Just a Chat about the Prepping Journey

I believe that how you prepare is mostly determined by how real you feel the threat could be in your life. I would safely say that at the very least preparing for a 72 hour emergency event is something most people should do. I often wonder what makes people not prepare.
What prompted this post was planning to go see a movie with one of my friends. 
Adding it up it was $7 for popcorn, $5 for a soda, $6 for movie candy & $12.50 for the tickets for a total of $30.50!

What first got me thinking was the outrageous prices of the movie concessions, which at times I do indulge. I don't know about you, but our income doesn't seem to keep up with inflation. What I have found is that preparing has saved me money in the long run. Because I am often using my storage items when I cook, etc. I find that I paid less money for the item that what it currently would cost if I was to run out to the store.
That includes the use of larger ticket items like my preparedness tool trinity: the FoodSaver, pressure canner and dehydrator (associates links). I use these items all the time. I saved up my money and purchased high quality tools for my preparing. I am able to store away fresh produce from my garden or when I find a great sale. I am no longer dependent on running to the store when I use up a certain item, because I happen to have several more stored away.
The second point that got me thinking, was the total of $30.50. Through out our journey that is about what I spend once or twice a month to maintain/increase my preps. With obvious exceptions of the larger things we saved for and purchased. It doesn't take a lot of money to be prepared for emergencies.
Plus, it doesn't take all that long, if you are focused. 
Granted prepping is not the most important thing in my life. But, I do think about it most everyday and stack up working on projects on the weekends. Because the reason we prep is very compelling to us. 
I sort of fell into blogging about prepping. I started my Perky Prepping Gramma persona on FaceBook so I could interact on other sites, without getting odd questions from friends & family. I quickly started routinely setting monthly goals and then sharing about what I had accomplished. I found that it tended to keep me on target with my goals. Then to my surprise people started following me.
There may come a time where I need to decide to continue blogging or sign off. It will be dependent upon developing a stream of income once we get settled on our farm. 
Just a little news I haven't shared yet: I am in the process of started sort of a mirror site geared more with "homesteading language". I want to be able to share these principles on my personal page & reach out to a larger audience. There are several people I know that have said they want to start learning these types of skills, but freak at the concept of preparedness. Go figure. So these new sites will also start the journey from the beginning.
Anyway, here is your chance to get involved before the crowd. There are only a few posts so far and won't be posting the same thing on both sites. Though you may see "old" posts which are updated.
Perky Gramma Teaches (on Facebook)
Perky Gramma Teaches (blog)
Until such a time, I will continue to share my journey and let you know that you really are able to do this.

Perky Gramma has Fun

I realize that you mostly see the serious side of me here, but honestly I am a really silly creative person. I shared that I want to build a little "gnome home" in my yard, but geared more for the Borrowers.  

I had a collection of tiny items that I gave to my grandchildren a couple years ago for Christmas, with their first "Borrowers" book. I pretended that my home housed a family of Borrowers named the Fireplace family. They were sending gifts to the Borrower family who then lived at my grandchildren's house.

There was a little Christmas card and a wee letter...

 

Here the children are reading the letter with the magnifying glass...

Here are some of the petite sized gifts that were given.

                    

Then I made a passel of teeny, tiny books. If you would like to make these books here is the tutorial:  DIY Teeny, Tiny Books

                             

 

It was grand fun as we spent the day looking into various places in the house to see if we could find the miniature family hiding.

Obviously, I need to start a new collection for my yard...

Who Am I? Just Being Perky...

Survival Betty posted this last week and it stuck a chord in me. She is a gal I really respect & have had the pleasure of meeting in real time. I have been doing a lot of reflecting at where I am on my life's journey and I believe in part it's because we are divesting ourselves of years of "stuff" and moving on to a new chapter in our life together.

I was born in Southern Illinois, commonly known as "Little Egypt". Dad was from a coal mining family during the Great Depression and was orphaned at 11. First his mother died from a brain tumor, then about a year and a half later his father died of black lung. His sister was older and married and the three boys went to live with her. 

Mom was raised on her dad's family farm with a large extended family. Grampa had 10 siblings. They did practically anything to survive. Up to and including selling daffodils. I still love to hear the stories of growing up on a farm. 

Mom & dad met in college at Southern Illinois University. Go Salukis! He was studying with his GI bill and mom had a FFA scholarship. They were married in 1956 and one year later I come into the world.

