FAITH~HOPE~LOVE~CREATE
Where a mixture of paint + love + real life collide = a creative messy life, with artist Meagan Boone.
Come join me on this journey of life, kids, home education, and creative classes. We are sure to have a great time. Go grab a cup of coffee or cup of hot tea and sit down awhile.
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
~~~~ January 2017~~~~
Hope this day finds everyone well, and joy-full. I will be posting some new and exciting ideas for my creative home-life and goals for my kids as I home school. Join me on this creative journey in life. It will be a place for you to sit and relax, grab a cup of your favorite coffee or tea, pen and paper... And join, me, as we travel down life together. Let's talk faith, art, homeschool life, your creative pursuits, and goals as a momma, wife, daughter, and friend. Be sure to check out some fun activities with your kids that I will be posting along with delicious recipes to try for your family...and creative ways to decorate.
Let me encourage you today as you face different obstacles and decisions, that God loves you and is just a prayer away. I know I struggle in this life to keep the joy of the Lord, remember I home- school 3 teenage boys, and it CAN be trying...I have to remember: God is with me, for me and not against me. God is for YOU, yes you, the person sitting behind the screen, reading this. It's not a mistake that you stumbled on, or chose to go to my blog. God the creator of the world, wants to encourage you, right where you are. A verse that I said, out loud this morning is..." This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV)
I don't have it all together, that's for sure, but I keep pursuing, the Lord, and let him change me from the inside out. So be encouraged today!
xoxox~~
Meagan@myjoyfulartstudio
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Happy May 1st Everyone
&
Bible Verse Doodle Challenge!
The good ole poem April Showers Bring May Flowers, has shown itself to be true again in the beautiful landscapes of Southern Indiana. We welcome May 1, as a day of celebrating Spring, the flowers popping up out of the ground, the grass turning a brilliant green, and the trees leafing. It's a beautiful sight to behold. It's a New Day. I am so thankful for new days. Aren't you? Everyday I wake up it's a blessing. New opportunities to live, love, laugh, and serve. As a wife and mother, and teacher to my kids, the days can be so long, and mundane. You know it's true, doing dishes, making meals, and laundry, which somehow never seems to get finished, it can get the best of me sometimes. I get worn down and simply exhausted. Do you?
And then in the midst of all the drama, and chaos of life, I have this merciful Father God in my life. He encourages me through the scripture and quiet time as I sit with him in the morning. I read my Bible, pray and doodle. He is my peace, He is my breath, He gives me Joy, He gives me Hope, He is the Savior of my soul, He is my everything.
#Bible Verse Doodle Challenge
So with that said, I want to encourage you to pick a verse in the Bible that is speaking to you or you are trying to memorize and write it out, whether it's doodling with pens, markers, watercolors, or colored pencils. Every day for the month of May, pick a verse and doodle. This is called #bibleversedoodlechallenge. Connect with me too on instagram! (meaganboone) Would love for you to post your work to me on my facebook page/ My Joyful Art Studio. Make sure to like my page and share your work! Either or I would love to hear from you.
My Word for the year is INTENTIONAL. So I want to live, love, create and bring glory to God in all I do. Be intentional, live on purpose, and mindful of others around me. Be Blessed. xo-Meagan
Greetings, from My Joyful Art Studio! Hope this day finds you well. I am doing much, much better! It's been a year since I posted and honestly had been worn down because of my pain level due to a torn hip laberal. Talk about fighting for my JOY!
Life can do that to a person especially when you are in pain 24 hours 7 days a week. I went through physical therapy for months to follow protocol of the insurance company and the doctors to rule things out or perhaps to give my body time to heal. After having x-rays, cortisone shots, physical therapy, and a misdiagnosis of bursitis, an MRI showed a minor tear. During surgery the doctor discovered the tear was worse than they thought. It took 4 sutures, plus they had to cut a muscle to release the tension over that area.
Ouch is right. Any who, I am post-surgery almost 5 months and doing very well. Still healing, still walking it out! I am walking with no limp too!!! Yay ME! (thank you Lord!)
In December I became a Mimi to a little girl, who I call Sunshine! She is a little darling. So I have two grand kids now. Can't believe I am old enough to be a Mimi. I flew by myself for the first time to Canada to meet her in late January, boy was it brutally cold. Had a great time with my son and his beautiful wife and grand kids.
