Hi sweets! Last week I was over the MOON to be able to announce that I designed a collection for Illustrated Faith & Bella Blvd called Delight in His Day! It has most definitely been a dream come true for me. I’ve always been an artist & when I started scrapbooking at age 12, my mom told me that I should try to design some scrapbook paper someday. She just made that comment offhandedly one day when I was creating, & it’s stuck in my head ever since! The day I got my samples from Bella Blvd of my collection was a very very surreal day for me: seeing MY designs printed on 12×12 paper with an Illustrated Faith branding strip was incredible! I text a photo to my sister Anna that day & she said: “Oh wow! It’s got bar codes on it & everything!” Which pretty much summed up how I felt. :)

I wanted to share a little about this collection & what inspired me to design it. I worked on an amusement park boardwalk in my hometown every summer from age 15-19. Those summers were some of the worst ever. hahaha But simultaneously they were the BEST ever. Do you know what I mean? Have you ever had a weird job that had some of the WORST responsibilities, but those horrible tasks were part of what made it a wonderful adventure for you? It’s like you’re working in the trenches with your co-workers, but you’re creating something magical for the guests. And being behind the scenes of something like that can create some totally awesome memories. :)

My parents took my sister & I there frequently from a very young age– my dad used to assist the original OWNER of the park, so he knew every crack in the boardwalk there. Dad was a police officer & policed the park some summers, so Mom would bring Anna & I out to visit him & he would buy us cotton candy or popcorn & sneak us on to the ferris wheel for a ride. :) Some of the icons you’ll find in the collection are things that I remember super fondly & vividly from the boardwalk: the cotton candy, the ferris wheel, the taffy, the pennants, the tickets, etc. My summers at the park & the joy those memories bring to mind are what inspired the Delight in His Day line. :)

Many people think I’m a perpetual optimist based on my wardrobe, my art, & my Instagram feed, but actually I am quite a pessimist. It’s in my brain chemistry to jump to the worst possible conclusion & assume the worst about every situation. With my mental diagnoses, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Anxiety, it comes naturally for me to fixate on the negative details. So finding joy for me has always been a quest. Trying to see the good in the world & fixate on that instead has been a constant necessity. It’s not always easy, in fact some days it’s near impossible, but ever since starting Bible Journaling, it’s become a little easier. I wanted to create a collection for this incredible community that just radiates JOY & helps others to find the wonderful serendipitous blessings that God brings to our lives each day!

I’m so so blessed to have been able to share a little bit of my heart with you today & what brought about this colorful collection! To celebrate, I wanted to do a GIVEAWAY of Delight in His Day!

To enter to win I would love for you to leave a comment telling me a memory from your childhood that brings JOY TO YOUR HEART!

Post your comment (see details above) on this post between now and

Sunday, January 29th, 2017, Noon PST

for your chance to win #if_delightinhisdaycollection

Winner will be announced on Monday, January 30th, 2017.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tell your friends about our new releases and giveaways by using the hashtag #illustratedfaith in your social media posts!

Love to you all!

<3 Elaine

 

 

130 Comments
  1. Rebecca 8 years ago

    One of the memories from childhood that brings joy to my heart is the memory of how often my sister and I would race each other down the hill in front of our house on bicycles. I always loved those days of playing with my little sister :-)

  2. Sara Alonso 8 years ago

    I think this is my favorite collection so far. Love that it is a fun collection and emphasizes on the joy He brings us. I would love to have this one for my bible journaling and card making. I think I can also use this collection to create unique bookmarks. Thanks for the opportunity!

  3. Elizabeth Young 8 years ago

    Thinking of all the time my dad goofed off with me and my sister, from picking a corner in an elevator to “be prepared to stop” signs, i love thinking about my dad and how he connected with his daughters.

  4. Rosalin Afan 8 years ago

    One of my fond memories of childhood was my parents always registered both my brother and I in Vocational Bible School every summer.However, my dad forgot to register us one summer and then we certainly had a melt down. It was something to cherish and fun to remember it now but it certainly wasn’t back then.

  5. Tammy Wolters 8 years ago

    Thank you! I received my journaling Bible in April 2016. I have enjoyed getting to know God as it should be….spending the time to understand!

  6. Cheryl Hutcherson 8 years ago

    What a fabulous collection! A childhood memory that brings joy to my heart are endless summer days of riding our bikes all over our small town.

  7. Patricia Phibbs 8 years ago

    Memories dear to my heart are of when I was about 10 years old, my mother started teaching me cross-stitching. She woke up my creative side and led me to do many types of needle crafts. I started venturing out into Bible journaling in 2015 and have many entries in my two Bibles that reflect memories of my mother. I have been actively purchasing items from Illustrated Faith for about a year and love every kit and resource I’ve received. Thanks for being a beacon for me as I expand in mixed media use in my daily Bible journaling.

