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Posts tagged ‘Gifts’

Gifts of Love Update 7

Today was a delightful day of getting back into the swing of creating more backgrounds for my Gifts of Love campaign. There are now a total of 67 bags with paint on them. Twenty-eight Gifts of Love are completed.

Last Monday, I presented a Gift of Love to my newest friend and associate, LeRoyce. She was absolutely delighted to receive it. She is the fourth recipient of one of these works of love and art.

I know I will have more opportunities this week to present a few more Gifts of Love to others. Below are images of my latest creations: 5 completed bags, and fifteen in process with their backgrounds, which includes the ten I painted today.

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If any of you wish to be a recipient of one of these Gifts of Love, I will be doing a special drawing (one or two winners a week). All you need to do is leave a comment starting today. The more comments you leave, the more times your name will go into the “hat”. The winners will be announced on Saturdays and the Gift of Love will be sent out to you as soon as I get your mailing address. 

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Gifts of Love Update 6

Friday night I gave away 2 more Gifts of Love. Both Brittany and Bridget were delighted to receive them. Brittany really, really liked the art work on the gift bag. I am looking forward to hear how these wonderful women will pass the Gifts  of Love forward. Brittany is a more recent friend whom I met through Bridget as we all get together to indulge in Karaoke now and then. 

Yesterday, I accompanied my parents on a trip to Richmond, Virginia to visit a long time friend. This was a good visit and a great reminder to stay in touch who have touched our lives. Too many years have passed since the last time we connected, and unfortunately, time has taken its toll on her. I am grateful that I was able to spend some quality time with both my parents and our long time friend. These times we spend together are our Gifts of Love to each other as the memories imprint upon our hearts. 

Today, I spent much of my time away from home and later outdoors (after taking some allergy medicine). First, I went to the Poquoson Library’s Spring Used Book Sale. This annual event started Thursday evening for the preview sale for members of the Friends of the Poquoson Library. Then, on Friday through Sunday, it was open for the public. The variety of books was phenomenal. I am certain they had thousands of books. There was fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children, audio books and video tapes. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden and seizing the gorgeous day. It was very summer-like without the humidity with the temperatures getting into the eighties Fahrenheit. I pulled out some potting soil and planted seeds for Beefsteak and Roma Tomatoes, Summer Squash, Cilantro, Sweet Basil and Cayenne Peppers. I am looking forward to seeing sprouts in the next week to ten days. I love seeing things grow, whether it is seeds and plants, or hearts and people.

 

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Gifts of Love Update 5

Sometimes the best wisdom comes from Dove’s chocolate wrappers: Remind yourself to relax and Dare to dream. So, I am heeding that advice. I am taking time to relax and I am daring to dream. I dream of a world where everyone loves each other. There would be no such thing as greed as everyone would have what they needed, which ultimately stemmed from love. If my little campaign can make a dent toward my dream; then I am twice blessed.

I am taking time to really enjoy the process and put love into the artwork on each gift bag. I was able to complete 2 more Gifts of Love (#24 and #25). I might have the opportunity to give bag #2 away tomorrow and bag #3 away on Saturday. I am not going to rush this campaign. I believe the distribution of these Gifts of Love needs to be done with deliberateness, with mindfulness, and with agape love.

This campaign has brought my faith in God to a more profound level; and, it is teaching me not only patience, but also openness to new ways of seeing the world and my spirituality. As I paint each bag, I have been in communication with and praying to God. He is guiding my hand as I lay down each color with each brush stroke. It is an awesome experience. 

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Gifts of Love Update 4

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Today was a day filled with activity. I spent 4 hours volunteering time at the local library helping to prepare for their annual used book sale. All the proceeds will go to enhancing our library and it programs. I could feel the positive energy that we had in sorting the books, setting them out, and arranging them.

Teamwork was abundant and it felt great to be part of it. We used our time effectively and it looks like everything will be ready for the preview sale for the Friends of the Library tomorrow night and the kickoff sale for the public on Friday morning. 

Later, I prepared my materials so I could teach my Art for the Creative Heart class. Unfortunately, enrollment was too low at this time and it will need to be postponed until I can have a full class to make it worthwhile for everyone involved. I have so many wonderful activities planned that will allow the students to explore in a nurturing way their creative spirit with joy, free of fear and anxiety of not being good enough. Art is not about perfection, it is about expression. Art is an extension of who we are and allowing our creativity to flow in that very moment we hold a pencil, pen, paintbrush, marker or crayon.

I used my extra time this evening to finish 3 more Gifts of Love. The images are shared below.

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