Happy New Year… and a Tribute

While we are still on holiday break here at Stampin’ Sisters in Christ (our next challenge will begin next Sunday, Jan. 8th!) we wanted to pop in here to wish you all a Happy and very Blessed new year!!

With a new year brings new opportunities … and of course change.     A new blog make-over is just one of those changes…  Hope you like it!  But there’s also more changes taking place here and as much as it saddens us to announce that several of our sisters are needing to step down from the challenge team, we rest assured knowing that the Lord’s hand has been in our individuals lives and as a group here, and in our happenings on this blog as well and will continue to be.  2011 has proven to be a very challenging year for many of us at SSIC, including job losses, cancer, out-of-state moves, and many personal struggles, etc. but it’s through those individual trials that our lives have become intertwined as we share and support one another and lift our sisters up in prayer.  This past year has brought many wonderful blessings as well.  These ladies are some of the most exemplary women of faith that I’ve had the pleasure of connecting and fellowshipping with.  So, although it is heartbreaking to have several of our sisters leaving the team, we take comfort in knowing we all are choosing to stay connected through our private yahoo group and will continue to pop in here by playing along and visiting you, our players when they can!  We have hope for the coming year in what God’s gonna do in our lives and here in our challenges.  We hope you, our players will continue to fellowship with us and join in our challenges as we seek to meditate on His Word and share that with the crafting community!! 

I’ve prepared a li’l tribute to our sisters who are leaving the challenge team.  We love you all and pray that 2012 brings many blessings to you and yours!! 

  Grace Nywening:  Joined our SSIC team on April 2, 2010.  Grace, you are a wonderful, caring woman of faith and a mighty prayer warrior.   You always have uplifting words of encouragement and have a desire to share God’s love and salvation in all that you speak, do and craft. Your friendship comes so easy and I’ll treasure it always.  You’ve been such a blessing to all.  Thank you isn’t nearly enough for all you’ve brought to this team and all the gorgeous inspiration you’ve given our players!!  We’ll sure miss you and your beautiful cards and hope you will continue to use them as a ministry when you can. 

 

  Chris Olsen: Joined our SSIC team April 2, 2010.  Chris, our friendship started long before you joined the team.  Yours was one of the blogs I visited daily for inspiration – you exude crafting talent and have such a gentle spirit.  I love hearing about your family and life outside of crafting.  Your heart for the Lord shines through in all you do and I consider it such a blessing to know you and to be your friend.  Thank you for all you’ve brought to this team and to our players.  You will be missed greatly here and we wish you and your family many blessings in 2012.  

 

  Rebekka Reed:  Joined us first as a Guest Designer June 4, 2010 and then became a regular DT member July 31, 2010.  Rebekka, what a strong faith journey and testimony you have!!  The things you’ve overcome in this life and your perspective and attitude are so admirable.  Thank you for sharing your stories with us and sharing your creative talent as well.   One thing I really appreciate is that when you needed to take a break from card-making you still were active in conversation in our group, sharing with us what’s going on in your life.  I am very grateful for the time we worked together here and wish you all God’s blessings. 

 

  Lisa Hjulberg:  Co-founded this challenge blog with me, August 10, 2009.  Lisa, words can’t express what I’m feeling.  We’ve been through so much these past 3 years since starting this blog together.  You’ve been such a li’l “go-getter”… taking on many behind the scenes responsibilities, coordinating our Guest Designers and Designers, offering guidance and administrative support.  To think of our li’l concepts for this venture in the beginning and to see what God’s done with it— has been such a blessing and cause for rejoicing!!  I know you need some time away – you’re on my heart and in my prayers (as all my sisters are) and I pray the Lord just blesses your socks off in 2012…  I look forward to hearing all about it so I/we can rejoice with you!!  There’s so much more I could say, but private emails is best for that.  You know I treasure your friendship … I love all of you sisters in Christ and will miss you all greatly!! 

I leave you with this thought from C.S. Lewis …  “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” 

May your wings take flight my sisters.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

My heartfelt wishes, prayers and blessings,

Kris