PAINTING, Tribal Mother and Child

New work
3x3
This painting depicts the anxiety that refugees live with. As with any mother, the well being and safety of her child is ever present in her expression and on her mind.
This KAREN woman is wearing a dress of woven materials with beadwork.

February 25th we will be in a KAREN VILLAGE where we will be working.

"Leave well enough, Alone"

Frequently I had heard this phrase through my childhood,, Leave well enough alone.
Later I understood it in terms of limitations.
In other words, impose self limitations if you cannot improve your status quo.
It was so carelessly used that it begged to be challenged.

Change can bring incredible depth of character and joy into our lives, but we must disturb and challenge the doldrums of " LEAVE WELL ENOUGH! ALONE"

On my canvasses for example, when I finish a painting , but am not
pleased with it I put it aside to return to it later.
I know I will work further on it. I have painted some of my best works , under revision, or change.
Discontent drives us to improvement. This remains true in our spiritual life.

And what of our walk of Faith and spiritual disciplines?

Hebrews 12 :1 "
... I lay aside...




At present, , I am devouring books downloaded to my IPAD such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer's
books' A Biography , The Man and The Martyr and THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP.
The latter address our tendencies to lax into spiritual lethargy or Cheap Grace, as I understand .
I desire to challenge the "Well Enough's " in my spiritual disciplines to make a greater difference for Christ in the lives of those He Loves.

Life in the Provence

Life in the Provence 

Life in the Provence is really about people. Such as the quiet soft spoken Christian man , who is well known and respected in the Business Community, and loved by fellow Christians, quietly slips away from home in early morning hours to fellowship  and  encourage the simple fishermen on a local beachfront .
Hidden from curious onlookers, he just spends time with them, often bringing a simple offering of food for them.

We have sat alongside the Pastor and his beloved wife who bear the telltale signs of betrayal:
Grief, shock, depression.
We can't make sense of the " whys" but offer  Ministry of Presence

Too often, opportunities are presented if we can  recognise  people we encounter may  need encouragement by  less words and more a ministry of Presense. 

It seems  natural to fill a void of  silence,, but in the company of  tenderness, much is accomplished and grief is shared.

It seems this has been an intense time of likemindedness with the many who do suffer forrighteousness sake.

Like the depiction of the storms and overcast skies, the single photo of the balloon bouquet promises joy.

Jesus promised us He would never leave us. Weeping is for a night, but there is joy in the morning.

We are blessed to know the God of Love . In and amidst the storms , present and impending, He is the God of all comfort. Life in the Provence Knows this.

This is where we stay when  we are here.  It is a warm and small  cozy home away from home for  us , but we are happy. 

Sub Tropic Distress

Jim and I arrived here in the Philippines 48 hours ago. But already it seems like a couple of weeks. How can that be I ask? Things here have to be coddled, nurtured, spoken tenderly to such as ALL technical components. Our staff are available to help and do and so we are so thankful.
We were unable to get on line, to receive and send emails for the first 18 hours. The follow 18 hours was spent investigating and improving. Some how we managed to get it all done with tropical heat. Such is the first 48 hours now we are settled in. And remember Nothing moves fast in the Province.

An Outdoors Girl at Heart

At 9000 feet elevation, we turned off Highway 165 into Rainbow Packing STation on a crisp cool Autumn afternoon. It is October 3 and I feel alive in anticipation of the hunt ahead of us.
We made the rustic cabin without electricity home for the next few days.

Photographers in masses line the long winding highway by 7 am.

Aspen Quakes stand regal in groves of thousands, dressed in their autumn gowns of orange and umber.
In such a magnificent theatre of Glory,
I sit silenced by Gods Hand on everything.

SOUTH PACIFIC ART SHOW

I am preparing for my Art Show
which will be held the first weekend of Nov on the 3rd.
I am posting a sample here that will be in the Show.
Thank you very much for visiting.

TENTING IN YELLOWSTONE

We pitched our Coleman tent in the magnificent theatre of Yellowstone.
It has been 15 years since we were last
With our children.
The natural exhibitions are tumultuous
As well as beautiful. Geysers launch plumes as high as 80 feet into the breathtakingly beautiful contrast of the brilliant blue sky.
There are hot pools created from


eruptions deep in the earth, called
Fumerals that bubble with lethal temperatures.
The colors are exquisite often crystal light turquoise.

We enjoyed our days by touristing, viewing wildlife in the mornings, fishing the streams, and i discovered a new joy in photography and video. Playing our favorite game SORRY is always fun.
On Thursday the 13th, we drove out of the Park into Montana where Jim's Family enjoyed a Caywood Reunion,

We are now on our long drive home with fond memories of our time here.


I should say at this point of our story, we are hauling a dear part of our family history back home. The Dodge Camper Van broke down in Utah where we had to leave it until our return homeward. So here we are, and now we begin driving home.