The Written Word: Snail Mail

I've never been a huge fan of my handwriting. For one thing, I'm left handed and it took many childhood years of struggle to figure out how to write without smearing the ink with my hand... and I don't hold my hand at that crazy awkward angle like my father does (have I mentioned that I love my father and all the quirks he has gifted to me?)

bunny trails, bunny trails... where was I?

Writing, the struggling theme of my smattering of blogposts lately.

More specifically, handwriting.

I know the power of the written word, especially the Word of God.

I also know the power of a handwritten recipe from a dear grandma, mom, or aunt.
I know the power of a scrapbook page with captions written from the heart.
I know the power of a hand-written journal entry
(Ooh, another bunny trail--my parents found my high-school diaries in their basement last month. I'm looking forward to picking them up on our next visit).
 
And I know the power of a hand-written encouragement note, thank you note, or birthday card (I'm partial to handmade).

It's rare to see a handwritten envelope in the mailbox these days, but thanks to #fmfpartysnailmail there are days when buried in the bills, catalogs and credit card offers, a small and beautiful breath of fresh air appears.  A personal envelope, handwritten. Those little notes mean the world to me--encouragement, verses, reminders that God is good and He sees me. A refocus that brings renewal and refreshment. Sometimes a handwritten note that pushes me to be a better me.

Like my mom and my oldest sister, they send handwritten notes regularly, little newsy updates, a connection in this fast-paced, so easy to drift apart world... I wanna be like them.

Even in my writing/blogging endeavors, I find that the ideas come and the words flow more easily with paper and ink instead of a keyboard and screen.
Writing helps me sort my thoughts, writing is an encouragement to others, writing is a way of telling generations to come the wonderful works of our amazing God. Writing is a way to give thanks to friend, to family, to God.

Have you seen the power of the written word in your life?

I'm joining my #fmfpartysnailmail friends over at Kaitlyn's place as we share about the written word, Go check them out!!

Five Minute Friday: Belong

It's a little far from Friday... closer to the next Friday, but I've been itching to try my hand at writing, at blogging again, so here it is...

I found Five Minute Friday hanging out at Crystal Stine's place this week... She's a treasure, be sure to check her out! She'll make you feel like you belong!


Here's my five(+) minutes on Belong

Start:

Somedays I wonder where I belong... Is it in the bloggy world, in the crafty world, in the writing world, in the continuing education world, in the just-a-mom world?



I recently took a social media break to figure it all out... and to finish strong in two online classes that were stretching me a little farther than I wanted to stretch (one of them was a PE class, haha). I'm still on the social media break, but I cheated recently and perused a little bit of twitter, a little bit of instagram, a little bit of facebook. And it reminded me of what I loved about the online community.

For one thing, when you disappear for a month, there is always someone to welcome you back (or even notice that you were gone in the first place). Not hundreds of people, but it was my people. An email here, a Voxer there, and a twitter conversation, too.  And I realize that I still belong.

I don't write for days, weeks on end, but when I sit down and focus the words will still flow... sometimes a little choppy at first, but they are still there, I just have to work at them. And I realize I can still call myself a writer, I just can't be lazy. Sometimes it takes a little effort to belong.

Those classes I worked so hard on, I got an A in both of them... and the anticipation of on-campus fall classes has me a little giddy and I realize I can still belong in the higher education arena, too.

I peruse Pinterest and am overcome with great card making ideas and when my classes are finally done, I sit down at my craft table and I create, and I create, and I create...



and I love every single card I make and I am giddy with the thought of sending them to some of my friends to bless and encourage others... maybe I don't belong in the etsy world full time yet, but God can use my gift of creating to show others they belong!

I take my kids to swim lessons and watch them improve and have a blast. I make rainbow loom creations (including a Queen Elsa).

We go on vacation and I enjoy the pool with them a bit, they ride bikes to the area park, we enjoy a day at the Creation Museum, etc... Back at home, I cuddle with my kids more and take them to the park and the library. I make little successes in parenting and I realize that above all I belong to these kids and they belong to me and I can be a mom ... and all the other things too. It's just an ebb and flow, and not so much a balance of it all, but a belonging and a taking turns on where my focus is.

