Growing up, my grandmother would have all the family over at least one Sunday out of every month. Such great memories I have of dear family members gathered around the big dining room table - saying grace, laughing and discussing  the latest news, with politics and religion surfacing throughout the conversation. Not everyone agreed, but everyone was courteous, I distinctly remember that. And since I was the oldest grandchild, by nine years, I totally bypassed the kiddy table on that side of the family. I grew up observing respectful debating, and it left quite an impression.  Maybe that's why I like  listening to respectful debates on difficult topics, because when done in a safe environment where love and respect are present, great things can happen, such as clear communication, understanding and just decision making. 
 
Today, I am thankful for a mother and father-in-law that carry on the same tradition of getting people together for warm meals and having discussions around the table. As seen on the news, people's political stances are so divided, it seems as though assumption, miscommunication, and anger is taking the reins and running rampant. So on the night we gathered for dinner, just two days before the mid-term elections, it was extremely refreshing to hear my father-in-law share this letter he received from a high school classmate he had reconnected with after sixty-two years. As he read the letter out loud, his friend's words touched our hearts.  I asked him for permission to post this letter and share because . . . well, it's refreshing.

It's refreshing to hear the words of an eighty year old man looking for ways to bless others year round, and delighting in the joy it brings to strangers, and it reminds me of this scripture that a friend sent me just this week. 

2 Corinthians 9:11-12 New International Version (NIV)

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Here is the letter.

​Long story edited, after two years of living in a mind puzzle, he finally let me in on some of his hidden secrets. You know you have gone into shock when you hear a literal ringing inside your head and become nauseous. Much of what he had told me over the years was not true, and after weeks of walking around in a daze, I tried to make the best out of a painful situation. He kept calling, and I kept hanging on, for what, I don't know. I felt raw on the inside, insecure, and at times, very angry - I'm talking red head angry. Thought I was a good judge of people and situations, but this relationship left me in a field of doubt. Could men be trusted? What was wrong with me? Was God really real?  And if he was, did He leave me or did I wander away? Deep down, I knew the answer to those last two questions.

One night at the Back Alley, a blonde man, in his late twenties, stopped me as I was walking up the stairs with the guy I was, unsuccessfully, trying to make a break from emotionally. I will never forget that strange moment. As this man descended down the stairs, he reached out to touch my shoulder, and looked directly at me and in a kind and pleading way and said, "What are you doing here? You don't belong here." I don't remember if I responded out loud, but I do remember screaming on the inside, I know, thank you! To this day, I don't know who that person was, but I felt God speaking directly to me through him, and it got my attention. 

​I enjoyed taking on a character's problems and issues; acting became a way of survival and escape from my own troubles. But I started to be concerned that I was falling into a danger zone with other male actors, because when you feel unattractive and unlovable you start looking for validation in places and in people that you shouldn't. Thankfully, I listened to that uneasy feeling and stepped back from those type of acting roles, before causing more emotional drama to someone else. I wasn't in a good place, nor was I using my gifts in the right way; things would only get worse if I didn't make some serious changes, so I started calling out to God. I was sorry for going my own way and asked for His forgiveness and direction. After putting my focus back on God, I was finally becoming free of the relationship that had such a hold on me.

Shortly afterwards, I took a job as a nanny of four children who had lost their mother in a tragic car accident. I knew the Lord had directed me to that job, taking me from my self focused mindset, to looking after the welfare of these children, who had been through a very traumatic event. I could relate to losing a mother, but I was older and had time to prepare, whereas these guys were much younger and had no warning. They needed someone to be there, listen, and take care of their needs. Their family also welcomed my little brother, who was still dealing with losing our mom; he would come from Birmingham to stay with me for long visits. I didn't have time anymore to dwell on my problems and that was a good thing, like a spiritual boot camp. During that season, I asked the Lord to help me find a husband who loved Him. I wanted a healthy marriage where we were both passionate for God and each other. I also wanted to be a mother, as I enjoyed the children in my charge. I started visiting local churches,  even bringing the children with me when they wanted to come. I was  still interest in acting, but starting looking into voiceover work, script writing and other ways of working in film and the art of storytelling.

