Surely goodness and mercy...

This week was my last week of this summer session, it was busy. I had three drawings in my anatomy class and about 50 pots to finish for ceramics. The drawing class wasn't too bad. I spent a good bit of time on the drawing but not to excess. I wasn't pleased with the final drawing; I could have worked on it more, but the class is over, so oh well. The pottery class just took it out of me this week. I ended up watching the kilns Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night, to make sure our pots finished and were fired correctly. The kilns had to be turned up or down about every two hours, so I stayed at the school every night...so I didn't sleep much...all week. The pots all got finished, and for the most part they looked good. Everyone's pots were ready in time, and everyone was pretty pleased. So I take it as a success.

I'm working this weekend, twelve hour shifts. It makes for long days, but I'm taking the opportunity to draw...things I want to draw, not what I have to, so its good. I got through about half of a portrait today. Maybe I can finish it tomorrow.

Tomorrow night after I get off at 7, I'm driving to Van Buren. It is well overdue. I haven't been home since before my trip to Haiti. I am excited to spend time with Mom and Dad, and to go up to Fayetteville and Springdale and see all of my 'family' up there. It will be a packed week, but I'm going to try to rest some, too. I have three weeks off before classes start back, so I'm going to try to take advantage of every free moment.

I hope everyone has taken the time to read my last post and say a prayer for Tony. He is progressively getting worse, it seems, so the Collins' family needs all the support they can get. Just keep them in mind.

Also, my good friend Felisha had a beautiful baby boy last week almost three months early. He is tiny and still in the hospital, but doing well. I would appreciate the prayers for Baby Isaiah, too.

Thanks for reading. I love you all. It seems an encouraging verse is appropriate today (one I included in a letter to a struggling friend today, so its on my mind).

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23: 4-6