STOP

so be a little gentle as I stop in to see if I belong in the blogging world still  ;)
Hope to be back again soon, but no promises!

Creating a Latte

I'm a procrastinator so I'm always behind the rest of the blogging world. They all did their recaps of OneWord 2013 IN 2013... but here I am wrapping up 2013 on Day 6 of 2014...

Create ... Create ... Create

I wrote for class, I attempted and almost succeeded at 31Days in October and I did a little more writing for me and for the blog.

I made connections through the God Sized Dreams Team and made new friends at Allume and loved on my local friends.

And then there was my cardmaking... It comes in shifts, which is why it's mostly a hobby! But I made some progress this year! I opened an etsy shop... and I made some sales.  I created a bunch of cute Christmas cards (and had less success). I have thoughts and dreams for 2014 and I definitely plan to keep creating... and hopefully more selling.  Like these cute coffee cards "Thanks a Latte"

They are for sale in my etsy shop, but you also have an opportunity to win a set for yourself.  One of my God-sized Dreams Team friends (who I had the lovely privilege of meeting at Allume) is doing a giveaway extravaganza for her birthday this month. This giveaway includes my cards, so be sure to stop by her site and enter. Then be sure to subscribe to Melissa's blog to catch the rest of the great giveaways she is offering this month.

And if you are in need of some newborn photography she has a great deal going on right now (Yes, she lives in South Carolina, but maybe a few of my readers are close... or you know someone who is, so spread the word with your friends, too)

and if it's not too much to add, I'm doing a Sale on the Christmas cards in my etsy shop. Spend $10 or more in my Christmas section and use the code CHRISTMAS20 and receive 20% off your order from Whimsical Words!

Thanks, friends... and here's to creating even more in 2014!

#31Days of Dove Promises-Nineteen

So, I've done it... I hit the #31days slump! I'm surprised I made it as long as I did. When I skipped Friday, I was a little surprised and how easy it was to skip Sunday and how badly I want to skip today... but it's still Monday and I can still spit one out even if I'm not quite on track any more.

It's been a busy month. I over committed myself and now I just want to curl up in a ball and ignore it all! Thankfully, I was able to finish one commitment and now I'm focussing a bit on Allume coming up this weekend! I must take some time to preplan and pre-write some #31days posts or they will not be happening this weekend! I am so looking forward to a time away with old friends and new friends and soon-to-be friends!

I'm also looking forward to a little relaxation... Relaxation by chocolate, and coffee, and friendship and worship, and smilebooth hilarity, and great food and great sessions and just an all around great time!

Pray for me, that in between all the chocolate and fellowship and excitement, I will be able to hear God's voice, too! I know He's gonna be there and I know He has a word for me... more than He can tell me in a Dove Dark Promise!

Community Conversation:  How do you relax? Will I see you at Allume?

Yes, I hope to share one promise every day and will give you a quick link to each day at the bottom of this post. So bookmark it, , or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

#31Days of Dove Promises-Fifteen

So, I never actually unwrapped this promise, but it's such a good one... and it inspired me, so I just wanted to talk about it for a little bit...

because Behind the Scenes of my new #31Days blog button is a friend that totally rocks!!


My friend, Debi, totally rocks! Have I mentioned that before? I don't know if you saw the pathetic little blog button I created for this series, but it wasn't much.  Well, Debi is a little blog cheerleader... seriously, you should go check out her blog if you want to get started, or improve, or just be encouraged in your blogging! ... go, I'll be here when you get back, just promise to come back!

and somehow she came up with a little bit of free time and used some of her awesome creativity to create me a little button that is SOO much more Pinterest-worthy than mine was!

Now, I will be honest... races (ie. running) and I do not get along. Not interested one little bit!! But, this whole blogging for #31days straight, it's kinda like a race and right about day 14 I started crawling. But then I looked at this awesome little blog button and it inspired me to keep going, because while the comments are few and far between, I have quite a few friends that are stopping by occasionally to read my mostly short, sometimes funny, occasionally serious, but always full of my heart blogposts! And they will cheer me on when I finish because that's the kind of bloggy friends I have! So, here I am pounding out two blog posts in one night... and eating more chocolate, too!

