Overflowing Joy

I'm sitting here looking at my computer screen trying to figure out just how to explain all this. I can't quite seem to fit into words the way that I'm feeling. Anyone that knows me can tell you rarely am I at a loss for words, I usually have too many words. However this is a different kind of thing because I'm trying to describe my feelings and emotions and love for Someone that cannot be described or summarized into words. I have this, 'trying to fit a size 16 body into a size 12 pair of jeans' bursting at the seams, overflowing, excitement, love, and joy for my Lord Jesus Christ and I just cannot seem to express it. I literally want to shake people and scream at them "WAKE UP!!! DON'T YOU KNOW WHO JESUS IS???"

However, today in bible study we learned that we need to be gentle with our testimonies. I suppose that is the right way to go about it, but I just feel such an urgency to tell people, to make them understand, to help them see what Joy there is to be found in loving the Lord. I want everyone, not just the people I know and love, but EVERYONE, to know what this feels like. To know that no matter what, you are loved unconditionally, that you are NEVER alone, that you have someone who cheers you on when you are flying high and doing well, and someone whose arms are there for you to fall in when you crash. Someone to give you hope and wash away your fears, and someone to shower you with grace. Most importantly you have a Father in Heaven who wants to spend eternity with you in a perfect and wonderful place where there is nothing but goodness.

If you don't know Jesus, email me; jgiffordii@wi.rr.com and I will tell you all about Him and all the goodness that He wants for you. If you do know Jesus, Hallelujah, and share this blog post with others so that together we can reach people for the Lord. EVERYONE should experience this Overflowing Joy, EVERYONE should experience everlasting life in Heaven with the One True God.

Learning

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your site, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

I talk a lot, always have, I'm friendly, very socially oriented and out going. I can remember when I was younger my mom always having to tell me to think before I speak. Apparently God is trying to teach me the same lesson, however, it's much more humbling when God is teaching you something than when your mom is.

The hardest part is the people I've hurt with my words are people I love and I don't even realize I've done it until God convicts me that I own someone an apology. It's terribly humbling to have to do that.

God keeps showing me that He is my Teacher and that He wants great things for me if onlky I will listen and learn. There are areas of my life that He's been trying to teach me things for years, and yet I just cannot seem to let go and let God. I keep trying to do things my own way. Not surprising I keep failing on my own as well.

Psalm 19:14 will have to become part of my every day prayers and in the forefront of my mind so that my words are pleasing to God and not hurtful to others.

Battling Darkness

Today is my birthday, I have spent the most amazing day immersed in the presence of God in my art studio. Creating and praising God with praise and worship music and lifting my hands to Him. Praying and glorifying Him all day long. I have truly counted my blessings today and are in awe of how many there are.

Keep that in mind as I tell you this next part; I have an amazing family with 4 beautiful, amazing children. They have grown up so fast; too fast in fact, which has brought us to yet another new territory in the parenting trek. The "give them wings and let them fly" stage. I'm not sure how to do that. It was brought to my attention that we're not quite doing it right. It was a conversation done in love, a good conversation, one without raised voices and lots of listening to and hearing one another.

However, when I got off the phone and the conversation was over, doubts, bitterness and anger began to creep in. I started to feel my stomach churn and knot, thoughts of things I could have come back with to this comment or that comment. Then a still small voice said "these things are not true". I sat there and tried to pick apart what was not true and still the negativity was there. I could see the enemy trying to get a foot hold, baiting me to just wait up a little bit longer till I could spew these untruths and hurtful things at the very child I'd spoken so loving to not too long ago.

So often he sneaks in when we least expect it and can put those subtle little thoughts in our head and just lets you fester and build them all on your own while he just sits back and watches us self destruct. He can be so sly, and we have to really be on the ready and not let him get a foothold in our lives.

Not too long ago I read This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti and he gives such a descriptive picture of his version of demons that it is forever pierced in my mind. Each time I feel the presence of darkness, I have this picture of demons lurking in corners waiting to swoop in and reek havoc. This time, they weren't just lurking in the corners but perched on my shoulders waiting to dig their claws in. However, my God is bigger than they are, and as I tried to sort out the truth from the lies, a lyric to one of the songs I'd listened to today sung through the muddle of those ugly thoughts and reminded me of the love that was spoke through our conversation. I put on my ear buds, plugged it into iTunes and put that song on repeat. Soon, the ugliness of those thoughts were chased away and replaced with what should be there, striving for a common ground, working together, not blaming one another and speaking to one another in love.

