Gorgeous Things Gallery

On my desktop is a folder named "Blog." When I come across a design that I think is blog-worthy, I drag the image into this folder. Well, the folder has gotten too big and needs emptying. I had hoped to devout an entire post to each of these designs, but that is just not feasible right now. So I hope you enjoy this mini gallery of gorgeous things.

Bucket of Weeds and Cans of Beets

This morning, I met my mom at my grandmother's home to do something I have never done before. Pickle and can beets. For over 3 hours, the three of us boiled, pealed, sliced, canned, pickled and reboiled beets. About 30 mason jars total. I am sure my mom will explain in much better detail the process on her blog given time. It really was fun. I wish I had unlimited time sitting at my grandmother's kitchen learning from her all that she knows.

On the way home I decided to do some spontaneous shopping (since my deer-loving husband was distracted by a football game). I stopped into a department store and picked up a pretty vase. There was only one problem. Now I had to buy myself flowers to justify the vase purchase. I called my mom and asked if it was silly to buy yourself a bouquet of flowers. "No. But there is another option..." My mom explained that her mother use to embarrass her silly when she would pull over on the side of the road and pick wildflowers to put in their home. She would stop everywhere and anywhere. I thought this was a fabulous idea! I pulled over within 5 minutes and chopped myself down some pretty weeds. You can see the assortment I was able to gather free of charge. I think I found myself a new past-time. Hope I don't get poison ivy.

Lisa Rupp

There are some designers that I just gawk at. Lisa Rupp is one of them. Lisa is a designer in Arizona and has an unbelievable talent. She is by trade an illustrator, crafter and designer. If you ask me what the difference is between these trades, I would say it comes to tools. Lisa is capable of working with many tools. Like Adobe Illustrator (illustrations), Adobe Photoshop (design/illustrations), Adobe InDesign (design), as well as with a pencil and paper, scissors, glue gun, and a million other things that are sold at Joann Fabrics. A master of all trades in the art world. Her online portfolio shows off her talent. Take a look. She also has a blog here called "That's Happy." Love the title. Probably because it makes me happy.

If I could narrow my focus as a designer towards one specific trade it would be digital illustration. My mom would probably say that this is suiting since I spent a lot of time when I was young looking at Mary Engelbreit's books. Illustration is still so broad however. You can focus on so many different aspects. Jessica Hische (love her) focuses on typography as illustration and Lisa Rupp focuses on patterns and vector art. Then there is also the understated worlds of packaging illustration (not much creative thinking involved here) and medical illustration (cool, but I don't want to go to med school). I tend to lean towards typography and vector art, but I would love to learn more.

I have an idea of what I want this blog to turn into. It is not just a site about me and my Brock. Trust me, that would get old fast. Instead I want to use it to post free downloads for anyone to use. It could be anything from illustrations to calendars. Hopefully it is not just a thought but a plan. Time will tell.

The Team

God certainly knew what He was doing as He formed our team this year. Darlene Sorrells (on right) was our team leader. She had been on this trip twice before leading it this year. Kathy Klopp (on left) was a fellow teammate. She has been on this trip once before. She and I roomed together. Then there is me-the newbee. Kathy said they purposefully never let a newbee room on their own. I was so thankful for that. Darlene did a marvelous job leading us-she is a courageous and humble woman who I was privileged to learn from. She never faltered, even on no sleep. Kathy was right there next to me (24 hours a day-we were roommates) to constantly encourage and support me. She, also, taught me so much.

In the past there have been more than three woman traveling on this trip, so when God put only the three of us together it was different than what was expected. Now that the trip has come and gone, we see God's provision in every detail-including the formation of our team. I love these women. I don't think I can express how grateful I am for each of them.

Oh, and you would be surprised and how hard they can make you laugh!!!

Children's Program

During the children's program, our team had the opportunity to express our appreciation to them in return for all they did for us. So our team planned on doing the movements in sign language to "Love the Lord your God" by Lincoln Brewster. We first taught them the movements, then invited them to stand and do it with us. They loved it. Here is a picture of us teaching it to the children.

Then afterwards, we handed out bookmarks for each of them that I created. They show the hand movements that we taught them. Below is a picture of the bookmark. It was a sincerely joyful hour. The children of India are precious and loving.

Sharon Gardens

Sharon Gardens is IGL's campus in Salem, India. Like I wrote in a post below, the campus has everything on it. President's home, rooms for guests, amphitheater, hospital, orphanage, sewing school, elementary and high schools, medical college and machine shop. There is even more that I am forgetting about. It is a huge compound. Gated with guards at all hours. It is a very safe place to be.

The environment in southern India is very rough, but this compound is an oasis among it. It is lush and green. The owners have done a marvelous job making it into a beautiful place. We stayed there for three nights when we first arrived. Last year's team stayed there for their entire trip. They went out from Sharon Gardens to each of their conferences. We traveled more, so we stayed in hotels for most of the trip.

Sharon Gardens has been in its location for many many years. Just recently land was purchased near by for a new Hindu temple to be built. In the past this has been a quiet peaceful property, however that is changing. The Hindu temple is now playing Hindu chants at all hours through massive speakers. It is certainly an crafty attack by Satan. Please pray that the Lord protects these precious children from the indoctrinating lies being blared.

Here are some pictures of Sharon Gardens.

Can you read the verse on the back wall? "Where there is no vision, the people perish." This is the scripture verse that IGL's founder gave the current president as he handed down all of IGL to him. It speaks so clearly to the holistic vision of IGL's mission. They first go in with the Gospel - they reach the people for Jesus Christ. Then they provide opportunities for the people to grow in a trade. They teach them skills to make a better life for themselves. God has given IGL this vision and they certainly are carrying it out. God is great.

The entrance to the compound.

Flowers

Children waiting for school to begin.

Monkeys are everywhere. They are like squirrels here. They are everywhere.

Courtyard

Elementary School

University

Hospital with Pastor Benni. Pastor Benni took us everywhere in India. He is the most wonderful man. So kind and funny. He really put up with us curious and loud (and obnoxious at times) American women.

Inside the hospital. This is a hallway looking out at the inside courtyard.

Cool blue hallways inside the hospital.

Children of India

The children of India are beautiful. They ones I saw have gorgeous dark skin and hair. Their eyes stand out so distinctly. The girls are dressed in the most beautiful sarees. The colors of the sarees contrast perfectly with their skin. The village children are always smiling, even though they are so poor.

Schools in India are all private. That is why you see the children wearing uniforms. A bill has just been proposed to Indian government for public schools. We will see if this passes or not. Even if it does, 80% of India lives in the rural villages where (piped) running water doesn't reach-how in the world is the government going to reach their towns with education? It seems like an impossible task but absolutely worth striving for.

Little girls at the last conference.

School children walking in an orderly line to class.

The most beautiful two angels I saw walking down a rural village street.

Schoolgirls.

The same two angels walking away.