We are never alone

I think I can begin to understand why people have taken Sabbaticals, vows of silence, or live like hermits. As an extrovert, I first conquered working from home. I have a full life outside of work, volunteering through Quota and the church. I get re-energized from those gatherings.

Then I had to overcome Bill's new job which has him working in Detroit. It has been almost two years now. And when he comes home, I find it a little difficult to adjust my life to having another person in it.

Who knew as an extrovert I would enjoy being alone the majority of the time.

When those who have gone away to reconnect with themselves, return to "life" I wonder how they readjusted to the commotion.

I have had plenty of time to explore this world of loneliness. Quite frankly I am getting bored. I know when Bill does return home that it will not be easy. I will have a lot of adjusting to do. I am ready for that. In the meantime, I wanted to share with you the journey I took yesterday.

First I visited the Celebration of the Arts. This is an Art Show that our church hosts every year before Lent begins. The last day for the show is today, Ash Wednesday. Here are a few pieces that were on display.


The banner


"From the Lowly..." maple burl, Fred Bivins


"Bamboo" steel, Russ Baker


"In the Beginning ~ God Created" scrap metal, Lane C. Cooper (1st prize)


"Celestial Harp" forged & welded iron, David Holtslander
(photo taken from the hallway, through the window in the door, I'm not sure of the piece in the background. I just liked the way that piece had the iron gate in the foreground...)


"What Have I to Offer?" high relief, Terry Arseneau

There were a lot of watercolors, oil/canvas, and photography entered in the show as usual. Over 125 artists had pieces displayed, many had two! Our church always gets to chose a piece to add to our permanent collection. We have about four choices. The congregation votes for their favorite and whichever piece receives the most votes is purchased! Voting took place on the 7th and 14th. They have not yet announced which piece won.

I do love this city and its celebration of the arts through so many ways!

From the church I headed to Meijer Gardens. I wanted to get some photos of my favorite spots covered in snow. I've been there once before when there has been snow on the ground, but did not venture outside. We stayed inside to see the Christmas trees (I thought I had a post about it, but I can't find it if I do). This time I ventured outside to take some photos. When I came back inside I headed straight into the Tropical green house to warm up. For future reference, don't try to take pictures. Your camera will fog up from the extreme temperature change!


The greenhouse from outside


A little bit of color, spring is coming!


The waterfall
(it was actually very cool, you could still hear the water rushing underneath the ice)


My most photographed sculpture. The dull sky behind the shiny steel. It's winter and everything is asleep...


except for the butterflies! They are emerging!

Through my last couple of days of loneliness I have remembered that I am not alone spiritually. And through technology I am connected with many friends. But here in my house, I am alone with the cat. Juliette is a quiet companion.

Spring is coming.

pictures of the finished living room project

Here they are at last.


The fireplace. Okay, we aren't completely finished. We still have to pick an accent color for that white part. And as a reminder: the brick was already painted. I tried scraping the paint off. And it's not happening. So we painted over it.


Looking at the southwest wall.

Looking toward the front door.

Coming Soon!

COMING SOON...

To a blog near you (ie this one):

Photos of a finished living room in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have a very little bit left to finish tonight, then it will be done. Bill and I persevered and got 'er done. The painting that is. Yes, there are still the floors that have to be refinished. But that is for another time. Right now, in this moment of remodel history, we have the painting portion complete!

Stay tuned for pictures...

m.i.a.

Where in the world is Emily?

What happened to her blog?

Why isn't there a new post?

Are you wondering any of those things? If not, I do not know why you are here reading my blog. ;) If you have been wondering those things, well I can explain. You may have noticed the Quota of Grand Rapids feed in the right hand column. That has been my focus. We just had our huge Membership Awareness Event last Thursday. As the Chair of the Committee, I was in charge of it. After last year's disappointing event I knew this year had to be better. And was it! We had 42 people in attendance. That beats last year's 16 by, well you do the math. Our theme was "Be A Star and Lighten the Burden". Hopefully we'll get photos on the blog soon. Overall I am thrilled with the turnout and the event.

I am not overwhelmed by Quota, but I am keeping busy. I am the President-Elect. As of April 22nd I will be Q.I. of Grand Rapids next club President, as long as I run unopposed. I don't think anyone has ever had opposition, so the election is pretty much set. So if you are interested in what I'm doing, you may want to check that blog first! I am one of the blog administrator's over there too. I wear a lot of hats.

As for what has been going on here, well not much. Bill and I went to the Detroit Auto show with Dave on the 17th. I have photos, but they're being held captive on my camera. I am busy with work. We have not done anymore work on our living room. Something which I plan to start again this week. Because now I'm ready to be finished with that project.

We have plans this spring, but nothing in the near future. I sound boring. So there's your update!

Maybe I'll be back again soon.

Who Is Jesus?

Last weekend Bill and I drove to Indiana to spend time with my family. On our way we stopped to see Grandma. She had cataract surgery on Thursday and on Friday she was able to see just fine. Amazing what doctors can do these days.

We got to see our friends Alex and Jason and enjoyed dinner with them Friday evening. Even though our service was sub par and the waitress was apologetic, I felt like being kind to her was a better gift. It wasn't her fault the kitchen was short-staffed, nor was it her fault they were running out of food. We enjoyed the company of Alex and Jason and are looking forward to meeting their new baby this spring. Courtney has grown, and she cracks me up. I swear she is a Gremlin... you would never think that by looking at her sweet innocent face. But I have heard the noises she makes. Very funny.

Saturday, Bill and I saw a couple of family friends. We took Mom and Dad to Sam's Club for the Membership (part of their Christmas present), and then Bill and I made a stop at the St. Dennis' Family gathering to visit. Leah and Chris had just returned from their lunch. All the kids are getting so big. Emma had a slideshow of the Christmas photos she had just taken of all the grandkids.

Saturday evening, after my sister got out of work and came to Mom and Dad's, we had "dinner". This year we decided snack type food would be ideal. As we were just sitting down to eat, the doorbell rang. It was the Schwann's Man. Mom and Dad didn't have an order, but before he left someone shouted to invite him in to eat with us. Of course he could only stay a short time, but he did join us. After he left, I made a comment about having just shared time with Jesus, you know the Bible verse that says something about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison and when you do it to the least of these you are doing it for Jesus. Skylar piped up in her innocence and declared, "Jesus is the Schwann Man?" That got a big laugh, but it made me think. Yes. Jesus is the Schwann Man, and Jesus will be the homeless people Bill and I help cook breakfast for tomorrow morning.

In this Christmas season, I have already seen true joy. Quota has a group of deaf adults who are essentially orphans, that we buy Christmas presents for. Then, during December we take them to lunch and hand out their presents. They are very specific in their gifts and we always deliver. This year was no exception. To see the look on their faces when they open their presents, that is pure joy.

I hope that you experience pure joy this Christmas, that you can share even the smallest thing with Jesus and that love and hope fill your spirit.

Merry Christmas