Little inspirations

I love my half-time job! I work in a first and second grade classroom as a Paraprofessional, which means I help teach reading groups. I am always inspired and constantly amused at these little guys and their personalities. It is so fun.

So one of my little second grade boys always says, "Well, I am an artist you know."

This makes me laugh every time to hear his high little voice in my head saying this with such child like conviction.

I have been repeating this over and over this week as my mantra.

I have always been in the closet about my artiness. I can hide no longer!

I used to look at artsy girls (see bellaartgirl for examples of beautiful, cool, artsy types) and I was sure they were too smart, creative, and self assured for me. I was so intimidated.

People have often asked me, "Oh, are you an artist?" and my reply is always, "Well, I enjoy art." So, I will just keep repeating my mantra to myself, until I can easily say "Yes", without sweating too much, when someone asks me that question. =)

Letting Go

How do you let go? When do you step in? and when do you step aside? These are questions I am wrestling with.

Am I doing my best? Am I working as hard as I can to be a good mom? Doubts are the hardest for me. They run through my mind over and over.

They are so precious to me and I feel so blessed to be a part of their life...Being a mom is hard!

Good Morning

Good morning friends!

Happy first day of March! My sister in P-Town said her crocusses where blooming! That means spring. Here, well, I have cut tulips on the kitchen table that I bought at the grocery store! The only other sign of spring is it is above zero! Yeah!


We are all doing great here. Today B is going snowshoeing in Grand Teton National Park for school. When I get home sick I will think of that!



I took some pictures of my kitchen and the view from the upstairs window. We aren't fortuneate enought o see the grand from our house, but we have some pretty hills to look at, so it will do!

My parents came to visit for a few days and that is always fun. It does still get lonley here in the middle of the country, So we love it when people from Oregon come! Start planning that trip Heather T!

I was thinking again about God's grace and the ripples it has caused in our lives. We are finally really plugged into a church that we love and making some really great friends.

I keep wondering where I and my family would be if I hadn't said yes, hesitently, to Jesus way back in 8th grade? All the amazing blessings I wouldn't have seen, or I would have said it was by chance or fate!

Knowing me and my propensity to want to try EVERYTHING I can tell you for sure I would have many deep regrets (more than already exsist) and many experiences I don't need.

Just some thoughts on the power of God's mercy.

Lucia

Answered Prayer!

Thank you so much for your prayers!

The update yesterday was they did get a continuance from the court! So praise God!

This will give the lawyer a chance to prepare the case!

Please keep this little one in your prayers over the next few months!

prayer requests

Dear faithful friends,

I have a prayer request for a friend's sister this morning. My friend's Mother is in court today hoping to get full custody for her 5 year old daughter. The father is molesting this little soul and at every turn the court system has sidded with the father and not the little girl. My heart is breaking for this brave mother who keeps fighting for her daughter and Ali a little five year old who in a big voice is telling anyone who will listen what is going on.

The father is trying for full custody too. Please pray that, that specifically, will not happen.

I think as a mom one of the hardest things to face would be a situation like this where you are unable to protect your daughter. Where you have to leave her with someone who is hurting her. I don't really understand what is going on there in that court system that this little girl has not been heard, but please pray that today this judge will hear her.

Thank you Friends,
Lucia

Life Lessons

God has been teaching me amazing things.

I don't really know where to start so I will just jump in. I am not a great writer or organizer of thoughts.

I started drawing at church services this Monday night. Most of you who know me, know how ADD I am. Church has always been hard. And then you throw in singing and I am really lost. It is not often that I am really inspired by singing I am just not good at it. In fact it is painful!

So, for the first time, I drew in my journal, among strangers.

Duh Duh Duh Duhhhhh!

It was terrifying. I was literally sweating. What if, What If, What if. Would people stare, would they want to look, would the snarl?

But it turned out to be wonderful, for the first time, in maybe ever, I was tuned into what was being said up front, what the songs were saying, and more importantly what Jesus wanted to say to me. I am thrilled.

I have been devouring the book called "Creative Call" ( it is on my list). She talks very frankly about the gifts God has given us. I have heard that God gives us gifts since I became a believer, but I never imagined God was talking to me and talking to me about my art! Art has always been a guilty pleasure, a distraction. Something more to hide and be embarrassed about than something that I could use to celebrate and worship Jesus.

This news is revolutionary to me.

Since learning this my mind has spread wide open. Suddenly, my time painting is important and worthy. I feel set free. I feel affirmed and I feel created with purpose.

Also, this focus has taken the rejection fear away. You don't like my work? Well, it's not really for you anyway! Yeah I hope people enjoy it, but its intended audience is love and Grace.

Please read this book, It is so wonderful to see what ever your creative passions are there is a reason and a purpose for them.

God authored art and created the artist. It is time well spent.

In Love,
Lucia

Febuary Art Every Day

I was inspired by other bloggers to try art everyday so I picked February as the month I would begin. My goal is one month, so we'll see. I have set aside a specific time everyday and I have asked my family to respect this time when I am in my studio as a Do Not Disturb time. I am excited about this venture.

I would not call this my favorite piece, but it felt so good to get paintbrushes back in my hands and move some paint around.

Oh the mud that was created!

Here is a picture of my palette. If any one has any suggestions for better palette management I would love to hear them.

This is an icicle hanging off of our neighbors roof.

It looks like fingers...cool!