Get off your....

Sometimes we need a little encouragement to get off of our own (ahem) donkey,  AND do something. Anything, something outside of our own personal thoughts, ideals, lives. Do something different. Put the kettle on and walk over to your neighbour's house and invite them in for tea. Take a walk around the block and carry a bag with you, pick up any trash you see, head down town with a case of water and hand it out to the homeless people, talk to them. Remember the story of the Good Samaritan Luke 10:34 says "Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds ..." The Good Samaritan got off his donkey, took one step and changed the life of this man and his family forever. He got off his Donkey.

Duy and I are headed to Uganda in 9 days (Eeek!) (check out the fancy count down I added to the blog over there ->) 9 days. This isn't something that just came up, this has been in the works for a long time. Our Living Life On Purpose journey started long before I ever posted our "It's Time for Africa Post" on July 17, 2014, making it really REAL. At that moment we had no idea what it looked like, no clue where we were going, just that we were going. We were tired of sitting around talking about doing, yet never actually doing anything. So we just started. And here we are, 429 days later, we are packing our bags, and adventure awaits.

Let me encourage you that no matter how big your dream is, no matter what it is, it all starts with one small step. Remember the saying; "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time"... it's true with everything, the greatest adventures in the world start with one step.

So take that step today, even if that one step is just sharing your dream, you can do it.
Just get off your Donkey, and take one step...
Share the love,
M.

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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 

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Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled.

It's one of those days when the laundry piles, the emails, the work, the dishes, are all piled so high I am not sure where to start. Can you say overwhelmed?

I just got back from a wonderful week away at my mom's house- I took my work with me, so I was on a working vacation... Drove 14 hours on Friday to get home in time for a wedding, then left the next morning for a 5 hour road trip to a wonderful Camp to spend some time with friends from out west... with no computer, really bad wifi, pretty much no 3G. Lots of "No Service" up in the corner of my phone. Off the grid so to speak.  We had a blast. It so much fun, way too much coffee, so much good conversation, too much sun, so much food- way too much food. It was awesome.

It was exactly what the doctor ordered. We've already booked in for a solid week next year. I'm excited.

But before I even got back home, my heart started to worry a little, logistics of our Uganda Journey are still being ironed out. I am still raising funds, still organizing 2 fundraising events, still not sure how this will all turn out. Not sure exactly what we'll be doing. Not sure if I will survive the bugs. So many uncertainties. The only thing I know that is certain is that I'm totally overwhelmed.

And in my overwhelmed state- this verse continues to run through my head...

"Do not let your hearts be troubled..."
(John 14:27)

So why am I worrying? Why can't I just trust? Why is it so hard to let go and let God. Why do I always freak out until He comes through (and He always comes through).  I know I am probably not the only one who gets into these crazy whirlwinds of freaking out, wanting to just lie on the kitchen floor until everything works itself out, moments of insanity?

So today I am going to trust, with everything I am, all that I have and I am going to hold on to this verse and let it speak to my heart... 'don't be troubled... I've got this, have a little peace... you're covered, just rest.'

Share the love,
M.

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It's Raining! But I'm not Complaining!

It's Raining!! I actually love rain. Snow-  I love too, but rain guys, RAIN- you know what that means, it means it is warm enough not to be snowing... and you know what that means? Spring is coming! Oh bring on the April Showers, because I'd really love some May Flowers :)

Here is another Grown Up Colouring Sheet for you to enjoy, if it's raining where you are, there is nothing better than a nice cup of hot coffee, tea, or cocoa, some bright colours and a mission. Enjoy this printable! Only a dollar to download, and you will be donating to the orphanage Duy and I will be volunteering in for the month of October. We are so excited! Thank you for supporting us!

Choose the version with the verse from Matthew: You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden... or choose the blank version and add your own quote, saying or verse! Be creative.
Share your finished copy on Instagram and tag @lostBumblebee

Share the love,
M.

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My Version so far.
- from sketch to computer it takes about 2-3 hours -
not to mention the colouring part :)

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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BE BRAVE...always.

Be Brave... always.

Sometime (most of the time) that is easier said than done. I think courage is a choice. You've just gotta do it. Sometimes it is really hard. (I mean really, really, really hard). I know for myself whenever I send work to a new client, I feel nauseous. I get nervous, I get a little panicky, it's hard. It's hard to send something off to someone that you've created -for the sole purpose of them to judge it. I guess I need to get thicker skin- but where do you buy that? Seriously, is there a pill you can take?

