Confidence in Him... Words of my Heart, by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8

This is our last night here on Golden Pond.  I shot this sunset a few nights ago.  It was cloudy last night, so I am posting it this morning.  Mixed emotions as good friends have come to say goodbye and Terry reminds them it is not goodbye it is 'see you soon'.  God has opened a new door for us and while I am still hesitant about it, Lord, I am ready. 

There are not trees where we are going, or large lakes outside the back door. There is not clear dark skies at night filled with billions of stars. There is not the deep silence for sleep and rest that fills our every evening. There are not the sounds of birds greeting the sunrise or the deep throated call of the frogs announced sunset. There are not turtles amassing on the logs in the water, or ducks flying overhead with snow white crains.  

What there is ... is pure trust in my Father. That is greater than all before my eyes here.  My Father is my never ending stream that will nourish me in any drought or hard time.  It is through His eyes I will see our new home with thankfulness and delight.  Our four year old granddaughter will be across the street and she will be our sunrise and our sunset.  She is ever so close to her Bampa and is really excited he will be there to play with her.  We will miss the sounds of the birds singing, but in it's place will be her chatting voice and hundreds of questions each day.  I am sure the sounds of airplanes and trains will catch our attention at times but our trust is rooted in the Lord. He will bring peace to our hearts no matter where we are planted.

I try this day as we finish up packing to focus on Him and stay rooted in the moments He has given us this day.

Keep our family in prayer over the next few days as we make this move back to a busy world from the quiet calm of the beauty around us. 

   Words of my Heart,  Laurie Pace

    A Texas Artist

Tiny Bubbles, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

Ephesian 5:19

The wonderment of bubbles.

The joy of simplicity. 

Just add breath... and watch the colors and bubbles rise with the air currents.

Breathe deeply this day... empower your lungs to fill with God's breath ten times in a row... taking in air slowly... then breathing out the negative thoughts, breathing out the 'what ifs'. Allow only His breath to fill your needs.

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurei pace

Tell your own story...Words of my heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7

Some days you think you should not have even gotten out of bed. Things do not go the way you thought they should. Violence interrupts life when you are least prepared for it. Somehow life consists of pain and sorrow along with the joys and love.  Innocent people suffer and die. Today's violence and injustices seem immeasurable worse than in past generations.

What can you do to make changes in your story as your story will affect the story and lives of others.  It has to start in our hearts and our homes. Surrounding ourselves with others that care and believe and want to make a difference just enforces the good that can grow and flourish in one community, than one county, than one state and one nation.... One Nation Under God.

When I am teaching art to my students, I encourage them to tell their story in their own way through their artwork. No one produces the same story as we are all unique.  Where we are bound together is by our priorities, our compassion and our beliefs. 

Do you know what yours are?

Words of my Heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Struggling along, Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31

We often struggle over things in life. The struggle makes us weary but eventually we begin to see the end or the light to the struggle.  God is there. Our confidence soars as we see 'His light' and realize we are almost there. Our strength is renewed and we move forward now with more courage and energy than we had when we began.

Advent preparation is about this very feeling... the beauty that you know is there, you can see it with your eyes and your heart.  Despite everything else in your life, the joy of this season renews you daily.


Words of my heart, Laurie
A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

You will never go Hungry...Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

Are you worried about anything right now?  

What if you could pretend those worries were a coat you had buttoned on yourself and you could simply unbutton the coat and just drop it right where you are?  As you drop this coat of stress, pain or misery...you immediately find you are dressed in the light and glory of God forever. Just as Jesus declared your needs will be provided and there is not room for worry with this light and glory surrounding you. 

So in this second week of advent consider yourself freed of what holds you captive. Be free from your longing and desires that seem to hold power over you. Simply be filled with His joy.

"The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy."  Psalm 126

Words of my heart, Laurie

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace

Too Many Toos... Words of my Heart by Texas Artist Laurie Pace

The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17

Making do with what we have in our kitchen is always a challenge. This was a homemade apple pie in a healthy recipe without fats, diary or extra sugar. 

The way we live in America is quite the opposite. Instant gratification along with food loaded with fat and sugar is the norm. In our home we have chosen to change our diet and change what is in the cabinets and the refrigerator.  So when I choose a new recipe, I often have to adapt to what we have.

Life was simpler back 100 years ago.  Closets were non-existant or they were about the size of a small coat closet in the average size home today. When is too much too much?  Too much food, too many clothes, too many new cars, new homes, instantly new games and movies?  Can we slow things down to and at least try to reflect on the peacefulness (and quiet) that would invade our lives if we gave up so much of the "too's"?

Words of my Heart, Laurie 

A Texas Artist Laurie Pace