What's in your bag?

I finally got the nerve to tackle the proverbial "in box". Only my in "box" is more like piles and piles and piles all over the table. The table is needed tomorrow so alas I must put off what I have been dreading. So I sorted the junk mail and the bills and the important "papers to file." My business notes and receipts. Went through the magazines. While I was in the cleaning out and sorting mood I figured I better tackle my kid's ministry bag.

My kid's ministry bag holds all of my "important" stuff for our children's ministry. It has my record binder, the version of kids bible we use at church (in case I need to work on lessons at home,) there's curriculum in there, and mail that has to come home from church, a church directory and that's just the "basics." It also tends to collect all of those things that needed to go to church from home or from home to church.

I have the best intentions of cleaning it out when I get to church or home but somehow I tend to get busy and only see what I "need" in the bag (the record binder or the curriculum etc.) and tend to miss the stuff that needed to be cleaned out. It has been getting really heavy and since I was in a sorty/cleany kinda mood figured I better bite the bullet and do it too. (Actually I had to move it to get to one of my "piles" and couldn't believe how heavy it was.) I was amazed at what I found in there.

There was an 7 inch upholstery needle from a craft project, 3 rolls of floral tape (different project,) my missing glue glider pro (I think from the upholstery needle project,) 1 bag of buttons, 1 bag of felt flowers and pipe cleaners. All of that is typical for my bag but there was really a lot of that kinda stuff and those things can add up. The thing that surprised me the most was the rock.

Back in the beginning of May I brought a rock with me to church as part of a testimony/lesson. Now this wasn't just ANY rock, it was a larger than your fist, 5 pound rock. I had totally forgotten it was in there. Here I had been walking around with it for a month and a half not realizing it was the main reason my bag was so heavy.

The Lord used that moment to speak to my heart. How many times have I felt weighted down in my spirit. Could be some bitterness, or unforgiveness, even a character trait I have been wanting to improve on. Instead of cleaning it out right away, I've gotten busy and forgot those things were in there. Oh I've looked into my heart but I've only "grabbed the things I needed." I didn't clear out the junk that was weighing me down.

David knew what it was like to be "weighed down" but not really dealing with it when he was suppose to. The Lord actually had to send someone to David to get him to clean out those "bags" of his heart. It was was after the prophet Nathan confronted David over the whole "Bathsheba incident" that David wrote the words of the 51st Psalm.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."~Psalms 51:10

It's so easy to get caught up with "life" and forget to deal with those little things or even the not so little ones that fill up our heart and weigh it down. Have you been feeling burdened? Is bitterness, or unforgiveness weighing you down? Is there a character trait about yourself you have been wanting to work on because you know it isn't a good reflection of who God is in you? Take some time today to find out what's in the bag of your heart. Find out what's weighing you down. Then ask the Lord to help you clean it out!

"Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and renew a right spirit within me" ~Psalm 51:12

Remembering the Good (2010 Year of Blessing Challenge)

It would be easy to have this year go down in the record books as a “horrible year.” One where, I had to have surgery, mom not only was finishing up treatment for gallbladder cancer but was hospitalized and almost lost her life, my husband had emergency surgery and was out of work for a month. Even my daughter had 2 days in the hospital. That’s just the medical stuff. I’m not even touching the fact we almost lost the house, I didn’t get my “dream job.” Medical bills have us swamped in debt. My checklist of “bad” could go on and on.

So many times we can become consumed with all of the bad things happening around us. war, the economy, the current state of the union. How we lost out on that promotion or missed an opportunity. Consumed with illness or heartbreak. So many many things to discourage us.

I know for many of you as well 2010 has been a year of trials, heartaches and heartbreaks, lost lives, lost loves, lost jobs. So many horrible things to the point you begin to question “where are you Lord?” But it has also been a year of many blessings, and triumphs, new relationships and restored friendships. It’s life. The good happens with the bad.

