Disciple

Hello! I hope you had a good Easter Sunday! Mine was spent at church, then with family, and ended with watching the conclusion of The Bible series. Yep, I still get an Easter "basket" (decorative box, basket, or etc...this year was going to be a flower pot for my front porch, but I was unable to decide on one), anywhoo... :)   It was a bag filled with candy, a new glass water bottle, a melon baller (yes, I been kinda wanting a melon baller,  I like kitchen gadgets and appliances  it's my other addiction besides office supplies.), and a few other fun things! My doggies were also giving a basket full of 3 different kind of dog treats- one is duck shaped crackers, they love those! and a new rope toy (they love stuffed toys to shreds (literally) so only durable toys make it in this house now).
The Bible series was pretty cool. I only saw a few episodes, but they were good. I hope to watch the whole series sometime. I'm more of a visual person. I like to see things in order to figure things out, like with problems I like to write things down, or with traveling I like to see the directions and how to get there on a map instead of hearing the directions. I've been reading/hearing the Bible since I was very little. Always tried to picture the stories in my mind. Actually seeing them through this series brought them to a different light. One of my favorite things to see was involving the disciples. I don't know why, it just stuck with me different. Seeing a portrayal of their relationship with Jesus, how they interacted, how they loved him and each other, how they followed him- even after his death and resurrection, and a bit of their stories.

Being Christian then wasn't easy. Many of them were persecuted, most were put to death because of their beliefs, and yet they didn't give up. Being a Christian today is a little different, depending on where you live of course. Living in the U.S, there is persecution, but not to the point of prison or death. But there is more distraction, more things that make us comfortable and willing to live in our comfort zones. Jesus is outside of our comfort zone. I don't want to be a Christian who just sits on the side lines. Just goes to church and lives a nice life of being good to people and loving God... I want to do more, be more. I want to be like Peter, when an opportunity comes, to speak bolding about Jesus and do His work. I want to be like Paul, to encourage people and not give up. I want to be a disciple who does the work of Jesus, believes His word, and loves people. I want to live the life God intended me to live. One in which He will say, at the end of it all, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

But how? I know what being a Christian means, I know what His word says, I know how to love others. But how, specifically does God want me to be a disciple. It's kinda a weird question, I mean you should be a disciple in your everyday life- at your workplace, school, home, in everything. I guess for me, i'm trying to figure out what God wants me to do. I've been wondering this for awhile, as far as my calling. I suppose that's for another post. But yeah, I just want to be a disciple. One who walks with Jesus, one who hangs out with Jesus, one who knows Jesus. I want to help people, heal people, give to people, love people, and most important share with people that God loves them, that Jesus is their Savior.

That's what i've been thinking about this Easter. Being a true disciple. I guess I can go in more detail on that too in another post. This is mostly about what's on my mind. God is amazing and good. And even when we think we aren't good enough, He doesn't see it that way. He loves us right where we are, and wants to help us grow from there. There's so much more I can post about this and I will, but I will end this here for now.
-Jen

_____________ Fill in the Blank (Deciding on a Business Name)

Good evening! I've spent most of the weekend thinking of business names. I went to a local art fair and was inspired to make it a goal to be in it next year (it was actually a goal this year, but the buy a house goal took over). So I need a business name, brand, product, shop, etc. I have 2 pages full of name ideas and countless pages of business ideas from the past few years. This has been a dream for awhile. But this is the year! After all the thinking, researching- checking domains, etsy, gmail, blogs, etc, and more thinking, I've decided to stick with this blog. Well, incorporate it into my handmade business! I'm just not sure in what way. So back to the drawing board I go, but atleast I have an idea for a name. With all this being said, my new etsy shop will be up and running in October! 2 months should be enough prep! Well, that's all on my mind now (and lots of name ideas still :)  ). Talk to you soon!
-Jen

You're So Brilliant, Don't Soon Forget

As I mentioned in an earlier post, i'm having trouble coming up with a name for the new biz/blog. Thinking tonight, I just can't get away from something Brilliant related. Here's why- 1.) I Love the definition.
Brilliant: 1- shining brightly; sparkling; glittering; lustrous  
                2  distinguished; illustrious  
                3  having or showing great intelligence, talent, quality, etc 
                4   strong and clear in tone; vivid; bright  
                5  splendid or magnificent I also love the synonyms too:

Main Entry:	brilliant [bril-yuhnt]
Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	shining, glowing in appearance
Synonyms:	ablaze, bright, clinquant, coruscating, dazzling,effulgent, flashy, fulgent, gleaming, glittering,glossy, incandescent, intense, lambent, lucent,luminous, lustrous, radiant, refulgent,resplendent, scintillating, showy, sparkling, vivid

2.)It originally came from the song "Unwinding Cable Car" by Anberlin.
The bridge of the song is "You're so brilliant, don't soon forget. You're so brilliant, grace marks your heart." I instantly loved the song when I first heard it, but that part stuck out to me.

And 3.) This verse: "Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever." -Daniel 12:3 (The Message (MSG))
Originally I first read this from the New International Version (NIV):
"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."
I like both, but I like the Message version best. I actually just read this version today.

