Relax- Don't Do it.

We've got 25 days until we leave (!) we are doing boring stuff like reading travel insurance policies, renewing the mortgage, paying bills, etc. trying to find and deal with everything we might need for those just incase moments. 

And doing a few fun things like visiting my dad, enjoying daddy-daughter time levelling a deck, having ice-cream - I'm allergic to milk, but somehow my dad seems to always be able to convince me,  ice-cream is always a good idea. It isn't. I ought to know better. But he's very convincing! 

We're trying to fit everything that needs to get done into a teeny tiny window of time... and I'm breathing... I'm relaxing, I'm freaking out, and I'm quoting : 

"How many of you can add even one day to your life by worrying?" (Luke 12:25)

along with: 

"do not be anxious [worried] about anything..." (Philippians 4:6)

I know we all have things happening that are bring anxiety, worry and frustration and great joy in our lives... and I know our upcoming Living Life On Purpose 2015 is all me, no one put this on our plates but me. So there is no one to blame, just me (oops) and I've often thought throughout this past year, Miss, what have you done?  (I'm sure the hubby has also thought this, more than once!) But that feeling so quickly passes when I just breathe ... "God, what I have done... I'm not prepared for this..." and I hear "you don't need to be prepared, I'll prepare you" and I'm flooded with peace... I really do feel that this journey is God led. It's only a reality because of that. 

What are you working on that is outside of your comfort zone ? And when you get frustrated, emotional, anxious, what do you do? Share with us, we are all looking for the secret recipe.

So Relax, don't do it- don't worry... just Share the love,

M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

TGI COFFEE TIME!

It's Friday, TGIF  or rather in my books TGI COFFEE TIME!

I wanted to share with you all that tomorrow we will be topping up our donation for the diesel generator and pump, I can't wait to put that thermometer over there up to $2000- how generous you have all been- I'm so excited!

It's officially 37 days before we leave, I have a pharmacy run to do to pick up our malaria pills (who knew they cost approximately $5 a pill and both Duy and I need 44 pills each (oy!), after that, all of the big stuff is done. Just breathe, pack, get our hearts ready, and be open to any possibiities that come our way. We are getting very excited. Even, the 'even keeled' Mister is getting excited, and that makes me even more excited, and I'm already pretty excited. 

What we need from you is :
1. Pray for us
2. Donate to help us on our journey - (you can donate $1 to download any of the printables you like, or you can donate any amount you'd like over there -> )
3. Pray for the children and the staff we will be going to work with
4. Send your happy thoughts, your words of encouragement, emails, comments, notes etc.

We need all of you in order to accomplish this goal!
So Happy Coffee Time + Happy Friday Friends!

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Let's Keep It Simple.

It's Monday.
Let's keep it simple.
Coffee and Friends make the perfect blend.
Amen to that.

PS. I can't do anything other than simple today, my brain is buzzing, we finished our 2 big fundraisers for our Living Life ON Purpose 2015 Uganda journey, now it's all about tying up loose ends and breathing + believing that everything is going to work out. We are still raising funds up until the day we leave- your generosity and love has been amazing and we appreciate it so much.

You see that thermometer over there- the one that says $1412.00 RAISED? well I just wanted to give you an update on that- soon it will be hitting our $2000 mark as our very generous brother in law and His family have decided to TOP it up to reach out $2000 GOAL to purchase the Diesel Generator + Pump. WE ARE SO EXCITED!! This gift is what YOU guys will be sending to Uganda with us. WE are so happy that we could be the conduit for you to give such an amazing gift!

So continue to support us with your prayers, your positive thoughts and your donations. YOU are a BIG part of making this happen for us and we appreciate it very much!

Share the Love,
Missie + Duy

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10.

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled.

It's one of those days when the laundry piles, the emails, the work, the dishes, are all piled so high I am not sure where to start. Can you say overwhelmed?

I just got back from a wonderful week away at my mom's house- I took my work with me, so I was on a working vacation... Drove 14 hours on Friday to get home in time for a wedding, then left the next morning for a 5 hour road trip to a wonderful Camp to spend some time with friends from out west... with no computer, really bad wifi, pretty much no 3G. Lots of "No Service" up in the corner of my phone. Off the grid so to speak.  We had a blast. It so much fun, way too much coffee, so much good conversation, too much sun, so much food- way too much food. It was awesome.

It was exactly what the doctor ordered. We've already booked in for a solid week next year. I'm excited.

