Well, it's the eve of the eve of departure. That night in which you're supposed to get the most sleep because you never really do the night before an exciting day. Eh, I doubt I'll have much trouble sleeping either night! Here's what I've been up to recently:

*geocaching with my friend Kristy
*cooking dinner and reading (Hunger Games = two thumbs WAY up)
*running at White Rock
*cleaning up computer files
*backing up pictures and clearing memory cards
*last minute items at Target
*pool time
*pay bills
*library trip
*Shakespeare in the Park
*coffee with my friend Emily
*more reading
*packing
*journaling

Whew! Been a great weekend to just relax, get some things done, and have some peace.

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And now, adventure awaits. As always, the most important thing to remember is how to "dress the part". I think I've got that covered. In case there's any confusion, this is me in about the only "outfit" I ever remember dressing up in... weird hat, horse, dog on a shoestring lease, purple purse, pink Hawaii shirt, gun, holster, sword, and Mom's plastic-y leather boots. Am I missing anything? I think not.




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I have some friends in Uganda right now who are updating their travels on a blog as they visit orphanages and work on projects here and there. It's so fun for me to see how their lives are being touched by the people they encounter as well as by their teammates. I think this is one of the main things I am looking forward to this time around in Ghana: meeting new teammates and seeing familiar and new faces in-country. Each time over has had such a different dynamic (and therefore, impact) so I'm anxious to see how that will all pan out. And, of course, there is the fact that we are starting MP's very first economic development project... woohoo! Going to be amazing. Can't wait to share pictures and stories upon our return. For now, it's one more day of work, packing, and figuring out the timing of three DART buses to get myself to the airport on Tuesday. Epic-ness ahead. :)

I hear it's a special day,
So I'd like to simply say
That my Dad is the best
He far surpasses the rest

He's taught us a lot
About camping and cots
Hunting and reading those maps
How movies provide the best naps

From building a campfire, teepee-style
Even how to wrestle a great big crocodile
To packing a horse and growing garden eats
My Dad's capable of quite amazing feats

And so this day goes, in it's stereotypical way
As we celebrate fathers, which is more than ok
But my Dad's not special just once a year
Or when he shows up with meat from a deer

It's the day-in-day-out, and things we don't see
The sacrifices made for his family's need
The behind-the-scenes footage, and times that are tough
The survival of truth in patches quite rough

That's when my Dad should be celebrated most
He's the glue for us all, I can surely boast
Just what to do, how does he know?
What to say when, the strength that he shows?

See my Dad's a big fan, of the Father upstairs,
He trusts Him and seeks Him, and knows that He cares,
Of that I'm most grateful and proud, it is true
So Happy Father's Day, Dad, and know that I love you!

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Since I didn't put a Friday post up, I thought I'd include these here. Not quite sure I remember where this is at, but one thing about Dad: he is forever saving his kids and grandkids from getting their feet wet in streams and rivers... at the expense of going in the water himself. Pretty sure this was one of those times!

And not to disappoint, many of you have asked to see the art that was donated for the event. Without further ado, I present the fabulous artists and their work: (click for a larger view)

Emily painted an acrylic piece based on an interview (of me, actually) of a MP supporter's first trip on Lake Volta.


Mark used Prismacolor (a good 50 boxes!) on black paper to create his piece based on one of our original MP photos.


Sarah donated two acrylic pieces that could either be displayed as a whole or in two separate locations. To me, this piece shows the contract between freedom and slavery using color.


Ashley's was by far the most conceptual piece using ink and watercolor. She used a child's Spirograph to depict the cycle of slavery on Lake Volta. Sorta have to see this one in person to 'get it', but trust me, it's brilliant.


Tanner's piece was the only oil, a heart depicting love on a cloudy day.


Keith used his amazing gifts to replicate one of our favorite MP images in monochromatic watercolor. This piece was a huge hit at the auction!


Our youngest artist Shelby, at 16, sent her painting in all the way from Denver. It's a large acrylic piece depicting the face of Ghana. We auctioned this piece off online the day before the event to target some folks who weren't able to attend on Thursday night.


And finally, our last piece on Thursday night was based on actual footprints of some of the boys still out fishing on the lake.


Clearly, there was some serious talent represented at our event. I was so excited about each of these pieces and thrilled that they were all so unique and various in medium and presentation. Greatful for these artists who fully donated their time and efforts towards this fundraiser.

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The rest of the weekend has honestly felt like a vacation. Lunch with friends, sleep, running, reading, cooking, relaxing. I even sat through two movies. Two! It's been good. Ready to dive in to whatever the coming week brings. Then back to Ghana in two weeks!

Week's verse:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
Short, simple and one that will stick with me this week.

Success. Really, 'success' isn't a grand enough word. Spectacular, surprising, and humbling. Let's start there...

Great turnout for the Mercy Project Art Auction Thursday night. I had no idea who all had bought tickets to come, so it was fun to see those that came out for the evening, as well as meet new faces. It was a whirlwind of activity; in fact, if I had one complaint, it would be that it simply went by too fast! We set up in three hours, changed and were ready for people to arrive by 5:45. Here's what Downtown 202 looked like at that point:


TWO glasses and TWO forks... I was way out of my element... ;)


silent auction items...


large paintings on stage...


with artist info...


Then it was game on! Madden's dinner was amazing: salad, chicken, potatoes, and a fabulous coffee/dessert area that I'm told was quite tasty. Sadly, I never made it over there, which is sorta like going to a wedding and not getting any cake. Somehow I survived. We had silent auction time, Chris spoke, improvised in order to show a video, and auctioned off the large paintings.

clothesline of Lake Volta photos...


goodness...




amazing auctioneer...


By 9:00 we were tearing down tables and easels, wondering what had just happened. I'm still not sure, other than the fact that $15,000 was raised for Mercy Project, and God showed up yet again. Winning!

Just so you know, I fully intend to win the lottery between now and Thursday night so that I can buy all 8 of the paintings that are currently laid out in my bedroom. (Then I will need a house to display them in, but we'll cross that bridge at the appropriate time.) Seriously though, I am stoked about the caliber and variety of work that will be at the auction this week. It's so cool to see it all coming together and to see how each artist worked in their own personality, perspective and gifts. There is an oil painting, a mixed media piece, two acrylic pieces, a prismacolor, watercolor & ink, and monochromatic watercolor. No two alike. I am honored to have each piece to present for our event. I'm taking pictures of them all, but don't have everything uploaded just yet. Soon.

For now, here's how my piece turned out:

"Can You See?" : Mixed Media Collage

Much is going on in this piece; there is much to see – symbolic color and images, statistics and themes, allusions and obscurities. My hope in creating this work is not that you would grasp it all, but that you would find something here that resonates with you, something that stirs your soul. I can’t think of very many moments that have stirred my soul to the extent that meeting the children on Lake Volta has. It’s not an experience that can be put into words, so I am delighted to instead express my thoughts in a visual way. Lately, I have found no greater joy than in being able to do what I love to do as an artist and share with others the ways in which the sweet Ghanaian children have touched my heart.






And a few close-ups... click on any of the photos to get a better view.
Attaching fish net to the top and sides was quite the production!


All the names you see written in red are boys we met in May that are still out on the lake.






Check back in a few days to see how the auction went!

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And for this week...
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Psalm 62:8

Goals for this weekend? Only two: finish art auction stuff (including, but not limited to, 2 paintings, design/print/mount artist info, take photos, pick up 3 paintings) and...

... one single uninterrupted hour with a book at the pool.




It can be done.