One of the highlights of autumn is the transformation of the leaves' colors. I adore the traditional autumn views of leisurely drives amidst trees forming arches adorned with red, orange, and yellow leaves.

During this season, we are reminded that even though the world is constantly changing, God's love for us remains unwavering.

Everything in our surroundings is always evolving. Technology advances daily, and moral standards shift over time. The decisions we and others make on a daily basis impact us in various ways. However, amidst this continuous change, we can find solace in the assurance that God's love for us will remain constant forever.

• God's Love is Everlasting - Jeremiah 31:3 says, "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (KJV) There is no specific date to mark the beginning or end of God's love for us. It is a constant, having always existed and will continue to do so eternally.

• God's Love Does not depend on My "Goodness" - Romans 5:8 teaches that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, demonstrating that we did not need to be perfect to receive this incredible gift. It was given to those whom He knew could never earn it on their own merit.

• God's Love for Us Does Not Exist Because We Love Him - On the contrary, our love for him stems from his having loved us initially. (1 John 4:10 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." & verse 19 "We love him, because he first loved us." (KJV))

• God's Love Is Not Selfish - In John 3:16-18, Jesus says it all, "16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (KJV)

• In God's Love There Is No Unforgiveness or Resentment - Even when we continually resist God, He harbors no resentment towards us as long as we repent. He will NEVER deny us forgiveness when we seek it. Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (Both are in KJV)

The problem we have is that God expects us to love others the same way he loves us. “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35 (KJV) That is EXTREMELY challenging! We often struggle to see someone as being deserving of our love, yet God loves us in spite of us! Why, exactly, can we not love someone else?

If God, who is perfect, can love someone as flawed, damaged, and imperfect as me, maybe I can make a greater effort to love others who are just as imperfect as I am.

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This week's craft is a simple, inexpensive way to remind ourselves that God's love never changes!

The supplies needed are:

• 4 small ceramic pumpkins - found at Dollar Tree! (I am using 1 tall green and orange from this collection, and 2 others I found at my local Dollar Tree store but were not found online. Any at least 3" tall pumpkins will work nicely)

• Various leaves and flowers - also found at Dollar Tree!

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• Permanent or removeable vinyl in black and yellow and transfer tape

• The "God's Love Never Changes Pumpkins" .svg file available to download for free from my image library when you sign up for the Mandy Creates Newsletter! (Of course, you can use any font to create the same saying. Just be sure to keep the size and shape of the pumpkins in mind if you do!)

• Cricut or other vinyl cutting machine (I am using the Cricut Maker 3)

Step 1: Fun Steps to Upload and Edit Images in Cricut Design Space:

1. Click on "Upload" in the lower left corner of the "Canvas" tab.

2. Click the green "Upload Image" button.

3. Drag a file into the box or click "Browse" to select an .svg file.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upload process.

5. Click on the uploaded file and choose "Add to Canvas" in the lower right corner.

Once you're on the canvas screen, get ready to unleash your creativity with those pumpkins! 🎃

Step 2: Designing Your Project with Two Colors

I have designed the project in two colors for two main reasons:

1. To highlight the most important word in the phrase.

2. Due to the dark vinyl not showing well on a dark pumpkin and the light vinyl not showing on a lighter pumpkin.

However, you have the option to choose a single color by selecting the yellow word and changing its color to black using the toolbar at the top of the screen.

First, click the ungroup icon at the top of the panel on the right.

Then, select all the letters within each word and their corresponding boxes, then click on "Attach" located at the bottom right of the screen to keep your words together.

Regardless of your choice, ensure you cut the vinyl to the appropriate size and prepare your mat. If you opt for two colors, you will need to prepare two mats or repeat the process for the second color.

Step 3: Instructions for Cutting Your Vinyl

Click on "Make" located in the upper right corner of the screen. If a dialog box appears prompting you to save your work, remember that it is optional.

Ensure that the "Mirror" option is turned off for all mats on the left side of the screen and then select the one labeled "1". Click on "Continue" in the lower right corner.

Select the type of vinyl you are using. For permanent or removable vinyl, choose "Premium Vinyl" from the drop-down menu.

Take note of which color will be cut first (labeled with a 1 on the left side) and insert it into the Cricut machine first.

Press the load button on the machine (the up and down arrow) and then press the "Go" button, which resembles the Cricut C.

Once the first color is finished, remove the cut vinyl from the mat and repeat the same steps for the second color.

Step 4: How to Weed Your Vinyl

Weeding can be an easy task! All you need is a pick and tweezers to delicately eliminate the excess vinyl around the letters. In case you encounter some stubborn pieces, you might have to carefully separate them by pulling gently, being careful not to stretch the vinyl, or using a craft knife to cut along the line.

I personally prefer to first remove a small portion of the surrounding vinyl and then use scissors to detach it completely. This way, you can prevent it from inadvertently sticking back to the parts you intend to keep and accidentally lifting them up as well.

Now, just place a piece of transfer tape (sized to cover) over each word and brandish well starting at the center and going in all directions!

Step 5: Place Your Design on Your Pumpkins

Firstly, you should determine the order in which you want to arrange your pumpkins. Then, you can start applying your design. The challenge lies in the fact that these pumpkins are not flat but have various elevations. Therefore, it is crucial to be very precise when placing the vinyl.

Start at one end, with your application tool at hand, and carefully remove the white backing paper from the first letter only. Ensure the word is aligned correctly before pressing down the first letter. Use the tool to adhere it smoothly to the uneven surface. Repeat this process for each subsequent letter until the entire word is completed. Proceed to repeat these steps for the remaining three words. (This took a LOT of patience on my part, but the end result is so worth it!!)

Step 6: Enhance with Leaves and Flowers

While not required, I personally enjoy enhancing my decor with a touch of creativity! By using fall picks, silk flowers, leaves, and ribbon (along with my trusty glue gun) from Dollar Tree, I plan to add some intricate details to give my small pumpkins a bit of flair! Here's a little tip: if you come across wrinkled leaves, simply remove them from the stem, place them under a heavy book for a day or two (you can use masking tape to secure them), and they should straighten out nicely!

Have fun with this project! Let your preferences and style shine through!

These "God's Love Never Changes Pumpkins" make great center pieces or shelf decor! I placed them on my living room coffee table and used some felt placemats I found at my local Dollar Tree as a table runner! What will you do with yours? Let me know in the comments below!