You are more loved than you know

Just a quick post, as I am reflecting on my love relationship with Jesus. Tonight I would like to make one point for you all. This relationship with Jesus is THE most important relationship in all of my life, all of every single persons life. It isn't something to joke about, take for granted, or ignore because....well.... you just don't feel  like it right now.  It is life or death.  Jesus gave His absolute ALL to be in a love relationship with you. He simply wants to do life with you. 

Oh, I understand if you feel the weight of your past choices seem too unbearable to face but try TRUST.  Just give it a try. Open up your heart and ask Jesus to reveal himself to you. Trust him with your heart. Trust Him to reveal His heart FOR YOU! Anything you believe keeps you separated from Him is a lie. There is nothing that keeps you from Him except for doubt.  You can face him. There is NOTHING you have ever done that can keep Him from being head over heels in LOVE with you!  It is an amazing, all consuming love.

He gets it... we mess up. We will always and forever mess up. It is our messing up that is the foundation of our relationship with him in the first place. Our mistakes are what leave us deeply needing to invite Him into our lives.  It is the very thing that leaves us AMAZED at His deep love for us. Be vulnerable and let Him meet you right where you are! He is just waiting to show you the depth of His incredible love for you! Don't wait a second longer.

I loved the quote above and the excerpt below from an article written above by Timothy Keller. See if it speaks to you as well. 

" The gospel is the good news of gracious acceptance. Jesus lived the life we should live. He also paid the penalty we owe for the rebellious life we do live. He did this in our place (Isaiah 53:4-10; 2 Cor 5:21; Mark 10:45). We are not reconciled to God through our efforts and record, as in all other religions, but through his efforts and record. Christians who trust in Christ for their acceptance with God, rather than in their own moral character, commitment, or performance, are simul iustus et peccator- simultaneously sinful yet accepted. We are more flawed and sinful than we ever dared believe, yet we are more loved and accepted than we ever dared hope at the same time."

-Simply Sublime

Sometimes it Starts with Believing You CAN, You WILL, You ARE!

So, ya, this is my DOG. Judge not! He is the most quirky and smart animal we have possibly ever owned. Now, why would you question that at this point?

When GMA introduced the concept of Designer Dogs on their morning show, my daughter Madison quickly squealed... "I want one."  "Oh, those Puggles are SOOOOOOOO cute!!!". One homeschool dog report later and we were buying this little/big pup for our daughters birthday.

He was SO adorable. {If you want to read more about Barkley, here is a post from awhile ago.}

Seriously, wasn't he the cutest? Yeah, I have no idea what happened. Somehow his ears quit growing and everything else widened. Now that I think about it.... this story seems similar to my own. Haha. Wuh....what happened?

This dog pays no attention to what he CAN do - or even what he SHOULD do. He, unlike most dogs, really couldn't give a rip about if we agree with him or not. We call him STUBBORN - if he were to speak English he would probably say, he is his own dog. He sees something he can do and he does it. He believes he can and therefore he will find a way. Ex: Pillow photo above. There is no way in creation he could fit his entirety on that pillow... and yet he found a way to stretch that toe just far enough to believe the average-sized pillow actually cradled the complete immensity of his stout form..and he rested in that. AND he rested quite well in that, for quite some time.

{Source: Pinterest}

Couldn't we all learn something from that? I mean, I seriously doubt he thought about what he looked like to everyone else when he plopped his hiney {almost} on that pillow. He knew what he wanted and he went for it, despite the odds. He may not have completely arrived and landed at his full destination, yet his efforts left him much closer in proximity from where he had started. He believed, he tried and he rested in that. 

Don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly believe we need to fall under the authority of our Master, Jesus Christ. I believe we do this by being in a relationship with him. We listen, talk, learn and study Him. I also believe that we spend WAY too much time doubting our abilities, due to the fact we are looking through our "others" glasses. A simple way of putting that... We worry so much about what others will think of us that it hinders us from trying. Just try. It may not end up exactly how you pictured it, but still...try.

So start your day by asking God to give you a Barkley Size Dream... okay, maybe not. (Yeah, that was pretty much ridiculous) Ask for bigger vision, bigger belief, more God-sized confidence. Less looking around and more looking up.

God has so much to say to you - You ARE beautiful, smart and able. You CAN do all things in Christ who strengthens you. Don't ever forget it! 

AND yes... the absolutely terrific news is... you will never look as SILLY as Barkley does in that pillow photo, no matter what you try.

