Sunday Musings | Palm Sunday

Today is the day - my Free Easter Week Facebook Series begins today and runs through Easter Sunday. I will be posting a new Bible journaling page and short devotional each day on my Facebook page. I would love for you to join me by either reading the post each day, creating a page based on the day’s scripture, sharing my post, and/or adding your page in the comments. I'm sharing today's page and devotional here, but you'll have to pop into Facebook to enjoy the rest of the series.

On Palm Sunday, we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as a great multitude spread their clothes and palm branches on the road before Him and cried out, “Hosanna in the highest.” He rode into the city on a young donkey that his disciples retrieved from a nearby village. This scene is recorded in all four gospels: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-16.

But long before this day that began what we now call Holy Week, it was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 that the King would come “humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” In fact, Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophesies recorded in the Old Testament. As we head into this week, let’s marvel at the realization of this prophecy and the many others that foretold of the Messiah, and let us proclaim with the multitudes, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Upcoming Class | Ruth's Road Virtual Bible Journaling Class

The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is composed of only four short chapters, yet the story is an integral part of God’s plan for a Savior. The events in the life of Ruth, a Moabitess, earns her a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. In this class, we’ll look at who Ruth is, where she came from, how we are like her, and how the road she traveled can help us follow and serve the Lord in our everyday lives.

Your class fee includes Biblical teaching, illustrated Bible journaling technique demonstrations and ideas, a printable notes handout and a traceable image.

Please note:

* This class will be presented live via Zoom. Due to the interactive nature of these classes, replays are not available.

* Your spot is reserved once payment is received. The link to the Zoom classroom and the notes handout will be sent separately as we get closer to the class date.

* There is not a supply kit for this event. However, I will be sending a list of items you may want to have on hand during the class. You’ll definitely want to have your Bible and a pen on hand. Otherwise, I encourage you to use what you have available as you illustrate what the Lord is showing you through His Word.

* I have previously taught classes on Ruth – if you attended one of these classes, some of the devotional materials will be the same. However, I will be doing a fresh study of the book of Ruth in preparation for the class and will have new Bible journaling pages and ideas to share.

**Optional Bible Journaling Supply Kit & Upcoming Classes (April, May, June) Bundle Pricing Available through April 3 – check out the details HERE!**

Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments and/or click the appropriate link below to reserve your spot today!

Click HERE to register for the FRIDAY class!

Click HERE to register for the SATURDAY class!

(This class has ended; please check HERE for upcoming classes & events.)

Scrapbooking | New 2-Page Scrapbook Kits Available

I'm excited to share a couple of new 2-Page Scrapbook Layout Kits that I recently created for our local scrapbook store (which also offers online ordering).

This first one features space for seven photos and has an Art Theme.

I'm using this layout to showcase photos from a crop with friends back in 2013. I really like how the neutral papers and embellishments work well with photos teeming with color.

The second kit features beautiful papers and space for five (or more) photos and would be perfect for vintage or springtime photos.

These kits are available now in limited quantities at Personal Scrapbook in Allen TX and can be ordered online for shipping or curbside pickup. The Christmas Layout Kits I created are almost sold out, so don't wait if you want to grab one of these kits for yourself.

Upcoming Event | Easter Week Free Facebook Series

Beginning on Palm Sunday (March 28) and going through Easter Sunday (April 4), I will be posting a new Bible journaling page and short devotional each day on my Facebook page. I would love for you to join me by either reading the post each day, creating a page based on the day’s scripture, sharing my post, and/or adding your page in the comments.

**Bonus Giveaway**
I’ll be sending a Happy Mail package to one lucky winner who joins me in this week-long series. To be eligible for the random drawing, please like and follow my Facebook page and comment on at least four posts throughout the week. (I'll draw a winner on Tuesday, April 6.)

Sunday Musings | The Book of Jude

If you want to read an entire book of the Bible quickly, start with the book of Jude. It's only 25 verses long. Yes, that's right, verses, not chapters. 

It's short, but this book packs in several important lessons as Jude writes to Christians and wishes them mercy, peace, and love in multitude.

Jude originally intended to write about salvation; however, he felt he instead needed to write about contending for the faith and warning that false teachers would subtly creep in. 

He goes on to describe the characteristics of false teachers (lack of faith, rebellious, immoral, disobedient, greedy, etc) before reminding his readers to maintain their life with the Lord by learning and studying the truth, praying, abiding in the Lord, and waiting with confidence that we will not be judged for what has been forgiven.

