LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND...

LOVE NEVER ENDS. 1 Corin.13:4,8
RELATIONSHIP STRUGGLES

DEAR MENDER OF HEARTS,
   you are friend of all and foe of none.
Your goodness is seeded in everyone.
   including those with whom we struggle.
Enter into our hearts and soften its hardness.
   Erase any ill will and anger abiding there.
Help us to reach out with openness,
   to speak when we prefer to hide in silence.
Teach us how to listen with loving ears
   and to not cling tenaciously to our opinions.
Instill hope of reconciliation in our hearts
   and help us to not give up on one another.
Be the Patience within us that resolves issues.
Be the Love among us that seeks forgiveness.
Be the Faith amid us
   that strengthens our bonds.
Be the Truce between us
   that brings us peace.
Amen

I SO apologize for the photo below showing up sideways...blogger changed their uploading of pics format and for the life of me I have tried and tried to get this to upload "right side up!" I'm sure Blogger will work the kinks out...
It is ironic, I might say, it is the "happy" photo that turned out sideways, when the prose above is about RELATIONSHIP STRUGGLES!  OK GOD...you and your shenanigans!  I guess the point is, we work daily, minute by minute to achieve the type of "happy" that is authentic and doesn't have masks surrounding it, or is "sideways" or "upside down!!"

GEEPERS GOD, I LOVE YOU!

Samara

GIVING OURSELVES AWAY....

GRATITUDE!

When we realize how much we have been given - life, a beginning -we are moved, almost naturally it seems to want to give away some of our things.  Grateful people tend to give away their things, even their time and talents, and to become happier in the process.  In giving away, the craving that holds us captive begins to loosen its grip.  There is such a difference when living simply or serving others is done out of a spirit of gratitude rather than guilt.  A given life is different from a driven life.  Gratitude seems to replenish itself:  as more is given, more is received.  Guilt, in contrast, rather quickly exhausts itself in judgments.

From: Radical Gratitude by Mary Jo Leddy

Double click for larger image please

LOVING GOD

Samara

SILENCE....

But isn't the purpose of all ministry to reveal that
God is not a God of fear but a God of love?  And
couldn't this be accomplished by gently and carefully 
converting the empty silence into a full silence, the
anxious silence into a peaceful silence, and the restless
silence into a restful silence, so that in this converted
silence a real encounter with the loving Father could
take place?  What a power our word would have if it
could enable people to befriend their silence!

In Way of The Heart, by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Hobo Digi Stamp from Digi Doodle Shop - A must go see with a great sale right now!!!

LOVING GOD

Samara

A WOMAN'S SPIRIT...

More Meditations for Women, 
from the Author of 

Each Day a New Beginning 
Karen Casey

Almost everyone wants something for nothing.  - Marsha Sinetar

Bargains attract.  Finding a good value excites us, and we share the news quickly.  Wanting anything for free is human nature perhaps.  However, many of us have had to learn again and again that you get what you pay for.  This is true of human interactions too.


Why do we think that others will be there for us if we aren't available for them?  Having friends means being a friend, even if it's time-consuming.  Although friendship's rewards are indisputable, we still tend to wait, letting the other person make the first move.  Getting the other person to commit first reduces our effort, perhaps, but we will still receive according to what we give.


Knowing and utilizing this principle simplifies our lives.  Once we master it, we never forget it.  And what we bring to our relationships will be given back to us. 

************************************          

I am willing to give to others what I want in return today.  Their efforts will match my own.

                                               

(all the above taken from September 18th).

LOVING GOD

Samara

GOD CALLING....

WHAT A DEEPLY MOVING BOOK I JUST PURCHASED!

Today's reading from the book is...

Faltering Steps

Show us Thy way, O Lord, and let us walk in Thy paths.

You are doing so.  This is the way.  The way of uncertain future and faltering steps.  It is My Way...

Put all fear of the future aside.  Know that you will be led.  Know that you will be shown.  I have promised.

by A.J. Russell, Editor

LOVING GOD

Samara

THE DAYS OF THE WOLF....

ARE STRONGER THAN EVER!

The native tradition, and the power of the Wolf have touched many people who are not part of the Native Tradition.  I must admit, I myself am not a "wolf" person.  I, personally, am more of an African art type - preferring more Bohemian art, yet, I see more and more Wolf medicine on people's walls, in galleries and on posters.

There is a natural healing element here.  I could feel it as I painted the STAMP-N-DOODLE image.  It calmed me, centred me and likely went faster than any of my other art, which isn't to say that it was rushed - but rather in the sense that I speak about GOD and my art...painted itself effortlessly.

It was a picture that was very much IN THE POWER OF NOW.

