Moments with Meaning

This week Junior's mother is here with us! She has permanent resident status because Junior's brother filed for her after the completion of his citizenship. This means that Manman Jean can come and go to the states and Haiti as she is able. It is a huge blessing as a lot of family is stateside, mainly Jacksonville, which is where she stays. The great thing is we are close, so Junior will get to see his mom often as we visit family in Jacksonville every month.

This week she is with us in Georgia! She finally is getting to see our house and where we have made our home! We were able to show her our wedding spot yesterday, which is so beautiful because she was not able to attend. Today we will show her Waynesville, where we had our first home together and lived for the first year of our marriage. Then Saturday we will show her St. Simons, were we go to church and where I work.

I love sharing life with people. Since I can remember showing people the simple daily parts of my life makes me feel more connected. It truly is the small moments in life of sharing your world with those that you love that have BIG meanings.

We are so glad to have her here! Many moments with meaning to make our hearts smile this week!!!

We are beyond blessed!

Hafiz inspirations

I am always moved by how my heavenly Father used Hafiz, a sufi master far from my world to teach me more about His love. 

Words that speak to me... without barriers or definition... 

Excerpts from: The Gift poems by Hafiz the great Sufi Master 

"What we speak becomes the house we live in."

"Love so God will think, 'Ahhhhh, I got kin in that body!"

"My dear, let prayer become your beautiful lover and become free, Become free of this whole world..."

"At least take care of that holy infant my heart has become...but then I remember they too have a long list of love-complaints because they also know you so well."

"Dear ones, use your own storytelling abilities to end this tale in a way that will most uplift your heart."

"The earth braces itself for the feet of a lover of God about to dance."

"We are people who need to love, because love is the soul's life, love is simply creation's greatest joy."

"For we have not come here to take prisoners or to confine our wondrous spirits, but to experience ever and ever more deeply our divine courage, freedom, and light!" 

I could do this all day so let me leave you with one full simple poem from the great master...

Title: This Sky

This

Sky

Where we live

Is no place to lose your wings

So love, love 

Love. 

I hope you have been inspired as well, and I encourage you to read Hafiz. He will stretch your view of God in so many ways. Watch and see how the Lord uses whatever He may to pursue you and the beautiful creation He made. 

It's HERE!!!

The article I have long been waiting for is HERE (page 102)!! The Lord's provision has been published in a magazine and made public in my life, I am truly blessed!!! This article was my Father God's gentle way of telling me to TRUST in Him and all that He has for me is good!

I am so honored that my friend Cyle thought to even suggest me to her boss at Golden Isles Magazine and that she picked me! It is still very surreal that my second job is running TRUST in the Treasure. My friend Sarah Deshaw, who you have met on here before explained to me what most articles like this   would cost and it is not cheap. I am so thankful to get this much exposure and I am getting it for free. It is something I don't take lightly. And I pray that those who have made it possible will be blessed in return!!

The following are a few photos Sarah took during the photo shoot for the article. It was a joyful time of laughter and dreaming as we played with the pillows and art pieces I had brought for props. Sarah is a gifted photographer and one of my besties here in south georgia. She inspires me and encourages me in chasing after my dreams. Something I believe we all should do, life is short, do what you LOVE!








My make shift art studio in the garage! The quote behind me, says we are the world, created by youth I worked with at a summer camp called, World Changers at the MarketPlace with MUCH Ministries, Inc.











Standing with a couple pieces I have made, the one behind was commissioned for an awareness event on Human Trafficking, the other available on the Etsy shop HERE








I could not resist sharing some photos with my sweet pup Brody, as he is often my companion while I paint and create. He brings much joy and laughter into my life and marriage. Unfortunately Junior, my husband, was not here for the Photo shoot, but he is very much a driving force behind what I do in my make shift studio garage, creating and dreaming!

                                   and of course so much of what I do is driven by my belief that there is....

blessed,
Natasha Jovin

ps- please let me know what you think about the article I would love to hear!!! xoxox

Chose Wisely

I believe that by the grace of God and His abundant mercy we can live in a world that is filled with goodness.  I also believe that the world is broken and a battle is raging. We must chose a side. I pray that we chose the side that fights for goodness....

• love
• dignity
• opportunity
• empowerment
• safety
• rights
• respect
• hope

the list goes on and on of the goodness I believe that we deserve to live in because of God's grace and mercy...

However, 

At times we may feel that the battle is being won by the darkness.... when we hear stories like the Boston bombings, the Texas explosion or the Bangladesh building collapse. 

