A-Z of Mystery Journal "A" Awe ~ Journaling My Word of the Year
When I start a journal based on a word, like the A-Z of Mystery, I look up the definition:
Mys-ter-y – something difficult or impossible to understand or explain; any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation; obscure, puzzling quality or character arousing curiosity or speculation.
For each letter of the alphabet representing an aspect of mystery, I'm choosing words that can never be fully understood, expressed or experienced. There is always more, and that is one of the charms of mystery that keep us coming back. My pages are a scratching of the surface, a drop in the bucket, an enticement to learn more.My quote of the year is by astronaut Neil Armstrong:
“Mystery creates wonder,
and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.”
I love finding beautiful quotes that are relevant to what I am focusing on. It feels like finding a treasure in a treasure hunt. As I was looking up quotes and verses on my word "Mystery" I was overwhelmed with the richness and variety of what I found. It made me think of more words and I wondered how to include some of them and still stay focused on Mystery.Then an "aha" moment came. I could do an "A-Z of Mystery" journal kind-of like the "A-Z of Me" Journal made in 2013. The journal was inspired by an A-Z of Me online art journaling group led by Bernice Hopper. I receive more correspondence about that journal than any other journal I've made. I find it interesting and a bit humorous because I was quite pressed for time and had to simplify the prompts to do in my Moleskine journal using only dry media instead of doing a full art journal. The pages of the A-Z of Me are tucked in my everyday journal (Leuchtturm1917) much like this journal page on Mystery.
I really enjoyed making this first journal spread in the A-Z of Mystery series. It was great to use all dry media - so easy without a mess. I love the painterly softness of the Gelatos® when rubbed into the paper.The research is first done in my everyday journal and on a computer document. I decided to do the final pages in a grid Moleskine journal. I could easily do it in my everyday favorite Leuchtturm dotted journal, but I already have a Moleskine journal with a series of hymns in it and decided The A-Z of Mystery would fit in well with this “Collections” journal with various series in it. Also, it doesn't get the wear and tear my everyday journal gets.
A - The Mystery of Awe
Awe is such a short word. I made an acronym easily after reading the definitions, which became the centerpiece of the pages.Working on the awe pages has helped me get enthusiastic about the word “Mystery.” So far the materials I've used are pencil and eraser, pen and Gelatos® from the Iridescent set (see supply list at end of post for link info.) The next step will be to add the finishing touches with Colored Pencils.
Scripture is important to me and I include at least a verse or part of a verse that inspires and reflects the intent of the page. For "Awe" I chose Psalm 27:4 from my Life Psalm in The Passion Translation:
“Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else:I want the privilege to living with him every moment in his house,finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe,delighting in his glory and grace.I want to live my life so close to himthat he takes pleasure in my every prayer.”
One thing I want to say about these types of pages is to accept that it will never be perfect and there is always more to seek and to find. After I finished the Awe page I found the "perfect" verse for "Awe", and I admit I was a bit disappointed that I didn't put it on the page. I also found some quotes that were just too long to include, reminding me there will always be more to learn, say, and express. I did find a way to include the Scripture in the "B" word of mystery though, so stay tuned.
Definitions are the cornerstones of my word pages. I Google the word and type in definition after it, and/or look in some dictionaries I have on my bookshelf. Sometimes I quote the definition if it is clear and concise and beautiful, or sometimes I combine and arrange them. Here is the definition of Awe:
Awe – an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear etc. produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful: in awe of God. - Websters New World Unabridged DictionaryThere is a great website for quotes: http://www.azquotes.com/.
I found this quote there by Madeleine L'Engle, one of my favorite authors. It asked to be included.
“I share Einstein’s affirmation that anyone who is not lost in rapturous awe at the power
and glory of the mind behind the universe is as good as a burnt out candle.”
- Madeleine L’Engle
More quotes included are:
“Happy is the soul that has been awed by a view of God’s majesty.”
- A.W. Pink
“One cannot but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity of life,
of the marvelous structures of reality.”
- Albert Einstein
“Awe is a noble emotion of wonder. It’s having your mind blown
while getting a glimpse of the unfathomableness of God.
It’s getting an understanding of who you are individually
and in the larger scheme of things. I
t’s catching a ray of knowing the answer to where
you come from and where you are going.”
- Michael Goddart
This process was one of worship and awe of the wonders of God. I am truly grateful.
Another quote I found after the finished page:
“While curiosity broadens our minds,
awe deepens our souls.”
- Rabbi Geoffrey A. Mitelman