WHEN YOU LISTEN

to a thought, you are aware

not only of the thought

but also of yourself

as the witness of the thought.

A new dimension of

consciousness has come in.

(from: THE POWER OF NOW cards by Tolle)

I believe this is what GOD intends for us...to be in touch with that which strengthens us, whether it be "the wolf", a person, or a thing...to be able to rise in our consciousness and to be a witness of ourselves...to rise to a better person...to resist the "desires" of the lower bodies and to keep our "appetites" for the HOLY things in life.

If the WOLF is your strength, may my ART today remind you to RISE UP and have RADICAL GRATITUDE for the goodness and LOVE in your life.  Perhaps tell one person "right now" that you love them...it works wonders, for GOD, them and you!

Please click to enlarge art piece

LOVING GOD
Samara

THE POWER OF THE WOLF...

IS EXTRAORDINARY!

Please double click to read passage

The above is from THE MEDICINE CARDS, which is something I use.

It identifies the strengths of each animal and is quite useful, especially if one has an interest in Native Tradition.

For STAMP-N-DOODLE, I am commissioned this month to create a series of WOLVES...I thought the above would give you a little introduction to the POWER OF THE WOLF.

The next 3 days will be my series of wolf images.

LOVING GOD

Samara

RADICAL GRADITUDE ON MY BIRTHDAY!

I AM VERY EXCITED TODAY!  IT IS MY 54TH BIRTHDAY!!!

I am only 1 year away from the "senior's discount" (in Canada!) *wink wink*


For someone who preached "living in the NOW" this is a surprise eh?


Today I woke up and said "THANK YOU GOD FOR MY BIRTH"!  So I have to thank MY MOM for delivering me, labor, lying on the gurney in the hall, 30 hours of labor and enduring what they did 54 years ago....pure HELL! 


And, I guess it all started here, with my mom and dad!!! (my card!)


As for the pendant, I credit Michael, a friend, for giving me a pendant that has my most favorite colors in it, and thank you Marie, my newest and most dear and profound and deeply girl-honest (you know the type - you can talk about ANYTHING!) friend - for your friendship and the wonderful lunch yesterday and Josee, Taylor - my son, and Donna for the Birthday Dinner tonight.  And of course my mom and dad, and Jordan, Laura, Ayla and Eric for the Birthday calls I know they will make to me today!  Thank you all of you, my friends I could not do without!


So today...I offer UP this!

We are grateful

You have given us this day

and have given us this way

to say Thank You.

Amen.

LOVING GOD

SAMARA

A GLORIOUS SUMMER....

...BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO RESIST MY CARD CHALLENGES!!!

The Stampin' Sisters in Christ lay out the most wonderful challenges each week.  You must visit their site.  I am not going to say more...just to build the intrigue!  I've put a link on their name above. This past Sunday their words of wisdom were so appropriate that one often wonders if the "ministers of love" in this world have microscopes on our lives!

So, it is with their words in mind that I offer up my card.  If you have not already looked at the book THE POWER OF NOW, which I have only JUST begun to re-read (I only read it to the first 10 pages first time but NOW...in the NOW (lol) LOVE IT!  It is a must!  You might then recognize my card is derived from the daily POWER OF NOW AFFIRMATIONS, that is, if you have read the book!

LOVING GOD

Samara

SEIZE THE DAY...

IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL!

WELL, IT SEEMS I HAVE COME OFF VACATION...though I have spent every day at the beach, literally, for the last week, and plan to again today!

But I could not resist giving you this card, once again, because it speaks so clearly about what I feel today.  I also want to offer up something I read last night that is shockingly spot on as to why I "do my blog the way I do" and "do my art the way I do."  I have been asked several times if I sell my art.  My answer - NO.  Once I create the card, put it up on my blog, it goes in a bin.  I am done with it, it's purpose is served.  God ran through me and that was what it was for....given my birthday is August 14th, I have been reading SUN SIGNS & SOUL MATES by Linda George and came across "the transformed Leo."  I'd like to believe this "might" be what I have spent the last 5 years diligently working toward being accountable for...the dark sides of my sign.  There are ugly shadows that rear their heads that I, in my humanity and vulnerability and brokeness will see always, that God will help me address, but regardless of that personal sidebar, this passage SPOKE DIRECTLY TO MY ART...

It is called LIBERATING THE SELF...LEO
Your higher destiny is to use your creativity and joyful self-expression as a channel for the divine.  You are gifted with a capacity to manifest in the three-dimensional world, but you need to become aware of the higher imperative of your talents: that is, they must be used to lighten the path for others.  The ego is the dragon you must slay, as it is even more powerful in you than the other signs...You come from the heart, but your learning centers around knowing your heart beats not just within you but within the Mind of God.  Your creative expressions need to be examples of the light within you and shared "freely".  Every talent we possess has been lent to us; IT IS NOT OURS, but ours to use in sharing it with others...and then it goes on and on.