But before I even got back home, my heart started to worry a little, logistics of our Uganda Journey are still being ironed out. I am still raising funds, still organizing 2 fundraising events, still not sure how this will all turn out. Not sure exactly what we'll be doing. Not sure if I will survive the bugs. So many uncertainties. The only thing I know that is certain is that I'm totally overwhelmed.

And in my overwhelmed state- this verse continues to run through my head...

"Do not let your hearts be troubled..."
(John 14:27)

So why am I worrying? Why can't I just trust? Why is it so hard to let go and let God. Why do I always freak out until He comes through (and He always comes through).  I know I am probably not the only one who gets into these crazy whirlwinds of freaking out, wanting to just lie on the kitchen floor until everything works itself out, moments of insanity?

So today I am going to trust, with everything I am, all that I have and I am going to hold on to this verse and let it speak to my heart... 'don't be troubled... I've got this, have a little peace... you're covered, just rest.'

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee©2015 : MDBN :4x6

LostBumblebee©2015 : MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee©2015 : MDBN : 8x10

Every Child.

Every Child Begins the World Again...
-Henry David Thoreau

Last night we had a family gathering, and we started talking about babies, adoption, surrogacy, DNA donation- etc., etc., etc., Maybe not your usual dinner table conversation but when you're a family who has dealt with fertility issues for the past 10 years, it's not unusual to come up with some pretty crazy funny ideas.  The norm would be more IVF or adoption- and we've talked about it, we've thought about it, and we will probably start the adoption process for a baby or little human child in the future...

I was asked how I felt about it... and my response was, "if it happens yay! I'd be happy, if it doesn't happen yay! I'm good with that too." and I am.  I really am. Has it been a long journey to get here? Yes. Do I believe that God has a perfect plan and that I can rest in the unknown? Yes. Is the unknown a place of rest? For me yes, for some perhaps not.  My Mom (she is so wise) always reminds me... "Miss, we are on a need to know basis with God, and sometimes you just don't need to know..." Would I love to see a snap shot of our lives in 20 years? Yes of course, but would that bring peace or anxiety?  I don't really know...

I'm in a wonderful place right now with our lives, we are Living Our Lives On Purpose and going to volunteer in an Orphanage in Uganda , we are going to share our love with Children and Youth who are already here, who have already changed the world just by being born- and in a good way. They will forever change my life. I know that going to Uganda to volunteer will change my life forever... will I impact a life over there- I hope so, I hope that they will know they are loved- but the biggest thing that will happen will be to me. I will be different, my world view will change. What will it be? I have no idea but I'm resting in the unknown.

So this morning as I drink my Coffee and reflect on the conversation last night,  and rest in the unknown, what I do know is that I have peace, that I believe God is in control and I'm so grateful that He is, because I'm not sure I want to be...  As I contemplate our upcoming Journey and perhaps even the possibility of adoption in the next couple of years,  I rest in the unknown... and what I do know... that every child begins the world again...   This one is for you, those of you who hope to have a child, who have adopted a child, who are having a child, who have had a child, who's friends are having a child, who's friends are adopting a child... hold dear to this belief that every child begins the world again... Rest in the unknown and trust...

Share the love,
M.

Just a little reminder: *Please note all free printables and images are free for Personal Use. They may not be used for resale or commercial use without written permission. >> If you are using these images on your website or your blog you must link back to www.lostbumblebee.blogspot.com

Please visit our INFO page.

Thank you :)

M.

All LostBumblebee® Prints ©2009-2015 Melissa Dawn Baker-Nguyen

LostBumblebee©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Happy Saturday!

To purchase this print please visit my Etsy Shop by clicking here

Hi Guys! It's Saturday and it is awesome, summer is finally here...  which means September 27th is just around the corner! So today isn't about a free printable, as it usually is, today is about a design that I created for our Living Life on Purpose Journey. We are on the final leg to finish raising money and awareness for our Living Life On Purpose Journey 2015 to Uganda. It is coming so fast!


I'm asking you to please take a gander over at my Etsy Shop and consider purchasing this hand drawn sketch by me. I was contemplating, meditating, and praying (and kinda freaking out) about our journey when this was created. I think it turned out beautifully- I hope you agree!


You will also find a brand new collection of chalkboard prints that are all 11x14 or 12x12 (perfect for Canvas Printing) size for big home decor Impact :)



Thanks for all of your support now please go and shop - let's Live our Lives on Purpose!
Share the love,
M.

Just a little reminder: *Please note all free printables and images are free for Personal Use. They may not be used for resale or commercial use without written permission. >> If you are using these images on your website or your blog you must link back to www.lostbumblebee.blogspot.com

Please visit our INFO page.

Thank you :)

M.

