The Joy of Giving!

Happy Sunday! It's time once again for another scripture-inspired challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ! Since this is the first of three posts for today (a record for me!), I'll keep this short. You'll be totally sick of me by the time you get through all three... if you can make it that far!

Our hostess this week is the wonderful Randi Barrett. As I said in the SSCC blog post, Randi is a true blessing to us, and I thank God for bringing her into my life. I enjoy her wonderful sense of humor, but most of all I love her godly spirit and the way she keeps a thankful heart in spite of health trials that would cause many of us to question God's love.

Randi chose these scriptures for our inspiration:

Matthew 2:11 "After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

Matthew 7:7-11: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give what is good to those who ask it."

Her challenge is to make a card, layout or other paper craft project that has a gift featured in it.

Our sponsor this week is none other than La-La Land Crafts, so naturally I reached for one to make my card. Christmas Dress Rosie is one of the prizes for this week's challenge. I'm sorry I can't name the DP... it was a gift from Irina, the owner of LLLC, along with the row of beads along the bottom. She is such a sweetheart. Thanks Irina! I also followed the CPS143 sketch for my card.

I hope you'll click over to the Stampin' Sisters in Christ Challenge blog and read Randi's thoughts about the scriptures she chose for our inspiration. Her words resonate with me... for as much as I do enjoy receiving gifts, my greatest joy is in giving them. I love making people happy. I love finding the perfect gift and seeing someone's face light up with pleasure. I never really thought about God feeling the same way when we accept His gifts, but it makes sense, doesn't it? We are His children and He wants us to be happy, just as we want our children, family and friends to be happy.

All I can say is "Thank You, dear Heavenly Father"!

Speaking of gifts, I hope you'll enjoy my next two posts for today (above)...