On Fire for God

Today I spoke at First United Methodist Church in Watsonville. I was invited to speak for Laity Sunday.

I arrived early enabling me to listen to the choir as they practiced before the service. As I listened, I found myself getting choked up and I was surprised by this. The chorus of the song they were practicing went (something) like this:

Even though I cannot see you, Lord, I love you
I cannot touch you, but I embrace
I cannot know you, but I follow
I cannot see you, but I believe

It brought tears to my eyes as I listened to these words. I thought to myself 'how perfect the song goes with my message today'...

Again during the service as the choir performed the song, I found myself choked up - it brought tears to my eyes - the song was so meaningful for the message I was about to give to the congregation.

As I stood to give my message, making a final blow to my nose and wipe to my eyes, I told the congregation how I was feeling and how I was so joyful to be with them that morning. I delivered my message about faith and doubt and I could feel it was being well received.

At the end of the service, the pastor asked me to join her at the exit of the church and we greeted the congregation as they exited. They were so kind to me with comments, hand shakes and a few hugs!

Finally, the pastor shared with me how perfect she thought the song had turned out for my message and she explained that the choir director had selected the song BEFORE knowing what I would speak about or the scriptures I would reference!! I laughed out loud when I learned this...

This perfect song to accompany my message was selected WITHOUT any knowledge of what my message would be. Can anyone say GOD IS ALIVE AND WELL!?!?

I certainly can and how wonderful God is in showing me how on target I am with my speaking. It's not the easiest thing in the world to go from non-church person to church-person-speaking-at-the-pulpit in the short amount of time I have made this transformation and there has been a ton of doubt to accompany me along the way. But God is there, too, and He reminds me today that I am not alone on this journey - He is there guiding me and holding me up and for that, I'm on fire for God!

-- Kristin

Daisies for D.O.G.

One of the sympathy cards we received when D.O.G. died had these beautiful painted daisies - I was really drawn to them... ended up sketching and painting them myself. This is in my pocket Moleskin sketchbook with Cotman student watercolors and water brush and pen.

This is the first post of my art that is scanned - the few pics previously posted I took with my digital camera... but I also want to experiment with scanning my work as I can see a definite advantage with scanning: more control over the light and exposure... I'm excited about scanning! :)

What do you do - scan or pic?

Well, this Sunday I will speak at a completely new church. This one is "over the hill" in San Jose - a completely different place than my mountain church in Boulder Creek! And it will be a building full of strangers as I don't expect anyone I know to attend services. I'm nervous and excited all at once. My message is entitled, "Who Me Lord? Are You Sure?" and centers on the role of doubt in our faith and lives. This is the first run with this message - I will give it again at another church in Santa Cruz August 31. That event will be taped and I hope to share a copy on the blog sometime in September. Wish me luck!

Talk soon..

-- Kristin

Watercolor Journaling and Happy Mother's Day!

This weekend has been splendid! It started on Friday night and dinner with Gregg at Scopazzi's - the local Italian Restaurant in Boulder Creek. We can be seen there at least twice a month.

Saturday was my long awaited Watercolor Journaling class... I've been signed up since February and it was everything and more that I've been expecting! Pic above is of my most recent watercolor journal page entry, completed today after church..

It was a great day at church this morning and today marks one year that I've been attending. I wanted to remember the feeling... this page does just that for me - it brings back that warm feeling I had this morning at church!

My own mom is off in St. Augustine this weekend having fun... I was able to speak to her before she left. There are some other "moms" I reached out to today, also... there are so many in my thoughts and heart!

Happy Mother's Day!

--Kristin