Simplicity

Since I've started the compact/decluttering/simplifying I see in myself that I don't need to buy "things" to make me happy. As I looked at my little shelf yesterday morning as I was cleaning I felt truly happy for the blessing God has given me....That is priceless

Be Bold, Be Fearless

I've been praying lately that if painting/creating is something I can do to glorify God while I'm on this earth that he would strengthen my hands and eyes, and give me visions to paint......I let it slip to my pastor that I enjoy painting. This weekend on the spur of the moment he asked me to paint a picture as he was giving the sermon. The first thing that goes through my mind is no way, I don't paint spontaneously, There is no way I'm doing it. However, I knew that I needed to take a step of faith and do it. All weekend I prayed and prayed that God would give me a vision of what I was supposed to paint. The sermon was over the mustard seed parable. Nothing came, and still nothing came. Everything in me said, you can't do it. This Sunday morning I got to church, the pastor presented me with an old door to paint on, my first thought was, I don't paint on doors, Then God told me, paint on the door, I didn't have a big paintbrush, God provided one, when I stepped up to paint I said, God what do I paint, he said, "Just paint."
The worship band kicked it off with one of my all time favorite's Hank Williams "I saw the Light" I thought I can do this. When I was done I went up and explained what I had painted, it just so happened my painting went right along with the pastor's vision. It's the little, random, seeds of love we plant that will make the kingdom of heaven grow.... In my human, imperfect mind I expected that I would paint a masterpiece this morning and people would cry and want to give their lives to Christ at the sight of my painting, but my painting wasn't even very good artistically, but it doesn't really matter. I know not one person in my congregation thought, wow that girl sucks at painting. I believe God will increase my artistic ability, but not until I have proven to him that I will step out of faith and be bold for him.... This is a pracitce painting I did last night. It's Perpetua who was bold and fearless as she faced her death. I've wanted to give her a face since I first read about her.

Through Adam's Eyes

Last night I painted this watercolor. I've been wanting to paint it for a long time. It comes from something my favorite professor I ever had, Dr. Bruce said. I believe we were discussing Wordsworth, and he mentioned that when his children have asked him a million questions about the world, like the usual, why is the sky blue, etc, he simply remembers that all children are looking at the world through the eye's of Adam. Everything to them is new and filled with wonder. I'm trying myself to remember this when Selah who is very inquisitive lately has asked me question after question....

memories and hope

This summer we went to Hawaii for two weeks and stayed with my husband's family in the small town of Kailua. I tried to remember everything we did those two weeks, I knew that I would need those memories to keep in high spirits when things got ruff around here, I tend to daydream a lot anyway. Some days, like today when I'm exhausted, frustrated, and feeling a bit defeated, I think about sitting on Lanikai beach with my family, hearing the ocean waves crashing.





So my thoughts are either with me sitting on the beach, or with me walking through Venice....We will be moving to Pordenone, Italy in one year. I keep trying to picture myself there, but I'm so excited that I'm scared that something will happen and are orders will be canceled. I think living in Italy will be the experience of a lifetime. I cannot wait....