Watercolors have been my favorite medium for the last 4-5 years. I started a little watercolor workshop at a local coffee shop in Corydon, Indiana called Kent Java Coffee Bar. I love their Caramel Latte-so delicious. If you are in town you should check the schedule and stop by and paint with me. Check out www.kentjavabar.com in Corydon, Indiana. Did you know that Corydon, Indiana was our states first capitol? Check out www.thisisindiana.org to find out more about this wonderful community.
Good things and good times are happening around here! Creating classes, teaching co-op and homeschooling the boys. I never, ever have a dull moment!
I am Scripture Writing this year too. I love reading my Bible and writing or ART journaling in the early morning before my boys wake up. My quiet time in the morning is my favorite part of the day. I call it, "Coffee with Jesus." It's in the quiet morning I get ready for the day ahead and feel so much better putting God first. It's in this time I am able to focus and know who gives me strength, and who gives joy for this journey in life. "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Joy is a state of mind and an orientation from the heart. Joy isn't just a smile or a laugh. Joy is something that is deep within. Joy is not the absence of suffering, Joy is the presence of God.
May you find Joy today in every area of your life.
I can't believe I haven't posted a word or a picture since March. March was here and gone, then April...completely was covered up with music lessons for my boys, and physical therapy for me, which I share a little about below. I didn't get to post a picture we did in our home school co-op class of, a bird holding an umbrella. It was really cute, and the kids just loved it. :( And now, May is just about to end. Has your life been so busy, that it has flown by too? What do you need to say NO, to? NO, is a powerful word. Ladies and Gentlemen, we can only do so much. I am learning, that I do have limitations, and so do you.
I need to remember to slow down and smell the flowers. I hope you will slow down too. The little things in life are really the big things in life, aren't they? I don't want to take a day, or a person for granted.
Just wanted to post a little face today. I used watercolors and a fine sharpie marker for the details on this little girl. Can't wait to sit down with my watercolors again. I need to finish a cat picture I started for a study I will be teaching this summer in my studio, on Laurel Burch.
Can't wait to share what has been going on and why I disappeared from blog land. For one thing, I had to start physical therapy for my hip, it's a long story, so I won't bore you with that. I walk with a limp because of a minor, I mean itty bitty tear in my hip. I am doing better, but had to slow down and remove some activities from my calendar. I will be posting classes for the month of June, within a day or two from now. Good things. Good memories create.
Wanted to take a moment and Thank all the courageous men and women and their families who have served our country. They fought for freedom, and loved this country enough to lay down their life for it. We remember you and honor you this Memorial Day Weekend and say "thank you" for serving our great country. May God Bless each and everyone of you, and may God Bless America.
Today we find ourselves snowed in a bit, and enjoying the comforts of home. Where are you at on this day? Are surfing the internet for new blogs, and pinterest pins? That's what I do on day's like this. We have it pretty laid back today. The boys had fun running around the house in shorts and no shirts or shoes this morning...10 inches or more of snow...that's my boys. They love to have fun and go on adventures.
I have been doodling on index cards recently, and thought they turned out cute. This one was done with a Gelly Roll pen. My husband and I are doing a study right now and having to write down our verses to memorize. Sometimes I can get carried away with it. :D
My art table is always a mess! How about yours? What are your favorite tips on keeping organized. Well honestly, I am just not organized in there at all. I know where everything is, but it drives me nuts that I can be so disorganized. I guess it's what I call an organized mess. (insert a giggle here) :D Anywho, I have been journaling here and there and even made my own stencils out of heavy watercolor paper.
I have on my site some supplies that I love! Hope you check it out. Going to leave you with a picture that I painted for a fund raiser. May you be blessed and know that God loves you greatly. Will be posting a video soon, and just a reminder my Hobby Lobby Mixed Media Class is scheduled for March 14th, 2015 in Clarksville, same time.
Busy, happy and blessed, I am, all of those wrapped up in one. My kids keep me on my toes. I seem to roll with the punches, as life happens, as school and music lessons fold out into one busy, happy, blessed life. I love my boys.
The Lord is always working on me...so glad he never gives up, aren't you? I find myself practicing His presence and wanting my kids to know how to practice the presence of God. I am way not perfect, nor do I have it all together. I am on a journey, just like you, to discover what God has for me, and my family. What is his perfect will for us? YES...I have lots of ideas, and dreams and things I want to accomplish....but I am waiting on His direction.
