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Helen Gullett

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Special Guests

There is a special reason why I did not blog for a whole week. We have special guests from my home country!!!
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Dommy and Murni are my friends and fellow missionaries. We met when I was just started learning and getting involved with the work in Indonesia. They visited us for 3 days and we had wonderful time catching up after 6 years not seeing each other.

This trip was Murni’s first time being in States so her husband said that she had to try some different kind of food pretty and experienced the cultural differences.

So we took them to Chipotle after picking them up at the airport.
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Dave had to work and our oldest daughter had to go to school for the first 2 days but they were able to enjoy the time together in the afternoon when they came home. Since I cannot drive alone yet (driving student in training…) my mother-in-law and grandma-in-law were able to take us to see some interesting things around where we live, like they got to see the big Ohio River and Portsmouth Mural Wall.
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They also had a chance to share what God had been doing in the country through the ministry they do among the people.
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And it was the week when almost all the leaves changed color in our area, so we tool them to Shawnee State Park to have lunch and see some colors.
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And the last night they were here we had a cook out (hot dogs and chili) and s’mores for dessert. It was a perfect night!
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3 days just gone so fast! We had fun time together, encouraged each other with stories and testimonies, most of all we thank God for what he has done in and through their lives.

We dropped them off at the airport and they went to their last destination before going back to Indonesia.
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It is not a “Good Bye,” but it is a “See you soon in the country!”

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5 Minutes Monday: Kikim People

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The Kikim people group live in the Eastern Kikim, Central Kikim, Western Kikim, Tebing Tinggi and Lahat districts in the Lahat regency in South Sumatra province. The Kikim are generally the only people group in the Eastern, Central and Western Kikim districts but there are a few areas with a small number of Javanese as well. In Tebing Tinggi, the Kikim live alongside the Lintang people, Javanese, Sundanese and Saling (Lembak) people. In Lahat, the Kikim live alongside the Lematan people, Javanese and Sundanese. The Kikim can easily understand the Lintang Empat Lawang, Besemah and Semendo dialects, but do not understand the Saling or Lembak dialects. One characteristic of the Kikim dialect is the word ‘lede’, which means “no.” The Kikim are also able to understand the Lematang, Ogan, Enim, Palembang and Belide dialects, among others. However, the Kikim are not able to understand the Komering, Ranau, Daya, Kayu Agung and Aji dialects. (Source: Joshua Project)

Please set aside 5 minutes today to pray for 86,000 people of Kikim. They are least-reached people group. So far they have audio recording of Bible Stories and Jesus Film. Pray for that God’s word will be available for them to read in their heart language. Pray for God is preparing their hearts and sending them His messengers to share the Good News with them.

THANK YOU for praying today!

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A Warm Welcome Gift Basket

It less than 4 days our friends from Indonesia, who serve with a local mission organization will visit us and stay with us for 3 nights! I am so super excited! 😀 It has been a long time since we have guests from my home country. And to welcome them to our little home, I made little Warm Welcome Gift Basket with my Silhouette Cameo.

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Stuck On U Sketches has their new Die Cut Challenge up on their blog now with theme: Everything Autumn. You are invited to play with our challenge and share your project you create with any of your die cutting machine that goes with the theme this week.

What you need for this project:

First open the file on the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition. The original size is small that makes easy to resize to as big as you want. I resized my basket. And then ungroup the shapes. First I cut the base basket using the Chipboard cardstock. I cut them all at once.

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Second time I open the leaves and resize them again, put them all around the space where they can fit so I can cut them all at once. I used the pattern paper for the leaves and the layer the base basket.

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I cut the paper basket shape into 5 pieces. I cut at their folding lines. It is easier to add them on the chipboard basket. After all shapes cut, I use my Xyron Max to add adhesive at the back of every piece for the basket layer paper.

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I used Liquid glue to assemble the basket after adding the layer papers on it. I love this liquid glue because it is multipurpose glue that can be used on anything, dries clear and even you can use to give some dimensional glossy looking on any flat embellishments.

I also made one layer Fall theme cards to put inside the basket with other knick knack. It is a quick one. I cut white cardstocks in 3.5×3.5, stamp it with Quick Cards – Autumn stamp set (retired) using Autumn Terracotta exclusive inks pad. I tied up some Natural Hemp and added some sequins to finish the cards.

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I embossed the trim pieces for the basket using Woodgrain Embossing Folder with my WRMK Embossing machine. I love the woodgrain looking for the basket. I added them on the basket edges using Tombow liquid glue. And then wrapped the Natural Hemp cord couple times. Before I tie up the bow, I added those leaves. I use the other side of the Pathfinding paper, the one side I use for the basket layering. Using liquid glue, I added the leaves one by one, made them like a cluster of leaves. Carefully curl them if you want like I did just the edge of each leaf.

