Forever Beloved

Faith, Love & Truth

Hello. Goodbye.

Hello October, goodbye September
Hello rustling leaves, goodbye hot summer sun
Hello comfort food, goodbye cookouts
Hello campfires on crisp autumn nights
Hello pumpkin flavored everything, goodbye boring flavors
Hello trick-or-treating, goodbye quiet evenings
Hello mums, goodbye daisies
Hello busiest photography month of the year, goodbye free time
Hello scary movies, goodbye walking outside in the dark
Hello fall decorations, goodbye naked walls
Hello pumpkin candle, goodbye lilac candle
Hello season that makes me want to knit, goodbye unbusy hands
Hello colorful leaves, goodbye greenery
Hello infinity scarves and sweaters, goodbye tank-tops and necklaces
What are YOU saying hello and goodbye to?

The Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible {Book Review}

The Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible
by B & H Publishing

About the book:

The Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible combines two hot trends: Bible journaling and adult coloring. Through unique illustrations included on every page spread, readers, illustrator’s, and notetakers alike learn to engage the biblical text in a new way. The exceptional design offers a unique balance for everyone from seasoned artists to the creatively challenged, allowing for guided creativity and meaningful personalization of the Bible reading experience. From filigree, Scripture quotes, and unique images, these line-drawn illustrations are waiting to be brought to life.

One thing I’ve always loved since I was little is coloring.  As I got older, it changed into other artistic outlets like scrapbooking, card-making and art journals.  When I saw this Bible combined all of those things, I lept at the chance to review it!

This Bible has over 600 drawings and verses, filigree designs, swashes and doodles.  Some of the designs span two pages, while others are only one page.  It has wide, lined margins on the pages which is perfect for art journaling or note taking during sermons.  The pre-drawn designs are a light gray color and easily covered with pencils or markers.

I have used markers, watercolors, watercolored pencils and colored pencils in this Bible and the pages withstood all of it.  I was really apprehensive to use watercolors and markers, afraid they would crinkle or rip the page or bleed through.  But to my excitement they didn’t!  You can see the examples of what I’ve done below.

Adult coloring books are a hot trend right now.  You can find adult coloring books for just about any theme.  It relieves stress, relaxes you (read this as puts me to sleep) and helps you focus!  What a better way to relieve stress than coloring in your Bible!

I have to say, the creative lettering pages are my favorite.  I’m a sucker for great fonts and love mixing them.  The lettering in the Bible is superb!

And for those of you who don’t feel you’re artistic enough for this Bible, don’t worry, there are many designs already on the pages!  All you need to do is color them in.

B & H Publishing Group provided this book to me for free in exchange for this honest review.

TWENTY SEVEN | MOVED

Today’s prompt: Something that made you laugh or cry recently. It could be a video, a picture, a post, a memory. Anything that moved you.
Last week I spent some time reading back through all the statuses, posts and pictures on my Facebook from when I was sick.  With tears in my eyes, I was reminded again how blessed I am to even be here.  I was reminded of how even on my sickest days, I felt myself surrounded by love.  I was reminded of those times I was being prepped for surgery, knowing so many people had me covered in prayer.
If you’re new to my blog, and haven’t heard my story, I’ll share it with you.  It’s a true testament to how good and faithful God is, and how He brings beauty from the ashes.

In October of 2011 I went in for a routine laparoscopic hysterectomy. One of the first cuts the doctor made hit a main artery. A 9 inch incision, 2 units of blood, 1 unit of plasma and 1 unit of platelets later I woke in ICU. I had nearly died during the surgery. And during the surgery the doctor also missed a huge cyst on my left ovary. Four months later I went in to have that removed.

During that surgery, the same doctor put a clip on my ureter and put a hole in it. Three days later I had emergency surgery for a kidney that hadn’t drained in days. They installed a stent, hoping that would help the ureter heal.

Over the next 7 months, I had 8 surgeries to replace the stent. Each one would get corroded and calcified and cause a kidney infection, which would knock me on my butt. Finally the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic determined I needed a ureter reconstruction.

In October of 2012 I had a 14 hour surgery to repair my damaged ureter. While they were operating, they also found I had a partial bowel obstruction and that was fixed as well.

The surgery was a success! But sadly, my kidney had too much damage done to it. It was no longer functioning at all and was causing more harm than good. In February of 2013 I had my kidney removed. It was a routine surgery but unfortunately, I had a small stroke during it, awaking to a completely numb face on the left side.

Thankfully over time, my body healed itself and the stroke is barely noticeable. Although I do still have days where the drooping on the left side of my face is very noticeable.

I have issues with abdominal scar tissue, but that is an issue I’ll always have. My body just seems to love that stuff and grows it like crazy. I’ve had another surgery for lysis of adhesions to fix another partial bowel obstruction and free up what it was wrapped around.

Throughout all of this, the support I had was so, so amazing.  My husband drove me all over for doctor appointments, surgeries and follow-up appointments.  The days I could only sit in a chair, he completely jumped in and picked up my slack with my littles right by his side helping.  My church family and friends brought us meals daily so I could just recoup and not worry about cooking.  The number of people faithfully praying for me still brings tears to my eyes.  

I survived all of this solely because of God’s amazing grace and love. He has a beautiful, perfect plan for my life that didn’t end during those scary surgeries. Now it’s up to me to make sure I’m fulfilling it.

I am so blessed to have the most amazing husband, parents, children, church family and friends. I love you ALL and could never thank you enough for all you’ve done for us over the years!