Hi Everyone.

((***Took down the voting box on the side bar since it is not working. Please leave your votes in comment box even if you are not a blogger user. You can comment by checking anonymous. Please do leave your name though at the end of your comment so i know who you are! hugs.)

I need help here.

I am starting out with selling a limited number of prints on my new website. In order for it to be cost effective for me I will only be starting out with prints from five paintings. I would like your help in picking out which five paintings I should start out with. I am showing you your choices, and if you can vote on the side bar listed at the right hand top of my page I would greatly appreciate it. You can choose your favorites and vote on them.

I am posting all the paintings I am considering with this post. Under each painting is the name of that painting. So please feel free to look and then vote. My son took the pictures. These paintings are pretty true to colors of my original works. He did a wonderful job!

Later I am going to add other things and items to the site, but this will be a good start for me.

I just discovered that the voting deal on the side bar is not working right now. So if you can just write your favorites in the comments I would greatly appreciate it!

Please vote on your favorites!!!!



HEAVENS GATEWAY





SUMMER NIGHTS



RAY OF HOPE



SPIRITUAL ENERGY




DUSKY SEA



REAL MAGIC




MOUNTAIN SUNSET



MOON DANCE




FALLEN ANGEL



LADY DREAMER



MARSH SUMMER NIGHTS



MASKED LADY




SKEWED FLOWERS



CANDLE LIGHT



EAGLE FREEDOM



FREEDOM

Picture taken by: Mehdi Adilian


My Heart regarding my twins situation.

I have struggled coming up with the right words for a post regarding my twin and her situation.

All week I have been praying and trying not to worry about what is going on with my nephew. There have been times in the week where my heart has broken because of the hurt and pain I feel regarding this situation. I have been on the phone listening to my sister cry, and I have cried with her. I have wanted to drop everything and get on a plane to be with her in this time of need. I have had to stop myself from doing exactly that, and thatis very hard on me.

I have to say my twin is one strong lady. What she is dealing with is probably one of the hardest challenges a mother can face. I have seen a strength come from my twin that not only amazes me but makes me feel such pride in her. I know it is taking every ounce of strength and courage she has to stand firm in what needs to be done.

I can only imagine the battle going on with in her soul. The mother in her is rising up and wanting to protect her child, to hug him and shelter him. While the other part of her knows she can not. She has to stand firm and do what she knows will save his life. This is taking every ounce of energy she has. It is draining her I am sure.


I am extremely protective of my twin, and tend to go into a quiet place when she is in pain and hurting, no words have come to me here in blog land. Instead I have kept myself busy in my own life tending to things that need to be done, and keeping my worry as low as possible.

I have been changing a lot of bad habits in my life. One of those habits is trying to fix situations that I have no power to fix and or have any control over. I have to stop trying to save the world, and allow God to do so instead.

I have learned the hard way that everything in life needs to be handed over to the Lord.

Prayer is a powerful tool, and I have been shown that it is more important then I could ever imagine. Its been a hard but valuable lesson for me. Part of why i am always so sick is because instead of doing what I should have been doing all my life ("praying and allowing God to work his miracles, and love" ) I have instead stressed and worried over things beyond my ability and control.

My twin did give me permission to write up what is happening in her life with her son.


I have been praying about how much i should share, and the what words I should write. The Lord has been talking with me regarding this situation. The Lord has shown me a couple of things.

First I want to say that God has been making his presence known in my life all week. Sometimes stronger then at others. I find I hear him more clearly when I am in prayer and am sitting quiet with him. So I have had to calm my soul, and allow all things i am thinking and feeling to be removed and simply sit with God and listen.

He has shown my that he is with Stacy. He has also shown me that he is working in her life. He is with her every step of this walk. I am to step back and allow God to be with her. Basically I need to not run to California and try and "fix" a situation beyond my control. He has shown me that my presence will actually hinder any help she might receive and I would only be in the way and be make things more stressful for my twin. She has enough stress and worry in dealing with her son.

