Spread the Love Blog tour... Am I back?

 Okay my friends it has been a long time… 

I mean too long, but there was a purpose and a reason for that season. 

When a blogger friend of mine, Stacey, (Who is aca-mazing and a bigger encouragement in my life than she even knows…) asked for some volunteers to join the tour I felt God give me a nudge and tell me to jump in.  SO…

Here I am.

All of my craziness is still intact and I have things to share, but oh where oh where to start?!?!?!

Hence this blog tour gives me a simple way to share what I have been up to these last few months…errr… “Cough, cough” (YEAR).  

One more side-note for you… This will not be a polished and pretty post. We had our anniversary, a wedding, grad party, birthday party, and allot of home projects that have been going on this last week and sooooo…
Grace my friends. Give me some grace. ;)

1. What are you currently working on?

Can I just give you some pics my friends? A picture is worth a thousand words right?

Getting demo's done for Art classes that my good friend, Brianne, and I get to teach together.

Another Demo. This one is of my daughter;s silhouette. She is full of life and color so that is how I painted her. ;)

Average week at our home. We all have fun painting. Can you tell?

Was privileged to be asked to return and do another experiential service for a Youth Retreat. This one was on The Persecuted Church. It is one of my favorite things to help others understand what people are going through across the world.

We went on our last youth mission trip before resigning. (Yes, I am a dork.) :)

They repaired the inside of a family's home which had some severe damage inside. The husband had aids and was unable to work.  They also completely re-roofed another family's home and did an immaculate job. Love these teens!

Survived Michigan's worst winter ever. With record snow falls and and record low temps it was an experience for sure! ;)

We lost power for 5 days straight over Christmas and of course, while family was staying with us. Entertaining 7 kids while trying to keep the fires going to keep the house warm made for some good memories.

Yes, grown men do play Bakugan. ;)

Good times. We were so excited to be able to visit a bunch of my family. It had been years y'all. Way too long! (Can you guess which one is from Texas?)

Movie time with the Cousins!

Cousins having some fun!

Heading up north and seeing my brother from another mother. (In other words we grew up together and I count him as my brother.) P.S. Don't tell him this pic is in here...He doesn't like it. ;)

Being Silly with my Hubby at a good friend's Grad party for her daughter.

Love. This. Man.

 Trying to get a pic with my kids. It only took 6 tries... Goofballs.

This is why. ;)

Homeschooling Fun! The challenge? To build a Trojan Horse that you can all fit in from Card board and tape. Oh yeah!
 They rocked it!

Learning about the racism and inequality
that still continues to this day.

Loving Nature as usual.

Hiking the largest Dune. Love those Great Lakes. 

Good times at Lake Michigan!

 So much more happened, but I do not want to bore you my friends. Just know it's been a fantastic time full of adventures with family, making new friends, and learning new things. 

Now, back to the blog tour questions.

2. How does your work differ from others of its genre?

Ummm.

What is my work? Well I guess that would be a better question.

Hmmm... A little synopsis perhaps?

I am a homeschooling mama, ministry peep, artist, art teacher, justice and poverty advocate, who is prone to spontaneous dancing and/or singing.

The biggest news over the last year is that after over a decade in youth ministry and 15 years of various ministry positions we resigned.

     

 It was a hard decision to make because we love our teens and we loved working in youth ministry, but it was a necessary choice for us. Since then it’s been a beautiful time of learning new things, healing from the stress of the last few years, and also a rough time of wrestling with God as we ask Him,  "What’s next?". 

Aaaaannnnnd His, “What’s next?” is a different type of adventure. We have always been a bit out of the ordinary (Shocker, I know.) and now we feel like God is asking us to just jump off the reservation with this next adventure, but we are absolutely excited about it and have a peace. (Are we nervous? Heck yes, but with God? Things are risky and exciting and require faith. So here we go!)

3. Why do you write/create what you do?

To put it simply, God gives me a drive to create. Whether it’s art or words, speaking or creating experiential services on global issues, or teaching art classes...

