Kid friendly space!

Christmas angels, toys a tumbling, bobbles and bottles everywhere. We were creating memories. The room was filled to the brim with laughter, the Chestnut tea was steeping, the snowball cookies were baked and some of the presents were wrapped. We had anticipated to have the family more at our home. Plans changed. We learned that our home was "not baby proofed". How were our homes designed to safely grow the parents? As a designer I have never been asked to make an entire residence a "kid friendly place". We just had the presence of mind to keep the kids under toe in our space instead of re-designing it to be "their space". As a designer I have never been asked to make an entire residence a "kid friendly place". My clients had play areas and we had fun creating wonderful rooms for the children. In fact, this weekend a long time client's daughter was getting married. The youngest child at home was a crawling toddler. We had safe places set up in their respective rooms.
Times have changed, but love has not. We still were able to play and laugh and chase at our daughters "kid friendly space". We just had to travel to get there and missed out on the games late at night when children were safely tucked into their "safe space". It captivated my heart and took my breath away looking into the eyes of my innocent grandchildren. The two new babies Clay born August 17 and Maya Oct10 kept Rich and I occupied while the mommies and aunties would chase Max and Cole who ran faster and often got lower than Hoppa and Mimi could bend. How did we get so out of shape? Did we really keep up with our kids or did they always out run us ?
Discovering a "safe place" this Christmas came when I let go. Plans, like expectations come and go. Lasting dreams are made when "I was not always on my mind". I was thinking of an old Willie Nelson song and rejoined it. I soon realized the drama of revolving the room around "me" just creates a catastrophe.
Today sipping Chestnut tea, rehearsing the "should haves and could have beens" caused me to really see the real room. It was filled with precious smiles and hugs and new baby cries and soft caresses as we said "good by". The room took on a different twist when I got out of the way. I was not the center of attention. As I opened my moms prayer journal these welcome words came true. "Commit your way unto The Lord; trust also in Him;and He shall bring it to pass"ps37:5 I realized the beauty in trusting the DESIGNER. If you leave the decisions to Him he always give you a safe spot.
Hey,incidentally, we saw a great movie the night after Christmas,Parental Guidance...great for our generation!! We decided to give all the children their own space. The siblings bonded, the grandparents retired early but we all knew the "locks on the doors" could not prevent the love between us from blossoming. Thanks kids for a wonder filled time.

The Magical KINGDOM

Truth was uncovered one late night walking home to our London flat. We had tired feet and warm hearts from a full day of ministry. The day was spent loving on folks and helping serve a local church through outreaches in nearby parks.Prayer worked as we saw faces change and bodies healed.
I have learned over the years to lay feelings aside and keep moving,when we feel "spent". When my mind is over stimulated it gets worn out. It was one of those days. Every designer has those "ah ha"moments, satisfied and full as the room is bursting with promise. We forget about the tired feet and aching backs when we see the space transformed.
That particular late July night the air was softly echoing thru the large buildings in the financial district close to our London flat .We were just approaching Goldman Sachs when something caught my eye. Designer's are good at always being on the hunt. We never miss the unexpected that will perhaps be our next purchase. I glanced and turned to cross the street. This is a twist for an American looking left instead of right, a necessary challenge as the cabbies twirl by to pick up traders. Was it a baby pram approaching us?
My grandmother glands were starting to rise. It had been nearly 6 weeks since the thought of my little boys had whirled through my brain. Our new grandson was soon to arrive in August.
This "Mimi" was running across the dark street to greet the young couple.
"Is this your precious baby I shouted?
"Yes," came the response from the petite girl. "May I see your darling?"
She was so excited to remove the blanket covering. My adrenalin was pumping wanting to have a closer look. I leaped backwards on the curb just as she brought out an albino constrictor. She then said, "do you want to hold her?"
At this time the strange juices were jumping as I leaped back 3 more feet. "No, that's okay I don't need to hold her tonight".
I asked Rich and Judy to continue the conversation. This was definitely one "ah ha moment" for this designer.The terrific part of my career always has an element of surprise...usually for the client when they walk into their "new space" for the first time in months. Love the words, "you have done magic",wow! This was not the "wow" I expected!
As I looked on and was listening from afar, the true nature of this encounter of a "too close" kind happened. Her heart was cramped in fear of the future because of a distorted view about her present. This is so typical of a room re design. We are trapped in the confusion of dark surroundings. We know change is necessary but we do not know where to begin.
It became obvious that she needed a mother's love and the awareness that there was a God who loved. The snake was now quietly contained and covered in a silver cage. Now my creative eye was looking for entry into her tattered heart. I approached her and so gently touched her cheek to move her locks from her sculpted lashes. Tender words came from within as I whispered to her that her life was special. I was able to share the Good News of why Jesus came. He is the supreme Designer. The greatest treasure in my life is the knowledge that God so loved me and this chaotic world that He came to fix it! Broken people like rooms in need of a lift need someone to listen to where they envision their "look" to go.
This night she allowed entrance into her private space. Shame slithered away. Her cage was now unlocked and she was free.
They were part of a circus act and this became a magical moment for this precious lady. Like Cinderella, she was changed into a wonderful princess as she met her prince for the first time.
We danced across the street,our feet were light as feathers.I was twirling with my King! Jesus had filled not only her's but my dance card.
This storybook continued as her friend opened up to the the Kingdom of love too. They met us at a wonderful church in Mayfair the following Sunday.
All I can say is"wow". It was like my elated client's on their recent October arrival home saying,"thank you so much"! Their dull and darkened home is fresh as spring.
It is in those moments that weary thoughts leave and all the unsure feelings of "how will I fix it" vanish.It is complete. This last client we just installed illustrates the story.(see the photos) Everything was put back in order. We transformed a dull muddy brown home into a delightful dancing crisp white space with color splashes of peonies. It sprang to life like our new friends"Twink" and "D"...