He has also shown me that I need to pray. Prayer is what is needed. I have been shown that I am not to write in detail all that happening in her life. As much as I love her and worry about her, the Lord is showing me that I should not write to much regarding her situation. He has my nephew and sister in his hands.

What I wrote on the bottom of my post last night about my sister is all I am to write.

(On top of all this, I have been very worried about my twin sister and her son. I have a prayer request for them both.

Things have gotten worse, and she needs all the prayers we can give her. Please pray that God will open all the doors needed for my sister and her son. Please pray that God will guide her to the right people, people who can help, and keep her son safe. I do not want to go into details, because that is for my sister to write about when she is ready, but I will say that this situation is very serious, and heartbreaking for everyone involved. Please pray that she will have the strength, courage, health, love and grace needed to deal with this situation.)

I am going to practice what I have been learning, and allow God to work in her life. When my twin is able she will share what she feels God is leading her to share about her life with her son.

The picture I have added with this post pretty much says it all. God is always with you, if only one will see and allow him to be.

The picture was taken by a close friend of mine, someone who lives in an area of our world that is very harsh, and he has had to allow God to walk with him, because with out God life is very dark where he lives. He is a very talented artist, and it shows in his work that God is clearly walking with him.


“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don't lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way. [Proverbs 3:5, 6]”

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)”

A quick update for all those who read my blog.

I have been very busy this week. In fact so busy that I am totally exhausted.

Hubby is taking the week off from work next week. We plan on taking full advantage of this time since both boys are away. We have not had a week off to spend on just the two of us in about 17 years! I am looking forward to this time with him. I love him deepy and I feel this is exactly the kind of rest I need. I am planning on enjoying our time together strengthening our relationship and marriage.

On a side note, I have some exciting news to share.

I am in the process of working on a new adventure! I have decided to have a web page made so I can display and sell my paintings. Thanks to a wonderful friend of mine, he has agreed to build me this web site. :) I feel that God is guiding me in this adventure, and it is time to make a go of selling my work.

I am now trying to figure out prices on all my work, as well as how to go about finding a company that can copy my paintings as well as put my work on special items. I have been trying to plan out exactly what I want to sell on this site. I am thinking of selling a limited number of copies on each painting, as well as having copies made in various sizes. I need to decide on whether the prints should be on canvas, poster paper or even both. I would like to make prints on other items such as coffee cups and calenders, post cards, mouse pads, ect, i think you get the picture... I need to decide on how many copies i should make, what number i should limit the copies to. Of course on paintings not already sold or promised to other's the original will also be for sale. I have been slowly asking those who have bought a painting from me if i can make limited copies on their painting.

I would love to hear any ideas that my blogger friends have on the kinds of items you think might sell or if you were the buyer, what would you like to see sold? :) All ideas and thoughts are truly appreciated.

If any of you know of a good printing company please drop me a note at season_for_angels@yahoo.com

I am going to name my business "Spiritual Brush Strokes" Paintings by Tracy Jo.

This new adventure is very exciting for me, and I can hardly wait to get it all up and running!

That is about all that is happening in my life, as you can see I am keeping busy.



On top of all this, I have been very worried about my twin sister and her son. I have a prayer request for them both.

Things have gotten worse, and she needs all the prayers we can give her. Please pray that God will open all the doors needed for my sister and her son. Please pray that God will guide her to the right people, people who can help, and keep her son safe. I do not want to go into details, because that is for my sister to write about when she is ready, but I will say that this situation is very serious, and heartbreaking for everyone involved. Please pray that she will have the strength, courage, health, love and grace needed to deal with this situation.


Hugs and blessings sent to you all. I will write in my blog and make my blogger rounds to catch up on all of my friends blogs as soon as I come up for air and am able. Know though I care, and will do my best to make the rounds soon!

Picture taken by me while out visiting with friends.

