The Best Things In Life Are Free

When I awoke this morning, this was the first clear thought on my mind and heart after a night of blissful dreaming and sleep. It is good to take time out to celebrate and enjoy the simple things in life.

Embrace the moment, celebrate today... this is good advice.

We live in such a busy society where we are always working towards something in the future. Obviously this is necessary but it can't be where all of our thoughts and energies are. We also need to live in the moment. We need to enjoy some of the best things in life that are free and only require our attention to notice.

I love to do this. I love to escape from the everyday tasks and in my mind, celebrate the things that bring me joy. Sometimes they are things that I have experience that day or a previous one.
Here's my list for today of some of the best things:

• the soft kiss of a child
• infectious laughter that creates a spontaneous response
• morning sun that shines so bright you have to squint
• watching a newborn baby stretch
• the sound of silence
• walking through a garden center and admiring the lovely colored blooms and creative arrangements
  
• the sound of waves gently swishing on shore
  
• the sound of an acoustic guitar being played softly
• hearing kind words spoken to me or about someone I love
• the ability to hum and sing
• snuggling on a big cushy chair with a hot tea
• brilliant colors
• the smell of my husbands cologne
• sparkling white lights lit up on a dark night
• walking barefoot on the sand or on soft grass
  
• a candle glowing

Has it got you thinking? Good. Enjoy the moment and remember the best things in life are free.

A word in season

I don't know what God has been speaking to you lately. But I have a word for this season that God has spoken to me.
It's called HOPE.

Its been on my heart for at least 3 months now. Does this mean I have felt this way for 3 months now?
Ah..... no. That's is exactly why I need a word from God for the season I am in. I need His perspective.

Now, every time I open the paper or read things, or speak to others or read God's word, I am noticing the word hope. I am speaking the word hope.

It's a word in season. It is for you and me. Hope is not wishful thinking, it's confidant believing.

I declare that this is a season of hope, despite what you see or what you hear on the news or what the financial systems of this world say.

Put your hope in God alone.

Here is what I read this morning as I was studying the word hope:

"Hope focuses on God and fills us with eager expectation. No one who learns to hope in a biblical way will ever be overcome by disappointment but will be filled with patience, encouragement and enthusiasm."

"Hope is a great affirmation of trust in God, not because the believer knows what is ahead, but because God is know as wholly trustworthy"

Here are the words to a song I wrote recently that has been pouring hope into my heart:

My soul finds rest in God alone (repeat, until you get it!!)

Why so downcast O my soul
Put your hope in God alone
He's a redeemer, He is a healer
He has the answers to all of my questions (repeat)

And He is in control
He is God alone
God of the heavens
God of the earth
Sovereign, Majestic and awesome in wonders is He (repeat)

The Lord is good and His love endures
The Lord is good and His love endures
The Lord is good and His love endures everyday

A Time Out

I've had the privilege of having Nancy Beach in Kelowna this week. I've been able to work with her and to help facilitate Gifted to Lead events in 4 different provinces in Canada this year During this time I have come to really appreciated and admire her ability to communicate and I have been overwhelmed with the wealth of wisdom that she possesses from years of experience as a Arts Director at Willow Creek Association.

Last night she went above and beyond and shared at a special arts gathering. During this evening we drilled her with all sorts of questions that are on the mind of arts leaders in the church.

One of he things she talked about was making sure you take time apart as a worship/arts team. It can be a day or two, at a home of a friend, or at a retreat center, but is so important to just do it.
Here is what she says are the key elements of a retreat for your team. I think these elements are not important for any team, and even a family gathering.

Take time out to:

1. Celebrate (where you've come from and the things you've accomplished)
   
2. Honor (one another and the processes you have been in)
   
3. Have Fun (what can I say? Laughter is good medicine!)
   

I'd say that this is good advice!

Its a small world

I have been blessed to be able to be at 4 Gifted to Lead events in Canada this year. I get to MC at these events and help with the months of planning that goes into these days. The response has been overwhelming.There is a huge amount of women in Canada who are looking for mentoring and training about leadership.
Recently it took me to Moncton, NB. I posted some great feedback about this gathering on the Gifted to Lead blog. It sure is awesome to visit churches in various provinces. Now, it will be in my home town of Kelowna on Nov. 4.
Along with this, Nancy agreed to do a special Arts Gathering on a live web streaming cafe tomorrow night on Tuesday, Nov. 4. If you know of Arts Leaders in your area that would like to log on and watch it live, check out the event here.

This time, at Gifted to Lead in Kelowna we will be having a special guest. Her name is Rosemary Flaaten and she is an accomplished Canadian author and speaker. I had the privilege of meeting her in Calgary, and now we are bringing her to Kelowna to do a special interview with Nancy Beach at one of the Gifted to Lead sessions and also do a camera interview with me for our web site.
Just yesterday, I found out that my dear friend Jen, has been reading Rosemary's book. Make sure you check out her blog. I was overwhelmed at how God allows us to see divine connections in action. Its so cool that a friend from another province is deeply impacted by a new friend that I have made out here in western Canada. These type of little occurrences always remind me of the amazing workings of God and how He divinely connects us all. I'm so grateful that He lets me be a part first hand of seeing His handiwork.
It truly is a small world!

Inspiring Hope

I've been a bit busy the past number of months and so my blog has been neglected. That's Ok because its all been for good reason. I've been busy travelling and encouraging leaders across Canada.
Even more importantly, in my free time, I have been busy dreaming of Africa and helping to plan for an African Choir that is coming to Kelowna in December.
One of the things that my husband and I will be doing is holding a business leaders luncheon to raise significant funds for drought relief for these wonderful children.
The orphanage I visited a year ago, is for the first time ever going on tour across North America to raise funds and awareness for the efforts at Mully Childrens Family.
I could talk for ever about this tremendous opportunity and the incredible entrepreneurial spirit that Charles Mulli has, but I'll let you click the links provided in this post and let you discover the story of hope yourself.
You won't be disappointed, and you may even be inspired to : Against all hope..... believe.