Givers 1.1 - By Needle and Ink.

I want to discuss giving. I believe the act of giving is an inherent trait of our identities in Christ. Christ is the embodiment of perfect theology, and he made giving a major component of his Earthly ministry. Love and selfishness do not go hand in hand. A selfless heart hoards nothing.

Before I can really get at my thoughts on giving, I need to share some stories about provision. Miracles in their own rights, these stories demonstrate the giving character of Papa. They should help to set the mood, energy, spirit feel, mojo, feng shui, whatever, for our giving chat.


Givers 1.1
Divine Provision by needle and ink.

Winter wanted a tattoo.

After stepping out of the workforce for several months (and thriving, I might add), she hadn't had extra pocket cash for anything more than essentials. Let alone a tattoo.

Winter, Rabbits, And Special Agent Dale Cooper.
Photo by: Winter Rain X 

"Connect me with an opportunity to get a tattoo," she asked God one day.

Shortly thereafter, she and her boyfriend Esa took their dog Cooper to the vet for vaccinations and a checkup. It was not a stress free experience. The appointment was made by Esa's mom without their foreknowledge. For fear of backlash from the doctor, they declared Cooper a German Shepherd Mix. Winter was feeling less that comfortable, and wanted little more than to bail on the entire operation.

"German Shepherd, huh?" The veterinarian raised her brows while looking over Cooper's charts. "I'm going to go check with doctor and make sure these vaccines aren't going to be harmful for her."

When Ms. Vet returned, Winter decided Cooper's health was too important for secrecy. "She's a hybrid wolf, not a german shepherd," she confessed.

"I know," Ms. Vet replied. "I've worked them before." From there, the conversation took a much brighter turn. They spent a moment sharing wolf stories and getting to know each other. Then, the assistant noticed Winter's tattoo.

The nearly finished "Hybrid Moments" miracle tat.
Photo by: Winter Rain X

"My sister is doing an apprenticeship, she's looking for people to tattoo," Ms. Vet said. It was the circle of rabbits on Winter's arm that initially grabbed Ms. Vet's attention. Her sister has an affinity for rabbits. Before being allowed to tattoo clients, she had to successfully ink three people: herself and the women who are her masters. On herself, she tattooed a gorgeous and whimsical White Rabbit. "She likes doing meaningful pieces. Do you know Steamboat Island?"

Winter and Esa live on Steamboat Island. The vet's office was 20 minutes from their house. The tattoo shop, less than 5.

Shortly after meeting Ms. Vet, they set off for the tattoo shop to meet her sister, Annelisa. Winter brought along a jewelry box full of dried flowers and four-leaf clovers, an idea she was thrilled about, and no clue how she was going to fund the work. But she'd asked Papa for opportunity; the least she could do was give it a shot.

Winter and Annelisa discussed the design and collaborated on sketches. It would consist of several dried flowers and clovers chosen from her collection, as well as the the title of a Misfits song, "Hybrid Moments." The piece would go on her thigh, near a cluster of small scars she wanted the artwork to subtly accent.

As the design came together and Winter shared her motivation behind each element, -- stories behind each of the collected dried flowers, her prowess at four-leaf clover hunting, the significance of the song "Hybrid Moments," the wolf the words pay homage to, -- the more excited they both became about setting to work.

Annelisa was a professional illustrator for 12 years before leaving her California home to pursue her dream: tattooing. (You can see some of her work on her blog.) According to her masters' policy, her first 10 clients, which she and her masters chose together, received their tattoos free.

Winter was her 10th and final free tattoo. After four sessions, the finishing touches were inked last week.

*3/22/13 
I would like to note that Annelisa will soon begin the third session for a jellyfish on my leg, and in a week or so will begin a year long project for a squid on my husband Jeremiah's arm.

As we left the most recent consultation about the squid, Jeremiah and I mused about the origins of Annelisa's last name. "I've known one other person with the same last name," I said. "A girl name Cassandra I played violin with from sixth to tenth grade." 

Yesterday, I happened to be on Facebook when Annelisa (my tattoo artist and pal in Olympia) commented on Cassandra's (my old pal from Kennewick) status update. "Woah. Do you guys know each other?" I asked. 

Turns out, they're cousins. All things considered, the coincidences in this story point to mystery indeed.