Give me a house to decorate, please.

I have a serious problem.
I like to change things.
Especially decor.
I honestly am so excited for the day when I have more than one room to alter.
In the meantime, I have my bedroom.

I'm pretty sure I can't add anything more to that wall; it's definitely full. I do have a lot of fun switching out what to hang though. Just this last year I became obsessed with calendars! Mainly because I get an entirely new gallery with the changing of the months. 

It's funny how styles change. I'm definitely taking on a very eclectic design style. 

I got the little easel from my friend Rachel, who purchased this when she was in France - I adore it! The small bowl is from Target. I never used to like orange, but I really love the contrast it creates with all my blues.

Love color. 

I've been really inspired by vintage garden looks and metallics. 

New artwork - Copper accents. 

My little 'bookshelf' that I am quickly outgrowing.

Because this is all I have for a Fairy Garden at the moment. 

Minnesnowta. Two of my favorite diy projects. 

And finally, a dreamcatcher that my older brother made me for Christmas. 

Thankfully, my problem is soon to be eased, as both our bathrooms are almost set for remodel! 

YAY!!!!!!!!!! 

So excited to make my home more modern and fresh! 

Anyone have any fun design inspirations or a place for me to decorate? ;) 

Heaven on Earth

Before I knew Jesus, when life would become rough I would slump for months.

No joy

No peace 

Nothing 

I had no will to experience anything, but my own grief. 

When I found Jesus, everything changed. 

Slumps no longer have the power to keep me down because 

He has already overcome anything I could possibly face! 

So when I slump, I am saying, "Jesus, I don't believe your work is a finished work." 

I'm allowing the enemy to win a battle he's already lost.

Daily, I must choose to believe Jesus and not let the enemy render me ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

I mean, that is his goal isn't it? To make our life here of no worth. 

Jesus said, I want you to have Heaven on Earth.

I don't know about you, but I certainly want Heaven. 

A place of no tears

No disappointment 

No suffering 

No greif 

Just Jesus. 

And if He said I can have this on now, count me in! 

Count it All Joy

There is a difference between happiness and joy:
Happiness is defined as good fortune, pleasure, contentment.
Joy, on the other hand, is the emotion of great delight caused by something.

Did you catch that?
Joy is caused by something.

In John 16 : 24 Jesus tells us, "Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
That is our something; it's as simple as that - to ask.
Often times, we think joy comes from circumstances and good things that happen to us, but that is happiness.
Joy, comes from the Lord and Him, alone.
James wrote in James 1:2 that we should "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."
"I have to consider a trial joy? That's absurd." That's what happiness would say, because happiness is determined by circumstances. Joy is forever and joy is eternal, because it comes from The One who is forever and eternal. You can't get it anywhere else.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10b

So ask for joy!

Best thing is that once you have it, according to John 16:22b "your joy no one will take from you."

Those words are from Jesus, so they are a promise. Hold on to your joy, because no one really has the power to take it. 

His joy is forEVer.

diy

I found a poem that I stored away from a friend

& wanted to display it on my gallery wall...

I was given this standard wooden frame from my best friend, Catherine. 

Was never sure what I wanted to do with it, figured this was the best opportunity :) 

 I painted the frame with acrylic paint in color: flesh

& hot glued gold ribbon on the edge to add a little bit of flair.

When the paint on the frame was drying I decided to paint the border of the glass gold, to give it an antique feel.

I love the way it turned out!

& I absolutely love what it adds to my wall!

Below is another diy that I did last night. 

We had some plastic candleholders just sitting on the kitchen counter. 

I really liked the design of them just not the icky beige color. 

I spruced them up with a layer of acrylic paint in Emerald

& then an antique finish in gold. 

I've really been digging metallic accents in everything I create. 

Adds a bit of vintage elegance, don't ya think?

Have you been creating anything lately?

What's your take on metallic?

Springing it up

I've been really in the mood for change lately & what better than my bedroom!

Spring is around the corner, so I thought I would bring a bit of sunshine into my room:

I got this tangerine throw from JCPenny.

Fell in love. 

Ten dollars well-spent, inspired me to add a little spring-like contrast to my ever-present teal.

