Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Christmas Faith Songs Blog Hop: "The First Noel"

(click on image to enlarge)



Hello, Bloggers!

Welcome to my blog! You should have just come from Kari's blog.  She is the host of the Christmas Faith Songs Blog Hop.  Today, we are worshipping the King and the reason for the season! We are doing that by highlighting our favorite Christmas songs along with a project we've created.

Our "gift" to you today is really just the gift of fellowship and testimony by way of today's blog hop.  BUT, there are some other goodies to be had!  To be eligible, you must comment on each of the blogs in this hop.  It would be nice if you would become a follower of each blog as well, but it is NOT a requirement to be eligible for the prize.  Kari will select a winner using random.org.

*Be sure to leave your email address in your comments so you can be contacted should you win.  If there is no way to contact you, another name will be drawn for the prize!

We would like to thank Jillian Vance for sponsoring the blog hop candy. Check out this beautiful stamp set that the lucky winner will get! I'm thinking I'm going to have to order a set for myself!  LOL! The winner will also get a set of pins.




  Please be sure to check out her site !  

Now, on to my project:

I selected the song "The First Noel".  Here is the first verse:


The first Noel the angel did say 
Was to certain poor shepards in fields as they lay: 
In fields where they lay a keeping their sheep 
On a cold winter's night that was so deep. 
Noel Noel Noel Noel 
Born is the King of Israel. 

This song speaks to me because it tells the story of the birth of our one and only savior, Jesus Christ.   What an amazing thing it would have been to have been present the night the King of Israel was born!  Now, we can only imagine what it would have been like, but for those of us that are parents, we can bear witness to the next best thing :  the birth of our own children.  

As a mother to two beautiful daughters, I know firsthand what a beautiful thing it is to bring a child into this world.  I have a 15-year-old daughter named Mikayla and, in September of 2010, I gave birth to another daughter -- a beautiful girl that we named Madison.  Sometimes, I find myself wondering who these girls will be one day.  What does God have in store for them?  What is His plan for them?  How can they serve the Lord?  All I can do is pray that God grants me the wisdom to raise them and guide them in the direction He has planned for them.  

For today's project, I did a digital layout focusing on my baby, Madison.  I used a digital kit by one of my favorite designers, Kristin Aagard.  Now, I've only just recently found out about her, but I am completely in love with her designs!
The layout features pictures of my fiance' and I with Madison the day we took her home from the hospital.  You can see our precious baby bundled up and wearing her pink cap.  *SMILE*  The journaling reads :

On September 3, 2010, the Lord 
blessed us with a beautiful
daughter.  Our lives changed
drastically from that day on, but
we wouldn't change anything for 
the world.  She is truly a gift
from God, and we thank Him
every day for our sweet baby
'Anela.

Now, if you're wondering about the last word in my journaling ('Anela), it is a Hawaiian name pronounced ah-ne-luh and means ANGEL.  It is one of Madison's middle names.  Yes, ONE of them.  LOL  She has three which is kind of a tradition in our family.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed your visit!  I read every comment and appreciate every single one!  If you have any questions, please be sure to leave an email address so I can contact you.

Don't forget that you need to comment on all the blogs in the hop in order to be eligible to win.  Please hop on over to Carolyn's blog next!  Below is the complete lineup should you get lost along the way.  Thanks again and have a blessed day.  Merry Christmas! =)


1. Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/ "Mary Did You Know"
2. Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com/  "The First Noel"
3. Carolyn - http://messmuddleandfun.blogspot.com/ and my sons is "Hark the Herals Angels Sing"
4. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/ and my song is "Ihr Kinderlein Kommet"
5. Zenita - http://www.scrappinwithz.blogspot.com  and my song is "Silent Night"
6. Susan - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/ "Joy to the World"
7. Jen Y - http://www.expressivelyme.blogspot.com  and my song choice is "O Holy Night" :)
8. Tina- http://craftyandgreen.blogspot.com  My song is Labor of Love


23 comments:

  1. great layout and oh what a cutie there!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful project. You are such a great writer, I loved reading your story.
    TFS this special blog.

    jashmore1944@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  3. what a beautiful digi layout!! I have just recently become interested in digi layouts so I will definitely check out Kristin Aagard... does she have a website. I'll do a search for her and if I can't find her.... I'll be back! TFS your beautiful work with us Dena!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your cute layout Maribel! Gorgeous pics!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the layout! It is so true about that verse (esp. for me with 2 December babies! LOL!). Thank you for sharing today! Good luck with the hop! scrappnbee@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. This l/o is adorable.....I love the DP....tfs

    ReplyDelete
  7. your layout is beautiful but you daughter' is precious and beautiful!!! Love participating in the hope with you!
    Hugs, Love, and Pixie Dust
    Lynne

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a blessing babies are, cut LO
    Merry Christmas to you and you family
    modjjjash @ yahoo .com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your layout is so wonderful and a testament to the love you have for your children. I miss Hawaii so much and your blog brings me happy memories :) So blessed to be in this hop with you!

    Happy Scrappin'

    Sue B
    http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. TY for Sharing Dena, this was great :) put a smile onmy face and i needed it today!!! TFS

    XoXo,
    Liz
    decadeofscrap.blogspot.com
    beautydecade@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love traditions! I am thinking that today most families do not think they are important..I hope I am wrong. Your layout is sweet and stunning at the same time. I haven't tested the digital waters yet..maybe one day...:)

    transport7800@aol.com
    http://mawmawsthoughts.blogspot.com/
    follower

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful Layout!!
    Many Blessings,
    Tina
    http://craftyandgreen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love this LO and what a wonderful story about your daughters! Thanks for being in the hop with me! :)
    Kari

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love your ditigal layout, these are becoming popular! You are very blessed mommy! Three middle names WOW... what a special little girl!Thanks for sharing again

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very pretty layout!!! So glad I found your blog, we are having a hop too if you want to come over and hop with us!
    kacee
    youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very pretty layout! Great job!
    kacee

    ReplyDelete
  17. very beautiful layout.. i love "O Holy Night" Merry Christmas to you and yours...:) lindaplusthree at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Awesome digital layout Dena!! You are so right the birth of our own children is such an awesome experience!!! Merry Christmas to all of you!
    Z
    http://www.scrappinwithz.blogspot.com
    scrappinwithz@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love your layout! Merry Merry Christmas to you!!

    ReplyDelete