Homegrown Hospitality

Join The Creative Soul Community

I am launching something I have been thinking, praying, learning, journaling and mapping out but, gulp.. procrastinating for a really long time because, well honestly, to many "what if's" invaded my mind and got in the way of something that I believe God has been prompting me to do, again for a long time.

DANG IT.

During 2020, guest Pastor Ed Stetzer came to Saddleback and said this: "The moment we are in does not pause the mission we are on" and while I shared it, reminded and repeated it to others, I almost forgot to remember it for myself :

NOW MORE THAN EVER, we need to keep going, keep sharing, keep encouraging, keep doing the work, keep reminding, keep inspiring and keep showing up.

For the past almost 5 years I have personally been working on becoming "fit to serve" God for whatever He has planned for me to do physically, relationally, mentally, spiritually and creatively. Amidst all of the 2020-2021 setbacks, failures, flops, sickness, changes, injuries, shifts and pivots, my purpose and goals have remained the same:  

Love God, serve others, use my gifts and abilities, grow my spiritual roots and teach, encourage, remind and love others. 

All of those things listed above also are wrapped around my passion and desire to create and to have a business that does all of the same. Going back to the Ed Stetzer quote, "The moment we are in" has changed pretty much everything dramatically for everyone. 

The "moment we are in" is what I often just refer to as "really dumb" and while I often catch myself going sideways, leaning towards a downward spiral of confusion, uncertainty, doubt, indecision and just plain unsure of who or what to trust, I have to actively participate in remembering what I know to be true:

God is control.

I am not.

He has a plan...

and it is good.

He promises us hope & a future but again, we have to be actively participating. 

I wish for all of us to actively participate, TOGETHER and today I take the step I have been procrastinating. To launch a community/membership group where we can: 

• Come as we are (via online live and recordings)
• Share what we have (encouragement and support)
• Take what we need (reminders and encouragement)
• Do What We Love (Use our gifts to create things and share them with people)

 

There is a lot more information to come, fun ideas, exciting thoughts, creative plans and I hope you will consider joining me online beginning November 1.

Register here for the Creative Soul Monthly Membership Group

Creative Soul Panel Kit Simple Ideas & Basic Instructions

If you recently purchased the Creative Soul Panel Kit, thank you! 

Before I talk about the simple way I added stitches to the panel, I want to share with you how this all came about.

I created the original "Creative Soul" color print by cutting letters out of scraps of paper. Then I thought, if it could be created with paper, it could be created with fabric but I did not have solid scraps in the colors I liked so I decided to use what I had and cut letters from patterned fabric.

I started out with the idea of using my old "Fresh Blossoms" Sizzix alphabet die to cut the letters for each kit but did not love the way it looked. I prefer a real hand cut look.

For a moment I did think about cutting out letters for each kit and then I had to think again. That is when I got a new idea. Cut once and reprint, so that is exactly what I did.

Your kit contains a "Creative Soul" panel and a larger heart background piece to create a project with.

Here are my very simple instructions on how I added either a simple backstitch or French Knot to the panel:

• Throughout the entire panel, I used 2-3 strands of coordinating DMC embroidery floss, outlined each individual letter and added stitches to the design on the fabric for each letter. NOTE: if you are adding stitches to fine lines and detailed patterns on the fabric, I suggest using TWO strands to keep your stitches neat and small.

• Take a look at each letter and see where you can add stitches:
  

c    different shades or reds and pinks that can be outlined

r    outline butterflies and antennas 

e    Gold lines throughout the E can be backstitched 

a    LOTS of little French Knots can be added

t    Lime and turquoise embroidery floss can outline details

I    Sage and olive green and a little bit of bright green added to flowers, leaves and flower centers

v    Turquoise, olive green and cream added to designs printed on the V

e    Bright Blue and Dark Blue stitches the the flower patterns

s    Same as the E - Gold lines stitched throughout the letter

o    Outline or fill in the heart on the O

u    Dark pink, Blush Pink and Bright Blue stitches on the U

l    Cream, Black and Blue accent stitches the the L

 

What will you create with what you have? 

