Shuttering Away

"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December."

Sir James M. Barrie (1860-1937)

I've been shuttering away again. Since I discovered the Shutterfly website, I've created books from God's creation. What a joy it's been!

I've always taken pictures, and had many photo albums until I went digital. It is inspiring, encouraging and motivating to capture God's creation. It wasn't until I found my faith that I discovered the real joy in God's creation. I've created many books inspired by God's handiwork these last 10 years. I try to purchase them when they're on sale and enjoy giving them to others to encourage them.

I've also created books that held great meaning to me, gifts that God has given me to help me through life. Yes, that's my childhood teddy bear and other "friends" I had when I was a child on the middle book. The "real" friends are inside though.

I even did a book when we moved to PA three years ago. This was a gigantic change in my life, having been a Maryland resident up to that time. It definitely was a new frontier!

This past weekend I found another "free" coupon on Facebook for the type of book I use and was wondering what I could create. I was sitting at the computer and happened to look down and saw the index cards I used many years ago to create my "Melody of Hymns." I found them the other week as I continue to go through items downstairs to give away or throw away. What a smile the cards gave me!



I've written about my "Melody of Hymns" before so I'll briefly mention what they mean to me. It was a low time in my life when I cried all the way to work and all the way home. I needed something to cheer me up, and God planted the idea in my mind to write the first verse of hymns I enjoyed singing on index cards. I wrote about 40 cards and started singing them in the same order every day. After a few months I realized I had memorized them and didn't need the cards anymore. They became my "Melody of Hymns" and I still sing them today.
 
This would be my next Shutterfly book! And what fun it was typing the hymn verses on the pages and downloading some of my favorite pictures to go with them! I can hardly wait to get my printed copy!

"But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you."

1 Thessalonians 3:6

Even this blog is a journal of sorts, bringing to mind how I've spent my life through the years. It's been ten years now that I've been posting, hopefully encouraging and inspiring others.

Memories are good. When you reach my age, they become even better. The winter winds may blow, but the warmth of good and happy moments keep me warm.

"Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us."

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

I hope that you are keeping some kind of remembrance, whether taking pictures, writing in a journal, scrapbooks or keeping a treasure box or chest. We have no problem remembering the sad and broken things. Satan is sure to keep them in front of us. And I have plenty to bring me down. But having something to remember, memories that are good, will help keep us in good spirit and encourage us at all times. What are you shuttering?