It's Only Just Begun, the Seed is planted and the Door is ready to open, Word of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

It's Only Just Begun

There are times I am working on a painting and I realize I am going in circles...

So I scrap and paint over it or I just layer on top of it.

Beginnings are not just beginnings, they are born of endings.

When things look bleak, that is when the seed has taken root and while you believe everything around you to be ending or finishing... this 'ending' is giving birth to something new for you.

God opens a door ever so slightly... you have to pull all the way open and take the steps to walk out to BEGIN.  Leaving that room is the end and that first step the true beginning.


This painting became this painting... OMEGA. It is a huge piece... and it started in a totally different direction before I truly BEGAN to find it as I worked the surface.

Do not limit yourself. Do not stay locked in feeling like there is nothing for you... as it is there waiting for you.

Open the door.

Words from my heart,

Laurie

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

The Trampled Garden, Shared words by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Trampled Garden

He gave you the seeds.

He brought the rain. (except for Texas)

He brought the sun high in the sky to provide heat.

And then the moon to give cycle to the day and growing cycle.

Terry busy with his shovel.

Did you remember to plant the seeds?  When we have the seeds in our hand, we have a responsibility to plant those seeds and take care of them.

When you hear the word of the Lord, (seeds) do you plant them and use them in your life sharing them with friends, neighbors and strangers on the road? Do you read in the bible and get nourishment and support to uphold you as you share the word of God?



If you are too busy in life, you are obviously living on the edge and have forgotten to plant those seeds. You might be walking all over the ground where you dropped them in your haste.

Lady Victoria at an early age.

Let's avoid those trampled gardens.  Busy feet have ground the seed and broken it into pieces. No food or flowers can grow from a trampled neglected garden.

Care for those seeds and bring what is there to fruition. Others will benefit from the glory and joy of what you nurture and grow.

Words of my heart,
Laurie

Matthew 13:4-8

" As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

Do I know you? Words of the heart shared by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Do I know you?

I believe it is when we are truly broken that we begin to see who we are and if we are open, we learn who God really is.

He has promised to support us, care of us and walk through life with us through our sin, our selfishness and our shame. 

Who else would do that with you?

Terry and one of our grand-dogs sharing chips.

He will provide when you think there is nothing left for you.

He will guide you if your heart and mind is open.

He will make sure you have shelter and food.

He provides you with Love, Grace, Forgiveness, Joy and many gifts for you to use and share with others.

I do believe He knows you.

Words of my heart, Laurie

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Quiet Troubles? Get Glad, Words of the Heart shared by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Quiet Troubles In our Lives? Get Glad....

Who of us lives this life without problems?

Inside hidden from family and friends and the outside world we all keep hidden things from public knowledge.

Terry offering chocolates at Christmas.

"Life's a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're gonna get." from our favorite movie, Forrest Gump.


Through out life our choices determine our path.  This path is fraught with hills and valleys as we gain in strength climbing and descending.

Same with that darn box of chocolates. Without the lid you do not know what you are choosing from.  What if you hate nuts and you bite into it and the chocolate candy if filled with pecans?

Mom taught you to smile and chew it up and swallow it.

I bet you are still doing that today with everything in your life.

 Grampa Ben 1926-2010

This man took it all in stride. This is Terry's Dad. We lost Ben from our lives last year in the fall.  His smile and his whistle are missed but his love continues with us.

So many of his teachings stay with our family and with those teachings many quotes from his heart.

The one that comes to mind this morning as I am typing is

"YOU CAN GET GLAD JUST LIKE YOU GOT MAD."

So whatever trouble you feel over weighted by, it is time to hand them over to God and get the heaviness off your shoulders and out of your life.   Pick out a new piece of chocolate and smile.

Words of the Heart,
Laurie

Philippians 2:1-3

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves"

In the Mirror of Yesterday...reflections from the Past, Words of the Heart shared by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

In the Mirror  of Yesterday

Who is that person in the mirror?
Something about the eyes looks familiar but I am not sure who she is today, but the memories of yesterday linger.  I have to trust God will guide this day.

