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Have your porch featured!

4/27/2017

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I need your porch! I'm working on a new creative project to be released this summer & I'd like to make you all a part of it!!! :D

If you or someone you know has a cute porch/deck/patio & would be willing to let me come take some pictures of it (if you live within an hour... if not, you can take some yourself to submit ;) ) please comment on my Facebook post. They can be small & quaint, big & beautiful, have no view or a view for miles. All that matters is that it represents a place of love & conversations that I can capture through my camera. I won't be capturing any people in these but they should give the feel of inviting this ♡

Don't forget you can nominate a friend's porch if you know of one!

Thanks for being a part of this project!  Keep your eye out for more fun stuff to come!
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Photo Credit: A Work of A.R.T.
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The post I didn't share...

4/18/2017

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So I wrote a post today that's been on my heart for weeks now and I had planned to share it this evening but after sharing it with a friend and us discussing how important the subject is, as well as, it being quite different from how I normally share... we decided that I should somehow record it so it isn't misread and so those that listen to it can hear my heart.  Please keep an eye out for this to post soon.
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Complete and Total Brokenness 

3/23/2017

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Feeling hopeless?  Have your dreams been crushed?  Did someone walk out of your life... husband/wife, father/mother, child/sibling, etc.?  Maybe you've lost your job?  Has that child you've been dreaming of not arrived yet?

Trust us when we say we've experienced many of these too.  We got married and in 6 mths we were forced to move out of our home due to no fault of our own and from there many things spiraled out of control as we tried to find a place to live and moved repeatedly for the next 3 years.  So many plans got put on hold.  During this time, we also lost some of the closest people to us which caused such grief it felt like it could kill.  We had differing ways of coping which caused much heartache in our already aching marriage.  When we finally moved to a place we'd call home for over 4 years, things seemed to be looking up.  I began running a very successful business enabling Andy to work less and work beside me.  This was so good for us.  We were connecting in ways we hadn't in a long time.  We were dreaming again. :)
...Then I got sick.  I could no longer drive, remember conversations we had just had seconds ago, was bedridden, and fighting for answers with the little energy I had in order to live.  Once we got answers and I had a couple surgeries, we then realized I would now have daily, often hourly, complications from it 😢

I had lost my identity as an independent, can tackle-it-all, intelligent woman that so many others relied on.  Would I ever work again?  Would I ever look youthful again?  What about all the dreams God had put in my heart!?  During this time of realization and grief, I was hit with another blow that was so personal, sacred and private that I couldn’t share it with anyone out of respect for the other involved so I've suffered alone.  Sometimes life just has a way of stopping us in our tracks doesn't it!?  And it feels like the enemy just may win every battle in our life after all... 
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Photo Credit: Unknown
But here's one thing I know, we serve a BIG BIG God & I believe He can restore the years that were wasted/lost/stolen so my hope is in Him!  I do not suffer alone, though at times it may feel and even appear like it, because my Lord hurts alongside me.  He hurts alongside you as well.
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Fast forward to the last month or so, after years of repairing, mending and healing much in our individual lives, marital & other relationships, etc. we've dreamed dreams we've never even had before and we've also sought answers in ways we haven't before.  Together, as we pursue God and God alone, His answers will be the peace in our hearts.  Our hope for the future!
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You can hope today too!!  You can believe God for good things to come out of your heartache, your mess, your complete-and-total brokenness because He makes all things new "and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
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Dumpster Diving

3/9/2017

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According to where we lived, I'd say I was 7 or 8 when I would get in trouble for crawling into and digging through the large dumpsters at our apartment complex.  I loved looking for and discovering treasure, and to me, this was just another place to “dig.”  Looking back, I of course can see why my mom was horrified at this avenue of prospecting lol but the transition from the farm, then to the big city and now at this point into town just didn't seem to go so well for this little country girl.  I needed to be active and go on adventures so I'd climb the tallest trees numerous stories high & take the scary way to my grandparents that was just across the way by taking the path through the old man's tree covered yard & 
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under his shrubs.  He'd get mad if he ever saw me/us so I was glad I could run fast… and I was pretty sure I could melt his heart if I ever needed to so I didn't think I was doing anything truly bad haha.

