Choices

The title of today's blog is one of those words that contains an entire library of books within the space of the seven letters of which it is comprised.

C. H. O. I. C. E. S.

Everyone one of us lives with the consequences of choices we have made -- good or bad ... exemplary or tragic ... laudable or questionable. It's up to us to make the best of them, no matter where we are in life.

The good news is that (1) our sense of humor will often get us through even the most difficult of times, and the best news is (2) that our Lord and Savior ALWAYS has the answer to our questions about which choice to make. You only have to ask.

Today's word art reflects both. Each life path we choose eventually has a puddle or two, and we can either jump over them or splash through them. The key is that we DO get through it.

And in that vein, someone I've watched getting through difficulties over the past year is Silvia. I thought of her in particular when I was making today's word art. What a gift it is to know her. She's such a talented lady, proud of her family, who takes the time to be such an encourager to others, and an inspiration in the way she navigates through her own "puddles." She is a real sweetheart, and you would enjoy getting to know her daily through her blog postings. She's another person whom I know I'd enjoy getting to know in person, and it really makes my day when I hear from her. I say this today as I gift her with the With A Grateful Heart tribute. You're a very special lady, Silvia ... don't change a thing!!! Thanks for the gift of you.

Please take time today to let someone know how special they are to you. It's a wonderful way to muddle through the puddles when you remember that you're not alone!

Blessings,

Melanie

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I Needed That!

Let me tell you about Joy. I've never met her but I hear from her several times a week. She lives in the Pacific Northwest in the US, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas of the country. She seems to me to be a gentle lady who cherishes her family and her home -- and what a lovely gift that is. And you know what else? She is so generous with her kind comments. To hear from her is always a treat, and it's doubled as I envision her by the sea, listening to the waves as the tide comes back in ... and I can smell the mingled fragrance of evergreens and ocean. Joy is a gift to me, and because of that, I want to send her the With a Grateful Heart tribute today.

I appreciate you, Joy!

And on that subject as well, today's word art is for all of you who tell me when the word art of the day touched you ... and you tell me how much you needed it. I know that I have photos that I could use this freebie art today, and hope you do, too. Thank you so much for letting me hear from you. It means a lot.

Blessings,

Melanie

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font credits: DSP Curly & Solid, Effloresce Antique

Funny business

I hope that everyone takes today's word art in the spirit in which it is intended. No disrespect is meant, whatsoever.

I always enjoyed the humor of the late Erma Bombeck, whose wit and wisdom inspired women in particular for several decades. Hope this is a pleasant memory for those of you who are familiar with her sense of humor, and that it is also an introduction to the younger generation of this very clever lady.

And that it gives EACH of you a smile today.

SPEAKING OF SEIZING THE MOMENT, I learned the hard way about 20 years ago to take time NOW to let people know that you care ... that you notice their accomplishments ... that you appreciate them.

Today, I want to send a With a Grateful Heart tribute to my digi-scrap blog friend, Mindy. Mindy has been a true inspiration to me, personally -- whether she knows it or not. I've mentioned her several times in my postings (including yesterday!) but wanted to send her this tribute today as a true gratitude moment. The spirit of her digital scrap products and gifts caught my eye immediately. They have a sense of joie de vivre in them that I think must be a reflection of her personality and her life.

Thank you, Mindy, all the heart you have put into your encouraging words and your artistry! Please take a few minutes to visit her blog today and her shops.