  8. Tiffany 8 years ago

    My favorite childhood memory is spending the entire summer outside playing and riding horses with my best friend & neighbor. We lived in the country and it was so much fun. Now that I’m older & live in a large city, I appreciate that fond memory of a simpler time.
    I love your style and am looking forward to seeing more of your work. I love everything you have done so far!!!

  9. Wanda Colangelo 8 years ago

    Elaine’s work always appeals to me and puts a smile on my face….I am amazed at the array of Illustrated Faith products that are available now. There has been such growth in the year since I became a fan of IF….so happy for all of you. Thanks

  10. Katie Skiff 8 years ago

    Beautiful projects!! TFS!! I know now just how great my childhood was. Fortunately, I can’t pick just one memory. We made a lot of them that bring me joy! Being an adult and living in the real world, I thank God everyday for just how lucky I was.

  11. Emily Grace Lay 8 years ago

    I’ve been hearing about Illustated Faith for a while and I was finally able to get my first Journaling Bible and the starter kit this past Christmas! I have loved it and even got the Goals with Grace kit. I told a friend and now I will be hosting a women’s group where I will show them all about Bible Journaling. Getting a kit like this would really help me out a lot.

  12. Sherry 8 years ago

    Thinking back to one of biggest parts of my life that brought me joy as a child was all the wonderful times I spent with my grandmother. We mostly sat around and just talked. She would read her bible several times throughout the day. She was the first person I knew that had read the bible all the way through over and over again. She has passed on now but I think she would have loved all this bible journaling. I am just learning about all this myself and would love to win this to begin my own journey with bible journaling. It would have been so much fun to do bible journaling with my grandmother. Thank you for the chance to win!

  13. Kristin 8 years ago

    This collection certainly radiates joy – I love it! One of my fond memories from childhood is going to see my grandparents in Mitchell, SD and visiting the Corn Palace each summer. We didn’t live close by, so it was always a treat to spend time with them and we always looked forward to going to the Corn Palace while we were there. Not everyone would call the Corn Palace an exciting tourist destination, but as a child it seemed so large and magical, and we always looked forward to seeing how it was decorated for the year and getting ice cream at our favorite spot across the street!

  14. Missy L Brown 8 years ago

    Some of my favorite memories ar vacations as a child. I got my parents time and attention for a whole week. I love the ocean and sand just because of all those memories.

  15. Teri Piver 8 years ago

    My favorite memory that brings me joy is remembering the smell of salt air at the beach. The smell of salt air is so vivid in my memory that I can close my eyes and smell it! It gives me joy and takes me to my happy place!

  16. Norma Rodriguez 8 years ago

    A memory that brings so much joy Timmy heart is the memory of climbing trees with my brothers and sister. We use to climb this tree in our back yard all the time. When I was younger I remember thinking wow I am so high up, i loved it.

  17. Tammy Schlinker Lever 8 years ago

    I remember as a child, every Sunday after church my family would drive out to the country to Avondale Dairy Farm. They had a store there and we would go for ice cream…..everyone would order banana splits because they were the special treat…except for me…I am allergic to bananas so I would always order the hot fudge sundae….after our ice cream my brothers and I would get to go play in the play ground while my parents watched :)

  18. KellyJean 8 years ago

    Attending church with my Gramma… actually wait… just BEING WITH my Gramma… any time… any place… and for any reason… that’s my favorite childhood memory :)

  19. Dawn Finley 8 years ago

    Remembering how my mother and aunt would load 6 of us kids into 1 car, pack food for entire day and we would head to the beach for all day. My mom passed away 16 years ago this month and I wish I could talk to her about those days.

  20. Danielle VanErem 8 years ago

    One of my favourites was during Christmas time, we would all get into our pjs and then drive around our neighbourhood to look at Christmas lights together

  21. Marcella Chambers 8 years ago

    Love these products!! One of my childhood memories is how my dad used to play ball with my two sisters and I. One man vs. three girls! He would run and grab the base so we couldn’t tag the base. We would laugh and run around trying to catch him before he tagged us out. Somehow we always won and we had such a good time. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us!!

  22. Michelle Salazar 8 years ago

    Such happy and colorful paper. When I was five I got to go to the ice cream shop and have a moment of getting my Mom all to myself and I know that seems selfish with a family of five it was rare to get ice cream let alone have the time alone with my Mom. I have never forgotten that moment and how much I loved my Mom and ice cream during that moment in time!

  23. Wendy Carpenter 8 years ago

    Other than riding our bikes all over, one of my favorite childhood memories is going to our county fair and buying suckers from this certain vendor! The suckers were in the shape of a bear and I always bought several throughout the week! Maybe that’s why I think the food in this collection is so cute!

