Homegrown Hospitality

Why I Document My Faith

On March 6th, I posted this on social media streams

  without knowing anything except for the feeling.  I have felt "shifts" happening in the past but I don't think I have actually announced them out loud.  For some reason, with this one, I thought I should.  

Okay, rewind back at least 2, maybe three years.

I have been hearing a loud whisper saying "use what you have" and I have honestly been practicing it myself and passing it along, encouraging and reminding you, fellow friends, followers, pinners, posters and readers to in fact, #usewhatyouhave.  I thought that I was practicing, encouraging and inspiring myself and others to, again, #usewhatyouhave when it came to our scraps, stash and unused inventory of stuff i.e. paper, paint, fabric, felt, ink, etc. because we all got too much junk. (remember, I use the word junk in a good way)

Now fast forward back up to a few days ago when I finished reading an AMAZING book called The Hope Quotient by Ray Johnston.  He is the Pastor of Bayside Church in Northern California and he recently visited Saddleback.  (you can watch his sermon here. p.s.print out the sermon notes and grab a pen.) After finishing the book, I went back through it and reread all of the areas that I had highlighted (I highlighted a lot) and came across this: 

"The greatest thing about discovering and developing your gifts is that it frees you to be yourself.  When you find and use your gifts, you will be encouraged to trust God for what is next"

woah.

wait.

#use what I have

my gifts, skills and abilities...

DUH.

I mean, I know this but maybe it is not just about using up all my junk...it is about using MY JUNK. The junk HE gave me and please remember, I am using the word junk in the most kind way. (not like junk as in junkyard or junk mail)

and my shift!?!

Maybe this is part of my shift. 

This is what I call a light bulb moment and it is how God talks to me (besides when I am running or in the shower and have no way to write it down.) When things start to connect, a "light" turns on and/or something "dawns on me" it is really important for me to WRITE IT DOWN so that I remember it because guaranteed, I will forget it and I know that I will need it in the future for myself and quite possibly as a reminder for someone who might already know, but forgot to remember (that is you)

THIS is why I document my faith.  

Q & A - Part One

A week or so ago I asked my Documented Faith newsletter readers and FB Group to send me questions for a FB Live that never happened (whoops and sorry bout that) so I thought I'd start answering some of them here. 

Maggie Russell asked: "Who inspires you Stephanie? When I started following documented faith 3 years ago it was because you inspired me to be creative as a Christian Artisan. It's become my favorite bible study because you use 1 word & scripture all month. This gives me time to slow down and focus."

Thanks for the question and for following along with me Maggie. I love that you are able to focus on what I send out. THAT is the main objective.  It is tricky to answer your question, because with social media, honestly the inspiration comes from so many directions and often times it is more from WHAT than WHO so I am going to try and keep it simple. I am always inspired by Meg Duerksen for her rainbow filled explosions of truth, wit and her love for chickens and family, Shannon Martin for telling real life in a hilarious and matter of fact way, Melody Ross for getting to the truth of all matters and my Pastor, Rick Warren who has taught and reminded me through his messages so many times that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.  That alone could be a whole blog series and how I constantly have to remind myself of it.

I could list 787 more people but I said I was going to keep it simple although it has really got me thinking.  I am inspired by people, places, music, food...but I am not going to lose focus. The people I mentioned above three remind me in their sharing to keep it real. There are so many more, but again, simple. 

 Jeri asked: What drives you to do what you do with Documented Faith?  I appreciate everything you do and it makes my life and my relationship with Him so

much stronger.  When you touch and help lives; the enemy isn't happy and I can imagine the attacks you endure.  I will keep you in prayer you

will continue to do what God is asking of you.  Thank you!

 

Thank You for your prayers and support Jeri because YES, the enemy attacks all the time and every once in awhile, a random fiery dart gets me right where it hurts. Documented Faith was born from a personal need to keep track (creatively) of how and what God is doing in my life.  As I shared it with others, I started to recognize the need for is and I found myself encouraging and reminding others that documenting faith is a habit that needs to be practiced.  I sometimes get tripped up and tangled in the promotion of it because it has become a business so my constant prayer is that God will tackle the width of how far and who it reaches and my job is the depth; to continue doing what I am doing and to grow strong spiritual roots as I go. I am so glad to read that is has helped your relationship stronger. 