​One day, while seeing what all my “neighbors” had thrown away and considered waste, I found a beautiful, neatly wrapped but never opened package.  It was wrapped in red with a yellow bow.  I instantly felt joy leap inside of me because I was thrilled to have found a gift for my mother!  I'm pretty sure this was my last time I went in that dumpster too?... because a) I got in trouble b) I felt I had succeeded at finding my treasure or c) BOTH lol!?  I'm not quite certain. ;)


When I got out of there, I couldn't wait to give my mom her gift.  I snuck it inside and waited for her upset to pass so I could give her this sweet sweet gift.  When her worry faded she took her gift but little did she know she couldn't open it because when you flipped it over it had a beautiful poem that sweetly explained that it was my love wrapped inside for her to always have beside her (or something like that.)  I believe she still has it!?... or at least I secretly hope she still does.  For many years it was tucked inside her dresser drawer & it felt good every time I saw that she still had my love tucked away for a rainy day.
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I found the poem! :D
When I first found and then read this gift, I couldn't imagine how anyone could discard of it.  I still can't truthfully lol.  But this gets me thinking.  We've all probably done this.  We've all probably thrown away the love or an act of love another has given or tried to give us.  I know I'm guilty of being too busy to stop and receive a peck from Andy sometimes & spent many years in self-destructive behaviors that I'd actually get very upset (when drinking) if friends, male or female, began to profess that they cared deeply about me… it touched too vulnerable of a place that I couldn't let hurt again.  And we see this all the time in our society today where parents spend more time with their electronics, many don't send thank you cards anymore, where people take what they can and then be done with you, etc.  Some we are guilty of, some we experience.   And the worst of all, is not receiving the good life God died to give you. 

I encourage you to slow down this weekend.  Reflect on what love gifts you're not receiving.  Which are you discarding?  And so on.  May you accept the fullness of God's love expressed to you today!!
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He called me ART

3/3/2017

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PicturePhoto Credit: A Work of A.R.T..
The first suicidal/self-harm thoughts I can remember having was at the tender age of eight.  I see other eight year olds now and my heart breaks for the child inside me that knew such pain that she could wish for this at an age where innocence, childlike play, creativity and imagination are to be soaring.  You can see in my pictures at this age that this oppression had set in, so much so that one of my grandmother's would state how she hated that picture.  It didn't represent the Alicia she had known.  She never hung that one up either.

Over the years, I learned of other people's opinions of those who self-hate and learned to disguise this quite well or found ways to do so in which others would never know.  This wasn't an intentional thought, it just happened over time.  These thoughts came on with incredible force my last two years in high school but few would have ever known because I was the girl who walked down the hall every day smiling and saying hi to everyone.  I truly believed it was my calling to be a light in those halls.  I was also Vice President of Student Council & Spanish Club while being heavily involved in many others.  I stayed super busy with a full social life, worked tons, kept my grades up, etc.  So that left very few people in on the truth of how tortured I was and I'm not even sure those living with me totally got it until I started drinking heavily after I turned 21.

So much unresolved pain left me aching for me... to be more, to do more... to be loved more.  I needed love so desperately.  I did things and put myself in sad situations because this ache consumed every inch of me.

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Photo Credit: A Work of A.R.T.
​Fast forward, I'm now 35 and beginning to discover and rediscover parts of me that I truly like.  Did you know I'm creative!?!  Many around me would say yes, but I never thought so.  It was a part of my daily life as a kid but over time due to different things those "foolish" things got put aside.  I had to work hard financially, as well as academically, during my school years (I started babysitting at age 8) and due to other influences, I never took those sorts of classes because I didn't think there was time for that.  So heartbreaking now.

So five years ago (maybe more?), God started talking to me about my creative side, to embrace it, it's who He created me to be, etc.  I again, didn't have much time for that as I was fighting for answers with my health at that time but then 4 years ago this month, I left the house for the first time in ages without Andy, still recovering from surgery and battling the struggles I was now having on a daily basis from that surgery and wow, am I so glad I went.  At the very end of the conference there was a prophetic and healing word spoken over me and one main part of that was about me being creative.  Say whaaat!?!!  God even made it obvious by giving me the initials A.R.T. lol.  I thought I was a fast learner but because I had built this shell towards the foolish (not foolish at all actually) things of life (also spoken to me in this prophetic word) in order to survive I couldn't see how much He had placed in me that He desired me to express... and I have to be honest, I still struggle to allow these parts of me out publicly.  Creating is a vulnerable thing to share it seems.

