Long time...

No write! The days go by so quickly and it seems I don't get around to updating my blog. I think about it, but then I end up drifting!!
So, about the previous post. I was a bit disappointed that only one person responded. But, no biggie.
Here is what I think about it:
I agree that we are "the light of the world". We are to take our lights and shine Jesus to the world around us. If we are only around other Christians it is not as easy. I will say that shining our light amongst Christians can even be challenging!!! LOL
I do beleive we should not alienate ourselves from others. But, I do lean towards not joining partnership with a non christian. Whether it is business partners or dating relationships I think it is wise to not enter into these.
I have seen too many times where the Christian ends up being pulled down into non-Christian ways. Usually we are hoping that we will be able to witness to the non Christian. Even in dating relationships I have seen the few that end up ok but more times than not I witness the opposite. We end up compromising and not holding up the standard we ought.
Now, many can say-well, I have seen Christian dating and business partners who are sub-standard, etc. Yes, it's unfortunately true. (The fish symbol has been used so liberally) But, I think it's best when we atleast begin with a solid foundation.
Does it make sense? I hope so.
Each situation should be carefully and faithfully committed to prayer. Not acting hastily. (business partner, not dating)
On another topic, I am busy preparing for our annual women's conference in Oct. Our theme this year is "The Fragrance Of Christ". I am really looking forward to it. When I was in the states I got some great packs of candles in small glass holders at Ross. I love that store!!!! We will tie ribbon around them with the theme on them. Also, I want to find some lavendar and put some pretty ribbon on them and have the fragrance fill the church. The Lord put on my heart last summer to have a foot-washing at the end of the day. Such a neat time it will be. I am not mentioning it to the ladies-only to the other pastor's wives who will help with this. We just want to honor them and show them humility and love. I found some beautiful smelling lavendar bath get and lotion at Ross and even tried it out-permeates the entire room!! Awesome!!! It's not so strong that it will affect allergies so that is good :)
Here is a layout I did the other day. Nothing fancy, just trying to get back into digi scrapping after a summer hiatus. Actually, I paper scrapped with all my friends this summer. We took this during our family cruise in May. Such a fun time with the girls. It was great to see Marla be with her sisters again and for Jim and I to have our family together for the first time in years!!! God is so good!!

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!




I used Robin Carlton's Feels Like Home kit
font is Vaguely Repulsive

Opinions Please

Ok-so here goes....I was thinking about this and I would love to hear your opinions on this. Please don't respond rudely because it's just a question!!! :)
In 2Cor. 6:14 Paul is talking about not being unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Now, many times this scripture is used to teach about dating an unbeliever. I was wondering if you think this also can apply to other parts of life. Say in the work force. I am not speaking about those who have no choice in the matter. But, let's say you own your own business and have a choice as to who you do business with. I realize the non-discrimation laws, but I am not even talking about that big a business. Just small time-or would you join a partnership with an unbeliever given the opportunity?
I would love some feedback on this-constructive and thought provoked please :) I will give my thoughts the next time!
We are off to Budapest today. Hopefully the recent riots won't affect our trip! It's been pretty narly the past few days there. A lying government-who would have thought LOL!!!

I still haven't heard anything from anyone about the templates-looks like I will just be on my own about it. I have plenty of sketches I can use for inspiration anyway.

Ok-here's the layout I tried to upload the other day. See previous day for credits!
Enjoy your day :)