As I “wrap up” the Year of Blessing Challenge and try to figure out exactly what God’s goals were for me this year, I’ve come to the conclusion the Blessing Challenge for me was just a reminder to focus on the good.

I could allow myself to be consumed by all of those bad things that happened this year. As the Lord shared with me once “you’ll drive towards what you focus on.” So If I focus on all of the heartache I might then forget the wonderful things that happened this year as well. Mom was pronounced “cancer free”, hubby started a job that has him HOME every day (first time in 14 years I’m seeing him more than 2-3 times a month.) My son got 2nd place in math contest. We had two people bless us with financial gifts to be able to pay our mortgage. I am part of a new homeschooling group we love. I was offered a writing position with a popular scrapbooking site. Things too good to get lost in the middle of all of the yuck.

As we wrap up this year, I want to challenge with what you “choose” to remember about the year. Do you want to remember the trials, the heartbreak and the pain, or the blessings that have been given to you? I challenge you to focus on your blessings of this past year. You might be amazed to see that even though you had bad things happen, when you look past the circumstances towards the outcome, that God was there with you all along.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

The Blessing of Waiting

I always tell people I don't pray for patience. When they ask why I simply tell them "God has a way of putting you in situations that require patience then." It gets a laugh, but I'm serious. It's not that I don't need patience....I know we could all use a wonderful dose of it (especially me.) Patience just normally requires waiting, and I don't like to do that. It seems like you have to WAIT to find so many things in life. Wait to grow up, wait to find the right mate, wait for Christimas, wait for a baby to be born (no I'm not pregnant : ) wait in line, wait for a sale, "wait till your father gets home"(...lol) or the big one for me lately "Wait on the Lord"

I'm in a time of transition for several things in my life at the moment. I've had quite a few doors shut for me this year due to the economy and other reasons and nothing really ready to take it's place. Life though has left me a bit exhausted, in the midst of these close doors, I've had loved ones deal with everything from gallbladder cancer to breast cancer, gallbladder surgery to appendicitis, and even a case of watermelon stomach (yes it's a condition and I know you will google it ;) Being a chief caregiver and encourager while dealing with a family, and schooling, and work really wore me out. I've been so exhausted I haven't really looked for any doors to open or even windows to climb through instead. So I decided (well kinda self forced) to wait till something just seems right.

It's funny, I'm finding fewer deadlines leaves me more time to do the fun stuff, (and the not so fun.) I've been playing catch up on much needed sleep, and chores and all that other stuff that seems to pile up when life goes full speed ahead. Most importantly I am finding waiting is a time of rest.

In Isaiah we are told

But they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew (their) strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; (and) they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Something struck me as I read that verse today. It was the word renew. As I told you before "waiting " is normally something I don't do very well. But life has kinda forced me to wait. I'm finding as I wait, I have more time. More time to rest, time to get things done, fewer "deadlines" that have to be done. I'm much more relaxed because of it. After reading that verse today I suddenly looked at waiting on the Lord much differently. Instead of a time of impatience and and doing nothing and for me rushing into whatever is there because of being bored cause "nothing's happening"and feeling the need to "do something....anything!" I looked at it as a time of renewal. I pictured God recharging my batteries. Renewing my strength, to be able to run with the next task he has for me.

Waiting took on a whole new meaning. If waiting means renewed energy, renewed passion, renewed strength, I might just want some of that for the next task the Lord has prepared for me; especially if I want to "run and not grow weary" and "walk and not faint." Waiting allows God to prepare my heart, mind, spirit, and body for what He has in store for me next.

What about you? Are you in a season of "wait." Instead of trying to rush on through the "wait" relax and enjoy it. Allow yourself to rest in this time. God will need you to run soon enough and you want to be ready for it!

The Blessing Challenge

This month our challenge is to focus on the blessing of "waiting" and those wonderful things we learn while needing to be patient. Patient with others, patient with God, patient with ourselves. What have you learned by waiting? Or maybe you are in a season of "wait" what are your hopes during this time? How are spending your time waiting? We would love to see what you come up with for your Blessing Challenge album.