 I just do what He nudges me towards. I love getting to foster that creativity in others. My kids, my friends, youth, anyone?! 

Art is such a therapeutic and freeing process. I gave a creativity workshop at a youth retreat and discovered a quote that basically said. (And I am totally paraphrasing this…)

If as, Christians we are worshiping and following the Master Creator of the universe then shouldn’t we be the most creative beings on the planet?

This is sadly not the impression allot of us are conveying to the world. 

“Sigh” 

There are glimmers though. Along the fringe lines there is a beautiful group of creative cats that both love Jesus and are following in their Creator’s footsteps. 

Getting Bolder and braver in their expressions of creativity. Willing to think out of the box, which last time I checked God doesn’t like to be put in a box. (I could write on that one for a bit, but this is supposed to be short. Lol)

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

I watch life constantly and ask questions just as much. There is so much to learn, see and experience. Life, is a never ending lesson we can learn from. God is constantly drawing analogies before my eyes each day and I find it beautiful and exhilarating. 

To be more specific. There is always music playing and then the juices of creativity start flowing and away we go. 

I just want to thank Stacey for asking me to join this lovely tour. You should check out her blog my friends. She writes, she creates, she advocates for women. She is a rockstar in my book. (Seriously! Click HERE and visit her.)

So how are you?

 I hope and pray you are doing well! I will be returning to this little corner of the blog world more often. My, "Let's Talk Church" section will be finally getting some more posts soon as we share what we have learned and explored the last few years. I hope you will join in the conversation. It is always better to hear from all points of view so we can learn from each other's experiences and knowledge.

God bless you lots!

Mid-Summer updates... On my life, the blog, a book, our freedom, and a prayer request.

Hi Friends!

How are you all doing? I am doing pretty well. I am ever so grateful that summer is here! Honestly there were days this last winter when it "felt" like summer would never get here. Can I get an, "Amen!"?

Mid-Summer Updates...

We have had a summer full of the "unplanned" events. Like a car finally kicking the bucket. (We drive them till they die people... And believe me, "Stick a fork in that car 'cuz it's done". Farewell silver bullet the last 10 years or so you have served us well. RIP) 

There have been storms, a tree half down, a flood in the basement, and a  pretty tedious, but cool fence being made from pallets. I think my husbands thoughts on it are, "Will this project ever come to an end!?!"

The good news is this fence soundly advertises, "Hey, all you bunnies, ground hogs, and deer out there? These are our veggies that we have toiled over for our family to eat...NOT you. Move along little furry creatures...move along.)

The hardest event this summer has been that my dear friend's sweet father passed away all too soon. I cannot do this justice with my simple words, but yes I did attempt to. (Here and here)

We are about to plunge ourselves into some new transitions which are both scary and exciting to us. There are more things, but I must say, each event  I have mentioned whether they sounded good or bad...were all laced with God's hand of grace and love. They have contained some amazing blessings as well.

My friend's kiddos came to stay with us for a while. We have a newer car for my hubby to drive and I am no longer in fear when he climbs into the "death trap". The fence while not yet finished is doing it's job. And I have a couple of friends kicking my booty into better shape. A big ol', "Booyah!" to that! And it's Summer! Finally!!! Summer!

On the New Page...

Some of you may have seen the new page on my blog called, "Let's Talk Church".

I am simultaneously nervous and excited for this to get going. I haven't figured out if I will be posting on this topic once a month or more frequently. Any thoughts on this? Any suggested topics I should cover?

The last post was full of great conversation in the comments I am grateful to those who spoke their hearts and minds in the discussion. I am telling you these comments were over-flowing with convicting and humbling insights. I thank you all for taking part in it. I am praying for more and more to step forward into these conversations.

On a power-packed Book...

I am also excited as I finish up reading an exciting book. I mean just reading the different Authors' introductions for the book gave me goosebumps... or as my teens call them, "God-bumps."

These are, the aforementioned teens that use the phrase, "God-bumps". This crew is full of some amazing faith-filled activists. They will politely correct you if you say, "They are the church of the future." With a, "No, we are the church right now." Love em'!

