Thursday, May 17, 2012

As You Can See...

M.C. Escher
Photo Source: Studio Palermo
Times they are a-changin' (Bob Dylan)

I wish I knew the right words to express my thoughts today. The truth is, I'm heavy of heart about what I'm about to do here, which is to retire this blog. There...I said it. Aren't you glad I didn't beat around the bush?

I sure am. Before I sign off, though, I want to say a couple of very important things.

First, I want to express my sincerest thanks to each one of you who has so faithfully visited this little space called my blog. Whether you've been reading for the past two years or whether this is your first time here, I so appreciate your willingness to make space for me in your life.

Second, I want to tell you how scary it is to start new things. It's so scary that I have been putting it off for months now. Although I've lost some momentum in this season of procrastination, I have learned so much about myself and about what I'm going after with my writing. And that brings me to the final thing I want to say.

Metamorphosis I
Photo Source: Visualize_Us

Although I must finally lay this treasured work of mine to rest, I believe it has been the beautiful cocoon for a work far more beautiful, far more amazing, and far more impacting than it could have ever become by itself. It is so fitting for me to end this treatise on transformation with a transformation!

My new butterfly has wings with many colors. Some of them are unfurling and drying nicely, while others are still wet from emergence from the cocoon. Allow me to share the beauty of my new wings with you as they are today.

The first wing is my brand new project: Jewelry History. This one is nearly dry and unfurling as we speak. I do so hope you will take a minute to pop on over and check it out. It is a joint project with a very special sponsor, who wishes to remain in the sidelines as much as possible. (FYI: I am inviting you in its embryonic stages, so bear with us as we get our bearings and choose the layout and design over the next month or so. Since it is a joint project, it will take a little while to iron all these details out.)

Butterfly Lady
Photo Source: A. P. Kelson Jeweler

Another wing is Brightness of Your Dawn, a blog all about in-depth, creative Bible study. This one is nearly ready for flight, though it is waiting for the other wings to dry before it will be able to take full flight. I created this blog as a way to merge my passion for the Word of God with my passion for creative writing. If you love the Word of God and long for new ways to approach looking at Scripture, you may very well find what you're looking for here.


The third wing is script writing. This wing is also nearly dry and ready for flight. I have partnered with Donn Kropp of CLiCKPLAYceu to bring medical professionals a fun and entertaining way to earn continuing education credits through video training modules. I'd love for you to check out the module Compassion Fatigue, which we worked on collaboratively. Right now we're writing the script for our next course on Pain. Soon, I will be writing blog posts and newsletter articles for Donn, as well as producing pamphlets and other materials for medical professionals.


The final wing is drying more slowly than the others. This wing, when it's fully dry, will be our family business. This wing is by far the most colorful and will include several components. First, will be the debut of my writing website, which will debut in June. Along with my website, I will debut my brand new blog: A Word in Season, which will feature daily word posts as well as writing prompts and other fun tools for writers. I will also produce a monthly e-newsletter with in-depth articles about writing, editing, and publishing (if you'd like to be included on the mailing list, please send me an e-mail).


Shhh...It's a Secret
Photo Source: The French Bee Blog


Another facet of this wing will be my husband's website, which will include his garden design philosophy and a blog about plants!! I can't wait for this to come forth! Though we will have two separate websites for now, we will also launch a brand new family business blog. Though this will be the last piece we put in place, it will be the most exciting, as it represents a union of ginormous proportions. This blog will be the place where you can read about all things pertaining to the Andrews family, including homeschooling, business, and a very exciting announcement that we will make in the near future (probably this fall). (No, Grandma, we are not having a baby). However, we are birthing something, and you all will be the first to know when we're ready to share the news!


So, this is the last official post I will be writing here. However, for those of you who follow this blog, I will come back when our websites go live AND when our family blog goes live, just to pass along the links.


It has been a fantastic voyage. I'm so glad you've come along with me. I do hope to see you in the faraway lands our butterfly takes us on its brand new journey!


Until we meet again, I wish for you peace and joy in every moment!


~Angela

8 comments:

  1. You're busy bees, or should I say butterflies!?

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    1. Hehe! We certainly are. I realized later that it makes it sound like I'm doing all of this at once. The wet wings are the ones that are sitting on a shelf until the dry ones are completely finished drying! Phew!!

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  2. Oh my, I'm so excited and intrigued to watch it all unfold! Please keep sending me links.

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    1. I will, Mom! I'm glad we got to catch up for a few minutes today. Thank you for your reassuring words and your faithful presence as a friend and mom through all these new seasons.

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  3. Congratulations and best wishes! I figure those are perfect wishes for a jewelry blog. :) I look forward to following you wherever you fly to, beautiful butterfly and friend. xo

    Alana

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    1. Hahaha! They are perfect wishes for a jewelry blog! Thank you for being such a loyal and faithful friend and reader!! I so look forward to your comments. Of course, today I'm looking forward even more to our conversation on Sunday!

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  4. Thank you so much all of you!!! I have had butterflies of excitement in my tummy all day. This post was a pivotal act of cementing it all in my mind. Doors close, doors open, and I'm eagerly walking through all of them. Yeah!!

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    ReplyDelete