“From my Heart” ❤️

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The expo weekend was an adventure with a fast paced start, heavy hard work and really long hours. By the end of Saturday both Jeannie and I, along with our husbands, all had aching back complaints. There were sleepless nights and early morning rises! Despite all of this toiling, my heart was smiling as I reflected back on it all and that’s what I want to share with you. 
Recently, I’ve felt God speak into my spirit these words, “Pause for authenticity.” We live in a drive through, mobile phone, instagram, Snapchat world! Note; I don’t even know what those last two are but their names alone seem to tell a story about our world today. 
We all need a speed bump to slow us down! We need to pause! Take time to see each other (that requires removing eyes from the screen), talk to each other (you know – face to face) and listen to each other (please repeat out loud what I just said). 😊
I found myself this past weekend doing just that, “pausing,” taking in what was going on around me. 
It started with laughter amongst a group of longtime friends, all dressed to a T, walking past my booth. I complimented their snazzy outfits and enjoyed their camaraderie. I offered to take their picture. They struck a pose and then shared a moment of delight together as they giggled over their photo. “Are my eyes closed?” One asked. “You look fabulous!” Said another. I sighed to myself, these are the moments that count! 
Another moment of pure joy was watching a loving mother (Jeannie) with her two adoring daughters trying on a box of old gloves. These particular gloves were awkward to fit but the smiles that accompanied them were perfectly suited on these three beautiful faces! My heart swelled as I took in their genuine love for each other. 
There were also priceless moments of quietness. A dear lady entered my booth and she began to open up. I was honored to have her trust as she shared with me a deep heartache and agonizing loss. The tears that trickled down her tender cheeks were precious and were assuredly captured in His bottle. Together, a prayer was raised in faith and a hug was given for comfort. 
Later, wandering over into my space and picking up an oldie but goodie, Linda Ronstadt record, was a fellow vendor. With her sentimental purchase of this album, she reminisced about the day she received her first car. The day that her parents drove it out to her, while the song, “Heart is Like a Wheel,” played inside.
Also skimming through the records, was a teenager, who to my surprise, thrilled at finding an Elvis album! We started chatting and I learned she not only loved the King but also ol’ blue eyes – Frank Sinatra! Wow! This generation has great taste! 
My own personal gift was the moment that I looked up and spotted two good friends, who had read my post about the  Coleman expo, and decided to drive two hours just to bless my heart! Thank you Sally and Lorraine for making my day! 
Then there were the stories like Kimberly’s, she fell in love with a 1930’s house, had it moved and then restored. When she spotted my little farmhouse shelf, she envisioned it holding spices in her vintage kitchen! Both of our hearts were happy thinking of this cute shelf finding a new home. 
Another cute pairing was the young granddaughter, who was sharing the day out with her Noni. They stepped into my booth and quickly bought a piece of dollhouse furniture that matched something Noni had in her own collection. Sweet affections and loving gestures went into this buy. 
Finally, a new friend was made, as we searched for ages through her numerous pictures, trying to find a special purchase she’d once made, a painting of a delicate bird’s nest filled with eggs, painted onto a tin. The painting done by a mutually favorite artist (Mary Gregory). At last the picture was found and we equally shared in admiration of the talent that went into this treasured piece. 
So many stories, so many lives encountered on this busily packed weekend! The takeaway was slowing down to appreciate life and love. Recognizing the ultimate Creator, the artist who fashioned each of us. 
Pausing for authenticity, made it all an unforgettable experience, one that I’ll not soon forget and gave me an opportunity to encourage you, my reader, to go and do the same in your day!

Gloves and laughter shared between a mom and her daughters.

Going the distance for a good friend! Sally, me and Lorraine.

The cute farmhouse shelf, holding the piece of dollhouse furniture (miniature desk) top right and just below the shelf is the Linda Ronstadt record (all gone to new homes now).

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20 responses to ““From my Heart” ❤️”

  1. Becky Moore Avatar
    Becky Moore

    Loved the Blog.
    So glad we have become Friends.This Junkin thing is all about Memories.Meeting new Friends .You would have never met.See ya at the next Junk store.

    1. Barley Avatar

      Hi Becky! Thank you so much for reading my latest blog post! It’s my blessing to have met you recently and to continue to meet you on all of our mutual rounds! 😃 You’re a delight and joy to visit with! Thank you for all of your excellent tips as I begin my adventures in junkin’! Love Kimberley

  2. Paula Kocevar Avatar
    Paula Kocevar

    Glad it was a memorable and wonderful weekend for you ! Beautiful stories!

