(Note: In case you’re wondering, this post is a followup to this. I try my best to respond to each and every comment, BTW – so make sure you come back later to read my response to your comments).
Ok… so I’m getting a LOT of emails/comments from readers upset with me about the cliff hanger in my previous email and blog post.
Sorry about that. Perhaps the terrible toddler stage in my house is contagious (yikes).
Anyway, I’ve been feeling reluctant to talk about something. But it’s *long overdue* so here goes…
As you may or may not know, this whole creating art with a purpose and realizing the impact it can have on my life and in the lives of those around me has given me a new perspective (in the best possible way).
When I first started scrapbooking over 5 years ago… I never in a million years DREAMED I’d have the opportunity to have the impact I’ve had.
Anyway, every once in a while it freaks me out a little, but I’ve been blessed to have helped hundreds (perhaps thousands) of women transform their lives for the better.
And I’ve been deeply touched – and so many times moved to tears – by all the beautiful emails, letters, gifts, prayers, and hugs you’ve sent over the years (and from all over the world).
As the years have gone by, I have learned a lot!!
So here is what I have been holding out on for years…
I’ve been
- Nicely asked
- Strongly encouraged
- Begged
- Pleaded with…
To share the accumulation of what I have learned over the last 5 years (and to share and teach the art of finding beauty in the middle of ashes- in other words to find life’s healing, strengths, passions and purpose through art and other creative techniques).
For YEARS I’ve resisted teaching this stuff.
I have made the usual mundane excuses like “I don’t have enough time” and “I’m too busy with my “real” job”. And I’m embarrassed to admit that, as my business grew and expanded….
…I wondered if sharing my techniques and my knowledge would actually HURT my own business and result in fewer clients. I also wondered if I was even capable of teaching everything I’d learned in over 5 years of doing this. (Day in and day out, now, I’m realizing just how small this kind of thinking was).
Oh. And I’m also a bit of a perfectionist.
Ok “a bit” is an understatement… I’m a FULL BLOWN perfectionist with things like this.
And because I’ve given up all hope of ever being able to get it to be perfect, I realized that I simply cannot go half-way with this. As far as I am concerned – its **all the way** or not at all.
How I’m Trying to Learn From the Past
Before I put together my first healing art workshop, beautiful women kept saying “Nana, you MUST teach a workshop where you teach us how to use art as a tool”. I would think to myself “But not everyone is the same, every woman’s pain, passions, weaknesses, and strengths are different – how will I address ALL of their needs?”
But I DID go onto teaching that workshop. And it ended up having an amazing impact that I’m just coming to terms with.
It would have been small minded of me to NOT teach that workshop. And I’m beginning to think that not sharing what I know about the power of art in self-discovery, business building and even God-discovery (out of fear that it will impact my own business) is just as small minded.
So I’m Seriously Considering Doing This
Despite my fears, hesitancy, and perfectionism, I am seriously considering pulling back the curtain and showing you just about everything I know about using art as a method of healing, self-discovery, God-discovery, and starting your own creative business, or causing your current business to go from surviving to thriving.
(I would have LOVED to have this training 10 years ago when I really wanted some direction)
If I Do This, It Will Be A LOT Of Work
I’m excited about sharing stuff with you, but I’ve been around long enough to know that my small projects quickly get out of hand and turn into big ones…
So I only want to do this if there is enough interest.
So I want to know…
- What do you think?
- Should I do this?
- Would you be interested?
Your feedback and thoughts are absolutely the fuel that keeps me going.
And I don’t want to even think about doing this unless there’s enough potential interest.
Anyway, if you have a second, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
It would mean a lot to me, and I’ll do my best to respond to each and every comment.
Love in Christ,
Nana
Nana, you have no idea how much research I have done to try to learn some of the stuff that you are wanting to teach. My greatest passion is to see women set free and being able to help them through art is just icing on the cake. So YES I am very interested and YES you should do this! And I will commit to pray for you (almost) daily!
"But not everyone is the same, every woman's pain, passions, weaknesses, and strengths are different – how will I address ALL of their needs?"
With prayers I'm sure God will guide you how, what to do that!!
Go for it! if God put that in your heart do it!
Blessings
MJ
You have to follow your heart and do what God wants you to do..If you got all your knowledge from Him…then He gave it to you for a reason…the Bible says.."freely you have received now freely give"…pray about it then let God lead you….
Go for it. And yes please!
Marjolaine, if you could put it into words, what exactly would you want to learn to do? What would help you accomplish your goal? What knowledge are you craving to get answers for? What knowledge do you feel you lack? What can i create or cause to happen for you that will empower you to fulfill the purpose you were created to achieve?
Thanks for the encouragement… I am looking forward to what you have to say.. Love you girl!
