Angel Crosses (Ann)

One of our neighbors, Lisa, is an incredible artist and I happened to stop and talk to her as I was walking Nala one day. She shared with me that she makes crosses every year around Easter and sells them during the year to spread her Christian faith. Each cross is handmade and decorated with beautiful shells arranged to look like angels. I knew that I just had to have one for my daughter who already has such a love for the outdoors and nature (and in whom I am trying to instill a strong faith) so I arranged to go over to her house one evening to choose one.

As I looked at each cross and tried to choose one as a gift for my daughter for her 18-month birthday, I asked if there was a special story about any of them and she shared with me the story of how she found the fossilized oyster shell that she had used on one of the crosses. She told me that she had been walking along the beach in the Outer Banks after a hurricane and saw an abundance of beautiful shells that had washed up from the storm. She was so filled with joy and excitement as she filled her bags! Soon she had no bags left but was so filled with joy that she started to fill her shirt so that none of the beautiful shells would be left behind!

Her story really struck me as I reflected on all that my daughter and I had been through during her short lifetime--no matter what storm we had faced, God had always been ready to rain beautiful blessings down on us and the joy that I had felt in those moments was akin to Lisa's joy as she collected all of those beautiful shells on the beach that day. I now tell my daughter the story of the oyster shell and God's love and mercy as we look at the cross in the living room displayed near her play yard--what a beautiful, tangible, daily reminder!

If you are interested in purchasing a cross for yourself or a loved one (or any of her other beautiful artwork), Lisa's website and Facebook page link are included below:

http://SaltyRoseRenderings.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SaltyRoseRenderings/