Despite the Forecast

This is a lesson for me.  Despite the forecast, live like it's SPRING.

How many of us are starting the new year out on a new foot, or wishing it was a new foot, a new forecast, a new outlook? How many of us have gotten news that we were not expecting? How many of us have parents, siblings, children, loved ones, dealing with a forecast that is heart breaking? How many of us have stuff in our past the makes our future look bleak? How many of us are tired of starting over again... and are just about to let it all go? How many of us feel hopeless?

The forecast we have for children, looks bleak, a chance of thunderclouds, but most likely just a lot of fog, and freezing rain... not what you want to go out and dance barefoot in. But despite the forecast, despite all the times the pain take my breath away, despite what the future looks like... LIVE likes it's spring. Live like there is hope, believe there is hope. Hope...

Somedays I feel like this is doable, there is hope, there is always hope, when all else fails, there is hope... and I do believe that, because it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings, as they say, or it isn't actually over until they put me in the ground. Which means, I'm breathing, so there is hope... right?

I always quote the first part of this verse from proverbs, "hope deferred makes the heart sick..." and my mother always finishes it "... but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life."

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life...   

Proverbs 13:12 

I believe that if we live in hope, our dreams are fulfilled, and I believe if we live with an open mind,  and an open heart dreams are fulfilled that perhaps we never even knew we had...

Here's to a new year, despite the forecast, live like it's spring, and dare to hope and dream!
Share the love,
M.

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New Life, New Hope, New Beginnings...

Easter is coming... and with that comes new life, new hope, and new beginnings... 
Share the story, share the hope... He is not here, He is risen! 

Share the love, 
M.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
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LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN
He is Risen
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Breathe, You've Got this!

2016 a new year, new projects, new hopes, and new goals all sound well and good, but along with all of those crazy awesome new ideas and dreams comes along new anxieties, frustrations, and fear. What the heck?! Seriously I want to punch fear in the face. Taking a step out of your comfort zone to pursue a new career, passion, hobby... is often, littered with fear. Why are we so afraid of trying something new?

Apparently it's been studied and this pretty much sums it up:

33% will like what you do
33% won't like what you do
33% won't actually care what you do  (gasp! I know right!)

AND 1% (these are the people we don't actually care whether or not they approve of us- I added that part, and when I'm home alone, I have a more colourful word for this group of... well, use your imagination.)

So what do we have to fear? Letting ourselves down? because going out and trying something new doesn't usually let others around us down. Because the people who actually matter, you know the ones, our cheering section, the ones who see our talents way before we ever do, and are continually trying to convince us to pursue our passions, are not going to love us any less if we try following our dream, they are going to saddle up along side of us and enjoy the ride.

So in light of a new year, and in light of new possibilities (by the way, every day is filled with new possibilities, and the ability to stop one thing and start another, without owing anyone an explanation - but I digress) Let's Saddle up the horses,  let's charge forward with our hopes and dreams... and let's not forget to BREATHE, because We've Got THIS!

Share the love,
M.

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BREATHE, You've Got This!
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Hope.

Hope...

"Hope deferred makes the heart grow sick",  I am very aware of this verse and very aware of how repeating it to yourself can actually make you sick. My very wise Mama always reminds me to finish off the rest of this verse... "But desire fulfilled is a tree of life" (Prov. 13:12)- 
A TREE OF LIFE!

LIFE.

It's like Christmas... Christmas is a time of hope, not because of what is coming, but because of what has already come.

I wanted to share this print with you, because in my life, holding onto hope is important... I've written about hope before, I've shared my hopeless feelings, and my feelings of hope... and how sometimes I white knuckling hope, grasping on pathetically... or heroically- my view changes depending on the day.

But if you are in the midst of hoping for something, waiting for something, don't give up hope... hold on (this is a reminder to myself as well) hold on ...because when that desire is fulfilled it is a tree of life.

Share the love,
M.

Larger Prints:
8x10 and 11x14 available on my Etsy Shop


PS. Don't forget to donate to download and help us raise funds to support Edrisa Our (LostBumblebee Blogs + You) Sponsor 2 year old Baby Boy in Uganda!

