Here's To Moms and 4 Cute Mother's Day Cards

There are not enough words in the world to describe just how blessed I am to have my mom as MY MOM.

She's my best friend, I tell her everything, she knows me better than I know myself

Here's to Moms, far and near...
Who still wipe away our tears
Know all of our secrets
Give us advice
Make us say things like Mom knows best
Inspire us to be better women
Call us to a higher love
Who gave it all and would do it again...
Just for us.

Happy Mother's Day.

Share the love,
M.


Print these out to create a card for your mom :)

For other Mother's Day Prints check out:

Happy Mother's Day! 2016
http://lostbumblebee.blogspot.com/2016/04/happy-mothers-day-2016.html

Mom 2015
http://lostbumblebee.blogspot.com/2015/05/mom.html

Happy Mother's Day 2014
http://lostbumblebee.blogspot.com/2014/05/happy-mothers-day.html

A Mother's Heart is a Patchwork of Love
http://lostbumblebee.blogspot.com/2013/04/monday-madness-on-sunday.html

LostBumblebee ©2017 Mother's Day Card | Donate to download
 Personal Use Only | www.lostbumblebee.net

LostBumblebee ©2017 Mother's Day Card | Donate to download
 Personal Use Only | www.lostbumblebee.net

LostBumblebee ©2017 Mother's Day Card | Donate to download
 Personal Use Only | www.lostbumblebee.net

LostBumblebee ©2017 Mother's Day Card | Donate to download
 Personal Use Only | www.lostbumblebee.net

Trust. My Word for The Year.

Trust. That is my word for this year, did it come all wrapped up December 31st in a beautiful little package... nope it came last week. I was walking from the kitchen to the bedroom, and all I kept hearing was  "trust"... I looked down at my wrist and I saw the word trust being written on my inner wrist. Weird right? Of course my mind was seeing this being written, it wasn't actually happening. But I do believe that sometimes God has to shake us up a little to show us to trust, sometimes He asks us to believe, and more times that not, it is not easy. It is hard. I am a competent person, I'm pretty good at getting stuff done, especially when I'm in control. But what about when I am not in control? What about when I have to trust others on my behalf to make decisions that impact me? Take for example our government at the moment... Our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as cute as he is, he is doing a job on our economy... I worry about things like mortgage rates skyrocketing, losing the value in our home... I know, totally out of my control, I'm trusting him to do what is right for our country, his decisions affect us... I'm concerned... and yet... Trust is my word. Don't trust people, don't trust your government but Trust Me. Me... your heavenly Father who loves you more than anything... Trust me.

So here I go, shifting under the physical pressures of anxiety, slipping out the side door, Anxiety, you can stay here... I'm headed over there... under that palm tree... trusting that God's Got This... and I'm just along for the ride.

How am I doing with this so far? Well... I had a meltdown this morning on FaceTime with my Mom... but my Mom... for the past 38 almost 39 years, has been a voice of reason in my life, my ballast if you will... she has figuratively talked me off of many ledges... We talked, we prayed, I felt better. I'm not going to say the anxiety is gone, and I'm not going to say Trusting is easy. It is NOT. But it IS what I am going to do. It will be a daily decision, an hourly decision, might even be moment my moment...  and I'm going to need a reminder, so I created one. One that I can see, I'm going to put it as my screensaver, my desktop, and probably print it out 800 times over the course of this year... but I am going to do it...


How about you, how are you with trust, can you Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and not lean on your own understanding? As competent and qualified as you are... can you trust when you are not in control?


Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2017 Trust
Donate to Download
Personal Use Only, www.lostbumblebee.net

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.

LostBumblebee ©2017
Lilly Pulitzer,  Personal use only
 www.lostbumblebee.net

Seek and Find.

I've been taking a little hiatus lately, ok-I've been being lazy and blaming it on jet lag and culture shock. In all honesty, the jet lag is real, the culture shock, well, I've been married to my Vietnamese hubby for 15 years (!!!) this August, so culture shock might be pushing it.

But I'm ba-ack... I'm feeling good and inspired and excited. It might have helped that my momma and I had a conversation this morning that changed my whole perspective. I've been feeling some anxiety lately and not wanting to adult anymore. I guess you could say I've been, what my sister-in-law calls, entertaining thoughts of escapism. Escapism, which according to google is defined as:

es·cap·ism

əˈskāpˌizəm/

noun

1. the tendency to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy.

   
   

   
   

   
   

   And I couldn't agree more. I've been dreaming of the simplicity of childhood, you know- when parents took care of everything and we little people had nothing to worry about. I actually mentioned it to my friends that I'd like to live in a world where unicorns existed (and I was serious). But that just isn't reality. So I guess I need to buck buttercup, pull my socks up, and get back to reality and back to work.  

