The Symbolism of the Divine Mercy Image

Hi, this is Sarah's husband, Eric.  This is my first try at blogin' so bear with me.  Below is one of Sarah's drafts for a blog post that I Found and wanted to share with everyone as a thank you.  Her words are in parenthesis.

(Divine Mercy is one of those terms, that when you first hear it, it bounces our hard shell because it doesn't sound like anything that would apply to our lives.  However, the more you learn about God's mercy, the more you realize it is a part of everyday life as much as breathing, but in an unseen way.

St. Faustina saw in many visions, the image of the Divine Mercy Jesus that we see painted today.  She didn't like the painting that was done of the image and complained to Jesus that it wasn't as beautiful as the visions she saw.  But in obedience, she accepted. I personally like the this icon representation or this version a little better than the original, but that's not the point of the image.

The point of the image is to remind us, like Jesus said in the revelations to St. Faustina, is that he is dying to pour his mercy upon us, if we would only accept it.  The red rays symbolize

Jesus says it pains him when souls will not accept his mercy.  How many times in day, do I refuse to accept God's mercy by my pride? too many to count. Yet, that is the cool thing about Divine Mercy. The bigger the sinner, the bigger the sin, the happier it makes Jesus to give His mercy! He wants to give us his love and mercy if we would only let him. That's the caveat.

In big ways and small ways, we hold on to our sins. We don't want to admit that we did something wrong.)

Here is a image of St. Faustina and the Dvine Mercy image.

July 28, 2014

With great sadness we share the devastating news that Sarah, with her unborn daughter, Cecilia, unexpectedly passed away on Monday, July 28, 2014 after suffering a brain aneurysm.  A fund has been established for the long-term needs of her children at this site:  www.youcaring.com/harkinschildren.  Your prayers and support are deeply appreciated.

Anchor Bead

I've been wanting to make this one for awhile. I've had this idea to have three symbols for the theological virtues- faith, hope and love since last year.  I already have the praying hands for faith, and now this anchor is a symbol for hope. Next is the symbol for love; a heart of course. I promise it won't be too girly :)

The three beads will be placed at the beginning of every rosary, after the Our Father bead. This is where most people pray for these theological virtues since we cannot obtain them on our own efforts unlike the other virtues. These are total gifts from God since they come directly from Him.  

I love the symbol of the anchor for hope. It is very powerful.  Hope is the virtue of having confidence in God's mercy that we will be in heaven with Him someday.  When we have that hope, nothing in life can move us. We are anchored in God.  Now that is something I need to pray for everyday and I hope you are inspired and reminded by this bead to pray too.

Now for the bead making process.  First I mixed a ton of clay.  Broke my new roller a little and made my husband hate clay :) He is a good sport for helping me mix this hard stuff when my hands are completely sore from mixing all day.

Then I made the bottom of the anchor with the barbed edges.  I added the center and filled with clay around it.

I put the top of the anchor on and filled completely around with clay.

Then I started with the rope.

Finished rope and filled in.

Starting to roll out...

A few of the rolls in reduction process. I added some background clay that I thought made the rope stand out better. Plus, I am in love with mustard yellow :)

I chopped some of the beads and punched holes. Some have these stripes, some have yellow. I like the mix.

The baked bead ready for a rosary.

Shop Opening Soon!

Another little update since the last time I posted...I am nearly ready to open shop for First Communion rosaries.  This week!! I just finished a major bead and now I have two smaller ones, but I'm hoping Tuesday will be the day.  It's very exciting. It's been so long since the shop has been open. I really enjoy getting the work bead work done and fulfilling orders.  Plus, it helps to have awesome customers! Really, if it weren't for all my great customers asking when the shop will be open, I'm not sure I would have opened it this spring. So thank you YOU for all your encouragement.

Our new home

Other major news- we moved! That was the reason I haven't opened the shop yet.

Lastly, I cannot leave this post without an update on my baby.  Little Faustina has gotten so big! Still not walking, but that's ok. I can carry her around for now. She is 15 months old and getting cuter by the second. Of course, the other three kids are getting bigger and smarter and cuter every day too. It's a lot to keep up with. So many little souls for one mamma to take care of. Thankfully I don't have rely on my strength. God's grace is sufficient for anything.

Advent Update

A little update since I haven't posted in a long time.  I have been making beads, but I am not ready to open my shop yet.  Maybe in February, maybe just for First Communion rosaries.  There are a lot of ifs, because of God's plans, not mine.  Trusting in Him, one day at time.

Here's what mostly been going on:

Faustina is almost a year old! She is healthy and happy and just perfect. She's into the stage of exploration, which is what she's doing in this picture: climbing into the cupboard.  She goes around the house, exploring the day away. When she's been gone for quite some time, she'll come back to find me and let me know she's done with a big fake pout. Or maybe that's sign she's ready to nurse. She's so stinking cute, but notice the path of wreckage.

Homeschooling is in full tilt. Serious learning going on!

My seven year old, going on seventeen. Look at that faux mustache! I looked up to see this one morning after he had juice. It was quite the scare. I guess it's a reminder to enjoy the days of childhood before it's too late.

My favorite advent activity: making the wreath. This year, we gathered moss and cypress branches to decorate the wreath. I don't know if this one will last any longer than last year's, but I did use some wet paper towels and a plastic bag to keep the moisture in.  One of these years, I'm going to get really good at making wreaths. It's fun trying, though. I had enough left overs to make a hanging wreath for the front door. My thought was to make it an Advent wreath, but it hasn't gotten there yet. Maybe a felt candle every week of Advent? I need some felting supplies.

 Someone made a YouTube video of my old photo of my rosary with Immaculee Ilibagiza saying the rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary.  I wish they would have asked permission, but it is a nice prayer tool.  I have gotten some requests about the rosary. I do not have the same beads. My new black rose beads are actually better, but I am not selling these right now. Probably not until the summer.

Happy Advent to you and your family!

Divine Mercy Jewelry and Other Things

 My beautiful friend came over to pick up a rosary and she kindly posed for me with my new jewelry. 

Divine Mercy Necklace

Divine Mercy Bracelet to match necklace

Here's a close up of the kaleidoscope bead out of the rays I used on my Divine Mercy Jesus bead and I used this bead on the jewelry and the chaplet below.  The kaleidoscope bracelet has quickly turned into my favorite bracelet that matches with everything. I may have enough beads to put this in my shop. I will be putting all the other things in my shop this summer sometime.  Email me if you want something sooner. 

Divine Mercy Chaplet with all Handmade beads and Divine Mercy Jesus

Divine Mercy Chaplet Centerpiece

Divine Mercy Bracelet

Kaleidoscope Bracelet Handmade beads

This kaleidoscope bracelet has quickly turned into my favorite bracelet that matches with everything. I may have enough beads to put this in my shop.

 I will be putting all the other things in my shop this summer sometime.  Email me if you want something sooner. Enjoy the fleeting summer days!

My Baby's Feet

Faustina has found her feet. I love when babies do this.

I am out of baby feet beads, but we having lots of fun with real baby feet over here! 

Faustina is developing beautiful and is doing well.