For more on the Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

Where I've been

Life has been a bit crazy for me!

End of July I went to CHA and the Supershow with some dear friends. We had a blast. To read more about my adventures check out my guest blog post on Scrapbook Update. Cover's all the "things I did for swag." I also got to have some fun with my Fiskateer Friends at the Supershow

You can read about it (Here and Here) I have more pictures I need to get them uploaded some place (but you'll find a few of me mixed in with the groups!) Oh and then Rebecca, Merlene and I did some major world traveling you can read about it Here

Because life is NEVER boring around here I got home from my world travels, CHA and the Supershow and my husband decided he needed attention! (You know how they get, mom's away for a week, hubby feels lonely so when mom comes home...) Hubby got sick. At first we thought it was the flu, but a quick tummy poke on my end diagnosed him correctly. "honey you need your appendix out"...and he let me drag him to quick care. Yup I was right. So the 2nd week of August was spent living out of yet another hospital. I will admit I got spoiled with mom's trips because there is a good coffee bar with smoothies and really good cranberry muffins! The local one...not so much.

Hubby is doing better and has been released to "light duty" (another 4 weeks of) but at least it means some income coming in. While he went back to work I was busy with the Scrapbook Expo in St. Charles you'll see a cause near and dear to my heart sponsoring the baggage check. Operation Christmas Child. I was the coordinator for the event. Oldest daughter and 7 of my pals (and fellow Fiskateers) came to work with me to baby sit the luggage, scrapbook a bit, and do some shopping all while collecting supplies to help fill shoeboxes. We collected 5 huge boxes as well as some cash so the event was a success in my book!

Getting ready to load the van!

In the middle of all that I have been riding my bike. I wrote about the challenges and the effects at Faithfully Yours for the blessing challenge this month.

So that's been the past month in a nutshell. Life has been crazy, but could I ever expect it not to be???

Wisdom

The Best Advice I was Ever Given

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him James 1:5

Two weeks ago I celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary. Naturally it becomes time to reminisce. I think back to my “excited” bridal days being concerned with my dress, and the ceremony, and my bridesmaids, and such. Having that starry eyed look as someone talked about being married and having kids and living life together.

We were young and thought we could handle anything “love and the Lord would see us through.” Yet like many young married couples we had our share of “issues” and trials, job changes and moving. Four kids being born and more. Enough to shake any marriage.

Somedays I would get so….. (angry, mad, frustrated, you fill in the blank) that my husband just “didn’t get it” I would wonder where was the guy that I married? This guy that’s in his place must have been a few cards short of a full deck because some of his ideas were way out there (yes everyone super glues a phone to the top of the speaker because the cord is too short and they don’t want it to fly off the top meaning you have only one place to sit while on the phone.)

I remembered being really frustrated over one of my husbands latest what I considered stupid moves and was pouring out my frustration to a friend. My friend Dawn had been around the block a few times and she had been married 15+ years (forever in my book.) Her husband had similar crazy ideas and I knew she would understand. After I poured out my tale of woe I expected immediate sympathy and a mutual gripe-fest instead I got the best piece of advise I was ever given in my life “Betsy, someone once told me before you get all worked up about something ask yourself one simple question ‘20 years from now will this matter?’”

Talk about stopping you dead in your tracks. I thought about the latest thing I was frustrated about and realized no it wouldn’t last. If it wasn’t going to last, why in the world should I spend this much time getting worked up about it? (Thinking about it, agonizing over it.)

What she said got me out of the “this is effecting ME and therefore a big life or death deal” and it allowed me to move on past the issue seeing it for what it was. Just something that was happening today, tomorrow it would be a faded memory. Not something to cause me to be angry over, causing me to loose my temper with my husband, crabby with others that crossed my path and wasted my time dwelling over something that didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of life.