It's taking a bit longer than I anticipated to get back into the groove of being back in Hungary. It seems as though we arrived just in time for harvest and all kinds of other fun allergens that make my aging body go absolutely haywire!!! Sinus headache galore! Plus my asthma gets so bad I end up not being able to eat or just vomitting because of the coughing! Yuck! Hopefully it will calm down a bit and my body will return to somewhat normal!!
I got a new medicine in the states for my asthma. It was sort of funny because my friend's doctor saw me for free( I know there is a better word in english, but I can't think of it :) ) anyway, it's a powder inhaler rather than a spray. He said I should notice a difference within a week if it works-unfortunately I haven't seen any improvement. I am hoping that it is because of the weather and time of year before I actually give it up and say it doesn't help. The doctor couldn't believe my cough-he was wondering why in the world I am like this and couldn't believe I have it so chronic. It is really something that baffles all the doctors. But, after 6 years, I learn to live with it-not always bad each month so I just deal with it! I don't have TB, any spots on my lungs, so it can't be too bad right!!!
DH gave a great sermon today-I know he's my husband and all, but I have to say, I was really encouraged by it. We are in the book of Romans 12 now. Such an awesome book of the bible to study! God's grace is so amazing! We were learning about renewing our minds-not thinking the old way-the way the world tells us to think-but allowing God's Word to change our way of thinking-being kind when the world tells us we don't have to be-being longsuffering with people, merciful and full of grace towards others, just as God has been to us. Doing all we do fervently as unto the Lord. Not so we will gain applause from men-but because it pleases God. These things are only possible through the Word of God!! We can't muster it up in our own strength! We try and fail so often because we aren't relying on the Holy Spirit working in us! Everything comes down to us and Him!!! On the outward, we can do and be whatever we want people to see, but God knows EVERYTHING! He knows the motives of our heart, why we do the things we do, He knows the 'real' us! And He loves us even still!!! The more we read His Word, the more time we spend with Him, the more we will respond in faith and live the life He has called us to live.
I get to call my daughter a lot now that we have Skype. It's a great program!! It only cost me .017 per min. to call her cell phone!! That's such a gift from God!!!! Usually programs charge much more to call the cell than the land line, but this is the same when calling the states! She is fine but so busy adjusting to college life and also living back in the states. It's hard because she is doing a theatre internship and has to go about an hour away from the school and must depend on her roomate to drive her. It's sort of ridiculous to me that they have freshmen having to do this. She doesn't have a car, not even a license yet, and the school sprung this on her the second week. The internship wasn't supposed to be until her Soph or Jr year and now it has already begun. Hopefully, she and her roommate will be fine with it and everything will work out with their scheduling. Pray for their safety.

Finally, before I bore you to tears LOL, here is a LO I did for my beautiful daughter that I miss sooooo much!!! I used Jen Wilson's Spring Collection and Tammy Bankston's alpha

Oh-and another thing.....someone PLEASE tell me.......what's with the templates everyone is selling now???? I want to buy so many of them-they are awesome!!! But,,,,,,do they work easily with PSP8? I downloaded a trial one and couldn't figure it out-if you know-just email me!! :)

And,,,,,just one more side note-Mechelle....if you are reading this-I tried to leave a comment on your blog but it doesn't work for me anymore. So, I pray you and your family are staying strong in God's amazing strength!

Have a glorious day!
Oh well, Blogger doesn't want to be nice and let me upload my photo-we'll have to try next time :)

Back in Europe

Wow! I can't believe it's been two months already! Actually I think it's unbelievable how busy my life has been the past summer months.
We returned back to Hungary without our daughter-probably the hardest thing I ever had to do in my life. The goofballs at the airport couldn't understand why we were crying so much-my daughter told me later that one of the guys told her not to cry-"they are just going on vacation". Yeah right!! If they only knew!
I tried to imagine in some minute way how it must have been that Jesus was separated from His Father. I think it's amazing how God allows us to experience things maybe not to the extreme, but it does draw us closer to Him. I told my daughter that just as that separation was for God's glory so ours will be too.
Besides missing her tremendously, I am so excited for her. The college is AWESOME!! It's like God hand-chose it just for Marla. I guess He actually did :) She likes her dorm, her dorm mates and her classes. So far, so good.
So hubby and I have entered the "empty nest" phase of our life. I tell you-it's strange!!! We love being with each other but maybe it's just that it's a different life. Since he is a pastor his schedule isn't the normal 9-5 so we are around each other a lot anyways. Now, it's so odd not to have our daughter with us. It's going to be great though.
I must confess.....I started paper scrapping while I was in CA. My friends are all into it and we would get together some nights and scrap. Then they started having me go to the late night pajama scraps, etc. And going into the stores and looking around-WOW-thought I was a kid in the candy store!!! I fell in love with so many things!! I did get myself the neatest gadget-it's a crop-a-dial. It's the most amazing tool I have ever used. It's really easy to use and so many different functions! I figure I can go back and forth between digital and paper.
I have tons of pictures to work on from our trip this summer. I just need to get motivated again!
Now that I am back and able to check out the blogs and scrapbook sites I have noticed that Templates are the big thing now. These are actually a dream come true for a person like me. I am not creative in that sense and it's just so much easier for me to use a template. It actually motivates me more to scrap since most of my time is always spent trying to figure out how to lay out the layout! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to see ones that work for PSP8. I am thinking about upgrading to PSPX but even with that it seems that so much caters to Photo Shop. So, I will keep looking and hopefully find some help!

As I remember September 11 my heart is heavy for our country, for those who lost loved ones and those who continue to give of their lives to protect our country and freedom. May God comfort those whose family and friends perished because of the evil done and may we all turn our hearts to the Lord who alone is our true hope.