Celebrating Nature - N in the A-Z Challenge and NEW Stencils Released
Celebrate nature with NEW Leafy Doodle Stencils!
These pages celebrate nature with the help of my NEW 6x6" Leafy Doodle stencil from StencilGirl Products and a modified page from my coloring book Celebrating Everyday Wonders, Colorful Blessings. I’ve also designed a clouds stencil based on the page, also available at StencilGirl Products. There is also a 9x12 Leafy Doodle version for the larger projects and more random leaf stencil shapes.
Here's a little video where I show about the stencil and make some leafy Washi tape, comparing medical tape and white Washi tape as a base to stencil leafy borders.
A-Z Word of the Year 2019 Challenge
Being outside in nature does something for my soul that the city doesn’t do. It feels expansive and accepting. I find it soothing and exhilarating at the same time. Sunlight transforms what is considered a wayside weed into a thing of beauty. It penetrates leaves revealing layers of luminosity.
Our “N” word for the A-Z Living your Word of the Year challenge is Nature. It is summer in most of the places where this blog is read, and a beautiful time to go for a walk outside. I’ve started a new rhythm of going for a walk in the morning and then coming home to water the plants in the yard. It is good for my body and good for my soul.
Sometimes the hardest part for me is to quiet my inner self. I’ve found that if I give myself the first half of my walk to clear my head, pour out my heart, or settle my soul, then I am ready to be quiet and listen, look, and see.
Here is the “N” Nature challenge:
Go for a walk in nature
Notice special things in your everyday life as if you are on an adventurous journey... because you are!
As you walk, imagine Jesus walking next to you. Ask him a question like what are you thinking about? Or What is on your heart? Or What do you want to say to me right now? Or if you have something heavy or big on your mind, ask him what he has to say to you about that thing. Then listen.
After the walk, I've found it helpful to take a few minutes to write down anything that came to mind, what I sensed God saying to me, creative ideas etc.
The visual focus of my walks is my word of the year: Light. As I walk I notice the light and take a few photos of how the light illumines the ordinary.
What are you noticing about your surroundings,
about nature, about God and yourself?
I believe one of the ways God speaks to us is through nature.
I am noticing how light makes all the difference in the world - how things look and are perceived. Seeing light illuminating nature prompts me to revisit the verses in my everyday journal on light and I am moved to pray.
Jesus says to me,
“I am the light that has come into the world,
so that everyone who believes in me
will not live in the dark.”
John 12:46 NOG
I am filled with hope and praise God!
God, all at once you turned on a floodlight for me!
You are the revelation-light in my darkness,
and in your brightness I can see the path ahead.
Psalm 18:28 TPT
How does nature reflect or speak to you about living your Word of the year?
"The natural world reveals God’s nature
"What a wildly wonderful world, God!
You made it all, with Wisdom at your side,
made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.
Oh, look—the deep, wide sea,
brimming with fish past counting,
sardines and sharks and salmon."
Psalm 104:24-25 The Message
Scripture References Revealing Characteristics of God
Faithfulness & Care - Matthew 6:28-34, Psalm 57:9-11
Glory - Psalm 19:1-6, Psalm 108:3-5
Grace - Matthew 5:44-45
Knowledge - Matthew 10:29-31
Righteousness - Psalm 36:5-7, Psalm 85:12, Psalm 97:1-6
Sustenance - Psalm 65:5-13, Psalm 147:7-11
Wisdom - Proverbs 3:18-20, Psalm 104:24-25, Job 38-39
Stencils Used in This Post
StencilGirl® Products Leafy Doodle Verge6x6" s714
StencilGirl® Products Leafy Doodle Border9x12" L736