Inspiration
the act of breathing in

I never intended to take a 3 month sabbatical.  I had every intention of moving ahead with my art.

But my intention was not prepared for what returning to school would require of me.

The soul suffers when it’s kept too long from the breath that gives it life.

Thank You God for the gift of summer break.

Created with Scripted Edges and Serious Magic textures by Kim Klassen

Filed under: Inspiration, Photography ]]> http://every-perfect-gift.com/2012/05/15/inspiration/feed/ 6 bek Inspiration kimklassencafe http://every-perfect-gift.com/2012/01/17/my-life-open-book/ http://every-perfect-gift.com/2012/01/17/my-life-open-book/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:44:38 +0000 brenda http://every-perfect-gift.com/?p=2773 ]]> When one says her life is an open book
I don’t think this is what it’s supposed to mean…

Back in college carrying 13 credits, discipleship with 2 wonderful women,
daily in the scriptures, and a little pleasure reading.
Yep, my life literally is an open book right now.

PhotoArt created with Poetic by Kim Klassen.

Every nail, every plank, every ship’s detail…
given with love, to be made with love.

But when I look beyond the flaws,
get a glimpse of all of me created,
I see the unique beauty He brings to the whole.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
~ Psalm 139:14 ~ 

PhotoArt created with Embrace by Kim Klassen.

Resolve unlocks the door.

No one can judge a house from the view through a single window.

To know the heart of a home, one must step through the door and stay awhile.

Photo-art created with the Love and Yesteryear textures by Kim Klassen.
Linked up with Texture Tuesdays.

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

“A collection of starlings is called a murmuration.”

I get chills when I watch this and I wonder, why?  Why would God create these birds to behave this way?

I think the reason is much more than scientific.  I truly believe the Creator likes to show off…to the praise of His glory.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” ~ Romans 1:20

I also think He simply enjoys the wonder of His children…just like we do.

Sophie’s face at the end says it all.

To the praise of His glory,

brenda

January: I started a 365 project, determined to become a better photographer.  I’d thrown in the towel on the project by May.  I also began some in depth learning of the mechanics of photography and Photoshop, which I did accomplish.

February:  My photog buddy Angela and I got up in the wee hours to shoot the sunrise.  God didn’t disappoint.

March:  I officially changed the blog name to every-perfect-gift, and began a shift in focus.  I started participating in quite a few photo challenges and link ups (too many, really), but a favorite is still Katie Lloyd’s Scripture & A Snapshot. I hope to join in again this coming year.

April:  Although I didn’t know it at the time, life began it’s dramatic turn as my father-in-law had stents placed in his heart.  I also created one of my favorite pieces to date and really began to fall in love with texture work.

May:  I only posted once this month, and I was definitely discouraged…but, we then ended up changing churches which we had needed to do for quite some time.  Such a good decision and we are so blessed to be a part of Matthias Lot Church now.  Our Sarah also graduated from college…summa cum laude, Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in English.  She’s now getting her Master’s in Communication with an emphasis in Promotion.  I have no doubt God is preparing her for something special.

June:  I don’t really know what happened during this month.  I didn’t blog and apparently the only thing I felt worthy of photographing was the Hillsong United concert Sarah took me to.  It was a great concert though.

July:  A lot happened in July.  Celebrated the 4th with our new church, upgraded to a new to me Canon 40D (affectionately named Dolly), attempted to return to blogging, and celebrated my baby girl’s 21st birthday.

August:  This month’s highlights…Scott and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary, Scotty started college, and I made the decision to go back to school myself in the spring.   We also took part in our first WLSC outreach, which was awesome.

September:  Looking back, I realize it was at this point that Scott’s dad began needing more personal care and I completely fell off the blog grid.  Photo-wise I wasn’t doing a lot, but I did start playing around with some impressionism…hope to do some more with it in the future.

October:  According to my files, there was only one day this month I took any photos…but it was a very special day. Our Laura got engaged to a man we are proud to call our FSIL (future son-in-law).  The wedding will be next summer.

November:   Again, I hardly picked up my camera, but I did capture the main event of the month…Scotty tested for his 3rd degree black belt in tae kwon do.  These are just snapshots, but he’s pretty amazing.

December:  This month ended sadly for us as we lost Scott’s dad.  We will miss him.  I have to give credit to my son for the first shot below…he was playing with the camera on a tripod earlier this year and got his grandpa in on it.  So grateful for the memory.  And in spite of the sadness, we did manage to have a nice Christmas.

What a year!  While I didn’t get to accomplish all I set out to do, there were many precious moments to cherish and remember.  And the good news is, a gift of a whole new year is before me and I get to try again.

To the praise of His glory,

brenda

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  ~ Romans 5:1-5

Hope does not disappoint.  The odds may be stacked against me, life may be difficult, but hope remains.

To the praise of His glory,

brenda

Some we anticipate, prepared to lean into them, even looking forward to what’s around the corner.

Others catch us unaware, and we find ourselves scrabbling to get a grip, something to cling to that will keep us on the road.

Sometimes we end up off the road, trying to navigate uncharted territory and wondering if we’ll ever get back to the road at all.

Sometimes we slide off so gradually we don’t even realize we’re not on the road anymore.

About 6 months ago I slid off the creative road I’d been traveling as my father-in-law’s health began to fail dramatically.  He had lived with us for 8 years, and began needing much more hands-on care.  Then came the nursing home when he couldn’t walk anymore.  And eventually hospice.

His funeral was last week.

Strangely, it wasn’t until I began going through photos for his memorial service that I even realized I’d set aside my photography and blogging…and how much I missed it.

Often it’s the way of grace for something new to come from something that ends…and even in sorrow, hope is renewed.

So by God’s grace, I’m back on the road…with a new view, anticipating the turns to come.

To the praise of His glory,

brenda