  24. Carla Hundley 8 years ago

    When I was around 10 years
    old, I sewed up some yellow
    fake fur Smiley Faces and
    sold them for 25 cents!
    Carla from Utah

  25. Melissa 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories is visiting my grandma and eating her popcorn balls. They were the best! She also would do crafty projects with me. Miss her bunches!

  26. Sharon Spinale Sienaski 8 years ago

    This is such a joyous collection. One of my favorite memories is going to the movies every Sunday with my boy cousins. The adults always gave us money for tickets and snacks. Like popcorn, cotton candy etc.

  27. Lara Stoots Molettiere 8 years ago

    I spent almost every Saturday night at my grandmother’s house growing up and we would walk to church down the street on Sunday morning. Those memories always make me smile.

  28. Amanda Huizenga 8 years ago

    I loved reading the story of what inspired you for this fun line!

    A favorite childhood memory for me was playing barefoot in the summer in the creek that ran behind our house…my siblings and I would explore for hours back there, letting the cold creek water flow across our feet, and sometimes getting “bloodsucker” on us and having to run up the hill to the house to get salt to get them off! As I think of it…that image would make for a rather horrible bible journaling kit! :)

  29. Shasta 8 years ago

    I have so many fond memories as a child that it’s hard to pick a favorite. If I had to choose though it would be the extra time my brother and I got to spend with our dad in the summer. He worked at 3M and his shifts alternated each week. One week he would work 8-4 and the next he would work 4-Midnight. So during the school year we really only ever saw him every other week because when he was on his 4-Midnight shift we were obviously in school during the day. But in the summer when school was out we got to see him every week! One week we would see him during the days and the next week it would be in the evenings. I used to take the time we had with him for granted and now I wish I hadn’t. He passed away when I was in college and my brother was 14. Although he’s in heaven it would still be nice to see him if even just for an hour. If I had to go back to my childhood I would take each precious moment we had with him and treasure it all that much more.

  30. Susan Fichter 8 years ago

    I will always fondly remember watching TV westerns with my dad, Laramie, Have Gun Will Travel, The Rebel, but especially Gunsmoke, our favorite.

  31. Teresa 8 years ago

    I do not have any childhood memories of amusement parks or carnivals but when my kids were young and then my grandkids came along we went at least once a year and they are so much fun love this collection

  32. Debbie Minter 8 years ago

    A memory of my childhood that brings joy to my heart is spending time with my grandparents.

  33. Tess Crawford 8 years ago

    I have so many special memories of time spent with my grandparents when I was little. They lived in the town my family attended church in and we would often visit them after Sunday evening or Wednesday services. During the summer I would secretly take a change of clothes just in case I could convince my mom to let me spend the night. ? Sometimes it worked! I loved waking up to the smell of coffee and my Grammy making breakfast in the kitchen.

  34. Rebecca 8 years ago

    A fun memory of mine is having tea parties with my grandma. She would brew us tea and give us crackers and cheese. I love that it was a family tradition we still do occasionally.

  35. Gayle 8 years ago

    My mind starting racing with wonderful memories from childhood as soon as I read your prompt. How blessed I am to have so many good memories. One that stands out was when my dad came home from VietNam. Momma took us to get out hair done, we got new dresses, and we were busting with excitement for Daddy to step off that plane!!

  36. Lisa 8 years ago

    I love this set on Joy! It is my word for the year of 2017! One of my favorite childhood memories is probably family vacations to Colorado in the summer and how close God seems in the beautiful mountains. I now am continuing the tradition with my own kids and family. I hope they will always find joy in this.

  37. Jan 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories from my childhood is when as a family we would eat popcorn and apples in the fall while watching the Nebraska Huskers play football on TV.

  38. Laura 8 years ago

    I really love how joyful this line looks! A childhood memory that brings me joy is remembering all the talks about Job with my dad. Hard times at the moment but I grew so much and those nuggets of Truth still help me today. My relationship with my dad brings me true joy!

  39. Esther Goodier 8 years ago

    One of my favourite childhood memories is building dens with one of my friends. We called them custard cottage and raspberry residence (according to their colours) and we’d post each other letters. One time my dad posted letters to us saying there was fresh bread at the bakery, signed by “the baker”, and we popped to the kitchen to eat it. We still remember them so vividly and we’ve even talked about building them again one day!

  40. Diana 8 years ago

    Congratulations on seeing your work in print!

    I am very new to journalling – only a few months. I discovered it quite by accident when surfing the Lifeway website.

    Years ago I started rubber stamping greeting cards then progressed to altered books and related art. I was away for it for several years, long enough to get rid of my stash! So now I am starting over, with a much different focus.

    The LORD is drawing me back into close relationship with Him and Bible Journalling, planner journalling are just a part of my walk.

  41. Esther Brandt 8 years ago

    Been journaling since August, so relatively new. I love being creative and using my talents to worship God!!

  42. Abby 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories that brings joy to my heart is when my family would take family bike rides on warm summer evenings!

