sharyl has beautiful, modern fabric headbands, napkins and much more! She offers vibrant spring and summer color fabrics! I love so many of her items . Take a look at a few of her amazing creations below! Please stop by and see all the stunning items in JerseyMaid Shop!
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><b>About Our Team</b> Team Jabez is a fun place to help promote one another and learn to grow our businesses. We are a small, Faith Based team with outstanding shops and great photography. Our teams goal is to grow together in Excellence!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"> <span style="color: orange;">Team Jabez Members: If you have a chance, please show some shop love by taking a moment to favorite and promote on your favorite Social Media. Thanks!</span></span></div>
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by Kelly of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellybermudez"><span style="background-color: white; color: cyan;">KellyBermudez</span></a><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-20198090311364086992013-06-21T19:01:00.000-07:002013-06-21T19:03:46.579-07:00Fridays Fabulous Finds<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who hasn't spent a few minutes viewing artisans' work on Etsy? If one is not careful, you can easily find yourself viewing longer than you had expected. It is so evident that God our Father has blessed His creation with so many talents. We are here to share with you some of these beautiful talents from other wonderful Etsy sellers. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/107499324/shades-of-green-teething-ring-toy-with?ref=shop_home_active" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/005/0/6474848/il_570xN.367972744_emh4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Green teething ring toy with crochet wooden beads</b>. Looking for a more natural toy? This teething ring is made of wood and 100% cotton yarn. The seller suggests the woods can be polished with sesame seed or olive oil. This eco friendly teething ring can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/nihamaj?ref=seller_info">NiHaMa - Nice Hand Made</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/45238118/gift-pack-parsley-peas?ref=shop_home_active" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://img2.etsystatic.com/000/0/5438696/il_fullxfull.216355782.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<b>Parsley Peas Card Gift Pack</b>. Nature in God's creation is always a great place to start. Getting back to the root of things. If you have a dear one who loves gardening, a card such as this one would be much appreciated. These cards can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBotanicalConcept?ref=seller_info">The Botanical Concept</a>.<br />
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<b>Ceramic Cellars in Mint-- Salt, Pepper and Sugar</b>. A lovely way to access your salt & pepper and your sugar. Simply scoop out what you need using the bamboo spoons from these lovely handmade ceramic cellars. These functional pottery pieces can be found at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RossLab?ref=ss_profile">RossLab</a>.<br />
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Blessings in our Messiah<br />
~ <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/NaturaLLinens" target="_blank">Carmen</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-27106492023716849612013-06-21T17:45:00.000-07:002013-06-21T17:50:00.320-07:00Part of a Team From the outside, you are a shop filled with pictures of your products. Some of you may have a face and a bio, but for the most part, that is where it ends. When people favorite your item they don't see the long hours you've put into your product, building your circles, making treasuries, and promoting. When an order is placed, they don't know that you are actually in the ER at that very moment because a loved one has suddenly fallen ill or that you are trying to make dinner, while figuring out how to tidy the house, pick of your child from baseball practice, to the sound of a screaming toddler. All of this stays behind the scenes. <br />
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For me, opening up my Etsy shop was a dream come true. Finally, I felt like I was able to inspire the world with all these ideas that God had been flooding my heart with. I did my best to research what I needed to do and then when I couldn't sleep any longer due to all the ideas constantly floating in my head; I opened up shop. I don't know what I was thinking. For the first few days, I think I needed to attend some sort of Stats Anonymous, as that was all I seemed to do. Looking back, (and you may laugh) I really thought that I was going to open up shop and sell, sell, sell. Wow! I had no clue how much work Etsy really was/is. <br />
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I think I ran on nothing but adrenaline the first week. Once the second week rolled around, I began to lose my momentum a bit. All of the views I had received from my Facebook friends began to trickle away and I was left watching my stats barely rise. I was so defeated. I felt like I had failed. I don't think people really understand how much of your heart you put into your shop, unless they themselves have been there. And that is where you come in.<br />
