52 Project, Week 24: Words

It took me quite awhile to mull over what I was going to do with words. Should I photograph a few meaningful words? Should I photograph a journal page? Should I go out and find some words that appeal to me?

What words are worth capturing for this project? What words will have meaning and depth? Should I choose my own language or another? Words do always sound more romantic in another non-native tongue.

After Princess woke up and climbed into bed with us last night, I couldn’t fall back asleep. I mulled over words, saving inspiration to my Pinterest board. I put down my phone and attempted to go back to sleep when it came to me. I wrote the whole blog post in my head and it sounded great! Best blog post ever! As I drifted off to sleep, I knew I would forget every word. So I turned on the light and jotted down the most important part.

Words have power. The power to build someone up or to tear them down. Choose wisely.

When I think of all of the words that have made the sum of my life, there have been billions. I learned to speak, I learned other languages. I’ve heard others speak. I’ve written countless school papers, letters, journals, work notes, and emails. Words make up a large portion of my life.

Words create emotion that can touch deeper than any slap or caress. Words can be cruel, hate-filled, malicious, violent, slanderous and life-shattering. Words can be kind, gentle, loving, hopeful, sweet and uplifting. The bible says “Thoughtless speech is like the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is a healing.”

Words must be chosen carefully. I can remember vividly, words that I regret using. I can also remember words that have changed my life. I have deep sorrow for words never spoken. I have tears for the memory of words from lips that have been silenced. I have pain from words of vows that have been broken. I have joy from words of memories of my favorite things.

Words can be a gift when used wisely. In turn, those words can be a curse when used carelessly. So think carefully about your words, friends. Be careful, be patient and most importantly, be kind.

How have words changed your life? What are some of your favorite words?

Join us for the photography challenge! We’d love to see your images!
You can post your image on our Facebook page here:

Or tag us on Instagram with #cisforcomfort52
Need inspiration for your words project? Check out my inspiration board on Pinterest!

52 Project, Week 15: Hobby

Choosing one hobby for this project was no easy task! I have many, many hobbies and interests. I love learning, I love being busy and creative. Ultimately, at the base of that, has always been reading

I love to read. I have always loved reading. I can remember my Father teaching me to read my first books, The Fox and the Box and Green Eggs and Ham. As a child, I was teased for being the girl who always had a book in her hand. I could read 7 books in a day at one point. My elementary school librarian told me that I read too much and I needed to get out there and live a little. There was more to life than books! I still laugh remembering the shock I felt. If a librarian tells me that I read too much, it might be a wakeup call.

There is no limit to the type of book I like to enjoy. I love learning about many different topics, so the non-fiction section is where I spend most of my time in the library. I do love fiction, but I usually listen to those as audiobooks while I work. With 4 small children, sitting down to enjoy a great novel can be difficult.

When it comes to learning new subjects, I love to have my children join me. I took an anatomy course online earlier this year and I really loved it, but going through the textbook and pouring over the pages was such a thrill for me. I read and reread so many sections, took notes and I probably drove my family crazy with my exclamations. Everyone got a chance to learn along with me as I described the wonders of cell structure, the fascination of a neuron, The complexity of all of our systems, working together in harmony. It’s beautiful and awe-inspiring. I felt closer to God, marveling in how he created us with such intricacy and detail.

Right now I’m listening to a book on neuroscience, a book on pediatrics rounds, a book on integrative holistic medicine, a book on genetics and DNA, a sci-fi novel (I read this series when it first came out. Now I’m listening to it again while I work), Anne of Green Gables when the kids are around, and the bible and bible study guides. I’m reading a couple different books about camping(Minnesota Vacation Days and Camping Activity Books for Families), a book about tiny houses, The Water-Saving Garden, Dakota County in the Twentieth Century, and also, again, the bible.

Personally, I love the feel of a real book in my hands. I love to look at them and feel their weight in my hands. I enjoy feeling the surface of the cover, smooth on newer books and soft and bumpy on older ones. I love turning pages. If there are diagrams and images to enjoy, or words to mull over, I can pause and take it in. I love hugging a book to my heart, or a stack cradled in my arms.

Overall, whether a real book or an audiobook, there is always great excitement in something new. A new book is a whole adventure contained in one small package. The thoughts and works of the author, which maybe took months or even years to gather and put together for our benefit is such a gift. A book is a doorway to another place, a guide to a new curiosity, a page away from changing the rest of your life.

For this project, I photographed my daughter Cat, holding an old copy of Shakespeare. Since my children share my love of reading, I thought it was appropriate to use one of them for my hobby project.

Cat chose to photograph her piano for her hobby project.

What is one of your hobbies? What do you love about it? Do you love to read? What books are you reading right now?

Previous Week: 52 Project, Week 14: Favorite Scripture
Next Week: 52 Project, Week 16: Multiple
Main Page for 52 Project