This year... GIVE HOPE!

Our year here at LostBumblebee Graphics was all about Living Life On Purpose. It was about going above and beyond ourselves, looking outward instead of looking inward and choosing to be purposeful in all that we do. It has been incredible. I believe that we are different people because of this journey.

We want to give you all the opportunity to continue Living Life On Purpose 2015 with us, right up until the end of the year. This year, let's Give Hope!

What we found out was that the $35 a day we donate through charities to save lives- actually saves lives. It was the most eye opening revelation I had. It seems so simple and duh! of course it does... but guys, it actually does!

So In light of saving lives and giving hope, I wanted to share with you two of the places that we worked with and fell in love with along our journey. These people are saving lives on a daily bases- trouble is sometimes we forget that there are lives out there needing some saving... children who don't have a meal during the day, parents abandoning their children because they have no food to feed them with... This year, let's give hope to a child!  Let's get outside of ourselves and Live Our Lives On Purpose.... right up until the end!

EAGLES WINGS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE:

This Village consist of 72 orphans in 3 family units as well as over 200 students from the local villages. These students are from the poorest of the poor... at Eagles Wings they are fed breakfast and lunch, are given school uniforms and books all because people like you and me- Let's GIVE HOPE!

TO AFRICA WITH LOVE : NURTURE BABY HOME:

Nurture Baby Home is home to more than 35 babies and 7 school aged children. Talk about Formula, formula, formula. The underlying story in the lives of these babies is abandonment. They've been left- alone, but thanks to 

Fay and her staff at Nurture Baby Home, no is never the answer when the phone rings and there is a Baby needing love, food and shelter because of people like you and me-  Let's Give HOPE! 

So please take a minute to check out these pages, scroll down and donate... This year... 

Let's Give Hope + SHARE THE LOVE,

M.

Eagles Wings Children's Village

Nurture Baby Home

Maybe. Just Maybe.

Maybe, just maybe this is the key to having a happy, successful, productive life-  oh ya, throw in a little hard work, a lot of elbow grease, the desire to see others succeed and the ability to just keep on going.

Share the love,
M.

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Happiness.

Come' on Get Happy! After all Happiness is Heart-made...

I've been thinking about what makes me happy, it's stupid little stuff like a hot coffee in the morning, a warm tea in the afternoon, Timothy the Dog, Duy (my Hubby) coming home from work, the tingly feeling your body gets when the car shuts off (I like to sit in the car and just enjoy it!), talking to my mom on the phone, waking up to sunshine,  a warm house after a walk in cold cold weather, the first snow, a long chat with a girlfriend, my family, green grass, blue skies, the smell of horse manure, eggs, Instagram, my comfy chair, books, quiet time alone to think (I usually get myself in trouble if I take too much time to think!) and the list goes on...

I believe the recipe for happiness is: gratitude + forgiveness + acceptance + fresh air. What do you think? What makes you happy?  What's your recipe?

Share the love,
M.

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Be Kind.

Sometimes I need a gentle reminder to be kind- (I know -hard to believe, but alas totally true!) You know everyone you meet is going through something that we know nothing about- and sometimes all they need is a little kindness and grace in that moment...

This would be super cute in a classroom, a child's room or on your office bulletin board as a reminder to yourself and others to just Be KIND.

Share the love,
M.

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Yup, We're Back :)

It's time for Africa.

Africa. I write it, I cry. I say it, I cry. I tell people my heart is for Africa and they look at me like I'm crazy as tears roll down my face. This year coming; 2015, we will be going to Africa to fulfill a dream. To meet the people who have my heart...

As you know, we do not have any children of our own... it hasn't happened yet (not for lack of trying, medically, naturally,  everything you can think of, we've done), and so we wait and pray, and believe for our miracle.

In this time of waiting...  instead of focusing on my own personal heart's desires,  I want, I want, I want...  Seriously how many times can I ask?  -we bought a house with a back yard, close to schools and parks, a BIG car - (then sold said car), we have an entire nursery set-  all for this baby- we are ready- they already have life insurance-  Yes, like I said, we are ready.

But what if... what if, we took the energy that we are putting into hoping and praying for a baby of our own and we gave it... what if we gave to others who are already here... what if we gave our hearts, our finances and our love to others. To children who are struggling to survive, who need to be loved, whose hearts are here... what if?

