Believe 2012

I did it! I chose my word for 2012 . . . Believe! I will explain it as I show you the projects I made to help remind me of my word all year along:

Today I've started an online bible study on the book, Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries - "Satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food." I need to get healthier including dropping a few pounds, and also I've read that this book can relate to other "cravings" in life that I seem to yearn for instead of God. This bible study fits in with goals I want to accomplish this year. So of course I need a bookmark for it! What a perfect way to see my word every day!

Bookmark Supplies:

• Jeremy Camp's "I Still Believe" lyrics
• Cricut Indie Art digital download cartridge for cross - cut using my Gypsy
• Silver mirrored cardstock from Joann (sold in individual sheets)
• Stampin' Up Cool Caribbean cardstock (from In Color collection a few years back)
• Georgia-Pacific white cardstock
• "Believe In Yourself" sentiment (only Believe inked up) from My Pink Stamper's Encourage Me stamp set (this was borrowed, so I would LOVE to win it and own it myself, Robyn!!)
• Stampin' Up Basic Black ink
• Avery font for wording
• Caribbean baker's twin purchased from Scrappy Moms

Ok, so here's some explanation behind my word, believe. If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that my faith could use some "boosting up." I've been enduring some darker times for a while now, so last year I needed to TRUST God that He would lead me through. My trust has been strengthened largely due to my new church which I officially joined in 2011. That within itself was a large step in the right direction! My new church has already taught me so much. BUT (Ugh! There's always a but!), I'm still in this dark place and need to believe in God's faithfulness, believe in His truth, and believe in His Holy Word even when I just don't see it. Jeremy Camp eloquently sings this in his song, "I Still Believe."

I want to remember all of this on a daily basis, so in addition to the bookmark, I also etched a candle holder with the word believe, and also with some musical notes to remember Jeremy's song. The candle holder sits right in front of me at my home PC, the place I am at the most. And I do enjoy burning candles often. This may be a better reminder than the banner hanging in my home office from last year's word. That was nice, but it started blending into my office further into the year. Visitors to my house would notice it more than me after a while. But a candle will require more attention so that's a good thing!

I'm about to start back to my small group at church where we will be 40 Days in the Word!

Being in the Word is definitely something I need to do and goes well with my "Believe" resolution. I will most likely move the bookmark over to my bible after the Made to Crave online study.

Here are some more close-ups of the candle holder:

Glass-etchings are really hard to photograph!

Musical notes in the shadows!

Bird's eye view . . .

Here it is with the lit Bath & Body Works Marshmallow

Fireside mini candle in it. Their sale ended today, but I

stocked up on plenty of these mini candles with holders!

They were $1.50 for the last few weeks. Gotta love that!

Bird's eye view showing the musical note shadows!

Burned my Marshmallow Fireside mini candle to clear liquid!

Candle holder supplies:

• Cricut Quarter Note cartridge for believe and musical notes welded on my Gypsy
• Cricut white indoor vinyl to make etching stencils
• Armour Etch glass etching cream
• Foam brush to apply glass etching cream
• Glass candle holder and candle from Bath and Body Works
• Cricut white indoor vinyl to make etching stencils

I am entering this into My Pink Stamper's January challenge, "A Fresh Clean Start!"  Robyn often inspires me with her commitment to her faith in which she frequently blogs about, so I thought this project was perfect to make and enter into her challenge!

Soooo, have you picked a word yet for 2012? I've got mine now! Thanks for sticking with me during this very long post and letting me share my New Year goals and crafty projects with you! Have a wonderful week!