Meet the Design Team: Julie Masse

It's my turn to share a bit about myself but I really have no idea what to write! I live in Maine with my family which includes my husband, Jeff, our four children, Emma (7), Anna (5), Ethan (4) and Aaron (2). We will be adding #5 to our family in early October and are looking forward to meet this new blessing!

As for my "spiritual background" I was blessed to have been raised by Christian parents who made sure that my brother and I received Godly instruction, whether at home, at school or at church. I remember as a small child praying the prayer asking God to save me because of Jesus' wor on the cross but I believe that it wasn't until a bit later on that I actually was regenerated and changed by Holy Spirit of God. I am constantly amazed at God's grace and mercy extended to me! There is a hymn we sing often at church (in fact we just sang it last Sunday!), How Sweet and Awful Is the Place written by Isaac Watts. You really need to read the entire hymn, but two verses in particular always speak to me:

“Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?”

’Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly forced us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.

The Christian life has not been easy (we are never told it will be!) nor have I passed many of the tests but I praise God for His long-suffering and faithfulness. That reminds me of another favorite hymn - Great Is They Faithfulness! When my oldest was born I used to sing that to her over and over and over and over. She got to know it quite well and always calmed down when I'd sing it to her. "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided . . ." how true that is!

I've been so blessed to be on this team! Sometimes I struggle with how to translate a topic in papercrafts but I always learn something and grow by studying the topic a bit more. Thank you to those who follow along with us - you encourage us every week by your visits and comments and I hope that our entire team is an encouragement as well!