Jaime Jorge Performs at Camp

Jaime Jorge, Cuban American virtuoso violinist is in Ukraine for the third year in a row to do a week long tour in various spots in the Crimea region of Ukraine. We are so blessed to have him as he plays and gives testimony of his life and his faith. Besides performing every night of the week, above he takes time out to stop by and share with a kid's camp outside of Yalta. Translation is being done all week by my husband Jeff Franks on the right. Please pray for both men on this demanding tour that continues through Sunday night and pray that many will be blessed by what Jaime shares. You can see more pictures on our mission blog: http://franksukraine.blogspot.com/

Mermaid of the Deep

Just wanted to share with you this lovely "card" I got for the fabric postcard swap from Angela Gue. This swap was done through Swap-Bot.com. It traveled like that all the way from the U.S. to Ukraine. I know the post ladies here in Ukraine have a lot to talk about over some of the mail I get.

The Story of Cosmetics (2010)

Lilies in My Garden

There is something so precious about a light scented flower that has such intense beauty, yet is only here for such a short time. I suppose that might have to do with why I love to photograph them ... to hang onto the moment. The Creator of heaven and earth was/is quite the artist.

2010 Life Path Challenge

Another week, another question that will make you think about the valuable issues of your life. Another way to share who you are someday with someone special who will be blessed in knowing you through the answers to these questions. If you are new here, page down to the previous challenge post entitled same as above and you will see how to participate. It's easy. As depicted in the picture above (a zentangle collage), our life is made up of many different parts and influences. I call it zentangle fashion.
Question:
WHAT OR WHO MOST SHAPED YOUR LIFE?

Give it some thought for the answer will reveal much of who you are today.
Enjoy. Coleen

Scrapping on the River (Camp)

This week is the Annual Belichi Bible Church River Camp. A scrap book is just one aspect of this camp where I was able to be involved along with Cindy Williams from Antioch Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas. Cindy brought lovely materials for these precious ladies to work with.
The young ladies had a great time preparing their camp books. These books are on the topic of family and camp. They will be a great memory of the week and it's teaching.
The older ladies had just as much fun.
Even some of the younger boys got involved.
Finally that is me showing off someone's pretty book.

Another Lily

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27

Just showing off more of God's beauty in the garden. What a sense of artistry.

2010 Life Path Challenge

If you are new to this blog, then I will tell you that this challenge is weekly. It deals with a question each week that is deeply relevant to your individual life. You may interpret it in writing as is a 7th grade class in America, or you may interpret the question with an art/craft of some sort. Then post it on the group Flickr site which you can get to by clicking on the Flickr art banner in the header section of this blog. Your piece will show up before long in the header, as what is there are the most recently added pieces. Nothing to sign up for, just come and play.
Question:
WHAT MOVES YOUR HEART?

Some questions may seem similar to others we've had, but they are all done to bring a slightly different thought process to the forefront. The value of many of these questions is not in their profundity, but in the simple fact that they bring an issue or commitment into focus. For example, just by articulating which person you most want to encourage this year is more likely to help you remember to encourage that person than if you hadn't considered the question. So have fun with it. Coleen

Artsy Blog Hop

Queen of the Garden

I thought this lovely hydrangea was interesting with both the blue and the pink in one bloom. This idea is so amazing to me since the plant feeds off the same nutrients and the same water yet different parts of it turn into different colors. I have one bush out of several where the blooms are pink and blue on the same bush. I keep sticking old nails and rusty objects in the ground around it. My other bushes are all pink, but I haven't done anything like that to them. I have to admit the garden is part of my artistic expression in summer and I tend to cut back on art for the sake of time in the garden. It is such a delight and makes a great prayer room.

Art Journal Page

I love this verse and how the page turned out. The best thing I can do is that He might be glorified. The background paper is from a 1959 Russian/English dictionary that makes for an interesting layer. I have that and a 1934 Websters dictionary I use papers from. The Webster's is quite interesting as it is obvious from reading that is was from a very different era. I would be glad to send some of these out if any one wants to swap for some scrapbook supplies. I'd love to get my hands on some vintage stuff (pix, embellishments, etc.)since I can't buy it here or whatever you have that you'd like to destash. I can always use it in my classes with the ladies here in Ukraine. All classes I do are free and I bring all the supplies. It is a ministry.

