“They worshiped him; but some doubted.”

Hello!  ¡Hola!  Last week we lost Carol, one of my faithful parishioners, to cancer.  She was a faithful woman who loved unconditionally, selflessly served others, and continuously matured in her knowledge of the Lord.  It was sad loosing her, but I feel blessed to have been the celebrant during her burial service and committal.

This first project is a collaged art journal page I did.  I used the Sizzix Tim Holtz Artful Dwellings, Mini Openings, and Mini Hearts dies, along with the London Icons, Notebook, and Flourish embossing folders; a Sizzix Pete Hughes Infinite Dooldes #1 Thinlits set; a We R Makers Flower edge punch; A Francis Meyer Wacky Journal template; Copic Inking Pens; Petal Point ink pads; and assorted paper scraps.  My page was inspired by Art Journal Journey - Houses and Buildings, A Cut Above - June, and A Place To Start - Anything But a Card.

 

This is a piece inspired by Sunday Postcard Art - Quote or Saying.  I love the encouraging words about perseverance in this old Japanese proverb.  I did the Daruma doll drawing and calligraphy on a watercolor postcard, using Funcils Oil Paint Pens; Copic Inking Pens; a red stamp pad; and a hand-carved stamp of my last name using Katakana characters that I made years ago.  I am also submitting this postcard to Friday Face Off 6/5/2026 and Sunday Best #484.  (Thanks for the shoutout, NixPixMix!)

Next, I have a card I made for my oldest daughter, whose birthday is coming up.  (BTW, I apologize for the off coloring on the bottom of my card, due to photographic lighting issues.)  I was inspired by Colorful Options # 4 Cards, with a Tiffany blue, coastal, graphic feel; Atlantic Hearts Sketch 684, by Michelle; and Everybody Art Challenge 601 - Brads.  (Thanks EAC, for choosing me as one of the 3 Winner - 600th Challenge!). For my card, I used a Simon Says Corner Stone Seal die; Spellbinders Sunset in a Glass and Tropical Flair dies; a BearBoss brown cardstock sheet; a Desecraft Designer Foil sheet; DCWV Textured Adhesive Cardstock sheets; a Making Memories mini gold circle brad; and a Copic Multiliner pen.
I did this AI picture of my youngest grandson Billy, using the Image Playground App on my MacBook Pro.  It kind of looks like him, as you can see on my April 9, 2026 Post, but he's really a baldheaded baby.  I am linking this picture to What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday 887/107.
These are my wife's and my 3 rescue cats.  Rolo the Tortoiseshell is much older, so she's a no-nonsense kind of girl.  Gris the Gray Tabby and Sammy the Siamese are much younger, so they're mischievous kind of girls.  Regardless, they're all loving companions.  I am submitting these to Saturday Critters and Mosaic Sunday.

In closing, I have a summary of the sermon I wrote for Trinity Sunday, based on Matthew 28:16-20:

We worship and we doubt. We experience something real but we cannot make sense of it. Despite the trinitarian math of three equals one and one equals three, God is beyond words, explanations, or understanding.  In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis explained the Trinity as a dynamic, loving relationship—often calling it a kind of “dance,” where humans are invited to participate.  So if the Trinity is about love, beauty, and new life, we may not be able to explain it, but we can certainly experience it.  All we have to do is seek it, and join the dance with whatever moves we have.

Thanks for visiting!  ¡Gracias por visitarme!  Please leave a comment, so that we can get to know each other, and I will reciprocate the favor.

Shalom,
Arnoldo+

Comments

Helen said…
sorry for your loss. happy woyww helen #1
BJ said…
Loving the houses page and clicked on all your links, those will keep me busy later. Super card for your daughter too - beginning to think you have a huge craft room with all the stash you list! LOL Billy is so cute and shares his name with me (yep even spelt the boys way despite being female!!). Hugs Bj#4 (aka Billy-Jane)
ukmaryanne said…
Feels wrong to say Happy WOYWW in a week of loss, but it seems there is also joy - that is luckily often the case. It's rarely only sadness in life, so we soldier on! Love the postcard, and your sweet kitties.

