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Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I've Created a New Blog

Since I don't want to pay for a website to advertise my totes, I've decided to create a blog.  I must admit that navigating all of the blog features has me frustrated, but at least the layout is cute! Check is out here:
http://www.archandmadetotes.blogspot.com/

I will post any new designs I come up with and use the attached email address (archandbags@yahoo.com) specifically for questions and orders.

Please stop by often (you can even subscribe) and let me know what you think.  Send the link to family and friends for Christmas gifts!

Thanks for your support!

Monday, July 26, 2010

God Amazes Me

Hello blog world! This last week has been an amazing one!  If you read this post: (http://myhandingods.blogspot.com/2010/07/part-2-conditions-of-mind) you know that I have been praying about the decision to go to work part-time insead of full-time.  WELL......God gave me a job!!!! Yes, that is right, He did it!

I have been searching for months and nothing has worked out.  The funniest story I have to tell is that I applied for a part-time teller position and, with over 10 year banking experience, I was told I was not a candidate.  Very humerous!  I had to take an online assessment test and for some reason I am not any good at those tests. :)

Anyway, I texted a friend I go to church with about the medical practice she manages.  She told me she would check and see if she had any part-time work available. On Tuesday, she texted me a few questions and then told me to call her.  We talked and she said they need someone for a project that will last till the end of the year and in the mean time I could be trained to work the front desk.  At the end of the project, I would transfer into a part-time position as a receptionist for one of the doctors.  She told me she would talk to whomever she needed to at work and get back with me.  Within two hours, I got a text that the job was a go!

That is amazing in itself because I did NOTHING!  I simply asked and God provided.  But, more amazing than that miracle, is that God didn't just give me what I needed, He gave me what I wanted!  I wanted to work 8 - 2, M-F and make a certain amount per hour.  This way I can be off before my boys get out of school and I will be available to pick them up or take them where they need to go.  This job will allow me to work those hours and the hourly pay is more than I was asking for.  I am beyond excited and am giving God ALL the glory!  Thank you God for loving me so much!

Thanks to all my "Ladies Coffee Night" girls who have kept me in your prayers! You are all so precious to me and I am so thankful you are in my life!  Love you!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A Gift for a Teenage Girl

My boys are invited to a Birthday Party for a friend from their youth group.  The Birthday person is a girl and I only have boys so this was a fun opportunity for me to create something fun and girly.  She is turning 13 and the fabric below is exactly what I thought of when I was trying to figure out what she would like.


I made her a mini tote with a wristlet band and a larger tote to match.  I think they turned out so cute! My DH asked me if I wanted to keep them, but I must admit I am a bit old to have purple skulls with cross bones!

This view shows the inside cell phone pocket.  Just what a girl needs, don't you think?

If you are interested in ordering such a gift for a special girl in your life, I will be happy to take orders.  The mini tote with the wristlet is $12.50 and the larger tote is $15.00.  You can get both for $25.00.  Just shoot me an email.

Thanks for stopping by!

Recap Continued

Chapter 11: A Doubtful and Unbelieving Mind
Joyce Meyer explains that doubt and an unbelieving mind are two different things!  Matt. 14:31 says: "...O you of little faith,why did you doubt?"  This scripture helps me associate doubt with a lack of faith.  I think this brings it into perspective for me.  I can doubt and not feel too bad, but to know that when I doubt I am lacking faith, that hits me a little harder.  How about you?

Joyce goes on to explain that, "doubt causes a person to waiver between two opinions, whereas unbelief leads to disobedience."  WOW! That is powerful.  So, when I doubt, I don't have enough faith in God and when I have unbelief, I am disobeying God.  This is a powerful tool the enemy uses against all of us and we need to do our part to combat it! 

The example of Abraham is a great one.  He never doubted that God would increase his family.  Sarah did, but Abraham didn't.  Sarah's unbelief lead to disobedience, but Abraham held onto God's promise and his faith was increased!  James 1:5-7 sums it up perfectly.  We are to ask God for wisdom without doubt (in faith) and He will freely give.  Faith is the key!

Because I am an analytical person, doubt and unbelief comes easy to me.  I am not so hard that I don't allow the Holy Spirit to speak to me, but I'm sure I make it harder than others!  I am so thankful that God is a patient God and that He loves me so much!  My goal is to hide His Word in my heart so that when doubt and unbelief creep in, I can battle them with God's Word, the ultimate weapon!  This is the only course of action I can clearly see and I BELIEVE it is the right one!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Part 2: Conditions of the Mind

I don't think I realized how far I had gone in "Battlefield of the Mind" without posting.  I ended talking about chapter 7 and now I am on chapter 15.  Here is a recap (it may be long) of Part 2 and how it has affected my life.

