tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-631068505852191822024-02-18T21:56:34.529-06:00Radical CraftsCatherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-65791734692729240432012-08-29T14:21:00.003-05:002012-08-29T14:29:36.160-05:00When Grace is a Gorilla<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, so I realize it's been over a year since I've written on here. Much has happened, but I still have not felt like I needed to reopen the shop. So for now I'm just using the space to write some thoughts - for my benefit, and maybe for others as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaLFy5BqNJWQQIGIopCfbB9CU5D2liQKvLTnidi-mBjRQwhkDJSVQRVgdm6f2Z4nMjBQHNN4GzDQDFfMjVZ0rS51PmEZhRpsFd2pycS0AKR5jEzbJKjb-MeJpmviI5DszboBLeVsuuA/s1600/Liya.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOaLFy5BqNJWQQIGIopCfbB9CU5D2liQKvLTnidi-mBjRQwhkDJSVQRVgdm6f2Z4nMjBQHNN4GzDQDFfMjVZ0rS51PmEZhRpsFd2pycS0AKR5jEzbJKjb-MeJpmviI5DszboBLeVsuuA/s400/Liya.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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First things first, my brother and his wife have a baby girl! Almost two years ago we raised money for their adoption expenses, and as I type this my sister-in-law is in Ethiopia staying with a friend and awaiting their daughter's visa so they can come back to the US! I had the privilege of traveling with her to Addis Ababa a month ago to meet Liya and help out for a few days as my brother is deployed and unable to be there. God is so gracious in giving them a precious baby girl. For pics and info you can follow their <a href="http://www.strodeadoption.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog here</a>.</div>
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Erik and I have also been praying for years about adopting. We know we have been adopted and given all the benefits of being "heirs with Christ." So the Lord placed it on both our hearts and I think we've always known we would adopt one day. This year we started looking into it more seriously, but both felt the time just wasn't right yet. Even after seeing all the precious children waiting to be adopted in Ethiopia, I still felt we needed to wait. I didn't know why (still don't) but Erik thought the same thing.</div>
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The past 5 days have been an exhausting roller coaster for us. We were presented with an opportunity to adopt a beautiful, precious 9-month-old girl from Ethiopia. Because this child is listed as having special needs, she needed to be adopted ASAP and it would have been a very quick process. Our gracious Father guided us through four days of ups and downs, doubts, insecurities and questions. We kept walking forward, not feeling like He had said "no" yet, and wondering if this was our daughter. I tried to protect myself from getting emotionally attached, but it was impossible not to visualize this child in our home, eating at our table, sleeping in her pink bedroom. </div>
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As you can guess, we are not this baby's family. We were told yesterday that she had been placed with another family. It was kind of a situation of first come/first served, which is understandable. We have faith that our Sovereign God controls all things. If we were meant to be this child's parents, it would have happened. Of course that doesn't mean I didn't weep uncontrollably when I found out she would not be our daughter. Heartbroken is not too strong a word to describe what we both felt. And it's okay. And we are trusting.</div>
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And this is the beautiful thing. Five days ago, my trust in God was not what it is today, and Erik would say the same. In our minds, the timing was terrible. I just stopped working, I'm writing a book (more on that in the future), he's working and simultaneously writing a feature-length screenplay (hopefully more on that later too), we have two busy kids, very little money (by <i>our </i>standards, which is a whole other post) and life is crazy. So this was a difficult process of Him graciously revealing that we <i>don't </i>trust Him - not truly. And it hurts to realize that. It's like walking along in the dark, heading toward a steep cliff, when suddenly a 500 lb. gorilla comes out of nowhere and knocks you to the ground, saving your life. But obviously this life-saving process hurts a little. I mean, I've never actually been knocked to the ground by a gorilla, but I can imagine. Anyway, you're grateful for the end result - you're not dead - but the process knocks the wind out of you and probably breaks a few bones. And that's where we are. So blessed and grateful for the gorilla-like grace that shows us our lack of trust, but a little sore from the process. And waiting expectantly for what He has in store. </div>
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"Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him / How I've proved Him o'er and o'er / Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus / <b>Oh for grace to trust Him more</b>."</div>
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In addition to the craziness of adopting a child suddenly, there were the special needs to consider. Over the past year God has laid on my heart the desire to adopt a child (or children) who are HIV+. Erik's sister is a PA specializing in infectious diseases, and we have had many conversations about HIV and AIDS and I've learned so much from her. Erik knew my heart, and while I don't think he was quite on the same page when this process began, he is there now, thanks to God's work in both of our lives. This precious girl is HIV+, which is really why we considered and prayed about adopting her in the first place. </div>
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Now, if you're freaking out a little, it's okay. It's totally understandable. Unfortunately there is a crazy lack of education regarding HIV. We are all still thinking of it like we did in the 80's, which means we assume you get HIV from shaking hands or spit or snot, etc, then a couple of years later you die from AIDS. Praise God this is no longer the case (actually, it was never spread via those means). So in case you are like we were and you don't know the facts, here they are:</div>
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<li>HIV is considered a chronic but manageable disease with proper treatment.</li>
<li>Children who receive treatment are expected to live a normal lifespan.</li>
<li>HIV has NEVER been transmitted in normal family living conditions (not thru tears, saliva, mucous, or other bodily fluids)</li>
<li>You NEVER have to fear contracting HIV through casual contact with an HIV+ person.</li>
<li>HIV is spread in three main ways: sexual contact, IV drug use through the sharing of dirty needles, mother-to-infant (pregnancy, birth or breast feeding)</li>
<li>All around the world orphans are overlooked for adoption because of their HIV+ status</li>
<li>Medications called ARVs can mean the difference between life and death</li>
<li>With medications HIV can be effectively managed to the point that the virus is undetectable</li>
<li>There is a term for the miraculous transformation HIV+ people undergo when they begin receiving the medications they need.</li>
<li>The Lazarus Effect is a term commonly used to describe people who were once on the brink of death who have been restored again to health through medication</li>
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(Info from <a href="http://truthpandemic.org/">TruthPandemic.org</a>) For more info, go <a href="http://www.fromhivtohome.org/faqs/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I don't know about you, but after I found this out I was shocked. My lack of education was severe, and I was amazed upon hearing these statistics.</div>
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So we hope and pray that God will continue to give others a heart for HIV+ orphans, just as He has supernaturally given us the desire to bring one (or more!) into our home. We continue to pray about the future, and ask you to pray with us. We trust He has given us this desire for a reason and we thank Him for graciously teaching us to trust and obey.</div>
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Special thanks to <a href="http://mel-snow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Brian and Mel Snow</a>, who walked with us through this process, and who are adopting 3 beautiful girls from Ethiopia. We can't wait to welcome these girls into our church family! Love you guys.</div>
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Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-50612192521107185012011-05-03T14:00:00.000-05:002011-05-03T14:00:40.038-05:00Results<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6HmpquE7WZs0YGDOffviVfTArLFxu0E1xfLk4KX01mu5kwsyOTBzMPUKkU0D1ELxA0EzjjgaHWNMlgkMn76_oFMfRjfUbhzEH-_O-0I37FDJUZC09sTZjIRufHlwx2UgzD10WjSBMg/s640/radcraftsship.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you all so much for your encouragement and support of me, but even more for your support of E3 Kids! Thanks to your generosity and God's grace we raised <b><span style="font-size: large;">$400.50</span></b> that will go to help some of these kids in Mombasa, Kenya.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Above is a shot of <span style="font-size: large;">some </span>of the orders I sent out over the weekend. I have a few more to get together as well. It was great to be busy with this :).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I will keep the blog updated with plans for the future. I am praying about it and already have some ideas of how things might be done better and how I could streamline some of the parts that take more time. So we'll see.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, thanks to all who are praying about my heart. I actually received a call last night from my cardiologist with some great news about the most recent heart monitor test. I'll see him next week to go over results and have another ultrasound, but at this point it looks like maybe I just had some delayed positive results from the ablation procedure. So thanks to all who are praying. God is good all the time, and we're so blessed to be here at all to serve Him and bring Him glory.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-65379223672210848812011-04-27T19:20:00.000-05:002011-04-27T19:20:34.869-05:00Why I'm Closing Up Shop<div style="text-align: center;">Well there's a long story for this, and a short one. The short reason is that I need to take a step back and focus on other things right now, with the hope that I can continue with Radical Crafts in the near future.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The long reason is actually several reasons:</div><ul><li>Blogging - as someone who received her minor in Writing, you might think I'd enjoy the blogging process. And there are definitely parts of it I enjoy. However, the networking thing is just not for me. I'm so grateful for the <a href="http://radicalcrafts.blogspot.com/p/friends-of-radical-crafts.html">bloggers and friends</a> who have helped me along the way these past few months, but the truth is that it's a ton of work to write a blog that gets enough attention to drive business to your shop. And that's just not my passion. I like writing, but I don't have time to link up with party after party in the hopes that people will visit my blog and then visit my shop. I know that's the process, and I totally respect it. I just don't have time for that game right now. Speaking of which, reason #2 is:</li>