Community Conversation: just for fun, are you a runner or no? and what "race" are you running that you need some cheering for?

Yes, I hope to share one promise every day. To see all my #31Days of Dove Promises head to this page and bookmark it. So bookmark it, , or just subscribe to my blog and we can enjoy a little bit of chocolate together every day this month.

and if you have lots of time to spare, check out all the #31Days topics at The Nester!

Five Minute Friday: Belong

It's finally Friday... my days this week have been a little messed up. I keep forgetting what day it is. But I'm pretty sure it's Friday because I'm seeing lots of #fmfparty in my twitter feed!!

 So here we are to write for 5 minutes without worrying if it's right or not!

Belong:

There is something about a community that just draws you in and makes you feel welcome. Gathered in, wrapped in hugs, embraced with encouraging words. Even when you are new, you feel at home.

I found that in Allume, in Five Minute Friday, in blogging, in the God's Sized Dream team, it's community and I belong.

Friends I've never met, but feel so loved by.... Friends I got a chance to meet last October and miss like crazy.  There is a welcoming and accepting no matter the background, no matter the country. We are one in Christ... unity.

I blog for community and connection and I find that on twitter and in the comment section of my blog and those of my friends. I always feel at home and I hope that I can help others feel at home, too.

It's great to belong to the body of Christ and the #FMFParty community...

PS. CAN'T WAIT for ALLUME!!!!

and... stop!

and a bonus minute to share a picture because I found out that the lovely Ann Voskamp was hosting Five Minute Friday this week!

Ann makes you feel like you belong! I had the opportunity to meet her at Allume last fall and she welcomed me with open arms... and she called me by my name (how is that for belonging?) ... she also laughed with me, as I fluffed my hair for a picture... what can I say? I wanted to look my best! :)  and I can't wait to see her again this October at Allume!

Community Conversation: What can you say in 5 minutes? Where do you feel most at home? ... and are you coming to Allume? You belong there! :)

Five Minute Friday: Song

It's Friday, and I'm actually attempting Five Minute Friday on Friday... that time to just write without worrying if you get it right!

My writing has been sparse lately... too sparse and I'm considering a blogging fast or social media, or internet, or something...

but today, I'm writing and I'm writing with the community of writers and encouragers who meet at Lisa-Jo Baker's place on Fridays.

...Today, it's about SONG.

My bones have a little chill to them, still trying to thaw out from the few nights of frost we had earlier this week. Up here on the mountain the breeze is still cool coming in my open windows. So I head outside to soak in some sunshine and much needed Vitamin D. My heart is down, my soul a little discouraged. I want to write, but just can't find the words. I want them to be positive words.

So I head outside and I take a little walk around my back yard. I head over to my new "Square Foot Gardening" area and smile at the few little plants that are there. I have dreams for more, but don't want to overwhelm myself with too much, too soon. I smile at the fence my darling husband is installing to protect said plants from the rabbits, deer, and maybe even bear that roam "our woods."

Then I head over to my swing... I love my swing. Pull out a cushion and sit on the side that is basking in sun. And I sit, and I soak sun, and I listen.  The birds are all around me, each one singing it's own song, praises to its Creator. Each one unique, each one beautiful.

One sings and another responds and isn't that the way it is here in our internet communities. Leave comments, encourage--fill in that verse that I just couldn't think of when I wrote my thoughts.

Sing a short song, or a long song; each have their place. Sometimes we hear a song that just doesn't quite resonate with us--but others hear it and respond. I love to listen to the birds sing their song. I love to read the words my friends post... especially on Five Minute Friday.

Join in the chorus of writers today over at Lisa-Jo's.

Community Conversation: Do you ever just listen to the birds sing? And for fun, What's your favorite song these days? (I'll go first in the comments)

Five Minute Friday: Opportunity

It's the first Friday of 2013! That means it's time for Five Minute Friday! Did you miss it? I did! My mind is still a jumbled mess, but it felt good to sit down and write... Hope it makes sense! :)

You really should join this wonderful community of encouragers. I had so much fun chatting on twitter for a half hour before I went to bed. Such a blessing to connect with the lovely #FMFParty friends... some I was able to meet at Allume, some I'm still waiting to meet in real life!

