The Lord builds the house

Hi everybody

The gallery is open! There's more artwork to go in and I still need to do all the labelling and pricing but the door has been knocked through, the sign is up and people are having a peek! here are some more photos of the final touches and the finished space.

Des gets started on the back wall

The Gallery entrance

The finished space

Skater Jesus by Des Rountree

Canvas by Jonathan Cunliffe, photos by Derek Ellens

Paintings by Dave Fisher

My grip tape

So there's still work to do but it feels good to have the room open so people can see what's been going on. Last weekend Tricia came and prayed in the space and gave me these verses from Psalm 127:

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.

² In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

I can spend all hours of the day working on this project but unless God is at the centre of it, there's no point. He need to build this into what He wants it to be. I'm so glad God keeps reminding me what and who this is all for.

The Heels on Wheels girls skate sessions are going strong, the last couple of weeks have been so much fun, super encouraging and are really helping us to get to know each other.

We have been praying for an indoor warehouse in which to build a skatepark for all the skaters in the local area. We asked God for a space near the shop, not over $500 a week, long and thin and with only a year's lease. And one has presented itself! It meets all those requirements plus they are willing to put a clause in the contract so that if there are complaints and we need to leave, the contract is voided and we're not tied in. It seems such an answer to prayer. We are holding off on it for a few weeks to pray further, certain that God will tell us whether or not to go ahead.

Des is off today on a 9 day trip to Darwin. He's taking a small group of local skaters up there to be a part of the Impact world tour, running competitions, demos and speaking in schools. Please pray for him as he leads this team, pray for safety and unity for the team and pray for all the youth they will come in contact with.

I was interviewed for a friend's website back in the UK a few days ago and it's already gone up online, you can find it here: www.gemgirls.co.uk. I'm so proud of my friend Amy and what she's doing through G:EM. She's so passionate about girls growing with God and I'm inspired every time she tells me about all the things they're doing.

I'm getting involved with the running of an event coming up - Wakeskate Wonderland. If you're not sure what wakeskating is, check this video out:

In it's second year now, it's the biggest wakeskate event in Australia, my friends Andy and Willsy run it and have asked me to help plan it. It's from the 18th - 20th August and basically people buy a ticket, come to the cable park, camp and ride there for the three days during which time we do competitions, boat sessions and entertainment. They are hoping for around 50 riders to attend so there's plenty to do to prepare. My job will be to be the overseer of things during the events. Andy and Willsy will be in charge overall, I will be the person people come to with questions or problems, watching everything and making sure jobs are getting done - I'm super stoked to be involved. It's going to be awesome! Please pray for all the preparations, there's so much to do and lots of logistics including flying in pro riders from all over the world.

So that's all for now, please do let me know if you would like me to pray for anything. Thanks so much for all your help and prayers, please pray that I would be patient and continue to pursue God's answers for things on my heart.

In Him

Claire