Gerda's Prickly Pumpkin

Boy a few weeks away from the blog & I've totally forgotten how to make it look pretty!  Or schedule a post for that matter.  So you get a second one tonight!!

I guess I'll just blame it on the crisp cool nights & promise of rain later this week.  Last year it rained so hard on Halloween that not a sole came to our door.  I'm fine with all those little goblins, storm troopers, princesses and minions opting for the mall & church festivities to stay out of the rain again this year as we desperately need the wet stuff.  

Wow, I certainly could use a tutorial from my kid on taking card photos!  I lose so much detail using my dear little IPhone & slapping them up here.  You'll just have to take my word for it when I say this card is awesome from the multi colored spines to that pile of punched leaves.

Gerda Steiner's images are so cheerful and a lot of fun to color.  I'll be entering this little guy in her October Monthly challenge   I encourage you to download her images & play along each month.  Gerda is so kind to provide you with a new image next month when you link up your project.  She's also added a Share Your Design element to her blog that showcases other images.

Well until next time my friends.  Blessings, Jan. 

The Mind of a Child: A New Perspective

So exactly two months ago today I began my journey into Bible Journaling.  I'm enjoying carving time out for Jesus.  For me it's a way to illustrate a favorite passage or song in a way that makes my heart sing.  

Job 22: 21-23

If you haven't heard about this wonderful way to spend time with Jesus let me suggest that you check out Stephanie Ackerman's Documented Faith and Shanna Noel's Illustrated Faith.  There are many ladies leading studies, journaling challenges, and teaching via their blogs, YouTube, or Periscope. There are Facebook Communities dedicated to this as well.

I'm no expert but there seems to be at least three stumbling blocks to a getting started.  (Which coincidentally coincide with My Faith Walk). 

The first is simply not knowing about it, followed by a strong desire to learn everything you can.  This results in not in fact spending time creating in the Word but searching the Internet: Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest for ideas and reveling in the wonderfully creative expressions of faith shared by fellow Christians.

Psalm 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

The second is doubt - I'll never be as good as they are.  I can't draw, paint or letter like that.  I don't have the correct tools.

And finally acceptance.  Here as in my Walk, I'm good enough and won't grow unless I try.  He equips us differently and speaks to each of us on our own level.   Sometimes it's just colored pencils or a few stickers from my Scrapbook stash,  Other days it's tracing and coloring my favorite digital images or stamps to summarize my Pastor's Sunday teaching.

I encourage you to try it.  Whether it be in a journaling bible or faith note book.  Take some time this week to doodle out & color your favorite verse or worship song.   You'll be glad you did!

Mark 10:15 ...whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
Digital Image: Tiddly Inks 'Swinging By'