Two years later and I still haven't unpacked...

Two years ago I knew a little bit about life. I knew about building a new home, teaching kids how to read, and I knew a little bit about the country of Peru. I knew we would be visiting a village in the jungles of South America. I knew the boys at this village were abandoned by their families, left on the streets to fend for themselves. And I knew God was calling me there, whispering again and again-- "This is your time." 

Two years later and I still haven't unpacked all of my bag.

It's kinda weird. 

I just didn't.

And now I know why...

A few days ago I got my bag down from the shelf and unzipped it. 

I smiled.

Love, Hope, and Peace were still inside, right where I left them.

And next to all those three things were...

my Nike shoes, my orange pillow, and my citrus body lotion.

Each of those items carry memory and purpose.

The shoes walked into another country to serve.
The pillow gave my head a place to lay each night.

and that lotion kept me refreshed and served as a reminder of that time and place.

Peru grew me, shook me up, and changed me in ways I still don't understand.
I'll never unpack that bag because I never want to forget what happened two years ago.

What place changed you?
How did you leave different?

If you have a story, I'd love to hear it.


Have a great week everyone!

Speak Life... Why tonight was a favorite

I'm nominating tonight's event, Pool Noodle Wreath's as my favorite.

Part of it was because we gave those noodles the best makeover of their lives.

But really, the best part of tonight was the people.

The people who took time from their busy lives, who came and sat and crafted and shared and spoke life into my studio. That's my favorite.

Life is spoken into the walls every time we gather there. Inside those walls...People learn. People inspire. People celebrate their creativity.

These were some of the words I heard this evening...

"I can just relax here."
"I'm a quiet crafter."
"I love how you made that flower."
"Show me how you did that."
"I'll see you next time."

and more than words tonight, I heard the sweetest sound of all...

laughter.

We laughed so hard about so many things that would have gone unspoken had we not gathered together.

Stories were passed, songs were sung (that's right, Wildflower) and creativity reigned as Queen this evening.

Life was spoken.

How did you speak life into someone else's today?
Maybe thru a card, a word, a hug?

People need people more than ever.
People need to know they are loved.
People need to know they have a friend who will come running.
People need encouragement spoken into their souls.

Be that person people need.
And remember, if you need a friend
You know where to come.

A Place to Land~

Night everyone.

If walls could talk...A Mother's Day Card for my mom.

You know the saying, "If your walls could talk, what would they say?"

Well, this year, my walls have a lot to say.

They have a lot to say about my mom.

I shall deem this piece "Chalk-Talk."

My walls say that you are lovely, and beautiful, and the perfect cup of tea.

They shout that you are strong, and courageous, and as solid as rock.

They whisper things like a faithful follower, a memory maker, and a story teller.

They remind everyone in the room of your bold, adventurous spirit.

They tell of your secrets of skydiving and frog-gigging.

My walls ask for colored chalk, because all the moments you live are bright and beautiful, and lovely.

My walls talk about the emptiness that found you, the love that saved you, and the happily-ever-after you are now living.

My walls could go on and on, leaving no space for a break, because there is so much to say, when someone is so good.

My walls say thank-you from a daughter who admires you and tries her hardest to be a mom like you were.

My walls say...

Happy Mother's Day.

Today is the only May 9, 2013 and you'll never get it back...

A few days ago I was releasing a few worries to my husband. He's quite the listener. He paused for a bit, and sincerely said... "Andrea, you will never get this Tuesday back."

What a crazy-true thought.

So here I write, two days later, carrying with me the moments of yesterday and the day before.
It's funny how so much can happen in 48 hours that change you.

We step into each untold moment,  every unsung second and are required to live it.

The beautiful/scary thing is that free will lets us sing out our moments.

We choose.

I pray today I chose grace and love and courage.

Sing your song.
Write your story
Paint your heart
and share His glory.

You will never get today back.
Make it the best May 9 ever.

when someone calls you friend...

