Challenge #142

There aren't words to adequately express my gratefulness and praise for all the prayers and words of encouragement you've expressed for Audra and her family.  Some are able to give financially, some have the gift of discernment, prayer, and encouragement; but every one of you has blessed us with your actions, and I just want to tell you all how very I am to God for sending you into our lives through Word Art Wednesday, and as a part of the family of God.  You are all SO wonderful and generous, and I pray for God's blessing on you all as you bless others.  Welcome back for another GREAT challenge this week!

This week's word art comes to us from the Book of Psalm, chapter 42 and verse 8.  These verses were written during a time of great sorrow in the writer's life.  He was experiencing a deep yearning for God, and in his personal life he was going through the depths of distress.  Yet, in this particular verse (8), he tells us that "the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."  He is telling us, through his own experiences, that even when we are going through the lowest valleys in our lives, God's lovingkindness is always there for us....and it is new every morning.  God doesn't forsake us when we need Him most.  He will send "His song" to be with us in the night (this is our joy and our comfort), and our prayers (when we cry out and ask for help) will always be voiced to the God of our lives.......Jesus Christ.  It's so awesome to think that these precious words that were written SO many years ago, are still so relevant to us today.  The writer was much like us; he went through trials with his family, and so much more.  Yet, he always knew that the lovingkindness of our precious Lord would be there to sustain him......just as it is for us today.  Times have changed, yes.  But people haven't changed.  And what's even more true than that......God's precious Word has NEVER changed.  His promises are just as true and relevant to us today as they were to the writer when this psalm was written so long ago.  Here's more good news.....God's lovingkindness is available to EVERYONE!  All we have to do is ask for it.  We serve SUCH an amazing and loving Savior!

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines (dark images, etc.).  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:

The Frantic Stamper is a FANTASTIC
on-line scrapbook store with ALL your
favorite brands - they carry everything!
One lucky person will win this gorgeous
new die:  Precision Rainforest/Birds Panel

from The Frantic Stamper!
AND

Moonlighting by Mary/Moonlighting Designs is
our GORGEOUS digital sponsor this week.
Mary has the loveliest images in her Etsy Shop.

One person will win three images of choice.

Click here to browse and shop the AMAZING

 Moonlighting Designs/Moonlighting By Mary.

AND NOW....Here are our winners!

Mark's Finest Papers carries SO many lovely

high-quality acrylic stamps.  The lucky

Entry #38 - Alycia Clark has won a brand new

stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers.

AND

Yours or Mine Paper Crafts is a wonderful shop

filled with papers and crafting items for every

crafter's needs.  Entry #180 - Emily L.

has won a $10 gift certificate to the AWESOME

Yours or Mine Paper Crafts!

 WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK

to claim your prize!  Thanks.

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
 Joann Burton, Our July Guest Designer

Diane Noble

JoAnn Atterbury

Laura Lunsford

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Stephanie Wright

Karen Letchworth

An InLinkz Link-up

Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You

Hello, friends!  I wanted to share this story with you all.  It's about my (favorite) sister-in-law, Audra Padilla, and her beautiful family; her loving husband, Rob, and her beautiful children Tomas, Andres, Isaias, and Audranna.  Audra lost the sight in her left eye about a year ago with no real explanation or diagnosis.  About three months ago, Audra noticed the sight in her good eye (right eye) diminishing quickly.  She saw her physician immediately, and after extensive testing, and to make a long story short, Audra was diagnosed with brain cancer.  They removed Audra's left eye and tumor last month.  She is now undergoing radiation treatment and chemotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.  Her husband has been with her every day along every step of the way.  God has provided a home for them to stay in free of charge while in Rochester Monday - Friday for the next six weeks during Audra's treatment.  God has shown Himself to be faithful, gracious, and worthy of praise at every turn!  We PRAISE HIM for all He has done, and all He continues to do in helping save our dear sister, wife, mother, etc.

Needless to say, with Rob off work to care for his wife, they are encountering great financial strain.  Audra MUST have Rob with her (or someone with her, it just happens to be Rob) because she can't see.  She can't drive, she can't make her way through a hospital, parking lot, she can't see to care for herself completely.  Rob has been Audra's guiding light so to speak.  Together, they must travel from Duluth to Rochester and back every week.  That means lots of gas money is needed.  And, they must keep up with all their normal household bills, provide for the children (who are being watched by Grandma and my husband, Audra's brother, Darren), and they must also cover the ever-mounting medical bills associated with Audra's on-going care.  With Rob not working, he has no income.  Your help would be GREATLY appreciated.  Even if you can give $5 or $10, that small amount REALLY adds up and makes a difference.  They need our help, and if we all work together with even a small amount, we can help them reach their goal.  Little is much when God is in it!

Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye mete withal shall be measured to you again."

If you are able, please give by clicking the following link:

Audra's Cancer Fund

If you're a mom, here is one thing Audra would share with you all.  "Take a good long look at your kids, and appreciate how beautiful they are.  Etch their faces on your heart.  For some day, you may not see their faces with your eyes, but instead with your heart."  Audra's faith has been unwavering, and she asks you to praise God along with her.  She has already seen some improvement in the sight in her right eye.  She can hardly wait to get home after this week's treatments to SEE her children's faces again.

Your help means SO much, and your prayers are appreciated as well.  God is doing great things.  Praise His name!

The Lord bless you and keep you!  The make His face to shine upon you and give you peace,

Karen

Challenge #141 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday welcomes you back for another GREAT challenge!  We are excited and blessed to have you here with us, and we are SO grateful for the art you share with us each week.  We have two more AMAZING sponsors again this week, and YOU could be one of our lucky winners.  Let the fun begin!

Our word art/scripture for this week is James 1:12, and it speaks to us about how blessings will come to those who can endure temptations (or trials).  We've all heard of people who give up on "Christianity" because everything doesn't go perfectly for them.  What on earth would make someone think that "Christianity" makes everything perfect?  Plain and simple.....it doesn't!  Because of sin in this world, there will ALWAYS be trials and temptations in our lives.  We can't blame God for that.  We can only blame ourselves, because we are sinful.  This verse reminds us that BLESSED is the man who can face life's trials and temptations with unchanging faith.  The verse tells us that those who don't give up will receive the "crown of life", which is eternal life.  When things get tough, we can't give up.  It's during those times that we need to be a testimony to the unsaved people, and...it's an opportunity for God to work in OUR lives to help us grow wiser and closer to Him so that we can be a blessing to others because of what we have endured while remaining faithful.  We need to show everyone that our faith is unwavering, and that NOTHING can shake our faith in Jesus Christ - the One who made a way for us to get to Heaven.  God has PROMISED us eternal life in Heaven with Him by simply refusing to turn our backs on His goodness and love - even during the most trying times.  There is such great joy in remaining faithful to the incredible promises of God.  So, next time you're faced with a trial in your life, keep in mind that God has PROMISED you the crown of life (eternal life) for remaining faithful, and not letting Satan rattle your cage or cause you to doubt God's goodness.  God is ALWAYS there, even in the midst of the storm; waiting to bless you and pour out blessings on you that you can't even fathom.  Take joy in these sweet promises found in His Word, and don't let the world shake what you KNOW to be true.  Life IS difficult, and times WILL get rough, but an ETERNAL LIFE (the crown of life) is FAR better than what you will encounter if you give up on your faith.  Stay strong, and let God show you ALL the blessings He has waiting for you; both here on earth, as well as in Heaven's eternity with Him.  What a beautiful promise!

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines (dark images, etc.).  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:

Mark's Finest Papers carries SO many lovely
high-quality acrylic stamps.  They also offer
weekly challenges and LOTS of inspiration.
One lucky entry will receive a brand new stamp
set of their choice from Mark's Finest Papers.

Yours or Mine Paper Crafts is a wonderful shop
filled with papers and crafting items for every
crafter's needs.  One lucky entry will win
a $10 to this amazing little shop.  Click here
to shop with Yours or Mine Paper Crafts!

AND NOW.....Our Lucky Winners!

My Craft Spot by Kimberly

is the sweetest little shop around!
They have stamps, steel dies, twine,  lovely
seam binding and more!  One of our
lucky entries, #211 - Kris B.
gets to pick out a brand new stamp set
of her choice from My Craft Spot!
AND

Eureka Stamps has the perfect
image for EVERY project, and lots of
great sentiments as well.  The very
Lucky Entry #175 - Joolaa has won herself
five (5) new images from Eureka Stamps

WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK
to claim your prize!  Thanks.

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Our July Guest Designer, Joann Burton

Diane Noble

JoAnn Atterbury

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Stephanie Wright

Front View With Scripture

Project Uses Sponsor Stamps
from Mark's Finest Papers

Back View of Stephanie's Bookmark

Karen Letchworth

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #140 - Anything Goes

Welcome to Word Art Wednesday.  We're so blessed to have you stop by to play along in this week's new challenge.  We have two AMAZING SPONSORS this week, and we're sure you will want to play along for the chance to win.  We enjoy the art you share with us, and we also appreciate you letting us stop by your blogs to visit and say hello.  We would really LOVE to have you each stop by our blogs as well, and say hello to us.  We're always happy to make new friends in blog land.  We're glad you're here.  Please let us know by leaving a comment if we can pray for you, or let us know this when you visit our individual blogs, and we would be honored to bring your prayer requests before the Lord on your behalf.  You are important to us, and you are important to the Lord, Jesus Christ.  He wants to have a personal relationship with you, and we are here to answer any questions you might have.  If you don't know Him as your Savior, and you don't know FOR SURE that you're on your way to Heaven when you die, we would enjoy the opportunity to share this Good News with you.  Let us know if we can be a blessing to you in any way.

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines (dark images, etc.).  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:

My Craft Spot by Kimberly

is the sweetest shop around!
They have stamps, dies, twine, seam
binding and more!  One very lucky person
will win the stamp set of their choice from
My Craft Spot!
AND

Eureka Stamps is our digital sponsor
this week.  They have the perfect
image for EVERY project, and lots of
great sentiments as well.  Check out
Eureka Stamps here, and one person
will win some new images!

Loves Rubber Stamps is an AMAZING
place to shop for beautiful and unique
rubber stamps and much more.
Entry #66 - Lea Lawson
has won a $10 Gift Certificate
to their AWESOME shop!
AND

Milk Coffee Stamps is our AWESOME
Digital Sponsor this week.
ENTRY #199 - Leslie Turner
has won herself the choice
of some darling images from
Milk Coffee Stamps

WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK
to claim your prize!  Thanks.

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Our July Guest Designer, Joann Burton

Diane Noble

Laura Lunsford

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Stephanie Wright

An InLinkz Link-up

Challenge #139 - Anything Goes

Welcome back for another new challenge with us here at Word Art Wednesday.  It's July already, and we have another FABULOUS Guest Designer with us.  We hope you will stop by and introduce yourself to Joann Burton, and let her know how blessed you are to have her with us here this month.  We're SO grateful to have each of YOU with us, as well.  We have an AWESOME month planned!

Our beautiful word art for this week was provided to us from Diane Noble of Daydream Designs.  This beautiful scripture says (in part) "Be still, and know that I am God."  It goes on to say, "I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."  There is coming a time when mankind will deny Christ (some already have), and despite how incredibly sad this is, it happens every day nonetheless.  More and more "Christians" are denying Christ for the sake of persecution and in fear of punishment or shame.  But despite what happens on this earth - whether past, present, or future - despite anyone who chooses to deny Christ and His omnipotent, perfect, endless reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords......it doesn't matter.  He tells us that He WILL be exalted among the heathens, and that He WILL be exalted in the earth."  People can choose to deny Jesus Christ all they want; but the truth remains that HE WILL be exalted as the Most High when He returns to this earth.  We PRAISE GOD for this absolute truth that CANNOT be changed.  If we will simply BE STILL, we can KNOW that HE IS GOD.  The rest of the world can deny Him all they want, but nothing will ever change the fact that He IS the One TRUE Messiah, and that He WILL come again, and reign as the Most High FOREVER.  The world can fall down all around us; but as Christians, we can be still and KNOW that nothing (and no one) can EVER separate us from the love of Christ.  All we need to do is remain faithful, be still, and KNOW that He alone IS GOD!

As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges.   We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of art (not just limited to cards).  You may link up to 5 projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning.  It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules".  Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to these guidelines (dark images, etc.).  Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here's this week's beautiful scripture/word art file.

We hope that it will be a blessing to you!

Here are this week's AWESOME sponsors:

Loves Rubber Stamps is an AMAZING
place to shop for beautiful and unique
rubber stamps and more.  One person will win
a $10 Gift Certificate to their shop!
AND

Milk Coffee Stamps is our AWESOME
Digital Sponsor this week.  Check out all the
LOVELY images available at Milk Coffee Stamps

AND NOW.....Here are our winners!

The Flying Unicorn is an AMAZING store
filled with all your favorite brand-name
crafting supplies.  The lucky winner of
their $50 Gift Certificate is......
Lucky Entry #153 - Melissa M. 

AND

Our digital sponsor this week is the SUPER FUN

Bugaboo Stamps.  The lucky winner of

 three (3) lovely Bugaboo images is......

  Entry #225 - Judith W.

WINNERS:  Please email Karen THIS WEEK
to claim your prize!  Thanks.

May God bless all our amazing sponsors.
We appreciate them all SO very much!

Here's some inspiration from our Design Team
Our July Guest Designer, Joann Burton

Diane Noble

Coming Soon

Laura Lunsford

Coming Soon

Lori Ulrich

Carole Robb Bisson

Stephanie Wright

Karen Letchworth

An InLinkz Link-up