My 2014 One Word: Brave

BRAVE

For several years now, the Lord has been giving me a word or phrase at the beginning of the year to guide and encourage me as the year goes by.  I haven't always shared my words here, but I have them in my journals...I have found it to be a great help. I love reading all my blog and Facebook friends' words for the year...it's neat to see how we are all at different stages and places, ebbs and flows. Some are slowing down a bit and seeking more 'balance' or 'peace'...others are ramping up in some ways and seeking 'strength' or 'boldness'.

This year my word is 'brave'. I have had several years of quiet healing, growing, and changing - kind of like a caterpillar in a cocoon. I really needed those quiet, peaceful years after my divorce, and later the loss of my job, to help me heal. Then two years ago my word was 'Expansion' and the Lord started to have me emerge from the cocoon and stretch my new wings. That was the year I exhibited my artwork at the Craft & Hobby Association Winter show in Anaheim and attended the International Christian Retailers Show in Orlando and the International Quilt Market here in Houston. Plus I began contracting as a painting instructor at Pinot's Palette. Lots of new contacts...lots of new activity...lots of new work...expansion indeed! Then, 2013's word was 'New', which seemed rather odd to me at the time...didn't I just complete a year of new, new, new in the 2012 year of expansion? But it ended up being a very different thing. It was all about new attitudes, new priorities, new skills, new people, new approaches, new thought patterns, new appreciation, new gratitude...a quiet, reflective kind of 'new'.

So, I can see now that the quiet, reflective year of 'New' was the preparation I needed for 'Brave'. God had a lot of adjusting to do in my heart and mind (still does of course), but it was intensive. And now, I am stepping out again...and I know how much I need Him more than ever. Here's the only way I can be brave....

...I have to trust in Him with all my heart. He is my great BIG God - my strength and my shield. Apart from Him, I don't stand a chance.

SO, that's how 'Brave' will have to be for me...knowing He's got me, and trusting in that.

I'm not sure of all the things I am going to need to be brave about this year, but He did give me a bit more direction with the addition of 3 more words for the year:  'Enter', 'Explore', and 'Enjoy', and a word picture to tie it all together. He showed me a sheep that had been set free from its pen and had been turned out into a lovely, spacious pasture, but though the sheep knows she has been set free, she still remained close to the pen because it was what she knew best and where she felt "safe". So I feel the Lord is saying it's time for me to be brave (in Him) and enter the beautiful, spacious pasture, explore it far and wide, and enjoy myself in the process!

And I am starting to do just that. I will be leading/facilitating a women's Bible study at my church this Spring...I haven't done that since 2005, almost 9 years! That's just the beginning. Not sure of all the places I will explore, but I know in my heart that I can be brave enough to go there, trusting in His presence to be with me at all times...and, yes, I will even enjoy every step of the journey!

"...the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

Psalm 18:18-19

The Unseen in 2013

Well, I blinked...and it's the end of another year/beginning of a new year. I usually say something like "how in the world did that happen?", but not this time. I know exactly why. I was busy doing life. I was spending time with the Father. I was journaling. I was doing my art. I was enjoying my family. I was growing my little business. I was teaching painting classes. I was planning showers and events. I was decorating my house. I was thrifting. I was Pinteresting. I was Etsy-ing. I was struggling. I was failing. I was crying. I was praying. I was dancing. I was laughing. I was just living this amazing, crazy, blessed life the Lord has given me...

Many of these are the unseen things of 2013. I didn't blog about them or even share them on Facebook. I lived them...and enjoyed them...and worked through them. 

But, being a visual person, I did take photos and scan images and doodle ideas and paint pictures...that's how I roll. But this past year I simply did not take the time to share it all. And that's OK.

2014 may very well be different - not sure yet. But I do feel a tug in my heart to begin sharing more and to encourage more...and I typically do that visually, with a little writing thrown in...

SO, to those of you who still visit here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you would like to see a bit more of my day to day creative happenings I invite you to like my Just Bee 'n Me Facebook page and add me to your Activity list. But don't give up on the old blog. I'm not giving it up by any means. It's still a valuable tool and an enjoyable outlet...

I wish each and every one of you a very Happy New Year, filled with blessings and the goodness of God! As a thank you, I am offering this little bookmark as a freebie for you to print and enjoy!

We'll talk again soon...meanwhile, I get to go spend time with my family today and enjoy their company...and laugh.  I hope you have the opportunity to do the same...

The Heat is On!

Welcome Summer (I think....)

Well, I don't want to sound too chipper at the official arrival of Summer, because here in Texas, the heat is already on, and has been for quite a while now. We are in a severe drought and high 90s/100 degree temperatures show little sign of moderating any time soon. Oh, and those Texas wildfires you may have seen on the news, well one of the largest ones is burning just a few miles north of our home near Plantersville. Scary stuff - many have had to be evacuated - 30 or so families have already lost their homes, and over 4000 acres have already been burned, and the fire is only about 20% contained. Our beautiful woodsy area is like a huge tinder box after months without any appreciable rain, so we are on pins and needles as we watch the wind direction, watch the weather, and pray for rain and protection. We are fine here so far - the wind from the south is keeping the flames to the north of us, but we are prepared to act fast if needed...

The forecast does call for scattered rain showers today and tomorrow, so that's some welcome news.

 Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for us here in Texas and throughout the dry Southwest...I know some of you blog buddies up in the Northwest and in the Midwest would gladly share some of your rain with us!  :o)

Hugs and Blessings to all my friends across the country and around the world - seems as though few of us are NOT touched by some sort of natural disaster or another. But take heart...there is hope...always hope...

"When you go through deep waters, 

I will be with you. 

When you go through rivers of difficulty, 

you will not drown. 

When you walk through the fire of oppression, 

you will not be burned up; 

the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2

Pancakes on the Porch

 It's not every day in Houston, Texas that we have a morning with less than 20% humidity...

...and temperature in the mid-60's...

...so with just a bit of extra effort...

...and a few pretties from our china cabinet...

...we had our simple Sunday pancake breakfast...

...on our humble front porch...

It was great! We gotta do this more often!

(if we can get the weather and the bugs to cooperate :o)

I hope you make sweet special memories with your family this wonderful Easter week!

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I invite you to check back here throughout the week - in honor of Resurrection Sunday, I am going to be sharing lots of photos from my incredible trip to Israel in 2004.

I've posted just a few here over the years, but I wanted to show you quite a few more and include more memories and impressions from my adventures. It'll be a fun, free way to tour the wonders of the Holy Land close up! Don't miss it!!

Have a blessed week friends!