Pay-It-Forward

***********PAY IT FORWARD***********

I have joined with Jan of Jan & Tom's Place to do a special "Pay it Forward" for those who love this type of giving. This is how it works:

To the first 3 interested bloggers that respond to wanting to be a part of this...I will be sending something to each of them. You MUST leave me a comment on this post to let me know you are interested in joining.

Then those 3 bloggers promise to pass it along or Pay It Forward. You then will send something to the first 3 bloggers who comment on your posts and it goes on and on and on.

Your something can be anything you've made, bought, found or were given. Keeping in mind that it might be something you would like to receive.

If you want to join the fun...PLEASE leave a comment and then copy/paste this information about the giveaway on your blog. Then send something to the first 3 bloggers who sign up. Who Wants to join in the FUN and To Pay It Forward?

Blessings...Lorena

Moving Forward ~ Looking Ahead

Todays Verses:

Philippians 3:12-16

12. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

13. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

14. I press on toward the GOAL to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15. All of us who are mature should take such a vew of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

16. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

I wanted to continue sharing from the Series of JOY from Philippians that we have been doing this summer in our morning worship on Sundays. It has been such a great series... and I always love reading from the life of Paul..what insights to our Lord he had.

What these particular verses talk about are how we need to put the sins of our past to rest. But how do we do that when we have those memories of horrid things that have happened to us? Well if we remember Paul, who calls himself the CHEIF of sinners...he had this same problem. You see, he persecuted those new Christian's thinking he was doing GOD's work. Until GOD brought him to his knees and changes his heart forever. He Lived with knowing that many of those Christians probably were killed or tortured because of him. Those would be horrible memories I think to have. Yet, he knew he was totally forgiven..as far as the East is from the West, his sins were forgive.

So, how do we NOT get caught up in past memories or hurts? DONT RELIVE THEM! Or simply we must forget them and give them to GOD, our healer. You may also need to be aware that in great moments of defeat or trials they may want to come back and haunt you...Do NOT let them come! Take those thought to GOD...when this happens to me I have tried to memorize verses in the Word.

One that particularly helps me when I am being tormented is:

2Corinthians 10:4-5...
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments (mental battles) and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST.

If we can grasp that the Strongholds are Satans way to get in and discourage or take us down *other* paths, then we are giving him victory over what GOD has done in our lives. It it only when we know we are in battle, that we go to our GOD and simply let him TAKE those thought Captive by his redeeming Grace! God is good to do this when we ask him to. It will be something many of us may have to do multiple times a day..until it becomes a habit...and our thoughts are totally in line with what God's wants them to be. Freedom from those chains and strongholds is what our walk is all about. In Beth Moore's study BREAKING FREE...she tells us that we can overcome these mental battles if we "re-Wallpaper" our minds. Taking out the old patterns and thoughts and replacing them with GOD's word. God's word is the POWER we have against Satan and his tactics. It is always there for us, but WE have to take hold of it and claim it before GOD.

That's what I love about serving a Living God...we always get Do-overs...each new day is that for us. Are you taking them all to Him? I sure hope so, because He LOVE you so and wants to begin a fresh new start today in your life.




Blessings...Lorena

GIVEAWAY ENDS TODAY!

Hi...just a reminder that I am doing a give-away. I will picking a name outta the hat later in the evening today...so stay tuned!!!

Okay, I have my sister visiting me from Floriday here..and she picked....

AND THE WINNER IS (DRUM ROLL PLEASE)..................KIM of Kim's Treasures....CONGRATULATIONS Kim...I am so happy to be sending you these goodies!

Thanks everyone for your very kind comments on my finished Craft/Sewing Room. Once my family leaves...I am gonna be back and visiting all you sweeties that visited my blog!

Blessings...Lorena

COME TO JESUS ~ Wednesday 7/23

As I have been pondering just what to write today. I have been reminded over and over again of GOD's workings in my life for the 10 months. These past months would not be months I would EVER want to go through again. I don't remember a time when I so felt like I was drowning or being pull under, over and over again. I would think that I am treading water, and down I'd go again. But I have built a lasting resolve that I would follow Christ and that was what kept me going.

As we all know, God's timing is everything. I have been attending our church's WOW (Women of the Word) for over 10 years now. This year we were doing Beth Moore's newest study, STEPPING UP, the Ascents of the Psalms. Within Psalms are 15 chapters all about Isreals Pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the many feasts that they celebrated. On their way, they would go over these Psalms and recite them. What made this study even better was our Pastor had JUST finished doing a series of these very same Psalms, 120-135. Each chapter in its own right has at least one lesson we can apply to our life. But one stood out for me as being pivotal and really touching my heart.

Psalms 121:

1. I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?

2. My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

3. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber;

4. indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.