Laurie in Penn Yan New York 2006

Reflections of the room  give clues as to the time and place in this photo.

A trip to New York.

A trip to our first gallery show as The Five Graces.... who did we become as artists since then?

The Five Graces were brought together through mutual respect and love for each other and our careers in painting.

I had never met these women before in person until that summer of 2006, yet we knew each others hearts by the three prior years of friendship and evolution with our art journeys.

Dr Billie Bauman, Gallery owner, Laurie and Conni Togel

Dr Billie Bauman hosted The Five Graces for their opening show in her gallery in New York and in that week, I met four new sisters I had never seen before. My heart recognized them before my eyes did.

Billie made number four because Debbie Lincoln and I go back to high school days together. We had been separated by the 'adult' years ....almost 35 years later and here we were together in New York meeting our new sisters.

Wine on the porch just before the show, Conni and Debbie.

Memories of the gorgeous bed and breakfast where we stayed...

Memories of late night boat rides on the nearby Lake Keuka...

Memories of special meals at fabulous restaurants...

Memories of exploring the beautiful quilt shops and museums...

Memories for a life time between five artist who became tied together as sisters of the heART.

Mary Jo and Conni kick back enjoying the week.

From the Pacific coast, to Park Cities Utah, to Texas and east to South Carolina... we all packed up and shipped over 150 paintings total and met each other in New York.

Friendships of the Internet and of old coming together, and now in 2011, we embrace our changes in life and career and celebrate the love we have for each other.  Looking in the mirror we might wonder where the outside beauty of youth disappeared to, but inside our hearts beat strong in just knowing... knowing we are there for each other in this journey. Knowing someone will answer a frantic email at three in the morning or a hysterical phone call when the world seems to be crashing down.  We are all grounded in Christ and the prayer links that bind us are powerful.

Who are The Five Graces? 
Debbie Grayson Lincoln (the steady grace), Laurie Pace (the heartbeat grace), Conni Tögel (the wired grace), Diane Whitehead (the business-minded, directly spoken grace) and Mary Jo Zorad (the quietly inspired grace) have as many similarities as they do differences. Their artwork demonstrates a common commitment to a high standard of workmanship. To speak with any one of the five women reveals a commonality in what inspires them and how they choose to live their lives, with integrity and a commitment to doing their work for a higher cause. Each feels her creative inspiration as a passionate and natural calling. 

Visit our website...www.the5graces.com 
We carried on with our friendship and decided to spread our mentoring and carrying to artists world wide.

We joined together with Kimberly Conrad and created   www.ContemporaryFineArtInternational.com


I love you all... 
Words from my heart,
Laurie

John 15:12-15 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Remember When? I still love you. Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Remember When?

Remember when we first met? 
What drew us together as friends?

Every friendship goes through a 'disappointment' phase. In fact every relationship does too. It is a season needed to deepen the commitment for an enduring friendship.

Texas meets Denver, Laurie and Kimberly in New York

Meet 'Texas' and 'Denver'.  Kimberly and I meet face to face for the first time a year ago (2010) in New York. Our friendship is 'new' as friendships go as we have only known each other since about 2008 and we definitely have had our ups and downs.

With the internet age relationships are changed from the 'old' days when everything was face to face.  I still struggle with emails as Kimberly reminds me daily they are difficult to gauge emotions in.

Vicki Fletcher, Laurie and Debbie Lincoln Sept 2010

During down times in relationships you may find people hard to love. In this 'disappointment' phase we suddenly discover unmet expectations, dole out judgmental words, meet up with jealousy and often end with unforgiveness.  It is always easier to see negativity in another person and not in ourselves.  We try to keep things in relationships going our way and convince ourselves we are doing nothing wrong it is the other person.

Laurie and Niki in New York 2006

God has to be present for loving relationships to succeed. If He is centered in you, your relationship will weather this season and grow stronger. God gave us our friendships to have our support group in life. Protect those that are there for you. Friendships are basically life giving... share the love and ask to be forgiven. 

