Valentine for a Friend

Sometimes the sweetest gift from a friend is the also the simplest one.

A hug
A smile
A knowing nod

All for the purpose of showing someone we really do care. Love wrapped up.

Valentine for a Friend
inspired by Ann Voskamp's Ultimate Girlfriend Gift

Supplies:

12"x12" scrapbook paper (light colors work best)
ribbon
gluestick
hole punch
paper cutter
scissors
stylus (or a "dead" ballpoint pen)

Valentine for a Friend

1.  Cut 12"x12" scrapbook paper in half on the paper cutter. You should now have two (2) 6"x12" papers from each full size sheet.
2. Adjust your printer settings to our custom size of 6"x12". Print my free template onto your scrapbook paper.
3. Cut out pillow box and gift tag along solid lines.
4. Use the stylus (or an old ballpoint pen with no more ink) to score the dotted lines. This will make folding easier, I promise!
5. Using gluestick, seal the length of the pillow box. You may need to hold this for a moment, depending on how sticky your glue is.
6. Close one end of pillow box. Fill with your tiny gift or goodies.*
7. Close other end of pillow box.
8. Punch hole in gift tag. Thread ribbon or string through and tie bow around pillow box. 
9. Make a Special Delivery to a Friend today!

*I printed Page ONE of these on colored cardstock to stick inside my pillow boxes.

Happy Valentine's Day!

♥tika nicole

Planning

I have learned in life that that the powers that be tend to laugh at the "plans" I make, so we are doing what we can and hoping for the best.

My long-time dear friend, Christa, said this recently. She and her family have struggled this past year and are trying to get back on their feet. (She was kind enough to give me permission to quote her.☺)  I can totally relate to her feeling, mostly because I've been there too. You know, that dark and dismal place where dreams burst like bubbles? Yeah, that one. The Land of Despair. I took up residency there for years. Unfortunately, I sometimes find myself lost, without direction, and heading right back there for another visit.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11

Wait a minute! This doesn't sound like someone who would laugh at me. This sounds like someone who is looking out for me, protecting me, taking care of me. Like a parent. Like a Father.

I've learned to turn my plans over to God, my Master Planner. I told my friend, Christa, that these days I prefer what God has to say about my planning.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. ~Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. ~Proverbs 19:21

May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! ~Proverbs 20:4

It is my understanding that God does still want us to make plans. How else would we take steps forward or prepare for the future? But He wants our hearts aligned with His. We need to be willing to trust Him at the helm, to let Him lead us, knowing that He sees the full picture, knows the full plan, knows the best route for us to take to get there.

Letting God lead us means LETTING GO of the control we only think we have. Just look at the mess we make of things anyway!

So, this is my prayer when I find myself heading back to the Land of Despair, and my prayer for Christa, and for anyone else who is struggling with this:

Father God, 
Thank you for the days you've given me...even the ones I just couldn't walk through...that you were right there beside me. Thank you for letting me fail...again...so that the victory will be that much sweeter. Thank you for the promise that you give to protect me...even if that means protecting me from my own plans. Help me to remember that You know what You're doing, even if I don't. Help me to find You, even in the dark Land of Despair. Thank you that I don't have to live there, but can choose instead a place that's hope-filled and happy, innocent and imaginative, of Your Creation, not mine. Help me to live life to the fullest!
Amen.

Lastly, here's my blessings from the last 3 days:

A Gift Old, New, Blue
#10 old, old books -the look, the feel, the smell
#11 my fairy godmother from my fairy godmother -such a special gift from a special lady!
#12 my heart-shaped bowl that I made with a friend 20 years ago

Something I'm reading, making, seeing
#13 To Kill A Mockingbird -I love Scout's spunk!
#14 my son's birthday cake -I can't believe my "baby" will be 12 tomorrow!
#15 the view from my sewing table come late afternoon

One thing in my bag, my fridge, my heart
#16 fingerless gloves I made from an old sweater
#17 frozen summer peaches...in January!
#18 hope for a family getaway...soon?

Blessings #10, 11, and 12

Hurt

Yesterday, my sweet husband got hurt. In the 16 years we've been together, I think this is the first injury he has ever had. My poor guy...
How?
Good question :)
Was he climbing a ladder? Fixing a fence? Moving furniture?
No...
He was playing Frisbee with our son and friends at the park. A beautiful Sunday afternoon ended with a *pop!* and a trip to urgent care.