</ul><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGmhNeHVip4baA-aib0FJz4UnQGwyyYXF-Mdkdu6nCjfOcma13mUux0JFWyxlCQ2wP8cf5YsBkRYyvu3yJLU3tdpqkO0MLIMKHWjpmQNqxzeRvhSvmk3NvI-3MyteymvoMPg5dlgekA/s1600/Organized-Simplicity-cover-226x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigGmhNeHVip4baA-aib0FJz4UnQGwyyYXF-Mdkdu6nCjfOcma13mUux0JFWyxlCQ2wP8cf5YsBkRYyvu3yJLU3tdpqkO0MLIMKHWjpmQNqxzeRvhSvmk3NvI-3MyteymvoMPg5dlgekA/s1600/Organized-Simplicity-cover-226x300.jpg" /></a>
<li>Time - Erik and I both feel like I need to take some time off to plan and create and spend some hours praying about what Radical Crafts might be in the future. In the meantime, I need to get a lot more organized and intentional with my days. I'm currently reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Organized-Simplicity-Clutter-Free-Approach-Intentional/dp/1440302634/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302730949&sr=8-1"><u>Organized Simplicity</u></a> by Tsh Oxenreider and it's amazingly helpful with this process. I highly recommend it. She speaks a lot about the need to be intentional about your family's purpose statement. Come up with one, and make sure everything in your home and all the ways you spend your time serve your family's purpose. So that's a process we're going through right now as well. </li>
</ul><ul><li>Health - a lot of this decision has come about as a result of some health issues I'm currently having. Two years ago (when our daughter was 1) I was told I had a heart condition. It's been a long process of determining what that means, and we were told we shouldn't have more children. But the Lord is so gracious and our doctor came back and said he thought it would be okay. So we have our son - an amazing blessing. But after he was born things went downhill a bit for my heart, so I had a catheter ablation in February to try to fix the problem. We thought it had been effective, but a recent report showed I'm still having problems and so I'm currently on a couple of medications. Hopefully these will help, but in the meantime they are causing some fatigue and dizziness. So I'm trying to simplify my schedule a bit in the hopes that I'll have more energy to devote to my family.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"> So that's it...in novel form. I am hopeful that God will reveal another ministry to support in a few months and that I can start building up stuff for the shop again. Or maybe He has another plan altogether. What a joy to be able to seek Him in His Word and know that He is sovereign in our lives. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hopefully I'll be posting once or twice a week, but for now the shop will be closed starting this coming Sunday (May 1st).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you all for your support, and I ask for your prayers while we wait and see what this ministry might be in the future. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Closing the shop isn't easy for me. I'm typically the kind of person with a plate piled miles high with commitments. And quitting one is so painful - mostly for my pride. Admitting I can't do it all...not great. But I'm confident this is the right thing for now. So we'll see what happens :)</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-19248016835577928022011-04-27T15:11:00.000-05:002011-04-27T15:11:06.050-05:004 More Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are just FOUR days left to order from the shop before it closes for a yet-to-be-determined period of time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Be sure to check it out daily - I'm adding new stuff all the time. And be sure to order when you see something you like to make sure someone else doesn't snatch it up first. There are some great items that have been donated by sweet sisters who are giving in order that others across the world might know the ultimate Giver of all good things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a little look at some of the stuff just added to the<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts shop</a></span></b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHbu5iapHyJWGB_eX4zEusA_eO2pptKqLm11n1LGOxKyKxmDwsiSEOmiBhrkw5drcXMBeBQdEi_TPvInskqL_pBDJzyzGoXOtS0fT4gJQEMGZ3s7HUGF3dNFbQl5tmvyAx39z7yROqA/s1600/beachglass1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHbu5iapHyJWGB_eX4zEusA_eO2pptKqLm11n1LGOxKyKxmDwsiSEOmiBhrkw5drcXMBeBQdEi_TPvInskqL_pBDJzyzGoXOtS0fT4gJQEMGZ3s7HUGF3dNFbQl5tmvyAx39z7yROqA/s640/beachglass1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-84615803392939358652011-04-25T21:07:00.001-05:002011-04-25T21:07:59.403-05:00Dream BIGI just wanted to do a quick post about an <b><a href="http://farleykids.blogspot.com/2011/04/dreaming-big.html">awesome joint-venture</a> </b>going on for a family who is adopting a precious boy named Sergey through an organization called <b><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/">Reece's Rainbow</a></b>. Many bloggers and shop owners have come together to put on a massive fundraiser for this family and TONIGHT is the last night to give and enter a HUGE giveaway.<br />
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Even if you're not in time to participate in the giveaway, I encourage you to check out the organization and the journey this family is on. They love the Lord and believe adopting Sergey is something He wants them to do, so they're following in obedience. God is so good.Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-28536878751833318602011-04-24T20:59:00.000-05:002011-04-24T20:59:28.225-05:00Shop Sale!<div style="text-align: center;">Since this is the last week for <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts"><b>Radical Crafts</b></a> to benefit <a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids International</a> in their ministry to orphans in Kenya, I'm having a <b><span style="font-size: large;">HUGE </span></b>sale. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmarkQW6zBhYM7AOV2RV300FLg7ioYTxCoayU6kpW4mr8kvsj9zpfO3dap-vMTvzv7KMcM-SHnWoxUW_sJMO8N42H7o4sLJSkidTELPbqX6N0hImSHV3u2NTBGIIfM-9tQbMbYfSnt3A/s1600/bracemulti1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmarkQW6zBhYM7AOV2RV300FLg7ioYTxCoayU6kpW4mr8kvsj9zpfO3dap-vMTvzv7KMcM-SHnWoxUW_sJMO8N42H7o4sLJSkidTELPbqX6N0hImSHV3u2NTBGIIfM-9tQbMbYfSnt3A/s640/bracemulti1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Everything</span> in the shop is <span style="font-size: x-large;">30% OFF</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Just be sure to enter the code <b><span style="font-size: large;">E3KIDS</span></b> to have 30% taken off your whole order.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTr1daOBD5I-KK2xUWbNnzSUZoEYP-dli_O-yvkUasjDcHidunvKBoC37GiSoW-5IfNBrZtSVGZgDPA2UK_X_QDo7l8EbHYK9leB3jtpoqEltno6USdMrDEi6aPskZb94cbb0O4mSBA/s1600/apron4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTr1daOBD5I-KK2xUWbNnzSUZoEYP-dli_O-yvkUasjDcHidunvKBoC37GiSoW-5IfNBrZtSVGZgDPA2UK_X_QDo7l8EbHYK9leB3jtpoqEltno6USdMrDEi6aPskZb94cbb0O4mSBA/s640/apron4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would love to have an <b><span style="font-size: large;">empty shop</span></b> in one week, but I need all of you to help me with that. Please pass the <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">shop link</a> </b>along to your friends - there are some great things that have been donated that would make super <b>Mother's Day gifts</b>! Remember, <b><i>ALL </i></b>profits go to E3 Kids!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrXrNCbEKrUjH5ghssPpgDfn-OkJHyEVa0ifzm9shwiIS_UmJAJ5mfGZpIJTHyCpYvV84nk-Wb917ZYmB5gYLErzVB-bKNwAcS6seSQdsc9-cZ5vaH8c-9uHFPSr25rcRB6617F1ugQ/s1600/clutch2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrXrNCbEKrUjH5ghssPpgDfn-OkJHyEVa0ifzm9shwiIS_UmJAJ5mfGZpIJTHyCpYvV84nk-Wb917ZYmB5gYLErzVB-bKNwAcS6seSQdsc9-cZ5vaH8c-9uHFPSr25rcRB6617F1ugQ/s640/clutch2c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm also hoping to add a few more things this week - key fobs, hair clips, and some great jewelry that was just given to me today by a friend from church.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next Sunday (May 1st) I'll be <b>closing the shop indefinitely</b>. I'm hoping to open it back up in a month or two, but right now my husband and I are just praying about what I need to do with it. More on that this week, but just know that if you've had your eye on something in the shop, <span style="font-size: small;"><b>don't wait!</b></span> This could be your last chance to get it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYlHentdhLNu321em0QPooRKTbreNJ0tHo_Lw5H_e1tTHKEeT9YrsSygWdPmicfwSoXbiOrkZ8EPeM0_H9pcWrSEmOZ0jet_bS-Gf8JI377c85wP6RxwwYa9CTrRYpnstRyWbTBKuZQ/s1600/clutch1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYlHentdhLNu321em0QPooRKTbreNJ0tHo_Lw5H_e1tTHKEeT9YrsSygWdPmicfwSoXbiOrkZ8EPeM0_H9pcWrSEmOZ0jet_bS-Gf8JI377c85wP6RxwwYa9CTrRYpnstRyWbTBKuZQ/s640/clutch1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to all of you...hope you have a great week!</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-19594339251154119382011-04-23T15:46:00.000-05:002011-04-23T15:46:58.331-05:00Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6qukUP52z6r_-pbMxUeOBgGCNSC7_0kjywi9jiN1DHjqPAj1ANZM1_xhVPP7RLk-GDxgevD4JaVCAcasrx6W5FpyKkLI8XTx6ILofQpKLHIVCUUweWUnyYl4VNNbUmegUdaIIN2d_A/s1600/tomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6qukUP52z6r_-pbMxUeOBgGCNSC7_0kjywi9jiN1DHjqPAj1ANZM1_xhVPP7RLk-GDxgevD4JaVCAcasrx6W5FpyKkLI8XTx6ILofQpKLHIVCUUweWUnyYl4VNNbUmegUdaIIN2d_A/s640/tomb.