But it sure ain't easy.

And like any area of faith, there is no formula. There is no step-by-step instruction booklet. You just kind of stumble your way along with the best intentions and hope you don't screw it all up too bad. For me, I rely heavily on my instincts. I learned to trust what I felt my heart was telling me years ago, somewhere between a dirt floor church in Indonesia and the stillness of the guest room at my mom's house several months later. And I don't know how to explain it. I don't know why those gut instincts almost always seem to be right. I don't know why God decided to show me how to tap into that. But I'm thankful for it. And I try to make sure I always listen and never take it for granted.

Can I share something that someone told me once? I was in Australia and a small group of people were praying over me. I was listening to their words but in my head I was somewhere else. I was doubtful, dismissive and really didn't want their prayers at the time. Afterwards, one of the people, a man no less than 250 pounds of muscle, came up to me with tears in his eyes. He said God had given him a vision while he was praying for me. In the vision I was standing in a large open space and there were people all around me going about their business. I opened my mouth to speak and a great flood of water came rushing out, washing over everything and when the water went out of the room everything was new and clean. He said that God was calling me to speak. Not in any formal sort of way. But from the heart. Without hesitation. He said God also wanted to warn me that sometimes the things I would have to say would not be well recieved. That there may even be people in my life that will no longer want me in theirs as a result of what He might ask me to say. But that I should do it anyway. And that I should not be afraid. Not afraid. Just obedient.

And it wasn't until that great big man made of muscle wrapped his arms around me for a hug that I knew he wasn't making it up.

And he was right. God was right. There were people in my life that just couldn't accept some of the things I said. But I remembered that warning to not let it silence me. And somehow I didn't. I found a voice much braver than my own and figured out a way to use it. And not once, not ever, have I apologized for it. I may still be learning much about my delivery but I could never apologize for the message itself. And I hope I never stop striving to make sure I'm "in line" with God.

And that may explain why posts like this one may randomly show up on this blog. Sometimes I have a sense of why, and sometimes I haven't the slightest clue except to think that maybe one person out there needed to read it. So I set aside my pride, my fear, my rights to any kind of reputation as being the girl who only ever has nice things to say. I shut up. And then I can really speak.

All that to say, don't ever apologize for the gifts God has given you. Don't feel like you're being prideful by claiming them. And if you don't feel like you have any gifts then please, please, please keep on seeking after them. You are a thing of great value. YOU ARE A THING OF GREAT VALUE. Sometimes it just takes time to see the things God has known all along.

I have all kinds of stuff from craft supplies to fabric to home decor to books and maybe even some furniture. Here is how it's going to work. Most things will be free for the taking. Some treasures will have a "suggested price" but I'll definitely be flexible. ; ) I'll be here all day, with the door open from 9 am to 9 pm so feel free to come anytime. I might even bake something. You just never know. Hope you can make it. Shoot me an email or find me on Twitter or Facebook for the address. 

I wish I knew the source of this picture because then I might be able to hone in on the bunny's actual location and steal him when no one was looking. But I'm moving on now because those fluffy paws are breaking my heart.

It's Easter! And I'm back in Denver after a week in St. Louis trying to get those boring details of life worked out. Like how I am going to make money and where I am going to live. I knew it wouldn't be easy but I didn't expect it to be so depressing either. I left feeling kind of defeated to tell you the truth. But Monday shall be the moment of truth as I'll be hearing back about apartments and making my official selection. Fingers crossed for the one with hardwood floors, cute location, lots of windows and in the building next door to my best friend. It would definitely redeem the hell out of my stressful week. I keep telling myself it will all work out. All of it. And I know that it will. But right now everything just sucks. Moving is so damn expensive and I wish I had the funds to make it more bearable. Today I think I'll put on some good music. (Probably starting with some rap to hip hop the frustration away.) And once I track down some moving boxes it's game time. My goal is to pack up everything but the bare essentials as soon as possible just so I have one less thing to worry about. Just in case you're wondering, the bare essentials are all the things you would think. Plus my sewing machine, all my fabric, my Project life stuff, and some DVD's since I shut off my cable and internet today. Which I kind of instantly regretted. I'm "borrowing" some internet and it's about as lame as it gets. So that's fun. Was all that complaining good for you? Because it was good for me. Let's just look at that bunny some more, shall we?

