Every Day is an Adventure

I didn't want to be silent, I didn't want to say nothing, let the lines go dead... but I did... It isn't because I wasn't thinking of posting a printable, or wanting to post one... it's just that time, that crazy little thing called time, literally slipped through my finger tips into the abyss... and now here I am... posting for the first time in what feels like forever... and posting about Adventure.

It is so true, every day is an adventure, life is an adventure, no matter how many times I want to pack up and leave my reality, escape the adulting, hole up in a shack somewhere in the the hills over looking the water and owe nothing to anyone... no schedule, no work, no responsibilities... but alas, that is probably never going to happen and I think I'm ok with that... maybe... maybe not. 

Most people who know me, see me as an extrovert, and basically that is because I love to have fun, hang with my friends and make LOTS of noise... but in all reality, this girl is an introvert, I can be social with people and lots of them, if I've had lots of time to myself, to reflect, breathe, and recoup. 

We've been home for almost 2 weeks and I have loved every minute of my time with my family and my friends (although my friends have been left out this time around due to that thing called Life, and what I'm choosing to call adventure?  I'd say 48 hours after the plane landed life started happening... the tree on our front lawn decided it needed a break from the weight of one of its branches and dropped it, onto the road, onto my neighbours car, seriously? Yup. 

It has been one thing after another, I keep repeating to myself, this too shall pass... this too shall pass, and then I keep waking up in a ball of stress and wondering WHEN will this pass?

Does that happen as we get older? I feel like I am less able to deal with crap that happens, I mean stuff that you buy insurance for- for years, and years, and years- hoping and praying to never have to use it. I keep telling myself, That's what it's for, and I calm down, only to wake up again stressed... 

...and now that I am writing this and thinking about this, I know exactly what is going on... I've failed to take it all to God in prayer... I failed to run to the rock, throw my cares on Him and breathe... I've tried to make it all work, fix it all myself, when I truly needed help... When I needed Him the most, I decided to do it all myself. How can I possibly expect a peaceful sleep and a peaceful outcome if I haven't gone to the peace maker...

(Interlude I literally stopped writing and prayed... Do you need to stop and give it all to God- what is stressing you out, have you taken the time to share it with Him? if not, I'm going to encourage you to do that...)

These are the lyrics that came to my heart- this will be the song that I sing all day:

I go to the rock of my salvation

I go to the stone that the builders rejected

I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me

When the earth all around me is sinking sand 

On Christ the solid rock I stand 

When I need a shelter 

When I need a friend I go to the rock

Lyrics by: Dottie Rambo

So on this adventure called life... Go to the rock... 'cause life is an adventure, and not always a peaceful one... Go to the Rock... Share your heart, your hurts, and your joy.

Share the love,

M.

Ps. This post was not at all what it was suppose to be, instead of it being a fun and light post of encouragement it is an open letter from my heart, it is a little journey... and as raw as I feel, and as exposed as I feel to share my spiritual journey, literally... in the moment, well here it is.

LostBumblebee©2016 MDBN : Every Day is an Adventure
 personal use only.

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

4x7

5x7

8x10

Happy Saturday!

Created to go together or separately :)
Enjoy!

It's Saturday- what an awesome day, it's as though the whole world looks at life a little differently on a Saturday than any other day of the week. It's full of endless possibilities, wide open mental spaces and sheer joy. I love Saturdays. Even though my Hubby and I both work on Saturdays, there is something so inborn in me that I still love them.

When I was growing up, Saturdays were the only 'free' day. Sunday was church, Monday -Friday was school, and every second week on Saturday evenings we had church services with the elderly at the seniors home. We may or may not have races those people to the service taking corners on two wheels in their wheel chairs... they would just laugh and giggle the whole time. Who in their right mind puts eight 12 year olds in charge of going and getting the participants in wheelchairs? Apparently our parents trusted us. side note: In our free time, we would wander around the basement looking for the morgue-morbid, I know. 

But Saturdays... I still love them, I still hold them in a special place in my heart, they are the free day of the week! It's as though they are the day that I can finally cast my cares away, and truly relax... but 1 Peter says that we should be casting our cares away every day, "Cast all of your cares on Him; He cares for you." All of your cares, that includes your Monday woes, your Tuesday cares, your Wednesday stress, your Thursday frustrations and your Friday anxiety - knowing that you start this all over again on Monday.  Cast ALL of your cares on Him. He Cares for you.  This is a reminder that I recite to myself daily, I am living and growing and casting my cares daily, sometimes every moment I am saying this over and over... and then laying down my worries, placing my anxieties, my hurts, my frustrations on Him... because He truly cares for me. 


If something has you down, cast your cares on Him... He truly cares for you.
You are his favourite.

Share the love,
M.

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

Simple.

Sometimes simple is best.
Be Mine.