  43. Angel 8 years ago

    I have fond memories of spending summers with my cousin. We would sleep in, watch too many movies, and spend a lot of time dancing around to Backstreet Boys – it was so much fun! This collection is so cute and whimsical! Thank you for the chance, God bless!

  44. Abigail 8 years ago

    Oh boy! I have so many memories! I mean I’m still living my childhood…haha? But my favorite memory so far was getting my first American Girl Doll. That is so silly but I had so much fun with those dolls and I had so much excitement every time I got one!

  45. Kimberly Cowart Goodrich 8 years ago

    I have been following this blog and buying pieces of print and pray for a few months now. I have bought a few kits but it wasn’t until I saw the hot air balloons this month that it really resonated with me and I was finally able to start my bible. See last year while in the midst of applying to adopt our first child, I experienced two miscarriages. My husband and I have been married for 10 years so this was very devastating and it has caused our adoption process to go even slower. When I saw the recent blog post about waiting in the mean time and she used your kit I couldn’t wait for it to come. It has been a struggle to rely on the Lord through my grief but for some reason those hot air balloons have really brought me a peace about my children who are in heaven. I can’t explain it, but it is an image that has blessed my heart in a very sweet way. Thank you for your art.

  46. Becky 8 years ago

    Every summer we would spend a few days with my Grandmother on the Gulf Coast. This was before much development and we had the run of the beach. We would catch our supper and cook right there on the beach. It was great!

  47. Juliana 8 years ago

    My family used to go to a Christian music festival every year. Such a joyful and fun time every year.

  48. Kelly 8 years ago

    My childhood best friend and I had the same stuffed dog Musty growing up. We would take them everywhere. Found a stray plastic bag in the yard, why no! It’s a doggy parachute! We had the best time together and are still close 30 years later!

  49. Te Lee 8 years ago

    I remember going to church as child, the lessens where always so much fun. I remember learning a song in sign language and i thought it was the coolest thing ever. I still remember how to say “jesus loves me.”

  50. Lizzie 8 years ago

    My favorite memory has to be the day we got our first dog. He was a rescue dog who had had a tough life. It took a lot of love and care to make him a happy puppy again, but once he felt at home he became my best friend. He was at my side through illness and broken dreams, but he also made me laugh so much, so many times!

  51. Heather 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories as a child was going to the Log Cabin Festival in Missouri with my family. Just walking around all the vendors sharing funnel cake playing silly fair games. I loved seeing all the things people created with their hands and God given talents.

  52. Rox Cruz 8 years ago

    When i was growing up in Va, we would spend our summer weekends in the mountains. We always bought a watermelon and put it in the creek to keep it cold. My brothers and i would spend the day jumping rocks in the water and we always had fried chicken for lunch and we would just wash our hands off in the creekbed.

  53. Sam G 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories was when my family lived in this house on a road that made a circle. That was the best neighborhood ever, like something out of a movie. My younger sister and I would ride our bikes around the circle. We knew all our neighbors and a lot of the kids would come hang out at our house. One neighbor had a pool and it was the summer spot for the “circle.” We only lived there four years but I keep those joyful memories close to my heart.

  54. Amor Love 8 years ago

    Hi! One my childhood memories that bring me JOY is the traditional summer camping trips my family would go on! I looked fwd to the summer every year as a little girl, because I knew it was going to be an adventurous camping trip! We would sit by the fire late at night & my dad would strum his guitar and start singing The Year of Jubilee by LAMB, oh my God I just got teary writing & reminiscing about this beautiful & joyful tradition! “) Blessings!

  55. Linda 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories was camping every summer and digging in the beaches for clams. Loved it.

  56. Keri @ Shaken Together 8 years ago

    Every Summer, I flew to Ohio to stay for a few weeks with my grandma, aunt and cousins. I remember spending hours outside swimming, doing cartwheels, playing with the sweet kittens born to the barn cat, hitting garage sales with my grandma, snapping beans from her garden with her, porch swings and books, messy hair, a golden tan, jelly shoes and too many popsicles. Those were some of my favorite days ever!

  57. krystal 8 years ago

    Some favorite childhood memories consist of me and my grandpa sitting in what we called his painting room where he would taught me and even let me help him paint one of his paintings. I’ll never forget how he used to use his fingers to blend paint together to make the sky looks so pretty.

  58. Laura 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories is trips in the
    Car to my grandparents that lived two hours away. My
    Dad liked to travel when no one else did, so we would sometimes leave for their house late at night which made it seem even more exciting!

  59. kdizne 8 years ago

    My biggest joy growing up was whenever we went to Walt Disney World (We lived 4 and half hours away from the Park) 8(:-D

  60. Ellie 8 years ago

    What a wonderfully colourful and cheerful release, especially on a cold winter’s day.