Forgiven for neglecting and spending quality time.
Forgiven for words unsaid.

Do you remember moments shared, deep long talks about faith, the economy and recipes?
OR the stories of growing up and things we all endured?

Do you remember when?
I still love you.  Can you forgive me for letting life get in the way?

Words of the heart,
Laurie

The Quiet Inside the Storm, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

The Quiet Inside the Storm


My mom spoke this week about everyone needing a place where they 'escape' and feel protected and comforted.

We went back and forth discussing if you needed a specific place or if you could develop that same sense of comfort and 'escape' in that moment anywhere by just being.

Just Being.

It is not as hard as you might think it is.
Listen to your heart.
Be Still.

Practice this and as you do you will find everything disappearing around you while you stop listening to your mind and all the external noise. Just be.

It is the peace inside of your heart that holds the wisdom you need for this day. Your mind is tied into memories from yesterday but your heart feels what is beyond those memories. Answers lie in the quiet of your heart.


Words of the Heart,
Laurie Pace

"You shall have a song as in the night when a holy festival is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one sets out to the sound of the flute to go to the mountain of the Lord." --Isaiah 30:29

Rainbows in Everything, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist, Laurie Pace

Rainbow Gourds and Promises

We left behind us years ago the festivities of All Hollow's Eve.  We have in the past always had a Gourd carving party.

Our daughter came up with the artistic slant on the entire event by letting Lady L 'paint' her pumpkin.
I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.  She is a 'mini me' with her bare feet and her left arm tucked behind her back as she paints.

Maybe next year we can have an entire line of Rainbow Gourds sitting out around the house.  I must have failed miserably with teaching my daughter art as she told Lady L that yellow and orange made red.  We must revisit that on our next visit.

Meanwhile I pray my granddaughter continues to paint "rainbows" on everything in her life, constant reflections of God's promise.


Rainbows from the heart,
Laurie

Genesis 9:12-17, NIV translation:

"And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.""

LOVE IS, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

LOVE IS

Is love what you want, or is love what you give?  You cannot give love in order to get love. You must give of your love because it is a natural God given part of you to share with others.

Often we go in search of love. We are trying to find that one person that makes us feel loved or feel good about ourselves.  My grandmother likened it to chasing the elusive butterfly. So beautiful but always flying out of your reach. No one can fill that emptiness inside of you except God.

Giving of your love creates the balance of what you need in your life.

One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13

" If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."


Words of the heart,

Laurie


1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God

Living the Story, Shared words of the heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

I am Living the Story of my Life

Everyday we read stories of things that happen to people.Some things are good and some things are are not.Tragedies, losses, victories and celebrations are things that attract us to read about things that happen to others.

In the same sense as you live your life you tell your story.

The choices you make are there for the world to see.  With the internet now and all the tracking devices, it is difficult not to be seen by the world.

Is your story a story of kindness and serving?

Is your story one of courage?

Is your story one of creativity?

Do you inspire others by the way you live?  Each day you add a new page to the story of your life. At anytime you can begin a new chapter and make new decisions on something you can begin anew.

God is there with you as you write your story. He is offering up some of the best opportunities to you.  Trust His spiritual guidance with each and every day and realize you are not alone writing this story.


Words from my heart,
Laurie

Those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.   John 3:21

Roller Coasters or Merry Go Rounds? Words from my Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Roller Coasters and Merry Go Rounds

We made a wild dash to FEDEX yesterday to get some paintings out.  Had to put the chicken on low in the oven. 


Nothing like calling and finding out you only have 20 minutes to get somewhere that takes 30 minutes to drive.

When we got back we filled our plates with Terry's yummy lemon roasted chicken and fresh veggies and flipped on a movie he wanted to watch... I think it was called Parenthood.  We came in toward the end of it. It had just started before we made the wild trip to fedex.

