This month our church has been corporately reading this Amazing book called "The Daniel Dilemma" by Chris Hodges. It has recklessly convicted and inspired me all at the same time.
You see we live in a culture & season of broken individuals... we ALL are wrestling with who we are & if we are not grounded in who's we are we become lost, depressed and not able to navigate life at our full potential.

For me this means living an uncompromising life and as a parent... it means being able not just to teach it but to walk it out. It is not easy always being in a place where we want to worship, or completely trust God in a difficult situation or even not allowing all the worlds static (political, Hollywood, etc) to influence our thoughts and our behavior. However if we look at Daniels life nothing was so different for him and yet he never compromised in any area. He dealt with all of these issues and never compromised his LOVE for God even when it meant his life.

You see convictions are all about the choices we make before we are challenged.
What strengthens these convictions so that we can walk our Faith out are...
1. WORSHIP
2. GOD'S WORD
3. HOLINESS
4. FAMILY
5. LIFE
6. HUMILITY

I don't always get it right , but I get my courage & find sustainability by choosing to keep a Christ centered life. Don't let culture or society try to explain away what God says is true and the truth is that God will always use the tests in our lives to make our faith stronger. Nearly every moment of  our life is a test... allow it to navigate you to God and this is where you & I will live & walk in our FULL POTENTIAL!

This past year and a half has been like none other. (since I became an adult..lol )
Most of you know that Damien suffered a heart attack. As if that wasn't scary & enough he than got very ill three months later. It took some time and baffled the Dr.s as to his blood loss, than with four blood transfusions later they diagnosed him with colon cancer.

Yup, you heard me right. WHAT?!!!! NO!!!!! That was my exact thoughts and feeling when the Dr. came out to tell us. Not what I expected at all! I was feeling pretty hopeful and thinking it could be a small polyp or lesion. That was until the Dr came in , so I naturally stood up. Than I knew right away this cant be good when he said "can you please have a sit". I remember one thought going through my head and that was "oh God no!" as he explained it was the so large and he believed the cancer to be late stage.

This was probably the worst moment in my life! And yet, in those moments I still believed to be Blessed!

Ok so now lets forward to three and a half months ago. Two biopsy's later I was told I had breast cancer in my left breast and that a mastectomy was in order. After shock and Damien's blood pressure getting so high that it landed him back in the hospital, we choose a second opinion. So glad we did this because they decided to cut deep and try to remove all the cancer first. And yet, in those moments I still believed to be Blessed!

It has been such a long road, our finances are a wreck with Damien not being able to work for 11 months. He just had to miss another month during the time of my surgery and he needs another surgery coming up soon to clear out an 90% block on an artery. And yet, in these moments I still believe to be Blessed!

Most days lately we have an empty refrigerator, trying to figure out where this Nipsco payment is coming from is never FUN, no Christmas gifts this year for our kids... And yet, in this moment I still believe to be Blessed!

How many times have you looked someone in the eyes and with all sincerity said "I will pray for you"! Every part of you in that moment meaning it.

See I have come to learn that my heart & my intentions are to very well pray for that individual.
However my mind is another thing...
I always admire people who can remember every name and prayer request that comes their way–but my memory stinks!!!

 When I see a sister or brother in Christ at Church and they ask me to pray for their father who is having heart surgery or their child who is suffering from drug addiction–well I want to be sure I actually remember to do it!

 Once you spend some time praying for another person, they become hard to forget; you just have to remember to actually pray for them! That’s where a prayer journal or list comes in.

 I also believe that writing is another form of worship–so when I’m putting pen to paper, I’m doing it for the glory of God. He is in my heart and mind the whole time I’m writing and nobody except Him and me are ever going to see what’s on that list (most likely) so it truly is all about Him.



1.) Intercessory Prayer- Prayer made on behalf of another. This is where you plead selflessly with God for the needs of others. But it is also much more than that.  Intercessory prayer takes place in the spiritual world where the battles for our own lives, our families, our friends and our nation are won or lost. It's prayer that "presses on" until we "apprehend" God's will in whatever situation we are facing. Often this is where you wake up in middle of the night crying out for the name or burden that was placed on your heart. I won't go on only because as long as you are open to being used by God, who, whom and how is different for each individual. Jesus is the Greatest Intercessor ...to be used in this way is to fall under the mantle (wrapped in God's authority) of Christ.

