Coloring My World

I just finished my first painting. Yep, me. The one who has never painted anything but walls and only ever used crayons and markers, when attempting to draw on paper.


I decided I need to do something totally new and different, so signed up for a 6 week paint class this summer. Our first project is due tomorrow, so I finished up today. Can't say I'm thrilled, or even real excited, about what I did, but considering I'm on a huge learning curve, it's ok. Which brush does what? How heavy/light do I put on the paint? How in the world do you make brown? It's all a bit of a puzzle, but I like being stretched to do something so out of my league.


And I did it with my left hand. I can't even scratch my nose with my left hand! - so I guess the fact that any paint ended up on the canvas and not all on me or the floor = success.


Try something new this summer! Something you have never done and don't know the first thing about. Learn some Chinese language, or how to cook Indian food. Whatever. You have permission to try something totally out of the box, for you. And if you try, you win. So go for it, and let me know what you do!

Rejoicing with Those Who Rejoice

I just received word from a friend who has been battling cancer. She was just declared cancer free! I've been sitting here thanking God for this victory, remembering the battles we've won as a number of people we love have been healed from cancer, and it never returned. Also thinking of those who fought the battle well and are now having a forever-party in Heaven with Jesus.


These past few weeks I've been reflecting on the fact that our God is better than we've ever imagined. And it's made me wonder once again about heaven. I know it, too, has glory and delights far beyond even what C.S. Lewis could envision! I'm on a journey of pressing in to know Him in deeper measures, and to begin to dream in larger ways about how truly lovely our Heavenly Bridegroom is.


It's a great journey! Care to join me? It will only lead to good; to deeper depths of loving Him...

Going Out With JOY!

In Cobh. A statue depicting the first woman who leaving here, entered through Ellis Island. Cobh is where  nearly all emigration has happened over the centuries. Natives of Cobh told us there is a palpable feel of grief and sorrow in the town. We prayed and did prophetic acts here to break the spirit of grief and invite joy and celebration.
Ecclesiates 3:4 tells us there is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

It's time to laugh and dance, Cobh! It's time, Ireland!

Hallelujah!

This is the organ, in Dublin, where Handel practiced 'The Hallelujah Chorus!' Visitors can actually touch the keyboard, although it's no longer functional. What an amazing piece of history.