I had stayed home from church and the park because our younger son was feeling sick. So, I wasn't there. I wasn't there to see my beloved laying on the field hurting. I wasn't there to see friends carry him off that field. I wasn't there to see our friend drive his van into the field to transport him. I wasn't there...but I thank God the others were. Thank you.

I was home with my boy when I got a text telling me "I'm praying for Charlie". What? She must mean Nathan. Afterall, he's the reason we stayed home today. Jokingly, I replied, "what's wrong with him?" Ha ha. Then I found out she wasn't at the park either. She and her husband were asked to pray for my Charlie. And I didn't know...Thank you, Lord, that others were praying for my Love even before I knew he was hurt. Thank you...

I will never understand why no one called to tell me my husband had been hurt. Strange, if you ask me.
And it hurts me too...

Instead, I will pray blessings on those that surrounded our family to help and to pray. I will choose to be thankful and glad, instead of angry and bitter. I will praise God that my husband has only a minor injury to accompany his physical pain. I will...

Heal me, O Lord , and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.
~ Jeremiah 17:14

Jehovah-Jireh

God’s provision is so perfect, so timely, that I can’t help but be amazed at how I try to put Him into this little box, defined by my little brain! He’s so much bigger, greater, mightier than I can ever hope to imagine…

God Provides in such abundant ways, that I must count them or forever lose them:

My Autumn Blessings…
#78…for turning my house into a home.
#79…for my husband who loves me.
#80…for my children who bless me with their “antics”.
#81…for the opportunities He gives me to bless others.
#82…for the LIFT my spirit receives after time with a friend.
#83…for my sister who challenges me to be honest with her, even when it hurts. I’m also thankful she knows I still love her!
#84…for brides-to-be ♥
#85…for baby giggles ♥♥
#86…for genuine laughter that makes my sides hurt & my cheeks ache! Even better when shared with loved ones:)
#87…for my son who is becoming a young man.
#88…for books that encourage and inspire.
#89…for movie nights, curled up on the couch with my honey.
#90…for songs that express my heart~ and I can’t sing them without crying!
#91…for God’s healing, even when it’s slow-in-coming.
#92…for the silly little thrill I get when I make hot chocolate with my kids. (or mochas for grownups!) Yummmm
#93…for new recipes that turn out better than I hoped!
#94…for my phone that shortens the distance between faraway family.

Lord, you provide so, so much! You are my Jehovah-Jireh! Thank you for each and every blessing you shower down on me. My heart sings with joy ♥

Treasure Hunting

“You’ll find what you want to find, if you look hard enough.”

Sneaking away this morning to have coffee with ‘my girls’ was the perfect start to my day. Sharing Thanksgiving stories, victories and struggles, family dynamics…all come tumbling out onto the table, like a giant collective EXHALE. *sigh*

While discussing the difficulties of being critiqued (and sometimes judged) by well-meaning family members, one friend stated that “You’ll find what you want to find, if you look hard enough.”  Hmmm…really??

At first I didn’t agree…Do I do that? Do I just wait (like a predator) for that one relative  who always gets under my skin (my chosen prey) to just rub me the wrong way so I can say “See what I mean?! He’s impossible!!” (ATTACK!!!) or does that friction just exist and sparks are sure to fly, no matter what?

But, my God is so good…He got me thinking about this in a positive way, a godly way…What if I choose to find the GOOD in people? What if I look for the person God sees? What if I hunt for the treasures this one person…this beautiful, created-by-God individual…holds, until I find it?

A pretty big “what if?”

What if I looked for the blessings in every circumstance? …in every person? …in all Creation?

My Autumn Blessing #74...

...godly friends who challenge me to think.

Father God, Thank you so much for these beautiful women you have placed in my life that challenge my thinking. I know Your Hand is at work here! The big “what if” can be answered by the Great I AM. To see others as You see them, to love them, to treasure them…for Your Glory, LORD. Thank you also for the challenging people you place in my life that keep me focused on Your Beauty in all Creation, seeking You through it all. You are my Treasure, LORD! ♥

Treasure Hunting for the Kingdom of God…

…what if we all looked at life this way…

Full

I am full…
Thankful.
Joyful.
Prayerful.
I am full.

“Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Full of thanks.
Full of joy.
Full of prayer and praise.

