I have to confess something.

I absolutely 100% love our church. I get SO much out of each sermon, out of the love and community of the people there, out of how God feeds me each Sunday with His word that is taught through words and actions.

But...

I also have a hard time concentrating without doing something to occupy myself...

so sometimes...

um... ahem..

I sketch out layout ideas and scrapbooking topics while I'm listening to the sermon.

Is that sad or what?!

I promise you, I'm totally absorbing what is being said, I just need something to occupy that right side (or is it the left? I get that confused!) of my brain.

*blush*

So anyways, I had this idea last Sunday to create an art journal every Sunday night, kind of reviewing what I'd learned that day. It's not limited to the sermons or music or whatever; I'm going to use it whenever something in particular strikes me that God is teaching me.

Me being the visual person that I am, I think that this will help me "meditate" and really process more of what's going on in my heart.

Here's the first installment. I had a blast creating this album cover... ideas that had been tumbling around in my head came out just the way I wanted them to.

And here's some pics of my crazy kids. Unedited, in all their blurry (Grr.) glory.

(An aside: I'm really struggling with Em these days. Her personality is VERY passionate, which means she keeps me laughing and entertained, but also keeps me frustrated and drained when she goes through phases like the one she's in right now. Constant tantrums and both of us very frustrated by the end of the day.

I keep trying to remind myself of something a wise friend once told me. His sister had been through a lot of tough stuff in her life, but because of her strong personality, it also helped her come through it. Em's passion and strength will help carry her through the hard things in life. )