    1. Barley Avatar

      Hi Paula! Thank you for reading and for your comment!
      I’ve been missing you as we’ve been walking through this busy season! Hopefully we can catch up soon! Much love, Kimberley

  3. Sally-Stephenville Avatar
    Sally-Stephenville

    Great way to spend a Saturday, beautiful backroad drive from Stephenville to see our beautiful gracious friend. Loved getting the chance to visit and share in your experience at the Expo. Say hello to Jeannie for us.
    Sally & Lorraine

    Oh, and great blog K

    1. Barley Avatar

      Hi Sally! Thank you for your lovely comment! ❤️
      I hope that you two saw lots of God’s beautiful display of Texas wildflowers on that long drive over!
      What a joy and surprise to see you both in Coleman! I’ll pass Jeannie, your greetings, she really enjoyed meeting you two.
      Much love, Kimberley

    2. Jeannie Pruett Avatar
      Jeannie Pruett

      Loved meeting you both. Looking forward to seeing you again sometime. We definitely share an amazing friend.

      1. Barley Avatar

        Awww 🥰! How blessed am I!!!

  4. Heather Miller Avatar

    Love this, you have really shared you heart ❤️

    1. Barley Avatar

      Thank you Heather for continuing to read and follow my blog posts! It has to be said here that you are another one of my favorite artists! So to any readers who would like to browse your beautiful art they may visit your site here;

      hjjmillerdesigns.com

      Much love, Kimberley

  5. Jeannie Pruett Avatar
    Jeannie Pruett

    Oh Kimberley!!! You did it!
    You captured the best part of what we do, why we do it and …
    As always, you made it so interesting to read.
    Blessed again! ❤️‼️

    1. Barley Avatar

      Thank you Jeannie! ☺️ The people we meet, their stories and our stories intertwined together with the stories of our rescued finds and their original owners (if we’re so blessed to learn the history/owners) is what makes this such a grand adventure! Loving doing this journey with you! Love Kimberley

  6. Kim Maxwell Avatar
    Kim Maxwell

    I’ve been eager to find out about your weekend, and now I’ve got a wonderful “sneak peek” to what you will tell me! I just knew it would be an extra-special time, as you have a way of making every day and every adventure extra-special!
    Hugs and Love, Kim ❤️

    1. Barley Avatar

      Hi Kim! Thank you for your very kind comment! 😊 I truly appreciate your interest and support in prayer for me at the Coleman event! There were so many great encounters, I had trouble finishing this post as I wanted to carry on adding further stories and encounters! God is good! Much love, Kimberley

  7. Jeanette Rath Avatar

    What a blessing!

    1. Barley Avatar

      Hi Jeanette! Truly it was!
      Thank you for continuing to read and leave comments!
      God bless and with love, Kimberley

  8. Karen Janette Martin Allen Avatar
    Karen Janette Martin Allen

    Some say the heart is just like a wheel when you bend it, it can’t be mended but my love for you is like a sinking ship and my heart is on that ship out in mid ocean…. one of my favorites. Linda Ronstadt
    Great post, loved reading, brought many happy memories. It is hard work and so much fun in the same sentence. I love you, and can’t wait to see you again my own self! I know this. If we never meet again this side of heaven, we will meet on that beautiful shore. I sang that one too!
    Get some rest, talk to you soon.
    Love always, Momma

    1. Barley Avatar

      I can hear you singing it now! Thank you for putting the words to music! ❤️
      I’m so glad that you enjoyed reading the blog post, “From my Heart,” momma!
      And praise God that there is hope eternal, in the sweet by and by! ( I know that song too!) 😁
      So much love, Kimberley

  9. Sue Avatar
    Sue

    Hi Kimberley,
    Yet another gem of a blog ✨️
    So true, we live in such a virtual world and how easy it is to get sucked into it!
    I like that God- given thought, to “Pause for Authenticity” So good to enter a time of REST, to take in the sounds around you, appreciate every opportunity! That’s what you did so beautifully 😍
    So glad the Mom and daughters had a time of laughter together and that you captured that moment! 📷
    Pleased the little granddaughter, and her Noni found a precious gift to take home:)
    AND that your friends travelled to join you too!
    Unforgettable Kimberley 💛
    Much love, Sue ❤️

    1. Barley Avatar

      Thank you so much Sue, as you pause for authenticity in your friendship with me! I can tell from your comment that you have genuinely read and taken in the heart of my article! That blesses me beyond description!
      God has freshly spoken into “Pause for authenticity,” just in this past week with me. He led me to this verse, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10
      The verse implies taking your time in relationships and delighting in those who are around you. Even honoring them above yourself. This truth is settling into my heart to be intentionally aware in genuineness and in taking delight in others! You are a beautiful example of Romans 12:10
      With genuine love ❤️Kimberley

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