LORD, from the bottom of my heart, thank you… This blessed season of Thanksgiving should last the whole year through! I am truly humbled by Your love for Your children, Your love for…Me. Thank you, LORD. In my thankfulness, I say YES! to your grace! My joy is complete in You and only You…now and forevermore…

My Autumn Blessing #72…
…experiencing the FULLness of Thanksgiving with my family and my friends! I could not have asked for a better day ♥ and yet You knew, LORD!

How Great is Our God!

How Great is Our God….Well, let me tell you!

In trying to stick to a budget, we bought our November groceries a few weeks back and, even though we had figured Thanksgiving into our budget, when it came time to shop, we had enough money for everything but the turkey.

“We can't have Thanksgiving
without a turkey!”

I told my family to just wait patiently and see if the Lord would provide one, but that we should chose to be thankful regardless.

With the big day getting close, we were all kind of sad that we had no one to celebrate with and...no turkey. A chicken would have to do and since it was just the 4 of us, it would be plenty. *sigh*

On Sunday, after church, one of the other wives was asking what each of us was making for Thanksgiving dinner. I told her ours would be simple, that we had everything but the turkey -literally- but that God's provision is perfect and complete.

Would you believe she gave us her turkey?

They were thawing a bird they didn't have room for in their fridge, but they didn't need it since they were eating at their inlaws’.

God's provision IS perfect and complete! And now we also have company coming for dinner :)

My Autumn Blessing #71…

…God’s perfect provision in the form of a turkey. ☺

LORD, how can we ever doubt you?? Thank you for your Perfect and Complete Provision! My heart is swollen with thankfulness and love for You, Father God. Your loving blessings are poured out on us, even when we don’t deserve it. Your Grace covers us, Your Mercy astounds us. Thank you…thank you…

Sisters of my heart

When I was 2 years old, God gave me a little sister. When I got married at 24, God gave me a big sister. They are both my “very bestest friends” and I love them dearly!
I’ve noticed lately that God’s not done yet.
Who am I that He would bless me with the sisters of my heart? Those special friends who just bless your socks off~ every one should have at least one in their life!
“…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”~ Proverbs 18:24

My Autumn Blessing #64...
...my sisters who make lovely friends♥

and #65...
...my friends who make lovely sisters♥

Father of Lights, You truly are the giver of every good and perfect gift! That You would send me gifts from above to be sisters of my heart, to walk in this world, to journey alongside me, to encourage and exhort me, to edify me…Thank you. I do not deserve these special friends, and yet here they are. Guide me, LORD, help me to be a godly friend to them, to love them, to be a good listener, to be their sister in Your Holy Name.

Straight-faced Circle Time

I really do try to be serious when necessary, but I will admit, there are times when I just HAVE to laugh…or it’ll burst out of me!

The ladies of my small church were invited to gather tonight for a time of crafting and getting to know one another. I had (foolishly?) assumed that we would just kind of “land” wherever when the time came to get settled, probably depending on who we were talking to when that moment came. I was wrong. Instead, we joined together for prayer (yay!), vision, and Straight-faced Circle Time.

I mean no disrespect…I loved the purpose and intentions motivating this activity. To build relationships, to foster community, to possibly get to know someone new. But while we were in Straight-faced Circle Time (sorry, I had to say it again!), we were each asked to write down on a slip of paper an “I wish…” statement in regards to our church. General or personal, it didn’t matter because these slips of paper were to be anonymously read to the group in hopes of prayer and possible action.

What…?

What if I wrote “I wish I could tell who my REAL friends are-not just on Sunday, but the rest of the week too." Or some other embarrassing statement??? I’m a girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. My face reads like an open book. Sitting in a circle with a dozen women who I’ll see every week…what if my face gives away which one was mine??

So, I crack jokes. I can’t keep it inside. I need an excuse to laugh…or the little girl in me might just cry with anxiety.

Ha ha…now I’m the only one laughing…even more embarrassing! So, I laugh at myself…solo. Now I just sound like I’ve had too much caffeine!

Straight-face Circle time was productive and everything turned out just wonderful. I don’t think anyone figured out which one was mine (or so I’ll be telling myself!) so I guess my anonymity remains intact. I’m just thankful I can laugh at my self…or by myself!

My Autumn Blessing #63…

…I can laugh at my own jokes, even when nobody else does. And then I can laugh at myself!