Okay, back to present day, I've been learning to like myself for some time now and I've always heard Joyce Meyer say the childhood that she lost or was stolen has been restored back to her.  She has the joy of the Lord and has enjoyed so much in life, that it is to her, like the Lord gave her a two-fold (or more!?) blessing of that childhood lost.  I always found this to give me hope and now I can say I am experiencing some of this myself.  I've been lost in writing, designing, fashion, website building, logo making, speaking, putting down lyrics and poetry, expressive arts and crafts plus more in the last couple of years.  As we purchased this house and I turned 35, God made it clear He would be doing more with me artistically and it has been so fun!  I've begun doing photography and He is speaking through my paintbrush as well.  I am loving this side of me that had been lost and discarded for so long,  I feel like I'm finally finding my place in the world.  It's giving me quite a sense of purpose and it's been wonderful to have something, that with my physical limitations, I can actually do... well not just one thing but many... which is so important to me.  I'm gaining confidence, I'm learning, I'm getting "it" all out...all the stuff that there just aren't enough words to express.  I've found ways to show others what the world looks like through my eyes, and knowing I've always been different, I finally feel like I should be an active part of this world. It's beautiful.

Did or are you struggling to like yourself?  Have you fully accepted how God has made you and set you apart?  How have you fought this and/or how have you embraced this?  Are you creative as well and if so, how do you express that?  Tell me a little of your journey because I'd truly love to hear!
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Photo Credit: A Work of A.R.T.
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Seasons of Change

3/2/2017

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Once again it's been quite a while since I've blogged.  I begin to wonder if I'll ever become a regular blogger?  It seems, just as I get settled in, then another season of change happens and during those times I've learned I am my best self if I focus on very few but important things because my energy wanes.  Maybe this is because of chronic illness or maybe it's just the way I'm built?  Either way, I've learned to embrace it.
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Photo Credit: A Work of A.R.T.
In the last 10 months we've left our church, moved out of town and bought our first home, lost our 16 year old Maine Coon who was our baby, experienced bats in the walls of our 104 year old home lol & much, much more.  Isn't life always full of something!?  It's one thing after another!  Since we know this, it's up to us to choose whether we embrace the changes or fight them, see life as an adventure or a nightmare & so on.

This reminds me of a funny story one of my best friends and her daughter experienced.  Her little girl was playing on a playground when she ended up getting a bunch of stickers stuck to her.  Being young and so sweetly innocent, she told me later that she wondered through her screams and tears why her mom would let these "bugs" just bite her.  While that may make us giggle now because we know they weren't bugs at all but stickers, it made me think of how we sometimes question our own Father when we're getting bitten or stung by those in the world or situations of the world.  Life can be so hard sometimes but I believe, just like this little girl's mother, our Father knows we're going to be ok because He sees more than we do, He knows more than we do.  
​We live in a fallen world with imperfect people and are quite imperfect ourselves... so how do we embrace this adventure and keep on keeping on?  I think it's as simple as trusting our Father and believing that He knows or allows what is best.  That may be simple but applying it in the moments of suffocating pain... now that's complex!

During the times where it seems I've/we've done everything right and yet people or situations fail us, I find comfort in the stories of several Bible characters... Job; he lost it all and yet he continued to serve God even as He cried out to Him in pain.  Then there's Joseph who was sold into slavery by his own envious brothers and continued to have one attack or trial after another though his heart was right and set on God and the things of God.
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While taking pictures a couple weeks ago... I ended up with my own assortment of stickers "biting" me ;) ... Photo Credit: A Work of A.R.T.
Thankfully, we serve the same gracious God as Job and Joseph and both of them were brought to victory in the end!  Set your eyes upon Jesus, trust your Heavenly Father to care for you better than any earthly father ever could and pursue the things in which the Holy Spirit leads you.  Our Godhead 3-in-1 has you and He is a God of miracles!  Expect your SUDDENLY miracle because God is in the business (for a lack of a much better word) of SUDDENLY!
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Photo Credit: A Work of A.R.T.
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Don't Go It Alone

4/22/2016

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"You can make it, but it's easier if you don't have to do it alone." ~Betty Ford
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Tieks Card
I've walked many a paths all by myself and others I've had a cheerleader or two with me... more often than not, Betty was right, it's easier, to walk most any path, if we don't do it alone.  Are there seasons in which God calls us to walk alone, to trust Him and Him alone?  Sure!  He is our Friend and our Counselor.  However, He does also tell us that "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." - Prov. 15:22