Thank you Jesus for loving me so I can LOVE.You are MAGIC!

Pearls of a great price

We were on a search for significance. Significance found us. This was the last month of our ministry time in Europe. In London and the south coast our eyes were widened to God's treasures. Our assignment was within the one square mile of the center of london. We visited or did outreaches in at least 20 churches.
The last two months, my husband and I, literally put our lives in Az on hold to be a part of these outreaches (Ywam). We saw provision come at the last minute to encourage us that nothing is too costly or extravagant. This reminds me of the parable in Matthew of the pearl of great price. The merchant went out in search of pearls and he found one pearl to be very expensive.
Being a designer, I chuckled at this truth.This is so typical of a design project, we are in search of that perfect item and find one that blows our whole budget. We then make sacrifices.
We knew this mission would lead to something of far greater value than the cost. What we did know was how valuable it would be to teach us the high cost of our faith. Inquiry always leads to discovery. We knew we were searching for something but when revealed we understood. For the first time we were able to appreciate our Christian worldview in a city as diverse as you can imagine. Our flat was located where 300,000 people commuted into work everyday in the most affluent world market center.This same city is where Richard Dawkins unraveled atheistic thought.
We discovered how many people are searching for truth. Truth comes when love is alive.The love deficit in the streets can overwhelm you unless you uncover it for yourself. The truth is we are all starved for love and searching for significance.
We were so excited to open our hearts with others and share the extravagance of what had already been paid for by Jesus. His love and the free gift of grace that the bible tells about in Romans opens ones eyes.

One thing we did was read the entire book of Romans out loud in the city of London. Truth lept from the pages and landed in our hearts causing conversations leading to conversions in the streets. Truth triumphed. Love vanished fears. So many treasures were found, these precious pearls are still being strung on the necklace of our hearts. We discovered how many people like in the parable of the pearl of great price that when they finally behold love for the first time perspective changes. You will do anything to purchase it.
Funny thing is, the Olympics was going on and many were purchasing expensive tickets. We chose to walk with the history makers, like Oliver Cromwell, John Wesley and William Carey who shaped Christian thought. They certainly weighed the cost of the Kingdom to burn at the stake for what they believed. There is price tag attached to everything. What are you searching for?
The Kingdom came to us. We are so grateful to those who have gone before us. We were thrilled to meet so many who are walking with us.

Germany,In whom the Father delights!

