In a Ladder Truck

Today as I was driving, I looked over at a ladder truck, and there was Adam in the back seat. It made me smile really big.  Sometimes life surprises me, and it doesn't turn out how I pictured it.  It's better.  And I am so grateful.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could

ever imagine

or guess

or request

in your wildest dreams!

He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us,

his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20-21, (MSG)

Meeting Kelly Clarkson

I don't typically talk about work on this blog because, well, it's work.  And while it's where I spend a good chunk of my time, when I come home, I just like to be home.  That being said, however, there are some things that are really big...like a walk that 40,000 people attend, and one Kelly Clarkson in particular.

While it may sound a bit cheesy, Kelly Clarkson actually had a rather big impact on my singing start.  While on a church choir tour/mission trip in high school, I pretended to be her in a skit our family group did, and knew that I'd really have to own "A Moment Like This" if I was going to be the "good singer" on our version of American Idol.  The rest of the week, I sang my solo "Here I Am to Worship" with a lot more confidence, and people started asking me to sing more often.  I sang at Baylor, at church, and now at weddings and any chance I can get!

{Me, Molly, Kelly & SMoo}

I shared this info about our special guest with my Dad the night before the walk.  He was so pumped and was determined to meet her and get a photo.  {Most of the time I try to stray away from being "Gary's Daughter" at work because I don't want to be treated any differently than anyone else.  However, he's been really involved in the organization and very instrumental in making a difference, so it's kind of hard to ignore, which isn't always a bad thing!}  He made sure that the girls got a pic with the very first American Idol.  Thanks, Dad!

Molly snapped this photo of me and Dad at the top of the bridge.  40,000 people cross under it as they move past the start/finish line, and it was my first time to be up there and see this part of the walk.  

I was born too soon and spent three weeks in the NICU with spinal meningitis after I was born, so our family has been involved with the March of Dimes for a very long time because it's near and dear to our hearts.  I started going to the walks with my dad every year growing up, and it was always fun for us to share that together.  While I don't remember each one of them, the last three stand out quite vividly.  As it turns out, the walk has become a way for me to mark seasons in my life, and each year I go back, I wonder where I'll be next.

In 2009, I was fresh off a plane from studying abroad.  I was about to graduate from Baylor and didn't have a job yet.  I was anxious and wasn't looking forward to graduating.  To say that summer was challenging would be an understatement.  But in August, the March of Dimes offered me a full-time job, and I was thrilled to work where I'd interned one summer in college.  

In 2010, I worked my first walk.  I learned all the behind-the-scenes tasks that have to be done by our small staff to pull of this event.  It was a cool day.  I had also been dating Adam for about a month, and couldn't stop smiling.  I wasn't sure where it was headed quite yet, but I was having a blast with him.

This year, I had more of a handle on what my role would look like, and I even got to drive a golf cart this time.  {People think you're quite helpful when you can haul them from point A to point B!}  And a year later, Adam and I are engaged, and we'll be married by the time the next walk rolls around!  

The Lord has continued to be so faithful in my life, and I am grateful for a way to look back and see how He works in our lives.  

  Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; 

   it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 

 Praise the LORD with the harp; 

   make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 

 Sing to him a new song; 

   play skillfully, and shout for joy.

 For the word of the LORD is right and true; 

   he is faithful in all he does. 

Psalm 33:1-4

Five For Friday

Happy Friday, friends!  Here are Five things from my week:

1.  Wednesday's Girls' night with Gentry, Molly, Smoo and Claire was so much fun.  I'm thinking we'll have to make it a more regular occurance! {Photo coming soon} 2.  I loved this Valentine's poem and photos from author John Piper to his wife.  I realize it's only January, but I just happened upon it and thought I'd share.  3.  Thursday night, Adam and I ran the longest I've ever run!  And then we had spaghetti--it never tasted so good.  I'm getting ready to leave this afternoon for Disney World to finish the last 6 miles of my dad's marathon with him.  We are excited!  SMoo is coming along to run and be my roller coaster buddy--mom and dad opted out of that part.  :-)  4.  I designed my new blog header on Monday, and the Bible Verse in it is from the NET Bible.  I thought it was fitting for January.  {And if you want help desiging a blog-topper or just help with your blog design in general, let me know.  I'd really love to help!} 5.  MCP Actions is starting Project 52, where you upload a photo each week to  flicr account, in hopes that practice will help us improve over time.  I'm going to try it, so we'll see!

