SHOW & TELL '08 #11 - Banks

Here we are at yet another Friday and of course that means Show & Tell hosted by Kelli. So get your Show & Tell item ready. Take a picture, write a post, and go to Mr. Linky and share it with all of us. Also, be sure to visit and see all the wonderful items that are shown each week.

My Show & Tell this week is 2 fold.

The two banks on the right are Mission banks. This is a project called Speed The Light. These are actually cans of Prin*gles and are used by the high school department of our church as a fund raising project for Missions. Those in the congregation who choose to participate are given a can. You take the can home, eat the Prin*gles and then save your coins. When your can is full you take it to the church and it is used totally for missions around the world.

The can on the far right says "Every Where" and has a world map as the background with 5 separate pictures of children from around the world. The next can says "Sacrifice" and has various pictures and the scripture "This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

1 John 4:10

You would be amazed how much money is raised for Missions with this project.

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The can to the left is one that I did just for kicks. I had an empty can of Prin*gles so decided to look around the house to see what I might use to cover it and make a little, cute bank. What I found was this left over piece of wrapping paper. You could use various things, wrapping paper, fabric, plain paper and put stickers or drawings on it, boys theme of sports or cars, girls themes of various things, just let your imagination go.

I know many of you like to have projects for your children and I thought this was something inexpensive and fun they could do.

PRAYER REQUEST

This young girl has been missing for two days. Please go to her mothers site, here, to learn more and then join in prayer for not only this young girl but for her hurting mother.

Dawn, had this link on her blog this morning. Thank you Dawn for posting this and alerting us and calling us to pray.

Addendum: Her mother just posted an additional picture of her with her sunglasses on but blogger is acting up and would not let me post it here at this time.

Here is additional information I did not have earlier:

Margarita "Magui" Martinez
DOB: 4-19 1994
MISSING: 3-10-2008
I am posting this picture of my Ladybug with her sunglasses on. Due to her RP, if outdoors, she will be wearing sunglasses. She has photophobia. She also has nighblindness and tunnel vision.

VAIN BABBLINGS

"BUT SHUN PROFANE AND VAIN BABBLINGS: FOR THEY WILL INCREASE UNTO MORE UNGODLINESS." II Timothy 2:16

The reason for this post is two fold: 1) I have just started reading the book: RESPECTABLE SINS - Confronting The Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges. Someone on their blog (I wish I could remember who it was so I could give them credit :o( ) posted about this book and the title captivated me. Here is a quote from the book on Ungodliness "When I talk about specific areas of acceptable sins, one comment I often hear is that pride is the root cause of all of them. While I agree that pride does play a major role in the development and expression of our subtle sins, I believe there is another sin that is even more basic, more widespread, and more apt to be the root cause of our other sins. That is the sin of ungodliness, of which we are all guilty to some degree. "

2) I have been observing some real dissension among the Body of Christ on various issues. What the various issues pertain to is not the point. The point is the dissension. I just yesterday read a sweet blogger who is struggling with home schooling her children for the first time and apparently she is being criticised by other home school mom's for even questioning this. Several months ago there was a real confab going among some about breast feeding vs bottle feeding. The most recent issues seems to be around the political arena. Some of us conservatives (of which I am one) getting cross wise versus voting for McCain, now that he is the Republican candidate for President, or not voting at all or writing in another name as a protest. And the democrats getting into it about the Michigan and Florida primary votes, or lack thereof.

All you who read and follow my blog know I am one to stand and give my opinion on various issues.............I think we all not only have the right to do so, but to a certain extent, a responsibility to do so. That said, I do think that while we should state our opinion we should allow others to do likewise and not get into "profane and vain babblings" which according to the above scripture lead to ungodliness on ANY of these, or a mired of other issues.

"profane" = not concerned with religion: secular

"vain" = having no real value, worthless

"babblings" - To talk unwisely or too much

Yes, lets voice our opinions and state our views and then let us allow others to do likewise and realize that we are not all alike. We do not all see things exactly the same. We do have differing views on things. The main thing is that we allow each and every one of us to hear God's voice and to be lead by the Holy Spirit's direction to us individually in these matters.

