Year in Review

It's THAT time of year, time to be reflective and also look ahead. Honestly, I am not sure I am in the mood for either--the couch and Netflix have been rather appealing. But, it is good to look back and to reflect what I accomplished in 2018 and to guide where I want to go in 2019. So, here are some of MY favorite projects from this past year:

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! I love taking back roads and new ways to familiar places. Sometimes the new routes are out of the way or take us somewhere we were not expecting. With a new year upon us, it is a great time to ask God what things he is wanting for your life this year. How does he want you to love others differently? What new areas does he want to work on in your life? In which new situations does he want to exert his influence? Be open to God, trust that his ways may not be the usual and familiar, let him love you and gently influence your life in his manner and on his timetable in this new year. And remember to ask him to open your heart and mind to unfamiliar paths that allow him to do great works in you and through you.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Peace on earth--what a fabulous declaration from the Christmas angels. But, peace seems to be harder and harder to find some days, especially at Christmas time. We are busy, over-booked, under-funded, out of time and patience--stressed. This year I thought I was going to keep it simple, but I realized that resulted in my putting things off and then becoming anxious about what I still need to do. So, how do I combat that and experience the very peace that this season should be about? I practice being still, slowing down (if even only for a few minutes), breathing, being grateful. I repeat this verse to myself and l ask Jesus to calm my mind. Pause, breathe, and let the peace that only God can give wash over you. 

12 Days of Christmas Day 11 Snowflake Sign

We are getting down to the wire here with my 12 Days of Christmas projects. I am still adding decor to my home and when a project only takes five minutes like today's project, down to the wire is okay!

I have a little level shelf (see how I made it HERE) under my big clock in my great room that needed a little extra Christmas decor. I had placed two of my favorite snowmen on it, but nothing else. I decided I wanted a snowflake. 

12 Days of Christmas Day 10 Shadow Box

Today's project is super easy (but hard to photograph) and is made from a commonly found thrift store item--a mantle clock.

I have a few of these in my stash and always grab them when the price is right. It took less than an hour to transform this clock into a lighted shadow box for Christmas.

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Living in Montana means we have plenty of opportunities to see God's handiwork and beauty. I often say when I see our beautiful scenery, "There's God." It is easy to see God working in our lives when things are going well. It is harder to feel his presence in the dark, lonely, and difficult places and times that we experience. Even when we do not sense it, God is with us. He sits with us in the dark, meets us in the ugly, holds us in the silence, and patiently waits for us to realize he is here. KNOW that God is with you always, he is present WHEREVER you are, and is with you WHATEVER you are going through--rest in that.

12 Days of Christmas Day 9 Simple Wreath

Today's project idea came from the need to fill a hole on my gallery wall. I knew I wanted something circular, like a wreath, something that had a simple, organic look, and something with some size. After hunting around my house for items to use, I came up with this:

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! Hiking with my daughter is one of my favorite things to do, but I do not always hike at her pace and she is often ahead of me. And although she is almost seventeen, I still like it if she is in earshot, i.e. if I can find her easily. We don't always make it easy for God to find us, but that doesn't keep him from looking for us. I talk about seeking God, but do not think that does not mean that He is seeking us always. God reaches down to us and refuses to give up on us. He looks for us when we have fallen, when we are hiding from him. It doesn't matter where you are, KNOW that God is stretching out his hand to you, looking for you, and is delighted to spend time with you.

12 Days of Christmas Day 8 Stocking Hanger

Today's project is made with a few fence wood scraps.

It was the dog-ear shape of the fence ends that gave me the idea for a fun, snowman stocking holder.

12 Days of Christmas Day 7 Simple Swag

You got swag? I am quite certain this is not the kind of swag my kids think of when they use that word, but it is the kind of swag that is perfect and oh so simple to make for the holidays.

The past few years I have made wreaths to hang on the six original windows in our great room of our old schoolhouse. This year I am doing less and more simple decor that is a little more natural and organic and these simple swags fit the bill perfectly. They also took about a quarter of the time to make compared to wreaths and were easier on my hands (less poking).

Sunday Verses

Happy Sunday! This time of year when our landscape becomes a winter wonderland, I find myself singing "Let it go, let it go," from the movie Frozen. This one, catchy line that I sing over and over (because I don't know any of the other words to the song) is full of wisdom. We all have something in our lives we need to let go. It may be a vision of what we thought life was supposed to look like or a relationship that no longer works or anger and resentment. Whatever it is, knowing we need to let it go and doing it are two different things--the doing part is hard. How do you let it go? You give it to God, again and again if necessary. Visualize yourself giving it to him. Talk to him about it, ask him to please keep it and to not let you take it back. Whatever it is, Jesus is waiting to take it from you, to help you put it in the past, and forget it so that you can move forward with God doing new things in your life. Let it go.