Parenting is by far much harder than anything I have ever done in my whole life, and I don't think I'll ever be able to not have an opinion about the choices they will make in their lives. However, by the Grace of God I will learn to speak, or....not speak, in love.

Prayer

I cannot even count how many times a week I hear "pray for me/us" or I say those same words to someone else. Usually for me, I have to pray on the spot or I forget. I find myself saying little prayers throughout the day, but usually it's something directly related to the circumstances I'm in at that moment. Until of course I lay down to go to bed, then out comes the grocery list of things I forgot to pray for earlier in the day or things that come to me as I lay there. Most the time there is no Amen to my night time prayers because usually I fall asleep in the middle of it.

I wonder how many friends I'd have if that's how I conducted my relationship with them? Only calling when I had something I needed or wanted for me. Falling asleep during conversations all about me. I'm pretty sure they'd all get tired of that real quick, I know I would.

The last few weeks we've been having some big things going on in our household that truly are all out of our control. All we can do is wait......and pray. I have been in constant prayer about everything!!! Not only the usual circumstantial prayers but prayers for all the people involved in this situation, prayers for my family, prayers to bind demons, prayers for truth and so many more I cannot remember them all. Not only am I talking to Him daily and constantly but He talks to me daily as well. Subtle simple things that let me know He's there and He hears me.

So THIS is what a relationship with God feels like!!! That hunger for Him that I've been looking for that I could never quite get my finger on, has creeped in. I WANT to read my bible and not because it's the right thing to do. I want to pray and talk to Him and I can't wait to share with others all He's doing for me and has done.

Our sermon last Sunday was about being Thankful through the trials and storms in our lives. Sometimes that's a really hard thing to do. This time though I'm looking for all those things that are happening in the midst of it all and I'm finding so many things to be Thankful for. I can see God working through this situation and in the end I know that all things will be okay because He's in charge.

Yep, prayer is a powerful thing!!

Creative Arts Team

I'm most excited because I was asked to join a new team at church a couple weeks ago. It's called the Creative Arts Team. It's comprised of just a handful of us, the pastor, his wife, our worship team leader, and another member of the worship team, and myself.

I have to say, at first I had no clue why I was even included in this group because I am the only one that isn't part of the worship team. It made no sense to me. However, once it was explained what this was about it made perfect sense.

Our job is to do all the creative work behind the sermon. Helping create series logos, choosing appropriate music and videos and back drops. Also any type of prop or sermon enhancers as well.

The series we've started this all with is a series about worship that has been named "I heart...", hence the logo with the image of the heart that I created for the series.

One of the things that I've struggled with most as an artist is what does God want me to do with this talent he's blessed me with? How can I use it for His glory? Most of my art is not spiritual in nature unless lead by the Spirit to do so, which hasn't happened more than a handful of times. Not that I avoid it or anything, it's just the kind of art I do is more random and rarely has any deep personal meaning other than the fact that it's one of my creations.

So I'm excited for this opportunity to use my God given talent to honor Him and bless our church as well. I'm looking forward to seeing where all of this goes.

dreams

My church, Lakeland Community Church, is doing a series called "The Red Pill". Titled after the part in the movie the Matrix where Morpheus offers Neo the blue pill and life will remain as it is, or, take the Red Pill and see just how far the rabbit hole goes. Sounds a little "out there" doesn't it? I have to tell you though, it has been amazing to say the least. This series is all about the Spiritual Realm. Tapping into all the ways we can encounter God in our lives that maybe we hadn't given much thought to before. Also guidelines for us to know when it is "Of God" and not of the demonic. How things of the Spiritual Realm always affect the Natural Realm. Our Pastor, Josh Amstutz, has been brilliant in leading us through it. God has a true vessel to work through in Pastor Josh.

This past Sunday he spoke to us about listening to God through our dreams. As you read through the Bible how often did God use just that as ways to communicate to his people. He spoke to Mary through a dream, and Joseph, others through visions. The Bible is full of examples where God did just that. Why is it not still possible for Him to do the same thing today? Josh told us all we need to do is invite the Lord into our dreams, to focus on Him not only in our waking, but in our sleeping as well. I have to tell ya, I'm almost more excited now for the night to start as I am for the day!!