5. The LORD watches over you - the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6. the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7. The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;

8. the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

From Beth's first video I knew GOD would use this in a mighty way. She had prayed for us before we started this study that we would find a time during the day to go to our QUIET Place and get on our Knees before God...I got GOD~bumbs...because before we had even started this study, I had already been there on my knees, crying out to GOD. And I had been not doing this on a consistent basis before that.

Also, God has a way of using SONGs in my life and I had been hearing Casting Crowns Song, PRAISE You In the STORMS. And right in the middle of this song is..."I will lift mine eyes to the hills, where does my help come from...my help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth". Isn't I so amazing how GOD can take sone and his word an connect things like this together in your life? Coincidence? I don't think so. I knew that GOD does this for a purpose...to build my TRUST in Him. When things would get rough and my heart was hurting, I was playing this song over and over, praising my GOD through my storms. Now...if you are like me Praise is the hardest thing to do when you are facing lifes trials...but I began to find such comfort and release when I would do this.

As these trials began to touch my child that was when it got very hard for me and I was at my lowest point. When someone was doing some very unjust things to her, I have never experienced the hurt or anger like that towards anyone. Yet again, God's stepped in and His still small voice was telling me to Praise Him, pray for this person and FORGIVE. That voice quietly kept telling me I AM God, I can see what you are going through, give it to me. Trust ME! What? Trust ME. After much inner battle I relenquished and forgave and soon began to trust.

TRUST...I knew through all of these trials that at some point they'd ease up and I'd be able to look back on them and begin to see what GOD was doing. And yes, it has eased some...and I DO see God's hand in all of these trials. His contant for me was His promise to Isreal that he is right by their side, he does not sleep or slumber, he watches and see's it all. And that no harm will come my way..unless God has a purpose in that too. What sweet release it is to know I can honestly TRUST my life, my family to a living GOD who never slumbers or sleeps..but keeps watch over me. I can only hope and pray that this may help someone going through trials today.

If you have never heard Casting Crowns song I'd love for you to hear it. Here's a link to U-Tube of this Song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw

Have a blessed day..Lorena

I'M CELEBRATING ~ MY CRAFT ROOM IS DONE ~ GIVEAWAY

In honor of all of my hard work I did in my newly painted, organized Craft/Sewing ROOM (Click Here to see what I am talking about)...I am doing a SPECIAL giveaway. So get the word out to all your blogging friends and leave me a comment or email addy to let me know if you want your name entered in. Now...if you advertise on your blog about my giveaway, let me know and I will add your name again.

I have seen so many wonderful things given to others. I sure hope I can do them proud. Having been on the receiving end a few times..I love to received..but we all know the blessings are in the giving as well. I have been have a lot of fun coming up with some neat ideas...my pictures below are some of the goodies ONE lucky person will receive.

I have so many goodies...some I have painted, one I sewn and the rest, well just for fun or crafting.... I am also giving you a close up of the pair of earrings the winner will receive since you can hardly see them in my picture of all the other goodies. I do make my earrings and use Sterling Silver French Wire Hooks, FYI... and sell them on my etsy. This pair has pink swarovski crystal beads, and pale pink freshwater pearls!
Okay...I will be picking a Lucky Winner on SATURDAY, JULY 26th..late in the afternoon evening time!

SHOW n TELL ~ Sunday July 20

Here we go again...another Show n Tell Sunday. This week our challenge was to show some of our vintage papers, ephemera, cards, etc that we collect or use and possibly where we store or keep them. Thank you Cerri of The Little Pink Studio for hosting this Sundays event. Be sure to check out the other participants by clicking on her name or blog name.

Now...down to business. If you are one of my blog friends who has been keeping up with my Craft Room Redo then you know a Major part of my time was spent on getting organized. Good or bad, I am one of the sentimental gals who can't throw somethings away for a *possible better use or project* I just might need it for. In saying that, I have been known to keep cards, magazine clippings, ideas for crafts, patterns, books and so on. And I finally found the time to sit down and put all of my collected goodies together in and organized fashion.

Many years ago my sweet mom, bestowed upon me some very vintage books and music which I now have in a plastic storage container. I went through and could NOT believe the dates on some of these music pieces...many from the late 1890's and early 1900's. I can't wait to use these...I just need to come up with some ideas! I'd love to hear how you might use these. I placed them all in a clear plastic tote.




Next is some gorgeous pictures of some calendars I had recieved asgifts which again the pictures were too beautiful to get rid of. These are so big I did end up bying a large 13x13 plastic paper holder...which is full...I need to either start using this stuff or get anothe container! lol



This last set of pictures show my organizational skills..or lack thereof. I did categorized cards, pictures, papers and magazines clippings into file names and have a plactic file organizer for them all...it too is so crammed full I may need to start another one.

