Change part 4

In case you haven't been reading here on my little 'ol blog for long, let me bring you up to speed on parts 1, 2 and 3 of this "change" series I have going on...

1. August 2013: I submitted paperwork to extend my visa to live in Canada. I knew that sometime in the near future I would have to make a change (hence the name of this series!) and find a different visa that would allow me to live in Canada longer.

2. October 2013: I found out I was denied an extension on my visa and had to get out of the country that very day. So I left and came back to the States. (It is hard to believe this was over a year ago...time flies!)

3. July 2014: After many months of searching, praying, and working on getting a new visa (including meeting with a lawyer) I find out that I do not qualify for any visa in any stream of immigration. This leads me to the decision and realization that God has a plan for me right here in Maine for the time being.

It is hard to believe that it has been a whole year since I got kicked out of Canada. So many changes have come about since that time, as I catch more glimpses of God's plan.

At the time of my last update I was living with my grandparents, working a few hours for a Christian couple, and enjoying spending time with family I had been away from the last 8 years.

I had an UH-MAZING summer. It was such a treat to be able to have tons and tons of family events, parties, outings...you name it! We did so many fun things, the summer was jam-packed full!

But all play and no work...wait, is that how it goes? ;)

Towards the end of the summer, I was made aware of a part time job opening up at a health food store just across the river from my other job...less than a mile away! I applied with much fear and trepidation...did I want the responsibility of another job? Would I like it? God, do you want me to do this? Is committing to living here for a while your perfect plan for me?

I didn't get the job. I had a pretty good chance of being called in for an interview, but they hired someone else before they even got to my name (darn being at the end of the alphabet!)

So I left for a long-planned trip to Nova Scotia. Due to my other job I could only stay a week, but it was nice to go and visit just the same!

Just before coming home I found out the job was available again...apparently the other person didn't pan out that well.

Long story short: I applied and this time I got the job. I also felt more at peace with the step the second time around...I believe that was God saying, ok, I'm going before you on this decision! The timing worked out so well too, since I already had that trip to Canada planned. I love how God works out all the details!

This job has been such a blessing on so many levels:

Not only is it just around the corner from my other job, I also moved to our family's farm and now I live just 5 minutes from both jobs.

You know that for years I have been reading, researching and getting my feet wet in the areas of whole foods, healthy eating and green living. Now I have two great jobs that support all of those interests! I am so excited about what I am learning and the changes I have made to my eating habits and lifestyle - more on that in another post someday. :)

Do I miss Canada? I sure do. Life there was easy and slow-paced and restful. I had always wanted to live on the ocean, and I am glad I got that experience for 3 years. Being 11 hours away from my family is hard. But my new life is good too...I am busy with my jobs, spending time with my family, teaching piano and being involved in ministries at church. I'm excited to see how the Lord is going to use this period of my life and what the years ahead might hold for me...because as I very well know, unexpected things can crop up at any moment!

Thank you for your care, concern and prayers for me over the past year. I'll be sure to keep you up to date if any other exciting things happen!


Shared at the Weekend Wind-Down party

Christmas 2014

Happy New Year, blogging friends! I'm finally back after a little blogger Christmas vacation. Here are some pictures of our week that was Christmas!

My family was here in Maine visiting for about 12 days, as well as some of my other cousins. On Christmas day there was 58 of us all in the same house. Some of my cousins I hadn't seen in 4 years, so it was a great day full of fun, laughter, family, and food.

It was wonderful to have so much time with my family, and hard to see them all go. However, it is exciting to start a new year and make plans for the month ahead!

I've got a lot more coming in the days ahead, as well as some new features for this blog that I think will be helpful to you. For now though, would you share some of your Christmas highlights with me? Comment below with one of your favourite parts of Christmas this year, and feel free to share some pictures on my Facebook page so I can see your celebrations in action!

Hello Monday, Hello last week of October!

It is Monday, time to say hello! I have a had a couple of hectic weeks with more (!) changes and my family visiting, but it has been good! Sometimes, change is good! I'm joining the community at Lisa Leonard Designs to reflect on last week and say hello to this week, will you join me?

Hello Monday.

