It is good to have support

Three years ago I was sort of afraid to move from the northern part of my state to the southern part. I had become used to my circle of friends. When I got real sick the nurses ministry at my church stepped right in to help me. Still, I knew that God had ordained for me to move.

I love my house, but I feel so isolated in this area. I recently learned that it is not simply my location, but also my stage in life. See, I am single with no children while most of my friends have children and are married. Coupled with that truth, I discovered that I do not always ask for help.

However, two things happened to me recently that helped me to grow out of this " I can do it by myself" box. I was caregiver to a 4 month old baby for a week and yesterday I had a back procdure done. While I didn't plan any appointments during my week of babysitting, it was still more than a notion to care for a young child. With my physical disability, I really needed help. With the back procedure, I have been a bit wobbly and almost fell a few times. It was great to have help with daily living activities and to not be by myself all day. I am so touched that a few folks have called to check on me, picked up perscriptions, heated up meals etc.

I really like giving to others, so who am I to think that others would not want to and enjoy pouring into me. I thank God for growth. In these two instances, I asked for assistance. Some folks came through; while others said they would, but did not. Normally, I would take the attitude "see when you ask for help you do not get it". This time I did not let that deter me-I reached out anyway. Although, I still refused offers to put away dishes and do laundy, I did accept help. I figured that I could take baby steps before I put away my wonder woman cape. lol Every process takes time huh?

Save the scrapping for last...

I am truly a work in progress. So, I ditched all of my grown-up responsibilities and decided to play in the craft room. No dishes, laundry, errands, phone calls etc. It was still the end of the day by the time I made it to the craft room, but I was determined to make it-and continue on my journey to combat the notion that 'scrapping/creating has to come last'; after all the other 'have to do' work is done. It is hard to reprogram years of stinking thinking.

This was actually a Tim Holtz challenge on the Scraps of Color .ning network. I made a tag with perfect pearl mist. I sanded and used distress ink on the grungeboard key. Then I added the word 'life' pin. The "Love is the Key" tag didn't bring me joy and since there are no mistakes in scrapbooking, I cut the tag up and made confetti. I had made this all black watercolor background the other day to use for another project. Instead I used it to create this simple mixed media piece. Viola! Now, tomorrow I will have to do all those things which I have neglected today...old habits are hard to break.

Carpe Diem!

For two days now I have spent the day buried in my office with my face in my computer. How in the world did that happen? I woke up this morning with great plans. O.k. so yesterday, I did manage to wash my hair and do a teeny little bit of housework. And, oh yeah...I fixed my leaky toilet, but for the most part that is all I accomplished outside of my office. So today was supposed to be different. I was going to get so much done today. Ahhhh, one can always dream. It is afternoon already and where am I? Still in my office. While I am thankful for this space and that I get to work from home...this room is starting to feel like a dungeon. So I am busting out of here and going to play in my craftroom. Just like when we vacation or travel, I am putting 9-5, pencil pushing type work on the shelf and going to create. I am trying to rediscover the happy and relaxed person that crafted this z fold, envelope, mini travel album. Whatever you do today remember to feed your spirit by doing what you love. Sieze the day: Carpe diem!

Master of many...

All my life, I heard that if you do many different things then you cannot possibly do any one thing well. I believed this sentiment at one time. I learned to focus on one thing at a time. When it was time to move my business from teaching only things related to drama (voice, movement, costume design, storytelling etc.) to teaching several different creative subjects (cooking, sewing, writing, scrapbooking, jewelry making etc.); I was filled with much doubt. I had the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none" playing in my head. The saying became a part of my inner critic. I was extreme and mostly only did one thing at a time. There was no balance and very little confidence that I could be successful at several things. I was led to the passage of scripture in Exodus 35:30-35 and boy did reading that correct my stinking thinking.

Now, I had read this passage many times before, you know, when we do our 'read the bible in a year' assignments. However, this time the LORD had something else in store for me. As I worked through the book entitled 'The Creative Call" by Janice Elsheimer; I completed an exercise that propmted me to ponder on the fact that the early artists in the bible were specifically called by name.

God says: "All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded." Exodus 35:10 I wonder...does God think that I am skilled? Later in Exodus 35:30-31 Moses says: "...the LORD has called by name Bezaleel...and hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship." You mean not only did God call Bezaleel by name, but he was also given the skill to do many different crafts. He was skilled enough to be entrusted to work on the storage place for the Word of God, the Ten Commandments. WOW! And futhermore Bezaleel taught what he knew to others. Ahhh haaa moment! I am a teacher. It brings me joy to 'pass on' to others what I know.

OK...redeem the time LORD, since I now believe that it is ok to do more than one thing at a time. Sure, be focused on the task in front of you, but do not be limited. That false teaching has kept many of us immobile and afraid to step out on faith. It has stolen our confidence and dreams. Whenever I need to trust God and move into unfamiliar territority, I try to remember: God gave me gifts, He has called me by name to use those gifts to bring Him glory. God has entrusted me to be the master of many trades. My heavenly father is and always will be the Master of all trades. He is truly Adonai-LORD and master!

Scripture challenge 2010: Word #5 FOLLOW

Where He leads me I will follow...
LORD, help me to be an obedient disciple, and to go where I may not want to go. Teach me to fish for souls. I am going to need some flashing signs along the journey to ensure that I do not stray from the path and that I get the job done right. I heard you loud and clear when you said "...Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 Your will be done-AMEN

Scripture Challenge 2010: Word #4 HOME

"When I think of home I think of a place where there is love overflowing..." Therefore, I try to make my earthly home a place of love, refuge and peace.
"Only God can make a house a home, so heaven help the home..." I thank you LORD for giving me shelter, I thank you LORD for your presence in this house.
"I'm building me a home, cause the souls gotta have somewhere to stay..." I may live in a stick built house, but I am working for my home on high.
In the stillness I know that the Father's near and He will give me just what I need that is why I feel like I have a "Home, home, home on that rock; and I'm never gonna leave it..." "This world is not my home, I'm just a stranger passing through..." God gurantees me eternity in His house where there are many mansions. In the meantime, I will continuously work to help others have safe, descent and affordable homes, but more importantly I will tell all about how to secure a home in heaven. Thank you Jesus for assuring us when you said "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Celebration finally realized

Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba !!!!! I saw the Lion King on stage this weekend. I cried during the opening scene. What wonderful art!

Once upon a time, a long time ago...my brother purchased tickets for him and I to see the Lion King on Broadway. It was to be a celebration for my 30th birthday--I told you it was a long time ago-lol. As my excitement grew, I thought "What a perfect gift idea for a drama queen." You agree--right? Well, the travel company that was hosting the bus trip to New York, filed for bankruptcy right before the show date. My brother never got his money back, we never saw the show, and the case is still in litigation. My dreams of seeing the Lion King were crushed. One day I mentioned to my friend, "I would love to see the Lion King, I heard it was coming to Philadelphia" Fast forward to modern day...that same friend was celebrating her granddaughter's birthday and got us all tickets to the Lion King. I think I was smiling more than the children in the audience.

Rafikki (the monkey) opened the show with the African chant...Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba! The whole theater shook and my bones trembled at the sound of the magestic voice enveloping the onlookers. I have been singing the chant and the 'Circle of Life' ever since Sunday. If I could, I would be on tour with the company right now...carrying a prop, sewing a costume, running some lights, being a tree in the background... something... anything...just to be connected to such wonderful art!!!!! I am so grateful to God for allowing me to have such an awesome experience. My spirit is full and my creativity has been sparked. I think I just may live happier ever after.