One of my ways of working things out is in my journal with words, pictures and doodles.

I thought it might be fun to reflect on events I experienced in the past decade, 2000-2009. I no longer have my usual resources to jog my memory, so I relied heavily on instant memories of what I could remember quickly in five minutes. My very short list below in no way captures the richness of the past ten years in my life. These are just a few of the things that stood out.

2000: Shawn and I married and honeymooned in NYC.

2001: My second daughter was born.

2002: Shawn and I visited the Bahamas.

2003: My son was born.

2004: Purchased our home. Started my first blog. Had Lasik eye surgery. Purchased my film camera.

2005: Purchased my DSLR.

2006: Started Candid Art Photography. Designed logos on the side.

2007: Won first photography contest. Started the Art Slam.

2008: Speaker at BlogHer 08, San Francisco

2009: Wow…lots of things happened this year.

Compassion literally means to feel with, to suffer with. Everyone is capable of compassion, and yet everyone tends to avoid it because it’s uncomfortable. And the avoidance produces psychic numbing — resistance to experiencing our pain for the world and other beings. ~ Joanna Macy

Something about this quote speaks to me. It is the part about being uncomfortable. Lately I have noticed that people do not like being out of their comfort zones. Doing so means they no longer have their usual safety net or standby routine. It is when you come out of your comfort zone that true growth begins. I have been living outside of mine for a few months now and describing it as uncomfortable does not seem to do it justice. Sometimes, it is downright painful. I feel exposed and vulnerable because I am putting everything on the line. There is no physical shield for me to hide behind, nor do I want to hide. This exposure, this openness, while extremely raw and uncomfortable is where I am growing. It is like being in a valley and while the valley is dark and often times lonely, there is a lesson there. For one, I realize I am not alone. For two, I have learned to truly give my burdens over and not carry the weight of them around. For three, being uncomfortable has taught me to have more compassion.

This week, one of the things I am working on is loving the sinner and not the sin when I interact with people. None of us is perfect. No, not one. This message was driven home in the sermon I listened to at my church Sunday. As was the message that our sins have already been paid for and we are washed clean as snow; all because of Jesus. Now, those of you who frequent my blog know I do not hide my love of the Lord. I have no intentions of starting now. My tribulations this year have proven one thing. That I can not be defeated when I stand strong in my faith. I am reminded of the flexibility of a palm tree. In a storm, the palm tree takes a beating. It bends from side to side, touching the ground as the storm rages around it, but in the end, it does not break. Strength without flexibility is stubbornness. There is no power in being unmovable in thought or feeling for the sake of being right. For some people, it is more important to be right and to judge. That kind of thinking and stubbornness profits no one. So, I pray everyday to be a more compassionate person. To treat people as I desire to be treated. Because this world can use a little more compassion. In fact, it could use a lot more.

The way holidays should be celebrated…with family.

She is the last thing to go on the tree. I have had this angel since before I was married. Many of the ornaments on our tree are years old, all with some kind of sentimental value or story. I love building these traditions with my children. These are the things that mean so much.

I have been reflecting on the reason for the season a lot this week. It started off Sunday when I was having my devotional time early in the morning. I was reading about the gift of Jesus. Then I went to church and heard again about the gift of Jesus and the sacrifice. Tuesday, I went to see Awaited and again…songs about the gift that is known as Jesus. Resonating on the power of this message has been profound for me this week and I understood it on a level I had not experienced before.

One of a few pages I have in my art journal with a heart theme. At first, I did not know why the hearts kept showing up in my artwork…but, I know now.

Yesterday was one of the best birthdays I have ever had. My phone and email were on fire all day with the well wishes pouring in from friends and family. When I came home, there were balloons, cake and flowers waiting for me and my husband made dinner. It was a wonderful day and it felt so nice to receive so much love.

Today is my birthday and I have been showered by birthday wishes all morning. It makes my heart sing and I know how blessed I am.

Last night, I went to see Awaited with my Mother in law, Sister in law and my middle child at Crossroads Church. This show was simply amazing. Everything about it, the musicians, the choir, the costumes, the lighting…blew me away. At one point, I looked around me at all the people in the auditorium and my heart was full. I was not only in the midst of believers, I was in the presence of God and celebrating my Lord and Savior.

]]> http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-16-awaited/feed/ 2 http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-15-crochet/ http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-15-crochet/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 07:30:01 +0000 Lucrecer http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-15-crochet/

After photography, crochet is one of my favorite things to do. And, for some reason, granny squares are what I make more than anything else and I am really liking crocheting with cotton.

]]> http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-15-crochet/feed/ 4 http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-14-the-cookies/ http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-14-the-cookies/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:22:26 +0000 Lucrecer http://www.art-slam.com/2009/12/view-14-the-cookies/

I make these cookies once a year. They are my infamous Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies. This batch I am told is off the hook!

My son was of the opinion the snowman might get cold and needed a hat. We also jazzed him up with strawberry mini wheats and a few almonds.

Don’t judge me. I had to have the donut to equalize the healthiness of my breakfast.

This is what I see on the right side of my desk at work. I look this way many times during the day.

Stephanie Roberts has a nice post up today with a picture of some of my favorite ladies. It brought back such fond memories of my chat with Kelly, Karen, Heather and Liz at BlogHer.