My Opus.

I've been thinking lately about my life's opus, or life's work. I feel like for the first time I can start to see where my life may be going in terms of God actually making something out of this lump of clay, something planned and thoughtful, versus randomness.
 I realize this will take some effort on my part as well in terms of listening, responding, not being afraid.
I think I am more ready then I've ever been to trust God with my life, to become more fully the person He created me to be, deep inside my mother's womb. Today I can delve more deeply into the desires He has placed on my heart with the strong expectation that HE WILL BE FAITHFUL to me.
All I know now is that as much as I tried to run as far away from it as I can, teaching runs deep in my bones. My mom was a kindergartener teacher and my dad is still a pastor. My aunt was also a teacher, as was my sister.
I never wanted to be a teacher in a classroom but I have done that. Where I find more of a calling is teaching in my exercise classes, as well as teaching in a more indirect way through my blog, or when I get to share at church.  More than teaching a skill, I love to teach to inspire, to breath life into someone else's life, to give them  encouragement to keep going.
I so enjoy doing this in my exercise classes, where many women feel intimidated and defeated. I also love doing this at church, where spiritually we are all so hungry. I'm moving forward in this area, as I will begin to teach an exercise class at church.  Joining the physical movement my body so craves with the fellowship and companionship of my sisters at church is a desire that has been brewing for a long, long, long time. We start on Saturday the 10th at 4:30 at Hillside, and everybody is welcome. It's free!
I also love inspiration running through my home, in the colors and decor, which is why I am so excited about this remodel.
I've chosen the colors from a few of my favorite things  (enter Julia Robert' sing song voice from the sound of music here):

My bedroom. I love the contrast between the crisp white bedding and the dark bench and curtains. It also allows me to get as funky as I want with the throw pillows. The color on the wall is soothing. Calms my soul.

Funky pillows. Doesn't get much more fun than that!

The first time I saw it I knew I had to have it, even if it meant getting it home all the way from Brazil. My friend painted it, making it extra special to me. Plus, it is a beautiful reminder of my time with my friends and families there. I love having this picture in my home.

Although I love blues and greens, I am also drawn to orange and plan on having pops of this wonderful, happy color throughout.

I love an aged look. We've picked out a floor that looks aged and it's my favorite thing about it. Aged things have a depth and character that remind me growing old can be very beautiful.

So  there it is. The colors, the floor.

I can't wait to have this house transformed. We are going to do the light grey throughout, with the dark grey as an accent in the living room. The colors we'll put on a wall or two in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
The one other item I can't wait to purchase and lay down is a soft, cuddly rug in the living room. I have yet to find it, but thinking about it makes me happy. Rugs are like throw pillows, only gigantic. They are full of texture and color and add so much comfort and personality to a room. Just thinking about them makes me smile!