And then...as I was sitting here...I remembered my mother had again bestowed upon me so Vintage LIFE magazinesshe had found in my grandfathers barn many years ago. But I cannot for the LIFE of me remember where I have put them...the hunt is on...so stay tuned!!!

Have a blessed Sunday...Lorena

My First PINK SATURDAY

WELCOME!!! Please come join me and the many other participant in PINK SATURDAY hosted by Beverly of How Sweet the Sound...you will find all the other participant who have joined this Saturday on her blog. Be sure to go look at them when you can. Thanks Beverly for hosting this fun Pink post!

I have really enjoyed reading the PINK Saturday post from the past few weeks. I finally got myself organized enough so that I could join in, YIPPEE! This was such a fun and easy post to do cause I have so much pink around my home...and it really amazed me how much. It was hard to narrow them all down so I picked 5 items of some of my favorite things to show you this week.

This was a recent garage sale find... .50C it is a beauty and large...but I am not sure why it has a handle...any ideas?
This sweet lady pushing a pram is definitely a favorite of mine!
My friend Katie send me some PINK feathers and I found the perfect glass jar to host them in. Then in front on a recent trip to JoAnn's...I found this 3 pack of ROSE soaps...aren't they amazing..yes they look like Rose buds..I could not use them they are just too pretty! But I don't have a problem displaying them.
This is a favorite Tea Cup of mine...its background is soft pink and then in has handpainted roses all over! It's just so yummy!
This last one is of my PINK roses that I enjoy painting. It has been painted on a vintage old mirror...this will be offered in my ebay this weekend starting Sunday.
Enjoy and have a blessed PINK Saturday...Lorena

A Sweet Award

There are just so many wonderful Gals out there in Blogland. And one of them is Sherry of Eddie Maries Attic, she just awarded me with this award and I am just pleased as punch and veryt HONORED to receive it. Thank you so much Sherry, blessings to you and your sweet family!

Now it is my turn to pass this award to 7 fellow bloggers that I adore..Please know there are so many of you and this was HARD to pick cause you ALL are special to me.

But first, the rules.

1. Please put this logo on your blog.

2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3. You must nominate 7 fellow bloggers for this award.

4. Add links to the recipients.

5. Leave a comment so the recipients know they have received an award.

This is so difficult! I love so many of you and your blogs are amazing!! Okay my choices are:

Karen at Second Hand Rose

Ele at A Bit of Pink Heaven

Katie at Rose Breeze Boutique

Ronda at Art by Ronda Jupiter

Bertie at Aunt Mays Cottage

Rene at Miss Gracie's House

Diana at Soy Candle Lady

Michelle at Treasure the Moment

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I have been a busy gal the past few days. I thought I would share a peek of what I have been brewing up. Painting roses is such a joy and even better when I can find an object for just a $1 and make it look like more!

This was originally a mirror..this will be listed Sunday on my ebay. I think I am going to lighten up the pink a bit tho.
LOVE just says it all. These letters are on my etsy...I am trying something new..I am doing customer orders of these letters..if you are interested in just a single letter, a name or word I can do what you would like, just for you. Be sure to check out my etsy...just click on the top right hand corner to see my offerings.
Everyone must love cupcakes...this is an ornament..I am not finished putting sparklies on it but isn't is just the cutest?

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My daughter Michaela, is off in New York, NY on a MISSION TRIP this week with one of the groups from our High School Youth group at our church. This is her with a Middle Schooler on her back at the camp she was at a few weeks ago. I would so appreciate your prayers for her safety and God's working in her life and those they minister too. I LOVE you Michaela...God bless you sweetie!

Thanks for stopping by....Lorena

Before/After ~ Craft Room Projects

Oh...I can't wait to show you what I have been doing this past week!

Last Saturday was just a perfect day to go out and spray paint. I decided to spray some frames that I needed for pictures in my room...you know I gotta coordinate everything! lol...then I also sprayed my quite large Cork/memo/message board for my wall. I also used a wonderful slip cover that I had made a long time ago and put it over the back of my rolling chair and then stapled the same fabric to the seat area. I just LOVE this fabric full of stripes and posies!!! Then on top of it all...my sweetie finally showed me after all these years, how to use his drill. I drilled some hole in a really neat shelf that I am using for my ribbon, sorry tho, no before picture of this...cause it was already painted pink. Hope you enjoy what I have done!

BUT, before I forget...I also wanted to show you a picture of my room with my drafting/cutting table set up in the center. I am now officially creating in my NEWLY painting/organized/Craft ROOM...Yay!!!!

Before these were painted they all were differing colors...now they are a pretty creamy Heirloom white...like my furniture that I have painted.




I just love this sweet picture. It was made for me by my daughter when she was in 2nd grade...a mother days gift. I HAD to frame it and keep it close to me!
Before/After shot of my Message Board

I just can't get over how COOL this looks..I also put cup hooks on the lower part so that I could hang more ribbon...the sides tapered down so I couldn't drill holes...but I found a way!

