How I Express Creativity In My Faith

t's time to share a project that has been a long time coming. I have been Bible journaling for a few years now and I feel like now I can finally share some tips. Being creative just sparks all my inspiration. The purpose behind this DIY is to highlight something meaningful within scripture and placing a theme, word, quote, or prayer on the side of the margin in my Bible. Growing up, I've always memorized or highlighted my favorite verses, but this is something completely different. There is a huge community on Instagram who shares their Bible journaling, and it is how I actually became aware of such an art.

I only have 5-10 entries of my own, but through the years I've become more comfortable in not needing my pages to look perfect. I really got into Bible journaling because I loved the way I could highlight the most meaningful moments in my faith. Below are a few tips if you are just starting out or want to find out more about this. Also, check out my favorite Instagram account for more ideas and cute supplies to get started.

Perfection // Something you really have to tell your self is that perfection doesn't matter. If a word is spelled wrong, or your drawing turns out too big or small, or you stamp the wrong date, it's okay. This is a work of art, displaying God's beauty in the holy bible, which should be treasured no matter the tiny mistakes you make!

Comparison // As hard as it is on Instagram, you cannot compare. Your entries are going to be different, and your handwriting may not be as glorious as someone else. Remember, it's your Bible, notes, prayers, and relationship with God which should resemble your entries. Don't compare, or copy someone else's work, be creative and let God speak through your artwork.

Supplies // Don't be afraid to use all types of art supplies for your bible. Use watercolors, colored pencils, die cuts, alphabet stickers, date stamp, calligraphy pens, washi tape, ribbon, lose glitter, cute paper clips, and gelatos. Go crazy, have fun with it!

FINDING THE QUIET

JUST LISTEN 

It is so easy to be caught up in all the noise, busyness, and schedules these days. I personally can become so stressed out by the appointments, events, and interviews I have. At college I never seem to leave the bubble of homework talk and dorm living means shared personal space.

I read the book, Present over Perfect by Shauna Nequiest, and it talks so much about living for the still moments. Not the ones that make us go crazy, overwhelmed, or tired. Rather, alive, happy, and restful.

I'm been trying to find those moments. The moments where I feel allowed to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the silence. I've been reminded to be more of a Mary instead of a Martha. To be with Him more, instead of doing.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30 

When I sit in the quiet and mediate on his word that is when I find Him speaking to the deepest part of my soul. It is difficult to fully escape all the noise and rest in Him, but when I do everything seems to align.

I've been challenging myself to step out and explore where I can absorb and listen to His voice. Lately, mine is at the beach. Where I enjoy the cold sand in between my toes, gasp in awe of pink and orange painting the sky, and listen to nothing but the waves crashing on the shore. I look around and thank God for his nature. I think that if my God can be in control over something as vast as the ocean, than my worries, anxiety, and heart will be perfectly held in His hands.

So, I encourage you to find your resting place. The place where you can hear His voice and feel rested. I personally need to spend more time alone to find the quiet space with Him, because the busyness and noise all around me is weighing me down. Only true rest can come from Him!

HOLDING TIGHT TO TRUST

YOUR LOVE FOLLOWS ME 

I have probably alluded to a few things before on my blog, but my first semester of college was rough. So many things seemed to go wrong all within the first month. Move in weekend didn't exceed my ideals whatsoever. My dorm and roommates weren't anything I had wished for. Anxiety and stomach aches began to creep into the mix. I missed home more than ever, and longed for the weekends when I could go back.

I learned so many things about my faith and myself during that time, and I thought it was about time I wrote the way the Lord delivered me through such a horrible season. Trusting the Lord sometimes seemed impossible. It was hard to understand why the Lord would allow me to be in an environment that I tried to escape by attending a Christian university.

Something I had to remind myself during this difficult time, was not to ask the Lord why me, rather why not me? My whole life He has been slowly equipping me for this moment. He chose the right moment as I had to lean on my faith in a way I never have. It was a time when I began to take pride in my upbringing and worldview. The Lord made me see how much I took my faith for granted.

He delivered me from that time in my life that felt lonely, dark, and uncomfortable.

2 Samuel 22:17-20 "He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy from those who hated me, they were too might for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me."

This concept of trust is one I'm still learning, and probably will forever. In fact, I'm learning how to trust God in a different area of my life right now. But, I love how the Lord answers my prayers to provide me moments where I can look back on and recall his promises. If the Lord can deliver me from that dark place, than He can certainly meet me anywhere I am today!

I'm in a new room with a great roommate! I have been given a space where I feel comfortable in my own skin. Now, I'm able to enjoy Vanguard without wishing I could live off campus. Looking back, I can see the way God had His hand in every situation, and for that I will always praise Him.

He may have allowed for such a rough thing to happen to me, but He did not let the light fade. Instead, He covered me with grace, and gave me hope. He let me see how his kindness so that I could trust Him completely.

MAKING OVER MY MORNING

id someone say good morning? Usually my mornings aren't all that good, because their fast pace. They consist of sleeping in late, jumping out of bed, grabbing my backpack, and drinking my smoothie out the door! It's safe to say I'm not a morning person. I'd much rather sleep in, and take a long shower. But I've realized how much time I end up wasting out of my day. So these past few weeks I've been working to perfect my mornings.

Even though my early and productive mornings are rare, I absolutely love them. Being able to get stuff done off my to-do list feels wonderful, especially when I still have my whole day ahead of me! The problem? I'm a night owl, and I love to dream in my sleep so therefore waking up becomes very difficult. When I don't get enough sleep I feel really sleepy throughout the day and blah.

Here's how I plan on making over my morning...

My ideal goal is to wake up at 7:00a.m. in the morning and begin diving into my daily to-do list. I love keeping a clean room, so first up...cleaning my room and making my bed! When my space is organized and clutter free, I'm able to function a whole lot better. Next up, nutrition in my belly! Lately I've been into my protein smoothies because they are so delicious and really fill me up.

With the beautiful summer weather I've been sipping my smoothie in my backyard patio. I love the greenery and succulent pots all around me while hearing the birds chirp! During this time I will open my Bible and notebook, diving into my daily devotion. I've been loving She Reads Truth app, it's a devotion I've talked about here on the blog and also Instagram. Right now I'm going through the plan titled Hymns #2, and it's so encouraging!

After I finished my breakfast and devo, I will hop into the shower and get ready for my day. If I plan to stay home that day I'll keep my makeup very simple (if any at all) and possibly blow dry my hair. Once I'm all ready, I'll complete my morning my filling out my Q+A journal from Anthropologie that asks a question every day for the whole year! It's my favorite thing to do because they include questions that are deep such as what's your meaning of home, or totally casual like what was the last song you listened to. Anyways that concludes today's post, and my plans to make-over my morning! I hope my little schedule/plans for my morning helps you wake up and be excited to tackle your day!

Here's a daily vlog that was posted just recently! Thumbs up this video if you like me keeping up with vlogging!!!!

Let Your Faith be Bigger than Your Fear

Proverbs 12:25 states "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad." Fear and anxiety only tear a person down. God talks alot about worry, anxiety, and fear. He says that to worry is a sin. Whether It's because of school work, friends, family, or work. I've been learning that it really doesn't solve anything! It's so easy to do because we tend to get so caught up in life. But this clearly isn't healthy for us at all. I absolutely love this verse it's John 14:27 and it states "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." So whenever you are so anxious or worried please cast all those fears over to the Lord, because he does care...and he wants to help you through these times.