Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Encouragement is the best gift 2

I posted back in March about encouraging words that I received for my birthday. Check out the blog post at http://www.lauraannv.blogspot.ca/2012/03/encouragement-is-best-gift.html or go back in the archives. Several years ago I made a scrapbook of cards I had received from 1998-2006, I thought why not make another one. My card pile was really getting big and it was time to create another scrapbook. Below is the finished product, but I will let you see what treasures lie inside.
\
I made an awesome cover page for the scrap book which I just have to share. I also must boast that I got this piece of scrapbook paper for .25cents. I am the queen of finding cheap craft supplies, maybe one of my posts should be about that. 
My brother Michael and his lovely wife Andrea have given me many cards over the years. Michael and I weren't close in high school. But since moving to Peterborough in 2006, Michael and Andrea have been a big blessing in my life. Providing a place for me to live, helping me move, inviting me over for dinner and much more. I praise God for them. Here are some of the unique and wacky cards they have made me over the last five years.
Stephen and Stacy, my brother and sister in law are also a big source of encouragement for me. They seem to know just what to say to bring a smile to my face and a lightness in my heart.
Other family members have given me cards which I have kept. On the right is my brother Mark and his wife Jenn. They are expecting identical twins in July! My mom also gives me nice cards from their Christian bookstore. My Aunt Lynn is a painter and she painted that lovely red apple. 
I blogged about a dear friend of mine who passed away in the summer of 2010. You can read about it at http://www.lauraannv.blogspot.ca/2012/03/spring-tote-bag.html. I dedicated a page to the cards she sent me between 2007 and her death in 2010. What an encouragement she was to me, especially during my early days of struggling with my illness. 
Jenn and I have been friends since we were 5. We have walked with each other through the hard times and the good times. I can't say it any better than the card she gave me one year for my birthday.
Alida and I have been friends since we were 12. She has walked with me through some of the darkest days of my life and some of the best too. She always says that I bring out the silly side in her. She is a true blue friend and I am glad to say that her husband Jordan is becoming a good friend too.
Ruth has been a friend just as long as Alida. We didn't like each other at first, Ruth thought I was snobby (haha). But as fate would have it we became good friends and have remained that way. I took this picture below from my craft room because it reminded me of Ruth, a good cup of tea and beautiful flowers.
Leona is my cousin who is also a dear friend. Her words of encouragement throughout the years have always done my heart good. 
These next cards are from my church family. I go to two churches. In the morning I go to Living Hope Christian Reformed Church and in the evening I go to a small house church. These are cards from my community of faith which have lifted up my spirits.
\
The next couple of pages of the scrapbook are just random birthday cards and Christmas cards. I though I would show them to you just for fun. Thanks for reading my blog, come again soon!

No comments:

Post a Comment