Be Thankful

Some things I'm thankful for...

Iowa nature-There's so much beauty to be found in a sunset. And even a buck bounding across a field is fun to see.

Books- They deliver messages from a different time, different places and multiple perspectives. The book (the Bible) preserves and delivers the TRUTH, the most important message in life. 

The color purple-Gets me into an artsy mood. It's rich, deep, warm, and sophisticated.

Water-I'm am soooo thankful for clean tasteless water!

Songs that fit my life- Don't you love it when you can totally relatet to a song? If its a reason to celebrate the song lifts your spirits higher, helps you to be thankful etc. If its a tuff thing you are going through the song about it lets you know you aren't the only one that has been through something like that. 

Fluffy pooshy pillow- So comfy. :)

Parents who are loving and understanding- I love my Daddy and Mommy!

My church-We have great, godly examples to look up to in our church. I love the family of Christ!

How could I make this list without mentioning my sisters, and amazing friends. :) All of these things make my life so much better. I praise God for them all. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Dear deep-thinking and messy Brain,

You have spent enough time dabbling in nostalgic ideas. Seriously, brain you're only a little older than 16 years. Be patient. God already knows what your life will be like. Trust the God-who made you, and this designed world and everything in it-with your little tiny life. Don't be so self-concerned. Get a grip.

Your main goal MUST be to make much of your Creator. Now, why should that be a difficult thing Brain? It should seem like simple gratitude: to serve, love, and adore the God who saved your soul. How do people get through the simple everyday- and bigger events, without the ever-present comfort and peace of Jesus Christ?

Brain, you have some pretty crazy ideas; why can't you bring yourself to share your hope that is within your person? The God that holds your heart, when you think you're gonna throw up. The God who is the maker of every good and perfect gift. The God who is always a steady support-He never changes. It doesn't make sense, Brain. I think you're scared you won't know what to say; that you won't come up with the words.

Remember Brain? Moses thought the same thing-he wasn't good with words, and God wanted to use him, to deliver His messages to Pharaoh. He missed out on blessings. I am commanded to share the good news in all the world, and dear brain of mine, I require your cooperation. God sent His only Son-perfect, spotless, sinless-down to the earth, to pay for all of the sins of this corrupt and evil world; He died, was buried, and ROSE again the third day. He is alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father today. It's the story that's worth retelling, and rehearing over and over again. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah, there is more to life than your little dramatic spats, getting money, and living, dying-without a purpose-more than to live the American dream. A fun job, lovely house, creative clothes, and an amazing family of your own; are perfectly good things to want and have, as long as they don't steal God's spot (#1) in Heart. Alas there in-lies the problem: my Heart has rather failed at keeping God my first priority.

Yes, Heart, you may be a little lost with all of this conferencing with Brain... Don't worry about it. Cling to your Savior, He's the ultimate. Just do it. Be stubborn in your holding to Jesus. Be determined not to let yourself drift far from your Abba-Father. When you are in a tumultuous situation; He is capable of guiding you into a peaceful harbor.

Don't deceive Brain, Heart of mine. Who really can really know you. Brain sometimes tries to understand, but really, she doesn't understand the why's behind some your favorites, Heart. Brain is a curious sort, she wants to know what makes people tick, what some people know, and what people had for dinner that day. (Stomach may, or may not have had some input on that last one.) Brain hopes to understand someday, by God reveling to her some of the God-glorifying purposes to your self-propelled actions, or from some situations. For, I know, it's ALL for HIS glory; in the end.

So, Brain and Heart; I urge you to constantly think about your loving, caring Savior. Anytime, all the time. Oh? That's like an obsession, you say? Yes, yes it is. Your new goal is to be OBSESSED. Couldn't be that hard, you know how to obsess about other things. Because your person knows you a bit more than most, I'm gonna say it shall be difficult. But logically, it shouldn't be. So, pray, communicate with God often. And trust. Trust that He knows what He's doing with your small lives.

P.S. If at all possible, could you two get off the superman kick?

Sincerely,

Your person.

~Cally Faith

A book of Purple and Swirls

This has been one of my favorite means of doing art lately. Using an art journal requires no special skill or supplies; its a great versatile means of getting your thoughts and ideas recorded... It's really nice cause it doesn't have to be perfect (and it's definitely not). I could improve pages whenever I want to. :) Art journals can be used as a notebook, schedule/planner, doodle book, major scrapbook, photo "album..." basically anything you want! I actually am going to put the scraps like receipts and random findings in my purse on a page. Anything can be used, it makes your book really unique!

I guess I'll just tell the story of my art journal with the photos of the book. If you want to share any inspirations for a page please let me know! I could always use ideas.

I say just do it. You'll be glad you did. I think it's a lot of fun. It's good for short attention-spans, because it's not like you're striving to get everything coordinated, and FINISHED. The fun is the process of the making.

|inˈspīr|verb [ trans. ]1 fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative