Whirlwind

Wow... things have been so crazy for the last month or so.  I had the privilege of being a vendor at the Village Creek Bible Camp Scrapbook Retreat.  The weather was incredible!  I met some truly amazing and inspiring folks.  Because I was well prepared and had my projects ready ahead of time, I was able to take some time just for me. 

The Valley was just gorgeous.  And of course I did take my camera and thoroughly enjoyed learning new things and experimenting.  (Susan you will be happy to know that I have found my manual:)  I still have some editing to do and will post some of those photos later.

I headed to VCBC on Wednesday October 26th and stayed till Sunday afternoon October 30th.  There were about 50 ladies there and Dina was our speaker.  She shared her story of Dona Irena while living in Guatemala.  It was an incredible story of faith and family and Heavenly Father working to reunite them.  It was an ever pressing reminder of how important "family"* is.  (*family can mean immediate family, dear friends, and church family... it really means the important people that you love, need, and want in your life)

It was a wonderful group of ladies and I enjoyed chatting with everyone and seeing their creations.  I really enjoyed teaching the mini classes this time as well.  I was inspired by a book I read this summer... 29 Gifts... "How a Month of Giving Can change Your Life" by Cami Walker. 

The story is about a young woman who has been diagnosed with MS (a very debilitating disease).  She was constantly in pain, unable to most things without assistance, was on many drugs and just generally not well.  She often looked at nontraditional options to help her.  She stumbled upon an African Medicine Woman named Mbali who gave her a prescription to give away 29 gifts in 29 days. 

At first Cami was indignant... how dare she expect me to give something to someone else.... I can barely care for myself.  Later she realized she had nothing to lose by trying.  It was interesting to note that the "gifts" weren't always something bought from a store... sometimes it was just time, doing something nice for someone, treating someone to an ice cream etc...

Interestingly enough... as she starts to focus on others needs, she discovered that she was inviting more abundance into her life.  She went from being almost bound to a wheel chair, dependent for everything, unable to work etc... to being quite independent and able to walk a mile with out a cane. 

This was my inspiration for the projects I taught at camp.  I shared this story as everyone participated in the project... then I announced that these projects were designed to be something that they could give away and feel some of the joy that Cami felt.  We made a small french fry container with a little gift card to fit inside (and a ghirardelli chocolate would fit quite nicely in it), a darling lunch sack bag that was decorated, a coaster note pad and a pop top can with treats inside. (to see projects and instructions, check my biz blog http://superstampingdivadi.blogspot.com/)

I loved being in my VCBC Bubble... it's in the valley and so there is little to no phone reception and no TV service... so it's really a place of peace and tranquility.  If you have never been there... I highly recommend that you find a way to visit.  It's just so refreshing.  I always feel spoiled when I am there.  Debbi is an amazing and talented chef and runs a super kitchen.  If you are hungry, it's your own fault.  I love love love  apple walnut baked oatmeal!!!  (I was also lucky enough to volunteer over the summer and work with Debbi in the kitchen.... it's amazing how it all works.)

Sue and Cami are fabulous hosts and truly make the weekend so enjoyable. They make me feel like I am part of the family with smiles and hugs. 

Anyway... I headed home Sunday and slept most of the day.  (I am usually one of the last ones to bed and one of the first ones up in the morning... so not a lot of sleeping is done:) So on Monday, the phone rings and it's Mary from The Ivy Trellis and wonders if I could stop in on Wednesday for an interview.   (Not to mention that I also had a WOTG class Tuesday night.)  How exciting that it happens while I am home as Jessy and I would head back up to VCBC later Wednesday night for Round two of Scrapbook Retreat! 

Well, the interview was a success and now I have myself a part time job.  (I started Tuesday November 8th.  I was glad that I didn't start on Monday as I was pretty tired after another  great weekend).

The second weekend was double the size of the first weekend... with over 100 ladies.  It was great getting to see my lovelies!  and meeting new ones!  It was another joyful weekend.  Finally Jessy and I got to spend some time together.  I took some photos of her.  (I am just learning:) and loving it.  And while we were taking photos, a doe flittered by us... not taking time to even know we were there.  Then we heard leaves crinkling... and we just waited... and watched... here a three point buck bounded down the hill and across the creek and then turned and looked at us... posed for photos... turned and posed again ... and then followed the doe.  It was so cool.

Our speaker was Lisa Richardson and she was a model and a trainer.  She showed us that we did have time to exercise.  She spoke of who are we aligning ourselves with... and building rock walls...

Time always flies by and before I knew it, it was Sunday.  And wasn't it great that we had an extra hour of sleep... this time I had to pack up... and load everything back in the van.  Thank goodness my sweet Jess was there to help me.  We loaded up and headed out.  I was glad to have Jess along for the ride home... I was pretty tired.  We unloaded the van into the kitchen and shortly after I walked in the door, Mary from the Ivy Trellis called to have me start my new part time job... on Tuesday:)  yes, I had all day Monday to rest and recover:) 

It wasn't long before I was fast asleep.  I didn't do much on Monday either.  Later Monday night, a phone call caused a new spin.  More on that later... It's pretty late.  I have missed my blogging and really needed to get these thoughts down. 

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week.  I am so grateful for Village Creek and for the incredible staff who works hard to make sure we are spoiled. 

I am grateful for the joy that stamping and scrapping and teaching brings into my life. 

I am grateful for the patience of others... while I learn.

I am grateful for my family and the unyielding support they give me. 

I am grateful for friends who listen... and still love me.

I am grateful for chocolate:)

Blessings to you... be a blessing to someone else today!