Reflections of 2022

At some point during the past three years, I realized we are not playing the same game anymore. I’ll dive into that more in my next blog. With this realization that the game (the times we are living in) are changing rapidly, the Holy Spirit has been leading me into new ways of doing things.

When you own a business or ministry, there should be a gradual evolving into new things. With several things like my classes, there has not been another model for me to go by, so it truly has been a step by step leading of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve taken a class, you know what I mean!

As I’ve reflected back on this past year, my heart is filled with gratitude for the many opportunities of ministry that I’ve stepped into. I so value the trust that others have put into what we are being led to do.

Here are some highlights of what the Lord did in and through our business. I wish I could share individual stories, because those are what matter most, but those stories are for those people to share. We had so many more God moments than I could ever number, and as a community I see each of us moving closer towards maturing and growing into all God wants for us. What a blessing to walk alongside of so many amazing people, and to have a small part in their stories of overcoming and becoming the person God made them to be.

Highlights:

• Continued to do monthly art classes with Switch (a local organization that helps people out of sex trafficking)
• Spoke at several conferences and events (Special thanks to Called to Peace, SC Aglow, and Georgia Shaffer for allowing me the opportunity to minister to your groups.)
• Had the honor of sharing part of my testimony with Adena Hodges on her podcast called “Testimony Mountain” on YouTube.
• Ran several 6 week art classes called “The Invitation” Encounter Class
• Established the monthly Encounter Art Class
• Met with many one on one, prayer ministry time, which is the greatest thing to see someone encounter Jesus and who He has created them to be
• Created several commissioned art pieces and reproductions
• Taught special themed encounter classes for events
• Published a new book, “The Bride Arising: A Vision of a Bridal Journey”
• Painted live at two youth events, which was challenging, yet a blast!

My reason in listing these things, is to give you more of an idea what we are about and doing. I’m grateful for each opportunity, and for the beautiful people who I’ve met along the way.

As we look to a new year, I’m reminded that each day is a gift. We can use that day to please ourselves, to live for ourselves, and what matters most to us. Or some of us can just mundanely do the same thing every day, without thought much about it. Or we can live the gift of today with thoughtful intent to reach out and love someone else that God has placed in our lives. I want to do the latter as much as I can.

Make each day count by loving those in your life well, and you will find yourself surrounded by those who love you in return. May your 2023 be filled with the gifts of friendship, identity in Christ, and knowing how much you are loved and cared for by God. You matter. Your story matters. Make it a great one!

Much Love,

Carolyn

Embrace the Baby

Playfully, a new friend of mine changed her voice as she mimicked the tones of the shepherds, the wise men, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and even the sheep as she individually held the pieces of our antique manger sitting on our coffee table. We belly laughed as she retold the story through cracked, chipped characters tip tapping the glass top through the hay straw.

Joseph and Mary stood staring at the holy infant keeping their distance with their hands crossed over their chest in a stiff, lifeless stance as Baby Jesus lay still in the most holy, untouchable way safely tucked a few feet away.

“Oh, Look at the Son of God laying there. He is so holy,” said Joseph in her deep, husky man’s voice.

“Yes, Joseph. Isn’t Jesus so perfect?! Don’t touch Him,” Mary sighed in my friend’s best squeaky high voice, “Just look at Him.”

The shepherds and sheep stood at a distance. “Such a wondrous sight. The savior of the world. The angels just told us about it. But we will stand over here so as not to disturb Him.”

The sheep said, “Bahh!” in return. We laughed again.

As the giggles died down, I turned to face my friend and said, “But isn’t this how most people really treat Jesus, and the whole Christmas story? Isn’t this how most religious institutions have portrayed the Messiah? Someone to be seen from a distance – holy, perfect, untouchable. Seen, but not touched.”

She sighed, “Yes, babies are meant to be cuddled, embraced, held close to your heart. They melt the hard things inside us when we do.”

And it’s the same with Jesus. He wants you to hold Him close to your heart, to let Him into the deep places inside of you, to allow His love to melt the hard.