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Blessings,

Melanie

Font credits: Chocolate Box Decorative, CK Fantasy & CK Celebration

Today

Today's posting comes in two parts. First, I want to award a With a Grateful Heart tribute to Kim. Kim recently let me share some personal things with her through e-mail, at a time when she's already got a lot on her plate. She may not have even read her e-mail yet, but that's okay .... she entrusted me with her e-mail address and was a willing listener at a time when I was going through a hellacious few weeks on the heels of a crappy year. Not every one takes time to listen, you learn early in life ... and yet, Kim so often has encouraging words for others. I've frequently told her how contagious her laughter is on her blog. Her light just radiates all the way here from her home in the beautiful town of Port Elizabeth, and her generous spirit is so refreshing. I swear I can actually feel her energy! Her creativity is amazing, and she's clearly an extraordinary designer. Personally, I feel very privileged that she shares so much of herself with us, and already, in the short time I've known her, I know I'd enjoy meeting her one day. [Don't worry, Kim ... I'm not a stalker! Just a huge fan.] Kim, may your light continue to shine ... and may you feel blessed with all the wonderful things that life has to offer. THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU, MISS KIM. If you don't know her by now, you should!!! Drop in and at least say hello (but you'll really be glad if you stop by her blog and her store).

Today, part deaux: A milestone day in the life of our household ... it's our 5th wedding anniversary. I married much later in life than most people, so it's still relatively new to me to remember that I do have a wedding anniversary. Seems like it was just yesterday that we gathered with our family and friends to celebrate our union. So many things have occurred since then ... guess that's why it seems like such a brief time. Today's word art is something I hope that all of you can use. Particularly by dwelling on the "happy" part of it. Smile. DOWNLOAD
PS: Congratulations to Kim are in order today. She's attained Exclusive Designer status at Digital Scrapbooking.Org ... Brava!!!!

Holy Is His Name

There's a passage from the Bible that stops me in my tracks every time I see it. In fact, the first two words of it alone make me feel as though I'm hearing the resounding voice of God rolling through the heavens, raining down His mercy and grace and that peace that passeth all understanding just for me. Be STILL. Then there's that reassurance: and KNOW. Then His promise: that I AM GOD. So powerful. And that's not even all the verse in that very extraordinary passage. But today, I've prepared this reminder from the portion that speaks to me so dearly ... and that I need to hear so clearly every single day.

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Along the same lines, I want to give the "With a Grateful Heart" tribute to Tracy. Tracy's blog has just exploded, along with her talent, since I first took notice of digital scrapping blogs. Tracy does what many in this community do. She promotes the work of others, makes note of happenings in the digital community, encourages many, and takes the reins of leadership when necessary. What made me take notice of Tracy is that she was the very first digi-scrap blogger whom I discovered shared her faith so freely. There are many out there who do, to whom I say a loud "hallelujah," but Tracy was the first I saw to do so. And she continues her hard work in sharing her talent and her faith. Thank you, Tracy, with a grateful heart.

Blessings to you all,

Melanie

New Tribute

I've been thinking about this for some time, so today, finally decided to launch a new tribute. While the "tagging" is a great learning tool to discover more about fellow scrap-bloggers, and the "Rockin' Girl Blogger Award" is a real hoot (and I've noticed there are other awards, like "Thinking Blogger Awards," etc.), I wanted a way to say a special thank-you to those "angels unaware" among us. So, I started this. It's like a Random Act of Gratitude sort of thing, if that makes sense.

This inaugural tribute I am sending to Kirsty Wiseman. Kirsty would only know me through the comments I leave on her blog. Kirsty not only gives me a daily fix of life in the UK (in addition to my English husband's perspective, of course), but she has a humorous, loving, irreverent, tender, and irresistible take on life and its challenges. Her photography is stunning -- exactly the type of candid portraits that I enjoy the most in my own photography. They inspire me endlessly and I appreciate very much the heart and soul behind such a gift.

Kirsty appears to be a generous, giving soul among her family and friends, and certainly is gifted in her artistry that she shares with us all -- both in photography and those fabulous overlays she allows us to have.

Personally, I have to say that I am most grateful for the unabashed devotion to her husband, and her bursting-at-the-seams pride in her glorious daughter, Ellie. God gives extraordinary children like Ellie to the mothers and fathers who will most understand and treasure these special cherished ones, who light up the world in amazing ways. Clearly, Ellie is wise, well-loved and I am fascinated every day to read about the many facets of this lovely little girl.

You inspire me, Kirsty, in more ways than you can know. For this, I humbly send you the first "With a Grateful Heart" tribute.

If any of you would like to pass this on to someone else, please feel free to do so.

With special thanks, Kirsty,

Melanie