Sam

Although it was a busy weekend, and needless to say an emotional one.....it is done and over with. My friend Jen and I took time to sit with my Pastor and pray. We both felt a relief walking out of the church. Even though Jen and I pray on a regular basis on our own time, it is nice to know that at any time we feel the need to go a step above that, we can.

Watching The Biggest Loser last night, Sam said a few things that really hit home with me. He said that he is done with the patterns of his past. He realizes that no matter how he lives his life and no matter whether or not he is even here on earth, life goes on. So he is going to live his life to the fullest filling himself up with positive things instead of the smoking, the alcohol and the food that he was using to fulfill the voids before he was on the show.

Just because Sam partied and may not have lived his life the way others would have wanted him to does not take away from the fact that he is a very awesome human being. Sam is very strong and he is a very kindhearted loving person. As he is transforming and healing, and losing all this weight, you can see the Sam that lies beneath the heartache. He is an inspiration to many, including myself.

God wants us to look passed the junk we see in people. For any issue we have with another is actually an issue with ourselves. It is a problem that we have to learn how to deal with better. We cannot change people. So, God wants us to love them just as they are. Of course we are not going to agree with everything they do but that doesn't mean that we have to try to change them to make us happy. That would be selfish anyway. When I see a person with heartache or 'issues', I pray for them. I also ask God to help lead them to a better path of life. God is also able to help you help that person, that is if the person is willing to accept it. If you are a person who walks with God, people will see God through you.

Somehow Sam and the other contestants were lead to The Biggest Loser to change their ways. When it comes down to their weight it is always an emotional issue that is the cause of it. Once they heal and can let go of the past, they can live more fully. I may not have had an issue with weight but I definitely had issues that needed to be healed....as most of us do. Somehow God lead me back to him to transform my life. Like Sam, I realize that life will go on with or without me. So while I am here I will try to make a difference in people's lives, live to the fullest and love unconditionally the best that I can.....with God's help.

What I am thankful for today:
my children
my pets
my friends
the sunshine
blooming flowers
the energy to run last night
time
healing
forgiveness
laughter
inspirational people
my store
my teachers
creativity
my customers
Shawn
Diane
Jen
Pastor Tricia
Jamie
Melinda
PartyLite
quality time with my children
The Biggest Loser
positive thinking
love

We are HIS

I stepped out of my scrapbooking box today and created a scrapbook page for the next challenge of Happy Inspirational Scrappin that was way out of my taste, my style, my everything....LOL! Good news is that I love it!! Although I feel like I have found myself in these past few months, I am still discovering a parts of me that I didn't know exsisted. You have to appreciate all that life hands you, what you learn from it and what you can let go of.

One of my teachers from my store sent me an email abbreviating Happy Inspirational Scrappin to HIS. My mouth dropped. Now we have not used quotes for this challenge that are from the bible or that are very religious. Not that we won't....we just haven't yet. But, when I saw HIS the first thought that came to my mind is that I started this challenge at the same time that I allowed God back into my life. How awesome is it that now everytime I think of my challenge blog I will be reminded that I am HIS?

In the last few weeks at church the sermons touched on how "None of this matters when we get to Heaven." I have heard Pastor Tricia say this so many times. She reminds us that it doesn't matter what we look like, how many friends we have, the people we have hurt, the people who have hurt us, the sins we have sinned, the dreams we didn't go after, the car we drove, the house we lived in.....and so on. Although we carry a lot of unnecessary weight of worry about just about every aspect in life, it will not matter when we get to Heaven. So why worry so much? Have we forgotten that God forgives if we ask for forgiveness? Have we forgotten that the only One that truly matters is God? Why do we care who we please or displease here on earth? God is and should be the only judge. And, He does not want us to worry about things. God takes care of everything as long as we let him into our lives. It may take a good smack in the face or the unfortunate loss of almost everything in order for one to WAKE UP! Good news is that when you do wake up to face God, he will carry you through what lies ahead. We are HIS.

What I am thankful for today:
my newest layout
inspiration
church
Pastor Tricia
creativity
the sunshine
love
Diane my P.O. (personal organizer)
my cheerleaders in life:
Rachel
Diane
Melinda
Jamie
Jen R
Heather
Sally
Jess
Wendi
my teachers
my customers
my store
my budding flowers
my health
positive minds
my children
my pets
my home
laughter
The Biggest Loser
compliments
the power to change your mood, your attitude, your life.

Projects, Challenges, Inspiring People & The Goodness of God

So, I have decided to bring some of my scrapbooking stuff back home to work on it here. The heat is way too expensive to be at my store and Makenna would just be bored to death. My friend Jen and I have spent the last two days working on projects while Tanner, her son, and Makenna play Wii and 'husband and wife'. LOL! Between layouts, paper projects and upcoming classes, my brain is ready to explode. Ya know that phrase, careful for what you wish for?

After months of not entering any challenges, I finally took the time...well 4 hours of my time....to create a layout for the Scrapping the Music Challenge Blog. It is a challenge I used to enter faithfully until I got way to busy. It is my absolute favorite layout that I have ever created. In fact, I posted it on facebook and have had people ask me to teach it as a class...LOL! I guess my 4 hours paid off. Now we will see if I win. I will be teaching it as a class in April....called the Sabby Scrapbooker. Yes, that is me. Give me all the distressing, all the embellishments and all the ink you can and I am still not satisfied.

After a long walk and talk with God over the past few months I have come to terms with who I am and what I want out of life. I have asked God to surround me by people who support me, have faith in me and are positive in every way. He took out all of the moody people, all of the negative people, and all of the people who were unhealthy for me. My store has definitely become my happy place again. I am enjoying every minute at my store. I pray every day that God brings into my life more creativity, more wonderful inspiring people, more people who share my passion and my dreams. I have asked Mimi, my late grandmother to show me a sign with each person who enters my life now. I want to know that they are good for me and I am good for them. She has not let me down. Whether it is two cardinals that she shows me or her name mentioned by them....in some way or another....Mimi has come through for me in every person I meet.

I am so blessed. With 12 teachers now affiliated with my store and more on the way....I am truly inspired. Everyone is truly positive, creative, happy, and kind. God has brought them all into my life to help me with my life's journey. The customers I have been meeting are just as wonderful. All of them have made my happy place their happy place. Instead of being a store with employees and customers, we are one huge ever growing family. Thank you to everyone who has blessed me with their creativity, inspiration and their wonderful friendships.

What I am thankful for today:
My new and old teachers
My new and old customers
my store
God
inspiration
creativity
the power of prayer
my new Youth Group starting March 20th
the 9 children (so far) attending the Youth Group sleep over at the church
forgiveness
Pastor Tricia
all the wonderful people at my church
officially being off all depression medication for 1 year!
meditation
my children
my pets
my wonderful friends who I love more than I could ever express
that if we make God the center of our lives, he will bless us with all things good
Amy Grant
chocolate
laughter
love
my new scrapbooking family