Remembering...



{Photo by Caboindex on Flickr}

"As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation -- either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course."

— Martin Luther King Jr.

On this MLK Day I want to remember!  Remember what an inspirational man he was and life he led!  How beautiful that he used his life to make a difference for others, to make our world a better place. 

I want that.... to make a difference, even a small one.

I truly feel God has put each of us here with a purpose, a purpose larger than ourselves, to make a difference in this world for Him and for others.  I know He has also equipped us with everything we need to carry that purpose out and He wants us to look to Him for strength, inspiration, courage and help persevering along the way.  

This is something I am so passionate about; discovering your God given gifts, your purpose, and putting them to use.  A few years ago I read a book that changed my life: Pathway to Purpose for Women: Connecting Your To-Do List, Your Passions, and God's Purposes For Your Life.   This was the beginning of a new path for me, an understanding of my purposes in life.  I was very focused on being a good wife and mother, and I love those roles and cherish them, and want to be good at them...but I was missing a piece of myself.  I wasn't nurturing the creative being within me, the creative soul that God made me to be.  So, I began painting again and creating new art, for the first time in many many years.  I was (and still am) so inspired by Him, His Word and His influence in my life and the lives of others in ways I've never been inspired before!  I want my art to be a light in this world.  A glimpse into who this amazing God is.  I want to use the gift He has given me to make a difference!

I continue to move forward now and pursue that purpose, to use my art for His Glory, to share His hand print on my life with others.  I don't know where He is taking me, but I'm committed to this journey and enjoying all that I'm learning about Him and myself along the way.  I have big, scary (to me) plans and I can't wait to see how He blesses them and what the future holds!!!

Thank you Mr. Martin Luther King, for changing our world for the better.  Thank you for making a difference in all of our lives.  Thank you for inspiring me to listen to God's whisper in my heart and not be afraid to move forward with the purpose He has for me.

What is your purpose?  I'd love to hear all about it!!! :)

The Path I've Taken

I've always loved and had a passion for the visual arts, for as long as I can remember. It started when I was in Elementary School and took art classes from a gal in our neighborhood for several years. She open my eyes to all the possibilities of art! My passion continued through college where I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Arts Studies (art education). I taught art for four years in a public school before becoming a mommy! Now I'm a stay at home mom to my 4 yr old daughter!

Jump ahead to a little over a year ago when my husband, a youth pastor, accepted a new job. It was an amazing blessing; he'd been searching for over a year for a church that was a better "fit" and God answered our prayers above and beyond what we could have hoped or imagined. So, we went through a big life change, moved, and in a way, started over. During this transition I really felt the need to search within myself and look to God to figure out what He wanted me to do as far as ministry involvement and my focus outside of my family. He really opened some incredible doors for me...I discovered the amazing world of artist's blogs and began seeing what other artists (who often were moms, wives, etc. just like me) where doing out there. I began to feel a pull back to my artistic roots which I had let go because I was "too busy" with life.

So, through visiting artist's blogs, I found YouTube and was captivated by videos of artists creating their work. I still can't get enough of watching some of my favorite artists creating! I was also led to Etsy, such an amazing place of inspiration and talent! I love seeing what other artist's have available and what a blessing to have a place dedicated to all things handmade! I LOVE it!! About this time, I also joined a book study at my church and read Pathway to Purpose, by Katie Brazelton. This book is amazing! Through it she speaks about how God has a unique and special purpose for each of us. He created us to do amazing things for His kingdom that no one else can do in the exact same way! It has become so clear to me that God has created me to create art for Him! To use the gifts He has given me to share who He is with others in a way no one else can! What an amazing honor!

So, for the first time in 10 years I've picked up a paintbrush again! I'm creating art that is inspired by God and the blessings He has placed in my life! I had the privilege of taking online painting classes from Paulette Insall, an artist whose work I just fell in love with, and learned so so much from her! (Thanks Paulette!!) Paulette's classes have been a huge impact in my journey! I never dreamed I would be taking painting classes right now! My painting focus in school/college was watercolor, so I never really felt acrylics were in my comfort zone. I have learned so much and have fallen in love with this media! I feel so content, "right where I need to be" when I am creating! This was hugely missing in my life!! I've become involved in the Visual Arts Ministry at my church, had a piece hanging in a show (so God!!) and have even had some inquires about buying my work! My hubby and I are also in the planning stages of starting a Visual Arts Ministry for the youth at our church. This is such a need that has not been available to young artists and I'm so excited to see where God is going to lead us!

So much to be excited about and thankful for! I am so humbled by the creative spirit within! I can't wait to see what is around the next bend and what the future holds! I'll post some of my work soon!! :)