Help! I Wrecked My Blog

Dear Blog,

I don't know what I did wrong. I am a techno-peasant.  My kids' favorite name for me. I tried a new template from the same place I've used before.  I followed the instructions. But I've crashed you anyway.  I've been known as a computer crasher.  Now I shall also be a blog crasher.  I can't even get to the dashboard to try again.  I'm afraid you will be some forgotten piece of junk like a broken down car in a backyard, surrounded by tall grass and probably lived in by spiders or other critters.  I'm so sorry dear blog.  I only wanted to brighten your day and now you are ruined.

Joy to the World, the Lord is Come

"Joy to the World, the Lord is come" The lyrics and tune are familiar to most of us.  We hear it played every Christmas.  Its message is simple.  Jesus Christ is born and because of that, we have joy.  We have joy because Jesus has come to conquer sin and death.  He is triumphant over Satan's power. He brings us peace and hope in the midst of our care and sorrows.

Below are some lyrics from traditional Christmas hymns.  There are more that I haven't included which speak of hope and peace. 

Joy to the World, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.

God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, (God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen)

O Come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant ( O Come all ye Faithful)

Hark! the herald angels sing
Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim
Christ is born in Bethlehem! (Hark the Herald)

Good Christian men rejoice with heart and soul and voice.
Give ye heed to what we say, Jesus Christ is born today. (Good Christian Men Rejoice)


O holy night,
The stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
Our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
And the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope,
The weary world rejoices, ( O Holy Night)

Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel  Shall come to thee, O Israel. ( O Come Emmanuel)

Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing o're the plains;
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains (Angels We Have Heard on High)

When you hear these songs this Christmas, I pray that you will consider the message they bring.  May God richly bless you and your family this year with joy, peace and hope.  Merry Christmas!

Yellow and Gray Baby Shower with Elephant Theme

Baby Shower Favors

Laminated Bookmarks

 Light gray/Light yellow - Dark gray/Dark yellow - Light gray/Dark yellow

These are large in order to fit everything in - 8"x 2.5"

 Tea Envelopes

                                                    

         Style #1 -

 4"x3"

                                          Style #2 -

 3" x 3.25"

                                          
                                          Style #3  

This one is probably the simplest because you just have to slip the tea bag in the top - no ribbon to tie.

 3.75" x 3.25 "

Wishing Tree Tags 

         You can choose any colors.

 Dark yellow and gray

Light yellow and gray

Names Ending with "el" in the Bible

This school year, Holly and I are studying the names of God, beginning with Elohim - God - All Powerful One - Creator. Many Bible name end with the letters el which means "God" and I tried to find a list of Bible names ending in el and their meanings on the internet but couldn't find one.  So I thought I'd make one myself.  This is not yet an exhaustive list so if I've left off your favorite, please let me know.  Eventually I want to add the Bible references.

Abiel - God is my Father

Asahel - creature of God

Ariel - lion of God

Azareel - help of God

Azarel -  God has helped 

Bethel - house of God

Daniel - God is my judge

Emmanuel - God is with us

Ezekiel - God strengthens

Gabriel - man of God

Gamaliel - benefit of God

Hazael - God sees

Ishmael - God will hear

Israel - who prevails with God

Jahleel - God waits

Jazeel - strength of God

Jeheiel - God lives

Joel - Yahweh is God

Lemuel - belonging to God
 
Lael -  to God

Michael - who is like God

Nathaniel - God has given

Reuel - Friend of God

Samuel - Asked of God

Shemuel - appointed by God

Uriel - God is my light

Uzziel - my power is God

Zuriel - my rock is God
 

Mission Trip Bookmarks

Hannah is going on a mission trip to the country of Romania. It will be a bit like going home since we lived there for seven years as missionaries. However, she is going to a part of the country that none of us have been to before.  We're all excited for her.

Yesterday, Hannah and I made bookmarks for the camp kids that she will be teaching.  We were able to make them entirely out of leftover paper and stickers from my stash.  They turned out really cute.  Of course I still have more paper and stickers so I just might make some for my Etsy shop - Ellie Marie Designs. I probably can't duplicate these but if you would like me to make something for you, send me a message.

Patriotic Graduation Party Decorations

Last week we celebrated Gabriel's graduation from Pensacola with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. We thought a 4th of July themed party was appropriate for the aspiring politician.  I'm thinking about selling some of these in my Etsy shop.  Here are a few of the pictures:

Stay tuned for more pictures.....

Home Sweet Home

I love the home that God has blessed us with. There are many trees giving us beauty and shade for most of the year. The winter is a bit dreary but more worrisome than the bleakness is the threat of falling trees.  We are expecting 10 - 15 inches tonight and tomorrow.

 I don't really know how tall the trees are.  Notice that the back yard goes down hill yet the trees are still much taller than the house.  There are also lots of trees on each side of us and across the street.

Praying that none of them fall on our house and the neighbors' trees don't fall on theirs or on the power lines!