On weekends, I kept running into a former acting classmate who asked me to come work for her. She was producing a television show called Southern Raceweek, and needed a production assistant. Our third, unexpected encounter was when I stepped into the lobby of Center Stage Theater in Midtown Atlanta for the very first time; there was a Women in Film event being held, of which we were both active members. When she asked me, again, to come to the edit suite at the Tape Warehouse to check out their production and see if I would like to come on board, I knew it was more than a coincidence. I went home and prayed about it; talked with my boss and he gave me his approval to check it out, while the children were in school..

​The first day I walked into Tape Warehouse was the first day I met Scott, my now husband of almost 20 years. Looking back I know our meeting was definitely a God thing.  Before we were married, God showed me my life verse, Romans 8:28, framed and hanging in a Kinkos.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  -  Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Unintentionally, I brought old wounds and fears into the relationship. I was cautiously moving forward anticipating that the rug could be pulled out from under me at any moment; I was guarded . . .  like Fort Knox. Thankfully, it turns out that Scott is one of the most humble men I have ever met.  He genuinely loves God and puts others above himself. We have seen God do such a work in us over the years: disciplining, teaching, guiding, instructing, and the list goes on and on. Scott, who used to be in a heavy metal band and once auditioned for Cirque de Sol as a didgeridoo musician, has followed God's calling to be an evangelist, and is sincerely passionate in sharing God's love with people through his shofar outreach ministry. Scott has been a faithful husband and father, and when I think of how God heard my heart's cry way back then and was preparing my steps, I just get overwhelmed with His goodness. In the early years of our marriage, I laid down my desires for acting before the Lord and asked Him to only bring me back to it, if it was His will and for His glory.

Two years ago, I was on day five of Draw The Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson. We were in Washington, D.C. at the time. Scott was invited up, by Jason Hershey, to sound the shofar at David's Tent; celebrations were being held for the one year anniversary of them being on the National Mall. While there, we made our third visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where we came across a plaque; the idea for a script came to me right there. I could see the characters playing out in my mind and started jotting down notes immediately. The very next day, on September 11, 2016, at a National Community Church service in the Miracle Theatre on Barrack's Row, we listened to lead pastor and best selling author, Mark Batterson say that he had it on his heart to do a film, but he didn't have a story or a screenplay yet. The hairs on the back of my neck raised and I knew that God was clearly speaking to my spirit. Mark Batterson continued with saying that the first movie that impacted him was The Hiding Place, which gives the account of Corrie Ten Boom and her family's harrowing experience with the Nazis during WWII. God was calling me to write a screenplay. Later, when we got back home, I asked the Lord to reassure me that I wasn't just doing this on my own, and he confirmed it through a text from my cousin that day, who, unbeknownst to him, mentioned the city where the story is set. That happened on day 18 of the prayer challenge.

I have prayed over the timing of this project and God has been leading us every step of the way. In the last two years, there have been times where I felt overwhelmed. We welcomed two, wonderful teenagers into our home to help them stay in school and find a stable environment for them to finish their education. There was another job transition for my husband, and God called me out of my job, where I had worked the past fourteen years; but God was right there with us. When I look back and take inventory, I see clearly how He has worked everything out for His glory.

In coming back to Center Stage, after 21 years, our youngest son put his feelings into words, "Today was the best day ever!" And I felt that emotion too. That morning, July 29, 2018, I got up early to have my morning time. I had just finished a Wisdom for Wives Bible study and went to my husband and asked for his forgiveness on a certain area in our marriage where I had been at fault. He graciously forgave me and thanked me for sharing what the Lord had revealed to my heart concerning him. Our oldest son had mentioned wanting to go downtown via Marta to explore the city and then go to a Free Chapel Midtown service, so Scott planned our day. He took us to the Breman Museum, which has an in depth account of the Holocaust, and there, I felt the call, stronger and louder, to focus on finishing this work.

​Then we came upon a movie scene being filmed. The boys loved it and for me, I felt God's confirmation once again.

And it wasn't just this scene, alone, that day. When we went to dinner, it happened to be the first restaurant that I remember going  to with my parents when I was a child, visiting Atlanta. God planted a seed in me, way back then, to come to this city.  At the Free Chapel Midtown service, that evening, Pastor Franklin preached on when you know God has called you to something big; how to walk into that calling, while staying humble through and after the process. I received prayer and the laying of hands that evening, and am so thankful that God called me back to Center Stage. Only God!

