Drawing in His Presence

Drawing in His Presence

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Sunday, May 25, 2014

He Loves Me

"He Loves Me"
20"x16" Oil on Stretched Canvas

     I sure have enjoyed painting flowers over the past 6 weeks.  I took a workshop from Nancy Medina,  and it has proven to be one of the best things I've done for my artistic self.  These flowers are really special to me, because my sweet hubby dug them up and brought them home to me.  He knew that days before, I walked and scouted the dry pastureland behind our house looking for something colorful and alive.  I'd returned with nothing but the realization that we are definitely in the desert without spring rains.  There was nothing but parched and dry grass.  I don't know where the man found these beauties,  but he did.  It meant so much to me, that he would be scouting for me.  We put them in this old crock full of water and now 10 days later they are still pretty.  I used to play a little game when I would pick a flower.  I would pull the petals off one by one, saying, "He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not"...and hopefully I would be left with the "He Loves Me" petal.  I couldn't help but think of that as I painted.  I couldn't help but soak in the blessing of knowing that "He Loves Me". Texas has some of the most beautiful wild flowers in the spring when we get moisture.  This year has not been one of wetness.  However, as I blog this today, we have measured 2.5 inches of rain!  Perhaps those beauties will not find it too late to pop their little heads out!

     

Monday, May 12, 2014

Promises Reign

"Promises Reign"
16"x20" Original Oil

     This marks another Mother's Day; one that I will mark down for all time in history.  It's the one that I will always remember.  For 19 years I prayed.  My heart grieved at the loss of my youngest son.  The one that I lost custody of.  In those days, it wasn't heard of to lose a child unless a mother was unfit as a mother.  But, I did.  For all those years I wanted relationship.  I prayed when I didn't even know how to pray.  Seems like everything came against me.  Then, I began to learn how to pray.  It was when I knew that something had to change or I wouldn't make it.  I had two older sons; it was for them that I lived.  Still, as a mother with a lost little sheep out there it was so very hard to hang on.  I learned to hang on to the One that would hold me...the One that would never leave me or forsake me. He was the One that would carry me through and teach me so many things.  I began to learn that all of his promises were yes for me.  I learned that God is all about restoration and relationships; between He and me (vertically) and between mankind (horizontally).  I learned that I can trust him.  That's what I did.  Things shifted and I traded my grief for trust and hope.  For those of you that have followed my blog, you know that my relationship has been restored with my son!  It's a miracle.  He's a miracle, walking out the plans that God has for him.  The other years were spent in prayer for him to come home.  This year it was spent in thankfulness, because he has come home! Thankful that I have three amazing, awesome, and wonderful sons that walk in the favor of the Lord.  They are reunited as brothers, and our family has been made whole.
     Today, I had to trade the box of kleenex for the roll of paper towels.  My heart runneth over with thankfulness, gratefulness, and joy.  
    Is there an area of your life that has lost hope?  Can I just tell you, that if you can verify in the Word of God, that it is his will and if you are praying his will...the answer is on the way!  Do not give up faith and hope in the One that can do all things.  Never, ever give up!  Amen.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Haven River Inn


Haven River Inn
Comfort, TX

     What a joy to spend a few days here to recharge and get ready for the summer ahead!  This cabin is newly built, and has only been open for about a month.  We have the whole place to ourselves.  It is amazing!  It's anything but a cabin!  Breakfast will be served down at the main place in a few minutes.  The table will be adorned with beautiful tea pots, pearls and lace and we will enjoy a former breakfast.  The homemade granola and greek yogurt is amazing.  We'll be joined by John, the Inn Keeper and resident minister.  Yesterday, He prayed for us and our family.  He celebrated with us in the answered prayers that we've had, and is agreeing for those that we are praying for now.  Holy Spirit is definitely hovering here, bringing rest to the weary.  

Comfort

"Comfort"
16x20 Original Oil on Archival Canvas

     Comfort, Texas is a haven of rest.  My husband and I came here to get away, rest, and spend some quality time together.  We agreed on "just us"for this trip.  I had to resist calling grandchildren and good friends to join us.  I wanted that.  But, I also wanted him.  He won out.  We have not really had any "just us" time in so long; almost a year.  We are staying at a beautiful place called the Haven River Inn, which is designed for a place of rest.  Ministers come here to recharge.  There is a beautiful river running through this place, and my hubby couldn't wait to get in.  He fished most of the day yesterday and I painted.  It's quiet.  No televisions, no noise.  He and the Lord.  Me and the Lord.  I couldn't help but think of the scripture in Hebrews that says, "I will never leave you or forsake you".  That's real comfort. God is so good.  As I look back, I can see so clearly how He was with me, even when I didn't realize it.  I know know, even when I'm the busiest that He is with me.  It's just so very good to take a time out once in awhile to reconnect with Him, and be quiet.   

Today is another day of comfort.   As we sit rocking on this porch almost silence listening to the birds, smelling bacon in the air, enjoying the presence of each other. This is the day we're going to do some exploring, and I'm sure laughing like we do.   
   

Sunday, May 4, 2014

"Wild Thing"

"Wild Thing"
12x24" Oil on Canvas

     Texas!  I just love Texas, and the wildflowers that live here.  This has been a very dry spring, so there aren't nearly enough of these beauties.  There are a few survivors...these yellow ones and the daisy's.  I rounded up this crock to fit the look.  I can just see this one hanging in someone's Shabby Chick living room.  I had so much fun painting this one.  I wish you could see it in real life.  This crock really looks like glass.  I changed the color temperature and added texture.  I really wish you could see it!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

"Sweet Fragrance"

"Sweet Fragrance"
14x16
Original Oil on Canvas

     Song of Songs 4:16 Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits.

     I just couldn't help but think about the fragrance of the Lord as I painted this.  Man, He is so creative.  The very idea of how in the world he created each and every petal of these flowers wrecks my brain.  Then, to think of all of his creation...even the things that I don't know about.  My God is amazing.  I hope you enjoy this painting!  Tell me what you think about it.


Thursday, May 1, 2014

The Hill

"The Hill"
6"x6" Acrylic Pouring on Wooden Panel

     For almost every single morning for the past 6-7 years my husband has walked up on the hill that is not far from our house.  This hill is the highest point on our property and you can see for miles all around.  He goes up there for a purpose; for prayer and worship of God.  He first started going up there to be alone with the Lord. As I left out one early morning, I looked back and I could see his silhouette against the early morning light.  My heart was humbled and so proud to be married to this amazing man.   He started a little tradition of picking up rocks and depositing them in the ruts of the road leading up to this hill top.  As he would pitch the rocks in the road, he would say a prayer for someone.  
     Today, if you go up to this holy place, you will immediately notice a rounded out spot that has no grass, because those faithful feet have been planted there for so many hours. You might also feel as if you are in a secret hiding place.   You'll  notice that the road can now be traveled easier because the ruts are full!  One can not imagine how many prayers are marked by these rocks.  If anyone has ever asked him to pray for someone or some situation, their name is under a rock.  It's a very humbling experience, walking up that road.  Many times it brings tears to my eyes as I think about all the prayers that went up in my behalf, in order that my youngest son be brought back home for reconciliation.  Still, rocks and prayers go in daily for those other ones that we love and that need breakthrough in their lives, along with all the other requests that we have.  Sometimes I think that a handful of people have a whole rut full of rocks because that man is faithful to continue to pray for them.  That's why I call him "Faithful Feet".  

With this being our National Day of Prayer, I pray that many other Faithful Feet find their secret place to pray for our nation...the one that is under ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.