Take the Back Road...

Some of the most beautiful places you'll ever see can't be found down a well paved highway with clearly marked signs. Let's face it the best places are the ones you discover at the end of old dirt roads or long hikes.

You know the ones that take some time and effort. Life's a lot like that. It requires us to get dirty from time to time...To take the back roads and get out of our comfort zone. In my quiet time this morning I was reading Genesis 12:1-2 If you're not familiar it's about Abraham. Let's take a quick look cause it's too good to miss:

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

When I read this I noticed that God wasn't specific in where Abram was to go, he didn't give him a map or directions but what He did say was simple. You must leave what you know. Step out of your COMFORT ZONE, follow where I will lead and I WILL BLESS You!

You'll never see the truly amazing places my friends from the highway. You have to get off the main road, go where the GPS can't guide you and get out of the car. Let Him lead you...Let Him Bless you! 

Pillow Talk

I recently got one of our AMAZING personalized pillows for my rowdy crew. I've been thinking about what I love most about it...um...EVERYTHING!! So here's the scoop, these pillows are a great way to tell your story, share your favorite quote, celebrate a moment, or just because.

Think about the possibilities...A pillow with your child's name and birth info on it, used as a gender reveal or CONGRATS your a GRANDMA. I love the idea of using them to show off your family's personality. Do you have a motto or saying you use all the time....PUT IT ON THERE!!

Wedding gifts, Homewarming gifts, Graduation gifts and so much more. This is by far my favorite item in our Spring/Summer catalog. Check out all the cute ideas below:

What will yours say???

Out of Focus

Often I get sidetracked with the "me" side of life. What I want, what I need, and how I feel things should progress. It's at these times that God is His most faithful, to remind me that the life I have is not mine. That "My story" is nothing but a small footnote to illustrate "His story". 

The beauty of this realization for me is knowing He created me with a plan and purpose. He knew my story before I was a story to be read. He placed within me a longing for Him that makes every other thing in this life come up wanting. 

Mostly, that no matter how far I have wandered I could never out run or outdo the love He has for me. He wants all of me and it is owed Him, but He doesn't snatch or takes. He waits for me...He calls me. There is no greater love story then that.

What if...

I want you to consider this...YOU WERE MADE TO LIVE A LIFE OF IMPACT.

You weren't made to just merely exist, survive or get by. No! You were made, called and designed
to leave your mark. You weren't made to hide out, lived depressed, or called to struggle. What we fail to see is that who we are is so much more than just what we do, where we live, work or what kind of job we have. Who we are can't be defined by our past mistakes, missteps or failures and it's only after we open ourselves up to truly look past the hurt those things have caused us that we can truly see the lessons they have taught us.

But here is the GREATER LESSON...once you see where you been, what you have come through, and how it  has changed your life you NEED to share it. Why? Because what if the hurt of my past could keep you from experiencing the hurt of your present but instead, I remained silent? What if your story could so shape and mold someone's life that they became a person whose story touched millions? You need to realize that you are a person of great influence whether you believe it or not...whether you share your story or not. The only difference is you could be influencing others to be silent or you could be the one who influences them to have a voice.

The question is, which one do you want to be?

Are you Living???

Are you truly LIVING?

 It's one thing to FILL your days and another to live FULL days. I wonder how many really know the difference. We can live our lives waiting for SOMEDAY, checking off our To Do's and never once be really LIVING it. I don't know about you but I don't want to get to the end of my days and realize that I filled them with things and moments but truly missed the most important reason why I am here... to love others, to hold hands, to touch hearts and to change lives. 

 I want to live each day to the fullest, bursting at the seams and knowing I didn't miss one opportunity to meet a new friend, to give hope, to share Gods love or to help those in need. I want to LEAVE A LEGACY and not because I just want to be remembered but because I want to know I lived my life on PURPOSE.

 After all, there is a difference between being remembered and leaving a legacy-both are done out of honor, respect and love but ONLY ONE is done because you changed a life.