DE-CLUTTERING + ORGANIZING = PURGING

Thought I’d get your attention!

You know it isn’t just us (you, me, maybe a couple others), but as a society, including within secular circles, among folks who have little spiritual insight nor “feeling”. In the world, those who have given it thought tend to believe it has to do with the over- muchness of our material life, which is non-sustainable, as well as unjust to most who live on this earth. In other words, it’s not right that so few have so much, and we can’t keep doing this anyway, our resources are running out.

For those who may have spiritual inclinations, Christian or otherwise, the sense is that our “stuff’ has not just cluttered our physical living and working spaces, but have cluttered our hearts and souls as well. An increasing chaos which increases stress, just by having it around, this is not good for our body-mind-spirit, individually nor collectively.

For Christians, I think it’s “same old same old”, in that there has always been a tension between ascetism (think hermits and some orders of religious brothers and sisters, think of Saint Francis of Assisi who on his conversion went to the Vatican and appeared to the Pope of that time naked) and the prosperity gospel thing (God loves us so wants us to have have have…). Not too many of us have it figured out.

For my husband and me, it’s been interesting. I cannot imagine all the stuff that continues to come out of his closet--- “old records”--- of every description, that he is now heaving. HOW and WHY he kept it all, other than his accountant mindset, and HOW and WHY we had to move it all….. is absolutely beyond me.

As for me, it took way too long to get through all of my mother’s things which were in the storage unit. The first year after she died I could not do it at all. After which I could do it in nanoseconds, gradually working up to minutes and finally to as much as a half hour. Jack was very helpful and very patient with me. (Just for the record, now that it’s gone I had a burst of anger at my brother, who left all her care and all her things for me to deal with, without any assistance from him. But we digress. And that anger went rather quickly. I think. Because I realize, deep down, he just CAN’T). And now that it IS done and it IS gone, such a sense of freedom!

All our stuff is now where we live! Cars are empty of stuff. And each closet, each drawer, each cabinet is getting pared down. To the essentials. And even more, clothing may be essential, but if it hasn’t been used, or no longer fits--- no matter how we may wish to think it may again--- going to be used by someone else. If it exists it needs to be useful. If not to me or to us, then to someone else.

INSPIRE: ARTS AND WORSHIP CONFERENCE

This, which took place in early June 2014, was experiential, primarily worship. We started with Morning Prayer, infused with music, some danced. The CtR Choir, robed, sang chants.

Even after the time of worship in the sanctuary, when the workshops were going on, there was still that feeling of worship, and of being in the Presence. You know?

Four good choices, and could only go to two:

First I went to one on THE ARTS AND KINGDOM-COMMUNITY. 

This was co-led by Christ (prounced "wrist") Otto and Rev Pillsbury. Christ is the minister and director of Belonging House, which rather than a physical location is a virtual community, of arts, Christians, Christian artists, and the like; he has moved to Salem deliberately in the past year. The Rev is planting an Anglican Church in the Portland Maine area, called the Light of Christ. Lots of emphasis on music and the arts and outreach and community.

We went around the circle of particpants, about 30, told name, community, church, and why we came to this today. This, at least for me, was a tough one. I could give the demographics easily enough, but the reason? I mentioned that I wrote some, had just made my first quilt, and that both my sons were musicians. And personally, I remembered very deeply that their father was--- is--- an artist. And a good one. (Too bad he's mentally ill. But many are and have been.... think of Vincent Van Gogh. But we digress). 

The presenters dug into Scripture first and foremost, we studied a Hebrew word pronounced kind of like "charush", which has been translated as "artisan" We talked about God telling Moses to appoint two men... will never get their names right without looking them out, to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" and have gifts and talents to make all that was necessary for the Tabernacle. For the Worship. For the BBQ (as the sacrifices were eaten by the people afterwards, part of what built their community). So that is the true purpose of "art". For the Glory of God and so we can have a super worship experience when we meet with Him!

And in fact, the w ord "charush" was taken apart, as each Hebrew letter has a picture and a meaning of its own, so that a word can, in a sense, be a complete idea, or sentence. And the Hebrew letters in this word mean "the one who opens the door for the people to meet with El Shaddai"!!!!!

On another note, what came out of that introduction and for the rest of the day was that I am a quilter, and a fiber artist. I could talk colors and spirit, way more than technique; as you know, I have no technique. I was told by several participants, from different faith communities and different arts that essentially anyone can learn techniques, and with discipline & practice get pretty good, but not everyone had "it" in them and it was sensed that I did! 

