Follow up on 'Pleasant Surprises' post

My former pastor just posted this...and I love it:

Success need not come at the price of poetry and wonder in our lives.
Stephen Mansfield

As you all know, I couldn't agree more. Part of what I love about producing paintings and other works of art is that it heightens my sense of awe and wonder in the small things. The more I observe, the more I'm taken with God.

I just love how he neatly encapsulated the idea I've been trying to express. Had to share.

Painting a Day, Day 7

Turnip 4"x4" acrylic on canvas

Today we've been traveling all over lower TN, picking Holland up at Sewanee Music Festival and delivering her to a Celtic Harp camp in Chattanooga. So, I had to paint early again. I may put on finishing touches later, but may just varnish it when I get home. So glad I painted early. It was a pretty turnip.

Painting a Day, Day 6

Strawberry, 4"x4", acrylic on canvas

Today was a challenge!!! It wasn't so much the subject as it was the mind set. You really can't paint when you are preoccupied. I tried to focus, but the more I stopped to get in the zone, the more life swished by my periphery in warp speed. Distracting. My mind was racing. But. I was determined. Thank you, God.

Painting a day, Day 5

Lime Slices, 4"x4", Acrylic on canvas.

This painting is no longer available for sale.

Reflections on first 5 days of 'A Painting a Day'

I'm grateful for the challenge of producing a painting a day. It forces me to put my art into practice. From what I've read about other artists who exercise this discipline, it is better to work on a small scale. More doable, less consuming.

I do believe in 'Use it or lose it' when it comes to certain skills. Yes, you can regain ground easier after a break if you are well practiced. But, more interestingly, you can gain more skill by applying discipline to talent and persevering.

Have you ever seen somebody who is well practiced at a skill? This is especially visible in prolific knitters and crocheters. One of my mom's friend's comes to mind. She used to watch us kids play, while she whipped out an exquisite, intricate table cloth. Her hands just knew what to do... Unromantic as this sounds, they looked like a crocheting machine.

My sister,Linda, one of my favorite painting heroes is a joy to watch paint. She is so skilled. So deliberate and has such a command of painting knowledge, that I thrill to watch her paint with such decisiveness and authority. Her works are beautiful. Can I say, when I grow up as a painter, I want to be as skilled as my little sister? :-) I'll know I'm advancing when I have greater stroke economy... Maybe all artists hesitate and correct...but some of us do it more than we'd like!

Today I stirred at around 3:45-3:50... Decided not to opt for poor-quality sleep over doing my next painting. I'm so glad I did. It feels good to have accomplished that already. Someone I know has commissioned a portrait of a friend's daughter,who died in a tragic auto accident seven months ago. I would very much like to do it justice because she's gifting it to the girl's mother. Although I have done portraiture, it is more exacting...less forgiving... I may just attempt it in colored pencil, she left the medium up to me. Say a prayer with me that I do it well.

Painting a Day, Day 4

Pear and Plum, 4"x4", Acrylic on canvas

Whew! Rough day with very little focus, but, Alleluia, I pulled through!

Pretty soon, I'll be proud that I persevered, but right now, it's just 'WHEW!'

Thanks for checking in! This painting is no longer available.

Painting a Day, Day 3

This time I decided to start a series. I have had these blank little 4"x4" canvases taunting me for about a year or more. Today I knew how to quiet them!

This one is entitled "Kiwis", 1 of 4 in a series. Acrylic on canvas, 4"x4"

This painting is no longer available

Painting a Day, Day 2

This is an 8X10 painting of Papayas near a window. It's painted with acrylic on Arches cotton watercolor paper, then varnished. The varnish gave it a neat old world look. You can tell better in person. I think this one just sold today! Thanks for checking in!

This painting is no longer available

A Painting a Day : Day 1

Titled: The Front Porch at The Edgeworth Inn. Mixed media on Arches Cotton watercolor paper, 8x10.
This took about 7 utterly-focused hours to complete! It's a painting/drawing of the Edgeworth Inn in Monteagle TN.