I was floored!  This is just how I feel.  I see God, I feel God, I acknowledge God and sometimes I open the Bible and read a passage and then create my card.  It is MY way of perhaps saying HELLO to God, I LOVE YOU GOD, I NEED YOU GOD. 

And then my card is complete and done.  It isn't for the selling.

I am debating going to a craft sale and putting up a sign, taking my cards, and the sign will say DONATIONS ONLY PLEASE!  I never want to do anything classist...in this I truly believe!  I hope I have not overwhelmed you or bored you with my personal journey of last night and today, nor my reshowing of this card, which God directed me to reclaim as "HIS!"

LOVINGLY MADE BY

Samara and GOD

VACATION TIME IS HERE!

AUGUST IS RESTING TIME FOR ME...

I have my daughter's birthday and my own birthday...and do you know what I have planned for my birthday?  I am so excited!  I have asked the CAV's (Veteran Motorcycle Group, which is huge) if I could join them, and ride on the back of one of their motorcycles (even though I have my own GM (motorcycle) license;

WHY? you might be asking...

They are making a ride for Mental Illness across some of our towns on, what better day, but my birthday (August 14th) to join them and hop on the back of one of their motorcycles.  When I found out about their ride for the cause...I was stoked!

There is no better cause I could be involved in; 2 men in my immediate neighbourhood took their lives last year to the disease and I, myself, suffer from a mental illness.

So, along with my fantastic month of beach time and birthdays, I am hoping to be zoom zooming as part of this most worthy cause, to spread the word that Mental Illness is NOT something to hide in the closet with, but rather something that CAN be talked about openly and freely.  We are good, loving, worthy of love people.  We are creative, intelligent and "NORMAL!"

In fact, it is the talking, and the COMMUNICATION about one's disorder that saves lives!  It is how one comes to embrace their mental illness, in the same way one would embrace their diabetic illness, their cancer or their need to be in a wheelchair. I know that communication saved me...openness saved me...self love and love from others saved me...and of course GOD and....TA DA - MY ART!!! (who could forget that!!!!)

HAPPY AUGUST EVERYONE...IF YOU HAVE A BEACH NEAR YOU...TRY TO FREQUENT IT'S HEALING PROPERTIES!  NOTHING LIKE A LITTLE SAND AND WATER (AND GOD OF COURSE) TO KEEP BALANCE IN ONE'S LIFE.

See you, in September...(I feel like I should be singing that song to you!)

LOVING GOD,

Samara

IS IT TRUE WHAT THEY SAY...

...ABOUT EXERCISE?

Today, I would say so!  I am happy, exhilarated, tickled pink (ahhhh pink) by the new type of exercise I just started.

Bee-see-klette!  OK, bicycle.  I actually went out and purchased a zippy bike!  And am I ever glad I did.  WOW...now to most people this is likely an average purchase, but to this person, who makes their cards for/because/inspired by/doesn't sell their cards...money runs low...and I put out for this cool blue 2 wheeler.  But more cool is this "hat!" I guess the really COOL people call it a "helmet!" lol...  It squishes all my curls into one big mop!!!  I LOVE how it feels...this is one great big sensory experience.  Yipee Doodle...doesn't take much to please me!!!

So today's card is dedicated to CHILLAXING!  You will understand when you see the card, thanks to Taylored Expressions.

Happy cycling everyone!!! But make sure the lemonade is ready after you have endured all that passion that comes from new-found exercise!

Click to enlarge picture

Lovingly Made With...

Taylored Expressions Monthly Kit

Copics

Prismas

SU brads

Basic Grey Bling

SU Ribbon

Liquid Pearls

CM Flowers

LOVING GOD

Samara

COLOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE SOUL IS ESSENTIAL...

TO BE FELT

ON A REGULAR BASIS

IN THIS BOHEMIAN GAL'S LIFE!

This past weekend I saw vibrant colors coming from around me, in the shapes of HOPE, LOVE, SPIRIT, DETERMINATION, WISDOM, PRESENCE, TOGETHERNESS, STRENGTH....to name just a few.


These, in my mind...are the colors of the rainbow!  It is what comes to mind, when I see a rainbow, when I feel the rainbow's power penetrate straight into my heart.  This is what I experienced at my first visit at a new Church in town...well, new to me.