Oh yes...I forgot yet again to get a before picture of this plate rack. It was gold and I decided to paint it pink so I could hang some pretty plates in my room. I AM Sick for pretty floral plates especially if they have hand painted roses on them..well anything w/roses doesn't get to far past me...lol.

This last picture is of a Rock I purchased from a guy who engraves just about anything you'd like into the rock. It represents who I feel deep down inside I am. I think if I could not create or do something with my hands...I would shrivel up and die. Creating beauty is what I believe GOD created me to do. I will do it as long as he allows me to. I am so blessed to have a hubby who supports me in this and has allowed me to CREATE this wonderful space just for my creating. I am TRULY Blessed.

Blessings to all...Lorena

COME TO JESUS ~ Wednesday

On Wednesdays, I have join with Tom and Jan's Place to do an inspiration blog called Come to Jesus. Be sure to check their blog for others that are participating in this.

JOY ~ Signs of the Joy-Filled Life

Philippians 2:12-18

I decided that I would share a bit of the summer series that our Paster is doing this summer. It has been very refreshing and I hope you will enjoy it as well.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed ~ not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence ~ continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everythning without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of GOD without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life ~ in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18

Joy is living a Christ-focused life that realizes His pleasure, knowing that He is transforming me into HIS likeness and using me right "where I am" in the lives of others. I express my JOY by my obedience to God and what he wants me to do. My Joy Stealers are the complaining, grumbling and arguing I may do along the way that keeps me from my obedience. So, I need to keep my Focus on the Community of Faith.

My Reflection of Christ's Plan for my life:

How do I do this. First of all we are called to LOVE, love one another in John 13:34-35. Then Jesus himself gives us our Great COMMISSION, which is to advance the gospel as stated in Matt 28:18-20. Next, we are to EXALT Jesus Christ..by doing this I am asking myself *Do I love ME more than anything or is it Jesus that I exalt?* What is that answer for you? The last part of my reflection of Christ in my life is UNITY. Jesus' prayer for the body of Christ was that they BE One as He and His Father were one, John 17.

So....How do we do this?

Step 1: God works in us to do HIS WILL...We know that first of all Jesus comanded us to do this by Loving others and being unified as one. We are to be daily in the WORD, because this helps explain GOD's plan for us. Allow the Holy Spirit to awaken in us the desire to follow GOD's will for our lives by responding and doing his will.

Step 2: We work out our salvation with fear and trembling

How do we work this out? By lives that are sanctified in living a life pleasing to Christ with fear and trembling. Or...living a life in AWE or Reverence of what Christ has done for us.

Step 3: God works in us to act according to His Good Purpose:

Am I choosing to respond to the prompting of the Holy Spirit...or listening to what it is he is asking of me. Often this may be that still small voice that is urging us on. I know for me when I quiet myself...I am often directed in the way to go. But many times we are too busy and not willing to be quiet or still to hear. Listening to God is such a big part of living a life following God's will for our lives.

So...how do will live a life without complaining or arguing. Complaining is described as an under tone of discontent or murming. Arguing is open disputes fueled by doubt. Hmmmm....is this me or what. So what is a good solution to helping me overcome this in my life:

RESOLVE:

R ~ Remember our purpose

E ~ Engage in Prayer

S ~ Speak directly - Listen intently

O ~ Obtain mutual understaing

L ~ Look at benefits of adjusting our attitudes

V ~ Value the other person more than self

E ~ End Graciously and commit it all to GOD

Our conduct makes us credible to other by living a life free of blame, being pure and living above reproach. Our conduct will point to others that we are God's child. Our conduct also is a huge contrast to the world around us...as many live lives that are apart from God and in such depravity...we need to live lives with out blame or fault and shine like the stars in the universe..or STAND out and be different. And most importantly it is the foundation of the message we have as we live out to the world the Word of Life.

Thanks for stopping by...have a blessed day.

Linens and so much more!

I know I have mentioned that in the process of redoing my new Craft Room that it became many more mini projects as well. Well...today I decided to show you one of those projects. I was going through my many wonderful dresser scarves, table runners, table clothes and doiles. I can't remember now where they all came from but I know many were from my MIL's home when we went through her home after she died. I really just LOVE the delicate hand work and the many hours I am sure it took to complete them. I also love how many are finished with delicate crocheted edging. So hopefully you will sit back with a good cup of coffee and enjoy the many lovely pieces that I am so blessed with.


















This table runner is by far my favorite. It has beautiful rose buds all over it.
I have many on display. This is a magazine holder that I painted and turned into a display piece for my collection. This is in my master bedroom and I just love seeing it everyday.

Hope you enjoyed my collection. I'd love to hear about what you think....Blessings...Lorena