I have lost the reference to the blog site that gave me this idea, but I thought I'd paint a painting a day until the end of July and then see what happens. This was painted on Monday, 7/18/11, day 1 of my new project. Thanks for checking in!

Pleasant Surprises

I don't know if it's everybody, or just me, but I seem to need an awful lot of personal attention from God! I wrote (way) earlier about delighting in his fingerprints on my life and I guess today's post will be an elaboration of that.

Pleasant Surprises

Life can be awfully daily. We can lose the freshness just by faithfully walking out our responsibilities and routine. We all understand this in the light of the calendar year. I mean, who doesn't look forward to a three day weekend, or a holiday? It's a break from the routine and an opportunity to step away from the obvious and just live differently for a while. Holidays can bring us closer to friends and loved ones and help us build bonding memories. A snow day can help us rest or catch up or just pause and reflect on God's creation.

It seems I need the daily version of those times... maybe not everyday, but definitely several times a week. Routine is great for self-discipline. It helps us to reach long and short-term goals, and it can be comforting in its familiarity. It helps make us trustworthy. But, it can also become stale, repetitious, numbing, uninspiring, rote and mechanical. Still, it is necessary, though it may, at times, lack color.

I should say that if one's routine is characterized by the latter, it's time for reevaluation and fresh vision. I don't believe life is to be one long, laborious burden, though I'll be the first to say that it can be hard. Instead I am talking about knowing you are doing what you are to do for the season, but not losing the wonder... Wonder is a terrible thing to lose.

I hate to mislay my wonder. I don't think we wonder enough considering all of the miraculous around us. But, if you've lost it in any small way, it can be regained. I find that God loves to restore it to us just for the asking. I'm not sure when I thought of praying that God would give me (or those around me) a pleasant surprise this day. But, I pray it when it's time... and I know it's time the same way I know that I'm thirsty, sleepy or hungry.

A pleasant surprise can be anything from a phone call from a loved one; a resolved issue, a bloom on your Christmas cactus, a present, a breakthrough in an area where you've struggled... Revelation, trying something new and succeeding, finding a lost item, receiving good news... The list truly is endless. It's neat to get to know God just through what he chooses to do.

But, the wonder behind the pleasant surprise is the reassurance it brings about God's activity in your life. He knows you. He sees you. He cares. In fact, nobody in this world sees, knows and cares for you more.

It's been HOT here this summer. Right now I'm reveling in the dark downpour of rain outside, the effect of the lack of brightness on the colors surrounding me. The reprieve from the searing sun... It's soothing. I'm so glad the dry soil is getting battered and watered. I'm so glad I don't have to squint. My skin is happy. I'm grateful for the cool mist this dark weather brings. Rain has a singular scent, just as does snow, made all the more wonderful because of their temporal nature. Those of you who, like me, love and need to ponder know that dark rainy weather is excellent pondering weather.

You should hear our sweet little Orange-winged Amazon parrot, Coco. He imitates ambient sound and has a unique song for almost everything. I'm currently enjoying his rain song. It's soft, melodious, sweet. I just love his expression of what I'm trying to say!

This is not meant to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject of exhaustion and refreshing. It's really more of a thank you to the Almighty for caring, being there, and helping us rise above the mundane.

May he grant us all pleasant surprises that reveal to us his character this day!

Fingerprints

Lately I've been privileged to walk with some very dear people through transitions, traumas and trials... More than my usual number.

There is so much to learn from watching people weather storms, uncertainty, fear. One thing I see everywhere are God's fingerprints. These aren't the fingerprints found from a guilty party at a crime scene, but the evidence that God is holding us, and our lives through thick and thin and through many trials.

God has brought me comfort over the years through his calling card of butterflies. For one lady it's rainbows, another bunnies, yet another, birds.

But all of us agree. They are reminders that God is on the job watching and caring and being so much bigger and more present than we can fathom. But like the perfect lover, he never forgets to bring chocolate, flowers and poetry. He knows we women need to be romanced. The same is probably true for men, in their way. But, I can speak with no authority on that subject!

Just a quick post written on a phone!

Checking in

Lately I've been privileged to walk with some very dear people through transitions, traumas and trials... More than my usual number.

