As James Maxton cemented and grouted the seven angels, he underwent a spiritual transformation. A diabetic, coming off drugs, James suffered pain and swelling in his feet. He could only work three hours a day. Once every hour, he would limp back to his house and bathe his feet in ice. It wasn't until he completed the icons that James saw the beauty of what he had created. "I got all choked up," he says. "For me it was a spiritual awakening, just looking at them, seeing the people all around looking at the angels, too. I like to say I was reborn in that garden. It was my personal resurrection."
In your nature
eternal Godhead,
I shall come to know my nature
And what is my nature, boundless love?
It is fire,
Because You are nothing but a Fire
And You have given humankind
a share in this nature
for by the Fire of Love,
You created us.