DECEMBER!

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Oh December- It's the most Wonderful Time of the year... can you hear it, can you smell it... It's beautiful, stressful, full of crazy relatives, phone calls, cookies, Christmas trees, extra stuff in my house, friends, wine, cheer, sadness, Advent, church, more people, food, chocolate, lights, snow, worry.... it really is the most wonderful time of the year... if we keep in mind what Christmas is all about.

Instead of worrying if you've done enough... know that Jesus did it all, celebrate that and know you are enough.

Christmas in our world can cause so much pain, hurt and frustration... try to focus on what really matters to you... don't load up your credit card, instead make stuff, don't spend money on stuff no one needs, spend time instead... don't do what doesn't fill your heart... gently bow out of invitations you don't want to say yes to- and do what does fill your heart, another evening with hot chocolate and popcorn watching a christmas movie with your family, is doing Christmas. Driving around looking at the lights with your hubby, IS Christmas. Don't compare what is important to you, with what is important to someone else... if you don't have time to decorate your house because it takes you away from spending time with those you love, don't decorate your house...

Pick and choose this year what will fill your heart and soul and make you happy... leave behind comparison, which leads to feelings of inadequacy - choose your peace and happiness instead... know you are enough, your children want you, not stuff... your husband wants you, not stuff... be present, be in the moment, capture it in your memory, and if you remember, take a few photos...  this will be the best Christmas yet!

Share the love,
M.

Check out my Advent Calendars:

Rustic Christmas CHEER Calendar, a fun and inspirational way to celebrate the Christmas Spirit throughout the holidays:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247817498/christmas-advent-calendar-rustic-holiday?ref=shop_home_feat_1

Calendrier de L'Avent en Français (Bible): 
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/247943589/calendrier-de-lavent-en-francais-25-4x6?ref=listing-shop-header-0

CHRISTmas Scripture Advent Calendar Version 2:

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/258695253/christmas-advent-calendar-version-2?ref=related-4

LostBumblebee ©2015 MDBN : personal use only
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Eat, Drink & Be Thankful!

It's that time of year, October in Canada, where the trees are all turning yellow and red and we get to celebrate thanksgiving. We celebrate it,  a month (plus some) earlier than our friends in the US, and I secretly love it! Canadians get to celebrate in October and then, because the world is so small- thanks to the internet,  we get to continue celebrating until the end of November!

I love that in my life there are almost two months carved out for being grateful, reflective, and thankful.  And that we get to celebrate this act of gratitude.

Yesterday was a terrible day in Canada. One of our own, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo (age 24) was shot while on honorary guard at the National War Memorial. It's a sad day in Canada, we are all rocked to the core with this horrible news... in this time of horror, it is hard to look into our hearts and choose gratitude instead of fear, retaliation, and hatred.  But we must, we must. Hatred breeds hatred... Love breeds gratitude and gratitude breeds love. I am so grateful to those men and women who put their lives on the line daily for our country and for other countries (maybe our Peace Keepers have even put their lives on the line for your country). I am grateful for the men and women who are first responders in emergency situations -who put their lives on the line for us every day. I am grateful for the people who stand for us and with us in times like these.  I pray peace over our Nation and over your Nation... 

In all things, give thanks... even in times like these...
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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Oh Darling...

Let's Be Adventurers!

This wasn't really my dream as a little girl, as a little girl I wanted to be a farming artist... I still want to be a farming artists, but I guess adventures will come first.

What adventure has captured your heart? What part of the world would you like to visit, or have you visited that has your heart?

This year has been a year of adventure for Duy and I. I am so humbled and honoured when I get see how others live, how other's do life. I can't wait for next year to go to Africa and live with a group of people for a short time, and see how it will change my heart yet again...

Where does your adventuring heart take you in your dreams?

Share the love,

M.

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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July 4th!

Happy Independence Day USA!
For all of my friends south of the border (my border, the Canadian border)
This one's for YOU!

Happy 4th of July!
Share the love,
M.

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fruit.

I was talking about this recently with a friend... don't just talk the talk, walk the walk... easier said than done. This is a reminder to myself what the fruit of my life should look like... don't just say something, let your life say it.

oy,
Happy Monday!
May your life be fruitful!

Share the love,
M.

Scroll down for your free printables :)

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Let Your Freak Flag Fly

Probably one of my favourite quotes from a movie, ever.  I first heard it in the movie,  The Family Stone. Love that movie, love this quote.

Then I did a google search to find the quote, and I heard 'Let your Freak Flag Fly' from Shrek the Musical- How did I not know this existed? How could I not share this? Take a peek at the video then scroll down for a great printable!

I've included a black and white version for the office... Let's Celebrate what makes us unique!  Com'on let your Freak Flag Fly!

Handlettered by yours truly! Have an amazing Wednesday!
Share the love,
M.

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Heroes to Celebrate

A little love from this Canadian girl for my American friends who are celebrating their heroes.
Here is to hoping and praying that you will never be forgotten...

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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Seriously!

Yup. This is for me.
Thought I'd share.

Share the love and get out of your way!
M.

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The Rain is Coming.

This is not a doomsday pronouncement- it is a declaration of life! The rain is coming, the drought is over. Whatever you have been hoping for, praying for, expecting a miracle for. This is your year!

I watched Joel Osteen this morning, WOW. Let me tell you, it was like he was talking straight to me. The sermon was called The Rain Is Coming. I had to create a reminder for  myself to speak this daily, the Rain is Coming... I thought I would share.

If you'd like to hear his message click here:  https://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/VideoStreaming.aspx  then click on #604 The Rain is Coming. Enjoy!

Print this off and pray it, believe it, and expect it!
Share the love,
M.

Scroll down for one without an umbrella for those of you who like to dance in the rain and get WET!

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