Arts and Crafts Fair

I joined my first ever arts and crafts fair
this weekend
and am ecstatic that I sold 3 paintings
on Saturday morning.

The first one that got sold was "Prayers".

When I was making this I thought
the woman was Mother Mary.
She wasn't. As I was finishing her dress,
the first piece of paper I picked up
was a reading about the
woman who was sick and
touched the hem of Jesus' garment.
This is what I used for her dress.
So I knew who the lady was,
and that the flowers were her prayers
reaching up to heaven.

When I told this story to Cathy,
this tall and thin lady selling
interesting jewelry at the fair,
she said she wanted to buy it
because that story in the Bible
meant something to her.
I was so pleased.
Even if I was sleepy and tired,
I knew I just had to finish it Friday night...
and now I know why.
It was for Cathy!

And here is the husband of the lady
who bought "Bloom".
This is the first time I saw someone
fall in love with my painting
the minute she saw it.
She just kept coming back to it,
till finally she asked how much it was,
and then said she wanted to buy it.

I told her that it was all about pruning,
and how we bloom with God's pruning.

How wonderful to create something
that gives others pleasure!
It made me so happy,
and I knew God was telling me
to use my gift.

Sharing this on Paint Party Friday and
Creative Friday.

What's on my Workdesk Wednesday

This is what's on my desk this morning.
A mixed media piece
on a wall puttied canvas.
The flowers are of paper and fabric.
There is some sewing on it and on the stems.
Have not decided what to do with the veil.

I have been working overtime
as my brother and his friends
organized an Arts and Crafts Fair
and my sister and I are going to rent a table.

I finished my other canvas
and will be selling it at the Fair.
I'm rather conflicted about selling this
and have no idea how to price it!
See more desks and projects at
What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday,
hosted by the very amiable Julia.

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday

Here is my desk early this morning.
I am doing my prayer journal.

Here is a close up of the page I did.
"I will bless the Lord at all times!
His praise will always be on my lips!"
from Psalm 34.

I always try to live with a
grateful and thankful heart.
Sometimes it is not so easy,
but with practice,
with visual reminders,
I am sure it will become a habit.

See more desks and projects at
What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday,
hosted by the very amiable Julia.

Blessed are they who Believe

"Blessed are they who have not seen
and have believed." John 20:29

Jesus is talking about us here!
We have not seen Him
walking, and preaching, and eating
like the disciples did.
We have not seen Him doing miracles
and healing the sick.
We did not put our finger to His side
and His hands.
And yet, we believe.

Today is the beatification of
Pope John Paul II.
In his first homily as Pope,
he said:
"Do not be afraid to welcome Christ
and accept His power...
Open wide the doors for Christ...
Christ knows what is in man.
He alone knows it.
So often today man does not know
what is within him,
in the depths of his mind and heart.
So often he is uncertain
about the meaning of his life on earth.
He is assailed by doubt,
a doubt which turns to despair.
We ask you therefore,
we beg you with humility and trust,
let Christ speak to man.
He alone has words of life,
yes, eternal life."

We have not seen Jesus,
but we have witnessed the power
of His Spirit and His Word.
We are indeed blessed.

The last blogpost David Wilkerson
wrote before he died
was about this same verse.

He wrote, "Blessed are those who believe
when there is no evidence
of an answer to prayer—
who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.
Beloved, God has never failed to act
but in goodness and love.
When all means fail—his love prevails.
Hold fast to your faith.
Stand fast in his Word.
There is no other hope in this world."

David Wilkerson was a Christian evangelist
best known for his amazing book,
The Cross and the Switchblade.

Linking to Spiritual Sunday ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday.

If I Knew I Could, I Would....

Here's 5 minutes worth of writing
for Gypsy Mama's prompt:
If I Knew I Could, I Would...

I would write a book,
and illustrate it.
A book with no rules,
more like a journal,
sketchbook, recipe book....

Oops, I don't cook, so more like
recipes for life.
Promises from the Bible,
Words to Live By,
stories about happy marriages,
and bringing up children
in this changing world.

It would be full of collages
and mixed media art,
with positive messages,
and encouraging and inspiring
quotations.

It would have tutorials for easy to do
projects to make things
to brighten up the home,
or whatever space you have.

And yes, maybe even if I don't cook,
I can come up with a recipe or 2.
After all, If I thought I could, I would!

One day!!!!

WOYWW: SCRAPbooking

I am facilitating a
"Scrap"booking workshop this weekend.
Now don't go thinking I'm an expert!
It's a free workshop, and it's for the

women and children in our Christian community.
So I have been looking through my many scrapbooks
for examples I can show.
I do not use expensive materials,
and do not buy scrapbooking embellishments.
I use mainly magazine pages,
and drawings of my son!

This was taken in Thailand.
Angeli the monkey was quite memorable!

This was taken in Schenzen.
Our tour guide was annoying and told us lies.
My parents were covering their ears
because she talked nonstop.
The drawing is of my father when he was so bored
during one of the many stops at tourist traps.
The background leaf is a magazine page.
The frame is made by drawing
by marker on a cardboard,
putting glue and sprinkling sand on the glue.
We had a drawing session one New Year's Day.
I like putting hands in my layout,
and drawings.
The drawing is Luke Skywalker.