 The elderly grandmother in the movie came in to a heated discussion between the husband and wife.  The husband played by Steve Martin, wanted their lives to be safe and perfect in a 'box' where nothing unexpected happened to anyone.  Safety first.  His wife (Mary Steenburgon) was upset with that thought saying life had unexpected surprises. (She was pregnant with a later in life baby).   Grandma came in and began a story about her life and how Grandpa took her to the park to ride the roller coaster and she was a bit afraid, but believed in him that he would keep her safe.

She described her feelings on the ride to be filled with excitement, fear, confusion, chaos, energy, and chills and thrills.   How could anyone experience such contradictory feelings doing one thing?  Many of Grandma's friends choose the safety of the Merry Go Round with its calm circular motion, never going anywhere but in a calm circle. 

Grandma preferred the ride that took you to emotional highs and lows and you experienced ups and downs and twists and turns over the small circles of those colorful horses spinning together.

So I guess the wild ride to Fedex was living on the frantic side!  Seriously though God has offered much to us in our lives and He is our safety.  You cannot truly appreciate happiness without sadness. You cannot appreciate the good times without the bad times. He walks it all with you.  

That Merry Go Round is pretty boring... just in circles. How do you want to live your life?

Laurie

“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”” Psalm 40:8 NIV

Accepting Helplessness and Depending on Divine Power, Words of the Heart by a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Accepting Helplessness 
Depending on Divine Power

Helplessness is a basic human condition. 

For those of us who like control in life, this is hard to swallow. While we try continually to grasp and deal with the world around us, we eventually find we truly are helpless.

What seems to be easy for us to observe as actions needing to be done, cannot always be done. Something or someone stands in the way.

In Romans 7:18 Paul writes:  "I can will what is right, but I cannot do it." 

Paul's journey was fraught with trials and bad events every place he visited. His writings spoke of his helplessness, but his attitude was always optimistic.  Paul constantly chose peace and joy in place of despondency.

What do you do when you are overwhelmed?  How hard is it to accept that we are basically helpless? God is in control and once you accept the 'helplessness' you realize you are only safe and at peace in a relationship with Him.

Alzheimers has taught the members of my family the reality of this lesson.  When this dreaded disease strikes so many of our elderly and there is nothing we can do, we begin to realize how truly helpless we are. We depend on Doctors to save us at the emergency room from heart attacks, strokes, injuries etc...but no one can save you from Alzheimers or the helplessness that comes with the disease.  This helplessness is not just the family member with the disease, but the helplessness for the entire family.  Rising over the anguish when clarity continues to set in on the loss as you are reminded daily of the 'missing' person in your life.

Words from my Heart,
Laurie

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Philippians 4:7

Everything is a Blessing, Look for the Light, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Everything is a Blessing, Look for the Light.

There are times things look bleak.
There are times people get sick and die.
There are times you may lose your job or cannot pay a bill.
There are times your house may burn down.
There are times your spouse may leave you.

While it may be hard to believe, all of these things will result in blessings.

We have to be patience.
We have to have peace and faith in our Father.

 We must have a "longer view" to know the truth that will come. A different perspective will provide unrealized insight.

Bad things are truly blessings that we cannot comprehend. Find a place in your heart to enfold yourself in God's love. Look for the light and you will find it.


Words of the Heart,
Laurie

John 8:12

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

"However, the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you." Deuteronomy 23:5

Anxiety and Fear, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Anxiety and Fear

"I am afraid."

Can you hear yourself saying this?  And when you do you are in the presence of fear and not resting in the safety of God.

Deep fear will scream for you to run for your life, while God will softly call you to come to life.

When fear pushes you to frantically find protection, God is reminding you that He has already overcome.

How do we change? Where do we begin?  We begin with God.

He brought us from the darkness where we lived our life without abundant life...with out Him. We were too busy.

He will take the chaos in from your life and bring order.

YOU ARE SAFE. You are with God and God is with you.

Bonnie Gray once said, "Faith was no longer a goal for me to reach. It became the bridge I must cross daily to see God's goodness and live worry-free." 