He ends with a praise, giving glory to God.

What are you waiting for? Grab a Bible and read through this meaningful book today!

Scrapbooking | More Pandemic Pages

Persnickety Prints is continuing to offer free printable coronavirus timelines this year. Honestly, I'm hoping these will be filled with better news and statistics now that there are several vaccines being administered around the world.

I included the final six months of 2020 timelines on a two-page spread (similar to the first six months) in last year's scrapbook. I used bits & pieces from my stash for the embellishments.

I also included a digital layout with the thoughts I shared on Ruth's blog back in the fall, along with several photos and screenshots.

I'm so glad that I recorded my thoughts and observations throughout the year during 2020 as I scrapbooked and blogged regularly because so much has changed. We've adapted to new terminology and altered the way we do certain tasks (hello curbside pickup & Zoom classes) until these things now seem a part of our normal everyday life. I think some of the changes have been positive and will remain a part of lives while others we hope never to see again!

How did you document your thoughts about the coronavirus pandemic throughout last year?

Book Reviews | Historical Fiction

     

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek follows traveling librarian Cussy May Carter as she delivers books on horseback in 1930s Kentucky. This is a great read that introduced me to the blue-skinned people of Kentucky and President Roosevelt's Kentucky Pack Horse Library Service. Cussy encounters hardships, danger, and prejudice as she strives to make a life for herself and help the mountain people along her book route.

From the book's description: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is a story of raw courage, fierce strength, and one woman's belief that books can carry us anywhere—even back home.

The Hard Side of the River: A Novel of Abolition by Johnny Payne (which I received free from TCK Publishing in exchange for an honest review) is also set in Kentucky; however, the year is 1833, thirty years before the US Civil War. It is the story of four individuals whose stories intertwine: Dan Baskin, a former slave trader who still pines for a slave he loved and lost years before; Cal Fenton, a preacher committed to helping slaves flee north to freedom; Dana Curbstone, a schoolteacher who somewhat romanticizes the act of aiding slaves trying to escape; and Jacob Pingram, the intelligent and capable slave they are all focused on helping or finding. I enjoyed this story (although there were too many sexual scenes for my taste). It's imperative to note the date at the beginning of each chapter because the middle section of the book veers off to follow Cal and Dana before backtracking to Pingram and Baskin's stories.

From the book's description: Richly detailed, immaculately researched, and orchestral in its construction, The Hard Side of the River pays thoughtful tribute to the human cost of slavery and the overpowering strength of the American spirit.

I first read and enjoyed News of the World several years ago. (See my review HERE.) Robbie and I both read it recently after watching the new movie starring Tom Hanks as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a reader of the news in Texas in the last 1860s. Captain Kidd is returning 10-year-old Johanna (who was captured by the Kiowa four years earlier) to her aunt and uncle. This is a well-written quick read, despite the fact that there are no quotation marks in the entire book. Although Tom Hanks and Helena Zengal are not how I had originally pictured Captain Kidd and Johanna, the movie is well-done and we both enjoyed it.

From the book's description: Their 400-mile journey south through unsettled territory and unforgiving terrain proves difficult and at times dangerous. Johanna has forgotten the English language, tries to escape at every opportunity, throws away her shoes, and refuses to act “civilized.” Yet as the miles pass, the two lonely survivors tentatively begin to trust each other, forming a bond that marks the difference between life and death in this treacherous land.

Have you read any of these books or seen the new Tom Hanks movie? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Scrapbooking | February 2021

If you watched any news during February, you might have heard it mentioned that there was a winter storm in Texas, so my monthly layout has several snow photos (including some snow ice cream I made!).

Journaling reads: February was an extremely cold month and many record lows were recorded  in all parts of Texas. A week-long snow storm left many (including Mama & Daddy) without electricity for a week. We got almost four inches of snow & were lucky to have power and a nice gas fire going throughout the storms. We went out for a quick visit with Mama & Daddy when everything cleared (a few days after their 55th anniversary) and delivered Daddy’s Early Years scrapbook and two organized binders of Gandma’s photos. We only get out once a week for curbside grocery pickup and an occasional stop at the post office. Here at home we continued to “attend” LakeShore Church online services and watched the News of the World and Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins movies plus Seasons 10, 11, 12 & 13 of Heartland and a couple of episodes of  Marvel’s WandaVision series.

The weather has shifted and we are well into springtime now. How's the weather in your area?

