Selfless, unconditional Love

Why is there such hatred in the world?  Why do people do horrible things, and say they're done in God's name?  I wonder some days . . . does God ever wish he had never made Noah the promise?   Does He ever look down on what a mess we've made of creation and wish He could erase it and start over once again?  

The God I know is a God of love.  He knows each of us personally -- from the biggest of creatures to the smallest.  And He knows our pain.  He gave His only Son -- watched him suffer and die on a cross -- so that we might live in harmony with Him.  Living in harmony and feeling His love . . . how can we help but show that love to others? 

I saw that love displayed to others 10 years ago, as I watched, horrified, as the events of 9/11 unfolded in front of me on the TV.  I watched as police and firefighters selflessly went into the towers to rescue people they had never met, only to lose their own lives.  I witnessed it as I watched people on the street help others, whose faces they had never seen before . . but that they will now never forget.  I heard of it when people on a plane banded together with strangers, and gave their lives, all to cause Flight 93 to crash so that it couldn't reach Washington D.C.  And I read about it, just a day or so ago, as the story came out about Heather Penney, a fighter pilot prepared to ram Flight 93 and give her own life to take it down, also so that it couldn't reach D.C.  

Selfless, unconditional love.  It's what God showed us when He gave His only Son so that we might have eternal life.  It is, to me, the lesson we're put here on this earth to learn.  How can we make the world a better place by showing the earth, and it's inhabitants, that kind of love?  

I remember 9/11 -- so vividly, and for different reasons.  Yes, I remember the planes.  I remember the photos.  I remember the field in PA.  But I also remember the love.  Some might call it patriotism.  Okay.  We are one nation, under God, indivisible.  I love my country, I love the tenets on which it was founded.  And I love, oh how I love, my God.  

I will also remember those who unwittingly gave their lives that day, whose lives were taken by those who have no love in their hearts.  And I will remember those who have given their lives since, to protect our freedoms, and to make right the wrong that was done 10 years ago today.   God Bless America.  God Bless our Troops.  God Bless the families of those who were lost on 9/11.  And God Bless each and every one of us, that we might try, each day, to show a little more of that selfless love to others.  

One More Thing -- a little blog time for Sadie, the OTHER rambunctious baby!

Ok, so I'm looking back through my posts, and seeing that almost all my doggie pictures are of our chocolate lab (she's really a "mixed breed" but that's a story for another day!), Sydnie.  Sadie, our 1/2 lab, 1/2 German Shepherd, hasn't seemed to get much internet time, so I thought I'd throw a picture or two of her out there.  Normally, she doesn't like her photo taken, but she's been rather cooperative outside the past month or so.  She's a sweet soul, though not as much of a cuddler as Sydnie.  Besides not getting much press, she had to go in for her shots today, so I'm sure me posting pictures of her will help her feel better (as will the little ice cream cone she got for being a good puppy at the vet -- but shhh! don't tell Syd!)  

My "Words to Live By" Album

Hi!!

As promised, here are the photos of my "Words to Live By" album, a class I took (for free!) over at Big Picture Classes.  The paper I used is a retired Close to my Heart pack titled "Notebook."  (LOVE that set!)  I was trying to be good and use up supplies I had on hand and not purchase anything extra.  (Believe me, I could do that for a L-O-N-G time, and still have a passel of stuff!  Did I mention I'm a collector?)   The letter stickers were various ones I had on had, as were the embellishments.  The album was an old 6x6 chipboard album by Rusty Pickle that I found in my stash.  If there is anything I see as I post pictures that I can identify, I'll do so after the photo!   (My apologies -- a few of these turned out a little blurry.)  Feel free to click on any image to see larger and in more detail. 

Cover:

Looking at book from the side:

First Word:  Share

Second Word:  Wonder

It just dawned on me that I'm missing my 10th wonder!  LOL!

