Today I was overwhelmed with joy and God's presence.  I was at Collective today and I was blessed to speak to a few people throughout the day and encourage them with God's wisdom.  I asked how I could pray for a lady's family and while speaking with me she teared up as the words of wisdom I relayed to her were what God exactly wanted her to hear and hold to.  Another sweet lady blessed me with an early birthday gift (which was so very thoughtful and filled my cup just from the thought behind it).  But she also opened up to me and told me that my husband and I have been a part of her inspiration to go into owning a business.  I always try to point them all to Jesus.  I am just blessed to be used as a vessel.  But anything good that comes from me is not mine, it is not me, it is Jesus in me the credit goes to God.  I am broken and sinful and do not deserve anything especially Gods grace and our savior of Jesus, but God out of love for us gave us salvation through Jesus and He is the one that deserves all credit for anything good, any light in this broken world is Him and I am humbled and over joyed to give that credit to Him and only Him.   I will  humbly admit that I was doubtful of the impact I was making working at this location and not our initial coffee shop (Vintage).  I was telling my husband that after working at Vintage (which by the way I have worked for, for 10 years this month...blessed it goes by too fast) I would be physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually exhausted.  This exhaustion was so rewarding though.  After a day like that I feel that I have served God's purpose or gave all that I could that day to serve Him.  And at the end of a day like that I found myself saying out loud in my car while  I was driving home, "I love my job!"  I was exhausted but full of joy knowing and feeling the presence of God in my life.  My cup was completely poured out and it was tiring and I loved it!  I did not feel that when I left work at Collective, and I am so upset with myself and my doubts at God working through me at this location.  The last couple days He has shown me His presence here and His will and work for me.  It is not our right to see the blessings of God and His work, it is our privilege to be used by Him as a vessel and witness His glory through His work in others and ourselves.  What have you had doubts in?  Is there a place you feel like you are not meeting the purpose the Lord has for you?  If so feel free to share in the comments below,  BUT I highly encourage you to take some quality time with the Lord and lift those thoughts and feelings to Him.  Freely giving it and not putting a time limit on a response, but have faith that our God is faithful and hears our prayers and will respond accordingly to His will and when we are part of that His will cannot help but make the most sense.  Praise His wisdom and love He gives to us broken children!

             Yesterday I worked at our coffee shop located in our church ​(Collective Coffee Shop).  Normally it is very relaxed and a bit quieter than Vintage, but I enjoy that slow time to rest and connect with the Lord. But it also gives me more time to connect with customers some new and returning.  But yesterday I was so very blessed to be prayed over by a gentleman visiting town with his wife.  They had come to both our coffee shops and I got to share with him my testimony of running our ministry driven shop.  He asked to pray over me and of course I said yes and was so very blessed by his prayer for my family, shop and Vintage family (staff).  His kind words and willingness to pray over a stranger was so very encouraging.  I am getting goosebumps just revisiting the thought as I write.  
            I know that right now we are in a bit of a storm with all the brokenness of the world, but I encourage you all to take time to slow down thank God for what He has given and thank Him for what He will give.  With this thankful heart and mind seek the good, the hope that escapes our attention when we are too focused on the dealings of the day and week, not to mention the technology that surrounds us and tends to distract from our focus for fellowship with others. Comment below and mention at least one thing you are thankful for or a glimpse of hope seen through a typical day.  Shout out to  Mateo a great blessing and brother in Christ!

            So I am a thrifter, antiquer, and sometimes will grab up furniture on the side of the road that has a "FREE" sign on it.  But another thing I have found myself doing is going to the far back, right corner of our local Hobby Lobby and seeing what is on sale for cheap AKA items not selling or items that are damaged (my favorite!).  So this week I am going to go to that space in  Hobby Lobby full of potential and  get a piece or two, or three and breath some new life into it with creativity.  Stay tuned I will  post pictures in my blog and the finished product(s) will be for sale in my shop soon...

            Good morning friends!  This morning is so shiny,  sun-shiny that is.  I am one to enjoy a good gloomy day, but lately we have been getting too much.  I guess the saying too much of a good thing is not a good thing, rings true in this case. So I welcome this wonderful sunny day.  The sunrise this morning was so beautiful with all the colors and hues painted in the sky as the sun peeked over the hills.  It gets me into a productive mode.  I want to do.  I am currently working at my coffee shop located in our church and I am drinking a coffee with a lit candle, gentle music and I am using this blessed quiet time to write, journal, pray, and reflect.  It gives my body and soul  rest and quality time to reconnect with the Lord.  The rest given to me is a gift that helps me fill my cup so that I can continue to pour out to others.   Also when I am rested and refreshed creativity is sparked.  Ideas form and old ideas are brought to light again and given new purpose.   Comment below on what you do with your  blessed quiet time.  What helps to fill your cup?

       I have had this old retired coffee pot and was tossing around ideas of making a terrarium or art vase centerpiece using other retired items.  With the help of my daughter Quest we created something new and fun.  These items have escaped the fate of the dump and have come together with the artistic ability gifted to me and my daughter from God.  It came together beautifully and now has a story behind it.    Credit  to the Lord for giving all of us creative ability.  Discover what you love to create be it cooking, music, painting, crafts, woodwork, interior design, etc. and have fun giving new life to something the world views as "old".

P.S. Check out the piece on my shop page by clicking the photo.  This revived art piece needs a new and loving home.