Things have been rather crazy at my house the last few days. I haven't had the time or energy to write in my blog or even check up on all my blogger friends! Know i will do so soon.

Here is what has been happening in my world.

Hubby and I have been getting both my sons ready for summer trips.

My eldest son was one of twelve kids chosen to participate in a month long mentoring program at Nasa. He left on Sunday very excited, although he also left a very nervous mom when he went. It is an awesome program, and well supervised, so I really should have no worries, but I am a mom, what can I say? Its what we do. :) He got settled in fine, and found out that he is working on a top secret program, making him feel rather special. His mentor has given him a ton of work already to do. He called me last night letting me know how very thrilled he is and how very busy his Mentor has kept him. Grins.

My other son is leaving this coming Sunday for the Bahamas. He is going with the boy scouts and will be learning to scuba dive in one of the prettiest places on earth! I am so jealous, I want to gooooo. Laughing... I am anxious about this trip also, being he will be out of the country, and if something should happen I am so far away! I have been trying not to allow fear to rule our lives, and trying not to hold on to tight to either son. Both sons are excited about their trips and being away from home. I am sure it will be a wonderful experience for them.

I have been running around being a mom, and trying to keep myself busy so i do not worry or stress to much regarding both sons. I have been spending time with a good friend who lives close by. We have taken advantage of the beautiful weather and gone on walks, appreciating the beauty around us. We saw this gorgeous area today where we have decided is the perfect place to paint. Hopefully the weather next week will permit us to bring all our painting stuff with us so we can sit outside and do exactly that.

I haven't had much time to work on my latest painting, but am hoping to do so next week. I have been studying butterflies, so hopefully the ones i add to the painting will look more real. I have never painted butterflies before so it is a challenge for me.

I also am starting a new art class on Saturday. It is a drawing class, working with pencils. I am so very excited about this class, because I have been really wanting to learn the techniques of basic lines and shading. I know that this class is going to help me expand my painting ability, and give my paintings a more complete look. I can hardly wait for the class to begin. The class is two hours long on Saturdays all summer long.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week. I will start showing the progress on my latest painting as soon as I have time to work on it!

Hugs and blessings.

Have you laughed today?

Laughter is good for the soul.

Enjoy!

1st stage of "Glory Dance"

This is the painting I am currently working on.

As you can see I have only put a portion of the trees in. As I paint more trees I will continue to add butterflies. The butterflies will only be in the light. I want them to appear as if they are performing a glorious dance in the light.

I will probably darken the right side of the painting, and add depth over all to the painting by adding some sort of greenery or something... in between the trees. I had thought about adding a rose in the lower part of my painting, but I am unsure if that will happen. Sometimes a painting takes on a message all on its own. I think this is one of those times.

When I paint, I just let the painting tell me what it needs. I go into my own little zone where there is nothing but the picture and me. :)

I will continue to show you the progress as I paint.



(Please continue to pray for my sister. I explain more regarding her situation in the post below.)

A prayer Request.

My twin Sister Stacy is having major problems with her son.

Mike from Rambling thoughts
had the best idea, and that was to have everyone pray for her and her family. He also suggested for those in blogger land to go over and give her some support if you all are able. Thank you Mike for thinking of it. It truly is a wonderful idea, and I know she could certainly use the support and prayer.

I do know prayer is a powerful thing, and when many are praying together its even more so.

Please for those of you who read my blog pray for my sister and her son. Pray that God lays his hand over this situation and brings peace, and calm to it. Pray that God will guide them both in dealing with this issue.

Thank you Everyone.




"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

"When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple" (Jonah 2:7).

Somewhere Over the Rainbow
What a Wonderful World
- Israel Kamakawiwo Ole'

I normally do the Simple Woman's day book on Mondays. Today however I just feel like enjoying the beautiful summer day. I am off to the beach to soak in the sun, swim in the cool ocean, and enjoy watching my son's play in the water and surf.

