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Experimenting with different journals

I just visited Ewian blog where she shares how she tested all different kinds of journals to find which worked best with what. I'm adding it to my blog as I believe it's valuable info for all!!! Blessings...now go read..ehehehe!!!

Christmas!

Am sending out my wishes that each of you have a Blessed Christmas and Safe New Years all the while remembering why we celebrate this Holiday...weather you be Christian, Jewish whatever...know that you are loved, and my thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

This litte painting I did I share with each of you...it's my version of a Winter Wonderland...Bevie

Check this out...Free!!!

Valentine Swap

We are having a Valentine Swap in ECS come take a look, and join in the fun!!!

A Splendid Adventure

I have to say this blog is my very favorite not only because it's my sister who writes it, but because it's packed full of wonderful thoughts and writings...my sister has the most beautiful spirit, and her giving nature shows in all she does!!!
There are photos of some of her Christmas decorations that will give you some really great ideas too!!!
I sure hope you enjoy visiting with my baby sister as much as I do...well almost!!! hehehe!!!

What Christmas means to me

Looking back at the Christmas of my youth I remember waking Christmas morning to the smell of fresh pine. All of us kids would run to basement to see what we'd been longing to see....the real tree all decorated with lights, and ornaments, and of course the tinsil. At first we thought Santa Claus brought the tree during the night decorating it just for us, but later we realized it was dad who stayed up all night decorating it for us!!! Those were the days!!! We all felt so blessed to see our *one* gift under the tree. Yep, mine was usally a pair of new shoes. This particular year they were a beautiful, shinny pair of black penny loafers. As I put my foot down into the shoe I realized it wasn't the right size, but because I was afraid mom and dad would take them back I didn't say anything. I wore those shoes for over a year even tho they were too tight...boy did my feet hurt.
As we grew up many of us decided we'd see that our kids got more than we got...not the way to think, but I'm just as guilty. Celebrating the birth of Christ each year is what should be uppermost in our minds and hearts...giving is something that makes us all feel good...but giving of our time helping one another is a better gift indeed. I'm using the God given talent to paint little gifts for friends and family. There are so many things we could do to make things easier for others, like offering a day of babysitting to a gal so she can have that time to get things done she otherwise wouldn't. I used to do that when I was young. Helping an elderly person with her groceries will make you feel great inside too (it's so true) Random acts of kindness makes those giving of themselves feel so wonderful...I know it does me...
Ok, one more thing,
I want to wish each and everyone who happens by this blog a very Safe and Happy Holiday Season!!!


Just to let you know I'm offering free shipping on everything in my shop from now till the end of December!!!
www.bevie.etsy.com
Blessings,
Bevie

A Soulful Woman

As I read yesterday's daily readings from John Eldredge thru Ransomedheart.com I realized how important it is for women to have a Soulful Heart. After reading, Captivating by John Eldredge, I began to realized all the things I'd learned and practiced over the years didn't have a great foundation. Having come from a disfunctional family envirnment so many of my beliefs were not how God wants a woman to feel or for that matter, live by!!! The old saying, it's never too late applies to ME. Learning that God sees my beauty even tho I don't find myself beautiful at this stage of my life. However learning the true meaning of beauty has helped me to realize I do have a Soulful Heart. This is some of what I found in Captivating, and brought back in my daily readings from John Eldredge.

A woman in her glory, a woman of beauty, is a woman who is not striving to become beautiful or worthy or enough. She knows in her quiet centre where God dwells that He finds her beautiful, has deemed her worthy and in him, she is enough. In fact, the only thing getting in the way of our being fully captivating and enjoyed is our hiding and striving.

So Jesus says, “I will quiet you with My love” (Zephaniah 3:17). A woman of true beauty is a woman who in the depths of her soul is at rest; trusting God because she has come to know Him to be worthy of her trust. She exudes a sense of calm; a sense of rest; and invites those around her to rest as well. She speaks comfort; that all is well; that all will be well. A woman of true beauty offers others the grace to be and the room to become. In her presence, one can release the tight sigh that so often grips our hearts, and breathe in the truth that God loves us and he is good.

