Gifts & Encouragement

It's so much fun to check the mail and realize there's something in there besides bills and junk mail. Gifts! Thanks to the generous artists in the One World One Heart giveaway, I actually won a few prizes, and they're starting to arrive.

From Kim Mailhot:

From Elsina Schepers:

From Diana Meade:

From Rhea Sunshine:

And I mailed off my gift, a Hope Jar made especially for Barbara Cagle:

I've been reminded recently how fulfilling it is to encourage others. A little goes a long way, especially when your tank is empty, so to speak. I've been praying for God to open my eyes to the opportunities He's placed around me, and then courage to act on it. Giving friendly smiles, encouraging words, and praying with people has made my life so much more enjoyable. It shouldn't be that surprising that loving people makes my heart overflow, but sometimes I let life distract me. It's so easy to become self-focused and forget that others are hurting.

So to all of you struggling in life right now- let someone know. Let them love you and help you through it. Go outside and enjoy the coming spring, the rebirth happening all around us. Create something to express what words can't for you. And especially, fix your eyes on Jesus. Stay in His presence and cling to His Word. The truth will transform your mind, alter your perspective, and help you rest in His goodness. No matter what's going on, God loves you, hasn't forgotten you, and is with you even now. I pray His peace will rest on you today.

:) Michelle

Hope Jars

For Christmas, I gave people what I called "Hope Jars"- Upcycled containers with 365 encouraging quotes, song lyrics, or Scriptures in them. Since we didn't have any money to spend, and because I love making special gifts for people, I had to be creative.

I collected glass and plastic food jars, cleaned them out, and decoupaged with pretty papers. I painted a bird and "Hope Jar" on each one, and filled them with daily words of encouragement. Most of the strips of paper were from "Streams in the Desert" and other books that had really given me hope last year. I prayed over each quote and each jar as I was making them, and it really blessed me as much as it blessed the people I gave them to. I even made one for Ted & myself, so we read one daily and put it in a box to reuse for the next year.

I will be posting a few "Hope Jars" on my etsy shop soon, so let me know if you'd like to buy one for yourself or as a special gift for someone else.

Buy Gifts AND Make a Difference

This Christmas, why not buy gifts AND make a difference? One great website to visit is Ten Thousand Villages, one of the world's largest fair trade organizations. Artisans in 38 different countries handcraft jewelry, furniture, clothing, and other items, in impoverished places where they wouldn't be employed otherwise. And each item tells the story of the person or group it came from. Here are some great and inexpensive gift ideas I found:

Multi Strand Cuff Bracelet from India

Cut Metal Tree of Life from Haiti

Back Scrubber Kit from Ecuador

Blue Art Deco Bracelet from Guatemala

Condiment Jars in Basket from Vietnam

Reversible Silk Scarf from India

Recycled Foil Mosaic Bag from Bangladesh

Leaf and Bamboo Journal from Indonesia

Hammock Chair from Nicaragua

Elephants Puzzle from Sri Lanka

Leather Stick Drum from Kenya

Geometric Rose Pendant from West Bank

Reverse Painted Jewelry Chest from Peru

Crazy December & New Etsy Finds

Well, this past week has been one of total emotional chaos. We've had lots of long conversations with many different people about various crises that have come up recently. I'm grateful for God's grace in this time. In spite of it all, Ted & I have been especially united in prayer for the people involved. And I feel hopeful that things will improve, even though it looks overwhelming right now.

Every year, it seems like so many major things happen in December. I guess I'm always reflective towards the end of the year, too. I look back and wonder what was accomplished this year, what I need to reevaluate and pursue again, what needs to be finished and put away. I suppose that's helpful, like our yearly garage sales. It's great to get rid of stuff, but it's always such a mess and so frustrating. It's really hard to analyze everything that's happened in the year, but it's also necessary in order to plan for future goals.

On a different note, I thought I'd post some more great finds on Etsy for those of you who love unique handmade gifts. Have fun browsing!

Here's one from my shop, Mixed Emotions:

This one's from tiedupmemories:

Here's one from Needlings:

And a beautiful angel from rochelle31: