Goodbye '09. Hello New Year!

It's been 6 months since I've blogged. It's been a full year of major changes and continues on. I begin Ivy Tech on January 11 in Fine Art. This will be my first college experience. I'm excited. I have no idea what I will be when I grow up but it will be one who helps others have joy.

This year I have hand painted/dyed a few hundred pairs of bamboo socks and people loved them. I will use this as one way to support myself while in school.

I have also freelanced designed and sewn for People for Urban Progress. Two people rescued the roof fabric from the RCA (Hoosier) Dome from it being taken to the landfill. The fabric is Teflon coated fiberglass and comes is 'hard' and 'soft'. The red and black were the letters on the Dome of RCA. They are donating most of the fabrics to the Indy Parks Department for shelters. To subsidize the cost of other materials and labor, they have had several people like myself come in to create wallets, clutches, and messenger bags with the fabrics. One place the pieces are featured is Silver in the City. It's a great project and much fun.
This year I taught at Indy Art Center, Frankfort Library, Indiana Bead Society and in my studio. I started a weekly group for women to feel safe in being themselves while having knitting in common. Our ages range from 19 to 60+. The young woman, Ashley, 19, has astounded me with her transparency, her dedication to the Lord and His principles in her daily life, her love and acceptance of all people, age and uniqueness. It's rare for a person of her age. She's one beautiful, hip person.
I've said goodbye to friends and a life style. I've meet new and wonderful friends that will be in my life for years. I suffered much hurt and I've gained much growth. I experienced family and friends of many years rallying beside, behind, under and above me, lifting my hands when I could not, and bringing me joy and victory. I've seen impossible things happen because of prayer and have gotten back into a daily time with the Lord in His Word.
I've watched my eldest daughter purchase her own home with her mate and four children. I've watched my youngest daughter mature more due to hardship in her life. I've seen my baby sister sacrifice more than she had and share the depth of my despair in this difficult year. It's a love I haven't experienced before. My brother saw needs in my life and met them without being asked while his are more than I could ever bear.
So has this year been one of hell? Yes. Has it been one of a taste of Heaven. Yes. I could not have the taste without choosing Him while the hell raged around me. So I am thankful for the hell making it possible.
What does this new year hold for me? I can only guestimate and walk forward day by day. And I am comfortable with that, even glad.
I will continue to clean up after 2009. I will give my best to school. I will be moving into a smaller place. I will find a way to support myself despite society's boxes. I will treasure my family every chance I get. These things are my intentions.
School is exciting but as a non-traditional learner, I wonder what new things I will learn to do to be successful in a traditional setting. As one with a unique take and presence in public, I hope people will give me enough opportunities to see my intentions rather than my first impressions.
In moving, I would like to be able to have studio space with minimal living quarters. I don't know that having my full studio set up will be used for school but it will help to provide an income and sanity with joy.
I head into 2010 as an adventure, an entire life change. I have adjusted to that mentally and somewhat emotionally in '09. Each new day brings more excitement for the future. I thank God He has made me an overcomer. May I encourage you that trusting Jesus brings peace and joy despite the hell raging around us. Seek His fullness and if I don't see you before, we'll rejoice together in Heaven. Whoo hooo!
God Bless and happy creating.