Yet, to do so, we must embrace Him. We must open our hearts to receive His love, trusting Him that His love will be safe.

We can stay at a distance admiring His holiness, and perfectness, making Him untouchable. He won’t force us to come close, but if we refuse to, we will never truly know Him, never truly know His love.

Love is not sterile. It’s not distant. It is so intimate, so close, so vulnerable – kind of like holding a newborn in your arms – close to your breast, against your heart. So, close you hear each others heartbeat. This is the way Jesus is meant to be embraced. One with you. One with Him.

And His love will heal you. It will embrace you back. It will soothe, and melt your heart, giving you a new heart. His love will accept you, and show you who He has created you to be all along, from the beginning of time. His love will set you free.

Will you draw close to Jesus this Christmas?

Take a step closer to the risen Savior. He is not in the manger any more. He is alive. He came to give His life for you, because He loves you.

Love compels us to pick up the baby in the manger, to embrace the baby close to your heart and let Him melt all the hard places away.

He loves you so very much!

Merry Christmas!

Socks for Jesus

A repost of my favorite Christmas story

By: Carolyn Charismata Weaver

“Blue light special on aisle nine.  Children’s shoes for ten dollars,” boomed the man’s voice over the speaker.  Shoppers turned their buggies eagerly towards the ominous blue light spinning around and around illuminating the narrow aisle.

Sarah, my three year-old, and I continued our Christmas shopping for her daddy and baby sister ignoring the people pushing by. 

Passing the Christmas trees decked in colored lights, we slowed down, as she declared, “Pretty Mama!”  Then she clapped her hands to “Frosty, the Snowman”, as I pressed the red nose of the famous character for the second time.  The toy’s hips swung back and forth in rhythm.  Commercial Christmas in all its glory shone before us.

“Need to get moving,” I muttered to myself. 

Turning my attention back to the duty at hand, I asked, “What do you want to get daddy for Christmas?”

With an inquisitive expression, Sarah tilted her head to the side.  “But mommy, it’s baby Jesus’s birthday.  What we get Jesus for Christmas?”

“Hmm.  You are right,” I said, “What do you want to get Jesus for His birthday?”

She paused for a moment.  “Socks,” she said, “Socks, Mama.” 

Puzzled, I said, “Why socks?”

“To keep His feet warm.  They must be cold in the stable.” 

“Of course.  You are right,” I said.  “Off to find warm socks then.” 

With all other gifts forgotten, we strolled to the sock aisle.  “How about these, sweetheart?”  I held up some multi-colored socks for her to see, but she had already spotted the ones she wanted. 

Pointing, she said, “No, Mama.  Those over there.” I brought the brightly colored, fuzzy socks closer for her to see, as she was firmly strapped in the buggy. 

“Yes, those.” 

Handing them to her, she held them tightly as we finished our shopping.

Later that evening, she helped me carefully wrap the precious gift in a small box with bright green paper and a red bow on top.  “To Jesus.  Love, Sarah” the tag read.

“Hon.  What do we do now?”  I turned to my husband for advice, after we tucked Sarah into bed. “If we have a birthday party for Jesus, and He doesn’t show up, then what?” 

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my head, “I know.” 

“What?” my husband said.

“We will find one of those live nativities and let her leave her present there.”

Surfing the internet, we frantically searched to find one in our area.  Sure enough, God provided:7:00 p.m., that coming Saturday night. 

A couple of days later, I bundled the girls up in their matching red, wool coats their grandmother had purchased for them, pulled hats over their ears, and placed gloves on their fingers.  After buckling them into their car seats and handing Sarah the precious treasure, we were off to wish baby Jesus a very Happy Birthday.

Her sister snuggled close to my chest in the baby carrier, while Sarah held tightly to her daddy’s hand with one and proudly to the gift with the other. My sister and five year-old nephew met us there to join the celebration.

Abruptly, Roman soldiers stopped us at the theatrical entrance to Bethlehem,  “Why have you come to the city tonight? “ they grunted. 

