"One Thousand": Part 2

A view from laying on the floor beneath the installation looking up.

6:00 AM Saturday morning:  I awoke somehow refreshed and ready for installation.  I couldn’t wait to see this go up!  Chris decided to tag along for the day so we left around 8 am and began hauling boxes in.  Sarah joined us and as we were deciding how to begin we were asked to come to a Live 360 opening breakfast.  We were there a half hour or so and then headed back to the installation site.  It took us some time to figure out how to hang each rectangle on the first row around the square grid.  We took in to consideration the height from the floor of the first row as well as how clean the faces of the rectangles were.  It was a process of flexibility for sure. 

​While up on the ladder, the engineer at Gateway came and asked how the grid was working out.  He had built it for me and I was blown away at how perfect it was for the piece.  It was definitely a God thing.  Sarah and I recounted that no where were we concerned about that piece.  God had it under control indeed.  After chatting a bit, talking with a few friends that came by and processing the next rows, we slowly got the engine running.  By noon, we were in full installation mode and again I was not about to stop now that I was focused and in the groove.  Sarah and Chris took off for lunch and then came back to start laying out groups of 10 that would add up to 1000.  As they approached 900 we couldn’t believe we had strung that many the night before and when all the counting was done, we only needed 58 more!  It was amazing considering we still had a small box full of rectangles.  So Sarah and Chris made quick work of the rectangles and then Sarah climbed up the ladder to help me finish out the piece.  By 4 pm we had placed the final rectangle and were off the ladder staring at the installation overwhelmed and in awe. 

​In moments like these, I have a loss for words.  I marvel that the idea in my brain that God so unique put there and the combination of the work of these human hands could create something so breath takingly amazing!  Maybe that sounds egotistical, but I don’t mean it to be.  I really do stand in AWE and marvel that God would use me to create that.  That object of beauty and meaning.  A piece that will speak to the need for mentors. 
A week later a friend of mine text me and told me the piece inspired her to become a mentor again once she was finished with her professional test / schooling.  I was again amazed.  It was doing what I had intended it to do. 
I learned that I need people around me in this project.  I need their support and help.  That Friday night at 1:30 am I went to bed feeling LOVED like I have never felt before.  All these people helping when they didn’t have to.  All these people staying up late to help when they could’ve chosen otherwise.  This, this is what I desire to bring to other artists and to see artists do for one another.

So where do Sarah and I go next?  Only God knows, but I am praying for more opportunities and open doors and hope someday that people will value artists, not just as givers but also as tradesmen and women choosing to sponsor or support them in their artistic endeavors.

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Sarah and I happy to have the project complete. It was intense.