I will be reviewing it on here soon, but honestly go pre-order a copy.(There is a link in my side bar)

If you are struggling with where to start with volunteering or in searching out God's heart for the least of these, then this book is what you have been looking for. Whether you agree with the different Author's perspectives or answers to the problems their information is sound and bountiful. More to come on this friends. ;)

Umm... Yes, I definitely love this quote!

On Freedom...

This week we have the 4th of July! I am grateful that we live in a country where we are free. It seems like people are chattering away in discouragement over the different decisions being made by the courts and government... 

Some even saying we are not truly free.

And while I have been there at times myself, grumbling away... I have to put this reminder out here. 

Friends we are living in a free country. 

We have the freedom to work these things out and no I do not agree with all the limitations that some of our leaders are insisting on, but I can say just that.

I can say I don't agree with them to the press.

I can say I don't agree to my law-makers and reps.

And the police do not show up and take me away.

I have not been imprisoned or beaten by the authorities..

And eventually these things can be worked out.

Until you see the other side of the fence where persecution truly reigns. Where dictators rule and rampage with abuse and genocide.

I literally shutter when I think of what others are going through...

We are free.

We are free to lobby, debate, and stand up for our rights.

 Please take a moment to breathe deep and realize the blessing of the freedoms you do have.

A Prayer request..

Lastly, can I ask for your prayers? I am going in for eye surgery this week on July 5.

Could you pray for a quick recovery and complete healing with no complications? I would and am so very grateful for your prayers and for this opportunity.

I am trying to get things ready on my blog so the posts will still come while I am recovering. I hope and pray you have a blessed week!

How can I pray for you?

God Bless you and yours greatly,

-Heather

A tune for your thoughts and meditation today...I am so grateful that I am set free.

God Speaks Through Play Dough Hearts

More Lessons Learned from SYMC

For all who are struggling. 

Psalm 13

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?

    How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts

    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God.

    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”

    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;

    my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing the Lord’s praise,

    for he has been good to me.

In the darkness, with only the stage lights filtering between the seats, I fumbled for the small container of play dough that the speaker, Jason Ostrander, assured us would be there.

“Where are you at with God? If you were to mold the play dough into a symbol of where you are at in life right now, what would it look like? Take some time and let God speak to you on this...”

So there I sat in the darkness of the conference session. Squishing the soft malleable substance in my hands...

I settled in, quieted my mind, and listened to the speakers...

Before long I had made my first sculpture.

This was how I have felt this last year.

Like Jesus and His cross had broken my heart wide open so that it was spilling out...

It symbolized a year of Jesus turning my world upside down. 

Then, John Stumbo began sharing about a vision God had given him.

After a year of pain and agony due to a debilitating and unexplained illness, God revealed this vision to him...

He saw the clay formed and molded still spinning wet on the potters wheel...

Then He saw the potters hands reach down and crush the pot back down into a lump on the wheel, only to begin to mold it again.

God? Are you starting over with me?

God whispered back,

“This heart cracked open and bleeding? It's not the complete picture. I have a better design.”

So reluctantly, I squished the hot pink play dough I had so carefully constructed back into an ugly lump and waited with one question on my breath...

What is it You want to show me, Father?

Slowly, in the quiet, the Lord prodded me to place this silly misshapen ball of play dough into my left hand and to close my right hand over it.

I waited there with my hands closed around the dough in prayer...

I felt the dough in my hands begin to grow warm, molding into the spaces and crevices of my palms.

His voice came into my thoughts,

“I am Holding you my dear child.

I am holding you.

My veins my finger prints, my wounds are impressed upon you...

Just stay here, while I hold you.”

Warm salty tears began to fall as His words sank in.

“I love you, I am not done with you my child. Open your hands and see.”

I was fascinated by what I saw.

There in my hands was a heart, but not like the one I had molded earlier. The one we have so commercialized on cards, posters, t-shirts...

This looked more like a real heart.

He whispered,

“You see I am not done with you yet.

This represents my heart. A real beating heart for a life that is not over yet.

A life that needs to be lived now.