So it's time to write for FIVE MINUTES. Get the whole scoop over here at Lisa-Jo's, and then join in!

Today's Prompt: Opportunity

Each day is a new opportunity, to put behind and forget the mistakes of yesterday, to fall forward into grace and new mercies.  But it is not just every morning. It's every moment of the day. Each moment is a fork in the road and an opportunity to show the love of Christ, to make the most of my time, to bring glory to God's name.

My life is a canvas of opportunities, with God drawing, painting, leading, correcting always with grace.  I don't know what comes next. I just know that I have a lot of opportunities, a lot of dreams (you might even be tired of hearing all about them). I do a lot of thinking, a lot of talking, now I want to take some action.

Don't miss these opportunities. A chance to connect with friends. An opportunity to bless with my writing. A prompt to send some real (handmade) mail to encourage someone. A chance to give grace to my kids. The moment I choose to serve my husband. Giving, praying, loving, caring.

God gives so many opportunities, I want my eyes to be wide open to them. To know that "this is not an interruption, this is an opportunity."  To be filled with the Spirit from this day forward.

no turning back.


STOP


What opportunities are you facing today?

Why I'm Addicted

I find so much good information on the internet... it's funny how God uses my "addiction" to speak to me! Yes, I know that I spend too much time reading blogs and conversing on social media... but when you find nuggets like these, it makes a little more sense!  So today I'm sharing 10 blog posts (in no particular order) that spoke to my heart recently...



1. Starting with this one from Theresa on Allume... all about serving others in blogging, but it can relate to many areas of our lives!  So this post is me sharing the love and being a servant.

2. over at Oh My Handmade Goodness, there is How to stand up to mean girls (the ‘self’ edition) ... she sucked me in in the first paragraph, with her reference to the "coveted waterfall bang," but she kept me with the encouragement to stop putting your self down. This post works for handmade, crafty things and also in the blogging and writing, and my inner mean girl can be loud in both of those areas!!  and I'm not all about self esteem and all, but her points are valid, especially the encouraging others, which is what I'm doing today by sharing all the goodness I've found lately!

3. and then there is Lisa-Jo... She can totally read my mind! I love all of her posts, but this one, When Your Week Crashes Downhill, was just perfect... She talks about hot fudge sundae runs at midnight, and having an ache that you can't explain, and saying words that you want to take back, and pushing in all the chairs and vacuuming...AGAIN! Seriously, go read it, but then come back here! :)

4. and I found permission to enjoy my messy house from Finding Joy. She wrote me a note, dear moms with a messy house, encouraging me in my mess! BUT she keeps it real, you don't have permission to live in a chronic messy house. and she gives some tips for controlling the mess. What I want to do is to work on the ONE THING that keeps the mess in check. For me, it's going to be the kitchen (just don't look at my kitchen right now)  "So work hard. Don't give up. It is good to aim for neat and tidy - just remember this is a season."

5. I enjoyed this post by Mommy on Fire on choosing relationships over discord. It's amazing to me when God uses life circumstances (even animals) to teach us something in our own lives. Go read the whole thing, but know that what I got out of it is this... I hide in the corner when things make me upset, and I have a tendency to come out swinging... even if it's just in my head. But I want to pursue peace and come humbly to situations that make me squirm.

6. On that same note, I'm a people-pleaser and tend to compare myself and my kids with everyone else around me and that can be exhausting because my friends and family are diverse and have different beliefs/standards/opinions which can be unpleasant when you are trying to please them all... after this guest post by Brenda on Joyful Mothering, I am no longer competing in the Mommy Wars.  No more parenting in fear, now it's believing this "Our worth comes from Him and Him alone. No longer do we have to prove it. The Cross proved it for us."

