daily-thoughts

We have never done a Family Art Show this time of year. This is something new for us and we are excited about it. One of the things I love about these show is that it is something we come together on as a whole family. Rose is making more variations of her sockmonsters. Pearl is making more of her wonderful thick pot holders bursting with unsual and beautiful color combinations.

Brenda is at this very moment sitting in a comfy old winged chair making flower pins from pieces of wool left over from her hooked rugs. It is a cold rainy day and Brenda is in that old chair working away. Dinner is done and the dishes washed and put away. The little girls are what you would expect after two solid days of cold and rainy weather keeping them inside. There is a compression that happens with in our family from time to time that is almost unbearable. The little puddle of calm Brenda has in her chair over by the window is hard won and very neccessary. After I finnish here I will attempt some work in the studio for maybe an hour or so. There is no electricity out in the carriage house so this means I drag an extension cord out there from the basement so I can use a lamp next to my easil. I love natural light but some times to carve out a little time in the evening to paint means a light bulb.

This has really been a tough day for us. Lately it is as if God is alowing us to feel our total dependence on him. I know that this is a very important and valuable time but it is also hard. Maybe it is a bit what a pregnant woman feels when she is so uncomfortable as her due time draws near. She is carring a heavy burden that makes so many of lifes everday activities more difficult and awkward and yet she can bear with this hardship beause of what she has to look forward to. Similarly I know that there is some real beauty and wisdom on the other side of this valley we are walking through right now.