About

“Labor of Love”... it is a phrase that was an answer to a quick childlike prayer shortly after I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. I was a single mom and my son Brian was 2. I was just beginning to do portraits and desired to work from home so I could be with him. I casually asked God, “If I ever had a business what would I call it?” Immediately in my spirit I heard “Labor of Love”. I had never heard that phrase before and I never knew that God could speak an answer to me like that. That was in 1991. Since then I have learned so much more about what love truly is.

The Bible says that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I have always had a desire to share this love through my life, work and art.

Approximately 5 years ago I had been trying to find a concise way to describe the purpose of my art. One night while worshiping to a song by Charlie Hall named “One Thing” the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, “that is to be your mission statement”. The words were this, “All of life comes down to just one thing, to know you, oh Jesus, and to make you known.”

In late 2004/early2005 God added a new and exciting element to my “Labor of Love”. He began stirring my heart to travel to Mozambique, Africa to serve Iris Ministries on a mission trip. Those who knew me then know how impossible that was! I traveled with a team from Encounters Network led by Michal Ann Goll the first and second time. I then attended Iris’ "Holy Given" Missions Training School from June – Aug 2006. I returned with another team led by Michal Ann Jan 29th  2007. I stayed on for 2 months with the focus of establishing an arts training program in Pemba. I was formally accepted as a long-term missionary with Iris Ministries as of April 2007. Living in and loving the people of Mozambique is definitely something I was made for. Jesus continues to ask me to follow Him in the seemingly impossible, but all things are possible in Him! I heard this said somewhere years ago and wrote it down. (I do not know who taught it) “The will of God will …require a miracle to happen, …use all of your talents …be something you could see yourself doing for the rest of your life.”

Another of my favorite quotes is by Frederick Buechner. “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

I will be able to go and serve in many ways with Iris Ministries but my main focus - area of service - will be to love the precious children. While I do this, I will teach art. These children were previously orphaned or abandoned, many beaten and violated. Now they have found a home and family in Jesus! I have dreams of God using creative expression to touch, transform and heal hearts, bring financial provision, even change nations!