i met 50 wounded soldiers today.

A many of you know, Rich and I are currently living on a military base in San Antonio while he is undergoing treatment for lymphoma. While there have been many adjustments, overall it has been a very good experience. I love being close to the hospital (which will be especially handy when Rich starts radiation and has to go for treatments every day), close to the commissary, close to the PX, and close to others who are also here for long-term medical treatment. It is encouraging.

However, another cool thing about being here is the people who just want to help. I have been so blessed by the selflessness of many who give of themselves, whether it be time, money, or both, in order to help the wounded warriors and their families. It would take me hours to describe all that they do! However, I want to tell you about one particular lady, Sally Lincoln. She is just so awesome, and her heart is so genuine. She is an artist, and a very good one at that, who hails from Colorado. She has been here for almost TWO WEEKS painting wounded and sick soldiers. She spends up to 12 hours each day painting as many as six portraits. And she asks nothing in return. This is her gift to these men and women. This is all on her own dime, from travel, to hotel, to food, to supplies. Her goal is to paint 100 soldiers before she goes back home. As of this morning she had done 50.

This is not the first time Sally has done something like this. She has also painted portraits of many veterans in Colorado, as well as people in other countries. You absolutely MUST visit her website. I spent a long time looking through it the other day. I love the notes she has to go along with some of the portraits. It makes me feel like I am meeting the person, rather than just viewing them. I can’t wait to see all of these new ones up on her website!

I was honored to spend part of the morning with Sally today as I helped her photograph each of the 50 portraits she has painted here at BAMC (Brook Army Medical Center) so far. Each one represents a man or woman who has made a significant sacrifice for me, and I can’t be thankful enough. As Sally brought each painting to me, I studied the face of that precious person and breathed a prayer for him or her. What a sweet job I had this morning!!

Here is the portrait she painted of Rich last week. I LOVE it!! I love the bold colors and strokes she uses in her work, and I love the character it portrays. It rocks.