Card Attack

I’m not sure why, but I like making cards.  Somehow cute or colorful paper, a bit of glue and some cute punches make me very happy!  They are like a little scrap book page to me.  I haven’t given up on the big scrap book pages yet…a card is just much quicker!  The cards are also more useful…they get shared!  And that brings a deeper kind of happy!  I find I have many opportunities here in our job to share a card.  Many times it is to thank someone for something they have done or given to us.  Unfortunately though,  since many of our residents are older, it is a health challenge or death that causes me to share a card.  Those kinds of opportunities are not limited to life at Polo Club North…they are everywhere in the relationships of people we know and love. 

Sharing, giving…recently I was reminded just how important that  can be.  ““A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver,”  Proverbs 25:11 tells us.  Giving just the right word at just the right time is not only an art—it is a ministry.”  That is a quote from my devotional book a couple of  weeks ago.   Kindness and encouragement are a ministry!  Surprisingly, it can fit into an envelope!

I usually take a picture of each card I make and then I never post them on my blog like I intended to do when I first started.  So here are quite a few all in one shot.   Consider it a little gallery of ministry!

Here’s some sympathy cards that I sent to some family members recently~

I gave this card to an older couple here at PCN.  They frequently share their Rockies tickets with us.  She has been fighting cancer, he has had health challenges, and recently a family member passed away.  Those are big things and I will never know how people face life’s challenges without the Lord.  I like to think that at these times in life, people’s hearts are softer and more open to receiving a scripture verse or an offer of prayer.  It becomes “the word, fitly spoken!” 

Another resident is having knee replacement surgery soon.  I’m kind of pleased with myself to have a card all ready to send her!  I can be a bit of a procrastinator in getting the card actually into “sent” mode.  I probably rely too heavily on that “right word at just the right time” part of the ministry!

These next cards were encouragement cards for some men who had some serious surgeries.  One went to a friend’s Dad who shortly after receiving it, lost his battle with cancer. 

Happy events are ministry opportunities too!  Here’s Kenny’s Birthday card and gift card holder. 

My niece’s graduation-

This was my Dad’s card for Father’s Day.  I found a punch art pattern on Pinterest to make him a red “Farmall” tractor.

Nolan’s third Birthday gave me a chance to try this “card in a box” idea I had been seeing on card blogs I follow.  Only problem is, he doesn’t quite understand how cute it is just to look at it.  Mom says he is always trying to take the lion out of the box!

Recently I found this stamp in the mark down section at Hobby Lobby.  It has nothing to do with the ministry part of sending a card….but I love adding it to the back of a hand made card!

June Review

Yep it’s July and you know what that means?  Blog about June!  June blew right by me…we were very busy.  I asked Wally what he remembers about June while I was writing this and he had the same response…it went and it went fast and we kind of can’t recall a lot!  As work goes, the new board was meeting and  new committees were organized and met for the first time , and summer projects got underway.  There was also a lot on the social calendar for Polo Club North.  What that means for me is a lot of cleaning!   Thankfully for all those moments I want to remember, I have a camera! 

Early in June my good friend Kathy visited Colorado with her girls and sister. Her visit was bittersweet…bitter because that old enemy death had visited her family recently.  Joe, her husband was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer in January and in April,  Joe was in the presence of the Lord.  The sweet part is knowing Joe trusted Jesus Christ as his Savior and death only became a temporary separation from us here one earth, we will see him again.  The other part of sweet was just getting to hug my friend and see that she is okay…grieving with the help of the Lord’s comfort.  You can’t be around Kathy for very long before she shares with you something about the Lord!  We went downtown for dinner at Racine’s. 

Melissa, Heather and Kathy

My Mom’s church had a ladies luncheon.  Robin and I attended with Mom along with Mrs. Loyd. 

Mom and her long time friend Dee Loyd

This is George and Kathy Abbas.  They gave us a mini concert and then Kathy spoke.

Many years ago they sang at my high school graduation banquet that the church had.  They have a Christmas concert every year that my folks and Robin and Terry often attend.  I’ve always blown it off but maybe this year I’ll twist Wally’s arm and go! Not only was the music encouraging, (like being at a good old Singspiration!) but Kathy’s talk was just what I needed to hear.  Actually Mom, Robin, and I walked away with encouragement from the Lord as members of our were experiencing some difficult things.  Kathy spoke on trials from James 1.  It was just really good reminders of familiar truths that we needed to hear.Things like, “my anchor is an unshakeable faith in an unchanging God!” 

After the luncheon we stopped by my parents.  We were sitting on the patio having a little chat when the sky opened up with rain and thunder and lighting and then…hail!

That looks like snow, but it is a lot harder!   It was hard enough that the new windshield on our truck cracked right down the middle and left some pretty good dents all over the hood!  And Mom and Dad will need a new roof!

On Father’s Day we got together for the traditional steak BBQ.  Here’s my Dad…he doesn’t really need to be sweetened up but isn’t this candy bar bouquet great?  Robin made it for him.

Here’s the Dad’s of the Day- Scott, Dad, Terry & Wally

This is the Colorado kids with Dad and Mom

I enjoyed watching Aaron and Wesley spend time together.  Nathan came by later in the afternoon but I did not get a photo of him. 

The week after our get together Robin went in for her follow up scan since the chemo has ended.  She received the report back that there is no cancer in her body!  Praise the Lord!

I got my little flower bed planted.  It also survived a big hail storm.  But the rabbits have not been so kind!

Our church is near the foothills and Wally likes to ride the motorcycle to our Sunday night service.  One evening we rode on up into the foothills after church.   We were heading home just about dusk and there were lots of deer out.  We passed one meadow and there was a young buck and a couple of does grazing.  Then I  saw a little fawn nursing.  I made Wally turn around and go back for a better look.  We saw another doe come out of the bushes and she had twins!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen babies young enough to still have their spots!!

June always has a good ending…June 30 is Nolan’s Birthday!  I just love face time…it helps when we are so far apart.  So do pictures.  Andrea took these, can you see how old Nolan is?

                 

I can’t believe how tall he has grown!  He has changed quite a bit !  We’re looking forward to their visit later this month…the very best kind of face time!