   
   

   I was looking for an easy way out of circumstances beyond my control, and I know that way out, I know that I need to go to God with my issues, (if you've read my previous posts, apparently I'm not learning this lesson very quickly). I had to take a few moments and repent for wasting so much time trying to find solutions for circumstances completely out of my control- Instead of casting all of my cares on Him, instead of giving it all to God, I had been trying to find solutions. If you need some encouragement about how we are to deal with anxieties and fears, here's a few: Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7,  Matthew 11:28, Philippians 4:6-7,  John 16:33, Romans 8:28, Psalm 62:8, and there are so many more.

   
   

   How is it that I am back here again? How is it that this lesson, one I know the answer too, is one that I am continually struggling with?

   
   

   So this one is for me... Missie, seek and you'll find...  

   
   

   Are you looking for peace? Seek. Are you looking for Hope? Seek. Are you looking for answers? Seek. Stop trying to find a solution and seek God, He is the solution.

   
   

   Share the love, and happy seeking.

   M.

   
   

   
   

   
   

Do I believe the Hype? + Happy Birthday To Me!

So according to studies, I'm getting old. Not studies on me, but rather on our feminine reproductive organs... by the time you are 38, you're uterus is basically a dud... all your good eggs are dead, and all that is left, is well duds... Oh and let's not mention the craziness of hair loss, weight gain, wrinkles and everything else they can throw in to scare the poop right out of you (oh and poop... ya, you'll probably never poop again!) This information used to scare me. It used to freak me out... and I'm kinda freaking out, that I am not freaking out.

Guess what... 38 is well-  just that, 38. It's a number, it's how long I've survived this crazy world of fear mongering and freak outs, love and laughter, chocolate and hugs, nieces and nephews, brothers (I got a few when I married my hubby) and sisters (my own partner in crime Sarah, plus I also collected a few more when my brothers all got married), my friends- my girlfriends, I'm not even sure this adequately describes these women who support, hold, up, pray for, and constantly bless me. It's been a sweet ride, I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I wouldn't trade this body, these lines, my silver hair, or my experiences for anything... Living this life, not necessarily the one I had planned (read more), but the one that was planned for me- has given me the ability to trust, rest and rely on God to know... I don't need to know... He knows.

My mom always tells me when I'm feeling frustrated and I'm going on, and on...
 "but God, why, why me, why us... I'd really like to know!!"
She always tells me;
 "hun, you are on a need to know basis -and you just don't need to know."

So today for my birthday my wish is this... God whatever you have for me, whatever you have for us, give me the confidence to boldly go, boldly take that step, boldly believe and boldly trust in you... all the days of my life. With each passing day, and each passing year, this gets easier, less complicated, more simple, and very rewarding... Because God is good... always. 

So Happy Birthday to me! and to all of you celebrating today with me... Today is a GOOD day to have a GOOD DAY! Share the love, and your life lessons...
M.




PS. apparently someday soon, in our 40's ladies... our upper bodies actually become larger than our lower bodies?? SERIOUSLY?


and what is this little nugget of gold?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-27466/Is-woman-best-38.html

LostBumblebee©2016 MDBN
8x10 Printable by LostBumblebee. Personal Use ONLY.

Happy Mother's Day 2016!

Wait! Before your download, please Donate- 
We are supporting Edrisa a 3 year old little boy in Uganda that we got to meet when we were there in the fall. We are starting to get ready to prepare to go back- so make sure you donate before you download. Your donation is saving a life.  

There are very few people in the world that will ever compare to moms... My mom is my best friend, I talk to her almost every day, and sometimes twice a day. She's the one I call when I need to know;

Does this look infected?
How do I cook rice?
What can I use for a coffee filter?
Do I have to add milk?
How much chocolate is too much chocolate?
How many bananas can a person eat a day?
What goes good with olives, garlic, macaroni? no seriously, that's all I've got in the house.
Well how often should I grocery shop?

Yup my mom, and when things aren't going right, I call her, when I'm feeling emotional, I call mom, when I have to make a decision, I call mom, when I need extra support, I call mom... and Mom always say... Let's pray Miss... I want to pray with you... and that changes everything no matter what's going on, my mom knows just what's needed and when it's needed... and I thank God every day for my Mom.

She's a rock, She an inspiration, and I appreciate her so much. I'm so grateful for my mom, every day.

So these I created for you to share with you Mom... I pray that your mom is as much a corner stone and a strength in your life as my mom is in mine.