Third Word:  Less

Fourth Word:  Give

Clock gears are Tim Holtz; the brad in the center of the clock here, and on previous pages, is from Close to my Heart

Fifth Word:  Enjoy

Rubons by Close to My Heart; Metal Heart is Tim Holtz

Sixth Word:  Nest

Bird is Tim Holtz; Letters are from CTMH Playful Caps Stamp Set; Bird Next and Branch are Jolee's

Seventh Word:  Cherish

Clear Ribbon Slide, stick pin, and charm are all Close to My Heart

Eighth Word:  Live

Still need to journal on the little pull out tag.  Ribbon pull is by CTMH.

Ninth Word:  Free

Colonial White Brads and Edge Anchor by CTMH.

Tenth Word: Moment

Eleventh Word:  Embrace

Letters are from the Hodge Podge Alphabet Set by CTMH.

Twelfth Word:  Play

Background Circle is from CTMH Journaling Spots; Big Silver Brad is from the CTMH Shimmer Collection; Play Ticket is Tim Holtz.

 Inside back Cover:

Date and Signature

Uffda!  Are you completely bored?  Thanks for sticking with me through the whole album!!  I had so much fun making this, and fun learning a little bit about myself.  Some of the words were easy to journal about, some were hard.  All in all, it was a great class.  Check out Big Picture Classes for yourself!  :)

One More Test!

One more test! Yay!

Testing Signature

For an amazing tutorial on how to created a blog signature, go to this page at the Cutest Blog on the Block!  If you follow the instructions, it will be there each time you create a new post.  Hopefully.  (Keep your fingers crossed for me!  LOL!)

Let me know what you think!

30 Days of Lists

I'm participating in a new class this month, titled "30 Days of Lists."  Each day, they give you a new prompt for you to journal a list about.  Here is what the website says:

Not everyone can make a mini scrapbook every week or an art journal page every night.

30 Days of Lists is our encouragement and challenge to you that you CAN journal just something every day – even something as small as a list.

Every day through the month of September we will be posting a list prompt – anything from weekend goals to celebrity crushes. At the end of the 30 days you’ll have a collection of entries creating a small snapshot of your life right now.

Only 5-10 minutes per day are really needed. While you’re waiting for someone, or when you’re the passenger in the car. That’s all.  Just write.

I purchased an ADORABLE mini-album from my friend and fellow blogger, Monika.  I'm making it my own, and will be sharing a few pages, here and there, over the coming month as I compile my lists.  :)  So excited!

If YOU would like to play along, click on the button in the left sidebar, and that will take you to their registration page.  It's only $6 -- great way to practice your journaling!

52Photos: 'Crave' and 'Green'

So, here I am, with my first two official photos for the "52Photos" challenge.  I am, as usual, behind, delayed, er, LATE, so I'm submitting two at once!

The theme for week 33 was "CRAVE".  I so easily could have take a picture of a chocolate chip cookie, a brownie, or an ice cream sundae, but I wanted to do something different.  Here is my capture for "crave:"

This is, of course, my sweet Sydnie, craving that dog biscuit that her dad is holding up for her.  I was SO trying to get her to drool, thinking that would REALLY drive the 'crave' theme across -- and trust me, she's REALLY good at drooling.  But, no such luck.  She is such a soft soul -- takes things so gently.  A true lab.  :)

Week 35's theme was "GREEN."  I admit, I'm going back to a photo I took early this summer when I was doing a senior photo shoot for a friend.  I have no idea what this plant is, but have been told by not a few people that it looks like 'weed!'  I don't know what 'weed' looks like (honest!) but this was growing in the middle of a city park, so I'm assuming it's pretty safe!! LOL!

You can visit the Flickr group, 52Photos, by clicking on the button in my sidebar, to see all the other awesome photos that have been submitted -- or, to sign up for yourself and play along!!  This upcoming weeks theme is "WATER."  Tune in on Friday to see what I come up with! (I'll also be posting for week 34, which was 'Happy.')