Painting in Reverse

photo credit: Amauri Mejía


One day a member posted a jeep painting on our local jeep club page and it caught my attention.  I commented asking if she would take a custom order.  I love supporting the creative.!  She happily told me she had a website, Artsy Lisa, and to contact her through there. 

When I visited her website, I learned a bit about her testimony.  Lisa has always enjoyed painting and drawing but after her divorce in 2010, she didn't feel inspired anymore.  One day, a friend asked her to paint the Bella Donna Chapel and fountain at the Adriatica in McKinney, Texas.  It was this project that helped Lisa regain her passion again.  

Lisa loves to paint on glass as it challenges her to paint in reverse.  Featured on Good Morning Texas, you can view here a clip of her demonstrating her talent.  

After learning about Lisa, I wanted to support her even more.  I love that she was able to feel alive again after going through a difficult season in her life.  Her story is inspiring.  

Over the phone, I told Lisa what I wanted in my painting and its significance.  We quickly learned we were both believers in Jesus.  We shared our testimonies and Lisa stated, "God is so good to heal us of past hurts". 



My Painting

I asked Lisa to paint my jeep, aka Betty White, in the mountains of Colorado.  I told her how I enjoyed my visits there as it showed God's beautiful and majestic artwork.  I wanted stars in the sky because falling stars are God's winks to me.  I showed her a picture I took of my recent trip to Colorado where I was able to capture my muddy jeep, the mountains, and the Milky Way in one frame.  I called it my slice of heaven.  
Mineral Creek, Colorado July 2016
I asked to have my friend Marcus in the jeep because he has helped make these trips possible.  We share a love for the outdoors, jeeps, and photography which made our past three trips a success!  I also asked to have my little Traveling Jesus doll in the painting.  I explained to Lisa that TJ was an impulsive buy at Half Price Books and he ended up being used to share the gospel during my trips.  Lastly, I wanted a scripture to be on the trail sign.  I chose Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths".



Painting Delivered!
     
Lisa was such a pleasure to work with and I enjoyed meeting her.  She was so friendly and full of light.  I told her the timing was perfect as I was moving into my apartment that day.  I shared with her how I was starting ministry school and was excited/nervous.  She hugged me and said she was happy I was "walking the walk" and to enjoy this season in my life.  

Artsy Lisa and me standing infront of her jeep!

Lisa painted on re-purposed glass.  It was once the window of a house in Bonham, Texas. photo credit: Artsy Lisa


Moving Day

Later in the day, my parents and friends helped me move into my apartment.  I was so grateful for them to take time to help me and be a part of this journey.  I definitely felt loved.  Thank you, friends.

That's my friend Emily.  :-)  photo credit: my mom

love these people
When we finished unpacking, I showed my friends the prayer box kept on my nightstand.  It was my birthday present from my dear friend Kasie (not pictured).  I opened it and read them my prayer question on November 29, 2015... "Is CFNI for me?  Will it be worth the 3 years?"  CFNI, Christ For The Nations, is a ministry school in Dallas, Texas and they recently added a creative media degree which I had wondered about applying for.  I love photography and feel it is God's gift to me so I can document His glory around the world.  I applied, got accepted, and then God told me to move on campus.  I honestly wanted to live with my friend Laura and she was excited about the idea too but she encouraged me to obey the Lord.  

My gift from my amazing friend, Kasie.  She has helped me through the worst of times and directs me to Jesus for strength.


I flipped over the prayer card and read to my friends the scripture that God gave me the following day on November 30, 2015.  "In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6.  At that moment, my friend Michelle looked at me with eyes wide and said, "Thao!"  She pointed to the painting of my jeep by Lisa.  There on the trail sign was Proverbs 3:6.




He Shall Direct Your Paths

I wanted to blog about this because this is a reminder of God's faithfulness and promises.  I don't want to forget moments like this.  It will help me to read this again when I have trials in my life.  Ever since I have started school at CFNI, God has given me daily "Godwinks", signs that I'm on the right path.  I will write more about them.  I am thankful for family and friends.  God knows who to weave into our lives.  I am thrilled to have met Lisa.  Even though our meeting was brief, I felt a connection.  God has truly blessed her with the gift of painting.  With His strength and help, she is able to declare, "Painting in reverse helped me move forward!"  Oh how He loves us.  He is the artist and we are His beautiful creation.



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