Friday, November 11, 2011

Secrets that Amaze



Sometimes, when you think you're beginning to know someone, you find out something totally new, unexpected and wonderful about them! 




Such was the case this week while I was peeking about on my dashboard, looking at some of my favorite blogs. I found out Audrey of Elegant Economies likes beading and jewelry-making. I knew her only as Audrey the decorator and homemaker. Why was I shocked that she has OTHER interests, skills and talents? 
I am convinced; we are all multi-faceted, multi-talented, amazing human beings!




I first began to realize this fact because of my Mom. My Mom is a visionary. She has amazing ideas to create something from nothing. She is also fearless. I was blessed to grow up with a mom who told me, "You can do anything you want to do." 




My Mom was a Chamber of Commerce director in a small Texas town. She thought it might be a fun thing to do a melodrama as a fund-raiser. Nothing like that had been done before, but she began to research, found sources that published melodramas. She ordered samples, and began to plan. 




She began asking people if they might like to act in a melodrama. Church choir members, school teachers, farmers, dentists - you name it, she asked. Remember, she's fearless! 



She asked local musicians and gregarious types she knew would enjoy the comedy and being in front of a crowd. Before long, they were having practices and building sets.




In addition to the play, they had pre-event bluegrass music and follies skits. They joined forces with the local RSVP and Senior Citizen's group to make it a dinner theater. It was SUCH great fun! It also brought the community together in a wonderful way.




People who wouldn't have been comfortable on stage enjoyed sewing costumes and building wonderful sets. For a town of less than 5000 people, it was impressive! 




I learned that EVERYONE has at least a couple of marketable skills and talents. Most of the time, those talents have nothing to do with their "day jobs." 




So, tell me. What do you do besides re-style furniture or paint walls or sew curtains? What else excites you as much as finding a great piece of furniture or ironstone at a thrift store or flea market? 




Do you have any other passions that compete for your time? We know you love blogging... 




You may have guessed it already; I like to paint. I also like to make jewelry, which is why it tickled my fancy to find Audrey was a bead-freak, too! I can be a VERY messy gal. Different kinds of creative messes are always cluttering up my spaces. I love learning how to do something new, and that's ANOTHER reason I  enjoy blogging. TUTORIALS! Yea!


I have "created" since I was a child. I studied art in college. I worked as a graphic artist in the stone ages before computers. (No, we didn't use chisels and rocks, but we did do things by hand.) I made jewelry for a living for over 10 years. (That's another post!) 


But, here's the amazing thing. Once I submitted my life to Jesus Christ, when I said, "My life is yours. I want what YOU want, not what I want," my art changed. 


Wait, it's still not the amazing part yet. It's not really surprising that my art changed, that I wanted to glorify HIM with my life. 


The really amazing part is that I had stopped creating for a number of years. After my divorce, I was too busy just making ends meet, being a good mom, etc. But I KNEW that I would create again, and I knew I wanted it to glorify God. 


SO, when I picked up a paintbrush again, I didn't really know what was going to happen. You know what happened? I was BETTER at painting than I had ever been. Without practicing or even picking up a paintbrush in years, I got better. Now, you tell me: HOW did that happen? I know. I'll bet you do, too.


Do you paint? Do you sing? Are you a gourmet chef? Do you have an amazing stamp collection? Do you belong to a dance club? Do you play a didgeridoo? Inquiring minds want to know. Amaze us! 


Please comment and share with us. Show us another facet we didn't know you had. Post them on your blog. We'll visit and wish we could do it, too!


Word for the Day:


Exodus 31: 1-11 (This is a long one, but a good one!) 


1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— 4to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. 6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: 7 the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— 8 the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, 9the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— 10 and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, 11 and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.”

May ALL the works of your hands be blessed today!

-Revi


Linking with:
Monday
http://makingtheworldcuter.com/ Making The World Cuter Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/ Inspired by YOU Wednesdays
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ Wow Us Wednesday
Thursday 
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.the36thavenue.com// Share Awesomeness Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty Thursday

Friday
http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday
http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/ Catch as Catch Can
Saturday







9 comments:

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

What a great journey. Your mom reminds me of my own. Always encouraging and fearless. I love that your painting was better than ever. How blessed you are. I share many parts of my artistic side on my blog, but I originally aspired to a career in acting. I studied theater in college, made a few commercials, voiceovers, etc. I also participated in The ImprovOlympics at Second City Theater in Chicago.

Elegant Economies said...

Your art is so beautiful. You are so kind to me. Thank you! Did I tell you our "day job" is pastoring? Hate to refer to it as a job though. My Sweetheart and I minister together to a wonderful congregation in Front Royal, Va.I love that your art blossomed after your commitment to Jesus. He really does make "beauty from ashes"! Blessings, Audrey

farmhouse-story said...

your mom sounds amazing-what a great childhood you must have had! wonderful post--your paintings are so awesome,revi!

as for me, i never meet a creative idea i didn't love:)--right now, i design papercrafts for a stamp company--paper and glue, just like kindergarden--love it!

Ricki Treleaven said...

Hello, Revi! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, my dear. You know how much I love art. I wish we could meet, have coffee, and talk! Lovely post!

xoxoxoxo,
Ricki Jill

Honey at 2805 said...

I love your paintings! You may not know as I don't do it enough...but I paint...sometimes.

Thank you for linking your lovely post to Potpourri Friday!

DearHelenHartman said...

Found you through Wow us Wednesday and glad I did. Your paintings are wonderful and the story about your mom made me smile.

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

Yay for your mom! :)
your paintings are beautiful.
Thank you for sharing them @ catch as catch can.
gail

Kim said...

You already know that I like to re-do furniture, but I am also a sewer, a cake decorator and a stained glass amateur. I am gettting better at photography and love to read my Bible. I l.o.v.e to sing but do so just for my kids as they are tone deaf and think I sing better thatn Alicia Keyes! And I love reading great blogs, such as yours. Keep em' coming and the paintings, fabulous!

Anonymous said...

All I can say is thank you, for your uplifting words and for sharing your talents with the world. I'm never surprised at all the new things you attempt and conquer. I am honored to call you daughter.

I know you know of my new venture, I am presently writing a book, which, if I can keep my derriere glued to my chair, will be published next year.

TS