As far as the studio::::had some gals over who wanted to paint "Fields of Poppies"....We had a good time painting and chatting....This month I will be teaching a Mixed Media Poppy Inspirational artwork at Hobby Lobby. Can you join me? It's Feb. 21, in Clarksville, IN at 10:30 - 1:00...Supply list is available on my facebook page.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other fun things are always happening around here. Many art designs going on in between school time and life in general. Life is always happening. Just have to learn to roll with the punches...the distractions...and the boys and their wrestling extravaganza's that go on around here. There is never a dull moment.
Be sure to take time today and create something beautiful, even if it's messy...beauty comes from making a creative mess first! Have a blessed and joyful day.
May 17th I started a "100 Days of Change"...change as in drinking more water, making good choices in what I eat and how I spend my time. I have found change does not come easy. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit, so that means by the end of my 100 days, I should have many new healthy habits. One of my new habits is drinking more water. Crisp, clean, water, with sliced lemon...totally refreshing and totally good for you. Lemons have great benefits like,vitamin C, it helps the body fight off infections and is low in calories too.
Something else I am doing for me is consciously setting aside time to be creative in My Joyful Art Studio. I sneak away from all the other "stuff" like my "To Do List", and sit down with my paper and pen, my bible, a journaling book, my media of choice, which lately has been, watercolors and writing pen's and pencils This is a time for me to "be still'" write, think on paper, and dream, and pray.
I have been wanting to create "How To" video's for awhile now. One night this past week, I got an unction to create a video, so I Meagan, rigged it the best way I could...now that would be a sight to post...haha. But I won't for now. But, yes the video turned out okay. I will show it to you here:
I really enjoyed creating a journal page "off the cuff" so to speak. I didn't really plan on anything elaborate, it just happened. I know this is the first of many video's to come. So keep checking back to see what will be next.
Something else I love to do, and never thought I was very good at, was writing. I love to write. I've never been one, (so I thought) who had many words to share, and if I did, didn't know if anyone would want to read them. So out of boredom, maybe, I don't know how a wife, mom, artist, homeschooler, christian, busy momma could be bored, but I was, so I decided to create a BLOG. I had ideas to share, words to speak and write, and my faith in Jesus Christ to share. Yippee! I love it. I love to be able to go share with the world all that I am learning on my journey in life. There is so much to learn, the world to see, things to create and people who need to know that there really is a God who cares about us. There is a world out there that needs to know God's Not Dead, and that people like you and me, need a Savior, and can live and breath in this world, knowing God is with us and wants a relationship with you and me. I want to encourage people all over who love the Lord, and those who are seeking Him to be encouraged through my blogging site. Practicing the Presence of God, has changed my life. I recognize that He is with me everyday, whether it's me doing the dishes, and housework or teaching my boys, or creating in my studio, God is with me. I talk out loud to Him, saying things like,
"Lord I know you are with me..."
and thanking Him for my life and family...and sometimes, I say that out loud, and just feel Him near. My relationship with the Lord, is most important in my life. That is why I saved the BEST part for last.
Hope you enjoyed this blog, be looking for new video's and new creative ideas, and journaling techniques. I want God to be glorified in all that I do. I am on a journey with Him, won't you join me in Practicing His Presence?
Hello again. June is a month of business with family and friends gathering for fun and fellowship... It's a month to relax and regroup. I am actually re-grouping. I want to do something a little different on my blog and that's encourage you towards life changes that will truly help you to become the best YOU, you - can possibly be. Since May 17th, I started a 100 day of change for me. I have decided to drink more water, exercise, eat healthier, read the my Bible and memorize scripture, plus get some "Einstein Time" in the studio.
It's really about taking care of Body, Soul and Spirit. God made us into 3 parts. Therefore each part needs a different activity to help it function in the way God intended. Our body needs proper nutrition, rest and healthy choices of food to maintain our energy throughtout the day. We need creative time too. Whether it's creating through art, gardening, decorating, or your choice of creativity, you just feel better doing something you enjoy.
