Encouragement! Used by God...

Here's an update about what's been going on with me and especially what's been going in my heart. Ever felt like something in your life that you decided to do "just because you felt like it" all of a sudden can be given over to God or at least used for His glory.
Around the beginning of March we were talking about using our Spiritual Gifts at 'Take-A-Break' (that's a women's ministry gathering at our church once a week with speakers and small groups). Anyways, I went home not thinking much about it. Although a day or two later I starting wondering how I was using my spiritual gifts in my everyday life and realized that I really wasn't doing a very good job. A had a VERY vivid dream. Now I'm not one to call it a vision as I've never really had one before but it sure could have been as it was the most vivid dream I have ever had and one that I could recall completely when I awoke. Not only that, I couldn't really get it out of my thoughts for a few days. It was amazing. So here's the thing; In January I became a STAMPIN' UP demonstrator - making cards and scrapbooking stuff and having house parties to sell the products. It was mostly to allow me to continue my hobby and earn a bit more on the side or at least cover my costs and have fun. So I have been doing that for a few months and really enjoying it. I often think of sending cards to friends and some times I do and sometimes it's one of those "I've meant to and just haven't yet" (so if you didn't get one it's not that I haven't thought of you) The other thing you should know is that my spiritual gift is encouragement (so I've been told over and over again by people and those questionnaires you can do). And as I said before I have been slacking off in this area. So back to this dream I had. It was so real - a room in our church (the Hosptitality Room to be exact) was filled with women making cards. They were all making cards for people they knew or didn't know to encourage those around them. Sounds simple and it is, it was just amazing how much detail was in the dream and how much it conflicted my heart. What was I doing with my talents? Could my being a STAMPIN UP deomonstrator be used for God? Did he allow me this opportunity so that I would do much more then just have fun? Honestly I did not stop thinking about it day or night until I went the church and put in a bulletin annoucement that it was happening on March 28th. "ENCOURAGEMENT CARD MAKING NIGHT- WHETHER ENCOURAGEMENT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT OR NOT, WE ALL NEED IT SOMETIMES..." Then announced it at the next Take-A- Break gathering. This didn't really fit in my comfort zone and yet I had the most peace I have had about it since. I had all the thoughts like "this isn't me?, will people think it's just for buisness?, cause it's not! I just moved here and we're new to this church." It has nothing to do with STAMPIN UP. Nor will I plan to sell anything there. I will bring my stuff to use but I have told everyone to bring their own card making stuff and if not they could use mine. So here's the next interesting thing as to how God works in amazing ways. This announcement has been in the bulletin for a few weeks now. This last Sunday Pastor Mark used a video before the sermon from the Emergency Social Services, talking about how volunteers were practicing and preparing for great disaster's even before they happen like what they needed for the 2003 fires here. It was an interesting video. Anyways, the next day - Monday, I receive a call regarding my bulletin announcement from a volunteer with the Emergency Social Services, asking if I would be willing to use my talents of card making to send to people from our church who were just Burnt out of their homes and lost everything (including 5 pets) last week in a local fire. I said sure. She said they had been wanting someone who could make homemade cards to send to people to know that their church family was praying for them and when they saw the "encouragement Card Making Night" that was it. So, I will make this card for this couple from our church and on that night we will try to make a bunch more for future and give them to E.S.S. to send to those in need. Pretty neat in my mind at least how wanting to do a hobby has become so much more then that. So pray for me on March 28th. and that I will continue to be open to God if this is what He is calling me to do. And pray for the many people who have lost everything in so many disasters - especially for those around you. Who knows maybe God will ask you to make a card for them too!!

Pary time!!

We'll I've been asked to post Mark's 3rd birthday party so here it goes. There were 12 kido's under 5 and 4 babies under 7mths, oh, and a lot of adults. We were at an indoor playground (like 10X a McDonalds) but one that is big enough for adults to crawl around, as well as 3 ball pits to jump into and a few little rides (the mall kind). We played for awhile then had pizza lunch and "choo chooed" our way through some homemade train cake. I think everyone had a great time and I know the birthday boy sure did as he talks about it alot. Thanks to everyone that came and celebrated with us.
So here's some photo's to see what all the fun was about.

note: we are having technical difficulty with the computer. I have tried for two days to get photo's on here and can't seem to get any right now. Ray will have to try next somehow someone else's touch does the trick. So please be patient we are trying. Thanks