Supporting the Arts

Artistically, I have never received accolades but I have enjoyed the pursuit during my life time! Growing up I took nine years of dance lessons. In my adult life these lessons have not been a needed skill but I can still do a double step, triple step and shuffle ball change-where are those old tap shoes of mine? I played the clarinet and marched in the band during high school. Even though I was last chair, I still enjoyed the effort! In college I took a sculpting class, thinking I'd be great, but the instructor said my piece did not flow. Oh well, it was fun and I learned to have an appreciation for the finer arts!

It did not really matter to me that I wasn't the best, or even all that good at these things. I just found enjoyment in the doing, no matter the looks or sounds of the end result.

My mom, who is a respected retired educator of children, has told me of my children's artwork, that it is the process of their work, "the doing," that is important, not always the looks of the finished product. In "the doing," their creativity grows and their imaginations take flight.

My boys are beginner musicians. They are slowly learning to play the guitar, and the piano. There is a great feeling of pride for them when Mr Hughes, their instructor gives them a "good job!" He can always tell the weeks they have really practiced, and they get that feeling of accomplishment when they have played a song well.

These arts in our lives are beautiful, entertaining, and who knows may bless others one day; in the community, or in my children's homes, when they grow up to have families of their own. I hope they can use these talents and abilities they have been given or have learned to bless others! I know I can get a giggle out of all of the other Patterson's when I break into a tap dance number from yesteryear! A joy to behold I am sure!

Dear God,

Today I am thankful for the many ways you have given us to express ourselves and to express our love for You. The arts in our lives enrich our days and bless us in so many ways. May we bring glory to you in all of our artistic endevors. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Psalm 95: 1-3O "Come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. "

A Four Leafed Clover

Today while out in my back yard I found a four leaf clover! I have never found one before and I came by it completely by accident. I was talking on the phone about my anxiety over my youngest first day of preschool next week with a dear friend. I was standing in a patch of clover, looked down and there it was!


In Irish tradition the Three-leaf Clover represents the Holy Trinity: one leaf for the Father, one for the Son and one for the Holy Spirit. When a Shamrock is found with the fourth leaf, it represents God's Grace. I have been pondering God's grace all afternoon.

What does God's grace mean to me?

Grace is getting what I do not deserve.

God offers us a unmerited gift of grace through the death of His Son Jesus Christ. It was my sin that the Son of God died for. He knew me and of my sin even then. Jesus death is my salvation because I accept it. I must daily "die" to myself, by confessing and repenting of my sin, only then can I live for Christ.

I am in need of a Savior. I can do nothing on my own. God's grace has given me everything I have. I do not deserve these good things, but by God's grace they are here.

Grace- getting what I do not deserve

Isn't it Amazing!

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John 15:5 b "apart from me you can do nothing."

Sometimes to make this verse more personal I will read it like this:

John 3:16 For God so loved me that He gave his one and only Son, that when I believe in Him I shall not perish but have eternal life.

An Irish wish for a friend....my wish for you!

A Wish for a Friend
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For luck and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

First Day Of School Cake

It is back to school day! When my boys were younger they were absolutely crazy about school buses. They'd stand by the window to watch them come by and pick up the "big kids". They could not wait to go to school. Now my boys both go to school and my youngest is excited for her school days. Every year since my oldest started Kindergarten I have made a school bus cake for the night after the first day. I read about the idea in Family Fun magazine, http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50194efinder/display?id=50194

We are never able to eat the whole cake so this year I made individual cakes, thanks to a "Joy"-ful friend who made smaller cakes last year. She used small pound cakes.

I often wonder if children remember fondly the silly little things I do to celebrate special days. Today I smiled as they discussed the fact that we were sure to have school bus cake tomorrow night!

September 2007



September 2006

We put sparklers on the cake, which added a dramatic effect, however it leaves ash on the cake.

September 2005 I could not find a cake picture but with my youngest only three months old I may have been too sleep deprived to record "the cake" picture! Here is my oldest first day of school.

I hope you have, or have had, a wonderful first day of school whether it is at home, public or private, may your days be blessed and full of the knowledge that God needs your children to learn to complete the purposes He has planned!

Philippians 1:6 "I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.