Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Light In The Darkness


"A Light In The Darkness"
Inspired by GOD
Photo by Amber Skeeters
Poem by Vanita Hindsley
Sisters in Christ and Children of God

Through darkness, sorrow, guilt, and shame
and many fears that had no name
My hopes and dreams had all but shattered
getting through each day was all that mattered

In downward spiral my life seemed to spin
hopeless and helpless, when would it end
My fault, My fault, screamed in my head
no rest or peace as I lay on my bed

But light crept in from time to time
and started to reach my tormented mind
His love began to prod at me
a rescue from that stormy sea

I've already beaten him my Savior reminded
though for some time he's had you blinded
Take the shelter I've offered to you
call on Me I'll see you through

Each day is now brighter with His shining light
my future secure in His strength and might
my hope in Him has no end in sight

By Vanita Hindsley
It doesn't show up well on the screen, but in the window to the left is a portrait of Jesus, praying.
Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley and Amber Skeeters

Monday, January 28, 2008

Following THE leader, together

" Scars"
Inspired by GOD
Photo by Amber Skeeters
Poem by Vanita Hindsley
Children of GOD and Best Friends


We all leave marks with our words and actions,
some happy or sad, of sorrow and satisfaction.

Traces left as we travel through this life,
many created from love and strife.

Remnants of words, written and spoken,
can lift us up or leave us broken.

From the least of us to the greatest, we all leave a mark,
if only on the face of this elderly bark.

Scars are there forever to see
in the way they shape each personality.


Copyright 2008 Vanita Hindsley and Amber Skeeters
We hope you enjoy this collaboration of gifts. God has a purpose for this. My love of photography and my best friends love of writing united together to share lifes lessons.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Where I've Been

I am just about to bust with love and peace and joy and thankfulness. Last time I was here, I shared with you the opening of my new etsy store. Today I would like to share with you my experiences there the last couple of weeks. Not only has my store opened and received lots of traffic, I made my first sale. Not the artwork as hoped, but a sale none the less. My friends know I just love stuff of all kinds and love to sell it in my store and now on Etsy too. But what I really wanted to share with you is my experience as a buyer. Etsy is a whole new thing, and yet feels like a thing from the past. Let me explain. Once you become familiar with how it works, you step into a shop you pick by the name or contents or color or whatever attracts you and you realize you've stepped into another place and time. A time when you were greeted by the merchant and and you are surrounded by things that grab your attention. Things made with love and attention to detail. Things that inspire you. Things that make you feel all is well in the simple life. Things that make you realize what we can do and how we can live. A step back in time when men and women made things to sell and trade. Pretty things, useful things.
I don't know if anyone else has the same experience as I have. But I know that I have met some pretty nice people that I'd like you to meet.
My first purchase was from http://www.charminglee.etsy.com/
You can hear the kindness in her descriptions and in her conversations. Don't you like to buy from someone who is polite and friendly and happy to help you? Not gonna find that in wallyworld. Then yesterday I "met" http://www.lindaleighshoppe.etsy.com
She too was like talking to a neighbor! (Pray for her, she's recovering from surgery : )
I guess what I'm trying to say is SHOP ETSY! It's a whole new/old experience. If you are going to buy a gift or want something unique, Why not buy from the good old independant shopkeeper?

Friday, January 11, 2008

Etsy Store Now Open!

If you have never been to Etsy, you are in for a real treat! Etsy is a market place, not an auction site, where artists and craftspeople of every kind from around the world set up unique specialty shops you are just going to adore! I hear so many people complain about not being able to find unique shops anymore...well, here they all are, packed into one place. So browse around till your heart is content. Have a look at my new shop when you click on the link below and then be sure to look around at the rest of the shops. Try clicking my Favorites to see the wonderful artists I have found so far. Why buy "made in china" when you can by handmade! Enjoy!

http://www.jewelsfromjunk.etsy.com/

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Self Discovery



As I was tinkering with the blog today, fixing broken links and organizing the pictures, I realized how much I have always enjoyed photography. I always knew it, in fact we just bought a digital camera a couple of months ago because I was missing taking pictures after our 35mm died. But today I realized it wasn't just the friends and family pictures that I missed so much. It was the artistic photos! As I started looking in my pictures to see what else to add here, I realized what kind of pictures I had been taking. I have lots of animals (I love the challenge of trying to photograph them) sunrises, unusual sightings, stuff I just really love! I am so excited. I had forgotten. How can that be? How did I forget my love of photography. Thank you LORD for bringing it back to me!
Anyway, check out the pictures to the right under "My Photographs" I'll be adding more as I get through what is saved on our computer.