Welcome to my introductory personal blog. I’m so excited to have a website, even if it is something I need to learn how to maintain. I have to give a shout out to my beloved husband Chris, and his partner Jon, who built the site for me. I tend to shy away from all things technical, claiming, “I married my tech support so why do I have to learn this stuff?!”

The more I try to quiet the voices in my head that “should all over me” by saying, “You should (be doing such and such)…” and the more I give myself permission to invest my limited time and energy to the study of my craft, all the more I abhor those seemingly trivial matters that take me away from my easel. Just ask my daughters who’ve endured my wrath as I spend that little time and energy picking up after all the clutter they deposit around our home!

Being that this is my introductory entry, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself in a way that I’ve not done so in About The Artist and the Painting Blog Roll is intended to be all about the business of painting. But the Personal Journal Blog Roll has more to do with the heart and I’m really looking forward to not only sharing my art with you, but also in sharing my heart.

So without further adieu, let me begin by saying, at this time, the predominant issue in my life is that in 2004 I began a battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Since June of 2008 it’s been an uphill battle. I’ve gradually lost function in my lower extremities as well as other unmentionable ravages that have resulted from this horrible disease. However, you will not hear me say, “I have MS” or “my MS bla bla bla…” simply because I want to have no part in this. MS does not define me. Even if others treat or view me otherwise as I hobble (or roll) around them. It is not the mantle in which I choose to wear. Most importantly it certainly is not and never was given to me by God, as some would suggest. No matter what brand of theology you may subscribe to, I vehemently refuse to blame my God or assign such evil to The One who has no evil in Him. He is The Father of Lights and the giver of every good and perfect gift which comes from Heaven (James 1:17). He is nothing short of perfect – in all things. My God is good – all the time!

Which leads me to the most important detail of who Nancy Conant is. I am a follower of Jesus. I love Jesus. I am not merely “a Christian” which sadly has become a pathetically diluted noun in Western culture today. But rather I am a disciple of Christ. He is the lover of my soul as well as the savior of my life, both in this life and the one yet to come. I believe He died, rose from the dead through God’s amazing power and that He has left his Holy Spirit with us in order to bring us to completion in receiving all that He promised through His New Covenant; which He established so that all who believe will be saved! And concerning MS? I am contending for all that He promised through the prophets who foretold of His coming. You can read what one of them said in the 53rd chapter of the Book of Isaiah:

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions,  He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

You might have figured out by now that He will flavor all that I say, because I literally live and have my being  because of Him. My prayer is that all that I say and do will bring honor to Him and be a fragrant aroma to Him.

It’s Sunday morning and my family is at church. And do you know what? I went to church too! Except my church experience this morning didn’t occur in a building built by human hands or alongside others. No. Instead, I hopped in my husband’s convertible and popped in some worship music. I drove to a quiet little spot where there’s a pond. There wasn’t a soul around. All was quiet and it was just me, the bugs and the glorious egret enjoying his morning meal.

It was so awesome to meet God in that place!!! As I worshiped Him all else faded away. They became mere shadows in light of Him and once again, all was well with my soul. I began with this beautiful love song to Him:

“I’ve come here again to meet you in this place
Not just to sing aloud these songs that give you praise
But I’ve come this time to bring you something pure/real
And I’ve come here now to bring you something (all my worship)
Chorus:
All of me I surrender
Everything to you
All I am and all that I am to become
Chorus: 2
All my worship All my praise
All my love to you I give
All my life and all my dreams
I surrender (all my worship)”

All My Worship” Lyrics
by Brian & Jenn Johnson | from the album We Believe

And as my heart was filled to overflowing with peace and joy, and I rested in His loving arms, this was the next song of praise I brought to Him:

“There is nothing like your presence here in this place
There is nothing like your passion that steals my heart away
There is nothing like your glory falling on me
More of you, less of me
I’m satisfied by you alone
Just one touch from you oh Lord
Reach within my heart and make it new
Oh I must have more of you
I must have more of you”

“More of You Less of Me” Lyrics
by Brian & Jenn Johnson | from the album We Believe

Finally, He left me with this beautiful proclamation of The Bridegroom’s love for me!

“I will draw you to me forever
In righteousness in justice and in mercy
I will draw you and me together
In loving kindness in faithfulness and in grace
No longer your master But your husband I will be
Chorus:
You have ravished my heart
With one glance of your eye
How fair is your love
My promised my bride”

“You Have Ravished My Heart” Lyrics
by Brian & Jenn Johnson | from the album We Believe

Church was great today. I got to meet with the Lover of my soul.

Thanks for checking in.
-nancy