-Simply Sublime

Turn down the VOLUME! How loud is your negative self talk?

Recently I was invited into a pretty interesting circumstance. Had there been a formal invitation explaining the details surrounding this event I am most certain I would have declined the invitation. However, this one just happened to sneak up and present itself in the midst of what seemed to be a lighthearted and fun gathering. 

Usually I wouldn't even blog about this as the person involved will have no doubt what and who I am referring to. Out of love and respect for them I am not going to go into any details. I do feel that I learned some great things in the process of being involved though, so this is what makes it post worthy. AND afterall - this blog is about the redemption of all things - bad to good, worthless to meaningful. Why not redeem an unforeseen painful circumstance. 

It happened so quickly. It was as if something in the atmosphere had changed,  was there a gas leak contaminating the air? Had our dinner been laced? It was so strange. One minute we were laughing and talking and the next we took a fierce dive into the pit of accusations and anger. I sat stunned and numb... which was probably a VERY good thing. Typically, I am quick with the tongue and not so kind when my character feels threatened. This time was different. Something had me sitting there listening and asking questions. I wasn't easily angered, I wasn't dishing back the generous helping of what I was receiving. 

I remember a moment where some pretty hurtful words were coming at me. In fact it seemed almost as if the enemy of my soul was hitting me anywhere he could... adopting our Son, working in Africa, loving my family, not being smart enough or informed enough to have a right to an opinion and much more. The VERY arrows the enemy had used in the past to mess with my mind and disable my belief in my abilities were shooting at me again. The difference this time was instead of just running through my head they were actually verbally hitting me by someone I loved. 

I think this was a VERY defining moment for me. God showed me what was happening... my long list of inner negative self talk had come to life in the form of harmful words directed to my soul. I can't explain the why behind the words being unleashed, that is not mine to understand or even to ponder on. (Although, I must admit, I do have to stop myself from trying to figure it out) I do know the minute these began to come at me I could hear them and know without a doubt that they held no truth. NONE! I didn't have to get emotional, angry or respond with the ugly - because they had no hold on me. I simply just kept hearing God tell me "Nope, not yours to take." with every accusation. I remember sitting there almost in awe... God was creating something new in me. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinth. 5:17

What once would have unleashed the complete UGLY in me this time around left me feeling comforted and closer to the God who loves me despite my weaknesses. I am not saying I was the perfect gem in all of it. I am sure that there were a few comments here and there that probably didn't need to be said in the moment, I wasn't completely quiet. I was, however, able and equipped to speak up in truth. 

After several hours of this conversation doing nothing but creating more strain it was time to walk away. It wasn't resolved, there was no reconciliation, no apology, no act of love in the end. I went away to meet with my best friend. I got to my room and asked Him, Abba Father, to reveal whatever he needed to reveal to me about myself. I knew there were things to be learned out of this. I am a BIG believer that in the painful, uncomfortable situations God brings about AMAZING growth and REVELATION. Frequently it is in the toughest times that our stubborn feet and hearts get forced into a new direction.

"Frequently it is in the toughest times that our stubborn feet and hearts get forced into a new direction."

So, as I sat there literally crying to God and feeling sorry for myself, he reminded me that I was love-worthy. That I was growing, reacting differently and believing more about who He had created me to be. The past years of  negative self talk conversations in my head had been diffused. I could see his truth and believe it. I know the enemy had a plan in this - he wanted to take me out. However, I know the ONE who is greater, and he ALWAYS has a greater, more loving plan.

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."Gen. 50:20 

Someday maybe there will be a complete happy ending to the story. For now some of it remains unresolved. I have to trust God knows the why behind it & there is something in it for me to learn. In the mean time I will rejoice that the truth of His word is renewing my mind and taking root. I won't forever be who I have been, I am a new creation in Christ. I will not let my mind spin on destructive thoughts that bind me from truly living free.

That is why I really liked the Vincent Van Gogh quote I posted at the top. If you hear a voice telling you that you can't...JUST TRY! Don't be bound up in doubt - just TRY! Move forward. Be positive. It is pretty amazing how the act of doing dissolves the doubt.

I want you to know I am really feeling called to pray for anyone struggling with this inner negative self talk. Tonight I am praying for whoever will read this. I cannot encourage you enough to really get to know the ONE who loves you, He has so much to tell you about how lovely you are!

