De-Masked for Destiny

Last week I ran stumbled across Richie Carter's Blog and it truly "captured" my attention... He is a local photographer that is allowing God's creative power to work through a project that he is calling “Project 50/50″.  Throughout the month of September, he is going to take 50 photographs over 50 sequential days of 50 different people telling their stories in 50 words or less with a 50mm lens.  Very interesting!  You can follow it here!

After reading his Mirror, Mirror entry from Day 15 of Project 50/50; I began to reflect....
One can't help but to reflect upon themselves when seeing this work of art. For me I saw a Mask!

So many things opened up for me in my life when I removed the mask... Beyond the beauty, brains and boatload of accolades was a broken girl whose pain was masked by glitz and glamour...

When I removed the mask, I was healed from the inside out and the beauty of God radiated in every way imaginable!

I was De-Masked for Destiny!

Today My Dad Retires!

My relationship with my dad was not always the best one... in the beginning we did not have one at.all!  However, over the years we allowed God to come into our lives and I was free to forgive and he was free from guilt.  We have grown to love each...respect each other....and celebrate with each other!

On this day so Godly proud to celebrate with him as he end this old cycle in his life and start a new...  May the mercy and the grace of God guide him.....

In the Mind of M'Shonta

Around 578,678, 325, 998, 546 thoughts run through my mind each day.  Sometimes I capture them and most of the time I don't!  LOL!  In some cases that may be a very good thing!  LOL! 

Below are a few of those thoughts that I have managed to capture to share in this post... Some are deep; some are not so deep... but never the less...they are mine :)!

• I need to write a few prayers... Maybe I should even post that on fb and allow others to comment on the prayers that they would like to write...
• Would people think that I am a Holy Rolly if I did that?
• Who cares?  I will pray and see what the Holy Spirit is leading me to do...
• Gosh, my to-do list is as long as the bathroom line at Disney World in the middle of July....
• Speaking of Disney World... I need to finish planning my trip!  My dream is finally going to come true at almost 32!
• Did I just say that out loud?
• I wish I had a Milo's in Muscle Shoals... I could surely use a burger RIGHT NOW!
• Some days I miss college...
• On 2nd consideration....
• NOT!
• Oh my!  My boss is still asking for that project and I am still not finished!
• Why is it so hard for adults to concentrate!
• Sometimes I wish I had a professional organizer in my brain.
• Traveling for work definitely has it perks.
• I want to join Pinterest!  What's up with this being invited?  But I have to admit that it has a great marketing plan!
• I miss the beach!
• What does it take to become a vendor at this game?
• God gives us witty inventions and new ideas, but it is up to us to pursue them!
• I had a weird dream the other night...
• I need to create a website for all of my businesses...
• Yeah I want that one!
• Can't wait for Disney! 

Carry on... I am tired of typing... My mind is still racing!

Until Next Time,
M'Shonta

Top It Off Tuesday!

Over the past few years; I have learned to never commitments in blogging... THE.HARD.WAY! LOL!  But today I am going to feature a post that I am dubbing as Top It Off Tuesday.  Wait!  Let me explain! I am not talking about a drink or latest stop at the gas station... But that one thing that "topped it all off for me!"  It may range from a centerpiece at an event or an eclectic pair of earrings on a stylish sister!  Get it? Got it?  Good!  LOL!

Months and months ago, I was planning a shower for a client who was having a baby girl.  Fun huh?  Well, here's the kicker!  She did not want any PINK!  NO Pink!  So I began to peruse the internet for inspiration.... Naturally, I started with PURPLE since it is my nextest favorite color to pink! And found this beautiful baby shower that was conceptualized by Corrie S at Teacups and Trucks.

And this is the image that "Topped It All Off" for me!  I thought that the cake was very original for a baby shower and it fwas a perfect for theme! 

What images have you seen that Topped it Off for You?  Please feel to leave a comment and a link!  I love to explore!

Until Next Time,

M'Shonta

Serenity by the Sea

This past week I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a few days in Destin, FL at a hotel that was on beach front property... God knew just what I needed and as always He provided!

I started my mornings with 5:00 AM prayer as usual... But with this breathtaking view....

At 6 AM after prayer... I walked along the beach admiring the masterpieces painted by our Creator....

After a brisk walk... I began my day.... Refreshed, renewed and revitalized...  No stress, no worries, no rinnging phones and dinging email alerts... Just me and God!

And in the midst of this breaktaking beauty, I began to reflect on the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity  to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;  Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

That day I embraced the strength of serenity and I did so by the sea.... The waves of the sea; helped me to get back to where God purposed for me to be!
 

 
Until next time!
 
M'Shonta

Talents are Like Tokens; Destiny is Like a Treasure!

This year has been extremely busy for me... A brand new position in which I travel nearly 85% of the time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, cultivating a consistent prayer life, volunteering at my church and running three successful businesses have proven to be quite a challenge!

I really admire those of you who do all of the above and yet still find the time to be nurturing mothers and loving wives! I pray that when the time comes for me to begin a family; I will able to sustain all that I am doing now as well as meet the needs of my family.

But for now, I have a full plate with corn to boot! Amazingly, I have been able to fulfill all of my obligations…but I question whether or not I have been fulfilling my purpose….

I have always been a creative individual, but since I have started serving God in Spirit and in Truth my creative ability has continued to multiply. My steps of faith have granted me miles of favor and blessings. I often liken my current state in life unto the servant in Matthew 25:14-30 who was blessed with ten talents only after he was obedient and maximized the gifts that God had initially given him. 
 
I am in awe of all of the gifts that God has entrusted in me. I am thankful for His creative power. I glorify the works of His hands through mine… Nothing is more rewarding than the smiles on the faces of happy clients… And no one can imagine the joy that I feel; the connection that I feel with the creator when I am creating… It is so pure! But yet when the smiling faces have disappeared into the shadows of their personal lives, the events are over, my “big” project was a success and I have made my final sale at the craft shows… There is a still small voice on the inside of me that says….. “This is not it!”
 
Although, I have a great job and all the endeavors that I’ve pursued have been lucrative…. I have learned one great lesson in life…. In time my talents have brought fulfillment, but only my purpose will fulfill my destiny.
 
And so the desire to fulfill my purpose and destiny deepens and the heart to seek the Kingdom of God and all of His righteousness develops daily. Your talents are like tokens and your destiny and purpose are like treasures. Guard it with your life! After all, it is one the most valuable thing that you will ever possess.

Think Pink Wine Glasses

A few weeks ago... I made these "Think Pink" wine glasses to sale at a local craft show.  I was really pleased with them after I added the pink ribbon.  They just looked bare before! LOL!

I don't drink wine but I do enjoy tea and Kool-aid and these fit the bill... These wine glasses are just $10 each and 20% of the proceeds will benefit the 2011 Liz Hurley Ribbon Run!

Let me know if you are interested in purchasing one!  They are shippable!