JoDee Luna's Blog, page 39

Passages

Have you ever waited for the most amazing gift? I have…the birth of my son, Josiah. This photo flashed through my dream right before I awoke this morning. My heart leapt and I remembered, it's Josiah's birthday today. Then I whispered, "Happy birthday son!"

Three years before Josiah was born, I attended a spiritual leadership retreat, while working with an urban mission in Amsterdam, Holland. Our leader asked us to go away and pray for something God wanted to do in our lives three years from then. My answer came quite unexpectedly as this thought floated through my mind, "You shall have a son and you are to name him Josiah."

I looked up this biblical king whose heart for God made him weep when the lost book of the law was discovered in the ruined temple. Josiah's name means, "He will be sustained of Jehovah."

Passages

Josiah was born three years later and a bundle of immeasurable love and grace filled my arms and heart.

This tender-hearted boy grew into the most amazing man who turned 28 years old today.

Although I cannot celebrate with him in person, my heart overflows with gratefulness for a son who is my delight, my friend, and my inspiration. "Happy birthday son!"

Passages

Last night, family and friends gathered around Buster's hospital bed. Buster is my sister-in-law's father. Susan wanted us to pray for God's peace so that Buster would not be afraid as he passed through the veil separating the earthly and heavenly realms. Susan asked me to read a poem my daughter, Elya, had written for Buster. I read the poem as if from the Lord speaking to him:

"As we lose a cherished member of our family, I hope to provide solace through this poem to my dear family, especially my Aunt Sue, Grandma Betty, Uncle Frank, and cousins Rebekah and Jacob. With all the love in the world, this is for you, Buster."

"The Passing" by Elya Filler

Come home to me, my son

The Lord above does ask

Leave with cherished memories

Remove your human mask

Come home to me, dear love

He whispers with a breath

Feel a sadness for your loss

Yet learn to welcome death

Come home to me, sweet boy

The loving Father weeps

You have been so very strong

But now it's time to sleep

Come home to me, my son

His savior begged and cried

They have had their time with you

Your place is by my side

Do not be afraid, dear love

It is your time at last

Come join me in our future

Say goodbye to all that's past

I know why you won't come, sweet boy

But I'll keep asking why

Until the day you leave this world

And join me in the sky

Buster stirred and opened his eyes twice. A hush fell over us as we sensed God's presence in the room. My sister shared a scripture, which I include, here, in its entirety, "for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord." 2 Corinthians 5:7-8

I imagined the angels gathered around us as they whispered in anticipation of the passage: "If only they knew how amazing this will be for Buster, they wouldn't weep."

Buster passed away peacefully, as Betty stroked his hair. Those gathered witnessed the temporary parting of two lovers, who have been married for 65 years. We were standing on holy ground, and I will cherish those moments forever.

Passages

Whether the birth of a child or the death of a loved one, we must never forget that passages are a normal part of life, and eternity is only a breath away.

"Buster, we're going to miss you terribly, yet we know you are in the better place. We love you and will take care of your precious wife, Betty."

 

Scriptures are from the New American Standard Version http://www.lockman.org/

 

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A Prayer of Trust

Dianne's prayer will inspire you to trust God's love and leading. You can visit Dianne's blog at Unfinished Work.

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The Gift

There is a moment of expectation that precedes creation of something new. Our spirit quickens when the gift arrives but also fears the unknown:

Perhaps some new art project we'd like to try
Maybe a class that tugs on our heart
A new friendship we'd prayed for and yet hesitate to pursue

Sure, we can extend the expectation:

Go out and buy more supplies
Rationalize; I'm overwhelmed with life. I'll sign up for the class next time.
Put off the coffee time with our potential friend

Yet, at some point, we need to unwrap the ribbons that bind us and tear off our paper fears. We must stare our anxiety in the eye and… open the gift.

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Mixed Media Collage Recycling Project

This post features a mixed media project that I created using a recycled picture frame, a jewelry heart piece, and scrapbook scraps. I've had a desire to create more mixed media artwork using supplies I've already had around the house. The suggested supplies are listed below:

A picture frame
A thin canvas
Acrylic paint
Golden's Gel Medium
An assortment of scrapbook paper
KECompany Designer Paper by Brenda Walton

First, weather a picture frame. Here's a link that shows you how: How to Make a Vintage Frame.

Next, cut your canvas to fit your frame. You can use the glass to trace the correct size and then an exacto knife to slice.

Push your canvas into the frame and slide the glass and backing to make the fit snug.

