Vintage Gwen Chapel-She Shares Truth

Confession time....

I've been working more and I have yet to figure out a new routine! And I tend to be a night owl and it's so hard to break that habit! My husband works 2 nights out of the week and a long time ago when he'd be at work I'd just stay up.  So bad I know! Lil' Hunkie will be starting Pre K in August so I'm gonna have to figure out a new routine pretty quick!  So I've been doing my studying at night and have been loving the She Reads Truth study on Ruth. Today is a She Shares Truth day, I missed the last one and wanted to join in this one since I've been loving the study! 

And what I'm loving most is, the book of Ruth is not just about Ruth. It's so much about Naomi too!

God didn't leave her out, He wanted to redeem her too!

Naomi took a look at her circumstances and renamed herself.  What she was looking at was what she no longer had, not what was in front of her which was a daughter in law so devoted to her that she'd die the same place as her mother in law. 

I've done the same as Naomi.  In every instance I was focused on what I didn't have.

Being single it was a struggle keeping my focus on God and not my singleness, having a miscarriage I wanted to focus on the loss instead of how big God was, and in motherhood I tend to let my failures keep me from the bigger picture, that I am a good mom regardless.  

And in every one of those circumstances I renamed myself....Jennifer the failure. 

But God knew my heart and just like He knew Naomi's heart...that part that still believed God is God no matter what....and He brought forth "treasures hidden in the darkness." (Isaiah 45:3)

While I was single I helped start my church's youth mission trip and spent most of my 20s going on that trip.  That trip still goes on today! I actually get the team ready!

I didn't focus long on my miscarriage loss.  God directed me to name our baby and I have testified about that at church.  I then had someone come to me and tell me that she named her baby too and finally after 20 years she had peace. 20 years!

And motherhood, well I'm still a work in progress and that treasure is still being formed! But hearing "I love you momma", "I sure did miss you momma", "You're the best mom ever!" definitely keeps me thinking I"m Jennifer the good mom instead of Jennifer the failure mom. 

To God, I am and will always be Jennifer My daughter, My servant.

And knowing that helps me keep my focus where it should be, that God is my Redeemer no matter what. 

Happy Weekend lovelies! 

2014 Patriotic Mantle

I love having a mantle! This is the only space I decorated for the 4th and having this space to change out decor on is sure fun! A few things I kept from last year. Found the flag mug in some old Easter stuff and couldn't wait to use it! Then of course with some printables and that wood shim star I finished this up in no time!

Can't hardly believe it's almost time for the 4th! It keeps getting more fun and more fun with Lil' Hunkie!

He loves Firecracker Day!

Happy Thursday lovelies!

{See my Link Parties page for the shares!}

Show & Share #150

Party time!

Most viewed link from last week...

Vintage Suitcase Table Bar by Made in a Day

....and my favorite...

Kick Butt Marinade by A Grace Full Life

What great posts ladies!!

On to the Party!

Rules:

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link a post you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog and follow me

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted

(You can grab a party button to the right ---> just click on the buttons tab!)

Thanks so much for being here!

Happy Wednesday!

An InLinkz Link-up

Wood Shim Star

After making my Patriotic Printables last week I needed one more thing for my mantle.  I had a few wood shims leftover from making some Easter and Spring projects so why not a star?

Got them out and laid them out on my sunny craft table......

....then hot glued them together! Got the Folk Art metallic red paint out and painted one coat on and done!!

Perfect Patriotic star! Or Christmas star!

And now the mantle is done!!

I'll share it on Thursday!!

Happy Tuesday!!

{See my Link Parties Page for the shares!}

{Freebie} Patriotic Printables

I know I just did a printable but that was for Father's Day and I have moved quickly into getting my mantle decorated for the 4th!  Surely you know by now that I love printables! They make decorating, especially for holidays, so much simpler!

Land That I Love 

(right click and save)

God Bless America

(right click and save)

Can't wait to finish up my mantle!

Happy Thursday Lovelies!

{See my Link Parties page for the shares.}

Show & Share #149

That time of the week again!

Thanks so much for being here!

Most viewed link and also my favorite from last week...

Black Chalk Paint Vanity by Ivy & Co

So lovely!

On to the Party!

Rules:

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link a post you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog and follow me

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted
(You can grab a party button to the right ---> just click on the buttons tab!)

Happy Wednesday!

An InLinkz Link-up

{Freebie} Father's Day Printable

Well I think it's time for another printable! And I actually have 2 for you!

#1 Scripture Print

Keeping with the printable I did last year, found a scripture I thought was great for all the men in our lives!

And #2 Coaster Graphic

Made a mom tile coaster so I couldn't leave out dad! I did make this one to where the color goes to the edges, I had been doing it where there was a white border but I forgot that part and it still turned out great!

See?

Can't wait to give these away this Sunday!!

{Just right like on images and save and print out!}

Have a happy Thursday!!

{See my Link Parties page for the shares!}

Show & Share #148

Hello lovelies!

Time for another party day!

The most viewed link last week....

Chicken Broccoli Casserole by Lou Lou Girls

and my favorite just so happens to be a food post too!....

Kumquat Jam by Pret-a-Vivre

Yummies for sure!

On to the Party!

Rules:

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link a post you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog and follow me

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted
(You can grab a party button to the right ---> just click on the buttons tab!)

Thanks for being here!

Happy Wednesday!

An InLinkz Link-up

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Lessons from Leviticus

Last month I took a 31 Day Scripture Challenge given by Kristin Schmucker on Instagram. 

