I am so flattered to be featured as an artist on Julie's blog
click here....
The eyes of my eyes are opened
this is why I create. This is what my art is all about. finding inspiration, a message and connecting.....
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
gentle nudges...
{I am about to take on #13 "Service the church" & #38 "do something outside my comfort zone" from my "40 before 40" list!}
About 6 months ago the pastor from our church called and asked if I would give the sermon on "Lay" (lay person) Sunday in March. He thought a sermon about what inspired my journey to AIDS Walk Africa (AWA). I said "sure, I will" and put it in the back of my mind. It sat there, made me feel nervous and I put it away. So, now that Sunday is approaching and it is in the fore front of my mind.
First, the fact that "I" am giving a sermon blows my mind. I have long struggled with parts of the literal biblical teachings and have rebelled against religion in general (a whole different post). I have been totally resistant to all of it because all I could see was the judgement of religions. All I could see was what I didn't like. Only recently (last 2 years) have I found peace in my own Christian faith. Our family found a church we connected to and that supported our beliefs about the world, so we became members of our United Church Of Christ church here in Monroe. I love the church, the people, the loving messages. It fits. It feels good to be growing spiritually and have a place to plant the seeds for my children. But to be asked to give a "sermon" still blows my mind. me? anyway....
I thought the initial focus of my sermon might be "to whom much is entrusted, much is demanded". A philosophy I have always believed. I really didn't even know it was from Jesus' teachings until the pastor told me! ha! The process of writing this sermon has lead me to find clarity in what I am really wanting to share about my journey to Africa, both for AWA and to bring our sweet girl to her forever family. This process has help me understand the calling....the gentle nudges I have been receiving for years and years.
While examining my message for the sermon, I came to the realization that I had a "calling". Me? A calling from God, who knew. Our pastor was kind enough to sit down and talk with me about what I would share. She listened and said, "what you are talking about is a universal experience, it is "a calling".
Again, me?
For as long as I can remember I was drawn to the concept of adoption. I was also painfully fascinated by the images of Ethiopia as a child. In fact, I remember once my mother sat me down in front of the t.v. to see the images of Ethiopia children with the hope of giving me some perspective on my own life (I am sure I needed it)....and she said she was so surprised by how deeply I was affected by it. I remember it very well and can still see those images in my mind today. I was deeply affected. Perhaps that was God's initial gentle nudge.
Then growing up I had all sorts of nudges in this direction, teaching me about the world. As a young adult I still had the interest in adoption and just "knew" I would adopt internationally. I even interned and worked in the field of domestic adoption, but knew I would adopt internationally. There were nudges all along this path. Then while we were living abroad I kept running into the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, in a magazine, on the BBC network on tv... it became this reoccurring theme that I was running into and thinking about. I was a young mother with a 1 and 3 year old. No direct connection to the issue, and yet it kept surfacing for me....nudge after gentle nudge.
Then we moved back to the U.S. and settled in to where we live now. The issue kept surfacing. Nudging. Then I had a 3rd son. The idea of adoption and a fourth child was very strong.... I knew what I needed to do, and thankfully my hubby was with me. But we thought adoption from China. The actual day that I sent our initial paperwork and $500 to the Chinese Embassy, we got the call from our social worker that China was not looking good for us due to the delayed time line and the fact that we had so much "good debt" (school loans, mortgage). Back to the drawing board on the country....but knowing international was right. Then it hit me....Ethiopia. I began my research and immediately I knew. Yes, Ethiopia is where our daughter is from. I had been receiving all of these nudges about AWA, thinking of Africa, I was drawn to it. I had decided I wanted to participate in AWA. I just knew it. It took my hubby a little longer, but he trusted my strong instincts and jumped on board.
Now as I look back on it, I think it was all apart of the same calling. God was nudging me in this direction for years.....perhaps my whole life. I just needed to be able to receive it. Finally, I was at a place to receive it. It isn't a mistake that this calling came to me in this form. How else could I hear it. I was so resistant to anything biblical or religiously based. That would not have worked. But now I can see so clearly that God gave me this calling in a way that opened my heart, that let these possibilities to give back to the world and bring our daughter home.
I didn't know it...which perhaps is the best thing.
Those gentle nudges were opening my heart....to other mothers and children in Africa, to adoption and bringing our daughter home to her forever family from Ethiopia. Those gentle nudges were all intertwined, opening my heart, my mind. And ultimately, without even knowing it, I let God in as well.
I will be asking the congregation to look within and ask themselves what "gentle nudges" they may be receiving. What are the gifts and talents they have to share? They are all different for each of us....