The reason I named my blog "So Brilliant Life" is based on those three. I think everyone is brilliant. We all have something inside of use that makes us unique, special, brilliant. And live truly is brilliant. Just the way God created it is brilliant. There are good days and bad days in life, but there is always chances and opportunities to shine despite the circumstances. I also love making things and I think being creative is the best. Everyone has a talent, something they are really good at. It doesn't matter how big or small, it's still something you are good at. And that's quite incredible, because you put your own special, brilliant point to things. I think that's so important in crafting and diy. Don't just copy, make it yours, make it unique, add, take away from it. Just remember to give credit where it's due.

So with all that, I may just keep this blog and balance life, diy, and business in it. I may change things up though and maybe tweak the name, but i'm unsure so far. Well, that is that.
Keep being brilliantly you!
-Jen

A New Direction...?

Hello! I've been thinking lately about taking a new direction with my blog. Instead of starting a new blog, I think I will just re design, re purpose, and (slightly) re name this one. Or I could make a new blog on a separate gmail account and just link the new blog to this one. I may do option B. It seems easier. My goals are actually to build this blog more, well the new one, sponsor a blog I like, and generate traffic here (there to the new blog), and do a sponsorship on my blog too. I also want to start up an etsy shop too under the same name as my blog or similar. I guess I have a lot of thinking and planing going on as of lately. I really want to start what my dreams are and I think through blogging for profit and an etsy shop, I can! I totally want to live the creative, hand made life and be self employed (my ultimate dream). And I see so many people being able to be self employed through their etsy or handmade business. How cool would that be?! I'd prefer to set up shop when I move to my new house, but for now, I think I will have the new blog up and running by this weekend maybe. I'm still in the planning zone now though. I guess that's all for now. Just wanted to keep you posted on my ideas and direction for the blog. Thanks for reading!
Have a lovely night,
-Jen

Before I Die....

Hey! Since I last posted I was having a dream identity crisis. Well glad to say crisis adverted. But I did discover I have business a.d.d. So i'm going to be spending some time thinking, planing, praying, and maybe in a week or two I will know what to pursue!
I am currently working on restyling an ottoman, but it will take some time so I will post the entire project soon. I can't wait to work on it more! I guess that's it for minor updates. I read a blog post about a wall with a title 'Before I die_______' and I thought I would do a small post about it. You can read more on Leigh-Ann's blog Freckled Nest.
So
Before I die:
-I want to be found by the one and get married.
-Have kids
-Own a successful business
-Retire before i'm 50
-Buy a house
-Quit my job
-Travel
-Go on a date
-Get a puppy
-Own a house on the beach
-Be content with who I am
-Be all who God called and created me to be.
-Keep things Simple.
-Make a bucket list.
--------------------------------
There's a lot more, but that's a few for now. Happy Wednesday.
P.S. Does anyone watch Survivor? This is my second season that i've watched so far. And I haven't missed an episode til tonight. And I heard sad news- Ozzy was voted out :(   There is alway redemption though. Can't wait to watch it online tomorrow. Very thankful for internet tv!!!
-Jen

Dream Identity Crisis

Hi! Unless you're from Arizona, you get an extra hour today! I'm kinda excited about this. I love falling back. Except for the longer nights. I'm not a big fan of it getting dark at 6p.m. I've been thinking about things lately in regards to what I want to do, career/business/life wise. I'm not liking the whole retail job thing, especially working for someone else. I really want to be self employed. That is ultimately my goal. And I want to pursue it. But im not sure how.
I know when I was little the "what do you want to be when you grow up" question changed, but years between. I remember wanting to be a cartoonist. I loved to draw (still do). Then I wanted to be an elementary teacher. Still kinda do, but i'm not passionate about it. A business owner did cross my mind. I wanted to be a brain surgeon, if knives or bones were not involved (I don't like knives and I don't like bones. I do use knives, and I do like that I have bones, but I just don't want to see them outside of where they are suppose to be). I also joked about becoming a wrestler (i'm a wimp in reality) so I can get into the government to be president. Yeah, definitively don't want to do that. :) . As of current, I do want to own a business. Started photography. But I feel like everyone is doing photography. I feel like I can't compete or be special in it. I'm probably wrong.  I do like photography still. I also like crafting and making things. I got a DBA and opened a business bank account and Etsy. I just don't know where I fit in in this crafty, diy, photography, hobby as business, etc industry.
I have so many likes and wants and ideas, but i'm not sure what to pursue. I want to make a second income and I know it's possible for it to become my main to only income, but I just am unsure where to start. I think I have business a.d.d. Maybe I just need/want to be the kinda like the next Martha Stewart. But with focus on photography, crafting, and decorating. That would be fun. I'm also thinking of opening a cupcake shop. But i'm not totally sure of that either.
If you're in the same boat, it's ok to be undecided. Just be true to yourself. Figure out what you love, your gifts, and find out from others what your good at. Then maybe it will click on what you should do. I'm praying for my moment of knowing without a doubt what i'm suppose to do.
Well thanks for listening. And sorry for the lack of pictures and d.i.y. postings. I'm cleaning the house and my craft room and can't craft till I get that done. But I did buy some cool stamping stuff at walmart in thier halloween stuff for only 24cents!!! Lots of ink pads and glitter and a fall stamp. I miss crafting. And I have a future ottoman restyle project too. I will definitely take lots of pics of that and post about it too. So look forward so some crafty stuff soon.
Thanks again. Enjoy your extra hour.
-Jen