Innocently, Sarah peered up in their harsh faces, “To bring baby Jesus a present,” but daddy quickly added, as he cleared his throat, “To pay our taxes, of course.” 

The guards snickered to themselves, as they said, “Welcome to Bethlehem then.”

Shuffling by quickly, we paid our pretend taxes at the next booth, and then made our way through the city in search of the baby. 

Past booth after booth we walked, each selling spices, hand-woven cloths, whittled wooden toys, or other treasures. The smells of fresh bread dipped in olive oil, sweet dates, and sheep filled the air.  Daddy took the gift from Sarah and tucked it under his arm, as Sarah and her cousin explored the wonderful treats.

“Look, Mama.  The shepherds!”  Sarah exclaimed. 

Sure enough the shepherds stood in the field watching over their sheep by night.  Suddenly, music began to play, while behind the shepherds, spotlights lit up the sky.  A man dressed in a white robe with golden, make-shift angel wings attached to his back appeared, declaring the good news that Emmanuel was born that night. Sarah jumped up and down clapping her hands with joy, while her cousin chased a stray sheep.

“But where is baby Jesus?”  Sarah asked, turning to me.

“I don’t know, sweetie.  But maybe we should try to find the innkeeper.  He would know,” I said.

Behind us at the gate, the wise men filed in with camel in tow.  “Maybe we should follow them to find where baby Jesus is,” daddy wisely added.

“There’s no room in the inn,” a man dressed in a cape and sash said, as he halted us from following. 

“But I have a present for baby Jesus,” Sarah said, as she cautiously pushed it forward for the man to see. 

“Hmm,” the man replied, “You have heard about the baby, who is said to be the new king.  We must keep this quiet from the Romans for they would seek to kill a King of the Jews.”  He bent down almost whispering in Sarah’s ear.  “Come then, little one.  Come see Baby Jesus.”  Sarah’s eyes lit up as he allowed us to pass through his door.  “Go out through the back, to the stables.”

The wise men were just kneeling, presenting their gifts to a young mother cradling a baby in her arms.  Joseph stood watchfully to the side. Illuminating the perfect scene, a shaft of light beamed into the heavens behind them.

“Oh, Mama.  We found Him,” Sarah whispered. 

My eyes brimmed with tears.  “Go ahead, Sarah. Go to baby Jesus, and give Him the birthday present.” 

Timidly, she approached, gently placing the gift at Mary’s feet next to the gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

At that moment, her cousin overcome with the desire to also bring a gift, began to sing, “Happy birthday, Jesus.  I’m so glad it’s Christmas.  All the tinsel and lights, and the presents are nice, but the real gift is you.”  He spread his arms wide open for dramatic effect. In turn, we all joined in.

Mary’s eyes filled with tears, as Joseph smiled. “Thank you, precious ones,” she said, “Thank you for these beautiful gifts.”

Sarah ran back to our arms.  “Do you think He’ll like it?”

“Oh Sarah, Jesus will love it, for He loves you,” I said.  We snuggled together, as her daddy leaned over kissing her on the forehead. 

“Time to go,” daddy said, but as we solemnly walked away, I glanced back to etch the image in my memory. 

For years, we made the same trek to find Baby Jesus, but as the children got older, new traditions replaced the old. But I will never forget that first holy night when heaven kissed earth, and the song of joy broke through our darkness.

The Healing Flow of Creativity

I was the kind of child who was always looking for a way to escape my reality – looking for the ancient door to the wardrobe so that I could step into Narnia, where enchanting trees spirits, lively dwarfs, and talking animals made my painful realities all fade away.  

Somehow in the process of growing older, of coloring between the lines and living by the rules, especially the religious ones, the creative fantasies disappeared like a mist vaporizing.  Trauma, worries, concerns, cares of this world, even our logical thinking can bring the creative flow to a halt.  

But not so “In the beginning…” 

Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning, God created…” And a few verses later, mankind was made in His image.  We were created in the image of our creator who created all things.  The first instructions He gives His new creation is “Go procreate.  Go cultivate.  Go name the animals.  Go take care of all of this new creation.  Go be fruitful and multiple.”

This is what co-creating with God means to me – to allow His creative power to flow through us to bring His image upon the earth.

In a state of worshipful mediation, I heard the words, “You don’t live by the rules anymore.”  

When we are young, we have lots of rules to teach us, protect us, and to help us learn.  Yet, as we grow older, maturing into adults many of those rules aren’t needed anymore.  God says that He will write His law of love on our hearts, and that this is the new place to live from.  

It was the temptation to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that brought death in the first place.  Mankind stepped away from the Tree of Life, and partook of the Tree of Knowledge: the tree of living by the rules, the regulations, of the law that kills, the knowledge of right and wrong.

Children are born with the ability to create and tend to be very creative.  We are made in the image of God.  He is the master creator.  I believe everyone has some God-given ability in them to create whether it is gardening, painting, cooking, working with computer, fixing a car.  It’s in us.  

Yes.  As children, we need rules and boundaries to help us to mature and to grow up healthy.  “Don’t touch the hot stove.” is a rule that can keep our fingers from experiencing the painful burn of heat.  We need to learn right from wrong, and that there is truth and laws that govern our world.   

As we grow up though, maturing into into adults, we come to a place in that maturation process where we should step into a new place of being governed by the law of love written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  When we learn to live from the law of love, there is the return of the freedom flow of living from the Tree of Life.  

However, children also learn at a young age, many times by a well meaning adult or maybe a not so well meaning, that thinking or coloring outside of the box or the lines is wrong, squelching creativity.  We learn to live and operate from places of fear of punishment.  We learn to live in boxes – in those self- or other- imposed boundary lines that are controlling us through intimidation.

Trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, fear, anger, unresolved issues in our heart cloud, suppress, and even destroy our ability to create.  

To create beautiful things, there must be some framework of trust in us.  Trust is built through loving, safe relationships.  In intimate, trusting relationships creativity flourishes, because the fear of failure evaporates.

I still remember the day I was teaching an art class to sex trafficking survivors.  One lady began to cry as we were finishing up a painting.  I thought somehow I had triggered her, but instead she began to tell a piece of her story.   As a child, she loved to paint and draw, but her abuser threw her art supplies away, and forbid her to be creative.  Through her tears, she said this was the first time since then that she had created something beautiful.  This unlocked something in her.

That’s what allowing creativity to flow happens in us.  It unlocks things.  It unlocks places in our hearts, beauty, our dreams, ambitions.  It also can unlock areas of pain, which we then can give to God in the process and let Him heal.  

Life is not about following rules of do’s and don’t or coloring in the lines.  It is about a free flow of stepping into the river of life, and co-creating with God.  The only boundaries of the river are His love.  

It might look messy.  It hopefully will look and feel child-like.  But most of all, my prayer is you feel encouraged and connected with the Master creator, learning to allow His creative power to flow through you bringing healing and wholeness to your heart, mind, and Spirit.

As I was spending time with the Lord today, I felt God whisper this is my ear for you.

Child,

I am the master creator.  I created everything with my breath, formed the mountain, hung the stars, spun out the solar systems with my words.  Be and it was.  Every living thing, every living creature was formed in my magnificent heart, hand crafted by me.

Mankind being my most glorious of all creation, after my own likeness, you are made in my image.  You are made to be creative, to create and bring to life the wonders I placed inside of you.  

The enemy wants nothing more than to destroy the creative process in you, to squelch the beauty within waiting to burst forth.  

Trauma, fear, anger, stress – all these things put you in a shut down, self protect mode which keeps you from engaging and living out of me, living out of the freedom of the creative life giving flow.  Like blocks damming a river, preventing the flow of life.

Your enemy comes swiftly at children to shut down their creativity to steal their God-given ability to connect with heaven, with good, with me through their imagination.  But I want to restore your child-like faith.  I want to clean your holy imagination screen, to fill your mind-eye with light, so you can see again.

