Some one asked me the other day how in the world I make time for my crafts. I just laughed—but the truth is…we all make time for SOMETHING in our day…and crafts are just my thing. My name is Andrea Young, and I confess—I get high on crafts. Always have…probably always will:). (How’s this for a confession—I used to make and sell bows to make money to spend at Arts and Crafts…this started in the 5th grade…it’s a long-standing addiction of mine;). The truth of it–is I just love to make something out of nothing. And crafts–even “adult crafts” like the magnet memo board I made today can be SO MUCH FUN to make with my kids! L-bird felt like such a big girl helping mommy. While P-man was at school, we hit Home Depot at 8:45am ready to start our day!
And I have to tell you a funny Home Depot story before I show you the memo board! Laney and Frank were both in the cart—Laney was “reading” her NIV Bible to Frank. She was explaining the Jesus’s birth and death to Frank and pointing to words in the Bible when an old man in a bright orange apron approached us.
No response from Laney. So I chirped in, “No sir, that’s the Bible she’s sharing…she’s a great big sister.”
Awkward silence.
Oh sorry. I thought it was a dictionary and she was showing him a conversion chart.
“Hmmmm…nope. Not a dictionary…but a conversion chart…now that’s pretty close;)”
He just gave me the strangest look…but I guess he was right on. A conversion chart it is;).
And then we marched right on to get our supplies—we already had everything I thought we’d need at home, so I just got 2 sheets of 2×4 foot sheet metal and a wall hanger. (Is it just me…or do other adopting mommies/”Paper Pregnant” people feel the need to tell the checkout people you are adopting when they say “you have your hands full!”. I just am so excited about our baby that I see that comment as an opportunity and just start babbling like a girl on cloud 9 about our 4th child to come! Ok…I just can’t stand not sharing! So…yes sir–I do have my hands full—but I CAN’T WAIT TO HAVE THEM MORE FULL! Can’t wait!) OK–Other things I used: hot glue gun, burlap fabric, decorate fabric, and silk ribbon w/ wire. Stopping my photog biz for awhile leaves me with some extra time to finally work on my “sacred space”…the one spot in our home that only mommy goes = The White Room. This is where I used to shoot natural light photography, but it’s about to be my happy place…my quiet time, hobby, prayer, reading and chill room. This is where I’m putting that piece of furniture we also finished up today…still a few finishing touches left there:) I wanted a memo board that was magnetic to easily put pictures one of friends to remind me to pray for them, verses to remember and just sweet little reminders that will make me smile. So…today we (Laney-bug and I) started and finished our project while Frankie baby took his morning nap and P-man was in school…
You could do this same thing with corkboard, but I don’t want to stick pins through my pictures—so I decided to buy sheet metal instead…
Hot glue does NOT stick to metal well—but it DOES stick to fabric well. SO–I quickly hotglued my decorative fabric around the edges first (front main fabric)…
This won’t hold very long–so I quickly cut my burlap fabric that will go on the back and on the edges as a frame. Hot glue around the edges and then press on your fabric backing so it will hold…
Then I simply folded the edges and made a border using hotglue again…
Momma had what she thought was a brilliant idea to hang with ribbon–which would mean putting 2 holes in sheet metal. What made momma think she could put holes in sheet metal? Laney was highly entertained (and maybe even a little scared!) as she watched momma unsuccessfully drill holes in sheet metal! What did finally work was a hammer and big nails! She wanted to try…but momma wasn’t about to hold the nail and let big girl at it! But she did take part in the pretty bow making. And then we hung ‘er on the wall…
My intentions are often good but my brain is often bad—so I’m hoping this little friend will help. I’ve got my two families up to pray for this week (if you sent me a Christmas card this year…this is what I’m doing with them…they are reminding me how much I love the families the Lord has put in my life and to love them through prayer!)…
I’ve got my mommy wise words reminders up…
And a few things like this that just make me smile…
I’m making ONE more to go in the same room that I want to put reminders, scripture memory and invitations on–I’ll put it on the other side of the dresser when the drawers are dry. Picture to come:). AND…maybe this little diddy will help that brain of mine that I lost a bit of with each of my pregnancies recharge a bit. And to do so with style;).
After days…weeks it feels like…of walking with Job through his pain and defense…God speaks. And what does He say? I don’t know about you–but I’m a “warm and fuzzy believer”…I too often focus more on my love rather than holy fear of the Lord. I am reminded in today’s reading how BIG the Lord is—how incredibly small I am—and how I can and want to do nothing than sit silent and submit to the Father today. Wow. I, too, after today’s reading am silenced and speechless.
Chapter 38 -(NIV) God’s first words out of the storm, “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” Ouch. The Living Bible translates it, “Why are you using your ignorance to deny my providence?” Double ouch. And then for the following two chapters the Lord doesn’t answer Job’s questions with explanations–but rather with REVELATION OF WHO HE IS. With HIMSELF.
Where were you when I created the world? Did you measure horizon to horizon? Did you form the earth…or were you even there when it was made? Have you been to the store houses of rain, snow and hail? Do you provide for the lioness or the birds of the sky? Can you oversee my creation? Are you stunned YET? The Lord goes on…
Chapter 39 The Lord starts out with the vast creations–and in this chapter He wows us by narrowing in on specifics of His incredible creation. For example–let’s take a close look at the Lord’s careful description of the ostrich in verses 39:13-18. The ostrich flaps her wings joyfully–yet her feathers don’t compare with the stork. God didn’t give her wisdom (she lays her eggs out in the sand unmindful that man might step on them and treats her young harshly as if they weren’t hers). BUT the Lord gave her the ability to outrun the horse and rider. Why did God make a bird that can’t fly but it has wings? All she can do is fan the air with them. Why did He make her unwise and unmindful of her young? Yet she has the awesomeness to outrun a horse! Just because. He is God.