Words of the Heart,
Laurie

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Restoration of Health and Life, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Restoration

Selah Inn... that is all associated with restoring and healing.

Hidden deep in north east Texas, this beautiful Bed and Breakfast Inn provides a retreat for restorative healing. From this Inn families, couples and individuals learn to find the "real" in life.

Dave and Candy welcome you to their home at Selah Inn.    I had my art workshop there this past summer and it was definitely a time to learn, meditate, pray and paint.

Candy believes everyone needs a physical and spiritual rest from their lives and the 'busy' we seem to build around.  She spent a great deal of time planning each room and suite to offer comfort and custom design from the decor to the soaps and lotions in each room.

When you leave the stress of your life and drive onto the ranch, you will immediately relax as  you fall into the comfort of their Inn.

Surrounded by God's richness outdoors with trees, woods, lakes, and 1000 acres, you can spend as much time as you want drinking in the beauty of the area.

There are gardens and birds, wildlife and cows, dogs and cats... and of course the humans... living in God's harmony.

Every one of us needs a place to retreat and meditate and get back in connection with God and with ourselves.  We loose so much energy with our constant on the go lists of things to get done

If you can't get away to a retreat like Selah, find somewhere that you can go to be quiet and to refocus your mind. Regenerate your life and reclaim your vitality and spirit. Can you do it at home?


Yes you can, but it is harder to do when you try to refocus at home. The computer is there. The television is blaring. The phone is ringing. Your cell phone is chiming with a message.

Breathing is the first place to start. God gave you your first breath at birth and breathing is your first place to bring healing to yourself.

Next, believe and speak affirmative words of health and wholeness to your body and mind. Release everything that is not part of perfect health and a perfect mind.  God's power is the only power that can prevail and bring healing to you.

With clear thoughts and a new focus you will begin to feel small moments of clarity. Each day add a few more minutes to your 'home retreat'.  Light a candle.  Buy yourself flowers.  Do something small and indulging to feel special.  Surround yourself with things you love.  Yes they are earthly things, but they bring comfort to you and when you need to heal... you need to feel loved.   No different than a baby and their favorite blanket. 
Affirm your healing. Affirm the restorative power of God.

Words of the Heart
Laurie

"He sent out his word and healed them." Psalm 107:20

The Push to Create, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The Push?

Life experiences teach us at times to proceed with caution before doing certain things.
With wisdom comes caution and thought and not just action.

When it is time to paint... sometimes I think I am wise and I presketch what I want on the canvas surface.

Other times I approach the canvas and let it all evolve with out much planning.

I do believe I might struggle more with the preplanned painting because I have an established concept and often I cannot let it go.

If I am spirit led I do not seem to tense up working my way through the painting.

The creation is still purposeful and spirit led so I am inspired to complete this type of painting, allowing God to guide my brush using my years of painting to instinctively guide my colors and brushstrokes.

Some of the greatest paintings completed by artists are the results of the universe in motion.

The Spirit providing the artist with ideas and the means to create on the canvas.

Once you decide to allow Him to guide you, you are then free to do as you must do on that canvas or in life. 

Move beyond your fears that hold tight to your heart and your mind. Be resolved to allow Him to be apart of your life and then go live your life.

Words from my Heart,
Laurie

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NIV) John 14:6

SOFT SERVE PATIENCE, Words from the Heart from A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Soft Serve of Patience

We are leaving behind the days of summer.
Gone are the 115 degree days and in are coming some nights falling closer to freezing.
I find myself wearing a sweater at 80 degrees outside.

 Soon we will be eating chili and soup and not thinking of cold ice cream and soft yogurt.

The reviews of Braums soft serve Yogurt are off the charts.  Something reminiscent of my childhood years in St. Louis and soft serve ice cream.

 Read the Review from Dallas.


So when Terry and I are living OUT where it is an hour to drive to Braums and an hour back, we think twice before making the trip.

Terry has found a fix for the need...