  61. Julie Garcia-Matus 8 years ago

    A favorite memory would be going to beach every summer with my family and spending the entire day! Swimming for hours and falling asleep on my towel feeling the warm sand from underneath. Happy day!

  62. Amy Bilotta 8 years ago

    I was an introverted kid, so a lot of my childhood was spent reading or doodling. I read in the car, while walking through the grocery store, and my parents had to forbid me from reading at the dinner table. LOL This collection is adorable, Elaine!

  63. Jen Steed 8 years ago

    We weren’t big family/vacation people, but I always loved going to Mackinaw and having picnics. My favorite days EVER!!

  64. Linda K Wilson 8 years ago

    We did not go on family vacations but we did go to the beach and have picnics in the park…

  65. Andrea Acosta 8 years ago

    We used to go camping every year. Our grandparents and aunts and uncles would all come too, and we’d hike and adventure together, and sit by the fire and tell stories. Some of the most precious memories in the entire world <3

  66. Wendy Smith 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories is going to the beach during summer. We would splash and swim all day, then have a bbq at nite. Go home exhausted but it was a day filled with fun.

  67. Kristy 8 years ago

    Being that I’m in Texas most of our summer vacations where spent in Galveston. But it wasn’t just my parents & us kids, it was with my dads side of the family. We would have the best of times building sand castles & just hanging out grilling burgers & playing. As we got older my parents divorced & those memories are what I still hold on to till this day.

  68. Kelly Thompson 8 years ago

    Our family vacations consisted of going to the lake every year. It was always so much fun to be with extended family and just enjoy being outside. Things seemed more simple back then.

  69. Heather Hefner 8 years ago

    I love this new collection! It will be so awesome to share with my 8 & 9 year old daughters!
    A favorite memory from my childhood that brings me joy: My grandparents worked for a children’s boarding school before they were married and after my grandmother sat on their board of directors. Due to her position my family and I always attended (and helped facilitate) their annual appreciation banquet and it is still one of my fondest memories. Being able to visit the campus and dorms and “taste-testing” the banquet food while it was being prepped all day. Sitting with my family for the entertainment from the children during dinner and them giving away door prizes. It seemed like such a mysterious place to me then. Now I realize those children had a MUCH different life from me and really needed the love and attention they got from those workers and that event. I do feel that those experiences molded my heart for children’s ministry that I’m involved in today. ?

  70. Heather O'Barr 8 years ago

    A favorite childhood memory would have to be our yearly camping trips! So many wonderful memories were made!

  71. Jacqui 8 years ago

    Love the fun colours in this collection!
    Favourite childhood memories all surround time with my family, especially with my sister. From road trips playing games in the back seat, make believe with our cabbage patch dolls, barbies, stuffed animals and other toys, snacks after school with Mom, to Saturday morning cartoons with bowls of cereal. These memories bring so much JOY!

  72. Suzan Tolleson Grabowski 8 years ago

    Going on mission trips with my parents.

  73. Julie 8 years ago

    Catching lightning bugs in the evening with my friends during the summer months.

  74. Jill Drangsholt 8 years ago

    One childhood memory that brings me joy is going to my grandparents cabin on a beach in the Puget Sound. I loved walking the beach, collecting shells, and splashing through the seaweed and sand during low tide. I don’t think my husband quite understands but I still long to spend afternoons at the beach during low tide. It’s one of the things I miss most about living in Seattle.

  75. Heather Lee 8 years ago

    A fun memory from my childhood is that my mom would sew Barbie clothes and make furniture from cardboard. We didn’t have a lot of money but she was really creative and made items way cooler than store bought ones! To this day handmade items are always my favorite gifts from her.

  76. Teresa 8 years ago

    How colorful. Exactly what is needed after the gloomy winter we are having!

  77. Cathy 8 years ago

    I loved going to my grandmothers house and making apple jelly and shelling peas and snapping green beans. My memories of those days bring joy to my heart.

  78. Gail Maynard 8 years ago

    I love this set!
    My greatest childhood memories always involve Christmas….finding the presents under the tree Christmas morning and exploring all the surprises in my stocking.

  79. DeAnn Shannon 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories is from a trip to the Great Smokey Mountains when I was 8. We stopped for 1 more picnic at our favorite spot by the river, before leaving to head home. My Dad & I were trying to hop out across some dry rocks in the swift flowing river, so my mom could take our picture. I slipped into the river & thankfully my Dad had a tight grip on my hand & was able to quickly pull me out of the cold water! It scared us both so bad. But we quickly began laughing once we realized everything was fine….except for our freezing, drenched clothes. We got our pictures & crossed back carefully. Then had to unpack quite a bit of luggage to get out some dry clothes for our drive home. Those pictures of us drenched & laughing are some of my most favorite. Sadly, my Dad passed away 3 years ago. I’m so glad I have many, many wonderful memories of family vacations & ordinary times together, from my childhood & from most of my childrens’ childhoods ?