"See you later, friend."
That's what she said to me as I walked out the door.
She called me friend.


This morning, I spent a little time at SPLAT! (an amazing coffee shop in Mount Holly)
And a little FYI-- their Ethiopian coffee is the best cup of perfect!

I walked up to the counter and she said, "Let's Talk."
We discussed my business, A Place to Land. We talked about teaching and her experience teaching in China. We talked about God's bestowing of gifts and creativity. We just talked.

Coffee shops just have a way of bringing out the souls of people. They bring out the real, the raw, and the relaxed. 

The incredible thing about this morning though, is that she and I have only spoke three times.
Yet, as I left, she called me friend.

I have another friend who is there for me every.single.day.
He says, "Good morning, friend."
"Good afternoon, friend."
And he even says,
"Good evening, friend."

My Father, who abides in Heaven, whose name is hallowed and his kingdom is to come...
wants to be my friend.

My Father, who sees my ugliness, loves me anyway, and dispenses grace daily...
wants to be my friend.

What a peace that brings.

My Father, our maker, has blessed my life with so many friends.
Many I wish I could see/talk to more often.
What a gift.
What a blessing, to have a friend.

Below is a quick video of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" by Alan Jackson. As you listen
think about a friend you love, a friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, or even a friend who hurt you...
Call them.
Write them a note.
Say a prayer for them.
And thank God for them.



I love you friend.
Good night.

For when you need to know God is there...

When hands of ninety one years clench a hand five times smaller, not even a year old...

you know.

And when those hands give a gift built from legos and that gift is an airplane for your son...

you know.

When a man has a hard time remembering the here and now, but can remember every moment from World War II and wants to tell you about it.

And when you step into a room and see airplanes hanging from the ceiling, medals from war and you see this picture. This picture was my go-ahead from God. The picture that told me to keep writing.

you know.

When an outstretched arm cradles the back of your child's head and you know that same arm guided the path of a World War II airplane. When what he fought for was this very moment...
you know.

When you see the face of the man, sixty years ago and courage stands behind the eyes and freedom rings through pins on a uniform...

you know.

When your heart has carried around hopes of becoming a writer and you toil over perfect words and brilliant ideas, and you research and document and wonder if it even matters.

All this happens in a moments notice and you just know God is right there.

There are days that pass by and I don't feel a thing and don't know much at all. Days when my faith flounders, hope hides in the corner, and worry wavers above me.

But today, I knew.
I knew God purposefully planned for an afternoon with a friend.

I want you to know something.
I want you know God is there, holding on to your hand, clenching your head in his palm, working all things in your life for good.

Be still tonight my friends.
Just be still
and know.

this one is for my husband.

He plays guitar, eats anything sweet, and can grow a beard faster than any man I know.

He loves working in our garden, taking great care of our yard, and can be found mowing our lawn every Friday evening.

 He wears flip-flops in the winter and wears Greg Norman shirts to school every day.

He is a really good story-teller and explains EVERYTHING to our son.

He is a very simple man, well-organized, and has an amazing ability to keep me calm.

He cares a lot about the future of education and is one of the best teachers I know.

 He reads his Bible every morning, while eating either waffles or carmel delight cereal.

He is the best husband, most amazing father, and my favorite person in the world.

So this is for you, Daniel.

Thank you.

Take time this week to tell someone how much they mean to you. People need reminders. They need to hear it. They need to know they matter to you.

Be Blessed My Friends

The chalkboard legacy and how a a typewriter changed my life

I've got two huge chalkboard walls.
One in my kitchen and the other in my studio.

I have them for a number of reasons.

1. I get tired of looking at the same thing and love the notion of changing a wall on a whim.
2. I love the idea that I can use white or colored chalk to bounce art off my walls.
3. My son/students will always have a place to write and practice their (cursive writing) since no one      really cares about cursive anyway.
4. I believe the past must be brought up through the present in order to best understand and provide for the future.