Share the love,
M.


(these are 5x7 300 dpi printables- make a card! Print it off and frame it- get creative!)

For more Mother's Day Prints, click here!

Lostbumblebee ©2016 MDBN
 Donate to download
PERSONAL USE ONLY 

Lostbumblebee ©2016 MDBN
 Donate to download
PERSONAL USE ONLY 

Lostbumblebee ©2016 MDBN
 Donate to download
PERSONAL USE ONLY 

Lostbumblebee ©2016 MDBN
 Donate to download
PERSONAL USE ONLY 

Lostbumblebee ©2016 MDBN
 Donate to download
PERSONAL USE ONLY 

Lostbumblebee ©2016 MDBN
 Donate to download
PERSONAL USE ONLY 

Rise Up. Take Courage. Do it.

Sometimes it's just that easy.
Get up, have courage, and do it.

Sometimes all you need is 2 minutes of courage.
Just two minutes...

And sometimes it's not that easy.
Sometimes its hard, sometimes you can't get a clear picture, sometimes everything feels fuzzy. My Mom would say: when you don't know what to do, do nothing at all... and never make a decision at night.

Wise words from a wise Momma.

What is it today that you need to be courageous about... something small, something big, something that totally overwhelms you?

Whatever it is... get up, have courage, and do it... you can do it.

Share the love,
M.

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN : Take Courage :
Ezra 10:4 : Printable : Free for personal use

LostBumblebee ©2016 MDBN : Take Courage :
 Ezra 10:4 : Printable : Free for personal use

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

My Merry Christmas List.

For all of my American friends, tomorrow is Thanksgiving... for my Canadian friends, I've already got our tree up, carols are playing, I'm enjoying the cool air, hot coffee, and basically hunkering down for winter. Winter in Montreal is cold, but winter in Montreal is magical. Nothing is as beautiful as a fresh layer of white snow... Nothing warms my heart like waking up to a blanket of pure white... then reality sets in, and you know you need to shovel, put on boots, warm clothes, upon warm clothes, fingers tingling with cold, and then you step outside and it takes your breath away, literally... and figuratively.

Winter is a constant reminder of a fresh start, a beautiful redemption story, and new life. I love this time of year. Although Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year...  I often find that this time of year ends up being a time of reflection, often sadness, unfulfilled expectations and rushing... rushing, rushing... 'till life's no fun...

I'm what my mother calls, that "creative type" my emotions go a little up and down, I am so much better than I used to be, but I still fall prey to a rollercoaster of emotions at this time of year... high, high, high, leading up to the 24th.... and often the 25th is low low low... something switches, did I miss something? Did something not happen that I needed to happen, why isn't it like I was when I was 5, that awesome feeling of complete joy? What's wrong with me?

What I've come to learn is that there is nothing wrong with me, I cannot go back to that childlike wonder of Christmas because of all of the adult like responsibilities and knowledge that fills my brain. But what I can do to guard my heart from unfulfilled expectations is write them down.

Last year was my first year of doing this, and it made so much sense when I started to feel low... I read over my expectations, and I had achieved every one of them, so what was there to be sad about? I had accomplished my goals, and the side of my brain that reasons things out, stated as clear as day- You've accomplished everything you set out to accomplish, therefore Christmas was a success... What are you wallowing about? and although it didn't eliminate all of the feelings, it helped me put things into perspective.

So I've included a "My Merry Christmas List",  it isn't about writing physical things you want like gifts, (although you can definitely use it for that). Instead it is about writing a list of expectations that you'd like to achieve. A few examples of mine from last year, and will probably end up on this years list again are:

1. Spend time with my Hubby (Doing a puzzle, watching a Christmas Movie, having hot chocolate)
2. Spend Quality time with my Dad (Enjoy a conversation about life, share photos from the year, discuss our favourite memory of the year etc.)
Sometimes you have to have a plan about how you want to spend your time, and what to have a conversation about, or it will get swallowed up by noise, tv shows, and stupid stuff.
3. Spend time with my Mom (we are going to her house this year and I am so excited, my hope is to have: hot chocolate and conversations, do a puzzle, watch a christmas movie, sing some carols, enjoy the fireplace, relax)
4. Enjoy My Hubby's family,  it is all about the kids, celebrate them~ enjoy their company, have an extra glass of wine, and just relax and laugh
5. Take a walk, enjoy the crunch of fresh snow under my feet
6. Take a nap
7. Chat's on the phone with my sister. Skype or FaceTime Christmas morning
8. Make bread
9. Big paper, Big markers, Big plans for 2016- Write out our yearly goals together- make plans to accomplish them. (this might be one of my favourite things to do with the hubby, it's all about dreaming, and planning for the entire year.. of course over the year things get eliminated, but things also get added- it is a fun process to do together!)