LESSONS LEARNED: 

Food: While I was only a baby when we lived in Illinois, obviously my family history played a big part in how I grew up and what I learned as a child. A lot of Depression era recipes were on our dinner table. These are meals I have in my storage and still make today.

Faith: In my attic I found a box a cassette tapes. My grandfather read the ENTIRE Bible onto cassette tapes. Not once, but twice. He re-did the tapes because he wanted to improve his pronunciations.
Equality: The dining table at the farm was open to ALL people.  

When I was very young we moved way across the country to New Mexico, the "Land of Enchantment". This was a good life. I played barefoot, built forts, had pet lizards, learned to make tortillas by hand and lived in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood. 

Photo I took on a recent trip to N.M. with my mom

My very first money was earned picking cotton in the field next to our house. Granted I didn't pick a LOT of cotton, but I was there often. I have always been industrious.

I am a first born child, the only girl in our family. Being the oldest, I was the protector, defender of my younger brothers. 

Then we moved all the way to the east coast to Baltimore and then Columbia, Maryland. Baltimore was a tough neighborhood and was where I learned knife skills. LOL. 

At the beginning of high school, we moved to Panama, Canal Zone.

I really feel blessed with my life. I actually lived in Panama City twice during my stay.  

But, also this is where I learned to serve others. Helping build homes in villages in Costa Rica, learning the amazing life of the indigenous Kuna Indians of Panama with my friend whose family were missionaries. 

"Kuna Woman With Molas". Licensed 

I never even saw a weapon until I joined the military in the late 70's. Shot expert my first time & joined the combat rifle team. I enlisted in the army at the just after the Viet Nam war. I actually lived in the Canal Zone & wouldn't enlist until I was guaranteed my M.O.S. & to be stationed back home for my duty station. It pays to have the highest score on the aptitude tests given. LOL.

Not a popular time to choose the military & a very tumultuous time in the history of Panama and the Canal Zone. When I first arrived at 534th Military Police Company, my first sergeant took me into his office and told me that women shouldn't be in the Army and they definitely shouldn't be in the Military Police. He later apologized. 

This was a time rife with bizarre life experiences including being stalked and watching an attempted suicide. I learned invaluable skills in the field, digging a foxhole, surviving in the jungle, riot control training. I enlisted because I had witnessed first hand what it is like to live in a dictatorship & I believed in liberty. 

Basic Training 

My dad didn't teach me to throw a ball, I taught myself in my early 20's when I took on the task on being a Little League coach for the littlest ones. 

Oh my goodness, to think I thought I was fat then.

I also taught myself how to change the oil and other car repairs and use a drill out of necessity as a single parent.

The thing I did learn from my dad was to sing...

I often will say "beware of the fluffy gramma...". Nowadays people see a fluffy, perky gramma without realizing what is truly at my core. Looks can be deceiving. Survival Betty, tagged my response to that first pic with this...

I am a strong woman who has learned many life lessons created through trail and error, through pain and suffering. I am survivor, a patriot, warrior! 

"Butterfly Circus" & Mr. Perky the Druid

Technically Mr. Perky is not a druid. In my family we spin tales all the time. Rather an imaginative group.

When we first met Mr. Perky was very turned off by established traditional church – proclaimed he was the only member of the Church of the Hermitage (a place of religious seclusion), who stayed home on Sundays and watched reruns of Star Trek in his underwear. I was a de-churched Christian.

The story that ensued over the years pulled from classic Celtic legends, was he would pilgrimage to Stonehenge, hugs trees etc. The reality is that he is simply a person whose family had extremely painful interactions with church and churchy people.
One month after we were married, my faith journey grew back into a strong relationship as a follower of Christ.

I believe the most important thing to know about me is that I REALLY love God and Jesus.

This influences my POV and everything I do. It gives me spiritual stability, which I personally feel is the first essential for being prepared.

You do not need to believe like me to be welcome on this journey; for truly everyone is welcome here. Recognize this is the very core of who I am and God will come up.

A vision statement outlines where you want to be. This communicates both the purpose and values of my life. It answers the question, “Why am I here?”

My vision statement is:

“love God, love others, it's simple” (Matthew 22: 34-40)

A Mission statement talks about HOW you will get to where you want to be. This defines the purpose and primary objectives of my life. It answers the question, “What do I do?”

My mission statement is:

“entice the skeptic, challenge the lukewarm & ignite passion in the believer.”

I believe these statements epitomize my journey here with you on being prepared. My heart breaks for the disenfranchised, those typically marginalized by society. It motivates all I do.

Mr. Perky and I have always maintained a strong mutual respect of each others faith journey.