The purpose was to read scripture everyday for 31 days straight and share on Instagram.  I was wanting to add more to the She Reads Truth studying I do and so took the challenge but got started a couple of days late.  Geez but at the same time no sweat! So I felt like God wanted me to read Titus. I had no idea SRT would be going through it this month! It's been great seeing others perspective on such a rich but short book!

So then I simply chose a book by how many chapters it had so I could read a chapter a day to finish out the month. Not knowing what I was getting myself into I chose the book of Leviticus.

Uh huh, I did. And I'm so glad I did! Here's why....

1. Leviticus starts out by God laying out how to do sacrifices and what they all mean.  Man I was loving it! Well except for there's blood everywhere. And so I have a deeper appreciate of what Jesus did for me.  Without His perfect blood I couldn't be washed clean and made whole.

2.  I have a new appreciation for God's Word.  Now I didn't complete the challenge reading a chapter a day straight. I work part time and have an almost pre-K guy at home. So sometimes I didn't read my chapter, in particular the days I worked....Monday and  Thursday. So I'd read what I needed to on the other days. And at the end of May I decided to start working more so I can try and help with the grocery bill, so now I'm reading at night sometimes and really trying to read some everyday. But if I don't it's OK.  I simply catch up.  Even with She Reads Truth.  I'm loving just reading the Word and I've struggled with that.

3.  And here's the best part of reading Leviticus.....
In my opinion, the bottom line of Leviticus is God instructing His people to be holy. He really, really wants a holy people.  Yes the Law He set in place dealt a lot with health and hygiene. I shared one day during the challenge on Instagram that God didn't want a people who acted like or looked like Egyptians. Nor did he want a people who acted like or looked like Canaanites.  He wanted them to look like and act like Him.  And you know I never realized that the land of Canaan was so bad, it was a pagan nation!! But it also flowed with milk and honey! And God wanted His people to enjoy that milk and honey but just in a way that was pleasing to Him.  Unfortunately, His people couldn't ever follow the Law and so that's when Jesus came and made the ultimate sacrifice once and for all.
And so that got me to thinking...what part of the Law do we not follow anymore because of Jesus?  And what part do we follow?
Anytime I have deep bible questions like that I turn to the best guy I know...my dad.
So after eating Memorial Day cookout with him I sat down at his dining room table and asked those questions.   And I added that I felt the Law was heavy...I actually felt that about half way through.
His answer could be consider that of someone who is 'old fashioned'.
Why is it heavy? All of God's Word is Law. From beginning to end.
Well I couldn't argue that.
So then he asked me what did Jesus say?
Jesus said to love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.
So when you do that, truly do that, then the part of the Law that you need to live is lived.
We agreed. We also agreed that to this very day God still wants His people to be holy.
Then he told me that I could only do and believe what I thought the bible said.  And I said but I do and believe like you do! And his response was well maybe I didn't teach you right.
And then the tears started down my cheeks.
And I responded with a resounding no you did teach me right.   He taught me the Word! And to love it, and to love God with my whole heart.
And at that very moment, because on a whim I decided to read one of the hardest books of the bible to read, I was very proud to be my father's daughter.
Amazing.
 Amazing things happen because of the Word.  
Thank you Lord.

Let me encourage you...don't shy away from the part of the bible you think is hard to read.  Because it's the Word and it's alive, I promise there's a nugget or two or three in there just for you.  I used my Life Application Study Bible and read the commentary footnotes after every chapter and it really helped to comprehend what I read. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more you know the Word the more you know God.  And I guarantee God's loving you digging deeper!

Have a great week lovelies!

Easy Bandana Garden Flag

The last garden flag I had out was an Easter one,  so I wanted to craft a fun summery one.

I dug through my fabric and found some bandanas and thought why not? Pink is my favorite color!

To keep this easy I didn't cut on the bandana at all!

I 'measured' using a store bought flag and centered it up. I then measured the sides making sure there was 4 1/2 inches on both sides. Next I folded the sides in and ironed and then folded the top down and ironed. If you use an iron on your folds, most times you don't need straight pins! Then I sewed the top where there was thread already, just straight across, this makes the opening for you to slide onto your flag pole. Then I sewed the sides along the thread too. So there are two thread lines running down the center of the flag.

I didn't have a hot pink thread, I just used what was on my machine! Finally, I sewed across the very bottom and done! It is a little longer then my store bought one so if you want to shorten it just fold it up, iron and sew!

So the sun was shining a bit when I was working on this....it probably only took me 15-20 minutes and while working it started to rain,oh for about 5 minutes.  That's why the porch is wet and got the bottom of the flag wet while I was putting it on my pole! I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow too so that's why I didn't wait for better weather! Still a cute flag, rain or not!! And easy and thrifty! Ha!

Happy Thursday!

{See my Link Parties page for the shares.}

Show & Share #147

June is here and summer is in full swing for most of us!!

Hopefully now that busy May is over I can get some crafties done!

Most viewed link from last week...

and also my favorite....

Pastel Polka Dots by Thrift and Shout

Seriously, she has got to be the best thrifter of all time!

On to the Party!

Rules:

*Link to a specific post--not your home page, no giveaways, or no etsy shops

*Link a post you've done in the last month

*Post the party button on your blog and follow me

*Visit & comment on at least TWO other links posted
(You can grab a party button to the right ---> just click on the buttons tab!)

Thanks for being here!

Happy Wednesday!

An InLinkz Link-up