I would love to see what you create so if you choose to share on social media, please use the hashtag #mixedandstitched 

Back to Some Basics

I announced earlier this week that I am de-activating the Documented Faith Facebook Group. The decision did not come lightly or quickly. I have been arm wrestling with the decision and then would abandon the thoughts. After some comments and conversations online and via email, I knew it was time. Once I made the decision and posted the announcement, I felt peace about it.   The next morning, in the daily devotional we are reading in 2021 as a group, "Live in Grace, Walk in Love" by Bob Goff, I read "...sometimes it just means it's time for a change" but the beginning part of the paragraph where I read this starts with "Sure, we might have to shut the doors on an organization we poured into for years...it does not mean we've failed. I have just about the entire page highlighted and feel as though God was speaking to me and confirming my decision.   It went on to say "Even when our plans fail, we usually realize a lot of people were loved in the process, which was our goal in starting. We ended up crossing paths with people we might never have met if we hadn't put ourselves out there."   Exactly. YES! Thank you, Lord.   Every day I practice creating a life that reflects my dreams and living a life that defines my purpose spiritually, relationally, physically, mentally, and creatively. My hope has always been that through what, where, and how I share, (not just in a FB group) I will be able to teach, inspire, encourage and remind you of things you might have already known, just maybe forgot to remember.  Thank you for being part of this Documented Faith Group for so long and for being on a creative journey with me and with each other. I will continue to share via my personal facebook page, Instagram feed, blog and this newsletter.   The Documented Faith Facebook Group will be deactivated on 1/31/2021. If you would like to receive Newsletter Updates from me, please click here: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp... If you would like to continue following me on social media streams, you can follow here: Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stephanieackerman1/ Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.ackerman1     If you'd like to join us on Monday and/or Tuesday Nights from 5:00pm - 6:00 pm PST, it's free and all you need to do is register: "Becoming Fit to Serve" Monday/Tuesday Book & Bible Study

Eat Well My reality is when I'm not eating well, I do not feel well and when I'm not feeling well, I can't move my body well and ultimately can not do what God created me to do well. I'm short-tempered, emotional, tired, critical and cranky. (That's sounds fun.) That is not the way God created us to live. He wants us to be well and whole so that we can do what He created us to do. It brings Glory to Him and fills us with joy. THAT sounds much better.   "To move well, I need to eat well. To sleep well, I need to eat well. To think well, I need to eat well. To eat well, I need to prep well."

Zucchini Pancakes or Waffles   I made up this recipe so I do not have "nutritional facts" but you will be able to tell by the ingredients that it is all good stuff.   1 1/4 -1/2 cup of grated zuchinni* 1 egg 1 1/2 teaspoon of melted coconut oil (for waffle recipe only) 4 Tablespoons Almond Flour 2 Tablespoon Coconut Flour Or Almond Meal 1/4 teaspoon baking POWDER pinch or two of salt 1 drip or two of vanilla   Mix all ingredients together. If too dry, add a little water to moisten. Cook in a waffle iron or skillet.   Top with Almond butter or as pictured, with avocado, spinach, tomato and season with salt and pepper. IT IS SOOOOOOO GOOD AND now I am hungry.   *tip: Grate an entire zucchini and place it in a few paper towels. Roll up paper towel to absorb moisture. Use 1/2 of zucchini for your meal and place the remaining zucchini in a dry paper towel and in a zip lock and refrigerate.

Create Daily

The #The100DayProject begins January 31st this year, which is....3 days from now.   This is an online creative movement that I have been following and semi-participating in for a few years now. The The idea is simple: choose a creative project, do it every day for 100 days, and share your process online.. You can read all about it here.   In the past I have made it 5 days, 13 days, maybe 15 days but then I "squirrel" and am off onto another project. 2020 was different and while I did not stitch 100 consecutive days in the beginning...it ended up that I stitched almost 365 4 x 4 squares in a series of panels AND I LOVE WHAT IT HAS BECOME and has become a "sorta-monthly" kit. I provide the squares and hearts and you get to add the stitches and then decide what you want to create. Honestly, sometimes I just lay them all out, look at them and smile.   I know, you are going to ask "Then what are you going to do with them"and honestly, I do not know yet but I sure have enjoyed the process, have said 100's of prayers with each little stitch and love seeing what you are all doing with your kits.   New kits were added to my ETSY shop yesterday and there are still a few left! These kits coordinate with the January Mixed and Stitched kits and include strawberries, roller skates and hearts Kits are restocked on ETSY now: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stephanieackermanco

The March 2021 Creative Soul Retreat is SOLD OUT but there are still a few spots available for the May & June 2021 dates! Click the links below for details and registration/deposit information. May 20-23, 2021 June 17-20, 2021

Weekly Verse

 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.   1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

 

Take Heart 3" Hoop Ornament Kits & Instructions

There are limited quantity of the 3" Ornament Hoop Kits available in my shop that includes everything you need to create TWO super cute Hoop Ornaments.

