Category Archives: Crafts

Haste thee on from grace to glory

Haste Thee On to Grace and Glory - artwork by Cheryl Chong

Artwork by Cheryl Chong. Lyrics from the hymn Jesus I My Cross Have Taken (the Indelible Grace version is our favourite).

We gave a print of this to the Fleener family as a goodbye present. I (William) think it’s a hymn lyric that captures the hope of eternity that helps us to press on in sacrifice – whether it’s moving to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel, or staying in your neighbourhood to do the same.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heaven’s eternal days before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide us there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise!

Creativity for his glory – even more cards (Cheryl)

(W: Here are a few things that Cheryl has made in previous months. Really enjoy watching day by day how she’s using her time to image her Redeemer by getting stuck into creativity that serves others. In contrast, my knowledge of sewing and crafts is limited to opening my wallet and paying for materials…)

Custom-made cards

thank you card for baby stroller

Thank you card – we made this for a family that gave us their double stroller. Took awhile to find a good double stroller image to adapt. E loves getting involved with the cardmarking now, and each card we make usually has her signature touch (a deft scribble or two).

 

blue dinosaur birthday card rawrrr

A card for a dino-mite birthday boy! Some line art in the background, with a big dinosaur silhouette.

 

Windows Phone Metro themed greeting card with icons

A Windows Phone-themed card! Uncle Henry was in town for two weeks and we enjoyed having him stay with us for some of that time. Different icons for some of the different things we did together (building blocks, cycling, ramen noodles, cello, DS).

E got to go on the bike with her dada, and learn about how the postman takes the card from the postbox and helps get it to Taiwan. We were glad to learn that it got there in one piece:

Windows phone metro themed greeting card and some abstract art by Eden

One good thing about making cards from scratch is that it helps you to focus on the person you’re addressing it to – to pray for them, to consider their interests, what they like. It’s a good opportunity to learn to love others more.

Creativity for His glory – more cards (Cheryl)

(W: Here are a few things that Cheryl has made in previous months. Really enjoy watching day by day how she’s using her time to image her Redeemer by getting stuck into creativity that serves others. In contrast, my knowledge of sewing and crafts is limited to opening my wallet and paying for materials…)

Cards

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1st Birthday Card – We gave this one to Sean and Kaumosi’s cute 1-year-old, Elijah.

Cards - Get Well Soon

Get Well Soon card – We wanted to give Gavin something after hearing he had to go into hospital last month. That’s a hand-drawn bird under a rain cloud.

Stampin Up

Made the next two at Hyde’s cards night (http://craftinglittleblessings.wordpress.com/). Hyde runs a card making session each month with materials and ideas from Stampin Up.

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Congratulations!

Cards - Fathers Day

Fathers Day Card

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First day of spring

Daffodil

Yesterday was the first official day of spring in Auckland – brilliant blue sky and warm sun! Our family enjoyed a wonderful day worshipping with our Howick Baptist brothers and sisters, and being replenished by reading, singing and hearing God’s Word together.

Fathers Day in NZ also fell on the same day, and I got given my first ever Fathers Day card. Well, actually it was less a card and more a brilliant, hand-crafted, 15-page short story complete with illustrations from my talented wife. I was quite touched by it, no one’s made anything quite like it for me before…

Fathers Day

Had lunch with church family, then in the afternoon we took Cheryl to the Fleeners to learn how to ride a bike. Cheryl’s never learned before believe it or not, and its something we’ve put off for too long! The Fleener kids were vocal and enthusiastic encouragers, and Cheryl managed to ride unassisted (she could even stop!) a few times! We’ll have a go at riding further distances next time, if she feels up to it.

Cheryl on bike

The day was capped off with a wonderful evening of hymn singing. We’ve done a few now at church and I’ve enjoyed each one, particularly as we also get to learn more about the background of the hymn writers, as well as the important doctrines the hymns help us to appreciate and apply in our lives. This time round my favourite ones were Rock of Ages, The Church’s One Foundation and A Mighty Fortress (you can see all the hymns we sang here, with detailed notes) – but they were all a joy to sing.

If every day in spring were like this!

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