a thought and a few new layouts...

i've been studying the book of 2 Timothy (chosen mostly because it's short and in the method of study i'm using, i have to read through the material several times before delving into anything interesting).

anyway, in my studying, i've read the book probably 8 times through already. and just last night, as i've been praying about my attitude towards my job, and thinking about my influence in my social circles, i read these words as if for the first time, as if they had just magically appeared...

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this." - 2 Timothy 2:3-7

now, don't get me wrong - i'm not comparing my job to the suffering of the Apostle Paul. i just simply felt impressed upon my heart that if i want to get anywhere in the future, i have to work hard at what i'm given now. and i thought i'd share.

and i wanted to share a few layouts too... these are nothing terribly exciting, just some recent stuff:

{ok, not technically new. this was a part of my HOF entry - the 10 photo assignment, but i've had huge difficulties scanning it due to the brads. finally gave up and took a photo. patterns are Fontwerks.}


{from earlier this month, as a part of Robyn's Product Challenges... i'm so behind in those challenges that i don't even remember which assignment this was. i think it was #4 - and i cheated w/ the "writing on a photo" part... used the label instead. patterns are Fontwerks. note use of decorative blade on photo mat. i'm so addicted to this all over again, and happy that it's back in style, and that for the first time in like 3 years, i'm "with it". flower petals and stem are ric-rac/ribbon.}


{confession: photo is from LAST easter. i mulled this idea around in my head for several days after getting the idea to do an egg-shaped photo. didn't want to wait for this year's easter photos to come back, so i broke out last year's. love the way this turned out... "ribbon" strips are all paper, even ric-rac.}


{this was a miscellaneous fun one, trying to get some older photos out of my pile, and use up some fun christmas paper too. i'm ambivalent about how this turned out.)