Learning a lesson…
Last week was a struggle and time of reflection as I pondered going through the motions. However, I realized why I struggled with it and the layout in particular. It wasn’t that I was going through the motions it was something else that left me feeling like that. I was talking to my husband about how I was feeling and he, as he does so well, was trying to get to the root of the problem.
I felt like I was getting nowhere. Same goals unfulfilled year after year, tasks I perform each week and never able to get to a new task because a new week begins with the same tasks needing to get done. Yes, I like to do lists and I like to see items checked off! My husband asked me, “what is it you look forward to most after completing the race?” First a little background…my husband, daughter and I all train for triathlons. (swim, bike, run) My immediate response, “the post-race meal!” Yeah, I struggle with weight-loss. Then my second response was crossing the finish line, completing the race without quitting, without stopping to walk, doing my best. I’m not worried about how fast or winning a trophy, just completing it. He said, “for me it is the training. Going on bike rides together, working towards getting better, enjoying the process.” He continued, “I think you focus too much on completing a task, checking it off, moving on, instead of enjoying the journey!” Sigh…could that be it? It isn’t that I’ve been going through the motions, but that I am not enjoying the journey!
And so I have learned a valuable life lesson this week…to enjoy the journey! Stop and smell the roses.
“Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:14
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
My husband completed an ironman in 2007. It was a wonderful experience and he had great results finishing in under 12 hours. That is swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, running a full marathon at 26.2 miles in 11 hours and 51 minutes. He crossed the finished line looking awesome too! I’ve shared this layout before, but it is worth sharing again. The journaling tells it all. I don’t like to boast about my layouts, but this one is a “winning layout” in my opinion!
Click image for larger view. Click for journaling-left side and right side.
Faithbooking Challenges:
- Create a layout on a lesson learned.
- Create a layout about taking a break from “life”.
Gallery Spotlight:
***New layouts posted to the gallery, come be inspired! Have you uploaded a layout and do not see it? There have been several uploads with no photos attached and I don’t know how to reach you. Please email me. Thank you.
Life Interrupted
by Maureen Feist
(click image for more information)
Lessons Learned
by Melissa Czapor
(click image for more information)
From my heart
Honestly, I am confused. 
With the store closing and the forum slowly dying yet each Friday 500-600 people open the ezine. I don’t know how much is read, skimmed or what exactly “opened” means, but that is the statistic from my mailing list provider. So I feel there is something there that people are wanting. Relationships and fellowshipping are huge but maybe not here? Does the low participation keep lurkers from posting?
Do I work on simplifying the categories and come up with topics to post on a more regular basis? I don’t know. What would you like to see? What keeps you coming back? Why do you open the ezine each Friday? Perhaps the answers to these questions will help me. Perhaps I can hear from God through you…
My mission for the site has always been the same, to encourage you to remember God in your scrapbooks. To God be the glory…
Related posts:
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
16 Comments
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Search Site
Categories
Favorite Posts
Tags
Connect with Faithfully Yours
I have been struggling with smelling my roses this week, yet during my run yesterday the smell came back :>) I read the journaling in the ironman layout and was reminded of something i had forgotten. It is not the situation that i need to be concerned with. It is who I am in that situation. Why did I let something so important to remember be forgotten? I am grateful to be reminded of it today. Thank you.
This email is in response to your question: what keeps you coming back? I whole heartedly belive in your mission statement. I also feel it is truly important to let the Lord shine in your scrapbook pages. He is a part of our daily lives as much as our family and friends are, so He too deserves many pages in our story books. I enjoy reading your daily thoughts, I read them during my work breaks. The emails help to relax me from the many stressful moments each day. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Dawn, I love your website and anxiously open each time a new email arrives. I love reading your stories of struggle and personal victory. It lets me know I’m not the only one with issues!! I love seeing your scraping ideas in layouts. Your site is an inspiration to me, and truly a bright spot in my day. Thank you so very much for sharing!!! Holly
This comes to my inbox each week, as does the Faithful Thought each day. I read them, take them in and think on them through out the day/week. I dont’ get in to the forum and rarely the gallery for no reason other than I’m at work when I’m looking. I am blessed by what you and Shawn (and others) are posting. I still haven’t started doing faithbooking yet, just thinking on it and the possible layouts. That’s just where I am at this stage. I appreciate your words.
