Waiting today, for God to move. Sorting through the computer, looking at older pieces. This is one of the first I painted digitally. Even when I was just a toddler at digital art, God used my hands to paint something, which in its simplicity, shows forth power and peace.

"Angels All Around"

My daughter's dance recitals provide an opportunity to snap a myriad of great photos of young dancers giving it all. This young lady was at rest, waiting her turn to shine. But in that moment of waiting, she shined. And I sensed angels all around.

...no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalms 91:10-12

May you wait well today, along with me, for God to move.

I left all my watercolor paints, paper and my two best brushes in South Africa with the arts leader of the church where we taught. It was so freeing to give it away. I truly "left it in South Africa". Tanja is doing watercolor for the first time and she is amazingly wonderful. 
So, now I am trying new things because I have no paints! This collage was the first, from torn up paintings, this and that. Got some printing ink, acrylic and Indian ink-all new to me. 
Joburg reminds me of a collage, fences around the houses, topped with barbed wire, people segregated yet somehow finding each other, new and old thrown in together, wealthy and impoverished occupying the same space, law and grace, dark and light in a stew... yet the Master Artist making order of all things, knowing all along, "it works", not stressing about the outcome, from chaos to creative order, uniquely, beautifully, completely.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

    "You either go, or you send." Usually I send. I have prayed for, supported, corresponded (and wished I was one) missionaries for years. What a blessing it has been to be part of those teams. But I have often wondered if they, while feeding the hoards, rocking the orphan baby to sleep, preaching on the street corner... I wondered what they thought of those of us back home. Did they think we were too cushy and would not give up our comforts to heed the call? Or did they resent us for not giving more financially? Or, did those faithful ones on the front... did they believe that we missed the call of God on our lives?
     Now I am going, and my only thought towards those who have sent me, is gratitude... big, big gratitude. Many little gifts and one very large gift, (3 days before departing), is making this trek possible.
     Check out the verse below. I love it. So much so, that 10 years ago I named by art business "Great Company", borrowing the verbiage from this verse. Particularly hover over the line "the women at home divide the spoil." Let me be frank with you, I am going to Africa to take reward. I am going for souls. I am going to add my stroke of paint to the glory stream that is arising from the precious Church in that place to the throne of God. I am going to serve alongside that amazing community as they walk out their destiny. I am going to commission the artist tribe from around the globe as we work together to make the invisible visible. I am going for the spoils. I often pray, "Jesus, take your reward."
     So, those of you at home that have supported, prayed, and who will listen to my stories, YOU get the plunder. HOW COOL IS THAT? 

The Lord announces the word,
    and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: 
 “Kings and armies flee in haste;
    the women at home divide the plunder. 
 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens, 
    the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
    its feathers with shining gold.”
When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
    it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon. Psalms 68

So, my prayer for you today, that you see the spoils, touch and hold them. I pray that you know when you sleep, you are protected by the wings of a dove. And that a new, white, refreshing "snow" will fall on you and your household.

"What do you do with a drunken sailor? What do you do with a drunken sailor? What do you do with a drunken sailor, early in the the morning?". 

I remember singing that song as a kid. "Why," you ask? It's not like it's a song I would learn at church camp, or something. My sweet dad had a variety of LPs (for you youngsters out there-an LP is a really big cd that is black, or occasionally a green or red for effect), and he particularly loved male choral music. So I suppose the "Drunken Sailor" tune was included in a particular album because it was full of vigor and vim so I learned it along with other "guy music" in my younger years thanks to Dad. (I loved growing up with music.)

Anyway, that was what I woke up singing this morning. In the A.M., I confess, I walk crooked. The brain and the feet are not on good terms, and travel is dangerous. So, I sing the song, nearly every morning, as I swagger down the hall, desperately seeking coffee. This morning, with my coffee, Bible. What a relief to discover the verse of the day this morning is The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121: 7-8

Wonderful to be reminded that the Lord is watching over not just my crooked walk down the hall, but my way through my day, my travels in my upcoming missions trip to South Africa, and all my comings and goings, now and forever. He is such a loving Father and he carries a big sign with arrow that says, "This is the Way."

This digital work is simply named "Straight Path". I love that this path is lined with beauty, really TALL beauty. This painting is my prayer.

So my prayer for YOU today, is that YOUR path is straight and lined with beauty. And that YOU enjoy the journey. That YOU have a revelation of the purpose of the way and that YOU see that you are NOT ALONE.

Much preparation for the upcoming South Africa teaching trip. 

I have had so little time to paint. It feels a bit like madly preparing for my wedding and having no time to spend with my soon-to-be husband ... the one I am love sick for. 

So, on this beautiful morning, I have planted myself in the big soft chair in my studio and purposed to wait and rest, and hear again the truth about why I am doing what I do. And the truth about who I am.

This quote came to me on FaceBook. I borrowed it and pasted it on a photo of my painting, using my favorite brush, and my favorite colors. I quickly added Van Gogh's words, which agree with other wisdom that my heart knows to be true.

To silence a voice, we come in the opposite spirit. We fight fear by being brave, doubt by remembering who we are created to be. And we fight busyness by resting.

So in this crazy time of packing and preparing to teach internationally, with its myriad of details ... I choose rest. 

A really wise guy once said, "For he, who has entered his rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." -Ancient Hebrew Wisdom

You talk'in to me? YOU talkin' to ME? (Please read aloud in a "Brando" type voice to get the effect).

Okay then, let's talk.

First blog and first entry. Lots of firsts coming soon. I love firsts. They are exhilarating for sure and can be terrifying as well. Let's go with the first one (another first).

Adj.1.exhilarating - making lively and cheerful; "the exhilarating effect of mountain air"  
invigorating- imparting strength and vitality; "the invigorating mountain air"
2.exhilarating - making lively and joyful, elating
exciting - creating or arousing excitement; "an exciting account of her trip"

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin... Zechariah 4