What about you? been nudged lately?
Tomorrow I go practice the sermon at the pulpit.....yikes. This is really outside my comfort zone....it is both public speaking and at church! pray for me! ;)
About 6 months ago the pastor from our church called and asked if I would give the sermon on "Lay" (lay person) Sunday in March. He thought a sermon about what inspired my journey to AIDS Walk Africa (AWA). I said "sure, I will" and put it in the back of my mind. It sat there, made me feel nervous and I put it away. So, now that Sunday is approaching and it is in the fore front of my mind.
First, the fact that "I" am giving a sermon blows my mind. I have long struggled with parts of the literal biblical teachings and have rebelled against religion in general (a whole different post). I have been totally resistant to all of it because all I could see was the judgement of religions. All I could see was what I didn't like. Only recently (last 2 years) have I found peace in my own Christian faith. Our family found a church we connected to and that supported our beliefs about the world, so we became members of our United Church Of Christ church here in Monroe. I love the church, the people, the loving messages. It fits. It feels good to be growing spiritually and have a place to plant the seeds for my children. But to be asked to give a "sermon" still blows my mind. me? anyway....
I thought the initial focus of my sermon might be "to whom much is entrusted, much is demanded". A philosophy I have always believed. I really didn't even know it was from Jesus' teachings until the pastor told me! ha! The process of writing this sermon has lead me to find clarity in what I am really wanting to share about my journey to Africa, both for AWA and to bring our sweet girl to her forever family. This process has help me understand the calling....the gentle nudges I have been receiving for years and years.
While examining my message for the sermon, I came to the realization that I had a "calling". Me? A calling from God, who knew. Our pastor was kind enough to sit down and talk with me about what I would share. She listened and said, "what you are talking about is a universal experience, it is "a calling".
Again, me?
For as long as I can remember I was drawn to the concept of adoption. I was also painfully fascinated by the images of Ethiopia as a child. In fact, I remember once my mother sat me down in front of the t.v. to see the images of Ethiopia children with the hope of giving me some perspective on my own life (I am sure I needed it)....and she said she was so surprised by how deeply I was affected by it. I remember it very well and can still see those images in my mind today. I was deeply affected. Perhaps that was God's initial gentle nudge.
Then growing up I had all sorts of nudges in this direction, teaching me about the world. As a young adult I still had the interest in adoption and just "knew" I would adopt internationally. I even interned and worked in the field of domestic adoption, but knew I would adopt internationally. There were nudges all along this path. Then while we were living abroad I kept running into the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, in a magazine, on the BBC network on tv... it became this reoccurring theme that I was running into and thinking about. I was a young mother with a 1 and 3 year old. No direct connection to the issue, and yet it kept surfacing for me....nudge after gentle nudge.
Then we moved back to the U.S. and settled in to where we live now. The issue kept surfacing. Nudging. Then I had a 3rd son. The idea of adoption and a fourth child was very strong.... I knew what I needed to do, and thankfully my hubby was with me. But we thought adoption from China. The actual day that I sent our initial paperwork and $500 to the Chinese Embassy, we got the call from our social worker that China was not looking good for us due to the delayed time line and the fact that we had so much "good debt" (school loans, mortgage). Back to the drawing board on the country....but knowing international was right. Then it hit me....Ethiopia. I began my research and immediately I knew. Yes, Ethiopia is where our daughter is from. I had been receiving all of these nudges about AWA, thinking of Africa, I was drawn to it. I had decided I wanted to participate in AWA. I just knew it. It took my hubby a little longer, but he trusted my strong instincts and jumped on board.
Now as I look back on it, I think it was all apart of the same calling. God was nudging me in this direction for years.....perhaps my whole life. I just needed to be able to receive it. Finally, I was at a place to receive it. It isn't a mistake that this calling came to me in this form. How else could I hear it. I was so resistant to anything biblical or religiously based. That would not have worked. But now I can see so clearly that God gave me this calling in a way that opened my heart, that let these possibilities to give back to the world and bring our daughter home.
I didn't know it...which perhaps is the best thing.
Those gentle nudges were opening my heart....to other mothers and children in Africa, to adoption and bringing our daughter home to her forever family from Ethiopia. Those gentle nudges were all intertwined, opening my heart, my mind. And ultimately, without even knowing it, I let God in as well.
I will be asking the congregation to look within and ask themselves what "gentle nudges" they may be receiving. What are the gifts and talents they have to share? They are all different for each of us....
What about you? been nudged lately?
Tomorrow I go practice the sermon at the pulpit.....yikes. This is really outside my comfort zone....it is both public speaking and at church! pray for me! ;)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
40 before 40
40 before 40!
