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Friday, October 19, 2012

A New Chapter

Friday night is kind of a lame time to announce this, but I am leaving town and I wanted to get this done before I leave.
Once upon a time, I was a young, newly married girl.  And I was going to rock and roll shows to see my little brother's band(s). His name is Jon and he now blogs over at Life So Aware (although he has been slacking a little lately). At that time, he was about 16 and always playing in bands with a guy named Noah. Noah was pretty much like part of our family.  So much so that we took him on a trip with us to visit my little brother Jon where he was going to college one week. It was then, that Noah decided to leave us, and go to school.  But it's all ok, because he met a beautiful, sweet girl that I absolutely love and her name is Stephanie.
You might know her blog:  Love, Life & Babies.

Looking at all her amazing pictures was pretty much all I knew about blogs. I was a non-blogger that read her blog, but that's all I knew. That, and my Aunt told me I should write, because everyone thought I was so funny when I wrote my facebook status's. She actually told me to write a book. Then when I never did anything, she said "Write a blog or something at least!" So, late one night, New Years Eve of this past year to be exact, I did it. I had NO clue what on earth was going on. But I stayed up all night working on my brand new blog. I simply named it because I thought maybe I'd be telling funny stories...or something? I didn't even really know what a blog was.

It has turned into so much more than that. My blog has grown in numbers, which I am so thankful for. And excited about. And scared about too.This simply means more responsibility. More responsibility to be intentional with what I say on here. But setting aside numbers, this blog changed very quickly from telling funny kid stories, to sharing the deepest parts of my heart, my past...and where God has brought me since those days.  I have seen a transformation in myself as I started to share my life story. I have watched myself grow on this little blog. I grew from this insecure, misunderstood, awkward girl to someone who had something to say. Someone who needed other people to know, who had ever felt like I felt, that they had something beautiful inside of them. They were made with a purpose.

So now, it's official. I've changed my name. I actually purchased a domain. Does this mean I'm a real blogger? A name change has been on my mind for awhile, but seemed to be such a hassle to switch everything over. And I didn't know to what. Plus I have a sentimental attachment to "The Funny Thing Of It Is." But my new name tells my story. It dropped in my heart one day and fit my story so perfectly.  It tells the story of a girl who God has taken  "From Awkward To Art"
 ~In case you didn't catch that in my new header. Wink Wink.


God has taken the tears, the sadness, the insecurities, the ashes...
                                  and made it into something beautiful. He made art out of me.
I praise him each day for it. 
I am humbled that he has used me 
                                 so many times to speak his love into people's despair
To reach people where they are at
And I am ever so grateful he has made me new.

I hope that you continue this journey with me, in the next chapter of my little corner of the internet.
I'm still the same goofball, sarcastic, non-hugger with a big LOVE for all of you "sweet girls."
I'm just a lot happier knowing who I am these days.

I want to thank both Stephanie (who I hear has a fun change in the works too right now) and my Aunt Pat for being such an inspiration and encouragement to me in this part of my life that has become bigger than I had ever imagined.
Please take a look around. I updated my About Me page and a few other things.
Also, if you have my button, let me know what size needs to be updated.

Leaving you with this awesome song, explaining everything I feel.


28 comments:

TicoTina said...

you know I love everything you do =) I especially love the word ART. I'm so glad that the domain was available, and it is perfect. blessings as you continue this awesomely amazing journey and so glad we can share it in bloggy land and hopefully more often IRL =)

L said...

THIS excites me SO much!! I love your heart and personality!! I felt so privileged to finally meet you in person and joke about snuggling knowing how much you don't like hugging ;)
I can't wait to see what the Lord does with your new domain!
Oh and that header is AMAZING!!!
Much Love!
L

Erin said...

This is so exciting!! I love the new name, header, and your beautiful heart.

Traci Aerykssen said...

I love it. It's perfect. It fits. :)

Aimee @ byAimee.com said...

lovely. just lovely. enjoy embracing the new & letting God use you to influence more!! :)

Angie Hales said...

Yay, I just did the same thing too and for the same reason. I feel like it's freed me to be myself and not just fitting into my old name. God is good... He took me from Hales Family Fun to gloriousIMPERFECTion. I couldn't have thought if this on my own. Love your heart, thanks for being so open and letting us connect with you.

Kayla Gerard said...