Mickey, here I come!

How Sweet It Is...

Have you ever had a moment where you step back and realize your life is really sweet?
Like, really, really good?
Today was one of those days for me.

Today reminded me how much I have to be thankful for.
Today I got to have a really great lunch with my Dad.
Today I got to run in the cold weather with Adam and talk.
Today I got some time to myself to think.

Tomorrow I have lunch with a dear, sweet friend.
Saturday I will celebrate being alive 24 years with some of my nearest and dearest.
Wednesday I will continue that with my family--I like to drag out the celebration as long as possible...
Thursday my family will all get together under one roof and celebrate being especially Thankful.

And while most of us haven't had actual locusts eat away at us, I'm certain we can all think of times when things weren't going so great, and we were wondering what in the heck was going on.  I love that God restores things.  In His way, and in His time.

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— 

   the great locust and the young locust, 

   the other locusts and the locust swarm— 

my great army that I sent among you. 

 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, 

   and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, 

   who has worked wonders for you; 

never again will my people be shamed. 

 Then you will know that I am in Israel, 

   that I am the LORD your God, 

   and that there is no other; 

never again will my people be shamed.

Joel 2:25-27

Now that's really something to be thankful for.

This is the Day

While I love looking back at Baylor, I couldn't help but be reminded that I'm not there anymore.  I'm here.  And here is really great, too.  So this is what I'm doing right here, right now.  And I'm grateful.

This is my friend Taylor.  We get together every so often and chat about life.  She's an incredible dancer and is looking to go to college to do what she loves.  It's pretty awesome.  I saw her Sunday, when I got to go back to the church I grew up in and sing.  It's so nice to come back every once in a while and see people I've known forever.  And I always love singing.  Always.  

Apparently booties are in style this season!!

Sunday night, Adam and I carved a watermelon and a pumpkin, respectively.  Adam decided that a watermelon would be much better smelling.  I must agree, it wasn't nearly as goopy as my pumpkin!  I haven't carved a pumpkin in so long.  And I've certainly never carved a watermelon!  It was so fun.

And tonight I came in from a day-trip to San Antonio, and Claire was making dinner.  It was SO worth documenting!  She made stir fry, and it was really yummy.  What a treat to walk in the door to a fabulous dinner!  We ate in front of the TV and watched Gilmore Girls, and now we've switched to the Ranger game.  {Pretty awesome that we're in the playoffs!}  Life is good.

This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

Less is More

I have a Baylor friend that just recently returned to Haiti with her husband after living in Dallas for the Summer.  They have taught at a Christian school in Haiti since January, arriving just days before the earthquake hit.  You can read about Ben and Katie here.

 

One thing that they have commented on over and over again is how fast-paced life is back here in the states.  Their tone was not condescending, as they spent the entire summer going and going and going, but just more of an observation.  Katie's most recent post linked to a New York Times article about people who are choosing to live more simply, even in the U.S.  Tammy Strobel and her husband decided to downsize to 100 things and a 400 square foot apartment.  Whoa.

 

After getting back in town from vacation, my Mom offered to come help me get my apartment organized, since Claire and I were having a bunch of people over Friday night.  It was quite a helpful treat!  Needless to say, Mom brought to my attention the large amount of clothes that I have in my closet.  (I think we all know that I have a slight obsession with Target.)  As I write this, I have a huge urge to go home and clean out anything and everything I don't need.  (And I honestly don't need a whole lot.)

 

The news article suggested that people are happier when they spend money on exprieces rather than actual stuff, because you're creating memories instead of hoarding more junk. And I see where theyr'e coming from.  Personally, I'm happiest when I'm hanging out with my friends and family and we get to sit around and talk, or go to a park or hang out at the lake--things that actually cost very little, if anything at all.  (See BSB Weekend, Spending time with friends in town, or a Saturday filled with a run and hanging out).  It really doesn't take much.