MUSIC, SWAYING (at least I was,) SINGING, AND A BAND that had such joy boosting from them.  Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks.  I felt more prayerful than I had in a very long time...and I learned more from the PASTOR'S VOICE THAN I BELIEVE I DID IN MY MASTER'S IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES!  His SERMON hit home...had he been eavesdropping on my heart, inside my head, and spending time with some type of super duper secret Sam Detective Microscope on Little Samara's Life?


Well, I can only imagine many, and I might even wage all people in the seats feel the way I do...as there wasn't a seat to be had 10 minutes before service time! 

I AM FULL OF THE RAINBOW OF LOVE...

AND I PRAY TO PASS SOME OF THAT ON TO YOU

 TOO!

THE LOVE RAINBOW - chalkboard art

THE BUTTERFLY RAINBOW - magazine art

Lovingly Made By Samara With....

FIRST IMAGE

Technique:  Chalkboard

Paper:  Black Stampin' Up!

Pencils:  Prisma Colors

Pen: Gel Pen

Ink:  White Stampin' Up!

Stamp:  Technique Tuesday

SECOND IMAGE

Technique: Magazine Art

Paper:  Basic Grey, Stampin' Up!

Magazine: Lou Lou

Ink: Stampin' Up!

Bling: Basic Grey

Fleurs: Basic Grey

Pearls: Stickles

Gel Pen, Sakura Pens, Stampin' Up! Pens, Prisma Pencils

LOVING GOD,

Samara

IN GOD WE TRUST....

Today, as I was driving from my Boyfriend's House, who himself was with the Military for 28 years, toward my house where I travel under many overpasses, I could not help but be filled with tears in my eyes.

Every bridge was LINED WITH CANADIAN FLAGS waiting for the FALLEN SOLDIERS that will be transported to Toronto.

One's heart is torn apart with each flag that waves in the wind, yet we feel, we believe, we hurt, with each ambulance that has stopped on the bridge with huge Canadian Flags on the back of their vehicles, Police Cars, Fire Trucks with Canadian Flags and Flashing lights, all reaching out in respect of OUR BRAVE.

But what startles me each time, is the comradery I feel to each and every one I see on those bridges - in this town...and in all towns I imagine...as the fallen soldier is "TAKEN HOME."

People wait out in the heat, flags in hand, cars are parked on the on ramps, the off ramps and each individual stands "on guard" with their flag...

WE CARE, WE LOVE YOU, WE BELIEVE IN YOU, WE HONOR YOU,  WE STAND TOGETHER...and we always will...FOR YOU.

My Lord God, give me once more the courage to hope;

merciful God, let me hope once again, fructify my barren and infertile mind.

~Soren Kierkegaard

GRATITUDE....

IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EMOTIONS WE CAN HAVE!

Today, I know that GRATITUDE is fully in place within me.  I looked around me and saw how incredibly fortunate I am.  I looked outside of me and saw how incredibly fortunate other's are in my town, I looked at my garden, and saw the devas growing, the birds singing, my dogs playing, my son and his friend laughing and playing their games and KNOW that GOD is all around us.  WE ARE BLESSED! 

BY "WE"  I mean all of us....you, me, and all the others!

GOD HAS A PLAN...and we have only to do our part.  We have to feel our feelings, to be true to ourselves, to tell ourselves the truth.  There is no one I know better who has done this than Ann Schach, who has the most wonderful blog...you MUST check it out.  SHE IS A MASTER.

When her dog (GOD BACKWARDS IF YOU NOTICE) passed over to the next room, Ann was about the most honest person I know on her blog.  She allowed us to grieve with her.  She shared her grief.  She didn't hold it away from us.  She invited us in to her life, to her world, to her Missy.  Now this is REAL...and this is what I pray for the world.  That WE CAN ALL BE LIKE ANN, IN OUR OWN WAY!

Today, I attempt to KEEP IT REAL!  Having said that, I want to tell you that each and every day, I worry about my Jordan (25) over in Spain for a month.  My children, as you know, are world travellers.  I try to play it cool about this and just tell you where they are, and celebrate that...but inside I go crazy!   Maybe it is time I let you know this!!!  Their mommy worries so...

I MUST WALK AGAIN THE WOODEN PATH

I must walk again the wooden path;
I must stroll the country land
Where sunsets fall like summer plums
and stardust falls like rain.

I must chase again the firefly
on the honeysuckle vine.
And watch an eagle spread its wings
above the tallest pine.

I must see once more a hummingbird
where hollyhocks grow wild.
And run barefoot through Autumn leaves
like I did as a child.

I must stand atop a mountain
when the valley's white with snow.
And linger there till purple haze
spreads twilight far below.