I love love LOVE this! You are amazing! When I saw stephanie posting stuff on facebook about her blog, that is how I started mine, but then I didnt know what to do, and then you started one and then I said screw this I am going to start. (still not doing so well but I am getting there) so thank you for being an inspiration to me :) love you!!

Maria said...

That's awesome, Julie!! I always love reading your posts...they're funny, real, full of passion and inspirational! Keep doing what you're doing!!
Xoxox
Maria

Jojo said...

Love it love u

themosbysinchina said...

Love it. :) As I was reading your post I was thinking, " i have to ask her if she's heard the Gungor song!!" And then saw the video. I could just play that song over and over.. Isn't that the story of all our lives? He takes our ashes, and makes beautiful things out of them, for His glory. So good. Love the name change.

Rachel said...

I've got to say, I have a little bit of nostalgic attachment to "The Funny Thing of it is" too...but I won't fuss about you changing it! :P
The hassle of changing a name is the exact reason why I've decided to be in love with my blog name forever.

Lena B, Actually {Mom2MemphisAndRuby} said...

Aw, girl... It's awesome. Perfectly you! <3

phiphis blog said...

this is is a great post - and the name change too!

phiphi's blog

stephanie said...

Awwww Julie! I had no idea I played a part in you starting your blog! But I'm so glad you followed your heart and started it because look at how many people God is using you to influence ; ). And I love your new name and design. So good!!! Love ya! Xoxo

Anonymous said...

yay! so proud of you Julie! LOVE the new design and name too. Totally fits you. :)

Barbie F.

Niken said...

whatever your name, i love you anyway :)

i love the new name and the new look. here's to another adventure

Kristen said...

You are precious! I just found your blog not too long ago and haven't really been able to look around, but this post is wonderful and I can't wait to read more! Congrats on your incredible journey to where you are now with yourself and your relationship with God. I'm going through a tough walk right now, but I know if I just continue to stay in His presence I will get past this too. That is also why I started this blog too was to meet inspirational people and to hopefully inspire someone else with my story. Have a great day!! :)
-Kristen

No(dot dot)el said...

Woot Woot!! I love this Julie. Seriously, love her!! I mean I know you are the same Julie, but the transformation really is so cool to see Julie. SO proud of you. And the place looks great. I will grab a new button right now. Way to go girl xoxo!

Anonymous said...

Julie it's perfect!! I love your heart behind this name and how it still vividly embodies your unique personality and story. SO excited to see how God continues to grow you, this blog and His influence through it!

Annie said...

i love the new name! & the new design! i'm so excited to see how God uses you from here!

Cassie @ Live.Laugh.L0ve. said...

I absolutely love the new name + the meaning behind it! xoxo

Kristine Foley said...

Beautifully written love! And yes! SO much more YOU now! XOXOXOXO

Kristine The Foley Fam {unedited} Blog

Janna Renee said...

I'm glad that I've been following you since the beginning and have gotten to watch you grow! I love the new name and definitely think that it fits you! Have a great trip!

Allison Coomes said...

what a beautiful new blog name! I love it-). An honest soul and an open heart is all you need for God to use your story-looking forward to reading more from your next "chapter."-)

amberlyn jo said...

love the new name. love the new look! keep rocking! :)

Alyson McMahon said...

I know I'm late.. but I just love it. Absolutely love. It's gorgeous and so "you". The title is beautiful and perfect. I'm so excited to continue to follow along, to call you a friend and maybe a neighbor soon. ;) xoxo

Dalayna Dillon said...

First of all I love that Gungor song! I was just thinking about it tonight. Second of all, I love the change. As soon as I heard it I knew exactly where it was going and totally relate. God is so awesome to take the insignificant and make something extraordinary... like us! Excited to follow along on this little curve in the road. :)

Dalayna

Brooke @ Covered in Grace said...

I'm catching up with you now!
I love the change and everything it stands for... I changed over to Covered in Grace a long while back for the "same" sorts of reasons.
Julie, it's been awesome reading your posts when you pour out your heart on behalf of God and his work in your life.
I'm so glad I know you here.
I so want to meet up with you sometime in the near future. =)

Anyways... I think I'm subscribed to you in every way except for email. I'm pretty picky about who I have come into my inbox. But I'm about to start bringing you there. I don't want to miss you.
Love yer face! Xo

 
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