Christy Sheffield

My favorite quote from Eli Stone

Just wanted to pop in real quick and share something inspiring. J and I have been watching tv shows through Netflix, some instantly and some on DVD. Lately I've been watching a bunch of older shows (or older episodes) that I never watched while they were on tv. We've watched Pushing Daisies, which I adore and am so sad that I found it so late.

Another show we started watching is Eli Stone. I've watched four episodes and really enjoy it so far. Plus, I love Jonny Lee Miller ever since I saw him in Mansfield Park.

source

The show is about a guy who starts having hallucinations that are really visions pushing him towards paths that help others while he learns more about himself and his relationships with those around him. Meanwhile, those decisions make him look like a certified quack and strain his relationship with his employers and his fiance.

The first episodes deals with him learning about this new-found gift. Eli's friend, Dr. Chen is convinced that Eli is meant to be some sort of prophet, saying that God has called a prophet in every generation. Here's how the rest of that conversation goes:

Eli: The difference between those guys and me is - I don't believe in God.

Dr. Chen: Sure you do. You believe in right and wrong. You believe in justice, in fairness. And, you believe in love. All those things - they're God, Eli. And, that [pointing to a sunset] - that's God, too.

Of course, I understand that many people have different and opposing views on what God is. After all, there are a billion and one religions devoted to this god and that god. And, I also understand that line was written from a secular, neutral point of view so every person, no matter his or her faith, could walk away appreciating the quote and not finding any offense with it.

But, I'm going to speak from my point of view. As a believer in Christ, I do agree that God is love, just, and fair, among many other good attributes. After all, God is good. And what I love is that Dr. Chen associated a sunset with God. I thank God for sunsets all the time.

Furthermore, as I strive to be a better and more confident artist, I am reminded of the True Artist, Yahweh. I can paint canvases, make cards, draw dolls, and scrapbook my history. And, while I'm proud of my masterpiece, I can only say that it is, at best, a fair imitation of the true masterpiece that surrounds me - God's creation.

Take, for instance, the sunset. Dr. Chen was right saying that a sunset is God because God created that sunset. No man or woman or child can claim ownership to that marvelous masterpiece. How marvelous that He would take a moment during the creation of this world to paint a sunset that you and I can enjoy often - a sunset that is different every single day. 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

Hello 2010.

Good morning 2010. Right now I'm kind of being lazy. Still in the pajamas. Editing some photos from August. (Yes, I know...I'm way behind.)

I've been thinking about some goals for this year. Here's some I've come up with...

+ Work in my art journal weekly. Found some great art journaling prompts here and here.

+ Learn to crochet.

+ Finish my dollhouse.

+ Practice drawing more using Illustration Friday's weekly prompts.

+ Learn how to use my digital SLR camera. I'm starting Maggie Holmes' class in a few days. Super excited about that.

+ Simplify my scrapbooking process. Tell more stories. Capture life. I plan on utilizing Becky Higgin's Project Life to make this a reality. LOVE this idea.

+ A picture a day.

+ Unpack EVERY SINGLE box in the house that has been sitting here since we got married in 2007. Yikes.

+ Repaint the studio and make fabric poms and curtains to match. I'm thinking gray, turquoise, watermelon, and yellow.

+ Update Quicken weekly instead of waiting until the end of the month.

+ Write in my prayer journal daily.

+ Memorize more scripture.

+ Get rid of the personal gym that we inherited when we bought the house (thanks Adam and Amelia) so we can fix up the shop that it's sitting in.

+ Start a vegetable garden.

+ And, most importantly...BE MORE LIKE CHRIST.

What are your goals for 2010?

Goodbye 2009. Hello 2010.

Goodbye 2009. I am rather glad to see you go because you really weren't my favorite year. Too many downs and not enough ups.

It has been so long since I have posted that Typepad has changed its editor. Not that I was lost, only dazed for a second.

So, why the long absence? I took some time away from blogging because I had a lot going through my head. And, I've decided to be honest with you. My doctor diagnosed me with depression and anxiety issues. Before you get alarmed, it wasn't anything bordering suicidal. Just mild...but mild enough to interfere with my daily life.

I stopped taking care of the house. I stopped taking care of myself. I avoided phone calls. I barely got on facebook. I never got on twitter. I avoided my blog because I felt that it would expose me. I stopped creating. So, I got help.

I'm feeling so much better now and am getting my life in order. I've been working on the house, cleaning up and catching up on the pile of laundry on the floor in the master bedroom. I also filled in twice for some teachers on maternity leave. That kept me busy, but I was thankful for the busyness of it all because it kept me focused.

And I've started crafting some stuff. Amazing...I feel so alive when I'm crafting something. I love to bring beauty into the world...even if I am the only one who appreciates it. Making something gives me a glimpse of how our Heavenly Father must feel...beaming with love and pride over His precious creation. Some stuff we find beautiful, like a sunset or a rose. Other things we find disgusting, like the homeless person who hasn't showered in months. But He finds it all beautiful.

Joy.

So, goodbye 2009. I learned a lot from you but I'd rather not relive it. And, hello 2010. I embrace you with open arms, ready to refresh and re-energize myself.

 

Many thanks...

Thank you everyone who left kind comments on my last post. Your encouraging words really help. So far nothing has panned out, but I am reminding myself that "no" isn't necessarily a rejection of me but rather a closed door. I'm trudging forward with the help of many prayers and loving family members. I have one other opportunity that I'm checking on today. It's not a teaching position, but it is at a school. The pay would be relative to what I made as an assistant teacher (aka not much at all), but it is more than a minimum wage job at a store, plus I would have time off during Christmas and Thanksgiving. If that doesn't work out, then I've considered applying somewhere like Hobby Lobby or Michaels so that I have some sort of income until I figure things out.

