Scrap of Faith Charity Crop Weekend

Wow what a great weekend. it was so good to catch up with all the Scrap of Faith girls. It was great seeing Sal, Nat, Roz, Katrina again and just fantasic meeting Gennie, Chrissy, Katie, Ange, Amy and Donna for the first time. What a wonderful bunch of girls. I also got to scrapbook with Sarah and her friend Amanda as well as my best friend Barb who also joined us. Even my Mum and Dad made the effort to come for a drive and catch up and have a cuppa with me. So good to see them too. Sal did a super fantasic job organising the Charity Crop Day to support Mercy Ministries, and it was so good that the girls from Mercy could come and have lunch with us and tell us a little more about their work. It is an awesome program doing a fantasic job supporting girls with all sorts of problems. Quite a few of the NSWs girls who couldn't make it to Queensland for the Crop organised their own and between us and them, we managed to raise something like $850 to support this worthwhile charity. Sal had also organised some wonderful prizes for the day as well as preparing lunch and dinner for us all. Sal, I can't thank you enough for all your dedication to Scrap of Faith and us girls in particular. I know with a young family, a business at home, and your schooling, this would not have been an easy task, and I truely want to thank you for such a memorable day (even though we got little scrapbooking done). Have quite a few photos to share.

Had a lovely time sitting accross from Gennie and Chrissy - lots of chatting and also had a bit of fun with our cameras taking each photos or each other. I was so peeved though, I recharged my batteries the night before so that I could take heaps and heaps of photos, and wouldn't you know it, the rechargeable batteries that I charged must have been duds because they would not hold the charge, and I only managed to get a few photos before the batteries dies. I was so disappointed. Want to say a big thank you though to the girls who did manage to get photos and emailed them to me.

I also had a really great weekend catching up with my older two children. Sarah picked me up from the airport Friday night but then had to rush off to a 21st. I got to go out to dinner with my son and I had the best time. I love it when we can spend time together just chatting and catching up with each other. It is such a special time for me and time that I really do treasure.

On Sunday, Sarah and I got to do a bit of shopping in the morning (picked up some real bargain acrylic stamps from Spotlight for $4.99 - they had alphabets, borders, greetings. Fantasic value. Sarah also stocked up on Bazzill cardstock. I mean who wouldn't at 74c a sheet. We then went to meet Pete and all ended up at the movies where we saw "A Night with the King". Had a really great time together. Just love spending time with you guys. So so blessed.

Much to my kids disgust, I did have to do a bit of a photo shoot with them. Sarah has had her hair cut quite short - no one at home as soon it this short since she was about 8 years old, so had to have photos to show everyone. it actually looks pretty good. It is quite a bit shorter at the back, sweeping down longer in the front around her face.

In a couple of weeks time I turn half a century - Man I cannot beleive that I am nearly 50. In fact I really don't feel much more than 30 (although my body disagrees at times). Anyway, I have decided to set myself a challenge for my 50th year and record each week, something in my life or around me that brings me joy, or that I am grateful for. I have made a little 6 x 6 album from scratch and each week I am going to take up the challenge of one of my favourite chapters in the Bible, but in particular the verses in Phillippians 4: 8 & 9 which says

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is nobile, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything

is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have

learned or received or heard from me or seen in me - put into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you.

I don't plan for it to be full of fancy pages - just perhaps a photo and a little bit of journalling. I figure that if I just plan to do it weekly it will be a more manageable task. I am quite excited about it actually and I am looking forward to being able to go back and revisit the things in my life that I have been blessed with, that I am grateful for and that give me such joy. Anyone else want to take up the challenge with me.

As far as scrapbooking goes, I really haven't managed to do much in the last couple of weeks. I did go to a class with Ali at Embellished last Thursday night. Absolutely love the layout I did (even though I have not finished the journalling yet) Fancy uploading a layout that I have not finished. I do aim to finish it on Saturday. Last weekend I did the intro pages to my "Joy Journal" and I also started making my "Pay if Forward" gifts, that I hope to finish in the next week or so and have them posted before Christmas. Speaking of Pay it Forward gifts, I received the most beautiful gift from Beverley in the mail last week. I was sent a little book called "Be Happy" and Bev made a special felt cover for it which she has appliqued and it is just divine. My daughter has driven me nuts wanting it - but she has been told to keep her cotton pickin fingers off it. I just love it Bev and think I might just have to have a go and doing something like this myself.

I have had a really busy week this week getting ready for our final crop for 2007. Each month a group of us girls meet together to scrapbook from2pm to 9pm, this weekend we are holding a 12 hour crop from 9am to 9pm to end the year, so have been really busy orgainising schedules for next years crops, flyers about our retreat, Christmas gifts etc so have been burning the midnight oil a little. Can't believe that this year has nearly ended. Where has it gone. Should have some photos of our final crop to share with you next week.

Finally a big thankyou to Katie who has tagged me with the "You Make Me Smile Award"

So I've decided to tag Nat, Chrissy, Lali, and Anthea and everyone else who takes the time to read my blog! You all make me smile! :)

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to stop by and leaves a comment. I really do love hearing from you.

Thought I would leave you with a quote for the day. I really like this one and it is so true.

Remember there’s not such a thing
As a small act of kindness...
Every act creates a ripple
With no logical end...
- Scott Adams

Have a great week.