We are 10 months into the 52 Pickup 2013 Online workshop and I am knee deep into writing the 52 Pick {ME} Up 2014 class. Today I am sharing what and why 52 Pickup is probably my favorite workshop, creatively, physically, relationally and spiritually.
This might be a long post so you should grab some coffee, water or whatever your choice of drink is, put on your cozy socks and get comfortable. Push your way through this post because I feel like it is going to be a one of "those" posts.
Before I go on, for my new readers, first welcome! I am glad you found me and glad you are here and I have a little disclaimer. If I want you to know one thing about me (besides the fact that I LOVE to make things, duh!): I walk, live, and create based on my faith. DO NOT CLICK OFF...wait a sec....I am equal opportunity and respect you. I am 100% not pushy about my faith, your faith, religion, relationship or lack of.
are you still here? I hope so.
I infuse my faith into all of my art because it is a gift to me and is my responsibility to use it to remind and encourage others and myself. That might sound selfish but I need the reminders just as much as the next. I stumble, I fall, I have hit rock bottom, I have run myself ragged BUT I have gotten up, I have been forgiven, I have bounced back, I have gotten through some crap...BUT...unfortunately, because we live in a very damaged world, I continue to repeat the cycle of up, down, up down..and there have been times where I have fallen again. I learn lessons and I move on and then..I forget and the cycle repeats itself.
DANG IT!
Guess what? Crap happens..but so does peace. Situations are always going to happen whether it is on a mountain top or in a deep valley and again, we need reminders that we need to learn from those situations and then we need to keep going. I am at a point where I FINALLY realize that everything I have mentioned above are the things that have put me right here...
typing to you.
Without a doubt, I know I am not alone. Sometimes when I share here, or in person, it seems to make things a little more manageable or relateable for you. Now, naturally, I don't share everything. I share many things with GOD in my personal relationship with HIM. That relationship allows me to hang onto hope because someday, it will all be okay.
It will. It is a promise, whew!
These are some of the ingredients for the foundation of 52 Pickup. It is not always this deep but I want you to know where my heart is. For now, lucky you..this is me. Dorky, sometimes sarcastic (okay maybe more than sometimes) emotional, complicated, creative, homesick even when I am home, mom of boys, wife, sister, daughter..and chosen (whether you believe it or not)
So back to 52 Pick {ME} Up 2014.
Probably the number one/two (it's a tie!) reason for the class is reminders & encouragement. For ourselves and for others.
Encouragement - We all need it and we all need to give it. We know this and sometimes do it, but then we forget about it (unintentionally) because we stuff our lives with junk, work, food, _____________ whatever. GUILTY. (bus throwing right there)
We need reminders of the things we already know, just sometimes forget to remember whether in the form of a post it note, a tattoo, bumper sticker, fortune from a cookie, a bible verse or with a small card that is handmade with love and intention for a specific purpose.
Okay, so this is going to have to be a 2 part post because now I need to put on my mom hat, get the boys up, fed and off to school so I can go direct traffic at the Elementary School. Can I suggest that this morning, you smile and wave at somebody you don't necessarily know. Chances are it will catch them off guard and just might change their day...for the better.
p.s. so sorry for the babble, the run-on sentences and the typos...I had lots to say EARLY today and now..I must go!
Part two continued on Sunday...Tomorrow is True Scrap 5!