​Thanks for stopping by and reading all the way to the end. I know, it was a long post. 

Blessings to you!

​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex upon today's announcement that they are expecting their first child! Lots of excitement in the air and over the internet as people celebrate the happy news. This royal baby is unaware of all the privilege, prestige, and prominence that will come his or her way based on birthright. And this reminded me that many people today are still unaware that they are royal too, because of wonderful circumstances that took place before they where born, giving them access to a marvelous kingdom. 

I will use this beautiful fabric with crowned bird to explain.

After the couple's royal wedding on May 19th of this year, several articles about the newly designed crest for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were written, and there was some concern over the crown placed around the bird's neck instead of being on top of it's head, that represented the Duchess. Well, this article explains why the crown was around the neck. It is very interesting. In essence, one who marries royalty is grafted into the kingdom and is to support the crown. 

When I saw imprint of a crowned bird on this fabric, I thought about this article and how those who trust the Lord and abide in Him are His children. As children of the most high God, we are royal because of Who our father is and our identity in Him. I choose this fabric to use for a dear friend's nursery as a reminder of who we are in Christ.
​
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. - 1Peter 2:9-10 ESV

Marvelous to think how the Kingdom of God is made up of many different races and nationalities that have been called to become one!

Jaws dropped as we watched this video footage while transferring some home movies from VHS to DVD this year. Felt like we traveled back to a more innocent time in our history, while taking in all the scenes that my father had captured back in the spring of 1999.

​The first clip is short and a bit eerie as the towers seem to appear from nowhere in the skyline. Just after they come into view, a plane passes behind them and then the towers fade away as my father zooms back. 

The second video below serves as a back in time tour of the Twin Towers from the observation deck. I had visited the second floor of the lobby, inside one of the Twin Towers, back in 1998 to stand in line for Broadway tickets with a friend, but had never visited the observation deck or seen the towers from the outside, since my friend, Laura, and I had taken the subway, and traveled up inside to the lobby from the escalators. This video gave me a whole new perspective of the Twin Towers and what it might have been like for those up top the World Trade Center.

This video gives the viewer a back in time tour of the Twin Towers from the observation deck.

 September 11, 2001 was a horrific day for the victims, their loved ones and the survivors. All who remember where they were and the helpless feeling of watching your fellow countrymen suffer and die was devastating. Hoping this video will become a useful resource for teachers to use in the classroom, as a video field trip back in time, to help the next generation understand what life was like in New York City when the towers were still standing.

Read here to find out about the scripture reference that was found fused to 911 rubble and is now on display at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

With Love,
​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Connect on Instagram at humbleandbold
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

When throwing a baby shower, you might have already have some items that can be transformed into décor for the party and the nursery too. 

Here are a few ideas to inspire you!

If you have any square boxes, try turning them into large decorative baby blocks. I took these boxes and covered them with craft paper and then used die cut letters to spell BABY, on one side, and GIRL on the other. Click on how to make handmade, paper flower bows if wanting instructions for bow on top of blocks.

Found this bulletin board at an estate sale and thought I could match it perfectly to the theme of the baby's room. For her nursery, my friend had picked out light gray for the walls, with white trim and pink accents. When I found this fabric with little gray butterflies and crowned birds on a light pink floral backdrop, I knew it was just right. I painted the trim around the corkboard with a coat of Kilz and then went back over it with a second coat of white paint, Tucked the fabric into the sides of frame for a tight fit, and it was all ready.

When I found this fabric with little gray butterflies and crowned birds on a light pink floral backdrop, I knew it was just right.

​Side Note - Do you remember a news story after the Royal Wedding about the newly designed crest for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex? There was some concern over the crown placed around the bird's neck instead of being on top of it's head, that was to represent the Duchess. Well, this article explains why the crown was around the neck. Now it may look liked I have digressed, but I promise to tie this in further down. Just keep that crown thing in the back of your mind or up in the cloud for now.