As you can easily see- all four reasons are practical. However, I would like to expand more on the fourth reason because well... it needs to be expanded upon.

I call this bit of prose "The Chalkboard Legacy."

Our generation.

I worry about it often and contemplate what it is we are leaving for those behind us. I have no worries that the generation to follow will know how to troubleshoot computer issues, text at 300 words per minute, and tweet, poke, and block their online friends.

Will they know that students used to write on slates in one room school houses and teachers had to write individual lessons on each slate?

Will they know about the QWERTY connection and how the letters on the modern day computer were put in place because of the typewriter back in the 1700's?

Will they know that the inventions of the chalkboard and the typewriter are major contributions to society's need to communicate?

I hope they will. I have a hangnail of hope, I guess.

In my studio, I have carefully selected items from the past. They stand as reminders for me to land humbly in life. They remind me of the greatness that came well before my existence and because of hard work, determination, and COMMON sense -things like the chalkboard and the typewriter came to be.

 I cherish my traveling, turquoise typewriter. I take it with me to events and other places. I found it while shopping with my Mama Lee in Alderson, WV for $4.00. It's been all over the place and hasn't spoken a word in over five years. It needs a new ribbon. I hope to get it talking again soon.

 It sits on a table beside my brick wall and receives a few taps a day, usually from students who are fascinated by this machine that does nothing but throw letter punches at an ink less ribbon.

Even still, they love it.

I hope I can inspire future generations to remember that our past links us to our present and that God guides us into eternity with the help of some pretty amazing humans.

Tomorrow night is our Chalk it Up Studio Event at A Place to Land.
In celebration of the brilliance that came before us-- We will commit our hands to a night of messy painting as we cover books, trays, frames, tags, and more! Each stroke of paint will mark an item with a reminder from the past.  And to James Pillans, the chalkboards' creator,  thank you sir for the chalkboard legacy!

I don't know about you, but I'll take a chalkboard over a smart board any day!

May we remember friends, we've got two hands.

One to carry the past and the other to embrace the future.

when a stranger changes you...

"I don't belong here, I'm young, beautiful, and happy," her picture spoke.

She stood out among the others. Her blonde hair was styled,  skin was glowing, and she was smiling.

No one else was smiling.

I noticed her picture in the paper at the gas station. Yes, the paper that sits beside most registers that feature those who have been arrested in North Carolina. I blinked her name into memory and spoke a quick prayer for her. I held onto the prayer loosely and forgot about the girl a few days later.

This week she was still there.

Same smile, same eyes, and the same description of her wrong-doing under her name. Unable to walk away from her again, I bought the paper for a mere dollar.

My mind kept mulling over the question, " How can she smile for a mug shot?"

I thought about it more and less, and a bit more.

Then, a new thought took center stage.

"Why shouldn't she smile?"
She is still alive, still beautiful, and still loved by God.

Just.
Like.
Me.

and truth be known-

all of us should be in that paper.

We are all sinners in need of saving.

Maybe we haven't all been arrested, but we have all been lost, broken, or scared.

I encourage you to buy a NC slammer paper this week.
Pray for the souls screaming on the pages.
Pray for their families.
Pray for change.
And pray for God to work in their lives.

Maybe in the midst of that prayer, the stranger will change you-
 just as that girl-that picture, changed me.

I leave you with a favorite song of mine that echoed in my life a few years ago before I met my husband. I'm thankful that people heard me when I needed them.
In turn, I hope I can hear you. Wherever you are, I'll be praying for you.




Be Blessed Friends!

A Place to Land- Summer Flight Plan

Where have you been and where are you going?

Come fly with us! This summer, A Place to Land will be offering summer tutoring on Tuesday's and Thursday's. Each student will receive their own personal flight plan, detailed with goals they will be working on throughout the summer. Together, we will look at where your child has been this past school year and where they would like to go next on their educational journey. Along with a flight plan, students will receive a passport of places they would like to research. Boarding passes will be distributed and they will receive punch-outs on their passes for successes and good behavior.


