Sunday. Like A Runaway Freight Train.

Sunday is coming like a runaway freight train. I've been asked to share about our Living Life On Purpose Journey 2015 with our church. I have 10 minutes. YAY! oh man, I'm kinda freaking out. I mean... What do I tell them?

Do I tell them everything? Do I tell them how this came about? how much detail do I give? Do I tell them to read my blog? do they know I have a blog? maybe I should tell them I have a blog. It's kinda an untapped group of people who know me and love me and support me... but do they really know me? Do you guys know more about me than some of the people at church? I hate to even say this, but yes.

Now of course the people at church know we desire to have babies, after you've been married for 13 years and there are no babies, people start to wonder and ask questions...  I know they pray for us, and hope with us... but I'm not sure they know the extent of our journey. Do I want to share that? Is it easier to share with you guys than it is with people who see my face weekly? In all honesty, yes.

and in the midst of my mini (because I have had much bigger) freak out, this is what I hear... "be still & know.... be still. Be still and know that I am God... just be still..."

Is this the moment He turns my mess into a message? Is this the moment that I step out? That I become ... alive? real? I've shared my heart one on one with people I know, I've shared face to face with people I fully trust, and I've shared with people whose hearts are also broken, or mending...  Maybe Sunday is the day things change. Maybe Sunday is the day my church family will really see my heart, truly unveiled for the first time... Maybe Sunday my mess of a message will help someone else's hurts... maybe... but until then I am going to try to live in these words... Be still and know that I am God.
Share the love,
M.

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Comparison

So, you know when you skulk around Instagram, your favourite blogs, and Facebook instead keeping your head in your own work... well... Have I got a little story for you;

Yesterday I took a day off from "working" and I did domestic stuff. In the spirit of honesty,  I finally unpacked from our China trip (some stuff but not everything),  I did some laundry, I cooked a meal, I cleaned out a closet and I stalked all of my favourite people online.

I went to bed last night feeling overwhelmed -not because I was so excited to see what other's were doing and feeling encouraged. No, I was overwhelmed because I felt like I wasn't doing enough. I don't have enough Christmas prints ready to go, I haven't even thought about doing a new Advent Calendar yet, I don't even have my own christmas cards printed. I need to be printing things and having them available on Esty. I need to have an open house and sell some of my Printables all ready to frame for our Living Life on Purpose Africa 2015 trip. I need, I need, I need- ack!

What have I been doing all year? How am I not being as creative, as productive, as awesome as everyone else.

WAIT!  STOP!  HOLD THE PHONE GIRL! 

Melissa! (or insert name here___________________) Stop comparing yourself to others and get your head in your own work and just be creative.

Stop worrying about what other's are doing, stop looking into their proverbial 'bowl' to see if they have more than you do. I once read somewhere:  the only time you should look in someone else's bowl, is not to see if they have more than you, but instead to see if they have enough. Are they ok? 

This sweet image is from:
www.chibird.com

So I'm being honest... because frankly, I dislike this feeling, I dislike looking at others and feeling that I am not enough, and I think I'm probably not the only one...

I saw this awesome little design from ChiBird and I wanted to share it, because we're all different, we are all kinda awesome. And when it comes to creative work, creativity and productivity... the only person to compare yourself too is you. Am I doing all that I can do? Am I the person I want to be?




There are only 24 hours in the day, (Melissa, or insert your name here______________) you can't do everything, but do what you do well... and sleep tight at night knowing you are awesome.

Thanks to Theodore Roosevelt for saying:  Comparison is the thief of Joy. How true. Yesterday I had my very own experience with this. So I've created a print that I will be printing off and sticking to my forehead,  because it is all too true. Comparison IS the thief of Joy.  Booyah!

Share the love,
M.

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Hi Y'all!

Hi Y'all! What's shaking in your world?  We are still in China and I am still loving it... I *might* be missing home a little... and yesterday a.lot.


What I've learned so far:

~ Shanghai is huge, busy, bustling and beautiful- I prefer my small town of Taicang.  And Chinese characters, no matter how long I stare at them, never reveal their meaning to me-  Instead they remain mysteriously beautiful works of art... each and everyone of them.


On another note- This print would look fabulous printed out in card format- who doesn't love snail mail! I'l be ordering some for myself :) 

Share the love,
M.

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If You Experience The Whole Gamut; You Might be Married.

Last night we finally went out to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary... this is a little about how it went; normal conversation, debate about an idea (which we may or may not ever have to deal with) passionate conversation, slightly heated conversation, ( um teeny tiny) tears- because when I get all passionate and serious little tears well up in my eyes, laughter, long pause- Duy got an alert that Robin Williams had passed away-, silence, long pause, tears, laughter, shopping, then home for a viewing of Good Morning Vietnam in honour of our beloved Robin.

