The Best Christmas Present Ever

I found myself only doing what my heart and soul guided me to.  I felt like this was part of my calling.  Although I didn't know at the time how time consuming and labour intensive this project would be, I'm ever so glad I did it.  I did it for the children, teachers, the people who visit the school and I did it because I wanted to.  My kids are so blessed to attend this amazing school.  My last few years of hardships and trials has led me to this crossroad and I am so thankful for what I have endured, as it has lead me and my children to this school.  I truly believe everything happens for a reason.  Nothing is by chance.

The mural is now complete.  I've captured the progress as best as I could, with the help of my daughter who found it ever so satisfying to sneak away during recess time to help me paint and snap few pics below:

The larges blank canvas I've ever had.... aside of "my life"

Outlining with painters tape to get the basic idea and visual before the rough lines went up

painting the lines... I used a 2D type idea, not exactly to dimension but it does the job

one of my helpers

another helper, a school mom Nadine 

more of my helpers, and while they were up on the ladder I've captured some odd translucent shapes under the scaffold, check them out below

if I didn't know any better they look human, more helpers?  angels watching over us, spirits of the past?  

almost all images had "orbs" in them.... almost all

another helper working so diligently 

check out the size of that orb

moi :)

me again... took a pic of myself up on the scaffold

Kendra's idea of "look at me mommy"

more then half way done, it felt soooo good to be done up to this point, few days in

I don't mind heights, thank goodness

work work work

I felt such soothing presences the entire time painting and working away, especially as I painted the church, I kept thinking about my grandma, who LOVED God sooo much

my girly helping mommy

She loves to paint!!!!! LOL

before the stain glass window outlines

before the black outlines of the stain glass

Life continued daily as I worked, the score board was 1918 but now that I look at it, it looks more like a YEAR of 1918.  Hmmmm!!  

I just love how it all came together.

The stain glass outlines are complete.  Look at how it pops.  Love it.

It is an almost replica of the Brant Community Church.  I took actual photos to come up with this very resembling design of one of the church windows. 

we did a temporary cut out as the blank space will be filled with a bible verse.....

I will post a another blog more then likely to post more photos of the musical.  

First of all, I still can't believe that I painted all of this (especially with my bronchitis at it's peek and I was so tired and weak)  and secondly I cannot wait for the Christmas concert/musical to perform on stage.  It's going to be magical and I'm sure I'll shed a tear or two.  I'm so excited to see the kids.  Listening to them practice and listening to the piano playing in the adjacent room was sooo soothing. 

I couldn't have done all this without my student helpers, Gretta  Hannah, Luna and Jay (spelling pending), and another school mom who lend a hand.  Thanks so much to all of them. 

The Best Christmas Present Ever is only the one we can possibly give with our hearts.  It has completed my year following one of my simplest rules lived by, "give more and expect less".  The best things in life truly are free.  :)

God Bless,

Janette