I'm so fortunate to be a part of a women's bible study called "Within The Word (withintheword.com)
A group of women, from all ages and backgrounds, who get together each Wednesday morning and learn about God's word. We have an awesome teacher, Kathy, who is passionate about bringing God's word to women. After she teaches her lesson, we break up in small groups to discuss our study guide for the week. I'm honored to lead one of those small groups.
The ladies in my group are so special to me. We have gone thru struggles, pain, and many blessings and praises together. If there is a need, these women are there- whether it be a death, surgery, the birth of a baby, or you just need a shoulder to cry on.
When my mother was "eminently dying"; I had been sitting with her for 14 hours a day for about a week. Not knowing when or what day it was going to happen, I felt a real need to go to my bible study. I needed to be surrounded with my ladies, and I needed to be "charged up" with prayer. My sister was here from Delaware and she encouraged me to go while she would sit with mom.
We have a wonderful "prayer warrior" in our study that prays at the end of each session. We all hold hands, and Linda holds all the prayer requests in her hands. If someone has a extra burden that day, you stand with her as she and the other women have their hands on you and prays. It's like 40 hearts connect, and that is what comes out of Linda's heart and her beautiful prayer.
Our semester is getting close to the end and I wanted to make something special for each one.
I have had these vintage scripture cards for years. They were my great aunt's and they are from the early 1930's. I used these to be my inspiration.
I found these little mini journals from a company called Moleskine. They carry all sizes and colors of these journals and they take crafting and mixed media very well. This is what they look like plain.
I made each journal very different from the other, just like the ladies are different in their own
unique way.
You know me, I'm very " girlie-girl" , but I know that all women are not as "prissy" as I am; but I did sneek in a couple of shabby chic style journals.
The dress form journal was alot of fun for me. I got to use some of my vintage lace, buttons and pins from my grandmother's collection, passed down to me. I tried to find a "scripture card" to match the theme of the journal.
I love lavender , and so I combined it with some silver leafing and rhinestones. I made a beaded stick pin to match.
I had some darling miniature silver spoons and thought it would be cute to make a "shabby tea cup"
journal in soft powder blue.
Nothing says feminine like pink pearls. I had these resin distressed crosses that I added, along with flowers and buttons.
I had these "charm pins" in my stash and thought it would be a neat way to spell out "pray" with some letter charms. The journal was decoupaged with tissue paper and I stenciled some background flowers and butterflies with pastel chalks.
I somehow seem to shy away from bold colors, but thought this yellow and turquoise looked yummy together. I made the yellow rose out of gingham ribbon.
I love making flowers out of sheer fabrics. Especially if it has sparkles on it!! I dry embossed the paper, and then went over it with pastel blue chalk.
I have several more to make, but have had so much pleasure from creating each of these journals for each special lady.
I encourage each and every one of you ladies, if you are not involved in a bible study, please make an effort to find one. Each church offers their own studies. You don't have to be a member of a church to attend a bible study. If you are already in one, I would love to hear about it and what you are studying at the moment. Feel free to leave it in my comment area.
Blessings to you all,
Cindy
Oh Cindy they are beautiful and I love those vintage scripture cards, they are perfect for the prayer journals
ReplyDeletehugs June x
Beautiful work my friend. The ladies in your Bible Study sound like real friends. I'm so happy you have them.
ReplyDeleteYour hands are blessed. Blessings to you~
Rebecca from Edmond