In the creative River, there is a flow of ideas, light, life, freedom.  There is no right or wrong here.  There are no rules.  The only boundary is love.  Every creative drop flows out of love, out of life, joy, peace – from living in the tree of life.  

Don’t be afraid of making a mistake, of getting it wrong, of seeing something wrong or bad.  If you do, just bring that back to me, let me heal where ever it is that is causing you pain.  I’m not going to condemn you.  I simply love you.  I know where you are in pain, what needs my touch.  I am healing you.  

These are healing waters of creativity that are yours to step into.  So, jump on in. I’ll meet you in the middle of the waters to jump and play and to wash all the pain, sorrow, and lies away.  

I love you, little one.  You are sensing me.  Dance in the river of creative love.  Music, arts, books, all forms of creativity flow from here…

Engage.  Encounter me.

Love,

Papa

Check out the new monthly encounter art classes where we learn and grow in this creative flow together!

Coming Up for Air: Updates and Other Fun News

Ever feel like you are coming up for air after holding your breath for a long time? Or like the buds pushing up through the cold, icy snow at the first beckoning of spring? The last few weeks have felt like that for us.After a couple of family emergencies, which took some effort and time to work out, and several other things that came all at once, the snow seems to be melting, gradually. Life can be like that sometimes.  Yet, we watched as the Lord faithfully guarded, helped, and provided. Faith building times for sure. Even today, I filed a police report due to a scam against our business. The officer I talked to just happened to be the husband of an old friend of mine. It was as if I could feel God smiling, “I’ve got this.”  Like a treasure hunt, I’m learning to look for how God will show Himself faithful. I’m remembering to ask the question, “Lord, who do you want to be for me in this situation?” I still forget in the moment. I still get caught up in the confusion and chaos when the storm rages at times. Yet, I’m learning to slow down, take the deep breath, ask the question, and trust God to come through.  Sometimes seasons are hard. Sometimes those waves feel overwhelming. Jesus is in the boat though. Whether He calms the storm or rides it out with us, He will never leave us, nor forsake us. So… What has been going on, besides police reports?   In January and February, I was busy teaching two amazing “Encounter” classes. Again, these classes have far exceeding my expectations in how God has shown up to heal brokenness, encourage us, and speak identity to us in ways only He can. I’m super excited to see how these will expand out. As a result of the success so far, we will be offering a monthly subscription for ongoing classes beginning with the first Saturday in May. These classes will be the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.  You will have life-time access to all the monthly subscription classes, as well as access to an ongoing fb group where we can support each other on our journeys, and where I will be posting ongoing helps and resources.  The cost will be $15 a month, and will be available for sign ups May 1st on our website.    You can jump in at any point.  So, though we will be learning and growing together, they will be more stand alone classes, where you won’t be lost from one month to the next. I will also be doing a free fb live class around Easter, as well as I will be teaching an in person break out session at the upcoming Called to Peace Conference in Ridgecrest, NC.   They have a fantastic ministry to help domestic abuse survivors, so check them out at http://www.calledtopeace.org. Guess what else is coming? As far as The Encounter Class that is based on “The Invitation”, I will be teaching another six week session, beginning in June, and I’m starting the process of doing a prerecorded set that you will be able to purchase access by the beginning of June, if the online, interactive isn’t your jam.  I have to say though, we have had such beautiful encounters with each other and Jesus that I know I don’t want to miss out on that.   Guess what else is new?  Yes, there’s a little more! I also have a new place for you to order prints, mugs, cards, and even shower curtains (yes, that’s what I said) of your favorite paintings from our studio.  We even have some logo gear now.  I’m in the process of getting more artwork up there, but The Tree of Life and the logo gear is ready to go.  So, check it out!    You can access this through our home page. Well, that’s quite a lot for now.  😊.  Have a beautiful Easter, Resurrection Day!   May you be filled with all the love of Jesus and every benefit He died and rose for you to enjoy! Much Love, Carolyn “Charismata” Weaver

Thankful for 2021

Thanking the Lord for all the new and wonderful things He did through our business in 2021.
Thank you so much for your support and being apart of the journey!