This is why we must keep asking. Ask Jesus to show you your beauty. Ask him what he thinks of you as a woman. His words to us let us rest. And unveil our beauty.

My sister, Mary sent me that book...I started it then put it down...finding so many other things taking center stage, but I finally decided it was something I really needed to read, and am so blessed that I did. For me, it showed me I was truly worthy, and it was like a big weight lifted off my shoulders...if you can find time to read this book ladies, I'm sure you will find it as much a blessing as I did..
Thank you dear sis!!!!
In Christian Love,
Bevie

Good morning

This is a photo of a rosebud taken yesterday. It's amazing it lived thru freezing weather, high winds and even snow. I think God wanted me to smile at it just one more time!!! God has shared with us so much about himself...He is good. He is pure light in whom there is no darkness at all. He is worthy of our absolute trust and loyalty. He is gracious and full of tender mercy. He sovereignly controls everything that happens, so that no matter how chaotic and turbulent the circumstances of life may seem, we're not to think God has lost control. He limits our temptations to no more than we can endure, and He provides a way of escape from all evil enticements. He gives us grace to endure the trials of life, and strength and comfort to withstand the pain of suffering. He never changes, never waivers, never slumbers or sleeps, and never lets even the tiniest sparrow out of His sight. Best of all, He promises to make all things work together for the ultimate good of those who love Him.
I was thinking about all the pain many of us suffer with each day, and found scripture that might be of comfort. One of the reasons God allows us to suffer is so that He can comfort us, and thus equip us to comfort others in their suffering (2 Cor. 1:3-4

May you be blessed as you spend your day remembering to give Him all the praise for everyting you have!!! Bevie

Etsy Cottage Style

A wonderful group of ladies sharing their art.

http://treasurebarnblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/comfort-dolls-for-battered-women.html#links

Good morning!

I was going thru all the photos I have yet to put in albums (there are way too many) found several of my son Chas when he was just a baby. This was taken when I was only 21 yrs old...Yikes...could that really be me??? Can you believe he was that *healthy* from just breast milk??? Yep! Those were tough days however because of bad choices I married a man who was abusive both physically and mentally. It lasted only 5 yrs and I was blessed to get out with my life and my son...he went on to marry 6 more times never changing and passed away last year. So sad, but I thank God for being there with me thru it all.

I can remember so many times when I found myself in one bad situation after another, some because of bad choices, some from being in the wrong place at the wrong time!!! I won't go into all that because it's in the past, and I've realized that life is just too short to beat those old times over and over again...wouldn 't you agree?? I know sometimes we do have to go back and deal with things to be able to put them to rest...I believe I've done that with most things...I still have dreams that take me back to my childhood...don't know why, but I'm all for living in the now!!! Having found this wonderful place to finally share all what I do with likeminded people who have become so very dear to my heart makes everyday a treasure. Funny how many things just doing seem to matter anymore...I feel God's presence everytime I pick up a paintbrush. I really do believe HE gives us these talents to share with others don't you??? My heart is so full I of love for all those I've met here, (mostly for bringing my sister and I together in a very special way) ehhehe!! Here I am back to my sweet sister. What can I say, being here sharing everything I do with her means so much!!! Now, I am wishing each of you a wonderfully blessed day today...and a full week of wonderful discoveries to paint, think about and to share!!! (((hugs))) Bevie

What an awesome day!

It's now very dark when I get up in the morning! My feet hit the floor at 5:30 ( a little late)this morning, and I went straight to the back deck to see the moon overhead. It was just as beautiful as it was last night, and as I breathed in the cool, fresh morning air I thought how blessed we are to live in a world where we have choice...to get up when we want, to be able to go out, and see such beauty!! The moon was highlighting the tall trees as the stars twinkled between them. Two deer were eating at a feeder just beyond the back fence. Little squirrels were already scurrying around in the fallen leaves hunting for their morning meal.