I hope you all have a great day!


Summer brings us nice warm sun
For swimming, fishing, and lots of fun
For finding seashells in the sand
For sunbathing to get a tan
To do all these things and more
At the beach and seashore


“This day and your life ... are God's gift to you , so give thanks and be joyful always!”

Blessings!

Bill Cosby "Noah"

Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there! I hope it is a day of happiness, and laughter!

In honor of my own father I am posting this video from Bill Cosby. I remember growing up and listening to this with him, and laughing so hard tears would flow from our eyes... My dad has a wonderful sense of humor and has always loved to laugh. I have great memories of my dad telling jokes. I grew up knowing how to laugh, and learning that one does not always have to be so serious all of the time. Laughter is good for the soul, and most of us do not laugh enough.

I can remember while listening to this my father would say "Rightttttt" right along with Bill Cosby.

Dad know I love you very much, and I am hoping you have a wonderful Fathers day. Thank you for adding humor to my life. Thank you for teaching me how to laugh. Thank you for providing me with memories that are fun filled, and happy ones. Thank you for being you! I am blessed to have you in my life, and call you dad.

For those in blogger land, I hope this video brings everyone a little humor to their day.

This week a theme is emerging. One that I would like to share here on my blog. The theme has been "longing". A longing to find purpose, a longing to find hope, and a longing to find something missing in a persons life. From personal experience's that longing we all are searching for is "love" I think it all comes down to that very thing. Purpose, hope, yearning all comes down to a need to be loved.

Every time I turned around this week whether it be through a friend, a family member, a stranger, or even through myself, longing has been something we are all craving. I think we are born with longing. From the first breath we take we long for something. Our mothers arms, to be fed, to be loved. For that matter we long within the womb to be born. So we long from the first moment of conception.

I feel God has been with me from the very time of my conception. I have at times felt alone, and not felt his presence. Those are the times I have wondered "why I had to go through so many different hardships through my life time, and asked myself why did i not feel God then with me". Why could I not hear him?

I have been on a journey my entire life to find the desires of my heart. What most people who are on this same journey forget is that one needs to be walking that journey not alone but with God.

When in prayer this morning I prayed that the Lord would show me exactly what he wanted me to see. Once again he answered. It always amazes me that he actually hears me. I feel humbled each time because i am no one special living amoung many who have done greater things then I that is for sure. Yet he hears me and answers me. Normally through the word he does this, or through another study plan i am doing. Sometimes though he just quietly talks to me telling me that I am never alone.

Today a few things were shown to me. The book Romans in my bible came to my mind. Before I share this with you all I would like you to know something. And that is that I am just now finding my way to reading the bible fully. I have never read the bible enough in my life time to know verses from heart, or to even for that matter tell you this topic is in this book or chapter, or that topic is in that book and chapter. This is one reason I am amazed when God guides me to a certain part of the bible that discusses exactly what I have been praying on.

In Romans Chapter 8 It talks about the spirit. The whole chapter spoke to me and a few of the verses yelled to me. :) I highly recommend anyone who is feeling that they are longing for something to read this book in the bible.



There are times in the lives of all God's children when we are called on to suffer. In Romans 5:3-4 that "suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; character brings us hope." While believers are sustained in their suffering by hope, we also are sustained in our weakness in the most special way of all:

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)


God himself, who dwells within us in the person of the Holy Spirit, intercedes for us in our weakness. "The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words can not express." He answers those longings even when we do not have the words, and feel a loss of exactly what we are longing for or needing.

God gave us those desires of our heart in order to draw us close to Him; we were created to be in an eternally secure love relationship with God.

Many may think, I really don't want these deep longings. I'm angry that I have the desire to be loved. Life would be so much simpler if I just didn't feel that way. However I know through my readings that the desire to belong is part of us, part of our soul. It is not something to push away but to allow the Spirit of God to draw closer with in each of us. To allow him to full fill those longings of the heart. To allow him the relationship we were always meant to have. A relationship with him.