I began to cry, I knew, I knew this was what God had for us at this moment...  to just let go ... to trust and to give...

And so the journey begins...

Here is the ( very! ) rough plan:

• Duy and I will be going to work in an orphanage some time next year. We have not decided on when, or how long, but we know that we will be going. 

• We are in conversation with a Children's village that has opened its hearts to us...

• This is a huge step for me, because I have always felt if I ever get to Africa, I will never return.  Although this trip will be short term- 4 weeks most likely, we do not know what the future will hold.   ( I am a married to a practical, dependable, honourable man, so he will honour the tickets on the return date, and because I love him so much and would follow him to the ends of the earth, I to will return! rest assured mom- I promise!)

• So far the plans are in the infant stages, we have zeroed in on Uganda (but this is not set in stone). Did you know there are over 60,000 orphans in Uganda and the average age is 15. One-Five. (whoa!)

So I want to invite you on this journey of ours... this journey to follow God's heart,  to love his people...

All donations that come in through the Blog are now allocated to this journey. Please consider giving. All proceeds from my art work, everything sold on Etsy, and pretty much everything my hands touch will be allocated to this journey.  I thank you in advance for partnering with us, you will hear lots about this journey along the way- Please Pray for us as we begin preparing our hearts and our minds for this incredible opportunity! Who knows where this may lead us in the future... who knows...

Share the love,
M.

Family... My 200th post- WOWZA (!) and YOU!

Family.
That's what it's all about.
Together we have it all. ALL. 
If you've got each other, you've got everything!

This is my 200th post. That is pretty crazy. I am glad that family is what this post is about, because there is nothing more important :) and to take this one step further, you guys have become part of my online family. Together WE have it all. Keep sharing the love!

I hope that you feel inspired and happy when you read and print these posts!

Share the love!
M.

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I'd Rather Be.

Happy Tuesday! I think this speaks the truth for a few of us!

I hope you are getting your Christmas stuff all organized and you are finding some time to spend with your family and friends.

This is the perfect last minute gift idea for your coffee loving, caffein addicted friend, or sister in my case :)

By sharing this on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter you are helping me continue to create great printables. Please continue to share, I really appreciate it!

Share the love,
M.

Scroll down for the perfect black and white print of this that can be printed on any colour paper :)

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Oh Holy Night.

Another sweet print, celebrating the reason for the season.

Could this be the print for your holidays cards?

Share the love,

M.

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Be Part of Something That Will Make a Difference!

I was asked to be part of something that will make a difference in thousands of lives in the Philippines. My heart just breaks thinking about the suffering of so many. So when I was asked to participate in this Relief Project, I jumped on board!

Please take the time to read this post and to share this post.

Share the love,
M.

Please Note:
Donations will be collected until December 13, 2013 any amount ($1, $2, $3 or $40000000!) will give you the choice of your preferred digital files :)

Here you have the Long and Short of it all.

Written by Tanya Zaleski of Tanya Zaleski Photocreations.

First, The SHORT...
You give, and you get. Because we appreciate you.

Destiny International Ministries has had the privilege of being in relationship with ministers in the Philippines for many years now. 100% of donations being collected right now will go directly to indigenous relief workers for the purpose of rebuilding homes and feeding the population of two of the hardest hit regions; Bohol and Mindanao. In the event that enough donations are collected to meet all the primary needs of these communities, be reassured that many other communities are waiting in the wings. Not a single penny will be unappreciated.

Tanya Zaleski Photocreations, Just ME Prints, and LostBumblebee Graphics have partnered together to offer your choice of one of three FREE printable calendars with a donation of any amount to Destiny International Ministries earmarked for the Philippines. (You can read even more about these calendars, including WHY they are digital, further down...)

Tanya Zaleski Photocreations has selected 12 of her favorite images from the last year or so and married them with some inspirational quotes to carry you through 2014...

 

Just ME Prints has compiled 12 greetings, showing off her flawless signature style, to take you through the year in beauty and cheer...

We can thank LostBumblebee for turning a coffee addiction into a thing of beauty, with over 12 coffee prints. You'll have the shakes from January 'til December...

Donating is easy as can be. Simply hit the DONATE button at the bottom of this blog post (detailed instructions are down there, too.)

