Ever Wonder Week #8

[Jennifer Grant]

Well, how in the world did I let a couple weeks slip by!? I guess it was the rush of the beginning of summer that distracted me! :) Sorry!

Here is the question for our 8th week---

Do you know where you are on your journey?

[SusieScrapper]

OMG!! That is just too deep and will have to be a thinker. I do know that I'm not at the end (or at least I hope I'm not at the end). But will have to ponder on this a little bit!

[Jennifer Grant]

Wow---that question literally jumped out at me! I even already had another one chosen and typed out, only to erase it.

hmm...there are so many ways to consider and take this one in. I could look at the journey for each of the hats I wear--being a mom, wife, entrepreneur, crafter, Christian etc (WHY do i always feel guilty when i don't put christian as the first word in the list?).

For now, I think I'll focus on my personal journey as a crafter. Good idea ya think? For me, I've always been into crafts of some sort. I remember making my mom (step-mom but hate that word and connotation) a fabric covered photo album when I was a senior in high school. I swear I must have used the nastiest lace trim I've ever seen. But yet, I had such a sense of pride and accomplishment as I wrapped it up to give to her! Never mind the blobs of hardened glue all over the hot pink, bead trim I thought matched the fabric so well.

Funny thing is, I had all but forgotten about that album until I was going through her photo cabinet a few months ago. My first thought as I pulled it out was "Oh my heck, who gave you THIS UGLY thing?" followed quickly by "and why in the world did you keep it?". As I almost ripped off the custom made frame that was hot glued onto the front (with lace trim of course), I realized that it was THE one I made her all those years ago.

Its too long of a story to tell here, but I didn't meet my biological father until I was 18 and this was that same year I think. I remembered back to the days I had spent making that album and shopping for 'just the right' fabric...I had her in mind. Not just something that she wrote onto a gift list or registry, but HER. Her personality, energy, lifestyle etc. I think thats what keeps me involved in hand made crafts. Because of the personal enjoyment I get while I'm also doing for others. The feelings and emotions I feel when I'm either scrapbooking loved ones on a page, creating a hand made card for a birthday or even thinking of what colors and prints I would use on a quilt for my niece if I ever get big enough kahunas.

Long story that should have been short? I love crafts and I always will. It pours goodness into my soul and you can't find that in many 'things' anymore.

[Paige]

Oh it is funny you say this. This is something I have really been studying in my daily Bible Study and prayer time. Yes I even study about where I am in the whole creative journey I am in b/c I do it for every roll in my life. So here it goes, you asked for it.

In my roll as a Christian. I LOVE high school students and small group discipleship. I feel like young girls these days (myself included) have such body issues and self esteem issues. I have a heart for really teaching these girls what God has to say about who they are in him. For them to really find their significance in him. So I have started to get a group of 5 girls who are in 8th and 9th grade and will be discipling them all through high school.

In my roll as a mom. Well this area for me is the one that I LOVE. I have really been convicted about how important it is for me to treat their daddy in front of them. For me to esteem him and lift him up in front of them. For us to create a comfortable clean home when he comes home from a long day at work. Not only that but greet him with a smile b/c we are glad he is here. We pray for him together. I have really seen a change in my girls just because of the security they sense in the marriage of their parents.

In my roll as a wife. Well this is hard for me because I want to be selfish. I have learned the most important thing I can do for my husband it to pray for him. So that is what I am doing.

In my creative roll. Well I have a business venture that I am in the process of developing and getting under way. I believe God has given me my gift of creativity and I am going to use it. I can't really talk about the details yet b/c honestly I don't even know them all but lets just say it is falling together.

[SusieScrapper]

Really nice thoughts Jen!! Thank you for sharing.

Paige - thank you for sharing also, that's wonderful!!

[Shelia Richards]

You know if you asked this question a few weeks ago I would have said "NO" I have no idea where I am going. Today, yes I have a plan, a plan I have a peace with, a plan that is going forward now. Mike and I are at a cross roads. Our child is grown, gone and married. We went from having one child to now having two (our Marie :)). Mike and I are dreaming again and that was hard for us to do as a couple without feeling guilty. But now it is just us :) and of course Bubba k.

We want to move but with the economy like it is we are going to sit tight and wait, and save our money. So we are planning accordingly.......here is my plan:

I have added a digital business to my scrapbooking business. I have picked up a whole new clientel. I am learning it as I go and finding that I really like it. It challenges me and I have not had a good challenge in a long long time. It feels good to step out of my box again and reach out to my customers. Sooooooo, now that I have that out...I am with Heritage Makers and loving it...as I continue with my adhesives and paper scrapping as well. Mike and I are drawing up the house we want to live in one day.....and have been looking at land in and around Canton Texas.....right now we know we cannot move but all the pieces are going onto the puzzle board and we love how we are feeling right now. I hope I made sense......I am working on reorganzing my scrap studio.....so many changes in how I am doing my buisness now....but I love it and it feels so right....