Hello days and days of rain and all the leaves dead. This is what they looked like a couple weeks ago.

Hello training at a new job and meeting new people.

Hello getting settled into a schedule for this winter...because it is coming very soon!

Hello fleece tights.

Hello sweet boy that snuggled with me each morning last week.

...and visited me at work.

Hello cleaning the house after family left.

Hello beds that are still unmade.

Hello ATM that ate my debit card. Grr! Hello bank, this will be my third card since the beginning of the summer!

Hello new haircut. It has been YEARS since I've had it this short and I'm loving how easy it is. :)

Hello EXCITING Patriot's game yesterday!

Hello readers, hello to a new week! What are you saying hello to today?


Linked up to: Weekend Wind-Down

Hello Exciting New Changes! October 13, 2014

It is Monday, time to say hello to a brand new week! I'm joining the community at Lisa Leonard Designs, will you greet the new week along with us?

Hello Monday.

Hello Columbus Day and a long weekend.

Hello roadtrip to Canada yet again, this time to take my brother back.

Hello Tim Hortons. :)

Hello fall leaves and a beautiful drive.

Hello fun week with my brother visiting...always sorry to see it end.

Hello to memories being made.

Hello to exciting days and changes ahead. Its going to be a great week!

Hello to making decisions.

Hello to enjoying fall. We've had perfect fall days which have made this season so enjoyable!

Hello warm, sunny days and CHILLY nights!

Hello fleece leggings, vests and sweaters.

Hello getting back into blogging and sewing - for real!

Hello readers, hello to your Monday! What are you saying hello to today?

Hello October!

It is Monday, time to say hello to a brand new week! I'm joining the community at Lisa Leonard Designs, will you greet the new week along with us?

Hello Monday.

Hello cool, crisp days.

Hello colourful leaves and a beautiful drive everywhere you go.

Hello long walks and shadows.

Hello just beautiful fall scenery in general. It is everwhere I look these days, and I'm taking time to enjoy it. We've had such beautiful days, I could learn to like fall!

I just love this "two-faced" tree, not sure whether it wants to embrace autumn or not. :) I've been sharing more fall picts on Instagram, do you follow me there? I'm @soseworganized, of course. :)

Hello dark evenings spent with family - playing games and eating homemade kettle corn. 

Hello to an afternoon and evening where I don't have to go anywhere. First time in a long time I've just been able to sit and catch up on stuff!

Hello to yummy fall-ish soup for supper. 

Hello to planning and new scheduling.

Hello to three new piano students this week.

Hello to being refreshed by other blogs. I'm loving several of the 31 Day series going on right now, are you following any? I've shared some of my faves on my Facebook page.

Hello to the start of a great new month! What are you saying hello to today?

Hello Monday! September 22, 2014

It is Monday, time to say hello to a brand new week! I'm joining the community at Lisa Leonard Designs, will you greet the new week along with us?

Hello Monday.

Hello FALL! (phew, hard to believe!)

Hello leaves changing , cool days and COLD nights.

Hello scarf weather.

Hello to fun fall drinks.

Hello to layers...and layers...and more layers. Did I mention cool days?

Hello to still processing the fun, information-packed and refreshing writer's conference I attended this weekend.

Hello to a stack of business cards to network with.  I'm so glad I met these gals in person. :)

Hello to a trip to Nova Scotia this week.

Hello packing and working.

Hello groceries you can't get in Canada.

Hello little brother counting the "sleeps" until I get there. Awww!

Hello windy Monday, hello readers! What are you saying hello to today?

Feelings of Inadequacy

Do you see this, friends? This is my name. In print. As a conference workshop speaker.

I'm sitting here at Starbucks finishing up my notes for the workshop, because ohmystars it is this Friday and wow, that came fast. I've only known about it since April, haha. They asked me to do a workshop on blogging for a group of Christian writers, and I'm all like, why me? I think I am the smallest most insignificant blog on the planet, and they want me to speak about it?

The notes came together pretty well - I have a whole board of blogging tips to refer to, plus an amazing network of other bloggers that have helped me along the way. I even have a simple slideshow and handouts and that part is easy. But now I'm to the hard part, the most important parts: the introduction and conclusion, where I desperately want to encourage people that they can do it, show them that it is worth it, and ignite a spark of creativity.