-Simply Sublime

Colored Christmas Chalk Art Greetings

It has been a bit wack-a-doodle around here lately. It is strange because it seems calm in some ways, yet crunched for time in others. For instance we have had our tree up for over a week now... but no lights or ornaments on it yet. Why you may ask? Well, our lights are in a state of chaos and rather then spend 14+ hours pulling random lights from 7 strings to make up 1 working string, I am thinking a trip to the store may be easier and cheaper in the long run.

As for the ornaments - our home has an additional family staying with us and their ornaments are packed away in storage. So we are thinking in order to make a community family tree we could all make handmade ornaments for the tree this year. Ahhh, now you are getting the crunched for time comment, am I right?

I know it will all work out beautifully in the end. The process of getting to the end is what has me a wee bit puzzled. For some reason I am drawing a complete blank on where to start.  Maybe I should hop on over to Pinterest for some Ornament Inspiration.

 We have little hands just waiting to whip up some lovelies to bestow beauty upon our blank canvas of evergreen. Bring on the boughs!

I will make sure to post pics of our work in progress as we go. 

-Simply Sublime

You are His BELOVED - You have CAPTURED His HEART

How often do you listen to God? Are you afraid of what He is thinking about you -or- what He will say to you if you should choose to listen? Did you know He is constantly speaking to you? He thinks you are precious. You are the apple of His eye. His treasured child who he looks at with love and admiration. He simply can't ever get enough of you! 

Do you get that? If you have a false belief of who God is (Which most of us do or have had) it can be difficult to fully receive how it is He feels about us. After all, we mess up like...EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! 

He gets it though - He knows we are learning and he wants to walk beside us, encourage us, and love us through the chapters of our life story. He wants his name right beside ours on every single page. He isn't critical, negative or condemning - He is in fact just the opposite. He jumps for joy over us! We are his most treasured prize. 

How can He stand the mess-up's that we are you ask? Ponder on this...when He looks at us He sees us through the filter of Jesus, completely forgiven of sin. Isn't that amazingly good news? He already solved the problem of all that could make us look unattractive to Him. Now through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on our behalf, He can look at us and truly delight in us. 

You are His BELOVED. You have CAPTURED His HEART!!!

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. -Zeph. 3:17

-Simply Sublime

God is Reigning over your STORY with Wisdom, Power & Love: Quote Art

A couple of weeks ago I went to a retreat with some girlfriends. It was  three amazing days full of refreshment, learning and hard work. Our days and nights were filled with an abundance of laughter, and honestly quite a few tears. 

We dug back into the history of who we once were, you know that little girl that was carefree, creative and fun -  what we have since experienced through the good and bad in our growing up years and where we have arrived so far in response to our life experiences. I believe all who were attending were hit with many "OUCH" and "AHHHH" moments as the days went on. 

One of the beautiful treasures that continued to surface throughout the weekend was the fact that every single chapter of our lives: whether we were an innocent little girl, a rebellious teen,  a victim of abuse, or had a stable childhood, whether it was full of brokenness & shattered dreams or we felt secure... God was the one holding the pen. He is and has always been REIGNING over our life stories and he does this in WISDOM, POWER & LOVE. When you can look back and picture him with you throughout your story it brings a sense of security to the future. We are not alone. We will NEVER BE alone. No matter what happens, God is with us and for us. 

This really helps me to feel at peace - to relax and rest in Him. I have a loving Father who adores and cherishes me. He is reigning over my life story in Wisdom, Power & Love and He has great things planned for me. I can trust Him! I LOVE Him!

-Simply Sublime!

Dear friends who live in far off lands: New Quote Art

This evening my youngest girlie girl and I had a date night at home while the boys enjoyed a fun night out of bowling. As we snuggled up in the living room we ate dinner and watched quite a collection of movies; Unconditional, The First Grader & now, Far and Away.

From children in need in the U.S., people standing up for what they believe in Kenya, or Immigrants leaving one land and heading to another in hopes of living out their dreams - these movies all left me thinking of  my rich collection of friends around the globe. The majority of my friends are spending their lifetimes working hard at reaching out in love to those who are struggling- loving to make a difference. A high percentage of them are working with discarded children to help rise up a new generation of leaders who are grounded in the Word of God. I so ADMIRE them, I LOVE them deeply and I LONG to just sit and chat with them over a cup of tea, sharing stories. Oh, how my heart misses them.