But God says do not fear more than anything else in His word. Over and over again there are stories of redemption and hope; the victory has already been won and His name is JESUS!!! 

BUT don't stop there.... He calls us into action. 

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?....For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (excerpt from James 2:14-26)

He has called us to partner with Him in transforming our broken world. We are to be His hands and feet, bringing the bread of life to those around us, whether it is next door or an ocean away. The decisions you make our powerful, chose wisely.

I know at times it feels overwhelming, but the beauty is, it doesn't have to be. I believe that winning the battle and making a difference in this world is all about the small things. For example how do you treat people, do you smile or ignore them? When you talk to people, are you sweet or rude? How do you spend your money, selfishly or with awareness? How do you live your life? 

Making a difference is not in the big things, but the small things, the decisions you make everyday. These decisions impact our world, they either bring life or death... my desire is that we chose the first. It is a process, learning to make the small things have a big impact. Taking one small step at a time. 

I am in awe because I get the blessing to be a part of a company that is making the small things have impact. It is truly an honor to be a part of Wake Up Coffee Company. To know that the coffee I serve every week, and the products we sell are giving people hope, dignity, empowerment and so much goodness. What a beauty-FULL thing! 

The story of the factory building collapsing in Bangladesh (to learn more click here) has really wrecked my heart this week.

I want people to realize that the small decisions they make really do have a big impact. I am so thankful that I work for a company that makes sure that are products and farmers are safe as well as treated with dignity. 

It's the small things that are truly BIG. 
Think about it. 

blessed,
Natasha

to learn more about fair trade click HERE

Separation & Preparation

I believe that the Lord taught us things this trip in preparation for what is to come. See one of the main reasons Junior and I don't take full time jobs is because we want the flexibility to travel to Haiti. Our goal is to be there permanently one day. Therefore, we want to have the room to build connections, support, and relationships for that moment that the Lord opens the door for us to be there full time. It has it's pros and cons, but either way it's what we feel the Lord wants us to do. I do my best to focus on the pros and thank Jesus for them!

Before this 6 day trip, Junior and I had only been apart collectively for 7 days in almost 3 years of marriage. So 6 days all in one, was a big deal. I missed him terribly, but was so glad he was able to go. In fact, I hate to admit it, but prior to Junior going this trip I have had many friends and family go to Haiti without me and my feelings are always mixed. I am excited for them, but my flesh is jealous and sometimes envious that it's not me. I know it's horrible, right. The tension between my true heart and my sinful flesh is not always a pretty thing, hence my thankfulness for the Lord's grace & mercy.

However, with Junior I didn't feel any of the normal fleshy sinful stuff. I was simply honored the Lord provided him the ability to go. Plus, in a sense I felt that despite the distance I was there with him. I knew he would represent our family well and of course send lots of love from me to our loved ones there!

During his stay I was only able to chat with him on Facebook for a brief few minutes one day and then talk with him on the phone for a few minutes another. I rarely fear when I am in Haiti or when I have loved ones there, but I also know the instability and risk so for the first time it was truly painful to not just hear that my other half was okay. A new feeling when it comes to this nation I love SO much.

Then there was this brand new awareness of Military wives and what they go through. Not knowing when they will hear from their husbands and being in a totally different nation, often one they are completely unfamiliar with. Then there is this new appreciation for woman like my sister in law who move a whole country away to provide for her family....being away from her husband. I can barely make it a week and these women do it with such dignity and strength. A new understanding.

Then there was this constant appreciation for our dear friends Beaver & Kathy Brooks (check them out here). They spent several years going to Haiti separately, sometimes as much as 3 months apart before the Lord opened the door for them to be there full time together. Quite extraordinary to me, the strength in them to go to this nation that they both love so deeply and to do it separately. I knew what a big deal it was the times they were apart, how Kathy or Beaver would drop everything to answer the phone while the other was there. However, I didn't grasp how big of a deal it was until I myself had the love of my life without me on that beautiful island we wish to be permanently one day. Again, a new understanding.

More than likely this will not be the first time Junior goes without me, or visa versa, but Lord I pray that each time it will be a growing process in our Journey. It will teach me things that increase my understanding and give me a new appreciation for those I love, especially my Father God in all His grace and Mercy.

Blessings,
Natasha

Ps- So thankful for girlfriends who kept me company in Junior's  Absence.

Thoughts on Technology

So my dear friend Sarah Gaikwad (check her out here) posted an article the other day and I just can't seem to stop thinking about it. In fact I feel like it was just the icing on the cake as my whole weekend was filled with conversations about technology and the changes that it is having on our culture and our future.