Share the love,
M.

If you are into Project Life Journaling, be sure to check out my new JUMBO LOVE collection on Etsy.

4x6

5x7

8x10

Sense of Wonder.

Someone reminded me recently that it isn't about the big things, it's about the little things. The sunrise, the sunset, the clouds, the colour, the changing of the sky... it's the little things that happen daily that we just ignore, move past, and don't pay any attention too...

When was the last time you saw a sunset and gave thanks? Thanks that Someone out there (much bigger than you and I)  was thinking about you and painted it just for you... The sky is a daily masterpiece that I miss often... the clouds are works of art, that I don't even see...

Help me to not lose my sense of wonder, gratitude and moments that you send my way God. Help me to be childlike in your beauty.

Share the love,
M.

ooooops, I had your, your... so here is the NEW version :)

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

Be Brave.

Sometimes I mutter this to myself, Be Brave. Just be brave, you can do this... But I know my strength (pathetic weakling that I am) doesn't come from me 'white knuckling' my fear... it comes from a higher power that "will not leave me or forsake me" (Deut. 31:6).

I carry a sense of security with me because I know I am never alone. Even so... when fear does grip me, and it does, sometimes more than others, and sometimes in weird and different ways:

I had a weird bout of this in China where it took my breath away, a fear so overwhelming that I had a physical reaction to the thought: what if we never have children. 

Be Brave.
The Lord your (MY) God goes with you (ME!); he will never leave you (ME!) nor forsake you (ME!).

We are dealing with some serious stuff as a family and we could use prayers for peace in our hearts...

Be Brave.
The Lord your (MY) God goes with you (ME!); he will never leave you (ME!) nor forsake you (Me!).

Some of you are dealing with illness in your family.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Some of you are dealing with issues of fear.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Some of you are dealing with loss.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Some of you are overwhelmed with life.

Be Brave.
The Lord YOUR God goes with YOU; he will never leave YOU nor forsake YOU.

Be brave. Be Brave. Be Brave.


I worry, I get scared, freak out a little, sometimes I have to do sheet therapy (i.e. take a nap). But I have a secret, I have a constant reminder, I know, that I know, that I know... "There is no fear in love; instead perfect love casts out fear..." (1John 4:18)  and I know... "The Lord your (MY) God goes with you (ME!); he will never leave you (ME!) nor forsake you (Meeeee!).” (Deut. 31:6)
and I know.... "that all things work together for good to those who love God..."(Rom.8:28)

Rest in knowing that you are not alone,
and that you are loved.
Share the love,
M.


Update: I added a second version - Scroll down, there is a version without the Bible verse for those who prefer it :) Have an awesome Day!
Share the love,
M.

4x6

5x7

8x10

4x6

5x7

8x10

JetLag and Jesus.

I am jet lagging really badly, and I need all of Jesus I can get.
(and all the coffee I can get) 

Thanks for requesting this Elena (<- she's the very talented lady over at Just Me Prints & Paper Design. ) 

Share the love,
M.

Oh and if you haven't stopped by my Etsy Shop in awhile- I've put up some Christmas Prints- But keep a watch out here on the blog for lots of free Christmas Printables coming soon too!

4x6

5x7

8x10

Sing Me Love.

In the morning sing me love, and in the afternoon it's love, and if we sing together Love will sing along- two voices carry farther than one.

I love, love, love this song- hence this hand lettered printable :)
Share the love,
M.

If you haven't read about our Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015  >> Please take a read and if you love free printables please consider giving a donation to help us on our journey! 

 

4x6

5x7

8x10

Be In Love With Your Life... every teeny tiny stinking detail of it.

That is such a romantic thought, I love my life… but every teeny tiny stinking detail of it? Come on- how can that be… Life is hard, life is messy… life sometimes throws you stuff you don’t think you could ever handle, it knocks you down, stomps on you a little - how do you love it through all of that? how? how is it even possible? 

Sometimes it is easier on the look back, they say "hindsight is 20/20” this means when you are looking back on your life, you actually have perfect vision of it- you can see the invisible hand of God… you can see how hard things worked out for the good, and you can see the grace that flowed.

Duy and I have been through the wringer (more than once) we have had hard stuff happen… but looking back on it, it has made our hearts grow- it has changed us, moulded us, created two new people- different than we were when we first met, even different than we were just last year… I am humbled, by the way things happen, by the bigger picture, and by grace.

So today- try it, try to love every detail of your life, see if it is even possible, look back over the trying times, the good times, the fun times, the hard times and see if you can love it, all of it... every teeny tiny stinking detail of it. Can you see grace that flowed? Can you see the fruit it produced?

We may not understand the why- because (as my mother says) we don’t need to understand everything, we just have to accept it… 

Share the love today!

M.

4x6

5x7

8x10