I really love the warmth it brings in.

I added fiery sticks to my vase to mimic the warmth in the throw.

"Fear not, only believe"

I chose to put this at the head of my bed, so I would see it the moment I wake up.

Keep the faith.

My birdcage :) 

I don't know exactly what it is about this little thing, but I adore it. 

It reads peace to me. 

I made this yesterday! 

Stretched burlap, wooden letter, scrap book paper, paint & adhesive

Simple

Cover the face of the wooden letter with a selected piece of scrap book paper, adhere it to the surface & then have fun!

Once dry adhere it to the burlap and allow to dry

L:Liah

also: 

Laugh, Love, Live, Lead, Leap, Learn, Let, Light, Listen.

Perfect piece to add to my new gallery wall!

I really love the way this turned out

& 

I am so excited to add more!

What do you think?

Have you been up to any recent room projects?

With love!

Lu

Tendency to Connect

All those that know me well know that I find great joy in parallels..

"A person or thing that is similar or analogous to another."

I find connections between everything and just about anything.

Seriously.

For instance, my favorite number, 23 is related back to just about everything in my life.

Anything good anyhow.

If the Packers score 23 points they are going to win and if their opponent scores 23, they likewise will win. Its just the way it works.

23 is representation of God's favor on my life.

I also relate it back to people, times, event, everything.

My family will hear me on a daily basis, "that's my favorite number, so so and so must be true!!"

I'm laughing as I write that because I know they think I'm ridiculous when I do that

but I will always do it.

I also enjoy finding parallels within the word of God.

For instance, peace.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hears and minds through Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

"Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Philippians 4:8-9

"For he himself is our peace."

Ephesians 2:14

God is our peace. So, when I keep my mind on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous & praiseworthy God will be with me and he will guard my heart and mind from everything that does fit the above filter.

"Peace"- Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility

So not only will I feel at ease with situations, but I will find from all disturbances. Meaning insomnia, for instance, something I've been struggling with the last twelve days; less than two hours a night.

I'm exhausted.

I know its a spiritual attack.

I believe with my whole heart, that God's peace will bring me quiet and tranquility again.

Just need to stand firm.

My breakthrough is approaching.

Love:

"God is love"

1 John 4:8

"Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy; love doesn't parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked and thinks no evil, does not rejoice in inquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

So, if god is love then subsequently:

God is patient and kind; God does not envy, God doesn't parade Himself, He is not puffed up; God does not behave rudely, He does not seek His own, is not provoked and He thinks absolutely NO evil, He does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in ALL truth; God bears ALL things, God believes ALL things, hopes ALL things, endures ALL things. God NEVER fails.

Ah I just love that.

My tendency to connect has greatly aided in my understanding of who God really is

&

what his  promises really mean to me.

My personal revelation of Him

&

my personal relationship with Him.



An anchor for my soul.

As most of you probably know, I am quite the dreamer. 

One day, years ago, someone told me, "get your head out of the clouds"

(Now this wasn't brought to my remembrance until just today)

I hadn't realized how strong of a hold these words had over me;

From the point those words were said I had so much trouble seeing past the box of the carnal mind. 

My subconscious refused to dream-I didn't understand why I couldn't "see" anymore.

Now I understand. 

Those words deadened my soul. 

They made my cloud grey and low to the ground. 

My subconscious mind believed those words for the last three years-causing my sight to grow dim. 

Recently through the reading of God's word and books He has renewed my mind, soul and my spirit. 

He said to me,

"dream big and then dream even bigger;

return to the clouds,

I will be your anchor."

These words have given me so much life! 

Faith 

& 

Inspiration. 

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul."-Hebrews 6:19

He has revealed to me that as long as I stay rooted and grounded in his word that my soul-my cloud- can soar. 

He has also revealed to me that this is who my future husband is meant to be to me.

For husbands are supposed to love their wife as God so loved the church.

change that love to be:

My future husband is meant to be like what God is to me

- an anchor

Not to replace him, but to be in like mind with him. 

strong, secure, and someone who will support my dreams

Remember:

Dream big and then even BIGGER