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I was just in the kitchen glazing my ham for tomorrow (my first time making ham...seems pretty simple, but it wouldn't be the first "simple" thing I've managed to ruin. And there's no seam ripper for ham) and I was thinking about the disciples and friends and family members who were so crushed the day after Jesus died. I cannot imagine the anguish. To think that this Man you've spent 3 years of your life following had just died - and none of His promises had come to fruition (at least not the ones they cared about).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And here I am. Baking a ham and getting my home ready to welcome several friends for a lunch in celebration of the Resurrection. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I know what the disciples didn't know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That the next day would change <b>EVERYTHING</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Forever</span></b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> A few years ago my pastor preached a sermon in which he asked this question:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Is the only explanation for your life the Resurrection?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He went on to say, <b>"We shouldn't be straining to explain and defend the resurrection; the world should be trying to explain us without the resurrection. Our lives shouldn't make sense without it."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just something to think about as I glaze my ham, so blessed to know what came on the third day. And striving to live life in light of it.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-70987116897799310882011-04-18T10:00:00.000-05:002011-04-18T10:00:12.585-05:00There's Still Time...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you order by Tuesday, you will still be able to put a <span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts</a></b></span> item in your child's<b> Easter basket</b>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are fun <span style="font-size: large;"><b>crayons</b></span>, <span style="font-size: large;"><b>blankets</b> </span>and <span style="font-size: large;"><b>onesies</b> </span>in the shop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKkBd8DmVdE1UqmpXcp6rr-SnZtRgnUYRUWYrgqiuDmkThi2lfQswamrdRDeD6D0RyDapIat7o3dDuODT80Zsv_06Jmx-Amr3Vj_4zrIGGoZGGNcv1_bLUax19Uky7p5CoMk5e0ZTfQ/s640/crayonnum1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsBRQrpUjHVrCaNevzFCs2o-Iu0oeNqwXnrM_rhSoP9jLNtGn_NSYE95lR81nrck7VfowDqnetIETFKjf4Xsfo6k8LYucr6Gb6UmiAVHrfyUkV0lLrft0-uLZZBtAz8-7jndo18s_WQ/s640/minkypink3.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dAsrgASvuwtXCu4nYmu9mO39DRUadvc3aX9Y8_sggtstRwdLNSVRWVUhiTZp4VR9KMgDU1l0ByE4FqXQnxfn5QEHQP93gk_Y6t-32lP0o5CCgq9iU1pOlANmo0I5ZliJdpLpCr7yow/s640/crayonsport1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course don't forget that between now and Easter Sunday, you will receive a <a href="http://radicalcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-promotion.html"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>FREE Card Wallet</b></span></a> for each item you purchase from the <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">shop</a></b>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n0dmj61Ix8z54yrsZCiYGIDhN4R8JaamVIAzMqe-1ppDRxXJ_KF21hv3RrR8v-8dubGfjCq4l5GCe0Luntvm3Y_wSKnsF61kyBBT0_Og0nWP-pikricNcaEplLld7lIrobCjdc4tVA/s1600/wallets1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7n0dmj61Ix8z54yrsZCiYGIDhN4R8JaamVIAzMqe-1ppDRxXJ_KF21hv3RrR8v-8dubGfjCq4l5GCe0Luntvm3Y_wSKnsF61kyBBT0_Og0nWP-pikricNcaEplLld7lIrobCjdc4tVA/s640/wallets1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">As always, all profits from the Radical Crafts shop benefit a ministry. Through the end of April that ministry is <a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids International</a>.</span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-37746886659131306742011-04-18T06:15:00.003-05:002011-04-18T22:53:34.863-05:00Easter Week<div style="text-align: center;"> I thought I would share a little resource we're using for family devotions this week to teach our daughter more about Easter and our Savior. This was put together by my dad for his church:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span id="wylio-flickr-image-2194636814" style="display: block; float: none; line-height: 15px; margin: 10px auto; padding: 0pt; position: relative; width: 489px;"><img alt="Ray - A Drop of Golden Sun" height="358" src="http://img.wylio.com/flickr/6605/489/2194636814" style="border: medium none; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" title="Ray - A Drop of Golden Sun - photo by: Aranya Sen, Source: Flickr, found with Wylio.com" width="489" /><span class="wylio-credits" id="wylio-flickr-credits-2194636814" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: both; color: #aaaaaa; float: left; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 100%;"><span class="photoby" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 2px;"><span style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0pt;">photo © 2008 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/aranyasen/" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="click to visit the Flickr profile page for Aranya Sen">Aranya Sen</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8677701@N05/2194636814" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="get more information about the photo 'Ray - A Drop of Golden Sun'">more info </a></span><span style="display: block; float: right; margin-left: 5px;"><b style="margin: 0pt;">(via: <a href="http://www.wylio.com/" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="free pictures">Wylio</a>)</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Eight Days with Jesus: Palm Sunday to Easter</b></span></div><br />
The crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus the Messiah, are central to our existence as the church. Jesus came to suffer and die for our sins. He arose from the grave as Lord over life and death. This outline is intended to be an encouragement for you, and your family, to contemplate day by day the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry, including His death and rising from the grave. Only one event and one Scripture passage are mentioned each day. There are passages regarding the same events in other gospel accounts, and there are other events on some days that also are recorded in the four gospels.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day one: Sunday -- Jesus enters Jerusalem</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Matthew 21:1-11: </span>Jesus rides into Jerusalem in the fulfillment of prophecy and to the praises of the multitudes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day two: Monday – Jesus cleanses the temple</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Mark 11:15-18:</span> Jesus demonstrates zeal for His Father’s house. Jesus’ anger was a manifestation of His perfect righteousness.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day three: Tuesday – Jesus teaches</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Matthew 22:34-40:</span> On a day filled with teaching, Jesus concisely states the two great commandments on which the “whole law and the prophets” depend.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day four: Wednesday – Jesus forecasts His death</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Matthew 26:1-5:</span> Jesus predicts His crucifixion in only a few days, even as the Jewish leaders plot to kill Him. (This event may have occurred on Tuesday evening.)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day five: Thursday – Jesus inaugurates the Lord’s Supper</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Luke 22:17-20: </span>Jesus shares the bread and the cup, as well as their meaning, with His disciples, instituting a memorial we observe to this day. Later, he entered the Garden of Gethsemane to pray and to be betrayed.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day six: Friday – Jesus dies on the cross</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Luke 23:33-49:</span> Jesus – mocked, beaten, tried and sentenced – suffers and dies as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day seven: Saturday – Jesus awaits the resurrection</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read Matthew 27:62-66:</span> The body of Jesus is in the tomb on the Jewish Sabbath even as the Pharisees work to keep it from being taken away.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Day eight: Sunday – Jesus rises from the dead</span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">Read John 20:1-20:</span> He is risen! He is risen indeed!<br />
<br />
(Resources used are <span style="font-style: italic;">A Harmony of the Gospels</span> by A.T. Robertson; <span style="font-style: italic;">The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah</span> by Alfred Edersheim, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Thompson Chain-Reference Bible</span>.)Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-79687735041947608032011-04-14T14:30:00.000-05:002011-04-14T14:30:14.556-05:00Easter Promotion<div style="text-align: center;"> We just have a couple more weeks to benefit <b><a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids International</a></b> with the proceeds from the Radical Crafts shop, so I'm offering a little promotion from now through Easter Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">For each item ordered from the <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts shop</a></b>, I will include a <b>FREE Card Wallet</b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wVNv0dBl9Lvu79CxiXsdXLDZVIAvIqIdGth5xSAs4NlSnI-Wdh0zemwMP-FLnxHib8_hCYXhHlaOLRjJVXK8fPyamAkTEQos0xAWiLD-9_RIzHxS4eFtSlcUCffdA3PIC-d1ob9szA/s1600/wallets1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wVNv0dBl9Lvu79CxiXsdXLDZVIAvIqIdGth5xSAs4NlSnI-Wdh0zemwMP-FLnxHib8_hCYXhHlaOLRjJVXK8fPyamAkTEQos0xAWiLD-9_RIzHxS4eFtSlcUCffdA3PIC-d1ob9szA/s640/wallets1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These make GREAT gifts, and you can always stick a little gift card in to seal the deal. I've been using one for over 3 years to carry my driver's license, debit card, and cash around. It fits in my jeans pocket, or I can throw it in whatever purse or diaper bag I'm carrying. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You don't have to let me know that you want one - it's automatically included in your order. There are a couple of styles pictured, but I have lots more and will choose one at random.