This video entitled “Butterfly Circus” is worth the viewing. I feel it describes my faith journey well. It's not preachy, I promise.

So now you know a little more about me...

Welcome to the journey.

The Butterfly Circus - HD from The Butterfly Circus on Vimeo.

It’s A Bug’s Life

Once upon a time, a real life story began. A little boy, nicknamed Bug was born after a complicated pregnancy. Around 3 months old, the signs of autism started appearing. That way just one side road in the journey of his life. Bug was diagnosed with Asperger’s in first grade. Children on the autism spectrum often develop a fascination with a particular object or area of study. Bug’s was well, bugs, dinosaurs, and all things animal. It was encouraged, as this fascination will prove beneficial to him in life. And so a natural prepper was born. (But don’t use that word around him….he is just a kid that likes to play outside and eat homemade food.)

Bug Tree Climbing

After many side tracks and branches in the road of life’s journey, we arrive to present day. The fascination with animals has slightly branched out to include a love of nature and being outside. Bug is a child that struggles through the daily grind of being in a classroom or having to focus on tasks. Put him outside and suddenly it is a whole new teenager.

Solar Still

Bug is now almost 16. He attends a specialized school an hour each way from home. He often talks about animals, particularly bugs (easiest for him to go outside and capture). He spends most of the time on the bus looking up ways to track animals, snare animals, raise animals, etc on his phone. Yes, the school is quite far, but it was chosen not long after 9/11 happened and it was chosen for security purposes, as well as medical staff on hand. (Mom is on the emergency team at the school she works at and would not be able to leave immediately to get to him. This placement allows Mom peace of mind to know that Bug is safe while she does her job.)

Santa Mapping Skills

Bug gets lunch at school but due to the long ride, Mom has always insisted on extra snacks and water being carried. In the side pocket of the lunch box is a plastic baggie containing extra napkins, glo sticks, whistle and few other little emergency supplies that are within rules and regulations and safety expectations. This has paid off well for traffic on bad days, a day that an SUV ran a red light and slammed into his bus and just other life situations. What started out as something Mom insisted on is now something Bug keeps filled and up to date. Bug often reminds mom that there is bad weather in the forecast, he needs new snacks or whatever for the lunch bag. Another benefit of Bug going to school in the city….he knows just about every way in and out of the city (he is a walking talking GPS system!)

Surveying

 One of the benefits of the Asperger’s. Mom is trying to teach Bug how to use a compass, but he is struggling with that skill). As he has gotten older, he has shown Mom some of these ways as well as able to identify safe and unsafe areas.

Bug knows that when power goes out to wrap the freezer. He has a lanyard with a whistle and flashlight that when the weather alarm goes off, he puts on without thinking. Mom and Bug are always looking for new skills to learn together as this is a great bonding time. Oh, and Bug’s favorite skill, taste testing the homemade jerky and dehydrated apples.

First Turkey

Bug and Mom have frequent drills at home. Tornado, earthquake, etc. Bug has witnessed first-hand tornadoes, one earthquake, a wildfire, and severe weather. Bug often comes up with small drills to challenge Mom with. Recently, in anticipation of an ice storm, the challenge was a weekend using only alternative lighting. (Bug loves to use battery operated lanterns in his room as his light source). Bug often wishes for power outages. He swears Mom cooks better over an open fire than on a traditional stove. Open fire is how most of the cooking is done during the warmer months. (Did you know chicken nuggets taste amazing when crisped over a fire! Did you know you can roast Starbursts? Yummy!)

Rocket Stove Practice

This drilling has paid off. One afternoon, where we live had an earthquake. Mom was at her school. Bug had just gotten home from school. He immediately got his lanyard and cell phone. Once he was in his “safe area” he called his mom. The connection was only long enough for him to get out that he was ok. Months later, Mom found out that Bug went through his emergency list until he got ahold of one of his contacts to let them know he was ok.

Bug has basic firearm training, as well as practices regularly with a recurve bow. He currently is learning how to make snares. He is learning several methods of firestarting.

\

Fall & Winter Target Practice 

Fishing is a passion of his. He has helped process game since kindergarten. He is a sensory eater. He is a picky eater. When Bug sees where the food comes from and helps in the process, he tends to eat much better. 