Along with tutoring, A Place to Land and Art Space are offering three summer camps. Our Garden Camp will kick off the summer, June 17-19. Students will learn about how plants grow through reading, writing, and art. Our cupcake camp is July 16-18 and students will read books about baking, paint cupcakes on canvas, and travel down the street to a local bakery for some cupcake fun! Lastly, our Pet Camp is July 29-31. Each camp will be packed with creative challenges, voracious reading, and encouraged imaginations. Registration is now open. Contact us about registering on A Place to Land or Art Space's facebook page. If you don't have facebook contact through email @ alhussell@gmail.com

a city on a hill cannot be hidden

My husband, at a very young age, watched the movie, Salem's Lot. I have yet to watch this movie, mainly due to the fact that it's scary. Scary movies usually get placed in my "never-watch" box. 

Because of this "vampire" movie, Daniel carried a cross into his basement many times, just in case he needed to ward off a vampire that could possibly be staked out behind the couch.

We laugh about that.

But what he did is what we should all do every.single.day

He carried the light, the cross, the protection of Christ into the darkness.

How easy is it for you to take your light into the dark, into the scary, into the unknown?

For me, it's tough.

I like to think I have courage, but time and time again I find myself running away, right back into my safe world.

Matthew 5 reminds us that we are the light of the world and a city on a hill can not be hidden.

What's the closet city to your home?

Daniel and I are able to see the tip- top of the Bank of America tower in Charlotte from our front porch. I am reminded of God's great love when I look out on the horizon and see the airplanes flying east to west and north to south, and see that small little red light. Our city.

There is a hill immediately outside of Jerusalem's walls that hosted the most brilliant light ever known to man. A light that healed the sick, loved the poor, and came to save us. A light hung stretched, pierced and beaten. A light that died, burnt out, but shined bright days later. 

When that light left the world, he offered us a light by giving us the holy spirit. That spirit guides us through the dark, through the ugly and into the beautiful.

I don't know where you are in your walk.

But I do know that YOU were made to shine.

Start right here, right now.

Be the light. Find your city. And go get on your knees.

Boston- Waco- New York-Charlotte-San Francisco- every city in our nation needs prayer.

I leave you with a wonderful song by Toby Mac, City on our Knees.

Thanks for landing, enjoy your flight.

Let this weekend inspire you...

What does your weekend runway look like? I plan to ease slowly on this weekend's runway and take off full throttle this afternoon as we celebrate my father-in-laws birthday!

Weekends give some of us freedom to rest, others freedom to move, but all weekends, like everyday- give us freedom to inspire. Let the beauty of the weekend move you gracefully from one place to the next.

Maybe you will be inspired in your kitchen, or outdoors, or maybe you will hear a song that makes everything okay for that moment.

1. Kitchen Inspiration

Do you have an old pan, or a cake mold that you haven't used in a long time?
Fly over to http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/2013/04/vintage-kitchen-wreath.html and check out her super easy/cute tutorial on how to make a wreath using a cake mold.
Oh.My.
So.Cute.

I am working on mine and will post pictures when finished!

2. Outdoor Inspiration

Try something new! Plant something you have never planted. Grow veggies. You just may love it.
This year I am adding lavender to my mix and can't wait to see how it grows.


3. Music Inspiration
Find a theme song for the weekend. Something that represents where you are in your journey.
This weekend I'm letting Ellie Goulding's anthem, Anything Could Happen, ring in my ears, bounce through my bones, and saturate my mind as I'm in a place (as we all are)-- where anything could happen in a moment.

Thanks for landing friends...

Enjoy your next flight!

Shower Power and then some...

Great thoughts come to me in two places.

1. The Shower
2. My Car

I've had many a great conversation with friends about the magical, creative capabilities you receive in the shower. Let's just call this "shower power" for the time being.

