Blessings

I heard this song a couple days ago...
*****

Blessings
by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
But long that we'd have the faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Laura is the lyricist who wrote "Indescribable" & "Mighty to Save". For her story, go here: http://www.laurastorymusic.com/bio

Depression

I have been incredibly dark the last few days.
Life seems overwhelmingly bleak.

I think I'm shocked at how horrific the Japanese tragedy has become... My sister asked me what was wrong today. I snapped at her, and have been incredibly short with my children.

And isn't that exactly the wrong response I should have??
Shouldn't I want to hold them and be kind and compassionate?
Shouldn't I be thankful that I have my loved ones with me?
That I know where they are?
That I know there is food and water for them?
That we are all okay?
Shouldn't I be thankful for the safety of my family?

Why am I so overwhelmed with the tragedy this time?
I was appalled by the tsunami in Indonesia.- Did you know one in every five Indonesians died or was severely injured?
I was shocked by the earthquake damage in Chile. Over 500,000 homes were destroyed.
I cried as I saw the destruction in Haiti. All the major hospitals were destroyed. More than 1300 schools and all the health care facilities were damaged.

I think there is so much devastation and loss of life that I have become overwhelmed. I do not see how everyone can possibly be saved. Haiti is still in a horrible situation. Now Japan, too...
*****

God, please provide water & food for the Japanese people. Please provide care for those who need it, and rescue for those still trapped. Thank you for the amazing rescue stories I read today. But there are still so many who need help. I am only one person, and I can't do much. God, please be the God who provides- provide what is needed.

Light

I found this at Lori's blog- http://www.lorianderson.blogspot.com

Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge

A monthly challenge occurs over at the Art Bead Scene blog- http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

Artists are encouraged to springboard off a chosen picture and it's color palette to create a complete piece of jewelry (so not just a single art bead or pendant), and then submit a picture of it as an entry.

I would love to start participating in this challenge! Especially since I have started to create my own components and focals. (which thrills and delights me!) And the use of an original 'art bead' or pendant is a requirement. I can't just string up a bunch of dyed pearls. I must use a unique piece made by myself or purchased from the creator. For more on the rules: http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/03/march-monthly-challenge.html

We'll see. At this particular moment I'm not feeling inspired by this Paul Gaugin painting.... But it could happen. And I have until March 31st to develop an idea from this warm, rich palette of colors.

My Current Project - Branch In a Tree

Here's the project currently possessing my brain.

I've got some major issues to deal with yet, but I'm hoping it all works out well:

The clasp hasn't been poured yet. I've carved the piece, but I can't pour it til next week, and yes, I'm nervous.

Until I have the clasp, I can't string up the right side (which is the left side in the pic).

I'm still trying to figure out how to attach the bird and have it hang right where I want it to. It looks perfect laying out on the board. However, I know that if I just string it up the branch and nest will hang willy-nilly... And I can't just solder a jump-ring on the back of the branch. It's too ripply, and the solder will just run and run and run... And I can't really solder anything close to that pearl anyway. So that's completely out as an option.

I made the wire underneath the glass beads! =) Okay, so that's probably not such a big deal, but it is to me. I couldn't find a wire that matched the bronze tree branch, so I cut bronze sheet metal, ran it through the rolling mill (over and over and over...), then I pulled it through a plate to get it down to the gauge I wanted.

I'll keep posting updates. I hope to finish this project next week.

Real Life

"We must stop regarding unpleasant or unexpected things as interruptions of real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life."
C.S. Lewis

Saturday Smiles

Here are 10 things that make me smile:

1) Family Reunion pictures

I loved those reunions when I was a kid. I have an enormous family on my mom's side (12 in my grammy's generation, over 50 in my mom's and a LOT in mine), and we used to go to the annual Durrette reunions when we lived down south (South to me is Oregon!). I miss living closing enough to go to these events and am sad my girls still haven't experienced a huge family reunion like I did.

