Simply Done?

From time to time adds will appear on my screen for Word products. One time a slogan popped up that said “Take a short trip to a place called done.” I laughed over this one. Mainly because I realize how few times I really do take that trip.

Rarely do I allow myself to rest. Rarely do I allow myself to be done. To stop what I’m doing and take a break. Truth is, I like activity. I like being busy. Done usually only comes into my vocabulary when one facet of my to-do list is finished and I can move onto the next thing.

But I need to take that trip more often. To rest in what has been done and to put some things aside that need a rest. So come on, let’s take a trip to a place called done.     

Simply 21

I was watching 16 Wishes. A fun-filled Disney comedy surrounding Abby Jenson and her 16 birthday wishes. As her wishes become reality, Abby realizes that sometimes what you want can become a nightmare.

As I turn 21, I tried to think of something that I would want for this birthday. But then I realized that I am becoming the person I always wanted to be. When I was little I had all these things that I wanted to do and be. As I’ve gotten older God has fulfilled my dreams and desires. He’s given me the chance to use what I have for Him. And though some of it has been in very unlikely ways, God’s helping shape me into the person I always dreamed of being.

So instead of wishing for things I don’t need, I’m going to name 21 birthday blessings. 21 things that I am so grateful for.

1 1.       A God who looked through all of time and space and chose to love me.

22.       An amazing family. They support me, love me, and keep me focused on what’s important. My mom and dad are my best encouragers and counselors. My sister Sarah, my best friend, a great cheerleader, and my best listener. My brother Michael, a neat Godly guy, who always defends me. My sister Grace, a great helper with a great laugh and a kind heart. My sister Rebekkah, sweet and thoughtful. She is always thinking of others. And Mikayla (yes, we had a lot of girls in our family :) ) With a youthful spirit, kind heart, and a great sense of humor. Then there’s Nicole (my oldest sister) and her husband and two girls. They are all so kind and fun. I have a big family and they are one of the biggest blessings in my life. And I love them all so much.

33.       Friends. Rachel and Jessica, you both mean so much to me. Rachelle, Julia, Cynthia, Melinda, RJ, Arianna, my online blogging friends, you light up my life. You encourage me in my faith and challenge me to do better. And Debra and Christina, I love getting together with you ladies. Whether it’s at the mall or at your house, I love hanging out with you ladies and talking.

44.       Crafting! Cross stitching, crocheting, scrapbooking, card making, quilting, sewing, and embroidery have kept my hands busy and productive. I love taking things like canvas, paper, or fabric and making it into something beautiful.

55.       Books and audiobooks. Whether reading or listening, I’m so grateful for everything I’m able learn. I have a whole library in my house. That’s a huge blessing.

66.       Texas. I’m so thankful to call the lone star state my home. It’s so beautiful here. With woods and fields to walk in. *sigh* There’s nowhere else I would rather be.

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77.       Baking! I love baking and cooking. And seeing my family smile when they taste a new batch of cookies, is a bakers dream come true.   

    

88.       Movie characters to inspire and entertain me. The Narnia movies, the Chipmuncks, Belle, Rapunzel, Cinderella High School Musical, the Visual Bible, Overcome, Period Dramas *Swoon*, romances, and Sue Thomas (to name a few).

Pictures via Pinterest

99.       Journals. I enjoy writing out my thoughts, life, hopes, and dreams.

110.   The ability to dream about the future. I don’t know all of what it will hold, but it’s so wonderful to imagine how my life will turn out.

111.   Facebook (to chat on), E-mail (to communicate with my friends), and phones.

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112.   Flowers. Roses are my favorites, but I have so many that I like.

113.   Teddy bears, dolls, and miniature tea sets.

114.   My laptop. I’m so grateful to have something as nice as this to work on.

115.   Dancing. : D

116.   Music. No matter what mood I’m in, I can find a song that fits it. It also help me to turn my eyes back to God.

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117.   For the ability to write plays. It’s so neat to be able to write down ideas that I’ve had in my head for years.

118.   Blogs. I love having my own little corner of the cyber world that I can post on.

119.   Acting Adventures! It was so cool to act in 2 short films and in a play and in numerous skits. I also enjoyed getting to know the process of making a film.

220.   Great clothes. It’s so neat having pretty, fun, and pink clothes to wear.

221.   And last, but not least, I’m grateful for the journey of life God has allowed me to travel on so far. It’s been an amazing, scary, adventurous, crazy, and wonderful 21 years. And I trust that no matter where the road takes me from here will be perfect. Maybe not everything in my life will be perfect, and I’ll probably do some kicking and screaming about it, but I know that He will be leading me where I’m supposed to go.

       

Simple Reasons For Film

One of the things that I did over the summer was produce a short film for a small film festival. This was an exciting and nerve-racking process. Nerve-racking because I put a lot of pressure on myself and was the director of the film. Exciting because I got to see God work in some wonderful and amazing ways. Through the help of Filmmakers Academy and its teachers I was able to get the tools that I needed to make this short film into a reality.