Germany was a land of splendor despite the devastation of Hitler. I am going to leave you with a few highlights thru my photos. Pictures tell the story better than I. In everything there is a season, suffering often produces beauty. I know in my own life when I do not get my own way I am miserable in the moment but when the breaking comes....
Germany was a journey much like working on a project, not real pleasant to begin with but the end result satisfies the soul. I knew my heart was going to be tenderized because every time I tried to give the book I brought by M.Schlink "In whom the Father delights" I could not find it. I have reread it at least 3 times thus far on the trip. It is about growing closer thru suffering, sound familiar? Often in a room there are pieces of furniture that compete for attention or one dominates and causes confusion in the space . Well I think you get the picture. Like "irritability " in us we often show ourself like the wrong colors, and textures in a room. I love it when we learn to see God's hand,even in our own irritability .
We had Castle top moments. Our hearts knit to the new Ywam leaders while they showed us places that caused jagged emotions to arise. It is hard to imagine such pain and suffering in a place where noble Kings walked. We bowed low before our heavenly King declaring restoration for this land! Our thanks to our great King for the many we prayed for and saw healed and delivered. Our fondest times were with our German family remembering the wedding and sharing grandchildren pictures.
In such beauty, pain is still evident in the death camps while life is reappearing in the remaining synagogues. History came alive as we uncovered our own sins identifying with a nation and at the same time asking to be reignited for Missions like the Moravians. We were saddened to learn from Sisters of Mary of the Moravians compromising stands now. Another lesson gained.We must be true to the commandments stated in the Bible. It does matter. Just like design, there are certain principles that change not.
I know history teaches us and the
Bible warns us about departing from
God's heart. He aches like I do when things clash. May we embrace truth.

Miam-Miam! Yummy!

France has been filled with wonderful delights;scrumptious fromage and yummy flan. We had wonderful times relaxing in the countryside around a meal with our new family. The ice cream is like non other but the warm conversation goes into the night.
Ever so exhausted from the move from the farmhouse to the 4 story town home we were always welcomed to a soothing meal. This relaxed our bodies while the laughter quenched our soul. Songs of deliverance arise as we shout Viva la France! This move has been a testing teaching us all to savor each bite.
Our greatest memory of this Ywam base is a meal they served that keeps on giving. They told of when they moved to the old farm house in Ales and how they bought food for a team coming into their home for 8 days.
To their surprise the team cancelled. What to do with this abundance? They found a band of wanderers and passed on not only the food but let them taste Jesus too. Yesterday, this same group gave back and extended a hand in the move. That was yummy!

Quel est plus important dans la vie?

Today, as we are leaving France I learned a valuable axiom. Life is precious and to value what really counts can only be measured by connecting hearts. On the bus ride from Ywam Bridges we met Luc. His name would be Luke. His heart met ours as we shared our journey from Az to look into hearts and share ours. Jesus is all we have. His love leaped from our heart. Tears of joy ran down his face as he met our best friend on that bus ride.
He is going on to Munich too. We believe he will have unlimited favor at the show for his idea for handicapped children. They will ride on a donkey with his special seat. I said a donkey carried Jesus. Luke1:37 came to mind for him and us, we will see the fulfillment of our dreams. I also am praying luke2:52 for him and us, we will increase in wisdom and favor with God and man.
Today we learned what is really important in life. Jesus gave his life that we might give His love away. Luke went on a separate train. He now has what is most important in life. He
will now give this love away.
I am going to write more of meeting Luke.

Voila!

Faith Tabernacle

June 21, 2012
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS:

Beloved, it is My will and desire that you not only establish yourself in My presence
as you walk in the Spirit, but I would have you establish My presence, power and
glory in areas where you live and work so that I am never far from you, says the
Lord. Constantly maintain peace and righteousness in yourself and in your surroundings.
You are indeed the light of the world; let your light shine to illuminate the darkness,
yes even deep darkness and gloominess on the earth.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are now in Marsilles where my grandmother came from and her family brought the light of the gospel to Kansas. We are now here establishing light. Here it is! Voila!
We had a wonderful time on the train with 2 women I prayed with one who had a heart for the Jewish people. The French connection for sure and she was at Chuck pierce praying with Paul Wilbur in Lyon . Your heart never changes and mine grows deeper.

I love Paris .....continued

More pics of praying with sweet Kelly in Paris releasing gods grace ... We are counting our blessings one by one. The Paris flea market shots gave me lots of designer inspiration I am sure worn paint and faded fabric will be seen forever in my heart. I am learning to look deep into the souls and face of France . Hope to capture the heart that will not fade and be worn longer than today's chic.

I love Paris

We arrived in Paris June 6 under the arche de triumph. Love the architecture and the wonderful houses in the country where we are staying. I will try and post. We went on to the Eiffel tower and danced to celebrate victory as ps24 opened the gates. Our next stop at the dance studio was wonderful Kelly is doing an amazing job. It was the battle of normandy on the 7 so a tribute to the soldiers as truth and righteous arose. Our night of ministry at st peters in chantilly was wonderful. I am so grateful for all that is happening. The vision I had for Paris is a reality.
The yummy candy store was a treat indeed Gucci designed the interiors only in Paris such extravagance like heaven.