Happy Valentine's Day All!!!
This is an atc for the April Fool's swap.
I am so filled with joy today.
"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
To be like HIM to put other's first. Their needs over my own.
hugs and blessings
Valerie

This is an atc I made and traded. I joined 365/2011 I am making a life list... I guess it is a bucket list. I am writing life affirmations. I am writing down the secrets of a creative joyful life.

Decorated elephant swap This is before he was glammed up with gems and black glitter lol

A new atc I have made about 40 the last month. They are already traded. I have about 350 atcs now from other artists. I love this hobby.

Cry out to Jesus

Good things are happening I am working on my creative journey map. God is good and I see his mercy everyday .

"Cry Out To Jesus" by Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love

Long before it was their time

You feel like the days you had were not enough

when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there's nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He'll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus,

Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on

They lost all of their faith in love

They've done all they can to make it right again

Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you're not alone in your shame

And your suffering

When your lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus

Cry out to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

Barb's butterfly

Forced to paint.............

I have not painted in awhile.....

Friend of a friend was dying of cancer. they were having a party for her the theme was butterflies and new life in Chirst. I wanted to procrastinate but could not. I wanted to say no I can't paint (I am too stressed...depressed...

rusty...self conscious). I could not come up with a good enough excuse to not paint for a dying sister in Christ. So I painted this butterfly. I still hate it. I wanted so bad to not give it to Pam to take with her.

Makes me cry........Barb (my dying sister) opened her eyes at party saw my butterfly and said "beautiful". She was lifted up in prayer and in celebration that day. The room was full of transformation....full of butterflies.......... The Lord took Barb to be with Him two mornings later. Most days I wish He would take me. I long for perfect love... so I pray I can experience His here and express His here where I am ...earthbound.

breaking my own rules

Often times when a student will show me their drawings they will be on notebook paper, the back of a test, on a napkin........ You get the idea............ Granted you have to act when the inspiration strikes you, but I always stress getting out some good paper and using their sketchbooks. This drawing I broke my own rule. (My rules are just suggestions...I am hoping my students realize this).
Evan was working on his school stuff........I had to seize the moment. =)

Song that I love today:

Rush Of Fools - Undo
I've been here before, now here I am again Standing at the door, praying You'll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

Make every step

lead me back to

The sovereign way that You

[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You�re the only one
who can undo What I've become

God is good =)