MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Aunt sent me a beautiful card for Christmas, and I love how it says what this season is all about, very simply. 

"Jesus is the joy of Christmas and all the seasons of our lives.  With a Christmas prayer that you will always know Jesus as the Son of God - and your very best friend".  

"I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you".  (The Word of Christmas)



Blessings to you on this Christmas Day!  We pray you have a blessed and amazing 2014 as well!   


                      With love, William & Paula

WINTER TIME CREATIVITY!

A couple months ago I saw a cute idea online for making a home-made journal.  Inspired by the Crafty Texas Girls blog, this journal is fun and easy to make and requires minimal supplies, some of which you may already have on hand.  When the weather gets colder, I definitely try to find creative ways to enjoy the winter time indoors. 

 
 



 

Front cover

A few weekends ago on Saturday I had one of those feeling creative days.  While my husband was helping his brother for a few hours, I spent the day making two of these journals.  One to keep, one to give away.         
 

 

 

Up-close shot of front cover

 

 

 

Back cover

I have not included a supply list or steps on how to make this as you can find the tutorial at The Crafty Texas Girls Blog.  Clicking on the link will take you directly to their tutorial.    

Journal I made for myself, front cover

** Helpful hint #1 - If you have never used Mod Podge (I had not): This supply list shows Martha Stewart's Decopage and Paper Cut-Outs from Michael's.  I bought my supplies from Hobby Lobby and they did not carry her brand.  Mod Podge (generic name) is the same thing.  You can also buy any brand of scrapbooking stickers & cut-outs.  I also up-cycled some greeting cards I'd been saving for a creative project such as this one.   

** Helpful hint #2 - Do not be intimidated by using Mod Podge.  It's just like Elmer's Glue, seriously.  It goes on just like glue, dries the same.  From what I read online you can use watered-down Elmer's glue (it's much cheaper) to get the same effect.  To me that seems messy and requires extra work.  With a coupon, you can get a large bottle of Mod Podge at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, or your favorite craft store for a few dollars and it will go a long way.

** Helpful hint #3 - I painted the gold spine after I had applied mod podge to the front and back covers.  I did not apply mod podge to the gold paint.  As well, I painted about four-five coats of paint in order to cover the black spine.  I think silver would be a really cool color to use too!      

 

 

 

 

Details of front cover

 

 

 

Back cover

 

 



Enjoy your day and happy Mod Podging!  Paula 

FALL ADVENTURE IN VANCOUVER & PORTLAND, OREGON

 

 

 

All photos taken at the Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon

(This location credit applies to each photo on this blog post)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two weekends ago we headed to Vancouver, Washington so I could attend an interpreting conference (think CEU's).  The conference was Friday evening and Saturday during the day which gave us all day Friday and Sunday afternoon to do some sightseeing.  My hubby & I went to the Japanese Gardens in Portland, about 20 minutes from Vancouver.  We spent our afternoon at this amazing garden and were not deterred by the cool, overcast day at all.  The trees were beautiful and we loved seeing the variety of  flowers, birds, bamboo structures, waterfalls, bridges, and more.  If you are ever in Portland, this is definitely a must see!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So much of God's beauty in one place!



We visited The Portland Japanese Garden on Friday afternoon.  Sunday on our way home we stopped at Multnomah Falls, the highest waterfall in the state of Oregon (620 feet) & the second highest in the nation. 

 

 

Stay tuned for pictures of our

hike to the (almost) top of the falls...... 

 

 

Blessings to you, Paula :) 

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We are so thankful for our family and friends!

We pray you have a wonderful

Thanksgiving Day and are richly

blessed by the Lord today and always.

 

 

Shout for joy to the Lord, and all the earth.  Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with thankful songs.  Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His; we are his people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                Psalms 100:4

 

 

WITH LOVE,

WILILAM & PAULA

ON THE ROAD AGAIN... TO WINCHESTER, IDAHO

A couple weeks ago, William and I drove to Winchester, Idaho, about 3 1/2 hours east of the Tri-Cities.  What a beautiful drive!  The southern part of Washington State is mostly farmland and vineyards.  The skies are so pretty with fluffy clouds and amazing sunsets. 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

We were invited a couple months ago to meet up with a friend of ours, Suuqiina, who would be speaking Tuesday night in Winchester, Idaho.

 

   

 

William & I with our friend Dr. Suuqiina

 

 

Dr. Suuqiina and his wife Qaumaniq have travelled thousands of miles across Canada and the U.S., ministering together in churches, home groups, Messianic synagogues, Native Gatherings, and Schools, bringing the Good News of the Gospel of Messiah.

 

William and I had fun exploring their land and seeing how three different families live, farm, build, and cultivate life each day.  
Breathtaking beauty!  We also enjoyed getting to meet some new friends on our adventure who have a heart for the Lord and who are learning to farm and live off the land.

  

 

Barn built by hand(s)

 

  

 

 

 He would not turn around for the camera! 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

William & I enjoying the beautiful

sunshine and cool air

 

 

  

 

 

Hello there!   

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

  



  

 

 

The cutest farm animal of all!

 

 

 

 

 

One of the families used this  for about six months while their home was being built. 

Talk about living off the land! 

They now have indoor plumbing by the way. 

 

 

 

 

BEAUTIFUL sun RISE

 

WOW!  So amazing!  I can't remember the last time I was up early enough to see a sunrise.  Yes, thanks to the roosters who insisted on crowing   every. hour. I was able to snap this photo, then go right back to sleep.    Of course.

 

  

 

  

 

 MORNING HIKE

 

We were told it would take about 15 minutes to get down to the creek & at least a half hour to journey back.  That was no exaggeration!  It was a beautiful hike, the pine trees smelled amazing, but YES! It was a steep hike back up the mountain and I am quite sure it took us more than a half hour with our many stops for rest along the way.      



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Have a blessed week and enjoy the beautiful fall! 

 

Spout Springs, Oregon

The first weekend of August, William and I, along with his family, headed to Spout Springs, Oregon for a weekend trip.  We packed our car with sleeping bags, our tent & blow up queen size air mattress (of course), food, the rest of our gear, and headed to Oregon for our two hour drive.  There were 15 of us, 13 staying in William’s sister and brother-in-law’s cabin, William and I in our tent.  We looked forward to the great outdoors and being able to spend time with William’s family. 

Altitude 5,000 feet, AKA 40F nights.  Brrrr?  Actually it was a nice change from the 95F heat we'd been having in the Tri-Cities.

 

Relaxing in the cabin

  

 

Exploring the outdoors on Saturday morning

 

Hiking with the gang at a nearby lake Saturday afternoon!

Hanging out by the campfire

Big Daddy Dumpling enjoying a jumbo size s'more

  

 

 Sunday hike

 

  

 Beautiful view of Blue Mountains in Oregon

 I'm noticing a theme, our camouflage hats again,

in every blog post so far....  hmmm

  

 We enjoyed a great weekend with family in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. 

We love seeing new places and are always amazed at God's beautiful creation and His attention to detail.  He truly is our wonderful Creator and we are so thankful to be able to share His beauty and the adventure He is taking us on with you. 

We pray our Heavenly Father's blessings upon you until next time!