I'm glad God did not make us carbon copies of each other. If He had wanted us to be that He would have done it. Our God, who has created 1,000's of various varieties of flowers, can certainly handle not having one size fits all mentality among His children.

With a lost and dying world out there, let's not spend our time disputing other's views on issues that in the end do not count for that much. All that really matters is: Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior?

THIS & THAT & ABOUT THE CRAFT STORE

It's been a typical busy week at our house so I thought I would recap it here.

A week ago last Friday night our Church hosted what we hope will be an on-going thing. A gospel singing group. They were from Nashville and were very good and we had a large crowd for the first time. Our Tulsa friends, Don & Barbara, came out and joined us and we ate pizza at Mazzio's before attending the concert.

On Saturday Mickey and I both worked at Angel Food Ministry. Our church is involved in this ministry for this area. People sign up the first of the month and pay $30 and then on the last Saturday of the month come and pick up a complete box of groceries. It is a real help and aid to people and they come from all the little towns around here.

On Sunday we had David, and Marc, Oksana & Aric over for a pot roast dinner after church.

On Tuesday I worked at the church from 11 to 2, along with another woman, for people to sign up for their Angel Food Box at the end of the month. This was also the day we awoke to the beautiful 6 1/2" snow fall.

Wednesday of course was Church. Our pastor has been teaching a series on the miracles of the Bible on Wednesday nights. His teaching tonight was "Not the Miracle You Expected" and it was sooooo good.

Wednesday was also the day we had to pull our Mike Huckabee sign out of our front yard since the Republican side of the campaign is now settled. We do not yet have a McCain sign but we will obtain one and we do and will support McCain.

Thursday was Grandparents Day at Aric's school. The 3rd graders were from 10:30 to 11. Mickey went into work late so he could attend. I can't believe I forgot the camera, but I did so no pictures!!!! Early that morning the phone rang and it was Aric telling me (Grandma) to be sure and bring some money for the book fair they were having because he only had $11!!!!!! When we got to the classroom Aric had to stand up and introduce us to his class. Then he had a series of questions to ask us. What were the prices of the following when we were in the 3rd grade: 1)bread (I wasn't sure of this one but thought it was 25 cents) - 2) soda pop - 5 cents - 3) postage stamp - 3 cents, and 4) a gallon of gas - 25 cents. WOW!!!!!! Then we went to the gym for snacks. At this point Grandpa left to go to work and Aric and I went to the Library for the book fair. I told him he could buy one book with his money and I would buy him another book. He selected one for $8 which he bought. Then he selected the one for me to buy. As we were waiting in line to pay for the 2 books he found another he wanted so I bought him 2 books. Yes, grandma was sure to bring some money with her for the book fair!!!!

After leaving Grandparents Day I then went over to Marc's work and he and I went out for lunch. I always enjoy my lunch dates with my son, Marc.

Yesterday was a BIG DAY in Coweta. Our new Walmart Super Center opened it's doors at 7:30a.m.!! We had a small Walmart but it carried very little so the entire community is excited to have this store and super market. I checked my mileage when I drove over and it is 3.3 miles. I'm so glad I won't have to drive 25 miles round trip to go to the grocery store any more. With the price of gasoline climbing weekly this is a real blessing. When I got there the parking lot was packed full and I had to hunt for a parking place.

Last night we had Suzette and Dave over for dinner and I fixed Enchiladas, pinto beans and flan for dessert. All very good I must say!! We had a delightful evening just visiting with our daughter and son-in-love. When they left there was a light covering of snow again.

Today at 3 we will be attending a wedding of a young couple in our church. As you can see, we live a very full, happy and busy life.

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Several people commented on my Show & Tell yesterday about our having a craft store. It is something I always thought would be fun to do and a desire of my heart. Mickey & I have always been willing to step out and do things and to take chances. We have had the attitude that life is for living and that a rut is just a grave with the 2 ends knocked out and we never desired to fall into a rut.

We opened this little Craft store and called it Crafter's Showcase. We not only had some of our own craft items but we had booth spaces for other crafters. We signed a 2 year lease with great hope and expectations. In addition to the store we would do other local Craft Shows. Well we had a darling little shop and we had a good time but we did not make any money!!!!! In hind sight (isn't it always good) we had picked a location that was not on a main street and was a poor choice. Because we had signed the 2 year lease, and because we are people of our word and our commitments we continued to stay open the full 2 years. We basically were supporting the shop from Mickey's salary. I do not regret for one minute that we did this. You will not always be successful at everything you try but you must try.

Another desire of mine has always been to work in a bookstore. I still hope I will get a chance to do that at some point. This past September I had picked up an application for our local Christian bookstore to apply for a part time job over the Christmas holiday. Before I had filled out the application we got word that our son was moving back from California and I knew I had a more important job to fulfill.

SHOW & TELL '08 #10 - Stained Glass - Pink

It's that time of week again, Friday, to meet at Kelli's for Show & Tell. Come and join the fun!!!

(click to enlarge)

Today I wanted to share with you a piece of stained glass that hangs in our dining area. This is not the best picture with it peeking out between the lace curtains. If you look close you can see a red cardinal in the tree outside!!

When we lived in Albuquerque, in the 80's, I had the opportunity to own and operate a little craft store. This piece of beautiful stained glass work was made by one of our crafters. The outer rim is solid glass and then the green stem and pink flower are solid suspended with space around them. I just had to have this piece of art work because I thought it was so different and beautiful. I enjoy it as much today, 20 years later, as I did when I first purchased it. As always, thank you for letting me share with you one of the little treasures that adorn our home.

READING

I have been reading MY HEART'S CRY by Anne Graham Lotz. This is the first book my Anne that I have read. It will not be the last!!! She is a wonderful writer. She writes with such a clarity and yet in an almost melodious, soothing way. The subtitle of this book is Longing For More Of Jesus. Isn't that what all of us long for? I know I do!!!!.

I am currently in the 7th chapter, "More of ......His Fruit In My Service", and just had to share the following two paragraphs about "Abiding in the Vine Consistently" with you guys.

"The branches of a vine "abide" by just remaining connected to the vine. Permanently. Consistently. Day after day, week after week, year after year. They simply rest in their position, allowing the sap of the vine to flow freely through them. They exert no effort of their own. The fruit that is subsequently borne on the branch is actually produced by the life-giving sap within.

To abide in Christ means to remain connected to Him so completely that the "sap" of His Spirit flows through every part of your being, including your mind, will, and emotions as well as your words and deeds. The "fruit" that you then bear is actually produced by His Spirit in you through no conscious effort on your own. If you and I want to be fruitful, we do not concentrate on fruit-bearing, we concentrate on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ."

She has said it so well and so simply. I think we so muddle and complicate everything so much, in trying to "DO" for the Lord when all He truly wants us to do is ABIDE and CLING.

I AM CLINGING!!!!!!

FRIENDSHIP & SNOW!!!

This picture does not do it justice, but I received this lovely red rose, with silver leaves and stem, in the mail yesterday from a wonderful blog friend.

YOU know who you are.

The card reads: "Friend - You are a special gift sent from above. Thank you for your kindness and your love." I was so surprised, and so touched with this lovely token of our deep and growing friendship.

YOU know what the card reads is what you are to me.

This rose is from an

"Iron sharpenth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

friend. I praise God for your sharpening my dear friend.

THANK YOU for being that type of friend to me!!!!!

Look what we woke up to this morning. The rain gauge on the table is an 8" gauge. I stuck a ruler in the snow on the table top and it measured 6 1/2". This is at our home in Coweta. They received NO snow in Tulsa, 25 miles to our NW. Go figure!!!!


The view of my back yard with the beautiful snow. Since we get very little snow here it is a treat for us. I know all my friends in the North are laughing at this Okie making such a big deal over a 6 1/2" snow in her yard. The nice thing about snow in Oklahoma.......it doesn't stay around very long. They are predicting 60 degree weather for Sunday. Go figure.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool". Isaiah 1:18

The Lord has blessed me with these 2 blessings and I praise and thank Him for both.

WHAT A GOD WE SERVE!!!!!!!!