Scrapbooking Class in Simferopol, Ukraine

I had the exciting privilege of working with a number of young ladies on Saturday in creating "faith books". These are scrapbooks where they chronicle their walk of faith. Since there are no scrapbooking stores in Ukraine as yet, we must be more creative in how we do our books. They are simpler in some respects, but for these ladies, very pleasing to learn how to do. And most importantly, they have a place to record their walk of faith and the people who were a part of it. This makes a wonderful book for them to share with their friends and also telling the story of their faith life.

Hours of Fun

That's me in the black sweater with several of the young ladies in the class. We had such a good time and they are now started on something they can add to for years to come. Please pray for these ladies that their books would be a wonderful influence to others.

Sharing Ideas

Faith-Booking Class in Simferopol, Crimea

Greetings from the Crimea region of South Ukraine. As you probably already know, we are here for a mission. On Saturday, tomorrow, I am doing a scrapbooking class for 10 young ladies. I am so pleased the Lord gives me this opportunity to work with young women. They will be making a scrapbook that documents their Christian walk of faith. This will not only be valuable for themselves, but it will be a great way for them to share about their experience with friends by showing their scrapbooks. Please pray for us even if you see this after Saturday that it might be an ongoing blessing to many.

Ukrainian Homes

Jeff's trigger happy finger can't help but stop along the way to capture some of the scenes. The Lord has taught me patience through this as each trip takes longer than for most travelers, but the results are often worth the time. Photography for Jeff is part of recording his ministry, but has also become a hobby for capturing God's beauty.

Pivenny Bug River on Road to Crimea

Ukraine Travels

On Monday we left the Kiev (spelled Kyiv here) region to travel south to the Crimea where we still own our very first home we bought upon arriving in 1994. The Crimea is a large peninsula that hangs out into the Black Sea just north of Turkey (my geography got a lot better after we moved here). The terrain is mostly what they call a steppe region, that's a high plain, but it also has mountains that run down the eastern side of the peninsula. This is the location of the historical war-time meeting "Yalta Conference" held in 1945 with Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. Well, I'm running down a historical rabbit trail, so I just wanted to say that we are spending a few days here to pick up our dog, do a scrapbook conference for a church, and visit some folks who are part of the church we helped start here in Nikolaevka. Check out this for a related article: http://franksukraine.blogspot.com/

I Challenge You - Smile Cards

Friends, I have taken on a project that has been humming around in my head for a while. I take it to mean that it is spirit-led, as it just doesn't go away, so I'm now going after it. I'm writing so I might invite some of you to join me in this endeavor. The prisons in Ukraine are very dismal places. The elderly who are house-bound are often in a very depressing situation. I can't do much for all these people, but there are those who visit and minister to them. Therefore, what I can do is make pretty cards to give to those people to pass on. I invite you to do the same. I am making small 4x4 cards for economy sake. I'm using pretty pictures from magazines, Bible verses and poetry (in Russian of course), and anything that I think would put a smile on someone's face. You could do anything that you think would be an encouragement to someone. Pictures of flowers, animals and children are especially liked, but it doesn't have to be like that at all. Just use your imagination. Send one or send several and I will make sure they get into the right hands. If this interests you, email me at coleenfranks@gmail.com and I will give you a mailing address. May you be richly rewarded for your efforts.

Making Mini-Scrapbooks

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Click to join mini-books

Valentine Challenge, Fat book pages

Jordan's Album

This was our Jan/Feb Challenge project from Yahoo Mini Groups. We do various mini-albums for scrapbooking and such. Jordon's is one of my granddaughters. This challenge was to do a scrapbook by recycling something. I chose a child's board book because I was making this book for Jordan herself (age 3), so I wanted something tough to hold up to a lot of carrying around and flipping through as a three year old would do. Leah is doing one of Jordan's older sister Julia which we will show you soon. Here is the URL for Yahoo's Mini-Books Group if you want to check it out: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mini-books/
Also, if you'd like some easy directions for mini-books check out this website for clear easy directions to some fun stuff: http://www.making-mini-scrapbooks.com/

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Altoid Tin Mini-Scrapbook

Since Cinnamon Altoids have long been my favorites, I thought it fitting I should make a mini-scrapbook from one. I brought enough back last time I was home to make a few more. Check out Big Picture Scrapbooking for directions. . You'll probably have to sign up but they have a number of free classes with easy to follow directions. The following picture is the inside minus the photos, as yet.

Craft Team at Bethany Church of Bucha, Ukraine

These are the ladies that make it happen at Bethany on Sunday mornings. Half the Sunday school is doing scrapbooks of their whole Sunday school year experience. They are from left going around the table Leda, Leah (my daughter), Tamara, Lesya and me, Coleen. We have one other lady Sveta that helps us part time when her job allows. These ladies will also be the ones who help do crafts for kids camp in the summers. Most of them have been doing this for several years now.

Just last week this same group and I met for a team meeting where they all made picture frames (we like doing crafts ourselves on occasion) and traded secret pal names. We are very grateful for those of you who send supplies for the work here.