good, bad, or in the plan

The family loaded up this morning and we all headed to huntsville.  although the day started off sort of shaky because for some reason I was in an inexplicably crabby mood.  Do you ever have those? Anyways, thankfully I got over it before the ride was over.

Final decisions

We now have made the decision about Birmingham.  Haven got a call back about the interview he did and he had the job if he wanted it, but he decided not to take it.  We will be staying here in North alabama for a while.  So now I just need to figure out what God really does want from me, and us.  I've been convicted or shown this week that I need to start spending more time with Him, by reading my bible and just listening period.

waiting and watching

Haven had an interview friday at the Lowe's in Homewood. Which is just outside the city of Birmingham.  The HR manager said that he did well in the interview and even passed Haven along to the Store Manager.   So now we will just wait and see what happens.  The house that we wanted to look at while we were down there went into contract for a buy the day we drove down...so that was a no go.  We drove around and looked around the same neighborhood though and found some things we liked.

Lot's to think about, Lot's to do

We have started considering and I guess, more so making the steps in order to make a possible move to Birmingham Alabama.  Haven is now applied to a couple of position in the area we have been looking at.  What has prompted the move...I think to really explain, we have to take you back all the way to a job Haven had when we temporarily moved to Colorado for a couple of months last year.

Too much to say

A lot has went on since the last time that I blogged.  So much, that I doubt I should be able to remember and especially type it all.  I have been able to sell to more paintings as well as to teach an art lesson.  I am so glad that God is giving me these little crumbs along the path to keep me going.  It's very encouraging.  I can't really say that I've been able to do a lot of painting since the last time that I wrote, but I did do one painting that means a lot to me.  I guess the ultimate motive in painting it to begin with was the fact that I sold the painting of the ballet dancer, and I must say it really held a sweet spot in my heart, well I mean as far as paintings go.  I just wanted to paint something that had a similar feel, although I didn't quite capture the same emotion in the painting, I was able to portray how that God gives us grace through the cross.  That is why the name 'Grace was Given'.  Look forward to new posts and paintings in the upcoming weeks

Self Promotion of Art

Well, today I got ready and went into town to do some self promotion.  I took a hand full of pieces with me.  I had already called ahead two a shop in the downtown in Athens, and also spoken with someone at Starbucks.  When I got to the shop downtown, I learned that the store manager was helping a costumer, which after meandering around the store for a bit learned that the costumer was MY BEST FRIEND! haha What a coincidence.  I could see that it was going to take a while though because they were doing a bridal gift registry...by hand.  So anyways 45 minutes later and a solid 1.5 hours past my kids nap time, I find myself in the middle of a store with nothing I can afford and two kids raring back like a funnel cloud before the tornado strikes.  Thankfully after my friend got done with the manager, the manager was polite enough to let me know that she was so swamped with costumers she didn't believe that she would be able to come take a look after all.  So that was a bit of a bust.  I did make it down to starbucks before the manager left though and she liked the artwork.  She said she would have to speak to her district manager to make sure that it wouldn't be against starbucks policy to hang outside artwork.  I hope to hear back from her.
  I also dreamed a little while I was in town.  I've been eyeing this great old historic building that is right off of the main square in the downtown.  I called the realtor and he came to meet me and show me the building...I'm in love...it's absolutely perfect for an art gallery and there is an upstairs just like I would love to have to fix up to live in.  It's definitely something that we are going to be praying about.  I was talking to Haven about it a little on his lunch break and he seems pretty interested in knowing more and possibly going back to look with me.

I've been in the wilderness for a few days

Hey everybody,  sorry to leave you hanging for a few days.  Me, my hubby and kids took a last minute trip out to a state park near Huntsville, Al to camp for a few days.  It was GLORIOUS! We did some hiking, napping, sitting by the fire, roasted some marshmallows and just had some great 'family time' so to speak.  Haven and I got to talk some about what our 'plans' are for the future as far as promoting my artwork or finding some type of selling venue, and of course we talked about his riding dirt bikes.  That is ultimately his dream.  I don't believe we really came to any settled conclusions on either matter, but it's always good to talk nonetheless.  Before I left to go camping I finished up a very special painting for a friend and fellow painter.  It is entitled 'Be My Vision'.
The girl in the photo is my friend. She is wearing a crown made of paint brushes and a painters pallette.  Which represents her inheritance from God of being creative.  Then she her heart is exposed and at the center of it is the image of a child, because that is one of her main ministries aside from art, is to minister to children.  Then Jesus is at her right hand leading her.  He is carrying His Cross, but if you will also notice His hand is up under her arm, as if He is lifting her up also. This is to represent the fact that Jesus picked up His cross and carried it, in a sacrifice of love, in order to lift us up.  So that we may do the same.  So in her holding Christ with her arm it is yet another representation that she is picking up her cross, with Christ.  I know that may all be quite confusing, but there is A LOT of depth in concept to this painting.  I love it when God allows me such creativity in a piece.