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDoFbB0Jc1h6lOvz274XyeykLtSG1PvhA8GIDTSON6OLcts4w330VUnIm24h4Yzbaflvm6t5P5PL_X_IAp0I7dx7SEcNCHItIHYCi23vQe-dBeMdMpTDgyy94ZhHOn7tvHzn52DwxHQ/s1600/wallets2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDoFbB0Jc1h6lOvz274XyeykLtSG1PvhA8GIDTSON6OLcts4w330VUnIm24h4Yzbaflvm6t5P5PL_X_IAp0I7dx7SEcNCHItIHYCi23vQe-dBeMdMpTDgyy94ZhHOn7tvHzn52DwxHQ/s640/wallets2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And remember - you get one for <b>EACH</b> item you order...so the more purchases, the more Card Wallets.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, as always, all profits from the sale of items in the <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts shop</a> </b>go to <b><a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids International</a></b> in their efforts to provide a Christian education for orphans in Kenya.</span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-74161991238663967402011-04-10T15:41:00.000-05:002011-04-10T15:41:05.999-05:00Giveaway Winner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY46gNXGU_vUb4qbParNsER6ADei34v3cnEZE2wM9i_DqGbvSVrd0HcYJ15dXVxMs-AG-JCdXCfI84T_gBZF3wXdsN2J8PXkaZ4VOwJQ14BKkAgruvB_wLhofXgzI2vNPkKmEgdFx-w/s1600/giveaway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY46gNXGU_vUb4qbParNsER6ADei34v3cnEZE2wM9i_DqGbvSVrd0HcYJ15dXVxMs-AG-JCdXCfI84T_gBZF3wXdsN2J8PXkaZ4VOwJQ14BKkAgruvB_wLhofXgzI2vNPkKmEgdFx-w/s400/giveaway2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Thanks to all who entered the giveaway! It was great to read what you all love about Spring, and I got a great April Fools idea from Kimberly, who played a little joke on her husband:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcofiTuNEZa-wZAqDQHn2kSvGUirlELmGM_uBt_hGN4-LkQezM_WpoSrOeVAG60BzFAUmlA4m4BkgF7ByCH2PYbioHtUyrJ5bJH4w717zgAHfLTmMOkbDyUoqeY9H21Hw-yVNRVPlAQ/s1600/kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcofiTuNEZa-wZAqDQHn2kSvGUirlELmGM_uBt_hGN4-LkQezM_WpoSrOeVAG60BzFAUmlA4m4BkgF7ByCH2PYbioHtUyrJ5bJH4w717zgAHfLTmMOkbDyUoqeY9H21Hw-yVNRVPlAQ/s400/kim.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> So clever! I'm thinking there are a lot of possibilities with that same theme. Thanks for sharing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Okay, so the giveaway winner...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprY0ISpzp8AoCdlsHoYQS6lmDIYRUiAbCYaaQG1lZChzIGwclKAfnVFIZvBovkFgwGGKn5McPpuedAL7_vnb-24bZojUAEfX7RePBWSnbGClao0BtcCIaL1ZPDccGJAZNmhKQFfUhgQ/s1600/draw.JPG" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">...was comment #20 - </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlmzR93PvGQWY_FjPMNLODGYOB_UFPM5BJtXH-JkVcKKs2JhFQZtRXK5ooA9tlxjrjo7f992E4J2UdbcXmvWRPame7Dz6Ap3pN99FCaBnkHkEniAnkbgYSTy_MxYuRmOOZ-Vx_F7nUg/s1600/mcc1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlmzR93PvGQWY_FjPMNLODGYOB_UFPM5BJtXH-JkVcKKs2JhFQZtRXK5ooA9tlxjrjo7f992E4J2UdbcXmvWRPame7Dz6Ap3pN99FCaBnkHkEniAnkbgYSTy_MxYuRmOOZ-Vx_F7nUg/s400/mcc1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Congrats Michelle! Thanks so much. Let me know which color blanket you'd like (pink or blue) and send me your address and I'll get your gift set in the mail (radicalcrafts(at)gmail(dot)com).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks again to all who entered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned this week because I'll be announcing a <span style="font-size: large;">special promotion</span> for the Rad Crafts shop!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And as always remember that ALL profits from the shop benefit a Radical Crafts mission (currently <a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids International</a>).</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-27648100998159875272011-04-09T08:20:00.000-05:002011-04-09T08:20:26.555-05:00Worship Note<span id="wylio-flickr-image-3353848331" style="display: block; float: none; line-height: 15px; margin: 10px auto; padding: 0pt; position: relative; width: 442px;"><img alt="Welcome Spring! // Bienvenida Primavera!" height="294" src="http://img.wylio.com/flickr/6605/442/3353848331" style="border: medium none; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" title="Welcome Spring! // Bienvenida Primavera! - photo by: Jesus Solana, Source: Flickr, found with Wylio.com" width="442" /><span class="wylio-credits" id="wylio-flickr-credits-3353848331" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: both; color: #aaaaaa; float: left; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 100%;"><span class="photoby" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 2px;"><span style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0pt;">photo © 2009 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/pasotraspaso/" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="click to visit the Flickr profile page for Jesus Solana">Jesus Solana</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/65069067@N00/3353848331" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="get more information about the photo 'Welcome Spring! // Bienvenida Primavera!'">more info </a></span><span style="display: block; float: right; margin-left: 5px;"><b style="margin: 0pt;">(via: <a href="http://www.wylio.com/" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="free pictures">Wylio</a>)</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">"Now to Him who is able to do <i>exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think</i>, according to the power that works within us, <b>to Him be the glory</b> in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).<br />
<br />
We will join together this Sunday as part of our <span class="il">worship</span> to ask God to do things we cannot do, to do things we have no hope of being done apart from His mighty and gracious intervention.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He can do even more than "we ask or think." </span><br />
<br />
To this One who has all authority and <b>uses it graciously</b>, we should give all glory.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">May it be so as we pray, sing, read, confess, submit and serve.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Written by my Dad, a pastor in VA)</span> </span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-27352545034576632292011-04-08T06:00:00.011-05:002011-04-08T22:13:52.929-05:00Wall Art & Picnik Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">First off, today (Friday) is the last day to enter the<span style="font-size: small;"> <b><a href="http://radicalcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/eat-your-veggies-spring-giveaway.html">GIVEAWAY</a>, </b>so make sure you're entered.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have seen so many great child silhouette projects lately and decided to try my hand at one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> The silhouettes themselves were super simple. I just took a profile photo of each kid, enlarged it on the computer, printed it out, traced it onto black scrapbook paper and cut it out. So easy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But I felt like it was still missing something, so I did a little word art...the cheater's way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvGOGIL8cVKG-poGuoP2wB2YEXdQytt5QAKYsQq9Nldl_FIWG4Qf6ojsOZturiABlMtReH06VrYGvTWfAyT_YlFGDhXpmcjQGWi49w6mHQbRu_W9e4yTzCfvbZdmShDAsk7HEnMp13g/s640/sil1.jpg" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Unfortunately the reflection of a window makes it hard to get a good picture...but you get the idea. Also, don't blow your candles out too hard...does anyone have a tip for getting a wax stain off a wall?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8FZ0dmDhYfdgErZR9jpJrHS-CmJDDgdrHB_0YCArXjXKGy6SuCuDTvyIip2V8kO1YV5oXKuJzqVwtGdBpkpRE_dpwK6hyphenhyphenHfIM9yYfYVpCXWG_6O-Ar7oBnkoBLcQ1en9_1DRg1ZLEQ/s1600/sil2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have Photoshop Elements, but it isn't currently working. So I learned how to cheat your way to some cute word art on Picnik.com (a free site with lots of fun photo-editing features, although you can upgrade and pay for more options).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Picnik Word Art Tutorial:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, you need to have a picture for your background. I just found a white background via Google, but you could use fabric, scrapbook paper, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Upload the background to Picnik.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbi4ofh3jNsT6kwaBRB0JHhGdtXYY1n2FlvzDrSOcCkOxmL0A8-JrA6NXmUQIz4XFa14PCvhp6vENpGs2TxsraNYFnK9zqqy-EdzoAw2DtfQMeCQoqq-p7AdpVNC8F04d17dd4TUxYQ/s1600/picnik1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbi4ofh3jNsT6kwaBRB0JHhGdtXYY1n2FlvzDrSOcCkOxmL0A8-JrA6NXmUQIz4XFa14PCvhp6vENpGs2TxsraNYFnK9zqqy-EdzoAw2DtfQMeCQoqq-p7AdpVNC8F04d17dd4TUxYQ/s640/picnik1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Click on "Edit" and then "Crop"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwzUBl_D9041rjgH1-Ne_1PkgJVs750hKkz9dLTF-9b0hGfhfj6_hNC1SP5i7PTrCsnWxRuFvXJ_b9LvrgcrNy3K_ph062qQozGDjujRRABwk4K9Qd9OMHlUlgtOgH40NlULG5VfOqA/s1600/picnik2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGzhDK5mrb7QfOg2Qc3erwYDe6R44pS3Fbl3qReL4td30-gAOXRi00XcUrYvPbi1ABYf-RCcMxrmSjLiSrolx8Y5yqwmzNMweb8sDOE0P4gv6_DOumxQYrvHgFEkNDY5YhEA6fdu9Tw/s1600/picnik2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGzhDK5mrb7QfOg2Qc3erwYDe6R44pS3Fbl3qReL4td30-gAOXRi00XcUrYvPbi1ABYf-RCcMxrmSjLiSrolx8Y5yqwmzNMweb8sDOE0P4gv6_DOumxQYrvHgFEkNDY5YhEA6fdu9Tw/s640/picnik2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Choose your photo size from the drop down options. I used 5x7.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then click on "Create" and choose the "Text" option.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwR4kfEsFhPaZZThynh2fhYvS5WGI8totQE9XMX4N04GsuSsifPLho5LzSUwGqp_GFoRqGpT-u_-SPvi8g4pX5b2mHCF1yr0oXTISnDiZ0tKCLLGHBck9j7rMWxJ0WomBMAIJ_8vsvQ/s640/picnik3.JPG" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is where it gets fun. Picnik actually has a great selection of free fonts to use. Choose a font, then enter your text into the box at the top left.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXRYKhm28GwIwCcKe0s3K5UpxR5oOOsvDB6uIKNX2QyNBZrlfhouH0yN4BQcjRKfhYOV2YzvwBKb_rkhNBkJJxb1ckyDq4dfP8K-lHy2ERAmknnEmJG_LeVG9rv8vnFWji8ANtpnVA/s1600/picnik4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXRYKhm28GwIwCcKe0s3K5UpxR5oOOsvDB6uIKNX2QyNBZrlfhouH0yN4BQcjRKfhYOV2YzvwBKb_rkhNBkJJxb1ckyDq4dfP8K-lHy2ERAmknnEmJG_LeVG9rv8vnFWji8ANtpnVA/s640/picnik4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I was using several colors, I actually went through the text process 4 times. Each time you type your text, then choose a color from the text toolbox that appears. You can then change the size and several other features.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My art is very simple, but there are practically limitless options for creativity. You don't have to be a Photoshop pro - you just need a little imagination and some time to play around. It's incredible user-friendly and super fun to play with!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great weekend!<br />