Ever have one of those day's that no matter what you say or do, it is all wrong?

That is my day.

Hmmmmmmm well hopefully tomorrow will be better.

*** Interesting the moment i posted this I looked back at my blog and read the "Motivation to live well" saying on the side bar. This is what it said.....

"Rather than gloss over a problem, take steps toward change. Wisely dealing with a bad habit or issue isn’t the easy way, but it later brings peace to your life."

So guess I will deal with the issues!

On a side note..... Today it is officially three months that I have been alcohol free. I almost forgot to mention it. It however is a big deal in my little world.

A couple of weeks ago I posted on my side bar 20 wishes. I am in awe that once I actually wrote down a wish how it has opened my eyes to how badly I really wanted to make that wish come true.

I found that once they are written, it motivates you to start accomplishing them. It opens your eyes to the reality of the wish and puts perspective on life in general.

I have started making several of my wishes come true. It has totally motivated me, and has added a sense of purpose to my life. When going over my wish list I discovered that there are only a few wishes that I have not started working on.
I thought I would share with you all the wishes I am working on and how I am making them come true.

In accomplishing these wishes, it has added more confidence in myself. Seeing them come true has given me strength, purpose, and happiness.



1. Have my very own exhibit in a gallery show casing my paintings.
I have increased the amount of time I spend on painting. I have started treating my painting time as something of importance. Seeing it as a potential income, as well as a joy. When i paint I have so much fun, time starts flying, and before i know it I have spent hours painting and not focusing on my pain so much. It has helped to change my attitude. I am currently changing this wish to selling my work on line, and not so much as putting them in a gallery.

2. Go to Ireland with my husband ( my husband and I always wanted to have a honeymoon.)
Hubby and I have decided that we are going to remarry on our 20th wedding anniversary! We think taking a honeymoon to Ireland would be perfect.




3. Learn how to knit. ( I want to start knitting prayer shawls, for those i love.)
I have been slowly but surly teaching myself to knit. I think I am making great progress in this area.


5. Sell pastries to the local businesses in my area
This dream I am going to let go for now. I have come to the realization that even though I know I am good at baking, its not a practical wish. I do not have the physical ability to accomplish this goal. Nor am I sure I really want to now. I have been thinking long and hard about this. I love baking, but I think I love painting more. So I am going to paint....



6. Laugh just for the joy of laughing
Since writing down this wish, I have come to the realization I now laugh more. So the wish is happening. Is it because I wrote it down? Who knows! I just know that I am glad i am laughing more in my day.


11. Expand my painting ability. Learn to paint the human form.
This has been a focus. I have been pushing myself in techniques, and focusing on challenging my skills. I have not tackled the human form yet, but will be doing this very soon.



13. Continue to have a deeper relationship with the Lord.
This is a lifetime goal. Will continues to be my goal until the day i take my last breath. I do know that I am accomplishing my goals because of that very closeness i have with God.



14. Become lead free, and overcome my health issues
I have been working on this for some time. We shall see if it worked soon!



19. To spend more time with my family in California. (To travel or have them come visit me. )
Working on this. I am not sure how its going to happen, but I want to see my family soon.

My Son Graduated from Middle school today!




Today was a very proud moment for me. My youngest son graduated from the middle school today. It was a three hour long ceremony. My son won a lot of awards. I was so very proud of him, I could hardly sit still in my seat because i wanted to shout hurray when ever they said his name. I of course had to rush to take pictures of him also, which the brat wouldn't smile! The only time I saw him smile was when he was walking out of the auditorium after it was all over. I sat next to another mother when upon hearing who I was gushed during the whole ceremony about how her daughter fell in love with my son the first moment she saw him. She went on and on about how she still talks non stop about my son. LOL I had to repress a giggle, and a groan because I did know this womans daughter. She has called non stop to our house all year long! Laughing! My son however did not share the same feelings for this girl, so it was hard not to say to the mom please please i am begging you , stop your daughter from calling our house 15 times a day! Laughs. It is rather annoying.

