Two Printables for Isaiah

Free Bible Journaling Traceables for Isaiah
Okay, Bible J-ers! You asked for printables, and here are what I hope will be the first of many to come. These two printables were inspired by the book of Isaiah. I doodled them and scanned them for you to print & trace into your Bible.

One is an oak sprouting from an acorn, inspired by Isaiah 11:1 -
A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The other is an umbrella in the rain with a little sprout rising up out of a puddle that spells "salvation." It's inspired by Isaiah 45:8 -

You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;
    let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
    let salvation spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
    I, the Lord, have created it.

How To Use Traceables
To use these, print them out and follow the directions here for tracing them into your Bible. Easy peasy!



In the interest of full disclosure, I did not actually color these in my Bible.... yet. Instead, I overlaid the images into photos of my Bible using Photoshop and then experimented with different looks. The umbrella photo is how it might look using watercolor paints, and the oak sprout is how it might look with colored pencil. But you can color them however you want. Be creative and use your own unique ideas for coloring your traceables.

And when you're done, please share your ideas with me on Facebook.
Now, who's going to try these traceable designs in their journaling Bibles?

Want more Bible J Ideas?
Check out these Bible Journaling Supplies for Beginners.

To download this traceable, click the image below to open. Then right click and save the file.

Hope Ladder for Chronic Pain, Depression or Suffering

  

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in

spirit.

Psalm 34:18

My Inspiration for a Hope Ladder

So, this post is going to deviate from my usual posts about Bible journaling. This post is a download for anyone who needs a "hope ladder". I got the idea from a video my older daughter shared with me. It was posted by a YouTuber called Martina. From what my two daughters tell me, Martina and her hubby, Simon, travel and share their adventures in the form of videos.

*Disclaimer: I am in NO WAY associated with Simon and Martina. However, I do share something in common with her, and that is chronic pain. I won't go into my story, but if you suffer from chronic pain, depression, etc., this video is VERY motivating and inspiring. Martina shares her real, raw feelings here, and I just loved it.
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Watch Martina's AWESOMELY INSPIRING video here:

*Caution there is one brief swear word in the video.
http://www.eatyourkimchi.com/an-open-talk-about-my-depression/

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 So....What is a Hope Ladder? 

 

In her video, Martina describes it as a way to pull yourself out of darkness. And that is what I had in mind when I designed it! Of course, she was talking figuratively about how small experiences, like learning to knit or going to a café, can help pull you out of your dark pit. And if these experiences make life joyful and hopeful, then why not keep them where you can see them and think about them? Hence, the Hope Ladder!

 

You can print the sides of the ladder and then add rungs as you go! You can put them on your wall and use them to record:

• your adventures
• good memories
• happy thoughts
• inspiring Bible verses
• photos
• ticket stubs

Whatever you like to help remind you that life is still fun and beautiful and worth living. <3
 

 

Print Your Own Hope Ladder

Below is the "hope ladder" for you to print and build with your own memories. I wanted to make it available to everyone. Here's how to do it:

1. Click on the pictures one at a time.
2. Then right click to "save picture as."
3. Save them to your computer and print as many as you want!

Choose from the plain wood, or the more colorful designs. Or mix and match. :) 

These photos are of me and my family in 2014 in Colorado... the last vacation we took before my chronic foot pain began, before walking became almost impossible for me. Before my life was turned upside down.
I miss the "old" me that could hike for miles, and ride horses, and raft rivers, and climb mountains.
But I know these light and momentary troubles won't last. :) There is still so much good, so much to hope for and hold onto.

 

Enjoy! And remember, there is hope. You are not alone. I've spent nights crying out to God, tears streaming down my face, clutching my body in pain. But I've also spent days laughing until I cry, and enjoying the people who love me, the taste of delicious foods, the feel of  the sun on my face, and the beautiful world around me!

Life has its bad days, yes, and sometimes our minds and feelings trick us. But don't lean on your own understanding. Remember there is a God who loved you enough to die for you. His joy comes in the morning. Hang in there. Climb another rung on your ladder. And if you're too tired, lean on Him.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But TAKE HEART! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

*Also, you can learn to make origami butterflies here:

https://youtu.be/60noHyyLDBE

 

 

Here are the rungs of the ladder. At the very bottom are the sides. Print your favorites!

 

These are the sides of the ladder. Print as many as you need.
Overlap them to make it as tall as you want!