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I started reading a new book on Ministry & Leadership and just in the first few pages, I have highlighted more than I might want to admit. I am quickly being reminded of things that I already knew, just forgot to remember. Good stuff, not just for ministry and leadership..but for life.
As I continue to read, be reminded and learn, I will share with you..lucky you!
I used to think, say and tell people that "Having Faith is Easy and Being Brave is Hard"
but I was wrong and by being wrong, I have learned what is right...Whew!
I have learned and now believe that it is one in the same...that "being brave" part is what I have to do to demonstrate and strengthen my faith one..step..at..a..time..
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
When it is dark,
When you can not seem to focus,
When things never seem to change,
When you feel like there is a dark cloud floating over you,
When you keep looking for a sign.. for a change... for just a glimmer of something..
Don't strain your eyes.
Remember, just because you can not see it or feel it, there is HOPE and a future because HE is there, He said it and it is a promise.
It's called Faith.
Yay!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29: 11-13
My purpose is to create, teach, inspire, influence and remind...Remind myself and then remind others, not just with words, experience and thoughts, but through art and creating.
So, amongst other things, I have been working on a new collection of art that I am calling " Works of HEart" based on HE (God) and art, get it??
"Works of HEart"
which also includes, hearts! (I betcha did not know that was coming!)
and..
I am going to start teaching again, in-store and on location.. a little. It has been awhile since I have gone out to teach., for a few reasons.
First, family.
We have a very busy busy little home sweet home here and my job "mom and wife" is first. I was having a hard time juggling carpool, practices, meetings, games and laundry, the things that I prefer to do, and so teaching "out and about" took a backseat.
Second, purpose.
First, I love creating BUT I have REALLY REALLY REALLY worked hard hard hard on staying true to my art, staying focused on one (or three) projects at a time and most importantly, a purpose for what I am teaching.
Don't get me wrong, I love a mini book any time of the day but seriously, how many mini-books does one person need? I know it is not my business or responsibility to know what happens once the project leaves my class, and you all know that I can come up with a mini-book class quicker that I can do a load of laundry, but what I am teaching needs to have a better "purpose" and I have realized that I need to teach you more about technique and how to do things with the things that you might already have. (That is where my "Trailer Park Martha" term came about)
Once I teach you what I have either taught myself or learned, if you want to go mnake a mini book...go for it and love doing it!
THAT is my purpose.
I hope you understand me. I think you will.
So, anyways, I am headed to one of my four favorite places on earth (others being home, Maui and South Africa) at the end of April and I am going to be teaching "Create with HEart" and a Scrapple & Felt Stitching Bee, eek!
Creating things like this
and this
and stitching something like this and little things to create your own "Basket Of Happy" ...
We are going to sit around together, stitching, laughing, having tea, chocolate chip cookies and the occasional poke (that will be me!) and really, what could be better?
I know!
Information is coming very soon, just finishing up the details but wanted you to know so you can get your plane tickets, your reservations, your affairs in order so you can meet me in PA. If you could relate to my post yesterday about small towns, than I PROMISE you...YOU will LOVE The Shuck's, Grove's and Huntingdon, PA.
Here are some of the photos I have taken on my early morning walks around the town:
There is a REALLY GOOD story based on this shot and either I can tell you the story or maybe we can get the Huntingdon P.D to come speak at our Stitching Bee:
Happiness is finding a broken window in the shape of a heart:
we can take a walking tour of the town in the early morning, mid-afternoon and the evening:
and to top it off, during the time that I am going to be there, Grove's is hosting a National Scrapbooking Day WEEKEND Crop and it is going to be "May Days" in Huntingdon....although I do not know exactly what it means, I already love it.
Feel free to contact Staci Shuck at Grove's for details and stay tuned here for information!
Hope to see you in April!
I am back and I missed you, for reals!!!
I feel refreshed and ready to go..where? I am not sure, but as I have said before, I am headed in the right direction...and prepared for the occasional fork in the road!
so...while I do not watch a lot of tv, I LOVE love love the television show, "Parenthood." Do you watch it?
I wish I knew someone that watched it so we could talk about it...I love the "aura" of it. The character's, the stories, the locations. It reminds me of a show that was on a long time ago called "Providence", and of course I LOVED "Gilmore Girls"....oh, and "Felicity"...just feelgood, small town good ol' shows..."Party of Five", "7th Heaven" and..
wait for it...
"30 Something"...
So, while I do not watch a ton of TV, I also do not get out to the movies alot...BUT all of those tv shows mentioned above stack up next to my love for the movies "Hope Floats" ,"The Notebook" and "Steel Magnolia's"...Do you know what I am talking about?? That good ol' wholesome, small town, just good stuff, stuff...Lifetime movie-ish movies which reminds me of my little home away from hometown in Pennsylvania.
Ahh, the "Feel Good" :feelings we receive and the memories that are created when we love, when we do things that make us happy, when we gather with like minded creative souls that lighten our day...the world needs more of those feel good, do good, be good feelings, more of those kind of friends...content, happy, feel good feelings...
and just like with tv and movies, I love to to read BUT it takes me a long time to read because typically as soon as I slow down enough to start reading..I fall asleep...
except for a few days ago.
Insert "A Sweethaven Summer"
I have a new friend through our love for God and scrapbooking (which I also love to do and have not done in too long, scrapbooking, I mean..duh!) and her name is Courtney Walsh. She is a mom, a wife, a scrapbooker, an AUTHOR..A real author that asked lil ol' me to read her book and create something based on the feelings of the book.
First, I LOVE the book. I read it in a matter of hours. Something that I have never done. It is so good (I know I already said it) but it is. It ties together life, death, love, friends, scrapbooking, family, memories, forgiveness, happiness..sadness.....well and has a love story woven into it, which makes me love it even more..in fact, about 10 minutes after finishing the book, I got out a few supplies and made this journal cover based on my very own love story.
and the book, has totally re-ignited my love for scrapbooking because it reminded me of "why" we scrapbook..it is that good.
I am sure it will be a movie and will be another on my favorite list and I told Courtney that I want to be on the red carpet with her because I know..it will be something more than a book..
You should get the book..plain and simple. It is so good !
oh, and tell me when you are finished reading it so we can talk about it...and Parenthood, too!
Be back on Wednesday with a few things....
xoxo
S.
I am going to take a few days off from the ol' blog to catch-up on some things I have been needing to do, wanting to do and have been thinking about doing..
I won't be long and will be back soon...in the meantime, is there something YOU should do or be doing?
I have a right brain...or is it a left brain??
You know, the side that is "creative" and not so "academic"...and well, because my 2012 word is PRACTICE, I am "PRACTICING" using my left brain (or my right..whatever side it is!) to build up my skills in BUSINESS.
I NEED (not just want) to be a better business person for HIM...for YOU and heck, for me, so I am working (and doodling) away at a REALLY amazing course taught by Beth Nichols and Kelly Rae Roberts and man, are we digging in deep! Each day, I am learning more and more, not just about business, but about ME and my soul and my dreams and how is all applies to life.
I have had several Oprah style "Ah-Ha" moments during the past 5 weeks of this class and had another one last night and doodled about it.
It is my the foundation of my business...and for life, duh.
Sometimes I (we) think we need to "search" for some amazing life changing hidden secret that will be "the answer" when really, it is right out in front of us, just waiting patiently to be read, heard and applied.
duh.
So glad God is so patient with me (us) while I (we) complicate myself (ourselves).
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Cor 13:4-7
If you know what it is, it is your responsibility to use it.
It matters.