First of all, the title for Part 2 is very significant for me.  I think the condition of my mind is my main obstacle.  As I read these chapters, God is speaking to me and I am just soaking in His wisdom and presence.

Chapter 8: When is my Mind Normal?
Joyce Myer explains that a busy mind is abnormal while a rested mind is normal.  Wow, I think I have an abnormal mind!  All the things a normal mind should not be filled with (reasoning, worry , anxiety, fear) are the things my mind dwells on WAY too much.  1 Kings 19:11-12 explains that God's voice is a still small voice.  If I am to hear His voice, my mind need to be at rest, not busy where God has to compete for a place!  My mind should be peaceful and alert so that my mind and my spririt can be in balance.  This is my prayer Lord, that you will help me in this area.  This is a tough one.  Life seems to big at times that keeping my mind at rest is the last thing I think about.  I think this is why I love being in the presence of God at church so much, that is a place without distractions where I can put my  mind at rest and stay alert to hear God's Spirit filling and speaking to me.

Chapter 9: A Wandering, Wondering Mind
Lack of concentration is caused by a wandering mind.  As a mother, this should be normal right? Too many things going on at once.  But Joyce Myer explains that this is NOT normal and can be changed with some practice.  This chapter made me think of #1 and his issues with academics.  After struggling through elementary school, we decided to place him on medicine to help him to concentrate rather than have his mind wander during class.  Praise the Lord that he only had to take it for 6 months and now he is in Middle School and is doing great.  But it made me think about the fact that the mind is a powerful tool that CAN be trained with God's wisdom and guidance!  It isn't easy but it can be done!  Joyce explains that instead of wondering, I should think positive about every situation!  In Mark 11:23-24, Jesus tells us that whatever we ask for in prayer and BELIEVE (not wonder) that it will be granted to you.  Wondering brings forth doubt (that is talked about in another chapter).  I want a mind that can concentrate on the task at hand, especially when it comes to godly things; and I want to think positive instead of wondering about things in my life and my families lives!

Chapter 10: A Confused Mind
James 1:5-8 shows me that I have an invitation from God to ask for wisdom and guidance. But, I cannot ask and "wonder" if He will do it!  I have to believe or it is for nothing!  God does not respect a doubtful, confused mind.  This chapter spoke to my situation personally.  It explains that reasoning can lead to confusion.  I have a very antilitical mind and reasoning comes very natural for me.  I do believe this hinders me from receiving from God sometimes!  Right now, DH and I are at a place in our lives that is unknown territory.  My desire to put my family first has made me want to look for part-time work.  We cannot afford for me to work part-time so after much prayer and communication, we have decided to put our house up for sale and I can start looking for part-time work.  Our money issues (large amount of debt) are sin that we have allowed ourselves to get in over our heads.  We have asked God to forgive us and help us to change our ways.  We are trusting God that although this season of our lives will be a trial, we will not be alone and his grace is sufficient!

The struggle for me is wanting to make sure this decision is not a selfish one.  I DO NOT want it to be all about what I want!  Yes, I am unhappy at my job, but I truely believe that it is more than that.  I can try to get another full-time job if that is what I need to do!  But when I think about being available to take my boys to their sporting events and fixing my family supper each night, I have a peace.  I feel this is what I should be doing as a mother.  When I think about the financial implications and reason that this is a crazy idea, I get anxious.  This chapter showed me that following the spirit doesn't always make sense in the natural.  I believe that in the end, this decision will bring my family closer together, my marriage closer.  As I continue to take this issue to God in prayer, I continue to ask God to show me if this decision is purely selfish or a leading of His spirit.  Proverbs 3:5 tells me to trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my paths.  In this time of change, this is my prayer Lord! 
I will continue this later!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Check out this Giveaway!!

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/07/silhouette-digital-cutting-tool-review.html



Check out the giveaway at Little Birdie Secrets. This is the coolest machine!  Check out all the things it can do in the picture above.  Enter and let me know if you win!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Think About What Your Thinking About

Today, the title above is the title for this chapter.  It was full of Scripture so I decided that for this post I would just list the Scriptures I choose to meditate on:

Psalm 143:4-5 (NLT)
"I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.  I remember the days of old.  I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done."  (David is speaking and in the midst of his trial, he chooses to think on all the good things God has done! What an awesome example of what we should do as Christians!)