Emails providing a special link to your downloadable digital files will be sent to you within 2 business days of receiving your donation.

The LONG of it...
For those who love all the details...

Where we're sending love...
There are thousands of relief workers on the ground in the Philippines right now. There are areas of this country which were spared from the typhoon's destruction. And in these areas are able bodied men and women ready and willing to help their neighbours. There are local not-for-profit organizations which need nothing more than funds to be able to make a huge difference even today. No red tape. No donations tied up in limbo for months and years. No learning curve of foreign aid to begin to understand the inner-workings of this unique culture and its socio-politial protocol. Just immediate, practical help.

Here are portions of a message which Destiny International Ministries received just after the Typhoon ravaged our beloved Philippines...

The world strongest typhoon indeed hit the Philippine islands and caused lost of lives and properties...our local government made a public announcement that we need to be alert especially at night time. There was an information given that 2:00 pm that super typhoon is going to hit...Thank you so much for your great concern and love toward us all here in the Philippines. There are many people in other islands are suffering of so much loss, no more home to live, in need of food supply as well...We are planning soon to visit them with some relief goods...With your help enable us also to visit those earthquake and super typhoon victims.

Upon further clarification, not only was the Philippines hit by a typhoon, but the region of Bohol had also suffered a 7.2 magnitude earthquake just 3 weeks prior. Indigenous relief workers plan to leave in just a couple of hours (it is currently Friday morning there) to bring aid to Bohol and Mindanao, building and rebuilding homes, and supplying food and water. This particular Filipino ministry is pooling together the resources of over 80 local churches from different areas across the Philippines. They have a great passion and willingness to bring real and immediate help to their nation's people.

Most would remain completely wide eyed at how far one dollar of our currency can go in the Philippines. We regularly spend more on a single meal at the restaurant that what some families from certain regions live on for a month. But the cost of living varies so much from one region to another there, that it is difficult for international aid workers to estimate costs. Locals have an infinitely greater grasp of their socio-economic realities.

It may be difficult to imagine, but many Filipino communities are built by those who dwell in them. Many have hooked up their own communities with electricity, without the help of the government or electric companies providing labour to that end. Within this context, we can begin to understand the we are dealing with a very self-sufficient and industrious culture. International aid will always be welcome and thoroughly appreciated. But small communities will not sit on their hands and wait for foreign workers to build them 3 bedroom homes with white picket fences. What pride they take in being there for one another -- those locals virtually unscathed by the typhoon and earthquake want to be there for the surrounding regions dealing with loss in so many ways. And we have the opportunity to help finance this kind of effort right now.

How we want to thank you...
Just ME Prints, Tanya Zaleski Photocreations, and LostBumblebee Graphics want to say thank you for your donation of any amount. We have each one of us compiled 12 months worth of printable images which you can use to order your custom calendars this year; as many as you want! Within 2 business days of making your donation, you will receive an email containing a special link. From there you can download the calendar collection of your choice. From there, you can order your own custom calendar wherever those are sold (like Walmart, VistaPrint, and more). We have found that custom calendars sell for on average $15.

Why are we offering digital files instead of the real thing? The main reason is simple: we want your full donation to go directly to indigenous relief workers already hard at work bringing aid as you read this. We don't want upwards of 75% of your donation to go towards printing, and shipping. We don't want a bunch of pre-printed 2014 calendars still sitting in storage somewhere a few months from now, having cost money that could most certainly have been put to better use.

And guess what? You have these images to keep for yourself and print as many times as you would like. You can make as many calendars as you want. You can forget about them and find them a year from now. And then you can print 2015 calendars with them! You can print just one of the 12 files off and frame it for good. Basically, enjoy.

How do I donate?
For fast and secure donations through PayPal or with a major credit card, simply click the donate button provided below.

Under "Add special instructions?" please earmark the donation for the Philippines and provide an email address where we should contact you to send you the download link. (This is important. If you omit this step, not only will you not receive your free download, but your donation will not be set aside for the Philippines.) If you would like a tax deductible income tax receipt (for donations of $10 or more) please include your address.