Spiderwort or Tradescantia

Even the small things that God creates can have such immense beauty. The lowly spider wort flower (what a name) has lots of bushy green and only these tiny flowers, but they are a treat every year. When in my garden, I can't help but be thankful for all His beauty. The Master Craftsman, the Great Artist/Creator who designed it all. What amazing imagination. And I get to make my little heaven on earth by arranging it all in the yard. My small part of playing with His beauty. An artist expressing through landscape. And then every winter it is all undone, but we wouldn't take such joy in it if it stayed year around would we? Is it not a wonder that artists draw so much from nature? What divine pleasure. Photo by Jeff, my husband.

2010 Life Path Challenge

While in Armenia I drew this zentangle. I find them quite relaxing to do. Just google that word, zentangle and you'll find a lot of great drawing. If you look into it you'll also find that it is not difficult to do.

Question:
WHERE OR WHAT DOES YOUR DRIVE COME FROM?

Just click on the banner at the top to see all the entries for this challenge. Would love if you would also come play along with us. Nothing to sign up for. Just interpret the question and add your photo.

Those Marvelous Tiger Lilies

My dear husband Jeff took these in the early morning light about 6 a.m. one day recently. I keep planting more lilies every year because they are so lovely. I am often just amazed at the ingenuity of the master artist, God our creator. There is no end to his inspiration. To Him be the glory.

My Prayer Sanctuary

The little sign in the upper left actually says "Prayer Garden."
I am participating in a link up with another blog that was having all the participants show their own individual places of prayer. I've also had folks ask me to show more of the garden than just the individual flowers. Well, my yard is large so this really is just a small part of it, but my husband brought out the beauty. He's a very good amateur photographer. The garden is the place where I feel so close to God because of his beautiful creation. What I do there to maintain it is not really work to me. It is joy and it is escape from the hustle bustle of the world. We love to have people over to enjoy it with us. Afterall, it was all a gift from Him. If you'd like to see some of the other bloggers and their prayer spots go to this blog: http://ioweitalltohim.blogspot.com/ or you can click on the title. You'll be blessed if you do.

Blog Article

Cindy Adkins featured an article on the work we do here in Ukraine and beyond. She has a lovely blog entitled "I Owe It All To Him." You can find it here http://ioweitalltohim.blogspot.com/ or by clicking on the title above. Thank you Cindy for spreading the word and for the lovely job you are doing on your blog. May all honor and glory go to Him.

Card Class in Crimea, Ukraine

Some of these women have never crafted before.
Ukrainians are so talented.

I did this class earlier in the season. Just so much going on to get it all posted.
I share lovely scrap book materials that many send me for this since we can't buy them here. I am so grateful for scrappers generosity.
God has blessed in the joy and fun I have in doing these classes.
I also do what I call faith journals with ladies and a class on prayer journaling.
Please be in prayer for the message I always hope to send in working with ladies like this. The message of God's love for us all.
My thanks to all that have helped in this ministry. I could not do it without you.

From the Garden

This past week was pretty eventful for us. Jeff, my husband and I returned from Armenia. There we were blessed with the awarding of an honorary doctorate for his many years of work in that country. He's been going there since 1997. For me it was my first time. I will share more pix soon.

Just a few days after returning our youngest daughter left(July 4th) for schooling in America. So we are truly "empty nesters" now. Since Leah had an early flight we were up at 3 a.m. to make the drive to the airport. Which means we were back home by six. Jeff was captivated by the lighting in the garden. This is one of his lovely pictures. He has the fancy camera that will do things mine won't. I think lilies are trumping roses as my favorites in the garden.

Well, as you can see it was a busy week with packing and a going away party. Now things are quiet....too quiet. Please pray for Leah adaptation in America after 17 years in Ukraine.

2010 Life Path Challenge

While traveling this last week I always have at least pen and paper on hand and one of the things I can do with that is zentangles. Right now my garden is rich with butterflies so I thought I would tangle some up.

Question:

WHAT GIVES YOU INSPIRATION?

We all react differently. What is it with you? This could be in regard to art or in regard to anything. Think about it and be creative. Then post your picture in the gallery at the top on Flickr.

Yerevan, Armenia

These were taken in the central square of downtown Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Somehow, growing up, my dad got across to me an appreciation of architecture. I suppose that had to do with him appreciating and pointing it out to us kids. Anyway, I consider it an art form on a grand scale so I share it with you. The doors were quite interesting to me as this is a dated building with new doors. I think they did a marvelous job of integrating the old and the new, don't you?