On the black side I stained it a dark walnut color and painted black walnut trees, nuts, stone tools, black berries, mulberries, poke-weed, walleye fish and butterflies.
     Walnut trees are the last to get leaves and first to lose their leaves. Their leaves are yellow just before they fall. 
     This is part of a red, yellow, black and white four-directional wine barrel I am working on for the Loudoun County wine barrel challenge.
     The design is a Native American medicine wheel shape representing: east, south, west and north with things Native American Indians first grew and contributed to this area and the world.
     The black side of the wine barrel represents the West and "introspection/death."
     One of my mother's favorite foods is black walnuts. She can no longer eat solid food. She has dementia and is slowing entering into the West.
      I believe in death there exists the possibility I will see my mom there one day, and my father and brother. 
     I was always taught, if you share a butterfly with someone, it means you want to spend eternity with that person. This side of the barrel has lots of butterflies representing hope for eternal life for us all with our loved ones.

Berryville VA - Face painting is a unique fine-art ministry that can lead to amazing miracles.

Heart of a Pastor and his Flock
     “Desmond Herbert a young man in his 20's attended the National Night Out, to raise money to buy a pace-maker for his Pastor Bill Swope, (who preaches at the Wesleyan Chapel in Berkeley Springs, WV),” explained René White (Feather) who volunteered with the Native American Church of Virginia to do Art in Nature™ face art during the local National Night Out event Aug. 5.
     "Desmond was the most amazing person whose face I painted." she added. "I am never surprised who Creator God sits down next to me to face paint or who sets their table up next to mine in the park."

Hearts of Women for Women
     The Laurel Center team who set up a table across from René are now partners with the Native American Church of Virginia, thanks to their meeting during the National Night Out event.
     Leslie Hardesty sexual assault program coordinator and Melanie Bounds domestic program coordinator shared with passion how no one should live with violence nor the fear of violence. They empower victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing emergency housing, advocacy, support services, and education. (Facebook)

Heart for Our Neighbors
     “We believe a Mighty Hand helps orchestrate possibilities for us all,” René said. “We are excited about this new opportunity to help Desmond raise money for his pastor’s heart and help their hearts of women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence.”
     "I believe Great Spirit leads people into our lives and us into their lives for a purpose,” added René.  “We love our neighbors. And this is one small way of doing something about it.”

Heart for the Native Way
     As it began to rain and everyone left the park, then walked over Tracey Pitcock and her daughter Tiffany and son.
     Tracey has experience running Pow Wows and Tiffany is a Native dancer. Their whole family have Spirit names. They are of Cherokee.
   "We were the last ones to leave the park. We are connected in an amazing and providential way that cannot be explained on a computer," René said. "As we stood in the rain and looked at the clouds, I knew this is the beginning of a beautiful new friendship. I'm glad I listened to "The Call" to volunteer."

About National Night Out
      National Night Out is a community awareness-raising event held across the nation on the first Tuesday of August to support the local police, fire and rescue first responders.
      Local police and fire departments invited families to Rose Hill Park to celebrate the nation-wide event and meet & greet our emergency responders. The event featured free food, activities and information about community services.  
     Representatives from the local fire and rescue and state and county police showed equipment and shared safety tips. Representatives from the local health department, social services and animal shelter also participated.

Special thank you to Sue Peoples for helping the Native American Church of Virginia during the National Night Out. Her relentless friendship
and gift of joy are priceless.

A God-Sized Dream    
     Art in Nature™ is a Fine Art Ministry and Outdoor Door Classroom at the Sanctuary on the Trail.™ René White (Feather) is the art instructor.
     Her God-sized dream is to help people of all ages explore spirituality and Native American culture, in the world of art in an outdoor classroom setting. She teaches classes literally outside in nature, along the Appalachian Trail in Bluemont, Virginia.
     She is an unpaid volunteer.