 

More importantly than any article, though, this is what Scripture says about stuff in Matthew 6:19-21:

 

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

 

That's really what gets me, when I think about it.  With cars that don't always work and ceilings that leak (both things have happened to me this week), I am reminded that things can and are destroyed in a blink of an eye.

 

I realize that I have quite a long way to go in the less-is-more scenario, but hopefully this is just the beginning of something new.  And don't think this is easy for me!  I must confess that I cringed when I read in the article that Tammy "owns four plates, three pairs of shoes and two pots."  I'm not sure I will ever get to that point (but I've learned to "never say never!").  At least a seed has been planted. 

 

And now I'm off to clean out my closet...

 

And forget not...

At work recently, I've been coming up with a proposal for a potential sponsor.  Part of the deal is that we say, "Ok, you donate X amount of money, and in exchange, we'll put your logo up all over everything we print, and you can hang banners and be recognized from the stage the day of our event, etc."  These benefits are part of the deal of being a sponsor. 

I keep typing and talking about benefits at work, and I can't help but think of this verse that I ran across lately in Psalm 103 that says forget not all his benefits. 

Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

To me the best part of God's benefits is that we don't have to do anything to earn them.  He's not asking us for $25,000 in return for being forgiven or redeemed.  Thank goodness!  And I can't help but be so thankful and want to praise him for all that he's given us.  So let's not forget his benefits this Monday.  :-)

Practicing Hospitality

 Every time I walk (or run!) by this house, it just looks so inviting and makes me want to walk right up there and sit a while.  I love porches.  I love rocking chairs and swings.  It's just so calming to me and makes me feel very content.  While I don't have expectations to live in a house anywhere nearly as big as this one, when I grow up, I would like to have a porch.  I think that's more realistic.  :-) 

Today I was reading a post on hospitality on (in)courage.  They have various contributors each month, and this post happened to be about opening one's home when things are looking less-than-perfect around the house. 

I also know that hospitality isn't about perfection, or even near perfection.

In fact, I share continually that hospitality is about just being available, and that it's about the time spent connecting with one another. And yet even though inviting people to share life with me is what I do, it's what I desire, I couldn't shake "Martha's" increasingly loud whisper.

To me, porches are a symbol of hospitality, of "connecting with one another."  I can't tell you the countless memories I have of conversations on porches... 

My mom and dad are excellent in the hospitality department.  I'd like to think I learned a few things from them over the years.  :-)  On our back porch, we've celebrated graduations and weddings.  It's there I'd like to think I've learned the art of conversation.  We hosted a send-off party for Berklee College of Music students from Texas, and James Taylor's brother came and gave us a private concert last summer.  (He's a professor there--cool, huh?)   For several years, we had a celebration for the interns at the firm where my dad works.  I learned a lot about how to connect with people and how to try and make them feel comfortable. 

Now that I have a place of my own (with Claire!), I love having people over and making them feel welcome.  (Turns out you don't need a porch do that.)  It gives me great joy to open our door and invite them in.  I realize that to some, opening their home is completely overwhelming and quite a challenge.  And that's ok.  Everyone has different gifts!  But for a long time, I have loved The Message version from Romans 12:9-13 because of the parts on hospitality:

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

I'm not really sure what got me thinking about hospitality and porches today, but I just wanted to share it on the blog today.  Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Happys

Yes, I realize that "Happys" is not a word.  But this is the blog world of Shay, and so today, it's a real word.  Just go with me.

There are few things I love more than the Fall season.  This week while shopping, I've spotted tall boots {perfect for cooler weather}, Fall decor, and School Supplies.  The latter being my absolute favorite.  There's just something so exciting about a brand new notebook or an empty planner.  Oh, the possibilities!  The better question is, Why is there Fall stuff out in July??  But one can never fully understand retail.  Don't they know that it's still hotter than blazes here in Texas?!