If you're curious and would like to check this series out you can always join us at Lakeland Community Church or you can listen to the messages either on the church website or on Itunes. Or of course you can always contact me and I'd be happy to tell you all about it. jgiffordii@wi.rr.com

Gods Time is not our time.

I got this book as a gift for my birthday in August of 2009. I tucked it in my "God Bag" and completely forgot about it. Well, about the same time this year I was digging through my "God Bag" to see if I could find a highlighter and low and behold here is this book.

Now mind you, had a read it a year ago, it would've been a good book, but I wouldn't have been ready for it. This year however, it was EXACTLY what I needed.

It talks about how God thinks of women and how He romances a woman's soul. How He thinks of us all as beautiful and what the bible says about what He wants us to know.

If you are a woman, you need to read this book, read it till you don't need it anymore and than pass it along to another woman who may need it.

Lifest!!!

Every year in Oshkosh, Wisconsin there is a Christian Music Festival called Lifest. It is an amazing experience, speakers, comedians, lots of music, food that's really bad for you LOL and thousands of people get together to rock out and worship God together.

For the last 2 years I have been blessed to be able to go as a chaperon for our church youth group. That sounds worse than it actually is LOL. Something happens when you get the kids out of the church and into a place where they can be free to express themselves. They're awesome to be with and we get to connect with them on a different kind of level.

I have to say that this year Todd Agnew was the highlight of the festival for me. His lyrics are amazing and have helped me through some tough times. I think I had Our Great God on repeat for months, drove my family crazy LOL.

I can't say for sure if any of our teens had any big God moments, but God certainly made His presence known. On Saturday night we had a

storm, the clouds that rolled in were absolutely unbelievable!!!!

I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It was beautiful and powerful and kinda frightening all at the same time. The rain lasted an hour or so and then cleared up and a beautiful double rainbow could be seen arching over the grandstand.

If you ever get the chance to go to Lifest I cannot recommend it enough!!

Amazing Power of Prayer

This sweet little baby boy is my newest nephew, his name is Elijah Jacob. He was born on the 15th of May. Today he began to have some problems with his oxygen level and his breathing and was transfered from the hospital he was in to a larger hospital and put in the NICU. The first concern was that something was wrong with his heart. I kid you not when I say that I have never prayed so hard for anything in my whole life. I know that many other people were praying for him as well, not just the friends and family that I told but all the friends and family that they told. Well, this sweet little angel baby isn't home yet, but there's nothing wrong with his heart and looks as though he's going to be just fine. If you check my blog, I ask you to pray for this little guy, he still needs lots of them!

stuck song

Sunday in church, my oldest daughter was sitting next to me. She was exhausted because prom was the night before, and was leaning her head on my shoulder. Well, I don't exactly how he ended the phrase, but, at one point the pastor said, "I have decided........". Of course immediately through my head comes the song "I have decided to follow Jesus", as it does every time I hear someone say that particular phrase. I know my sister Rachael is the same way. I know this because if I should use that phrase she sings to me LOL. Anyway, shortly after the pastor used that phrase, Kellie lifts her head off my shoulder and looks at me and starts singing "I have decided to follow Jesus" LOL Must be genetic or something LOL

Velcro

I have these pains and sorrows, all this guilt and shame,

I take them with me everywhere I go, each and every day.

I try to peel them off, but it always turns out the same

They're attached to me like Velcro,

I have a feeling they think it's a game.

And I'm pretty sure they've started to grow.

I call out to Jesus by His name,

Help me Lord to let these issues go!

I know that my forgiveness is why you came.

The reason you let your precious blood flow.

An innocent man, who had no blame.

You paid a debt that you did not owe.

Jesus tells me, " child, bring me your pains, sorrows, guilt and shame"

So to the feet of Jesus I will go,

Praying all the way that it won't turn out the same,

Trusting in what I already know,

That Jesus knows me by my name

He'll tear them away from the Velcro

He won't let them play the game,

All I have to do, is let them go

These feelings of pain, sorrow, guilt and shame.

But, there they are again…..stuck to me like Velcro.

Thank You God

Winters in Wisconsin are gray and drab and dark and gloomy. After days on end of the yuckiness, any glimpse of the sun is enough to make you rejoice.

This past week, God gave us a little bit of reprieve from the winter doldrums and gave us several beautiful days in a row with not only the glorious sunshine, but also some warmth from it as well.