2) Finding out that there are more Liaden stories out there!

I've read all the major stories in the Liaden universe by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. However, in a recent Google search I discovered many Liaden short stories I haven't read yet. And I am thrilled! I love the depth of their universe- all the wonderful characters, and the fascinating histories. I've ordered three of the books, and hope to receive them soon! https://www.srmpublisher.com/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=2

3) Finishing a beading project-

I just finished two bracelets and a pair of earrings for a repeat customer. I love the satisfaction of holding an item in my hands and knowing that I made it. Funny. I never considered myself someone who made things. I always created ephemeral art- songs, dance, theatre... And now I have the contentment of making beautiful items that people wear.

4) My cat, Luna-

She's like holding a little fire 'cuz she exudes heat, but I love holding her & listening to her purr. She is the most stupid cat I've ever met, and her sheer persistence & stubborness would wear out the most patient person on the earth. But she's a sweet girl who lives to be close to her people.

5) Road Trips

I love driving in the car with friends or family. Going for fun, or for a job. I love driving at night in my own little world.

6) A new season of Supernatural!

I honestly thought season 5 was gonna be it. They wrapped the series up pretty good with the finale, and I thought that was the end. But I'm delighted to discover there will be more monsters and mayhem.

7) an afternoon nap

oh, yeah. Who doesn't like taking a little nap during the day?

8) Rocking my girls at night

I hold & rock each of them for two songs before they go to bed. It gives me a chance to cuddle with them even when we've had a bad day, and it gives them the opportunity to calm down and let the day go. (Deborah asked me how I'm going to do it when she's taller than me. I don't know. We'll cross that bridge later. Right now, she's 7 and still wants me to hold her. Thank you, God!)

9) The silence in our house when I'm still up and everybody else is in bed... 6 people do not a quiet house make...

10) ABBA- Yes, I smile when I listen to ABBA. In particular, I like "Fernando". I don't know why. I just do.

Workbench Wednesday

Time to look at my two workbenches!

Here's my school workbench- I have three projects on there currently:

1) In the center is a little bird's nest I wire-wrapped to go with the cast branch. I placed a white pearl egg in the center.
Oh! The trauma of trying to attach the thing on the branch!!!

First I cut out & shaped a small copper cup with holes around the sides to be the base. And then I drilled a hole in the branch for a wire to thread through the nest and into the branch. After that, I epoxied the nest on by placing a head pin through the nest and into the hole in the branch. It worked great.

Until I was half-way through wire wrapping the nest and had just attached the egg... Then the nest fell off because of the pressure I was putting it under as I pulled and tugged on the wire.
Arrgh. And then I couldn't hold onto the head-pin UNDERNEATH the pearl as I tried to reattach the nest... I got very frustrated. But I finally achieved success! It's on there. And I'm happy with it.

2) Below and to the right of the nest is a clasp I'm in the middle of creating to go with the branch necklace.

3) Above and to the left are four ovals I'm working with.... I really don't know what they are going to be, but it is always wise to have at least 2 projects, if not more, going in the shop. Then if Jack can't help you immediately when you run into a problem on one project you can jump over to the other while you're waiting. Or you can pop something into the pickle while you work on something else.


This is my home table.

I've got three projects on there right now. (Hmmmm... I must like threes.)

1) In the upper left corner is the completed purple and crystal wire necklace I was half-way through last week. I thought I was done, but the middle flower is missing a crystal petal. I don't know when it happened, but I'm gonna have to fix it before I sell it this summer. I might as well get it done now rather than later. (Farmer's Market opens in 60 days!!!)

2) In the center wells I have spread out the crystals I'm going to use to create the fabulous dangle for the necklace on the right. I'm looking forward to this project! It has taken me a long time to pull together the different elements I wanted to use.

3) And on the far left I have finished the bracelets a customer asked me to make for her. They are to match two necklaces she bought over Christmas- one for herself and one for a friend. She also asked for some earring to match and I need to complete those before I can deliver her necklace and bracelets.

