As my faith continues to evolve, I have embarked on a profound exploration of the captivating history of sacred art. Through antique bibles, magazines, icons, and framed prints, I have assembled a remarkable collection that depicts biblical stories, parables, and the lives of saints. Along this journey, I have also ventured into creating my own original pieces. The sheer magnificence surrounding me was too extraordinary to remain concealed, and it became evident that the Lord was calling me to share this collection with the world, allowing His sacred imagery to permeate people's homes and lives. Thus, Studio Lams Catholic Artworks, our online shop, came into existence. Beauty, as articulated by John Paul II in his letter to artists, serves as a testament to God. He observed, "In perceiving that all he had created was good, God saw that it was beautiful as well." The profound connection between goodness and beauty invites fruitful contemplation. In a way, beauty assumes the visible form of the good, just as the good serves as the metaphysical essence of beauty..
But what lies ahead? I will fully admit that our family has never been the most organized. We have several kids spanning various ages, while many of our friends are now experiencing the empty nest phase. Our days are still filled with elementary, high school, and college commitments, and this will continue for several more years. As a creative family, we always have multiple projects happening in different areas of our home. We encourage our kids to explore their interests and nurture their creativity. In recent years, our small family has experienced transformative moments, even predating global events. These circumstances have left their mark on our home, evident through the accumulation of clutter, stacks of papers, boxes, and containers—a chaotic environment we prefer to shield from visitors. However, the fog has cleared, we find ourselves still standing, and our children flourishing. Inspired by Carrie Gress and Noelle Mering's book, Theology of the Home, Finding the Eternal in the Everyday, we have embarked on a journey to restore our dwelling. Our aspiration is for our home to radiate the abundant blessings bestowed upon us by God. We still aim to create a space that allows all of us to dive into projects and imagination, while simultaneously bringing order and harmony.
In the coming months, I will be documenting our endeavor to reclaim our spaces from the accumulated clutter. It will be an imperfect and gradual process, and not every area will resemble a picture-perfect magazine cover (the one used in the header is not our home). However, our home will gradually become less cluttered, making it easier to navigate and hopefully a little more peaceful. Perhaps our journey will inspire other families grappling with their own chaos and disarray, offering them hope that change is possible. Our tasks will vary, ranging from small undertakings like sweeping the porch and giving an old flower pot a fresh coat of spray paint, to larger projects such as rebuilding a deck. What are your aspirations for your home this summer? Feel free to share them in the comments.