As of today, the yuckiness came back, but I feel as though God has smiled on us here in Wisconsin, and that gives me hope for many more days of sunshine soon.

The first steps

Man this Faith "thing" can be so hard. If you're a Christian you know in your heart that God will always take care of you. Especially if you're following His plan for your life and you're not trying to make your own decisions.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, lean not on our own understand and in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths. What an amazing couple of verses. It tells us exactly how to know the will of God for our lives. My goodness though, how hard it is to do this at ALL times. Some times our humanness sneaks in and we think that we know better and can handle things on our own. Yeah, that may work for a little while, but before long we end up looking around and thinking, "how on earth did I get myself into this mess". THEN we go to God and ask for help. Ahhhh, how much easier our lives would be if first we'd turn to Him and seek His Will for our lives.

Jerry and I have stubbornly repeated the same mistakes over and over and over again. Each time we've managed to dig ourselves out only to fall right back into the same pit. This time around, the pit is so big, and so deep that we cannot even see the light at the top on our own. Of course NOW we're doing all kinds of praying, looking for direction and telling God we're NOW willing to follow His path and do what He wants us to do. How foolish are we that we didn't do this before??? I'm willing to bet that we are not alone in this type of foolishness.

Some of the things that God has made clear that we need to do are things that have been nagging us in the back of our minds for a while now. Things we didn't WANT to do, things that scared us, or made us feel as though we were failures. However, that first step onto God's path for our lives, as scary as it first was, it made the next steps much easier. It was kinda like testing that if we really jumped in with both feet that He was for sure going to catch us and not let us fall. Once we made that first leap and felt His arms embrace us, we weren't so hesitant to jump again and again.

Now, I'm not saying that we won't be foolish at some point again in our lives, cause we're sinners and we will always fall short. However, what an amazing learning experience this has been and continues to be. One of Faith, Trust and Believing that God is who He says He is and He can and WILL do what He says He will.

Fear Change

Isn't it wonderful when life just seems to be gliding along so perfectly. The kids are good, the marriage is good, finances are good, God is good. I love it when that happens!! However, whenever that happens there's always this nagging voice in the back of my head that keeps saying "waaiiittt for it, waaaiitttt for it". Sure enough, just as you crest that hill, the bottom drops out. Most the time it's not one big thing, but a series of small things that seem to affect everything in your life. While all this is happening, as a Christian you always ask God what He's up to. You always know that when those bumps in the road come along that God has something up His glorious sleeve. We're supposed to just let go and let God do what He has in store for us. Most the time what He has in store for us means we need to change something, or everything we're doing so that we can live the life that He has in store for us. Now I don't know about you, but in my flawed humanness I fight this tooth and nail because the idea of changing things scares me half to death. That doesn't mean I don't know that the changes that God has in store for me aren't all for the greater good and in the end things will be better than they are now. I also know that God will be with me through it all, however, just the journey getting to the end terrifies me.

I have discovered though that taking that first step in the direction of change that God wants you to take, that it gets a little easier to make the second step. Hopefully as I need the finish line of this change, I'll be running through the victory tape.

On a side note though, yesterday I got my Joyce Meyer teaching of the month, any one want to guess what it's about??? The name of the CD is The Courage to Change. Just like Joyce to be there in your face with what you need to hear when you need to hear it. Thank you God!

Discovery

In this great big world in which we call home, we can't help but wonder, just what it is we're here for. When you soak in the awesomeness of God you have to wonder why on earth He would need us. I mean when you think about it, mankind has been kind of a big headache since Adam and Eve ate that apple. All of God's great plans for us went out the garden so to speak. Then many years later He tried to "fix" it by wiping the earth clean save for Noah and his family and start over. Well, we all know how well that went, idolatry, murder, adultery, you name it. Oh there were those that worshiped God, but the world was just enveloped in sin once again. I hate to think how much livestock and doves I'd had to have had just to keep up with all the sacrifices I'd have to do to make amends for my sins. Some where along the lines you have to wonder if God didn't go, "good grief, why did I make these humans, they cause Me so much pain and grief". Then on top of all the pain and grief we've caused Him, He decides the only way that we're ever going to be able to come into His glory is if He sends His only Son to die for all of us sinners. Can you imagine, had Adam and Eve never taken a bite of that apple, Jesus wouldn't have had to come down from His glorious thrown to be nailed upon a cross for something He didn't do.