                    

Fishing & the Catch

To Bug, the way of life his mom has chosen, as a single mother surviving a very abusive relationship and starting fresh, is not a life of a prepper. It is a life style. One that has been handed down through generations. Farming, gardening, livestock, hunting, fishing, preserving, are all things that Bug has witnessed and been part of. He has a special bond with nature that is part of who he is and will serve him well. He may have a hard time interacting with other humans, but with nature, he is at home. Mom’s goal through this journey is to teach Bug important life skills so that he can go on to have his own home and eventually have his own family.

Green Water Swimming

One day Mom asked Bug if he would like to meet another prepper. Bug had a meltdown. He hates the word prepper. He always says “It’s just the way we live.” So, please don’t mention the “p” word around Bug.

While Mom has a lot to learn and continue to pass on, Bug has been given the basic start of skills to continue and thrive in a life that will benefit him. Yes, there is still a lot of room for both to grow and improve, but the thirst for the knowledge is there. Bug’s love of nature has encouraged him to look into various careers that he can do in that area. The skill learning gives Mom way to communicate in a positive manner. (Living with a child that has Asperger’s is not easy. Bug has been hospitalized for meltdowns, routines have to be kept, therapy done, stimulants minimalized, etc.) If it can be a Bug’s Life, it can be your life. (187)

Tree Climbing

Leader of the pack...

• • My son was the one that sat down with me and told me about his concerns. He had been on YouTube and seen some videos. We sat down together for about an hour and watched them together.I learned so much in that hour. I was on board. He used my FB page to search for some pages that he liked. He saw PPG and really liked it. These are real people, not ex military or super preppers, just regular folks, he said. I started following and connected with people like us.
    
    
    

    • • • He's the one who came to me and explained his concerns. I jumped onboard. It's so funny, but he can explain the Federal Reserve to anyone who asks. He almost got kicked out of class the other day because he challenged a teacher on the shutdown. He's armed with facts, the real ones.

        and only being "almost 16" I'm proud of him. We have come a long way in just a year. He got me a 5 gallon bucket of rice for my birthday! So funny!

    

I was inspired after reading "One Second After" with my son last month to prep for the the dogs. 8 weeks of water ( thanks Elaine) bags of food, heart worm, flea treatment, ect. In the story, they were eating dogs within 30 days. Made me really think. Also we have an outdoor cat, so she's ready also. She mostly hunts, but I feed her too

 My son accepts your challenge with a smile! He plans on Spam, fried potatoes from our latest canning adventure, and eggs from our chickens. We will season our eggs with peppers and green onions from our garden. You put a big smile on a 15yo boys face! He's almost 16! He told me to put that lol

 yes, both boys are fans, but the younger one is more quiet about it.

• • • • 
        

Three young inspirations...

• • 
    So these are my 3 little ones. The one on the left is the youngest  He is holding his favorite bunny. He knows this bunny will be harvested here in the next 2 weeks. They have learned it is ok to love something and realize that it needs to be utilized as food as well. 
    The middle one is one of the twins (she is a girl not boy). She is holding one of our New Zealand bunnies that was born a few weeks ago. She will not be harvested but saved to breed. We named her Grumpy bunny. My middle son is on the right. He is the other twin. He is holding a black Astrolorp (sp). This is not our chicken. We are babysitting for friends of ours and the kids fell in love with those chickens. I don't know if you can see her or not but our goat spice is in the back ground. She is sick. She has anemia from worms so we are pumping her full of iron and medicine.
  • My oldest is 18. He has no interest. Although I talk about what I am doing and teach him every opportunity I get. I'm sure he is sinking in the things I say. He sees me canning, gardening and taking care of animals. We have failed to have him practice shooting. He has been taught but no practice. That's kinda like not being taught as I don't know if he can still load and shoot. 
    
    
    My youngest boys 9 and 11 participate frequently with canning, gardening and animal care as well as harvesting our animals for food. They love to participate. We raise meat rabbits and our first harvest was tough. When the bunnies were born the kids knew they were not to be pets as we will eat them. They still named a few of their favorites. Come harvest day the kids retrieved their favorite bunny and held it until it was time.
    
    My 9 year old boy said he wanted to kill his own bunny. Kids now days need to learn the cycle of life. Parents are not allowing their kids to experience this. Such a shame. (wussification of American) One day we had a stray dog on our property and my 9 year old went and got the gun for me, loaded it and asked if he could shoot the dog. Of course I said no I did not want him to steal my glory. It was only a pellet gun to harm him. We did not kill him. What you don't understand is I don't know how to load a gun. I can shoot but that's about as far as I go. I have failed in that practice as well. I REALLY NEED TO PRACTICE! 
    