I found all three of these things at Office Depot this week.  I needed a new notebook to write in for work, and my calendar was going to run out at the end of July.  I was so excited to find this cute little water colored planner.  I'm rather picky about these things--they have to be just right, you know?

The notebook in the middle is rather uncharacteristic of me, but it very much screamed, "CLAIRE" when I saw it.  You see, the roomdog is an incredibly graceful lady and danced all through high school.  She does ballet moves down the empty aisles of grocery stores.  So, naturally, I just had to get this for her.  She has crazy, insane and vivid dreams, so I think she might use this notebook to record them.  It's truly hilarious the things that go on in her head while she sleeps.

These last two weeks have been more than a little rough for her.  Her mom was diagnosed with chronic lymphoma leukemia and has been undergoing a series of tests for the prognosis.  We are praising the Lord that the prognosis was a good one!  They actually caught it so early that there's nothing to treat just yet, so they are just going to watch it closely.  Isn't that great?!

Needless to say, I thought Claire could use a little pick-me-up.  {Not that a ballerina composition book will solve all the worlds' problems.}  But it's what my mom refers to as a little "happy."  Just a little something to make you smile.  Sometimes we all just need a little "happy." {Mine often comes in the form of a Large Sonic Dr. Pepper...just sayin'}

In Beth Moore's study on the Psalms of Ascent, there's a lesson on Psalm 128. Here are the first two verses:

How happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!

You will surely eat what your hands have worked for.  You will be happy, and it will go well for you.

In the Hebrew translation, some have translated the word happy to mean "blessed," and while others have taken it to mean the emotion,"happy".  The study says, "They can [translate it] accurately because the original term encompasses both, suggesting both a condition (blessed) and a human reaction (happy)."    

Matthew 5:4 says, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.   {See here: blessings do not always come in the forms of happy endings.}

I loved this part of my study the other day:

Sometimes the circumstances of our suffering may not change, but the circumstances of our hearts are changed in the midst of them through a keen sense of God's presence and a lively perception of His activity.


So in times when things are going well and when they are not, we can still be blessed.  I'm so grateful for that.  Aren't you?  

White Space & Running

White Space
When I was in Yearbook in High school, we talked about designing pages with white space to let the reader's eye "rest".  I found that the pages I was drawn to look at over and over again had just enough white space to help me see what was really important. 

The same is true for many of the blogs I enjoy reading.  I found that I really like the ones with the simple design and just enough white space.  So I decided to change my blog design up a bit.  We'll see how long it lasts; I was just ready for a bit of a change.  (Sometimes I get antsy to redecorate or rearrange.  Just the other day, I was rearranging my apartment in my head.  Just for fun.)

Running
About two months ago, I started running.  If you know me at all, you must know that I don't work out.  Ever.  I've been blessed with a very fast metabolism that enables me to eat at Sonic and any other fast food restaurant without it affecting my waistline.  Now before you get all jealous on me, just think about how unhealthy that really is, and then think about what that's doing to my insides that I can't see.  Nope--not a very pretty picture! 

I started jogging and walking in two-minute segments {it's affectionately known as "wogging" now}.  It was actually kind of embarrassing that I could barely run two minutes straight.  I have a very sweet friend that's been so encouraging through this entire process, and we often run together.  I used to not be able to run and carry on a conversation.  Now, it's much better.  At one point, I could run up to 15 minutes without stopping.  I took about five days off in a row, though, so I've got to work back up to that.  I'm training for a 5k in about three weeks, and I've got to get myself in gear!  While I don't always enjoy the actual running (though some days, I do), I really enjoy the results and knowing that I'm taking better care of myself.  And the muscles I've discovered in my legs are pretty cool.  :-) 

Tying it all together
Last night I ran by myself in my parents' neighborhood.  The weather was actually cool, and there were just a few sprinkles.  It was so uncharacteristic of a day in June, and I couldn't believe it.  I feel horrible for the people affected by the hurricane that's headed for the Texas coast, but I'm grateful for the cooler weather it's bringing.