And now I just feel inadequate. 

Because how do you encourage someone to do something you yourself feel that you stumble to do?

I've been blogging for several years, but it is definitely something I've just slowly learned along the way. I guess in my mind, a person that teaches others has to be a professional in their field, right? And I'm no professional. But maybe that is where my thinking is wrong. Maybe I just need to be the best version of me. The version of me that gives God the credit and relies on Him for help, and share what I have learned personally and not worry about being professional.

So I just keep repeating these words from fellow blogger Emily (who is the type of gal that should be doing this workshop!)

So despite my feelings of inadequacy and the feeling that I am not good/smart/famous enough, I'm just going to remember that I have something to offer. I have the Words of Truth, after all, and since when is that not enough?

I really, truly am excited about this opportunity. Really! I can't wait to stretch myself a little and try something new, while meeting fantastic people and being encouraged by the rest of the conference. You can be sure I'll be back next week to share how it went and all I learned! Thanks readers, for being there...for being my readers, because without you fantastic people supporting this blog I wouldn't be here at all.

What events/circumstances are facing you that force you to rely on God?



Linked up with: Hit me With Your Best Shot. The DIY Dreamer, Weekend Wind Down Party

Hello Monday! September 8th

It is Monday, time to say hello! Hello Monday is where I say hello to the fun that was last week and the excitement that this week will bring. I'm joining the community at Lisa Leonard Designs, won't you join us?

Hello Monday.

Hello busy, fun week with my brother.

Hello fun new projects. I made a picnic blanket/quilt for my cousin and loved how it turned out!

Hello family bonfires. 

Hello work at my favourite local coffee shop.

Hello local, small town fair and parade. I love, love the small town I grew up in!

Hello to the real world. Time to come back! :)

Hello Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle coming this Wednesday!!!! I am so excited about the books and resources in this bundle. You can read more about it here, and sign up to try and get $5 off your bundle, or possibly even get it free!
It is finally available! Get a copy here!

The Healthy Living bundle is no longer available...thanks for taking an interest! Subscribe to my blog to read more about my healthy living journey and get a heads up when the next bundle is available. 

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Hello week of Healthy Living related posts. I am so excited about what I am learning about healthier living, and can't wait to hear from you, too! What area of healthy living do you want to learn more about?

Hello to a shop spotlight. I love this print!

Hello to you readers, hello to a new week! What are you saying hello to today?

Hello Monday, Hello Labor Day!

It is Monday, time to say hello! Hello Monday is where I say hello to the fun that was last week and the excitement that this week will bring. I'm joining the community at Lisa Leonard Designs, won't you join us?

Hello Monday.

Hello long weekend.

Hello September! What the????

Hello "little" brother visiting. We kept it a secret from all our local family, and boy was that fun! Super hard secret to keep, however!

Hello to crossing the border and getting REAL Tim Hortons coffee! LOVE!

Hello back-to-back dog sitting weekends.

Hello to an amazing week at So Sew Organized. We set records all over the place! Most orders ever in a 24-hour period, most orders in a week, and the first time ever to sell out of something in the first two weeks of it being listed. Amazing!

This is the item we sold out of this week! I'm planning to re-list it in the future, but here are some others you might like in the meantime: (just click on the description to be taken to the item in my shop!)

Vintage Housewares pouch

Vintage Clocks pouch

Vintage TVs pouch

Pink Streamers pouch - also available in teal!

Hello Back to School and Cozy Fall Essentials giveaway! There is just one more day...which bundle would you choose if you won?

Speaking of bundles, hello to a fantastic Healthy Living eBook bundle coming soon! I don't have all the details to give you yet, but if you sign up here to receive an email when the bundle is live, you can then refer your friends to sign up! If 10 of your friends sign up (they don't even have to purchase the bundle!) you can get your bundle free!

Hello to a cookout with family today.

Hello to getting ready to speak at a conference. 

Hello to quiet times alone. How do you spend those times? How rare are they?

Hello long walks and pretty scenery.

Hello fall weather.

Hello readers, hello to a new week! What are you saying hello to today?