  80. Sara V Monge 8 years ago

    What can I say? I think this is by far my favorite collection! It is a fun collection, like a day @ the circus! It will be great for anything from a great motivational card for a friend or for bible journaling. I honestly can’t wait for the release! I need it!

    High five to a great job!

  81. Vickie Speck-Standefer 8 years ago

    WOW! Amazing collection!! Happiness in pages to put on happy pages within a great book.
    To choose just ONE memory is so hard….. I guess it would have to be seeing the sunrise over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with my parents.

    Dad woke me up early – really early. Mom already had coffee going and the RV smelled like a warm hug. I got hot chocolate. I stumbled out into the inky darkness.

    No sights. No sounds. No wind. Silent stillness. The only light was from the flashlight dad held as we walked to the rim where the viewing area was. Black. Black – felt like a void in space and time. Nothingness. Then ever so softly the breeze started. Like a soft caress on your cheek. The birds started their morning songs. The sky was a lighter black, then charcoal, dark grey, and light grey. Looking into the abyss of the canyon it was becoming apparent as the colors changed as the sky did. (I giggled as I was right next to a tree! I thought it was my mom. She was behind me.) The breeze grew stronger and the birds got louder. The colors started showing. Still, dark colors. As the sun rose and fought off the dark – the colors of the canyon came to life. It seemed that just for a fraction of a second, everything came to a silent stop and the sun fully appeared and then the canyon burst into life! Colors, song and caresses! Time meant nothing. We stood there for a while as we watched the colors kinda fade and mute into what was or is normal. Mom, dad and I talked while getting breakfast ready. Mom said something so profound. “Now you know what God is really like. He will raise you from the darkest depths to the brightest of brights.”

    That has stuck with me for over 45 years. It was my go-to place while giving birth. It is my go-to place when I need to calm my inner self. To this day, I feel that it was so vivid because God wanted me to know that He is always there.

  82. Sandy MacDonald 8 years ago

    My brother and I would find joy on long car trips by keeping track of the different makes of trucks we would see en route! Statisticiams in the making :)

  83. Jodi 8 years ago

    My favorite memory that brings joy to my heart are the summers enjoying the Iowa State Fair with my family which always included a trip to Adventureland Amusement Park.

  84. Barbara 8 years ago

    One of my fondest memories are of beautiful snow days when my brother and sister and I would go out sledding and come back into a warm house and hot cocoa with our mother wrapping us in quilts. Certainly a memory that brings back much joy.

  85. Alma Blinn 8 years ago

    A favorite memory of my childhood was waiting for my dad to come home from work. He worked at a foundry and would walk home every day. He wore a hard hat and had a metal lunch box. He was always so tired when he came home, but he always had a hug and a smile for me. I would run to meet him walking in the alley behind our yard. I miss him so much he passed away in 1999.

  86. AndieBjork 8 years ago

    Every year my grandma and I would have a birthday party together since our birthdays were a day apart. We made hats and had an amazing time every year. I miss her so much but I am so thankful for precious memories!

  87. Adel 8 years ago

    When I was 5 years old, my mom sowed a Raggedy Ann doll the same size as me. What a surprise on Christmas morning.

  88. April 8 years ago

    playing with kittens

  89. Diana 8 years ago

    a favorite memory of my childhood would be receiving my American Girl Doll. I purchased a book at my school’s book fair, ordered the catalog from the tear-out in the back of the book, and quickly became obsessed. I saved my allowance and birthday money until I had enough to buy my doll on my own. My mom then made clothes for her, I got the rest of the books, and still have her over 20 years later.

  90. Christine Carman 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories is having rootbeer floats in the summertime at my grandparents’ farm in North Dakota. We would play outside for hours, and it was the perfect refreshment that was somehow extra special there.

  91. Ashley Bennett Porter 8 years ago

    A childhood memory that brings me joy is catching lightning bugs in mason jars with my cousins in my grandparents yard after Sunday dinner

  92. Shelby Koelz 8 years ago

    My favorite memorys were on family trips and adventures. I love nature and I gives me a connection to God. It puts so much gratitude and awe in my heart the beauty God crated for us. I love going to the mountains and seeing all the colors and rock formations and the beach seeing the vast oceans. So I loved that my parents shared this with me and that is my favorite memory.

  93. Linda Norris Cunningham 8 years ago

    A favorite childhood memory for me is after church, as a family we would go on picnics where we just spent quality time together.

  94. Pam Whitehead 8 years ago

    Every year our Girls in Action group would could to a weekend mission camp in the summer. We had so much as we learned about missions and Jesus doing a variety of activities including meeting missionaries and girls from across the state.

  95. Grace 8 years ago

    My siblings and I put on a show for my parents. We sang and danced and my brother played guitar while I played violin and piano. Looking back at videos from it makes me laugh lots and brings back fond memories.

