The Whole World.

Sometimes we forget...
Let's try to remember this today.
Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN He's Got the Whole World : Facebook Cover image : Personal Use Only : www.lostbumblebee.net : www.LostBumblebee.com

It is well... with my soul.

... all in all, it is well...

So much is happening here, I just can't believe it.  I am packing up a house, my hubby is currently renovating our restaurant -literally at this moment... renovating! We were up at 4:30 this morning and off to the restaurant to clean up a little, move a few things in order for the gas guy to come in and re-hook up our gas appliances... So yup, mid renovation.  I cannot believe how fast this week is going! And me, you ask? I'm home, working away at organizing, cleaning, fixing, prepping, and hauling stuff out of this house, my mom was here last weekend, my dad arrives this weekend-it's a revolving door of craziness! And on top of all of that, the hubby has a big exam on Monday... re-opening day... when we decide it's time to get to work, what we really mean is how much can we actually jam pack into 7 days and stay sane? let's see... well we may actually be teetering on the sanity line...

Not every week is like this... I'm not sure if they were, if I could survive let along thrive in life...

Last weekend was our presentation of our Living Life On Purpose 2015 Uganda Journey and I wanted to share with you the video we made of some of our photos...  plus a little print... "It is well... with my Soul" because when it comes right down to it, not matter what is happening externally in my life, I know that all is well with my soul... and there is this unexplainable peace that is just blanketing me at this moment, and I am so grateful for that.

Share the love,
M.

Living Life On Purpose 2015

LostBumblebee ©2016 : 8x10
 Donate to download : Personal Use Only

Inspirational Digital Calendar :)

Sample of our Living Life On Purpose 2016 Calendar Files.
Don't Miss out!

Happy Hump Day! It's Wednesday December 16th here in Quebec Canada, and we have no snow. I am not sure how I feel about that... no snow for Christmas? I'm not liking that idea. I know a lot of places don't have snow for the holidays, but Quebec - Canada, we have snow, and lots of it. This year... green.... grrrr....

I wanted to share with you all, these Beautiful Digital Calendar files that I've posted in my Etsy Shop.  

12 Digital Files to download and create your very own Living Life On Purpose Calendar. It's way easier than you think. Head on over and take a read as to why I'm offering Digital Downloads instead of a physical calendar you can order.  These 12 beautiful Photos were taken mostly by my very talented husband who developed a passion for photography while we were in Uganda, and a couple by me- but not too many! All Proceeds will be going directly to The Baby Home and the Orphanage that we got to work in while on our Living Life On Purpose 2015 Journey. We will be giving to help raise money for their Christmas Fund- Don't miss out on the opportunity to make ones of these little faces smile on Christmas Morning!

Go check it out and as a thank you for heading over to my Etsy Shop,  Scroll down for a beautiful Printable Sample just for you!

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE
: 8.5x11 Printable 100% of Profits go directly to the Orphanage and the Baby Home we worked in to send Christmas to these beautiful faces!

Big Dreams. Big Feels.

So many people are asking how I am doing being back. The people who are asking, know my heart, they knew what Living Life On Purpose 2015 meant to me... and now they are concerned about my heart.

Let me just share a little... Being back is hard. Not because I don't appreciate hot showers, running water, electricity that works 99.9% of the time, paved roads, fresh air, grocery stores that have basically everything anyone could ever possibly need... no being back is hard because I left part of my heart in Uganda. I feel a little incomplete. I feel that I need to be doing something, anything, yet, I'm not sure what... I'm fighting to hold on to memories, faces and names of children and people I met, and feelings I felt. Oh those feelings.

Honestly, I am at a loss for words, I try to explain to people, but I am not sure I can. Yesterday someone asked me at church how my heart was... and tears just spilled down my cheeks. I'm ok- I responded... I'm ok. But am I ok?

Yes, I am ok... I run through the list in my mind: Yes I am ok, Yes I want to do something, Yes we (you + me) are doing something, we are sponsoring Edrisa, and we will eventually sponsor more children. YES it is ok to be sad, to feel a pull, to want to do more... and yes it ok to take time to wallow in those feelings... No my heart will never be the same. Will I ever forget the feeling of little hands holding mine? nope.  Will I continue to dream big? YES. Will I dream dreams for myself and for the children? Yes. Will I survive? Yes...

