From the Election Day Communion site.

On November 6, 2012, Election Day, we will exercise our right to choose. 

Some of us will choose to vote for Barack Obama. 
Some of us will choose to vote for Mitt Romney. 
Some of us will choose to vote for another candidate. 
Some of us will choose not to vote. 


During the day of November 6, 2012, we will make different choices for different reasons, hoping for different results.  

But that evening, while our nation turns its attention to the outcome of the presidential election, lets again choose differently.  But this time, let's do it together.  

Let's meet at the same table, with the same host, to remember the same things.  

Let's remember that real power in this world - the power to save, to transform, to change - ultimately rests not in political parties or presidents or protests, but in the life, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus. 

Let's remember that, through the Holy Spirit, this power dwells within otherwise ordinary people, who as one body continue the mission of Jesus: preaching good news to the poor, freeing the captives, giving sight to the blind, releasing the oppressed, and proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor (Luke 4:16-21). 

Let's remember that freedom - true freedom - is given by God and is indeed not free.  It comes with a cost and it looks like a cross. 

Let's remember our sin and our need to repent. 

Let's remember that the only Christian nation in this world is the Church, a holy nation that crosses all human-made boundaries and borders.

Let's remember that our passions are best placed within the passion of Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2). 

Let's remember that we do not conform to the patterns of this world, but we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). 

Let's remember that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. 

And let's remember that the body of Christ as the body of Christ, confessing the ways in which partisan politics has separated us from one another and from God.  

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Many churches across our nation are participating in an Election Day Communion.  I challenge you to find out if there is one in your local area, to attend, and to help me begin healing the divisions and broken relationships that this election season has created between us

Here's the link to Election Day Communion

Nuts About Sketches - Design Team!

Last month, I stepped out of my comfort zone and applied to be a member of the Nuts About Sketches design team.   Applicants were to take this sketch and create a layout from it.

Since I was working on my darling nephew's baby book, I took advantage of the sketch to create another Brady page for his first year album.  The sketch was amazingly easy to work with, and I was very pleased with the results.  I sent it in, thinking, "even if I'm not selected, I have another Brady page done, so that's a win-win either way."  

I found out right before Tom and I left for vacation that I've been accepted!  It's my first "away from home" gig, and I'm tremendously excited about the opportunity.    

Featured!

My most recent layout, titled "Temptation" was selected as a Featured Artist project at Let's Get Sketchy!  I was so surprised and so honored to have my little project recognized...but it was easy to create something pretty with the fabulous sketch that Let's Get Sketchy gave me to work with.

I had so much fun, I pulled the Sketch #7 down and have the beginnings of an idea for my next project.

I love this hobby.  It feeds my need to be creative while at the same time giving me a way to archive my family photos and memories.

Here's my Temptation Project.


The dog's name was Blitz, and he belonged to my father before my dad and mom ever met.

Daddy was a Captain in the Marine Corps, and he made sure that Blitz exercised self-discipline and esprit-de-corps as well as any boot camp private you'd ever meet.  That egg on the ground was as safe as if it had been in Fort Knox.  My dad was the one behind the camera and he told Blitz, "leave it."  That was the end of the discussion, even if the temptation was too much to bear.  

Poor Blitz.  It must have been hard being stripped of his rank as "man's best friend" and demoted to "the family dog."  Whenever Daddy was around, Blitz became man of the house, a job which he took on with his entire heart, and a job which frequently put him at odds with the milkman, the postman, and the preacher...  When he bit one of my uncle's friends who had come to visit Bill, that was the end of Blitz's time as our family dog.  My dad found a single Marine in his squadron who was willing to take Blitz and give him a good home.  ... in Okinawa.  I know Daddy was sad to see him go

We owned two other German Shepherds during the time I was growing up- but neither of them came close to Blitz in Daddy's heart.  He still mentions Blitzie from time to time - and he always smiles when his name comes up in conversation.