Each Kit includes the following:

• Two 3" Wooden Hoops
• Two 4" x 4" Fabric Squares in Black & White Pattern with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• Two 2" fabric Circles in Whites with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• One Large Heart with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• One Small Heart with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece adhered to back
• One 7 x 9 "Good Words on Black" fabric panel with over 150 words to cut
• Three Coordinating Colors of Embroidery Floss for you to complete two 3" hoops

Supplies NOT included: needle, scissors, glue stick.

To get a limited quantity kit, head over to my shop now: ETSY

Here are easy project instructions for the "Take Heart" 3" Hoop Ornaments. 

Supplies I used for the "Take Heart" 3" hoop ornament:

• 4 x 4 square of patterned fabric
• 4 x 4 Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece 
• 2" circle of coordinating patterned fabric
• 2" circle of Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece
• 1 3" Wooden Embroidery Hoop
• 1 Heart cut from coordinating fabric with Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece
• Fabric Words: "Take" "Heart" cut from Good Words on Black Fabric
• Embroidery Floss in coordinating colors
• Needle, scissors, Glue Stick

NOTE: you do not have to use the Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece on the back. This gives the ornament a quilted look and feel once stitches are added.

1. Iron Lightweight Iron On Fusible Fleece onto back of 4 x 4 square, circle and heart. Place 4 x 4 square into hoop and center circle piece. Adhere circle with a dab of glue stick.
   
2. Using 2-3 strands of coordinating embroidery floss, stitch circle into place. I always try to keep my stitches short and close together.
   
3. Adhere the heart onto the circle using a dab of glue stick and stitch into place using 2-3 strands of coordinating embroidery floss.
4. Adhere the fabric words into place using a small dab of glue stick and stitch around words using 2 strands of coordinating embroidery floss.
5. Flip hoop over and use scissors to trim edges off of 4 x 4 square.
6. If you make this into an ornament, tie a piece of jute, leather or ribbon to top of Embroidery hoop mechanism to hang.

Merry Christmas 3 " Embroidery Hoop Photos:

My Wellness Revelation Journey & The Wellness Revelation Online Book Study 2020-2021

This is a long post so get some coffee...

What/Who is Revelation Wellness?

Revelation Wellness is a non-profit ministry dedicated to educating and inspiring people to live healthy and whole lives in Christ so we can love others well. A fitness ministry that uses fitness as a tool to spread the gospel. A wellness ministry that teaches, encourages, leads and reminds us to love God, get healthy, be whole and love others.

At the beginning of 2018, Lisa suggested the book "The Wellness Revelation" by Alisa Keeton and I read it.  I read it and highlighted more parts than in any other book I had ever read.  Then I joined an online study group and reread it again, using a different color of highlighter.  Again, so many highlights and even some moments of "revelation" (no pun intended) where I actually spilled my coffee all over a few pages.  

Three weeks into the online Bible study group, I felt a pull towards something more but told myself:

"relax"

"do the work"

"don't turn this into something more...yet" 

Five weeks into the study and after several pulls and tugs and more and more highlighting, I hesitantly told our group leader my thoughts outloud about doing more with and for Revelation Wellness without even knowing what it meant.  She gushed and said YES! Yes...yes..yes and that's when I pulled back.

As soon as I received a thumbs up on my positive thoughts, I instantly and sadly filled my own head with my own negative thoughts.

I started thinking:

"who do you think you are"

"you are not athletic"

"you are not a fitness person"

"you are already doing to much"

"you don't have time for this"

"you don't qualify for this"

and here is the dumb thing....

I DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT I WAS DISQUALIFYING MYSELF FROM but instantly discounted myself from doing whatever it was I was thinking of doing. I was confident I wasn't alone in my thoughts but as always, I threw myself under the bus.  

Yet, once the 9 week online book study was done I was ready.

Ready for what?

I didn't know but deep down KNEW that there was a desire to do more and to share this experience with everyone.  What I had learned, been reminded of and believed about myself was transformative and I wanted to share it with others.

For me it was a "Go tell it on the mountain" moment and I took the next steps toward looking into what it means to be a Revelation Wellness Instructor. I filled out some paperwork, scheduled a phone call and was all in...again, without really knowing what I was all in for.

During my call with Jamie, she probably thought I was a lunatic because I was so giddy and felt in such alignment with EVERYTHING that I probably startled her. It was the "Don't know where you are going but knowing you are going in the right direction" feeling.  

Fast forward through 9 weeks of online group study, lots of homework and Bible study, in the Fall of 2018, I flew to Arizona, got on a bus headed to Williams, AZ. not really knowing what I was headed into but fully expectant that it was going to be good because I knew, Jesus would be there. 

He was.

