Authenticity - 52 Weeks of colour and Inspiration

Thought for the week...

The doors are opening, are you ready to walk through? The time is coming - you have put in the hard work, you stayed up late and got up early, you made the sacrifices and carried on making your mark despite the circumstances. The time has come for you to look back at where you came from, look at all your achievements, no matter how small, you have come a long way!

Life is like music: it must be composed by ear, feeling and instinct, not by rule. ...Samuel Butler 

"...those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Psalm 34:10

Spirit - Creating in Faith (Happy Mothers Day)

My mother has always had a very loving spirit and nature, always wanting to ensure that the needs of others were taken care of before she thought of herself.  Despite the many hardships she faced from first arriving in the UK to start a new life in 1962 with her husband Kenneth Lloyd Trought.  Raising 3 children and going on to see 5 grandchildren.  She still remains strong in spirit. Her humour and understanding is what sets her apart, and as a mother she worked tirelessly so that her children wouldn't lack, and I have seen the impact that she has made in each of our lives, and still continues to.  Despite the things she didn't have she maintained her grace and believed in God for his provision. 

During my father’s 5 year illness she never looked on her role as a chore, but she care for him until the end always concerned for his well-being.  Mum has taught me much as a mother myself about responsibility, unconditional love and remaining true to who I have been called to be as a child of God.  With the holy spirit that dwells within me and I too have known that whatever I go through, I am never alone and have drawn strength from my belief in God.

To all mothers out there and those who have cared and supported children as if they were your own, your efforts were not unnoticed, and were appreciated.  Your strength and your wisdom is valued and most of all you are so very loved.

Happy Mother’s Day to you, may you be blessed beyond your wildest dreams.

My grace is sufficient for thee for My strength is made perfect in weakness.. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own..1 Corinthians 6:19

Crochet Makes - Beenie Hat

I have been busy in the studio painting and creating a range of things that I will share over the coming week.   One of the things that I have kept up with is crocheting.  I have found it to be a great way to relax, I've even signed up to Craftsy - a community for people who make things.  I took a class by Linda Perrman, she has a really relaxed and clear style to her teaching.  Craftsy are giving a 7 day free trial on any course, and it's well worth checking out, whatever the craft you are into.

Anyway I've been having problems with finding a hat that I liked, so I thought I would make one, and have been quite pleased with the results.  It's a beeny hat, probably better for use in milder weather. I didn't follow any pattern for this one, but will definitely for the next, it was great to challenge myself and see what I could come up with.  The great thing I am finding with crochet is that with a few tools you can make some beautiful things, and once you understand how to read the patterns then you are well away!

The flower is detachable so if you make a few that are different colours you have a new colour combination every time.  I will be adding some beads to the rim.  The black wool has some silver thread running through though you can't see it in the picture.

I made the head out of recycled bags and paper mache, will let you see how it started out during the week, will be painting this as well......  I have been seeing how many things I can make out of recycled materials, anyway that's for another post. I hope you are having a blessed weekend, and wish all the mothers out there a very Happy Mothers Day for tomorrow!

Gratitudes - Soft Blanket

Soft blanket 

Snuggling up when you’re feeling cold or needing that extra bit of comfort and warmth..

What are you grateful for today?

Gratitude - 52 Weeks of colour

A thought for the day

Its time to take action, for too long you have remained silent, you are sitting on a goldmine of wisdom and understanding. We are meant to pass on to the next generation our stories, those things that made us laugh the things we are grateful for, our understanding, don’t let it go untold!

Quote 

Follow your heart like a flying stallion, Race with the sun to the edge of the night. Form your truth like a gold medallion, Dance in the circle of the love and the light. ...John Denver

Scripture 

"Let my prayer be set before You as insense, the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Psalm141:2

 What story do you need to tell?

Health - Creating in Faith

You never know what you got till its gone..... 

Do you take your health for granted?, how could you make the most of it now? 

When I was younger I was extremely active, from bike riding, gymnastics, athletics and tennis, I was always doing some sort of activity, it was as natural as breathing to be doing something. The older I got the activities seem to tale off, I started going to the gym and working out but keeping fit and healthy became more challenging due to changes in lifestyle and priorities. I never once gave a thought to not being able to do an activity due to pain or a physical ailment, I was young, felt invincible and had loads of years ahead of me to have to worry about not feeling well, or seeing those around me unwell. 

Forward 20 or so years and you hear yourself complaining of this ailment, that pain, and a promise of looking after your body and no longer taking it for granted. When we see those around us unwell we begin to look at our own life in a different way. We are of the age now where we all know more and more people suffering from something, throwing new light on our own mortality. 

We have to treasure our health put the right nutrients in and get the necessary exercise. We ask a lot of our bodies, expect a lot and yet we continue to let it run on empty, we have to decide that enough is enough! What of your spiritual health, are you spending time in the Word allowing it to minister to you, or like those takeaway packets and processed foods you ate last week are you expecting a quick spiritual fix to get you through the week? 

Yes, in the past I made many promises to myself about getting fit, spending time and looking after myself, and I’ve also let myself down time and time again. What makes this time different?.... I’ve woken up, smelt the coffee, and want to make the most of every moment that I have left on this earth. I want to be able to run and not get weary, feel the fresh air in my lungs and the sun on my face, and most of all value the relationships I have!   It can be done - it takes discipline, and determination, as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. You know where you want to be, you have to make the effort to get there, plan the journey, take the necessary provisions and keep on task. 

It’s March and there is no time like the present to start. 

Is it time you did an inventory of your physical, spiritual and emotional health? We have all got something in our lives that needs and over haul....what’s yours?  Have a blessed week!

This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:8

Gratitudes - Candles

Candles 

Combined with a pampering session brings about a peaceful time for reflection and renewing batteries...

What are you grateful for today?

Forgive - 52 Weeks of Colour

A Thought for the day.....

Sing your song, someone somewhere needs to hear it. You came out the other end of your trials or you may be coming out of what seems like a very long tunnel, you need to let go, and forgive yourself. The lessons that you learnt along the way are not just to keep to yourself; you have seen the miracles that can happen every day, be the miracle in someone else’s life.

Quote 

The days come and go, but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away. ...Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Scripture 

"your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8

What life lessons about forgiveness do you have to share to encourage someone else?

Gratitudes - Sunshine

Sunshine  

Feeling the rays of sun on my skin, closing my eyes and imagining I am somewhere tropical...

What are you grateful for today?