Did I ever mention I want to be an artist?

I want to paint! As a matter of fact, I want to paint trees!

I know it sounds weird, but I have the most amazing tree in my front yard (I'll have to take a picture of it). I love that tree! It is HUGE and provides the most amazing shade. It keeps our home cool in the summer and it's the last tree in the neighborhood to lose all it's leaves.

I thought it would be a good idea to take photos of trees at the museum today - to assist me in painting them. I came to that conclusion because I sat down last night to attempt to paint one - and I discovered something pretty darn amazing. Painting is NOT as easy as an artist makes it look! As a matter of fact, it's NOT EASY AT ALL!!!!! I can tell I am going to need to "TRAIN" for this....

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

View outside of the museum - what a glorious day!

More photos....

Picasso!

OH MY GOSH!!!!! There is SO MUCH to Picasso that I didn't know! What an amazing exhibit! RUN - DO NOT WALK - to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art in Richmond, Virginia! You don't want to miss this once in a life-time opportunity to see Picasso's work!

Feb 19, 2011 – May 15, 2011

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts proudly announces a landmark exhibition in honor of its 75th anniversary, Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris. VMFA is the only East Coast venue for the exhibition’s seven-city international tour. The exhibition, which will be on view from February 19 through May 15, 2011, is co-organized by the Musée National Picasso, Paris and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Tickets are available now.

Drawn from the collection of the Musée National Picasso in Paris, the largest and most significant repository of the artist’s work in the world, this exhibition represents works produced during every major artistic period of Pablo Picasso’s eight-decade career. It includes 176 works from Picasso’s personal collection – art that he kept for himself with the purpose of shaping his own legacy. Altria Group is the presenting sponsor for the exhibition.

“By bringing this major international exhibition to the Commonwealth, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is celebrating its 75th anniversary year in a significant way, by presenting a remarkable gift to all Virginians and Americans,” states Bob McDonnell, Governor of Virginia. “I encourage all our citizens and those outside the Commonwealth to come visit Virginia's museum and enjoy the Picasso exhibition. Virginia is a wonderful destination for so many experiences, including world-class art.”

“This exhibition is without a doubt a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the American public,” says Alex Nyerges, director of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. “An exhibition this monumental is extremely rare, especially one that spans the entire career of a figure who many consider the most influential, innovative, and creative artist of the 20th century.”

In addition to showcasing some of Picasso’s most outstanding works, the exhibition tells a compelling story about the development of the artist’s career, his artistic inspirations, and his profound impact on modern art.

The unique opportunity to exhibit Picasso’s work at this time is possible because the Musée Picasso National in Paris is closed for renovations until 2012, allowing for a global tour of this full-scale survey to travel for the first and possibly only time.

“We are extremely proud to be partnering with VMFA to bring such a significant art exhibition to our Richmond headquarters community,” said Marty Barrington, executive vice president, Altria Group, and VMFA trustee. “With the Picasso exhibition, VMFA continues to realize its vision of world-class quality that will make Richmond a leading destination for fine art in the United States. Altria is pleased to support this exhibition, which will enrich our Richmond community in many ways.”

The Deepest Waters by Dan Walsh (Book Review)

Inspired by real events, this moving novel tells an epic story through
an intimate focus on two lost lovers. Readers will hold their breath as
they sail through this emotional and honest tale of hope, faith and love
in the face of uncertainty.

I wanted to read this book because I am inspired by drama at sea. I sat on the edge of my seat as I watched Titanic sink into the abyss (EVERY time I watched it - too numerous to recall). The respect I have for the power of the ocean, not to mention the never-ending cycle of life that thrives underneath, tied together with the millions of “treasures” lost in the unknown (never to be re-discovered) are some of the many reasons I am in awe/inspired by the ocean.

I loved this story because it revolved around HOPE, about never giving up, around miracles and God’s complete control over everything. I enjoyed the way the chapters flip-flopped from one character's story to the other (keeping us completely engaged).

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense, faith-inspired hope, love stories! The author's style/flow reminds me of a Nicholas Sparks novel (I just happened to watch Message in a Bottle last night-oh my gosh, can you say CRY YOUR EYES OUT!).


Dan Walsh is the award-winning author of The Unfinished Gift and The Homecoming. Dan is finishing up his 5th book with Revell, and has also begun work on a novel with Guideposts. He is part of a team of authors writing a new series called "Miracles of Marble Cove." A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for 25 years. He lives with his family in the Daytona Beach area. To learn more about Dan and his books, visit his website at www.danwalshbooks.com

Available April 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Field Trip to Richmond, Virginia

I had the honor of chaperoning Brooke's seventh grade field trip to Richmond, Virginia yesterday. We were able to tour the State Capitol building, the Science Museum of Virginia, The Fine Arts Museum and the Holocaust Museum. I took some photos on the trip; several are shown here.

