Unlikely Art Teachers Begin & More Maine

My friend Beth and I started cleaning the classroom today and went rifling through an old art closet filled with art supplies.  The next couple of weeks might be nail biters as far as organizing things, getting students signed up, buying supplies and finishing the room, but we are grateful for the support we are getting and the momentum that is causing this vision to go forward.  Hopefully we will have help from students documenting this “Art Reach” as we are calling it and we can show you how this dream evolves.  For those of you who didn’t catch it earlier, our church’s Christian school’s high school art program got cut do to lack of funds, so two unlikely art teachers (us) are stepping out in faith to enrich an important part of each students education.  We are not artists or teachers but are creative and really have a heart for this.

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My little snuggle buggles loves animals, loves people, loves his family and loves the fair.  Here he is in the poultry barn at the Windsor Fair in Windsor, Maine.  My grandfather has been a volunteer at the fair since I was a teenager at least and that was 20 years ago, I think.  I have to say this fair has grown on me.  The first time I remember going with Vinny and my grandparents we (Vinny and I) were quite snarly about the level of hickness there.  But, maybe just maybe, I am growing into my hick roots, because now I LOVE the Windsor Fair and I hate to miss it.  I am so proud of my grandfather who has been helping run the pulling (horses and oxen and tractors compete in pulling weights) and he and the staff at the fair have made it better and better every year!

This is what Henry does when we’re a little too close to the large animals for comfort.

I love all of the variety of chickens. 

Henry showing me the baby pigs.  This fair has a great midway (where the rides are) too.  I made the mistake of walking down through there with Henry.  He wanted to jump on all the rides and he’s still too small!  I didn’t make that mistake again.  I did take him to the tot lot but then all of the sudden he sprinted away and I found him here…

pretending to drive the restored tractors.  I was on the phone with Dave at the time and Dave said he must be a Mainer to run for the tractors.

Riding around with great-grammie.

Henry’s Seat on the Plane to Maine

Momma, plane?  Henry’s seat.  Momma’s seat.  Sky.  Buckle.  Hi!!!  Window!  Water!  Shhh, baby’s sleeping.

Henry’s words on the plane.  So cute.

The famous eat sculpture art in downtown Rockland.  Our view from our rooftop deck in the beautiful time share my mom had for Henry and me.

Henry went right to sleep our first night in Maine.  This is a very lovely loft bedroom.

It’s so bright so early we were up early every morning.

View of the Breakwater Lighthouse out the cathedral ceiling windows from our loft balcony.

The living room from the balcony.

Going downstairs to the main living.

The dining room after we messed it up a little .

The beautiful kitchen.

Henry’s first day at Windsor Fair this year with his great-grandparents.  Last year he loved it too!

Checking out the chickens in the poultry barn.

More to come…

Back from Maine

Henry and I are back from Maine tonight.  He’s a wreck – needing a vacation from his wonderful trip.  But we are so grateful for the wonderful time we had with our loved ones.  And we came back to a big surprise from Daddy.  I was kind of wondering why things were kind of messy and trying my best not to be grumpy over it when the truth is, I just had a long day traveling with a severely over tired little trooper of a two year old.  But the big surprise explains everything.  I’ll show you photos soon along with our photos from our trip.

I also am trying something new out that I sort of mentioned before.  I keep vacillating on doing a second blog just for my hobbies.  So, we will see how God leads.  I tried it out this week with a furniture redo that I also posted on my blog.

You can check out the new blog by clicking the link above.  Not much there yet, and like I said, Not sure if I will go forward with it.

I am reading a great book call The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers.  I mentioned before that my friend Beth got me hooked on her Mark of the Lion series.  I think people are weirded out by the title of The Last Sin Eater but it’s based on a custom that came from Wales and Scotland and it’s a great illustration of man’s need to rid himself of his guilt and sins.  I love how the author ties history, fiction and the Gospel together.  I think others may find it sketchy that the main character is conversing with an invisible girl who is leading her towards the Gospel.  I think that it’s fantastic that the Gospel is clearly woven without taking an liberties with the actual Gospel message and am very impressed by the author’s work.  I am half way through, and, so far, I highly recommend it.  Brilliant.

Yellow Distressed Dresser

 

Primer, two tones of yellow paint distressed.  Recycled lumber bottom thanks to Johnny.  Distressed stained top.

But YOU Loved Me Anyway

This life is such a mystery.  As I look at the refrigerator and glance at a picture Henry scribbled  the task of raising a child can be overwhelming.  The loss of my neighbor's 52 year old wife of 30 years makes his heart bleed like any other human being.  When I fail so deeply all that remains is wrecked lives in my wake, I feel the pain, you feel the pain as deeply as our fellow man.  But in all of those circumstances, though my physical makeup is the same, I praise God, the Lord Jesus Christ for something deeper (our message at church today).    I praise Him for his grace that carries me when life blind sides me or when I am my own worst enemy.  And the greatest mystery of it all, other than that He loves me anyway and picks up the pieces and makes something beautiful, is many of these things that physically and emotionally seem to destroy me, through His mind and with His thoughts, I can look back over time and see them as His mercies.  His mercy because it is quite possible that this heart of mine that is so prone to turning as hard as a stone and as dark as the blackest night can be turned toward Him.  I can experience His life and joy and have even a more abundant life in spite of myself and in spite of what others have done to me and in spite of life's circumstances. His mercy and He loves me anyway.

http://minivandiva.blogspot.com/2011/08/its-god-thing-weekend-link-up.html

Wild Night

It was a wild night and morning of wind and rain but very thankful to God for the limited damage I have seen so far in our area.  Here's a video of one are in Virginia...

Much Prayer Needed

For all you prayer warriors out there – please pray for these requests if you feel led:

1. A newborn in our church was born with a tumor and serious cancer – please pray for healing for the baby and comfort and grace for the parents and extended family.  The parents are just off the missionfield in Eastern Europe (they are Americans) to have their first child.

2.  Complete healing for my cousin with cancer – young mother with two young children.

3. Henry and my trip to Maine on Saturday.  Hurricane is approaching and we would like to catch our flight (if it’s safe) at 2:30 pm.  Travelling mercies.

4.  Two unlikely art teachers who have NO idea what they are doing.  Only have a heart to serve and enrich the lives of the students in our Christian school.  Yes, that’s I and my friend Beth.  In the next two weeks we need to collect materials, create a syllabus, clean out a classroom, and encourage kids to sign up!  All by the grace of God.  I mean ALL.  And it is our deepest heart’s desire to be Spirit filled and God led in each and every step.  This is a major step of faith and we covet your prayers.

5. I am looking forward to our fall schedule but we are also entering into a new season in our lives.  School + child + work + life.  Dave returns to Bible College next week, I have some side things I am always working on, we are managing a household and Dave is working full time.  Prayers are always welcomed as we want to have God’s mind in every aspect of our lives and receive His grace and His strength to go forward with His will.  And forever grateful for His mercies and grace for our frail human state.  Praise God!

Here is my little turkey:

Just after puddle stomping.

There have been some serious downpours over the last couple of weeks.

 

My turkey on the couch earlier this morning.  Do you love his sneakers?  I think he is so cute in them!!