My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight-Proverbs 5:1

My friend and her husband moved out of state and I don’t see them anymore. But her advise still rings true after all these years. I still think about what she said when I get really worked up over something “20 years from now will this matter?” At times her advise has stopped me from arguing and letting my husband do what he wanted to in peace. It has even encouraged me to “take up a cause” that concerns my children knowing that YES 20 years from now it will matter.

True wisdom stands the test of time. True wisdom causes you to look at your heart, your actions, and your self and see it for what it really is. As James says “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3: 17-18. True wisdom comes from God and changes your life forever!

July’s Blessing Challenge
This month we will focus on the “Blessing of Wisdom.” I am so thankful that if we lack wisdom that is one of the things God gives us generously if we ask. (James 1:5) As you go through this month, rejoice in how wisdom has saved, changed your direction, caused you to do something you otherwise wouldn’t, or not to do something you thought you wanted to.

As you decide what to create this month think about-

What is the best piece of advise you were ever given?

Have you ever been in a situation where wisdom has changed your course of action?

What wisdom do you want passed on to your children and grandchildren?

Is there a scripture verse you have relied on again and again to offer you wisdom on life?

For more information on the "Year of Blessings" check out Faithfully Yours

Helping Hands! Helping Hearts!

I have the privilege of being a regular contributer to Faithfully Yours. I love working with Dawn and the rest of the design team to inspire people to share their faith in their scrapbooks and projects. It's also my joy to write devotions for their ezine.

This Friday's devotion is titled Helping Hands! Helping Hearts! You can find it here---> Faithfully Yours It talks about how when we help others our own heart benefits as well! In addition I get to share exciting news about the "Charity Select" contest over at Baby Shop Hop!

Hope you head over to the sites to take a look!

The blessing of Kindness

This past month you might have noticed me rather absent from things around here. That's due in fact to my rather non-functioning gallbladder who's time had come to be removed. One thing about surgery, it really gives your friends a chance to shower you with kindness :) I had one friend volunteer to watch my children so my husband could be with me during surgery. Others cooked meals for our family. Some called, some sent cards, and many, many prayed for me. Everyone showing how much they cared in their own way!

This month our theme is "the blessing of kindness." Scripture tells us to "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) Even more important than "entertaining angels" is the fact when we show kindness to others we are showing kindness to Jesus

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will se

parate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to

visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25: 31-40)

Showing kindness to someone is so awesome because not only do we get to minister to Jesus (according to the parable of the sheep and the goats) BUT we get to share Jesus with those we minister too. Scripture tells us WE are the body of Christ! (1 Cor 12: 27)We get to be His hands when we reach out and touch someone, we get to show His compassion when we listen to a hurting friend, we get to show His care when we feed the hungry.

Kindness is a blessing not only for the receiver (who doesn't like being showered with kindness?) but a blessing for the giver as well. When we show and share kindness it allows us to minister to and for Jesus. What a great privilege to be the hands of the one who came to save a lost world. That is the real blessing!

Points to ponder:

How have you been blessed with the kindness of a friend? the kindness of God?

Has God's kindness ever led you to repentance?

How has your life been changed by showing kindness?

How do you teach your children to be kind?

For more information on the year of blesssings challenge visit Faithfully Yours

Love is...

Forgive the tardiness of this post, I have been recovering from surgery. Everyone said that it would be a "piece" of cake and I would recover quickly...not so sure about that...I'm really not totally myself yet and realized oops I forgot to post the challenge this month ...so here it is...granted a bit late!

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, naturally ones thoughts turn to love in February. Hearts, and cupids decorating the walls and boxes of chocolates lined up in rows ready to be gifted with “the perfect” card for your loved ones fill pretty much every store we walk into.

As emotional beings naturally we all enjoy feelings of love and being “in love” We love hearing those little words “I love you” whispered in our ears. It sets our hearts a fluttering and our pulse a racing. Sadly though many are quick to declare “I love you” but when the going gets tough, they get going.