 Tonight I am reminded once again about God's incredible way of weaving lives together with his rich threads of love, where physical distance separates but heartstrings bind.
                                                                       
                                                  -Simply Sublime

Retreat Treats 101: Framed Love Quote Designs DIY Project

Oh, how I LOVE me a good retreat!!! I love taking time away from the hustle & bustle to refresh, renew and re-focus. One of my favorite things in the WORLD is to help create these fantabulous and much needed getaways. Give me a day or a weekend and I start dreaming of themes, conversations to be had, decor to doll it up, goodie bags to bless. 

Budget can be one of the biggest road blocks in the move from dreaming it up to pulling it off. The smallest of trinkets or party decor can end up blowing a hole in your budget in no time flat. At this point disappointment and discouragement can begin to settle in dashing all of your previous hopes for an amazing event. Don't you fret.... I have a couple of great ideas to share with you. 

Let's get this ball rollin' with Framed Quote Art. 

The Quote Art I am sharing in this post came from a recent retreat we had focused on what it looks like to... 

I have an entire post coming soon that will be wrapped around the theme of this retreat. For now let's focus on one of my FAVORITE elements to add in: fun Quote Art focused around the retreat theme. The reason I really love this idea is it packs a punch that reaches beyond the event. The framed art is multi-purpose which really gives you a bang for your buck...literally. 

• 1. They beautify in any location, no matter the style of the venue.
• 2. They encourage more thought or conversation on the topic being taught
• 3.They are great give-aways for participants to take home
• Once brought home they are great reminders of the message & the special times shared.

You can find quite a few chalkboard background freebies out in web-land, along with free fonts and design elements (swirls, doodles, etc). You may even find some royalty-free graphics with quotes or verses that are already to go. To really keep the cost down I decided to keep the designs I was creating at either a  5x7 in overall size or 4x6 because I knew printing and frames would be cheaper.

Once I had a good variety of designs I was ready for the next step which is converting them into a .jpg image that can be easily uploaded and printed at a photo developing establishment.

I have a favorite 24 hour neighborhood drugstore with a photo developing section that typically will whip out whatever I send them within an hour or two. I uploaded my .jpg designs on their website as I would any digital photos I would have printed, selected the sizes I wanted them, along with how many copies and VOILA! Super-peasey-easy.

Next step would be to find cheap-o frames that were cute, wouldn't take away from the graphics and had a glass front, not plastic. Check dollar stores or inexpensive box stores - the other option would be to think ahead and go hit some garage sales.

For these designs I was on the hunt for the simplest of frames. I am a believer if you have a lot going on in the graphic design / art then the frame should be next to nothing as far as design. In that case the frame should put the spotlight on the artwork it beholds. If you have an artful, detailed frame let the art contained by it be simple and highlight the frame. It is like a good make-up artist will tell you - choose your focus - pop your eyes or your lips with intense color - not both or it is overdone. 

As you can see these designs are pretty busy or text heavy...yep, keeping the frame simple is a must.

Our retreat was located in a log cabin up on a mountain by a river. Yes, it is okay to be jealous... it was GORGEOUS! The beautiful sunshine greeted us with a warm welcome and lit up the - oh, okay it is hard to call this place a cabin, it was more like a lodge or house.  Our nature rich surroundings were a reminder to us that God loves us, that his creation is something beautiful for us to behold, find rest in and praise him for.

The framed art was placed in different locations throughout the home with flowers and candles to create cute little groupings that would attract the eye and warm the space. 

The total cost for each of these was between $1.20 to $2.49. Yowza! I also had extra 4x6 prints made up @.19 cents a piece that they could grab n' go with to frame for themselves or switch out if they were in love with one that was already taken - and extras were taken. 

It was such an inexpensive idea that added a substantial punch to the party! We ALL know a good retreat has a party atmosphere at some point in the weekend, am I right? 

I have more Retreat Treats 101 ideas coming over the next few days. Hope you enjoy!

-Simply Sublime

How do you LOVE? Who deserves it?

This is my eldest girly-girl, Elissa. Well, she is my eldest child regardless of gender actually. She was the unexpected, life changing, help me grow up quick, I am going to be a Momma, surprise when I was at the ripe old age of 19. I should note here about how I matured incredibly to the age of 20 in the 9 months I was prego with her. 

{Source: Pinterest}

The early years were not easy on either one of us. I got married after I found out I was pregnant because that is what you are supposed to do, right? Despite the well-intention of the people in my life this was a very BAD idea. The relationship I had with her Father was toxic, unhealthy and after a windy, spinning, explosive 6 months married Baby Elissa and I  were left alone. 

