Thanksgiving.

This weekend coming in Canada is Thanksgiving... we celebrate thanksgiving in Canada because we are truly grateful for the life that we have, for a bountiful harvest, for peace, and so much more;

In 1879 Canadian Parliament proclaimed: A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed...

How awesome is that? Now this is just for our Canadian Parliament... Martin Frobisher the arctic explorer was said to have celebrated it in 1578... and way before that our First Nations and Native Americans were celebrating their harvest festivals.

Thanksgiving is a heart celebration, a small moment in time to stop, breathe, look around you, see that God is good, and that we have much to celebrate. We are truly blessed. I've never been in a situation so bad, or frustrating that if I took a moment, I couldn't find something to be thankful for... I just have to take that moment.

This will be my third year not being in Canada to celebrate one of my absolute favourite holidays -Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter round out this girl's trio of celebrations- and I am kinda sad about it. I miss the crispness in the air, I miss the craziness of trying to get 100 dishes to the table at the same time, I miss trying to squeeze 15 people around an 8 seater table... I miss that moment of looking around at the chaos, whispering a thank you, and feeling absolute peace in my heart.

There are no markers here in Vietnam to show us that the seasons are changing- I'm sure the Vietnamese people have markers, I'm sure they see that the seasons are changing- but I don't. It's hot, wet, and hot and wet, and somedays it's wet and hot. That's about how I see it here... So no way to be reminded that the seasons are changing... to stop and give thanks, to see the coloured leaves...

I haven't decided what I will cook to celebrate our personal Thanksgiving, or if I will order a roasted chicken for the Mister... how I will make stuffing with no spices? where to find orange sweet potatoes? What about pumpkin pie? I have no idea... but what I do know for sure is that I will take a moment, and sit and ponder this crazy life that I am so grateful for.

What is your heart grateful for this Canadian Thanksgiving?
Share the love,
M.

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Saddle up!

Yup you may know that one of my favourite quotes if from John Wayne
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway"

It's so true... and a new favourite for me, is this...
"Life is an adventure so saddle up!"

It's true, and sometimes I forget that my hubby and I have a wonderfully adventurous life, or we have for the past couple of years- and now the adventure continues. Sounds so glamorous right? Oh yes, it would be if this was a vacation, it would be amazing. This place is amazing. But this isn't a vacation, I'm reminded of that every day... it's just doing what I do in a new and wonderful place- which makes it an adventure! There is a language barrier, a culture barrier, a food barrier... it's full of barriers... but it's also full of smiles, and children saying 'hello, what is your name?" it's pretty sweet. I feel very happy to on this adventure...

We recently got in touch with an orphanage here, to see if it would be possible for us to visit and hopefully volunteer, and do life with people who are changing the world. Fingers crossed I'm hoping that we'll be able to visit with them and get to know them. But in the mean time, I'll get back to this adventurous life, of doing graphics for a client, checking on my blog, checking my Facebook, heading over to Etsy to make sure my products are all lined up and looking good, then I'll probably have a peanut butter sandwich, bring the laundry in off the line, start supper and sweep the floor... it's not glamorous, but it's mine, my adventure!

Share the love, and Saddle up!
M.

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Coffee.

I've got a little secret for you...
Coffee is my best friend, and croissants are a close second.

We've been in Vietnam now for just about 3 weeks, Vietnam is one of the worlds largest producers of coffee and I would admit, a ca phe sua da is absolutely delicious, but finding a simple black cup of coffee is proving to be difficult. Even more difficult than that, because if you know me, you know I don't leave the country without a kilo of my favourite kicking horse 454 horsepower coffee in tow, is finding a grinder. I've got coffee, I just can't find a grinder, nor a french press... But fear not, I am on the hunt.

But what I did find was a Starbucks, I know, I know some people would argue Starbucks coffee is not great coffee, and I'd be one of you whilst standing in my kitchen grinding my own beans, brewing a big pot of my favourite 454 horsepower in a french press, then sipping it out of my favourite mug- but here, far away from home, far from my grinder, far from my simple comforts (that I perhaps took for granted) Starbucks was an oasis in a the coffee desert for me.

So I picked up a pound of dark roast, and made myself a cup of coffee, (albeit in a Vietnamese metal coffee filter)- but I had a the first cup i've enjoyed at home since we've been here.

And what I realized is that, I love coffee a lot, and the simple things in life bring great pleasure and satisfaction, so don't take them for granted. Instead be grateful for all of the little things we do every single day that make us feel happy... Life is made of of simple little pleasures, take time to notice them!

If you'd like to follow me along on this crazy new adventure of life in Vietnam be sure to hit me up on instagram  (@LostBumblebee), or view the hashtag #LostBumblebeeontheloose

Share the love,
M.

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One day at a time.

When you are planning a crazy move, half way around the world, you have to take one day at a time... you can't look at the big picture because it is overwhelming and crippling. It's one day at a time, and sometimes one hour at a time, and one moment at a time. When life gives you a big'ol project that seems overwhelming when you look at it, break it down into baby steps.

