The Jozen One

I was never the pretty one. I was not identified with words like pretty, beautiful or cute by my parents. Grandma called me all the wonderful things, I believed her. When she died, so did those words of affirmation. Crazy frizzy curly dark brown hair, uni-brow of wonders, braces at one point, no fashion sense, talent-less with makeup, growing nose of power, and no sense of purpose. If you ever have the chance to see my sisters, they’re quite pretty girls. People noticed that, told them often, and didn’t notice that they didn’t tell me. I just lived that way, it wasn’t painful, it was just how it was. My sisters are pretty, my mom is pretty, I just thought I was not. I was 16 the first time I had to face being called beautiful (since Grandma) by someone that I was inclined to believe. He made me wonder if I was, because he simply wouldn’t let me think otherwise. When he died, the wonder faded back into whatever it was before. It wasn’t until I was 20 that I met someone who...

Big house, big life, housework housewife. Make it all be right. Ends meet, barely. Time flies, just breathe. Love my family. Coffee, to live. Music, to give. Finding I’m captive. Mother, mentor. Teaching, go, go. So much high hope Full days, full nights. Budget so tight. There’s no right fight. Wife and best friend. Gardens to tend. Balance and blend. Calling, purpose. Always worth it. Jesus loves me this I know.

JESUS SAID "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14: 13-14 Have you ever given someone your authority? I have, on occasion, given my kids the direction to...go tell sister or brother, to do this and that, but let them know I said so . They love that, because there's weight in that authority. It's significantly more effective than if my son were to tell my daughter to take out the garbage in his own authority. When my son is able to use my authority, she will listen. However, in the case that he abuses my authority and if my son tells my daughter that mom said, "you have to give me all your money." she will know that my will is not being pursued, but her brothers, and he will find that I won't back him up. In a similar way we have the authority of Jesus Christ. Not only has Jesus given us the authority to use his name, but he al...

So, I've made quite a few of these decoupage canvas pieces over the years, and the process has evolved over time. I love this project, this one is probably my favorite. I started by writing out one of my favorite scriptures for my husband from Song of Solomon. Then, in between the spaces of the verses, I also rewrote our wedding vows and a new promise for the next 20 years.  I Mod Podged crumpled tissue paper over the whole thing, then added the highlight verse on top of it all in different fonts (manly ones for the honey).