This is a quick run down of what we did in 2021. It was a year of growth and stepping into new things. Here you go!

This past year we have been able to continue art classes at Switch (local ministry that helps end sex trafficking), also had classes with Celebrate Recovery and Grace Church Recovery.

We have published two books, “The Invitation” (a devotional encounter) and “A Sheep’s Tale” (a children’s Kindle book). We also have published quotes and written works in two other books. (“You’ve Got the Wrong Guy” by Lisa Meister and “Untwisting Scriptures: Book 3” by Rebecca Davis.) Blogging also has remained an important way to reach out.I

I painted several prophetic art pieces and had a few commissioned pieces as well. So fun!!

The doors opened to speak several times on sharing my story on heart healing and encountering Jesus.

I developed and taught the first Encounter Class resulting in some choosing into a more in depth heart healing journey.

My daughter taught children’s art classes over the summer.

So grateful for all the opportunities for new growth!

Looking forward to the new in 2022!

And don’t forget sign ups for the new Encounter Class will end soon. We have a few more spots available and the sale for $100 is on through Jan. 2nd, and if you bring a friend with you, take an extra $25 off of the class for you and your friend. Hope you can join us.

Mistletoe Kisses

“I’ll be back in a bit, hon,” my new husband shouted back over his shoulder, as he hurried out the door of our small apartment.  

“I wonder what’s he’s up too?”  I pondered.

An hour passed, and my mind began to race wondering what trouble he might be getting into.  We had been married less than a year.  Our small Charlie Brown Christmas tree leaned in the corner with the few ornaments we had inherited from our childhood dangling. 

An antique ornament of Mary and Joseph in a faded yellow dome took center stage on the front of our tree.  

My life was completely different now.  

I never really thought I’d ever get married.  Didn’t think anyone would ever want me.  

Yet, somehow I’d always dreamed of having a healthy, happy family one day.  An unrealistic dream, I thought – something so unlike what I had had growing up.  

During the first few months of our young marriage I had found myself pacing the floor at night unable to sleep.  Trapped.  Trapped by a piece of paper.  A covenant I had agreed to be with this one man I had dated less than a year for life, but as the months had passed, I had begun to settle down a bit.

My eyes fell on the simple manager scene under the tree.  An uncertain young husband, a newly wed wife holding onto to a promise, and a baby – a vulnerable, innocent lamb.  They had a dream too – a dream that this child would one day save the world.  

The scuffling of feet at our door returned my attention to the thought of “Where is Paul?”  Someone bumped the door, then knocked.  “He has a key,” I thought, but I got up to see who it was.  
But then his muffled voice confirmed.  “Open the door, hon.”  

The crispy air nipped my cheeks as I swung open the door to a man with a grin beaming from ear to ear.  In his arms, he held tightly the largest bundle of mistletoe I’d ever seen.  My fears melted into joyful shock.

“What in the world?” I stammered.
He pushed his way through the front door with it, and placed it on the table, which it now covered.  “Merry Christmas!”

He might as well have brought home a buck he had shot for Christmas dinner.  I laughed.  

“What are we going to do with all this mistletoe?”  

“What do you think?”  He smirked and then blushed.  

“We have to share some of the wealth here, don’t you think?”  We had other friends who were young married, all of which, whose names suddenly popped in my head. 

I looked back at my now green covered table.  “How did you manage all this?”

He smiled again, this time a proud, Tarzan-like smile.   I chuckled again.  “Well, I had a little help.”  He paused.  “You know the property at church is pretty large with lots of trees.  I thought I had seen some mistletoe in them, and well, I thought it would be fun to have some hanging up for Christmas.”  
Laughing to himself, he said, “I got over there and Dan, the grounds guy was out with his backhoe.”  

“Oh no.  What did you do?”

“Well, there were no low hanging boughs, so he offered to lift me up in the bucket to grab some of the high hanging pieces.”  His chest almost burst with pride.

“Thank you, sweetheart.”  He got his kiss before the mistletoe ever got hung up.

