Revisiting and Finishing a Journal Past

At the end of this journal, I wrote out much of Psalm 27, which I found very meaningful during the time the rest of the journal was made. Here is the Psalm illuminated:

Generally I finish my journals. This one was an exception. When I stopped a number of years ago, it was almost finished, but I left the last page and the back cover blank. I think I stopped because the journal had already served its purpose by the time I got to the last page and I didn't need it anymore. 

This journal was the one I worked through my childhood in, processed forgiveness, acceptance, and experienced redemption. It was where I realized hearing God and responding in a visual language can help in healing. After I experienced the healing, I could close the journal and leave it all there. The freedom was amazing. God is so good!

Recently, all of a sudden, I wanted it done, visually. This time there was none of the emotion attached, just light-hearted doodling and writing. Fun. I soaked in the words of the text as the page came to life.

Then I realized I wanted an envelope to put notes etc. into. The first page had a pocket, but things were going every-which-way so I decided to put an envelope on the inside back cover. 

I glued painted tissue paper onto the back inside cover which I had previously painted with gesso. I used the DecoArt Matte Medium and it worked beautifully. While that was drying I cut the flap of the envelope. Then I glued painted paper strips onto the envelope. When that was dry, I doodled with paint and pen. The last step was gluing the envelope onto the page with "Yes" glue. The glue is heavy duty and just the right thing for gluing a larger envelope.

A fitting closure, filled with gratitude and a prayer...

Lord,

surprise me with 

Your Christmas Joy,

and fill me with

Gratitude,

seeing the

Wonder of You.