A beautiful ending

I've been almost dreading having to write this last blog.  To sum up how much that being able to walk this journey with Aunt Carla has meant to me.  I know it's partially because I think in some ways that it effected me, I may not even know and then in others...it's just hard to put into words.

He crowned Her in Glory

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'Oceanview'

For those who have been following my paintings and prayers for my aunt Carla, it is a glorious day for my aunt Carla today...as she took her first steps into true glory. At about 1am or so last night she went home to heaven. At this point I will continue in prayers and painting as I continue prayers for the family. And will also be looking for God to give a clear direction on what I need to do in the upcoming days.

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'Boating' 9x12 acrylic on linen paper

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Anniversary Flower

11x14 traditional wrap canvas

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'Under my umbrella' 9x12 acrylic on linen sheet

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'You tell me'

11x14 acrylic on canvas

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'In Womb'

' For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the eath, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one came to be.' Psalm 139:13-16

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Give Love

Because today is valentines I guess God placed it in my heart to try to do a painting to express what true love really is.     In this world it seems that we want everything to be black and white. In our lives we do everything possible to keep ourselves safe and protected. We build 401k's to 'take care of ourselves when we get old enough to retire, we cover our shopping carts with disinfectant to protect our children from germs, we take medications to help reduce our chances of heart attack, even hold back parts of our hearts from those we love at times for fear of hurting them or being hurt by them. But the truth is with everyone of the above are just preventative measures that come with no guarantee that they will not fail and leave you in a position that will have been no better than if you'd not done any of them at all. That is why I believe God says things like 'do not store for yourselves treasures on earth but in heaven, and train up a child in the way they should go and they will never stray from it and last but not least on this day. Perfect love casts out fear....if we believe in Gods perfect love then we know that he will take care of us no matter what our circumstance and we should have no fear because fear has to do with punishment not love. Also if we fully love someone then that should cast out all fear...fear of whatever pain may come from loving someone completely, whether because of rejection, mistreatment or death. Love will bear all things and it never fails. So don't let fear rule your heart, if your going to give your heart give it fully to God and man. Gods perfect love will teach you how to love despite whatever pain that may be caused by the circumstances of our flesh.

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CAST YOUR CARES

Did thiis one during an amazing worship service lead by brian and randy whalen today. What a blessing!

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'Poppies for my friend'

A belated wedding gift for my friend Brittany. 18x20 acrylic on textured canvas.

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'Mercy Drops'

Painting by Whitney Tomlin entitled 'Mercy Drops'

In keeping with the prayer for mercy over Carla and the family.  I did a painting today entitled 'Mercy Drops'.  Each drop is a cut out of the word mercy from various hymns about the Lord giving mercy.  It is a 12x12 mixed media wood panel.

'Have Thine Own Way LORD'

With today's painting I wanted to be able to express a visual prayer to God.  At this point it seems almost that I have run out of things to pray to God, aside from saying the same things over and over again.  That's when I am most thankful for other forms of worship/prayer combined.  Through music and painting I can express words that may not be able to be put into verbal form.

'Praise You in this Storm'

This is representative of my aunt Carla gracefully
raising her arms as she turns toward the storm.  The
Red scarf represents the presence of Christ and the
sun in the back right is representative of the hope
that she has kept through this process.

There is a song by Casting Crowns called 'Praise you in this storm', I found out has been a song that sort of has spoken to my aunt Carla through this process. I want to share the lyrics and then tell how my aunt Carla has touched me through what has been happening in her life...

'Under His Wings'

Today I have done a mixed media painting including the words out of an old hymn i found in a songbook i have.  I am including the words because that is what the painting is about.

1. Under His wings I am safely abiding; Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him. I know He will keep me; He has redeemed me and I am His child.

chorus: under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide for ever.

2. Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow! How the heart yearningly turns to His rest! Often when earth has no balm for my healing, There I find comfort, and there I am blest. (Chorus)

3.Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment! There will I hide till life's trials are o'er; Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me; Resting in Jesus I'm safe evermore.  (Chorus)

God please let Carla find comfort and rest under your wings either here or in heaven.  Bless her Lord and raise her up!

'Waiting'

I can't imagine what it must have been like, back before the days when motorized engines were readily available, before boats were propelled by machine rather than wind or man-power or even steam.

'Everything is Beautiful in it's time'

Eclessiastes is where I was reading today and this verse from chapter 3:11 is what I decided to paint. This flower is made beautiful in it's time thanks to all the elements that contribute to its growth and development. All of which God plan in order to bring about a glorious result when the bud opens and the bloom is revealed.

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Everything is Beautiful in it's

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'Hebrews 4:12'

I'm going to pray verses over Aunt Carla for a while because Hebrews 4:12 explains just how powerful the word of God is over our bodies and spirit for that matter. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Today's painting just expresses what I feel it would look like as the word is piercing and dividing down to the smallest of particals that make up our bodies. It is just a reminder to me of how small i am and how powerful God is that even His word can pierce into the depths of my body and spirit.              12x12 acrylic on wood panel.
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'Dreams You've placed in me' SOLD

12x12 acrylic/oil pastel on wood panel

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'HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW 2' SOLD

8x11 Acrylic on canvas cloth.

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'Uninhabited'

22x30 acrylic on canvas

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'Masked People'

8x11 mixed media.  Just thinking about how we all put on masks for different reasons at different times in our lives.  Maybe we've had a bad day and are going out, but don't want to be asked "what's wrong" for fear that we will break down in tears, or we are sort of permanently fixed in some charade of being someone that we are not.  whatever the case may be, the thing is we all need to learn to let down our guard, to get over our fears of other people's thoughts.  After all it is God's heart we are after isn't it?  And He is the one that sees our every tear, our every smile, our every thought and loves us the same.  Take off whatever mask you wear and face your fear, before you know it, your fear may be turned into joy, and then victory!