Saturday Smiles

Here are 10 things that make me smile:

1) Good jewelry blogs- ones with pictures, and personality. Lori Anderson's blog Pretty Things is an example of one of the really good jewelry blogs. http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/

2) Watching someone who loves to dance do what they are good at-

Gene Kelly Singin in the Rain

(This isn't the only musical or dancer I love, but wow, wasn't this man amazing? I also really enjoy watching So You Think You Can Dance because I love seeing the dancers get to dance, and grow and get better...)

3) Freshly washed sheets on a clean bed

4) Looking at pics of my girls when they were little

5) That feeling when I am reading a really good book, and I don't want it to end...

6) Confidently, & competently using a torch in the metalsmithing shop (yes, I still mess stuff up, but I'm not scared of the flame anymore.)

7) Figuring out who dunnit in a mystery before the big reveal

8) Sitting outside of Deborah's piano lessons & listening to her practice

9) A really good massage- (My PT at Advanced Physical Therapy is AWESOME! I don't know how I would get along without her.)

10) Tillamook ice cream

(Our favorite flavor is Sweet Centennial- in their own words:
Vanilla ice cream surrounded by brownie batter swirl and… (wait for it) peanut butter filled chocolate cows. It’s a tribute to deliciousness and cows! Our forefathers would be so proud.)

Workbench Wednesday

I have found a large community of beading/jewelry/metal-smithing blogs who participate in this really cool project called "Workbench Wednesday". They post pics of their workbench, even if it's a mess, and explain what projects they are working on at the time.

I was delighted with the idea, and wanted to participate too!

Of course, a problem immediately presented itself. I have two workbenches. My traveling table at home, and the one in my metal-smithing class. But I have solved the problem by presenting both workbenches!

Here is my work station at home. I am lucky enough to live with 6 people, so I don't have a stationary work-bench all to myself. Instead I have two shelves in the living room and half a closet.

I bead on my little work station at night while watching TV. We rent through whatever series we're currently watching and have a couple of series on TV we (me, mom, Beth, and my husband) all like: CSI works really well, 'cuz I can look down at my beads during any of the really gory scenes that are too much for me.

Currently I have 4 projects on my work-bench:
1) At the center-top of the pic is a pearl and crystal bronze necklace with large crystal beads in a plastic bag- I need to complete an extravagant crystal dangle for this necklace.
2) Continuing clockwise, in the center three longest wells I have purple and crystal seed beads and round beads transforming themselves into a wire-work necklace with flowers.
3) At the top left corner, I have 4 large metal focal pieces I made in metal-smithing waiting to become bracelets.
4) And in the center of all those busy beads, there is a large orange flower I am turning into a wire ring.

And in the metal-smithing shop up at UAF, I am in the process of creating components out of molds. We are making molds by carving cuttlefish bones. (For a really cool article about cuttlefish, go here: http://www.doublepluscool.com/blog/travelling )

On the far left is an example of one side of a carved cuttlefish bone, with my pattern. In the center is a wrapped cuttlefish bone waiting for me to pour liquid metal into the carved shape. Next to that are three carving tools I used on the bones (And I MADE the two tools on the right- one is a scribe and the other is a very sharp little knife). And at the top right is my first completed cast! A cute little tree branch next to the pattern I used. I don't know what I'll do with it, but I'm looking forward to using it.


Here is a jeweler's saw, my little branch again, and the carved and wrapped cuttle fish. I'll show a picture of my next completed casting soon...

Saturday Smiles

Here are 5 things that make me smile:

1. Listening to Jake play guitar

2. Listening to my girls laughing and playing

3. Digging into my stash of beads for inspiration

4. Watching old Star Trek episodes

5. Making up new lyrics to old tunes with my husband

(Example? so glad you asked! Sung to the tune of "Oh, Ricky you're so fine, you're so fine, you blow my mind, Hey Ricky!" - "Oh, Jake-y you're so fine, you're so fine, I'm glad you're mine, Hey Jake-y!" And yes, depending on the company & mood sometimes our lyrics get rather risque...)