<br />
Linking up at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading" border="0" src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" /> </div><br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><img src="http://www.callmekristin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Button.png" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap
up party!" src="http://hadfield.smugmug.com/photos/825895175_xmTVA-O.jpg" /></a></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-84146556584968669682011-04-06T10:44:00.001-05:002011-04-06T19:45:26.453-05:00Preschooler Playtime (or How to Stay Sane w/ a 3-yr-old & a Newborn)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Before our second child ("Mookie") was born I decided to stock up on some quiet projects for "Hootie" to be able to do w/o me while I was nursing (or "thinking" on the couch...very quietly...with my eyes closed).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I found these two projects on a couple of awesome blogs and went to work. They are super-easy and we've had a lot of fun with them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com/2009/07/rag-quilt-letters-tutorial.html"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lvmt92IWlyjthL_5xmDSTRLflkzKbQ45-2e5Roh3MYzde-Qvd8cJcE708JrscZNZFLsX1R5p1S312R0bRT89Kw8ansBUfWpXynm9JV9JfLFvASIDKaYr0A886XVXae1X6UvkFui4WA/s640/letters2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These cute alphabet letters are from Happy Together. Check out the tutorial <a href="http://ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com/2009/07/rag-quilt-letters-tutorial.html">HERE</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWTMU-3wThxWe-5OLg-5JIK2DefajzKyXF_-J8G9qFuY5L1VZBwYGBx0kumnR5UrDaGXwSvJUkKICRI8kv9WRsp5vSVRpWTlf0ukWNwRzF3l3mjNGZrdE8FZvtrBxtY7GSe7Oj05MzA/s1600/letters1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWTMU-3wThxWe-5OLg-5JIK2DefajzKyXF_-J8G9qFuY5L1VZBwYGBx0kumnR5UrDaGXwSvJUkKICRI8kv9WRsp5vSVRpWTlf0ukWNwRzF3l3mjNGZrdE8FZvtrBxtY7GSe7Oj05MzA/s640/letters1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> I also made these number beanbags. We've used them a lot for our "school time." There are SO many activities you can do with bean bags (most of which are fairly non-violent).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aprettycoollife.com/2010/04/number-beanbags.html"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBeEYfQaDXmXti1zSGFt9fGlMm_g7ymK9jPkkxv9rYMfkexSBWTfASQAhY7V_ptJ6wP14YXcNPPoJHyBLJUgMQbkwNdehnfZOo6Mpxp6uiQpM_cJmj4x_I-9MTzFsUXI5CtUuV77VLA/s640/beanbags.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are from "a pretty cool life." Tutorial <a href="http://www.aprettycoollife.com/2010/04/number-beanbags.html">HERE</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4KFMzUESHgd1NFjfUWXUamp4ugZg5KKPjnuthQkll3Dl5x98Mxp5WM13xiAfscMS_q8nBpFhL-R9U8gpPCydoji-VkAkhZiAtRfK_UZmHCsqCWT3VBEX72tJQOVdFZ-9aFJnYXlRaQ/s640/bags1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I made a couple of quick drawstring bags to keep them in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffa6gYG4P6qiSMRvjCYOIq_uGP4-xLuxftSCHNSEtiTQeEFreFvpvsPlikFspp4gZBnhwe5Y6lLuaXyS7mPjBb_xqKzcVYzAgWZkAxo45ye8CPZopDn4hgL6vTQwT5UwELTpPm4_y0A/s640/bags2.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These would make great birthday presents, or even something fun for an older sibling when their little brother or sister is born. A quiet activity is invaluable during those early weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't forget to enter the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://radicalcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/04/eat-your-veggies-spring-giveaway.html"><b>GIVEAWAY</b> </a></span>by this Friday pm!</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-56710181562463115972011-04-05T10:02:00.001-05:002011-04-05T10:09:04.227-05:00Ministry Update - One Month Left<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have just one more month for the funds raised in the shop to benefit <a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids International</a>. As you see on the sidebar, we've raised a bit, but I know we could definitely raise quite a lot more for this amazing ministry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyntB8mgpay97HUfbMtNYnZpEqK1TSkvO6GtqCD_k1Gxo91daZK86v7rvQrxAXgxr3OgiVMVpdct5hQOD75e_6ILYlbOfmm5lqs3O8flSrD9qeAnGDc6hl1j7PPeBx8YQ16BBqGFI8Bw/s640/kidbalcony.JPG" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">For those who might be new to the blog, E3 Kids is a ministry that currently supports Royal Kids School in Mombasa, Kenya. This school gives a Christian education to students who otherwise might not get an education at all. The funds we raise will go toward their dormitory fund. They are in the process of building new dorms for the kids who live at the school, some of whom are orphans. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As a reminder, <span style="font-size: large;">ALL</span> profits from the <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts shop</a></b></span> go directly to this effort. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just listed some <b>"Good Egg Onesies"</b> in the shop - just in time for Easter:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDOJpCdxYsmbVoGY2nZWQdMWbHJ9Ktg286MhCVN85Hzy00XFlOIQshubDm881KMaUpygmZt5ztKKifTisEJmoAvCLKaV9DeDeMnSn-rmMhi5hgNdbrbVafNZPfEDNVblNGINidsAukg/s1600/eggb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDOJpCdxYsmbVoGY2nZWQdMWbHJ9Ktg286MhCVN85Hzy00XFlOIQshubDm881KMaUpygmZt5ztKKifTisEJmoAvCLKaV9DeDeMnSn-rmMhi5hgNdbrbVafNZPfEDNVblNGINidsAukg/s400/eggb1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu0_9g9ARqeHG6z_4H3jxIyAIDM2eMXkyz9MjeA910fsQMm3zY-jtdjllj-Lk_xb03CXkQSMFym_b2zABaZUXdme8shsyanLjdCsVv_1BJ-kRF50et2qcouUxT-GD1XVdFn4T2UqlAA/s1600/eggg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu0_9g9ARqeHG6z_4H3jxIyAIDM2eMXkyz9MjeA910fsQMm3zY-jtdjllj-Lk_xb03CXkQSMFym_b2zABaZUXdme8shsyanLjdCsVv_1BJ-kRF50et2qcouUxT-GD1XVdFn4T2UqlAA/s400/eggg3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQD5qu_PimxxRufVDQ4tA0JEIh2aC-5cKx-bZ6Z6lTBFZzAuUVvj0ITtYtsFpXl6LklsqK3P5SjDpWgmB4bb7cdzWroK72ejKuiXj514nrvqvKV7j6SKesYm4Ftoo_GRAFHJsyq_Xqaw/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are also some fun shaped <b>crayons</b> (perfect for an Easter basket) and don't forget the great <b>bags </b>donated by <a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/">Better Life Bags</a>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please help me support E3 Kids and pass the shop along to some friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks - you guys are great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<center><a href="http://naptimecrafters.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3R3dsUqu1VVPNLSY4CYyfc3QpI-sbFU_ANkTuE1BDIin0o6QqkSlkv-kaukcr6IJQcozgdHZIIORbOD3DIFu2ZzcESol_45n0IhmBfBse9A4EWvl5KtLYk_LO8BSFFtccqGOBp9EoDg/s1600/Handmade+Show+%2526+Sell+Button-+125x+125.jpg" /></a></center>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-60288365050067113262011-04-04T13:46:00.003-05:002011-04-10T15:02:13.260-05:00Eat Your Veggies & Spring Giveaway<div style="text-align: center;"> I wanted to do something fun with Hootie on April Fool's Day, but couldn't think of what would be enjoyable, not too confusing (and not too much work). I had thought of decorating the house like it was Christmas the night before, so when she woke up she would be totally confused. But then I considered the fact that I might spend the rest of the day explaining that it wasn't really Christmas and decided that wasn't the best plan. So I ran across these cupcakes in the book "Hello Cupcake" by Karen Tack and thought they were just the thing.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbUeomlC9ygLun428eFdZHkdgf4M5W7qqJclLNywMblXNzdmApOuNHTIUyB2Tr6a31RlngbNoGNHp92gmUCn46L2SeRlNB21iKgFEwYm6hS6RnYZxSTDoqBeWwH8_EhjHugUZbAZJbg/s1600/apfools1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbUeomlC9ygLun428eFdZHkdgf4M5W7qqJclLNywMblXNzdmApOuNHTIUyB2Tr6a31RlngbNoGNHp92gmUCn46L2SeRlNB21iKgFEwYm6hS6RnYZxSTDoqBeWwH8_EhjHugUZbAZJbg/s640/apfools1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zae5RHYQJoXTThE3EwmdNzDzrNgXMPx4povbW_JwbiP2Sz7goRqS4aBG111yM0pAyMj7vL-DZsr2ObGttrTYqNNdOeS9EIOlRjzwQg323J2byogTS9W2gYaj7b3_c0pN4kuEBRNmig/s1600/giveawaycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> (Don't worry - the chicken is real)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR4r29N06NmjA6He8YY7hO5qd-yLf8gXlvovJc70l3PkaOE3lUYr3R1k_5kRCdFyp91JJ508DQ9GQeSoy_7y-E_3wHEHgfHeKLFddFggP55Ufb_pbnkgwC-fU2yCBEb315qIpoF7xyQ/s1600/apfools2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHR4r29N06NmjA6He8YY7hO5qd-yLf8gXlvovJc70l3PkaOE3lUYr3R1k_5kRCdFyp91JJ508DQ9GQeSoy_7y-E_3wHEHgfHeKLFddFggP55Ufb_pbnkgwC-fU2yCBEb315qIpoF7xyQ/s640/apfools2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> No problem getting this girl to eat her veggies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVrNMvp4BFyTCRPM-zy4sAAOMC-vRV_5agAVFwRxLAz6rP4vAWsAFXkM8Buubjx_pQBKcqDk_OEpnL5LlFHKBXAi6VYO-ZeUV0t4r-1D_L04ShULDNapbj4NQrXL460h827sPb-jvIQ/s1600/apfools3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVrNMvp4BFyTCRPM-zy4sAAOMC-vRV_5agAVFwRxLAz6rP4vAWsAFXkM8Buubjx_pQBKcqDk_OEpnL5LlFHKBXAi6VYO-ZeUV0t4r-1D_L04ShULDNapbj4NQrXL460h827sPb-jvIQ/s640/apfools3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I look happy - but this was pretty gross. I used honey for the "gravy" on the "mashed potatoes." Kind of sick.