LostBumblebee ©2015 Hope Chalkboard FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : HOPE 5x7

Hope.

I love this verse and I wanted to share...

Don't ever give up... no matter the situation-

Hold onto Hope, it is an anchor for the soul.

Share the love,

M.

another version of this verse can be found  >> HERE <<  told you I liked it :) 

These are Inked-like, so take note, that the ink may be lighter in some areas than others :) They were made that way.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : Hope is an Anchor Hebrews 6:19 : 4x6 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : Hope is an Anchor Hebrews 6:19 :5x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : Hope is an Anchor Hebrews 6:19 :8x10

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : Hope is an Anchor Hebrews 6:19 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : Hope is an Anchor Hebrews 6:19 : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : Hope is an Anchor Hebrews 6:19 : 8x10

Hope.

"We have this hope, as an anchor for the soul, firm + secure..."

Speak, believe + repeat.

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

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Hope...

It is just 6 months before we fly away to Uganda to volunteer in an orphanage and to share our love with children who are already here :) I am so excited, I cannot wait, my heart wants to go now, my head says, "whoa Nelly, there is a lot of work left to do... "

In light of all that is happening in our lives, this poem keeps running through my head and my heart, these words, I've shared them before, and if you know my story, you will know that hope is something that is alive and well... most days, sometimes it gets hidden under the weight of the world, but it starts to sing again, and shines its light on the world, and it's like spring in my heart- it might sound corny- but true.

I remember a while ago, I was meditating and I asked it it was ok to let go of hope and just live. I was in a sad place, I didn't want to hold on to hoping for a miracle anymore. It hurt. The bible says "Hope deferred makes the hearts sick..." and my Momma always quotes the rest of the verse, because generally I'm complaining when we discuss this verse - "but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life".  I had literally asked if I could give up on hoping, give up on hope...  that was a Saturday- the next day- our really good friend came and spoke at our church- he spoke about not giving up, not letting go of the promises, holding on to hope. I literally laughed out loud... Yup, what a wake up call.

And I thank God for that wake up call, because it is true "Hope deferred makes the heart sick - BUT when the desire is fulfilled- it is a Tree of LIFE!" 

My prayer for you today, is that if you are hoping and dreaming about something, hold on to that hope, believe it in it, trust that when that desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

Share the love,
M.

A poem by Emily Dickinson:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - 

That perches in the soul - 

And sings the tune without the words - 

And never stops - at all - 

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard - 

And sore must be the storm - 

That could abash the little Bird 

That kept so many warm - 

I’ve heard it in the chillest land - 

And on the strangest Sea - 

Yet - never - in Extremity, 

It asked a crumb - of me.

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Trust.

What is your heart's desire today?
Mine is...

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
-Hillsong United Lyrics

Share the love,
M.

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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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Hope.

After reading yesterday's blog post to my mom, she got all excited and said;
"Miss, you know what hope is right?"

I thought for a moment, and we both started to recite the beautiful Poem by Emily Dickinson...

Hope is the thing with feathers-
that perches in the soul-
It sings the tune without the words-
And never stops- at all-

This print was born out of that conversation with my mom,
Hope is the thing with feathers...

I used to recite this to myself when I was feeling hopeless about babies... somewhere inside of me, I always said, "but God, I still believe... " ( and honestly after 4 rounds of (ICSI) IVF  you would think you would lose hope) ... and it's true,  my mind did, but my heart and soul still have hope... because hope it's that crazy thing that sits in the soul and believes even when your mind can't... 

If you are going through something that requires hope, belief and trust, learn this verse... recite it to yourself... and allow it to sing the tune without the words- and never stop ... at all.

Share the love,
M.

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Frankly Darling...

I don't give a hoot.
Whoo me?
Nope I never feel like this.
Ever. I always care.

Ok, I'm lying- sometimes I just don't give a hoot. I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately... I often worry about things that aren't any of my business, my concern, or anything I need to even be thinking of.  Do you find yourself tangled up in this web of 'false responsibility' because it makes you feel valuable or worthy?

