Footprints in the Sand

explanation in the post below

To many many people, both Christian and non christian, Footprints in the sand is a well know poem. It has graced many a poster, bookmark and card. The words it speaks are comforting as they speak about our walk though life with God. At times when we are coping there are two sets of footprints, ours and Gods, but at times where we go though struggles there is one set. That set belongs to God. That's when he picks us up in his arms and carries us through the tough times.
For many years no one knew the author, although many people tried to claim ownership. In the end the writer was proved to be Mary Stevenson (Zangare).

as a young girl, mary had hand written copies of the poem to give to friends when they were going through tough times in their lives;

It was sometime after this that friends of Mary saw it in print and wondered why she wasn't given credit for writing it. Solicitors told her that it would be very hard to prove her the author since it had been used by many publishers of religious materials and greeting cards. Mary wrote 'Footprints' in 1936 when she was very young and knew nothing of copyrighting. She didn't follow up her claims until in 1984 when clearing out her garage, she found an original copy and with carbon dating and other tests, Mary was officially recognised as the writer.

Leona Lewis' version changes the word slightly, but doesn't detract from the meaning.

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going
You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much I no along the way
Then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times have I
Been so afraid
And just when I
Have thought I've lost my way
You give me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say

Chorus

When I'm weary
Well I no you'll be there
And I can feel you
When you say

I promise youI'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

As encouraging today as when it was written in 1936!

South Cave Mission Rescue 2011

I stared the week with a post about the South Cave Holiday Club and I'm completing the week with the update.  This video is of the weeks fun adventure MISSION RESCUE.  Thank you to all of you who have joined me in praying for the events, the children and staff.  Enjoy!!!

Holiday Fun ~ Sun Dial

This is a great activity to keep the children occupied all day.  You'll need an alarm clock or you might forget.
In the centre of the garden place a garden cane or broom handle.  Press it into the grass so that it's standing upright.
On the hour take a stone and place on the tip of the shadow cast by the sun onto the stick. You can write the hour number on the stone if you wish.
Then set the alarm for the next hour.
Repeat until you have all the stones set out.  
Now you can tell the time on any sunny day.

If I Stand

Jars of Clay singing the great Rich Mullins classic If I stand.

So if I stand let me stand on the promise
That you will pull me through
And if I can't, let me fall on the grace
That first brought me to You
And if I sing let me sing for the joy
That has born in me these songs
And if I weep let it be as a man
Who is longing for his home

Holiday Fun ~ Path Decorating

As a child, I was always told not to draw on pavements and this "rule" sort of stuck with me.  It was always common to see arrows chalked onto the pavement as children laid out trails for one another.
I still wouldn't draw on or encourage drawing on public areas, but in your own garden it must be fine!!!

Pavement chalks are cheap (try Pound shops or get a big tub from Hobbycraft for £1.99) and keep your children busy for a while.  The finished results brighten up your garden and the children have loads of fun.

Plastic Bags

'Remember your training, Quigly. It's, "Does madam wish for a plastic bag?" Not, "Now you know how a seagull feels, thicko!"'

Look at these images and remember them next time you are asked if you want a carrier!

Celtic Woman UK Concert Cancelled

This is my 1000th post.It should have been a happy post BUT I have had some sad news today:

Having found Celtic Woman several years ago by chance on You Tube, I've been really envious of the Americans who have had countless concerts of the beautiful arrangements of the most beautiful music. Over the years, I've shared their music with my blog readers, friends and family and have found it all very inspirational.
I was so excited to see that at long last they have decided to tour the UK with their wonderful show.  I persuaded my husband that we really should go as one of the dates was only an hour away at the Barbican Centre in York.  When the tickets arrived through the post, I was so excited and bounced through the house on a high.  I've been counting down the days, keeping an eye out for updates and publicity etc.
Then today an envelope dropped through the door telling me that the concert has been cancelled.  I'm totally gutted.  We were all looking forward to it and my little girl is really upset.
There is no explanation as to why it has been cancelled.
take a look at the beautiful music we shall not get to see, I just wish I knew why?

Craft Juice Tuesday ~ Toy Story

I love this knitting pattern by Fresh Stitches for these anigurumi style animals.  

And here we have another amigurumi pattern, this time for little ducks by Jarg0n

Mission Rescue

This week All Saints Church in South Cave are running a free holiday club for the children who live in South Cave.  There will be mix of crafts, dance, drama's and video clips themed around the story of God rescuing the Israelites from Egypt.
The holiday club this year is called "Mission Rescue" and is all about spies or secret agents.  As the agents, the children at the club explore the bible stories  and will uncover the truth that God has a plan to save and rescue his people.
Please Pray for the success and enjoyment of the holiday club

This video shows the fun that was had at last years club!

Yorkshire Day

Be Thou My Vision

Punctures

Although we are only one week into the summer holidays, I've so far fixed four punctures.
Sadly, 3 of those have been on the same bike and although the tyres deflate over night still, I can't locate any more.  I'll probably have to resort to new inner tubes.
The fourth puncture I repaired was so easy to find once I'd taken out the inner tube.  It was a half centimeter gash near the valve.  I looked in the repair kit for the largest patch I had, applied copious quantities of glue, applied the patch and left it to dry.
After a while I pumped a little air in and it was all holding fine, so I put the tyre back on and pumped it up.  I nearly jumped out of my skin when with a plunge of the pump handle the inner tube exploded with a huge hissssss of air.
So sometime this holiday I will be going to the bike shop for replacement inner tubes!

Craft Juice Tuesday ~ True Love

Silent Theatre has inspired this weeks collection with her digital enhanced print "I'm in love with love" featuring a 1950's image.  You can see further details HERE.

This truck card by Pollypurplehorse  is a perfect card for the man in your life.  

Fabric heart with the sentiment "with love" by Bluebells&Oystershells

Hand Making Your Christmas

It's July, height of the summer season and Christmas seems an age away, but if you are a crafter, then now is the time to start thinking about finding your glitter stash, preparing and planning because before you know it, the leaves will be falling from the trees and then the frost will be here and there won't be enough time to complete all the projects you have in your mind.
Certainly, there are lots of free materials around at this time of the year that will come in handy for projects I will be doing later on.
On your walks in the countryside you can collect pine cones, beech husks, sycamore keys, bark bits and other chunky wood twigs etc and when you visit the coast collect small chunks of drift wood and sea glass.  These can be stored away and allowed to dry completely.
If you are desperate to get started, then have a look on my Christmas blog Christmas Creative for some wonderful inspiration.  Also let me know if you have Christmas projects you would like showcased.

American Independence Day ~ For my American readers