    
    But my other 11 year old girl is all about gardening, canning, baking, farming, guns etc  She is my go to girl when I need something done. She will do it. She always inspects the animals and updates me on their condition. For example she grabbed our rooster, Dr. Eggman (he he cute name) one day and brought him in to show me had had lost some feathers and his chest was red. She just jumps right in and takes over. I do a lot of teaching will all my kids because I tell them someday mommy and daddy may not be here and y'all will need to take over. 
    
    
    
    • This is the notorious Dr. Eggman. My oldest son named him. He looks mean in this picture. He has attacked my daughter a couple times but it was because she had a dangling dress on and I guess he felt threatened. He is a good man of the house. He protects those hens very well.

    
    My oldest 15 year old daughter....well lets just say she is too busy with makeup and hair etc etc, I do teach her as well. They just don't know I'm teaching them. I try to find every opportunity to sneak in an educational series. Homeschooling my 3 youngest has been a God send as they have learned more about daily life as well as school. It is a daily conscientious decision to try to teach them something every day. Whether they know it or not. I hope that I am being a role model for them
    • • Sooo the long winded moral to the story is, teach your kids as you prep. They will retains some info.
      • Blessings'
      • Oh, I'm canning my Zaycon chicken now!!!
        
        
        P.S. 

        We all need to learn how to clean,load and shoot a gun. DH and I just talked about this today. We will be going up to the country to tackle this feat. Our wonderful pastor has a cabin in the woods so we can go there. We are super blessed to have our wonderful church family. Tear. I will send you a picture when they get done with their chores. Blessings

Prepared for Rape?

Good Morning PPG, 
I am a 47 year old mother of two and have a story that all women need to hear. Prepping has many angles. Self defense should be in the top ten; not just for strangers but people we may even know. I was attacked in my home by a friend of my husband’s (family friend). Yes I have a concealed weapon, yes I have training in self defense, and yes I have a criminal justice major and special training in law enforcement, yes to every question one would think of. HOWEVER, I am 110 pounds and was attacked by a man 240 pounds! I know everyone say‘s “I would have dug his eyes out… blah blah blah.”. I was choked from behind and fought and sexually assaulted. I was then choked and passed out (praying the entire time God would protect me) as I came to I was being drenched in lighter fluid! All I could think of is my 5 month old baby sleeping in the next room… we were both going to die. After he realized I came to… he picked up some video tapes and left my house and said thank you for the tapes! I was within a match of being set on fire. It made me realize how vulnerable we can be, not only should we protect ourselves from strangers but sad to say friends as well. 911 is for them to investigate who murdered you… their not coming to save you! I live in a very rural county and we have one officer working the county… and three homicide detectives on call at all times, it kind of tell its own story! Our 911 system is a high tech called ID and doesn't give the address were calling from… I know this after we had a small fire from an electric fence and one of our pastures.
I now carry in my home as well and have several weapons stashed around my home. My son who is now 10 also has several weapons (knives) he has access to in case of emergency! The illusions that we’re safe in our home are just that. We tend to let our guard down when it comes to people we know, #1 mistake. I don’t live paranoid, I know live safe; I evaluate each situation and were I place people in my home and tell no one about my stash of weapons around the home! In a shift situation we pretty much know who our enemies are… train in your home practice scenarios of all types of intruders including family and friends! If we only practice for crimes that happen after a shift situation then were forgetting one thing, we have to make it to the shift situation. My assaulter was given 10 years probation and mental health therapy… I realized after the attack, that I had to train myself beyond self defense I had to train harder because of my size! I might at 110 lbs small and 5’3 but I train like a fighter everyday! Mentally and physically be prepared… size matters in a fight and in a shift situation it’s going to be 10 times harder to survive! 
As we prep the biggest threat we face is the unknown, will we be alone, who will be with us and will we be safe with that person? These are all the questions we have to ask ourselves, because in a SHTF situation people are going to be thinking and acting differently. I remember after Katrina reading about police raping and robbing women. Well that’s the reality of when SHTF; I call it a SHIFT because it will shift from what we know as normal to the unknown SHTF; so it’s SHIFT SHTF! 

After my rape, I realized training would have to be different. Scenarios are the key, when you desensitize yourself your fight or flight mode changes; we all have the fight or flight mode so don’t kid yourself on that one. Rape is probably one of the most devastating things that could happen in a SHTF situation because not only are you traumatized from the act there is pregnancy, and STDS which you could also face; being willing to take people into your home when SHTF should be weighted carefully. 

