Tagged

This was the closest I could get... I was tagged by my friend Julie to post a picture from my photos, taking the fourth picture from the fourth folder in my pictures. I didn't have a fourth picture in the fourth or fifth folder so I had to take it from the third folder... close enough.

This photo is when Julie, Whitney and I went downtown to take our homeless friend a birthday cake. We have become quite close to our new friend LaTonya and have enjoyed getting to know her and hear her story. I have been so privileged to be a part of the homeless ministry with our singles group from OMPC. It has engaged my heart to realize the sufferings of others (whether self induced or not). And it has opened my eyes to be more compassionate to those who may not even deserve it. Because, after all, none of us deserve the compassion of Christ yet we are given it freely. We all to some degree self induce our own pain and suffering at times. So we are no better than they.

Tomorrow being Thanksgiving I am truly thankful for the homeless ministry and the lives that it touches even though we may not think so at the time. We are required to be the hands and feet of Jesus and I am glad this is one way we can do that.

So, now that I have been tagged... I'm tagging Robin, Emalee, Penny and Leilani. Come on... don't let me down! :)

Just Live

Today I started a new art project which I am very excited about. I am putting my cross collection to good use. They will no longer just be hanging on the wall, but will be put to good use if it works. I'm finding that my creative outlets are great therapy for my soul. And I am not as afraid of them anymore. I used to think that my creativity wasn't good enough or my work wouldn't turn out the way I wanted it to. I am learning to not fear what the outcome will be... just do and do it with passion. Whatever it turns out to be may not be perfection, but I will accept whatever it is without regret. Much like life is these days. I fear walking through life thinking that what I am is not good enough or what I do won't turn out the way I imagined. But, just like the art I am learning to not fear what the outcome will be... just live and do it with passion.

Picasso in Training

I so wish I knew more about art! This is my first attempt of being an artist. I spent many hours cutting the countries in Africa in to their shapes, then cutting and pasting each picture(as a country) on to the continent.I used favorite photos from my friends short term mission trips in the last three years. The three words written on the canvas mean grace(ekisa), love(ayagala) and God is good(Yesu mulungi) in Lugandan, the official language of Uganda. The texture is a coat of gesso and then painted over in acrylic black paint. Then sponged a little with the green I used around the border. Around the edge of the canvas there are three favorite verses of hers(Lamentations 3:21-26, Psalm 27:13-14 and Isaiah 30:18). Also, there are 5 small silver crosses around the continent. I loved working on this project and it was a little hard to let go, but it was a present so I was excited to give it.... and so glad she LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it! I will be testing out more mediums and different ideas I have floating around in my head soon. It's usually a better idea in my head then when it plays out in reality. I then become frustrated that it wasn't how I pictured it. But, I think this one worked out well despite my perfectionism. Happy Birthday Julie. Again, better late then never. :)