Elvis Presley Quote

     I can't tell you how much I love this quote. I think we all feel this way. What's amazing though, is that this quote couldn't be more true. God has something in store for each one of us - we each have a purpose and a journey that was specifically designed with us in mind. When you turn your life over to God, things are going to happen to you. In God's eyes, the small things can prove to be big and the big things - small. He fills us with certain passions and gifts that are a part of our story. We just have to seek Him out to determine which are heavenly and which are worldly. Have you asked God to show you what He has in store for you? It just might surprise you what He can accomplish through you! Our God is the God who parted waters, helped a young boy defeat a giant, used a woman named Esther to save her people, walked on water, and changed the heart a man persecuting Christians - who would later go throughout the world spreading the Gospel. No friends, you were not created to walk mindlessly through this life. You were put on this earth for a reason. And those dreams you have in your heart or that amazing journey God is leading you on - none of it is impossible or too big for God!! I'm dying to hear your thoughts and dreams!! Please share them with me!! 

Vintage Key Necklace

     Brand New!! Dear friends, I'm hoping to add these little lovelies to the shop soon! If you would like this one, just leave a comment below or send me an email at: freetobemejournal@gmail.com. $35 shipped. Antique key and a little charm that I can add whatever word that speaks to your heart. Would be really special and a great reminder to add a word you have chosen for 2015. Thank you so much my friends. Each one of you is so very special and I wish I could hug you all!

Sale

     Just wanted to let you all know that today is the last day of the big holiday sale in my shop. www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com 

Have a Lovely Day!

     Relax and enjoy this lovely day (even if it's rainy or cold) that God has made!!

Book Club List

     Alrighty my friends!!! I am so excited about the response I received about the book club! This is going to be an amazing year full of learning and many life changing thoughts. The book list is ready and is compiled of many subjects to help us be change in our world. I am eager to begin and look forward to all of the discussions. I have not read each of these books and we may not all agree - but that's ok!! We are all striving to be the best we can be and all have so much to learn from one another. Embrace this adventure with the idea that God is going to draw you closer to Him and encourage you to dig deeper. So without further ado, here is the list: 1. Preemptive Love (buy from @preemptivelove ) 2. The Little Prince 3. The Hiding Place 4. To Kill a Mockingbird 5. I am Malala 6. Tramp for The Lord 7. Love Does 8. How to Win Friends and Influence People 9. 12 Pillars 10. Where He Leads - Dale Evans Rogers 11. Kisses From Katie 12. God's Smuggler

Book Club

     Would anyone be interested in a book club? I really enjoy reading and learning new things but sometimes I have a hard time finishing books. I have always wanted to join a book club for several reasons. 1. You have a schedule and time frame to help you finish a book 2. You have friends to discuss the book with 3. You learn oh so much through reading books 4. Many different subjects can be covered and different time periods Anyway, I am hoping to put a book list together and would be so happy if you would like to join along!! We can read a book each month and have a little fun discussing it here on IG. I would love to hear your thoughts!!

Inspiration

     What would you do? Would you take that dream seriously? Would you then choose to walk by faith? Would you quit waiting for the perfect time to start because deep inside you really think it's insanely crazy or that you could never do it? We serve a HUGE God who can do ANYTHING! We can never do it...alone... but through our weaknesses, He becomes our STRENGTH! Friends... it's through the failure, frustration, ridicule, fear and hard work that God molds us. It's part of the incredibly journey of stepping out in faith and true purpose in Him....learning to exchange doubt for TRUST. I want to know what you would do. There is power in writing something down... putting thoughts to paper. It makes them tangible and more realistic than just a dream floating in your head. Please, take the time to leave a comment and tell me your dream... your thoughts and your ideas that you feel God has placed on your heart. Then... take what you leave in a comment and write it down on a piece of paper... tape it somewhere in your house where you can see it each day. Then... PRAY, TRUST and WALK BY FAITH! 

Free to be Me Journal Interview

     Good morning friends!!! Today is a VERY special day!! If you have been wondering about how "Free to be Me Journal" began, well your questions have been answered. My dear friend and incredible photographer Mel (@melbee_photography)has featured me on her blog today for the purpose of sharing how this account came to be. I'm excited for you all to know more about the purpose of this account and see how God orchestrates everything so perfectly to bring about His glory!! YOU all are so encouraging and inspiring to me and I know God has GREAT things in store for you!! The link to the interview is in my profile. Thank all of you who follow along and desire to break free from society's norms and soar through faith in Jesus!! Love ya Mel!!! Photo credit to my dear friend @butterflysparks 

Photo - Monica Silva

     Photo and caption by @mrs612mlt Every post in her gallery, is captured and expressed through the eyes of her son. "Although you maybe among many, the simplest way to stand out is just to stand up. I choose to stand up, otherwise, I will be engulfed by a sea of beautiful pumpkins. Plus, mama may not be able to see me & it is almost time to go. Being lost without mama is not fun. No matter where I am, being with mama is always being home."

"Beloved" Necklace Giveaway Winner

Photo by @nc_mountaingirl. So happy that your received your necklace!

May I pray for You?

