luka bella photography (real families, real life)

Where does the time go?

Have you noticed how quickly time goes by or is it just me? A day turns into a week and a week turns into a month. I can not seem to keep up. But then again maybe it is not my job too. I am trying to spend much more time being quiet, being still. There is beauty in stillness. God speaks in those moments.

My friend Tamara lent me a book called i am not but i know I am  Welcome to the story of God  by Louie Giglio. It is fascinating and grabbed my heart in the first paragraph

"Life is the tail of two stories-one finite and frail, the other eternal and enduring. The tiny one-the story of us-is as brief as the blink of an eye. Yet somehow our infatuation with our own little story-and our determination to make it as big as we possibly can-blinds us to the massive God Story that surrounds us on every side."

I can not put it down. The back of the book says this:

"If  you see life as your own one-act play and history as your story, you could be in for a rude awakening when the curtain finally closes on your tiny tail-and you discover that life wasn't about you after all

The real story of life is God-I AM- the main character and true star of time and eternity. He is at center stage in all of creation, and He wants you to know Him by name. Knowing I AM means celebrating your smallness in light of His greatness.

Embrace the true meaning of life as you learn to work and rest in His power, spending your life for what lasts forever-the unending glory that is God's alone.

So there you have it!

I was inspired to create this:

 

And this sweet friend sings such beautiful music that I could hear her sing all day and as soon as her CD comes out I can!!  Hello any word on that yet???

A beautiful ceremony

I watched the inauguration today. Well really who didn't. It made me feel very proud to be an American. It was very moving and am so glad my oldest daughter did not have school today so she could watch it too and hopefully remember this day. It was really neat to see Pastor Rick Warren speak. He was the Pastor of our old church before we moved and it is amazing to see how the Lord uses people for His good, and His alone.

Anyway, Kimi came over yesterday to watch me bake cookies. She has been bugging me about picking a winner for the flowers because I know she wanted them. So sweet little CJ was put to the task and here is the result......

 

 

Congratulations! Email me your address and I will send them to you.

Since Kimi didn't win she made some paper flowers herself while she was here. I have never seen Kimi craft. It was very exciting. She crafted something that could be a little controversial. But then again, if you knew Kimi that would not surprise you.

Energy

I had a strange burst of energy yesterday and had such a productive day. It felt so good. I managed to put away all the Christmas gifts that were still sitting on top of our pool table since Christmas. Vacuumed up oodles and I mean oodles of dog hair(that is a daily chore). I proofed all of of the Hoffman's pictures and even made and finished a layout all before 12:30. We then went to Bill and Amy's for dinner. Tacos and donuts. Us girls tried to hibernate in Amy's room to watch Cold Mountain but the kids sounded like they were tearing the house down so we had to keep getting up to make sure the walls were still standing. The men played golf on the xbox. I am reminded constantly what an amazing group of friends I have and praise God daily for them. To have a group of women who really know you, who can walk along side you through the good and the bad and to lift you up in times of need. To laugh with and cry with. And to go on "girls" trips with. I am grateful, so very, very grateful. I had a wonderful opportunity this week to connect with a dear friend that I have know for a very long time. The kind of friend that even though we have not really connected in a while, we can just pick up were we left off. She is broken and hurting. What a wonderful opportunity to share with her how being broken can be an amazing journey. Painful, yes, but an amazing opportunity to grow. One day she will look back on this part of her life and use if for good. God is molding you during these times. He is shaping you. He just needed to break you of your sin, so He could begin again. Embrace the journey. One day you will be grateful. I came across this verse during my bible study that seemed so relevant:

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you may not see him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of souls."   1 Peter 1:6-9

Today I still am buzzing with energy. Maybe the 2 lattes and one cup of coffee has something to do with it but non the less I am moving. I even cleaned out my closet. Yes, Kimi you heard me!!

Here is the page I made yesterday.

 

I made the flower above from newspaper. Oh I almost forgot I still need to pick someone to send the flowers to. And post the rest of the Coffee cup album and how to make the flowers. I will try to work on some of that today. O.k. off to make another latte!!

Flowers

When I get stressed and procrastinate I make flowers. I am stuck on the round ones still. Had a wonderful weekend of church, baby shower and football games. Oh how I am still morning the Charger loss. As for the flowers I have no idea what to do with them. I used a bunch of different textures this time.

Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like the best. Maybe I will pick someone and send them to you.

#1)This one is from paper

 

#2) burlap

 

#3) burned felt

  #4) Canvas

 

#5) Fabric

 

#6) Felt

   

What do you do with them you might ask. I have no idea. You can use them on a scrapbook page, pin them to a sweater or shirt or stick them in your hair. Be creative.

 

Fatigue has set in.

I am exhausted can not get myself going today. Last night I went to bed at 8:00. I had just had enough and could not keep my eyes open. I thought a good nights rest would do the trick but not so. I did have a strange burst of creative energy and managed to whip up a lo so fast last night. I was supposed to be making dinner

  

but instead my husband caught me doing this

   

so there you go.

A crafty weekend

Oh what fun this weekend has been. Finally catching up on some crafting, laundry, laundry and more laundry! Some wine, a good meal, and a great day at church. Not in that particular order I might add. And the Chargers, are you kidding me!!! What a game!!!

I never participate in challenges. I am not sure why. However; thischallenge blog totally gets my mojo going. The challenge was to create something inspired by wood. I chose woodgrain paper. Here is what I created

 

and some other layouts I finished this weekend

 

School starts again tomorrow. AHHHH!!! This has been a long break.

Many, many blessings to you!!!