Kids + Art = Wild Flowers on the Prairie

The last two Tuesdays

were a bouquet of wildflowers.

Each unique and colorful in their own way.

Art is always an adventure.

Because you never know

where you will end up

when

you

begin.

Because of that

uncertainty

and

trying new things,

it

requires

courage.

Kids

have

lots.

We can learn much from them

about just getting started.

We spent our time

being silly,

learning to collage with paper and Mod Podge,

adding glitter,

thinking about special people in our lives

and writing those special things down,

making gifts,

blowing bubbles,

dressing up in disguises,

giggling and playing, 

opening our hearts,

and letting people know what we love about them,

giving encouragement,

thinking about things that matter,

more laughter and smiles,

finding a sense of accomplishment,

just having fun,

sparkling up our lives,

and

being the masterpieces we were created to be.

Love and laughter.

Creativity and time.

We did all of it.

Makes my heart full.

This Makes Me Happy ~ To The Letter

This sight of gesso-drying boards

makes me so happy.

Because I am thinking about the ladies

I get to spend the afternoon with tomorrow.

Nothing can take the place

of sharing from the heart

to encourage women

to be who God made them to be

and even better,

the privilege of getting to use the vehicle of art

to share that message.

I just love it!!

This special aspect of this class

comes in embracing the my own uniqueness.

Below is a photo of my monogram piece.

It took me a LONG time to own

that I am

a

writer

artist

deep thinker

photographer.

Even if I never made a lucrative profession of these things,

I can still own them.

Are there things

that are difficult

to own about yourself?

I am talking about

the

dreams,

the hopes,

the deep passions and interests.

Are there things

that feel

so . . . 

protected,

so hidden . . .

so hoped

that if you owned

them

perhaps they might get squashed??

I have felt that way.

I still do.

I have ideas.

Ideas that are a bit scary.

Yet...

what if I never acted on them?

What then?

What if I never took a step toward living that idea?

Would it matter?

Would it make a difference?

What if I tried?

What if I tried and failed?

Would that idea still be worth trying?

What if I made the decision

to own

my hopes?

my ideas?

my interests?

Like being a bird watcher and a bookworm and an introvert?

What if I just embraced that part of me?

Every day that I choose to embrace things

that seem silly, yet vulnerable, I am finding

that I am

free

to

be

me.

We are creating a monogram tomorrow.

Either for yourself or for your family.

And considering questions about

identity.

uniqueness.

honor.

celebrating.

legacy.

life.

*

{Sign up for my newsletter at the top of this blog if you'd like to receive my next class schedule.

I will be working on setting dates for the rest of 2013 in the next 2 weeks.}

Let Each Snowflake Remind You...

Did you know

that man-made

snowflakes

from snow-making machines

are a jumbled glob of moisture?

But that God-nature created

snowflakes

are

unique,

one-of-a-kind,

beautiful,

intricate 

crystals?

Interesting.

Man-made snow

cannot replicate

the Creator's nature

patterns.

Kind of makes me

think about us.

About each individual person.

God.

Creator-nature.

Because God created nature.

And He has that creative nature about Him.

Creates each one

with unique

beauty

to

live

and

be

and

share.

Makes me think of a chapter in this favorite book of mine:

Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge

you can find it here:

Ransomed Heart Ministries.

It is all about living as an authentic woman.

How each one

is meant to grace the world with her dance,

and the way we find our own dance

is to find Jesus,

and when we find Him

He leads us to Himself,

and it is in Him

that we find ourselves,

and that we find out who we are,

and we find the passion

He has for each of us,

and we find the unique good works

He has

for us

to live

for Him,

and for others.

Being you.

Being authentic.

Comes from finding

the

Creator

of

the uniqueness.

And living the life

He

designed

for

you.

It is a gift.

It is your calling.

It is needed.

It takes

each one

to be the Body of Christ.

Because each one

is

unique.

Each one sings differently.

Each one dances differently.

But each one's sparkle reflects

the

glory

of the One

who

creates

the

true

snowflakes.

Photos and art property of Jodene (Jodi) Shaw.

2012.