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 

God's Beauty is Everywhere

     "God's beauty is everywhere! Capture it!" Whether by art, photography, decorating, writing, speaking, encouraging or the hundreds of others ways... capture it and share it!!! This little quick artwork was done on a piece of regular ole cardboard. @hippieindisguise you inspired this!! Use what you have and choose to see the whimsical beauty!!

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 😊😊😊✨✨✨ 

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

     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."

"His Flower Child" Lace Cuff

Eeeeekkkk!!  New cuffs!!  This cuff does have a belt underneath the lace.  I made this one for myself that says "His Flower Child".  I can't stop wearing it!  $35 each.  www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com I will have more sayings available.

Trust Him Necklace

So happy with this one!  "Trust Him" is available for $26.  Love the different textures and lovelies used to make this necklace.  One of a kind!  www.iwonderoriginal.storenvy.com

Dare to Dream?

     Think about this today. I ask that God help me humbly accept the path that He has chosen for me and be confident in the talents he has given me. He is not a God of fear but a God of trust and faith!! You are here for a reason. Don't let frustrations or struggles in your life cloud this this truth or overcome your walk with God!!

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.