6. Grocery shopping (yup, I'm weird.)

7. Windchimes

8. The silence after my girls are in bed

9. Hammering on copper (or silver or bronze or... hmmm, I think you get the idea.) in the metalsmithing shop.

10. My husband's photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/v-system/

Old

You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get OLD.
George Burns

ER Trip

Abigail & Deborah were playing upstairs around noon, when I heard screaming & hysteria....

So, yes. We took a trip to the ER.
Abigail has 3 stitches close to her left eye, & Deborah spent a good portion of the day feeling guilty & crying because "it was my fault!" Apparently on her way down from the top bunk, she accidently kicked Abigail, which propelled Abigail into the corner of the bunk bed.

An accident. Not on purpose, and I have to say, I think they both kind of learned their lesson. They've been playing rather rough lately (too cold to play outside, plus Abigail's SICK, so she doesn't get to go anywhere...) I think they might not play so rough for a while....

Poor Abigail got HYSTERICAL when I said we were going to the ER- Screaming, crying. She kept saying "I'm not going to the hospital!" in this very firm and confident tone. I bundled her up in Mom's SUV (After Beth & I spent 15 minutes digging it out of the snow, 'cuz we got about 2 feet last night! And we didn't think my car would drive through all the snow, which was the right decision.) Then I drove by the museum to pick up Jake, so that he could hold her if we needed more physical strength.

They looked at the cut, which was about half an inch long and about half an inch from her left eye, and decided it needed stitches. Partly because it was fairly deep and partly because it was so close to her eye.

Abigail was not cooperative at all, (screaming, fighting, kicking, etc.) so the doctor made the decision to give her a medicine called Ketamine, which calmed her down and let her sleep during the sewing up. Everyone, including Jake and me, was glad they gave her the Ketamine. It's a disassociative, which basically means it doesn't hurt as bad & she wasn't really all there. However, it's fast acting so she recovered very quickly. And since the doctor was working so close to her eye, he didn't want to have to fight her.

Abigail's okay, now. And she doesn't really remember the whole thing. I'll get a pic up of her fancy stitches tomorrow.

However, mommy and daddy are both a wee bit traumatized... I think we'll recover, but part of our recovery was to come home and have to dig the rest of the driveway out of 2 feet of blowing snow. Then we came inside and cuddled while watching some old Star Trek.

recovery

I am tired all the time. I sleep. And I wake up tired.
I go to work, get Abigail to her OT, get Deborah, make dinner, and fall asleep on the couch.
I'm not making much stuff right now- just what I make at class.

I go to bed, and have trouble sleeping, but I can fall asleep anywhere else.
I actually started to fall asleep with one of my first grade students... Pretty pathetic.
Poor little guy. We were playing a game, and I closed my eyes. Then I opened them. And he was looking at me. He said, "You fell asleep!" And I was all like, "You know, I think I did." It wasn't long, but it was kind of embarrassing...

When I talked to my physical therapist she told me the kind of major surgery I had takes a long time to recover from... I want it to be fast. Like it's been about 3 months now. I should be better! Not falling asleep the instant I sit down! I should be back to making jewelry, and dancing in the streets!

But the paper-work my PT gave me indicates that I only have so much energy to give during a single day. And my surgeon told me my body is in the process of re-building muscles, nerves, bones, and tendons in my neck & spine. Therefore, when my energy runs out during the day, it's just gone. And half my energy is in the process of re-building myself.

I feel like a 'half-man, half'machine' sort of thing... Wish I could figure out how to share the crazy pics I've got of the screws and THINGS in my neck.

I miss blogging. I miss writing about stuff. I miss having the energy to write about stuff... I'll think about something to write, sit down at the computer, and have no clue what I was gonna write about...