I met others who are doing everything from traditional quilts to rugs to three-dimensional fabric scuptures to vestments for priests and altars, banners for processions and dancing in the sanctuaries represented...... Pictures were shared, on cell phones and smart phones and so on and so forth. Emails were exchanged, favorite websites cited. I met some lovely local women, and we may be getting together to take this discussion further, maybe do some work together.

If my good friend D/V could have been there, she would have LOVED the conversation. And her work, like that about the Daughters, would have been mulled over, received, welcomed. Many are doing similar things, unexpected things. And MANY are starting late in life!

Lunch was quite good--- with lots of great fellowship at the tables. My profession as ombudsman came out and so I was told all kinds of stories. People have no problem seeing me in that role, evidently. (BTW: that Care Plan Meeting with the hard-to-reach and sometimes adversarial son went VERY well. From my perspective it was pretty much a full scale mediation, but we all started out on a new and better level at the end. I spent time with the mother again; she in essentially non-verbal, has had bipolar most of her life with a late diagnosis, meaning there has been quite a bit of brain damage. But we got eye-to eye in a few minutes, and there was true communion. She almost reached out to touch me. In due time)

Second I went to one called THE BLANK CANVAS. 

This was led by an older woman, Barbara LaChance, who has already done quite a bit--- Pastoral Counselor, Psychotherapist, Healing Minister & Trainer, Life Coach, Life Strategist, Published Author.... And just a few years ago, while she was walking in her neighborhood, minding her own business, as she was going by the Community Arts Association building (I pictured one like that in Rockport, as she lives in Mystic CT)--- and she had that "urge" to go in, and seek out lessons. Pretty much the "urge" was really a voice, the Voice.... She talked with one of the instructors, told her she had never done anything more artistic than paint the walls in her house.... and the teacher was thrilled. And then I heard from her the same words I heard in the morning--- after a couple weeks of lessons, the teacher told her she could teach essentially anyone technique and most could do something, but only a few had "it" and she did.... So she's a painter now.

Oh, and a couple years ago, she was ordained an Anglican priest. Again, later in life, and a complete surprise. THOUGH she remembers the seed of that desire being planted back in grammar school, which was a Catholic school.... (I realize we may not understand or agree about the ordination of woman, but it's not worth discussing heatedly, at least not between you and I)

The teaching, which she usually does over the course of a day, condensed into a couple of hours, is pretty basic stuff. We start out as blank canvasses, God has a plan for the masterpiece he wishes to make of us, life happens, sometimes parts of the picture have to be corrected, sometimes he has to turpentine the whole thing over and start again. (Shades of the Potter and the Clay?). I was also using that as a segway into us working out our lives and purposes, by cooperating with the Master. And also using the same ideas and techniques to create our own art, to bring Him glory. You get the picture I'm sure.

And then, we had worship in the sanctuary, again, some more. Lots of music, Holy Spirit singing, and then two teams were formed so that participants could go forward for prayer--- related to art, or to healing. I did not get up for that, and could tell it was time to go home. In some ways I wish I could. Before I left I bought Barbara's book, THE BLANK CANVASS. Happy to share.

That's it, for description, though I think there will be more I will refer to as time goes on.

One thing for instant reflection and pondering--- 

For SO LONG I have been kind of "stuck" or seemingly so, as has my husband. Even though on the interior lots was happening, and we were involved, very, with the generational healing, which he still observes changes, on-going changes, from. But in other ways--- our finances, our kids..... and me being near burnout at work.

THEN I got a really good performance review (except for spelling and the need to be more succinct in my documentation.... I have that bent for stories, like my husband I guess) but was so affirmed as a resident advocate, someone to stand for the elderly & disabled. AND there's the training I'm going to THIS week--- in Providence, by The Eden Alternative, on "creating home" in long term care settings, and staying, once again, after eight years away, at the Haven of Grace.

And then SUDDENLY there's this event today, which I had kind of heard about but not planned to go to until late this past week. 

Not sure how, but I'm sensing they go together somehow. 

And BTW: Hubby is very happy with being Tour Guide on the Salem Trolley. He has a sense that just as an actor might say... "this is the part I was born to play".... that THIS is the right thing for him. IN the small sense and in the large sense.

Any of this make sense to you?

Response:

Had never heard that word before, "charush".   Which I suppose is hardly surprising. :-) Like very much it's taken apart meaning. Everything about who we are in Christ should "open the door for the people to meet El Shaddai".  We don't often live that way but it is how we should all be living.  Thank you for sharing it.

Am not surprised, on any level, at all, that you are a fiber artist, a quilter.  At all.  Have been telling you repeatedly, as have others, that the things that frustrate you are just techniques, methods.  Anyone can do fiber arts.  Anyone. You are greatly gifted dearheart and teaching you
techniques is no different than learning anything else and you are astonishing good at learning and you know it so relax and let Him open it for you. 

