Uphill idealist

My son is being confirmed at church in the morning and his robe is white. My daughter is graduating from high school in a week or so, and from cosmetology school on Tuesday; her robe is green. There are two robes hanging in my laundry room that represent big transitions in my children's and my life. How the heck did these robes get here so quickly? I will never regret playing with action figures and blowing bubbles with my kids instead of worrying about dusting the furniture. I do regret not really understanding how quickly they would grow to be as tall or taller than me. These robes got here too fast. And still somehow, I can't wait to see what they'll look like once they put them on - and where they will go from there. What an adventure it is and will be. White robe - Green robe. It's time to get dressed for what's next.

Dear all, As of last Tuesday the following article and my "Jesus Walks" painting were published in the Spiritual Growth section of TheOOZE.com . This is the second article that I've submitted and has been published to an online webzine or site. Click on this link if you'd like to see the post there, or if you like I've reposted the article below. Grace and peace, Tara ________________________________________________________ The Smell of Fresh-Baked Bread (by Tara Lamont Eastman) One of my favorite smells in the world is freshly baked bread. When I was little, my family and I lived with a neighbor as my dad was in the process of building our new home. Estella, our neighbor and close family friend, would bake all the time. So, when I got off the bus from school each day, it was a regular occurrence for me to have freshly baked snacks to eat. Sometimes she would make cookies, sometimes apple turn overs, but more often than not, Estella would bake bread. The smell o...

This multi media piece, "Jesus Walks" was created in 2009 using watercolors, ink, and paper cuttings. For more information on this piece, contact me at eastman_tara@yahoo.com Jesus Walks I remember these words from a song almost a lifetime ago, "...and he walks with me." He did, and does and will - walk with me on this journey. "...and he talks with me." In sitting with lunch with a close friend, in the uninhibited smile of a little child, in the moment I feel like throwing in the towel and don't because somewhere, somehow there he is and there is hope. "...and he tells me I am his own." Even when I fail, even when I'm not sure who I am or where I'm to go next - I am my beloved's and he is mine... and he, walks with me. T.L. Eastman 2011

The totes packed, there is a Walmart run to do, and some laundry to wash before I hit the road; but Ladies and Gentlemen never fear...it's Convo time again! In the next few days, many folks from the ELCA will be traveling to Rochester NY for the 2011 Upstate NY Synod Assembly. As we gather together, face-to-face and some following online; please pray for God's leading, direction and blessing for this time. Participate in this prayer each day of the Assembly - for when we pray together we are authentic community.... Wednesday June 1st : God I pray a blessing and energy to the individuals working to assemble the pieces of Convo, YA'll and the Assembly 2011. Thursday June 2nd: God I pray for traveling merices for those on their way to Rochester, those preparing for the youth attending Convo and for their time of training and fellowship. Friday June 3rd: God I pray for all the youth and young adults on their way to Rochester for CONVO and Ya'll. May this Convo be a true ti...

Is a gem you need to watch soon. It's about: dignity, courage, and hope. If you need a little of any of those things, watch this film.

Here is the shirt logo that I created for this year's Youth Convo coming up in June. The Convo shirts have "Convo 2011" on them, but I've had some outside requests for this artwork. Let me know if you are interested in the graphic. Have a happy art-filled day! Tara

Image from Wikipedia. If I could knit, I'd knit a sweater out of the things I'm thankful for. I'd wear that sweater in all kinds of weather. If it was hot, I'd think of the clean water I have to drink. If it was cold, I'd think of the layers of clothing I have to put under my thankfulness sweater. If I was hungry, I'd think of how thankful I'd be for a healthy body that can metabolize food. If I was hurting, I'd think of the loving people in my life and take their affirming words and actions to wrap around me. Keeping my mind in a place of thankfulness is often not as easy a putting on a sweater when I'm chilly. In fact there have been some chills this last week that are making it hard to think I'll ever feel warm again. But this image of a thankfulness sweater is one that has captured my imagination - and so I'm beginning to think of doing some knitting. I'll need some directions, some lessons and even a pattern for this thankfulness sw...