Philippians 4:8 (NKJ)
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (emphasis mine)

Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJ)
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaves also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (emphasis mine)

Romans 12:2 (NKJ)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Joshua 1:8 (NKJ)
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Thank you Lord for Your Word and the power that is in it.  I pray that everyone who reads this post will be blessed by Your Word!  In Jesus Name I pray, amen!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Mind-Binding Spirits

In Chapter 6 (Battlefield of the Mind), Joyce Myers talks about mind-binding spirits and how this has affected her in the past. It affected her by making her doubt what God wanted her to do with her life and ministry. Essentially, it equates to DOUBT. Yes, I must admit, I have this problem. I guess I've just never named it. Now that I have a name, I will have a battle plan!


There are times in my life when I even doubt my belief in Christianity. It is crazy, I know! I know Jesus is real, He is in me! I know what He has done in my life and that I couldn't live without Him; however when I am faced with trials or have discussions with those who know theology more than me and I feel inadequately equipped, doubt creeps in. It is part of a sinful world, no doubt (pun not intended)!

So here is my battle plan: I will memorize John 8:31-32 which tells me that if I follow Christ, I am His disciple and that His truth will set me free. If I speak His Word (the truth), then I will be set free from the doubting thoughts and mind-binding spirits! I will memorize Romans 8:26 so that when I do not know what to pray (specifically), I can rely on the fact that the Holy Spirit will intercede for me. What an awesome promise! When I am weak, He is strong!

Thank you God for the truth in Your Word! Thank you that it is my weapon in this battle with my mind. Thank you that you are transforming me and I can already feel the battle taking place. Thank you that the battle is already won and You are the victor! I give You ALL the glory!!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Swimsuit Tote

I completed a new project today and I am very excited about it.  The idea has been mulling around in my head for a while and I am very pleased with the result.  It is a swimsuit tote.  When you are done swimming and need to change, you don't want your wet suit to get everything else wet, so you can put it in this insulated bag.  You could fit a towel if you squeeze it in!  It measures 17 1/2 in. long and 9 1/2 in. wide.


I cut out individual letters from a stencil kit I purchased, reinforced them with fusible interfacing and then sewed each one on. I love the way it turned out.

The inside is waterproof!

It has a convient handle that you can place on your wrist so it is essentially "hands free"!

I am making these totes available for $30.00 with a week's notice to create.  I do not have any inventory as this is my first one but I do plan on working on more so if you will email me, I can send you pictures when I am done.  If you are interested in me creating one for you, please email me your favorite colors and we will work something out!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Little By Little

Good morning! Today, Chapter 4 was titled "Little By Little".  It was an encouragement against discouragement! Ha, that sounds funny :)

Last night was a test, and I failed miserably! DH called to see if an item he ordered was in because we had time to pick it up and he had received a call the day before that this item would be in today.  Well, it wasn't in yet!  I know how DH is controlled by his circumstances so right away I shift into gear and try to make the situation seem better than it is.  Well, y'all, I crashed and burned!!

You see, he was upset at how the customer service lady handled the conversation while he argued that he had received a call yesterday that the item would be in today.  He was not pleased with her attitude and I tried to defend her (even though I was not the one talking to her, can you imagine?).  Things went down hill from there!

We went out to dinner since we had no boys (yay!) and I was upset at myself; too upset to enjoy our time together.  I had appologized, but still felt very guilty.  I prayed this morning that it didn't even occur to me what thoughts I should have taken captive last night, however one thing from the chapter that really did stick out is that my pride was in the way!  In Deuteronomy 7:22, God's people learn that God will clear out the land little by little so that the "beasts" of the field will not overcome them.  The "beast" for me last night was my pride.

You see, God is so smart :)  He clears the way slowly so we cannot let pride rise up and let us take the credit for what is happening in our lives!  I do know that sometimes God does spontaneous things but most of the time we, as Christians, have to go through a process.  This is the way God makes sure we know it's HIM and not us that is creating the changes.  Another Scripture from this morning is James 1:4 - "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  God allows perseverance to mature us!

I have learned that I am not condemned (Romans 8:1) as long as I walk by the Spirit!  So, have I learned my lesson? Maybe!  I do know that it is a process and I thank God that His mercies are new every morning and for His grace! 

Whew, I feel like I have been all over the place in this post! I hope you see that my heart is full and that is a great thing. I am enjoying all the scriptures and am amazed at how the Holy Spirit is bringing them to life so that I can understand and apply them to my life!  I am so excited about posting my journey through "Battlefield of the Mind"!  Not only to share with you about what God is doing in my life, but to help keep me accountable and to have a reference to look back on in the future!

I pray that God will do something wonderful in your life today :)