Happy Easter. For reals.

The God I believe in is all about redemption. I see it all the time in other people lives and circumstances. But I'm seeing it in mine, now more than ever.

For me, it has come all at once. Like an infinite overflow of love. I'm breakable... and the weight of such beauty almost broke me today. He has redeemed so much in my life and I'm pretty sure this is only the beginning.

He has redeemed the broken things left in the aftermath of a shattered friendship. Giving me a voice, exposing the truth and restoring my heart. He is redeeming the crushing loneliness I've felt but tried to ignore these past four years by building for me a community in St. Louis. He redeems my self-doubt by transforming it into fiery determination, fueled by a confidence that could only be supernatural. Redemption has turned all of those wrong turns I have taken into lessons learned. And for the darkest times in my life, just knowing what it is to be comforted by something so beyond comprehension makes it completely worth it. I'd do it all again just to know Him a little more.

And he did none of this for His benefit. Because what could he possibly stand to gain? It was for me. For us. Because I don't believe that any heartache we can experience on this earth compares to the way He aches for us. To be happy, to know Him and to trust that He will redeem every single thing in the right time.

I just couldn't go to bed without sharing that. I think someone will read this that really needs to hear it.

Goodnight friends. 

I'm really happy with how they turned out! One of my curses as a graphic designer is with color. I can never settle on one particular color. It sometimes takes me an hour to get it just right. And there's obviously no way for me to explain what I'm looking for. I just know it when I see it. I could probably go back and mess with these colors a hundred more times but I do realize that other people don't care and definitely won't be losing sleep over it. Haha! (Confession: I did actually go back and change all the colors again before publishing this post.) I purposely chose the recycled matte option over at Moo because it's easy to write on. Great for when you meet someone at a blogger meetup or other event so they can jot down something you said, a website you might suggest etc. I sometimes like to write down some kind of little note to help me remember the person. Come to think of it, I have a fun blogger dinner coming up in a couple weeks at West Elm!

Going into this next season of life, I'm excited to have a tangible way to connect and network with other creative entrepreneurs and bloggers like myself. And I have lots of events coming up where I will be able to do plenty of that. Hopefully these cards will also take me into my new life as a shopkeeper as well. What do you guys think of business cards? Do you have them? If you want to freshen them up and need some design help, shoot me an email and lets chat!

P.S. The new site link isn't quite working all the way yet. And please refrain from giving out my phone number. Unless he looks like McDreamy, has a heart of gold and possesses the comedic sensibilities of Jimmy Fallon.

As bloggers, we are inundated with the lie that more posts, more collaborations, more hours on social media all equal a better blog. As people, we believe that being busy is a virtue. As business men and women, we feel like a full appointment book is the ticket to success. But it is my belief that one of the most important things we can learn as human beings is when to tap the brakes and when to put the gas pedal to the floor. There is a time for both. It's a balance that I'm constantly trying to master.

Today I want you to give yourself permission to slow down. Assess the lies that got you so busy in the first place. Is it a fear that you'll fail if you lose momentum? Because "slowing down" is not the same thing. Taking time to pause and relax only makes that momentum more steady.

The next year is going to be crazy for me. I have huge plans. I'm opening a shop. A real life, brick-and-mortar store. This is happening. For me, slowing down meant realizing there are a lot of things I want and need to do before then. I want to pull out my passport and go on one more overseas trip. I need to sharpen some of my business skills so I can enter into the retail world with as much confidence as possible. I want time to nurture the friendships I've missed these last four years with early morning coffee dates and late night walks. I need to let God cultivate a community for me because He has promised to do so. Slowing down and letting all of these things transpire does not change the end goal. It will just make it all the sweeter when I do get to swing open those doors for the first time.

So I'm slowing down. And I hope you'll consider slowing down with me.

Love,

Amanda

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Wherever you are, take me with you! I love this blog but it wouldn't be half as fun without all your comments, friendships and the amazing blogs you've shared with me these past few years. Let's keep the love alive. And have an amazing weekend, will ya? I'll be back tomorrow with some more deep thoughts for Saturday Reflections.