Weird Trees part 1
by sandihester
“…and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12
My nephew LOVES this verse. It’s one I’ve been teaching him. We’ll be looking outside or playing outside and the trees will be swaying back and forth and he’ll SCREAM “trees clapping their hands!!!!” (he’s only 2 years old) and I’ll say, “that’s right Aidan, and who are they clapping their hands for?” His reply has got to be sweetness to the ears of my Savior, because Aidan will scream at the top of his lungs “JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” (he kind of shrieks at the end). Yes, Aidan – they are clapping and praising the name of my sweet sweet Jesus. Aidan doesn’t even realize that he has just joined in with their praise. How precious to hear the name of Jesus come so joyfully off the lips of a 2 year old. May that Name always come off Aidan’s lips in praise. May he take that Name to the nations one day and make His Name famous.
Here is a strange painting of some trees. It’s a different technique I was playing around with one day. I love how the colors turned out. I have another one like it I’ll post soon.
Sandi Hester 
Yes – God would HAVE to love Aidan’s screaming! Thanks for such a sweet posting – and I love the technique you used with painting these trees.
Amanda
(Aidan’s Mommy)
Hi Sandi – I stumbled upon your site this morning. Susan Moffitt had shared with me about your paintings – they are amazing and they exhalt Him. I am sure your paintings are inspired by the Holy Spirit and you probably don’t just force any of them – but as I was looking over your site, I started wondering if you might could see what you would be inspired to paint as you read of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. You may or may not know of our family and my precious boy, Ryan. He had a brain tumor and required radiation as part of his treatment …. as a nurse, I knew all of the terrible side effects of radiation on a young developing brain and my heart was broken that he would have to go through this ….. as soon as I hung up the phone with the doctor informing me of the treatment that would be necessary I began to tell my husband all of my fears and how I had hoped and prayed radiation would not be needed …. the Holy Spirit immediately spoke to my husbands spirit …. “Shadrach, Meshach, Abednigo …. they endured the fire – came out of the fire and their bodies had not been harmed – not a head on their hair was singed – their clothes were not scorched – there was no smell of fire on them.” I truly believe God was speaking to us – reminding us He would be in this fiery furnace with Ryan – reminding me He would never leave him – and that He was perfectly capable of protecting Ryan’s precious little body. Anyway ….. just tossing this out at you. I have been praying for ways to help Ryan remember and to fully understand all that God has done for him … for us – as a 5 year old – a blessing is that he won’t have much of a memory of all that he has endured …. he doesn’t even see any of this as hard. But, I want him to KNOW all that God has done in his little life – I want that scar on the back of his head to bring nothing but glory to the Living God! As I looked at your site – I thought what a neat way to share this story with him as he grows older with paintings. FYI – Ryan’s personal favorite is David and Goliath. I would gladly pay you – well, maybe we might should talk price beforehand :). Pray about this and see where He might lead. I love the painting of Psalm 5:3 – that has been a verse I cling to during this – He has been teaching me to wait with an expectant heart – trusting I have a Father who wants only good things for my family. Thank you so much for your time ……. Mary Lee Carrigan
Mary Lee, thank you for the very kind comments! Susan has spoken often of you and has told me about Ryan and his struggle. I love your ideas – if any of them make it to a finished painting I will contact you. I LOVE the idea about the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. I’ve already started rolling ideas through my head – however, that doesn’t mean it will turn out on paper like it is in my head – I’m never quite sure what will turn out and what won’t. I have definitely been inspired! I promise if any of these come out presentable I’ll get in touch with you. Thank you again for the kind words! I hope we get to meet at church face to face – I’ll have to tell Susan to introduce us!
Hi Sandy – I too am praying …… I believe He placed the idea on my heart as I looked at your paintings ….. when I sat down at the computer that day …. it wasn’t to find your site :). We shall see what He has in mind. I’m excited and I know that if it happens it will come from Him. I am jealous you were in Colorado – glad you had a wonderful time!! We went on our honeymoon there – I was going to live there, but then I met my husband ….. I still try and tell him we are supposed to live there :). Actually – I know we are exactly where we are supposed to be for right now. I like that song too – He can move our mountains and He does ……. I see it over and over again. (I guess you figures out I meant that not a hair on their head was singed ….. I should proofread more often!)
Mary Lee, I’ve actually come up with some sketches, but nothing that actually works yet – I’m still playing around with it – we’ll see what happens. You’re right – if it’s meant to be the Lord will show me what it’s to look like. I’m usually just as surprise when a painting turns out as anyone – the gift is definitely from the Lord – no skill here! I’ll let you know if anything turns out. I’m glad you sent another comment, because with the trip I forgot about the sketches I made – I’ll have to get those back out and work some more on them! We talk about moving out west all the time too – we LOVE it out there. We go skiing a couple times a year out there. It was beautiful this time of year!
You paint like I draw. I love to focus on the shapes created by the shadows and lighting. This picture is very cool!