All in all it was a lovely day spent with my son. I signed him out of school and took him to lunch. It was nice day spending time one on one with my youngest son.

Tomorrow both boys are out of school, and I am taking them to the movies to celebrate the first day of summer. We are also going to try and find a fathers day gift for their father.

I hope you all are having a blessed week!

Monday's "Simple Woman's Daybook"


Outside my Window... Dragonflies buzzing, bees are busy looking for flowers, a light breeze, on a hot summer day.

I am thinking... About my knitting project. I had to go out and buy another roll of yarn, because one of my roll's got all knotted up and i could not get the knots out! laughing.... I am trying to figure out how one adds the next roll of yarn to ones knitting project.... hmmm need to find that out soon.

I am thankful for... A day with out pain. I am feeling wonderful at the moment!

From the kitchen... Chicken and portabello mushroom sausages, a salad of greens, and sweet potatoes.

I am creating... A new painting. I am going to try a new technique called glazing. I will show the first stages of my painting soon!

I am going... To relax a little before my sons end up being out of school for the summer.

I am wearing.. Shorts, and a teeshirt. It is in the 90s today.

I am reading... A Woman and her God by: Beth Moore

I am hoping... To work on another web page soon. One that will display my paintings so i can sell them on line.

I am hearing... My son on the phone talking way to loudly, my dog barking at a cat outside our window, and our other son playing music....My house is total chaos.... lol

Around the house... My rose bushes given to me for mothers day are blooming! I have three beautiful roses! Yayyyy

One of my favorite things...Is taking a long luxurious lavender scented bath at the end of the day.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Running back and forth between my sons schools. Both have received academic achievement awards in various subjects. The school have set up an award ceremonies at both schools.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... My knitting project. This is the scarf I am trying to make. I am about half way through the first roll of yarn. The scarf takes four rolls of yarn. (I will be busy for sometime knitting this.) I decided to make the scarf using the pearl stitch. Next project I will practice using the knit stitch.

My twin has her own blogger Page!





I am very excited for her. She is still learning, and working on the page, but would love for others to see it.

Her site is: Hopefulsl
Click the name.

She is also now listed under my blogger friend list.


Welcome to The world of Blogging Sis.

Hugs and blessings.

Something To Think About


There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'

C. S. Lewis


"Matthew 10:33- But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."


Proverbs 3:6- "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. "

Twin Sisters


My twin and I at two years old. I am on the left, and Stacy is standing behind me on the right.



Stacy on the left, Our beautiful Mother, and myself on her right side.

Hello, To whom ever is reading this. My name is Stacy, which i go by the name hopefulsl.
I am Tracy's twin sister!!!
I received an email from my sister this morning.
She replys to me by writing that she was so happy that she has somebody in the family to share her blog with, and that I am responding back to her in her blog.
She said it brought tears to her eyes. And that she wishes that she could let people know who I was. Well sis your wish came true!!
I,m glad to be sharing this with everybody. Someday I will have a blog of my own.
Lots of love to my sister Tracy. love Stacy also known as hopefulsl. xxoxoxo

She is very right... I was so very happy to see someone from my family, "and my twin at that", reading and commenting on my blog. It has meant so much to me to have her here responding. My twin lives so very far from me now. For that matter all of my family live on the west coast, where as I am now on the East coast. I miss them all dearly, and seeing my twins words here in blogger land made it feel like we were not so far away. Thank you Stacy, (Hopefulsl) for taking the time, and effort to read my words, it made my heart swell with not only pride but love. As I said via email to you this morning, tears came to my eyes upon seeing your words. I love you lots sis!

Please welcome my sister to computer and blog land. She has not been online very long, and is just now learning all the ins and outs of the internet.


Hugs and blessings to all!

