Let Us Remember

Hello!  ¡Hola!  We are now in Lent, which started on Ash Wednesday.  This week I got to impose ashes on over 276 children and adults, which included both members from St. James Episcopal Church and School, in Del Rio, Texas, where I'm the Rector.  The imposition of ashes serves as a reminder of our mortality; an invitation to reflect on our relationship with God and our neighbors; and preparation on our journey to Life Everlasting.

For my first project, I have a card that was inspired by my love of Japanese Art, which emphasizes elegance through harmony, balance, and simplicity.  For my card, I used Sizzix's Ikebana by Pete Hughes & Handwritten Love by Tim Holtz Thinlits sets; Spellbinders Painted Blooms cutting dies; Baofali 3D Clouds embossing folder; a paper cutter; and an Arteza black marker.  I'm submitting it to TCC #224 {Monochromatic Greens}, AAA #308 Sketch, and As You Like It Challenge - Elegant (and why).

Next, I have a spread in my old K&Company Smash book that I am VERY slowly working on.  It features pics and memorabilia from the Summer of 2017.  I used a birthday card I made for my wife, a pair of Matchbooks I made to document different events, an envelope enclosing letters related to my admission into the Seminary, photos, word stickers, and more.  It was fascinating going back memory lane.  I am submitting this spread to Lasting Memories - The Power of Words, Art Journal Journey - Anywhere, Any Place, With Anyone, and  Friday Face Off.

This is a photo of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, in Brackettville, Texas.  I serve the congregation as a supply priest, since they lost their priest a couple of years ago, and have not found a replacement.  They're a small congregation, but lovingly serve the Lord in their community and beyond.  I felt this verse from 2 Corinthians 4:17, conveyed how their present "affliction" is "momentary," compared to the eternal glory that awaits them as believers.  I am submitting this to Word Art Wednesday - Weeks #740-41, What's On your Workdesk? Wednesday 872/92, and Path of Positivity #138.

In closing, I want to leave you with an excerpt from my sermon for Ash Wednesday, based on Matthew 6:1-6,16-21:

If we forget our mortality, we have no need for God, our salvation, and life everlasting.  We forget about what the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ means to those who follow him.  Forgetting, makes us vulnerable to being contaminated by sin, infected by the ways of the world, and distorted into a false relationship with God, ourselves, and our neighbors.  So let us remember why we're being marked with the ashes of mortality.  Let us remember whom God created us to be.  Let us remember to follow the way of the Lord, live humbly serving others, and let our lives reflect Jesus’ teachings.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por su visita!  Shalom!

Arnoldo+