I am excited to be turning 40 on July 19, 2013. I love where I am at in my life and want to embrace it. Because I am super visual I really enjoy seeing things right before my eyes. And so I have decided to try and accomplish 40 things before I turn 40.
Why try to accomplish these goals in the next 2 year and 3 months!? I think more than anything, because it will just feel good. There is also the fact that as a full time stay at home mother that it is easy for your "sense of self" to get lost in the everyday tasks. In addition to giving to the growth and development of my family, I also want to nurture my passions, ideas and hopes. The "40 before 40"be just that a way to focus on myself and not let those ideas get lost in the everyday shuffle of life as a Mom.
I have scraps of paper with the 40 scribbled...and will be entering the 40 onto an individual page in this journal. I love owls and this owl is looking straight into my soul, asking "have you been thinking about yourself and your 40 before 40?
Actually, I have been thinking of the 40 for a long time, wrote the scrap paper list months ago and have started making efforts toward them already. I will journal about the 40 in the owl journal and hope to keep track of some of my progress here as well.
And so, I present to you Jennifer's 40 before 40:
1. re-establish transcendental mediation practice
2. learn to ride a horse
3. host an open studio show with art friends
4. complete Ethiopia series
5. have a totally unplugged weekend
6. long family weekend at boat house
7. surprise Andy
8. Run 10K race
9. go Latin dancing
10. girls weekend- uninterrupted
11. finish Studio space
12. transfer videos to DVD format
13. service to the church 3-20-2011 service the church
14. reach out to those in need with the kids
15. alone time with each child for 24 hours
16. locks of love hair donation
17. host neighborhood party
18. get lean, fit and to goal weight
19. take kids to Disney
20. go on a ski trip
21. N.Y.C. to see a Broadway show
22. visit Washington D.C. with Jud & Drew
23. spa day with the ladies
24. finish baby books
25. complete wooden puzzle and learn to sew a pillow (puzzle post to come)
26. explore a new art medium
27. grow a garden with the kids and eat from it
28. take all the kids on a bike ride
29. make pickles and learn how to can them
30. take a photography workshop
31. redecorate bedroom
32. declutter the house and have a garage sale
33. take bob the bulldog to training
34. art show in Madison
35. sponsor an ET child
36. make a favorite recipe binder
37. go on a yoga retreat
38. do something outside my comfort zone outside-my-comfort-zone
39. grow out nails
40. write the children's book with Mom
Then celebrate the first 40 years... BIG!
Of course, this list could change....most likely will here and there. But to start these are the 40!
I am excited to be turning 40 on July 19, 2013. I love where I am at in my life and want to embrace it. Because I am super visual I really enjoy seeing things right before my eyes. And so I have decided to try and accomplish 40 things before I turn 40.
Why try to accomplish these goals in the next 2 year and 3 months!? I think more than anything, because it will just feel good. There is also the fact that as a full time stay at home mother that it is easy for your "sense of self" to get lost in the everyday tasks. In addition to giving to the growth and development of my family, I also want to nurture my passions, ideas and hopes. The "40 before 40"be just that a way to focus on myself and not let those ideas get lost in the everyday shuffle of life as a Mom.
I have scraps of paper with the 40 scribbled...and will be entering the 40 onto an individual page in this journal. I love owls and this owl is looking straight into my soul, asking "have you been thinking about yourself and your 40 before 40?
Actually, I have been thinking of the 40 for a long time, wrote the scrap paper list months ago and have started making efforts toward them already. I will journal about the 40 in the owl journal and hope to keep track of some of my progress here as well.
And so, I present to you Jennifer's 40 before 40:
1. re-establish transcendental mediation practice
2. learn to ride a horse
3. host an open studio show with art friends
4. complete Ethiopia series
5. have a totally unplugged weekend
6. long family weekend at boat house
7. surprise Andy
8. Run 10K race
9. go Latin dancing
10. girls weekend- uninterrupted
11. finish Studio space
12. transfer videos to DVD format
13. service to the church 3-20-2011 service the church
14. reach out to those in need with the kids
15. alone time with each child for 24 hours
16. locks of love hair donation
17. host neighborhood party
18. get lean, fit and to goal weight
19. take kids to Disney
20. go on a ski trip
21. N.Y.C. to see a Broadway show
22. visit Washington D.C. with Jud & Drew
23. spa day with the ladies
24. finish baby books
25. complete wooden puzzle and learn to sew a pillow (puzzle post to come)
26. explore a new art medium
27. grow a garden with the kids and eat from it
28. take all the kids on a bike ride
29. make pickles and learn how to can them
30. take a photography workshop
31. redecorate bedroom
32. declutter the house and have a garage sale
33. take bob the bulldog to training
34. art show in Madison
35. sponsor an ET child
36. make a favorite recipe binder
37. go on a yoga retreat
38. do something outside my comfort zone outside-my-comfort-zone
39. grow out nails
40. write the children's book with Mom
Then celebrate the first 40 years... BIG!