I must do these things lest I forget
how precious life can be.
I must walk again the wooded path
of quaint simplicity.

CLAY HARRISON

I was reminded by a reading this morning to not "sweat the small stuff" and to "let go of that which I have no control over".  Doesn't GOD tell us this all throughout the New Testament?  We all need someone to remind us who we are.  Do you have that someone?

Please click to enlarge picture

Lovingly Made With...

Paper: Stampin Up

Punch: Stampin Up

Frame: stash

Big Bird: Gift

Flourishes: Gift

Ink: Stampin Spots

If you wish any more details, please EMAIL me at scrappyandhappy@sympatico.ca

LOVING GOD

Samara

AFRICA STILL RULES MY ART....

....STAMP-N-DOODLES monthly DIGIS of Africa still seems to rule my art, though I have some pieces in between that I will begin to show tomorrow.

For today though, I will finish up the Africa series.

THE WORLD WE MAKE
We make the world in which we live
By what we gather and what we give,
By our daily deeds and the things we say,
By what we keep or wwe cast away.

We make our world by the beauty we see
In a skylark's song or a lilac tree,
In a butterfly's wing, in the pale moon's rise,
And the wonder that lingers in midnight skies.

We make our world by the life we lead,
By the friends we have, by the books we read,
By the pity we show in the hour of care,
By the loads we lift and the love we share.

We make our world by the goals we pursue,
by the heights we seek and the higher view,
By hopes and dreams that reach the sun
And a will to fight till the heights are won.

What is the place in which we dwell,
A hut or a palace, a heaven or hell,
We gather and scatter, we take and we give,
We make our world - and there we live.

ALFRED GRANT WALTON
(1998-1970)

This poem means alot to me this week, as it has been a difficult week, and a week of pain for me, having lost a person in my life that was precious.  I realize, like the cross, like Jesus, there is anger, there is "WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME GOD" and on the flip side (like the coin) there is EXTREME LOVE to be found.

I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by friends and by loved ones during this time of pain, to be reminded who I am, to reflect on how important it is to "be the Samara that is gregacious and loving, prayerful and puts everything in God's hands", even the things that I love the most and as well the things that hurt the most.

And this is what I have done.  I gave God my anger (like the Psalms of David) because I know God can handle anger, and God returned to me LOVE.  The love that my friends have been trying to remind me that I always try to bring into other people's hearts.

So this day, this very day, I am so thankful to many people - to the MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE - for reminding me who I am...a much better person than I believed I was this past week.  And that it is quite possible to move forward with excitement for the future, in wholeness and serenity, even when loss occurs.

I do believe in giving credit where credit is due!  Jesus and Moses taught me so....

Now onto Africa and some beautiful images...

Thank you Karensinspirations.blogspot.com for the die cut and stamped verse with emboss

Lovingly Made With....

DIGI Main (black and white) Image from Stamp-N-Doodle

For greater details, please email me.

LOVING GOD

Samara

LET'S TAKE IT TO AFRICA!

...WITH SOME STAMP-N-DOODLE DIGI IMAGES!

Without a doubt, these are the digis I have enjoyed the most from Stamp-n-Doodle.  I found myself getting literally lost in the "jungle" whilst making and creating the ART for the DIGI IMAGE that Lynne creates.
What do you think?

If you are interested in having your own copy of the DIGI IMAGE, be sure to pop on by Lynne's site...she has THE AFRICA THEME OF THE MONTH this month!  Very exciting!!!

I SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD

Walking through the breezeway into the parking lot at

my church the other day brought me face to beak with a

beautiful red male cardinal.  He startled me as he darted from

a small tree to the ground for a few seconds and back to the

tree.  Parked to my immediate right was a small, attractive,

bright red sports car...a convertible, yet!  It was a beautiful

tribute to modern engineering and creative ability, but it

couldn't compare with the Creator's creature.  The cardinal

was vibrant, alive; in freedom he was able to fly, to investigate,

to care for his young family, to live the life lovingly given him.

His bright red color was even a distraction for the female's

protection.  The convertible "red bird" looked like fun, but

was no match for the beautiful bird.

Perhaps in those few seconds of comparison, I was being

reminded that too often I take God's creation and love for

granted.  Sometimes the shiny, enticing "things" of this world

draw us in and we miss the real beauty all around us.

Maybe I should take up bird-watching!

BY BETTY ANN LEAVITT

from SERENITY PRAYERS

Prayers, Poems, and Prose to Soothe Your Soul

BY JUNE COTNER

AFRICA DIGI IMAGES:  STAMP-N-DOODLE.COM

All other products from many different Co.

If you have specific questions - please email me.

LOVING GOD

Samara