A project I am working on....

I was going through my closet the other day....and I came across some old pictures. My curiosity peaked, I began to meditate on them.

My curiosity came from a conversation going back and forth on my face book page between my mother and my proxy mom. Reflections of the little girl Shelli, singing and entertaining the family. They were going on and on about the young sparkly Shelli. I asked for pictures of this girl. Hopefully, some of them are coming soon. I did go into my closet and find some old ones.

As I meditated and pondered this girl, teenager, woman, I gave myself an assignment. I began to put some chosen few on a timeline and write about that girl and the events going on in her life that matched up with her soul....her eyes.....her smile. They are all connected. Our eyes are the windows to our soul....As I remember the cute, sparkly, joyful, and full of life Shelli, I realize that that girl went away for a very long time. It was so evident in the pictures, especially in my eyes. But, she is coming back. I welcome her back. I embrace the starry eyed, spunky girl that God created me to be.

Everyone experiences wounds and pain growing up. I guess mine just snuffed the life right out of me for many many years. I didn't even realize it it until I began to study the pictures. Its all in the eyes. I studied the eyes of me in joyful carefree times, and the events that were hard. I wept for the little girl who got lost. I rejoice that I have been reunited with her again! I am inspired. In fact, recently, I was out dancing with some of my best friends, and one of them said, "we have unleashed the beast" My little girl joy was back. She's back, and not going away. In recent pictures of these times, you can see it in my eyes. The "pretending" is over.

The road I am presently traveling on this journey is precious. I will never forget it, even in the pain. I always and I mean ALWAYS felt like someday I would write my story and be able to help others through their difficult times. But the words never came as I sat with pen and paper. I never knew where to begin. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't time yet. The other thing is that I am really not trained to write. I just usually write like I talk.....but stories can be told in pictures too. Lately, I am fascinated with pictures....mainly the eyes...the windows.

Maybe I need to tell "a" story, maybe not necessarily "MY" entire story.....I am inspired to start this project. Everyone has their personal story of pain, and victory. Our pain, celebration, and healing is all unique. I want to weave our stories in and out of a tapestry of God's goodness and love through it. Isn't that what we are all encouraged to do? Help each other?

So in my project, I need help....I need pictures. Lots and Lots of pictures. I am calling upon my friends to send them to me. I would love anything. Anonymous or not doesn't matter. I would love pictures with the close-ups on the eyes. I want smiles and pain. I would love a paragraph or a few sentences about the time in the life of the picture. This project was just laid on my heart yesterday, and I am so excited about what kind of life this will take. I can't wait to see what God will do with it. Until I receive pictures, I will start with my own pictures of me, and my kids, and family members I already have. I know this promises to be a great journey.....If you would like to contribute to it, feel free to email me or mail me your picture or picture with a short paragraph or sentence or two.

My address is Shelli Norvell at 1019 Dunrobin Dr. Franklin, TN 37067

I will tell a story, and I will tell it through pictures...and some words, and some music. It will be a story of God's redemption....love and goodness.

Thanks so much

Love,

Shelli

Adventures in Sevierville, TN

Well,

I have taken the kids (my two plus their friends) on a mini vacation. We left at 7 am this morning to go towards Knoxville to the Wilderness Lodge that has the indoor and outdoor water park. I SOOOOO have needed a getaway....I have worked hard these last few weeks in my business...and while it is very rewarding to work hard at something I love and believe in, it is very rewarding to have fun away from it. So me and 4 kids are off to the water parks. I call it Redneck Central, cuz everyone here has at LEAST 1 tattoo and they aren't little discreet ones. These here tats, they are freakin murals painted across arms, backs, legs, and whatnot. And I always feel skinny, cuz most of the women-folk here in their bikinis, really shouldn't be. I love to people watch and I have gotten quite a chuckle or two here watching these people play. It was a blast today. At first, I let them play and have fun at first while I sipped on my margarita, read, texted....

But I had a blast riding the slides with them, and racing my son down the lazy river....and winning all times......Not a very fair race though....After all, I do have very strong legs after 6 months of boot camp! There is nothing like the joy in the eyes of your children when you play with them. I drank it in and relished every moment of it. Studying their eyes, and facial expressions of joy. I am fascinated with that right now. Eyes are windows to what you feel in your heart. Their hearts and mine were full of joy today.....

Then the snafoos began happening. By the time we got back to our room, and all 5 of us changed, showered (one bathroom), and were ready to walk out the door for dinner, we were starving! We realized, Jaxson (Tripp's friend) had decided to play with the safe, and put his only pair of shoes in it....AFTER I told him to not put anything in the safe for the reason I am about to disclose. He locked his shoes in there and couldn't get them out. If my eyes are reflecting my heart about now, their aint much joy...because, I cannot take him to TGI Friday's barefoot! So we are waitin a whole 30 more minutes to get maintenance up here to get them out. No big deal. Dinner is a little delayed, but we made it work and moved on. I did give Jaxson a stern word about obeying my instructions next time.

