"In His Shoes" Part three summer project series

Walk a couple miles in someone else’s journey and I can almost guarantee a couple of things. We’d be less harsh, less apt to think we’d do better, less tempted to think we know stuff we don’t really know. And much more willing to just give them a bandaid for their blisters, a kind prayer, and a glass of ice cold lemonade.
Lysa TerKeurst

In His Shoes

Photo credit Laura Reinhardt/World Vision 2013 

The first time I saw this photo  I was struck by it, it was profound and mesmerizing.  It told the whole story of what it means to be a child living in poverty going to school in holey shoes.  There was a richness also in it, although this picture was saying so much more.   




       I named this piece "In His Shoes".  In all that we go through we know that Jesus went through the same things. He walked with the poor, the suffering and the outcasts. He was called names, ridiculed and beaten. (it has been a ruff couple months but not as bad as all that) :)  

Every painting I did in this series told a story of a child 
and what it was like in their world.  
The timing of every piece I was working on 
and all the things that were happening in the world (and in my world) 
was undeniable.  A miracle, God be the glory!

( Pick a child to sponsor  )  

I kept thinking of the bible verse,
Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 
 but I had no idea on how much would be holding on to that verse this summer to complete this!
  I have an event this Fall with some kids up for sponsorship so I pick out some World Vision photos (with permission) that had to do with sponsorship and why it works for children suffering around the world.  This particular photo by Laura Reinhardt was so moving to me that I decided to make it my final one in the series.  I have had this song on my mind all week, so I finished painting this last piece by music, 
Lauren Daigle‘s new song “You Say” 
(in this video.  In His Shoes) 

 I could only see His feet while painting this!

I hope you can too!

Thank all of you that have been following along with me this summer. 

Much Love,
Stephanie 

⁕ Part one

⁕Part two


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Thank you for 
your part in my 
Journey 

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me."

The Lord replied,
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would
never leave you. During your times of trial and
suffering, when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I Carried You."
Footsteps 

Summer project series Part 2

I have learned to live my life one step, one breath, and one moment at a time, but it was a long road. I set out on a journey of love, seeking truth, peace and understanding. I am still learning.
~Muhammad Ali

It’s about half way through the summer now and it's been a hectic month.  I have just been bombarded from every direction (it is intense) this summer,  but the joy has been in the journey (painting) so far as I carve out time in each day to work on my "Summer Project Series"  There is a part of me that is thinking, why do I do this to myself?  

The other part of me is thinking...this will truly be a miracle if I'm  able to get this done.  

  I really do feel at peace while working on these pieces, in the quiet hours of the morning and the moments I find to work on them.  The craziness of this summer, somehow stops my own voice, and Im pouring that voice into these paintings only.  Maybe that was meant to be, hopefully they can speak on their own and for the subjects involved and their issues with the love of Christ. 


                                                                          #4

Sponsor a child  ❃

Photo credit Jon Warren/World Vision

This painting is from a photo captured by Jon Warren of World Vision of a mother grateful for the medical help she received for her newborn baby.  A mother may walk for miles, or days to get medical help.  While some babies don't even live past the age of five in some areas, this mama knows that she has been given a gift.  

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Ps 84:3

                                                                               #5

Sponsor a child like Nirma ❃

Photo credit Nissi Thapa/World Vision

Painting number 5 of my summer project series. I think I connected with this one the most out of all of them so far.  I am a folk artist not a realist, but I really did want to capture her expression on her face. Her name is Nirma, she’s 15 years old and was one week away from her wedding to a much older man and it was stopped just a week before her nuptials, and she was grateful to be able to learn some technical skills. 

 Her thoughts at that time was that she was doing a selfless act of lo've for her family, she did not want to be a burden to them, even though it is obvious that she seems really scared and nervous about this marriage. I painted the partial window with the blue skies to represent hope and beauty on the horizon. Thank goodness the marriage was stopped for a few years and this girl was able to learn new skills for a good future.  




                                                                                     #6

Sponsor a boy ❃

Photo credit Jon Warren/World Vision

This little boy from Africa shows so much joy from receiving clean water to drink,  I decided to add a few sunflowers🌻 from my own garden. Clean water is everything to villages suffering from diseases that are caused by dirty water!  The colors represent lightness and joy.
"Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh 8:10

                                                                                                                  #7     

Sponsor a child for a good future ❃

Painting number 7 in my summer project series and only one more to go! Thank you if you have been following all my progress this summer! This little girl from Peru is reading a book outside among some bricks.  While this child may not be working instead of going to school, many children do not go to school and go to work instead all around the world, and some of that work is heavy labor. This photo was chosen for me by Lauren Reed/ Digital Librarian  World Vision USA
Photo credit Ester Luis/World Vision 2010