100.

There is just so much I want to write to you today. So many struggles and personal hang ups and issues that I needed to overcome to get to this point. Voices in my head that whisper lies. "You are not good enough, you have too many past sins to be used, you Kelly are just a housewife from Iowa." Voices I have had to stomp on daily until they just give up.. and Satan tries another tactic. Distraction is his current favorite.. always something when your goal is to pour life into thirsty souls with Words and images... a battle I am called to fight.

I just sold my 100th canvas, and I'm in awe... no I'm in tears. I want to run quick to heaven hug Jesus and blow God a kiss then come back to my studio to create some more.

The battle of your mind is important. It's what you think about, what you gaze on that ultimately dictates who you are and who you are becoming. It's this battle for your thoughts that God has called me to fight. A war against the enemy for your soul. A war that you fight daily, and I pray for you. I pray that you stand strong and gaze on Truth. This is why I must create. This battle, this war is FAR to important to just sit and hope. We must actively train our thoughts to think on Him. He who saves.

Satan is right,  I can do nothing on my own. Neither can you.

God is full of so much grace and mercy for us. Grace that I enter into every time I pick up a brush. It's because of HIM that 100 canvases sold... He really does give good gifts.... to us all.

If you have purchased a canvas. Thank you. If you have shared my page. Thank you. If you have given me the gift of words. Thank you. If you have given time in prayer. Thank you. If you gave me a huge box of canvases.. or just one.... Thank you. There is nothing on this earth that I'd rather be doing, and it's because of you that I get to.

Is this gig forever? who knows.. but I sure hope it's not over yet....

to save a life.

How he loves that coat of many colors 

It was red, yellow, green, brownscarlet, black, ocher, 

peach, ruby, olive, violet, fawn, lilac, gold, chocolate, 

mauve, cream and crimson and silver and rose 

And azure and lemon and russet and grey

And purple and white and pink and orange and blue.

His name was Joseph, and I'm going to assume you know the whole story, but here's a VERY brief cliff note version... He was the youngest, most favored.. got a coat from dad. Brothers hated him.. put him in a well. Sold him. Told Dad he was dead. 

But God had other plans and orchestrated a whole bunch of events that stripped Joseph of all his dignity, and pride. 

Then a few years later those same brothers were starving and headed to the "white house" for some help feeding their families back home. They didn't know it, but Joseph had been called by God to be His very hands and feet... he had been chosen to be in a position of leadership. Saved in order to love on the lost and needy. Joseph was able to help his brothers.  Dad was even elated to find out that he his beloved son was alive! 

Well, when Dad died. Those brothers were very afraid that Joseph was going to do something horrible and awful to them in retribution... I think you'd call it fear. So, after all the funeral hoopla they sent word to Joseph and asked for forgiveness and this is what Joseph said.. 

 “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.  So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21

Why am I telling you this lil story that is of course true? 

Because of the words.. " you intended harm for me, but God..." 

When God grabs a hold of your life. You can't help but change.. and if your called.. you get to help others have chances they wouldn't normally have. God allowed bad to happen to you to shape you into what He needs you to be for those around you. That in itself is mind blowin!  Embrace the bad....recognize the good.... then save lives. It's that simple. It's all part of the beauty of how God works. 

so i dance.

This canvas makes me smile. It's still on my wall, I am almost certain that the ones that don't sell right away are for my walk, and until the truth is nailed in my soul the canvas won't sell. 

So, this one still hangs above my rocking chair where I read and study. 

A constant reminder that I can do nothing but dance, God's love does the rest. 

So, I dance...

...at a wedding in a winery. 

The day went perfectly. The bride was lovely and made sure the details were just as stunning as her dress. Oh the dress.... being a second (sometimes third) shooter photographer I walk in not knowing a soul. I am privy to real emotion in strangers. When this bride put her dress on.... we cried together. She was high class inside and out. A delightful day.

.....and I dance....

... in the studio. 

A commission from a very young mom of 5 babies. A present for her husband on Father's Day. A constant reminder to be hung for all to see that life is to be intentional in their family. Inspired by her faith I feel renewed energy to be close to the Father. Strangers turned friends over the internet. I'm asking God to put our mansions on the same side of town in Gloryland, and I keep dancing... 

...to the tune of the Spirit.  

Which rises above all of the other melodies in my world, unless it doesn't... 

and that's where I am today. Frustrated with myself for once again forgetting or pushing away my first love amidst the chaos of summer. Echos of my brothers words again and again.. grace Kelly, give yourself grace.

... and I  stop for a bit, spin around, pick up the Word... and dance again.

and the band played on.

I was reminded yesterday that I do indeed have a blog. I'll forego the usual clicks of the keys that form excuses, and just pretend that we never even had a bit of a break, deal?