Thank You, Father God, for giving me a sense of humor. Please, please, please help me to control my mouth when my laughter (regardless of how nervous I am) is inappropriate.

Thank you for a beautiful, unique time of fellowship. Thank you for the smiles and the tears, the laughter and the joy. Bless each of those that came and those that couldn’t, as well.

Lastly, LORD, thank you that laughter is good medicine. And a smile, hug or laugh shared with a friend is twice as good!

Shades of Gray

One of my favorite things about this time of year is the drastic variations of the colors all around me. Everywhere I look, from the vibrant colors of the leaves to the heavy rainclouds in shades of gray, all Creation is God’s canvas. I ♥ His work!

I was blessed with a good, productive morning followed by a peaceful afternoon with my children. This evening I was able to visit for a bit with two dear friends and one had pointed out how beautiful the gray skies were today. I don’t normal find gray attractive...it often leads to (feeling) blue! But today, when I looked up, the sky was AMAZING.
There were so many different levels of clouds, all in their own shades of gray. And there, in the midst of all that gray, bursting through, was the beautiful sun.

Sometimes life’s like that. This fallen world we live in, full of sin, pain, illness, hurts…so many shades of gray. And right in the middle of it all, bursting through, shines the Beautiful Son.

My Autumn Blessing #61…

…the vibrant colors all around me. The changing leaves on the trees remind me of how different each of us are, how beautiful, how unique. Oh! I am so thankful!

#62…

…gray clouds. To remind me of just how bright the sun is, persistent to do what God created it to do. To shine!

LORD of all Creation, Thank you so much for the love letters you sent to us through your Creation, if only we would open our eyes to see! I am amazed at how different each of us can be- How You created each of us to be-  yet essentially we are much the same…and You know each of us by name. Thank You, LORD.

Thank you for blessing me with gray skies so that I can see your Son shine through. Thank you for the time with friends…Bless them, LORD, as they have blessed me.

Counting my blessings

Something different…

There comes a time, when life is looking a little darker than usual, and a girl must tell it like it is.

This is that time for me…

Counting my blessings started last summer as a little challenge the Lord had placed on my heart to look at all He has blessed me with, rather than the ugliness surrounding me. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by the YUCKY STUFF. It has been therapeutic to see “the little things” that God daily blesses me with!

Last week, I spent a morning having 9 vials of blood drawn. It just so happened to be Halloween, a day I don’t celebrate, and would you believe that the gal who took my blood was….a vampire? Yes…

More tests on Friday…thankfully done by a normal human being. ☺

Today, I am overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and physical pain. The myriad of symptoms my team of doctors have been trying to diagnose and treat have left me exhausted….I also underwent a nerve conduction test this morning (OUCH!) and was informed that surgery was necessary to avoid imminent and permanent nerve damage.

Lord, WHY can’t I just be normal??? WHY haven’t you healed me yet??? WHEN can I rest??? I’m so tired…WHEN will You heal me???…I’m tired of hurting…

*sigh*

In the midst of my rollercoaster ride that is my life, I have still been able to count my blessings.

#53…I am thankful for the husband God blessed me with.

#54…I am blessed by my tenderhearted children who see the pain in my eyes and know to hug gently, but sincerely.

#55…I am thankful for friends who ask “How are you?” and want an honest answer.

#56…I am thankful for my partners in prayer, those I pray with, and for, and those who lift me up in prayer too.

#57…I am thankful that when I go to see a new doctor and have to fill out the stack of new patient paperwork, that I can gracefully, thankfully, joyfully write homemaker as my occupation.

Father God, You bless me so completely. You know exactly what I need because You SEE me…Help me to see others with the love that You see them with. Thank you for my family and friends, who surround me with Your love and grace…Help me to extend Your grace to others, even when I don’t understand why I should. Thank you for calling me to be a mother, a wife, and to be home where You want me to do what You would have me do…Equip me for each day as You see fit. AMEN.

My Autumn Blessing #49

Autumn Blessings of LOVE...


...fall baking made even better when shared with a friend ♥

LORD, who are we if we don't share all that you have blessed us with? Keep me humble, LORD, ready to do Your Will, to be Your Servant. LORD, I love to spread Your LOVE!

Mmmm.... ♥

My October Blessings

A Month FULL of Blessings...

The month of October has been an absolute blur for me! So much going on in such a short span, but so many blessings to be counted!