Scenario training is a must! When we train for specific things we tend to react to the situation and think of the reaction it’s not a spontaneous reaction! Train in your home, train for intruders, train for everything! Weapons don’t always mean deadly weapons, sometimes in certain situation you wouldn't want a lethal weapon in a hand to hand combat; small pocket knives can also get a person off you and give you time to get to your lethal weapon if that how you choose to deal with the situation. But if you don’t practice then you will not know how to react. If you would train for emergency situations with medical preps, then make sure you prep for attack scenarios. If you have children would you want your children to hide during an attack, run away during an attack or help fight during the attack? These are questions you have to ask yourself and answer because children will freeze in a situation if not trained properly. 

Training with fire arms is great but do you want your child trying to shoot someone attacking you? I always get a giggle when I tell people my son is deadly with a sock with marbles in it... I promise that person would be knocked out in a flash! So practice with non lethal weapons also. My son always says he would shoot someone who tried to hurt me... I really don’t want that on his hands to deal with; but the reality is our children have to learn also. But the repercussions will be traumatic for a child, and we must take that into consideration. I say train train, train, be prepared as much as possible, we can’t imagine every situation but we can desensitize ourselves to some scenarios such as rape, home invasions and gang situations.
I recently saw as I am sure most of you did the woman attacked in her home while her child sat on the couch with a pillow over her face; as the mother was attacked and beaten by an African American man. Many of you said to yourself “I would have ______” you fill in the blank. Did you see the size of that guy? Did you see how easy it was for him to brag her around and handle her like she was a doll? That’s because he had an adrenaline rush while he was breaking the door down, and then it probably increased when he entered the home. What would you have done? Personally, I would have had a lethal weapon close enough to react when he entered the home! But it’s a good scenario to practice because obviously she was not prepared for what happened; perhaps if she had a weapon on the stairway when he threw her down the basement. Train people, read different situation on robberies happen, rape happen, home invasions happen. 

And then the aftermath of a rape, while we live in a world where we can go to therapy and try to over comes this attack; what support would you have after a SHTF? Most people will need some sort of support! Do you have spiritual support? Do you have books on traumatic incidents like rape? And what about pregnancy are you prepared for that after a rape? Most rapists are not going to stop to use a condom that’s just the reality! STD’s what about them some are life threatening; do you have preps for them?These are all things to think about and talk to your loved ones about. Make sure you talk with your husband or wife about these situations. Today prepare and practice scenarios in which these situations could happen! I hope and pray I have helped even if it was in a small way!

...then he shot himself

Imagine being 19 again…

There was a guy, considerably older than I was, who was stalking me. The term “stalking” wasn’t used back then. But that is certainly what it was. We worked together in the military. I was military police and he was an investigator. He followed me around where I worked. Every single day. I felt like I was under surveillance. He would send me a bouquet of roses almost every day.
One night about midnight, he came to the guard shack I was working and started chatting with me. At one point, he just said “I love you and can’t live without you” and pulled out his gun and shot himself right in front of me.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion after that point. He slumped over the steering wheel of the cobalt blue sedan. I could see the bloody exit wound on his back. His right arm was limply splayed over the center console. Blood was splattered everywhere. When the bullet exited his back it pierced the upholstery of the drivers seat, right at a stitched seam.
This really messed me up as you can imagine. I was actually under investigation for the shooting, because of bizarre circumstances that surrounded the incident. He did live. It took years to heal from this attempted suicide that happened in front of my eyes.
Fast forward to many years later. There was a young girl at youth group, who was going through some very difficult times and wasn’t talking about what was wrong. Finally one night on the phone I cornered her and told her she had to tell what was going on.
She said “I can’t tell, no one could understand. Have you every seen someone try to commit suicide?””
Well, I could truthfully answer, “Yes I have, let’s talk about it”.
No human mind could have ever foreseen that conversation. Only God In His infinite wisdom, knew the truth.
So, who am I? Just another face you see everyday.

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it 

the seed of an equal or greater benefit."

Napoleon Hill

Art, Art I Love You...

Who am I? I am a creative artist.

I worked with designing stages to portray messages and experiential moments to draw people closer to God. I loved soaring on the top of a ten foot ladder, creating and designing in the air. It feels like flying to my heart.

Now, I am no longer implementing these designs. It's a new season in my life. I am still going to design occasionally and have other implement. This was a design we implemented for Resurrection Sunday (yesterday).

Basically, in my heart I am still an artist. Waiting to see where the next step on this journey will lead me.