If you're going through something today all alone, first and foremost trust and seek God... then as He leads, wisely seek out your friends... the ones that truly have your back in prayer, support, etc.  A favorite quote of mine since high school has been "A true friend overlooks your failures and tolerates your success" by Doug Larson.  I change this up a bit to say 'celebrates your successes' and one who truly loves you will give you grace in your failures but they will also instruct you in love where you've gone or are going wrong.  (See John 8:32 & Hosea 4:6)

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likesuccess.com
A few times in a lifetime we have a friend that knows all about us and stays with us through it all.  We are to cherish those when they come.  There are also friends that are there to keep us accountable whether with our health, finances or business goals.  In this day and age, some of our friends we found through the virtual world or maybe we met them in person but the relationship has deepened through social media because you found another that thinks like you, believes like you or dreams like you, etc.

Whomever your friends are... and you know who the "reals" are (that's what I call my gang, tribe, peeps... whatever :D)... let them know how much you appreciate them.  Next, grab their arm and do life together.  Don't go it alone!
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Promptings of the Heart

4/13/2016

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You know that feeling when you receive a random "just because" card that makes you smile the rest of the day? Or the feeling of overflow when you receive a message of encouragement? I experienced that times three on Monday. Good things do happen on Mondays... who knew!? ;D

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Several months back, on a Sunday morning, I had multiple gals come up to me and tell me they had been thinking of me the last week but never reached out (their words) and proceeded to ask how I was.  I was having a very difficult time privately and it had been a tough, tough week.  Outside of the promptings of God, those gals would have never known this and without really leaning into Him they didn’t recognize it.

There’s no hard feelings there (I’ve been guilty of this too) so please know that when I say… Do you know how much it would have blessed me if just one of them had reached out!?  The thing is, they didn’t realize God was trying to use them... but He was.  We’ve all been guilty of this haven’t we?  We just thought it was a passing thought and then later on found out that "oh man, we should’ve reached out when that person was on our heart."  ​




​Fast forward to two days ago, I had three different ladies reach out, all on the same day, and each of them was a God-send.  One sent a sweet text, another tried to call but when I wasn’t up for that we had an encouraging conversation via text and the third sent a card… a random, out-of-the-blue, very special card.  I was sick with a cold and still to this day I strongly dislike a wasted day.  It’s one thing if I’ve planned rest, which I try to do now, but when sickness hits and puts me behind schedule, it can tend to really annoy… anyone!?

Okay, moving on ; )
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​We’ve all had moments at the grocery store when someone comes to mind but we’re in a rush and we don’t send a quick text to say hi.  We’ve all been so tired at night we don’t feel like reaching out and talking to anyone.  We’ve all enjoyed that little bit of alone time in the car and don’t want to make a phone call.  Now please let me say, there's nothing wrong with not normally (outside of the promptings of God) doing any of these things.


Actually, as great as us Americans are at multi-tasking, studies show we shouldn’t be so proud of this so I’m not promoting that.  I also think we could all limit our use of social media a little more, so what am I saying then?  We have resources at our fingertips that weren’t available to the generations before us… yet somehow, they did a better job at keeping in touch… real touch.  Ya know, truly getting to know someone, how they are doing and feeling and being there for them in tangible heartfelt ways.

So I’m encouraging you today to first stop, slow down, recognize that those promptings of the heart, more often than not, are God’s way of saying “I want to use you to love on somebody today.”


  • When you’re too tired to call… write out a quick card.  Uh, yes, I just said that.  LOL  I still believe in and love snail mail.  Who doesn’t enjoy getting a handwritten letter or card from someone who cares!?

  • Can’t talk but want to let someone know they were on your mind… post something to their Facebook wall or send them a Pin.  One of my dearest friends it so good at this that even though we haven’t seen each other for a year, I still feel close to her.

  • And sometimes, there’s no way around it… you’re going to have to stop everything and just call, go see them, etc.  When God is trying to use you, don’t be too busy for Him.  You’d want others to be obedient to His ‘call to love’ if it were you were on the receiving end.

            ~~ Make an intention to slow down the next time someone is on your heart and then reach out and love them! ~~

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Sometimes God wants to use us to remind others of this promise!
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Discover Your Wings

3/30/2016

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At the end of October, I had the honor of being the opening night speaker at a beautiful retreat called “Discover Your Wings.”  It was nestled in California's stunning, Tahoe National Forest, which enveloped all of us like a warm hug.  The setting and every detail of this retreat were so refreshing.  The air there, was so fresh and crisp it set the stage well, for the Holy Spirit to show up and have His way with us.