#27...driving 5 hours to my inlaws and leaving the kids so I can get a date with my favorite man ♥
#28...wearing skirt on a rainy, windy day just so I can look (and feel) pretty for my husband...
#29...sipping hot coffee while people-watching downtown...

#30...finishing the last of our adoption classes! One step closer to expanding our family☺

#31...a field trip to the deepest lake in the United States. Nothing compares to the sapphire blue of Crater Lake!

#32...having a surprise me with an overwhelmingly kind & generous gift...and still having no idea who to say thank you!

.... So, thank you, Jesus!

#33...taking 10 minutes to lay in my hammock and enjoy the colorful canopy of the autumn leaves.

#34...a beautiful sunset shared with loved ones♥

#35...answered prayers!

#36...having family arrive, gradually over 3 days, as they gather to help us prepare for a big celebration!

#37...living out "many hands make light the work" and loving every minute of it!

#38...borrowing a daughter to help me, my son and my niece bake 50 cupcakes and a huge cake...

#39...having my sister, the cake expert, make my vision a reality!

#40...renewing our wedding vows before God, family and friends!♥

#41...totally overwhelmed by God's gifts of love, raining down on us, surrounded by friends and family, the amazing celebration our anniversary, so many hugs, smiles, tears, laughter...my heart is just bursting with joy!

#42...looking forward to when I will see my long-distance family again...instead of looking back. I will miss them, but I hold them close to my heart.

#43...preparing for some family time away from the daily hustle and bustle...

#44...spending time in the woods, loving God's closeness in creation, while my boys learn wilderness survival skills!

Thank you, LORD, for the great gifts that You give. Thank you for the blessing of friends who become family, and family who becomes friends. Thank you for the love that You pour out on your children who love you! May we always choose to follow You, all the days of our lives.

My Autumn Blessing #26

Autumn Blessings...

...having a friend pass me a "love note" in church today blessed me to the tip of my toes!

 Thank you, LORD, for your angels here on earth, to remind us of the love you have for us! Bless these sweet messengers for being Your Hands & Feet ♥

My Autumn Blessings #23, 24 & 25

Autumn Blessings...

...spending most of my day sorting, cropping & putting together photos in my wedding album. After 13 years of marriage, this is truly a gift to finally have! ♥

...having a helpful friend to inspire and encourage me to complete the project was a great excuse for productive fellowship and made to time go so much faster!

...having a church family that takes good care of us. Leading us, guiding us and always lovingly pointing us back to the Cross.

Thank you, LORD, that your plan for me included others to bless and be blessed by. Thank you for each perfect gift you give- each helping hand, each smile, each hug, each "knowing" look from those that reflect Your Light and your love in this world.

My Autumn Blessing #22

Blessed...


...a beautiful day for meeting friends in the park. I love the cool feel of the fall air on my skin, slowly warming up from the sun breaking through the clouds.

LORD, only you would have the perfect combination of cool air and warm sun to create such a beautiful autumn day. Thank you for the friends we got to visit with, bless them, and thank you for the easy-going day with my family.

My Autumn Blessing #16, 17 & 18

My Autumn Blessing #16, 17 & 18...

...waking up to the pitter-patter of rain.  *sigh*

...my son playing football in the rain, coming in the house soaking wet with a huge grin on his face.

...building new friendships, for me and my children, one smile at a time.

Thank you, LORD, for the changing of the seasons, the watering of the earth, the cooling of days. Thank you for the simple joy found in raindrops from heaven. Bless my family today and guide us through our week. May you be our focus each and every day that you give to us.

My Autumn Blessings #7 & 8

My Autumn Blessings #7 & 8:

...finding time to run errands while having coffee with a friend makes my time doubly productive and extra enjoyable!

...being okay with not knowing everything because I trust and serve the One who does.

Thank you, LORD, for the bit of time spent with a friend today. May our thoughts and conversations always be glorifying to You. Thank you that I can trust You in all things. Everyday I get to chose to serve you, is a day of blessings!

My Autumn Blessings #3 & 4

My Autumn Blessings #3 & 4

...Letting 3 sweet, young girls help me decorate a cake for my husband.

...Having friends that I love like family fill my home with laughter!

Thank you, Lord, for the little opportunities you give me to spend time with these daughters of my ♥, for the friends who are willing to share them, and the good memories that you give to us!