I've taken to reminding myself often "not my circus, not my monkeys" sometimes I have to say "not my circus, yes my monkeys" and still have to let it play out as it will.

I can't control everything, cause If I could, let me tell you... lol no, seriously- sometimes we just have to stop, let it go, and not give a hoot how it turns out for our own sanity! Sometimes we women tend to try to fix everything, for our spouses, our children, our friend's children, our parents - and the list goes on! But you know what... you don't have to fix the neighbourhood... you just have to live in it :)

I mean of course apathy sucks! That we take no part in- for causes that we need to stand for, we stand! For changes that we can make, we make! To fight the good fight, we fight! - I'm not talking about this sort of thing, I'm talking about the little stuff that we burden ourselves with, the stuff that tires us out so that when we do need to fight, apathy is just an easier choice.

What are you concerned about today that you need to let go of? What responsibilities are you carrying that really aren't yours to carry, but because you are such a good person, you took it over?
What do you need to say "Frankly darling, I don't give a hoot" about today?

Let it go... breathe... the world didn't fall apart- nope it's not easy, it sucks to not be in control all the time, but on the other hand, the freedom that it brings is marvellous!

Let it go + Share the love,
M.

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Please Don't Rain on My Parade.

Please don't rain on my parade with your dumb cockamamy ideas of reality!

Sometimes you've just got to tell it like it is. 

Let your imagination soar!  Follow your heart! Make your dreams a reality! Believe in yourself!

And ignore all other's cockamamy ideas of reality. 

This one's for you :)

Share the love,

M.

Oh and I've got a simple little reminder - Please Don't Rain On My Parade ~for the kid's room,  or the kid in you, or if you want to post it at the office and be slightly more politically correct :) Take your pick- M.

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September.

It's a Crazy time of the year, because I always think I ought to be buying school supplies.  I went from being a student, to a teacher, to a graphic designer, and now a "blogger" of sorts... more like a maker of free printables, but I digress...

On the day before the eve of our departure ( on the road again... is playing in my head ) I've created a sweet printable for the nursery, children's room, your living room, home, apartment- wherever you can think to hang it, it was made for that!

It's about dreams, possibilities and hope... for you, for your children and for others!

Share the love,
M.

These prints are : HoRiZONtAL :)

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Wanderlust

It's kinda crazy around here... I just got home, now I'm preparing to jump on a plane again... 

This year I've travelled by Train, Plane, Automobile and Boat... all I need is a donkey and my repertoire of travel methods will be full !

It has been a whirlwind, and it continues to be...  2015 may or may not settle down, and I may or may not be excited about it either way- full of travel, or full of home time, I can't decide yet. But I do know that my heart and mind are open to both...

Wanderlust : is a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world. 

Usually my wanderlust keeps me wandering around my back field imagining it full of cows. I used to do this when I was little and I still find myself daydreaming about it now :)

So this one is for all of you who desire to see the world, or who just wander around your back field- or for those of you who just let your mind wander... 

Share the love,

M.

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Your Cares.

Who do you go to when you are overwhelmed? When your heart is heavy? When you have too much to do? When you look around, the weeds have over taken your front walk, the dog is shedding big time,  and the house is a mess and you know you are leaving for a week in a few days ... oy.

I have a secret. It might just blow your mind.

I talk to God. Like a lot. (I don’t mean a lot sometimes, I mean a lot all of the time. Day in, day out. I have this ongoing conversation with the creator of the universe.)

I don’t pray, in the way that you might expect. I just talk. and talk, and talk. 

I tell him everything. Even though, I believe he already knows everything, I tell him anyway.

Are you feeling overwhelmed? try it, have a conversation with the creator of the universe... let him hear your heart straight from your mouth...

This verse is one of my favourites- "Cast your cares on him (tell him everything, let him know, share your heavy heart because...) he cares (loves, wants to hear it, already knows, but loves it when you take a minute to tell him) about YOU! (yup, you!)

Share the love,

M.


I want to say Thank you to everyone who has donated! I will be putting up our "thermometer" with our goal and where we are at shortly! I want to send love and hugs to you all! ~Melissa 

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! 

 

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