7. As a preacher's kid, who grew up in the church, made a profession of faith at a young age and often struggled with doubts, this fanastic article really spoke to me. Should We Stop Asking Jesus Into Our Hearts? | Christianity Today  It comes down to belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, completely sinless, dying for me... and repentance of my sins... past, present, future... Thank heavens for eternal security!!

8. Every day is a battle for joy for me... and this reminder (I’ve got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy) from Amanda at Impress Your Kids was just what I needed... She mentioned Psalm 63:1-3 and I love those verses and have memorized them, but it's always good to be reminded... and then she said this... "But really, it was a prayer for me: Don’t allow YOURSELF to be stuck with a sad, depressed, angry, moody or difficult personality. PRAY YOURSELF OUT OF IT."  such a great encouragement to me and some days I just want to say "Just Keep Praying, just keep praying!"

9. and then there was another reminder on prayer from Crystal Stine on the Allume blog again. Unlocking my Inner Nehemiah.  I just love when other people say what I'm thinking... plus she's gonna be my roomie at Allume!! and she gave this encouragement..."to remind me that He is doing a good work in my heart, whether I recognize it or not." and He is working and I am so thankful it!

10. and then this beautiful post on friendship from Kristen Strong, posted on the (in)courage blog. Seriously, go read the whole thing... but THIS right here is what I needed "I will forgive you when you make a mistake. While I can’t control how you behave towards me, I can control how I behave towards you. And I’ll do my level best to err on the side of grace and love. Because heaven knows I need to receive it as much as I need to give it"

So that's a lot of good stuff that I found this month... and there was more, but be sure to check out some of these great posts, and let me know what you learn!!



Linked up to Top Ten Tuesday (hence the 10 posts)

 
and Works for Me Wednesday, because great bloggy friends works for me!!

handwriting ... a lost art

I didn't start blogging because I am a writer. I've never had any interest in writing or publishing a book. I've never been very good at articulating my thoughts out onto paper. I've never been a diary writer or a journaler (although I've attempted it a couple of times).

I blog for community.

That being said, a blogger really should know a little bit about writing... and should really practice writing. With all the technology available these days it is very rare to see people actually writing with a pen and paper, putting thoughts down on paper, preserving a piece of themselves with handwriting.

Even handwritten notes and cards are an endangered species... but I'm working to bring that back with my handmade stationery.

Just the other day, I hand wrote a letter. It wasn't an easy letter to write. I had to apologize for something I had done, and I also had to make them aware of how I had been hurt by their actions.

But the writing of it, the actually using a pen-on-paper part, was very therapeutic.

When I sit down at the computer screen with a new post open in front of me, my mind goes blank. I think the Publish button intimidates me. But when I open my notebook and pick up a pen (which I've only done a handful of times), the words just start flowing because the chances of anyone seeing it is slim.

To tie into this, I want to share that I am a part of the She Reads Truth community... we just started a new reading plan on prayer last week... It's not too late to join in. and I determined that I was going to get something out of it this time. I joined in with the last reading plan, but that's all I did...just read it.

I saw others in the community sharing pictures of their journal, adding their thoughts to the Scripture read and the commentary in the reading plan, or just writing out a verse that really meant something to them. I determined that I was going to get in on that, so I went out and bought myself some fun colored pens.

And I started writing... just the Scripture this time, no commentary...

And as I wrote out the Scripture after I read it, it was amazing to me how my thoughts all came together, questions that I had on some of the verses I wrote, insight that came to me just by writing, even ideas for future blog posts!! Reading it AND Writing it really helps it sink into your mind!

I am so excited about what I'm going to learn just through the writing of Scripture!
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and because blogging is about community, I am linking up to these great blog parties...

When is the last time you hand-wrote a note or letter to someone?

Do you journal? With pen and ink or on the computer?

Are you part of the #SheReadsTruth community?

What is you favorite verse on prayer?

Thursday Thanks

Today is Thursday and I am giving thanks for Erin from Home With the Boys! I have been enjoying her blog for a while now.

She is also the co-founder of The MOB Society.  I only have one boy, but I find the information on that site very valuable! I don't want my son to get lost in the shuffle of all the girls!

I just wanted to let you know that she is hosting a giveaway of my handmade cards on her blog today!  Go check it out!