Welcome 2010-a Year of Blessings!

Note from Dawn:
As I look back on 2009, I am reminded of all the life happenings the Design Team and myself have experieced. From surgeries, to health issues, to job loss, to taking care of loved ones and so on. I’m especially disappointed in myself for putting Faithfully Yours on the backburner pretty much all last year. However,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

(click image for larger view)

Yesterday is History
The journaling are lyrics to Matthew West’s song “History”. Awhile ago as I was listening to the song I pictured my girls walking down our street. They lovingly obliged to be photographed to my expectations. Unfortunately, I am not a photographer as this layout is full of shimmer and bling! I’m excited for 2010 and what the Lord has in store, not only for myself, family and friends but here at Faithfully Yours. Betsy has come up with an awesome challenge for 2010. I also have a ton of ideas and intend to implement as time permits. (the new site from last year just isn’t working for me)

2010-A Year of Blessings
by Betsy Burnett

Count your many blessings,
name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!

Johnson Oatman Jr

I don’t know about many of you but for me 2009 was a year for the record books in the Burnett household. It started out with my Grandfather loosing his battle to cancer and hubby losing his job. Was followed up by a friend fighting for his life after a major heart attack. The year closed with my mom getting sick and battling cancer and me dealing with some medical issues of my own. It is very easy to get depressed over everything we have had to deal with this year.
I once learned a very important lesson about driving. One morning I was out early for worship practice at church. As I was driving I noticed the gorgeous flowers that were blooming…oops drove off the road. Went down a little further and saw the neighbor had redid the front of their house boy did it look nice…oh no off the road again. By the time I had arrived at church I had driven off the road about 4 times (which is totally unlike me) and I went “Lord what’s going on???” The answer that came back was “You’ll drive towards what you focus on.”

That is such a simple truth but such a profound thought. What am I focusing on? Am I focusing on the bad things? Or am I focusing on the good (or God) I see in a situation? It’s easy to look back on 2009 and because of all the “bad” not see the good. Not see the things the Lord did through my friends life because of the heart problems. Not remember the trip to Disney where I got to “relive” a childhood dream (that my family has joked about for almost 30 years.) Forget about the fact I was treated like a VIP at Fiskars headquarters. Forget about the lessons learned the blessings the Lord has shared with me of family that loves me and friends that support me.

Because of this, instead of a “New Years Resolution, I decided instead that in 2010 I was going to “Look for the Blessings” I’m going to focus on the good in a situation, how God is working. No this won’t make the problem disappear, and no I’m not going to play “ostrich” and bury my head in the sand pretending bad things won’t (or don’t) happen. I’m going to simply try to remind myself of the blessings of a situation. Rather than focus and dwell on the bad and horrible in life, I’m going to focus on the good, the blessings and try to drive towards it. I know it won’t change the situation, it will change my outlook, maybe even my mood! It will help remind me that even in the midst of the dark times the Lord is there with me lighting the way.

2010 Blessing Challenge

This year I am going to try and do a “blessing book.” Each month I will choose a topic/verse for the month and try to have a two page layout done. One side will be the topic/verse the other side will be a finished page waiting for journaling and/or a photo to share how I was blessed that way during the month. Not only will it be a good reminder to look for those blessings that month, but will give a way to “not forget” those blessings that month.

Each month on the first Friday of the month I will post the theme/verse for the month and hopefully my layouts. Then on the last Friday of the month I will update my page and fill in how I was blessed that month.

(For example: If the theme was family, my page title might be “the blessing of family” I would have a verse with that and then a blank page to record at the end of the month how my family is a blessing to me)

A Year of Blessings Title Page
by Betsy Burnett

by Melissa Czapor

We will be back next Friday with January’s Blessing topic and supporting scripture/elements. In the meantime:

* determine if you want to play along
* decide on an album size (6×6 or 8×8 would be great)
* prepare your heart and mind for a year of blessings!

Faithfully,

Dawn and Betsy
leave a comment… and let us know if you would like to play along