Paper Doll Crafting Party, Take1

I was invited to an awesome little crafting party, and the theme this month was Paper Dolls.

Check out some of my friends' results:

Beautiful glitter and butterfly wings, leaf tank top and flower skirt (gathered pink ribbon,) and a tiny basket with a single blackberry. Adorable. She is standing on petrified wood, with lichen and a real toadstool.

For this one, the sweet lady sewed the quilt square that is being used as the skirt and crocheted the tiny hat and shawl herself!

Closer detail:
Next up, the 4th of July doll

She is beautiful.

Sam tinted the color in her face lightly, and embellished her fabric dress.

(that is antique lace) Detail:
Then two ladies made beautiful Halloween decorative doll hangings:

I love the old pictures, and her use of buttons!

So cute!

Three sisters.

Here are a couple of mine. I actually made a lot. When the theme was announced, I started looking for ideas, and became inspired to go several directions with it. I'll post the others soon.

The green box in the center is a lipstick case that my Mimi had given me.

detail:Inside: And, of course, the picture is of my Mimi. The baby is my daughter.

My next one is a bit more modern, whimsical, unusual...

detail: So much fun!! I LOVE being around other crafty people.

If you're not part of a crafting group, start one!

Surround yourself with people who encourage you, and you can encourage in return.

Let those creative juices flow.

Choose themes that will stretch you.
Have fun!

Art Helps Heal the Hurt

I'll tell you straight out that I believe in Art Therapy. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it's often just as effective and powerful as Talk Therapy (and this coming from someone who has taken numerous therapy, family science, and therapeutic interviewing classes... bah, now don't flinch when I talk about alternatives.)

Everyone has their own way to deal with stressful events. I have several "baking friends," some "singers," a few "cleaners," several "exercisers"... all healthy and effective stress relievers. Mine, without a doubt, is art. And, really, almost any kind of art will do, whether it be painting a mural, sketching, sculpting, or coloring pages with the kids. Something about creating and releasing is soothing to the soul. God made us with creative talents & gifts, and I believe He intends for those to be used.
The kids are no strangers to paint. And, as you can see, I'm not a hyper-cleanie person.
Sure, give a 2-year old craft paints, glitter, paper and let him go at it. Why not?

The kiddos painted these fabulous clothes pins and blocks the other day.

Last week, when Mimi passed away, I took two days off of school. It's hard to function when you lose someone so dear to your heart. During that time, we spent time outside ...

(gotta love Dash's cute face, behind Little Lad)

...and many hours "doing art."
I painted a rug onto our playroom floor.

And then a mural for the kids. They designed it: roads, railroad tracks, lakes and a river, crosswalks, an ocean and island (with an X that marks the spot for buried treasure.) We made some box buildings to complete the city area.

Added some alligators to guard the Treasure Island.

Nature Man's firefighters saved the forest just in time.

Below, Little Lad (aka Batbaby) is just happy to be a part of the fun!
He had his own section to build on and then demolish.

I also added some art pages to their activity books. It's good to mix things up now-and-again.
I'm so happy to have Papaw here now, although it still knocked me off my rocker to see him walk in alone. He brought me Mimi's perfume, per my request, and also a mug that I had bought for her birthday and mailed. I drank my coffee using it, yesterday morning, and then put it up somewhere safe.

I love this sweet old man!!

Do you draw on yourself?

These winter days have been long. Today we have sunshine and enough warmth to play outside ... but for the past few weeks we've been trapped in the house, desperate for our central heat. A few beautiful spring-like days have kept us sane.
No way do I venture out in single digit cold. Overall, the kids have handled it very well.

To combat the claustrophobia and lack of sunshine, I took up running, and decided on just-for-fun afternoon kids' activities. One day last week we made Body Snatcher books. On another day, I drew on the kids. (yes, you read that correctly. I drew-- with ink pens-- on my kids, for the heck of it. So sue me.)

My mom always writes on herself-- phone numbers, grocery lists, you name it.
She's gotten better about that lately,
but I remember steadily changing lists
fading on her hand as I was growing up.That same day, Dash got into my laundry that was piled on the couch. Nice.
Easy entertainment.

You're hot, kid.

I've spent a lot of time lately just thinking about Mimi. I'm trying not to be down. I have no reason to be depressed. And, really, I'm so happy (and joyful) with LIFE right now, just so sad at certain moments. I will miss her.

Several friends have commented lately that we have an amazing family. We do.

Mimi was like a second mom to me. She was one of my best friends.
My mom and sisters are also best friends of mine. We see each other every week, at least, and have game nights all the time.
My Dad still takes us each out to lunch, individually, about once a month, just to talk and catch up.

I am so blessed.

I have so many wonderful memories and am eternally grateful for those. It puts things in perspective.
I want my children to have those same kinds of glowing memories, fun times.
I want them to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that we Love them Unconditionally.

