Faith Conquers Fear

The Crafters of Faith have a monthly challenge (we take turns choosing the Scripture/Theme) and we share our creations on the 7th of each month. Yes, I know this is the 8th... but I had a design team post yesterday so I'm just now putting my CoF card on my blog.

Barb was our May hostess. Here are her instructions...

Scripture-Isaiah 40:31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Challenge: Make a project that showcases strength that you have received from your faith. Or, something that you are not strong at, but are working to be better! It could be an image, a technique, style of card—anything you want to highlight.

I will admit I had a bit of a challenge wrapping my head around the theme... and truthfully, I'm hoping I didn't veer too far away from what she had in mind.

One of the things that I've seen God do in my life is equip and send me on mission trips, both in our country and internationally. I love serving in this way but never - EVER! - feel qualified. I always fret that I will be a weak link, but when God says Go, I also know He will equip me as He sees fit. I marvel at that!

You might wonder why I added the elephant to my card. He has a story - well, not that elephant, but an elephant. On my 7th international mission trip, and my first one of three to Thailand, our team provided care and activities for the  Missionary Kids while their parents were in a big meeting - for a week. It was so much fun! Those kids were amazing! We were also exhausted at the end of each 10-12 hour day!

It was also planned that after the "work" was finished, we'd have an outing as a team. We were able to ride in a cane bottom boat (okay, that's a stretch of the term "boat" it was an open air slab with bench seats) down the river, we rode in oxcarts to get back to the camp, and then we went on an Elephant ride. I am afraid of heights, so the idea of riding an elephant was terrifying to me. But the entire team was going on this hour-long excursion and I was determined to conquer my fear and go. It helped that one of the young team members volunteered to be my riding partner. She was so kind! AND God knew what He was doing (doesn't He always?) - it just so happens that our elephant was a mama so her youngster had to go along with us, walking by our side. He was so playful and cute. When I got a little anxious about the slope we were going down, the water we were splashing through, etc., I just focused on "Junior" and was able to cope with my fears.

While I do not have any desire to ever ride an elephant again, I am so thankful I had that experience and that I didn't let my fear keep me from it.

I added a Scripture verse (one of my most favorite verses in the entire Bible) on the inside of my card...

I hope Barb and the other Crafters of Faith like my card.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: CC Designs Circus and Stamplorations Faith Expressions stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU Real Red CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies: MFT Blueprint 21 and Sizzix Squares

Embellishments: Eyelet Outlet Enamel Dots