I am the true vine....

and my Father is the vinedresser. ² Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. ³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John 15:1-3
The message this past Sunday at our church was John 15:5-8 I am the vine your are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As he read the verse I was drawn to verse 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Wow think about this for a moment, can it be, can I be part of that branch. YES I can. I want to be able to grow and bear fruit, but there are times when I feel withered, broken down. I realized in reading this that the Lord wants us to grow, He has given us living water. If you read verse 2 it says that if every branch in Him does not bear fruit that he takes away. Since He is the gardener he removes those withered, broken branches. I know that I need to allow God to remove the withered branches in my life, he wants me to blossom. Verse 3 says that I am already clean because of the word that He has spoken.
As the Pastor reminded us on Sunday that the seed will grow regardless of what you put before it. This takes me back a little to when I{the backslidder} stopped going to church, a part of me didn't want to fellowship, didn't want to be a part of the branch but that seed was planted in me and never left me. God even then in my darkest moments wanted me to seek and be part of the living water, it took some time. He did a little weeding, and removed the brokenness, the burnt edges. The edges that were getting dark so that I can grow. He gets to the root of the problem, but we need to be remain in Him. Where are your roots? your roots are vital to your growth in God. Remember the the seed will grow regardless of what you put before it.

She knew God had a plan and a purpose...

How many times have we said everything happens for a reason. How wonderful is the word of God that we can see why sometimes things happen. 7 yrs ago I made a decision that though may not have been the right one in God's eyes I made because it was I'm going say I needed to break away. I was weak emotionally, and physically tired, so I took the easy way out. I was also pregnant and well my hormones were in full swing and I know I let that influence my decision. I have to say in those 7 yrs I was able to reflect and more recently I knew I needed God in my life He had never left my heart but I needed fellowship. It is so good to be back, praying, seeking and worshiping in God's house to have your brother's and sister's in Christ have your back in not only in prayer but really happy to see you week after week. I look forward to the fellowship with them, but more my time with God. Two weeks ago I came across the verse "for I know the plans I have for you "declares the Lord "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11 My only words after reading this was wow, but when I began to read a little further I found this "I will be found by you, declares the Lord and I will bring you back from captivity" first part of Jeremiah 29:14 what stays with me is that God says I will bring you back and that He did. Thank God for His guidance.
It has been awhile since I created a She-Art work, and thought this was perfect. It reads "She knew God had a plan and a purpose"
Thanks for stopping by.

How is your Glass?

Is it half full, or half empty this topic has been on my mind in the last week. Lord what are you trying to tell me? Where is this leading? So I began by looking at my life right now at my glass. I could say it's half empty, but then I thought how can it be half empty if I serve a God who quenches the thirst. Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. There are times that in the midst of the storm I am reminded to be still. So I have to say my glass is half full, my faith in Him reminds me each day that I am in His presence. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
I took a photo of a glass half full, and today when I went to create I began cleaning my scrappy table but as I began putting my scraps from past projects this is what found on my desk. So I decided to work with what was on my desk. Thanks for stopping by.

Beauty & Faith blog Hop

Welcome to the Loved by God Faith Blog Hop! We are so blessed to have you be a part of it. If you arrived from (Nicole's) blog you are in the right place. If you just happened to have landed here, go on over to www.nanacampana.com so that you can catch the beginning of the hop and get a chance to win a spot on the Ashes to Beauty Program (a $597 value).

This month we want to share with you about the beauty we find in Christ through Psalm 45:11 "let the King be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is our Lord..".

I am again honored to be part of this blog hop. I want to share how God has begun a transformation in me and showing me what real Beauty is. This past week I had an opportunity to speak to Nana on the phone, it was the first time and it was a scheduled call. I was getting prepared writing my notes prior to questions I thought she would ask "like what ashes I wanted to turn to beauty" Oh I thought I was ready, but not so. I was having a really bad morning and though I knew she was going to call I thought God please don't let her call me cause the truth is I'm not ready. It's really a bad day, and she is going to hear that. Well she did call, I did tell her it was a bad day thinking she would say " I can reschedule this call" but she didn't and I am so glad. Remember those notes I took, out the window they went. LOL. Nana thought it was a good time she called being that I was having a bad morning. She prayed for me, and then she began to ask questions about what my dreams were? yes can you believe it, I thought me or in my walk with God. She said we are talking about you, truly it took me aback a little. I will share just a little of what I told her, I wanted to be able to teach women. Wow did I just say that I thought, Yes I did. Of course it would be crafty, but it would be to use your Art as a healing process. Whether to journal, to create so you can let go of what binds your heart. Wait!!!!! Stop the brakes right now, you have shared too much I thought. Next question is what holds you back? NOOOOO I thought why is Nana making this so difficult, but it was not Nana it was God at that very moment showing me that I am not completely healed. I told Nana that I was afraid of being rejected, of not being good enough. OMG I am thinking Dolores don't do it, don't share your fears. I am so glad I shared, I realize that the fears I had were of a little girl not being wanted, of a little girl who was made feel rejected, of a little girl who felt abandonment. I grew up and still somewhere in my heart I was this little girl. After speaking to her I had a real heart to heart with God, and I had never before questioned why would God allow this to happen to this little girl{ME} I cried and asked why? but our God is such an awesome God that when looking through His word I found He had never abandoned me. My heart was broken as a child, and as an adult I had not allowed God to completely heal those issues that scarred my heart. So here is the beauty of having faith is that God has transformed, and restored this heart so that I may be able to teach. What an awesome God I serve. I feel that a heavy burden has been lifted from my heart.