HEAVENS GATEWAY
Painting by: Tracy Jo




Here is the end result of the painting I named Heavens Gateway.

I hope you all enjoy. As always I love feedback on my work. Please share your thoughts.

Blessings

I have a new Blog Name! Thank you to all my friends here on blogger and off for helping me decide on a new title for my blog.


SPIRITUAL BRUSH STROKES

This new blog name reflects the lady I have become. I also have changed my online name from Mysti, to Tracy. Mysti was a great name for who I was in the past but I have grown and have healed enough to see a change was needed. I have decided ot use my real name, because my faith in who I am is stronger. I now know that I am walking down a path filled with light, and am no longer in Myst.

Thank you to all my friends for all the encouragement, for the support you have given me, and for helping me to continue my walk in light and faith.

Blessings and hugs sent your way.

***I added the second stage oh my stairway painting to the bottom of this post. I would like to keep this post I wrote this morning up for a few days until I come up with a new name for my blog page. Since I am spending my days mostly painting right now, i will just continue to add the painting in the different stages of completion to this same post, allowing you all a glimpse into a painters soul and the stages of painting. :)***



I added the second stage oh my stairway painting to the bottom of this post.

When first reading this saying in the picture above, it stood out for me. I know it was meant that I not only see these words, but that I should focus on them. It resounded deep with in my soul and spirit. It is exactly the thoughts that have been going on in my mind of late. I know that God is working in my life. This message seems to be something he wants me to remember.

I have been making a lot of changes in my life. Changes that have been good ones, and ones that others have noticed. My paintings have taken a progressive step forward. My home life is becoming more peaceful. I am more self assured and aware in who I am, and what I should be doing. Bad habits are being broken, and purpose is taking place firmly within my soul.

Now with that being said, I think it is time for another change. Right here on my blog.

Long ago I gave myself the name Mysti. I chose the name because I felt I was walking through a mist unsure of where i was going. Things were so unclear to me. There was mystery in the sense I had no clue who I was, or if I would make it to the next day even. I also loved angels. (still do for that matter) The wings were very mystical looking in most of the pictures I saw. I combined Mist with Mystery and Mystical and came up with the name "Mysti".

It is time to change the name of my blog. I no longer feel it fits me. My path now is full of light, and I am sure of where I will end up. I feel a strong sense in who I have become and who I am now.

I would love to see if any of my blogger friends or those who read my blog but do not leave comments might be able to help me come up with a new name for my Blog title? (the ones who read, but do not comment I will chat with them personally, either via im or phone.)

I need my blog to not only reflect my art, but also my spiritual side and the lady I have now become.

I had a few thoughts. I am still gnawing on them. Maybe you all will come up with something perfectly me. :)

Soulful colors?

Spiritual brush strokes?

The Colors of my spirit?

" The Colors of my spirit " I think might be a good choice, but i still would like to see what you all come up with.




Hugs and Blessings

Painting stage one on Heavens Gate.




Painting stage two on Heavens Gate.



Painting stage three On Heavens Gateway ( completed painting)

Outside my Window...It's a sunny day with birds flying.

I am thinking... about my latest painting

I am thankful for.. my family and friends

From the kitchen...Scones and coffee

I am creating... A painting that shows a stairway in heaven

I am going... To a funeral today. A friend of the families passed away. She was in her 80s, and had a wonderful life. Her joy was seen by everyone.

I am wearing..black slacks, white blouse, and a black jacket.

I am reading...Secrets by: Jude Deveraux

I am hoping...To paint several paintings a week.

I am hearing... My chimes outside my window. Beautiful sounding, and relaxes me instantly.

Around the house...A cute raccoon has made his home in a nearby tree. every once in awhile i can catch a glimpse of him peaking out of his home right at dusk.

One of my favorite things...Walking on the beach with only God, myself and my thoughts.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Painting, knitting, taking my sons to doctors appointments.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... The first stages of heavens stairway.