The dreaded moment I had always feared officially arrived... "What would PEOPLE think?" was on our doorstep and ringing the doorbell.  Do you know who I was  worried about? Who it was I was most concerned would have negative thoughts about me, look down on me? The people I grew up going to church with. Hmmm, interesting eh? (Nope - not Canadian, I just like saying it) 

Why is that? Why when we make mistakes or end up in hard times do we first fear those who claim to have Jesus Christ as their Savior? What Jesus stood on this earth for is the very thing we are needing extended to us in those moments and yet we fear the hearts of those who love Him. We fear they will reject us, judge us, distance themselves from us or simply just be done with us. We are afraid we are no longer GOOD ENOUGH.

{Source: Pinterest}

At that moment of abandonment, almost 25 years ago, was it my overactive imagination at that time that made me believe I would be judged? Was it insecurity?  Is it possible the enemy wanted to make me believe I did not have the Body of Christ that I was connected to?

Could it be that because I was raised in the church I felt there would be no grace for me not "knowing BETTER?" Honestly, I think that was it. I was a Christ follower. I had parents who were leaders in the church. I knew right from wrong....so why did I choose WRONG? It was on me - all me. I made the decision and therefore I deserved the disastrous outcome. I had it coming.

I had absolutely no doubt these same people I was concerned about would be spreading their arms wide open for those messing up who did not know Jesus yet. They would also have a ton of grace and love for those that were victims to someone else's sin. Somehow my situation seemed different. Again it came back to my choices led to my outcome. My belief was there is no grace for that, because I had asked for it. 

Here is what I believed their thoughts for me were: If only I had listened to those who had been speaking into my life. If only I had watched the example of others. If only I had been in the word more, prayed more. If only I had a better understanding of how much God valued me. If only I had waited until I was older. If only I had been ready.  IF ONLY....

IF ONLY I had ...

I would...

I have to say I had a person in my life who represented Jesus to me through it all. If I only had broken pieces to bring - she offered me her WHOLE love and the hope of Jesus. If I only had enough strength to barely walk in the door she offered her loving arms around me to help me make the journey. If I only had messed up ideas on how to proceed from that point on? Catch this... she did NOT always give me the answer that she thought was right for me... she would grab my hands and offer words up to Jesus to help me decide. She believed Jesus was BIG enough to speak to me and she believed in me enough (despite my messes) to believe I would listen and try to follow.  If what I had to bring was a mess - she loved me despite of it - possibly because of it. She was a safe place where I knew I was unconditionally loved. She reminded me that Jesus was the answer - no condemnation. Just come - COME to Jesus.

{Source:Pinterest}

A part of me would like to say that her example of Jesus love in my life changed my sin pattern and my messed up decision making forever. But it didn't. What it did was show me that the act of love is far greater than words. She taught me to love people despite where they have been or where they are headed. To love people despite of their situation, even if it was their choice. I would go so far as to say ESPECIALLY because it was their choice. 

It is time we believe to the depth of our core that JESUS is enough. It is time we act it out. We are to LOVE WHOLEheartedly - we are to love EVERYONE. 

PSALM 103 

^1-2 O my soul, bless God.
    From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name!
O my soul, bless God,
    don’t forget a single blessing!

^3-5 He forgives your sins—every one.
    He heals your diseases—every one.
    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.

^6-18 God makes everything come out right;
    he puts victims back on their feet.
He showed Moses how he went about his work,
    opened up his plans to all Israel.
God is sheer mercy and grace;
    not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
    nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
    nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth,
    so strong is his love to those who fear him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset,
    he has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children,
    God feels for those who fear him.
He knows us inside and out,
    keeps in mind that we’re made of mud.
Men and women don’t live very long;
    like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,
But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly,
    leaving nothing to show they were here.
God’s love, though, is ever and always,
    eternally present to all who fear him,
Making everything right for them and their children
    as they follow his Covenant ways
    and remember to do whatever he said.

^19-22 God has set his throne in heaven;
    he rules over us all. He’s the King!
So bless God, you angels,
    ready and able to fly at his bidding,
    quick to hear and do what he says.
Bless God, all you armies of angels,
    alert to respond to whatever he wills.
Bless God, all creatures, wherever you are—
    everything and everyone made by God.

And you, O my soul, bless God!

-Simply Sublime

American Culture: Sometimes funny isn't funny.

