It's 58 degrees & Dottie demanded her "Heater." She is having to share this year though.⁣
⁣
#jubyswonton

🏈Football🏈 watchin' with these two cuties.⁣

⁣

#jubyswonton 

Sent from my iPhone

Totally forgot to post this photo from Sunday. Mr. Miguel & CC. 💗

Sent from my iPhone

What?!? I wasn't googling how to pester your sister. Nope. Not me.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣
⁣
(P.S. I miss you Mama Juby)⁣
⁣⁣
#jubyswonton

He displayed His glory. John 2:11⁣
⁣

4 years ago...my walk with Jesus was radically changed when I opened up a Journaling Bible & began worshipping in color. The way the scripture came to life to me was profound. Over the last 4 years I have worked through 2 Bibles. I'm about to begin the 3rd one. There have been times where I journaled daily or there was space between entries. This is not a hobby but a way of intimacy with my best friend, Jesus. My heart has a constant longing to be sitting in my art room with my Bible opened surrounded by art supplies, pouring out my love to Him.

He's the best! 

Sent from my iPhone

September???

How in the world is it already September? Didn't we just celebrate New Years?

Tons of stuff going on. Today, I was at the church getting this started up for Scrooge. Yes, you read that correctly. It is time to get things to the cleaners & laundered.

It's so terribly hot here. Still hitting the 3 digit heat index. We had a picnic at church Sunday & I think more people picnicked in the air condition than outside. Haha! But it was a good day!

Wonton is fitting in perfectly to our family & I honestly can't imagine life without this sweet big boy. Dottie bosses his around just like she does all of us. It's hysterical to watch.

Speaking of Dottie...Here is a pic that I just took of her.

"The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."⁣

1 Samuel 16:7⁣

⁣

This scripture has always been my anthem, so to speak. When I was a "new on fire for Jesus" teen, I had a T-shirt with the scripture. I wore it until it fell apart. I have failed at upholding this scripture throughout my life. Judging people for their actions, not thinking about the heart or situation behind it all. We never know the condition of someone's heart. We live in a world that cries to not be judge. Yet we are the first to label each other. I'm so grateful for His love. That He sees me. The raw, real, imperfect yet beautiful me. He sees the same in you too. Don't forget that. 💖⁣

⁣

Sent from my iPhone

Wonton felt left out with all of these school pics. ⁣
Dottie said she is too mature for this nonsense.⁣
⁣
#jubyswonton

August 4th was my Granny's birthday & I completely forgot to post about it. I feel so bad. 😕 But today August 6th is another important birthday. It is Lucille Ball's. And I thought what better way to honor both of these women, than with a combined tribute.  My granny is the one who introduced me to Lucille Ball. She is the reason why Lucille Ball is so significant to me. These two women were both incredibly strong, passionate about life, determined and hilarious. So happy birthday to two of the most influential women in my life.⁣

⁣

#granny #lucilleball #ilovelucy #birthday

Sent from my iPhone

•I have always admired "Queen Anne's Lace" from the window of the car as I would pass by it growing along side of the road. Super excited to find some growing in my yard for the first time!⁣

⁣

•We don't have grass in our yard so we go next door to Nana's to stretch out during our walks. ⁣

⁣

#jubyswonton 

Sent from my iPhone

Something Different

I shared this the other day on social media & have been able to chat privately with some incredibly precious ladies.

A Few Updates

I have been slacking on the blogging lately. Let's see if I can swing an update....

Wonton has settled in very nicely to our family. If you follow me on social media you see him A LOT! He just celebrated his first birthday. And keeps growing! Haha!

I snapped some tendons in my right foot walking Wonton one afternoon in May. I was laid in, having to keep weight off of it & icing it. 

Then one Sunday it just didn't seem to be getting better. I even told D that I thought it was broken. I went to SOAK at church that night & during worship, I felt something change in my body. Then next morning I woke up & the pain was gone from my foot! It was healed! No pain since either! Glory!!!

D was at Beach Freak all last week. And he got to baptize one of the boys in his small group. Super emotional about that.

There is tons of other stuff that has happened. Life is busy & we love it!

No Ocean Too Wide ~ Book Review

When I read the synopsis for "No Ocean Too Wide" I was immediately intrigued. I love to read about parts of history that are typically unknown. So the idea of a book about children being sent from England on ship to Canada in the early 1900's was a must read for me.

The story follows the McAllister family. After losing their father & then their Mom being hospitalized for an illness, their world came crashing down. Laura who is the oldest of the siblings was already working as a lady's maid at a large estate. So the twins, Katie & Garth, along with the baby of the family, Grace are sent to children's homes. Then begins the saga of Laura discovering this injustice of her siblings circumstance & trying to get her siblings back.

Now...I'm going to be completely honest here. This book is not at all as I had hoped. I wanted details about this tragic situation that was going on with children during this period in time. I felt it was more glossed over & that part of the story was lost to a sappy romance. Which I cared zero about. People can get help from someone without falling in love. That annoyed me.

I'm not saying it's a bad book by any means. I personally wanted more from the story that was inspired by historical events.

I received this book from Waterbrook & Multnomauh sent me this book to review for my honest opinion.

All Manner of Things ~Book Review

All Manner of Things is the very first book that I have read that it set during the complex time revolving around the Vietnam War. And Susie Finkbeiner didn't disappoint with her portrayal of these characters. She captured such a deep essence of each one. They come to live so vividly that you want to get to know them & actually think about them long after the last page.

