Montana Jane

Spring Storms

2011-05-26T09:15:00.001-07:00

Today, I choose to have a heart of gratitude even though it is raining cats and dogs and flooding is imminent here in Montana.

I am going to paint flowers and make soup and be grateful for a roof over our head and food in the cupboard.

I’m choosing to be grateful for life, because someone I love died recently.

I don’t want to waste my life, not even one day, feeling grumpy—especially about something as inconsequential as the weather.

When the storms of life come I cling to the Rock, Jesus Christ. I hold on to the hope I have of seeing my loved ones again in Heaven, even though my heart aches today. I love the song, “Blessings” by Laura Story. Her lyrics are powerful. She sings, “What if Your blessings come as raindrops, what if your healing comes with tears, what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near? What if the trails of this life—the pain, the hurt, the sleepless nights, are Your blessings in disguise.”

May you feel the love of Jesus lift you up and comfort you today, no matter what storms you’re facing.

Christmas thoughts

2010-11-30T08:16:00.001-08:00

Life is precious. Each day I wake up thankful for a new day. A healthy day. A day to celebrate my love for God, family and friends. I have my grumpy moments, but most of the time I choose joy. I choose gratitude. There was a time when I lost my health for nearly a year. I could barely walk because a freak virus attacked my neurological system, especially my balance, and left me weak. That year I learned to be grateful when I could get out of bed. Climb a flight of stairs. Go to the grocery store. Attend my child’s sporting events.

Another year I lost my 37 year old sister. She was murdered by her boyfriend. I wanted to die, too, but I didn’t. I learned that God is faithful even when I didn’t feel His presence. Even when life had sucker-punched me and I couldn’t breathe, He was still there and He carried me through the valley of the shadow of death.

This year we are healthy, our children are doing well, our folks are fine and every day holds the promise of a brighter tomorrow. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds my future and He is faithful. I pray that you’ll choose joy today. In good times and in bad may you find peace in Christ and rest in Him. This Christmas let the wonder of God’s incredible love surround you as you look at the tiny Christ child who came as a special gift just for you.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Jane Latus Emmert, Montana Artist

Website: www.jlemmert.com

Blog--http://montanajane.blogspot.com/

Whitefish Lake and Big Mountain by Jane

Available as an artist embellished giclee’ print (series of 50).

(I paint a chickadee on each canvas for individuality.)

2010-11-05T08:54:00.001-07:00

Why is it that vacations end up leaving me a bit weary for a few days after I return? It has to do with all the laundry, the unopened mail and the work tasks that I put off before I left. We spend 10 days in eastern Montana antelope and deer hunting. It was fun and productive. We put in several days of strenuous hiking, survived an eastern Montana blizzard and relaxed and played games in the evening.

Today, I’m feeling an attitude of gratitude. For life, for sunshine, for freedom, for family and friends. I thank God for this day. This moment. This chance to say, “I love you.” Life is precious. Hard times have taught me that moments like today are not to be taken for granted, so I rejoice in today.

Jane Latus Emmert, Montana Artist

Website: www.jlemmert.com

Blog--http://montanajane.blogspot.com/

Whitefish Lake and Big Mountain by Jane

Available as an artist embellished giclee’ print (series of 50).

(I paint a chickadee on each canvas for individuality.)

A reason to walk

2010-09-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

I want to go out for a walk because I need the exercise, but the sleepy, grumpy side of me wants to whine "I don't want to walk." I'm tired. It's cold. It might rain. I have every excuse. Then, I remember...there was a day not too many years ago when I couldn't walk. I was sick. I lost the ability to balance. I was weak. I couldn't hike, fish, hunt, ski. I could barely climb a flight of stairs. I desperately wanted to be able to walk free and strong. So, with a whispered prayer of thanks, I put on my tennis shoes and head out the door. Thank you, God, for the gift of health. I have a reason to walk with joy.

A day in the life of Montana Jane

2010-09-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

Painting is my passion. Landscapes. Flowers. Women. Anything! One time an artist told me I needed to "focus" and get a set look to my art. I pictured the artist who paints birch trees over and over and over again. I held up my hand stop-style and told him it's not going to happen. No one can fence me in. I didn't start painting until I was 30 years old so I don't have any time to waste painting according to someone else's wishes. I explore each time I pick up a brush or palette knife. I go to sleep at night seeing wonderful colors dancing behind my eyelids. My husband is jealous. When he closes his eyes he just sees black.

My thought for today: Be true to your inner self. Listen to the voice inside that tells you who you are. Create with joy as you listen to your inner voice. Trust your instincts. God gave us each a discerning spirit to know what is true and what is false. Don't let anyone else tell you to paint (or live) between the lines. Explore. Grow. Live! God has great plans for your life and has given you great gifts. Enjoy them and share them with others.

Montana Memories Summer 2008

2008-08-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'm an artist who fishes and a fisherwoman who paints. I love the summertime, the sunshine and the smell of the pines. I traveled to Glacier National Park to paint "plein air" (on sight) and when I look at those paintings I can smell the crisp mountain air and feel the wind whipping through my hair. When I fish and the fish aren't biting I'll pull out my sketchbook or portable paint set and dip my brush into the lake to begin a quick painting of the scenery. Life is beautiful and God is good.

2008-06-27T12:41:00.000-07:00

In my twenties I moved to Montana from Michigan and the man I dated loved to fish, therefore, I loved to fish. In my thirties, the man I dated had become my husband and we had two children who loved to fish. In the early days, we mostly used spinning rods from a boat or from shore. I can remember the children’s excitement as they felt the tug of the fish on the line. Their chubby hands awkwardly worked to reel the fish in, and then, more often than not, they’d jerk the poor fish up and out of the water, missing the waiting net entirely. Sometimes the fish would smack into my head and catch me by surprise. I’m afraid I didn’t always think that was funny. My favorite years were the years when the children were curious little scientists and enjoyed cleaning the fish for dinner so they could open the stomach to see what the fish were eating. I was glad to take the cleaned fish and start dinner while they poked and prodded and explored.There was a season in my life when everything changed. My marriage ended, my world spun out of control and I even disliked fishing. But, every time I wanted to think, pray, cry or rest, I went to the water. I love the water. I love the sunlight sparkling on the waves, or the perfect reflection on still mornings.

It was the water that wooed me back to fishing.I love fly fishing because I love the cadence of the cast. It is a soft and gentle dance where I perform a solo introduction and invite the fish to join me. My cast lands, oh so gently, on the water and I wait for the fish to respond. Timing is everything. If I become impatient and lift the fly too quickly, the fish darts away. If I wait and watch carefully and the fish takes my fly, then for a few brief moments we will dance. Sometimes I lead, as I bring the line in, and sometimes he leads as he spins away from me. I net him gently, remove my hook and set him free so someday, perhaps, he can dance with me again. (c) 2008 Jane Latus Emmert