Exercising: I do have a confession to make. I hate to exercise. How about you? I do love to dance and was on a the drill team in school. With that said, the only exercise I have found to enjoy with my personality is Zumba. It's fun and fast and has a lot of upbeat Latino style music and even some of the instructors throw in upbeat christian music. Zumba is pretty popular these days and can be easily found in your area or local YMCA. There you go...some new changes going on around here...Don't forget to check back in and look for something new. Change is good, especially when it means we are going in the right direction. Have a Joy filled June! Meagan
Hey there friends, hope you are doing well. Life is so crazy busy, please slow down and breath...Yes, we all need to slow down, breath, smell the roses, and take in the sweet smell of honeysuckle growing in the fields and forests. Enjoy every little moment, because, they pass so quickly.
My oldest son and his wife will be having a baby soon, and it just seems like yesterday, I brought him home from the hospital. Zach and Sasha will make wonderful parents. We are very excited about a baby in our family. (mi-mi is doing a happy dance). I love this photo of them.
Well as you know Summer is just around the corner...June 21st is the beginning of Summer. For me June will be filled with tons of fun, art classes for kids, Ladies Journaling classes and more. Going to enjoy the busy, bustling summer extravaganza's we have going on as a family. My calendar is filling up with a wedding, a grandson's birth, art shows, and mini stay-cations here and there. Did I mention me and my sweetie will be celebrating 16 wonderful years together in June as well.
I have been one busy gal, planning summer classes, and art projects, and creating new ideas for the next school year. I love being on the go, and busy, and overloaded-haha, that is the only normal I know. But no matter how busy I become, I always make time for my Lord. He has blessed me in ways I could have never imagined. God constantly loves me and forgives me. I sure do fail. God knows, I am surrounded by 4 males! My boys and my husband have been the best thing to ever happen to me. Although they don't quite understand my pink ways, and that's okay. So I eat my chocolate, and sometimes have a good cry for no reason at all. Then I am fine! They seem a bit confused at my female behavior.
(I love these boys of mine!)
I tell my boys, this is just preparing you for what is to come, when you get married! (haha-They aren't impressed with my advice, since they are 14, 13 and 10 years old.) So, I will just "Keep on Keepin' On " in this journey with my Lord, and my blessed busy life as a wife, momma, artist, soon to be mi-mi, daughter, sister, friend, and daughter of the King.
~~~Have a Happy Summer~~~
Have a great summer and remember to check back here for updates on what's happening at My Joyful Art Studio. Just want you to know, Jesus loves you best.
I seriously can't believe it's the 18th of January. How has your new year gone so far? Hope it's been well. Time flies when you are having fun.
Today, was a great day with the kids in My Joyful Art Studio...I always love to hide away in there, especially, after I have cleaned up my creative messes...and able to find my supplies. It's my "woman cave" so to speak.
I have been taking online classes, and just loving the experience of meeting, and reading about different artists. I am a small town girl, living in a country setting, in Southern Indiana. Just me...laid back, and free-spirited so to speak, loving my days with the boys, and counting my blessings.
One artist imparticular that I have started following is Danielle Donaldson. I discovered her somehow on facebook and watching an interview she did with Jeanne Oliver, from www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com. She does amazing watercolor paintings and has inspired me to create some different style techniques in my journal that I am working on. She is a very talented woman. She wrote an article on her website about creative practicing...I believe she put into words the thoughts of many artists, and why we have been afraid to show our work for fear of someone copying it. Creative practicing to me, is important. I have taught for many years now, and when I first started it was with some ladies from church, who knew I was an artist. It was a step of faith, because, I really wanted to teach kids, but with their persuasion, I took the step. It was a success. Anyway, if it weren't for artists like, Bob Ross, and Dorothy Dent, I wouldn't have known really where to start. But start I did, I painted like theses artists. Then would gradually get my own ideas, from photographs I would take around the country side, and then put them on canvas, or sawblades, or anything that didn't move. I support Creative Practicing, and think it's wise, and honorable to pay it forward so to speak, so other artists, won't be afraid, to share their gifts and talents with the world.