And don't be surprised if it is stages.  Bits and pieces.  Do not let the enemy make you deny that which is His gift for HIS glory.   But to have an eye which first sees Adonai, then through Him and in Him the colors of not just His creation but Him, and who has, in Him, the ability to translate what He opens for them, now that is the gift.  That is what makes the artist.  You have a very distinct 'eye' on Him and in Him.  The fact that you were so excited about going yesterday spoke of His call on you. And the opening of it.  The beginning, I think, of the flowered gift.

Needs be I think a place for holy arts.  There are enough places for secular needle arts but these don't fit a holy artist.  The bent is wrong, off, and we know it in our spirit, by the Spirit.  It's twisted often, full of confusion and humanism.  To have a place where you can share what He has been doing and showing that is safe and welcoming and worships Him and sees Him in it, is a wondrous gift.

Am not surprised that you sensed it time to go home when the final coming forward for prayer happened.  There is a time and a season for things and though it is very near, it is not quite yet full time.  This is a great gift dearheart.  The gift of needlework.  I'm not speaking from the Lord just from inner sense but I think that the fullness of the giving of this gift to
you needs to be done under your husbands mantle.  That's how great it is.

And keep sensing, or attaching it to, the gift of you two being sent out. Do not know why and do not know if that is correct.  You would have to ask the Lord.  But when you are both sent out, I think that may be some kind of major part of it.  I think am seeing someone lay a mantle over your shoulders but I don't know that that is the right word.  Anyway.

To your thoughts at the end.  Yes, I think they do go together, all the things happening and be sensed in Him right now.  You have open ears and an open heart my dear beloved sister.  May He speak to you and it directly and clearly, lifting you up and proclaiming you His own.

(Not sure.  Am seeing Papa holding you.  You are facing Him.  He then is lifting you high, a very little girl and quite adorable, up, up, up.  He is showing you to His courts and calling you His own.  Your eyes are completely on Him.)

As to your husband.  Thinking out loud.  The symbolism.  He is a tour guide, showing, uncovering, explaining, history.  If this rings rightly in Him then how would this translate to the Lord?  Would he be opening the door for people to understand history (?) and how it points to Him?  How it all
points to or away from Him?  I don't know but I sense it may be an important thing to ponder.

So much going on right now for you both. Threads being sewn into the tapestry of His creation in you both and becoming visible to the eye.

Love you sis.
Thanks for sharing
Shalom
D'v

SEW FAR SO GOOD~~~~ TO A POINT

Sewing has been going well. Have been re-doing over hand seams, as some have been unraveling. But suddenly the bobbin thread was nowhere to be found. Why?  Because the bobbin is empty! So now- going to try to wind the bobbin ALL BY MYSELF. She said hopefully. If I can't then Machine Sewing done till class on Tuesday. 

And I'll cut blocks for the Dresden Plates- which has to be done anyway- sometime.

Pleased to say I was able to wind the bobbin! And get tangled and untangled a few times. I went to my frustration point--- and beyond--- and did not freak out. It was really tangling up and not working right by the time I decided to call it quits. With supper time approaching, decided it was enough for today. 

And so the process continues. 

THREADS AND THE PROCESS

In this instance, the process is that of DECONSTRUCTON. I finally got that row of stitches out--- having sewn an entire strip at class the other evening. It took quite awhile, maybe an hour. 

And I'm still pondering THREADS. who would have thought there were so many kinds, and colors, and purposes for them? You said you are a "thread addict"-- what is it about threads that so attracts you? What should I be taking in and learning?

PROCESS was worth some pondering too. Most of my life I have HATED deconstruction, i.e. taking out stitches with a seam ripper. Always felt like I was getting NOWHERE and never would. This evening, I came to accept that as PROCESS, and it doesn't matter which direction, per se, or whether it is for CONSTRUCTION or DECONSTRUCTION.... "to everything there is a season, a time to build up and a time to break down... and a time for every purpose under heaven". 

This acceptance may be temporary of course, and I may come up to this again.... but the acceptance this evening was..... INTERESTING. PEACEFUL. 

After sharing with her, this from my good friend D'v:

Not thought of that way but it's true. Isn't that what the Lord  is doing right now with us? Cutting out, removing, unstitching all the threads that we have, unwittingly or in sin, woven into the fabric of who we are, who we were designed to be? A necessary part of the process truly.   Interesting.

