I just watched “I Am David” and enjoyed this story of a persevering boy who broke out of a prison camp after WWII and learned to trust again (see link below). How about you…any suggestions?

http://www.iamdavidmovie.com/main_flash.html?DETECT=SWF.6000000

• Elmhurst Christian Reform Church, 155 Brush Hill Road in Elmhurst 
• Nursery is provided for newborns through age three 
• Guests can visit the church website at www.elmhurstcrc.org or call Rhonda at 630-916-7527

Me in front of my on-stage "creative lab!" at DIVE!

We dove in at DIVE on Nov. 7 at Christ Church of Oak Brook, IL. Mindy Caliguire spoke on diving deeper into  our relationship with God, Anita Lustrea challenged us to risk deeper spiritual friendships and I had a blast talking about discovering our (sometimes long-lost or hibernating) God-instilled creativity. We ended the day with a panel of  women talking about how God’s calling in our life evolves through the seasons of our life. Angie Thomas led beautiful worship. We met some open and spirtually-seeking new friends. Thanks for taking the DIVE with us ladies!

engaging in a life of the mind

with people who take faith seriously

my spirit is twirling, smiling, celebrating, creating

How about you?

I finally saw it this afternoon, the movie Julie & Julia. www.julieandjulia.com I walked out chatting with a woman who was beaming, declaring she’d made some of Julia Child’s recipes in the past. I admitted I hadn’t. If a recipe has certain words in it, like ”French,” I’m usually too scared to try it! She couldn’t believe it, and I felt sheepish. I’ve always prided myself (there’s the first problem) in simple and easy cooking. What’s the need to “fuss,” to search for odd ingredients? Even capers scare me off – besides, I’m practical. Why purchase an ingredient I’ll only use for one recipe and leave the bottle to decay in the fridge for the next couple of years? I’ve left the Junior Women’s League cooking to my freinds Terry, Joan, Sarah, Beth, etc., etc. But – oops – somehow I got a little smug about it too. Where’d that come from? Author and speaker Janet Davis says it’s easier to say, “I’m not creative,” than, “I’m scared.” I have to admit – I’m scared. “It might not turn out. ” That’s the big roadblock to my creativity in ALL areas…so I often just don’t try.

I walked out of the moving smiling and wondering, “What’s the harm in expanding my horizons. What’s wrong with creating a culinary work of the heart that requires hard work, forces me outside my comfort zone and makes me face possible failure?” Enough of constant “30 minute meals.” What’s that saying about my lifestyle and spirit of play?

My daughter Kelly and I did cook Christmas Eve/Day meals out of the Williamsburg Holiday Fare cookbook. We were exhausted and declared next year will be simpler. Is that part of  it  – Julia Child-style cooking is (like inthe movie) both exhausting and requires A LOT of one’s focus?

I’ll be talking about diving into our creative selves at the DIVE! Conference on Nov. 7 – I know I’ll be adding a pinch of Julie & Julia to my talk! Check out the conference dive.soulcare.com And I hope, that by Nov. 7, I’ll be able to report that I’ve cracked open my White Gull In cookbook, popped in my Pride and Prejudice movie soundtrack cd and created…and smiled.

Now it’s your turn….what do you dream of?