There is so much to learn from watching people weather storms, uncertainty, fear. One thing I see everywhere are God's fingerprints. These aren't the fingerprints found from a guilty party at a crime scene, but the evidence that God is holding us, and our lives through thick and thin and through many trials.

God has brought me comfort over the years through his calling card of butterflies. For one lady it's rainbows, another bunnies, yet another, birds.

But all of us agree. They are reminders that God is on the job watching and caring and being so much bigger and more present than we can fathom. But like the perfect lover, he never forgets to bring chocolate, flowers and poetry.

Just a quick post written on a phone!

I'm baaaack

Hello all.

I can't believe how long it's been since I've last checked in to this blog.

In two weeks or so, our son starts Army basic training. At that point our nest will be empty.

I have all sorts of questions about this impending state.... Is there really life after raising children? Or will my husband and I simply sail off the map and discover the world was actually flat?

It's the great unknown.

I remember raising our babies with every ounce of love and strength that we possessed. Now, we're pooped but grateful to have each other.

Are we going back to the college days of courtship? They were romantic... Only, of course, this time we'll be older and wiser, and have at least some money.

The time is moving towards us faster than we ever though possible.
I hope to blog about it.

Check in every so often!

The Rock is Still Solid

A lawyer from New Jersey posted this on a blog. I loved it, so here it is:

Top 10 Predictions No Matter Who Wins the Election

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praises to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross for you.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost if they turn to Him.

ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL?

Tagged

I've been TAGGED!!

I've been TAGGED by Susan at The Thirsty Soul...
I’m supposed to share an Alphabet story, the A to Z 's of me.

Attched or Single? Attached. Very.

Best Friend? After Jesus? Michael. My husband!

Cake or Pie? Please. Pie! But, fresh homemade. I'll kiss you if it's peach!


Day of Choice? Friday is date night.

Essential Item? My house. I'd say a bathtub, but I don't have one in this house. I love baths.

Flavor of ice cream? Pralines and Cream.

Gummy Bears or Worms? Neither. Unless it's a vitamin. Then, Bears.

Hometown? Heaven.

Indulgences? Hair appointments. Massages. Pedicures.

January or July? January! I'm all for wearing sweaters and having rosy cheeks.

Kids? A girl pumpkin, 20, and a boy pumpkin, 19.

Last Movie I saw in a Theater? Mamma Mia.

Middle Name? Marina.

Oranges or Apples? Can't compare them.....

Phobia or Fear? You choose. Either way, I hate mice.

Quote? "Underpromise, overdeliver" Kert Scott.

Reason to Smile? Jesus loves me and wiped the slate clean. Heaven awaits.


Season? Spring in Nashville. Is there anything like watching one's bulb garden spring forth?

Tag two more: Linda at synapseed . Morgan at Big Dream.


Unknown Fact About Me? I'm shier than I seem. I love downtime. There's so much going on inside me, that I love to stop and think. I hate noise.

Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animals? Neither.


Worst Habit? Speaking when I should be praying.


X-rays or Ultrasounds? Neither! It's hard to get me to the doctor.


Your favorite Food? Hor d'eurves and also, cookies.

Zoo I love? I loved the Nashville Zoo when it was in Ashland City. It was one huge wooden trail. (Like a huge deck)

Outpouring

I've always known that God consoles. I've seen him send children to fill the arms of one who is grieving. I've seen him open a person's eyes to the beauty and the blessing around them. I've seen him provide meals, cars, homes, clothes, plane tickets, cars.

But I have never seen anything like this.

My sister lost her husband in a terrible crash that probably claimed his life instantly. It was swift. It was violent. It was final.

I could go on and on describing how my sister found out. Describing the fact that we were in South America when we got the news and how we raced back. We all felt desperate and helpless to reach her as soon as we wish we could.

Meanwhile...

The body of Christ was in action surrounding my sister and my two beautiful nieces with love and support and any other thing they could possibly need.

I don't have a lot of time to write, as I've become part of that effort. But the outpouring is beautiful. The body of Christ in Franklin, Tn. has shown God's love to my sister, her girls, and my extended family. They have made his love tangible and very present at such a crucial time.
Will blog later.

