For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8)
From an early age Laura has enjoyed drawing. In 1989, the year of her salvation, Laura was in art school fulfilling her dream, but recognizing a conflict, she left. In 2000, Laura returned to art school with the intention of pursuing a freelance illustration career. Attending Rhode Island School of Design she trained in Natural Science Illustration with a concentration in ornithology – the study of birds.
“I was finally going to have that freelance career I had long desired. But above that was a greater desire. For many years my prayer had been Philippians 3:10 ‘That I may know him and the power of his resurrection…’ In July of 2004 we moved from my life-long home of New England to DeLand, FL so my husband could fulfill his dream of attending Bible school. When it became clear that we were headed to Sierra Leone as full time missionaries I wondered about my own dream. But the choice was not really difficult; I knew I wanted God’s will for my life more than I wanted my own. When we left for Sierra Leone in November of 2009 I took my easel, my drawing table, and I packed a few basic art supplies thinking they might be nice to have just for occasional personal use. I never dreamed what lay ahead! Now at almost 50 years old I am doing what I always wanted but the ‘pay and benefits’ far surpass any freelance career I could have pursued.”
This excerpt is from a ladies’ meeting given in August 2011 at Laura’s home church. To listen to the full address, please click here.
*Please note that due to some recording errors, a portion of this address is a studio recording*
