For today’s post, I’ve decided to share my journaling images from earliest to latest, 2014 to 2020.
Since 1998 my life journey has included relationships with people from El Salvador. Their beloved saint, Óscar Romero, was declared a martyr by Pope Francis on February 3, 2015, paving the way for his beatification on May 23, 2015.
Is my faith consequential?
It helps to remember this question as we navigate the river of life. It can serve to guide, and even correct, our steps. For how and where and with whom we walk gives way to our answer.
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
“Seven Years of Wonder” is a daily look back at my creative journaling posts since 2014. I began this journey on Feb. 11, 2021, and hope to continue through Feb. 10, 2022. What am I learning about my art and faith journey thus far? What has remained constant? Where have I been changed? How is this impacting present and future art-making?
A deep bow of gratitude to you for keeping me company on this journey.
vonda drees art 
Vonda,
Besides thinking about Kathy and Holden, LOL, I’ve also been thinking about what you said the other day about using your own words. And how that resonates with me so much…
It feels a LOT like the singer/songwriter journey.
First steps learning what the guitar can do. Learning what your voice can do. Covering other people’s songs. Then making them your own through your interpretation with guitar styles and vocal styles (fill in with your own parallels about alcohol ink markers, etc.)
And then there’s the moment where you say, you know what? I have something to say that only I can say. Guided by everything I’ve learned and played and sang before. But now it’s time for me to say it WITH MY OWN WORDS. 😊. And it feels ridiculously bold. Who Am I to say something? What could I possibly say that wouldn’t have already been said?
Well, it brings me back to my Ibraham Kendi journaling page about the racial slurs. The words we use toward others, the words we may sometimes say to ourselves about “not good enough”. Yet on that page, it’s the poor little sock puppet who is taking in that question of Who Do YOU say I Am (you asking Jesus that about yourself vs. the other way around) and the sock puppet saying, Child of God? Well, yes! I’m a child of God. With my own specific reason for being on the planet that I may still be discovering, yet knowing that I am meant to share the journey along the way. YOU are a child of God with your own specific reason for being on the planet that you have been discovering and you ARE sharing your journey. YAY! I know you know this (probably better than me, lol).
I’m just saying that I’m grateful that you continue to be BOLD in your journey and your discernment. GO, you child of God you, GO! 😊
Love, me
Cheryl Branz
Singer/Songwriter
http://www.cherylbranz.com
From: vonda drees Reply-To: vonda drees Date: Friday, May 21, 2021 at 6:02 AM To: Subject: [New post] May 21
vondadrees posted: ” For today’s post, I’ve decided to share my journaling images from earliest to latest, 2014 to 2020. Since 1998 my life journey has included relationships with people from El Salvador. Their beloved saint, Óscar Romero, was declared a martyr by Pope F”
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Beautifully said, Cheryl. Thank you so much.
I love you, your message, your voice, your song. Grateful to be connected with you while being live-wired to the Creative Spirit!
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