 

Paula asked: How do you manage your time during the day to include projects, planning, photography of your projects, family time and daily blogging?  You are remarkable to be able to accomplish so much in 24 hours.  Do you sleep?

 

Thank you for your question Paula. First and foremost, YES I sleep and most days I even get in a nap.  The truth of the matter is, I NEVER get it all done in 24 hours.  I give God the first part of my day to do my quiet time, prayers, reading and Bible Study and then HE gives me the time I need to get done what needs to get done. That is the truth right there. Man, if I do not get my sleep, I am a dysfunctional, often crying, whirling dervish and I am noticing that the older I get, the more weepy I am when I am tired. I am going to address the rest of your question in my next blog post.

 

If you have a question, please either email it to me at homegrown1@att.net or leave it in the comment section below.  

Thanks again for being here and for spending time reading my blah, blah, blah...

**Registration Is Open** Creative Soul Camp Retreat Oct. 2017

I am "officially" announcing the second Creative Soul Camp Retreat (we are not really "camping") and I hope that you can join us!

“Creativity is a God-given ability to take something ordinary and make it into something special.  It is an openness to doing old things new ways…The creative spirit is part of our heritage as children of the One who created all things.  Nurturing our creativity is part of our responsibility as stewards of God’s good gifts.”  Emilie Barnes, The Spirit of Loveliness

 

There is something amazing that happens when Art & Faith Collide and when you are in an amazing house full of women, food, coffee, snacks, paints and time to be quiet, restore, rest, stay up late, wake up early, wear your jammies all day long...

 

It's just really good.  

 

That is the best way to explain it because honestly, there are not words to go along with what happens...and ya know what else?  Jesus shows up every.single.time.

 

Here is what is included In Creative Soul Camp

Meals  - Each day you will get to enjoy amazing and fresh meals prepared just for you. Yep, three meals a day so be ready to eat.  Leave your diets at home and bring your stretchy pants.  In between there will be a ridiculous array of salty and sweet snacks and apples, coffee, water and tea with bags of sonic ice of course. 

Lodging – The Craft House is located in Newton, Kansas.  It is a 100 year old restored home that is used for retreats and sleeps 16. Upstairs there are four beautifully decorataed bedrooms.  Each room has between 2 – 6 twin beds.  It will be hard to pick just one because they are each crazy cute. Be prepared for late night giggles and some early rising roommates.  There are three full bathrooms that will be shared. 

Creative Time & Supplies – IF you have a Journaling Bible and/or an art journal that you would like to work in, please bring that.  Everything you will need for the creative sessions will be provided.  Tip: You may want to keep a little extra space in your suitcase for the projects you create.

Airport transportation – You will be picked up and dropped off to Wichita Eisenhower Airport.  Suggested flight details will be sent after your registration deposit has processed.

Field Trip – On Friday during the retreat, there is a fun ½ field trip planned to head out to two local Antique shops & The Barn. Again, extra space in your suitcase and a little extra cash is recommended for this day!  

Daily Routine - At the beginning of each day and at the end of each night we will have a devotional and discussion time. There will be a mid-morning creative session on Thursday & Saturday and an open Bible Journaling “Buffet” with lots of supplies to play with each evening. There will be plenty of time for naps, walks and you will even be able to schedule an in-house massage if you would like.  Note: Retreat registration does not include massage fee.

Here is a brief look at one of the days: 

Breakfast

Morning Devotions

Quiet Time

Creative Time

Lunch

Creative Time

Dinner

Evening Devotions & Dessert

Creative Time/Open

Registration Deposit & Payments:
To complete your reservation, a non refundable of $250.00 must be made and will apply to your total registration cost. 