Usually it goes well, I get good reviews -so to speak, but still there is that little piece of me that panics, feels inadequate and pretty much just wants to hide. The blood drains from my face when the ding of my email goes off... But I do it anyway. Is it hard? YES. Do I have to overcome it every time I send work off to a client- yes. Is there a quick fix? No, I've been doing this for over 10 years and it hasn't gotten any easier yet... but I believe it will... so it will... and I'm anticipating that to happen tomorrow ;)

So in the spirit of bravery and courage and stepping out, here is a new Grown Up Colouring sheet for you :) It's a little different, it's a beautiful feather, I have mine all printed off, I haven't had a chance to colour it in yet... this one is hand drawn by me, for you. I hope you enjoy... and remember - Be Brave... always, even if you have to hide under the covers after, or your voice shakes, or you need to pee... just do it... you won't regret it...

Share the love,
M.

Please consider giving a donation to our Living Life On Purpose Journey- We are so encouraged by all of your support we really appreciate it! (D+M)

3 versions to choose from- 
Be Brave
Psalm 91:4
Psalm 91:4 complete verse

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Spring, Easter, Amazing Grace + Jesus.

It's spring. I write this and giggle a little as fluffy white snowflakes swirl softly to the snow covered ground. It's Spring. I tell myself. It's Spring! My heart believes it, because Easter is coming, that special time of the year when I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.

You may not believe in this, and that's ok... I do. And it is a heavy, exciting time of the year for me. It's filled with hope and expectation, anticipation and gratitude. I try my hardest to follow the words of Jesus. Even if you see Him only as a man- He was a great man, who spoke of love, and love, and more love. His mandate is to love. So ya, I love Him.  (do I fail miserably at loving (amongst many other things)? yes-daily,  and not just once, but more times that I have fingers and toes to count on).
But am I ok with that... yup... most days.

Share the love today,
M.

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Incase you ever wondered what Jesus did say about love... here is a great place to start :)

Matthew 5:43-48 

As Found in:The Message (MSG)

43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

Mark 12:28-31The Message (MSG)

The Most Important Commandment

28 One of the religion scholars came up. Hearing the lively exchanges of question and answer and seeing how sharp Jesus was in his answers, he put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”

29-31 Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

More Fun Spring Prints? Okay!

>>More SPRINGY PRINTS Click here << 
>>Spring has SPRUNG<<
>>HOPPY EASTER<<
>>THE OLD RUGGED CROSS<<
>>LENT CALENDAR ETSY <<
>> MATT REDMON 10,000 Reasons Song ETSY<<
>> Hip Hop<<

Purpose + Grown Up Colouring!

So it is official, as you know we are going! I had the opportunity to share my heart with our Church Family- I was so humbled by the support we received. People came up to me after my talk and just wanted to hug me, say thank you, tell us that they will be supporting us, either in prayer, encouragement and some financially. We are so honoured.

If you'd like to see my personal story, hear my voice, hear my heart, you can click here:
 >> MARCH 01 2015 << 


On another note, I wanted to add more GROWN UP COLOURING pages to the blog. I have been using these and loving them. What a great way to spend some quiet time meditating on the good things;

Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and good, think on those things! (Philippians 4:8)

I hope you take the time to watch my video and also to download these sheets and spend some quality creative time with yourself :)

Share the love,
M.

>>FOR MORE GROWN-UP COLOURING SHEETS CLICK HERE :) <<

>> EVEN MORE GROWN UP COLOURING SHEETS HERE <<

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8.5x11 (this one is more complicated, it will take
some sharp, sharp pencil crayons  but it will
be beautiful:) ENJOY!

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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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Stand.

This verse was a request... while I was creating this printable, it just overwhelmed me with peace...
Just wanted to share the peace.
Share the love,
M.

Want to add this overlay to your own personal photos to make them works of art? >> Click here <<

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A Simple Reminder...

Just a little reminder...
Share the love,
M.

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Blessed.

Everyday- I am blessed.

I am blessed because of the people who have gone before me, paved the way for my freedom here in Canada. and I know my Freedom is not free...

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day here in Canada a day where we remember and cherish our Veterans who have fought not only for our freedom but for peace everywhere.  I'm sad that we only have one day- our veterans deserve so much more than one day. 

Share the love,
M.

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Joy Comes In the Morning...

Oh yes it does!!

"sorrow may last for the night, JOY comes in the morning!"

How true, when I say this over and over again, I get excited...
Yes, I've made it so that it has to do with coffee (and don't get me wrong- Coffee does bring me great Joy- but wow what a verse to get in your heart!)

Share the love,
M.

Ps. are you following me on Facebook? I've just uploaded a wonky little video of me and my workspace :)

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