Book Review Drawing Close, Encountering Joy

“Drawing Close, Encountering Joy,” Janice Kirk's newest book, is an invitation for readers through contemplative prayers, poems, and scripture passages to reconnect with nature. By drawing close to nature one will find joy in exploring and appreciating all that the great outdoors has to offer. Readers are encouraged to listen, inhale the fragrances, and enjoy the silences. Kirk's book is one to be savored and read slowly to appreciate her heartfelt nature observations. One can use it as a daily devotional rather than a book to be read in one sitting. This will ensure readers take their time to reflect, ponder and wonder about things that surround them which are often taken for granted. Interspersed throughout the book are Kirk's original ink and wash sketches complementing her reflective prayer anecdotes, scriptural passages, and original free verse poems. Since Kirk has had a life in the music world some of the poems seem to take on a lyrical free-flowing form. I was in awe at the multitude of original poems included in the book that complement the scripture passages and reflective prayers. Kirk's strength lies in her superb word choices with descriptive poetic lines that evoke many strong images and awaken all senses. Throughout the book, many voices are heard within the poems and prayer passages. Each voice resounds with thankfulness, gratefulness, and praise for all God has given mankind.

The foundation of the book evolved from Kirk's personal and family experiences in the early days of the 60s and 70s. A year sabbatical with her husband Don, a plant biologist, and two school-aged children gave the family abundant opportunities to explore the SW across deserts, mountains, and lakes proving to be a transformative experience for her family, particularly Kirk. All these heart-stopping moments of being awestruck by the incredible beauty in God's creation provided the author with a sense of spiritual renewal. These observations encouraged Kirk to hone her sketching and watercolor skills using journals to record her experiences and observations. Decades later all her observations and experiences continue to impact her writing. A renewed spirit of stewardship to protect the land is a thread woven throughout her writings. Her prayers of lament for the earth were moving. With a reverence for nature, some of the prayer reflections note the decline and destruction of the forest through mankind's carelessness and wastefulness. Words of caution are noted that misusing the land will have negative impacts on existing plant communities and plant covers. These disruptions often are irreversible.

Throughout my reading, I felt Kirk often signaled a call to action for readers. She encourages taking a walk with a drawing pad, paintbrush, camera, journal, and even a bible to see for oneself the wonders of creation in parks, gardens, refuges, and preserves. It would be my suggestion also to find a quiet spot and make the reading “Drawing Close, Encountering Joy” a part of your daily routine.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention checking out Kirk's blogs at https://www.janiceekirk.com/ on her quilting journey. She has taken her artistic talents to a new level. Each blog profiles an embroidered image Kirk designed to represent various plant communities as a remembrance of her 1976-1977 sabbatical trip.

All the images have been quilted together and now form one queen-size quilt.

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Janice Kirk is a published author, illustrator, and musician. She has been a teacher of art, language arts, and music in CA and Oregon public schools including voice at Simpson University in Redding CA. After many years of living in CA she resides in Winona, MN to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Winona. She hopes her readers will enjoy nature's wonders every day.