Free to Be Me...

Hello my friends...

I hope this finds you all well and happy.

Yesterday was an interesting day for me,

to say the least.

It started out all warm and cozy here in Minnesota

and we had our first truly warm day

for like 8 months, which then

 ended in massive storms with tornados and hail,

thus chasing our family into the basement.

Photos: Richard Burns

via ~  http://www.allaboutyou.com/

Here's what else came my way.

Many of you may know 

that I've worked an office job

in addition to my jewelry design for 4+ years now.

It was always a juggling act...

further complicated by the fact that

my busy time at the office

which demanded me to work more hours,

correlated to my busiest show times for my 

jewelry which was the Fall each year.

You see my position was created 4 1/2 years ago,

and was considered a permanent part-time position.

So yesterday, I finally heard the news...

after not being called into work for 9 weeks,

I finally contacted my office to see what was up?

Turns out my job was being eliminated.

 Restructuring that has taken place the last two years,

and a lack of large projects and extra work 

that they had needed help with

in the past, was no longer happening.

A relief in many ways...

as my jewelry design business 

consumes my life, 

and I feel like I never have enough time

as it is to get everything 

that I need to do done.

Do you remember my word for 2011?

So, with a tinge of sadness

closing one chapter of my life,

it is with excitement that I am 

now able to do what I feel I've

always been called to do...

and that is to be 

an "Artist" full time.

Although this is a bit scary and a change for me,

it really isn't all that new,

but rather I now have a new mindset.

I now accept that I am an Artist

and have confidence

that God is directing my journey.

However, it still feels weird to say this,

but I do at times have self doubts 

brought on by the enemy

often by using those people closest to me, 

 to doubt my worthiness of this label.

~ Redesign ~

It appears the Lord is redesigning my life...

little did I know when I chose this word late in 2010 for 

2011, that this would be part of that redesigning.

So, I will set my eyes on Him,

 the future,

taking one day at a time,

and see where God 

directs my future path,

 my Artisan journey,

and seek my comfort

 and self worth from Him alone.

People may mock me along the way,

for being an Artist,

but I will choose to keep my sight on Him,

as well as what He's doing in my life

and where He chooses to lead me.

You my trusted and loyal friends

may have to occasionally redirect my eyes

to Him and keep me grounded.

I ask you to do that...

and to hold me accountable.

I am with a thankful heart.

I should now be able to

create more freely.

No more concern as to when I have to work,

my schedule is totally mine,

and no further wondering as to when my 

"pesky day job" 

 will be calling me into the office

away from what I  love to do...

~Create~ 

:)

I am one of those people that 

truly need to have

a creative outlet in my life,

 or I'm afraid I'd wither up and die.

So excited to be free to be me.

So that's what is happening

in my little corner of the world.

What's new with you?