Well, now listen to this....fiasco number two hits. As we are hunkerin down to watch a movie and have popped two bags of popcorn in the microwave, my Lily burns the third....BAD....I mean, like stink up the entire hotel floor bad. We are waving at the air with towels, pillows, and whatever else we can find....with the door open to the hall...Tripp's refusing to come in for the stink. Jaxson is dying and yelling, "I can't breathe and my eyes hurt...and I can't sleep in here!" My self-control kicks in and I maintain my positive nature, but man did I just wanna kill Lily. I mean, we had the window opened, the air blastin, and the kids in the hall refusing to come in cuz they can't breathe and their eyes are watering. All I am thinking is that I sure hope I don't get dinged for this smell in the room. Wonder what my heart looked like then! I finally coaxed them all in...wheezin and coughin, and tearing up. "just keep fanning the air!" I vigilantly say. "Its gettin better right?" I then ask...hoping and praying it does...

We settled in again, microwaved off limits...and are hunkered down for a movie now. But dear sweet Lord, I pray for once that bad things DONT happen in threes. Say a prayer for me if you think about it.

We are really having fun so don't get me wrong. I love this.

Peace out!

lies and truth

I had dinner with a very neat friend last night. This is a friend with amazing perception, insight and wisdom. I am blessed. It was one of those dinners that linger on and on and on. I love them! We sat down around 7ish and we didn't leave til 9:15 and that was to catch a movie....or I am sure we would have been there awhile more....I love that! As we talked and shared and laughed....many things struck me. First, I love that I can have a friend who can laugh about girl things.....things that to some may not seem "appropriate" for a Godly woman to discuss....I call that being REAL. We can in one breath laugh about silly things, and then jump in the deep and talk about God and what he is doing in our lives...AND encourage each other in a NON CONDEMNING or JUDGING way.....we can share our journey with each other. I so love that. I love that in one minute, you can be almost in tears about something serious, and then the next laughing about how cute the waiter is serving the next table. He was REALLY cute. I love girl time.

But as we were talking and sharing she encouraged me to blog something I said to her. I was sharing with her certain struggles I have faced in the past.....and my deep concern over a friend of ours who is in a deep struggle now.....and I said in reference to this friend, and to me in my past that "the lies are louder than the truth" It is true you know. Julia Roberts's character in the movie Pretty Woman said it this way, "It is easier to believe the bad stuff" Lies are louder than truth sometimes.......what do you think about that? Even when we know they are lies......they are louder.

Well, I guess what I want to say is to anyone who is struggling right now in something, and that is most of us, that first and foremost....your struggle is NOT because God is trying to teach you a "lesson" or a punishment or a consequence. Your Jesus loves you! Your Jesus is CRAZY about you. Whatever you are struggling with...it makes no difference. One struggle is no better or worse than another. God doesn't grade it...So, whether it is an addiction, thought life, financial, emotional, loss, whatever it is.....hold up your hand and let your Jesus pull you up to walk in freedom. There is no condemnation in Jesus. He isn't punishing you....or trying to teach you a lesson...Don't let anyone tell you differently either. That is a performance and works based religion. God is a God who showers over us with His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Receive it. He wants to freely give it to you...hold out your hand and receive it.

The battle comes when we want to take that help from him...we want to let him be our strong tower, and our fortress, and the enemy says, "Oh no, you are not good enough...you gotta clean it up....you are too messed up....you aren't worthy." I know these lies well. So here's the deal...we hear the lies....we know the Truth. The Truth is life...and the Truth gives life....the lies tear us apart.

Sometimes, the Truth is a soft whisper we may remember from a Bible verse or a sermon, or something we read from the Bible or devotional, something a friend told you....but the lies are louder. Lies are easier to believe. I have myself, been hearing a lot of lies lately. Lies of judgement, Lies of condemnation, Lies of fear, lies of rejection....and some of them from people who want to quote scripture behind it.....all in the name of "Christianity." Some of the givers of the lies are even people who love me and think they know what is best for me. Sound familiar?

Only you and God truly know what is best for you. BUT, if you are a "performer, or a people pleaser...." like I have been in the past and still struggle with at times...then you will listen and do what others think you should do. Tap into the Lord, in His word and hear His voice. It is Truth, and the more you hear it, the louder it will become and eventually, the lies will not be as loud.

So what is your Truth? Ask God. I am constantly reminding my daughter, "what does God say about that?" "What does God think you are?" It doesn't matter what others say or do. Go to the scriptures and find out what God says about you. That is the Truth. Just a few things I know that God says about us....God says we are redeemed, saved by grace, loved with an everlasting love, that we are the "apple of his eye", his joy, forgiven, we are made righteous and holy...we are navels (read my post on navels). Those are just a few that came to me now.

