Today I wrote a new blog on abovethelonggrass.blogspot.com. I think it really gives you all a good idea of where I'm at right now so I thought I would post it here as well. In January, Nate and I will be sending out a newsletter to update everyone on the year and a little of what is next. Thank you for standing by us during this time. : )
"I just received my second to last canvas for my Afghanistan project. I am eager to begin. This final piece is about sacrifice. it's about everything Afghanistan took from me. Looking back when I first started painting I had so much pain in my heart. I was angry and distrusting. Many there had hurt me deeply, but after a year of rest and reflection, plus loads of forgiveness, I finally feel that I can look at my time there with some understanding. I still have so much to walk through with God, asking Him why and being okay if there is no answer. It is incredible to me how in time trust does come again. Now that I am ready to paint such an agonizing piece, I feel that it will seal what I went through. The composition is very simple, grey/brown background to symbolizes the ground and dust, and then red splashes to symbolize the sacrifice I gave there. Many have given more, but it is a huge deal for me to say, "you don't owe me anything." I still struggle with this idea that those that took from me deserve to be taken from. That just simply isn't true. I'm hoping to process this well as I paint.
The last painting for this series will be a re paint of the piece we left behind in Afghanistan hanging in a coffee shop. It will symbolize hope."