Love Me challenge; Day 4, A person who loves me

As I thought about this,

I thought of my husband.

Of course,

he loves me,

but eventually, 

my thoughts were led

to HIM.

My Father in Heaven!

There is no one who 

has loved me more than Him.

He spared his one and only

begotten Son.

He who has lived.

He who has sacrificed

He who loves ME endlessly.

Forever and ever.

And ever.

I'm still waiting for this to be available in print. 
My favorite images of Christ are from Yongsung Kim.

Illustrated Faith

As I approach my 30th birthday in six months (yes, I'm counting down), I thought about how I wanted to celebrated the last year of my 20's. I thought of doing a "Random Act of Kindness" mission or writing a letter about my 20's and what I learned in my youth. But I believe the Spirit guided me and has prompted me read my scriptures more. Because isn't that where all kindness begins?

I have never been the best scriptorian ever. I love the teaching and gospels of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! But I prefer listening to hours of conference talks by our modern day prophets or watching mormon messages videos or listening to LDS hymns or streaming Mormon channel... you get the point.

Some different ways I have studied the scriptures:

- During our first few years of marraige, my husband and I enrolled in an institute class as a young married couple to learn the Book of Mormon. I remembering grumbling some nights about it, but I understand that there was accountability for us. We would send our responses to a local seminary institute teacher every other night and he would respond back. He was impressed that we wanted to take these classes. He rarely saw couples taking classes.

- The Book of Mormon institute manual  has been a great friend.

- The last two years, I heavily relied on the Red Headed Hostesses website. If you have never used her website, it is absolutely wonderful. I would use a lot of her visuals for Young Women lessons. Right now, I'm have been working on the "Come Unto Christ" workbook that came out in 2014.

MY SCRIPTURE MISSION

"You are loved" by Tiffany Zajas

After browsing some Project Life ideas, I came across "Illustrated Faith" started up by Shanna Noel and other blogging creative gurus and I knew this was how I wanted to study scriptures! I knew I needed to find scriputres that I allowed me to journal and write my faith in the margines.

I have searched high and low for a wide margin Book of Mormon. I came across this download by Brad Jackman. I uploaded it to my USB and took it to the printers and the price was going to be $80 bucks. Yikes! Then I thought I would print the pages on my printer and illustrate the pages a few pages at a time. Yeah, my printer settings are not nice.

Then we moved.

Last week, we had a lesson in Relief Society about the blessings of the scriptures. It inspired me to pursue the need for a wide margin Book of Mormon.

Grace by Shanna Noel

 Alas, I came across lulu's printing website and made a book which cost me $20 versus $80. I uploaded Brad Jackman's wide margin PDF and picked and choose the cover. I can't wait for the book to get here for me to work on. I look forward to doing this with the other standard works as well.

In the meantime, I have downloaded David J. Ridges scriptures made easier to help me understand my scriptures more. I still plan on highlighting and using my personal scriptures as well. I have added tabs to my personal scriptures by using some washi fabric tape (the picture above). The last time I updated those tabs, I was in high school and used clear tape. I'm also excited to CREATE something for Him, about Him, and that generates my love for HIM!

Anyways, I'm sorry for the long details. I'm just ecstatic everything has come into place about how to go about studying scriptures for me. I will do my best to share my "illustrated faith" in the days or months to come.

How do you study the scriptures? Please feel to share.

Plug in "illustrated faith" in Pinterest and you will see some amazing scripture testimony!

Celebrating 2014

Celebrating 2014

I ran a color run. I have always wanted to do one.

We bought our first HOME!

The husband became a Navy officer.

We visited Austin and San Antonio.

I started a new waitressing job 

and had many late night karoake sesh 

with co-workers (Peggy Lee and 

Nancy Sinatra are my favorites).

Aunt K moved in with us (and moved out

in December).

C was in the local production of

the Nutcracker. 

D started Kindergarten.

I decided an A-line cut is the hairstyle for me.

Pixie cut was too short. Lesson learned.

I decided to withdraw from my academic studies

to take care of the needs of our family.

Again, pending. Sigh.

We endured a long three months without B.

Boy, this was hard for me!

I am the 1st counselor in the Young Women's

Presidency. So many spiritual moments with

amazing Young Women.

BUT 2015 already feels good!

I started painting with water colors.

My Project Life album for 2013 & 2014 

is almost done.

Organized my bathroom and kitchen 

drawers. Every single one of those drawers
are organized.

Two more moves in the 2015 year.

B will be home mid-January!

Spreading Good Cheer

I've established that 2015 is about creating more and making art. But I also want to encompass more kindness, cheer, and COLOR. I want more color in my life. Colors that do not just represent said blue, white, black, but expand on emotions and conviction and love and gratitude-- you get it. We do not have to wait until a new year occurs to be more kind. It starts today. It can start now. 

I love the idea of passalong cards. This was another collaborated work with my children. All you need are white cards, paint brushes, party poppers, markers (I used a chalk marker which isn't listed), an assortment of washi tape, acrylic paints, and a work place for a mess.

And paint away.

These are some of the combinations we made. The ends will curl after drying. I used a heavy book to press down to keep it flat. Use your washi tape to adhere the popper to card and write your message. I went back with a black marker and paint to add more definition for the "Happy New Year" lettering. Stick in a basket, bag, purse and pass the cards to strangers, friends, er, strangers. We passed them out yesterday while at the grocery store.

I think these would be a great idea for any season or holiday or just to spread a happy message. I hope that your resolutions have been drafted for 2015. I do not think it is cliche to make goals or plans or any endeavor of any sort. I am grateful to have the opportunity to reflect on what changes occurred and what downfalls helped me grow. Happy New Year's Eve.