This just goes to show that God is much more than we can possibly ever understand. He continues to love us and forgive us even though we continue to sin and fall short each and every day.

Why discover? Because today I'm working on a piece of art I'm going to call "Beautiful". It's a piece of self discovery, and in using this to help me discover who I am to ME, I'm also struggling with just who I am to God. As you can see by the comments above I'm struggling to see just how or why God would want to take the time for me, when I am a sinner, just what is it about ME that makes God think I'm worth saving.

Please don't feel the need to leave me "pep talk" comments, I'm okay, just trying to .... Discover....

Relationship

I wonder how our earthly relationships would survive if every time we talked to our friends, we either only thanked them for something they've done for us, or asked them to do something for us. I imagine they wouldn't be long lasting friendships.

I know that I am guilty of doing that with my relationship with God. I start most every prayer with, thank you's, the meat of my prayer is asking for things either for myself or loved ones, and ends with a few praises and maybe another thank you or two.

Now it's not to say that God doesn't want the thank you's and the requests for help, but He wants more than that. This morning our sermon was about having a relationship with Him. Coming to him to just tell him about our day, our problems our joys and including him in our life. So often we come to him looking for a solutions to our problems, when what we should be doing is just telling him about them and letting the solution come when it does.

Often, I just need someone to listen, I don't necessarily want someone to give me their advice on how to "fix it". I usually call my sister for this, and I fully intend on still calling her for that, but I think I'll take it to God as well.

Struggling

It's been a long time, not that I haven't thought about it, because I have, but because I wasn't sure how to put into words what I have been feeling, until listening to our sermon this morning at church.

I've resigned myself to the fact that I have some seasonal depression, and while going through that, facing a blog is the last thing I wanted to do. I've been able to work though it all with the help of some medication and Psalm 23. I cannot even tell you how many times a day I've recited that Psalm as I was waiting for my meds to kick in and help me with the darkness. Now by the grace of God and my doctor I have gotten over that hurdle. The depression though, was the beginning of some inner searching though. At one point during my illness I even told God, I know You are there, and I thank You, but I don't want to talk to You. The awesome thing about our God though, is He was patient and kind and loving with me and He waited. He waited till I was ready to talk again. I was reminded of the poem "Footprints in the Sand" where I know that at that time, there was only 1 set of footprints because I could feel Him carry me.

However, in the shuffle of all of that I've run into some other things that have taken me off guard and I'm terrified of it even though I know it's the right thing to do and that God will be there with us through all things. I'm ashamed to say that I don't know if I CAN do this. I think the fact that I shut the doors to Him during my depression may have been the beginning of what brought all of this to light.

I pray, I listen to my Bible on my IPod and podcast sermons almost daily, I go to church every Sunday, I lead a Bible study on Wednesday mornings and Jerry and I go to a Bible study together on Thursday nights. I listen to Christian music almost exclusively, and I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. These are all good things, these are all RIGHT things, yet I have fallen SOOO short of what God wants for me in my life. I have not surrendered my life to Him. The true thought of what that might actually entail keeps me awake at night. Do I think that in the long run, things will be better than ever, of course. It's the journey of getting there that makes me physically ill. It all boils down to not having enough faith, and not trusting in God enough and truly it's the fear that keeps me from doing this.

This week at Church our Pastor asked us 4 questions:

1. What am I doing right now that God has asked me to do?
2. When is the last time I asked God what He would like me to do?
3. List the specific areas of my life which I have surrendered to God.
4. List the specific areas of my life which should be on the list above, but are not.

Suffice it to say, I left church in tears this morning, knowing that questions 1-3 were virtually empty, and #4 had a list longer than I care to imagine.

I know that I'm not alone in this fear, my husband also struggles with this. I think that in the next few weeks as our Pastor touches on the life of David that we may at least begin to pray about God helping us through our fear and lack of faith.

I know that God has great things in store for us, and hopefully one day we will see it. In the mean time, if you feel moved to do so, please keep us in your prayers.

Saying Thanks

I may have mentioned Andy Stanley from Northpoint Community Church before, and i still listen to his podcasts all the time and his messages online. He's a wonderful speaker and is so awesome at life application sermons. This last one I listened to he gave us homework. The homework was to write a thank you note to the person who helped us ask Jesus to become our personal Savior so that we may be saved and have eternal life in heaven.

