This Season’s Story: Twitter Style

In my post about journaling, I wrote about how looking back through old entries is a powerful way for me to see the hand of God in my life. In a great conversation I had on Sunday, I realized that social media offers us a similar opportunity. So, I decided to post a little recap of my life season the last six months or so, based on some of the tweets I’ve posted.

FEBRUARY

Thankful for an inspiring weekend filled with good food, good company, & lots of laughter. :)
 Feb 12

For Lent, I’m replacing my morning blog/e-mail/Pinterest/etc. time w/ time spent in the Word. Looking forward to the growth that occurs. Feb 12

You never know what God has up His sleeve. ;) #trustinhisplan 
Feb 12

JANUARY

Kinda wish I had some cider to enjoy on this blustery night. I’d make hot cocoa, but I think I’ve prob hit my chocolate quota for the day. 17 Jan 12

Once Upon a Time is delightfully good. #fairytalesforadults#Sundaynightroutine Jan 12

Praying this afternoon for Him to reveal the next step in my journey & for the confidence and faith to follow Him. #onmyheart #isaiah Jan 12

There’s a bittersweet balance between remembering and looking forward. Jan 12

Thankful that He knows me better than I know myself. 
Jan 12

God is good, and He does good things. #truth #neededtohearthis Jan 12

Now that I’ve chosen “forward” as my word for 2012, I feel like I’m seeing it everywhere. #socool #oneword2012 #inspiration Jan 12

DECEMBER

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” (Jeremiah 17:7 NIV) Dec 11

Found a copy of the newspaper column I wrote my senior year of college…Advice from college Katie: embrace change; you never know what it will bring. A good reminder, as we get ready to welcome 2012. :) Dec 11

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV) Dec 11

NOVEMBER

When we have courage and hope, it shows that our faith is active and real. Nov 11

This season: an open heart and open hands for all God has planned. Nov 11

Just found out I got accepted to sell my collages at my company’s holiday art show. I am equal parts excited and nervous! ;) Nov 11

OCTOBER

Feeling completely blessed by my church family tonight. Saying a prayer of thanks for all the ways God provides for me. Oct 11

SEPTEMBER

Got my first apple cider of the season. :) Definitely going to enjoy a mug tonight! Sept 11

Starting my 28 Things list for the blog. :) Sept 11

AUGUST

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV) Aug 11

Commit to the lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3 NIV)
 Aug 11

* * *

After reading and reflecting on some of these tweets, I think I’ve come to realize that one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the last few months has to do with surrender. I’ve been learning that when I stop trying to push and manipulate my story the way I think it should go, God shows up and does amazing things.

If you’re on Facebook or Twitter, think about taking a look at some of your past posts. Your posts are like a journal of sorts, and you never know—they might reveal some beautiful life lessons or even just make you smile at some of the little everyday blessings you’ve enjoyed.

{k}

Weekending: Dreams

This weekend has me dreaming of photography adventures I want to have, words I want to write, art journal pages I want to create…

This weekend has me dreaming of making something new and beautiful out of everything that’s been heavy on my heart.

Weekly Scripture Selection

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

Happy Friday, friends! :)

My 6-Word Memoir

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the 6-Word Memoir Project (started by SMITH Magazine Editor Larry Smith and inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s shortest of short stories, which said: “For sale: Baby shoes, never worn.”

After being inspired by the project, the Oprah Magazine staff asked readers to share their own 6-word memoirs on Facebook and Twitter. This month, there’s a little feature on them at Oprah.com, and upon browsing some of the memoirs this morning, I decided I wanted to create one, too. So, I grabbed the nearest scrap of paper and scribbled mine down.

Here it is (after being transferred from scrap to screen).

(It should sound familiar, as it ties in perfectly with my One Little Word for 2012.)

I suppose it’s a bit of a mantra and a memoir, but it’s the first thing that came to mind, so I went with it.

What’s yours? :)

January Loves*

A little look at what’s been inspiring me this month:

An Orla Kiely teal coffee cup dress? Pretty sure this was MADE for me. ;)

(seen via givemebows.blogspot.com)

This Diana+ photo lens from Photojojo (seen via A Beautiful Mess) and the super dreamy photos it creates (images also from A Beautiful Mess)

The gorgeous photos with swoon-worthy hand lettering in one of Modcloth‘s recent style books.

This beautiful paper cut artwork from Stealing Hearts

(I’ve added this to my One Little Word inspiration board at Pinterest.)

What’s been inspiring you this month?

* * *

The sun is shining this morning, and I’m looking forward to coffee + community at my church, worship, and preparing my heart for the week ahead.

{k}

Hope & Happiness

Just a little something that’s been on my heart this week. ♥

Hope your Saturday is lovely.

{k}

Life Lately: In Photos

Lately, life looks like this: icy weather; keeping cozy; brunch dates; art journaling; cocoa + creativity; writing and brainstorming; dreaming of spring; and lots of creative inspiration + refreshment at a local arts gala event.

I’m thankful for these moments.

What have you been up to?

{k}

Remembering this…

This life.
This season.
These moments.

Even on the hard days, or the blah days, or the just-normal-everyday-kind of days, I want to see the beauty of His goodness.

Because even if it’s just in the quietest, subtlest of slivers, His blessings shine through.

Happy Friday, friends!

xo,

{k}

Rainy Day Tunes

Discovering new music is a simple joy that brings me such happiness.

After seeing this charmingly sweet video over at Katie’s Pencil Box, I went in search of more music by the band featured in the video: Message to Bears.

Hope you love the sweet sounds of this band, as much as I do. It’s curl-up-on-a-rainy-day music. Perfection.

{k}

5 Ideas for Journal Keeping

I love to journal, and I do so in quite a few different ways. Each one plays a different role in my creative process and spiritual growth.

1. Visual journaling   I love art journaling, in addition to keeping a simple handwritten journal. I find that visual journaling challenges me to express my thoughts in a completely different way. It’s a great place for me to explore collage ideas, as well, and it’s the perfect place for me to take risks with my art without worrying too much about the end result.

2. Prayers and prayer lists   In my day-to-day journal, I keep prayer lists (which include notes here and there that I can refer back to when I’m praying throughout the week), as well as complete handwritten prayers, where I write everything that’s on my heart and share it with the Lord.

3. Gratitude lists/things I want to remember   In both my handwritten journals and art journals, I enjoy keeping lists of things I’m thankful for, things I’m currently loving, and memories I don’t want to forget.

4. Inspirational quotes, lyrics, & scripture   I enjoy collecting quotes, lyrics, and scripture selections that inspire and encourage me. I save these in both my handwritten journals and my art journals.

5. Creative brainstorm ideas   I have a journal that I use specifically for blog/art/and creative writing ideas. It’s tiny, so it’s perfect for tucking into my purse. I’ve also used this journal to take notes during inspiring church messages.

In the past, I’ve also kept journal lists of books to read/books I’ve read. I’ve gotten away from doing that, but it was a lot of fun during one season when I was doing a lot of reading and wanting to keep track of everything I was reading and how it impacted me.

I love paging through old journals and giving thanks for all the Lord has done. It’s such a great way for me to keep track of hopes and dreams, favorite memories, my growth, and both the beautiful and bittersweet parts of my journey.

If you don’t keep a journal, I recommend giving it a try. If you’re not a big writer, try keeping a visual journal and pasting in little snippets from your everyday life. If you already keep a journal, think about fresh ways you can record your thoughts and ideas, your hopes and dreams, your memories, and what inspires/encourages you.

Happy Monday & Happy Journal Keeping!

{k}