     Good morning friends!! I hope you all have a super fantastic day today!! Is there anyway that I can be praying for you? 

Women Entrepreneur Feature - Mary Krause

Good Morning friends! Oh my! Today's interview is absolutely packed full of encouragement and inspiration. I'm always so incredibly excited to share with you each interview because the power of someone sharing their story is amazing. It speaks right to our hearts and reminds us to walk by faith and not sight.  Our interview for today, is with a very dear friend of mine who has encouraged me so greatly.  I'm constantly moved by her story and faith and always leave her Instagram feed feeling so inspired and reminded to turn over the reigns of this life to my Heavenly Father. She is an absolutely gem and I'm so thankful for having her in my life. May I introduce, Mary Krause! 

1. How did you come to realize your gift/talent for creating hand stamped items?

I have to admit that I have not always been a very confident, risk taking person, so starting an online etsy shop was quite the stretch for me to do alone, but my daughters, Eleanor and Madelyn both played a big part in encouraging me to do so.  I knew that the Lord had blessed us with certain gifts in our creativity and that HE had also planted those desires in our hearts to share those talents with others.  We sought to open HOPEhomemade as a faith based shop, with our main focus being to honor the Lord in all we did and to encourage others in their faith as well.  I knew that it would also be a wonderful learning experience for my daughters... a way for us to connect as a family, and an opportunity to teach them how to run a shop and do things to the absolutely best of your ability, because that's what the Lord expects of us all.  I'm so glad we did, because the Lord took my fears and turned it into faith as HE blessed us with sales and customers that were so kind and life giving in their words.

2. Where do you gather inspiration?

I gather inspiration, first and foremost, from the Scriptures.  You just can't go wrong!  There are so many Truths tucked away in the Bible and I love reading a passage from my devotions and being inspired by it.  I can then, in turn, encourage others in that same lesson that God has taught me, which has been phenomenal to watch unfold!  I believe that we are here on this earth to share the Gospel with everyone we meet, and also to encourage fellow believers in their faith walk.  The fact that God can minister through this weak vessel is just astounding.  I definitely feel unworthy and you know what? I am.  BUT! Christ IN ME, the hope of glory, is able to turn my many failures and shortcomings into His beautiful story, woven one day at a time, by His grace, for His glory!  I am also GREATLY inspired by hymns of old.  The stories of hope and redemption, from days gone by, have often times been written out of times of great loss and tragedy.  Their faith strengthens mine and the encouragement and depth of substance that they carry inspires me every time I hear them.

3. If you had one piece of advice to share with women entrepreneurs, what would it be?

Well, I certainly do not feel qualified to give out any advice to women entrepreneurs, but the one things that I would say is to seek God in everything and when you know that He has called you to do something, BE BRAVE in it!  This is something that I struggled with my whole life, but when God used my girls to push me out of my comfort zone, He blessed in ways I couldn't have imagined.  If I had stayed in my comfortable little bubble, I would have missed out on some of the greatest blessings!  I am learning that we are called to be bold ambassadors for Christ and when He calls us to a certain task, because of a certain gifting, He will finish that work that HE started in our hearts if we just simply trust HIM.  Remember, self focus = INSECURITY, but Christ focus and fixing your gaze on HIM = ULTIMATE CONFIDENCE!

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HOPEhomemade
Instagram: mary.krause

Thank you so much for sharing with us, Mary!  Friends, please go and check out Mary's shop and especially her instagram feed! Your life will be changed.

I Wonder Jewelry

     Hey friends!!! These necklaces are available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com I absolutely love this design but only have 4!!! 

I Wonder Tee

     Tees available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com This shirt comes in black and white!!! 

I Wonder Art

     

     This painting is available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com. All sizes available!! The contrast of beautiful flowers with the "imperfect" handwriting is reminiscent of quotes that we write and post around our homes to remind us to strive to overcome our "imperfect"behaviors in order to draw closer to Jesus! 

Photo - Ruby Uhart

This splendid photo was taken by @rubyuhart

GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey you guys!!! It's giveaway time!! I'm so moved by how God used this necklace to help correct my heart, so I want to give one away to you lovely ladies! Here's how to enter: 

1. Repost photo on your account and tag @freetobemejournal 

2. Leave an encouraging comment below tagging 3 friends 

3. Your account cannot be on private 

4. Use #freetobemejournalgiveaway when reposting 

HAVE FUN friends!! Speak life into others!! Winner will be chosen on October 20th!!! 

"Beloved" Necklace Limited Design

     Guess what?!?  I have ONLY 4 of these available!! These are so gorgeous and I wish I could keep them all!! Haha!! $26. Leave your PayPal email to claim!! This would make a perfect gift for a friend who needs a little bit of love. Be change!! www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com

"Beloved" Necklace

     Let's be encouragers and offer support to each other... a smile or simple but sincere "How are you today?" can boost someone's spirit and make them feel special to know someone cared. If God has laid someone on your heart this morning, don't push it aside. A text, email or phone call letting them know you care can brighten someone's day immensely!! Leave your PayPal email below to claim this beautiful necklace. $26. More available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com 

"Beloved" Necklaces

www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com