Annie, the main character, is a special kind of person. The story is told from her point of view. Which I like. This is a story of an American family that is faces may battles...A war....The Vietnam War. It is one that not easily talked about. Yet Finkbeiner handles it with care.

This is a book that does have some predictability to it, yet it delves into so much more in other places. 

I received this book from Revell for my honest opinion.

Brave Surrender ~ Book Review

I can remember the very first time that I heard Kim Walker-Smith’s voice. The love for Jesus that poured from her was absolutely overwhelming. The words that she had written to the songs of worship were heart piercing & exactly how I felt.

I have followed Kim Walker-Smith’s music since. Anytime a new album came out, I waited with great anticipation because I knew it was going to be filled with goodness & truth. The way the Lord has used her words & voice is such a ministry.

When I saw that she had written a book, I knew that it was a must read. “Brave Surrender - Let God’s Love | Rewrite Your Story” is a small yet extremely powerful read.

I love this book & how we get to know Kim Walker-Smith. We see how the pain from her past is turned into a devoted love for Jesus & love for helping other know who they are in Christ.

If you are struggling with pain in your life. If you are having a hard time letting go & finding freedom. This is certainly a great book to read.

I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for my honest review.

My star. My Jesus Star as I call it. It is right above my house, in my little slice of the sky. It brings me comfort. He twinkles at me at just the right times. Shines brightly in the break of clouds. He's a whisper of His adoration. The sparkle of His joy. I de-light in Him. Overwhelmed by His love. I'm a messy human that fails constantly. I snap. I feel regret. I carry guilt. But there He is always brilliantly shining despite my flaws. He loves me. Nothing can ever take Him away. Nothing. ⁣
⁣
#jesus #star #love #helovesme

One of my favorite ways to Bible Journal is from sermon notes. This was a quote or analogy from the sermon yesterday on limitless faith. ⁣

⁣

⁣

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.⁣

Romans 10:17 ⁣

⁣

#lovepinklucysbible #biblejournaling

#bible #scripture #creativechristian #illustratedjournaling #bibledoodling   #creativeworship #heartofworship #biblejournalingcommunity #bibleartist #bibleart #bibleverses #illustratedfaith  #journalingbiblecommunity

#ipaintinmybible #icolorinmybible #journalingbible

#illustratedfaithcommunity #faithart #faithartjournaling

#biblejournalinglife #communityofcreativechristians 

Sent from my iPhone

A New Family Member

I'm going to do a combo post to catch up on a few things & our newest family member.

First this happened.....





Over 19 years ago when I moved to LA, I was greeted by this little spunky, beyond hilarious light.Juby welcomed me with open arms. Making me feel loved & accepted. Plus making me laugh constantly. She would often join D & I on our dates & escapades throughout the South Bay. I would always think “is this real life?” When Juby moved to Alabama (the first time) I was ecstatic. That joyful delight of a chickadee was in my hometown of all places! I thought “is this real life?” We remained friends all of these years. Mostly keeping up with each other via social media as she made herself at home in different places around the world. Then all of her food photos, posts about her precious pup Wonton & her never ending sense of humor.
Today to get the phone call she had slipped from this earth, I can’t stop asking “is this real life?”
Juby....you were such a unique one of a kind wonder that graced those that knew you with something special that not just everyone possesses. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for loving life, even when it was difficult. Thank you for being Jubiliene. You are so loved! 





Introducing our newest family member Wonton.
His mom is Juby, our incredibly precious friend that passed away a couple of weeks ago. If you know me, you know that Wonton was one of my first concerns. I really felt the Lord wanted Wonton to come live with us. Juby knows (it’s difficult to use past tense with her) just how much our furbabies mean to us. They are our children. We know she would love him coming to be a part of our family. 
He’s an Australian Shepherd mix that Juby adopted in August & he’s 10 months old now. We all know he is going to liven things up here on the mountain.
So welcome Wonton!!! You know that you will be seeing lots of him on social media! If you are a friend or family of Juby’s & want to keep up with Wonton feel free to friend or follow me.




Wonton wants to know “how you doin’?”



Since coming to our house on Monday, Wonton has been showered with extra toys & treats from Nana (my Mom) & Aunt Denise (in Chicago). He wanted to show off a few.




Wonton wanted to show to family & friends his back yard. It’s full of big rocks, a cave & waterfall. Plus it backs up to a state park. Lots of wildlife to watch out for. He loves it! 



I said “Let’s have prayer time.” And Wonton jumped in my lap. (Don’t mind my I’m cleaning house look.)





I was going through Wonton’s adoption paper work & found his shelter photo. Look at this little fur ball!







Just lounging today...



Not sure, but I think I’m being stared at.




Wonton & I have something in common...We both love to lay on air conditioning vents.



Well, excuse me! I won’t disturb your Survivor watching for a photo anymore.



Here is just a small part of this very colorful room that I get to play in. I even have my own chair to sit & observe the creativity. I plan on painting a picture soon! Watch out world...the great arts of me are coming your way! -Wonton

Wonton has adjusted really well.The littles have too.Razzy & Rocco don't even seem to realize that he exists. Well, except for yesterday when Wonton kept trying to play with Rocco & Roc was having none of it. Hahaha!
Dottie tolerates him at this point. He just wants to play & she is not used to that. But each day is progress. Wonton is soooooo smart! Juby had only trained him with some tricks. But he picks up on commands super quickly. I even taught him to catch without realizing that was what I was doing. He is a sweet, sweet boy too! we have been taking him on daily walks so it's getting us out of the house too! Wonton is definitely a joyful addition to our home. 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-8

Sent from my iPhone