One year after completing the instructor training and retreat, I returned to experience it as what is referred to as a Reviver. To learn, receive, be led, move my body, encourage others and rest a little bit more than as in the original training.

Again, Jesus was there.

Here we are, two years later and after leading 8 Wellness Revelation Online Groups, I am announcing that registration for the next Wellness Revelation Online Study beginning WEDNESDAY, January 20th is now open.

This is an online 9 week book & Bible Study via Zoom that begins Wednesday, January 20,2021 from 5:00-6:30 PM PST  and goes through Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

I believe that the right path for living has been marked out by God. I have a choice on what steps to take and sometimes, forget to take God’s path and I go out on my own way.  Today, I invite you to face this decision together, going God’s way or following our own way.

I believe that the only way to find true peace and rest for my soul is to walk on God’s path and I would be honored to walk that path along side you.

So here we are, mostly likely “again” standing at the crossroads.  Most of us have been here before, but this time, together we are going to actually make a decision that it is finally time.

Time to make a decision.

We will never make a change in our life until we change what we do every day.

This is not a resolution and this is not a goal.

This is surrender.

It takes more than a desire or a dream to get healthy, it takes a decision.

Nothing will change until you choose to change.

The way you think determines the way you feel. 

The way you feel determines the way you act. 

So, if you want to change how you act, you must begin with changing the way you think.

No longer are we going to be looking back at mistakes and regrets nor are we going to look to tomorrow. 

Right now, it is about surrendering all in order to make the most of what we have. 

Instead of turning over a “new leaf” we are going to turn over a new life and the ONLY way to do that is to make the decision and live by it.

We are going to put to death our old way of life and surrender ourselves and give up control to God.

It is not going to be easy, it is not going to make sense to many around us and it is absolutely opposite of what the worlds screams for us to do. 

As long as we feel stretched and uncomfortable, ready to fight through the hard parts and remember that we cannot do this on our own strength, we are ready.

Here are THREE things we need to start with do in order to achieve success:

• Jesus
• Discipline
• Determination

Here is what we are not going to be able to do to achieve success:

• We are not going to be able to do it on our own. Our will power is not going to be enough.

I do not know what your “___fill in the blank___________” is, but I am willing to bet that you have something you are sick and tired of. 

We all do, in fact we may have a few things BUT we are not going to attempt to change everything.  We are going to work slow and steady on one thing at a time.

You can have 1001 “reasons” (a.k.a excuses) why you aren’t ready to make a big decision or change but really, there is only one thing standing in your way and that is you.

You and your mind/thoughts.

Here is something you might already know, just forgot to remember: You do not have to believe everything you think.

• You may think you are not capable, but you are. You just need to stop telling yourself you aren’t.
• You may think that you are not worthy but again, you are, and you need to stop telling yourself that as well.
• You may think that you don’t have enough will power and actually, you are correct.

That one thought is true because we were not created to do life on our own. The problem lies in the thought that we think we can and then when we do not succeed, we automatically tear ourselves down, look at it as failure and usually give up or quit. (The antidote to this is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Guilty as charged.

Here is something else that you may know but forgot to remember and is worded perfectly by Alisa Keeton in The Wellness Revelation:

“Desperation and disgust are powerful motivators for change, but they do not lead to lasting results and increasing joy.”

GULP, again.

You might need to stand in front of a mirror, point your own finger at yourself or dare I suggest talk out loud to yourself…whatever you need to do, do it because once you release yourself from your own chains, once you knock down the wall that you have built around yourself and as soon as you get out of your own way, God has got great plans for you to start working on and the sense of freedom you will feel from being free from you is amazing.

You have NOTHING to lose and everything to gain by doing three things:

Show up 

Do The work

Be Real

That’s it.

Ready?

Let’s seek spiritual obedience so that we can have physical discipline. It is a win win!

 Details on The Wellness Revelation Online Book & Bible Study:

• 9 Week Online Study & discussion online via Zoom (we will all see each other in real time!)
• Wednesday evenings from 5:00-6:30 PST beginning  1/20/21 - 3/23/21
• Weekly Homework/Bible Study for following week discussion
• Weekly video from Alisa Keeton on that weeks chapter
• Assigned prayer partners
• Support, ideas, and tips from Revelation Wellness.

Cost for 9 week study all above: $98.00* per person

*book not included (But I just noticed it is on sale via Amazon here!)

Take a moment to watch this video here from Alisa Keeton, Author and Founder of Revelation Wellness: https://vimeo.com/revwell/review/222767074/47fade93a4

Are you ready?

Register here for The Wellness Revelation Online Book & Bible Study that begins Wed. January 20 at 5:00 PST.