That's the thing about energy. It's where my creativity seems to be located. I've only got so much energy right now, and I can't seem to save any of it to write about cool stuff.

I will get back to you, little blog. I love you, and I haven't forgotten about you. In fact, I think about you every day. Recovery is only for a season. And this season will not last forever. Please wait for me, little blog. I'll be back soon.

Small Things

"What I do you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do. The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful."– Mother Theresa

Book Reviews- A Diana Wynne Jones Duo

Dark Lord of Derkholm- by Diana Wynne Jones


From the book jacket: For forty years, Wizard Derk's world has been devastated by Mr. Chesney's Pilgrim Parties- packaged excursions for tourists from the next universe in search of adventure. When mild-mannered Derk is chosen to play the role of this year's Dark Lord, he is forced by the sinister Mr. Chesney to turn his bucolic country estate into a labyrinthine castle lit by baleful fires, manifest himself as a nine-foot-tall shadow with flaming red eyes, and lead his minions in a climactic battle against the Forces of Good. Can Derk find a way to put an end to the evil Mr. Chesney and his Pilgrim Parties- once and for all?

I LOVED this book. It does so many things so well- It's very funny, with touches of Jones' British humour, yet Dark Lord is also quite serious as Jones touches on the subjects of growing up, harmony between different cultures and races, dealing with bullying, and taking responsibility for your own actions. An expansive setting with several twisty surprises, the sparkling intelligence behind the book, plus the defeat of the bad guys make this book a delight. I've heard it said, 'if you like J. K. Rowling, try Diana". While the books have some similarities (British silliness, magic, mayhem, learning wizards, etc.), what I enjoy most about both of these series is the depth of reality to their worlds. Both Rowling and Jones inject their fantastical worlds with believable, sympathetic characters who must deal with believable, and awful situations. Love the magic! Love the fun! Well worth the time.


Year of The Griffin by Diana Wynn Jones

From the book jacket: It is eight years after the tours from off-world have stopped. High Chancellor Querida has retired, leaving Wizard Corkoran in charge of the Wizards' University. Although Wizard Corkoran's obsession is to be the first man on the moon, and most of his times is devoted to this project, he decides he will teach the new first years himself in hopes of currying the favor of the new students' families- for surely they must all come from wealthy, important families- and obtaining money for the University (which it so desperately needs). But Wizard Corkoran is dismayed to discover that one of those students- indeed, one he had such high hopes for, Wizard Derk's own daughter Elda- is a huge golden griffin, and that none of the others has any money at all.
Wizard Corkoran's money-making scheme backfires, and when Elda and her new friends start working magic on their own, the schemes go wronger still. And when, at length, Elda ropes in her brothers Kit and Blade to send Corkoran to the moon... well... life at the Wizards University spins magically and magnificently out of control.

I LOVED this one, too. Year of the Griffin has a different feel than Dark Lord- a little less desperate and smaller in scope, a little more silly- however, the problems of the students are very real, believable and life-threatening. I loved seeing characters from Dark Lord again, and getting to watch them grow up more. Loved the idea of educating wizards, even though the subject is treated quite differently than Rowling. Well worth the time.

Creativity

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
Jack London

The God of Story

I get these daily devotionals from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Sometimes they're good, and sometimes they are merely okay. I liked this one...
*****

The God of Story

4 Jan 2011

by Ariel Allison Lawhon
She Reads Co-Director & Featured Author

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”– Revelation 22:13 (NIV)

I think of Him first as a storyteller, this Jesus of mine. That might sound odd to some. He is after all Savior and Redeemer. Lion and Lamb. But I would not know Him as any of those had He not spoken to me first in the gentle whisper of story.

Given half a chance, I would sit at His feet and listen even now. I’d follow Him through those dusty streets. Stop and ponder in that crowded marketplace. Or lounge on a grass-filled hillside. Prodigal sons and lost coins, rich fools and fig trees, talents and tares — I would cross my legs and sink to the ground, chin on hands, to hear His stories.