Chapter 40And then the Almighty pauses. “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses the God answer him.” And again, the Lord gives Job the chance to speak.
Job’s reply: “I am unworthy–how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer–twice, but I will say no more.”
Job has been silenced. He doesn’t know what to say. He is beginning to get the picture. And now God can get done when He intends to get done. Oh that I will humble myself today before the Lord and be silenced in today’s reminder of the greatness of God! When will I realize that until I am silenced before the Almighty I am the one at fault for not experiencing the Lord in His splendor? When we are silenced, the Lord is able to work His plan through us. When we stop wasting life with “Why?! Why?! Why?!” and instead can fall upon our knees with our hands lifted high and say, “Holy Father–thy will be done…not mine Lord…THY WILL on earth as it is in heaven!” However—Job isn’t there yet. He is silenced–but not yet submission…so the Lord goes on…
God singles out a few creatures again. Can you subdue them? Hmmm…let’s just take the hippo and croc. Can you catch them. And even if you did–can you train them to be your pets? Can you get them to obey you? No? Well, if you can—then I’ll believe you can be the judge and demander of justice. Eeek. Ouch. I don’t know about you—but I feel Julia Roberts in “My Best Friend’s Wedding” here when she tells Michael: “I am pond scum. Lower actually. I am the fungus that feeds on pond scum.” Talk about a good dose of humilty. I told Richard this morning that this chapter makes me think of those “I Am Second” videos…only mine would have to say, “My name is Andrea and I am 9,867,756,564,345.” I get the point of those videos that God is first—but goodness, I sure don’t come close to being second after reading this chapter!
And tomorrow…it only gets better. How amazing is the Word of God?! And I thought I was along for a ride with our adoption…the Word is indeed living and active! Let us not give up on the reading of His Word! Be amazed today at His great creation. Stare at small things, examine them…how mighty is the Creator?! Praise His name for He is worthy to be praised! Let us say together, “I can’t explain Him. He is so GREAT. The only thing I am left to do is fall on my knees in worship. May the ‘why’s’ in my heart be gone…laid at the cross…and I follow you Lord! Take us from being silenced to being submissive. We desire to follow you oh Lord!” AMEN!
by admin
LOVE the magnet board:) I am SO glad I found your blog so I can steal all your GREAT craft ideas:)
Trying to behold what God is saying – who He really is- and who we are in conjunction with that….is an idea that no matter how long I have been a Christian, no matter how long I pray, no matter how much I read the Scriptures……I am still in AWE. I don’t think that will ever change. What a huge reminder of that.
Another adorable craft! Love it and your cutie helper.
I just stand in awe of the readings and the thoughts that should always be in front of me…HE is God…all I will ever need.
Blessings,
Amy
ohhh…i LOVE it! great idea!
Hahaha…okay I had a few laughs with the “My name is Andrea Young…and I get high off crafts.” and “My intentions are often good but my brain is often bad…” I can totally relate!!!
I really enjoyed the reading this morning. One thing I wanted to share from my study Bible, is that in the notes it says, “The significant thing about these questions (the ones God was asking Job) is that Job cannot answer a single one! God was driving home the point that Job must let God be God, the sovereign and omnipotent Creator who answers to no one.” We need to let God be God. Because He just is.
Chapter 38-39: Woah! The Almighty is speaking now…and with POWER!
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.” (38:2-3)
That makes me shiver. And who said sarcasm was bad?
“But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!” (38:21)
LOL…now I know where my sense of humor came from.
God used these questions to show Job how little he knew about the universe, about creation, and about God. If Job couldn’t answer those questions, then how could he question God? We need to remember that our God is infinite, all-powerful, and has all authority. Our job is to trust him. And while we are waiting, we need to praise him.
Chapter 40: Job responds to the Lord that he is nothing. He has no answers. He has said too much. Foot-in-mouth…we’ve all done that before, haven’t we?
God doesn’t give Job an explanation to his suffering. He reminds him of his sovereignty. He reminds him of His power and majesty. It is only through God, that we can be saved.
It’s good to be reminded of God’s power and authority. Not just so that we fear him (although that is important). It reminds me of how capable He is. That seems like such a pathetic word in comparison to our God, but let me explain. Again, this is in relation to our adoption to me, but it can be related to many aspects of life. But specifically, this adoption process keeps reminding me who is in control. Although sometimes I am frustrated with losing any sense of control, I’m finding it comforting that it IS in God’s hands. This is too big for me to handle! It’s too big of a responsibility. Could you imagine if it was up to ME which child out there was to be my daughter!?! What if I chose the wrong one? Or the right child at the wrong time? I’m comforted to know that God has the perfect child chosen for our family, and that I don’t have to worry about it! Everything that happens (and yes, even the timing) is in God’s hands, and I know that He won’t give me more than I can handle! That sounds too generic…too cliché. But I can’t even describe this revelation I had while reading today’s scripture! God is capable of making that decision for our family because He already knows the outcome! He knows every little thing that’s going to happen! I can’t even put it into words. He’s AMAZING, let’s leave it at that! Let’s praise HIM while we are waiting!