Count Your Blessings!

I am reminded of that song that says...Count your many blessings...Name them one by one!  When we stop to consider all of our blessings...family, friends, God's provision, and even the refreshing weather we've had this week, we can feel truly grateful.  As wonderful as these things are...and they are wonderful, I feel most blessed to be able to get into the presence of God!

Inspirational Nugget:  There was such a sweet presence of the Spirit of the Lord in our church service last night.  Our pastor preached from Genesis 32 where Jacob, the deceiver, the trickster, the heel-grabber, found himself alone and had an all night wrestling match with the angel of the Lord.  As morning approached he was touched in the hollow of his thigh and he became lame.  Jacob came to the end of himself...to the end of his strength.  All his planning and conniving and manipulating came to naught.  All he was able to do was to hold onto the angel of the Lord, and he would not let go until he was blessed.  As he submitted to the Lord, his life was changed;  his name was changed from Jacob, the trickster...to Israel, blessed of the Lord, accepted by God!  Sometimes in this life, all you can do is hold onto the Lord.  Get a hold of Him and don't let go until you receive the blessing...not things...but the peace of God!  If you're feeling that all of your plans are not working out, things are looking grim, hold onto God, submit to His will, and don't let go until you receive the blessing...the favor of God...His acceptance.  Your circumstances may not change, but you will have peace.  Now that's a blessing you can count on!

Creative Nugget:  Yesterday Penny Allen (Pawallen142) was the featured stamper over at Splitcoaststampers.  Check out her wonderful gallery.  I chose to CASE her Flower Fest card.
I kept the same layout, random stamping, and a popped up image. I changed the colors, changed the flowers to leaves, and added a button, twine, and a sentiment. I haven't used a Kaleidacolor pad in ages and decided to stamp the leaves with the Late November pad. After stamping the leaves, a wood grain impression plate was used to give texture to the panel.  The sentiment, pierced and mounted on a blossom die cut, is from the brand new Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps sentiment set, Many Thanks, being released tonight!  Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps is now a member company over at SCS!  Yea!  So come join us for the August release party tonight at 8:00 PM over at the Sweet 'n Sassy forum on SCS!  Hope to see you there!  Thanks for stopping by and have a truly blessed day!

Hugs,

Cathymac

Card Recipe

Stamps: Autumn (SU!), Many Thanks (Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento),  Late November Kaleidacolor Pad (Retired SU!), Scattered Straw, Tea Dye, and Walnut Stain Distress Inks (Ranger)

Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Old Olive, Night of Navy, More Mustard (SU!)

Accessories: Circle and Blossom Nestie (Spellbinders), Wood Grain Impression Plate, Button, Button Twine (PTI),  Piercing Tool, Kaiser Pearls