New beginnings!

I love this time of the year in the Middle East, the weather is starting to cool down and one feels like change is in the air. New beginnings. And as I write this it is my birthday which makes the theme of this blog post even more apt. For me, personally, I have come to a season in my life where many things are about to change. My family and I are about to embark in our next great adventure: moving to South Africa.

We have lived here in Doha for almost 11 years. Our children have grown up here. It's all exciting yet also quite sad as we will leave many friends behind. And perhaps knowing about our move back to Africa, I finished the following painting just before I went on vacation in June: "Giraffes in the mist" reflecting my African roots. I am finding though, as I embark on the task of sorting out all our "stuff" that my creative juices are struggling to flow. I love to paint and create, so I know I have to make time and space to still do what I love to do in the midst of the chaos of packing. I also just released my first children's book! Clarisse the Cow, which I wrote and illustrated. I'm so grateful for such a supportive family who always spur me on; and to my heavenly Father who fuels my desire to create and be creative. One of my friends gave me a plaque for my birthday which says "If you can dream it, you can do it", and really, I do believe it's true!