I love mornings don't you??? Everything is fresh, and you get the feeling, at least I do, that this day can be the best yet. I think to myself I'm gonna paint something really good today. Will I do a beach scene or will I jump outta that ole' box and do something different, exciting like a really kewl mixed media collage...Yes, that's what I'm gonna do today. I want to start doing ATC cards but need to read all I can about them. It's so much fun to go to our groups and see all the beautiful art displayed there...more importantly for me it's the joy I feel when one of my new friends make a nice comment on something I created. That makes my work real ...you know??? It validates my creativity. As you read this blog you will again realize writing isn't my strong suit..ehehhe!!! I tend to jump from thought to thought...do that when talking to my friends as well...that and the bad habit of butting in when someone is talking...it's not that I'm being mean, it's that I'm so excited about what they are saying...does that make any sense??? Now should I delete this and start over???? hummm...nay! I pray that each of you have a truly blessed day...creating another wonderful piece, or just being the best you can...love you!!! Bevie

Fall is here

I have to share with you where this little or should I say BIG gem came from. That pile behind the sunflower is horse manure from a relatives farm...yep, it just grew right up from there....it doesn't look as good as it does here cuz time has passed and fall is upon us. I'll harvest the seeds and plant them around the yard next year in the hopes we will produce many many more.

All the Seasons have special meaning for me, but Fall and Spring are my favorites...Fall because it's everything beginning to hybernate, leaves turning then falling to the ground...The smell, oh the sweet smell of Fall. The chill in the air early in the morning, having coffee out on the deck all bundled up in a robe and slippers just to be able to see all the beautiful our land holds. We love living up in the mountains where the wild animals roam free. We enjoy filling the feeders for the birds, and even throwing out apples that have passed their eating stage to the deer.

Can't you just visualize what the next few months are going to bring, colder nights and mornings, frost on the ground, and the glistening of little crystals hitting the ground as either ice or snow. The children in the area coming out to play in it. Us grown ups grabbing the shovels to push that snow away from the walks so no one falls. Yes I love this time of year. Getting ready for Thanksgiving, contemplating who will come for a big feast this year. Thoughts of all the love our family shares, but being so wrapped up in OUR lives we forget to keep in touch...it just happens...time gets away from us, and we shouldn't let it. I will invite all my family for Thanksgiving Dinner this year...wanting to see them to tell them how much I love them. My heart sometimes feels as though it's going to burst with such love I feel. My children all have their own lives and families so don't know if they will come.

My siblings are all scattered in different States, some near some far. One sister, Linda is in FL and was spared the damage some were left with from the hurricanes. Praise the Lord. My baby sister, whom I adore, lives in GA, and has been teaching me so much about love and forgiveness thru her beautiful journals. She started this journey as a way of finding out things she'd forgotten as a child. I knew God would open her soul to let her see the beauty within, and how good and worthy she is. So many things can leave scars we sometimes don't even remember...but they dig at our hearts even so....well, this has been an interesting blog to be sure one I am not going to edit am not even going to go back, and read. Let it be I say...God provides. Blessings to all who may come and read this blog.

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God has been challenging me!

Gee, it's been so long since I last posted here, but my life has been busy with one thing after another...as I write this please don't think I"m complaining about the things that have been thrown my way...cuz I never ever say *why me??* I know that God has never promised any of us this life here on earth would be easy...but He did say He'd be with us thru all the trials. I can tell ya I've had my share over the years, and could probably write a book about them all...hehehe! Some would say how do you stay so up beat all the time, what are you on...etc. Well let me tell you for many years I've lived with so much pain from the Fibromyalgia, Mofascial Pain, Arthritis, Migraines, IBD and depression...that being because of all the pain...and yes, from PTSD...many unhappy memories from the past still raises it's ugly head at times..many know exactly what I'm referring to when I say **trigger** My Lord has been with me thru it all! There was never a time that I didn't feel HIM near, but there were many times I didn't listen and took the wrong path!!! It was then that I went thru the worst trials...God only allows things to happen to teach us lessons I think...I may be wrong but I do know going thru them has made me stronger and more open to His word!!