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When you try to go at Etsy alone, the chances are quite high, that you will be left as I was feeling; down and defeated. But Praise God that the story did not end there :) I started researching success stories and realized that Etsy Teams were a wonderful way to get involved and relate to others going through similar experiences. The first day I was invited to Team Jabez, I literally sat at my computer and wept reading the various discussions. Real people, just like me, sharing their hearts and emotions, while encouraging and spurring one another on. If you are not on a team, I highly encourage you to pray to God to lead you to the right one or as in my case, to have the right one find you.<br />
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I truly feel like the below verse represents what I see in Team Jabez, a team carrying one another's burdens, growing in the Lord, and spurring one another on towards greatness through prayer and joyfulness.<br />
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Colossians 1:9-12 says this, "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, what has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."<br />
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As we continue this journey together, may you be inspired and encouraged by the unity of being a part of a team. <br />
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Blog written by Jacklynn Graham-- <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/raisingmavericks">www.etsy.com/shop/raisingmavericks</a> <br />
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Artwork by Kelly Bermudez</div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/124543040/sister-friend-sisters-bestfriends?ref=shop_home_active">http://www.etsy.com/listing/124543040/sister-friend-sisters-bestfriends?ref=shop_home_active</a></div>
JD Greysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00800241057694937571noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-55760093902952944492013-06-08T18:31:00.000-07:002013-06-08T18:31:43.554-07:00fundraiser to benefit tornado and flood victimsOne week left. Seven days. GO!<br />
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Wait...um, where are we going?<br />
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We are going shopping for a cause. We are going to<i> RUN, NOT WALK</i> to <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BaruchsLullaby?ref=si_shop"><span style="color: #45818e;">Baruch's Lullaby</span></a>, where 100% of all sales income is currently being donated to benefit the people of Oklahoma and surrounding states that are recovering from the heartbreak recently caused by tornadoes. Baruch's Lullaby is also donating funds to a local Alaskan community, the village of Galena, that was devastated by a flood from an ice jam along the Yukon River.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxwSLmMlJT7vT-jvvwMTAHFE8Fw1vRPkZ6E9g69BmSOqz-ozyJ2msY2KN7wobQQCHgMY4mO8PtHz27PZE6wDC74Namvrqk_RN7MkRrhgxN5rfLjSYmcQKVkgMeOQrW6YI67zu4xtOL8k/s1600/tornado+and+flood+fundraiser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxwSLmMlJT7vT-jvvwMTAHFE8Fw1vRPkZ6E9g69BmSOqz-ozyJ2msY2KN7wobQQCHgMY4mO8PtHz27PZE6wDC74Namvrqk_RN7MkRrhgxN5rfLjSYmcQKVkgMeOQrW6YI67zu4xtOL8k/s320/tornado+and+flood+fundraiser.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can also<u><span style="color: #45818e;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588406464526891&set=pb.103300643037478.-2207520000.1370740249.&type=3&theater"><i>share this photo on facebook</i></a></span> </u>and be entered to win a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BaruchsLullaby?section_id=7183668"><span style="color: #45818e;">hairband or kerchief of your choice</span></a>! We will do the drawing on Friday, June 14th.<br />
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Hurray, hurrah, hurry! The fundraiser goes through June 15th! You get some wonderful knitterly goodness, and these communities get some much-needed funds for recovery.<br />
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Any questions? You can read more details<span style="color: #45818e;"> <a href="http://baruchslullaby.blogspot.com/2013/06/through-wind-and-water.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">here</span></a></span>, or contact Shannon at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BaruchsLullaby?ref=si_shop"><span style="color: #45818e;">Baruch's Lullaby</span></a>. Thanks!sacra vimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04873890064879355727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-68269160969635205512013-06-06T17:43:00.000-07:002013-06-06T17:50:55.666-07:00Amazing items from some Amazing Shops!<script src="http://www.etsy.com/etsy_mini.js" type="text/javascript"></script><script type="text/javascript">new EtsyNameSpace.Mini(29137659, 'favorites','gallery',4,3).renderIframe();</script><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8226687117068291796.post-45475437996500517872013-06-06T16:35:00.001-07:002013-06-06T16:35:14.925-07:00Team Jabez I am so excited to launch the Team Jabez blog. We will be featuring stunning Etsy Shops and wonderful information and material to help and inform handmade business to excede and grow!<br />
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Who are we?<br />
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Team Jabez is a fun place to help promote one another and learn to grow our
businesses . We are a small, Faith Based team with outstanding shops. Our teams goal is to grow together in Excellence! <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0