My son was crazy about Buzz Light Year
when he was young,
so I put his head on Buzz!
My son is now 16 years old,
and he loves looking through his scrapbooks!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday
is hosted by the very amiable Julia.
Visit her for more desks and projects on display!

A Blessed Easter!

We had a joyous and exciting
Easter service last night.

Because of the empty tomb,
because the Lord is alive,
because He is risen,we can celebrate because we know that what He said is true!
It's as simple as that!



Luke 18:27, NIV. "Jesus replied,
'What is impossible with men is possible with God.'"

Philippians 4:19, NIV.
"And my God will meet all your needs
according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

John 14:2-3, TLB. "There are many homes
up there where my Father lives,
and am going to prepare them for your coming.
When everything is ready,
then I will come and get you,
so that you can always be with Me where I am."

Revelation 21:4, NIV.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away."

Philippians 4:6-7, Phillips.

“Don’t worry over anything whatever,
tell God every detail of your needs
in earnest and thankful prayer,
and the peace of God,
which transcends human understanding
will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds
as they rest in Christ Jesus.”

I John 5:14-15, RSV
“And this is the confidence
which we have in him,
that if we ask anything
according to his will he hears us.
And if we know that he hears us
in whatever we ask,
we know that we have obtained
the requests made of him.”

Linking up with Bonnie Gray's prompt @ Faith Barista,
"What does Easter mean to me?"
Then Sings my Soul Saturday,
Spiritual Sunday. ,
and Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday

Good Friday?

In my journal for today:

What's so good about Good Friday????
It's good because it's all about love,
love of the best kind.

After Jesus taught the disciples
during his last supper with them,
how to love-
by SERVING,
by putting others FIRST,
by washing His disciples feet
like a servant,

He now finishes His lesson with the
ultimate example of
giving His life for others,
for us.

"This is how much I love you.
I am willing to give my life for you."

If you think about it,
who are we, that the King of the Universe
is willing to die for us?
I guess that's why it's so difficult for many
to understand this faith we have.
It's ABSURD, ILLOGICAL, INCONCEIVABLE,
UNIMAGINABLE....

But Jesus was a real man,
and He did many miracles.
He was wise and learned,
and many believed in Him even to the point of death.
He claimed He was God in so many ways
that was clear to the Jews at that time.
That is why He was put to death,
for blasphemy.

Our choice is to believe Him,
that He is who He says He is,
or to dismiss Him as a
charlatan, a lunatic, or worse,
the spawn of the devil!

He said, "FOLLOW ME,",
and He said if we followed His teachings,
we would be blessed,
because His teachings
were all about loving God,
and loving our neighbors.

Linking with Emily-

and

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday? Judas!!

Judas Iscariot has been on my workdesk
the past two days.
In my journal actually!

Here he is betraying Jesus.
Although he was one of the privileged few,
accompanying Jesus as He gave teachings,
healed the sick, raised the dead,
multiplied bread and fish,
Judas turned his back on Jesus
and chose money!
Thirty pieces of silver!

It may be unimaginable,
but I've "walked" with Jesus
ever since I was a child,
and I know He answers prayer,
guides me, saves me in the nick of time
from some disaster,
and yet, sometimes,
I still choose to turn my back on him!
The good news is
Jesus is always after us to come back to him.
Judas chose not to return,
even if he took the bread Jesus offered him
for the last time.

We can choose differently.

Oh, I don't know if you've noticed,
but I decided to organize my desk a little,
inspired by all those wonderful tidy desks
I see on Julia's Stamping ground link party, WOYWW.
I decided to get my embossed metal planter
and use it instead on my workdesk as
a place to put my scissors, brushes, pens, etc.

Linking up with Laura for Playdates with God,
Lora of Abundant Life,
and Word Filled Wednesday.

Keeping Watch with Jesus

Jesus asked his disciples,
"Could you not keep watch with me for an hour?"
(Matthew 26)
I hear His frustration here.
He knows what is about to happen,
and He knows how His disciples are going
to need strength and grace.
Yet, they cannot stay awake
and keep vigil while Jesus prays,
and goes through the pain of knowing
what He has to prepare for.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week.
Believers around the world
may choose to keep vigil with Jesus.
Yes, it is finished,
but it is but right to
watch as he is anointed with oil at Bethany,
as He is betrayed by one of His own,
as He is brought to trial,
as He is crucified...

To watch so we may better appreciate
His sacrifice,
so we may offer, like Mary,
a sacrifice of our heart
in gratitude.

I am truly amazed how much
God loves us,
that He loved us first,
and did everything,
so we could join Him
in His Kingdom!

Linking up with Graceful for Hear it on Sunday,
Use it on Monday. and Soli Deo Gloria.

Five Minute Friday: On Distance

Here's 5 minutes worth of writing for
Gypsy Mama's prompt: On Distance.
Come join us!