But now the work is done. The film has been edited and sent off to the film festival judges. Now I await to see what they think of my work.

A hundred questions come to mind. Will they like my work? What will they think of the message? Is there anything I could have done better? Should I have done worked harder on it before I sent it off? Should I have ….? Okay as you see I think a lot about this film. But over all these questions there’s one that keeps surfacing to the top, surpassing all others. Pushing it’s way forward and waiting for an answer. Will this film be a blessing? Will it turn the eyes of those who watch it back to God?

I’m sad to say that sometimes my motives haven’t been the purest. I got distracted by the prizes, the fame, and wanting to be validated personally. As I thought about these reasons for the film, God helped me remember another reason I did this film. A reason that puts all others in the dust and gives me a reason to go forward. I enjoy making films for the glory of God. I enjoy telling a story that points people toward God.  And this summer God gave me two chances to use film to tell a story.

So whether I win or not, I know that God is in me, working through me to accomplish a greater purpose. If lives are touched with His love, nothing else matters. Nothing.

Simple Time

Time. It's the one thing we can't buy more of. It's the one thing that slips away from us the most. It's the one thing that we can't reclaim.

But the time we have is a gift. A gift that if used wisely can be the greatest asset we have.

What if for today, you used them time you have wisely instead of wishing for more.

Simple Beauty

I just thought I would share some simple beauty with all of you. 

Simple Sundays

Over the past few years our family has been on a spiritual journey to love and know Him more. One of the things that has changed is my view of Sunday.
I used to think that I couldn't listen to certain music or do anything that wasn't conducive to spiritual life. And any time I broke one of these rules, I felt guilty.

But over the past year God has helped me to see Sundays in a new light.
 Mark 2:27-28 (NIV) Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

In today's English, we might say, "Sundays were made for us to enjoy and take some R & R. Jesus is Lord even over our rest." Sundays weren't made for us to prove to God that we can cease activity. Sundays are a gift to us. A day to slow the frantic activity of life and rest. It's so easy for us to keep running at a hundred miles an hour and never stop to rest. That's where Sundays can be such a wonderful gift from God. And how do we unwrap this gift? Here are a few things that I've done to help me relax.

Turn off the computer. E-mail, blogging, Facebook, writing, and work are mostly done of my computer. If I commit to turning it off for a day, my stress and workload go down to almost nothing.

Do something you enjoy. Whether it's dancing, listening to music, drawing, sewing, read a book, or walking, take some time and do it. Relax. Enjoy some down time.

Take some quiet time. Sometimes quiet time isn't so quiet. If you live in a house with kids, silence isn't something that you have a lot of. Instead of trying to make everyone else be quiet, go into your room turn on some music that turns your heart toward God. Let Him speak to your heart and enjoy His presence.

Have some friends over and enjoy some fun fellowship.

Most important let Sundays become about resting God. Let it become a day to rest and recharge for the new week.

God bless and keep you all, Rose

Simple Fun Blog

I found a fun blog that's all about crafting simply. With tutorials and fun crafting tips, this is a great blog. Besides, it had simple in the title. I couldn't resist telling you guys about it.

If you would like to learn more about the Simple Crafter, hope on over to her blog.

Simple Challange

I've been challenged by Rachelle, to go to the 77th page of my latest work, go to the 7th line, copy the next 7 lines/paragraphs and post them. Well, since I am a playwright most of my works are under 50 pages. But I'll go to the 7th page of my play Just Kathleen.

Reporter 3: Now that you are home, do you intend to try and take over control of the country from your father? He has been showing signs of failing health and some think this would be the perfect time for you to take over for him.

Kathleen: I do not. My father is perfectly capable of handling his own affairs. He has lead this country well. And I know that he will lead it well until he dies.

[Pause. Reporter 1 raises her hand. Kathleen motions to her.]

Reporter 1: Is it true, Princess Kathleen, that you haven’t found a husband yet? Tradition indicates that every princess for the last one hundred years has been married by time they are twenty three and you are fast approaching this age.

Kathleen: I am well aware of tradition and will do my best to live up to the peoples expectations.

Reporter 1: So you’re saying you have a boyfriend.

Kathleen: I am saying I will do the best for my people. On that note, I wish to take my leave. Thank you all for being here today. 

I hope you enjoyed this. Have a simply wonderful day. 

Simply Give

Sometimes we can get so caught up in our own schedules and our own to do lists that we forget to contribute.
I know that for me, I've been struggling with giving back to my family lately. Now that my life has calmed down a little bit. I want to give back to them.
Why don't we take some time today and show them how much we care. Make a meal without being asked. Write a note to family member. Or just listen to them. Let them know you care.
It's a simple powerful way to impact their lives.