Dear children let us not love with words and tongue but with actions and in truth… 1 John 3:18

Love is an action. Sure it starts with feelings and emotions. Who can forget the moment you first “connected” with your sweetie? Or the first time you held your child?. Our hearts swelled up, overwhelmed, wondering how it could feel so full of joy, of happiness. Feelings though can fade.

You find out your sweetie is really crabby in the morning and even crabbier on the freeway. That sweet bundle of love grows up to color on walls and scream “I hate you” when you take the crayons away. What happens when things get worse… you find your spouse was involved in illegal activities at work, or your teenager gets in trouble with drugs. Will those feelings still be there then? Probably not and this is when love becomes action. At times like these our actions speak much louder than words!

Jesus says “If you love me you will obey my commands.” We show our love for God by doing, doing what he says. We show our love for others in similar ways.

Love is over looking the appearance. Love is speaking the truth. Love is also teaching proper responses. Love is discipline. Love is always hoping, standing by them in support not condoning what they did but encouraging them to change and helping them to accept the consequences of their actions. Love is an action persevering when times get tough!

True love goes beyond feelings. Feelings come and feelings go. But the investment, the commitment, the way you act with and respond to that person is how you really show what love truly is!

The Blessing of Love!

If you haven’t guessed by now our focus this month is “The blessing of love”. There are so many people in our lives to love, a spouse, our children, our friends, our savior. Those special people in our lives that make it worth living. This month as you focus on the many people you love (and that love you in return.) Be sure to thank the Lord he has given them to you.

Questions to ponder:

• Has the love of a person ever changed your life?
• How did you meet the “love of your life”?
• What is a special way someone has shown love to you?
• When do you feel most loved?
• When have you KNOW you were loved (even though you haven’t felt it)
• How do you show love to others?
• How have others shown love to you?

For more information on the 2010 Blessing Challenge visit Faithfully Yours

In an instant

This month our challenge theme was the blessing of time. I realized that we don't know how much "time" we really have and each moment is a blessing and we need to live as such. As I think of everything that happened this month. The most devastating was the earthquake in Haiti. In an instant everything changed for the people there. Imagine one day you are going about life as normal the next you don't know where your loved ones are, or if they are even alive. You don't have food or water. You are at the mercy of the aid other people are providing.

If there is one major lesson from this disaster is that don't take time for granted. Make the most of every opportunity! I'm going to hug my kids a bit longer, make sure to kiss my husband goodbye. Go out with my girlfriends. Say what needs to be said. I'm going to make the most of every opportunity because I don't want to live with any regrets. No one is guaranteed their tomorrow so make the most of your today while you have it! Live a life that you won't look back and say "If only...."

Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

If you want more information on the challenge or to download the cool blinkie check out:

Faithfully Yours

The Blessing of Time

The Blessing of Time.

January's theme will be about "The blessing of time." Maybe you have been granted more time with one you love. Maybe you were unexpectedly given some free time as a blessing. Maybe you have learned how precious time is. Or you have had the time of your life. Maybe you have given your time to serve others or maybe others have given their time to serve you. Whatever it is. We all a given the precious gift of time. How have you been blessed by it?

2010 A Year of Blessings

Count your many blessings,

name them one by one,

and it will surprise you

what the Lord has done!

Johnson Oatman Jr.

I don't know about many of you, but for me 2009 was a year for the record books in the Burnett household. It started out with my Grandfather loosing his battle to cancer. Then my husband lost his job. That was followed up by a friend fighting for his life after a major heart attack. The year closed with my mom getting sick and battling cancer and me dealing with some medical issues of my own. It is very easy to get depressed over everything we have had to deal with this past year.

I once learned a very important lesson about driving. One morning I was out early for worship practice at church. As I was driving I noticed the gorgeous flowers that were blooming...oops drove off the road. Went down a little further and saw the neighbor had redid the front of their house boy did it look nice...oh no off the road again. By the time I had arrived at church I had driven off the road about 4 times (which is totally unlike me) and I went "Lord what's going on?" The answer that came back was "You'll drive towards what you focus on."

