I’m continually amazed and inspired by the kindness of so many people in our community. Acts of service are numberless and I feel overwhelmed.One such act was a gift from artist Patricia Christensen.
Several months ago I told Patricia how much I loved her work. Within a month she called and said, “I’d love to paint your family.” Of course, we couldn’t turn such a priceless gift down.
We joined Patricia and her husband Ladd at Wheeler Farm in Midvale, Utah. They took several photos of our family and over the next several months Patricia worked her magic.
The other evening, Patricia and Ladd unveiled her painting, which now hangs in my hospital room. I knew parting with her piece of art was a sacrifice, like sending off your child to college. She spent months on every detail.
As I lay in my room staring at the painting, which captures our little family several months ago walking down a path, I’ve humbly and gratefully titled the piece “Facing the future.”Thank you Patricia Christensen for your act of kindness!
View Patricia Christensen's Art Gallery
That is an awesome painting. We love it. We continue to pray for you and your family. Thanks for sharing you story with us.
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI have the chills, what a BEAUTIFUL portrait.. What amazing talent, I could just cry it is such a beautiful piece of art. Were praying for your family, I am so absolutely humbled by your expressions and kindness to let us all in your life at such a difficult time for your family. Hang in there were praying for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful painting! I have always wanted to be able to paint like that! We love you Paul and are continually praying for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful! What a gifted painter. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful painting and symbol of God's love for your family. It's inspiring to see how angels on earth reveal His perfect love for us in difficult times. Our prayers are with you and your family, Paul.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful painting of a most beautiful family!!!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog from TodaysMama's site. I am praying for you and your family!!!
Wow, it's absolutely beautiful, but then so is your family!
ReplyDeletePaul, That is beautiful. What a priceless gift to have. What a blessing. The world is full of wonderful people.
ReplyDeleteStunning!!! That is an incredible story and the painting such a priceless treasure!
ReplyDeleteLovely painting! What a talent. Have you heard this quote... "There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something tomorrow." - Orison Swett Marden I saw that today and thought of your family. Are you ever able to break out of your room and go to sacrament on the third floor. It's a wonderful experience if you are ever feeling up to it.
ReplyDeletePatricia perfectly captured the light of heaven radiating upon your beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteWhat love...now and for all eternity--a forever family.
Absolutely exquisite! She has captured Edens sweet little face perfectly. That is such a priceless gift and you are so deserving.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better today.
Stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift!!!
What a treasure!!!
Paul, Just found your blog through a friend. I thought I would drop you a note to let you know that we will be praying.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has congenital heart disease, secondary to Down Syndrome...she had one surgery in Hong Kong (before I adopted her).
I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through waiting for a heart. I don't know what else to say, except I will pray. Keep the faith!
And the painting is AMAZING!!!
What a gorgeous painting, of such an amazing an gorgeous family. I KNOW you will be looking at this painting for decades to come!!!
ReplyDeleteShe is an amazing artist. She seemed to capture the essence of your spirits. The sweet love of your wife and the longing look at your daughter. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful painting. You are in our prayers and thoughts and have touched our hearts as you share your story.
ReplyDeleteStunning! What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteYou're in our prayers, Paul. I hope you continue to be lifted through the power of the Atonement. Your testimony is such an inspiration!
-Emily Busath Murdock
That is such a precious gift. The painting says it all! May God continue to bless you on your journey.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's so beautiful. She has an amazing gift. So glad you have this painting. Someday if we ever strike it rich I want to have a painting done of our family on resurrection morning when we will have our Wyatt again. It's the day I look forward more than any other day. We will be a complete family again. I'm so glad she was able to share that talent with you. I'm so grateful for your musical talent that you share with everyone else. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful painting of a Forever Family.
ReplyDeleteWe had a grandson born with Biliary Atresia, and he had a liver transplant at 7 months of age at Primary Children's Hospital. He just started Kindergarten this year. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I continue to enjoy your musical talent with my collection of your CD's.
wow, just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi. My son is recovering from open heart surgery in the room across from you. I have a little something for Eden. I'll leave it with our nurse. Our prayers our with you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. My husband enjoyed your testimony Sunday :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure...I love you!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a beautiful beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning....so poignant and full of meaning. BEAUTIFUL!
ReplyDeletePaul, I am your second cousin. Your dad and my mom (Lynette Cardall Mitchell) are first cousin's. I met and spoke with your parents at my Uncle Dan's (husband of JoEllen Cardall Taylor) funeral 2 years ago. JoEllen is in touch with your dad and has been keeping the family informed of how you are doing and we have started to follow your beautiful, inspiring blog. We Have been praying for you every single day. With love and prayers, Kerry Mitchell Strom and family
ReplyDeleteI stumbled upon your amazing blog the other night and have been so captured by it. We live in Michigan but send our thoughts and prayers from afar. My son, Tommy is 8 and he was born with HLHS and then had five open heart surgeries. He got listed for transplant June, 2008 with very high antibodies so a match was not likely. He was also on 24/7 milrinone for 6 months but then we 'got the call'..June 3rd, Tommy received his miracle. It was a long summer of recovery and ups and downs, but he is now home and just went back to school for the first time in over a year! I pray that your miracle will come soon too. Your family, faith and blog are so very inspiring.
ReplyDelete..Colleen
cp: thomasearl
Beautiful painting! Beautiful family. Prayers that you will have a long wonderful future to face as an amazing family here on earth! Prayers for you and yours Paul!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL!!!!! I LOVE IT!! What an amazing treasure!
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me...but I think of
ReplyDeleteyou and your family often. Pat is a
long time friend from long ago in Wa state and as special as she seems. I send part MY heart...for you to keep hope and faith, and for the loss of your brother, who I read about and know he was a special man, who's death was a travesty. If I could help,I would. Just know, you make me want
to be a better person.
Linda Daniels in Wa state. Eden is
amazing.
Paul, Lynnette and Eden,
ReplyDeleteI suspect there are many people out there that you do not personally know that feel a strong connection to your family, be it through common religion or life with a CHD. I am one who shares both, and watches from a distance as your family endures the great length and magnitude of this trial. I have never planned to comment on your blog until this morning as I listened to Elder Eyring's talk on adversity as I was on my daily walk. Your situation weighed heavily on my mind as Paul, as you wait in your hospital bed I hope that you find comfort in knowing that your example to others reaches beyond that what you can see and that many are anxious to someday thank your family for your inspiring example!
wow-- such love from Patricia. An heirloom!
ReplyDeleteWhat a BEAUTIFUL picture! I think it captures your sweet family perfectly!! Love it love it! Also I love your CD Living for Eden, so beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Megan Young (I work with Lynnette)
What an awesome painting! And the title couldn't be more perfect. :-)
ReplyDelete