Contemplation and REALLY learning to trust (or, Turning 35)

Almost a year ago I was contacted by a very reputable card company who was interested in my art.  I worked with an editor for about four months and we put together a small line of about 8 cards.  The cards went out for a market review back in October.

I got news this week that the cards didn't score high enough in the market review for the company to license the line.  I have to say that the experience I had developing the line was wonderful.  I learned a lot!  The editor I worked with was gracious and knowledgable and taught me so much.  But I will admit that when I heard the news I was so very disappointed.  Licensing has been a dream of mine for so long now.

So when I celebrated my 35th birthday a couple of days later (yesterday) I was in a very contemplative state.  I've been praying for this dream to become a reality for a long time now.  I laid in bed that night and I asked God if this is what He wants me to do.  Should I keep working as an artist, trying to gain a licensing deal?  Maybe I could take the line and market it myself.  I thought God did not place a dream in your heart without a reason.

Silence.

And then I heard, clear as day, Trust Me, child.  Give your heart  fully to me and I will help you.

Now let me be clear when I say that being a mother and wife is my full time job.  My family is my number one priority and I am confident that God and I can agree on that.
Writing books and creating art is something that I love to do.  But apparently God has something else in store for me.

I have to say with an honest and open heart that letting go is very hard for me.  What if God has different plans for me?  What if creating art for a living is not what he intends?  What if what he intends for me is crazy and unexepected and not what I have been yearning for and working for?  Or what if it only to care for my family right now and not follow my own dream?

So when I heard it...Trust Me, child, I wanted to say, Ok.  Here is my heart and soul.  I am YOURS.  I trust you completely.  Do with me what you will.  I trust that you have a plan for me.

Friends, I am not 100% there yet.  But I see that.  My prayer now is:  God, please soften my heart.  Please take away the anxiety I feel about not being the one in supreme control.  I pray that the strength will come soon when I can leave my comfort zone and say, "I trust you fully".

And it will come.  I am certain of that.

God is Great

Our kids take turns saying grace before we eat our meals. I thought it would be cute to make a painting of one of our favorite blessings. It's painted on a piece of wood. I hung it in the kitchen by our eating area.

Turquoise and red is becoming a theme in my house.

I made some 4 x 4 prints and put them in frames. If you want one, I have some in my etsy shop. There's black frames...

or white...

Does your family have any blessings that you use regularly? One of my other favorites is this little song: Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me, the things I need...the sun and the rain and the apple seed, Oh the Lord is good to me!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!:)

xo, Chrissie

Return with Honor (with a tutorial)

I made this today.
I had one million and twenty-three other things to do.
But I decided this had to be made.
(Does anyone else veer off their mandatory to-do lists for impulse crafting?)

Anyhoo, I saw one in the local Christian book store like, way over a year ago. It wasn't my style but I loved the idea. You hang it on the back of your front door.It's a subtle (or not so subtle reminder) every time you leave the house to remember your values.
I mostly wanted to make it for the kids, but it's really for everyone.
Because there are some days (ok, a lot of days) that I need the reminder!:)
If you want to make one I made you a quick tutorial.

I found the frame at the dollar store and the little picture is a wallet card that I've had forever.

I hope y'all have a great weekend.

xo

Chrissie

Footprints

One night I had a dream--I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints, one belonged to me and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before me,I looked back at the footprints in the sand.I noticed that many times along the path of my life,there was only one set of footprints.I also noticed that it happened at the very lowestand saddest times in my life. This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,you would walk with me all the way,but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my lifethere is only one set of footprints. "I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,you should leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,I love you and I would never, never leave youduring your times of trial and suffering. "When you saw only one set of footprints,it was then that I carried you."...Mary Stevenson

The Power of a Praying Parent

They are not perfect, but we are blessed with very healthy, happy, well-adjusted kiddos. They are even smart, funny, and adorable (okay, I may be a little biased...:) However, they are the apples of my eye!

But lately, I've been worrying about my kids. I see the world around me and I want it to be kind to my kids.

I've been worrying about how they will fare in this world. Worrying that they will grow into compassionate, productive adults. Worrying that they will learn to stand up for themselves and do the right things. I worry that everyone will see what I see in them. That they will enjoy themselves and work hard. That they will remain safe and healthy and cared for.

With five kids we have five different personalities. Every child needs something different. I worry that I don't give them all they need. I try, but I am human. I know I will inevitabley fail them in some way. My biggest prayer is that they always know that we are family, and know what unconditional love is. That they know that we will always be there for them. That they know they always have God on their side.

So to ease my mind and soften my heart, I have been reading The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. Sometimes my mind cannot conjure up the words I am feeling, but I can read some of these prayers and I feel like it has already been articulated for me. This book is divided up with prayers that are appropriate for all age levels, from infant to adult. One of my favorite prayers from the book is for parents:

I believe, I hope, I pray. I know we are doing our best. I am so grateful for everything we have.Does anyone else go through this? What do you do when parenting becomes a little overwhelming?

Prayers

I had a great day today, and I will share pictures and stories with you on Monday.

But first, tonite, a prayer request.
I don't know how I was led to this blog, but this woman lost her baby this week at 38 weeks.
My heart is broken for her. I know there are a lot of people out there right now in very difficult times, and my heart is broken for you all too.
I am so grateful for the health of my children, and I give thanks.
If you feel led to , please visit this woman's blog and say a prayer for her. Prayer helps...

Ok, have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you on Monday with some fun photos!:)

UPDATED:
This family needs prayer too. Their sweet little baby went to be with Jesus today...