It has been a while since I last wrote here, and a lot has happened. I have some things to share, so I am glad you are here.
I came home from Japan not long ago, and I loved it. I walked so much and visited some of their art shops. They were not as good as the ones I found in America, although I suppose that depends on what you are looking for. I am very proud of myself that I did not buy anything.
A few weeks after I came home, a dear friend sent me a message. She and her husband travel in their caravan, and we would often meet up with them somewhere in our travels if we were in the same state of Australia. She told me that he had suddenly passed away. My heart is heavy for her, and I am praying for her as she walks through this. I am glad that I am only a phone call away when she needs a friend.
I lost my grandparents years ago, but the language barrier meant we never had much of a connection, so I have never walked through grieving someone this close to me. I do not really know what that process looks like. Both my parents and my husband's parents are ageing too, and both of our dads are not doing well. It has been a heavy season.
I have been spending time with Pappa and thinking about the weight of all of it. When life has been heavy, I have been leaving my burdens with Him.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV
I have a good dad, and I am thankful that he is still here. I would love for our connection to be deeper, yet it is not. He is a typical Chinese man who does not express much. They say that he has dementia, although I am not sure. I wonder whether people shut down when they are in an environment that is not positive, as a way of shutting out the negative things around them. The medication he has been put on also leaves him very dulled. It is hard to watch your parents age, especially when both parents do not get on well, which adds to the heaviness.
Growing up I was often the meat in the sandwich, dealing with conflict on both sides. Years ago I realised I needed counselling around a lot of that, and healing has come slowly as I have allowed Pappa to peel back the layers in my heart that needed healing. During my healing at Ellel, I learned how to create healthy boundaries, and I really loved the Healing with Art weekend. That is really where Transforming Pages grew from. Journaling helps me so much, and the art gives me joy as I create with Pappa.
This weekend my husband went to Ellel for the men's retreat, and I helped in the kitchen. It was lovely to keep the dishes clean and not have to think. It was a mindless job, so I could praise and worship the Lord and pray while I did it. I also spent a couple of afternoons creating.
I made a journal full of filled pages for the couple who started Ellel in Sydney. They have been there for so long, and now they are retiring. The journal had pages ready to be worked on that I had created and left to sit. It was so satisfying to complete it in a couple of days. You can start watching the playlist here. I called it the Encouragement Journal. Here are some of the pages.
Our community has a home
Our Facebook group is just starting, and it is waiting for you. It is a very new group, and I would love to invite you to join.
I was not sure about starting a Facebook group, which is why it took me a while, and now I feel okay to begin. Shame and fear are the two things that keep us from moving ahead, so there is to be no shame or fear in this group. You can come as you are.
It is a place for anyone who stopped believing they were creative. You can share your pages, finished or messy, and you can ask questions and encourage one another. You do not need any artistic ability or special supplies.
Feel free to invite your friends as well. Everyone is welcome to join, and I want it to be a safe place for you.
Request to join the Facebook group
The last time I shared the link for my free devotional, God Sees You: 5 Days of Soaking in His Love, it did not work. Here it is again, and I am sorry for the trouble.
Thank you for being part of this. Come and take a seat at the table.
Your creative friend,
Tina
