• Life Lessons

    The Preservation Project

    “Are you ready for your lesson?” my niece said. “The first part of my training would be in restoration and second part has to do with preservation or conservation.” I put my phone on speaker while I grabbed my coffee and sank in my comfy chair. “Once the piece is restored then it’s preserved or protected from future damage. That is referred to as art conservation.” (Britannica.com) We chatted about her future plans and dreams until I ran out of coffee, and she had to go. The conversation ended, but my mind didn’t. To preserve or protect from future damage… Isn’t that what God does when we choose to surrender…

  • Messages from Heaven

    Restoration Project- Kintsugi Style

    “Can you tell me a little more about that restoration business?” I asked my niece. “Well,” she smiled “Technically it’s the repair or renovation of works that have already sustained decay with the attempt to restore a work to its original, undamaged appearance”(britannica.com) I grabbed another cup of coffee and sank in my favorite chair to savor my improvised lecture. “But there are other techniques used to restore pieces. Have you ever heard of Kintsugi?” Knowing that her hospital administrator aunt has limited knowledge of the art world, she barely paused for my response. “It’s a Japanese technique where they take broken pottery and instead of trying to put it…

  • Life Lessons

    The Restoration Project

    “Hurry up and go to Facetime!” my sister texted. “The graduation ceremony is about to begin!” I joined the rest of the family living in different parts of the world and proudly watched my niece Adriana receive her degree in Art. Her ability to draw, paint and create with her hands in such beautiful way is a gift we discovered since she was a little girl. “She’ll apply to graduate school and work in a museum in art restoration and conservation,” her mom explained. Embarrassed to confess my ignorance before a dozen family members, I looked up the difference. According to Britannica.com: Art restoration denotes the repair or renovation of…

  • Life Lessons

    Do You have a Word?

    “Happy New Year!” Our family sang in unison as we slammed the door on 2020.  Hugs, kisses and well wishes overshadowed the fear of the dreaded virus. What will my word be? – was my first thought of 2021. Several years ago, I decided to stop writing New Year’s resolutions and instead focus on a word I felt the Lord wanted to show me throughout the year. After praying and pondering I came up with the word HOPE. I thought it was perfect for 2021. The Oxford Dictionary defines hope as “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen; a feeling of trust.” That made sense…

  • Motherhood

    A Smile from Heaven

    “Hurry up and pray to Jesus for a wish before midnight!” I said as we followed our New Year’s tradition. Both girls closed their eyes tight whispering with praying hands. “What’d you ask for, what’d you ask for!” they inquired of each other. “I want a Barbie doll house,” said my youngest excitedly. “I want a baby brother!” declared the oldest as she jumped up and down. “What?” I bolted as if stung by a wasp. “Are you sure you don’t want something else, like a puppy, or a fish or a toy?” Putting her hand on her hip she said, “It’s my wish and my prayer to Jesus and…