Minnie Pearl West Burnside

Mimi and Papaw, in Arkansas with 8 of the great-grandchildren, 2008

Minnie Pearl West Burnside, July 14, 1937 to January 13, 2010, went home to be with her Lord from pancreatic cancer at her home in Sequim, Washington at 4:27 in the afternoon. She was born in Stockdale,Texas to Elmo West and Ruth Marcrum West Hemby. She married William Burnside in 1955 and raised four children in Lakewood, California and northwest Arkansas. Minnie graduated from John Brown University, Siloam Springs, Arkansas in 1971 and ministered to students as a faculty wife at JBU from 1969-1990. She taught junior and senior high school math in Decatur, Rogers and Gentry, Arkansas from 1972-1990. After moving to Pacific Grove, California she was math department chair at Notre Dame High School in Salinas, California from 1990-94.

Camping with her kids

In Switzerland for their 25th wedding anniversary, in 1980

...and then in Belgium

After retirement she served as a missionary in Taiwan and taught English at Christ’s College in Taipei from 1995-98.

Above, Teaching in Taiwan

Mimi in Monterey, CA in 1998

After moving to Sequim, she was active in women’s ministry at Sequim Bible Church and she then served alongside her husband Bill who pastored Oak Bay Baptist Church in Port Hadlock, WA from 2004-09.

Minnie served her Lord with thankfulness and ministered to the needs of others with her gifts of teaching, hospitality, cooking, and sewing. Everything she did, she did well, and with her whole heart as unto the Lord.

She is survived by her husband, Bill, whom she married September 26, 1955. Other survivors include her brothers, Franklin (Buddy) West, Billy West, and L.H. West. She was preceded in death by her sister Patsy West McGrew. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Jeannine and Chris Little, Timothy and Olivia, Cheryl and Rulon Foster, and Jonathan and Belinda, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. "Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come." "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:25,28

Mimi lived a life full of purpose. She followed God's direction. She loved through acts of service. She forgave everyone for everything, and held no grudges. She laughed quickly and easily, and became friends with everyone she met. Mimi loved people.

I will miss her. But she was ready to go, and God was calling her Home. I hope and pray that my life is as full, God's purposes for me are accomplished, and I'm ready to go when it is time.

Mimi's Raisin-Nut Wheat Bread

Mimi's Raisin-Nut Wheat Bread

(She sent this to me a few weeks ago. It's a delicious recipe.)

About 20 minutes before you start your bread, put 1 cup raisins in a small pan. [We like lots of raisins so I use 3/4 cup dark raisins and 3/4 cup golden raisins.] Cover them with 1 cup water. Bring to a boil. Remove from the stove and let them cool.

[Wendy, I now do something else that is optional. I pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 cup oats and let that cool and then add when I add the raisins & nuts. I also use 2 to 3 cups whole wheat flour in place of some of the white flour. This will increase your bulk & you can make a pan of rolls or a small loaf with the extra dough. I sometimes make 3 smaller loaves. Mimi ]

In a large bowl, mix 1 cup warm water with 2 packages yeast (or 2 Tablespoons dry yeast) and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Wait about 5 minutes.

Now drain the water off the raisins into a measuring cup. Add water to make 1 ½ cups.

Adjust the temperature of the water to make the mixture lukewarm.

Add this to the yeast mixture.

Add 2 cups flour and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix well.

Add 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter,

1/3 to ½ cup sugar, and 1 beaten egg and the raisins and ½ to 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans.

Mix well.

Now add flour–1 cup at a time until you get a nice stiff dough (about 4 cups or more).

Turn onto a floured surface. Wait 5 to 10 minutes then knead well.

Brush dough with oil. Cover with plastic. Let rise until double (about 1 hour).

Knead down. Shape into 2 loaves. Put in pans sprayed with Pam.

Let rise until double in size (about 30 to 40 minutes).

Preheat oven to 350^o

Bake until brown (about 35 minutes).

Let cool on a rack or on a tea towel.

Grief

I've dealt with grief before. I know what loss is like. But not this kind of loss.

I don't know how to deal with so many memories. It feels like I'm fighting my own mind, trying to decide whether to stay busy and just NOT think, or to embrace wonderful memories. It would seem, under the circumstances, that I should embrace all of the positive times. But that just leads me to cry. Crying all day, when you have four little children to care for, is not beneficial for anyone.

We took the day off school today, so I could think. The kids helped me build a fire in the firepit outside, and we sat by the warmth for an hour, just talking. I pushed them on the swings, they played tag, and then we came in with rosy cheeks and tired feet. Back inside, we read stories, painted, played Sequence, and made homemade pizza.

Quality relaxed time with my children. Art. Being Outside. Healing, in baby steps.

I know Mimi is in Heaven. I know it is her eternal Home, and she wanted to go. She is somewhere amazing, and with Someone amazing.

