Where I've Been

 

It's hard to believe that it's March already 

and I haven't written a new blog post since Christmas.

 So where have I been?

I struggled with whether to call it quits,

wondered if anyone would miss me,

 whether I would be relieved or sad not to be writing regularly 

after almost 11 years of doing this.

I read a lot, 

intentionally picking up some books that challenged my thinking,

that stretched me, 

that weren't always easy to read.

 Seeking the Face of God was the first one on the pile,

a challenging book based on the book of Psalms

that I would heartily recommend.

 Anonymous was a gift from a friend

who realizes that we are approaching a new season of our lives,

moving from being in leadership,

being known in ministry,

to a more hidden time.

Looking at the hidden years of Jesus was eye-opening.

 Fringe Hours came recommended by several friends

and I appreciated her look at how we as busy women of all ages

need to take back our fringe hours

and make time for ourselves.

I resonated with her three core questions that she says we must all answer...

Do you choose joy?

Will you celebrate your victories?

Are you thankful?

 

 Left Neglected by Lisa Genova,

who also wrote Still Alice,

is a moving look at what 'Traumatic Brain Injury' can do to a family.

 I also took some time to 're-create'...

 making cards out of photographs that I have taken.

 And we were blessed to spend time with good friends from our past...

 and I realized again that they enjoyed reading my blog posts,

seeing what was happening in our family

and watching it grow

along with hearing my heart and what God is doing in me.

 So for now I'm back,

not regular posts because that puts way too much pressure on me,

but I will write

and share,

and hopefully encourage you along the way.

Re-create....

During this time of renewal and refreshing, I have begun to once again make cards. The past year or two I had little energy for creating anything. Simple survival took all of my energy.

But now I have time for recreation....or 're-creation'. I've heard it said that when we create something we do that which we were made to do. We are created in the image of the Creator himself and we have within us the power to create as well. And I am enjoying it again...so very much! :-)

My cards aren't terribly artistic, or complicated. I don't have many techniques that I use(I can't remember most of the ones I did learn at some time) I mostly just use paper and a couple of punches, ink and a few stamps. I haven't spent thousands of dollars on stamps, inks, and fancy tools.

I can't draw, or even make fancy letters. And I'm not even very good at painting, even if it's just within the lines of the stamps. But I've come to realize that is still just fine...I don't have to compare myself to the fancy cards that others make. I enjoy this...and I give a part of myself when I give a card I have created.

The other thing I have been doing is 're-creating' cards that others have made and sent me or given me over the years. Dave's Mom was the one that got me started making cards. In fact when she started years ago, she used to show us what she had learned and the girls and I would spend hours making cards whenever we went to visit his parents. Heather makes cards even now, cute ones at that. She hasn't spent lots of money on materials and uses most paper. She is blessed with an artistic bent so she does all of her own lettering which makes her cards unique. I love getting them!

I've saved all the cards that we received that were handmade. And now I decided that I would work on re-creating them and re-gifting them to our family. Since most were made from their Grandmother or even Great-Grandmother they are extra special. I love the challenge of figuring out how to creatively remake them.

And the beauty of the cards lives on instead of gathering dust in an old shoe box! :-) So much fun!