Hiking & Painting in Nature – Chicago
Last June I went to Christ in the Wilderness for a 4 day retreat. Every time I visit, I'm rewarded with beautiful solitude, majestic nature, the ability to think and pray. It is like a spiritual renewal or refreshing. God works in mysterious ways and I believe he was speaking to me through nature, almost … Continue reading Let’s Paint a Birdhouse on Wire Fence Speed Demo VIDEO
This is Mr. Bad Raccoon. Mr. Bad Raccoon liked to visit my bird feeder at Christ in the Wilderness promptly at 8pm every night. He was very hungry. He was also very smart. His large body conquered the raccoon baffle on the feeder itself by standing on his hind feet, hugging the baffle, and inching … Continue reading Mr. Bad Raccoon Watercolor
There's something about an empty bench underneath a gorgeous, shade providing tree... I couldn't resist. Here you find rest. The birds sing for you. The leaves cover you from the scorch of the sun. Time slows down a tad. And your mind unclouds. Life goes on around you without your help as it should. It's … Continue reading Rest Here Watercolor
It is time once again. I felt it stir within, an urgency to go back. A time to retreat. As I grow, I am more in tune with my body and emotions. With the weight of work and family obligations I needed a time out. Silence is what I crave, giving me the ability to … Continue reading Return to Retreat CITW
I woke on my second day to bird chatter. At the feeder, 4 house sparrows (♂♀), 3 black capped chickadees, 1 nuthatch, 1 northern cardinal (♀), and a tussle between 2 chipmunks below. I am excited to head out on the trails. Before I begin, I make a conscious decision to invite the Father with … Continue reading Clarity in the Clearing – CITW Part 3 Final
Arriving on the first day, I was greeted by a gentle storm. I love storms. I love the excitement and the unknown. The mood is a little more reverent. There is a certain amount of waiting involved...watching the sky, listening, pausing. So I was beyond thrilled to encounter dark skies on my first night. God … Continue reading Stormy Welcome, CITW Part 2
Sometimes in life you need to retreat. You need to reach over and hit the pause button so that you can regroup. Current events becoming too overwhelming? ....pause button. Work driving you mad? ....pause button. Feeling like you're spinning your wheels not getting anywhere? ...pause button. Family/Friends/Children acting irrational? ....pause button. Feel like you're losing … Continue reading My Strategic Withdrawal, CITW Part 1