I also teach a Master's Study for Kids...I love Wassily Kadinsky, and Claude Monet, and Paul Klee, the list could go on and on. However, as we study these artists, we are able to know them as a real person, and can practice their technique, until it becomes a part of us, then we are able to put forth our own personality and flare onto canvas. By experimenting with different colors, and technique we are able to discover our own style of painting. It may be that we discover we love the feel of the brush in our hand as it glides across the canvas with short brushstrokes like Claude Monet, or painting with "loud" colors of circles dashes or lines, like Wassily Kadinsky. However and whoever we study, and become an apprentice under, we are sure to add some form of charisma to our own style. Remember to check out Danielle's website...www.danielledonaldson.com. HUGE BLESSINGS to you and yours. Meagan Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Happy New Year Everybody!!! from ~~~ My Joyful Art Studio~~~
Greetings Friends, hope all is well with you this New Year! Our family has had a busy year, probably like yours, the up - the downs, the good, the bad and the ugly. I am thankful for all the lessons I have learned, the friends I have made, and continue to make. It has been a while since I posted last...I believe I was getting ready for my son to move home, he moved home...then he moved out...then he got married...it was an exciting year to say the least! Zach and Sasha just celebrated their 1st year of marriage in December and I found out in November I am going to be a "Me-me." aka "grammy"~ I am very excited about that. My son and his wife live in Canada for now. I hope to persuade them to come back to the states.
A new year brings about new beginnings, new ideas, new dreams, new clothes, new diet plans, and the list goes on and on. I am very thankful for the past year. It's been a good year, and a year of learning lessons. We are
always learning lessons, aren't we?
God has allowed me the privilege to speak at different events last year and to share the gift of art. It was an exciting, overwhelming year.
This year brings new beginnings for our family. Two of my boys will be going to a private school for the very first time...they are in 7th and 8th grade. We have home schooled all these years until January. As a home school momma, I am a bit nervous letting my little birds fly the coop, so to speak, but also know, it will be a good experience for them. I will have one boy at home with me. I had the privilege of teaching many art classes from My Joyful Art Studio to some wonderful children. They learned to paint like the Master's, Kadinsky, Monet, Van Gogh, and O'Keefe. They also learned how to make a Mixed Media Christmas tree, and many other projects over the summer and school year. It really was an exciting year.
I signed up to take a class with the wonderful Christy Tomlinson from scarletlime.com and Junelle Jacobson from www.yesandamenblog@blogspot.com this past year. They are two amazing artists. I am also really excited to be taking a class with Jeanne Oliver from www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com~~~I am one busy gal for sure. This class starts January 14th. I will be hosting a Mixed Media Art Class for Women on January 10th. We will be creating a piece of wall art for ourselves or to gift...
What are your plans and creative ideas for the NEW YEAR??? I would love to hear them. You can also connect with me on facebook at My Joyful Art Studio...Do you have a word for the year to focus on? What is it? Mine is "Enjoy." More to come on that...Enjoy...
love N prayers~~~Meagan
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1
Hi Friends-just wanted to post a real quick note. Hope all is well with everyone. We have been really busy around here at the Boone household: -Church camp with the boys -Preparing for my son Zach to move home -Preparing for art classes -And the typical duties of a housewife and momma. So joyful and thankful to God for his "aha" moments he has given me. Trying to live in the "moment," taking in everyone around me, and how God has created each person so differently. I love my peoples. (smiling right now) Yes Zach did get home and I am so thrilled!
Thankful that you have dropped by to see this post. Wanting to spread "SUNSHINE" around. Have a delightful week. Will be back soon to share what is going on.
" I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made," Psalm 139:14a More pictures to come!!! Joyfully- Meagan Boone
Greetings Ladies-Hope you will enjoy my journey in the workshop THE ART OF WILD ABANDONMENT...
I am so excited to a part of my very first BLOG HOP. I am sitting here writing during a thunderstorm in Southern Indiana. We have a metal roof and the rain is just pounding down on us right now. I do believe if this carries on, we will not be getting much sleep tonight!
The Home Schooled Radishes
I must say I have LOVED this class with Junelle Jacobsen and Christy Tomlinson So MUCH. It has opened my mind to sketch the darndest things...Radishes...REALEE...I laughed my booty off when I found out, we were going to be sketching radishes! I would take my sketch book, pencils and my water color crayons with me everywhere I would go, just in case I had a down moment that I could sneak a sketch. Oh yes, then, I'd be all giddy inside as I pulled out my baggy of radishes. My boys think I've lost my mind somewhere, as they would catch meLAUGHING for no apparent reason! I had no idea, that sketching radishes would become such a wonderful, rewarding, engaging...way of gathering my thoughts or ideas, and it started in the garden with a RADISH!!! This makes my heart H A P P Y....as I am swinging from the chandelier singing...hahaha, just kidding about the swinging from the chandalier...but you get the idea.