But I miss her. And I can't believe she is gone.

Papaw will be here in a week... and I'm trying to imagine him stepping off the plane by himself. Or walking into a room...and not having Mimi to kiss. It just makes me so sad.

I am trying to remember the things Mimi told me just a few days ago, when I talked to her last. I was crying, and telling her that I loved her and would miss her so much. She said, "but, Wendy, remember all of the wonderful times we had. And be thankful that we were able to say goodbye. So many people do not get that chance." She was dying, and spent that conversation trying to comfort me. It did/does comfort me.

Mimi has been a huge part of my life for the past 30 years. She was like a second mother to me, a dear friend, teacher, mentor. We had so much more time than many people get together. We knew what was coming, and had ample time to talk about it and say "goodbye for now." I'm very thankful for these things. Mimi left this earth in peace. She was asleep, not suffering. She was at home, surrounded by those who loved her and were praying constantly.

I am thankful for our time, joyful for her life and where she is now, pained over the separation, and confused as to how to deal well with it. It just doesn't seem real.

The kids know what has been going on, and that Mimi is in Heaven now. Yet when I mentioned that Papaw was coming next week, my Nature Man piped up, "are Mimi and Papaw staying at a hotel or at Noni and Poppy's house?"

Death is not real to them. They don't understand.

My little 5-year old Dash really has no concept. When we tried to explain, he asked "okay, but when is she coming back?" It's hard for me to answer that when this doesn't feel real to me either.

I try to convince my mind that she is gone on this earth now. Then I weep, and denial seems to take back over. Maybe I should chant, "it's okay, she is okay now, it's okay, she is okay now..." to get it through my head and help me cope.

At any rate, we're getting back on track with school tomorrow. The schedule and regularity will help me. I will run tomorrow, too (naughty me, I skipped today.) Exercise should help relieve some of this internal tension. And art. Is therapy. If I can't express how I feel or what I'm thinking adequately with words, then surely I can through art.

Keep telling the people you love how much they mean to you. Spend time with the people who matter the most. Relationships hold value above all things.

And thank you. Thank you all so much for the kind words, notes, letters, FB condolences, and prayers. I love you.
Yes, you.

Mimi is Home

Yesterday afternoon my Mimi went Home. I will miss her so much, but I know that she is in a far better place now.

Letter from Papaw today:
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5 Jeannine and I woke up this morning rejoicing that Mimi is with the Lord and happy in Him and will never have any more pain or sorrow, but at last God's purposes for her in creating her are being fulfilled as she is "like Him for she has seen Him as He is" (from 1 John 3:1-2). We both talked about how amazing it is that though we miss her and will continue to--and think about the Reunion with her we will have one day--that God has given us that deep-seated joy that the world cannot understand. So that we can be "sorrowful and yet always rejoicing." Yesterday the emphasis was on the sorrowful part; this morning the emphasis is on our hearts in the heavenlies rejoicing in the Lord and so very excited for what our sweet Mimi is actually experiencing at this very moment. Only those who know Jesus can experience that deep-seated joy in the midst of the sorrow in our heart.

Twice Jesus said, "if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death" John 8:51 and John 11:26 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." Minnie's body died, but she did not; she went to be with the Lord and "so shall we ever be with the Lord." The other day on her death bed Minnie said those beautiful, encouraging words that I sent to you the other day, and almost her last words were, "God has given me so much happiness!" And she brought that happiness to us! but this morning she is experiencing complete happiness and satisfaction in being with the Lord and others she loves with no admixture of sorrow, regret, or suffering.

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is Ephesians 1:6 "To the praise of the glory of His grace, through which He has made us accepted in the Beloved." There's a new song that someone let me listen to on a CD, "To the praise of His glorious grace." This CD is marvelous. It's "A Quiet Heart" by Soundforth Singers & Orchestra. One stanza reads like this:

Providentially ruling all things,

To conform to the end He designed.

He mysteriously governs and brings

His eternal, wise plans into time.

He works out every step, every trace,

To the praise of His glorious grace.

Jesus was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," but He "endured the cross" by focusing on "the joy set before Him"--the results that God brought out of His sufferings. Heb. 12:1-3 And He told this to His disciples--and through them to us--the day before He died:

"You shall weep and lament, . . . and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. . . . And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
. . . . "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:20-24

Rejoicing in the Lord,

Pastor & Jeannine

Timothy is coming tomorrow and Jonathan will be here on Friday and all 4 of us will be at the Memorial Service at Oak Bay Baptist Church in Port Hadlock Monday morning at 11:00 AM January 18. And Tina & James will be there, too with Tina's mother and Joanna.

[And there will be another Memorial Service for Minnie at Siloam Springs Bible Church on Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 AM.]

Mimi, we will see you again. In the meantime, I'm treasuring all of the memories. Love you so much, forever.