That is such a simple truth, but such a profound thought. What am I focusing on? Am I focusing on the bad things? Or am I focusing on the good (or God) I see in a situation? It's easy to look back on 2009 and because of all the "bad" not see the good. Not see the things the Lord did through my friends life because of the heart problems. Not remember the trip to Disney where I got to "relive" a childhood dream (that my family has joked about for 28 years!) Forget about going to a fabulous party for a 360th birthday. Forget about the fact I was treated like a VIP at Fiskars headquarters. Forget about the lessons learned the blessings the Lord has shared with me of family that loves me and friends that support me.

Because of this, instead of a "New Years Resolution, I decided instead that in 2010 I was going to "Look for the Blessings" I'm going to focus on the good in a situation, how God is working. No this won't make the problem disappear, and no I'm not going to play "ostrich" and burry my head in the sand pretending bad things won't (or don't) happen. I'm going to simply try to remind myself of the blessings of a situation. Rather than focus and dwell on the bad and horrible in life, I'm going to focus on the good, the blessings and try to drive towards it. I know it won't change the situation, it will change my outlook, maybe even my mood! It will help remind me that even in the midst of the dark times the Lord is there with me lighting the way.

Therefore I challenge you as well. Focus on the blessings this year. Try to hunt for the good.

I'm going to be trying to record my blessings this year as well. I will be hosting a scrapbook challenge for the year (both here and on FaithfullyYours.net)

2010 Blessing Challenge

This year I am going to try and create a "blessing book." Each month I will choose a topic/verse for the month and try to have a two page layout done. One side will be the topic/verse the other side will be a finished page waiting for journaling and/or a photo to share how I was blessed that way during the month. Not only will it be a good reminder to look for those blessings that month, but will give a way to "not forget" those blessings that month. (You don't have to do your pages at the beginning of the month you can wait till the end, but I will post the topic at the beginning so you can think on it for the month.) It should fun (and easy cause I'm doing an 8 x 8 album and only 2 pages a month...totally not overwhelming) but the reward at the end of the year will be great! A record of my blessings for the year! I can't wait to get started. I'll post more details a bit later until then I'll leave you with the cover... Happy New Year! May it truly be a year of blessings for your and those you love!

Happy Valentines Day

I work a couple of days a week at the YMCA. Less than two weeks ago I noticed that our C.A.S.T. (Caring and sharing team) was helping a local mission by collecting valentines. So this Valentines Day, I asked my friends from Fiskateers, MemoryWorks, and Faithfully Yours, if they would help me create valentines for MorningStar Mission's "Bridging Hearts" mission this February 14. The problem was though time was short. They had around a week to send them to me. Fifteen ladies from all over the US and Canada, took me up on the challenge and sent me 89 valentines that will be shared then with the people from the mission.

Thank you to everyone that helped bring a smile to someone's face this Valentines Day!

For more about the mission visit
Morning Star Mission

Simple Gifts

I love making gifts for family and friends but don't always have a ton of time. Therefore I have to look for something that is cute but fast. These binder clip photo/card holders fit that description to a "T".

I found this idea right before the MemoryWorks retreat and so I just had to make up a bunch for the Home Office Staff and the Creative Team. (From the smiles on their faces I think they liked them *grin*)

To make you simply take a Jumbo binder clip and cover the clip part with modge podge, and cover with patterned paper or card stock. Tuck your edges in and cover with a few coats of modge podge. When dry, use glue dots to add embellishments and then tuck in a photo or card in the silver "handle" part and voila' fast and fabulous gift. They make a cute arrangement when you use photos of different heights too.

For more detailed instructions and another idea on how to use them check out Faithfully Yours . This project is part of their Friday ezine and in the September Ministry Guide.