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBYXOda8nAwiYQYRnQjIuo9ZsJpDJLrJW_T_CC01ptASBqbfwNEAljMfzdwY0wtJrm6ksAzjxHXBWR7WirdlU7S7xfVQ_Btrva7KAgSjyV1APPN33p1vqiShNaM9TSq8QHObhtP1gpQ/s1600/apfools4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBYXOda8nAwiYQYRnQjIuo9ZsJpDJLrJW_T_CC01ptASBqbfwNEAljMfzdwY0wtJrm6ksAzjxHXBWR7WirdlU7S7xfVQ_Btrva7KAgSjyV1APPN33p1vqiShNaM9TSq8QHObhtP1gpQ/s640/apfools4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This expression captures our true feelings...there is nothing appetizing about a slice of Starburst "butter." But it was a fun one-time thing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now that it's NOT April Fool's, I can post the <b>giveaway </b>and not worry about people thinking it's not legit. It's totally legit :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have <span style="font-size: large;">one month left</span> of Radical Crafts benefitting <a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">E3 Kids</a>, so in honor of that I'm giving away a little <span style="font-size: large;">baby/mommy gift set</span>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfYfVWakJfAi0pddO2daN40dnlvPedfzP4E3RPnMKZor52hsZhD1XLeaPcbpHNRAD9nUVu7HfFnCXRMkXpx9p2KV6f_7d0kuuFCawTuiWu3RK7w5S_rQcFNSMWl-LnK7tZPjJoh2_1g/s1600/giveaway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfYfVWakJfAi0pddO2daN40dnlvPedfzP4E3RPnMKZor52hsZhD1XLeaPcbpHNRAD9nUVu7HfFnCXRMkXpx9p2KV6f_7d0kuuFCawTuiWu3RK7w5S_rQcFNSMWl-LnK7tZPjJoh2_1g/s640/giveaway2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway includes: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zae5RHYQJoXTThE3EwmdNzDzrNgXMPx4povbW_JwbiP2Sz7goRqS4aBG111yM0pAyMj7vL-DZsr2ObGttrTYqNNdOeS9EIOlRjzwQg323J2byogTS9W2gYaj7b3_c0pN4kuEBRNmig/s1600/giveawaycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zae5RHYQJoXTThE3EwmdNzDzrNgXMPx4povbW_JwbiP2Sz7goRqS4aBG111yM0pAyMj7vL-DZsr2ObGttrTYqNNdOeS9EIOlRjzwQg323J2byogTS9W2gYaj7b3_c0pN4kuEBRNmig/s640/giveawaycollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are 4 ways to enter (for up to 4 entries):</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Leave me a comment telling me one of your favorite things about spring or a favorite April Fool's prank.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Become a public follower of Radical Crafts (see sidebar) or subscribe via <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/RadicalCrafts">RSS</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. "Like" Radical Crafts on Facebook (see sidebar)</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Blog, Tweet, or post on Facebook about Radical Crafts & our mission to support various ministries with all the profits from the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Etsy shop</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just leave <i><b>a separate comment</b></i> letting me know each way you're entering. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Giveaway is now closed - thanks for entering!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great week!</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-26355038043828125592011-04-01T05:29:00.004-05:002011-04-01T14:33:42.149-05:00Good Egg Onesies<div style="text-align: center;">So a while back I bought a few pastel-colored onesies at Target and they have just been sitting in my craft stash while I waited for inspiration. So this week I thought I'd make something Easter-themed and try to sell them in the shop. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hence, the "<b>Good Egg Onesie</b>" was born. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4lWKuxC_dBsVE1no6IRU7SEs4T7hy50szV9CQZJivBYuSSnFwOhQnoZBzc3YbyL79RDwZvmzdDpYEBs2l_H8hJZ6SdZF6w0qs1Eldcu663sLyB7uxQB3CfCrIWzFI9w-on4NsKsJzQ/s1600/eggb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4lWKuxC_dBsVE1no6IRU7SEs4T7hy50szV9CQZJivBYuSSnFwOhQnoZBzc3YbyL79RDwZvmzdDpYEBs2l_H8hJZ6SdZF6w0qs1Eldcu663sLyB7uxQB3CfCrIWzFI9w-on4NsKsJzQ/s640/eggb1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Unfortunately after I'd made them I asked my husband if he knew what a "good egg" was and I got a cute, sarcastic response, cluing me in that, indeed, he did <i>not </i>know. Apparently this term dates to the 1920's, so it would seem I'm 27 going on 90. But, just in case others are younger than my aged self, here's the definition: <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>good egg</b></span> - a person who is pleasant, agreeable, or trustworthy.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. And what baby doesn't fit this description (at least some of the time)?<br />
<br />
I don't exactly have a tutorial for this, because it's not really a hard one to figure out.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But here's what I did:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Trace words (in reverse) and egg shape onto Wonder Under or Heat & Bond.</span><br />
<br />
Iron said bonding material to felt.<br />
<br />
Cut out letters (<span style="font-size: x-small;">pain - unless you have one of those fancy cutters...I'm assuming they would make this much easier</span>) and egg.<br />
<br />
Iron to onesie (follow directions on bonding material).<br />
<br />
If you so desire, you can now hand-stitch (or machine-stitch...if you're crazy good with top-stitching tiny letters, which I am not) around your egg & letters.<br />
<br />
And you're done!<br />
<br />
I had originally planned to add some decorations to the eggs to make them more Easter-themed, but in the end I didn't because I think they could probably work even after Easter. But if you wanted to make them "Eastery," it would be super easy to add decorations using more felt or embroidery floss.<br />
<br />
If you don't want to make your own, I'll be listing a few in the <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">shop </a></b></span>over the weekend.<br />
(Remember - all profits go to e3kids as they help educate orphans in Kenya)<br />
<br />
<b>AND, be sure to come back Monday for a chance to WIN one in a little baby gift set I'm putting together!</b><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20http://www.serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/%20" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Weekend Bloggy Reading" border="0" src="http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae332/Amanda_SerenityNow/Blog%20Party%20Buttons/WeekendBloggyReading.png" /></a></div><br />
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<center><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><img src="http://www.callmekristin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Button.png" /></a></center><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mommaskindacrafty.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank" title="Mommaskindacrafty"><br />
<img alt="Fantabulous Friday!" border="0" height="200" src="http://i790.photobucket.com/albums/yy186/mommaskindacrafty/mkc_fantabulousfriday_png.png" width="200" /></a></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-3206406280324427842011-03-31T21:17:00.002-05:002011-03-31T21:54:09.181-05:00Generous & Ready to Share<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2fEjj0I8v20RVqTWqN_VkrZ_oDwQc0_jqfc545w90K6PnjWGNEbWW0liVRomlJE0qTItR8JSmCJJ-zLDfBTbrQaGp3oEyPrgEy5eZQkiXev9ENwZdpyRszWWkGd-yoEdJTmDY-pswg/s1600/food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2fEjj0I8v20RVqTWqN_VkrZ_oDwQc0_jqfc545w90K6PnjWGNEbWW0liVRomlJE0qTItR8JSmCJJ-zLDfBTbrQaGp3oEyPrgEy5eZQkiXev9ENwZdpyRszWWkGd-yoEdJTmDY-pswg/s400/food.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Modern-day slave trade. Child prostitution. AIDS orphans. Children living in literal dumps, waiting for their next meal to arrive in a garbage truck. Disease. Starvation. Homelessness. The list goes on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Millions of people who have yet to hear the name "Jesus" or have the gospel preached to them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And here I sit, thinking of a way to save enough money for an espresso machine.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wrestle daily with questions of, "Is it wrong to buy this?" or "How can I justify this desire?"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The truth I'm learning is this: God blesses us with things. Things aren't inherently bad. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But as with everything else He gives me - my things are really <b>HIS</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I write this I look around my home - the home I've worked hard to make into a haven for my family. I love that about being a wife and a mother. But what are my children learning? That life is about having a nice house, lots of toys, and thanking God for them? That's not necessarily wrong. But are the Scriptures on my walls just that - verses on the wall so I'll think we're living the right way? And so others will think that too?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lately our 3-yr-old has been complaining. <i>A lot</i>. And telling me about all the things she "needs." So I show her videos and pictures of kids across the world living in a trash heap. And I tell her to be grateful for what she has and to eat her peas because "those kids would love to have your peas."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And she says, <b>"Let's go get those kids and bring them to our house."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's not really what I was aiming for. Gratitude would have been just fine. But action is too much work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be <b><span style="font-size: large;">generous and ready to share</span></b>" - I Timothy 6:17,18.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is my heart for Radical Crafts. We are so rich. We have gifts and the means to do something good with them. There are so many layers of possibility for God to use us in this - as a witness, as an encouragement to others, as a means of providing for those around the world who have great needs - the greatest of which is know Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pray it's about Him. I'm a selfish, proud person. This cannot be of me, or it will fail. And it should fail.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It has to be His. For His glory and His name's sake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Join me...pray about what your involvement can be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In his book, Radical, David Platt shares this quote from a man in his congregation:<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"I realize there is never going to come a day when I stand before God and he looks at me and says, 'I wish you would have kept more for yourself.' I'm confident God will take care of me."