A-Z Road Trip - Wednesdays Stops!

Well its the start of my road trip and I am geared up to travel all around the world as I pay a visit to all those blogs on the A-Z Challenge that I didn't get to visit.  There is a great variety of blogs, creativity and writing styles and I am looking forward to making some new acquaintances and renewing the old.  I hope you join me on the visits.  I will link to the sites I get to, show them some blog love if you are able leave a comment on their site as well.

Here are my stops for the day:

I start my first stop at Andres's blog -  All about the Words. Andres has a wonderful way with words, his writing is powerful and well thought out, you are definitely in for a treat.

Tina from Life is Good has been given a Sunshine award and in turn has to answer a series of questions.  It is always great to get to know someone better when they reveal a bit about themselves.  Here are some of the questions if you want to take part, you answer and pass on to 6 fellow bloggers who make your days sunnier.
 

What inspired you to start blogging?
How did you come up with the name of your blog?
What is your favorite blog to read?

Tell us about your dream job.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

If you could go anywhere for a week’s vacation, where would you go?

What food can you positively not eat?

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

How much time do you spend blogging?

Do you watch t.v. and if so, what are your favorite shows?

 (check out her site for the award image)

 

Shannon from The Warrior Muse and who was also one of the hosts for the A-Z challenge has provided a list of links for writers to some very useful resources, she got a Shine On Award and for all those who are into horror, she also got a Zombie Rabbit award.

 

Livia, from Leave it to Livia has a beautiful blog image she writes film and book reviews, which comes in handy as there are a host of new films being released this year and it's always good to see what others are saying about a film. 

 

Finally I stopped off to see Laura at My Baffling Brain from sunny England - and we have had a fair bit today, though it is still a bit chilly.  Anyway Laura shared last week about a blog hop that she was taking part in a blog hop called Celebrate the little Things  hosted by Tara Tyler, who is also a fellow A-Z'er that I didn't get a chance to visit during the challenge.   I think the Blog hop is a great idea in reminding ourselves of the things that are important and need celebrating every day, in this way we really value what we have.  Blessings for now I will continue the road trip and share where I go on Saturday.

Incomplete - Creating in Faith

We are made in the image of God, yet we do not walk in the fullness of this knowledge.  We are broken, with our faults, insecurities and fears and we walk as one that is incomplete instead of nurturing our gifts and talents and stepping into our blessings.  We end up chasing down the wrong path that leads into more pain and brokenness, trying to get off the merry go round but telling ourselves that we are just not good enough.  Very often we are our own biggest critic and we have to stop listening to that voice that says 'you can’t', or 'it won’t work' and 'no one wants what you have to give', for these are the voices of Dream Destroyers.  Just stop for a moment and think about those many products today went on to fulfil a purpose when all around thought they had failed – the Post it Note comes to mind designed by Dr Spencer Silver. 

I know a God who tells me that he will never leave or forsake me, who says I can do all things, not some, a few or maybe, but ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.  I need not fear life, but I need to make sure that I live it with passion and to the best of my abilities, leaning on God for my understanding.  He is the one who always makes a way out of no way, who loved me even before I was formed and continues to show grace and shine his light over my life. 

Bookmark and holder

There is always an opportunity to learn, to refresh and make new and you have to open your mind to learning something new every day, and working towards your dream one day at a time.  You have not reached your final destination, so why should everything line up, we are all a work in progress, and if you enjoy the experience of the process you will find more satisfaction. 

I know that I may not be able to do everything but I will have strategies for those times when the chattering of the doubters get too loud and fix my eyes and heart to that which I have been called to do, for when I am weak, God makes me strong, when I fall he picks me up and when I hurt he soothes, for his grace is sufficient. 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe ..Proverbs 18:10

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Note: The posts for Creating in Faith are usually posted on Sundays, apologies to those who showed up and didn't see the post.

Community - Thought for the Week - 52 Weeks of Colour and Inspiration

Thought for the Week...

You have the ability to step out and soar, you are among many who are supportive and who share your vision and passion.  There is room for you to stretch your wings, to take those steps do not be afraid to be out of your comfort zone. Armed with this shared vision take a step closer to your dreams.  Who can you reach out to in your community this week, Blessings, Amanda

 

Quote

The more one gives, the more one has to give. ...Anne Morrow Lindberg 

Scripture

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

 

Ultimate Road Trip - Post A to Z Road Trip

'I know what we are going to do today' said Phinius to Ferb

 
It has been nearly two weeks since the last A-Z April Challenge post and I have been meaning to spend the time visiting some of the other blogs that I didn't have a chance to visit during April, there are so many inspiring blogs out there and we got to sample over 1000+ of them, so I decided to join the Ultimate Road Trip, if you want to join you can sign up on the link above.  Every Wednesday and Saturday I will be sharing some of the blogs from the challenge that I have visited and leave links for you to have a look as well.

I find after the challenge I tend to do a lot of reflecting and often need to take some time out.  I have been trying to decide what I was going to start sharing on my blog, what I aimed to achieve for the coming months and things that needed to be put in place - and there has been a lot of stuff!  Essentially though,  I have found this month for me has had an emphasis on the building of relationships.  This has become increasingly important and whether you see the person all the time or whether you connect online building up the relationship takes time and effort on both parts, but can be so rewarding.  It was great to visit new blogs and share posts and comments, all which were encouraging and supportive!

I have also noticed other things that have come out of the challenge and that is confidence and peace.  I am organising my studio and have lots of work that I managed to complete as part of the challenge that probably would not have been finished, and this has spurred me on to try and do more with the things that I create.  I am also in the process of doing some technique and instructional videos that show you a painting from start to finish.  In my treasures post I am reminded that we all do have so many treasures locked away inside that we need to dust off, because someone somewhere around the world is waiting to be blessed by that very talent you took for granted, and you need to just go for it.  The words for my challenge for April are words that I think we all need to remind ourselves of from time to time, speaking them into our lives, and this month the celebrations will continue as there are more talents and abilities to uncover.  If you didn't get a chance to see all my posts for the challenge you can click on anyone of the words below.

A is for Admire   B is for Brave

C is for Creative

D is for Dream 

E is for Encouraging

F is for Fruitful

G is for Growth 

H is for Hope 

I is for Inspirational  

J is for Jewel 

K is for Keystone 

L is for Loving

M is for Memory

N is for News! 

O is for Open  

P is for Passionate

Q is for Quiet

R is for Relationships 

S is for Sensitivity

T is for Treasure 

U is for Update

V is for Vision

W is for Wisdom

X is for Xylem

Y is for Youthful

Z is for Zest

For those of you who took part in the A-Z Challenge Woven Tale Press are offering fellow A-Z'rs an opportunity to appear in their online magazine, you can submit up to 3 posts. Click on the image to see their latest issue.

Hope you have a blessed weekend