My Beautiful Mess

What have you done lately that was risky? Sometimes I let fear get in the way of risk taking. One of my passions is creating. I love to do all of the above-create, experiment, breaking rules, make mistakes etc. You all know I love buying handmade, going junking/antiquing, and buying from people with causes. I have always wanted sell stuff that I have made or created. So……I finally decided to make the leap with 2 other friends. My friend Becca and her sister Katherine and I are opening a vendor booth at Hodge Podge in Monroe, GA. We open up Nov. 1. We are so excited. Come see the creativity and the risk in our little booth titled Our Beautiful Mess.

https://www.facebook.com/HodgePodgeAntiques

At Passion City, my pastor taught through the book of Ephesians. We looked at Ephesians 2:11-12 (I wanted to share my notes)

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands- Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

God says in Paul’s writing-Remember (twice). Remember when you didn’t have a Messiah? Remember when you didn’t have a passport in? When you weren’t in with  the people of God? A foreigner? When you didn’t have hope?

If you follow Christ, then you remember that time. I know I do. Verse 13 is the best though….What a follow up verse. Ephesians 2:13 says But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13 is Why we celebrate!!! We celebrate because He himself is our Peace -Ephesians 2:14

I celebrate because I have was once without hope, but now I have hope. I celebrate because I was once without Christ but now I have Christ.

We had baptism sunday this past sunday at Passion City Church. I love the reminder of how I was once dead and now I am alive!

My cousin Jeremy recorded a live version of me singing I will rise one sunday at our former church Chestnut mountain Church. I love how this song is a reminder of how we were once dead in our sin and now we are alive because of Christ.

http://katiestrickland.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/2013/10/I-will-rise-Katie-Strickland.mp3

We have too much stuff. So it is time to simplify. We started by having a yard sale. There was a time where I would just take it to Goodwill or give it away. The time that you have to give in tagging for a consignment sales or setting up for a yard sale is sometimes not worth it. I get it. This season of life though-that isn’t my attitude at all. I am constantly thinking about how my dream house book (pictured below) can come a faster reality. So…I don’t mind the extra work because I know that every dollar we save is getting us to our goal. I glued this light fixture in the other day. It is from pottery barn.

I still have lots more to get rid of and to clean out. Here are my next 3 to be downsized-

1. School stuff

My next goal is to downsize all the school stuff that I have. I know I will find myself back in a classroom again but I don’t know when that will be. So…I want it to be used instead of taking up space in my garage or my cousins basement.

2. Christmas decor-I have items that I haven’t used in a few years. Time to take inventory on that.

3. Home decor-I love changing out decor in our home. I have a few containers in our garage that I store stuff in and get out when I feel like quieting a room. That is the Nester’s way of saying to change up your decor, furniture, etc to get a new look. She does such a great job with this and tends to use things she already has.

What areas of your life need simplifying? Do you have a list of things you need to tackle? I have found that setting goals has helped me be content with where we are on our journey. It has also been nice to see how our family playbook is being lived out in this area of our life.

Here are some great resources for memory

I love this book. Click on the book to buy it. You won’t regret it.

Scripture memory for Preschoolers

Seeds family worship

We love these cds. Each song is a different verse. We love that some of the verses that we are learning are in song.

Totally Tots

Is a great blog for lots of resources. You should check them out. I love the learning scripture resources though.

I love this blog. I have followed Courtney’s blog for a while now. I recently got my own set of scripture cards. I love the beautiful display of artwork while learning God’s promises. If you live in the Gainesville area- You can get them at Nest feathers. Her shop has a listing of all the places you can get them.

If you are a mom or a wife you get this. There is so much that goes into a day. The conversations, the teaching, the work, the cleaning, the daily tasks, praying, seeking, asking for patience, wisdom, and more patience. There are days that we do what we do without a thank you. Some might even wonder- What are they doing? Be encouraged today, that God sees the work of your hands.