And the list goes on... it seems insignificant to write those things down, but when I go back over my list and I have accomplished all of those moments with the people that I love, I consider it a success... because it so often goes by in a whirlwind, and all of a sudden there is a crash... I'm practically in tears, and it's all over...

If you are anything like me, and love this time of year, but also know that when it's over, sometimes it is hard... try making a list of moments...

Last year this was my saving grace... as simple as that... no crashing, just wallowing in beautiful memories of moments that we had...

Share the love,
M.

Ps. I've also added a Merry Christmas Print at the bottom, plus a plethora of Facebook cover images in lots of colours :)

Have You Donated? All Donations go to Nurture Baby Home in Uganda to help with the care of Edrisa and all of the other Children, let's make sure to send some love and Christmas spirit to those little ones who need love.

8.5x11 LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN
MY MERRY CHRISTMAS LIST 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : FACEBOOK COVER IMAGE 

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6 : Personal Use Only

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :  8x10

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN :  8x10

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Don't worry, be happy. I woke up with this running through my head.  And how appropriate-

It's my favourite day of the year, the 23rd of August.

This is a day where I celebrate just being me. I drink my coffee, spend time with my hubby, today we will go to church, then probably do nothing- which to some -may mean nothing, but to me, just quietly spending time with the people I love, means the world to me.

We've got a lot going on at the moment, we are finalizing our Living Life On Purpose 2015 Uganda Journey- we have 35 days before we leave. 5 Sundays. It seems long, but when you are like me, it will go by very quickly and I will have worried and freaked out about 35 times between now and then.

Number 36, on the meltdown calendar happened yesterday -I called my mom in tears and said... what do I even have to offer these children? how can I even possibly serve the staff, the directors? what can I do that will even matter? As you know from previous blog posts, my mom is a rock. She is a prayer warrior, she is strong, she is wise, she just knows, and she knows me very well-  My mom, oh my mom... Gosh I love that woman, she talks me down from major meltdowns in 4 seconds flat and reminds me... of what I already know, but sometimes forget...

I know I should not worry. Luke wrote: "How many of you can add even one day to your life by worrying?" (Luke 12:25) I like to paraphrase it like this... "sweetheart, do you think you can add anything to life by worrying, does it fix the situation? does it make it better? are you adding joy to your life by worrying or are you striping your days of happiness and joy by allowing worry to rule your day? Why waste your time? Why allow something to rob you of peace? Sweetheart put your big girl pants on and lets knock this outta the park!" Luke was slightly more eloquent.

But it is true, what does worrying add to your lives? Does it make it better? No. Does it improve the situation? No. Does it add peace to our lives? No.  Matthew 6:34 reminds us also not to worry about tomorrow- I love how he states this; "therefore do not worry about tomorrow, it will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  (i added the emphases because it's just so clearly written for me, 'Missie, hunny... you worrying about tomorrow is kinda dumb, you've got enough stuff to deal with today, one day at a time baby girl. After all how do you eat a mammoth ? one bite at a time. One. Bite. At. A. Time. One day at a time, one moment at a time, nothing more, nothing less... you've got this!)

A few more verses to chew on:

Philippians 4:6-7  do not be anxious [worried] about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties [worries] on him, because he cares for you.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled [worried], neither let them be afraid.

So today... on my favourite day of the year, I will worry about nothing, tomorrow will worry about itself.  I will take one day at a time, one bite at a time, and I will probably say this to myself 892 times today,  but it will always point me in the right direction... 'Hey Miss... don't worry about tomorrow... it will worry about itself.' 

So today- on this awesome 23rd day of August- don't worry... be happy,

Share the love,

M.

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 4x6

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 5x7

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : 8x10

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.

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

Tea?!

I've been slightly incognito lately and that wasn't by choice. My body revolted, got sick, and threw me under the bus along with it. The way I was feeling coffee just wasn't an option, at all. I know, I know, very unlike me. You can tell I was really sick if my drink of choice was hot water or tea! This little print is in response to my past week...

Share the love and pass the tea please...
M.


three colours to choose from- if you like these, please Pin them, share them on Facebook,  and g+ them :) Thank you!

4x6 horizontal

5x7 Horizontal

8x10 horizontal

4x6 Horizontal

5x7 horizontal

8x10 Horizontal

4x6 Horizontal

5x7 horizontal

8x10 Horizontal