My journey has taught me so much about loving people. All I have been through in my life has given me the ability to feel great love and compassion for others no matter what their circumstances. That is the beauty from ashes I have received from my pain that is talked about in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 61:3
....and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (see my blog on oak trees.....)

Wont you walk in freedom today? Please? Hold out your hands, reach up and let God pull you up. Hear the Truth....dispel the lies. Get out of the pit and get on the solid rock. Get some TRUTH speakers in your life. Get some people who truly LOVE you no matter what you are doing or in.....You don't have any? Call me.....I will love you, I will speak truth to you...I will help you find some other people to do that too. But right now go to read the Psalms. God is a big God, and He will rescue you when you ask. Reach out your hands....

He promises to : "make our way strait, make us glad in his refuge, surround us with favor as with a shield, be gracious with us, HEAL us, RESCUE us, sustain us, be our shelter, Lift us up from the gates of death, that we may tell of all His praises...he will strengthen your heart, he will vindicate the orphan the the oppressed...He restores our soul....he is your portion and your cup...your support, your lot...he will counsel you...he will not abandon you...he will make known to you the path of life....he will fill you with his joy....

There is way more he promises to do....that was just a smidgen.

My sweet girl...

I want you to know some of the awesome thinks I love about you! God thinks you are wonderful and marvelous and he loves you so much. I love you as much as a mommy can love her child, but no one else will ever love you more than that, I promise.
Sweetie you have such a beautiful and loving heart! I love your compassion for others. Wanting to help those who hurt. God will use you in mighty ways to bless others and show his love....Many people will learn about God when you shine his glory and love for others. I am so proud of you for that!
You have such a teachable heart. When you mess up. you are sorry and you try to not make that same mistake. God loves that! He loves a moldable heart and and a heart that loves him. I know you love God to pieces! I hear it in your prayers!
You have such a beautiful smile! and a beautiful spirit! When you smile, JOY just lights up the room! Your laugh is contagious! People around you cant help but have joy when you are around. God loves your cheerful heart!
God and Me love it when you show your gratitude. When you thank Him for things, he is soooo blessed and that blesses mommy too! I have seen you really work on that lately. I am so proud of you sweetie.
I love you my sweet girl. You are precious!

Love,

Mommy

the thing about this letter, is that I wrote this to Lily on a day when she was feeling down....and I wanted her to know how God thought of her....at the same time, I was feeling really low that day....and so, in a way, as I was writing this letter, God revealed to me that he was writing this letter to me. I call this my love letter from my Papa God.

I KNOW God loves me. I know there is no condemnation or guilt from HIM. HE is all I need. Many people in my life right now do not agree with some decisions I have made recently. That is okay with me. I know where I stand with my God....and I do not need the approval of anyone other than him

Watermark - The Purest Place

The Purest Place

by watermark

Love this song....listen to it on my playlist.

Paint me with Your purity
That I'd attract Your majesty
When others boast in fame and gold
The purest place is where I'll go

Chorus:
The purest place I will draw near
Do what it takes to keep me here
In the center of Your heart
The purest place is where You are

It's not with masses, not with kings
Not in these songs, or offerings
Not in this life, or what it brings
The purest place is You my King

Chorus

Bridge:
If there's such thing as too beautiful
If there's such things as too wonderful
If there's such thing as too marvelous
Jesus it's You, Jesus it's You

Chorus

It's You my King,
It's You my King
The purest place, is You my King

The Purest Place

The Purest Place

by watermark

Love this song....listen to it on my playlist.

Paint me with Your purity
That I'd attract Your majesty
When others boast in fame and gold
The purest place is where I'll go

Chorus:
The purest place I will draw near
Do what it takes to keep me here
In the center of Your heart
The purest place is where You are

It's not with masses, not with kings
Not in these songs, or offerings
Not in this life, or what it brings
The purest place is You my King

Chorus

Bridge:
If there's such thing as too beautiful
If there's such things as too wonderful
If there's such thing as too marvelous
Jesus it's You, Jesus it's You

Chorus

It's You my King,
It's You my King
The purest place, is You my King

Rain Rain Go Away

THIS RAIN IS KILLING ME! It is pretty all week, and then the weekend hits and it downpours! Last weekend it rained all weekend long too. Last weekend, while it poured, I took it upon myself to reorganize and clean my closet! Yeah, it did need it pretty bad. Lots of stuff to take to Good Will this week from that. This morning, I supposed it was as good a time as any to get into Tripp's room (the black hole) and clean it with his help. I told my family to send in the reinforcements if I wasnt back for a day or two! We cleaned and dusted, and got rid of old books, and old toys. He had tons of stuff....His closet now looks so much better! Not the most fun thing to do on a Saturday, but now he has a clean room, and I have a clean closet!

I guess I should now go find something else to clean or organize..........

Over and out for now................

Peace out