Word Art Wednesday: 1 Samuel 1:27

This week's scripture at WAW is 1 Samuel 1:27. This was a little hard for me to utilize, but I'm proud that I trucked though it and made something anyway. My DH and I have been trying for almost 8 years now to have a child to no avail. We did foster care for a year in hopes of adopting. It was too stressful and I almost, literally, had a heart attack, so we stopped doing foster care. We've prayed and the answer is always the same--be happy where you are, it's not time. I've recently felt prompted to take medication to help me ovulate and get pregnant, but to no avail.

And you know what? It's okay. I'm finally at peace for the first time in YEARS about this. I realize that I can do so many things without kids that I couldn't do if I had them. I can leave and go help someone without having to find a babysitter. My husband and I can go out for ice cream any time we'd like to and not have to work around a sleeping child. Does this sound selfish? I'm sorry if it does, but I'm happy. And I'm glad that God knows what is best for ME. I know that IF I'm meant to have children, it's in God's time. So, I'm good right now. :)

Don't get me wrong. There are still days that I want to break down and cry because I just saw a news story about a child who died due to negligence or abuse and I ache. Because I would have protected that child. I would have loved that child. I would have provided what that child needed. There are days when I'm so angry that I can barely focus on anything but my anger towards others who complain about the ONE THING I've wanted for years and can't have. But I digress...

Here's some more background on why me being happy most of the time is so incredibly miraculous. I am the oldest of 9 children. I am a planner. I've had plans on what would happen to my siblings and I if my parents died from the time I was about 8. Things go the way I plan. I am reliable and ALWAYS over plan. I'm never late. I do what I say I'll do. All of my plans, hopes, and dreams have come to fruition. Except having 6 children with the man I love. We have the names chosen. We have the room in our home. I even have a nursery set up. Yep, that's right. A nursery. Ready for anything! So, being at peace about this is a huge deal.

So, there you have it. It was kind of hard to even type this. I'm hoping for all positive feedback--I DO NOT want pity. I just want you to understand that I understand that God knows what is best for ME and I'm finally at peace with it. :) If you're still reading, you rock! If not, oh, well. I'm not offended!

Okay, so here's what I came up with~

I did a boy and a girl so that I can frame it if or when I have a child. I love the story of Hannah and Samuel. Samuel is one of the names we have chosen if we have a boy--I had a brother who died who was going to be named Samuel. I love the story of Sarah and Abraham and Isaac. I LOVE that God provides for all of His children! Thanks to the lovely ladies at WAW for a literally challenging challenge--I love it! :)

Oh, and BTW, the prints are yours for free--just click it to enlarge, save and then print it! :)

Tweet on YOU!

Hello! It's Valentine's day soon, and while I've been blogging on my paper crafts blog about Valentines, I haven't shared any digital Valentine items! So, I'm rectifying that RIGHT NOW!!!

Here's a really "tweet" print for ya~

Click on it to enlarge, save, and print--it's free for you! :)

Linking to these fabulous parties~
Check Me Out Saturday @ A Vision to Remember
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots & Jello
Show & Tell Saturdays @ Be Different, Act Normal

Word Art Wednesday: Joshua 1:9

Well. I am just having that kind of a week--you know the kind. You can't seen to get everything done that needs to be done?! Yep. That kind! ;) I had every intention of making a paper crafted submission for this week's Word Art Wedesday, as Joshua 1:9 is one of my absolute favorite scriptures, but I did not get to--I barely got the things done that NEEDED to be done. Like sleeping... ;) That is a WHOLE other story!

Well, I've done a digi submission, hope that's okay! I have to take a few minutes to tell you about why this scripture is so important to me. A few years ago I had the privilege to work with our church youth group. It was so fabulous. I LOVE those girls so much--always will! Well, our church has yearly themes for the youth, and this scripture was the theme the year I worked with the youth. We said it every Wednesday at activity night, and memorizing it helped me through some incredibly hard situations during that year. That is why I adore any scripture that talks about being of good courage, but especially Joshua 1:9!

So, with that said, here's my digital submission~

Oh, it's totally yours FREE. Just click on it to make it full size, save, and print! Happy printing!!! :)

January VT Message Handout

This month the visiting teaching message is about visiting teaching...it's kinda strange to teach those you visit about visiting teaching! ;) My companion and I decided to give this handout to each sister to help them along their life journey. It's an Emergency Contacts list with scripture chapters to read if they find themselves in any of the listed situations. :) I found the idea online and made it mine. Hope you like it!!! Left click to make full size and save--it's yours, free! :) Linking to Scripture Thursday Link Party 11 and Word Art Wednesday Challenge 10!!! :)