Mary Anne (8)
Lunch Lady Jan said…
Your journal pages and postcard are great fun, both so bright and cheerful but very different in their looks. Your three cats are lovely, give them a scritch from me!
Hugs LLJ 2 xx
Hi Arnoldo, I'm sorry for your loss and her family too. It's a sad time when someone leaves us that we've been close to for so long but it sounds like she was a good person and will not be forgotten. I love the card you made for your daughter, it's beautiful and the baby pic is so sweet. Have a lovely woyww, hugs Angela x10x
Lynnecrafts said…
Sorry for your loss. I love the ‘Fall seven times, stand up 8’ page and your colourful designs. Your cats are beautiful, ours is a rescue cat, too.
Happy WOYWW
Lynnecrafts 9 xx
BJ said…
Just wondering if your comments are moderated as I can't see mine from earlier? Hugs Bj#4
Tammy said…
So sorry for your loss. Love the card you created for AHS--it caught my eye because of the two tones on the strips! I thought it was wonderful! And, thanks for the book quote--off to check it out at the library. (C.S. Lewis). Have a blessed day!
Rostrose said…
Dear Arnoldo, how sad that you lost one of your parishioners to cancer. What a scourge this disease is. You know that my sister-in-law passed away from it at the end of April, and I've also lost two school friends (both under 60) to cancer.

You've created some very beautiful things – I especially love the birthday card for your eldest daughter. I also find your grandson (with and without his bald head 😉) and your three rescued cats absolutely adorable.

All the best from Austria, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2026/05/reisebericht-2025-von-ost-nach-west-auf.html
sirkkis said…
Your card includes sorrow - but it's beautiful and well designed with the wise words 😍
Lindart said…
So sorry for your loss. I know your parishoners are like family. Lovely cards, cute grandson! My granddaughter was also a bald baby - for a long time! She has lovely hair now. I think of God (or Source, the Universe...) as unconditional love. No judgement, just love, kindness, and joy. And that is where your parishoner has gone, into that unconditional love❤️ Lindart #15🌞
Deann said…
Beautiful work all. I love your scripture and your quote.
BJ, yes, I moderate the comments I get. My art studio/home office is not a big room, but I do have it stashed with a plethora of all kinds of art supplies, art tools, and books. I have to confess that it's probably an addiction.
Sirkkis, you are very perceptive. I did my postcard the day after the funeral. I also had also had an encounter with a toxic person in my life. Working on this postcard helped me process my sorrow. I thank God for the gift of Art.
Chana Malkah said…
Hello, Rev. Arnoldo! It is so nice to have you visit our blog again, and my, how we love your submission! Your collage page is beautifully done. Your layered elements are perfectly composed, and the color integration is spot on!

Your sentiment is one of my favorite scriptures. My daughter named her son Joshua (Yehoshua) because our family believes that declaration summed up our position of faith. We have chosen who we will serve.

Thanks for playing along with us at A Place to Start! We look forward to your next visit!
Hugz,
Chana Malkah
I am very grieved to hear of the death of Carol. May she rest in peace. I am praying for her family, and you and yours. Please accept my sincerest condolences.

I like the ending of your post. Of course, as we worship we sometimes doubt. Doubt is good in moderation because it questions our understanding and beliefs and often can strengthen our faith. We can learn a lot though our questioning.

God bless you and your family.
Carola Bartz said…
Losing a good member from the community is really sad.
I like what you created, Arnoldo - but you sure know that the cats steal the show, don't you? Are they getting along with each other?
I not only love your 3 kitty faces, but you have great art in this post too. I love your house with those TH cut outs. Wasn't it fun to creat a building? And that Japanese postcard is super. What a great quote. And that is a super face too. Thanks for joining Matilde at AJJ. Hope you have a great rest of the week.
Carola, Rolo stays to herself, while Sammy and Gris act like siblings, and go from playing to bickering. However, sometimes Sammy likes to get into Rolo's space, like a pesky little sister. Rolo growls at her, and that's the end of that.

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