Creative growth often parallels personal growth; we dare to remove our protective mask and let others see us for who we really are. This is scary, to say the least, because inherent in self-disclosure is the possibility of rejection. READ THE ENTIRE POST...
The Pearl of Hope
Despair burrows, grain of sand embeds in oyster’s flesh. You cry out to God to take away your despair. Yet the dark chamber clenches its teeth even tighter. You grope for the light so you can climb out of the darkness and yet fail to see that The Light is within. “The light shines in …
The Wonders of Gardening
There are things inside of me that can only be worked out in the dirt. Yes, gardening settles my soul and silences my mental chatter. A welcome respite to be sure, planting roses, pulling weeds, and arranging flower pots puts me at ease. Life doesn’t seem so tragic when I work the earth. In fact, …
Kadie and Stan’s Wedding: Magic in Michigan
I've just returned from St. Joseph, Michigan where I had the privilege of celebrating Kadie (my best friend's daughter) and Stan's marriage. The following is a brief account of the festivities that blessed me beyond words or photographs could capture: The warm, generous hospitality of new friends graces me. This expansive three-story home provides a …
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Three Sisters’ Excursion
I’m in womanly bliss. I’m staying at the Apple Farm Inn that nestles next to rolling hills in the picturesque city of San Luis Obispo. Words cannot describe the feminine beauty that exudes from this place. I hope my photographs will capture a bit of its essence as I snap in rapid succession and then …
Surrender
Money vanishes on wings of circumstance—not as a homing pigeon returning to roost... but like a wild hawk breaking free of the tether. And yet, we mortals breathe in cultural winds that promise swift returns and scurry to fill the empty cage with another beast of prey. Surrender—how poignant and yet so difficult. "Father, if …
The Power of the Little White Stool: Perspective
Have you ever tried to search for something on a top shelf when you were too short to reach up that far?        You cannot grasp what you need, let alone see, so you fumble around wishing your fingers had eyeballs.        I keep a little white stool alongside my refrigerator for times like these.        Unfolded …
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Rose-colored walls
There is something so irresistible about waking up in an old-fashioned, quaint hotel by the sea (no offense intended hubby). Rose-colored walls, white shudders, and a mermaid carved headboard resonate with "my time." How lovely to have reached this moment in my life when such a blessing is possible. *Gift back to my empty self …
The gifts that only children can give…
Thursday was simply delightful. After school I went to help at the Neighborhood Impact House. Volunteers assisted children and youth to make Mother's Day cards and paint pots and plant seeds for gifts.    Last week was the first time I had the privilege of helping. This amazing collaboration between Central Christian Church and the City of Lancaster provides a cozy home and …
JoDee Luna Art 