So kind of Him to write them down so I can read them at my leisure.

As a writer I am intrigued by the parables of Jesus. Those thirty short anecdotes sprinkled through the first four books of the New Testament are the subject of countless sermons. Yet they are so personal to each of us. In many ways, they are our stories. The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus. At times we’ve turned our back to Him as well. The older brother stayed outside instead of joining the celebration thrown in honor of his prodigal sibling’s return. He symbolizes our self-righteousness.

And that’s the power of story, isn’t it? To see ourselves in the narrative. To squirm and wrestle. To clap and celebrate. Jesus never says, “Oh, by the way, that bit about the prodigal son is really about you and God. Wanted to make sure you caught that.” Instead, He lets us see our reflection in the story. He leaves us to wrestle over which part we play.

The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery explains why the stories of Jesus are so personal and profound:

“Only one of the characters (Lazarus) is named, yet as we encounter the characters of the parables we sense that we have known them already. They are universal types, possessing the traits that we and our acquaintances possess. Never has such immortality been thrust upon anonymity. We do not need to know the name of the woman who first loses and then finds her lost coin: she is every person. The family dynamics of the parables of the prodigal son and the two brothers whose father asks them to work in the vineyards could be observed at any family’s breakfast table… We come to realize that it is in the everyday world of sowing and eating and dealing with family members that people make the great spiritual decisions and that God’s grace works.”

God’s grace works. That is shown through the power of story and that is why He told them. In His simple tales we see grace and holiness in the everyday tasks of life: planting and harvesting, a wedding invitation, baking bread, lighting a lamp, traveling to a distant town. The parables teach us to trust that all those made in the image of God understand the unspoken language of story. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, and every time we open His Book He says, “Come, let me tell you a story.”

Dear Lord, You are the beginning and the end of this great narrative called history. Thank You for writing me into the story. Though I play only a small part, may I play it well. May I honor You with my days and my choices and may I truly know that Your grace works. In Jesus’ Name, Amen


Application Steps: Make a list of books that have taught you about the grace of God. Consider giving one as a gift.

Reflections: Do I consider myself an important part of the story God is writing?
In which of Jesus’ parables do I most see myself?
Do any of Jesus’ stories leave me restless or uncomfortable? Why?
In looking at my life as a story, can I see the grace of God at work?

Power Verses: Psalm 107:2-3, “Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story — those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” (NIV)

Joyful!

I had an amazingly cool day yesterday- My five year old, Abigail Joy asked Jesus into her heart.

She's been rather uneasy about the whole God and heaven thing... I think for a while she thought God couldn't fit into her heart, or that if she asked Him in He'd immediately want her to die. I'm not sure what her thoughts were...

However, yesterday after a long conversation with me and her big sister about heaven, Abigail decided that she wanted to go there with us. She definitely didn't want to go right now! But when the day comes that we are all there, she would rather be with us than not.

She doesn't have a solid grasp on what it means to let Jesus be the leader of her life yet, and I already know she's not thrilled with some of the Bible thoughts she's learned ("Love your neighbor as yourself" is one of those thoughts she's not too keen on right now...); However, it's not about understanding it all. (Thank God, or I wouldn't be doing too hot, 'cuz there's still some pretty major stuff I don't get.)

It makes my heart sing as I think of my Daddy, rejoicing in heaven with the angels as they celebrate her name being written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Maybe finally coming back?

I have been neglecting my blog.
This makes me sad.

It's been 7 weeks now since my spinal surgery, and I am starting to feel human again. I'm not hurting like I was, and I have more energy.

I want to write. I want to have creative juices flowing. I want to be writing hysterical posts, informative posts, inspirational posts, creative posts! Maybe, just maybe...

I've had two weeks off from school, and I'm looking at my blog and thinking... "Maybe I could take some pics of my new bead & wire-work!"

Hope so....