It is our pleasure to introduce Helen Gentz of HelensCorner as this week's Featured Artist. Helen lives in Indiana, where she screenprints and sews Scripture-themed baby items.



"Chosen" Baby Bodysuit with Flowers

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My name is Helen and I'm a follower of Jesus Christ.  I'm 35 years-old, married to my wonderful husband Joel of 7 years.  We have 2 wonderful children, Joshua (4), Elsie (2) and Baby #3 due at the end of October.  My husband is a pastor, which makes me a pastor's wife... but don't let the "title" fool you.  I am human and imperfect like any one of us!  I was born and raised in Brazil, but my family moved to the US when I was 15 years-old.  Having moved a lot while growing up, then attending college in Seattle, grad school in Chicago, then moving to Cleveland and now Goshen, Indiana, I KNOW how CHANGE & TRANSITION can impact one's worldview.  So I rely on the truth that God is never-changing, always consistent, and sovereign.  Being a wife and a parent also teaches me to be the consistent person they need me to be.  And once again, I rely on God's strength, grace and daily mercies to get through each day.  

After my son Joshua was born in 2009, my mother-in-law gave me a sewing machine.  I also got a home screenprinting machine, and at that time, I was just doing simple home projects.  Then I noticed that most of my son's onesies were blank and "blah".  One day while I was nursing Joshua, an idea came to mind.  What if I could share the love of Jesus and WHO WE ARE in HIM by printing those messages in my son's blank onesies?  So I came up with my very first designs... the truth that WE ARE "Loved", "Blessed," "Wonderfully Made", and made "In His Image."  The rest is history... and it's been a blessing!

About 5 years ago, the house we lived in had a finished basement. It was literally the “space” I had in my home to get some quiet time. The far “corner” of that basement became my working area. It was there that I learned to sew, began crafting, and eventually became my creative “studio”.



"Authentic" Psalm 139:23 Baby Onesie

 

I would be in Leeds,  England, where my sister and her husband live.  They moved there a few years ago and I haven't had a chance to visit them, yet.  Not sure if only one day would be enough, though...

I have several, but one that I always go back to is "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Where else we can find you on the Internet?

by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks

So what really counts? Depends at how you look at life. I recently read a book written by an amazing man who was dying of cancer and had accomplished more than I probably could have in three life times. The book was a combination of leaving a legacy to his young children (who, being so young, would have little memory of him) as well as his way of encouraging others to follow their dreams. I found the book interesting and felt he had a great outlook on life. After all he stayed positive, encouraged many people and helped them to discover, as well as follow, their dreams. Even knowing he was dying his focus was on giving to his family and friends. And really that is all that counts, right?

What really started me thinking about this was after reading HelensCorner’s blog post about attending a tractor show. It contained wonderfully sweet pictures of the event with her husband and son (he is a cutie!). She ended her post (click on this link to read it…you’ll smile: Tractor weekend) stating that her son and husband had a wonderful time and “sometimes that's what counts.”

She is so right… sometimes to wallow in the joy of a family… enjoying the gift of that moment is all that counts. The picture is of grandchild #3 and me spending an afternoon together. We did a little weeding (until she got a mosquito bite and decided it was not worth the threat of getting more), watered plants then plucked some cool looking leaves, painted them, pressed them onto paper and made wonderful creations (the picture at the beginning of this post is the painting I started that afternoon).

When I read Helen’s blog and I thought to myself… yes, sometimes that's what really counts. Then I was reading that book which I enjoyed the author’s theories and tenacity in life but as I got closer to the end… closer to the end of his life (the book was completed prior to his death) my heart sank as I realized he did not write with an eternal perspective. The beautiful legacy in his book he was leaving for his family would equip them for living in many ways but gave them no gear for eternity. To me, though noble from a worldly perspective, it was tragic the efforts he put in to be remembered and to make the transition for his kids easier when he died but yet not leave them the legacy of a Father who would never leave them or forsake them.

Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?
Heb 13:5-6 (the Message)

We will all be gone one day. We hope our love remains with each person we care so deeply about but my prayer is not that I will be remembered by my children or grandchildren but that the God I love would be remembered and embraced as their own. If I have left them embracing and loving the Lord, I will know that I have left a beautiful gift with eternal value. I will have left them a gift that will equip them for anything and everything that they will encounter.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:3 (NIV)

Because truly… that's what really counts!








In His image bib by HelensCorner












Family custom caricature by AmbieandAshiesArt













Guy necklace by ShadowCutter












Christmas ornament by DuctTapeAndDenim












Double hoop earrings by NeboBeads











Christian adoption t-shirt by tellitees














Knitting row counter bracelet by jeanettejed













Monogram wall hanging by PamperMePlease











Christmas photo greeting card by PhotoGreetings