For the last few weeks I've been hit and miss with the Internet. Sorting of taking a break. With all that's happened, I've been down in the dumps so it has been hard to get motivated. I hope to spend this week doing some crafting because I miss it. And, it really is a great way to relieve some stress.

In the meantime, I'm editing and uploaded some neat pics that I will share soon.

Sweet Baby Abigail

As promised, here are more pics of my beautiful niece, Abigail.

Eyes Wide Open, originally uploaded by wonderfully complex.

Amelia and Abigail, originally uploaded by wonderfully complex.

The proud momma, Amelia (my sister) is doing great.

And here she is with her awesome Uncle Jason and Aunt Christy.

Abigail (1), originally uploaded by wonderfully complex.

As we left the hospital, Jason and I saw the most beautiful sunset. I named it Abigail's Sunset.

Abigail's Sunset, originally uploaded by wonderfully complex.

A few more photos from Abigail's birthday:

Abigail 03-04-09, originally uploaded by wonderfully complex.

1. Preemie Abigail, 2. Mommy and Baby, 3. Abigail (5), 4. Abigail (6), 5. Abigail (2), 6. Daddy and his girl, 7. Itty Bitty Toes, 8. Abigail (4), 9. Sweet Baby Abigail, 10. Abigail (3), 11. Eyes opening, 12. Nikki

I'm an Aunt!

Edited: Photo finally uploaded!

Abigail Diane Watkins
4 lbs 6 oz
18 1/2 inches

Proud Parents are Adam and Amelia Watkins (Amelia is my sister).

I will post more pictures later.

Please be in prayer for this little one and her amazing parents. Amelia will come home tomorrow but little Abigail will have to stay in nicu for several weeks. She is breathing on her own, so she's doing great. (Of course, her parents ARE Amelia and Adam, so this is one little determined baby!)

Sick.

I'm home sick today. Stomach virus. So this makes 2 for 2 working at an elementary schools - been there two years, gotten the stomach virus two years. Great.

You know my favorite thing about the stomach virus? The gourmet food. Sprite and saltine crackers. Yum. Wait, maybe it's the constant struggle between feeling hot and feeling cold that I love. I don't know...both are winners. :(

What kind of reader am I...and more

What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Literate Good Citizen   You read to inform or entertain yourself, but you're not nerdy about it. You've read most major classics (in school) and you have a favorite genre or two.
Dedicated Reader
Book Snob
Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
Fad Reader
Non-Reader
What Kind of Reader Are You? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Today is the first day since Tuesday that I have been online or checked email. I've been studying all week, trying to remember all that I've been reading in preparation for the Praxis II test today. My goodness, the stuff you learn from 4th-8th grade! It's incredible. Too much to remember, in fact! I'm hoping that I passed the test.

This morning was incredibly frustrating. I was told to report to the testing facility at 7:30 a.m. PROMPT. So, like any studious person, I was there early. I found the room and got settled, waiting for the proctors to show. They showed up at 7:25 and asked all of us to get our stuff and exit the room so that they could properly check us in. I completely understand why, but did it require us standing out in the hall for 25 MINUTES until they got the room in order? They were well aware of how many test takers there would be. Why did they arrive earlier and have the room set up?

So, after standing in a 100 degree hallway for literally 25 minutes, we were all allowed back in and assigned seats. Then we sat and waited more, because we could not start the test until everyone arrived OR until 8 p.m. Two people were missing, so we sat until 8:00. During that time they allowed anyone who needed to use the restroom to do so. However, one MORON with his bluetooth set left the room and was gone for quite some time. And, we had to wait for him to come back before we started. So we didn't even start the test until 8:20. And, of course, I could not leave until the entire test time was up. I'm a pretty quick test taker (you either know it or you don't), so I finished the test with a little under an hour left. Then I went back and checked my answers, making sure that I didn't get off-track somehow on the bubble answer sheet. Did all of that and still had 20 minutes to go. HOW BORING!

Here's the thing. I have to pass this test in order to get my teacher's certification. If I don't pass, I take it again (for another WHOPPING $80!!!). I have no clue how I did. Even though I took several practice tests, I don't know what I would have scored. See, the company that administers the praxis exam gives out different versions each time the test is administered. And, as not to punish those who receive a harder test, the answers are scaled. For example, you might get 100 out of 120 questions right, but that's not your final score. Your final score depends on the level of difficulty of your exam. 

Can you understand my frustration?

But now that's finished and I won't know the score until February. I can finally get the stack of DVDs and books that have been calling my name. Oh yeah, and my school work.

My Personality

If I were an elf...

...my name would be Eruaphadriel (Air-oo-ah-fahd-ree-ell). Good thing I'm not an elf because I'm pretty sure that would have stumped my teachers.

If you are a girl, you can find out your name in elvish here.

Oh, and (in case your're wondering) I also figured out which Lord of the Rings character I am:

I'm Samwise Gamgee!



Cynical and clumsy, but loyal and brave, you're Samwise Gamgee!

"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he'll go."

Which hobbit in the fellowship of the Ring are you?

And which race I am:

I'm a Hobbit!



Though technically not your own race, you represent what's most enjoyable and best in the Lord of the Rings world. Your love, spirit and selflessness are unsurpassed among your Middle Earth brethren.

Which Lord of the Rings race are you?

I had better stop. I don't want anybody thinking I'm a huge Lord of the Rings nerd, I mean, fan.