My iPod was dead, so I didn't have anything to occupy my head while I was running.  Sometimes I get really bored when I run alone.  But I decided that I would make the most of it, and used that time to pray instead.  If we've talked in the last month at least, know that you were probably prayed for last night! 

Yesterday's run provided my head (and heart) with some much-needed White Space.  A chance to rest while running, if you will.

Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The Gift of Laughter

It's no secret on this blog that I pretty much enjoy anything by Beth Moore.  Today's entry is no exception.  I can totally relate.

Perhaps this got my attention because of a sermon I heard on Sunday about Abraham.  The pastor preached on the Promises of God, and how Abraham was discouraged because God promised him a son years ago, and there was still no child.  But the crux of the message was this:

"Great things can happen when we live out the promises of God and put our trust in the Promise Maker."

The key is that God always keeps his promises.  Man might not, but God always will and does.  So today, when Beth wrote about Abraham's wife, Sarah, you better believe I sat up straighter in my chair.  This was about the fulfilled promise to Abraham.

She focused on Genesis 21:1-7, specifically verses 6 and 7:

Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.

Who would have predicted to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children?

Yet, I have given him a son in his old age.”

 

Beth went on to say how grateful she was for the gift of laughter that only women share, and she gave many personal examples of reasons she's been given to laugh lately.  There are just some things that are so much funnier when you share it with girls. 

 

I couldn't agree more.  I sat during my lunch hour and talked to one of my dearest friends, Amanda, on the phone for a good 45 minutes yesterday--in a Wendy's parking lot.  {It's the closest thing we can do right now to have lunch together, since we don't live in the same city!}  We laughed and smiled our way through the entire conversation. 

 

Later I laughed some more over dinner with my roomdog, Claire.  This laughter also continued as we grocery shopped and she did a ballet routine in an empty aisle, right next to the cereal.

 

All that to say, I am grateful for laughter and grateful for friends to laugh with on a daily basis.  Perhaps that's one reason why I enjoy blogging so much--it provides yet another way to laugh with friends.

The Best Laid Plans

Hope you all have enjoyed a long Memorial Day weekend!  I spent most of it at the lake relaxing with friends and family.  It felt so great to get away.  I laughed a lot this weekend and made many sweet memories.  Sometimes I am so awe-struck that even in this earthly life we get to experience such joy.  I am so grateful. 

Today on Baby Bangs, Amanda Jones wrote a great post about how fragile our calendars are.  Instead of a week-long trip to Israel with her mom (Beth Moore), sister and Living Proof Ministry volunteers, Amanda ended up in Oklahoma at her husband's grandmother's funeral.  She was not complaining about any of it, but it did cause her to think and share this:

Then the question comes. Who exactly wounded me? No one. This was no one's fault. But God ordained it. And why? Is He trying to tell me something? Is He mad at me? Is He trying to show me how little control I really have over my life?

I don't know the answers but whatever lesson I'm supposed to be learning, I want to learn it. Not just learn it, but graduate summa cum laude, walk the stage with an honor sash around my neck, and be done with it. This paragraph alone shows my maturity, doesn't it?

I need His grace.

 

Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

 

I really liked her wanting to learn this lesson and graduate summa cum laude.  Such honesty.  I needed that reminder today about how fragile our plans are. It's so easy for me to plan out my future.  In fact, I already have it planned out in my head.  Ha.  I've been asking myself lately, though, what are the odds that it will really work out that way?  I have to remind myself that God's plans are so much bigger and better than mine. 

 

So I hope this encourages you today, to trust in the One who knows every hair on our head and has every one of our days mapped out. 

Totally Loving...

There are a few things right now that I thought I'd share with you that I'm really loving.


First, I read in Real Simple Magazine (my fave, ever) about StereoMood.com, where you can choose from almost 80 different "moods" and have a play list.  I love music, but I hate making playlists.  Currently, I'm listening to the "It's Raining" playlist (because it really is).  But there are other ones like "Romance" and "Spring Cleaning".  Check it out.


On that same note (ha!), I really love the iTunes Genius feature, where you select a song from your iTunes library and click the "Genius Button," and it creates a playlist with similar sounding songs.


