Shelly A. Faust

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Archives for December 2014

Are You Waiting For Perfect Conditions?

December 18, 2014 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

Ecclesiates 11-4

Are you waiting for just one more thing to fall into place so you can do that thing you know you’re supposed to do?

Are you holding out for perfect conditions before you step out in faith and into that scary, beautiful, unknown territory God is calling you to? You know, that place the deepest parts of your heart and soul long for?

I’m a firm believer in God’s perfect timing and a divine order of doing things. I also know from personal experience that sometimes we think we are waiting on God, but God is waiting on us.

I can count a hundred (gazillion) times I’ve hesitated to do something I know God has called me to do because I felt like I wasn’t ready or I couldn’t see how it was possible or I counted (and recounted) all the ways it could go wrong.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” 

If we know God is leading but we continue to wait until we feel ready, the truth is we probably won’t ever follow His lead.  We’ll stay stuck, perched right on the edge of obedience and radical trust but held back by fear, doubt, and unbelief.

But if we say yes and take that leap even when our heart is beating out of our chest and we don’t know how exactly it’s going to work and we’re unqualified and inexperienced and clumsy and mess up a lot, then what?

Maybe, just maybe, it becomes less about what we can do and more about what God can do through us.

Maybe, just maybe, we’ll realize we don’t have to do this thing perfectly, we just have to do it.

Maybe, just maybe, God’s grace and love and mercy will begin to shine through all our imperfections and reveal His perfect beauty to a world who desperately needs Him.

And maybe we’ll finally understand it really isn’t about us at all.

———————————————————————————————

My current leap of faith into scary, unknown territory involves speaking. I’m sure I’ve whined much more than Moses but God has not relented in His asking nor has He provided anyone to speak for me. I’d rather stay right here behind the keyboard but yes, Lord.

What about you? How can I pray for you today?

———————————————————————————————

Upcoming Events:

You are invited to listen in on a conversation between myself and Teri Johnson of Keeping It Personal on Thursday, December 18 @ 12:00 pm Central time. The episode will be on eWN Radio Network >>http://ewnradionetwork.com/show/keeping-it-personal/

{NOTE: It will air live here too >> blogtalkradio.com/keepingitpersonal}

After the show goes live (and if you miss it) it will be accessible on iTunes, HERE >> http://bit.ly/KIPiTunes —

ShellyFaust_Episode Graphic

ShellyFaust_Speaker Graphic

 

Christmas Crafts & Free Printables Week 2

December 13, 2014 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

Hi friends! I hope you’ve had a FABULOUS week and are headed into restful bliss (or some holiday party fun) for the weekend! After a good week of homeschool (almost zero tears), a vlog, and now this post, I’m feeling super accomplished! :) But don’t be fooled by my bragging or get jealous just yet – I’ve still got plenty of Christmas shopping left (like, almost ALL of it) AND I’m currently rewashing a load of clothes that I started yesterday.

Today, we ended our homeschool week with some homemade Christmas cards. Our Art session has now morphed into Operation Christmas Card. Our plan is to make as many cards as we can (I’m hopeful for 12-15, today we made 4) and hand them out to loved ones and anyone else God puts on our heart and in our path.

I have some more free printables today at the end of this post but thought I’d share our cards first (just in case you might want to get in on the action). Feel free to use our ideas and spread some handmade Christmas joy!

We each made one snowman card and one Christmas tree card.

Materials used (in no particular order):

  • construction paper
  • school glue
  • hot glue
  • glitter
  • leftover fuzzy pillow stuffing :)
  • paint (snowman eyes)
  • markers
  • leftover game pieces (snowman buttons)
  • orange foam (snowman nose)
  • pinecones (separated and torn apart to make Christmas tree)
  • star punch
  • scissors
  • green felt (snowman scarf)
  • sticks (snowman arms and tree trunks)
  • random circle objects to trace onto paper and cut out for snowman

Homemade Christmas card craft1

Instructions:

  1. Gather materials
  2. Work your artsy/crafty, sparkly, handmade magic.
  3. Hang to dry.
  4. Gift your blessed creativity away.

Homemade Christmas card craft2

And now for those free printables I know you’ve all been desperately waiting for (humoring myself Lol):

I left this 8X10 printable black and white so you can print it on any color paper you’d like. Plus if you’re out of colored ink and your mom doesn’t live next door so you can’t use hers, you’re still good. Pretty smart of me, huh?

Isaiah 9-6 black and white

Click below to download and print

Isaiah 9-6

And these little guys? I thought it would be super sneaky and leave them in various places like restaurants or public bathrooms or doctor’s offices. You know, as a reminder of what this season is all about. For fun, we’ll call them Scripture Pass-arounds. Oh, make sure you cut them out first :)

Scripture gifts - Luke 2-11

Click below to download and print

Luke 2-11 scripture passaround

That’s all for today, folks! If you missed my vlog yesterday, please feel free to click here to listen now —> A Word On Wednesday.

Have a FANTABULOUS weekend!!

Love,

Shelly

 

A Word on Wednesday – Given on Thursday :)

December 11, 2014 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

Hey friends! Here is this week’s video. Better late than never, right? :)

Click here if you can’t view this week’s video in your email.

In the video, I share one of my greatest struggles – follow-through and finishing. What is one thing you struggle with the most? I would love to pray for you!

xo

Shelly

FREE Christmas Printables

December 2, 2014 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

I LOVE giving gifts! That’s why I’m so excited about today’s post! I’ve created some fun gift labels, an 8X10 picture, and also some letters for a decorative banner JUST FOR YOU!

Print these out on your favorite cardstock. Grab your scissors – snip, snip! Add your favorite ribbons and embellishments (I added stars to my JOY banner – you could add buttons, bling, glitter, or nothing at all because they’ll still look super cute!).

Christmas Labels1 (Click link to print)

Christmas tags 1

 

Christmas Labels2 (Click link to print)

Christmas tags 2

 

J for Joy2 (Click link to print)

J for Joy2

 

O for Joy2 (Click link to print)

O for Joy2

 

Y for Joy2 (Click link to print)

Y for Joy2

 

If you prefer a different font for the JOY banner, I created one more. Click on the links below to view and print.

J for Joy1

O for Joy1

Y for Joy1

And one last gift for you! Click to print this 8X10 picture, insert into your favorite frame, and you’re good to go!

Jesus is the Reason 8×10

Jesus is the Reason

Now, here’s what it all looks like in real life:

Christmas gifts Week 1 collage

 

Christmas gifts Week 2 collage

 

I’m hoping to offer some free printables for you once a week until Christmas! Do you have any favorite scriptures or quotes you’d like to see? Different color schemes? Words for a banner? I’m up for suggestions! :)

Enjoy!

xoxo

Shelly

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