Gratitudes - Giving Thanks

A year ago I saw a video about Ann Voskamp and her book 1000 gifts.  It prompted me to do a year long celebration of all the things that I was grateful for.  They ranged from the big things to all the little things that we often take for granted in our busy lifestyles.  I am thankful for the opportunity to have been able to share and hope that you too have been able to look at your life a bit differently to make the most of what you are grateful for.  I plan to continue and create a gratitudes journal and share inspiring and encouraging images.  I hope you come along for this journey and create one of your own.

Gratitudes - The Summer

The sun as it beats down, relaxing in the garden, the sound of the birds, the summer holidays, children laughing, picnic in the park and a game of rounders, warm summer evenings, watching the sun set and blowing out the garden candle looking forward for tomorrow.  I am grateful!

Willingness - Thought for the Week - 52 weeks of Colour

Thought for the week

Do not hold on to negativity, instead shine a new positive light in your life,  Nothing can compare to the gifts you have to bless the world are you willing to let your light shine?

Quote

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. ...Sally Berger 

Scripture 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Gratitudes - Art Journals

Art Journals - my visual adventure.  I try out new techniques, play, gain understanding, support and encourage myself to be the creative person I feel I have been called to be.  I am grateful that my art journal doesn't judge or remind me of my areas of immaturity but encourages me to be my true self and enjoy the journey!  What are you grateful for today?

Connection - Thought for the Week - 52 Weeks of Colour

Thought for the Week

Let your light shine, you have so much beauty within you, so many talents some hidden, and others ready to burst forth.  You have to step out of your comfort zone and let go of your fears and make those connections.

Quote 

 I had to get over my fear of running through the world naked and learn to say, “Take me or leave me.” ...Steven Spielberg  

Scripture 

The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10

 

Warmth - Creating in Faith

Many of you have been praying for my brother Robert who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and last week I wrote about prayer and how powerful it is.  Your prayers have been a source of comfort, and please continue to lift up the family.  My brother breathed his last breath and passed to be with the Lord on Sunday 2nd June 2013 at 10pm.  We are taking each day at a time to come to terms with the loss and the pain.  It sometimes seems as if time has stood still and he is in another room.  Many of you can understand the shock of loosing someone close, there is nothing that can prepare you for any of it.

I take comfort in knowing that I got to tell him over and over how much I loved him, that we were all there for him, sometimes thinking I tired him out with my chatter.  We warmly remembered our youth and our days of adventures, on our bikes, scooters and riding up to Hampstead Heath.  I also talked about when he got better, watching the kids grow up, walking his daughters down the aisle, like he did for me when I got married as our dad had passed, seeing his grandchildren and more. 

Today, we pick up the pieces, looking at his life and our own, seeing how fragile it can be.  I never imagined that we would get to this day, but know for many of us it will come again.  What it continues to show me is that we can't wait for illness to strike before we let someone know that we love them, or to value the relationships that we have taken for granted thinking that we will always be around.  How many people have you promised to get in contact with but let the cares of the day get in the way and before you know it 6 months or longer have passed?  How many promises have you made to your own health, things that you will start to do in an attempt to get fitter, but have allowed lethargy to take over?

We only have one life to live this side of heaven, and we need to make sure that we do the best we can, we get a chance everyday to find new ways to be present in this life, let yours count for something today!  Have a blessed week.

Please note: for those of you who are considering sending flowers, please instead make a donation to Myeloma UK - via Robert's Just Giving page, Cancer Research UK or Macmillan Cancer Support

Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou didst establish the earth and it stands....Psalm 119:90

Wisdom and power are His.  He changes times and seasons... He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. ...Daniel 2:20-21

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant

Psalm 25:10

Gratitudes - Journals

Every morning I get up and I write in my journal, there have been some days that I have missed with a promise that I will catch up when there is time.  My journal houses my thoughts and ideas that I want to mull over, the problems of yesterday and the solutions of tomorrow.  I am grateful that my journal can be another creative outlet.  What are you grateful for today?

Integrity - Thought for the Week - 52 Weeks of Colour

Thought for the Week

Trials will come and go do not run from them or try to hide, but face them head on.  Out of the trials you will see the triumphs, you will see the growth and gifts are only round the corner, as too are your dreams.

Quote

Stories are medicine. ...Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Scripture

"...may He grant you according to your hearts desire, and fulfill all of your purpose." Psalm 20:4

 

Prayer - Creating in Faith

It is quite apt that my word for the Creating in Faith series that I have been doing on a weekly basis is Prayer. Prayer for me this week has been at the very heart of everything I have been doing.  Many of you know that I have been sharing about my brother Robert who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2009.  Recently the doctors had said that his cancer wasn't responding to treatment, it was all over his body and was now roaming free throughout his blood.  He went into hospital last Sunday and has been there ever since, he became semi unconscious  and wasn't responding even to his name, he was having problems breathing and as a result his mouth and tongue has become extremely dry, the Doctors said he only had a few days, and we were very fearful and sad at their prognosis and what the outcome would be.

All I have been able to lean on is prayer.  The word of God is my foundation, and the only thing with whom I can put my trust.  I know that miracles happen every day, our very lives are miracles and its something that we often take for granted.  We don't often see the preciousness of our existence, the treasures that we each have locked away and we often miss the most important things that matter in our lives. All we have been able to do is pray - the bible tells us to 'pray without ceasing'.  We have been pressing in, people all around the world have been standing with us in prayer, for healing, transformation, strength to get through what has been a very difficult time.

Yesterday Robert woke out of the semi-consciousness and was able to acknowledge is wife and family, we chatted and asked him questions and he was able to respond.  We were encouraged by these small steps and every day we look for more improvements to take place in his blood levels and general strength.  We are staying with him round the clock encouraging him, to lift up his spirits and to let him know that he is not alone.  I want to encourage anyone out there who is going through a challenging time either through their own health or that of a loved one that this world is bigger than we can ever imagine and we can't rely on ourselves, our thoughts or what others feel our situation is saying regardless of the 'professional status'.

Prayer really changes things - situations, circumstances and relationships and my sole purpose is to pray until something happens. I know God is changing me as I press in, as I stand on his word and as I pray for and with my brother, we all have something that we are going through and I even have room enough to pray for you.  If you have a situation that you are dealing with I would love to stand with you in prayer, email me at amanda(at)realityarts(dot)co(dot)uk.

I will keep you updated, for those who are praying for the family we ask that you continue to lift him, his wife and the children up.  We are taking one day at a time, making the most of the miracles we see today and let tomorrow take care of itself.  For now stay blessed and have a good week.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways...Psalm 91:11

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours..Mark 11:24

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God...Philippians 4:6