We are living in such a different time than when I was growing up. This generation's life support system seems to be technology. One friend put it this weekend, she wants to show her kids the skills it has to teach them, rather than to hinder them, I liked this thinking. I believe that by the time our kids are adults coding will be a common language and I believe that carpal tunnel and eye problems will be prevalent. However, they will have access to education, seeing the world and connecting with people in a way that is far beyond what I was ever capable of as a child.

The pros and cons are tremendous. I have another friend that says the good and bad of this world are wrapped up in technology. Our connection with the world is increased, but our ability to be present and involved in deep relationships is weaken by the constant pull of the different devices around you. Machines that seem to carry the world at your fingertips. But we forget our world is our community, our family and friends, not just the people we "like" in the realm of Facebook,Titter and all the other networking sites out there.

I only recently got a phone that carries much of my life, and although I love it, I must be careful with it. I don't want to not be present with my family, or forget to see the beauty in life. I want to experience it, not just instagram it. Only a few months ago I was the one getting gripped on about not answering my phone or responding to texts, but I have to admit I liked that life... I was able to really be there with the ones I was with, and present at home with my husband, I was not attached to the machine... it's a good feeling to be free.

I am still processing much of my thoughts on technology, laughing at myself as I feel old when dealing with a lot of it, embracing the beauty in it, but also being clear that boundaries are needed with it. Like my friend, I want to use it in the ways that Glorify God, teach me new skill sets, help me to succeed and most importantly love others. What I do not want is to allow technology to hinder me from living life to the fullest.

Please read this Article, it explains much of my own thoughts on the issue and it really is something we should be in dialog about.

Click HERE for some wisdom from Einstein on this issue, it's a good visual!

Also please feel free to share your thoughts, I would love to hear them!

Blessings,
Natasha

Sweet Emilee

Reunited with SWEET EMILEE MARIE! 

                                

The following is an excerpt from a post I wrote in February of 2008, while living in Haiti...


"The police, UN and judge brought a baby to the orphanage. She was abandoned on a porch, severely malnourished, she weighed around 5 1/2lbs. And the really heartbreaking part is she has two teeth and from what the nurses could estimate she is somewhere between 7-11 months old. She was dropped off in bercy last Saturday and has been with me since. I have loved on her, held her down while a nurse tried to put an IV in her precious tiny, tiny veins, helped give her medicines, bathed her and she has come with me to Dorothy's. This sweet little baby girl that I named (with help from friends)Emily Marie Francois, is what Dorothy likes to call my house warming gift.We have started calling her "my baby"...i love her!!! she's beautiful. She doing well, now up to almost 8lbs now!"

Click HERE some pictures and another blog about her during our stay together at Dorothy's! 

During this season of investing in Emily, I prayed many times about adopting her, but God always said no and I never understood until... He revealed to me who would be her mother. 

The following is an excerpt from a post in August 2009

"Shelly Stammis is a woman i met while in Haiti last year. this summer she stayed at Bercy and fell in love with Emily Marie. she has decided to adopt her! it is an answered prayer because i have been praying for someone that i know to adopt her so that i can stay connected with her and be in her life. when i first heard i was like...wait i wanna adopt her...then a second later i thought...wait this is an answered prayer...PRAISE GOD!

Shelly was in Jacksonville with the Merritts so i went down and visited for a day...saw many pictures of Emily and was able to be with what i jokingly like to call...my 'baby's mama'...i am so excited for Shelly and for Emily...she will be so blessed. Shelly is a good mom, a strong woman and a deep lover of Jesus...I am blessed to know her and so excited for Emily." For more from this post click here. 

And now today.... I get to sit here and write that Shelly's adoption is complete and we were all able to reunite in Fort Lauderdale on their way home to Michigan. It was a surreal and beautiful blessing...full of Joy over flowing....

(Shelly, Emilee  & her big sister, Lexi) 

I still can't stop thinking about how much I love sweet Emilee (as her forever mama spells it now) or how amazing her mama is to share her! It is something I don't take for granted as many mothers could get territorial, but not Shelly ..she is So humble and kind, understanding and genuine. Emilee is a blessed little girl! As am I for knowing them both and getting to be a part of the Journey.

God really is a Miracle worker....His plans never fail, His LOVE never fails.... what a beautiful life this is!

We never get tired of these dimples....