All LostBumblebee® Prints ©2009-2015 Melissa Dawn Baker-Nguyen

BEAR NAKED

Let's Just Do TODAY.

ELEPHANT 

FAITH - HOPE - LOVE

GOOD VIBES ONLY!

ZEN KOI FISH

KOI FISH- TOGETHER

NEVER LOSE YOUR SENSE OF WONDER

THE ONLY ONE FOR ME IS YOU!

CALGARY STAMPEDE 11x14 OR 12x12

I'm Possible.

Nothing is impossible- even the word itself says I'm Possible. This has been running through my head and heart for the last 5 days. Nothing, not one thing, no thing is impossible. That makes my heart sing! That means all things are possible. All things. Everything you can think of, all things you can imagine are possible. I love what Mark 9:23 (NIV- emphases added) says;

"What do you mean, 'If I can' ?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."

Anything is possible if you believe. That just gives me the kick in the butt I need today! (ALL THINGS MISS, all things! Everything- you know that $2000 goal you set to buy the orphanage a diesel generator and a pump- well it IS possible if you believe.)

(If you haven't read about our Africa Journey- you can find my video by clicking the Living Life on Purpose 2015 Button (on the right) Or you can read about our journey to Uganda here:  How it started, what it has become, and how honoured we are to share this journey with you.
1: It's Time for Africa
2: Live Your Life On Purpose
3: YOU are WONDERFUL

About 2 weeks ago, I really felt I needed to contact the orphanage that we will be going to volunteer in and ask them -what big ticket items they need. They need a new truck. That is a pretty big ticket item- but they also mentioned a diesel generator and a pump- which will cost about $2000- I said Yes, we can do that. I wonder if I had stopped and read this verse before I jumped on the generator + pump, if I would have had enough faith, enough courage to say yes for the truck?

We are starting with raising the $2000 for the pump.
Maybe just maybe if I keep believing by the time we get there we will have raised enough for the generator+pump as well as the truck! Hey, All things are possible. Jesus said it himself. Right?

Share the love, and + Don't Stop Believing- All things are possible. All. Things.
M.


If you are in the Montreal Area and would like to meet and greet Me + my hubby- We will be having a small fundraising get together. We would love to meet you! Live music, fun, friends (new friends) and more. Contact me and I'll send you the info!

Just a little reminder: *Please note all free printables and images are free for Personal Use. They may not be used for resale or commercial use without written permission. >> If you are using these images on your website or your blog you must link back to www.lostbumblebee.blogspot.com

Please visit our INFO page.

Thank you :)

M.

All LostBumblebee® Prints ©2009-2015 Melissa Dawn Baker-Nguyen

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Grown Up Colouring : Rhino

Good morning to you! How was your weekend? Mine was insane! I was selling my art and working at a conference for the past 10 days, I am ex-haus-ted (to say the least!).  I'm currently knee deep in coffee and work  -I'm not sure I'm going to make it! lol

I feel like my body is jet lagging and I haven't been on a plane.  I'm trying to finish up my list of things to do- that has been accumulating for the past few days - but I wanted to take a minute to remind you that you are amazing :) Created for a purpose and beautiful.

Happy Monday, take some time today to stop, realize, and accept that you were created with a destiny and purpose... and the fact that you are living on this earth, is evidence enough that You are amazing.

Be inspired. Share. and Love.
Share the love,
M.

Be sure to catch up with me on Facebook and Instagram to see my final piece.

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Adventure.

Do you hear it? Does it call your name? Do you feel the need when the weather starts to warm up-  that need to get out, have an adventure? Somedays adventure for me is getting on a plane and flying to China solo to meet up with my husband. Other days it is walking to the mail box... This year our adventure is huge. Bigger than anything we've ever done.  But the biggest part of this adventure isn't the going to Uganda to volunteer for me, I have volunteered all of my life, the hardest part is the asking for help.  It's asking you to contribute to our journey. It's asking people to visit my Esty Shop and buy a family portrait, a painting, or a print. It is really hard to keep asking. But I will. It has caused me to grow in my creativity, find my voice and challenge myself to speak up. It's a huge adventure this growing up and into yourself thing. Huge.

What adventure is calling your name this year? What is pulling at your heart, begging you to reveal it, nurture it, achieve it?  If you aren't sure... Start with this questions, "what breaks my heart?" Once you answer that question, move on from there to discover if there is anything in your neighbourhood, community, city that you can do to help alleviate that sense of pain.