Of course, this list could change....most likely will here and there. But to start these are the 40!
random thoughts...about the color purple
I already miss my Mom and Dad. They just left to go back home to Minnesota. So today the color purple means gratitude to me.
I feel like rebelling against my kids homework and making dinner.
And I just have to tell you that Tessa crawled out of her crib this afternoon....life has forever changed, yet again!
Project 64
Monday, March 14, 2011
scavenger hunt Sunday
Scavenger Hunt Sunday...
1. Vanishing Point
this is likely outside the box for "vanishing point", but I see many abstract vanishing points, and
it was what felt right.
2. Square Crop
Isn't the inside of red pepper just so beautiful?
3. Under
you are not mistaken.
Yes, indeed that is Bob the Bulldog with frozen drool hanging under his chin.
Just a week ago it was indeed cold enough for Bob to go outside, get excited playing with his dog friend, which led to the frozen drool. Yep, it is one of his many gifts.
4. Welcome to the Jungle....
my home is like a jungle most the time....
here, my sweet girl is trying to snag my new "jungle mama"
shoes as she is wearing her own jungle print!
I think not.
(And I realize this is the second week these shoes have been featured in my scavenger hunt.
They are that awesome.)
5. Calm
Jack Jack so unusually calm. Ahhhhh.
Could also be a potential shot for vanishing point...
but the peace and calm of this shot won out.
Ashley Sisk has chosen one of my ideas for a prompt: imperfection
for next's week scavenger hunt challenge.... it seems only right from me!
here they are all the prompts for next week!
- Camera Phone (current Mortal Muses theme - you can either share a picture taken with your camera phone [not limited to iphones since I don't own one] or get creative with the prompt)
- Camera (Becky's suggestion)
- Shoes (Becky's suggestion)
- Chair (Ewa's suggestion)
- Imperfection (Jennifer's suggestion) - yep, that's me.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
the soul's kite
Ever just been so completely inspired by a cause?
Well, I am....and when I feel that way every part of me wanted to support it!
Julie writes the most beautiful blog, The Eyes Of My Eyes Are Opened, about her family, created through Ethiopian adoption. Not only that, her family is raising big time $$$$ for a school in Ethiopia. It is best to just visit her here and see the amazing work being done for yourself.
Her blog: The Eyes Of My Eyes Are Opened
The fundraiser is for the most ambitious task of building an Ethiopian school. Even before I heard the school's name..."Tesfa" (apart of Tessa's Ethiopian name Tesfanesh) I knew I wanted to be able to contribute in some way.
Art for me is about connection. Connecting to a subject, an issue and idea....and communicating it through my soul. Here I have used Julie's imagery from the kite piece she wrote about her daughter. When I read it I just knew I had to create these paintings....and I love them.
click to the link of the article that inspired these here! How To Fly A Kite
Both paintings have Julie's original photo's (done with an image transfer) of her daughter and her kite,
as well as Julie's powerful words incorporated into the works-
"Sometimes a kite is just a kite, but sometimes the wind changes, and a butterfly can get caught in a difficult spot. As that continues to happen, we’ll just have to wait patiently for the wind to die down."
The kite is a part of her soul. Can she hang on? When does she let go? how will the kite be released? Only she knows.
Here Julie's daughter, is between her two worlds. She is holding the kite that is caught in the Ethiopian acacia tree, representing the soul, the emotions from the past, from Ethiopia. The acacia tree's roots are sprawling and like an umbilical cord connecting her to her homeland, birth family and forever family.
This is my way of giving to a cause I love. Please do consider giving to this amazing event. It is a fundraiser that will touch the lives of so many, many Ethiopian children through education and lift them up for a brighter future. What could be better?
Just click the link below and find a way to give....I know you can do it!
Tesfa- Ethiopia Reads Fundraiser!
Friday, March 11, 2011
need a laugh?
Without even knowing it, Bob has a way of always making me happy
and of course providing some great comic relief here at the Rikkers...
What? You have never had dual frozen drool before?
I know it almost doesn't seem real...oh, but it is!
This just makes me happy. Bob, on the other hand, is just ready to defrost.
Like the rest of us, he too is ready for spring.
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