Paint the canvas with a combination of acrylic paints to create a yellowish tan.

Use Golden Gel Medium to secure pieces of scrapbook paper. Make sure you apply the medium to the back of the paper and to the canvas as well as the front of the paper.

Add embellishments using Golden Gel Medium and a hot glue gun.

Enjoy your mixed media collage.

Here's a couple of close up photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Obsession

Visit my blog to see more poetry, flash fiction stories, travel posts, and artwork at http://elyafiller.wordpress.com/

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The Seed of Faith

 

 

Quite unexpectedly, the seed of faith arrived. First through an email, "Someone has followed your Pinterest boards." I clicked on her name and entered an enchanting land of all that I loved.

Her tastes in everything from fantasy kitchens and garden delights to mixed media art and teaching posters mesmerized me because it was as if she's entered my brain and plucked my thoughts ripe from the branch.

Her boards drew me into her collected world. I marveled over her selection of antique store photos and sighed, I also love to peruse antique stores. I drank in photos of vintage furniture and mused, I want a dresser like that.

I even shared some of the photos with my husband. "Look at this. Isn't this garden nook enchanting?" He pulled his gaze away from a television program to study the photo. His eyes lingered longer than I had hoped for, and he smiled.

Then I returned to the ominous task of sorting through 4,000 emails that had backed up in my inbox. As I scrolled down the unending line, there it was. A subheading that caught my breath, "Looking for Inspiration."

I noticed the sender's name was the same as the woman who had created the Pinterest boards. I couldn't open the email fast enough, and then my eyes devoured the message:

"Although I wrote "looking for inspiration" as my subject line, I'm not really sure what I'm looking for.  I happened upon your website today by googling "mixed media remembering my daughter".  You see today is the 6th anniversary of my beautiful daughter leaving this world to be with Jesus.  She was 19 when she passed away after an auto accident.  She had planned to enter the ministry in some way.

God has blessed me during these past 6 years with His comfort as well as a new career as a 5th grade teacher.  My younger daughter is engaged to be married to a youth minister in July so He has blessed our family there as well.

I love to write though I don't do it often.  I also love mixed media art, collage, rubberstamping, everything vintage and just crafts in general.  I really don't consider myself an artist although it has always been a dream.  I think I lack the creativity and artistic eye.  I spend most of my time collecting things or buying things hoping to actually "create" but very little time is actually spent in my studio.  I would really like to create something or things that would maybe help with my healing but I think fear stands in my way.

Again, I'm not sure what I'm looking for or why I am emailing you but I really liked your website and plan to spend more time on it.  Thank you for your ministry. –Meschill Billington

A kindred spirit, I thought. Tears welled up inside and lodged in my throat. She gets me. We've both sipped bitter gall from life's goblet.

Her words written from a vulnerable heart invited me into something even she was not certain about—openness and honesty, an extended hand of friendship, artistic exploration?

She offered the seed of faith to me on an open palm. I related to her heart's cry for something more—the power to push through with art as a means of processing residual pain.

I know what it's like to face fear every time I sit down and stare at a prospective art project before me. I thought. I understand how difficult it is to process my painful past through writing or art. Her story resonated with me because I connected on several levels. I also have two daughters, am a teacher, and adore creativity.

I, then, crafted a disjointed email to send back to her.

As I pushed the send icon, my heart raced with hope that our interaction would continue. This mysterious woman's soul reminded me of a deep, dark pool of swirling water found in the swell of a river. I could not resist the urge to jump in.

She had given me the seed of faith, and I could feel the journey inside of me as it wound its way to my heart. In an instant, this mother's story, like a crusty shell, had cracked open. The heart-wrenching account of her daughter's untimely death stirred tears that watered the new sprout. Tendrils of faith found their way to my soul.

One never knows when, where, or how the seed will arrive. Yet when we consume the experience, faith, and strength of another, the seed begins its journey in us. Blossoms of hope unfurl their velvety petals and the fruit of eternal life forms on the vine.

In time, we see the fruit mature and form new seeds. When we pass these seeds on to others, the journey begins once again.

Such is the mystery of faith.

Such is the power of fellowship.

* You can visit Meschill's Blog by accessing the following link http://bartlett-stokeshouse.blogspot.com/

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The First Steps Toward Art

Often our efforts to pursue an art or craft project bump into life's mishaps like people behind a wallet dropper on an escalator. By the time we recompose ourselves, the desire to create has fled and all we're left with is regrets. So I say find the little girl inside of you (or little boy) who is still longing to create something beautiful.