thanks for stopping by and don't forget your next stop is

Marjolaine Simard Walker:

Here is the list of beautiful and bold women sharing their stories and talents:

1. Nana Campana

2. Wendy Swenne

3. Nicole Griggs Brenna

4. Marjolaine Simard Walker:

5. Tammy Bartlett

My Mojo is back....

I have really enjoyed these past few days just taking out a little ME time to create. Today I submitted one of my layouts so wish me well. Hopefully it gets picked up, if not it was so much fun to create. Here are a few of my layouts, thanks for stopping by.

OLW {One Little Word}

{Strong} that is the word I have chosen this year. I discovered a Faith Based Blog Adore Him Creations: One Little Word through faith blog hoppers a group on Facebook. One of the members named Diane Marra is the creator of the Adore Him Creations blog. I was so excited because not only am I still able to create, but I am encouraged to continue my journey in Christ. I love that we have to follow up with a worksheet. In other words I am accountable. I want to share why I have chosen Strong.
I have to say that 2011 was a bit challenging, but in October our family decided we would begin our journey with the Lord. Oh and let me tell you there are some that may not be happy, but what is my life without God. I know it's going to be a struggle, there are going to be obstacles but I know I need to be strong. Some will judge, and that's alright cause God has my back. Dt: 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Definition of Strong- Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
When I see this I think who more powerful than God, no one He can remove the heavy weights and this could be what lays heavily in your heart, your mind. I thank you for reading, and being part of the people who continue to encourage me.

Wow me MIA!!!

Well I know it's been awhile, but the Holiday season always takes a toll on me. For some this is probably the happiest season, for me it's been like the Holiday Blues. I don't know if it's the season, the weather, or more than likely is memories I would rather forget. So today I decided to brave the blogging world and give you a year in review both personal and crafty wise. As many of us scrapbookers do I started this year with a word for the year that word was GROW. Can I say that I thought at first it would be scrappy wise, but I have grown. What do I mean by this, well not in inches, but just at look at my life a little differently. It was not an easy year at times, but I was able to take action in a more positive way. I seeked council, I asked for help physically and emotionally, but most of all spiritually. I remembered that prayer always helps, I decided to ask God yes God to help me with the issues I was having with Chris. Can I say how that prayer continues to be answered in so many ways, step by step. My son Chris has an awesome MSC(Medicaid Service Coordinator) Jazmene. She has helped us in so many ways, from respite programs, to now we have a home attendant on the weekends to help with Chris. This is a blessing, the funny thing is she doesn't feel she does enough, Girl let me tell you , she has given me peace of mind. There were times when I knew I was losing it, and I would call her and cry, scream, but yet she listened and I think at times cried with me. So for this I am thankful that God put her in our path.
In prayer I also found my way back to church, and because of that change my son has been so much better, he is calmer on the weekends especially when he is at church it's like a peace comes over him.
This year has been difficult, and yet I am blessed. What you may not know is that my husband had an accident on the job, this has not been easy. It's been about 4 mos, of him being home still trying to recover from his surgery. It's a long process, but yet I'm blessed because he is still here.
Oh and did I mention somewhere that I'm going to be a Grandma, I know I didn't lol it still sounds weird, but you see how I have been blessed. I am so looking forward to May and holding my first grandchild. I will really be scrapping then!!! lol

Scrappy wise I was able to be part of the She Art Classes, I really enjoyed being creative using paint and really looking within my soul. Christy Tomlinson is an amazing teacher if you have never dabbled in her art classes you really have to just give it a try. You will be amazed at what you create. It's truly inspiring. Girl it's all about you!!!
I have not recently created but, I do have a lot of scrappy new stuff to play with. I already have a New Years Day planned with my sister in law to just create. Looking forward to digging my hands once again. With that said here are some of my favorite projects this year.