Be who you are

I invite you, along with those of us reading "One Girl" to ponder our passions and roles. Listen to these words from Ruth Haley Barton on leadership.........."It is the call to be who we are, and at the same time to become more than we can envision." Remember the movie Matilda?! I have been thinking about that little girl a lot. She was who she was, but oh so much more. She saw her own heart, I believe. some more words from Ruth.... "Vocation does not come from a voice somewhere "out there" calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice "in here" calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given to me at birth by God." I love that! God must just adore seeing us grow up.........like children, even in those awkward or hard stages............into the awareness of who we really are. That process will never end until our earthly days end......but like Matilda I pray you work on knowing your heart. I'm working on that one too:) XO

One Girl Can Change The World

I wanted to introduce my Friend Claudia's new book to you!!
One girl can change the world can be found here at Amazon.
I love it!! Although I"m leading a marvelous group of High School girls through it, it is truely for each of us. Ages 8 to 88! You will see more in the days and the weeks to come..........but for now enjoy this quote on page 9 of One girl, by Nicole Johnson.
"No one but God can recognize you fully. No one but God can love you so completely. No one but God can fulfill your heart's deepest desires. No one but God can name you Princess." (From Princess with a Purpose) I love it that because He is King, and we are his, then we are called, rightfully so, "Princess." Have a Royal day friends!!

Still marching

If you know me at all , you know I just had to make that last post into a journal page~Ha!!

Get these words from my daily devotional today, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young........ (Jesus speaking) Each of my children is a unique blend of temperment, giftedness, and life experiences. something that is a babystep for you may be a giant step for another person and vice versa. Only I know the difficulty or ease of your journey. Beware of trying to impress others by acting as if your giant steps are only baby ones. Don't judge others who would tremble in fear with something that would be easy for you, either. Whatever your marching orders today, I so hope you are aware of whatever it is, big or small you are purposed for it and He will work in it! Weekend blessings to you!!

Marching orders

Do you ever get things that come at you from a funny direction? They just aren't everyday thoughts of your own and then get repeated. Words or phrases that jump out at you? This happened to me this week and I truely know it is for me to know, but what in the world does this mean??!!

For now, I am waiting patiently for my "marching orders" and looking to the one who knows me best and where I am to March to next! Life is in constant movement and change, but I am remembering again today, Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you..................."

Sunday

I love those days when my precious gang is all together. This past Sunday we were at Phil's 80th birthday party~ eating, tossing food across the table, and giggling lots together. Awww the goofy, sweet smell of family. Hugs and kisses from mine to yours! XO

From Thinking..... to the Artroom

I think these cute little bracelet cuffs speak for themselves........ speak art is my passion, so if you need me you will find me at home working away every chance I get these next few days......... and I will be listening while I work.........and thinking of You, my dear friends.

I've been thinking

......as scary as it sounds, I've been thinking........ and listening. I had a "clarity" moment a few days ago and have tried to drink in life without so much coming out of my mouth since then. Be still and know that I am God stuff............. and today it occurs to me that I listen so much better with my eyes than my ears. Maybe the artist in me, maybe a learning thing.....no matter. It is just how I am created! This doesn't get my ears off the hook though~ they just need to work together with my eyes to see and hear what I need to understand. I'll bet that taste, and smell and touch have a place in "Listening" well too. I pray today is either a good listening day for you, or you have a good talk with the one who listens best!

Adventure to the middle of nowhere today

Anjie found this quaint little place for lunch that we ladies traveled to after the apple orchard yesterday. I was really touched by the charm of the old house, the inviting outdoor dining, the lovely little herb gardens and pretties everywhere............

Chandelier

...........but the most intriguing thing for me was this crazy colorful, glowing chandelier hanging low in the room over the marvelous old farm table we ate at. I was mezmerized! So funny when beauty strikes us...........and in what way. I'm sure not all the guests at the Farmhouse Cafe and Tea room felt the way I did about the lighting..........but I was truely was delighted! So Thankful for unexpected beauty in crazy silly places today. Enjoy who you are and where you find your beauty!

Thankyou, thankyou prayerful friends!! It's amazing to see and feel the power of prayer at work. I told my precious praying friend Anjie that the Sharon's fundraiser day felt like a beautiful flower unfolding all day long. Then, as I left the blessed event, and came out into the parking lot with Anna ~there before us, was this most beautiful glowing pink sky with a beautiful view from the top of this huge hill we were on. Just a reminder to us all, As we let the beauty unfold it is sometimes tender and yet, the view from the top of the mountain on the other side is breathtaking! One that only God could orchestrate! Have an amazing Sunshine day and Sunset evening precious ladies! Thankyou all for your thoughtful comments on near and dear day!

Near and dear

Anticipating tomorrow nights event with mixed emotions........Joy for the cause and the people who loved her and the reminder of the deep searing loss of such a close friend. Soul mate if you will! She would have bucked it up and rightly, so shall I. I am blessed to have been invited by Sharon's daugher Olivia who is now 12. Olivia and Christian(8) attend this school and their Mama and my friend Sharon drove them every day (Along with my daughter Anna, 12 who attends a different school now.) I think driving up that drive to the school is almost as hard as anything?! Funny thing grief is~ and after almost 3 years it seems like yesterday. Yes, Life is hard sometimes. But, Life is good.
I'm sure Sharon would agree.

The inspiration

Thanks Hope Ellington for taking the time and sharing the fun in finding the inspiration piece from Speckled Egg. These little birdies were what inspired me to do some art that eventually made it to my blog banner. More on that later.........but for today I hope you have great people of inspiration in your life. Truthful people of integrity and hope and in those moments where there is not one in sight~ may we be one of them!

Enjoy your sweet weekend! XO

Feeling pretty special today!

I'm so excited to tell you..............I won! I won!! Heather, a generous lady indeed, and owner of this cute online store called Speckled Egg has notified me of my gift of $25 in free spending money and bless her heart even free shipping. Uh, I went a few cents over and that too! Her prices are so reasonable and it was a blast piling up a charming and generous purchase~ all for $25. Check out Heather's store here and let me know what you found. Challenge: See if you can find a plastic piece I had purchased at her store that resembles my art in my own blog title above. If you can send me an image of it, I will have a "goodie" for you. No phone calls, no written emails, but an actual picture of my inspiration piece on Speckled egg. Ready, set, go.......let's keep the giving rolling here ladies! Send the image to Cariani1@bluemarble.net