the worth of a soul

there is a framed picture in my friends apartment that i am absolutely obsessed with and finally last night i asked her the name of the artist.

I've been searching for a large picture of this that isn't framed (mostly because i dont like the frames they are selling it with) but i can't find one except for this one you can get unframed but only at 22.5x16 i was hoping to find one a little bigger.. :-/ hmmm..

i really love it.. don't you?

it is by Liz Lemon Swindle and the art work is called The Worth of a Soul

here is her story of the painting...
When Mothers Without Borders approached me about going to Africa, I told them I was not interested. For me Africa was a world away, “and besides,” I thought, “I am too busy.” Imagine my surprise when I found myself on a plane to Zambia in June 2007.

One of the first children I met was Kennedy, the little boy you see in the painting. At three years old he has lost both of his parents to AIDS and was found living alone with his six year old brother and ten year old sister. When I thought of those three children struggling to survive and the millions of others across Africa in similar circumstances, I felt an overwhelming hopelessness and said to myself, “No amount of money can fix this.”

Later that day while we were filming, Kennedy jumped into the arms of the man portraying the Savior. As I stood watching them, Kennedy turned towards me and our eyes met. At that moment I knew it wasn’t hopeless. I realized that the Savior can fix not only the problems of Africa, but of the whole world…and we can be His hands to do it.

Looking back I realize that my reasons for not wanting to go to Africa are likely the same as yours. We are busy and feel like we cannot make a difference, but I know now that neither is true. We are never too busy to lift another and every good work is known to Him who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of…these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” - Liz Lemon Swindle

compliments.. from the mouth of Carl McGown

as abraham lincoln said "everybody likes a compliment"

or from the mouth of mark twain "I can live two months on a good compliment"

quotes like these make receiving a compliment so true.. especially when they're from great people.. one for example carl mcgown. (famous in the volleyball world)he's been helping coach our volleyball team this spring and when
he speaks--you listen--then do what he says.
he rarely gives out compliments and when he does you can seriously live off of that for 4 months instead of the said 2.
he knows volleyball. he travels the world and helps pro teams and olympic teams. His favorite place to travel to is Switzerland (he loves the mountains.) but he has been to or has lived in Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, and Japan just to name a few...

anyways to move along with my story Carl and I have a fun relationship..
he pretends to dislike me and pick on me..
but deep down I know he likes me
a few encounters we've had recently:

carl: (talking to the team about overpasses) "next time someone overpasses you have to do 5 digs, the second time you'll do 10 digs, the 3rd time 20.. and you (pointing and looking at me) I hope you overpass 4 balls..." (i just laugh---like thats going to happen)

at the end of practice -- me: "hey carl.. you didn't have to hit at me. I never overpassed..."

carl: "Hey little rugrat come here! (trying to be all tough and give off the scary vibe) .... you played well today (and smiles)"

wait. time out!
was that a compliment!?
what a monumentous day.
he is either getting soft being with all these beautiful girls everyday at practice...
or i did play well..
no matter what is true
i'm putting it in the books.
thanks carl!