Refreshment and recovery

Its been quite a week and a bit for me. Holy Week is usually full of different kinds of worship every day. This year there was less, some cancelled in advance to give me a break whilst I cared for my friends (I have wonderful, understanding Elders at my Church) and some because of when the funeral was - Maundy Thursday. As it happens there was already a Seder Meal planned for the Wednesday so we had some Last Supper moments there and then ate together after we gave thanks for Alison's life on Thursday. It was a big funeral and it is hard to lead them when it is someone you care about. Actually I try to care about everyone I lead a funeral for, even if I have never met them as we are all beloved children of God - but the personal connection can make it tough. But God held us together and it was good.

It gave Easter a new dimension for me as well - preaching about the power of resurrection and the hope of new life so soon after being confronted with death. But it was good. Phil (photgraphed by our friend Alan)and Carys
(picutred with Pilate) were stars of the Passion Play in Hornchurch (OK Jesus was outstanding but they were the next best things in it) - an audience of 8-9,000 over three nights isn't bad is it!

So now I am in full recovery mode which means doing as little as possible as I have no energy left (cue the violins). Mind you I did need to go to Lakeside so that Carys could have some new clothes on Tuesday (she keeps growing) - she is a very unfussy person who doesn't need designer labels - hurray! And did very kindly allow me to buy two tops as well, using my New Look 20% student discount. I'm gong to miss that next year...

I have had some crafty time - not as much as I had expected but there you go! It is Salt day today and we have some sad news as Kim is stepping down. She has been such a support and inspiration and will be sorely missed. Pauline asked us to think about "the great commission" from Matthew 28. I love this passage for two reasons as you can read here
"Some of them doubted" but he commissioned them anyway. We don't have to be super sure and confident in our faith - Jesus still has work for us to do - but sends the Spirit to help us (which is why there is a bird on my layout)
I thought I would use this photo of lobster pots in Staithes as a fishing motif for evangelism. I wanted a cream or kraft background then remembered one of my new purchases was a Tim Holtz kraft resist paper pad - one of which was a map image - result! And then I noticed one of the papers I had pulled out to use had all the days of the week on it - which is how often we should be witnessing to Christ - double result (Non crafty people just to let you know that when this sort of thing happens we get VERY excited).

Details: Papers: MME Stella and Rose, Crate Paper Restoration; Punches: Stamping Up, Fiskars, EKSuccess; Letters: Jillibean Soup; Ink: Distress Stains and Inks in Peeled Paint and Broken China (and Vintage Photo ink); Kraft Cardstock: Papertrey Ink; Embellishments: Prima flower, Papermania pearls

I completed the last of my kits last night as well - and used summery paper on a snow scene layout but I think it works
Papers are Bella Blvd and Echo Park plus Fancy Pants chipboard. I cut lots of strips using punches and dies and as I was laying it out managed to do it slightly squiffy but decided that it worked like that and kept it so! Here is the writing
It should, of course, say "rifling through". Don't know why I missed the word out but if I hadn't it wouldn't fit so there we are

Other details: Bazzil cardstock; Punches: Martha Stewart, Fiskars and EKSuccess; Stamp (for label which fits my label punch perfectly): Personal Impressions; Ink: Spiced marmalade Distress ink; Flower: Maya Road; Brad: WRMK; ribbon from stash; pens: Sharpie (for outlining) Zig (for writing)

I'm obviously still in an orange phase. Unexpected.
I'm hoping to get to watch a bit of the wedding tomorrow and then it is outfit shopping for our family wedding in July on Saturday!