I wrote a lot of half-finished, never-posted blog entries, but my heart and imagination were fixated on the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah, the Babylonian captivity, the hidden treasures about temples (Ezekiel 40-47), and how to share my passion with others in a meaningful way.
But still, my soul yearns to create.
"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before." (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)
Next to crafting a good lesson and making tasty chocolate chip cookies, the way I love to create the most is through writing.
Last month, my mom asked me to write a Christmas program script for a very different audience than this blog ever reaches. It took me a while, and stretched some new muscles, but when I was done I felt grateful for the chance to create something meaningful.
So much of my day is filled with repetitive acts, like cooking, cleaning and exercise, which totally build character (and sometimes threaten sanity), that I have gotten into a rut of not making time for meaningful creation.
And so this week's Comprehensive Reform (aka New Year's Resolutions for those with Goal-Setting OCD) will feature a new item: Create something meaningful by dusting off the half-finished thoughts of the past three months and posting them each day this week. I've got lots to share, from how the Old Testament influenced my thoughts about airport security, to cub scout letters to soldiers, to my first dip into musicology. That may not sound exciting, but I feel excited by the prospect of bringing meaning and creation into my daily life.
How about you? What is your preferred form of creation? To jumpstart your thinking, I've included one of Eliza's creations. The medium is white paper, and adornments include dry pasta, fresh pine needles, and even an entire hot glue gun stick. I think it's a Christmas piece. Possibly.
lAnd Lily's been hard at work creating new hideouts where she can scarf stolen goodies in privacy.
And Sage recently wrote a story for her uncle's birthday and made darling puppets on paint sticks (my mom's genius idea) to go with it.
9 comments:
Janel you are just so great! I am SO looking forward to this with excitement, despite what you said about that not being a likely scenario...I've missed you and I'll be honest I thought you were pregnant or something (but only because that's when my own blog hit a stand still!) Although that would be good news, I'm happy to hear that the break stems from a calling that would be super intimidating but which I'm sure you are wonderful at....oh to be in your sunday school class! yay for creating more blog posts to feed my addiction! thank you!
PS I think you need to share the christmas program you created! and what does your mom do there? interesting work and experiences I'm sure! k bye
My goal is to take as awesome pictures of Micah as you do of your kids--you always get such good ones! And, as always, to make a chocolate chip cookie to rival yours (or maybe just to make one that's edible) :) I for one, am super excited to read your blog everyday!! Yay!
Janel, I've missed you. So glad you're back.
As you know I LOVE to create and it makes me feel good to know that it's not a waste of time.
Right now I'm working with fabrics but I also like to work with fibers (yarn), paint, and food (especially ones with sugar).
I'm looking forward to reading more of your creations.
WElcome back to blogging. Bless your for being a Sunday School teacher. As I often say to Jason, we will have to move out of a ward if that calling is extended to me. Loved all the creative artwork.
You should podcast your class so I could listen to it on headphones while pretending to pay attention in my own ward.
Also, the Old Testament is my favorite. I mean, I'm glad we have the New Testament and everything. But the year I joined the church I studied the OT in seminary. It helped me gain a testimony of Christ and this church.
I recommend Don McLean's song "Babylon," about the Jews who were carried away captive. It's surprisingly good.
I enjoy every blog post you write. You have a real talent. Thanks for sharing.
How about the "violin" Sage created? Your girls are amazing that way. What a great post about creating. It makes me want to write more. And you have a LOT of great creating talents. Hooray for a goal of more blogs so I can finally see more of that tantalizing folder on your desktop that has ideas of things to write.
Yay! I'm excited to read.
And my preferred form of creation? Pasta pictures for sure.
I should feel motivated to create . . . but right now suffice it to know that I invited you to create my narration. :) ... which, by the way, was adorable, of course!
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