If animals are your thing, try volunteering in a shelter.
If children are your thing, try offering a free story time at your local library.
If Single Mom's are your thing, try offering a small group at your church to support them in their needs.
If missions is your thing, find an organization and donate, volunteer, host a garage sale to raise money, or plan a mission trip and go.

If real adventure is what you seek, look outside of yourself, and see the world in it's need and embark on an adventure that will change your life. Adventure to me is getting out of my comfort zone and doing something that changes me... which in turn changes my world.

Adventure awaits... in whatever form it looks like, embrace it.
Share the love,
M.

For more Grown up colouring sheets click here :) 

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8.5x11 this one is spaced differently to give you more surface area to colour, I did the above one, it turned out beautiful, but you need your pencil sharpener and reading glasses handy, it was slightly small. This one is slightly less complicated and a little larger :) 

YOU ARE WONDERFUL :: LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE 2015 UPDATE.

I just wanted to give you all an update on our Living Life On Purpose 2015 Journey.

We are in fundraising full throttle! We are raising money like crazy people, (at least I feel like I am going crazy!) I am constantly trying to come up with new ideas for the blog, Etsy and basically anything I can do to help raise these funds.  It feels awesome and very scary all at the same time!

I want to thank you - each and every one of you- who has clicked that donate button. Every bit counts, 1 dollar or 100 dollars... big or small, it all adds up and it is making this journey a reality. You have heard my heart and you are sharing the love and you are inspiring me to keep on going.

Just think... even a little nobody Canadian girl can do something so wildly out of her comfort zone because I have your support, not just financially, but emotionally. I appreciate all of your kind words, and you sharing your stories. You are making this a reality. I cannot thank you enough. 

Our main sources of raising money are, selling my art work (family portraits + paintings), creating and selling Journal Cards, Illustrations and Prints on Etsy. That along with all donations that have come in via the blog, we have raised just under half of what we need.

With that half, we have bought our tickets. We will be working at a Children's Village in Uganda for what accidentally turned out to be 5 weeks, instead of 4...ooops ? or YAY! Either way, it is what it is.  We leave our cozy little home and head off to the great unknown on the 27th of September and we will be back on November 3rd. I am freaking out. I am excited, and I am scared, and nervous and well, freaking out.

Please connect with me, share your stories, let me hear your heart. You hear mine every day. I love to hear from you. Your encouragement is undoubtedly one of the highest honours you can give me and I thank you for that.

Please Pray for us as we continue to work our butts off, creating revenue and income to help in this journey and we'd like to leave the orphanage a financial gift to continue to help in paying for the children's education, healthcare, and love care. It takes a village to raise a child... and it takes a BIG village to raise an orphan... we are that village.

I cannot say thank you enough, you have grown my heart so big it is popping out of my chest. I am so honoured by each and every one of you. YOU ARE WONDERFUL !

Share the love,
Missie + Duy

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Live Your Life On Purpose!

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Africa Update! We are so excited to tell you that we have been accepted to go and work in the orphanage. It has been a long journey of back and forth, lots of conversations, applications, letters of reference, etc. But since August 2014 we have been living our life on purpose.   (If you'd like to read about the beginnings of our journey, click this link: Living Live On Purpose AFRICA 2015 )

Financial Update: Oh!!! I am so excited to tell you that we are halfway to our financial goal. Thank you to all who have given, those who have ordered family portraits,  those who have told me they believe in what we are doing and have just given towards our journey, those who have clicked the donation button to the right and gave, those who have bought from Etsy. Thank you, We are so honoured.

Everything little thing counts and we are so honoured. I will continue to create in order to raise funds, please keep checking into the Etsy Shop ~ Everything purchased on my Etsy shop-Affectionately known as LostBumblebee Ink., any special requests I do,  and all funds from my art are going directly to this journey! 

Side Note: I just about bought our tickets last night- I am only slightly worried that a 2 hour layover in Brussels isn't quite enough time, but it is the same airline, so I'm hoping that it is, because we are looking for the least expensive prices so that we can leave as much financial blessing at the orphanage as possible for these children. (anyone been to the Brussel's Airport? how big is it? is the Lufthansa pavilion HUGE??) 

I wanted to create this little reminder for you to- Live Your Life On Purpose. It changes your perspective. Our hearts are so full, our gratitude is at its highest, we are working so hard towards something that is outside of ourselves and way outside of our comfort zone. Even with being so far outside of our comfort zone, I have never felt more peace, knowing that all of the work we are doing is going to impact a these little lives. 