</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've needed to write this for a long time, but the challenge to do so came as a result of reading what some other women have written as part of a She Speaks conference <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/how-christians-create-art-she-speaks-scholarship/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HolyExperience+%28Holy+Experience%29">contest</a>. The </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shespeaksconference.com/">She Speaks Conference</a> is about women connecting the hearts of women to the heart of our Father God. Really, Radical Crafts is about my own obedience to the Lord, but I would love it if He chooses to use it in others' lives as well.</span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-71821642001944416262011-03-29T07:21:00.001-05:002011-03-29T07:22:05.125-05:00Education in Kenya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2rfat-e3b9yJma2daOqGKBJUdPExy-LGsUvdt5XEaPunZV7qKiHCzaSYOKBcp34g6LR6yhZls-W0IjCXVsXaWQFgXw2EPnLilDID9fCEaXtAtkC6hA74hICuPGkNEJ6wz8VMaelRDw/s1600/DSC_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2rfat-e3b9yJma2daOqGKBJUdPExy-LGsUvdt5XEaPunZV7qKiHCzaSYOKBcp34g6LR6yhZls-W0IjCXVsXaWQFgXw2EPnLilDID9fCEaXtAtkC6hA74hICuPGkNEJ6wz8VMaelRDw/s640/DSC_0126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until I started researching <b><a href="http://www.e3kids.com/">e3kids</a></b> (the ministry Radical Crafts is currently supporting) I was unaware of the way the education system works in much of the developing world. In Kenya, education for the first 8 years (primary school) is all that students are guaranteed, and in many situations it's a very poor one. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In order to attend 4 years of secondary school, students must achieve a high enough score on the national exam at the end of primary school. Those who do pass go to either a private or a government-funded boarding school. In the case of e3kids students, secondary education must be paid for, and many of these students are unable to pay.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOKLQCd2lN7a5I-uxn27FEdHS6teb0FGU8nIvUCBYrC-xpBC1HJ2KhAreZtLbuRTEhQvam4EQfxQCk429wIVro3KOOB-pvllbkGBYIM3s98-HPb7CtlbaIg34rQkSwZ26sW4GYj_HUQ/s640/Picnik+collage3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Those students who don't pass the national exam must end their formal education and will hopefully learn a trade. Right now there are some <b>wooden bowls</b> and <b>paper bead necklaces</b> in the <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts shop</a> </b>made by Kenyan youth who are learning these trades in order to provide for their families. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjkKGa3yhfwO5aJ0nXWgb-wv38S17U1EBZ8buzB5pWOAH8DgZ_IW6UGa0tLWWzSoG8y2JU1JczhxOnhuzzYmOfBSsO_r-j8-kmphg48ALinUfoWfxvZj_6VaV2ihQGBX6NLvlDNzOmA/s1600/DSC_0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjkKGa3yhfwO5aJ0nXWgb-wv38S17U1EBZ8buzB5pWOAH8DgZ_IW6UGa0tLWWzSoG8y2JU1JczhxOnhuzzYmOfBSsO_r-j8-kmphg48ALinUfoWfxvZj_6VaV2ihQGBX6NLvlDNzOmA/s640/DSC_0312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is where e3kids comes in - they support <b>Royal Kids School</b> in Mombasa as they seek to provide a quality, Christian-based education for both those who can pay and those who cannot. These efforts extend beyond their own preschool & 8-year primary school program to finding schools and sponsors for those who go on to secondary school. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Remember, each purchase you make in the Radical Crafts <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">shop </a>goes directly to e3kids in their efforts to extend a quality education to these Kenyan children. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thank you so much for your support!</b></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-38865376713831049282011-03-28T09:47:00.000-05:002011-03-28T09:47:15.741-05:00Obstacles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the things my husband is great at is playing with our kids. Ever since Hootie was a baby he's been such a champ about coming home at the end of his work day and immediately playing with her. I love hearing them giggle (and scream like girls) while I finish dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The thing is, <span style="font-size: large;">he's just a great example to me</span>. I'm often so busy that I <b>forget to have fun</b> with my kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So last night Erik made up an obstacle course for her to run around in and we timed her attempts. She had so much fun (and we did too).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAIWi3qNQaNVkvB6JuZ5D0LnePMZunDUSZmZTmAnE3OWxUIMwSxJ5RQHn0We76WNPWDjt5jMs1bG9I4oFXv1bavh0TSHhCmYxFCNvPAZIQ9xsf0VXnLJU5Zghi1rGevLt2WGt2VwCsg/s640/obstacle+collage1.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> It's amazing how something so simple can be so fun...forget all the toys, movies, etc. What she really loves is fun time with her parents - being wild and acting crazy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1VJtWmdA-vN7BFfyMCwRaVDGqdjBaGdJB1J2LbZPFE_-_1GAldH0FFphqnYW0HOTESIU7r6LieVthmzt_vCz-fm1ih_HPULrULhUWTkcueFfhl2PxI8DYxNBkm6tNp_DQgijZibU-A/s1600/obstacle+collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1VJtWmdA-vN7BFfyMCwRaVDGqdjBaGdJB1J2LbZPFE_-_1GAldH0FFphqnYW0HOTESIU7r6LieVthmzt_vCz-fm1ih_HPULrULhUWTkcueFfhl2PxI8DYxNBkm6tNp_DQgijZibU-A/s640/obstacle+collage+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I need to remember to <b>ENJOY </b>being a mommy, and help them enjoy being <b>KIDS</b>!</span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-39339919694733702362011-03-25T19:35:00.000-05:002011-03-25T19:35:56.343-05:00Worship Note<span id="wylio-flickr-image-2504415023" style="display: block; float: none; line-height: 15px; margin: 10px auto; padding: 0pt; position: relative; width: 472px;"><img alt="The stone cross on the hill" height="313" src="http://img.wylio.com/flickr/6605/472/2504415023" style="border: medium none; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" title="The stone cross on the hill - photo by: Tambako The Jaguar, Source: Flickr, found with Wylio.com" width="472" /><span class="wylio-credits" id="wylio-flickr-credits-2504415023" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 255, 255); clear: both; color: #aaaaaa; float: left; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; width: 100%;"><span class="photoby" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 2px;"><span style="display: block; float: left; margin: 0pt;">photo © 2008 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/tambako/" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="click to visit the Flickr profile page for Tambako The Jaguar">Tambako The Jaguar</a> | <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8070463@N03/2504415023" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="get more information about the photo 'The stone cross on the hill'">more info </a></span><span style="display: block; float: right; margin-left: 5px;"><b style="margin: 0pt;">(via: <a href="http://www.wylio.com/" style="color: #aaaaaa; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="free pictures">Wylio</a>)</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Considering the attributes of the God we have come to worship is not only appropriate but <span style="font-size: large;"><i>vitally important </i></span>when we gather corporately each Sunday. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In Exodus 34:6-7, God passed before Moses and declared to His servant some of those traits:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The Lord, the Lord God, <i>compassionate </i>and <i> gracious</i>, <i>slow to anger</i>, and <i>abounding in lovingkindness and truth</i>; who k<i>eeps lovingkindness for thousands</i>, who <i>forgives iniquity</i>, <i>transgression and sin</i>; </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished</b> . . . ”</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
We will gather together this Sunday as worshipers of the one true God because <b><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">He punished the Guiltless in place of the guilty</span></i></b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">May we express deep reverence and abundant joy as we do so.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(written by my dad, Tom Strode) </span></div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-89106594082933379152011-03-23T07:15:00.001-05:002011-03-23T07:47:44.043-05:00Ministry Update - Bihaji<div style="text-align: center;">This is the Feb. 1st entry from the E3Kids blog: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIXl-BpW214qmklZasaxYJJgMPXGESAd0uwwhDbV4l_5TR6TIoErEjxN-vvQBd7Z3c0AC7-I7BTd2_dX47rPi9SfX6FC7dz29uE668I4L5cLwvzyvv30NapbjqcmDfe3NPUb11WECXg/s1600/bihajis-prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIXl-BpW214qmklZasaxYJJgMPXGESAd0uwwhDbV4l_5TR6TIoErEjxN-vvQBd7Z3c0AC7-I7BTd2_dX47rPi9SfX6FC7dz29uE668I4L5cLwvzyvv30NapbjqcmDfe3NPUb11WECXg/s640/bihajis-prize.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Bihaji, to the far right, starts her high school career on Monday. She’s one of our eight upcoming high school students. And she’ll be the first in her family to go to a boarding high school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Today’s picture was taken during the school’s eighth grade graduation celebration a few weekends ago. And Bihaji and her father receive her certificate and award for receiving a high score on the national exam from the school’s founder, Grace, and the guest speaker. But, Bihaji stopped by for a visit today because she’s so thrilled over her acceptance at a boarding high school.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bihaji is the youngest daughter in her family. Her father, although uneducated, is very wise and highly values education. After a family tragedy many years ago, he was unable to give his children the education he wanted for them. His other daughters were able to attend day high schools. While both day and boarding high schools are subsidized by the government, day schools typically provide an inferior education and the daily commute is perilous for young girls.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bihaji has been struggling ever since her last day at Royal Kids. She wasn’t sure where she’d be going for high school, and <b>her mother is very opposed to girls receiving an education.</b> Her mother believes marriage is more important. Bihaji had been <i>crying frequently </i>because her future was so uncertain. However, her enrollment at a boarding school was finalized this week and Bihaji has a guaranteed scholarship.