4/09 Story Behind my Jeremy picture and painting

2 days before the Worship Roadshow in Dallas, I was inspired to paint a pastel that I felt connected with the Mercy Me song "Finally Home". I have had CCM artists sign my paintings in the past, but this one felt special. For one thing, my oldest son is in the  Army, and I had taken a picturre of him hugging his dad the first time we saw him after his enllistment.  

Andy's favorite artist is Jeremy Camp and he currently is stationed in S Korea. so the combination of the song and painting along with Jeremy at the same concert ...lead me to the concert...so to speak. Also, please understand that when I paint I listen to KLOVE and CCM worship music. So it is  at those times when I am creating a paintiing and listening to CCM that I feel an influx of ideas ...? impressed on me.  So, off to the concert I went!

In that 2 day period, my allergy symptoms were leading to an asthma attack. I was worried I'd be too loud with coughing. LOL Yeah right, like that was a problem in the American Airline Center in Dallas with a sold out event!My coughing riding to the concert was severe BUT my coughing stopped. Later to restart...when I left the building. Bizarre - but true!

Now picture 20,000 people wrapped around a big building. I drive into a parking garage and there is a space open in the first section...like it's waiting for me. I get out of the car and tote my portfolia with the pastel inside and stop to ask the parking attendant where I should go to get this painting signed by the artists. I had opened the case for him to see it first. He said go around the corner and go to 2nd door labeled Press Door. Ok,  at times like these, getting up to talk in front of people or people of some importance, I say, "ok Lord hold my heart and my hand" like a child.

In the back of my mind, I'm awed becausse here is "little ol' me going across/through the thick line (doors haven't opened yet) saying "excuse me. excuse me". And sure enough - there's a door there. Ok,, deep breathe...and I go in.

There is a people scanner and a guard at the entrance. "Okay Lord,now what do I do?". Again, I open the portfolio on the 4x8 table and explain I'm looking foor Jeremy Camp, Mercy Me and the other artists to sign this pastel. Oh, and I also have the pastel of just Jeremy alongside for them to see I'm a professional artist......and I'm proudly displaying my Camp Crew pass to meet with him. But I couldn't meet the Jeremy's crew member before the show as planned because of how it was set up. So, I like to think I was given a special lesson in learning to be patient - and literally follow His lead.

Well, it was interresting going through the process of who best to say if I see the artist before the show and I test of don't get discouraged. Because the little girl in me started to think, "okay Lord if I shouldn't be here - just let me know and I'll leave" with the trusting sense that he'll let me know.

  Finally, I connect with one of the Roadshow managers  and he takes me seriously and says, "you know this would have been easier if you had called ahead of time" I feel bewildered and said, but I can't plan inspiration, the picture just came to me 2 days ago". HE smiled an lead me to a private elevator whhich lead underground to a "family" room with tables were I guess tthe VIP families can eat prior to a concert?

I walk into the room and the only people in the room in Mercy Me and 6-7 VIP people talking and getting pictures, a couple crew members....and me. For me ...that was a little overwhelming. I was told to place my painting on the table with pens/pastels ready for them to sign.

This was happening 20-30 minutes before they were going on stage! Mercy Me starts signing and I mention to one of the band members I was working in labor and deliveery the day he broought his wife in took have her baby. He thought he remembered me but I said "no, I wasn't assigned to her - so I let you have private time". Funny how God brings us together,huh?

In the meantime they are getting Jeremy (who was in prayer time with his band prior to performing). Jeremy is a special young man. I'm so proud of him like, he's one of my sons. Jeremy and I talked and I shared a special story from a Teen MANIA CONCERT that connected an Indian student at the University campus who could hear - at that time his music- and me leading him inside to listen. Cool huh? Again God is amazing!

Jeremy left tko go on stage (around the corner from this room) and I noticed Bart leaving the room and I thought "whoah, I should get a couple pictures"! So, if you go to my Facebook you can see that picture.... and of course Jeremy's to your left on this page.

If you'd like to see the picture I pasteled of Jeremy and the verse he wrote and signed -got to my website   drawnbythespirit.com 

I plan to write other blogs on the stories behind my paintings.

Please share your special stories with me! It bringsa me joy to hear how God is interacting with you in your life. What I call "special moments".