So I guess what I'm really asking is:

How do you deal with feelings like this? What do you do that helps you process, manage, file, and feel all the feels there are to feel?  Christmas is coming and that in itself comes with loads of feelings, I am not sure I can handle all of the feels... my heart my explode this year... with happiness, sadness, and everything in between.

So let me encourage you today to dream big.  Do Big Dreams come with lots of feels- oh yes. Are they worth it? Oh yes...

Feel all the feels friends... and
Share the love,
M.


Ps. This print would look amazing HUGE, hung in a bedroom, or office, or studio. If you'd like ti sized for any size frame you have   >>click here<<   and I can do that for you!

Have You Donated?

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Meet Edrisa!

Remember I had mentioned I was working on a little something something?... Well I was... and here goes... We (You + Me) are sponsoring a little Boy! The LostBumblebee Blog Community has been so generous with their support of our Living Life On Purpose 2015 goal, I wanted to give you the opportunity to continue living your life on purpose.

This Blog was originally created as a place of healing for me, and that is exactly what it has been. You know our struggles with fertility, you know my heart, you know me, you know our goal this entire year has been to live our lives on purpose. Live outside of ourselves, beyond our borders, to give, to love, to heal... And you are part of that journey. And now I want to introduce you to a little someone...

His name is Edrisa.
He was born in May 2013.
His mom left to get doughnuts and never came back.
He was severely anemic when found.
He was almost dead.
He was rescued.
He needed blood.
He healed.
He is hilarious.
He is a ham.
He is kind.
He has a sister.
He is no longer alone.
We are his new family.
We will support him.
We are living our lives on purpose.

From now on, all of our $1 Donate to download will be going toward supporting him, and eventually I would like to be able to support more than just Edrisa. I want our Blog Community to be about giving, Living Life on Purpose and living it out loud. Sharing our love with those around us, and giving beyond ourselves. Together we will make a difference. Can we change the world? maybe not, but we can change Edrisa's world.

I met Edrisa early in October, he would stand at my feet and swirl in my skirt. Finally one day he just held his arms up and basically said, 'lady you need to pick me up'. And every since that first day of picking him up, every time I was at the Baby Home, Edrisa was in my arms, he would search me out, find me, arms up, 'UP!'. He healed a place in my heart that was hurt and not open, he made a bigger difference in my life, than I ever could in his.

I've left a huge part of my heart in Uganda. Being home has been hard, not because I am unhappy, but because I miss my new Ugandan family. Because the needs I saw there are so vast and hard to even comprehend- let alone share with others...  All I can do is pray, share love, try and share my story, and live my life on purpose...

Join me in living life on purpose and changing one little boy's world.
Share the love,
M.

If you would like to contribute to this cause, kindly donate $1 per download, I wanted to make it easy to everyone would take part- If you'd like to 'adopt' your own little person, please visit Nurture Baby Home's Website and start your support as soon as you can. Together we can truly make a difference!

Here are some photos so you can print them and put them on your fridge, pray for Edrisa and all of the children at Nurture Baby Home in Masaka Uganda.

Ps. Scroll down for a beautiful JOY Printable that can be printed, framed, or have it printed for your Christmas card!

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

EDRISA THE HAM!
LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Living Life On Purpose 2015
Nurture Baby Home Print: 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Christmas JOY! 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Christmas JOY! 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
Christmas JOY! 8x10

This year... GIVE HOPE!

Our year here at LostBumblebee Graphics was all about Living Life On Purpose. It was about going above and beyond ourselves, looking outward instead of looking inward and choosing to be purposeful in all that we do. It has been incredible. I believe that we are different people because of this journey.

We want to give you all the opportunity to continue Living Life On Purpose 2015 with us, right up until the end of the year. This year, let's Give Hope!

What we found out was that the $35 a day we donate through charities to save lives- actually saves lives. It was the most eye opening revelation I had. It seems so simple and duh! of course it does... but guys, it actually does!

So In light of saving lives and giving hope, I wanted to share with you two of the places that we worked with and fell in love with along our journey. These people are saving lives on a daily bases- trouble is sometimes we forget that there are lives out there needing some saving... children who don't have a meal during the day, parents abandoning their children because they have no food to feed them with... This year, let's give hope to a child!  Let's get outside of ourselves and Live Our Lives On Purpose.... right up until the end!