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Knowing Bihaji’s situation, I’m so grateful for all our high school student sponsors. At such a young age, Bihaji has been mourning the end of a promising education. But now she can confidently continue her studies, and the school she’ll be going to gives her hope for an education beyond high school. Without the sponsors who have been pulling together to support these students, Bihaji would have been another girl with so much potential to fall through the cracks.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-39285705468922946192011-03-21T09:21:00.001-05:002011-03-23T07:47:32.889-05:00A Sweet Discount Offer<div style="text-align: center;">Well we have survived whatever stomach bug is sweeping the nation - all four of us got it, but Erik definitely had it the worst. And, being the generous people we are, we decided to share it with my brother and sis-in-law last week when they were visiting from Oklahoma. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now that things have returned to normal, I'm hoping to do a much better job of updating the blog.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbC994bc1pLNiD2KOrqj6uLJpJXKKEIsKSOdUxHY4-nK9Q748fX5fpcVfjDRs8D-2SaxGXFEeUZ1J1-wBowCWvmcOFX9gPWFQmJumC47iuCcJ_kvNnpS3-vDI8sZCtTOl9TR6P27F1FA/s1600/blb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbC994bc1pLNiD2KOrqj6uLJpJXKKEIsKSOdUxHY4-nK9Q748fX5fpcVfjDRs8D-2SaxGXFEeUZ1J1-wBowCWvmcOFX9gPWFQmJumC47iuCcJ_kvNnpS3-vDI8sZCtTOl9TR6P27F1FA/s640/blb4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the first thing I need to post about is an <i><span style="font-size: large;">amazing deal</span> </i>being offered by <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rebecca </b><span style="font-size: small;">at</span><b> <a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/">Better Life Bags!</a></b></span> If you've followed the blog for even a short amount of time, you know who Rebecca is. She makes beautiful bags, has donated some to my <b><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">shop </a></b>(they're there now - check them out!) and is a huge cheerleader for Radical Crafts. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79UC1zDdHevGqx782-WkO-YTKeOYG5P8ELJkyk0kwByoAA4q_3sc3s-IElcXsU-NV-PLlO28zQB12FfW01kwjZ5Qjp5JpEeiZfULBCvwCM7OATaOPjG85he4FiBQmOzmUvtGMjynZmA/s1600/blb1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79UC1zDdHevGqx782-WkO-YTKeOYG5P8ELJkyk0kwByoAA4q_3sc3s-IElcXsU-NV-PLlO28zQB12FfW01kwjZ5Qjp5JpEeiZfULBCvwCM7OATaOPjG85he4FiBQmOzmUvtGMjynZmA/s640/blb1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So when she emailed me a couple of weeks ago and said she wanted to offer her customers a <b><a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-earn-discounts-on-better-life.html">discount </a>for supporting Radical Crafts</b>, I was so humbled and encouraged. The truth is that I've been a little discouraged about things with the shop - I had contacted some people about donating things and not heard back and just felt like I was on my own. Which is <b>ridiculous </b>and just reveals (once again) how horribly prideful I am. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Because it's not my shop. It's not for me to be proud. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">It's God's. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So He can do whatever He wants with it, and I'm learning that if I would just pray and give it up to Him, that I will experience the freedom of knowing that it's not about me and will just be used<b> for His glory</b>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXL4CbTZczst55Y1-UuNRtYZRxVPZ7CH4XphWYepKvcVFHm53azUu8Lq83AnGF9PO0fBOdTHmnSHGsJDj0TCc9pwYGXj7TZWNu6tRyty5lI6i23OK6Fo9ccZEFTZdWHThgc-iXKx7Og/s1600/blb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXL4CbTZczst55Y1-UuNRtYZRxVPZ7CH4XphWYepKvcVFHm53azUu8Lq83AnGF9PO0fBOdTHmnSHGsJDj0TCc9pwYGXj7TZWNu6tRyty5lI6i23OK6Fo9ccZEFTZdWHThgc-iXKx7Og/s640/blb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So the deal is: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rebecca will offer a <u>10% <a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-earn-discounts-on-better-life.html">discount</a></u> on one of her bags for each item <i>donated to</i> or <i>purchased from</i> the Radical Crafts shop (up to 5 items for a <u>50% discount!</u>).</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">People, this is really amazing. She is totally sacrificing for this, and I'm just floored that she wants to do it.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZy9XENht0pVnvJ0gOmCpJGojgjrdYxywt6sT_InefHratoxZT561egpWZwUg1LBjzyZaC8nxZbLva1qP70g1MhGaLqnCkZx7cv81oNKhucBH_FR2tTIcdCa3OriuJYQSLgB6SWDlzQ/s1600/blb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZy9XENht0pVnvJ0gOmCpJGojgjrdYxywt6sT_InefHratoxZT561egpWZwUg1LBjzyZaC8nxZbLva1qP70g1MhGaLqnCkZx7cv81oNKhucBH_FR2tTIcdCa3OriuJYQSLgB6SWDlzQ/s640/blb3.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So please - check out her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetterLifeBags">Etsy shop</a>. She just got some gorgeous new fabrics in, and all her bags are <b>fully customizable</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you do want to donate anything to the Radical Crafts shop, click <b><a href="http://radicalcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/donor-info-giveaway-winner.html">here </a></b>for the donor guidelines. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Click <b><a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-earn-discounts-on-better-life.html">here </a></b>for details on the discount.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-89805664726694537432011-03-15T06:00:00.001-05:002011-03-15T06:00:24.528-05:00Ministry Update - Omar<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3TKnj7Axfa9xutGIoE1Mf0W2OMxnLII4s-0q4BUg6uSyGZKdUSC_TFY4e1Z564XY9vf6sTaF7XVRzl21ifHSMuI0MLn2wv7qn4JuA5YgSjn9SZVDP9CVbbLJ0VJAzCH88n0Votycfg/s1600/Jeremiah_Omari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3TKnj7Axfa9xutGIoE1Mf0W2OMxnLII4s-0q4BUg6uSyGZKdUSC_TFY4e1Z564XY9vf6sTaF7XVRzl21ifHSMuI0MLn2wv7qn4JuA5YgSjn9SZVDP9CVbbLJ0VJAzCH88n0Votycfg/s320/Jeremiah_Omari.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i> Name: </i></b>Omar</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gender: </i></b>Male</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Birthdate: </i></b>1996</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Career Aspiration: </i></b>Ship Captain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Omar is one of the most talkative and inquisitive students in his class. When he first came to Royal Kids School three years ago, he was very malnourished. He entered the school after his mother died from HIV. He never knew his father, and his grand mother cared for him as his mother’s health deteriorated.</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He is fascinated by travel and far off places. Whenever E3 representatives visit the school, he peppers them with questions about the United States. When he grows up, he wants to become a ship captain so he can see the rest of the world.</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63106850585219182.post-19220121149327024282011-03-14T15:54:00.002-05:002011-03-14T16:00:34.002-05:00New Stuff from Better Life Bags!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today a received a box from <b><span style="font-size: large;">Rebecca</span></b> at <a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Better Life Bags</span></i></a> and I just couldn't wait to get her donated items up in the shop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You might remember her from my <b><a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/2011/02/guest-post-catherine-from-radical.html">guest post</a> </b>over at her blog, Better Life Blog. She's an amazing crafter with a true heart to glorify God by serving others with her shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you visit her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BetterLifeBags"><b><span style="font-size: large;">shop </span></b></a>you'll find lots of great bags - and the best part is that you get to design your own. She is currently taking orders for some new styles, which I totally love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was gracious to send me several things to list in the <i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">Radical Crafts shop</a></span></i>, some of which are pictured below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY8SfeygPZMwOX5k1z4mF__kHuseU0yAZ9HZsNGCsoNy_m9ishfg9FGuEd1RXq-JuhT9br21EM1HGDIXxX415f-kDZlFnQXisfdmQZ3XMH5WDUoAPFPwePB-40uey6hL1jOEN_Gp8WA/s640/tissue3b.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adorable tissue cover</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYlHentdhLNu321em0QPooRKTbreNJ0tHo_Lw5H_e1tTHKEeT9YrsSygWdPmicfwSoXbiOrkZ8EPeM0_H9pcWrSEmOZ0jet_bS-Gf8JI377c85wP6RxwwYa9CTrRYpnstRyWbTBKuZQ/s1600/clutch1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYlHentdhLNu321em0QPooRKTbreNJ0tHo_Lw5H_e1tTHKEeT9YrsSygWdPmicfwSoXbiOrkZ8EPeM0_H9pcWrSEmOZ0jet_bS-Gf8JI377c85wP6RxwwYa9CTrRYpnstRyWbTBKuZQ/s640/clutch1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I LOVE the vintage feel of this clutch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrXrNCbEKrUjH5ghssPpgDfn-OkJHyEVa0ifzm9shwiIS_UmJAJ5mfGZpIJTHyCpYvV84nk-Wb917ZYmB5gYLErzVB-bKNwAcS6seSQdsc9-cZ5vaH8c-9uHFPSr25rcRB6617F1ugQ/s640/clutch2c.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this is so cute and girly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtuQhkD-MUDGm-V7bjLLenKAhNPy-t7-IkerYFQH7WAnqCkMP3PuWXjCNnSew7NP_z4gSay9wRVL094epPjI8ZQXxnyjj7nKNazT4IrHx_tgoWDtDDk2Vu5ByvmPxoporavFF0Gt85A/s640/tissue1b.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another cute tissue holder</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k76YBywScrwsYj8crcYSJYBFVcJeAH-mP7MNReUlTpXFPF81izuF8gIkyGTU-5ccC1ux4mgkgDBcJx_VxSgQviWuQltpj07GtidPYbTBichDnXOGoIIhObDEQ85Gr17rJsb6mg3Y_w/s1600/chck1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k76YBywScrwsYj8crcYSJYBFVcJeAH-mP7MNReUlTpXFPF81izuF8gIkyGTU-5ccC1ux4mgkgDBcJx_VxSgQviWuQltpj07GtidPYbTBichDnXOGoIIhObDEQ85Gr17rJsb6mg3Y_w/s640/chck1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And this checkbook cover is cute and functional - we are always misplacing ours and it's a little harder to lose when it looks so good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be sure to check out the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/radicalcrafts">shop</a></span>, and <span style="font-size: large;">give Rebecca some love</span> over at her <a href="http://betterlifebags.blogspot.com/">blog</a>!</div>Catherinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07812244984552526475noreply@blogger.com2