Jen, I love your site here and it has inspired me to be me again and GO GARAGING again!!! Woo hoo!! Mike and I love doing that together and so we started it again....we are working on our house and our porch....so will post pics as we get our projects going and results come about....again I hope I made sense......hugs Shelia

[Kelly B]

My Creative Journey probably started when I was young also.
There was the black and white modern design hooked rug, the rooster done on burlap in yarn coils (That my mom insisted on keeping it hung in our kitchen for years) as a teen my bedroom painted a hot pink with those rolling stones big lips with the tongue hanging out on my wall, those make your own hotpads with the little red loom and you looped the fabric bands on it (anyone remember?) Then there was sewing my own clothes (remember those halter tops that were triangular shaped and had a length of fabric ran through the top and bottom to tie around your neck and tummy (oh I am dating myself) , Christmas time painting Christmas scenes on Business windows, rearanging furniture in our home when my mom was out. (she was not happy about that) Then there was decorating the first place I had by myself- making drapes, shower curtain, cubbard covers, those hanging lamp shade covers. As a young mom making fabric covered photo albums for everyone I knew, giving classes on how to make them and then selling them. Then there was designing the kids baby rooms and sewing their baby bedding. Then there was the Interior Desgin classes I took at college. Then the scrapbooking. It goes on and on. I think I am just a creative person and I Need to let that come out somewhere in my life. Interior design is my passion. And I found that scrap booking with combining colors and patterns and textures is much like it and alot less expensive. I am on my 4th home and will be moving to my 5th soon and I have gotten so much joy out of decorating each of them.
So... Oh back to the question- I get going when I talk about something I am sooo passionate about!

Where I am in my journey? Still continue to scrapbook and decorate rooms. I love to visualize something and work and work till I can bring it to life. I would like to get into digital scrapping to enhance my scrapping. I would like to become a better photographer and I also would like to take some graphic art classes. Sorry so long.

[Laurie Hein]

I would have to say I have no idea where I am in my journey. well I guess I shouldnt really say that. I always knew I wanted to be married and have babies and so far I am married and have 1 baby :) I also have a great job and the most wonderful hobby so I guess My planned Journey is underway as for what God's journey for me is, I have no idea where I am. I just pray and hope I am on the right path he chose for me. Every now and then I will be driving along and see the most beautiful rays of sun through the clouds or a rainbow and I stop and thank him for the reminder that he is there. Most hard days thats all I need. A little reminder of the journey he set for me.

[Nicole]

In twenty years I will probably look back and think how young and inexperienced I was at this age. But, I do feel like I have finally arrived at many landmarks in my journey. I have a stronger relationship with God and Jesus Christ which has enhanced my marriage, my relationship with my children and relationships with friends and family.

I finally feel "grown up" and comfortable in my skin. That confidence filters into my work, crafting and abilities to connect with others and motherhood. So I don't necessarily think I am at a beginning, middle or end, just at a beautiful landmark that I can treasure and cherish.

The word journey gives the idea of an arriving at an end point or achieving something specific. Instead, I have found that living out each day trying to serve is more of my journey. Serving God's will, my family, friends and others - Serving will take me to better places than many of my own desires.

[Heather]

Right now I am at a crossroads in my journey, with scrapbooking, mom and wife. Moving has definately put me in a different place but I knew it was going to happen. I just had that feeling. We aren't going to be here but for another year and when we move again is when my crossroads will end. With scrapbooking, I can no longer hold a Business Builder position with IRW so that is going away (sniff, sniff). Please don't judge me for the rest but being a mom- the kids have really been trying me lately and it makes me feel horrible when I question myself and my abilities as a mother and hating myself for thinking about my life without my children. Don't get me wrong, I love my children very much and I would never want to be without them. As for wife- again crossroads, we have been married for over 8 years and I miss the passion. I miss the butterflies and the excitement. I have been trying to get those feelings back with my husband but with the legal issues and life it hasn't been going so well. So one day at a time here and the new beginings are around the corner and I am very much looking forward to getting things going! Praying all the way that I follow the right path.

[Lynne Davis]

OMG!! This question is pretty much something I have been pondering since my mom died 2 yrs ago. Her illness and death REALLY got me thinking about where I am in my life's journey. She always said she had lived her life pretty much the way she wanted...............So I keep thinking, am I? Wish I had a big, fat do-over in many things. But other things that have come my way are so stinkin' great!
So the question remains...do I know where I am? No......I don't........anyone have a map?

[Kelly B]

Duh! Did I totally miss this one?? I thought it was in our creative journey- As far as my spiritual journey I am movin right along. Always trying to have a closer relationship with God- that's a priority. My marriage is strong (but I'm not saying that there hasn't been trials) My children are healthy. I thank God everynight for that.
I'm at a turning point in my life now with soon becoming a Grandma. Yes one more title. I am strong and confident in who I am. After losing my mom this past year it made me think well how many years might I have left and HOW do I want to spend them. What's most important? I want to simplify my life and spend time with the people I love. Well we are in the process of doing that. Moving from the big house to our small cabin. It will be closer to my daughter so that's a plus. My journey... to give of myself to others and try to do gods work, to love and forgive and along the way create.

[Valerie Martin]

I feel like I am at the junk yard, under a heap of stuff and have to dig out. Ever since I was young I always looked at what God has planned for me. Chaos is part of my journey still right now, as it has been for over 3 years or more. Going from a teacher and mom and wife, to a stay-at-home mom, to a single mom struggling to raise 4 young boys on very little money, to finding a full time job to support my family. Now I have 3 offers for employment as a teacher, each having their own positive and negative issues to deal with. I want to also pursue my scrapbooking business, but have to have a job with benefits. All these life changes, plus finding somewhere else to live and another vehicle, possibly moving the boys from all their friends, dealing with their dad and his continued attempt of "control" and manipulation of me. I feel I just do not pray hard enough or spend enough time praying.

Sorry if that paragraph is so "unstructured" and confusing. Just had to post. Thanks!

Good job to those who have posted some great journey "paths." Keep up the good work!