Remember to live your life on purpose... choose something outside of yourself to focus on. Trust me, your thighs won't seem nearly as wiggly or dimply, the size of your butt won't take up so much space in your head, you know those crows feet happening around your eyes, well if you look outside of yourself, you will smile more, and your wrinkles (which are inevitable) will all end up in the right place and you will be gorgeous.  Look outside of yourself towards things much bigger than our own insecurities, go beyond thinking about you- trust me, it does the heart good.

It may not mean Africa for you, it could be the local food bank, it could be reading stories to sick kids at the hospital, it could be buying the homeless guy you see everyday a nice hot coffee, it could be smiling at your fellow human, making eye contact, it could be shovelling your neighbours walkway, it could be taking the time to stop in and visit your Nan at the seniors home and paint her nails... sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can change your world.

Live your Life on Purpose
and Share the love,
M.

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30 PRINTS! Oh No She didn't! Oh Yes She Did! Coffee Love Calendar!

Are you addicted to or know someone addicted to coffee? Might they need a calendar totally dedicated to their love of coffee? I know a few people this would make an awesome gift for, me being one of them! Take a peek at these 30 AWESOME Caffeine driven prints : 

Cover 

2015 is all about Living Life On Purpose. Making choices that Matter.

This year my husband and I have started to live our life on purpose, instead of just living whatever comes our way- in 2015 we will be going to Africa on a Mission Trip to work in an Orphanage in Uganda. We are so excited to share this journey with you- You can read more about my Heart on my blog: check the link Africa to read my blog post "It's Time For AFRICA!"

I've compiled a group of prints that are all related to coffee and my/your addiction to it :) This is for you to create your very own calendar from your favourite printer. There are only 12 months in a year and 30 Prints. You can customize and mix and match to create specific calendars that will speak to different people in your life!
These 30 Prints are sized to order custom calendars (from your favourite printer) this year; as many as you want! (order one for yourself, order one for a friend (who is also addicted to the coffee, etc.)


Some of these will look familiar, other's you may not have seen :) I've edited and made them all ready to print horizontally :) 

My hope is that every day when you look at your Coffee Love Calendar during the year 2015 you will think about our journey and send positive vibes out into the universe and support us along our way!

To download your 30 PRINTS click here >> LostBumblebee's Etsy Shop <<

Please share the love,
M.

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So this Just Happened: 20 Inspirational Calendar Digital Print Files

I should probably clarify that title- this didn't JUST happen, I've been working on and compiling this calendar for the past couple of weeks :)  But it did just happen to get UPLOADED :)

2015 is all about Living Life On Purpose. Making choices that Matter. Starting now.

As you know, if you follow my blog, this year the hubby and I have started to live our lives on purpose, instead of just living whatever comes our way, we are making conscious decisions that will change our lives and those around us for the better (albeit, we are still human ;) 

In 2015 we will be going to Africa on a Mission Trip to work in an Orphanage in Uganda. We are so excited to share this journey with you- to read more about my heart and this project check out: It's Time For AFRICA!

In order to raise funds to help us on our journey, and to leave a lump sum at the orphanage so they can finish projects started, buy more farm animal, buy school supplies, clothing etc. I've compiled a group of prints that are inspirational and biblically based for you to create your very own calendar printed at your favourite printer.

These 20 Prints are perfectly sized to order your custom calendars this year; as many as you want! (order one for yourself, order one for a friend, etc.)

These make fantastic stocking stuffers and Hostess gifts, Last minute gifts (some printers will do them in 24 hours!)

To order and/ or read more click here:  >> 20 Prints << 

You may recognize some of these prints- yup some are available free on the blog, and please download them and share them. Each of these prints has been formatted to fit on an 8x10 horizontal calendar page (my vertical prints just won't work- boo!)

Please share the love,
M.

The Ocean Blue.

I could travel the world
the ocean blue
but I'll never be home
until I'm with you...

Oh how true.

This one I made for Timothy the Dog... We will be travelling shortly and Timo will be home with a sitter. The world doesn't seem quite right when I don't have Timothy the Dog breathing on me... farting... sighing... and leaving fur everywhere.  I think I'm going to miss him a lot this time around.

I love this print, it took me a long time to finish - oy!  I hope you love it too!

If you are enjoying my free prints, please make a donation ($2, $5, $10, $100 anything you can) to help fund our Africa 2015 journey which is coming quicker than I had imagined!

I am raising money via my blog (donations and google advertising) as well as on Etsy,  so I am continually trying to create great prints to raise money and awareness about our journey-

I really appreciate those who have already donated, and I am so thankful to all of you who are praying for us on this journey... please read my post about Africa and please Donate.

Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015  

Share the love,
M.

For Larger Sizes please Visit my Etsy Shop!

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