Threads are BEAUTIFUL. Colors colors everywhere. Colors. I heart them.  There are dIfferent thicknesses, different weaves, some divisible, since not.  There are breathtakingly beautiful hand dyed threads.  There are threads in cotton, silk, wool, bamboo even.  Extremely fine to very thick. DIfferent purposes, completely different looks. You'll probably use all of them at some point in embellishing.

They make me smile. They will you too.

STARTING A SEWING CLASS

I need help. No confidence with my skills and intimidated by the sewing machine, and now I'm at a point with our Patchwork Quilts, that it would be best to machine sew the long strips together. Searched on sewing classes in my town, which is Danvers, and found "let's Get sewing". A woman does this out of her home, in her studio, formerly a garage, then a bedroom for her son, now grown and married, living elsewhere. So I began.

Last night class went well. I was with two young women, late twenties, early thirties perhaps, also just learning to sew. Their immediate motivation was to cover some couch and chair pillow backs from what they ARE to their own decor. 

They were both very nice, and like me, eager, yet nervous, about the machines. We all wound our bobbins and threaded our machines and did some practice stitching, on a white piece of muslin given to us by Donna, the Teacher. And then.... they went to the Cutting Table to begin that part of their projects, and after ironing my seams open, I stitched my first strip. 

Stitches came out great! BUT some of the ends of the hand-stitching is too loose and it was a problem. kind of hard to explain without showing.... but the upshot is, I have to take out that stitching and work on all those loose ends. (Sounds like a Parable for Life, don't you think?)

So, I am planning to get out the stitching sometime today, and over the next few days, do just that.... work on the loose ends, and then re-pin, and try to be ready next week to stitch the strips and have it come out all right. Not necessarily perfect, but OK.

And that's my story, for now. 

AND THEN... SOME MORE

I was talking to my brother Kenny on the phone, which we try to do every couple of weeks, to keep in touch--- after all, we are all each other have, now tht our parents are gone. I was telling him about the lap quilts I've started work on for my husband Jack and me, and in the interest of making conversation, asked him if he'd like me to make one for him. And he said YES! So now I will be working on a third......and I'm thinking about Dresden Plates.

So, in September, I begin. Took one day, no actual stitching per se, nevertheless an important part of the whole process--- cutting. Today, through trial and error, I made several templates to use to cut out Dresden Plates--- 142 in assorted fabrics, mainly from remnants and small pieces. I picked patterns that were darker--- blues, grays, greens, browns,florals that were nature-oriented rather than feminine.... as this is going to be the lap quilt/throw for my brother Kenny. Having done some planning on size and number of pieces and all, I over-cut.... by 34! Not to go to waste.... already thinking of future projects..... smaller than throw size...... pillowcases, or placemats!  

Kenny's throw should look something like this:

AND THEN....

Having completed my first quilt awhile ago, for my grandson Simon, and "rested up" from it.... I have started up again, with not one but TWO quilts. Making patchwork lap quilts for my husband and I, for the winter, which will come again, eventually, unfortunately. His core color is blue, different prints, including some with maritime themes, plus other colors, and my core color is red, florals and mini prints, with other colors. Simple--- she said hopefully. Cut out 96-6 inch squares, and then another 96-6 inch squares, over two days in June 2014!!! July and August, hand-stitched these, first into pairs, then quads, then strips......

Thanks to mom for getting me started!

HOW MY STITCHING BEGAN

THIS IS HOW IT CAME ABOUT:

Because she was facing cancer & surgery which was very agressive and very serious, my birth mother, whom I met fourteen years ago, and with whom I have become good friends, told me she has been  thinking about her LEGACY. And talking with all her children, including  me. This was in the spring of 2013.

She won't have money or property to leave. She'd like to leave some of her knowledge & skills, and her greatest skill is quilting. She asked me  if I'd like to learn, that she could leave that as a legacy to me. I talked to her about not liking sewing & attempts made while at the Haven of Grace, where I lived and worked for a time, in Woonsocket RI, where sewing was a required activity. About not having good eye-hand coordination  and low frustration levels. We talked it through, and came to the conclusion....... that we will TRY. She will try to teach and I will try to learn.

So once she had some recovery and knew her treatment plan..... we made plans for me to go out there--- alone (as there was NOTHING for my husband to do there while we're engaged, and if home he can go see his kids & granddaughter & do some of his volunteer work).... on weekends and start the process.

Handiwork here I come! We're looking at patterns for small and easy baby quilts for Nug. And just WHO is Nug? My first grandchild, expected in December!!!

THIS WAS MY GOOD FRIEND D'V'S REPLY TO THIS: 

What a gift!  And even if you have not had the right  coordination in the past ask the Lord and look for His provision. This is the time of those gifts being birthed. There have been and are many gifts hidden in His daughters and they include handiwork. Am so excited for you!