We drive the 8 miles into town to the local Brookshire's grocery and buy Blue Bell Ice Cream.  It is made here in Texas and very high butter fat making it very very creamy.

He has learned to put it in the basket first...then shop. Then stop for gas on the way home.  By the time we bring in the groceries and put them away... the Blue Bell is ready.

You carefully peel off the lid... and behold....

The top inch is soft and creamy and as you can tell by the time I ran for my camera, he had already scraped all the soft ice cream off the top of it.



He has a way to do it and you have to do it right or he will not share with you....




You must start on the outside at the edges and pull your spoon around in a circle... slowly filling the surface with the creamy soft ice cream.

Patience.  Patience is one of those wonderful lessons from God that usually provides benefits if you are able to practice it in your life.

Easy patience lessons are timing the melt down of your ice cream before you eat it.  God usually has harder lessons out there for us to strengthen our fortitude on... but I sort of like the Blue Bell way.

I never eat the ice cream after the first time we take the lid off and share the creamy top.  I tried microwaving it in a bowl...but I never can get the same wonderful consistency as my husband's method.  He definitely has it down to the minute to catch it just right.

Learn to trust and rely on God. Be patient. Do not rush things in life.  You will soon learn to stop and enjoy the moment you have...until the lid comes off the ice cream. 

Words from my Heart,
Laurie

Enfolded in Peace, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Enfolded

Inner Peace is something sought by all of us.

Inner peace is a state of mind where we are mentally and spiritually at peace inside of us despite what is happening in the world around us.  It prevails to keep us strong with we face stress.  It prevails against anxiety and worry.

At the top of my list for inner peace promoters... is God's abundant color in nature.

The colors of this flowers are vivid and the beauty is raw. Loose yourself in the moment with me.

Walking each day provides a perfect retreat to drink in the beauty in your neighborhood and get exercise for your body as well....

Water has always been a nurturing element for me.  Let me touch water, see water, drink water, bath in water... hear water from a stream or fountain... I begin to breath slower and I literally zone out and find myself enfolded in peace.

Stores sell dvd's and cd's of water scenes and sounds of water. You can sleep by them, meditate by them and dream by them.   Using your ears...listen. Enfold yourself with the peace of water running.

There are many things that appeal to each of us, our choices shaped by our upbringing and what brought comfort to us as our parents cared for us enfolding us in their love.

Know that right now you are enfolded in the Father's arms. You do not need to search for something that already exists inside of you.  The spirit of God is peace and He is centered inside of you right now.  Turn your attention inward and there you will find peace and serenity.  The world does not need to give you peace, you need to share your peace with the world, with others in your life.  Center your thoughts on quiet and calm and allow tranquility to flow through your day through your words and actions.  

Be patient with those who are upset and angry. Be comforting to the child that is crying in fear. Use those 'pauses' in life to lead by example with the peace of God expressed through you as you enfold those around you.

Words of the Heart,
Laurie

"To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:6

Trapped Inside Yourself, Shared Words of the Heart from a Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Trapped Inside Yourself

There was a darkness outside the door this morning when I walked the dogs out.

Hidden between the leaves of the trees I caught a glimpse of the brilliant glow of the moon, but I could not see much because the moon was blocked by the thick forest we live in.

 

A cool breeze began with the moving cold front reaching the lake this morning. Change was in the darkness.  Is there growth in darkness?

Pausing under the tree was like disappearing from the earth or from life, abandoning touch with reality, isolated by the dark.

Looking up searching the trees for the glow of the moon, I stumbled over a bucket Terry left on the patio. I was busy looking up, searching.

Sooner or later we all get trapped in the dark.  Our life and focus turns inward and we become trapped.  Outside the world thrives, lives and smiles. Inside we cry and retreat feeling isolated. 

How do you return to living again? How do you find life outside your mind? Outside your computer or your television?

Keyboards, screens, phones and television... they all trap us into darkness.  You think you are connected to the world, but are you?

There is life in the light... there is life in nature.