Hi Friends! Hope all is well with you in your neck of the woods. I am doing well in Southern Indiana. "Spring has finally sprung." Thrilled with some "happy" things going on in my life:
1. I am going to be a great-aunt. 2. My tutoring job is almost done, that means school is almost finished for us..3. I have taken an online art class called The Art of Wild Abandonment. It has been a"hoot"! It is with Junelle Jacobsen and Christy Tomlinson. These ladies are wonderful, funny, easy going, you just want to move in next door. You know what I mean?
Here is a photo of some work I created...thanks to Junelle Jacobsen ! I remember drawing owls as a little girl and just loved them. This was loads of fun and brought back such happy memories for me. Can you see the wings on some of these owls? They have extra water-color paper layered on them...love it.
Her and Christy together are such a team! I so recommend this class to all my friends out there. Christy Tomlinson has a blog too.. I found her one night as I was searching the web for mixed media art...She has a sight called scarletlime.com---I so love her store. I took a class from her as well, this past year. Truth be told, my oldest son moved to Texas, and being the mommy that I am, I missed him soooo. I decided to take Christy's class called, She Art. She is an adorable teacher as well. Here is a picture of me and Zach before he went off to China for 2 months with YWAM-Youth With A Mission ...in 2010.
Just love this kid and really proud of him.
Ready for some other news? Great, I thought you would be. I am getting ready to put some new items on my etsy store. You get a sneak peak here...it's a cute card made from an original painting I made. I left it blank on the inside so you can fill it in with your own encouraging words to a friend ...
*****GIVE AWAY*****
Here's the deal...I will be having a :GIVE AWAY for a set of 4 cards that are not even on etsy yet....just leave a comment and I will have a drawing on Friday the 13th of April!!! YES-that's right-A drawing on Friday the 13th!!! You guessed it, I am not superstitious, my anniversary is on June 13th! Feel free to leave a comment. Would love to hear from you or if you have any questions about my art journey, faith, friends or family....leave a message...please.
I am going to leave you with this verse,
Isaiah 41:10
"So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
God Bless You all - have a great week!!!! Remember leave a comment and be entered into my drawing on April 13th. If you haven't followed me yet, just click the button! Thanks.
Hi, folks-Thanks for dropping by my blog today...writing this late tonight, since I haven't been blogging for awhile. A lot has happened since I blogged last. A dear friend of our's passed away. It's been really difficult. He left behind a beautiful wife, a daughter and a son. Travis is the father of my boy's best friend Eli. We don't understand why things happen the way they do sometime's. Life is hard. But like I say God is good. We don't have to have all the answers on this side of heaven and even if we did, it probably wouldn't satisfy us anyway...we are human. Sometimes knowing the answer is still not good enough-do you know what I mean? Am I the only one who feels that way? {sigh}
Anyway---
I did this mixed media art in the summer and so I thought I would post it. The title is : Thank you Lord for all you've done..." I am so thankful for my friends and family.
Friday, March 2, 2012 Southern Indiana towns of Pekin, Borden, Henryville, were hit by a tornado. Lives were lost. Henryville, was destroyed...the miracle was that more lives were not lost-the tornado was an F4, really big one! So please be praying for these folks as so many have lost their homes, others their family members. So, so sad. Such devastation so close, I want to help somehow...prayer, giving, volunteering...maybe cooking some food and serving it to the folks there. My heart goes out to them. My niece and her husband live in Henryville, behind the gas station that was demolished. Remarkably their apartment was spared, it had minimal damage, but everything around them was destroyed. I am thankful that they are doing great. (They have a baby girl on the way, YES, I am going to be a GREAT auntie...I told her I always knew I was a great aunt!) On a serious note though, so many lives were changed forever in this damaging storm. So, please pray for these folks.
In times of tragedy and grief-it is hard to be thankful. In our humanness, it's easier to be angry, ask questions, rationalize...I know God understands where I am at this very moment in my life. I know God is with me. I have prayed so hard these last few months for my friend and his family...and don't understand. But I still pray, and I still look up, I still seek the face of God. And that my friend is where I am at. I still have a thankful heart even when things don't make sense to me. I just keep trusting and look for ways to be positive. I take baby steps forward. These are things I ask myself...