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I finish it up with a metal brad after I tied up the bow. For extra security, I added some Liquid glue. Let it sit to dry before I put all the goodies inside the basket. And all done 🙂

I hope you like it as much as I enjoy making it! Thanks for visiting and don’t forget to check SOUS Challenges this month!
Have a fun weekend!

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Thankful Thursday: Given Skills and Abilities

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I am at week 2 now on study of Matthew with HelloMornings Fall session. In this one of the Gospels, I have been reading until chapter 7 and I realize how detail Matthew wrote down each of Jesus’ teachings, warnings and commands.

This morning, I read from my NLT Application Life Study Bible and there is a little bit of introduction to Matthew and what God had done in his life: gave him new life in Christ Jesus and changed him eternally.

This paragraph came to my attention:

Matthew’s experience points out that each of us from the beginning, is one of God’s works in progress. Much of what God has for us he gives long before we are able to consciously respond to Him. He trusts us with skills and abilities ahead of schedule. He has made each of us capable of being His servant. When we trust Him with what He has given us, we begin a life of real adventure. Matthew could not have known that God would use the very skills he had sharpened as a tax collector to record the greatest story ever lived. And God has no less meaningful a purpose for each one of us. Have you recoqnized Jesus saying to you, “Follow me?” What has been your response?

What had been my response to Jesus’ calling?

What a big question today.

My response to His calling is my little Yes and thanksgiving to His calling. Back in 2005, He called me to follow Him to serve Him. Since then my life is totally an adventure with Him!

I had no idea since the beginning I started studying English when I was at Junior High School. I had a very strict English teacher at my 9th grade. She told us to use English every time at her class. And English is not my first language. I was encouraged to participate at English Speech Contest. What?! Go figure! But I had a friend who was there with me and helped me with my speech and encouraged me to try. I did not win but I am glad I tried.

Then when my family moved to the capital city and they sent me to a public high school where my English teacher asked me to be her assistant for 2 years. And there were some opportunities for me to tutor some elementary students learning English who went to International Schools.

My love of learning English kept growing and came to my mind that I would sharpened and improved my English by going to University studying English literature or similar study. My plan was that so I could go overseas continue my study to be Fashion Designer, and to get a better job than in my country, also to help my parents.

All those happened in time before I came to trust in Jesus. I was not a believer and follower that time.

I came to know Him and trust in Him 14 years ago. Surely God has beeen working in my life way ahead of schedule, way ahead of my own plans.

I am not an English Literature expert, nor a Fashion Designer. But I am able to read, write and speak English. I still love designing buy not fashion, but designing cards & scrapbooking. I can teach my daughters and friends, and also we have crafting time together. Something good comes out of that. I am not yet as good as others, I am willing to still learn from others and willing to try.

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭13‬ NLT)

Stepping our of my comfort zone and dreams is scary but God is ahead of me. I want to trust Him leading me to live as He has planned for me. I am doing what I do now is because I am trusting in Him, because of He is the who gives me the desire and power to do what pleases Him. I cannot imagine if I kept pursuing my own desire to be a fashion designer or an English literature expert without Jesus and not knowing God’s calling.

Today, I am recalling all those series of events that happened in my life and reflecting where I am now and what God has called me to do right now is His plan all along since the beginning.

I am thankful for His gifts in my life. I am thankful for every skill and ability He has given in my life to use them serving Him right here, right now from home and when we are on the field.

I am thankful for every opportunity He has given to me to serve.

I am thankful for His calling, plans and schedules in our lives.

Friends, when God says, “I have a plan for you and your future.” He means it. Do you trust in Him? Do you trust Him with all your skills and abilities?

What God’s given skills and abilities are you thanking Him today?

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Some Fall / Thanksgiving Cards

Last week my friend asked if I could make her some Fall/Thanksgiving cards. I am so thankful to be able to do this for her. I have been working on some cards and I would like to share some them that I made yesterday.

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Lately, I have been so much fun with embossing and watercoloring. I tried some techniques on these 4 cards:

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I really enjoy making them 🙂 Thank You for visiting, I hope you’ll like them too!

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I link up these cards at:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge – Use Watercolor.

Inspire Me Monday – Week 145

Supplies:
Close To My Heart: Thankful Heart stamp set (B1463), Gold Embossing Powder, Craft Heater, Natural Buttons, Adhesive runner, Liquid Glass.
Others: Tombow liquid glue, Pearl gems, gold sequins, hemp cords, leave glittered foam, and watercolor.