Even the preparation of this trip to Scandinavia has been like none other I've taken. For such a big adventure, we usually plan months in advance covering as many bases as possible. I research the places, styles, art and begin a preliminary doodle journal. That part is fun and I like exploring how art reflects the culture and people I'm visiting. Because we didn't know we were going until a few weeks ago, and with the unexpected life changes happening in our family, I have not had the chance to prepare my art focus in the usual way. On the other hand, it seems like it is how it should be: Spontaneous.On a deeper, spiritual level, I am nudged out of my comfort zone to trust God to lead and reveal what He has for us to participate in. The first week we will be a part of a ministry team and are praying we will bring blessing to the people. I might be bringing more than I need, but the first week I want to be prepared to make and give visual blessings. Here is how my packing is going: I am taking my koi field watercolor kit and waterbrush. Pitt pens, including a calligraphy tip; a blank dry media journal, some mixed media paper, washi tape, glue stick, white paint pen, small set of colored pencils, pencil, eraser, and small scissors and my everyday journal.The second week we are traveling with dear friends to her "homeland" and stopping by Sweden to visit Keith's heritage. It will be a new art adventure too. My friend who claims she doesn't art journal has agreed to art journal with me. Instead of my usual watercolor paintings etc., we will be working in a plain journal using collage items from the trip and writing about our adventure. More spontaneity required! We will both be doing something that will stretch us and I am counting on it being fun. I have printed out flags from the countries we're visiting, from http://www.freeflagicons.com/list/, so we can add them to our journals.

Onward and forward to new adventure!