Shadow Box Card

Hey, have I already shown you this card? I can't remember. I know I uploaded it to the Verve blog a while back, but I'm blanking on whether or not I've written about it here. Oh well, forgive me if you've seen this peeps! You might just have to look at it again.....


Cammie got me started making these shadowbox cards a month or so ago....I love them! This was actually the very first shadowbox I ever made, and I have to say, it was pretty easy. I used K & Co designer paper (Berry Sweet Collection) for the box, and the butterfly stamps are from Fluttering By, one of Verve's newest stamp sets, released a week ago tomorrow.

Nestabilites make cutting out the window part of the box so easy. Just lay your die down on top of the paper, roll it through the Cuttlebug and you have yourself a window! The scallop frame was made but using a scallop Nestability die and then putting a smalling regular rectangle die inside the scallop to cut out the middle. Don't know if I explained that very well....directions aren't my strong suit!

The sentiment is from Verve as well, from the new set called Petals & Stems. I cut it out using my oval punch and then matted it on a scrap of coordinating designer paper and cut it out using decorative scissors.

So yesterday was my last BSF class for the year! What an 8 months it's been. I was invited into leadership on 8/31 of last year, on 9/17 Doug lost his job, and on 9/26 my MIL passed away. Almost from our very first leadership meeting, we have been dealing with heartache in some way, shape and form. We had our final leaders meeting this past Tuesday morning. It was a breakfast at the home of one of the other leaders. We gathered for food and fellowship and it really was wonderful. I had prayed in the few weeks prior to our breakfast that God would bless Doug with a job so I could close out the BSF year telling my fellow Discussion Leaders at this breakfast that God had answered our prayers and blessed Doug with a new job! Well, you've heard it before I'm sure, that if you want to see God laugh, tell him your plans! I'm sure he was having a big ol' belly laugh at this little plan I had hatched up in my mind!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to sit at this breakfast Tuesday and tell my fellow DL's that God had blessed Doug with a job, but I was able to tell them what God HAS done for me through the study of Matthew this year....

• I have learned what it means to be utterly dependant on God. I would not be here today, in as good of spirits as I'm in and with as much hope as I have without the strength and grace of Jesus Christ. He has truely equipped me through the study of Matthew to trust in Him and in his sovereign plan for our lives. We don't know what those plans are, He hasn't fully revealed them to us yet, but we are trusting His plan is the best plan.
• I have learned that obedience to His will is never easy or convienent. I'd be fooling you if I told you this walk has been easy, that I've had 100% trust every step of the way. But I haven't. I've tried to hijack the wheel so many times over these past 8 months only to find myself lost and alone and overwhelmed. Because of this, I have learned that it is only in my weakness that God is fully able to show me his strength and power in my life. He has lifted me up and carried me each and every time I tried to carry myself. Allowing myself to be weak was key to becoming strong through Christ.
• Through Matthew 6:24-35, I have learned that if I seek the Kingdom of God and live righteously through Him, He will give me everything I need. Worry does not add a single day to my life. And if God so cared for the birds and wildflowers, how much more will He care for me? In my obedience to Him, He has blessed me more than words here can convey. Through the prayers, encouragement of love of my BSF leadership group, and also through all of YOU, God has shown His love for me. He is ever faithful. He has held me up through the dark days. He has provided for our every need. And I give Him all the thanks.

On the cancer front, we found out yesterday that there has been some shrinkage in the tumor in Ken's skull, and that it hasn't penetrated the brain yet! Praise God. These were the test results from the MRI he had a week ago Thursday. Tomorrow, they meet with their oncologist to go over the test results from the CT scan. Pray for more good news. Ken is actually feeling good and is experiencing less pain. The meds are kicking in and are being managed well. It's nice to have good news for a change!

Well, I think I've talked your ear off long enough today. Sorry for rambling, but I really felt moved to share with you about what I've learned in BSF this year. It really has been a blessing in my life!

Hugs,

Amy