Count It ALL Joy

Yesterday, the community of Leland gathered around the family of my sister, Jill Kattelus, to raise awareness and funds to help her husband, Bob in his fight against Brain Cancer.  Named "Forever Dig Abby", the fundraiser was started a few years ago to help Leland student, Abby Gross, with the challenges of Brain Cancer as well.  Last night's event was amazing, filled with love, appreciation, and the great compassion that this small town community is known for.  A bake sale, a silent raffle, and a 50/50 raffle were part of the evening, all taking place during the last Leland Girls Home Volleyball game of the year.  This too was significant because this volleyball team holds a special place in the the Kattelus Family's hearts.  Jill & Bob's daughter Kati, a recent Leland graduate, was a member of the 2014 team who went all the way to the State Finals.

I had the privilege of painting the piece, "Count it ALL Joy" for this fundraiser.  It is based on the scripture from the book of  James 1:2-6, which encourages -

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

I chose this title because the fishing tug that I painted is named "Joy".  As the last working commercial fishing boat in the historical Fishtown fishing fleet, its a great draw for the tourist and resort population, and it is an icon for the community of Leland.  As my husband and I pray daily for Bob's healing, I knew I was to name the painting after this scripture verse as an encouragement, and as reminder of God's amazing and tender love in such situations as this.  Not Coincidently (I believe), the lady who began the "Dig Abby" fundraiser, Jane Lang, is the daughter of the the man who build and Captained the Joy.  Also, little Abby Gross had a motto, as she battled with this disease, and it was "Choose Joy".  Now add to that: the woman who bought the painting, (a friend of mine and a client of Bob's) told me that, besides the beauty of owning the painting which was painted for Bob, to hang in the house that he designed, it has special meaning because her daughter is named Joy!   

Stories are told to encourage and remind us, and to hold on to important moments in our history.  Yesterday - many special moments overlapped with a beauty that only God can choreograph.  It is a little breath-taking!  May we carefully listen to ALL that He is saying through this moment in time.  And through it all - may Bob Kattelus feel deeply the remarkable outpouring of love from the Community of Leland - and from God Himself.