A Well Lived Life

 Hello!  ¡Hola!  I want to begin by thanking everyone that stopped by my blog last week, especially those that took the time to leave a comment.

Americana Boat
Cardz 4 Guys #477 Boats
Shopping Our Stash #555 On or in Water
Tic Tac Toe Challenge - Blue/Nautical/Ocean 

I have three art projects I worked on this week.  First of all, I have an Americana Nautical Boat and Paper assemblage I put together.  I used a miniature wooden boat & barrel; Spellbinders' Classic Mouse Flags & Banners, Frames & Sentiments, Classic Mouse Borders, & Classic Mouse Alphabet Cutting Dies; glue & tickytac.  I am dedicating this piece to all my family members and friends, as well as others, who are USA Veterans.  May God Bless you always!

Let Us Pray
Word Art Wednesday Weeks 714-715
Friday Face Off 8/29/25 
What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday? #847/67

Next, I have a digital photo collage I did, using a photograph that one of my parish members took of me leading my acolytes in prayer before a Sunday morning church service.  I love their cherubim faces.  Using the Procreate app on my iPad Pro and my iPencil Pro, I illustrated the cluster of grapes.  Then, I layered the word art scripture, by Karen Letchworth.

My third project is a "Día de los Muertos" card.  All Souls Day, as it's called in English, is a day during which there are prayers and remembrance of the faithful departed.  It is observed primarily by Latin-American catholic (universal) Christians on November the 2nd.  I made the hand-carved candle stamp using a Speedball Speedy Carve block, carving tool, block printing blue ink, & brayer; a We R' Memory Keepers Corner Punch; "papel picado" print & white cardstock; a Kraft cardstock card; and acrylic markers to add details and write the sentiment on the candles.

Recuerda (Remember)
Freshly Made Sketches #701 by Jen B
The Male Room Challenge - Universe
Love Those Pretty Papers August Challenge

In closing, I'd like to leave you with an excerpt from my sermon this morning:

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 1800’s American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, minister, abolitionist, women’s rights advocate, and poet, summarizes the way I was reared.  My parents instilled this philosophy in me, ever since I was a young child.

The timeless wisdom of this quote is about servitude, moral strength, and humility.  It challenges a person to test their character.  The reward is to become a master of oneself.  I’m not perfect, but I thrive to be loving, inclusive, and caring of all people, regardless of who they are.

That’s what Hebrews 13:1 is about.  It says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”  This was an important reminder then, as it is today, to avoid divisions and cherish this Christlike grace.

Thanks for your visit and comments!  ¡Gracias por su visita y comentarios!  I look forward to visiting and commenting on your blogs as well.