Meanwhile, Thank you, God.

Jonathan

So quiet.
So moderate.
Silent, really. Sometimes invisible.
His left hand knew not what his right hand was doing.

He saw God in the little things, and in Nature.

I learned so much from his quiet example: How to take time to do a thing zenfully (which I learned was not equal to Buddahism. It's the enjoyment of the quiet process). He practiced a kind of Zen Christianity.

When our house was hit by three hurricanes, he was there.
When our first child was born on the other side of the world, He was there with my sister.

He didn't do big groups and lots of noise. Neither do I.
He loved his daughters, his nieces and nephews, and his wife.
He dotted every 'I' and crossed every t, and so left things in order for his family.

He will be sorely missed. Jonathan was a quiet friend who showed his care rather than speak it. He liked long walks and contemplation. He could be found at any family gathering quietly befriending a niece or a nephew, passing on his love for nature and his quiet ideas of enjoyment.

What a sad loss. Heaven's gain is our loss, and yet I know he's with the Lord. I know he's marvelling at the Creator who was revealed dimly on earth, but who is author of all things bright and good.

Jonathan, my dear brother and friend. I will miss you. You did such a beautiful job loving your girls quietly and practically. You were a faithful husband and friend. I know you had questions and that you had obstacles that you just couldn't surmount in your short time, but you left a beautiful legacy. Also, Jonathan, I shall miss your quaint ways, your meticulously neat handwriting, and your nearly immoderate moderation.

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Jonathan, I do so hope your passing didn't hurt. What a decisive end. I don't think you knew what hit you. We all hope and pray that you didn't feel the crushing pain, my friend.

We're going to see your body today, Jonathan. I know that's not you. But we'll see it, and we'll be there with Diana and Sally. Your church community is actively loving and providing for the needs of Diana, Isi and Lina. We came to help, but they're cooking, they're cleaning, they're running errands and mowing the lawn. Patio furniture and a space heater appeared on your pack patio. You would have liked the new area..

We took a walk as you would have, and stopped to admire a creek, the fall colors and an acorn. Holland took pictures. Isi and Linda followed the path that you cut to the creek. Rest in peace my dear brother and friend enjoy the Lord. I'm so happy you'll see your mother, whom I know you missed, and Mami Loli who's been up there for 20 years.

Can't Wait For the Time Change!

This will be a short post, because I am exhausted. I have no choice but to just stop.

Even painting sounds exhausting today.

I'm pretty sure I should drink fluids, even though I don't feel thirsty. This morning's cup of coffee didn't do it's job. Thank God I'm caught up with laundry and that there will be dinner at church tonight for Reformation Day.

Don't know how this happened, but I know I'm in good company. A good number of people I know haven't been able to fall asleep at a decent hour. Unless I'm confused, I think this time change should help. I think it means that if I can't get to sleep by 1 a.m. , it will be 12 midnight, instead. I think it also means that I can sleep in until 8:30 and wake up and have the clock say it's really 7:30.

That's why I can't wait. I'm out of sync.

YAWN! (excuse me)

Now, if the clock moves in the other direction, my internal clock is in big trouble. But, I know I'm right about the direction because I was taught, "Fall back, Spring forward."

Right now, though, I think I'll 'fall back' and see if a little more sleep will help.

Enjoyment Part II

I feel so fortunate, so blessed, so content. And for me, that's a really big deal!

I've had a myriad of limitations, illnesses, frustrations, beliefs and challenges in life that ,thus far, have made feeling glad, feeling pleasure, illusive and difficult for me. But, I feel it now, and I'm like one reborn.

The feeling is fantastic. It's a blend of gratitude and wonder and fulfillment. Aren't those lofty things? Yes, they are. They're miraculous and God-given. The feeling takes me by surprise at times, and I miss it when it isn't present. I can't recall when I've ever been so glad. It's like I'm surrounded with blessings, internal and external, too numerous to count!