If you prefer to donate through the mail, simply send your cheque made out to Destiny International Ministries to:

Destiny Ministries
P.O. Box 30504
Brossard, Quebec
Canada
J4Z 3R6

Again, please remember to note on your cheque that the donation is for the Philippines, and include a separate note with your email address if you would like to receive a download link to the calendar of your choice. If you would like an income tax receipt (for donations of $10 or more), please also include your full address.

Tax deductible donation receipts will be emitted for donations of $10 or more. These will be mailed out early in 2014.

Now is the Time to Remember.

Here in Canada we wear poppies for 11 days of the year (November 1- 11) to honour those who sacrificed their entire lives for our freedom. Take a moment...

Share the Love,

M.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) 
Canadian Army

ere in Canada we wear poppies for 11 days of the year (November 1- 11) to honour those who sacrificed their entire lives for our freedom. Take a moment...

Share the Love,

M.

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Facebook Cover Image (72 dpi- not for print)

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

It is Thanksgiving up here in Canada. Not counting Christmas, it is my favourite holiday of the year. I love that there is a day set aside for being grateful. (Of course if you've read my post about gratitude you'll understand why :: you can read it here )

I hope that you will spend some time this weekend with those you love. I hope you will take some time to be grateful for all that you have and the people with whom you share your life.

Remember to Share the love, because what the world needs now, is Love Sweet Love...

With a grateful heart,
M.

Scroll down for some Dionne Warwick  :)

Facebook Cover Image :: Click to download :: Upload it to your Facebook page :: Share the love

Happy Happy HAPPY Thanksgiving Canada! http://t.co/Qz9XCfDs9w

— Missie (@LostBumblebee) October 14, 2013

My New Favourite saying: What the Pho?!

In light of the fact that I am married to a Vietnamese dude, and we love Pho...
thought I'd share my new favourite saying.

What the Pho?!

Along with a few others I'm working on- I'm Pho Real. Pho Shizzle. Pho-get about it.

Can't wait to add to the Pho Love Line up!! Got any un-PHO-getable PHO sayings you'd love to share? Use your imagination and share!

Happy Sunday!
M.

Printing instructions below.

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Instructions: 

1. Choose the size you'd like: 4x6, 5x7and 8x10  (easy peasy sizing for frames found just about anywhere).

2. Save the image to your desktop, usb key, cd etc. (or just click it and print it!)

3. Send it online to your favourite photo printer (Costco, Walmart, Jean Coutu, Walgreens etc.) or walk it in.

4. Frame it. 

5. Give it, keep it, print more, share the files, have fun!

Share the love. Don't keep these for yourself! I know they are awesome, but share, share, share. Amazing things happen when you share! 

*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 :) 

TGIF a word to the wise.

I saw this quote recently posted and I wanted to share it with you.
Happy Friday!
Be the light,
M.

Printing Instructions below:

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Instructions: 

1. Choose the size you'd like: 4x6, 5x7and 8x10  (easy peasy sizing for frames found just about anywhere).

2. Save the image to your desktop, usb key, cd etc. (or just click it and print it!)

3. Send it online to your favourite photo printer (Costco, Walmart, Jean Coutu, Walgreens etc.) or walk it in.

4. Frame it. 

5. Give it, keep it, print more, share the files, have fun!

Share the love. Don't keep these for yourself! I know they are awesome, but share, share, share. Amazing things happen when you share! OH- and go LIKE us on Facebook :) Just do it.

*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 :) 

The Secret is Out.

I have my favourites-and this may just be it.
I couldn't keep it from you any longer.
I just had to share!

Happy Thursday!
M.

Printing instructions below :)
Like you need them anymore!

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Instructions: 

1. Choose the size you'd like: 4x6, 5x7  (easy peasy sizing for frames found just about anywhere).

2. Save the image to your desktop, usb key, cd etc. 

3. Send it online to your favourite photo printer (Costco, Walmart, Jean Coutu, Walgreens etc.) or walk it in.

4. Frame it. 

5. Give it, keep it, print more, share the files, have fun!

I'll continue adding to the collection! Share with your friends- Leave a comment let me know what you think. Also if you have a saying you'd love to see in a graphic, Leave it in the comments below!
LIKE US on Facebook!

Share the love. Don't keep these for yourself! I know they are awesome, but share, share, share. Amazing things happen when you share! Oh ya, and LIKE us on Facebook :) Just do it.

*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 :)