And then...

{Baby Mr. K}

{Sarah & Troy last Saturday at Ozona's Restaurant}

{Troy and Me last night at dinner before he left for Hershey, PA}

In case you haven't caught on, all these photos have been edited.  :-)  Some are better than others, but I'm learning.  I have Photoshop on my computer from a class I took in college, but it really intimidates me.  However, the Pioneer Woman's Photography Site has "PW Actions" that are FREE, and you can download them and use them yourself.  With the click of a button, you can have several different effects.  It's great, and really takes the guesswork out of editing for me at the moment.  Just go to her link above, and on the right sidebar, click "PW Actions" for step-by-step instructions on how to get them into Photoshop.  

And today on Fly Through Our Window, Darby did a little recap on her year-long study on Genesis.  I thought she did a great job in capturing what she learned throughout the year in her Community Bible Study group.  She listed one sentence for each week's lesson.  A great read, and I just love her blog anyways.  Take a look if you haven't already.

And who doesn't totally love the weekend?!  I'm so glad it's here.  Happy Friday!

Smack Dab in the Middle

{Mother's Day 2010--I really am right in the middle!}

Have you ever been able to step back and realize that right there in that moment you are smack dab in the middle of the biggest blessing?  It happened to me. 

My brother Troy is home for the week between the end of his year in Boston and performing at Hershey Park.  He brought his cute girlfriend, Sarah, home and she stayed for a long weekend.  It was such a treat to have her around.  She is a doll. 

We got to celebrate Mom on her special day on Sunday at Houlihan's restaurant, and then we went to the lake.  So fun.  But really we should celebrate her every day.  I'd say she and my dad have done a pretty good job raising us.  :-)

Perhaps because this year after college has been such a huge time of transition, I am hyper-sensetive to when I feel happiest.  Most of the time it's when my family of four is together.  It doesn't happen too often these days with us living and traveling all over.  So when it does, I just can't stop smiling. 

I know that it's easy to "feel" blessed when things are good in our lives.  But I can honestly say that I am blessed even when things aren't so great.  This year has proven that to me. 

I will leave you with a couple of verses that I've been reading lately in Beth Moore's study on the Psalms of Ascent.  Basically, the theme for yesterday was how the Lord surrounds his people constantly.  In good times and in bad.  I find that so comforting.

Psalm 125:2

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,

so the LORD surrounds his people

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 34:7-8

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,

and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the LORD is good;

blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

May you find yourself right in the middle of a BIG blessing today.

He Has Been Good

As I sit here at my kitchen island this morning, with the sun shining through the windows as I drink my coffee and work from home (I just took a little mid-morning break), I can't help but think how content I am right now in this moment.  Smoo came through town last night and stayed with me, and we had a great dinner with old friends and new(er) ones, and then stood around this island where I sit right now and had such sweet and funny conversations.  Maybe it was exceptionally sweet because of the brownies and ice cream we were eating.

The photo above is at this same spot where I sit right now, just back at Claire's birthday in February.  And even though it's blurry, I love the warmth and the happiness it represents.  That's how I feel right now.

Pslam 116:7 says, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."  Indeed, He has.

Happy Friday.

A little encouragement for Today

Good morning.  I thought found this blog entry from Desiring God to be particularly inspiring this morning, and I wanted to share. 

Click on the title to see the actual article, God Provides Direction, Resources, and Ability.  But I've also just pasted it here--less clicking that way!  :-)

In Exodus chapters 26-30, God gave Moses very detailed instructions about how to make the tabernacle, its furnishings, the priests’ garments, and all the instruments used in worship. And then in chapter 31, God tells Moses (much to Moses’ great relief, I imagine),

See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you. (Exodus 31:2-6)

Then in Exodus 35 God commands anyone “of a generous heart” (v. 5) to contribute to the needs of constructing all these things. And the people were so stirred that they had to be “restrained” from continuing to give (Exodus 36:6).

Here’s the encouragement: when God calls us to do something, he provides all the necessary direction, ability, and resources to accomplish it.