Speak

This weekend I will have an amazing, and frightening, opportunity. I was fortunate to be asked by Jennifer Smith, author of Wife After God and creator of the site Unveiled Wife, to join her in a meet and greet and motivational session, which takes place on Saturday in Southern Ca. This is the amazing part.

The frightening part. I was also asked to write an encouraging and supportive letter to weary wives...and read it aloud at the event. The writing part was easy. It is the speaking part that has me a little worried.
I am not a public speaker. In fact, it is one of my least favorite things. Although I speak in meetings at work all the time, being on a stage, in front of a large group, that's terrifying.
That being said, when Jen asked me to be a part of the event, I did not hesitate. I felt God nudging me toward to move beyond my comfort zone. Almost immediately, I remembered what He had spoken to me while attending a women's retreat in Hume Lake, last October:  keep going, don't give up, speak. At the time, I needed the encouragement of the first two, but was uncertain what He meant by the third. Speak. With this in mind, and in light of my word for 2014, how could I say no to this opportunity? I couldn't.
Since you won't be able to attend the event, I plan to post a link to the letter I wrote, which will be published at Unveiled Wife on Monday. So, stay tuned.
Please pray for me, as I speak to these women the words that God gave me to help strengthen their weary minds, bodies and souls. Also, pray for all the women who attend, that they will be encouraged and uplifted by the experience.

Becoming More by Being Less

Empty. Can that really be my word for 2014? 
While I want rest, peace, trust, simplicity, etc., it is more than that. I simply want what God has for me. For Him to fill me with His presence and purpose. And, to truly be ready for that, I must be empty.

10. GREEN ADIRONDACK CHAIRS

I just finished reading Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts. I asked and received it for Christmas. Why? There was something in me that knew I needed to read it, although I'd never read any of her work before, nor was I a follower of hers. What I didn't know was how much I needed it or how her words would speak to me.

14. WALKING UNDER THE PIER

In her book, Ann shares her journey of practicing thankfulness, of counting blessings, into the thousands. I was impressed with this practice and began my own list almost immediately. However, it was when I got to chapters eight and nine that I couldn't stop reading. When she began talking about her anxiety, panic, and fear. Describing it as a closed fist, attempting to gain control of the world and our circumstances.

Fear keeps a life small. (p 145)

Stress can be an addiction and worry can be our lunge for control and we forget the

 answer to this moment is always yes because of Christ. (p 160)

Last fall, I wrote about experiencing something new in prayer while attending a women's retreat. The simple act of opening our hands to God when praying, instead of keeping them closed and folded. This image and the lesson surrounding it overwhelmed me as I read chapters 8 & 9.

Opening the hand to receive the moments. Trusting what is received to be grace. (p 158)

However, it was more than just open hands. It was the concept of emptying myself. Of removing all of my own preferences, desires and perceptions. Letting them go. 

6. ANGRY BIRD WATCH ON A LITTLE BOY'S WRIST

The open hand. It's not simply a way to invite God in, but to release myself, so that He can fill me up.

My own wild desire to protect my joy at all costs is the exact force that kills my joy...

Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control...let go of my own way, let go of my own fears. 

Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy's fire. Leave the hand open and be...

I can empty because I am full of his love. I can trust. I can let go. (pgs 178, 179)

This year, I want to be empty of me, yet filled with Him. I want my life to be big. I want to rid myself of fear, by letting His perfect love replace it. I want to count my blessings and live fully. Yet...

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. 

John 3:30 (NLT)

Can't wait to see what God has planned for me in 2014!

New Year. New Mantle.

I wanted to start this new year with mantle re-do. Mainly because, last year it took me three months after taking down my Christmas decorations to get something on my mantle. I was determined not to let that happen again.
My inspiration piece for my New Year's mantle was this print by Emily Ley. I purchased a similar one several months ago when she was having a clearance sale of older inventory. I got it for a great deal and was so excited, but had yet to find a place for it. I'm hoping it will find it's permanent home in my bedroom once I move it from the mantle, which I know I will eventually.
Once I had my inspiration piece, I decided to go with white and gold for the mantle. I started with this:

It didn't take long before I realized that this arrangement wasn't quite right. It was too small and just didn't seem complete. So, I went to my two favorite places for home accessories - TJ Maxx and HomeGoods - and found a new frame and plate.

I really wanted a sunburst to hang on the window above the mantle, but I couldn't find one. That's when I decided on a tassel garland. I was trying to avoid making it myself, but wasn't ready to spend $30 for someone else to make one for me. I found this tutorial online and made mine out of gold and white tissue paper (which, by the way, I got for 75 cents because it was in the Christmas section at Target).

I was very pleased with the end product. Not only do I have a beautiful and elegant mantle for the new year, but I am reminded daily of the grace that is afforded to me by God. And, that because of that grace, I do not need to be perfect.
So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured on us who belong to his Son. Ephesians 1:6

What is inspiring you in this new year?