Bloom - Take 2

I've never been much for New Year's resolutions. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I never stuck with them when I did start them, so I gave up all together?! This year, I surprisingly find myself inspired to resolve to something as 2012 approaches! I have actually felt the Lord whispering it to me over the past few months and I've just sorta been soaking in. Now, I find myself so excited by it. I find a bit of freedom and release when I think about it. I write this post today because this resolution, while it is applicable to every aspect of my life, I feel a real push for it to be my "music motto".
My New Year's Resolution:

The Scripture at the bottom (in case it's hard to read) is paraphrased from Col. 3:16-17, The Message)
"...Sing, sing your heart out to God! Let every detail of your life
--words, actions, whatever--
be done in the name of the Master, Jesus,
thanking God the Father every step of the way."

Don't go looking for that "big break", always hoping to be discovered. Bloom where you're planted. Right where you are-right now. Be satisfied with ministering to the people God has placed around you. They love, support and appreciate you already!
Think LOCALLY...your own church, coffee shops, community events, nursing homes, worship team. I truly believe that when we are satisfied with what we already have, then, God will (if He desires), "enlarge our borders" and move us into a new season of ministry!
Happy New Year - may 2012 be FULL of amazing surprises as you strive to BLOOM WHERE GOD HAS PLANTED YOU!

Humbly,Emily

{BLOOM}

My New Year's Resolution...

A Little Help Here?!?

Sometimes we can't put our feelings into words. Life is so full and we aren't sure how we'll make it through until tomorrow. Have you been there? I'm there. Life isn't bad. I'm doing my very best not to complain, I promise! ;) But life is just full. Blame the holiday season, I suppose. But as I found myself speechless in my day...these words were singing their way into my heart & mind. Words from a very respected singer and songwriter, you may have heard of her...Brooke Fraser. She wrote a song title Shadowfeet a few years back and I wanted to quote part of it...as it's encouraged me to think bigger than my moment today! Be encouraged as you soak each word in...

"When the world has fallen out from under me

I'll be found in You, still standing...

When the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees

When time and space are through

I'll be found in You."

My Crafty Side

The past couple of months have been strange for me. Nothing out-of-the-ordinary...I was just in a funk. You know how those go. Mostly, I was struggling to find peace with my job. My jobs (in order of importance):
Follower of Christ

Wife to Ryan

Mom to Evie, Ella, Hero (our dog! Dog owners know how that goes...)

Part-time Receptionist

Worship Leader & Pastor's Wife

And not to leave out, friend, daughter, sister...you get the idea!

Well, my stuggle was coming from the part-time receptionist role. I was finding myself quite overwhelmed trying to find enough time in my day to get everything done (and do it well - that's the OCD in me!) The balance of fitting this job into my already full life was seeming to be a HUGE challenge for me. I've since been able to sorta "grow out" of the growing pains of the job (I've had it for almost 9 months now, you'd think this would have happened a long time ago! Anyways...)

During this season of discomfort, as I questioned if I would be able to stay at this job, I found myself trying to discover within myself other ways I could bring home some bacon. ;) And here's what I came up with. At this point, nothing is going to take the place of my secure job, BUT, for now, I'm enjoying my crafty side!

I even opened up an Etsy store! It's been fun. Except when I burned two fingers with the hot glue gun...we'll save that story for another time & place! Ha!