Thursday, April 12, 2012

Scrapping as a ministry

Ok, so it's been FOREVER since my last posting. I have been crafty, but busy and so I haven't made a point to check in. I've completed a couple of paper bag minis since my last post and find them to come together really easy, making them addicting! However, time is still tight and so I have been torn between putting my feet up at 8:30 pm and scrapping until the cows come home. Putting my feet up has won out lately, but I am trying to dedicate time to my crafting since I have dedicated it to becoming my ministry. We have all been created with a purpose and mine (besides cleaning, cooking, changing diapers and kissing boo boos) is to create. I have been struggling lately with dedicating my time to my home and family and having any time to myself. My husband and I have even more recently argued about the time I spend crafting and the energy and money it takes. My biggest concern was that when I did have time to myself, I wasn't spending it in the scripture or with my creator, almighty God. I know him and I love him, but making an album just seemed so much more fun. I was slipping away a little more each day, making excuses. I knew something was going to give and it did. The Lord spoke to me, gently, but clearly in more ways than one.

First off, my husband came home a few weeks ago on a Friday and said that he felt that the Lord had been speaking to him about adoption. We have 3 kiddos ages 19 months, just 3, and 4 1/2. I had my tubes tied after the 3rd. So, of course you can imagine my reaction. I laughed as though he were joking, but he wasn't. Deep breath! That same Sunday in the bulletin there was an announcement for an informational meeting about Antioch Adoptions for that next day, Monday! Goosebumps! I wasn't sure what this was all to mean. I just knew that we had to go to that meeting. After sitting through the meeting  my husband and I agreed that this maybe wasn't the time to bring a child into our home, but I couldn't get it out of my mind and heart and knew I had to do something in some way. We are commanded by God to care for the widows and orphans and I knew that meant me. James 1:27 says "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...". Bringing a child into your home isn't always the only way to help. Antioch Adoptions is an adoption agency that offers free adoption and depends on financial support from fundraising and donations. So I knew that there were other ways to be obedient.

Second, the latest series at church has been called "Not a fan", based on a book written by Kyle Idleman. What a convicting series. We can be fans or committed, whole hearted followers of Christ. One Sunday, in particular, the Holy Spirit was really having His way with me, thanks to Pastor David Lewellyn. (Love his preaching. Go David!) The sermon was about making God our one and only. While I felt like I was a pretty good follower and not just a fan, I was convicted knowing that I had been feeling torn between crafting and time with the Lord. I knew that the Lord had created me to be artistic and so it wasn't that I should give up my hobby, just that I should do it in a way that was pleasing to Him.

So, a couple weeks ago I felt the Lord saying to me, "Mandi, use your talents for Me. I want to be your one and only! Don't put your crafting before me, use it for me." So, I have decided to sell my scrapbooks, cards, etc. on Etsy.com and donate 100% of my profits to Antioch Adoptions while nurturing a relationship with my Savior that is more rewarding than anything I can do or create. My husband jokingly accused me of using that to justify my addiction, : ) but he is in full support and I know that is a blessing from the Lord. I am praying that this endeavor would prove fruitful for God's purpose and that He will be glorified and blessed through it. All prayers would be appreciated concerning sales, obtaining low cost supplies so that more can be donated and time/energy to complete each product. Pray that each project is pleasing to Him and that I would have "healthy eyes".


Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
   22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
   24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

For more information on Antioch Adoptions, visit www.antiochadoptions.org and for more information on "Not a fan" by Kyle Idleman, please visit www.notafan.com

To view a sermon or to get information about becoming a whole hearted follower of Christ, visit Life Center Spokane at www.lifecenter.net.



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2 comments:

  1. Love this post, Mandi! Thanks for sharing it with us. I love your idea of donating profits to a worthy ministry. Good for you. If I come across any low-cost scrapbook supplies, I will let you know! I will be praying for you! Patty Ewing

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