Ok, *trial* started way back in May when I had an MRI because I was having severe pain in hips, legs and groin. Thinking it was just the osteo-arthritis attacking another joint, we did the MRI. Well, that hip joint is not the cause of the pain...My Rheumy told me it was the Piriformis muscle that either goes around or thru you Sciatic nerve was really tight and actually squeezing the nerve...well therapy helped that tremendously so I'm much better, BUT on that film we discovered some enlarged lymph nodes...now that was scary cuz the first thing the radiologist said was, it could be Lymphoma....I'm thinking ok we can deal with that...Mary, my Rheumy said, awwww it's probably just the Fibromyalgia...and I liked that diagnosis..eheheh!! A CT Scan was scheduled for June to check on them to see if they were any bigger...that's what the do!!! In the mean time the basil cell cancer was back on my nose....now that's the only little thing on my body, and they've already done several surgeries and a MOHS which is where the cut, biopsy, the cut, biopsy till there is no more...could be once or five times...you never know. Mine was 3 times...left there looking like I had little Christmas bandage on my nose....ehhehe!! The skin was taken from my right ear!!! Yes from inside my ear...it's the only thing still bothers me..and don't really know why!!! Maybe it's just that the skin is tighter inside my ear...don't know!!! Now I'm told I have to have another MOHS....after my dermatologist did a biopsy. Now just before that was confirmed the CT Scan was done...they discovered a spot...Colon Cancer was breathed...I'm think, God this can't be true, right??? I pray that it's not, but again we'll deal with it. I had to have another Colonoscopy...right away in 2 days...3 polyps are removed, and a sac...as well...what that means I don't know but we are waiting for the results...It's been almost 3 wks...where are the results...I"m think it's probably because the report was sent to my Rheumy and she's on vacation...so the thing for me to do is call the dr who did the Colonoscopy and ask...that's what I'm gonna do today....See we all go thru little trials daily I think...ok before I finish this little blog I have to tell you what happen over the last weekend. I went out to our front deck and discovered the big cat was getting ready to pounce on a bluebird house that had a pair nesting in it...I hurried (can't really run) to reach the birdhouse when my right foot hit the 2x4 at the bottom of our deck gate....it was warped and sticking out about 3 to 4 inches at the bottom...soooooooooooooo that board actually went right between the third and forth toes...Yep I suspected the toe was broken when I looked down (after reaching the birdhouse and moving it) and the forth toe was sitting sideways ontop of the baby toe!!! OUCHY!!!! it was already strarting to bruise, and swell...I'm thinking to myself...Ok Lord we will let the swelling go down then I will take the two toes together like they would do if I went to the dr....well that swelling didn't wan to go done even tho I put ice on it and kept it up most of the time...(except when I was check in with Etsy...hehehehe!!) Picture this, I was sitting at the table looking at a paper when my 30lbs pug, Wrinkles started running thru the house, out the back door, back in and yep...jumped right on my toe...oh my what a shock, and the pain shot thru my whole body...I couldn't say a word.. course I didn't have any protection at all on my foot.....it swelled even more so my dh came home and took me to the hospital for an x-ray after I called my other dr to send over an order for one. No need to go to see her as I knew it was broken...just needed to be sure the Metatarsal bone wasn't...IT WASN'T Praise the Lord...I just came home, put cotton around the broken toe the used elastic bandage to secure it....perhaps it will heal now. I'm sure you've had days and weeks like I've had...hummm would you like to share some of those stories and how they affected your life with Christ...I know for sure no matter what comes from the tests I've had God will walk with me every step of the way...but I have a real peace about it!

My hope is always with the Lord!!! Where is your hope???? I ask because you need to know where you will go when you die...we can choose to go to heaven and have eternity with God by accepting God's free gift...realizing that have been born a sinner, but by Grace you have been saved by the blood of Jesus who died for all mankind on a cross....please choose to life..with HIM!!!! God bless all those how pass by this blog!!!! Bevie