It IS Well With My Soul

Last Saturday Evening during our church service, we sang this hymn "It is Well With my Soul" by Horatio Spafford. It has a great story behind it and I will give you a link at the bottom of this entry so you can read the story yourself.

But as the people around me were singing, I started sketching. This piece of Folk Art was forming in my brain.

As I worked on it this week, I realized that I live fully in both the top and bottom half. A huge storm swirling around me - but peace in my heart because all is well in my soul.

But I also realized something else about myself. Though I hint at, and most everyone knows there are changes and challenges in my life - I actually attempt to hide the storm side of things. That's not a very honest depiction of my life AND it lessens the impact and truth of the peace that lies deep in my soul.

I'm having a very difficult time standing up right now. My heart rate races and my head spins. When I'm sitting down I feel like I'm in between a dream world and the real world.

So this blog entry is an attempt to be more real - more honest about the storm at the top of my artwork, in a desire to emphasize the peace and joy God puts in my heart.

Lots of people think I look and sound great. And I do - for a few minutes! But that's because I can exert my happy energy for a short time - sometimes even for a half hour or so. But, even though that happy face and voice are REAL - afterwards, my body rebels. The side of my face goes numb and if I try talking too long, my words begin to jumble, my lips shake and I feel weak and exhausted.

Yesterday, our church had a parking lot party - an outreach to our neighborhood. I hated for Bill to go to one more thing alone, so we decided - though very uncomfortable for both of us - we would go with the wheelchair!

It was very fun for me. Fun to be by Bill's side at a church function. Fun to see the activity and say Hi to several people I hardly ever see. I even sat in the shade and had a really nice visit with an old friend!

We had a nice talk - but I think she could tell I was wearing out by the end. And sure enough... I was down for the rest of the day. I didn't fake my enjoyment and my enthusiasm - but it did cost me a lot. These type of situations cost me a storm of symptoms for hours and sometimes days afterwards!

I'm not complaining! I'm trying to be honest. It's hard for me to be honest about my health storm. I like to take lots of medications - go out in public for a short time and "look" normal... and then hide while the storm overtakes my body.

But if I always do that - how will you know how true the words to this hymn are in my life?

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.


In one of my favorite books in the bible, one of Jesus' followers said:

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Philippians 4:12

This is what my art piece is trying to say... I know the storms, the hardships, the grief that I must go through in this life. And I know the peaceful, fulfilling, joyous times. Whichever is my lot - at any particular moment in life - it's OK. Because, my soul- the center of who I am, is safe in God's hands. And nothing, not storm nor plenty can that away from me!


If you'd like to read more about the author of this hymn and his amazing experience just prior to writing it Click Here




PS: This Art Piece is up for auction Aug 12 -19 Click Here

Showing Understanding and Kindness

My husband, Bill, is a Pastor and has been teaching a short series on Psalm 23. It's been a very fun series - especially as we process together some of the issues like "fear".

But I only tell you this to set up a different story I wanted to share. It's always very important to me to get to church when he's speaking. But as I wrote in my last update - I'm not doing very well. However, I do have some medications I can take very occaisionally, that help me get out and stand up for a little while.

I was able to make it to church this week and really enjoyed Bill's message. But I was very very tired by the end. It's quite a long walk from my seat to the car. Sadly this often means I breeze by many old friends with a quick wave.

This week, two women stopped me. They were so excited to see me - it warmed my heart - though my heart rate was flying and things were spinning and I was hoping I could make it to the car with out stumbling or fainting.

But as I stopped and gave them each a quick greeting, I explained that I just couldn't stand any longer and I was sorry that I couldn't stay and talk.

To my surprise, they both offered to sit down on the ground with me. I quickly sat and they both sat with me. So there we were - the three of us - sitting on the ground in the middle of the huge new entryway to our new church buiding. We had a nice chat and it was so refreshing to get caught up with a few old friends.

Now that it true kindness and compassion. I have never felt more understood by someone outside of my own family than I did that morning. All I had to say was "I can't stand up anymore" and they both sat down with me!

Thank you two!!!! (you know who you are!)

Love Melanie

PS: If you want to hear these great Psalm 23 messages Click Here and go to the "Sermon's Online at the top. Hope you enjoy them as much as I have!!!

End of July - End of Good Month

Well... tomorrow it becomes August. Wow - where did the summer go? I had the best month of health I have had in... at least a year! Wow!

But - at least for now, that is gone - like July is gone.

I've been sitting here for an hour, trying to put into words what it is like to have a month like this end... but I can't. I can't get my brain to work, I can't explain what the fatigue is like, I can't even put into words all the fun things I did this past month.

But I felt I needed to touch bases with you all. So instead of words... let me share some of the "worship in art" that I've enjoyed this month!




























I also spent a lot of time working on a very special comission and I hope to post about this soon!

Thanks for visiting!!!

What I Learned from Leonardo Da Vinci

Some of you read both my personal blog and my art blog. But for those who don't, I am still so moved by doing this painting that I wanted to share this blog with you. So I have basically copy and pasted my Da Vinci blog here. I hope you enjoy it.



Another month - another Master's challenge on Watercolor's Wet'n Wild (my eBay watercolor group). And - oh my... it's Leondardo Da Vinci!!!