My favourite way of explaining this to people, is by asking this question:

How do you eat an elephant? ... one bite at a time baby, one bite at a time.

So how am I living this amazing life? One bite at a time baby, one bite at a time.
How about you?

Share the love,
M.

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LostBumblebee soon to be on the loose... again.

Ever have an opportunity that was so good you just couldn't miss it... and then once you said yes... well you were scared to death?

Ya, that. It's a big year here for me and the Mister... we are packing up and getting ready to head out on another huge adventure... one that will change our lives forever. For. Ever.  We are packing up for longer than we've ever packed up for, we are headed half way around the world, and we will be living life on purpose on the other side of globe. Living life on purpose, that is how we started living our lives two years ago... with a purpose- not letting life happen to us, but making our own lives.  On this new adventure, do I know what my purpose will be yet? Nope. I'm sure I'll find out when I get there. But do I have a purpose? Absolutely!

When you are challenged with big things, and you are scared to death, how do you deal with it? What do you do to calm yourself down... get yourself organized... and get on with it?

This is one of my favourite quotes;

Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway - John Wayne

What are you saddling up for this year? What do you need to be courageous about? What are you planning that is scaring you to death?

Share the love,
M.

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Let Your Light Shine!

We are healthy, happy, living on rice or matoke (mashed green bananas), beans, and love. We are having an incredible time, our eyes have been opened, our hearts are being changed every day- it's an amazing opportunity, we know we will forever be changed.

Being here has opened up my eyes to just how much good work people are doing, everyone I talk to about their projects, Children's Villages, Baby Homes, Medical Clinics always point up and say: only because of Him.

It really does boggle the mind, no one takes credit for the things they are doing here- changing lives- one person at a time, it is by God's grace and His provision. We are so blessed to be able to see the good works of the people and are encouraged to even give more, do more, and share more. It is incredible so far.

You know it doesn't matter what you are doing, as long as you are doing something.
Continue to share your hearts and do good works!
Share the Love,
Love from Uganda!

M.

...nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven... Matt. 5:16

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To Travel

"to travel is to live" ... is only the last part of this beautiful quote by Hans Christian Andersen

- the entire quote is read like this:

“To move, to breathe, to fly, to float,
To gain all while you give,
To roam the roads of lands remote,
To travel is to live."

Sometimes travel means far from home and sometimes it's just a walk away. So be bold, go out there and travel - even if it's just to visit the neighbours.

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Rain.

I'm away from home on the other side of Canada in beautiful British Columbia, and it is incredible. There are flowers blooming and the temperature is well above freezing... it's a very different world than my Narnia like back yard at home. Who knew such a place existed North of the wall, up here in Canada.

One thing I will say though, is it takes rain to keep this place green and lush... and rain we have had. But I love the rain, it clears the head, cleanses the soul and makes everything smell lush. As a tribute to the rain.

As a tribute to the rain...

Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass... (everyday life brings complications, frustrations and difficult decisions and situations) it's about learning to dance in the rain (having a heart of gratitude, looking beyond the present situation at the big picture, stop looking in, start looking out)

I am daily learning to dance in the rain of my own life... there are so many people, along the way, who have helped me look beyond the current situations of my own life, believed in me, challenged me, and encouraged me, and are dancing in the rain right along with me...  Surround yourself with those people.... and Learn to dance in the rain!

Share the love,

M.

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Coffee is Better with a Friend.

It's true, coffee is always better with a friend, and at this moment, I would have to say "Coffee is better with a friend -in Prague." Sometimes that will read, "in Calgary, in Brossard, in Whitby, in Berwick, in Halifax, at home"... but this week, it's in Prague.

I am thoroughly enjoying this city, how beautiful. I can't believe people get to live here all the time :) And it's like a Christmas fairytale. It is unbelievable how beautiful it is! You can see pictures on my Instagram/Lostbumblebee with the hashtag #lostbumblebeeontheloose

If it snows bit fat flakes -I think it might just be perfection.


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M.

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Truth.

Sometimes it's best to just tell the truth. I am trying to get my stuff in order before I head off on a solo adventure. OMG- 11 Days, Prague, to hang with my Bestie and My Godson. I am super. duper. off the charts excited (!).

But the lead up to the take off is always an anxious runway for me.  (Ha- my airplane humour kills me!)

I tend to worry about: the hubby, want the house clean, need to finish 3 Family Portraits (yup 3!) and send them before I go, I am co- hosting a conference this weekend (Saturday all day, I leave Sunday- What was I thinking?!) I have to finish work for the conference- My belief is when you host something go above and beyond - so I'm adding my magic LostBumblebee touch to everything I touch, WHICH takes lots of time, energy, love and creativity :) BUT it's almost ready and I am super excited!

So on that note, I am going to leave you with this little bit of truth... it is partly true, I find myself burying my nose online trying to just breath and relax, the anxiety comes because I know my floors need sweeping, my dishwasher needs unloading, my bathroom needs cleaning, paintings need painting and my bags need packing- and here I am writing a blog post and creating- 'cause I love you guys :)

Share the love,
M.

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