  96. Faye Warriner 8 years ago

    A favorite childhood memory is going to visit my aunt and uncles house in Riverside, CA . They had a pool with a slide and it was so much fun. We would also go to Disneyland or other area attraction. It was a great time.

  97. Steph P 8 years ago

    Well my most favourite child hood memory was when my parents suprised us all with a trip to Disney Land, Florida …I was 11, my brother 9 and my sister 5. It was a big deal 30 years ago to make that trip from across the pond and then they had booked my 12th Birthday dinner in Cinderella’s Castle …it had such an impact that my husbnd and I saved from the moment our first daughter was born to do the same …which we did ! Magicall to see their faces …and this collection is the perfect reminder !

  98. Amy C 8 years ago

    A memory that stands out was one Christmas, having been to the Christingle service in the chapel on the RAF station where my Dad was stationed my brother and I trying to see who could keep their candle alight the longest as we walked home. I have always loved Christmas, such a joyful cosy family time and this is one of many great memories from childhood Christmases. I don’t remember whether either of us managed to keep the candle lit the whole way home but I do remember how carefully we both carried those little lights.

  99. Kristyn Miller 8 years ago

    I loved (and still love!) going to Disneyland as a small child with my parents. Then taking my younger sister, just the two of us when I was a teen and she was in elementary school. And now bringing my “honorary daughter” (no kids of my own – so I get to play aunt to my best friends daughter!) for lifetime memories!

  100. Tania Scott 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories that brings joy to my heart, are the weekends that we would spend with my Papa. He was always so happy to see me as I was just as happy to see him. I would help him in the garden, (he always made a game out of it) feeding the animals was always fun, but listening to the stories he told about the “old days” and also about my mom as a little girl were always one of my favorites. I loved his hugs the most, oh how I miss those days and him.

  101. Jewel 8 years ago

    What a JOYFUL collection! I am sooooo BLESSED to have so many joyful childhood memories! It is difficult to chose just one – for pure joy comes from knowing the Giver of ALL those joyful memories! ?✝️??

  102. Monika 8 years ago

    Thank you for sharing Elaine. So excited for you to have this dream come true opportunity. One childhood memory that gives me joy is playing with my cousin at my paternal grandmother’s house. Although I’ve never known my father, I cherish my memories with my family on that side even more. In the summers my cousin and I would build huge sheet forts in my grandmother’s kitchen and living room until she would get frustrated and kick us out lol!

  103. Marj 8 years ago

    Hi Ellaine I love your childhood memory ? and how kind of you to share your talent to others. I totally can relate with the disorder you have. I may not know exactly how it feels to have one but having a boyfriend with anxiety makes me understand it. It is not easy. As how much it gets him down and upset, it makes me sad too. Seeing someone you love worrying and stressing over something, it breaks my heart. Anyway enough of that. I would like to share one of the happiest childhood memories I have. This is whenever me and my family, my aunties and their families and my grandparents would go swimming in the beach, sharing the little food we have and eat them together and the games me and my cousins used to play when we were little kids. Also another memory which I really love the most is during Christmas. On the 25th before, we always celebrate Christmas in my grandparent’s house. It was always fun being with my family celebrating the birth of Christ ? if time machine exists, I’d love to go back to that memory and enjoy the moment more than I did before. ?

  104. Julia A Peroutka 8 years ago

    My favorite childhood memory is a birthday party at Pizza Hut. We learned how to make personal pan pizzas.

  105. Savannah O'Gwynn 8 years ago

    What a great layout, bible journaling, and NEW line of goodies! LOVE LOVE LOVE!

    My favorite memory of growing up would include our family get togethers. My mom is one of 13 children and each of my aunts/uncles would have 3-5 children… so those get togethers were HUGE! We would have food out all day, play games (inside and out), and just sit around talking! It was so much fun! I loved growing up with a large family!

    Thanks for the chance to win <3

  106. Hannah Conradson 8 years ago

    I’m from Texas, but one of my favorite memories is going up north to Colorado on a family trip to the mountains. Mountains are probably my favorite things God created. Seeing how beautiful they are, and then for Him to think we are even more beautiful brings so much joy to my heart. I forever cherish that trip we took to Colorado.

  107. Courtney Miller 8 years ago

    One of my favorite memories from my childhood was doing tricks with my little sister who is 7 years younger. We would do the “flying” thing where I would put my feet on her belly while laying on my back and lift her up, only we took it to the next level!! Flips and jumps and crazy moves that looking back I am amazed that we never ended up in the ER.

  108. Amanda Knutson 8 years ago

    I loved our family road trips we would take. We’d flip a coin at major intersections to see which direction to go. We’d never go very far, maybe into the next state, but those times in the car on our way to who knows where are some of my most favorite times.

