Beauty and dreams.

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate this American tradition. It is, for me, my fave US holiday because foodwise it is much like Christmas. And you can't go wrong with a Christmas feast with friends. It is a good time to reflect, remember and restate gratitude for life, relationships and the things that really are of import to you. For me...I am so blessed by the new relationships that have been forged in my life in this new season, but I am also tremendously thankful for the old ones that continue to lie dear to my heart.

Over Thanksgiving break myself and two of my new girlfriends ventured to San Francisco for a couple of days. It was a breath of fresh air to my city starved lungs, let me tell you. Being able to walk downtown, ride public transport, look at diverse faces, trends, style, fashion, eat diverse foods, walk diverse streets...it was life to my spirit. I love diversity. I love diverse creative expression. And I think the Father does too. That is how He designed us!

I am learning to take greater risks in articulating my creative expression. Since I was made in the image of the creator, creative ability is woven into my dna, and it is a part of who I am. I was born to create, not just exist. And I have been musing much on what creative expression is or looks like for me. What are the creative mediums or outlets I use. What is my creative voice. What does it sound like, look like, feel like, taste like, smell like?

As a means of discovering this I have been asking myself the following question: "what is beautiful to me"? In the pursuit of discovery, I open this question up to you my blog readers. I would love to know what is beautiful to you as a way of pinpointing your creative bent/expression. Seriously. I am really interested to know what that is for you. So please do post comments below!

This is such a unique season of life. I am learning a ton. At times I feel like I am at capacity in terms of what I can contain...but at the same time, I feel like I have so much freedom and permission to do what I desire to do. To take risks. To make mistakes. To grow. To learn. To try new things. I am having a lot of fun taking risks in the area of the creative/image. And how I express my identity!

And I am making time each week to just set aside time to dream with God, where I think about what it would look like to see personal prophecies practically fulfilled in my life. To think about what it would like practically to see some of my deepest desires made manifest. And then I start to brainstorm. What are the small steps, or action points in the here and now I can make to step closer towards these things and partner with them to see them come to pass? Small baby steps executed on a daily basis accomplishes much let me tell you. Consistency is key to lasting change.

I also spend time thinking about who I am called to be. And what that looks like. I remind myself of prophetic words and encouragements that I have been given, and then I ask for wisdom to see where there may be areas in my life that are blocking me from becoming who I am meant to be, and the grace (empowerment) to break agreement with those things in order to shift.

Dare to dream. Those who dream can accomplish anything.

I'd love to hear your dream and responses as to what is beautiful to you.

And I invite you (shameless Israel Missions trip plug) to dream with me about going to Israel this March to release the Kingdom to those whom it has been promised as an inheritance. I am dreaming about nations with rich cultural and spiritual legacies being restored to that which is rightly theirs. Dreaming that other dreamers would partner with me to go.

What is beautiful to you?

Israel 2010 Trip

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Hello lovely people. I and a team of 39 others have been selected to go on mission to the Holy Land for 12days March 2010! We want to help bring revival back to this land which is steeped in spiritual heritage. The main thrust will be on coffee house relational ministry, connecting with Arabs and Jews, as well as visiting schools, worship centres, conducting healing seminars and interceding at key historical and natural sites.

I need to raise $3,500 to go as well as a team of 50-60 intercessors who will keep me covered in prayer for the duration of the trip, in order for us to operate effectively and produce fruit that remains.

Would you please pray about and consider partnering with me in the above mentioned ways? This is an amazing opportunity to bless Israel and see our brothers and sisters restored to their rightful heritage!

Here's how you can give:From the US: tax deductible donations, secure online giving available at: www.ibssm.org, to Bethel Church. Be sure to reference my name and the purpose for the gift (Israel Trip) when you give online! You can also send checks to:Bethel Church, Attn. Kristie Joyce, 933 College View Drive, Redding, CA 96003. Make the check payable to Bethel and write “Israel Trip” in the memo and place a sticky note on the check with my name on it. That way the money will get into my account for the Israel Trip.

You can even give from the UK! Give securely online at http://www.enmuk.org/online-giving/

select my name from the list of missionaries. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can increase your giving by selecting the appropriate gift aid box on the form. This will increase the amount you give! :-)

Thanks so much for your time and thoughtful consideration in this matter. I appreciate you so much.Any questions or queries, feel free to get in touch.

Sincerely,

Michelle Mayer.