So-how does one stay *POSITIVE* at a time like this? I believe the key is having a thankful heart. The Bible says in I Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV) REALLY? yep, that's what it says. It didn't say when "ya feel like it," or "only in the good times," or "when everything is going hunky dorey." We are to give God thanks is every circumstance. In the messiest of life, we are to still give thanks. I know there is a reason for giving thanks, I believe it shows our trust in God-through the good, the bad and the ugly. We trust in God anyway. We hold on to our faith and belief in him, even when life makes no sense, and our insides are wanting to scream out, "Why God, Why?" I am so THANKFUL God loves me, in spite of myself, even when I've been mad at him, even when I question him. He is still faithful and understands my humanness. I am thankful God has never given up on me. Although things around me do not make sense, I choose to trust in God anyway. I pray you will do the same. I hope you will count your blessings, be thankful for a new day, every day we are given, that it will be brighter for you than the day before.
Seeking to glorify God in all I do. Be encouraged, we are all walking through something, some harder than others, remember to love people anyway. Love-love, feel the love!
Hey there friends, hope this finds you fine. That is fine as a "frog hair split 3 ways"! haha That must be really fine, because, honestly, I've never seen a hair on a frog, then alone split 3 ways!!! I amuse myself sometimes. (Laughing out loud right now!!) Where did I come from? (laughing right now.) I like to laugh. I like to laugh at my silliness, my boys, a good, clean comedy...my hubby. Life is to hard at times, and we have to lighten up, laugh, giggle, and have tickle times with the kids. That is my remedy for a crazeee day...tickle time. That helps around here.
ANYWAY- I wanted to share some good things right here. Last week or so, I shared my art room with you. Well, last weekend my hubby went off to see a desk we might want, I told him just bring it home, not knowing what it looked like. WELL, to my surprise, it was P E R F E C T for my art room...I was sooooo, blessed to get this desk, that I immediately started working on my once cluttered table...Did I say the desk was FREE? What a blessing it is to me...God has amazing ways to just say, be blessed wonderful one. (big SMILE here)-
I certainly feel blessed.
Well, thanks to a really neat artist, I have come up with ONE word for me to focus on all year...Thank you Junelle Jacobson from www.yesandamen@blogspot.com--- My word for the year has been GRACE. I did a little sketch one day depicting Grace...God's Grace over my home...representing my family, my cares and concerns. Grace is God's unmerited favor and kindness to the world, to me and you...it's very personal. God is a one on one kind of God. He likes to hang out with us, doing the things we like doing, whether it's cooking for our family, matching socks, washing dishes, or dirty faces or creating art. God wants to be right there with us. Hanging out. He is always with us, anyway, so why not, acknowledge the fact that He is? I have come to realize as an adult, just how much God has always been with me. I got saved/born again when I was 8 years old at a Baptist Church in New Castle, IN...my grandparents help to get started. My walk has not been easy. But through all my hard times, I have to come to realize Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, loves me, died for me, rose again, so I can be with him someday in eternity...it's my reality. I serve a risen Savior. Jesus Christ is my reality, every single day. Am I perfect---NO WAY, I fall, then get up...and He is always faithful to forgive me. * I John 1:9* I have so much to share-my TRUTH. JESUS. I just want to please Him in all I do, in all I create.
My prayer is that I would act in a gracious manner towards those that God put's in my life. That I would love them unconditionally, and think gracious-kind thoughts, and serve others with grace. Whew! And Serve those in my home with a good/gracious attitude. I can sometimes get on a pity-party. (o, whoa is me...hahaha) This isn't easy, being the only FEMALE in the home, but, my boys are good to help the momma...and Daddy Boone, does wash the dishes after dinner sometimes. (Which I am so thankful for.---and no, I don't have a dishwasher...hahah). Moving forward as always.
I am excited to share some new art that I will be posting on my etsy account soon. It's one-of-a-kind paper made by me.
And a 6" x 6" primitive painting I did the other night...
I love all kinds of art...My kitchen is done in Primitive Art. This is I think 1 1/2" thick stretched canvas...My art teacher in college always said, "Paint large-Meagan! I wanna see it BIGGER!" I guess I never learn! ha...anyway. Just love this little piece of art work. Well Gotta Go-fold the towels, figure out supper and the list continues! Have a FANTASTIC FRIDAY!!!! Look forward to sharing again with you soon. Love, love!
