Twenty- five things I’ve learned over the past year…

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With the New Year approaching, I got to thinking about the things that I have learned over this last year. Here’s a few of them I thought I’d share…

 

Twenty- five things I’ve learned over the past year…

1.) To love others as if it’s my last chance.

2.) Not to over burden people with my struggles.

3.) To guard my heart; because once a piece is lost, you can never get it back.

4.) To let go of things I can’t change.

5.) That the grass is never greener on the other side.

6.) To choose my battles carefully.

7.) Not to joke with serious people.

8.) To love God above all else.

9.) That age doesn’t have anything to do with maturity.

10.) To never think that something can’t happen to me.

11.) That true happiness is achieved when you live each day as if it’s your last.

12.) That doing what I love, is more important than making sure my house is clean.

13.) That each new day brings a whole new load of challenges with it.

14.) That children emulate their parents to exact proportions.

15.) That music can help mend a broken heart.

16.) That finding our passions in life and living them out, brings about true happiness.

17.) That cell phones have killed real communication.

18.) That laughing every day helps more than prescription drugs.

19.) To spend as much time with my kids as I can, before they move out on their own.

20.) Not to be afraid to be the one who loves the most.

21.) That hugging should be required at least three times a day and at our house we have morning, noon, and nighttime hugs. (My daughter invented this rule and she never misses a moment to remind me of this.)

22.) To always keep Kleenex within arm’s reach for all kinds of situations.

23.) To take every opportunity that is set before me and run with it.

24.) That coffee always tastes better when you’re on a coffee date with a friend.

25.) That nobody will ever agree with everything you say and that’s quite okay.

How about you?  What have you learned over this past year or over the course of your lifetime…

 

Photo credit:  livingrichwithcoupons.com

The Secret to a Long Term Relationship

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“Don’t be afraid to be the one who loves the most.” ~M

Handmade Art Journals

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Today I wanted to share something a little bit different, than what I normally post.  There are so many beautiful artists on WordPress.  One unique artist in particular (Golnaran),  suggested to me that I share some of my artwork.  Art has always been a passion of mine, yet in recent days, I rarely spend my time doing any kind of art.  I have many things that I am passionate about and unfortunately I only have twenty-four hours in a day like everyone else.  In other words, some of my passions must be put on the back burner for another day.

Autumn painting a Christmas ornament.
Autumn painting a Christmas ornament.

For now, homeschooling my girls takes up most of my time, along with taking care of my two English Mastiffs.

However, since it was brought to my attention that others might be interested in seeing my artwork; I have decided to share a few things with all of you every now and then.  The following pictures are of some handmade journals, that my daughters and I created a couple of years ago for their home economics class.  My sister was visiting quite a few years ago and taught me how to make one of these.  And so of course, I fell in love with my journal and wanted my girls to join in the fun of making one for themselves.  I wish I had taken pictures as we went along so that I could have shared a tutorial with all of you.  If I decide to make another one, I will definitely capture the process the next time around so that if anybody wants to learn how to make one, I will be able to show you how.

Click on the images below for a larger view.

Amy’s writing journal

Brianna’s drawing journal

My painting journal

A Heart for the Fashion and Entertainment Industry

What is your opinion of celebrities?  How do you view them?  Are they as worthy as you, to receive God and all that He has to offer them? Do you think they pray?  Do they ask God for help?  Is it wrong to assume that because some celebrities are caught up in sex, drugs, and alcohol, that they couldn’t possibly matter to God?  That they shouldn’t matter to anyone?  What do you think?  Don’t orphans and homeless people deserve Christian love, more than someone who blatantly chooses a life of sin?  And who defines what sin really is?  Don’t all of us sin, even if just in our minds alone?  If we could all read each others minds, what would we really think of one another?  Have you hated somebody without ever even meeting them face-to-face?  Have you taken what the media offers, as full and complete proof that somebody is essentially worthless?

Many of you probably don’t know this, but I have a 21yr old daughter who is a full-time missionary.  She works mostly with models, actors, celebrities, and skateboarders.

I wanted to share this video with all of you that she recently put together.  Some of the video footage is from places that she has visited on her many missionary travels, while other parts are simply clips found on YouTube.

She originally created this video for a prayer session that she was asked to lead.  I was really touched by her words, and felt the need to share this video with the world.  I am hoping by sharing this, that it might help others see the entertainment industry in a different light.

Everyone always asks my daughter why she works with the kind of people that she does.  People matter to God, no matter where they come from or who they are. This video shares the reasons why she feels called to this type of missionary work.

I hope that you will be blessed as I have been, through this story that comes from her heart.