At another estate sale, I found a black and white stripped canvas for sale and it caught my eye. Since the baby's last name is Ogi, we used O Baby as part of our baby shower theme. I painted the black stripes gray and then traced the O out and painted it pink with silver trim. 

Try using copies of ultrasound pics to display for the party. We found perfect little places to nest three images of the baby in a family collage of pictures in the living room for guests to discover. I trimmed small pics of baby and placed those on foam board, wrapped with ribbon. (Not perfectly done, but they made for a sweet conversation piece.)

My friend, Tabitha, brought a large, pink letter L for everyone to sign and hang in the baby's room. The L had been part of her daughter's room and little Lia wanted to give her L as a gift of sentiment for the new baby, whose name will also start with an L. So many sweet words of blessing were written on this letter at the party for the new baby girl. 

After our friends finished getting the nursery ready, they sent me these pics. The corkboard is to the top right hand side.

Baby blocks sit on the dresser and O Baby canvas and pink letter L, filled with up with messages of love, hang out ready to welcome the precious new arrival.

Beautiful words to wake up to!

So about the crown on the bird's head that got my attention, you see, after reading the article about the meaning of the crown on the head verses the neck, when I saw this imprint of crowned bird, I thought of how those who trust the Lord and abide in Him are His children. As children of the most high God, we are royal because of Who our father is and our identity in Him. My prayer for this little one is that she will know her true identity in Christ as she grows in physical and spiritual ways.
​
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. - 1Peter 2:9-10 ESV

It is a "God thing" when I tell my friend about why I choose this fabric and the meaning of the crown and she shows me the first picture that she bought for the nursery at Hobby Lobby which reads, I am the daughter of a King, who is not moved by the world, for my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am His!

See more pics of the baby shower click here.

​May the Lord bless you and reveal your true identity in Him!

​​With Love,
​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Connect on Instagram at humbleandbold
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

Looking for a simple way to make beautifully unique, handmaid, paper bows for hardly any expense?
​Well, take a look at these!

I was reading one of my favorites, Little House On The Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder to my children, and one of the things she wrote about was how their mother never wasted scraps of paper (or anything else), since it wasn't readily available. After reading that book, I had more of a Ma Ingalls' mindset on how to creatively turn simple paper scraps into something special. While looking to see how I could reuse some strips of paper, I came up with these flower bows and absolutely love the way they look! And you can't beat the price.

I use scraps of wrapping paper, maps, cards, newspapers and magazines! 

Get creative and have fun with it! You can make one big bow and attach a smaller one in front as seen below.

You can also mix and match designs for a unique look.

Here is a supply list.

And an easy set of instructions.

As a side note, I used a Premier paper trimmer with slide blade, that I purchased years ago. I definitely recommend a slide blade instead of one where the blade comes down because it is much safer to use.  I can no longer find the Premier with slide blade on Amazon, but did find this Fiskars SureCut Craft Paper Trimmer Deluxe that is highly rated and at an affordable price. 

Hope you enjoy making these and thanks for stopping by humble & BOLD.​​
With Love,
​
​Christina

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina

Summer is quickly coming to and end, but we made some great memories!  Here are just a few pics to share from our family reunion.

Scrabble tiles are a great way to decorate and bring back memories of family nights playing games.

Little Shiloh, below, looked at her up at her Great Aunt Sherry (in the red dress behind to her right) and said in the cutest voice, "Oh, I love your ladybug dress!"  - so funny, sincere and sweet!

I love seeing people reconnect face to face and laugh. Yes, that would be my son on his cell phone in the back, One really can't completely appreciate reunions as a teenager. If you have any suggestions for future gatherings, on how to help them connect, I would love your advice.

Many cousins brought some of their favorite dishes, and my Aunt B brought her decorations along with delicious desserts. I made these marshmallow pops and some cupcakes.

Below, I always like to do my tea gifts as party favors, but had to get creative with these.

​My father's cousin, Kaye, also gave complimentary CD recordings of her musical concert, which we have enjoyed listening to as a reminder of our time together.

Thanks for stopping by!

​Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

​"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

To check out my testimony click here
To like my facebook page click here 
Find me on twitter @humble_bold ​
​On Pinterest at humble&BOLD by Christina