That happened 24 years ago now.   We have had a lot of ups and downs, been through a lot of very difficult things together, and a lot of beautiful times.  This still holds as one of my favorite Christmas memories though for many reasons.  

Outside of all the kisses that year, it reminds me of the simple thoughtfulness of blessing someone you love with the more than enough. just because.  

The gift was extravagant – it was way more than we could ever use.  Sometimes, because we hear the story of Jesus’s birth over and over, we lose the extravagance of it all – the awe-struck wonder of God sending His own son to be a man, a man of sorrows, acquainted with our pain, our grief to save us from our sins.  It wasn’t a last minute ditch effort on God’s part either.  It was methodically planned before the creation of time itself.  

God blessed us with the more than enough, with the greatest possible gift with His son, Jesus.  
I had been tempted to reject my husband’s gift that day, because it just felt too much, like i knew I didn’t deserve to be loved that way.  

God’s love is the same way, given freely, not because we’ve done anything to deserve or earn it.  It’s like He’s standing at the door with His arms full of unconditional love – His love looks like a baby who came to save us.  

Will you receive His gift today?  You won’t regret it.  And then you can share that gift with others.  There is always more than enough. 

It’s Here! The New Encounter Class!

We are so pleased to announce our new online Encounter Class, and are now receiving signups. It is on sale now thru Dec. 21st for $100. (Reg priced $120) Thank you for helping us get the word out by sharing with others.

Heart healing teaching + experiences with God + artistic expression + connection with others = The Encounter Class

Short version

Longer version

To sign up, simply click the link below. Be sure to include your name, email, and the Encounter class in the comment box. If you are interested in sponsoring a participant, just put Sponsor. The class is limited to 20 participants, so first come, first serve basis.

My book, ”The Invitation” is recommended, but not required. If you’d like a copy, just put class and book in the comment section. The total including shipping is $15.00, so grand total is $115 for the class and book.

RegIster fOr the Encounter Class

“A Sheep’s Tale: Come Follow Me Through Psalms 23”

We are so excited to share with a book I made way back in 2008. I had written it as fun way for my children to learn Ps. 23, which is my favorite passage of scripture. I hope you will enjoy reading it with your children as well.

Right now it on sale on Amazon as a Kindle version for only $2.99 through Dec. 1st.

“A Sheep’s Tale” is a whimsical retelling of the 23rd Psalms in a sing song. rhythmical fashion that children will remember for years to come. Heart warming illustrations delight young readers at every turn of the page.  

As always your reviews are most welcome, and help to get the book out there.

Many blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!

Looking for Guinea Pigs. Oh, I Mean a Beta Group

This fall, for six weeks, I will be teaching an online Beta Class through a format like Zoom (TBA) to test out the concept of combining an exploratory art class with experiences of encountering God, which will be based out of “The Invitation” with some coaching and personal connection thrown in there.  As most things with me, I can see it in my mind’s eye, but have not seen anyone else attempt this, so we will be going into some unchartered territory.   I’m looking for 10 to 20 people to be apart of this group.  The class will run once a week, on a Sat morning or Sun evening beginning in Oct., and ending second week in Nov..  I’d actually like to mix it up between both to see which has a better response.  It will be around an hour and a half. The only cost to you for this beta group will be a few minor supplies, like paper, maybe some simple colored pencils or markers, and if you want, a small paint set, like water colors.  It really just depends on how much you want to do with that and what supplies you may have on hand.  The things we do artistically are going to be simple.  No art experience is necessary.  You also may want to order a book if you haven’t yet, but it is not required.  I can offer anyone in the group a discounted book rate.   I will be asking for feedback, but it should not be time consuming.  I just need to work out the kinks, and I appreciate anyone allowing me to do that.  If you enjoy the classes, and want to donate towards our time, it will be appreciated, but not expected. The hopeful launch time for the official classes will be Jan/Feb..  You can ASAP by contacting me at blossomingheartsstudio@gmail.com or shooting me a message through the contact me on this website. Thanks a ton!