2.) Urgent Prayer- A fervent request. This can be an appeal to God on behalf of yourself or another. When you are ready to take on "The Full Armour of God"... Similar to supplication prayer but the situation is dire. In Psalms 70 we see one of these urgent prayers.  While it is not a long prayer, it is one that cuts to the heart of the matter and expresses David’s need for God’s quick intervention.

3.) General Prayer Request-  Supplication... is praying on behalf of yourself and others. The prayer of supplication is generally a request for the person praying. The Bible includes many prayers of supplication & many examples are found in the Psalms by David... He prayed for Mercy, Leading, Deliverance & Persecution many times.

4.) Prayer of Confession- Simply put...any and all sin is separation from God. We live our lives imperfectly by choice, but we are also loved by God in whose image we were created. We can remake ourselves toward that image by our confession before God and each other. The one thing that keeps us from filling out this area  and truly asking for forgiveness of any kind is usually pride. Nine times out of ten I have pride written front and center as a confession. Praise God for His Grace!

5.) Prayer of Dreams & Visions- Thank You Father...Your Word tells us that we don’t have to fret or be anxious for anything, for You know exactly what you are doing. The Bible reveals to us that dreams are one of the ways that God speaks to us. Although not all dreams are from God, many of the dreams people have are divinely given.  We must learn to better understand the meaning of dreams, so we can find clues to our destiny in God and help other people find theirs as well.
This is new to me, but I want to hear God in any way I can. Frankly the Faith I have that God answers prayers is the same Faith I have that He speaks to me , weather it be a vision or a dream. Acts 2:17

6.) Prayer of Salvation- We strive to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and as our hearts and minds are transformed by the presence of the Holy Spirit we are able to begin to love others as ourselves. So it's simple... Do we truly love God with all our hearts? Than we must love others to Salvation. After all, the gospel of Christ “is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.
This section should be the one that is always completely filled and new each month! 

We are so excited and have so many FUN challenges and Games planned in the Forum for you today. The prize packs are fantastic .....giveaways you won't want to miss out on !!!!

Everything in the Store is 20% off , this even includes all of our digital products...... wooohooooo

Here are just a few sneak peeks of the giveaways and or RAKS:






We are even giving away Store Gift Certificates. The way to find out how
you can win is by heading over to the Forum. I sure hope you will join us !!!!

Norma ♥

Yikes I didn't realize just how long it's been since I have blogged. I took the month of December thinking I could just enjoy some family time but it sure never works out the way one plans. I feel like I have been even soooo busy I just can't focus.

So I finally took some down time and just created. It always feels so good to do that. I made this album to send to a Friend who is have a difficult time right now. The inside is just envelopes in different shapes/sizes. I plan on writing her an inspirational letter every week and the envelopes are so she can store the letters. I used Cosmo Cricket "Circa 1934" Pattern Paper along with SRM Stickers & Marvy Uchida Punches:


Well we have a lot going on at "For The Luv of Art". If you have never been there we would luv it if you joined us in the Forum & Gallery !

We are currectly looking for a Design Team.... it is a very short call so make sure to send in your application as soon as possible. I am also looking for Graphic Artist who may be looking for a shop to sell their Digital Designs & I am looking for a Web Designer who is familiar with Photo Post. Even if you don't but can refer some one I would really appreciate it !!!!

Ok here is the deets on the Design Team Call, (you can find more info here in the Forum as well) Best of luck to all !!!!


Have a Wonderful, Blessed & Creative Day !
Norma ♥

Well Mercedes is finally somewhat starting to settle in. We are still so CRAZY busy painting and redoing all the rooms upstairs but they are slowly but surely starting to come together. We also had to break down and buy a vehicle that would fit all the kids yet it had to be something Damien would want to drive. oyyyy was he ever picky ! So here is what we ended up with:



The kids love the DVD player in it ! So everyone is Happy which makes me Happy !!!!!

Well if you have not seen our November Kit called "Seasoned With Love" it will be a must for you this Holiday Season ! It is a really big hit and once again only have a handful left. This Kit is AMAZING because it is really packed with some special touches. It is perfect to create layouts with as well as projects !!!!!!



Here are some DT projects for inspiration and be ready because they are REALLY REALLY GREAT !!!!!!











You can purchase and see everything in the Kit here: Shop
There are more DT projects here in the Gallery that will be sure to inspire you !

Not sure if you know but right now we are having a PRE-Black Friday Sale in the shop and everything is marked down so makse sure to swing by and check it out !
Click on the image below and it will take you to the store.


Happy Shopping and Have a Blessed Thanksgiving with your loved ones this year !
Warmly, Norma ♥