Book Review - You are Loved by Linda Gomes

Although I did not grow up in a home of abuse or lacking in love, I have endured pain which ultimately resulted in my learning to lean on God (to survive). I, too, carried unsettled issues into future relationships, which I believe God allowed to help others.

If you have experienced abuse or difficult circumstances, this book will provide much needed healing and guidance for developing your own personal relationship with Christ.

Interview with Linda Gomes

What inspired you to write You Are Loved? And was there a pivotal point that changed your life?

My life and its past had always been a burden to me. I tried to hide it, lie about it and pretend that I was just as “normal” as everyone else until I realized that my faithful life was being affected by not being myself! I made a decision to become a part of a class at my church called Wounded Hearts that was lead by the most amazing woman! (You can read more about her in dedication of my book) after several hours of being a part of this group I was encouraged to write or journal and that lead to asking for prayer and writing Monday Morning Prayer which I emailed to my friends. It was very well received, much to my surprise as I never thought of myself as a writer! Then one day I was thrust into a trial that I had no frame of reference to handle. I thought that my attending my class was confidential until I read an email from a pastors husband that once again tried to pigeon hole me by suggesting that my crying foul and not tolerating abuse in my life was somehow “because of” my past! The exact words were “she must have some significant damage in her past to react this way” It had been the story of my life to not speak out when I was hurt, to not demand respect and to take the abusive behavior from others as just another part of my life as if I deserved to be treated less then. The impression that was transmitted openly in a not so private email was that this man felt that he knew who I was, because of a class that I was attending! God hit me at that moment like a Mac truck! I was keenly aware that this type of reaction and careless assumption was the reason I had hidden for years, taking me off of my path and “shaming” me back into hiding and away from the blessings God had intended. I saw it so clearly at that moment! I was working so hard to not be “pigeon holed” that I was not the authentic person that God was trying so desperately to use for His purpose.

I made the decision that day that I would use my life and all of its facets to speak out and not hide any longer. I would not allow anyone else to “tell” my story! I could no longer allow another broken person to define “who I was” and just cower in the shadows. I realized in that moment that women hide from their abuse because they believe they will not feel loved by anyone if they tell their story. The ignorance in one email brought me to my knees before God, begging to be relieved from the pain of the secret that was snuffing out my life and the gifts that He had intended me to be blessed with!

You are loved, was the message that I had to accept and then I had to allow Him to use my story to reach out to others!

How can reading your book have an impact on the reader’s life?

My hope and prayer is that my life will encourage other women to be brave in his name! I exposed my life because I was living in a way that the world had designed and defined and not the life that God was working to use to restore others. I believe that His plan is to shed the light in the dark corners where we hide our deepest pain. My book reveals pain and fear that can control and lead a life into desperation and isolation, destroying His purpose! As you will read in the first page of You are Loved, Surviving is my History, Living is my Destiny, the impact will be that my readers will finally know and believe that they are loved and that they are worth it!

What are your plans for the future in the publishing world? Think you have any more books in you?

I am in the process of writing a new book called EMBRACE. This book is a culmination of all the steps it took for me to be the woman God intended. Embracing your life and all of its facets is a process, this book will bring you full circle, through the pain of your life to the joy that the healing that God creates through that pain, teaching you to walk in His Embrace in order to lead others to His salvation!

What else does God have you doing these days Linda, and how can our readers connect with you?

Embrace Ministries is the passion of my life these days. I am still writing Monday Morning Prayer and the Daily Light Switch. You can find me at www.embrace-ministries.net. I am also on Face book at http://www.facebook.com/people/Linda-Gomes/1260573178#!/pages/You-Are-Loved/281441512624. Both of these pages allow feed back and support. 


How can our readers purchase your book?

You can purchase my book on www.embrace-ministries.net.



I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com).

Operation: Military Kids (OMK)

Operation: Military Kids is the U.S. Army's collaborative effort with America's communities to support children and youth impacted by deployment. Regardless of whether Families are experiencing deployment for the first time, the second time or another in a series of multiple deployments, OMK’s goal is to connect military children and youth with local resources in order to achieve a sense of community support and enhance their well-being.

Through a network of National, State and Local Partners, Operation: Military Kids provides access to youth programs and support services where military children live. OMK Partners organize special events, provide transportation to military kids to sporting events or other extracurricular activities, and participate in the Hero Pack initiative.

4-H National Headquarters provides information to connect military youth to 4-H programs in their hometowns.

I am honored to serve as a member of this team, representing 4-H. As I told the youth on Friday night, I am deeply grateful for the sacrifice their entire family has made for me and the ones I love. If it weren't for the courage of their family members (and many who have gone before them), I would not have the privilege to live in a free country.