 

Once deposit is made, an invoice will be sent to you: 

Payment #1  $475.00 due June 1, 2017  
Payment #2 $475.00 due August 1, 2017

AFTER deposit has been made, if you need to make special payment arrangements or would like to pay in full, please contact me at homegrown1@att.net.

After registration, you will receive an email within 24 hours TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS USED DURING CHECKOUT.  Please make sure you receive it.  After 24 hours, if you have not received any email correspondence from me, please contact me at homegrown1@att.net 

Details: 
Dates:  Wednesday Evening,October 4th through Sunday Morning, October 8th
Location: The Whatever Craft House in Newton, Kansas.
Price: $1300.00*  All Inclusive *excluding airfare and travel expenses 

 

To read more and to register, click here

Creative Soul Camp Retreat Recap

If you have ever been on a really great vacation then you know that re-entry into real life is a real thing. The same thing happens when you go to a women's retreat.  I am going to start writing about my first "Creative Soul Retreat" and it may take a couple of posts because I am just now able to put the experience into words...and pictures.

I have been traveling to stores to teach individual classes for several years, have met amazing women all over the world and have made lifelong friends. I am so grateful for the opportunities and invitations to stay connected with a creative community. Unfortunately, there are not as many brick and mortar stores (retail stores you can go shop at) besides the big box stores (Micheal's, Hobby Lobby, etc.) and along with online retailers, the demographics of traveling and teaching has changed.

People cringe at change, but the change I am writing about has come in the form of more "retreat" style creative gatherings and I think that after teaching at women's retreats for the past four years or so, I have found my niche'/love language/spirit animal. But please do not misunderstand me.  I love traveling to stores and getting to spend time meeting and teaching and will continue to do so as long as the opportunities arise but I want to share a little about what I am witnessing with retreats.  There is something about individual women that show up as they are, not knowing anyone but having strong common threads...

Faith & Creativity.  

Retreats are one of the visible examples of what happens when Art & Faith collide. I remember trying to explain the experience a few years ago but could only come up with the words "It's just good, really good." 

...and the first Creative Soul Retreat at the Whatever Craft House was just that...

really good. 

17 women that stayed up late, got up early, slept in, stayed in their jammies, ate good food, listened to really good stories and deep thought provoking devotions from Julie Carson, cried, laughed, created, shopped, stitched, got massages, had seconds and thirds, opened up, shared stories...17 women from all around the US that arrived as strangers and left 5 days later as friends.

It's just good....and speaking of good, I was blown away by the amazing sponsors and so grateful for the contributions to the first Creative Soul Retreat.  Each guest was treated to special gifts upon their arrival and then throughout the week. It was like Christmas morning every day and so fun to sneak around and place things here and there for them to find.

The link to each company is right below each photo so that you can go check out their amazing handcrafted work and products.  

                                                                                                 Anchored Press Weekly Devotional Planner

                                                                                                                                Bambu Earth

                                                                                                        Crossway Scripture Journals

                                                                                                              Chrissie Grace Designs

                                                                                                                          Illustrated Faith 

                                                                                                                                Kindyl Paris

                                                                                                Lisa McKinney / Love Squared Designs

                                                                                                                Laurane Elisabeth Designs

 

                                                                                                                        Bekah Jane Pogue

Raising Up Rubies

Redeemed Jewelry

 

     Tara Royer Steele/ Royers Pie Haven

                                                                                                                            Sand & Starfish

 

                                                                                                                                  Su Soutter

 

                                                                                                                Julie Carson / Tacos & Tees

 

                                                                                                                      Valerie Wieners Art

 

                                                                                                    Lori McDonough/Whimsy Studios

Again, I just want to express my sincere gratitude to each one of these sponsors for sharing their amazing work with everyone at the retreat.

In honor of the first Creative Soul Retreat, I have a HUGE giveaway.,...make sure to check back later this week to see how you can win everything mentioned above..well, except for the Royer's Pie!  You have to come to the second retreat scheduled for October to eat those, yum!

Did you catch that?

The second Creative Soul Retreat is open for registration NOW. Click here to get the details,,,