Lately {8.10.15}

It's been a while since I just sat down and wrote.

Over the past week, I posted a project that I've been working on for awhile-- and I am so happy with it! It's interview/photo based, but actually more than a little mixed media in presentation. Check it out if you'd like! :)

Wednesday, I spent quality time among flowers with a good, good friend.  

Thursday and Friday were spent with random + lovely individuals, serving some of the world's greatest leaders (beautiful accents and all), during which: I was perceived to be 17 (repeatedly), realized I'm not all that bad at interacting with people, and I learned a lot about leadership that I still need to process.  

Oh, and I spotted a guy with a Boba Fett tattoo on his leg (I wish I had a picture of that).

Clearly my head is really, really full at the moment (to have stuff like that^ leaking out). It's always strange coming back to Earth after wonderfully-unusual happenings. My reality is awesome, but it is hard. There are so many new, growing things happening, but even with good, good change, comes a long to do list.

At the end of July, I found a studio work space to rent, and by that, I mean that God dropped it squarely into my lap.  It could not be more perfect for me, or for the little business I am trying to grow. :)  I haven't posted much about it here, but I've been making handmade canvas bags and backpacks that will become an added element to my vintage stock. I'm still tweaking, but will probably start listing them for sale sometime in the next month.

So many good things, and so many thoughts. The real challenge of this season so far, is that it's required almost constant action from me-- uh, remember, I suck at that?  Well, apparently yours truly is being grown, and I can't say that I hate it.  

Action is, strangely, becoming my friend. :)

Spring

Because, as usual, it's been too long. :)

And more adventures to come, that I can always be sure of.

I read a simple expression just now that dissolved the smidgen of tension that I unknowingly had between my shoulders: "Let things happen". Isn't is funny (and whenever I say that, I really mean peculiar) that such few words could make such sense, and remind me of the faithful, freedom-giving ways of God?

So often I think we are (or at least I am) afraid to take risks, and just engage with what comes our way. There's this expectation our society has that we need to be safe and responsible to our means, but I'm now reminded that I'm actually responsible to God's means-- what he can provide from me, not what I can provide for me! 

Living our lives like our own means determine what is possible, is a shortsighted power trip. Not only is it giving ourselves way too much credit (and responsibility), it allows us only to be, do, or become what is within our human scope of reason.

Not me, friends. I would so much rather stand up in the power and ability of my Maker, surrendering self sufficiency, but also embracing the resources of the creator of the universe. 

I'm sure I'll need to return to this post in the coming months and years, to be reminded of this-- but I suppose that's exactly why I write.

153 Fish

I'm so bursting with excitement today!  I've actually come down a bit by now, but the glow of being so provided for by my heavenly Father and seen in the tangible way that I was yesterday, does not fade quickly (nor should it)!  I've had such a weird and interesting season the past few months, lots of unexpected changes and lurches along the way-- some big (my nephew!) and some small (my loveseat).  

I've not written very much here about my business as a vintage clothing dealer, but the past year has been a struggle.  Since I'm in close proximity to Chicago, finding stock is a constant battle.  Locating it is one thing, but getting it in the company of other hungry dealers...complicated.  I've encountered peers along the way, some pleasant kindred-spirits and others self-serving, competitive jerks.  I myself absolutely have within me the ability to throw my proverbial weight around, to abuse my gifts of a quick tongue and a sharp mind to get what I want-- but I don't.  I learned a long time ago that I do not want to be that person-- though it often means humbling myself and not retaliating. In that I have had to trust that God will provide, when and what He so desires.  And friends, yesterday He did in a big way!

I decided in the middle of the week that I wanted to attend an estate sale this weekend, something I haven't done as much this year as in years past.  I had let my negative experiences discourage me-- experiences of foul play and political moves on the behalf of other dealers, right before my eyes.  This was both infuriating and disheartening, and I let it keep me away a lot this year.  But a few days ago I felt a surge to get back at it, I found an interesting sale and planned to go Friday morning.  Friday morning bright and early, my Father allowed me to be blindsided with emotional realization, with pain and anger at myself about areas in my life where I might not be putting Him first.  Not exactly the best state to enter a vintage war-zone in, but I responded and let my heart be broken before God.  

In the end, God designed the most unusual and beautiful circumstances for me to walk into at the sale yesterday.  My freshly raw heart expected the usual chaos, but found a sale full of vintage clothing, and void of other dealers.  What in the heck.  That's pretty much all I could incredulously think when I realized.  Not only more stock than I could hope to find in one place (I've only twice encountered the like), not only was I alone to actually take my time, but the woman who owned and wore the clothing was present at the sale!  Because most estate sales are company run I rarely have the opportunity to come face to face with the owners and story holders.  Dorothy was such a blessing to my heart, telling me which pieces she made, where she purchased or wore others and all sorts of tidbits about labels and days past.

It amazes me daily how well my God knows me, knows what will delight me to my toes and what I need in each and every moment.  It makes every struggle and trial so obviously necessary in hindsight, for where would my joy come from without them?

And what's more, He feels that way about all of us.  What a guy!

Sigh. Sorry for the novel, I just had to tell that story!

Needless to say, a large shop update will be coming soon!  I still have things that needed listing from before this sale, so I have my work cut out for me!

If you are curious about my title, it comes from John 21:1-14 which was the focus of She Reads Truth this morning.  Crazy, because it so fits with my day yesterday!

Details

{dress} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{shirt} - J.Crew

{cardigan} - vintage 50's, thrifted

{tights} - ModCloth

{heels} - Seychelles

{necklace} - vintage, antique market

Provision and A Loveseat

I've had a pretty simple, but lovely day. :)

I've been on the hunt for a tiny, affordable loveseat or couch for about a month to put in my office/sitting room.  Finding the right one was really an act of God because the door frames are all 29" inches in my apartment, not to mention a narrow staircase and my overly specific taste. Finding one was essential, though, as there's no designated living room in my apartment.

Weeks ago I scoured all of the local furniture resale spots to no avail, mostly due to size.  My Mom tried to convince me to settle for chairs, but I took to Craigslist instead-- and boy am I happy I did!

Does that mean I found my loveseat?  "Settee" really, but yes! 

It's absolutely perfect, came at a completely reasonable price, and fit through the narrow doorway!  Not only that, but the lady I purchased it from re-upholsters vintage furniture-- seeing her work was amazing, and makes me want to learn!  I know, I know, one thing at a time. :)

My Mom came along with me for the hour drive to get the loveseat, we both thoroughly enjoy driving through open country and the springy weather today made it even better!  Afterwards we stopped at a little Thai restaurant and shared a meal.  These events took up all of two hours, but what a blessing to my heart!

This loveseat is a tiny thing, but seeing and sitting on it will always be another reminder that my heavenly Father loves and provides for me in specific, unique ways.