I have always felt that it was
wonderful to be living in these times.
Even if my home is in the Philippines,
I am connected to the whole world.
Blogging has brought me friends in so many continents.
The news about other countries
is just a mouse click away.

The irony is that computers
and the internet have also
put a bigger distance between
the haves and the have nots.
Schools in the provinces have no computers
and so the children there have no way of learning
how to use it.

My son has been using the computer
ever since he was a baby.
Now he is 16 and he learns so fast,
reads so fast, knows more than I do
about gadgets.
Recently, he impressed his grandfather
at how quickly he learned to use a plasma cutter,
just by following the tutorial on the computer.
Then I talk to my helper
whose family is in the province,
and she says how can there be a computer in
the schools when there are not even enough chairs?
Not even enough school books?

Picture of the schoolroom is from
Canadian Food for Children Website.

Freedom to be ME!

I hesitated to post this picture of my desk
this morning.
It is such a mess.
Obviously, I just let things pile up,
and now I cannot even find my crochet thread
which I need to sew on my buttons.
To think that the thread has a drawer
of its own, with a label!
Here is my canvas so far.
I've been doing some dirtying up.
Now I am auditioning what to put on it-
buttons, scrap cloth, a curtain ring?
Whatever!
Here is my journal for today.
I realize that the Word of God is alive.
If we read it, there is always an effect.
Most of the time, we do not notice the changes.
But if we keep reading,
eventually, even we will see how we have changed.

I have been reading the Word of God for a long time.
And I know I have been set free from
negative feelings about myself,
too high expectations,
pressures to be a perfect
wife, mother, daughter, businesswoman,
leader in our community....

The list goes on.
and on.

Of course, that's also why my craft room
is a whole mess.
If I was always thinking that I needed
to keep it neat and tidy,
I doubt if I would be free
to create anything!!

Visit Julia of Stamping Ground for more
desks and ongoing projects.

Linking up with Laura for Playdates with God,
and Word Filled Wednesday.

The Lord's Day

Our family is part of a Christian Community,
Ligaya ng Panginoon (joy of the Lord),
which in turn is part of a community of communities
around the world called Sword of the Spirit.

Today, my husband led the prayer meeting.
We had a good time worshiping
the Lord, singing and praying.

Then we had a teaching about the
Lord's Day, or the Sabbath.
I've heard a lot of teachings about this,
and honestly, I thought,
I don't think I'm going to learn anything new!
But I did!

In John 19:28-31, Jesus said,
"It is finished."
With that, he bowed his head,
and gave up His spirit.

Jesus proclaimed this on the 6th day,
God finished His work of creation on the 6th day.
Jesus rested on the 7th day,
and God rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2).
Jesus completed His redeeming work,
and He is the fulfillment of the Sabbath rest.
It is obviously very important to God,
that we set apart the Sabbath.
How wonderful that our God thinks
of even this for us!
We who are sometimes slaves to our work!

I decided I would do my journal,
and some reading, and refrain
from working to honor the Lord's day.
So here is my journal page.

I am linking this to

The nice pictures above are from
Pastor Joe Jones blog.

What's on Your Workdesk 96

Here is my workdesk this morning.
I worked on my journal
OVER my canvas.

I remember when I was young,
and God comforted me over a silly thing.
How much more can we depend on
His faithfulness and grace now,
over more serious matters?

Here is my unfinished canvas.
I'm going for a naif style.
We'll see how it will turn out!

I received a wonderful surprise package in the mail
from Jo or Twiglet of Sisters Crafty Creations.
I only expected a few pages of this vintage
Alice in Wonderland,
but she sent me the whole book!
I don't think I can bear to tear the pages either-
maybe I will make an altered book with it.
Thank you Jo for the
beautiful card that went with it!
Now I've seen a dumfing close up!

For more projects and workdesks,
neat and messy, visit Julia of
Stamping Ground.

WOYWW 95

Here is my desk this morning.
My canvas isn't finished yet.
what I've done so far is
apply wall putty to the house and grass,
and molding paste to the flowers
(my first time to use this product).
I painted it with acrylics
and glued on some paper.

My journal has a drawing of Moses
because the reading today is from Deuteronomy 4,
when Moses was admonishing the people
to appreciate that there was no other people
to whom God spoke, and left statutes.

I take this as a reminder for me as well.
I have to remember all that the Lord has done for me!
I have to appreciate and write down
when He intervenes in my life,
helps me, guides me, gives me grace for the day!
To always be grateful!
That is my message for today!

What's on Your Workdesk Wednesday
is hosted by the very amiable Julia.
Visit her for more desks and projects on display!

WOYWW 94

I finally did a bit of cleaning.
Here you can see my desk
with my journal on it,
brushes, glue, odds and ends.

I also decided to start on a canvas
which you can see on the left.
I've just pasted old dictionary pages on it as yet.
Have no idea where that's going
but I want to try some stuff I've seen on the web.

And here's my journal page for today.
From Matthew 20,
and all about how different
the way God thinks from the way man thinks.

Whoever thought that if you wanted to be great,
to be important, to be somebody,
that you should serve others?

See other desks and projects at Julia's Stamping Ground!