Danny's step son Cory

Many of you may or may not know that Danny has a step son from his first marriage. His name is Cory (22 yrs) and although he was five when Danny became his step dad, Cory does call Danny "Dad" and is truly the only father that has raised him.

Cory's recent history in the last couple of years has included drugs and jail time. While in jail, both Danny and I sent him letters and encouraged him to seek a relationship with Christ. Danny has been a prayer warrior and so faithful in praying for Cory almost daily. My husband really is an intercessor!

Cory has been sober for over 30 days and is attending a group for addicts and he has gained weight and looks and sounds more "healthy" than he as ever been. But for those of us who know Christ personally, we know that the real sickness is spiritual.

Cory called Danny last Sunday and they talked on the phone for over 2 hours. Cory had confessed to Danny that he made a decision for Christ while in jail. He is also reading the Purpose Driven Life (and yes I think this is a great book for seekers and new believers). This GREAT news. PRAISE GOD!

Cory had many questions and sounded hungry to be fed. Their conversation was about what it means to grow in a relationship with God. It ranged from "No, you do not need to be baptized to go to heaven" to how there is nothing we can do to EARN God's forgiveness to the definition of grace -- undeserved favor. It was extraordinary to watch the Head of my household, the man who leads and I follow, filled with such passion and excitement in sharing every piece of knowledge he knew about Christ. I am humbled by his faithful prayer habits and the joy and the high he was experiencing while sharing all God had done in his life.

Many of you know God changes lives; He's changed yours. Sometimes I forget how real that is.

Please keep Cory in your prayers. It will be important to get him plugged in to a solid church and with other believers. Cory is shy and insecure, and often struggles with relationships. But we know that if God began a good work in him, then He will finish it.

Insect Fettish?

Today was my 2nd painting studio class. It was another good day of painting and I am also getting to know the other painters there. Its a jovial, friendly group. I am truly loving every minute of it.


So, here is the progress on my painting. I got comments like:
"Its so pretty and happy."
"Oh, BEES!"
"That's so unusual and interesting."

Most were bewildered when I said, "This is just my 'background' pattern."

Anyway, last week when I was thinking about my idea and got the image of bees from a paper products catalogue, I also realized I have probably been influenced by ANOTHER original work of art already hanging in my house: Dragon flies by Holly's hubby David Graff.


You can see more of their art at their website, which is pretty dated and clumsy.
Gilt Gallery Studio website.

Painting Class #1

Last Monday I started my first open studio painting class. It is at the Pullen Arts Center and the class is through the city of Raleigh.

I have been excited and nervous about getting back into painting. Its not really a class, although there is an instructor -- but he's more of a facilitator. Anyway, students/artists sign-up essentially for studio space and work on their own projects. Its every Monday for 3 hrs.

The night before I pulled all my painting stuff out and had most everything I needed. It was weird. Between the tubes of oil and the brushes, it was like revisiting old friends. I had no idea what I was going to paint and not a creative nugget in my brain to play with. I decided I would just allow myself the freedom of learning how to paint again and do a simple excercise of painting a pic of me and Danny (oh, dear. how original).

So I get to the class with my suitcase of supplies and there are 10 other students. All of which are 60's and up. I expected as much. They are retired folks except a mother and her teenage daughter (homeschooler?) and this dude who is my age?? or younger with lots of tatoos and very cliche "artist, rebel" look. But in fact, he looks like a poser. And please don't think me rude, but his paintings are aweful.

Everyone else is painting what you expect elderly white grannies to paint (why's it always got to be about race and age, Jacqueline??). Landscapes, and flowers, and city scapes and waterfalls, and fruit. Don't get me wrong, many of them have got some skills and serious talent.

Anyways, they all know each other. The mom + teenager and I are the newbies. I say hi, introduce myself, put my iPod on and go to town.

Ahhhhh, my old lover turpentine. Ahhhh, my friend palette knife. Ohhh, my inspiring spirits oil paint. If ever it was confirmed for me, I am a painter NOT a cake decorator! I haven't painted in years and it was like riding a bike.

So, surprisingly, I got an idea for a painting as I was setting up my space. I was inspired by a pattern I saw in a paper products catalogue. I can't believe how much fun painting is. I'm so sorry I had forgotten. I am so happy to be painting!!!


Here is my painting from class one. I will be posting its progress as I develop it. I hope it turns out pretty decent....