Goodbye 2009

During dinner tonight, my friend asked a group of us to reflect about 2009. I didn't really share at the dinner table because I know 2009 is a tough year for me to share over dinner. My thoughts are all over the place so I decided to post them here.

At the beginning of the year, my company merged and shortly after it went bankrupt. During the bankruptcy filing, part of the new company got bought and so forth. A group of us, that was left, had to move offices, different positions (I was one), new managers, new coworkers, new environment, new systems and protocols to learn, you name it, we through it. It was very very rough for me. But looking back, it was a great learning experience. God has truly thought me patience, how to be humble, and how to love others. Many of my new coworkers are now great friends of mine. Many of us share common interest like stamping, baking, and eating. One of the girls that I was having an extremely difficult time with has become one of my close friends that I trust and adore.

By Spring, my friend, Andy's condition worsen. Just months after attending his wedding, I attended his funeral. I miss him. It still hurts when I think about my Houston visits. But I am reminded time and time again of God's grace of how Andy is no longer suffering. Every time I think of Andy, I just think of love. I think of all the love that God has poured into him, in our surrounding, in Andy's family, in Andy's friends, that we are able to continue our lives and continue to rejoice. Andy's sister just sent me their family Christmas photo and I still keep in touch with Tiff. His family is doing well :)

This year I became more involve in our church's youth ministry. The kids are awesome! Not only do I get to learn new vocabulary, like "legit," the relationships formed is really God's gift. Witnessing these kids growth spiritually (3 of them got baptised), supporting them in their extracurricular events, or simply hanging out is truly a honor. It is not a walk in the park though. There are days where I am just pooped with all the events. But it is 100% worthwhile. The friends I met became family. =)

Family has been good. My sis comes home at least once a month to keep me grounded. During the time of her visits, it is my "rest" time. Those are the days I'm usually in pjs all day and just eat, bake, play rock band, watch movies... family time. And at Christmas, my family bought me a bread machine!!! and Bop-it!!! Both things that I am currently addicted too. I think I just baked my 15th loaf of bread in 6 days...

God thought me a lot this year. I learned to trust Him completely and it is His will to be done, not mine. I have never felt so much peace and love in my life. All the little nuisances simply doesn't annoy me as much. During all the ups and downs, the only thing that was constant was God's love and grace. And from His love, I learn to love others more, to give a little more, be less selfish, and not to consider "I" or "me" first. It is still a work in progress and I still need to find my balance in that... but in all, It is well. The song from Kutless sums it up my 2009 nicely...

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

M M Cards

One of my friend shared a really cute M&M poem with me and I thought it will be a great gift for my youth kids. So far after two nights, I have only completed 9 goodie bags. I must be really really slow. However, all the M&M cards are completed. Hopefully the candy portion will go fairly quickly. The products I used are just some scrap Stampin'Up! Real Red, Green Galore, and Old Olive card stock, White craft ink, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, and some silver cords.

M&M Cards
Finished Goodie Bag

M&M Christmas Poem

As you hold these candies in your hand,
And turn them, you will see. The M becomes a W,

An E, and then a 3. They tell the Christmas Story.

It's one I'm sure you know. It took place in a stable.
A long, long, time ago. The E is for the East,
Where the star shone so bright. The M is for the Manger, where Baby Jesus slept that night.
The 3 is for the Wise men, bearing gifts, they say they came. W is for Worship, Hallelujah, Praise His Name.
So as you eat these candies, or share them with a friend. Remember the meaning of Christmas,
It's a Love story that never ends.

Christmas Card Idea

I bought the cutest paper at Michael's the other day. The paper pack is from AC Patterned Paper called Merrymint :) What a cute name! I decided to use designer paper for Christmas cards to year to save me some time. It still took me hours to come up with the simple design. The stamp set is from Stampin'Up! Sparkly & Bright ~ 115346.

The design of this card is very simple and you can substitute it with any paper that you have in stock.

Baptism

Congrats Tiff, Mei Mei, and Tim! Thank you for sharing you AWESOME testimony. I am so proud of you kids and to see how each of you have grown in Christ, it is amazing!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

XOXO

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Stampin'Up! is having a sale on select Big Shot Dies and Materials.

• The sale begins Friday, December 11, 2009, 12:01 AM (MT), and ends Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:50 PM (MT).
• Items must be ordered by December 15, 2009, in order to arrive in time for Christmas.
• Discounts range between 15-25 percent.
• All items on sale will be posted on the first day of the promotion and can be purchased for all 12 days.
• There are no quantity limits.

Please click here to view the items on sale.

Thank You Card

December is always a crazy month for me. Christmas parties, holiday baking, shopping, crocheting, card making, are part of my weekly routine. I spend over 1 hour and I still cannot come up with my Christmas card design yet. Sigh.

I guess while I am still thinking of my design, I should post the thank you card I made for a friend of mine that gave me some awesome seats for Lakers.

Stampin'Up! Dormant Stamp Sets

Many items that are currently on the dormant list will be retired on January 4, 2010. This month will be your last month to purchase these sets.

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

On the upside, a new Mini Occasion and Sale-a-bration Starts in January. A lot of new products!