Shower Power is a gift and fortunately we can receive this gift every day, if we know how to open it up. There is an extensive amount of research out there linking creativity and quietness.
Now, while in the shower you not only have quiet time, but you have warm water falling on you from above.

So my formula for shower power is:
Water + Quiet = Creativity
Add some fruity shampoo or soap and LOOKOUT, this will take your creativity over the edge!

As for my car, well---great things happen there too, but in a different way.
Usually my first thought upon entering my car is... Do I want to sing? or Do I want to listen?
Some days I have a lot to say through singing and other days I need a voice, a whisper of grace, or a funny joke.

All this being said, I challenge you to take an intentional shower tomorrow morning. Step in with the intention to quiet your mind so you can hear what really matters. Step out with a new perspective, idea, or answer to a problem.

Get into your car-- sing a new song, listen to an inspiring speaker, or just be still and know you are okay. You will benefit from both!

I will leave you with this quote

Creativity is often spawned by a quiet mind
- united with a challenge.

Be blessed and be filled with shower power!

Connecting, differently.

I've never been a big fan of fitting in. Most who know me well, know who I am, where I stand, and that I tend to look at life sideways or upside down.

To me a cardboard box is an empty canvas.
An old book is an art project.
And a dead stick is the perfect stem for a paper flower.

I guess I just connect with life in my own little weird way.

It's like that with people too.

I usually try to find someway to connect with the cool, the confused, the left-out, the understood and misunderstood, the young, the old and anyone in between.

We can learn from EVERYONE!

Today I had the opportunity to connect with a new student.
He was not thrilled that he was being pulled out from his room to take the mock end of grade test.
He wanted to stay in his classroom.

This not so happy camper was in my testing group. I received fair warning about this student and was reminded to "be tough" on him. I try to "hear" advice given from others, yet I usually listen to what my heart tells me instead.

I walked over to him with my testing container, smiled at him, and said "Can you please carry this for me, it is so so heavy?" He said "sure" and grabbed the container from my hand. The oh-so-very-light container surprised him and he laughed. Connection made.

That's all it took. A smile. A simple joke. A laugh.

Here is a snippet from our Sunday study in regards to connections.

An incandescent bulb uses heat caused by an electrical current.  When electrical current passes through a wire, it causes the wire to heat.  The wire, or filament, gets so hot that it glows and gives off light.  Every incandescent light bulb has within it a filament made of tungsten.  Since the hot tungsten would quickly burn away if it were exposed to oxygen, it must be placed in a sealed glass bulb which is either evacuated or filled with a gas that won’t let it burn.

We are the light bulb. And Christ is the current, moving through us with grace and love as the and lighting our souls as servants.

Unlike the light bulb, we are not made of Tungsten and oxygen is our source of survival. We don’t need a seal. We don’t need a glass bulb around us. And we can’t get too much of our great God.

Did you connect with our creator today?

There is still time.

Make a connection my friends and be blessed. 

My airplane is quiet.

Sometimes I crave the quiet, especially in the morning, when my mind is still waking up.

In my home library I have a children's book called, The Quiet Book. This sweet book explores the different kinds of quiet that fill our mornings and nights.

This is how is begins:

There are many kinds of quiet:
First one awake quiet
Jelly side down quiet
Don't scare the robin quiet
Coloring in the lines quiet
Hide and Seek quiet

It ends like this:

Bubbles in the bathtub quiet
Story time quiet
Bedtime kiss quiet
Sounds asleep quiet

If I could insert a line of my own into the book, I would say...

Riding on a airplane quiet
Looking out the window quiet

Usually (not always) airplanes rides and so quiet and peaceful to me.

This morning my airplane is quiet.
My airplane is thankful.
My airplane is ready.

Think about the kind of quiet you love most.

May your soul experience peace that passes understand, love that anchors faith, and hope that bridges the past, present and future.