Blessings,
Natasha 

Revamping Reasons

First and foremost I apologize for it being a month since my last post. I was talking with a friend this morning and realized that since I journal on the regular with my fine point sharpie and fair trade journal in hand I forget about this blog sometimes. I mainly use it to connect with my family and friends that are far away. I have never really set it up with good grammar, more just a blog with ramblings of run on sentences and my stream of consciousness.

However, as this new adventure begins with TRUST in the Treasure I want my business to not just be about the projects I create, I also want my customers to know who I am. With that said, I also know first impressions are important so in the next couple weeks I will be revamping my blog a bit, which I am excited about. I will still write about my life, but I will also be adding DIY projects that I try along with things that connect with my shop.

If you have suggestions or ideas, please feel free to give suggestions!

Blessings,
Natasha

New Hair

With all the new things I am believing in for this year, 2013, I thought it was only right to get a fancy drastic new hair do as well, many say I look a bit more sophisticated, what do you think?!!

to read more about the new things happening this year check HERE & HERE

A new Adventure

Job- a word that has not been fulfilling in my life for the past 18 months...

don't get me wrong I LOVE wake up coffee, but I'm about to be 31 and being a barista is not my life goal... I love the mission behind wake up and why the owner does what he does...why all of us that work there do what we do... but my strengths lie more in the networking, communicating, wooing and educating people about the stories that are behind the reason for the shop... but being the small business that it is...paying me to do just that is easier said than done.

In October I started working at a daycare/after school program...and it was great except for the fact that I had 25 kids, ages 4-12 all by myself and it was insane... anyway it was difficult to say the least, but the staff there was great, they wanted to make it better, but I kept dreaming and telling Junior if only I could just stay home, do my Etsy shop, TRUST in the Treasure and a couple shifts at wake up... but I knew we couldn't financially afford it.

The Lord orchestrated events to make those desires in my heart come true....despite me being ready or not. However like the good Father He is, He prepared me for it!  The week went like this..Monday the only thing that kept me from quitting was that I knew we needed the money, Tuesday a friend called and asked if she could do an article on me, my art, and TRUST in the Treasure, then Wednesday I was let go at the daycare.

It was the first time I have ever been let go in my life...at first I felt shame and wanted to lie to everyone and say that I just quit. But when I stopped and listened to Papa God, He reminded me of how He loves me and that this was what had to happen for the new season He has for me. A season that will take me trusting Him in new ways. After that I was excited and felt the peace the passes all understanding.

Thankfully I have such an amazing husband, who knows the Lord will provide and wants me to go after my dreams of making TRUST in the Treasure my day job! Since the let go, I have had moments of telling Junior I can get more hours at wake up, or look for the another job and he kindly just says..."I'm not worried about money"

This year my new adventure- declaring that my etsy business will become a success! An amazing, faith filled, yet scary start to the new year! 

wish me luck, better yet pray for me... i don't really belief in luck.. 

beauty-full truth

If you know me or follow my blog you know I have a heart for the enslaved, and justice! For the past year I have been volunteering with a wonderful group that works with women in the sex industry. This spoken word exudes my heart for this evil industry....full of BEAUTY-FULL TRUTH!

Doubled

I never really shared about my Christmas gift from my parents this year...it was an amazing thing...

See last Christmas my parents had mentioned doing a family trip to Haiti, they had yet to meet many of Junior's family, including his mother and my sister had not been back since the earthquake...either had my nephew and now my sister also was married with a baby, my niece....

Long story short they gifted us with a family trip to Haiti this Christmas  last time we were all in Haiti together it was a day before the earthquake in 2010 and it was just the 4 of us. At that point junior and I were just dating, and my sister was in process of adopting Isaac...and in 3 years we have gone from just the 4 of us, to now 8. Our family had doubled since we last were all in Haiti together...it was about time.

What amazing parents I have, they paid for all our tickets, my sister's family and mine. In the beginning of January we all spent 10 days in Haiti! Such an amazing blessing! I will say my sister and her husband are extremely brave- bringing an 8 month old and a 4 year old...what a whirlwind of sleep deprivation for them, but they did very well.

Junior and I planned the trip out, organized the transportation and did our best to facilitate where needed. I won't lie it was one of my more difficult trips to Haiti, as everyone seemed to get sick along with my dad getting the tip of his finger chopped off in an iron gate door. However everyone is healthy, my dad's finger is nearly all healed, everyone is back safe and sound.

It is always a blessing for Junior and I to be in Haiti, no matter the circumstances. I am so thankful for my family, i know like every family there is drama at times...but they are pretty amazing people. It was great to see how my family has grown and continue to share this nation together...it is truly beautiful to me...