Recently our small group started a new Bible Study series by Kelly Minter. It is part of her Living Room Series on Nehemiah. GREAT study so far. Only in as far as week 2 in the video (which means one week of homework) and I am already getting shaken up a bit. 

Last night as we watched the video Kelly began talking about feeling convicted on what she watched as far as movies and tv shows. Her thinking had been something like, "Yeah, it is inapporopriate, but it is FUNNY!" When all of a sudden it hit her... If Jesus had to die for it, it isn't funny. 

If Jesus had to die for it, it isn't funny AT ALL!

Typically I am pretty good with music choice. In fact my heart has changed SO MUCH on this that listening to secular music doesn't even do much for me at all anymore. Somehow my mind and heart are not satisfied listening to empty words.... I want to fill them to the fullest with great words that help me remember who God is and what God accomplishes. Now, please do not get me wrong. I am not saying there isn't great secular music out there - I am just saying I no longer enjoy very much of it. ( ...and that doesn't make me more religious or spiritual either.)

TV and Movies...well, I am a lot better than I used to be. (Gee, that sounds like me trying to excuse myself, doesn't it?) I am a FAR CRY from what I used to be - but I still have a long ways to go. In fact, being completely honest, I have been struggling recently with a show that I REALLY like - but it has these scenes in it that always involve two people... ya know what I am talking about here. It is a prime time show so nothing bare but the scenes are still quite involved. Nothing I need to be exposing my brain and heart to for sure. 

I am SHOCKED by how many people are promoting shows that are FULL of garbage though. It is like our minds have been so saturated by inapporopriate that unless it is "R" rated or  "Explicit" it's seen as if it is only mild. No harm really, just lightly off. I want to scream UNTRUTH!!!! UNTRUTH!!!!

Every little part we subject our minds and hearts to are stealing from us. They take us bit by bit into a state of complacency. We become numb to the effect this has on our thinking, all the way to our actions.

From the recent 50 Shades book targeted towards women (which isn't funny but many women sure seem to find it worth the read), to the High School / College Movies filled with GROSS-NESS - we need to say...

 ENOUGH is ENOUGH

Let's start wrapping our brain around what God revealed to Kelly. If Jesus had to die for it, it is not funny. There is absolutely NOTHING funny about Jesus on the cross. In fact when I pictured this I had two scenes flash in front of me... one watching a grossly shocking humor scene and laughing out loud... then pops up the Passion of the Christ graphic portrayal of Jesus being whipped and shredded by metal shards. Flesh ripping off of him... every whip and pull representing each person finding humor in a scene representing an act of sin. It sucks the laugh right out of me. Crude, inappropriate, whatever it is... if it represents something Jesus had to die on the cross for. IT IS NOT FUNNY.

There is A LOT to laugh about, there is a lot to find JOY in. There is GOOD. There is GREAT. Let's fix our minds and hearts on that! 

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes" -Deut. 11:18

-Simply Sublime

When Opportunity Knocks Quote

Thoughts on my brain... decided to make them into art. 

More Chalkboard Art Quote: Kind Words & Love in Action

The newest creation and my favorite so far: {Probably because I ADORE Mother Teresa} 

Here is another one I made up yesterday. This one was inspired by a friend's facebook quote they posted. I LOVE the message! Would be a great daily reminder to actually

<------ live.it.out------="">

Chalkboard Quote Art Design: Our hearts belong to Him

Here I am...it is almost 2:00am and I am NOT tired at all. I will spare you the details but... the last two days have been full of twists and turns due to a horrid stomach flu. My days are nights - my nights are days...oh I don't know what is what. It is dark outside and it feels like daylight. My brain finally feels like it can accomplish something and I am EAGER to put my creativity to use. So what to do??? 

Well, I have been seeing a lot of chalkboard art and fun quotes around the last few weeks. In fact just last week I found one I really wanted to purchase for my kitchen. Then I thought to myself...

"Kim, you're an artsy graphics person. You have a history of designing corporate logos, commercial and electric sign designs, and graphics. You can do it yourself!" (Sometimes I honestly have to remind myself I am able... does anyone else feel they sometimes forget what they are capable of in the mommy-ing years? So this little self-chat I had with myself actually helped kick me into action)

Here is what I have come up with so far. I have a couple more in the making. I only want to use one in my house - so I am trying to come up with the PERFECT one. Maybe I will let you vote to help me decide. 

So keep checkin' back!

-Simply Sublime