Book Club

Here is the book we will be reading for March. Discussion will be opened (soon) for The Little Prince.

Breathe Life into Your Dreams

Love this! Great words to finish a wonderful week!! This artwork was created by @ofheartandhome and @susannaapril 

Book Publishing

Wow... WOW! I am overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement you all have shown towards my brother and his little book. God is oh so very good. I shared this story to inspire you but, actually, YOU all have supported and encouraged him!! Some of you have even asked to purchase a copy. I'm just so thankful for you all! What a blessing and amazing community IG is! He just can't believe it!! He looked at me and said,"I only have one book! How am I going to copy it for them?" hehe! I am trying to find a way for you to purchase this book without an outrageous price. Do any of you have any suggestions or know of a company that would help?

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!! 

1k Followers on IG

     Friends, today "Free to be Me Journal" reached 1000 followers. Do you know what that means? That means that 1000 women are being encouraged and supported everyday! I am definitely one of them!! This account is about YOU and how God is working in your lives!! I felt God lead me to create this account to bless others but really dear friends, you all have encouraged, supported and blessed me!! I cherish each one of you!! This account is about uniting together to support one another and speak life instead of tearing each other down. You are all so amazing and have incredible purpose! In 2015, I want to focus even more on you!! I want to hear your stories, your thoughts, dreams, frustrations and hear how God is leading you! We all have the ability to be change - let's choose do that!! Just think... each one of us has a platform thanks to IG. Think of it this way, each time you post, you are in a room filled with however many followers you have or people who come across your page. That's incredible!! If just 1 person is inspired then that's a HUGE success!!

Mary Tyler Moore

     Good Morning Friends!! What are you planning for today? Besides wishing for this perfect coat, I hope to do some reading, creating, music listening and some updating in my shop. I wanted to share with you this beautiful thought: "Write in your heart that EVERY day is the BEST day of the year." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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!

Polaroids

     

     Happy Saturday everyone!! Several posts back, I shared a photo from a special shoot I did with my cousin. Our goal was to create 70s Polaroids with just my iPhone. I mentioned that I might share a few more photos and thought today would be the perfect day to do so. Friends, it's so important to not always wait until everything is safe and perfectly ready. Sometimes God is calling us to do something, but we want to wait until He reveals the entire plan before our eyes so that we can plan, prepare and not fear. However, God wants us to trust Him so completely and take hold of His hand knowing everything will be ok and that a vast adventure awaits before us. He leads us experience be experience - lesson by lesson. He reveals His plan one day at a time. Know that God is calling you to do something, just say YES now and trust Him for all of your needs, worries and fears. It is through our weaknesses that His strength and power is revealed. (the shirt she is wearing is available in my shop www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com) 

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 

Rooted Beauty - Facial Products Changing the World

    Friends, have you heard of the beautiful company @rootedbeautyco? They create and sell facial products that benefit women in poverty and human trafficking! I usually try to be as organic and all natural as I possibly and sensibly can. I came across their products on IG and 1. Loved their mission 2. Loved that they are pretty close to all natural and organic 4. Their products/packaging are biodegradable. I am currently using these three lip butters and LOVE them!! The Berry mint one is especially AWESOME!! Please take time to go check out their shop! I hope to purchase more of their facial products.
http://www.rootedbeauty.com

Becoming - The Unfolding of You - Jeanne Oliver

     Friends, do you know @jeanneoliver? I'm sure most of you do!! 😊 I recently discovered her website and have not been the same since. You know that feeling when you have found something that so utterly delights you that you want to either sit and cry or squeal with delight and shout it to the world? Well, that's exactly how I felt when I discovered her and her site!!!! (What an incredibly beautiful soul you are@jeanneoliver!!!) Well, she has created along with several other amazing ladies, a free course called "Becoming - the unfolding of you". Today was the first week and launch of the first videos. Besides crying my eyes out and just wishing I could jump through the screen and hug Jeanne so tight, I was blown away and absolutely inspired by her story she shared as well as her great passion for Jesus! Ladies, please, go sign up and join in on this amazing creative course! It will change your heart and life - at least it is for me! It's so beautiful and peaceful! I love that there will be a little creative video included with each week. Go to her account. The link is in her profile 😊😊😊✨✨✨ 

January Book #1

     Good Morning my friends! Here is the official launch of our book club!! Book #1 is Preemptive Love (buy here @preemptivelove). We will read this book for January and have discussion on it the last day of the month. I understand that the timing is a little off for this month but we will work it out!! Please, don't feel panicked or anything like that. We are going to have so much fun and learn so very much!! I'm eager to read along with you all and see how God directs us and changes our hearts!! You all are beautiful and have such lovely dreams!! God has huge plans for each one of you!! 

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!!

Create Love Project

     Friends, I have something that I am unbelievably excited to share with you!! Photographers from all over the country, are teaming up to "be change" in this world. We are each offering a free photo shoot to a family or individual that has been through some tough times lately and could use a little love and sincere care and encourage in their lives. As I specialize in ladies portraits, this is who I am thrilled to offer a free session to. But now we need your help. We need nominations for families and individuals!! I'll be posting the guidelines and info in just a sec. This life is so much more than living the norm... it's about stepping outside of your comfort zone and sharing Jesus's light with others! God gave us talents and gifts for the ultimate purpose of spreading his word... this includes being different than the rest and walking by faith!! I'm so proud of and thankful for @heatherglasby putting this amazing project together! 

Beloved Necklace

     Hey friends!! Hope you are all having a WONDERFUL morning!!! This necklace (it's on SALE) is available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com After wearing hand stamped jewelry... I don't think I will wear anything else. There is something so powerful about looking down at my bracelet or necklace and seeing encouraging and inspiring words. Well... Christmas is just around the corner and I'm trying to make my purchases more intentional and meaningful. These kind of items are what I like to purchase. Anyway, I would love for you to check out the shop for other lovely items as well! Leave a comment tagging a friend who would be encouraged by this necklace as well as a friend's shop I should check out. Love meeting new small business owners and seeing their incredible creativity!! Plus, I'm in need of Christmas present ideas!!! 

Free to be Me Journal Interview

     Hey friends!! Just in case you didn't see it, I wanted to let you know that my dear friend Mel of @melbee_photography shared an interview with me on her blog (http://melbee.squarespace.com/new-blog/) about Free to be Me Journal. If you have been wondering how this account began, all of your questions are answered! I'm so thankful for the opportunity to share it with you all. Have a WONDERFUL day friends!! You all are SO special!! Photo credit to my dear friend Vanessa of Butterfly Sparks Creative (http://butterflysparks.tumblr.com)

Wear Love Now Shop

     Photo by @wearlovenow_ Make sure you stop by her feed and check out her shop!! So creative and lovely!! I especially love her heart for God! 

"Faith & Trust" Necklace

     Loving this necklace!!! This "Faith & Trust" necklace is a one of a kind and up for $18. Available at www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com

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