If you are married, you might recognize this as "normal". I don't even know what normal is, but what I do know is,  if you are still passionate about ideas in your marriage- still wanting to have discussions about what may or may not happen, still love talking about a future together- this one is or you...

Me and you, and you and me
No matter how they tossed the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together 

Share the love, and say a prayer for Robin Williams' family,
remember to live life to the fullest, have those passionate discussions about the future... the future you hope to have together.

Love to you all,
M.

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It Might Remind me...

My past will remind me, but it will not define me... -Andy Stanley.
I think this is a reminder that everyone needs- You are new everyday!

Share the love,
M.

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You are Enough.

I posted a little doodle of this on Instagram (if you aren't chilling with me yet on Instagram, you can find me here)  because I needed to hear it yesterday... I wasn't the only one.

Here are 2 beautifully simple printables to remind us, that we are enough...

Share this with those you feel need to hear it. We live in a crazy world of expectations, the fact that you are here, living and breathing means that you have a destiny and a purpose, and that you are enough. Do not strive to achieve something,  allow it to flow through you... and it will when you trust that you are enough. 

Share the love,
M.

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My Mom.

So Moms, they know everything right?
The older you get the more you know this is true.

I was talking to my mom about life, how I am feeling about babies (and the lack there of in our little family life), and she said out of the blue;

"Miss, do you think you have a pride issue... maybe you are telling God what you think is best instead of thanking Him for the things you have, instead of trusting that his plan and his timing are perfect..."

Ten years ago, this would have been the beginning of a world war, now, not so much... my heart has issues- sometimes I do think I know what is best, sometimes I forget to trust God with my life, my family and my heart... She was right.  Mom was right. Mom is often right. When you have a mom who trusts God with everything, a Mom who spends countless hours on her knees praying for you, a Mom who would give anything for you... When she speaks, you listen, your heart perks up, because she not only speaks the truth of experience, she speaks God's heart... and she speaks to my heart.

Mom, I love you. This account happened today- the fact that it was just in time for Mother's day is serendipitous, not planned and not orchestrated.... but timed perfectly by my heavenly Father in whom I must place all my trust, because His ways are perfect, His plan is perfect...

I feel like I am starting my gratitude journey all over again, I got lost somewhere along the way... but I know how to get back home, I know who to trust, and I know who to thank...

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)


This is where I'm at today ... Where are you? How are you doing? 

Share the love,
M.


A few more reminders that Gratitude is the right attitude :) 

My Mom's Favourite of my Prints: Gratitude! (she even gave this one to her doctor... as a reminder that Gratitude turns what you have into enough!)
Start each day with a grateful heart:
Count your blessings: 
CHOOSE JOY!

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You & Me.

I made this for me. A reminder to myself and others that even though we have no children (yet)... we are a family. We are a family made up of you & me, and that is ok.

So if you need a reminder, this one is for you: If you are 2, like us... 2 people, (a child & parent, two adults, 2 siblings, 2 friends), 2 people who love each other, this one is for you- You are Family. You are okay. You are loved.

Share the love,
M.

Ps. Mine is already printed and up :)

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Love is... Just Incase You Needed a Reminder

Sometimes I forget what real love is, and I need a reminder... you know when it starts to become all about me, Me, ME! Oh what? you don't have days like that... lucky you!

So this one is a reminder for me, if you need a reminder every once in awhile, feel free to print it off and remind yourself of what love truly is.

Share the love, the real kind :)
M.

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Je T'aime... beaucoup.

This year the hubby and I have so many things on our list to do, it is kind of crazy. If all goes well, we will be on 3 different continents and (ok, I'm counting North America as one, even though I live here) if all goes as planned, more than 6 countries. I am quite excited as to what 2014 is bringing our way... but for now... I've got Paris on the brain...

Anyone one else slightly obsessed with the romance of Paris? The idea of Paris? I've never been, and I have a sneaking suspicion it may not live up to the expectations I have for it, but I do dream... If it's anything like the Paris from the movie French Kiss- I can't wait!

Here's to Paris, here's to love and here's to 2014 being magical!
I made a few prints to tide me over, and to keep me dreaming- thought I'd share!

Share the love,
M.

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Because Sometimes I Need a Reminder...

I often need a reminder to keep my thoughts on positive things, don't get bogged down in negativity. (seriously!)
This one is for me! It's a reminder to keep things that are; true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good on my mind. Sweep out the crap thoughts, and keep GOOD thoughts.

Feel free to print it if you need a reminder every once in awhile too :) 
Remember you are not alone!
Please Pin this, and tweet this and share this on Facebook! I'd like to spread a little positivity today- and I NEED your help!

Share the love,
M.

Oh yes, and I almost forgot- TGIF! :) Thank God It's Friday! There you go, something GOOOD to think about :)

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