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Graciously Woven

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Think Outside the Box

January 29, 2014 Comment : 1

“I took the road less traveled…and it has made all the difference.”
                                                                                
I started to journal again and I didn’t realize how much I needed it. Over the weekend I took some time to really sit, pray, and think about realistic goals: mainly in the direction of A Blue Swallow. Truth is I think a hundred things during the day and I have great plans, but I just don’t always write them down…because it makes it concrete and keeps me accountable. So I sat and wrote down my goals, hopes, and even dreams for the blog and the shop. Created an actual vision and direction that I want to go. Covered it in prayer and really reflected on some hard decisions I’ve made even this month and the decisions I need to make to better this vision.
Tonight I sat with Mike, more like he sat with me…because I’m not the best communicator even with things I hold dear to my heart (probably even worse when it comes to matters of the heart). He openly and sincerely asked me where is A Blue Swallow headed? What am I doing? I did respond with a side eye, but I digress. Mike has seen the long hours I’ve spent reading up on blogging and learning how to shape/create my own niche. The time spent painting and designing new cups along with the crinkling of paper and slew of supplies that has covered our kitchen table many times…where is it all headed? When I started this endeavor I had shared my heart, but kept it wrapped very tightly for fear of him “not understanding” which really was a lie, because he has been my biggest supporter. 
So we sat and really looked at profit, advertisements, money spent out of impulse/fear, and talked like people discussing a potentially budding business endeavor. Sure I initially rolled my eyes and felt stupid for letting fear have me spend that extra money I should have saved as a cushion, but I knew this talk was needed. Any great endeavor needs someone to sit you down and be honest and open with you. Ask you where and why you’re making your decisions and do you even see the light at the end of the tunnel. He told me to start thinking outside of the box and be more strategic…stop confining the walls of A Blue Swallow to a blog, shop, and social media. Let it grow and include those you love along the way. Which is completely against my nature, because I am an introvert. But he spoke wisdom.
This endeavor scares me…quite frankly I’m terrified it will just be another phase – because I’m a mom I decided to be a mommy blogger, or because I can craft I am a craft blogger/small business owner. When honestly that’s not what makes up my being at all. 
I am a wife and mother who truly believes that there is power in encouragement and gifts in the words we speak to others and advice that we share. I desire to be a platform for others that want to live out their passions and help be a rung in their ladder as they too achieve their dreams. I love small business, because it’s unique and a breath of fresh air…and truthfully it takes guts to spend money with no returns when you start. I am okay with A Blue Swallow not being one thing, but a mixed up myriad of wonderful things that allow us to connect and encourage one another to be something better than we were yesterday – whether that’s a better parent, business owner, crafter, or friend. 
Welcome to A Blue Swallow 2014.
Thanks babe.
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Comments

  1. Cara Jane says

    February 4, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    This is so very much where I am at right now. I've been praying a lot, asking for clarity, vision and to be a good steward over my time, because, truthfully, I am many other things before I am a crafter, blogger, seamstress, etc.

    Reply

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Carmen | Truth & Grace Living
Let’s talk about shame... When the Lord started Let’s talk about shame...

When the Lord started walking me through how my approach to correcting behavior started to look more like shaming... it was humbling and convicting. 

Many times my desire to correct overrides any opportunity to understand and walk through the challenge together. 

When I yell, dismiss, or even explode at what they shouldn’t be doing - I communicate shame rather than offering wise counsel. Especially with abstract concepts that deal with the heart like lying, pride, anger...

It hit me most when I yelled at my angry child for lashing out 👀 - as I watched myself I felt the Lord nudge me with how can you correct sin while sinning? 

... oh the embarrassment, but the chance to do better.

Quieting my own self and taking it in, because conviction makes room for growth not shame. 

I’ve asked the Lord more and more to calm my voice with the intent of allowing true change as I parent. Praying my heart is bent more to seeing how God restores and transforms our behaviors to reflect true goodness. Rather than a God who shames as they see me shame them. #christinmotherhood
Mila is the mood as I sit and am so grateful for e Mila is the mood as I sit and am so grateful for each of you engaging me in this process. Thank you for being present in the messy parts too as I navigate this season. 

I continue to be so thankful for this community - and I pray I can lend a listening ear and support as much as you are to me ♥️ #beautyincommunity
“Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!! “Mom he has pom pom hair and there’s animals!!” 😍

We have another budding reader in the house!!! I love reading and finding books that encourage our kids to enjoy the same I’m all for it!! 

Being able to find books that are not only personalized but allow my kids to see themselves in the story is even better!!! 

@lionstory.books gifted us this beautiful book all about Izaiah making a change for animals - which is his THING! 

They have a variety of stories and options to make your book special. Thanks to their team you can use code: CARMEN50 for 50% off your own book! 

Check them out parents of growing readers! We love what they’re doing ♥️ #homeschoolmama #growingreadersforlife
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and do Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24

There’s power in praying our family grows in God’s word and even more as we see ways to apply it daily. I’ve come to realize there’s a spiritual home we’ve been called to build it looks like this family.

In our character, how we reflect Christ, and how we model that for our kids - even invite them to do the same.

I started working on this portrait of us and wanted to symbolize how we’re planted. When times have been their hardest - it’s been God’s word that’s sustained us. #foundationinchrist
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