EAGLES WINGS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE:

This Village consist of 72 orphans in 3 family units as well as over 200 students from the local villages. These students are from the poorest of the poor... at Eagles Wings they are fed breakfast and lunch, are given school uniforms and books all because people like you and me- Let's GIVE HOPE!

TO AFRICA WITH LOVE : NURTURE BABY HOME:

Nurture Baby Home is home to more than 35 babies and 7 school aged children. Talk about Formula, formula, formula. The underlying story in the lives of these babies is abandonment. They've been left- alone, but thanks to 

Fay and her staff at Nurture Baby Home, no is never the answer when the phone rings and there is a Baby needing love, food and shelter because of people like you and me-  Let's Give HOPE! 

So please take a minute to check out these pages, scroll down and donate... This year... 

Let's Give Hope + SHARE THE LOVE,

M.

Eagles Wings Children's Village

Nurture Baby Home

Actions.

my happy laugh cry

We are back and I am processing and jet lagging... all of the things we saw, smelled, felt, held, ate... it might take me a little while, but I did want to share this...

The second Wednesday we were in Masaka, we had the opportunity to spend the day with Fay. She runs a baby home called Nurture Baby Home. It was an awesome day, we had the privilege to tag along with her when she got the call that there was an abandoned 11 year old girl at the hospital, who had been there a week, and who needed someone, well we ended up being that someone. Her name is Namuli, she is 11, she is disabled. We didn't know if she spoke, communicated, walked- we had no idea... but what we did know, is the answer was yes. Because this was the opportunity put in front of us, and when God sends an opportunity we say yes. (Every day I thank God for people like Fay... they are the world changers and earth shakers- what they are doing makes a difference.)

We found Namuli asleep curled up in a little ball... she was very small. She fit into a size 4 clothes (a 4 is about what a 4 year old wears... not an 11 year old...) She was surrounded by people, lots of people, these people where there at the hospital taking care of relatives, siblings, children, parents... the smell of ammonia hung heavy in the corridor, urine so strong I could barely handle it... and in amongst all of these people, smells, and sounds there she was... laying there, not making any noise, frail and small... I held back tears... my heart broke... my head couldn't understand... how does this happen? But it wasn't my place to figure our how it can happen, it was my place to figure out how to help... I didn't know what to do, so I said yes to everything I was asked...

Namuli ended up in the Baby home, I went to visit her often, sat with her, touched her hand, rubbed her head... just loved on her... she made no eye contact, no physical touch response... I called her by name... nothing. Then the last Sunday before we left, we went back to check on everyone and say bye for now. I went in to see Namuli, she smiled when she heard my voice... I choked back tears and started that half laugh half cry thing I do... She looked at me, made eye contact... then the flood gates opened up- there was no stopping those tears of joy.

This print is inspired by someone whose actions speak louder than words ever could...  In all of this, my prayer is that my actions speak louder than my words... that I will be a woman of action- I don't just want to talk about it...

Share the love,
M.

love

taking a moment to thank God

Holding hands with Namuli 

LostBumblebee ©2015 Actions : 8x10

LostBumblebee ©2015 Actions : 8x10

LostBumblebee ©2015 Actions : 8x10

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

LostBumblebee ©2015 : 8x10

Love from UGANDA!

Hello from Uganda! There is so much happening here, it's a whirlwind- I hope that I can share it all with you! But I know that what is happening in my heart is going to take time to process and figure out. We have been so blessed being here so far, my heart is just bursting, I can't explain it- but hopefully someday soon I'll be able to share with you all. We are meeting amazing people, who are doing amazing things - It's hard to explain just how awesome this project.

One thing that is happening in my heart, is a call to love. Love never fails.
When you feel inadequate in what you are working on, love. Love never fails.
When you feel you ought to be doing so much more than you can at the moment, love. Love never fails.

Want to know why love never fails... because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

Share the love,
M.

PS. uploading is very bandwidth consuming here- so If you'd like to see some more photos of our journey, please follow along on Facebook : www.fb.com/lostbumblebeegraphics
or on my instagram page: @ LostBumblebee I'm posting a lot of photos in those two places (they seem to go up a lot faster :)

LostBumblebee©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Live Laugh Love

I'm procrastinating. I have yet to pack. We leave tomorrow.

