So, I don't have a new portrait, but I do have some AMAZING NEWS! Do you remember Donnie?
Donnie is no longer homeless!!! He has recently gotten his own apartment!!! How amazing is it that his was the first portrait I worked on, and he now has a place to call his own!? CAN YOU FEEL MY EXCITEMENT!?
This morning I went down to get signed up to volunteer at Heartside Ministry in the Art Studio. It was a rainy morning, I was low on gas, and I started to wonder if I should come back another time. I got to Grand Rapids and started to see people standing around out in the cold, wet rain and realized I just needed to suck it up and get on with it. So I parked the van, and walked 2 1/2 blocks to the building. When I got there, I realized that not only was this place an art studio, it was shelter for these men and women from the rain. I was pretty glad I kept going. The person I needed to talk to was actually in a meeting, but I left my information and was hoping to hear back soon....I really want to start next week :) By the time I got home, I had an email waiting, so I replied and sent her to check out this blog. You can imagine my IMMENSE joy and surprise after reading her response that not only did she know a few people I have already painted, but Donnie has just moved into his own place! Now I would be foolish to think that I had anything to do with that, but I kind of do anyway! Prayer is amazing :) I have prayed for these beautiful souls a lot since meeting them, and I believe that you all have as well! God listens to us!
As you may have surmised by now, I am a reader. I just finished the book "Under the Overpass" that was lent to me by a good friend. It is all about two college students who decided to live out their faith by living as Homeless men for almost a year. I am humbled by their faith, and in awe of the courage that it took to do that! They really learned a lot in a short amount of time. I am not saying that we should all do that, we are not all called to do that. What I am saying is we should listen to what we are being called to do and act on it!!! Who knows what could happen if we all did!
Starting next week I will be back to my two a week goal (sooner if time permits). I hope that you will all continue to watch this project unfold, sign up to be a follower if you are lurking (I am hoping that this will help as I search out a venue when the time comes), and KEEP THOSE PRAYERS COMING!
Wow! That's an amazing portrait and a fabulous story! Thanks so much for sharing at the Kiss & Tell party over at my place!
ReplyDelete<3 Christina
{p.s. I notice you have word verification on. You might consider turning it off to get more interaction with your site. You can see more blogging tips at my Blog Tips & Resolution party.}