I can only give examples. This morning, I'm still recovering from a cold that hit me hard last week. But, I feel quite a bit better than I did, I even enjoyed my EmergenC powder in hot water in a tea cup. I'm playing background music softly, a wonderful instrumental CD called Prayer Songs, given to me by some friends a few years back.

The wonders never cease.I found a website that teaches languages for free: LiveMocha.com and began a French course with them, today. I've always, always wanted to learn French, but lacked the kind of opportunity suited to me. Not anymore. It's free! I love it already.

This morning I ate chicken salad on a toasted croissant. The chicken salad was done excellently by me, not mushy, not dry. Exactly how I like it). With my petite breakfast sandwich, I had a cup of my favorite Colombian coffee. Then I contributed to WorldMagBlog, probably the best and only blog of it's kind. I made myself a tall Pelligrino and pomegranate juice with lime, and am now typing away at this blog, doing what I love. It feels fantastic.

I know enjoyment is a gift. I haven't always felt this way and have had trouble believing anyone- ever- felt this way. But, then I read Ecclesiastes -an old testament book of the Bible. In it, Solomon says that the ability to enjoy your work and the fruits of your labor is a gift from God. Well!! You'd better believe I asked for it! I knew I lacked it and so asked God for it for me, for my husband and for my children. I know the drudgery of not having that ability. Life is quite different when you've been given the ability to enjoy. Of course, it didn't come immediately, there was a definite process and progression. But, I have it now.

I'm painting almost daily.

I love painting and enjoy learning and practicing and creating. My easel is currently in my dining room, not too far from my washer and dryer, so I can paint, wash my hands, and tend to the laundry: another job I truly enjoy. (I have a friend who knows: that is also a miracle.)

I could go on and on. God is that good. But, I'll stop in order to tie this up. I know I don't deserve any of this abundant goodness lavished on me. I know it's all gift after gift. I've prayed for you, readers of my blog, that God would give you the gift of enjoyment. Try reading Ecclesiastes. It may not seem very uplifting at first, but it discusses futility and the blessing of enjoyment.

I will say, there was some 'positioning' and obeying I had to do along the way. I had to say no to quite a few things. But, how worth it. I feel God all around me and in me. I'm glad of heart. What intense and deep elation. May you receive it as well.
Blessings.

Enjoyment

From the Westminster Confession Shorter Catechism:

Q: What is the chief end of man?

A: The chief end of man is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Hmmm....

Lofty thought.

Enjoy God. How do I do that?
Glorify God? Well, that's a separate question.

This morning, admist plenty of stress (believe me), I found myself enjoying God.

Everyone was out of the house. I had done the dishes. It was time for breakfast.

So, I got my especially-baked-for-me-by-my-husband, healthy muffin and put it on a pretty-ish, small yellow plate. I took my Yoplait yogurt out of it's container and put it in a small, antique, green, glass bowl. And I put a delicate spoon by it's side.

I enjoyed the preparations. Sometimes I eat on the run, and I don't enjoy that very much.

I served myself my Colombian coffee in a green cup on a blue saucer because color matters. My table has an Indian red table cloth on it, and I loved the contrast. Trust me, it was lovely and inviting and exactly to my liking. I had soft, instrumental music in the background.

I was communing with God, doing what I enjoy.

He did and does the same kind of thing I was doing this morning.

He created the universe. He designed each and every tree and was lavish in all the details. He decided strawberries would be red, lemons would be yellow and blueberries would be blue. He looked on all he had done and said, "It is good."

He communed with his creation, in the making of it, and in the enjoyment of it.

I communed with God today by planning and enjoying the lavish little details; by taking time to give expression to my need for beauty.

Some of the details of how God reached me this morning, through his word, through his people, through his provisions, through the spontaneous gift from friends who enjoy me, remain treasured in my heart and not expressed in writing for now.

But, my point is this: that just by setting the table to my liking, I experienced some of God's character, pleasure, approval, and a touch of how he is when he's creating.

It's important to enjoy small things, the preparations, because God is gloriously revealed in them as well as in the large and extraordinary.

It's not a waste of time to do an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way. Our creator does it all the time! God is revealed through beauty. All of this from not eating out of a yogurt container! The more I know him, the more I love God.