Being raised in a Christian home I had to really think about this because for as long as I can remember I've always known there was God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. However, when did I truly ask Them into my heart?

Pastor Sam Hamstra Jr. is who I need to thank. He was the pastor at our church when I was a teen. Those years I spent in youth group were awesome! Until now, that was the time in my life when I felt closest to God, that's when I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. Sadly, for me anyways, Sam left and moved onto another church and our new pastor just wasn't as excited for the youth as Sam was. Life went on and most of it without much God in my daily life. I managed to find the church he's now pastor of online. I'm hoping to be able to connect with him and send him my Thank You Note soon.

I also, feel I should thank my sister Rachael for taking me to that first Joyce Meyer convention, because that's where my love for the Lord was renewed. We're headed to our 3rd convention together in a month or so and I'm so excited for it!

So, you can take this post and read it and take it for what it's worth, or you too can take the time to sit down and write a Thank You Note to the person that guided you to asking Jesus to be your Savior. I'm hoping you'll take that time.

God's Plan

Things are changing at Lakeland Community Church, and although change can sometimes be a difficult thing, it's also a necessary thing in order to grow. About a month ago, Pastor David Howie and his wife Phyllis informed us that David would be retiring from the ministry and taking a position as a Pastors Coach in Greenlake Wis. It of course is bittersweet, on one hand we are sad that they were leaving us. We have grown to love them and enjoy spending time with them and will miss them dearly. On the other hand, we know that God would never have called David and Phyllis to move on to something new, if He didn't have great things in store for both the Howies, and for Lakeland Community Church! I am so excited to see what He has in store for us!!! God is alive and strong and at work in our church and I know that He will continue to work through our congregation. He has already handpicked our newest pastor who will help us to grow in numbers and in faith. I can't wait to meet him!!!

My Creed

For this class I'm taking at church with our Pastor, we had to write our personal creed, what we believe in, what our values are, whats important to us. I just thought I'd share it here. enjoy, and of course feedback is always welcome!

I believe that I am not in charge of my life, God is. I believe that the right way to live is by trusting in Him to guide me in the right path, in His path. I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and that with God, all things are possible. I believe in raising my children to love Jesus and to know that God is always watching, and that He is always with them. I believe in sharing my faith with others, to bring others to know the love of Jesus Christ. I believe in spending time each day with God, reading, praying and praising Him. I know that in order to continue spiritual growth I need to make this a priority.

I value family; my family is my security, my safe place, my place of comfort, my place of joy and laughter. I know that in good times and in bad that they love me and I them. I know that family needs good communication to function properly. I believe in listening to my children, and talking to them with respect. I believe that parents should stand united as a team in front of their children at all times. I believe in setting boundaries and sticking to them. I believe that parents and children can also have a friendship within those boundaries. I believe that you should not only teach your children to love one another but also to love themselves. Praise and compliments may not be enough, you must tell them to love themselves.

I value my wedding vows, I believe that husbands and wives need to respect each other, listen, encourage and affirm one another always. I believe in never going to bed angry and always kissing each other before being apart. I believe that the intimate aspect of marriage is vital to the emotional and mental part of it. I believe that it is important to be one another’s best friend and not to keep secrets from one another. I know that communication is key and cannot be overlooked. I believe in holding hands in public and saying “I love you” often.

I believe in surrounding myself with people who help my being. Good community is crucial for a positive well being. Community that builds you up, brings you joy, shares in laughter and has empathy for one another. I believe in community that consists of other believers. Believers that can fellowship and grow and learn from one another often.

I value creativity and self expression. These two things help me to be who I am, they feed my soul and they bring me peace and harmony. I believe that there are no mistakes in art, only ideas that belong on a different canvas. I believe you are never too old to paint with your fingers and make a mess. I believe in living colorfully by living the life of an artist both in the studio and out.

I believe in not taking life to seriously, that you should have fun with each other and you should laugh often. I believe that a good sense of humor is one of the best personality traits a person can have. I believe that laughter is the best medicine and that it helps ease the stress of the day.
I believe in simplicity, that life should not be a constant check list of things to do. I believe in the power of the word “no”. You cannot be all things to all people. I believe that in order to keep peace in your family, to have time for spiritual growth, for community and fellowship, creativity and self expression, you must learn to say no to things that clutter your life. I believe in prayer and deliberation before saying yes to anything that would take my time away from these things. I believe am not in charge of my life, God is.