Dawn, I am writing to answer your questions about the value of what you are doing on Faithfully Yours. I signed up for the ezine several weeks ago and try to read as many as I can. I think you and Shawn are gifted writers and write things that speak to my heart. I was so excited to find out about “faithbooking” because I believe in seeing the world through God’s eyes (Christian worldview) and so I love seeing faith lived out on scrapbook pages. I am filing away your emails in a folder until the day I can begin to actually scrapbook. I truly appreciate the inspiration for what I believe is the point of my scrapbooking and I hope you are able to continue your ministry. God bless you!
Dawn, I have been so blessed by your ezines and read them faithfully whenever I receive them. I forward them to my webring of scrapping buddies and know that they, too, have been blessed by them. The different topics you share not only give insight, but also inspiration. God definitely has His hand in your ministry and I pray it will continue. You are truly a blessing to us! Keep pressin’…
Hi there, I trust this comes as encouragement to you, I enjoy reading your ezine, and your ideas on faithbooking. During the past year I have been fighting breast cancer, and I have found great encouragement and help through your thoughts, and the way you share honestly what is happening in your life. Just keep deoing what you do best, the Lord bless you.
Hi! I read the Friday newsletters. I don’t have time to go to the forums right now. I prefer to squeeze time in for scrapbooking instead. Maybe next year when ds goes to school all day I may have time to go to the forums.
I read the ezine because I find it inspirational and uplifting. The same is true for the Faithful Thought. Thank you, and Shawn, for sharing your thoughts and your faith.
Dawn, sometimes we don’t see the behind the scenes of what God is doing for our efforts. On our side, it seems exhausting (especially if we are doing it in our own strength) and fruitless, if we never hear back. I struggle with this often. Last night we watched Faith Like Potatoes and I was reminded to trust God as I move forward in what He has called me to do! I pray you will continue to move forward in whatever God is calling you to do! In this busy world, catching the bits and pieces of what I have time to read in your news and ideas from others is what blesses and encourages me. Too often those in charge never get told how what they do for others really makes a difference, but I want you to know that it does! Press on my faithful warrior! There are stories yet to be told and you are encouraging the telling! Me, too!
I look forward to reading your emails. Love the messages and things you have to share personally. It helps in my “faith walk”. Hope you continue on this mission. Your layouts, journaling and ideas are fantastic. The Lord is definitely using you to encourage others.
Dawn, please please don’t think that we don’t care about your messages and all that you share through them. God is using you (and your husband) mightily through these emails. I am ALWAYS encouraged after reading your email and know that He always speaks to me (and my present situation) through you. God is a good and awesome God!! Please stay encouraged, “He will not suffer the righteous to be moved.” Let me share one of my favorite verses with you, “Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (II Timothy 2:3) I always retreat to this verse when I feel confused and scared. May you rest in Him today and everyday.
God bless.
Abiding in Him,
Tiffany
Gal. 6:17
I must confess, I have, for such a very long time just opened and scanned your e-mail each week but lately God has been calling me to find my way closer to him. Your daily e-mail has been just what I have needed to take a few minutes everyday and just reflect on the Lord and my walk with him. I never really have included God in my scrapping and now I am back at church and joining a faith based scrapbook group and thinking of your messages as I scrap. Know that your thoughts and putting them out there for others has made a difference at least in this one wayword soul. Keep doing what you do and know that even if we don’t always let you know God is using you to touch and help others. I know because he has used you to touch me.
Don’t tell God how big your storm is…
Tell the Storm how BIG your GOD is!
May God Bless you to Bless others…
Elane
I read the ezine each week. But with all my challenges right now, I just don’t have the energy for anything else. But I am blessed by what you have in the ezines and the gallery, and the website.
Hi Dawn & Shawn,
When I first went looking at what this faithbooking thing was about 1 1/2yrs ago, yours was the first site I found. Thank You!!! It was just the push I needed to get going and have enjoyed the scrapping and the challenge of it ever since.
I’ve probably only visited the forum a couple of times – I’m just not really into them. But I do enjoy getting the emails and read each one. Emails are easy – they are right there in front of you when you check along with everything else. And they are often the encouragement or the kick in the pants I need. I too have forwarded the occasional one to a friend who I thought also needed that message. Bless you both for all the work you do.
Dawn
sorry i haven’t replied earlier…i have been in Melbourne with my sister who is struggling with cancer.
i am so sorry to read of your confusion and dissapointment
i for one really appreciate your eforts, and God uses it often to remind me of things i already know but they get pushed aside in the rush of life.
i pray that you will be able to continue.
rest assured i read you emails and i’m encouraged .
i am also faithbooking more rather than just scrapping.
praying for you that you will know God’s will in this matter
your sister in Christ
God bless you
Leath