The Lost Sock

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Agape.... can we do it?

Agape love is a love that is always patient, kind, not envious, boastful or proud of self. It does not dishonor others, act selfishly, it is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Agape does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1Corinthians 13:4-7)
The more I live my life... I feel incapable of this agape love. I do try to love this way, but eventually find myself somehow secretly expecting something in return, feeling like I want to lose hope, or find it hard to trust somebody. So, I have come to the conclusion, that I cannot do it no matter how hard I try. But, I also find it incapable of anyone I have ever met to obtain this Agape as well. Everyone in my life has at some point let me down, hurt me, or expected favors from me. But I cannot hold it agianst them when I myself struggle and do not want to be judged. This love is modeled by Chirst. We cannot ever be as he was. We can live to and fail. But, I think that our failure is the whole point... He knew we could not do it. That is why he asked Peter three times if he Agaped him. He knew the answer. He knows we cannot as humans love him as much as he loves us.
I heard on the radio the other day a man say, "I cannot brag about how much I love God because I fail him everyday. But I can brag about how he loves me because His love never fails.". This is the point that I realized this concept. Peter did love God. He said he would never deny him, but failed. His love was conditional and changed depeding on circumstance. We cannot honestly say ours doesn't or we are fooling ourselves.
But, the good news is... Christ agapes us no matter how much we try and fail. He is not here to condemn us, but to forgive and save us. We don't have to agape, cause his agape through us can shine through to the world. He is full of grace and mercy. He cut all the strings! No expectations! He just wants you... just as you are.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Silly Pickles...

My latest idea for the LostSock Creations...

A Lion and a Lamb!...

but my lamb didn't turn out so sheepish.

I added the eyes and it looked like an owl... so i added the ears and it looked like a cat.

I felt creatively defeated!... just as I was grabbing for the seam ripper I thought... hmmmm.

I am the Creator of this LostSock. My Creator didn't put a seam ripper to me if I didn't fit the mold.

Maybe this could be a happy accident for me. Maybe I could just go with it! Keep it a kitty.

SO, instead of elimination parts to make it look like my plan, I added more to make it go with itself. So, in the end I had a Kitty SockDoll named Pickles! I LOVE HIM! If i would have made him a lamb like I planned, I would have never had the pleasure of Pickles.

WE need to let go sometimes. Just quit following the was we think things should be and go down a road off the course. Maybe it will be better than we imagined. My Pickles sure is cool.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Nature Creatures inspired by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

I teach a collage lesson every year with my 6th graders. It introduces them to the artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593) . I like how he was from the 16th century, but so ahead of his time. He was whimsical when every other artist was stiff. He was a Picasso before they were ready, willing to have fun and adventure with his art. He used painted natural objects in portraits of people (like using strawberries for eyes and pea pods for teeth on a pumpkin head).

My kids took magazines and hunted for natural items they could arrange to organize a creature. The fun part about my job (SSSShhhhh! don't tell...) is that I sit right along with them and do the same assignment. Since this is one of my favorites, i did a few.

Click the link below to see the students examples as well.

Go ahead and grab some magazines and make your own too.

But I must warn you, don't do it on an empty stomach.

another of mine...

another...

another of mine...

ONe of my 6th graders this year did the above one...

http://classroom.mineolaisd.net/webs/seatont/nature_creatures.htm

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Photo Shoot Japan Girls

My wonderful husband got his new camera for Christmas and is having a ball taking pics of us all. We have spent the last 2 Sundays scouting locations for photo shoots. He has a blast and we do too. He makes us feel like top models. I think he is a natural at this...
We dressed the girls in Vintage Oriental tops that were thrifted. I am wearing a thrifted corduroy jacket ($3.99). and oldnavy floral blouse ($9.99), with my new MInnetonka Christmas boots.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Paper Plate Art

There's just something about a circle... when you have been drawing on a rectangle for so long. It is refreshing and inspiring to create on something round. I have been creating some Paper Plate art. I have been having fun and cannot stop! That scalloped edge is like a pre-designed border, just waiting to be emphasized with more lines and colors...

I hope I inspire you to design your own plate too! Have fun...

CRITERIA:

Make a border around the edge and a free design/drawing in the middle.

Make a Radial Design that repeats around the cirlce.

Create a Unique Color Wheel around the plate.

The next few were done as instructor examples by me, Tabitha "Seaton" Morgan...