Then take the first steps towards art and see what happens. Here's a few tips on how to engage whatever you want to do:

Set "it" out on your art table—whatever "it" is. My recent "it" is a frame I weathered with crackle medium and now want to use for a mixed media piece.  If you want to know how to weather a frame, visit this link: "How to Make a Vintage Frame."
Grow your confidence by remembering something you did successfully. I coaxed myself to believe by reliving the recent frame I'd adorned with vintage jewelry that is featured in the link above.
Eyeball your "it" – roll some ideas around in your brain for a few days. Windows speak to me of possibilities. I'm seeing a quote in one of the squares, a bird in another, and the rest hasn't come to me yet.
Play with the concept by exploring an impromptu photo shoot. I decided to experiment with some potential additions by creating some fun camera moment. This always gets my creative juices flowing.


Imagine the finished project – rarely what you actually end up with but a good next step just the same.
Assembly your supplies – set out what you want to use.
Start – sounds obvious, right? NOT! This is by far the toughest step to do.

I guarantee that if you do these steps, you will inch your way towards art. Well, at least engage in something more creative than what you are doing now, which just might be nothing. So get out those paint brushes and have some fun.

What do you see in my future mixed media piece's window pane? What is your recent art or craft project?

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Put on your Dancing Boots

A couple of months ago, I returned to country western dancing—line dance and two-step. Now I remember why I love it so. Dancing has always been a part of my husband and my creative eclectic repertoire. I've danced since I was a little girl, and then I fell in love with this Texan.

My husband was born and raised in the Lone Star State where little boys grow up dancing. In fact, his mama and daddy still dance ever week at the VFW hall at ages 79 and 89.

During our courtship, Justin swept me off my feet on the dance floor, and we continued to dance for the first half of our marriage.

Then the unthinkable happened, we neglected our passion and became couch potatoes. It's taken a lot of coercion to get him back on the dance floor once again.

Last night I watched a senior citizen out dance me by a long shot. I sat down all winded while she still twirled around the floor. It was then and there that I decided, I want to grow old dancing.  I sighed and said, "Bring it on old age. I'm going to pass away with my cowboy boots on!"

Do you have a creative passion that gets your toes tingling?

 

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I Remember China with Love: Zhou Zhuang Water Village

I remember Zhou Zhuang Water Village with its winding canals and bridges made of ancient stone.

Ordering chicken soup and getting a whole chicken on the bone.

The woman who rowed her paddle boat, arms strong to the core.

READ THE ENTIRE POST…

 

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Refrain from the Identical, the Book: Excerpts, Artwork, and Feedback

I've decided to feature some excerpts, artwork, and feedback from my book, Refrain from the Identical: Insight and Inspiration for Creative Eclectics. The following excerpts are from Chapter 1:

" Some people are blankets made out of one solid piece of material, while others are quilts with a whole bunch of pieces sewn together." -Andrea Luna

A Tendency towards Multiplicity

We creative types definitely have a free spirit; a child inside eager to explore. We flit and flutter from one interesting activity to the next without a care in the world until someone tells us we are "unfocused" or "scattered." It wounds our heart and erodes our confidence when a loved one winces at our latest great idea and yawns, "You make me tired." Self-doubt creeps in like the Vikings raiding northern European villages at night. We begin to think, "There must be something wrong with me!" Desires that once delighted us now seem to pull us in a dozen different directions.

My sister, Gina M. Wilson, created the book's pen and ink sketches.

An enthusiastic and grateful reader, Donna Mast, sent me the following comment after reading Chapter 1:

"I am learning that I am an artistic eclectic, and I didn't know that until I started to read Refrain from the Identical. I used to get frustrated with myself as I dabbled with different creative art projects and at times felt guilty that I didn't hone in on one thing. This book is so freeing. You have so much to give to those of us who need to be encouraged in the busyness of life to let our creativity soar!

I try to read a few pages more when I get a chance.  Sunday I spent a few hours reading and couldn't put your book down!  I want to pass it on or buy several copies to hand out to others that I know will glean and be encouraged and inspired by your book, too!    You are blessing many on your journey through life!! I am so grateful that God brought our paths together again…You are a blessing to me!     – Donna"

Donna's comment reflects what I had hoped the book would do for readers—provide permission to pursue their unique approach to creativity.

Refrain from the Identical: Insight and Inspiration for Creative Eclectics is available on Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle.

Paperback

Kindle

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