My newest hobby

Ok, this is where I tell you about my new craze. I am absolutely hooked on art journaling. There are so many cool books and I want them all. I recently got "Journal Spilling" and now I want to spend every moment of my day playing with papers, fabric, paint, pastels (and all things artsy). I am also taking a class called Tell Your Story:

Basically, I am busting at the seams to create to the point that it is affecting my sleep. Ah, I just have to make things. I fact, I think that I am going to go and make something right now. Just had to share my excitement with the one or two of you that might be reading this ;)

Sleep Deprived

Since I can't sleep, I thought that I would just spend some time writing. You know I wish that this blog was cool and exciting like so many that I have been looking at lately. I wish that it was filled with so many creative ideas and projects that I myself have done. I wish that it was linked to others in the creative community with great ideas.

I know that I definitely have a creative side. It has been that way ever since I was little and would make myself a dress using grocery bags. I have always enjoyed making things and recently I have been grasping the idea that it is not just something that I enjoy, but also a very important piece of how God has created me. I truly believe that He gives us specific talents that He will use to impact the world. My creativity is something that I know God has big plans for. It is an area of my life that I want to dive deeper into.

I was at the bookstore looking at books on creative journaling. If you don't know what that is, let me just tell you that it looks super cool. I figure, I am creative and I love to journal so why not mix the two. One of the books that I found was about art journaling and creative healing. Hmmm, creative healing...now THAT is something that I can get excited about. Standing in the bookstore my mind started to reel about seeing people experience God through creative journaling. Just putting their thoughts out on paper in an artistic fashion. People being real. I personally think that the idea of creative journaling and healing hurts sounds like something that God could be all over. So, my mind is reeling. I myself want to experience more and learn more about creative journaling. I think that it comes through practice, which leaves me being a craft and art supply addict. I look forward to experimenting and seeing what God may do as I learn more about creative journaling and what it can do for the soul.

"He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." - Mark 4:39

When I heard about the earthquake in Chile, I was moved and found myself thinking, "Lord, what is going on?" And when I heard about the ensuing tsunami I was stirred toward acting in a state of prayer. Perhaps it hit home more than the earthquake because I myself had a season in my life when Hawaii was my home and because there were still connections in Hawaii. Mark 4:39 came to my mind as I started to pray. Knowing that the speaker of those words and the author of the winds could calm the storm, I asked God to calm the seas and bring peace to the shores. Even in a prayer so bold one can be challenged to think, "As I pray this, do I really believe that it can happen?" In my state of prayer I was challenged with that thought. Too often, I feel like I don't have the faith to back my prayers. But God is drawing me to a state of belief. He is all and can do all. I believe that it is the prayers of many all over the world that calmed the sea. It challenges me to continue asking big things. God is in control over all. We ask and He brings the storm to a stillness. A devastating situation could have been even more devastating. But, God poured His peace over the water and the oceans were brought to a calm.

A little attempt at being real

I just feel like writing. I don't even know if anyone reads my blog anymore, so I guess that gives me even more of a feeling to be real. Sometimes, I feel like I am not real often enough.

So, I was thinking the other day about the whole Facebook thing. When I open my Facebook page, the first thing that I see is the question of what is on my mind. Yet, so often I feel like I can't share what is really on my mind. Can I say that I am sad and feel forgotten? Can I share that I am scared about what is in the future and if I am really going to be able to accomplish what is ahead? Can I admit to the fact that sometimes I don't feel like I have what it takes to do what I feel God is calling me to? Can I really share what is on my mind? Can I confess that I had a bad week? Most the time, I feel like the answer to that question is, "No." I feel like if I really share with the world what is going on then I will be perceived as a downer. I know that I always have joy at my disposal, but that does not mean that I am always happy and quite honestly I need to be able to share when I am not happy. In the last year I feel like there was a time when I actually did let my guard down and I let my smile fall from my face. It came back to bite me in the butt. I know that for the most part I am a happy positive person, but folks I have my days too. Though I might be smiling on the outside, it does not always reflect what is within. I can definitely grin and bear it, but can I please also have a place where I can be real? I would really like to be able to be authentic. I know that I am to blame for putting some of the pressure on myself and that is an area that I can grow in. But sometimes the circumstances around us don't help and I have definitely had some circumstances that have not been helpful. But I guess that is what makes us stronger in the end. As we push through we come out with more strength to battle the odds. (Does that even make sense?)

So there you have it. That is my attempt at being real. I don't even know if anyone will see this, so perhaps I still remain hidden in my own struggles. I know this season will pass. I know that I will pull through and in the end will be stronger and that is the thought that I leave with to get me through. I really am ok. Yes, I am perhaps dealing with sadness, but I know that it's all going to be ok.

My own personal report on the crazy weather in the Washington DC area.

Here comes the snow...but I say it's alright

Well, at least I would like to think that it's alright. Let's see if I say the same thing when I wake up in the morning tomorrow. Right now, as I write this it has probably snowed about 5 inches (at least that is from what I could tell about 45 minutes ago). That is enough in itself, but there is more...the snow is not supposed to end until 8 pm tomorrow night (according to weather.com) and evidently the "blizzard" has not even hit yet. Oh goodness. Well, I will be staying in tomorrow. At least until I get up the gumption to go out and shovel. And the whole shoveling thing is somewhat dependent on the ankle that I am pretty sure that I sprained the other day. I am really not trying to complain, just being real. I have to say that I really am looking forward to having an excuse to stay all cozy inside, drinking hot beverages and reading some Jane Austin. I know that I will wake up tomorrow and probably not recognize the sight outside, but am anticipating that it will be breathtaking. I have definitely done my share of complaining in this winter season and have come to the conclusion that I am a warmer weather gal. But each season is special and serves its own purpose. Many people like snow. I am not one of them, but who am I to rain on anyone else's parade. So, tomorrow I will look outside and gaze on the beautiful winter wonderland. I will then drink a warm cup of coffee and maybe, just maybe, I will find myself venturing outside to play.

BRRR....

I am not a fan of winter weather. That is no secret. I was certainly not a fan of the recent winter weather that gave me a sight of more snow than I have ever seen in my life and ruined my trip to see the Christmas decorations in New York City.

Friday night it began snowing here in Northern Virginia. It snowed, and snowed, and snowed. My bus to NYC was canceled I awoke on Saturday morning to a winter wonderland. It did bring forth much wonder in me as I have never seen so much snow in my entire life. My car got covered with snow to the effect that you could not even see it anymore. Oh geez.! I debated really hard on whether or not to even try, but figured that I would head outside anyway just to help out. Some neighbors offered to help with my car and so the shoveling began. I saw such a great sense of community that really warmed my heart. It was nice to work alongside and spend time with neighbors. All in all, the snow was not that bad and it was fun to be outside in it. Hmmm, perhaps someday I will be able to go skiing. And as for Christmas in New York, I will keep it on my list of things to do and someday it will happen.

(I am pretty sure that I left my car around here somewhere)