I'm wallowing in this amazing feeling of not being prepared and being totally calm. I'm in a zone that feels so peaceful... now this could just be the calm before the storm... I don't feel stress, I feel total peace. It is a very weird sensation. Because I know myself. Technically, I should be freaking out, grabbing extra stuff and shoving it in a suitcase 'just in case' but I'm not... I've checked off my list(s) (-there have been many!),  except a little run to the dollar store to pick up stickers for the teachers at the school to be able to give to the children... maybe another run to the camping store for a towelette that will be used to dab sweat (glorious though eh?) also pick up some Tim Hortons coffee to take over as a little taste of home for the Missionaries...

(i may have just compiled another list- I'd better get packing!)

On another note- I'm not sure what kind of internet hook up we will have while on our Living Life On Purpose 2015 Journey to Uganda. I'm hoping to be able to keep you all updated weekly if not more, we shall see! Keep us in your prayers! We appreciate all of your support!

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Share the Love.

Why do I always sign off Share the love ?

Because I believe we are made of love, and for love.  I believe love should be the answer no matter the question. I believe it ought to be what we give, even when we have nothing to give. I believe the more we give, the more we have.

Am I good at this all the time? no. Is love always my first response? no. Should it be? yes. Am I working on it? Yes. When I sign off Share the love, am I reminding myself to share the love... yes.

We were not created to be perfect, we were created to be... and then Jesus said, the most important thing ever... first,  Love God...  and second and equally as important,  Love your neighbour as yourself (Matt 22:36-40)

So Love, love God,
Love your Neighbour,
and try to filter your life through love- what does that even look like?

and...

Share the love,
M.

Ps. we leave in 4 days. It is getting so real!!!

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

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.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Relax- Don't Do it.

We've got 25 days until we leave (!) we are doing boring stuff like reading travel insurance policies, renewing the mortgage, paying bills, etc. trying to find and deal with everything we might need for those just incase moments. 

And doing a few fun things like visiting my dad, enjoying daddy-daughter time levelling a deck, having ice-cream - I'm allergic to milk, but somehow my dad seems to always be able to convince me,  ice-cream is always a good idea. It isn't. I ought to know better. But he's very convincing! 

We're trying to fit everything that needs to get done into a teeny tiny window of time... and I'm breathing... I'm relaxing, I'm freaking out, and I'm quoting : 

"How many of you can add even one day to your life by worrying?" (Luke 12:25)

along with: 

"do not be anxious [worried] about anything..." (Philippians 4:6)

I know we all have things happening that are bring anxiety, worry and frustration and great joy in our lives... and I know our upcoming Living Life On Purpose 2015 is all me, no one put this on our plates but me. So there is no one to blame, just me (oops) and I've often thought throughout this past year, Miss, what have you done?  (I'm sure the hubby has also thought this, more than once!) But that feeling so quickly passes when I just breathe ... "God, what I have done... I'm not prepared for this..." and I hear "you don't need to be prepared, I'll prepare you" and I'm flooded with peace... I really do feel that this journey is God led. It's only a reality because of that. 

What are you working on that is outside of your comfort zone ? And when you get frustrated, emotional, anxious, what do you do? Share with us, we are all looking for the secret recipe.

So Relax, don't do it- don't worry... just Share the love,

M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

Whistle While You Work

Whistle while you work, or travel on public transit, whatever. I'm sitting here in the bus headed up to visit my Pop before we take off for our 5 week Living Life On Purpose Journey to Uganda. I love that my Dad is driving the bus. He's in charge, which means I can sit back relax and work, write, design, and enjoy.

I forgot my headphones which means I'm privy to everyones breathing, talking, phone calls, and well whistling. I'm not going to say it's my favourite thing in the world, but I'd be lying if I said I hated it. I kinda feel connected. Perhaps the best way to describe it is that I am tolerating it and not freaking out. Should I really be patting myself on the back for this one? Well if you knew me when I was 18 you'd be patting me on the back too.

So in light of the whistling, this happened.
Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

It's a Facebook Kinda Day!

I know, I know my Facebook cover image is getting stale too. Time for a change - maybe you'll find what you're looking for here!
Happy Tuesday!
Share the love,
M.

All sized for Facebook cover images :) Enjoy!

For more click here : >> Cover Images <<

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE