It's time for me to start doing some speaking engagements. I have one in Dallas on April 29th at Brookhaven Baptist Church. I got an email asking what my particular theme or scripture would be, and as usual, I didn't have one. I replied asking if I could have until Sunday afternoon to talk to the Lord and see if He would tell me what He wanted me to say. I was walking through our woods with our dog, Abe, this morning and I asked the Lord.
me: Lord, you know I cannot say one thing of importance on my own. What would you have me to say to these people?Now, mind you, it's only been like an hour and a half since I heard this message from the Lord...so I haven't exactly done anything yet. It's my feeling that unless I do something I probably won't have a word to share with those folks at the Brookhaven Baptist Church.
LORD: You've done enough talking. It's time to DO something.
me: (no co
This scripture come immediately to my mind.
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22I'll let you know what happens....
Cindy - 9.9.10:
I might note here that we got this treadmill off a thing called Free-cycle. It’s a cool website where people recycle things they don’t want or need anymore to other folks who might have a need for that very thing. You can’t sell anything on this site. It’s all FREE, hence the name, Free-cycle.
David went downstairs (after he had changed out of his wet swim trunks (why do we call men’s swim shorts trunks? They don’t look like trunks. Something comes to mind here, but I probably shouldn’t go there.) I mention him changing out of his wet things because I found it hard to understand why he would change. I mean, he is just going to sweat out the dry clothes he is putting on, right? He said something about how he likes to start out fresh when he is going to sweat something out. Anyway, this is going on much too long and I’m sure most of you have clicked on to something else. However, for those of you that are still around I will continue. He goes downstairs and I hear this big POP. That was the sound the treadmill made when it died. A big POPPING sound. Thank goodness we have an elyptical. He moved on to that.
Switch to the kitchen sink upstairs. I am getting a glass of water. We have well water. I should say my mother-in-law has well water and we share her well water with her. She doesn’t drink this water, mind you, only uses it to water her garden and her animals. Ha. But since it costs about a million dollars to dig your own well and about, well I don’t know how much, but LOTS AND LOTS of money to get the water line run down to our house from the Scurry-Gastonia water company, we drink the well water. We bought a PUR water filter from Walmart. We carefully researched which filter would be the best (translation: had the cheapest filter replacement thingys) and went with PUR. Everything was fine. Everything was GREAT, until today. It’s always that way, isn’t it? Everything is fine and great until one day it just quits working. The car dies. The pipe bursts. The button pops off. You know. I’m getting a glass of water and suddenly a thin stream of water starts spraying my shirt! What the heck? It’s squirting out of the side of my PUR water filter. A closer examination reveals a tiny crack. An even closer exam reveals several tiny cracks all over the place on it. When did this happen???? HOW did this happen? I didn’t hit the filter. I did clean it with a dishrag that morning, but the dishrag has never caused cracking in anything else. And to add insult to injury, we had just bought an $18 replacement filter thingy to go in it! AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rich (like the PUR water filter people) get richer and the poor get poorer comes to mind right now.
Fast forward to about 8pm. We’re watching TV and are crushingly bored with everything we are watching, like someone is holding a gun to our heads and making us watch television. I feel we are brainwashed. We are so trained to watch television at night that we cannot NOT watch television, even when we hate it. Do you find that to be true in your life? So what do I do when I am bored with television? I make a snack. A snack makes everything better. This philosophy has caused me and millions of others in America to be overweight. We are such a fat and pathetic nation.
I get out my trusty hot air popcorn popper that we have had for a long, long time. I don’t even remember how long we have had it. The only snack, by the way, that we have in the house is popcorn. Not the microwave, convenient kind, but the old fashioned, $1.29 a bag that makes tons of popcorn kind. It’s much greener and cheaper and that’s what we like in this house. I plug in the popper and it starts making its loud, hot air popper noise like always then suddenly it just stops. Just like that. I KNOW!! I check the plug to see if it got jiggled loose somehow (sort of like how the dishrag caused cracking in the PUR water filter). That’s when I smell it – that hot electrical smell. And I know. The popper is dead. No snack for us. We remark to one another that a lot of things have broken today. However, I point out that none of the things that broke are vital to our survival, so that’s something to be thankful for. In fact, there’s LOADS to be thankful for. And we are.
Meanwhile, if I am tempted to whine and complain over everything (three things) breaking in one day, I will just say to myself what I have said to my mother lots of times (when she is complaining that her 15 year old refridgerator has a spot of rust on one of its racks) “We live in a a fallen world. Why do we expect that things are going to last here?”
Cindy:
Today is Friday, the 11th of June. This will be my second time to teach sculpting at the Genesis Center. I am sooo looking forward to it. Last week I met with 11 ladies for the first time. They made coil pots, which consists of rolling the clay out like a snake, then stacking those snakes on a round, flat base one after the other until you get the size pot, or bowl that you are going for. Sounds easy, right? Well, it is….after you do it for a while. As I watched these women struggling with the clay, I saw determination, willingness to try something new, humility, frustration and even a touch of despair. I thought of what they must have been through in their lives that brought them to this place, a shelter for battered women and their children. And I was humbled. What do I know of struggle? Nothing compared with them. I just wanted to hug every one of them and just love them, but I haven’t earned that privilege…yet.
As they handled the clay, they became more adept. They learned that light, consistent pressure, with a gentle pulling outward is what will shape the coil. Too much pressure and the coil is flat on one side. It won’t roll, therefore it won’t lengthen evenly. They learned that when you put pressure on the inside of the pot, blending the coils, you have to support it from the other side, or the pot is spoiled. Oh the life lessons here! No wonder God called us the clay and He, the potter. Wow.
One young woman, in particular, has a real gift for the clay. Another young woman, because of her disability, just could not get it to work for her. Yet, she was not angry or frustrated. She took it with good grace. I am determined to find a technique that she can do successfully. Meanwhile, she is teaching me about humility and the beauty of graciousness.
When they asked me if I was coming back again, I answered, YES! They wanted to know how long I would be teaching and I answered ‘Until Jesus comes back’. How’s that for a rash statement? Oh dear. Why do I always do such things? But that ‘s how I feel, really. I’ll let you know how it goes.
________________________________________________________________________________
Cindy:
This past Wednesday one of my favorite sisters, Pam Helton, made the 75 mile drive from Burleson to spend the day with me. What a treat!!! She has been having an amazing walk with the Lord for the past year and was just bubbling over with joy and praise for Him. That kind of thing is highly infectious, praise God.
Because Pam was here, I was given the day off from the studio/gallery and we went into Kaufman for lunch and then to shop at a thrift store outside of town. Now I pass this particular thrift store every week when I drive to Greenville to visit my mom. It's not only a thrift store, but it's a women's shelter or home or something. It's called The Genesis Center. I've been really drawn to it, but I never have the time to stop.
So we went and shopped around a bit, and it's a huge and very good thrift store by the way. I told pam I wanted to go into the actual center and find out what it's all about. So in we went. We found the office where we met Nora. Not sure of her official title, but she appeared to be the director or some such position of authority. She told us that the center is indeed a shelter for battered women and their children. The women that come there have to commit to one full year at the center! They participate in daily bible study, and go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays at local churches. They have counseling to help them overcome the damage of the abuse in their lives and their children's lives. They receive job training, instruction on resume writing and all sorts of things to help them when they leave the center. I was really impressed - an entire year?? That's a HUGE committment on the Genesis Center's part!
I asked if there were any volunteer opportunities. She said yes, they needed people to come in and cook meals, and in particular they were in need of a gardening teacher right then. Hmmm. I'm not much of a gardner, but I thought maybe my husband or mother-in-law might like to do it. I would ask them, I said. Nora had one of those doors that opened at the top and the bottom, a dutch door I think you call it. While we were visiting with her, we were standing in the hallway, while she was standing in her office, with the bottom of the door shut.
As we were about to leave, I just mentioned as an aside "Oh, I'm an artist.' This is where things got exciting!! Her eyes got HUGE and she said "What did you say?? You're an artist???" I nodded yes and she flung open the bottom half of the door and almost dragged pam and I into her office. She repeated again with great intensity and increase of volume "YOU'RE AN ARTIST??" Pam started chuckling, which made me laugh (Pam has a very contagious laugh.) At this point another woman stepped into the office and Nora exclaimed "LEAH!! SHE'S AN ARTIST!!!" Leah's eyes bugged out as she looked at me and then back at Nora. Both their mouths were hanging open. Pam and I were laughing pretty hard now and they started laughing too. I still had no idea what was going on, but I sensed it was pretty cool.
Nora finally says, "We have been praying and praying for an artist. We have a program that we started called Creative Expressions. It's very important. it's an art program, but our artist who has been teaching is having to stop. Next week is her last week. We just had no way to replace her."
I started feeling that wonderful thrill coming up through my feet and surging through my whole body - that Holy Spirit kind of thrill. There's nothing more exciting and intoxicating than a divine appointment, when you know that you know that you have somehow blundered into exactly what God wanted you to do. Well, that's what WE think. But naturally, or i should say supernaturally, God is orchestrating everything, bringing about his will, answering prayers, working out his plan. WOW.
What kind of artist are you? I told her a sculptor and the party started all over again. (Something about clay, it just has that effect on people sometimes.) Nora finally asked if there was any possibility that I might consider teaching (well since I already said I wanted to volunteer). OF COURSE I almost shouted. Obviously this is exactly what God wants me to do.
Pam says, "Look at her website. Pull it up right now." Leah ran to the computer and pulled it up. When Nora saw the site, her eyes got huge again and she rushed out of the room. We all looked at one another and Pam leans over to me and says, "Bet she has one of your pieces." Sure enough she dashes back in with one of the Women of the Way (Your Children's Children). "Did you make this???", she demands. "Yeah, that's one of the Women of the Way line, that's mine."
The rejoicing and craziness started again. Leah and Nora were laughing and clutching each other and praising God. Pam and I were doing the same. It was so cool. It was such a confirmation to all of us that God had been planning this whole thing out. Leah said, "You are on time and on target, on time and on target." Then she apologized saying that was her military background, that's what they say in the military. Ha.
So the conclusion is that I will start teaching on June 4th, on Friday afternoons. I cannot wait to start and know that God has something wonderful in store for all of us. Please be praying for these precious women and their children. There are 16 women and 9 children currently. The center can accomdate 34. It has been there since 2001 and is totally funded by donations from the community, churches and individuals. If you would like to give or would like to help in any way, contact:
The Genesis Center, 2675 N. Hwy 34, Kaufman, TX 75142, 972-932-4351, http://www.genesiscenter.org/.
WOW, walking with God is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!
P.S. Although Pam lives almost 100 miles from the center, lLeah and Nora are convinced that she is going to be involved (hee-hee) they made her take a volunteer application!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Cindy:
It's officially starting to get hot at BurdenStudio in Scurry,TX 75158. The air conditioners have been turned on, rearranged and switched out from one spot to another. We opted to do window units in our loft and in the gallery and studio. We cleverly covered the one up in the gallery with a wood box that hopefully looks like a piece of art. So far so good. The units upstairs are more of a challange. We rebelled against the huge bill of putting in central air, besides our very unconventional little loft space proved just too challanging to every A/C man we had out. They kept insisting that we have an attic, but how could we?? We lived in the attic! So we discovered these wonderful little portable air conditioners that you can roll around from room to room. We found our first one at Big Lots at quite a savings - they turned it on for us and it seemed great! We were sold. The second one we got on advice from a salesperson at Home Depot who had one just like it in his apartment and loved it. They look sort of like R2D2 and have these big dryer vent-looking hoses that you stick out the window. Will they work???? Well.....the first one filled up with water and turned itself off after only two hours! NOT what we had in mind. The second one, the black one, seems to be doing much better. So, little unsatisfactory R2D2 got moved down to my studio and the little 110 unit moved up to the bedroom and now everything seems quite cool.
Since it is getting hot, our new dog, Abe, has begun shedding massive amounts of hair. I have never had this much animal hair to deal with, having lived with a weenie dog for twelve years. So, we are adjusting to that and figuring out that a rubber glove will definitely help collect dog hair off your furniture or any fabric surface. Enter my saintly sister-in-law, Donna, rural mail carrier and part-time dog groomer. She is going to give Abe a haircut this Saturday. She did come by with an electric 'shedder' that she got free with her latest dog trimmer purchase. I thanked her but decided on a burr haircut for Abe. I hope Abe will forgive me. He's pretty laid back, I think he will be fine.
Then there's the chickens, which I have put up for rent recently. So far, no takers. I figured maybe they could be in a commercial, or just be a fun pet for an afternoon for children or something. Yeah, right. They have taken over everything that they possibly can, and they are great for comic relief. They eat bugs and reportedly scare snakes (this from David who sometimes tells things that aren't true to me about animals or wildlife).
Trisha and I had a great trip to east Texas, where we drove the backroads almost the whole way and LOVED IT. East Texas is beautiful. We spent the night in Palestine the first night out. We spent quite a while looking for different gift shops that we found on the internet, only to find that they had moved or closed! Trisha's trust in the internet was practically shattered after all the driving around. Tyler was especially troublesome. Oh well. God has a plan and He's in charge. We just remind ourselves of that over and over. Two wonderful stores came on board with us and we are delighted!! Welcome Sherrie of Waldenwood Gifts in Athens, and Barbara of Behind the Red Door in Woodville. Such cool ladies and wonderful, unique stores. I couldn't stop trying on all the cool hats at Behind the Red Door, and Waldenwood's flip flop door wreath was sooo cool! Check them out if you're ever in their towns.
We got our first customers today in the gallery since the grand opening a couple of weeks ago. I know that sounds terrible, but do remember that we are sort of out in the sticks and we don't have any great sinage out yet. Anyhow, we were thrilled that our little beeper thing (that makes that noise when someone walks past it) worked and I was able to quickly blow all the dust off of myself (with our 'oh so powerful' air compressor)before going to great our customers. I felt like I was playing store!!
Speaking of dust, David dusted off the potter's wheel today and just for fun decided to make a bowl. I wondered if he would even still be able to do it, since, goodness, it's been over a year since he's even touched it. Must be like riding a bike because he quickly made a bowl and then a coffee mug. Big show off! We have a wonderful young boy from our church named Hunter who wants to learn everything related to clay. I figure his first stop might be with David and the potter's wheel.
I have my first student scheduled to start in June. She is a former student who will be driving all the way from Grandview, TX. I am hoping to get some other folks interested in trying their hands at sculpture. People should not be intimidated - it's so easy and fun! So if you would like to learn or know someone who would, send them our way!
Tomorrow David is going to get supplies and is going to pick up a bunch of terra cotta clay. We are planning to make some smaller pieces, such as crosses, votives and animals for the gallery. Some of these will be glazed, some raw. I'd like to say that i'm going to do a sculpture a day and put it on the website. That's what I truly want to do. Maybe I will start with a sculpture a week. These pieces will be under $100.00 and will have no molds made of them.