I love Da Vinci's ability to capture a "real" person in his paintings. Of course, his Mona Lisa is the most famous, but I must admit she never really intrigued me. (I know that may be because I have never seen her in real life.)

But a couple of years ago - my kids and I were studying World History and using a literature based curriculum. We read "The Second Mrs. Giaconda" - which tells the story of Da Vinci and how he might have come about painting the Mona Lisa. There is a lot of speculation on who she is and why Da Vinci painted her!

I was daunted by this WnW challenge... I don't paint portraits! I've tried a few - which turned out OK - but also proved that I need a lot more understanding and learning before I could ever paint a good portrait.

But, before giving up, I decided to search the web for images of his paintings. What interested me even more were his sketches. I knew he did sketches - many of them... but how interesting to try to do a "sketch" type of watercolor! Still... I can't do faces... so that seemed a little out of my reach.

Then I found a sketch that made me stop and gaze. It was a very sweet - gentle, woman's face. After a minute of marveling at her beauty - I noticed something peculiar!

The eyes were off....

One eye was looking at the viewer and the other eye was like a lazy eye - looking off to the left.

I was born with two eyes that are not coordinated - they work individually, on their on. This means that I am usually only really looking with one eye! The other eye often travels off and rests because I'm not using it.

If I hadn't had 5 surgeries as a young child, I'd be blind in one eye now. But instead, the surgeons worked on the muscles, and I had eye therapy - teaching me to use both eyes and I can still see out of both eyes. They do still travel off - especially if I am sick or very tired. But I can see fine!

But the "seeing" is only one part. As a little girl, I knew that my strange eyes threw people off (still do) - they don't know where I'm looking or who I'm looking at - and often I felt self conscious and ugly. My dimples - I thought - were my saving factor.

So I began to work on a watercolor painting that would look like this sketch (doubting I could really do it.) I created an old paper background with various watercolor paints including Buff Titanium which is opaque and Antique Gold which leaves the slightest shimmer under it's brown tone. Then I began to sketch. I was surprise how easy it was - like God's hand was in mine.

I finished it off with strokes of mixed colors to look "sketch-like" and then added some thin brushes of color for effect. I shaded with the typical Paynes grey - but overlaid that with Antique gold.

Here is the result:




It's an ACEO - 2.5"x3.5"

As I finished it - I began to cry. I realized - the beauty wasn't in her eyes - or her features at all... but in the gentleness rising out of her heart. This is what Da Vinci saw and painted in almost everyone one of his portraits. In his paintings - the Mona Lisa included - it's the beauty of the heart of the woman he was painting that shines through!

"Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God"
~1 Peter 3:4-5~

I was reminded of true beauty as I completed this painting. And the tears that welled up were because I knew - once again - that God's light in my life - creating a gentle and loving heart - made me beautiful again... even with eyes that look a little strange!

I pray that you too may experience what I experienced - a reminder of what makes one truly beautiful!

~Melanie

Liquid Sunshine

Here it is - July and it's raining!!!

I'm having an amazingly unusual week! My kids have all gone to "Experience the Valley" (a summer camp in Tygh Valley, OR). Marie is counseling, Ellen's last year and Chris' first! It's usually HOT HOT HOT and they come home tanned and tired from the Whitewater rafting, water skiing, hikes, work days, field games and more. But I'm guessing they didn't pack warm enough this year!

But here I am sitting home - experiencing the silence that accompanies and empty nest....

Not quite ready for it to be permanent, but I must admit I am enjoying some very quiet contemplative time.

Bill decided we would make it a special fun week and started planning out a "European Adventure" for us.... I was a bit worried as I never know how I'm going to feel. For example - I went to church Saturday night - feeling pretty good! But halfway into the third song - I suddenly felt like a balloon who lost it's air. I began to sink lower in my chair. By the middle of the service I was sick to my stomach, lightheaded and has to go home. I missed the sermon - but sure enjoyed the worship!!!

Back to our "European Adventure"... Bill and I planned foods I could hopefully eat and a variety of European type outings... visits to the Farmer's Market, Art Museum's, a quiet dinner on the patio with flowers and international flags hanging all around.... it's been a great week!

In keeping with the theme of this week, I painted this little 4"x4" "French Lavender Fields".




I am amazed at how painting is such a time of worship and drawing close to God for me. I am still trying to put it all into words - but I hope to write a whole blog on it soon! I think it has to do with the "Spiritual Pathways" that different people walk, to relate to God. If you haven't read it - you really should..."Spiritual Pathways" by Gary Thomas.

I am, what he calls, a "Sensate". I draw close to God through my senses... smell, taste, sound, and of course, sight. I think that's what makes my painting such a worshipful experience. That and I'm also a person who loves to celebrate and painting seems to celebrate God's beautiful and fun creations.

[WOW - a downpour!!!! There go all the roses!!!]

Well... real quick - cause I really need a nap - physically I'm in a fairly stable holding pattern at the moment. No stomach flare ups in the past two weeks. I get a couple of hours each morning and evening where I can think and paint and play games with the kids. Otherwise, I'm sleeping or watching a State video. That's right! A State video.... I've checked out almost every video the Library has on different US States... it's been a fun and interesting way to learn more about our country.

Thanks for visiting ... come back soon cause I have something I want to share about Leondardo Da Vinci and two more blogs stewing in the back of my mind!

Cheers!

PS: The painting is up for auction on eBay if you're interested... click here