When a speaker shows up to give, and leaves with so much that they are overflowing, you know everything was done well. What I loved most about this experience were the women who attended.  They gave as much as they received.  No matter their own personal struggle and prayers, they opened their hearts up to receiving and giving, to those around them the entire weekend.  There were so many spontaneous moves of the Spirit, prayers and words given, that it still ministers to me.
So why, all these months later, do I now share this with you?  Well first, because once I got home, after several large travels in a month and then going right into the holiday season, a wedding (again out of state) and some other life challenges, I honestly have not had the gumption to do much other than rest.  That’s what winter is for right… hibernating!?  In Nebraska it is!!  So that’s what I did and I learned a lot.  I learned whenever I travel, certain things need to be done before, during and after to ensure my body is cared for. Planned rest, after, is an essential now.  God has graced me with these opportunities and the ability to even do them, (although my labs say I shouldn’t be able to- a blog on that soon… facts and faith) so I need to be sure I'm stewarding all of this well.

Secondly, because I’ve “Discovered My Wings” in a new way recently.  You may have noticed a couple of recent vlogs/video blogs I've put out there, totally unedited, no makeup on, etc.  I did this, simply because I can.  As a previous perfectionist, this is a HUGE victory!
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I decided to do what I could from where I was no matter how I felt (physically, emotionally, etc.) and I want you to realize you can do the same!   Many of you are battling something… in your health, marriages, finances, etc. but I want each of you to know that God can still use you regardless!  We just have to be willing to be used and sometimes that scary, sometimes it’s humbling but it’s always rewarding.  

I’ve fallen into the trap many times, believing I no longer had purpose or God couldn’t use me while I’m stuck at home and sick.  It’s been depressing and overwhelming at times when all my heart desires is to love on and help people.  Well, I’m here today to tell you that that junk is a lie from the pit of hell to keep us bound up and absorbed in our own hurts.  There is a healthy amount of self-care that should be going on when you are hurting and healing but this goes far beyond that and with it it brings fear, isolation and much more.  You know it when it arrives because you don’t have the umph to face your day, anxiety surrounds you and chaos fills your mind.  
So what can we do about it when it comes knocking!?  “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee…” ~James 4:7 tells us.  We need to discover the truth of God about our situation through time in His Word.  We then need to act on those words in faith.  James 2:14-26 (NKJV)  Now I’m not talking about what Susie Q. oh-so-cute-homemaker would do, not what pastor Joe can do, not what Stiletto the business pro can do… I’m saying do what YOU can do.  Be led by His peace in this.

Some days the best I can do is make my hubby a healthy meal.  I can’t even shower, answer the phone, walk to the mailbox but I do what I CAN do and I rest in the fact that God STILL approves of me.  Other days, I can send a card, encourage a friend with a call or text, have my best-dressed-foot-forward when Andy walks through the door… ya know, house cleaned, meal ready, head to the gym with him, etc.  And on reeeally good days, days that I’ve often planned a week or two in advance for, I can show up to social events, family functions, etc. and be on my A-game ministering to and loving on everyone I come into contact with.  

The bottom line is this… some days we can, some days we can’t… and we are still LOVED!

Today I can and so… I am :D  Do what you can today.  All God desires is a willing and obedient heart.  If you feel like it, share with me, what you were able to do today with what you had <3

I’m going to leave you with this beautiful video from the end of our retreat where we got to do a live butterfly release!!!  There is a beautiful reading that leads up to it and then you get to see all the butterflies… enjoy!
 For info on Lori's next retreat in May please visit her website http://www.lorietchison.com/retreat.html 

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What's Under Your Hood!?  (Parts 1 & 2)

3/29/2016

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As you can see, I kind of went dormant for the winter months.  In the past I would've apologized for this but I'm not going to do that today.  The shame and guilt would hinder me from giving you my all, so I'm letting it go, actually embracing the rest I needed and took, and moving forward.  Ahhh, that feels so much better!

Recently I created two video blogs about finding out what's under your hood, being restored & more so I'm going to leave those here for you to enjoy!

I also have another blog coming later this week so watch for that as well!  Until then, make it a great week! 
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