  109. Nichole 8 years ago

    A childhood memory that brings joy to my heart is the sweet times I spent with my family watching movies together, while eating what my mom referred to as “snack dinner.” She would cut up apples, cheese, and we would have crackers, popcorn, etc. And for an EXTRA special treat, we would have caramel dip for our apples! ;-) These times were filled with laughter and fellowship with my parents and my brother that I will treasure forever. ?

  110. Emily 8 years ago

    A childhood memory that brings joy to my heart are the times my brother and I spent caring for our 4-H pigs. Time in the barn doing chores allowed us to talk and laugh on a daily basis, which in turn, helped us to develop a special bond that I still cherish today.

  111. Sharon K 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories is riding bicycles all over town with my twin sister. Stopping at the library and also my grandparents – Carefree summer days.

  112. Sharon K 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories is riding bicycles when th my twin sister all over time, stopping at my grandparents house and the library – lazy summer days.

  113. Ellie 8 years ago

    A memory from my childhood that bring joy to my heart is going to stay with my Nanna. Enjoying her wonderful warm personality and basking in her love for me.

  114. Courtney 8 years ago

    Spending the summer with my Nana. She was always so fun!

  115. Eva 8 years ago

    When my parents surprised my sister and I with a puppy :)

  116. Helen Gullett 8 years ago

    My childhood memory that bring joy to my heart is that when my grandpa always took me out to have some tea and toast at his favorite tea house every morning.

  117. Stephanie Henkel 8 years ago

    I have lots of sweet memories as a child, but the way my parents loved me is one that brings me joy most often. One significant time my mom showed me love was when I had scarlet fever as a child and was out of school for some time. My mom bought me a Snoopy doll to help make me feel better. It was a stuffed Snoopy which I could collect clothes for. I still have the doll and clothes and hope to give it one day soon to my children. A sweet memory filled with joy of my mom’s love for me.

  118. ASHLEY MAY 8 years ago

    Memories from camping are the best ones I have! I purchased a pop up camper last spring and my 8 year old son and I started making new camping memories of our own last year! As a single momma I felt so proud and strong to be able to show him those adventures on my own!

  119. Jordan Taylor 8 years ago

    For me, I loved dancing– I danced for about 6-7 years in my childhood. The last 3 i was a soloist, and it was my favorite. it’s a hobby still to this day!

  120. Janet Haskins Dickens 8 years ago

    My favorite childhood memory is playing card games with my granny.

  121. Diana 8 years ago

    One of my childhood memories that bring joy to my heart is going to the beach with my family.

  122. Cami 8 years ago

    One of my favorite childhood memories are the summers that my family spent together on a lake. Each day I spent with my family brought joy to my heart, as, together, we basked in the glory of the Lord’s creation.

  123. Ashley 8 years ago

    I always enjoyed when my dad would come home after being out of town for work. He NEVER FAILED to bring my sister’s and I gifts. He’s a one of a kind man that I am so thankful for!!! He brought joy to my heart as a child and still to this day.

  124. Jasmine Martin 8 years ago

    A memory that brings joy to my heart would have to be family game nights. My mom was a single mother raising my brother and me. She worked a lot, but she always found time to sit with us and play a game of Sorry, Uno, or Candy Land. It was in those moments of being together just playing and laughing that remind me to this day that the gift of togetherness is all that truly matters. I now have 4 little ones and I find great joy in recollecting those tender moments of my own childhood. It reminds me truly to pause push the dishes aside and just take time to laugh and play with my kids because that’s what I want them to remember…the joy of togetherness.

  125. Audrey Strawberry 8 years ago

    Daddy and daughter dates at the “fifties diner”. My dad would spend these times with me and my two sisters separately but also together. It not only gave us a close relationship with him but with each other. And it gave us an earthly example of God’s love for each of us.

  126. Allyson Snowden 8 years ago

    My favorite memory from my childhood isn’t just one it’s a collection of memories spent with my dad. He was a road truck driver, so when he came home he would take me and my sister out and spend the day with us. We would go roller skating or ice skating.

  127. Hannah Driggers 8 years ago

    playing on the trampoline would have to be the memory that brought joy to my heart, my sister and i would always make up games that would take hours! lol

  128. Hailey 8 years ago

    When my mom and dad told me that I would get an early Christmas present, I immediately knew with every bone in my body that it would be a dog, so I went around the house singing, ” I’m gonna get a puppy in my Christmas stocking!” Over and over an over! And it did end up being a dog! I was so happy!

  129. tina 8 years ago

    visitng my grand parents they had a farm seeing all the animals just a differrent way of life than living in the city.

  130. Catherine 8 years ago

    My favourite childhood memory was visiting Disneyland as a kid. We went at in the autumn (my favourite time of year) and had so much fun meeting all the characters and going on the rides. Not been on such an incredible vacation since!

    Thanks for hosting such a lovely giveaway!

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