Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • On Being a Writer
      • Media Kit
  • Speaking
    • Book Ann as a Guest on Your Show
  • Podcast
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

February 1, 2012 8 Comments

Curiosity Journal: February 1, 2012

Each Wednesday I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing.

:::

Reading

I gave up on Bonhoeffer—Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, that is—and returned it to the library. Too thick for me to get through at the moment.

Playing

We had pizza with friends. That was fun.

Learning

One afternoon I was at Kroger with my youngest daughter. The two of us were browsing eye shadow, looking for a neutral color combination that I could try. I don’t wear much makeup, and she doesn’t wear any, so it was one of those blind leading the blind moments.I pulled out a little container that showed three colors together. “How can I know which color goes where?” I wondered aloud.My daughter shrugged. We moved down the line and found another pack that had instructions. On the back were diagrams of an eye that indicated where each color would be applied, one, two, three; base, lid, crease. On the colors themselves—on the actual makeup—the company had stamped the words “base,” “lid,” and “crease.””Look!” I exclaimed. My daughter raced over. “Look how simple they made it,” I continued, pointing to the diagrams and markings. “Step one, two, and three. It’s all labeled and everything.”She flipped it to the back and then to the front. Then she looked up with a huge grin and exclaimed, “Idiot-proof makeup!”I laughed out loud. “Perfect!”

Reacting

On Sunday, our pastor reminded us of the beautiful reality that Jesus made it possible for us to have His Father as our Father. Through Jesus, we’re adopted into the family of God and can be called children of God.We are precious, so precious. “See,” God says to His people, “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”Seth Irby wrote a song that we sang that morning. Part of the chorus says:

You were not ashamed to call us Your brothersGiving us Your Father as our own.Your mercy is enough for us to sing Your praise,But You give so much more. You give so much more.

And from the bridge:

You did not leave us orphaned, Lord, cleansed of sin and nothing more.You called us “children of the King,” gave to us the family ring.And that same power that raised You up lives in us and fills us up,Teaching us to cry out “Abba Father!”

As the pastor spoke, I scribbled a quick drawing of a hand in my notebook—an open hand, palm up. On it, in very small print, I slowly wrote the three letters of my first name…a shy reminder of my Father’s love.

Writing

Hm…not much to report.

* * * * *

Credits: All images by Ann Kroeker. All rights reserved.

  • There’s always more to come: subscribe to Ann Kroeker by e-mail
  • Want to slow down in our fast-paced world? Check out Not So Fast.
  • “Like” me on Facebook.
  • Follow me on Twitter.
  • Filed Under: Curiosity Journal, family

    Comments

    1. Megan Willome says

      February 1, 2012 at 11:09 am

      I should send you the mp3 of Metaxas describing his book. Only one hour out of your life.

      And the eyeshadow thing cracked me up because I’m just like you when it comes to makeup. Now my daughter–the one in theater–she’s a pro.

      Reply
    2. Nancy says

      February 1, 2012 at 6:05 pm

      Oh, I miss Kroger! My dad worked at one throughout most of my childhood. They all closed up and left the state of Pennsylvania in the early 80s, I believe. Mary Kay consultants–that’s how I figured out where the makeup went. I guess idiot-proof would work, too.

      Reply
    3. Matthew Kreider says

      February 1, 2012 at 11:04 pm

      I dig the Curiosity Journal. Like a work bench, where it’s all right to push aside Bonhoeffer, for a time, and eye some eyeshadow. And then wipe away some of the sawdust to find your name still carved into a hand.

      Reply
    4. Hazel I. Moon says

      February 2, 2012 at 3:07 am

      There is an old hymn, “Is your name written there?” Haven’t heard it for a long time. My husband doesn’t want me to wear makeup, he says I am more kissable without getting it on him.

      Reply
    5. laura says

      February 2, 2012 at 10:56 am

      I feel something here, Ann. Maybe it’s your tired? The seasons life takes us through sometimes are better navigated when recorded on the page, aren’t they. Thinking of you, friend. Trying to say something clever :).

      Reply
    6. Sheila Seiler Lagrand says

      February 3, 2012 at 8:28 am

      It sounds like February, this post does.

      And there’s something so affirming to read that others give up on books, too, sometimes…set them aside.

      The pancake-shaped egg is adorable. My egg rings are predictably round.

      Reply
    7. Kimberlee Conway Ireton says

      February 4, 2012 at 1:41 am

      Thanks for sharing the story about your quest for eye-shadow. I’m a make-up idiot, too, so I could totally relate.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Curiosity Journal: February 8, 2012 | Ann Kroeker. Writer. says:
      February 8, 2012 at 12:16 pm

      […] you may recall, last week I announced that I didn’t have time to read Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, so I […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach

    Providing you with resources and inspiration to be more curious, creative, and productive.

    Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.
    Make Your Sentences Sing: 7 Sentence Openers to Add Music to Your Prose (Mini Course from Ann Kroeker.Teachable.com)
    TWL-100-best-websites-2016-2-300x300

    Archives

    Categories

    Ann Kroeker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Not every link leads to compensation, but assume that each does.
    © 2006-2022 Ann Kroeker All Rights Reserved

    instagram twitter facebook pinterest

    Landing page graphic and other design elements by Sophie Kroeker.

    Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2023