Scrapbooking | I Miss You My Friend

My friend Elinor passed away over nine years ago. Although I've documented our trip together to New York and Boston in 2001 and shared some stories about her in a previous blog post, I hadn't yet created a layout specifically about my FUN and compassionate friend ... until now.

I pulled a variety of photos from my Category Drawers and grouped them in the center of my layout. Then I added little snippets of journaling around the outside with some of my favorite memories of the FUN we had together.

I thoroughly enjoyed remembering and recording these FUN memories of my friend! Have you created any tribute pages recently? What types of stories did you record?

This year I'm participating in Stacy Julian's Story52 class as inspiration to tell more of our stories! This layout was inspired by Stacy's Week Two layout that showcased photos of a special person through the years.

Scrapbooking | School Portraits

I'm always thrilled to receive a school portrait of one of our nieces or nephews, and I enjoy putting them on a scrapbook page for our family albums. Most of the time these portraits have solid or neutral backgrounds, so I can play around with the colors based on the kids teens clothing choices.

The twins have each developed unique personalities, so it's FUN to find color combinations that look well with the photos together.

Since our nephew Jacob's photo was fairly neutral overall, I decided to use the Pantone colors of the year (January's challenge in the Story52 class) as the background colors. I sent him a text with a few random questions about school and recorded his answers interview style for the journaling. [I really like the way the journaling gives a peek into his school year and plan to incorporate this in future layouts!]

How do you add school portraits to your scrapbooks?

Mixed Media Collage | Planner Dividers

This year I'm using a Plum Paper Planner that has a monthly calendar as well as weekly planner pages. The tabbed monthly dividers are colorful but blank, so I'm using that space to create a fun themed collage.

January's collage focused on the beginning of a new year and a healthy lifestyle.

February's love theme is grounded by a large heart and mini colorful hearts floating down the page.

The March collage showcases lots of nature scenes, with a few city buildings along the bottom, as a focus on our goal to complete a 10K walk in a nearby city at the end of the month.

These collages incorporate images and words cut from magazines, phrases from a Tim Holtz Small Talk sticker book, washi tape, and various bits & pieces from my scrapbooking stash.

What type of planner/calendar are you using this year? Have you added any creative elements to it?

Sunday Musings | Do It From The Heart

Colossians 3:23 tells us that whatever we do, we should do it from the heart as unto the Lord. Have you ever wondered what it means to do something from the heart and how we should do things as to the Lord? Basically we should do whatever we are doing with love and kindness, with passion and enthusiasm, giving it our best effort as if it were something we were doing specifically for the Lord Himself. 

And whatever you do,
do it heartily, as to the Lord
and not to men.
(NKJV)

Whatever you do,
do it from the heart,
as something done for the Lord
and not for people.
(CSB) 
 

If you knew God would be coming for a visit tomorrow, would you take extra time with your cleaning and meal preparation? If you knew Jesus was going to sit in on your next business meeting, would you proofread that report one more time and thank your colleagues for their help? If the Lord purchased your newest product, would you take special care in wrapping and shipping that package?

The Bible doesn't say to do things from the heart only when you're doing it for the Lord or just when it's "ministry" work; it says whatever you do, do it from the heart. The word whatever is used to emphasize a lack of restriction; it means in everything, all things, all the time, any kind of work or activity.

If you're like me, you totally understand the idea behind the scripture and agree that's it the way to do things. But it sure is hard to do at times, right? I certainly want whatever I do to be as unto the Lord, but I'm pretty sure I fall short most of the time. Sometimes the work is not the best quality and other times my attitude is not one of love and kindness.

However, that shouldn't stop us from striving to do whatever we do from the heart as doing something for the Lord and not for men! Day by day, task by task, we can continually strive to be more and more like Jesus. Let's commit to praying for His guidance as we strive to do all things heartily for Him!

Scrapbooking | Older Family Photos

I recently came across a couple of photos in old frames that had seen better days. I decided to recycle the worn frames and add these older photos to Robbie's Family scrapbook.

This first layout showcases a photo of Robbie's Dad when he was only 7-months-old. I used the original 1938 photo on this page, however, I scanned it first to add to our digital photos catalog.

Robbie remembers the day this next photo was taken when he was just 5-years-old. His dad had bought him a new tricycle at the Western Auto Store. On the way home, he let Robbie off down the road from his grandparent's house. Robbie remembers riding that tricycle to Grandy and Pawpaw's house, where this photo of him and his PawPaw was taken.

I'm excited to have these photos preserved on layouts! Have you scrapped any older photos lately?