The Wood's Secret Garden

Many of you know that I have been working on a line of dolls inspired by Sonia Singh's "Tree Change dolls". I have decided to create 100+, one-of-a-kind little dolls, which should be ready this Fall--just in time for Christmas  We have finally settled on the name for this line of dolls and are currently working on the packaging. I will be keeping the price affordable with a portion of the proceeds going to ministries fighting to abolish the sex trafficking of little girls.  If you want to be notified when the dolls are finally ready, please go over and "Like" my "Wear the Word" product page.  This will ensure that you will receive notification.  Thank you so much for doing what you can to support this effort.  Go HERE and LIKE to be kept updated

When Sonia revealed her marvelous "Tree Change Dolls", as well as, her DIY videos teaching the world how to transform "Bratz" dolls into really cute, wholesome dolls (that actually look like real little girls instead of, well,  I can't find the right words), it seems like everyone with any creative bone in their body decided to give it a try for themselves. Michael and I stopped by a Thrift Store after church one Sunday and low and behold, there were 6 Bratz dolls.  Needless to say, I went to work on them right away.   For those of you who don't know about this "Bratz" transformation frenzy, it is simply a new Up-cycling DIY craft project where you remove the Bratz faces and hand paint brand new fresh faces and dress them in more modest, realistic, clothes.  Here are a few side by sides of my effort followed by pictures of my first six dolls. I cannot believe how much fun I am having playing with do...

Sometimes everything is just right.  The lighting, the shadows, the colors, and the timing.

I have actually never met Elle from South Boston, face-to-face. In 2012, she had me hand paint a pair of boots for her and through that we became friends and have kept in touch from time-to-time over the past three years. Some years, we may have only touched base a couple times. The other night I was thinking about Elle (for no particular reason.  She just popped into my head).  Since I was thinking about her, I sent her a quick email letting her know that I was thinking about her, and crawled into bed for the night. Littl e did I know, that all the way in South Boston, Elle had been painting her fence, inspired by the pictures she had seen of our move to this little mobile home.   When she read my email, the next day, she was blown away at the timing.  She sent me a few pictures of what she had been doing the very day that I was thinking about her.  There was Elle, holding a picture she printed off the internet of my fence, as her inspiration.   It...

One warm and sunny afternoon, only weeks after arriving in California, we invited Deni over to the apartment for a late lunch. We were gathered around the table. My back was to the far wall and I was facing the sliding glas doors which lead out to the balcony. As we were enjoying a wonderful meal and delightful converation, we heard the most unusual cracking, popping noise. As I glanced up, I could hardly beleive me eyes. It was as if things were moving in slow motion. A 50 foot old oak tree, which was growing on the opposite side of the creek, was actuall falling towards the balcony. Michael and Deni, hearing the noise, also immediately turned to see this huge tree falling towards us. It appeared that the top of it would come craching down onto the balcony. We all sat there almost bracing ourselves for the impact. As it hit the ground, the sound was that of an explosion and it shock the entire apartment. It did, however, miss the balcony by at least 10 feet. Phew! T...

Five years ago today, I was in North Carolina sitting in Alamance County Register of Deeds Office, signing a Marriage License with Michael in preparation for our wedding the next day. Although we had corresponded for over a year and a half, long distance, we had only been in each others physical presence for approximately 21 days before the day we were to marry. The past five years have been th e most wonderful years of my life. Michael is an amazing man! There has not been a single day that has gone by these past five years that he did not begin the day by leading us in prayer and I have never placed my head on the pillow at night without him praying before we fell off to sleep. My relationship with Christ is what gives me joy - My relationship with Michael is what brings me happiness! I love you,  Michael Wood .

Each year for our wedding anniversary (which is in May) we purchase a living plant to plant in our garden.  Last year we purchased a "Bleeding Heart" and planted it in our new yard at the Mobile Home Park.  Here is how it looked last year:   It was really beautiful while it was in full bloom; but, once it lost all its leaves it was a twisted mangle of dry wood that I almost thought we should chop down. While watching everything else grow, bloom and flourish in our little garden spots, the "Bleeding Heart" was showing no signs of life.  Just last night, we were discussing whether or not we had room to plant an anniversary plant this May and I mentioned that if the "Bleeding Heart" is dead, we might dig it out and replace it with something else for our Anniversary this year.  Just last night, I truly believed that it had no life in it. Early this morning I went out back to check the basil and the tomatoes to see how they were coming along and as...