Grace Upon Grace...and Then Some

With how crazy my life has been these past many months, my brushes have sat pretty lonely in their Cafe Bustelo coffee can. And...a daunting task, I moved out of my art room and transformed my dining room into my new work space, which honestly, was a good move, more glorious sunshine!

Even though we are trying to navigate though some pretty hard situations in our life, I just needed to get my hands messy and CREATE.  I've been itching to try a few new different veins of art, studying different artists, viewing YouTube videos of different mediums, techniques and such.  But, to not stress myself out, I started this piece by going down the same avenue.  It's me.  It's those comforting "go to colors" than bring peace, happiness.  It's wax, paint, a few loved collage photos.

I know "different" will come one day, 

but this day, 

I needed familiar.

The circles, or rather stones, represent grace. I have been really feeling the grace of God over these months, going on a year.  Our life has been a roller coaster, now being the downward rush, now being extremely challenging on so many fronts.  I don't look forward to these times in life...I love the upward climb, where you can see for miles, see hope.  But during this time when the rickety cart flies wildly down the track and you don't know if it's going to jerk right or left and you feel like you're going to fly out, that steady and familiar grace, it's there, like the stones, piled upon each other.  Grace upon grace, and then some.  There's always enough, more than we need.  This piece reminds me of that.  It keeps before me that thought, that whatever we are faced with in this life of uncertainty, hardship, loss, heartache, He is there with capable and steady hands that hold us up and keeps hope alive in our hearts, being assured that their WILL BE that assent again. And I praise Him for that!!  

HOPE 

I put a little scene of old timey Port City Wilmington on the painting, always sneaking something dear to my heart that's beachy or  having to do with the sea on my work.  

It's in me so it always emerges here.  

 So much texture!!

 Thank you Hannah!! 

My dear friend and a fellow artist gave me this board which already had a good amount of texture on it, so me adding some more of my own paint and wax caused it to emerge into a beautiful piece, one I really love! 

Here are a few photos so you can see how textured this painting is.  I just love to run my hands over ones like this, adding another layer of pleasure to what I create. For me, it's not all about the visual aspect, I enjoy invoking more of our senses.

Happy Saturday!!

May you feel true peace & grace today wherever the road of life takes you. 

Giving Her Away

This girl, now a beautiful woman,

is one of the most dear treasures that my husband and I have been entrusted with 

on this earth. 

Last month, we had the privilege 

of giving her away, 

to the man of her dreams.

 I feel so incredibly blessed that my daughter and I have had a close relationship, a bond that has grown more secure and deep over each joy shared, with each phone call home while being so far away and feeling homesick or facing critical challenges, with the moments that only a good cry would help, or a prayer session that was badly needed, 

over coffee, pizza, 

singing loud in the car, births & deaths, 

and God moments...

these all have formed us 

and I wouldn't trade even one, 

for it has made us who we are, and I feel, 

it is so good. 

 I am grateful. 

I cherish this woman. 

Who is this man, that has captured her heart?  Is he good, will he protect her, will he encourage her to go hard after the Lord, will he cherish little things like giving pretty flowers, and remember special dates? Will he listen, and laugh, and talk, give her space when she needs it, 

will he love her only after the Lord...

with all his heart?

This man, this new person that will now stand by her side, as her dad, 

with a tear in his eye, 

slowly steps back and lets her go...

This man, we can say "yes!", for he is that gift from God that we have prayed for, ever since this woman was a wee babe in my womb, to be the "one" that was created for her. 

This new union, 

brings so much happiness to our hearts.

It has caused our big beautiful family to grow a bit more.

We have endured, loved, added, fought, cried, rejoiced and overcome.

Now...we celebrate, this sweet 

coming together. 

...and we rejoice in a new family formed, a new friendship which has started the process 

of growing long lasting roots.  How blessed we are to have these wonderful, 

God-loving and fun people in our lives!

The Joy of the Little Ones!

And we love a good party! 

We have fun, this family, with loud laughing, hugs, and just being down right crazy.

And when it's come to an end, 

rather, just a new beginning, 

we can smile, because we know that what we have been given, is rich and full of a special kind of love, that only seems to get 

better with time.  

How blessed we are!