Home Sweet Home

Collage with scrapbook papers, sharpie marker for detailing, outlining, lettering and doodling.

I am in the process ( and it will take a while) of de-cluttering  my home, my schedule and my head space! All this, in an effort to stop my possessions from owning me instead of me owning my possessions, as well as creating a more intentional, peaceful  and joyful way of living. 

I have been listening to the unQuiet.life podcast and reading various blogs and books about simplifying your life and learning how to have a quiet inner life in our loud and busy world. Check out the new section on my Resources Page for more "RESOURCES FOR CREATING A QUIET INNER LIFE & CREATING  MARGIN IN YOUR LIFE"

Also, here is a link to some great short videos of Shauna Niequist talking about her book "Bread & Wine" (which I have bought and have not had a chance to read yet, but I am dying to read along with several other books I have bought recently!)  Have a look at the short video called "Into the Mess" and I know you will feel as encouraged as I am by her message. 

Leigh Ann

Resources for Soul Rest

In recent days, as my life journey unfolds, I am continuously drawn to anything that sounds like:

REST

SILENCE

SOLITUDE

MARGIN

PEACE

QUIET

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I listen to a great weekly podcast called The unQuiet Life. Well they are going to be doing daily ADVENT Podcasts! I'm so excited! During the busy holiday season I definitely need some help with rest, peace, quiet and margin! Be sure to sign up for them at 

unQuiet Life Advent! 

One way I create Inner Rest, Inner Quiet and Inner Margin is through my Art Journaling.

I often use it to focus on one word that I am reflecting on. Initially, I wanted to put a black accent line around the edge of the page like I did on the blue square an the magenta square. But I decided to resist filling in the "margin" of this page as a way to remind myself to not always fill up every bit of margin in my life!

So...... even though there are a million books I want to read or re-read, I will choose not to feel RUSHED. I will read them as I can. (Note: the thin black book at the bottom of the stack that does not  have a title on it is "Unquiet Time: A Devotional For the Rest of Us"  by Heather Caliri. And the top "book" is not a book, it is a DVD called Be Still about contemplative prayer.)

As God opens up little snippets of time here and there. I will be focusing on "Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are"  by Shauna Niequist as a daily devotional. And "Found: A Story of Questions, Grace & Everyday Prayer" by Micha Boyett and Ann Voskamp. Here is a quote about Found:

"With this beautiful book, Micha Boyett opens a door to Benedictine spirituality 

through which regular, busy people can enter and taste, see, smell, hear, and 

feel what it means to live life as a prayer."

RACHEL HELD EVANS, author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood

Watch for a new section on my resource page coming soon for links and more information about all these books as well as blogs I follow, and podcasts I listen to.

Leigh Ann