There is an intimacy between two people having a conversation face to face that cannot be replaced by a computer screen or a television. 

If you every leave the city you realize there is a night with light. There is growth and peace in the darkness, just depends on which darkness you encounter.

How can you reconnect with life and step outside of yourself? How do you reconnect with people offline?

Words from my Heart,
Laurie

Beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just … if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.--Philippians 4:8

Do you make a Difference in life? Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Do you Make a Difference?

We have of course the many individuals that serve us in our communities.

This is Sheriff Paul Fletcher (Franklin County Texas) and his wife, Mount Vernon Police Officer Vicki Fletcher.  They both served as Dallas Police officers for over 24 years before retiring to Mount Vernon.  They were 'retired' for about four years and missed 'serving'. Paul was elected Sheriff and Vicki 'volunteers' for the city police force.

These are two individuals that simply missed giving and doing for the community and were not ready to let it go despite being 'retired'.

They make a huge contribution to our community with their care and concern as they 'serve'.

 Locally here deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas, we depend on our volunteer Fire Department and with all the fires we have had this summer, these men and women work full time jobs and still make all the fires and emergencies in our county.   Constantly ready to serve at a moment's notice, these individuals stand ready to serve.

In our lives we are so busy we often forget about the giving with out getting, the serving of others and helping when we are needed with out thought of 'getting back.'

Just as a father guides and helps his young child, Our Father is guiding us and helping us.  He wants us in turn to guide and help others in our lives, serving others selflessly, with out a thought of 'what's in it for me?'.

Do you make a difference?

Laurie

Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Unlimited Growth, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Unlimited Growth

If money was not an object, what would you do or where would you go?
Are you limiting yourself in life for the wrong reasons?

We start out so simply being born into the arms of our family who then tend to our needs and cares.

Depending on the 'soil' we grow in... comes our attitude for life. It grounds us in His miracle grow.. or we may be planted in poor soil promoting fears and anxieties.  Sometimes the soil is weak and we become weak even as we grow.

 When facing life we often encounter this sign.

Which way do we turn?

If you do not know what is on the road either way, how do you know whether to go left or right?

God is both places. God is everywhere.

Abundance of the universe is yours. The air you breathe, the ground you walk on, the water you drink. By the grace of God and His goodness you are wealthy beyond your beliefs. Make a decision and trust in Him.

Unlimited good is already there waiting for you.

Open your eyes and your heart to all the possibilities before you and stop limiting yourself. 

Think of Lady L's bubbles, seeking the wind currents, totally unaware of what is ahead but enjoying the journey as their beauty sparkles reflecting the colors of the rainbow.   Even she does not stress as they fly away. She knows she can blow more bubbles and takes delight only in the moment, filled with the creativity of bubble blowing.

God's love is infinite just as Lady L's bubbles seem infinite.... and His good is unlimited.  Just open your eyes.  He is already there.

Words from my heart,
Laurie

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, Plans for your welfare adn not for harm, to give you a future with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Signs, We must wait upon the Lord, Words of the Heart by A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Signs

I watched the radar yesterday.  I watched on the computer and on my phone when we went into town.

Rain was predicted and Dallas had been blessed with 18 hours of solid rain.

Not much was on the screen to our disappointment.

  

 The ground is dry and much has died around us.

I gave up watching the computer scene hearing my grandmother's voice echoing in my head,
"A watched pot never boils". 

And my Mother's voice in my head,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight." from Proverbs.



So Terry began watering our plants by hand trying to keep some colors blooming around the immediate perimeter of the house.

Tenderly he cares for each plant soaking it thoroughly.

The clouds were gathering as we finished filling the bird
feeders with seed.  We hurried to put things away but even an hour later there was no sign of rain.


Finally at ten last night we walked the dogs outside to discover rain.

It rained through the night and this morning we woke to a happy world, drenched in wet golden sun rays,

shimmering puddles of water and the rain water gauge at an eighth of an inch of rain.

Signs mean little... we must wait upon the Lord.

Words from my Heart, Laurie

^"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31