This is My design. So much more complex and amazing.

The blood flows out, but it also constantly being fed again. It continues to beat and flow, beat and flow,
 bringing LIFE to the rest of the body."

I looked at the play dough heart...the crevices and lines of my palms had created veins that are pathways of life.

"My ways are not yours my daughter...My ways are not yours, but I am not done with recreating you yet.

I took your heart that was broken for Me and have given you Mine instead.”

Are you there friends?

Are you unsure of the path that the Lord has been taking you on?

Have you surrendered your heart to His amazing and capable hands?

My goal is that you may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that you may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3

To hear John Stumbo's amazing story you can click here.

John Stumbo: The Deeper Life in Jesus

part 1 ,  part 2 , part 3 , part 4

Need some praise time?

The heartbeat of my life is to worship in Your light...

Thought Provoking Thursday

Warning... I am a mess for Jesus

WARNING-------What you are about to read is a bit messy and rife with errors. Like my life right now.

Hi Friends,

I am sorry it has been so long. I have missed you all. This last month has been full of ups and downs. I stopped writing when I came down with a “lovely” bronchial infection for about 2-3 weeks, but honestly did not return to writing because God is teaching me so many things. (Man, that sounds really lame, but I assure you it’s the truth.)

 I know I will eventually be able to put all these lessons He has been teaching me into words without sounding like a crazy mess of a bleeding heart. Okay, I cannot even promise that. I am a mess right now.

Lately I cry when reading scripture. (Why can’t I just read it and think on it like a normal good little Christian? Nope, right now I cry. His words break my heart. My lack of action breaks my heart.) I love my Lord so very much, and He is really re-working me in some areas.

Then while reading this book “Seven” by Jen Hatmaker, God began to escalate some of these things that I had finally shoved behind the couch in my mind because I could not figure out what to do with them. (Thank you Jen!) 

For example, after returning from Africa I found myself walking through my home thinking, why in the world do I have so much stuff? Why do I place so much importance on what others think of how well decorated or updated my home is when people are literally starving to death? 

When I found myself alone in our home, I would literally look around the room and examine all the pieces of furniture and think, “I don’t need that. Am I willing to give it all up?” (This from a person that attaches sentimental meanings to objects like crazy.)

 I have done fundraisers and worked with our teens and we have raised thousands of dollars to help the poor here in the US and across the globe, but how often am I being truly intentional with my “stuff” that I have accumulated. Yes, I can mindlessly donate it to “Good Will”, or to the “Salvation Army”, (Both great places to donate) but what if I am more intentional and seek out someone who really needs it? What if I give away things I really love, but do not need?

What if I stop eating so much food simply because I am on an emotional whim or because my goodness I just love food? (And I do, I love cooking, baking, all the wonders of the culinary world.) 

What if I start eating not to satisfy my taste buds and emotional outbursts, (Ode to chocolate how I love you!) but as I should to feed this “temple” the Lord has given me. I truly am excited with the over-haul God has given me on my view of food this last month.  Why am I so excited? Stay tuned my friends, stay tuned…

I am thrilled to say I started my "Seven" fast with a friend of mine from church. (Thank you Jesus for giving me such a wonderful soul to go through this fast with!)  I started with month one which covers food and I cannot wait to write about what He has been teaching me through it. (Obviously)

Here is where I have to tell you that I just love how the Lord works. He is such a beautiful master-mind.

While reading the book, “Seven” and starting my, “Seven” fast I simultaneously was reading the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Also midway through reading the book, "Seven", I began another book called “The Irresistible Revolution” by Shane Claiborne that one of my teens, I call her my “dear daughter” handed to me and told me I needed to read.

I was completely in the dark at the time, that these books all intermingle on the same topics over and over again. I was even more clueless to the fact that they might even literally mention each other by name. Oh Lord, you are such a clever one. Mmm, mmm, mmm…

Oh Lord, Your ways are not mine and that has never been as abundantly clear as it is right now.

I hope you stay tuned my friends, there is more to come on my mess. ;)

Micah 6:8

Seek Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with your God.