Ocean Refuge Decorated Cookie Collection

View fullsize

Refuge…. oh how we need a refuge….a place of shelter, protection, and safety.

I planned this cookie set out of my own need for the refuge of God. But when I decorated this set, our world was in the midst of the coronavirus crisis. God’s timing is perfect. This was/is an apropos message for all of us….at all times.

I love how cookies can be a way of expression….and also a way to send an important, encouraging message.

💗💗💗

________________

refuge [ ref-yooj ]
noun
shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.

_________________________________

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.. Ps 18:2
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

Seashell Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

Sand Dollar Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

Starfish Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

View fullsize

Tranquil Decorated Cookie Collection

View fullsize

As I’ve shared before……since my cancer diagnosis, my cookie decorating has become more than a hobby. It is a way to express the messages of my heart…..whether that is where my heart actually is right now, or where it NEEDS to be.

Stress contributes to physical illness. So as my doctor has continued to reiterate every time I see her…..the goal is to practice relaxation and learn to dwell on the blessings of life. I’ve picked many words that have become part of my mantra and tranquil is one of them.

tranquil [trang-kwil]
adjective
1) free from commotion or tumult; peaceful; quiet; calm
2) free from or unaffected by disturbing emotions; unagitated; serene; placid

All of these cookies help me to dwell on peace, quiet, and calm and not be affected by all the mayhem around me. So I offer them to you as a gift……
to bring you to that sweet quiet place of serenity. ❤️

A heart at peace gives life to the body. Proverbs 14:30

Starfish Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

Seashell Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

Sand Dollar Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

Ocean Scene Decorated Sugar Cookie YouTube video HERE

View fullsize

Nadya's Sea Treasures Cookie Collection

A favorite project of late....... making some very special cookies for a very special lady.

Nadya is a dear friend from Ukraine.

Slavik & Nadya and their three children.....Aliya (back), Slavik (front middle), & Bogdan (right)                                                  They were our hosts for the 2012 UA mission trip.

Donna, Pam, Martha, & Nadya

Olena & Nadya (very good friends)

Nadya came to the States 5 years ago......

partnering with her husband.....

bringing their three young children,

they chose to completely uproot their family and disrupt everything "normal"

to allow Slavik to obtain his post graduate eductation.

Nadya knew no English.

She was a foreigner in our land.

But courageously......with God's grace and strength,

she diligently learned English.

She supported her husband wholeheartedly

and they successfully completed their "detour" journey this summer.

Now they are back in their "home country"......

but almost foreigners in their own land.

Becoming acclimated to Ukrainian life is quite the adjustment after living in the USA for 5 years.

Knowing they would arrive back in Ukraine just a few days before we came for our trip,

and knowing how hard this transition was for Nadya.....

I wanted to make her a very special collection of cookies.

I knew that she loved my ocean cookies from last year.

Nadya is super precious to me.

She is my interpreter most of the time I am in Ukraine.

She's done everything she can to support our efforts in Boryslav.

She's taught me how to sing several songs in Ukrainian.

She is a huge encouragement in my life.

And most important.....she is a very very special friend.

I'm blessed to have her in my life. :)

The small shell cookies were given to each elderly Ukrainian when we visited their homes.

Ocean Shell Cookies (Tutorial)

Electric Ocean Collection

I enjoyed making this set. There is something about the electric colors that makes me so happy. :)

I hope your Monday is filled with marvelous things!

Conch Shells and Starfish

OK....so now we are moving closer to the more "electric" assortment of ocean-themed cookies. :)

Conch shells.......I love how these turned out.....especially the white and orange one.

Starfish......trying that same trick of letting the icing dry a bit and then adding indentations.

Just wait until you see all the electric colors put together. :))))))