VOSS...This is one of my favorite pieces. It took GRAND CHAMPION at the county fair and a first place at the Wyoming State Fair. The piece tells the story of my husband's great grandfather who was an early missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He left his family, a pregnant wife and several children to go to Germany to serve the Lord. He was an immigrant to the United States from Germany so his missionary trip took him back "home" to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with friends and family he had left behind. The people of his mission loved Brother Voss. His wife Annie supported him with faith in the Lord's choice to send her husband on this mission and by sending her love to him in her letters which sometimes included a little money. If you look closely at this piece you can see a copy of one of the last letters Brother Voss sent his wife thanking her for the $16.00 she had sent the last time she had written to him. She was as important to his mission as he was. To show appreciation some of the members in this German mission purchased a Dresden doll and sent it home with Brother Voss for his sweet and patient wife.
This couple displayed such faith in the Lord and such love for each other that I felt the deep desire to create an historical piece which might tell this story. I included a photo of the family he left behind, a picture of him as a missionary and a picture of the couple in their old age. As I work on the layout and the frame, I could feel the spirit of these people encouraging me. I was near tears at times as I reviewed again and again this wonderful family story.
I love telling these stories with my art. I especially love telling the uplifting and moving stories of families. I love listening to people tell these stories to me then as the spirit moves I create my art. I really love it!!!
Leah Voss
No comments:
Post a Comment