MJ, Thanks for bringing me back to the Lord! 🙂 Is there something you have been longing for in your life and walk with the Lord? in other words, if I would create a program to help you, what would you want me to include in it?
Looking forward to hearing more from you!
Hugs!
Carolyn, what a sweet reminder of His word! 🙂 Indeed He will guide my steps and I catch myself going back and forth with so many things.. reason why I asked for advise. I know that I can make a change in women's lives.. I am just curious to find out what it is that His daughters are hungry to receive?
Bernice, you have no idea how your exclamation point made my heart beat. The fact that you are telling me to go for it, and then you say PLEASE – makes me want to start this thing today! Thank you for fueling my passions! 🙂 Please tell me how I can be of service to you? What questions do you have in your life that you want answered? What things are limiting you?
Thanks again! Hugs!
I totally agree with the other posts, there is a reason you have this knowledge and insight, it is GOD given. You should share, and grow with each of us as we all grow from your talent and insight. I amy not be able to afford these sessions but that we will see about later. Give us all the chance to experience thru your experience and talent what may be life changing for us as well, LOVE YOU to the moon and back…Love, Beverly
Nana I say follow the dreams that God has given you and let him be your guide and I think this is awesome and wonderful of you to share your talents and insights that you can share with the world and what you have learned and to impact lives…pray but I think that HE has already given you the answer…and I thought I was the perfectionist!! lol…love and hugs my dear friend! 🙂
Nana, let me think and pray about that and I'll get back to you!
Oh… yes … you should….. come on… you know.how.many times.I have to.search for.some input????
Oh… yes … you should….. come on… you know.how.many times.I have to.search for.some input????
If God be for us, WHO can be against us? God is the one who places the the desires in our hearts and THEN in HIS powerful majesty, He turns right around and grants them. Press on and follow your dream.
I can't personally speak to the healing that comes from creating but I do know that I am at peace and am overjoyed when I create a piece that others enjoy. It is a serious stress reliever for me and I enjoy perfecting my craft.
The Word says do everything as unto the Lord and it was speaking of work but I think it should be applied to everyday lives. No, everything is not going to be perfect BUT I do know that if I keep pressing, God will be pleased!
Here's an encouraging pat on the back and a go get 'em just for you. Hugs!!!
Nana, It would be sooo awesome if you would teach this to us! I definitely could use some teaching like this! Follow your heart & dreams, GOG is leading you in the right direction!! Hugs & Love!!!!
Hola Nana!!! Eres capaz de lograr lo que te propongas de corazon! Solo sigue tu vocesita interna y veras que no perderas nunca, aunque llegases a fallar. Te amo y me haces mucha falta. Saludos a todos y un besote. BTW, no se nada de scrapbooking, pero si se que tu si sabes como se bate el cobre en eso y no hay quien te gane pues tus enseñanzas vienen directamente de la Academia Divina de Scrapbooking en la 2da avenida del Reino Celestial. Tremenda escuela! Pa'lante y sin miedo…
Nana, there is always a reason for a longing and yours seem to be to serve the Lord through your talents, nothing can be more rewarding than knowing you walked in His perfect will for your life!
We all need inner peace at one stage or another and crafts is the doorway that can lead to that, i know that i have seen amazing testimonies, assistance, love, joy,met amazing people and more since being a blogger and feel that this was also placed in my path cause GOD knew i needed it so in my life!!
Be still and let GOD, HE will show you the way.
love you and thanks for being there
1/ Absolutely
2/ Absolutely
3/ Absolutely
My Dear Sister in Christ,
I would most certainly want to part of this amazing teaching and I feel there truly is a need for this. You are a gifted blessing from God to all those around you and to not go forward with this would be a tragedy.
I encourage you to take this giant step of faith and pursue His leading! You have my full support and you can count on me to assist you in any way I can.
May God use you to continue to bless the lives of more people.
I love you!!
Dear Nana,
I believe that if this is on your heart then God has already given you the answer to do this. I would like to have my business grow and to beableto influence people to turn to the Lord for guidance and comfort. Where I live here in Mexico there is alot of New Age going on and I would love to bring the light of Christ to people and their hearts. I must say however I have no money to invest in something but I do have passion to create and reach the lost.
May God continue to fill you with dreas and visions to make your vision come true.
God Bless
Nana, When I read your Thoughts I wondered, what is she doubtful of? I understand your hesitation, since this is your business and your way of making a living. But you know what? I think you have no idea the need right now for the word of god and that inspiration in our daily living. I am a mom to 2 beautifull kids who loves scrapbooking. But every day my faith is tested and a workshop who helps me bring my faith and my art together would be ideal. The world is in a crazy state. We get a little crazy with it sometimes. We, moms, grandmas, aunts, need to center ourselves under gods helping hand so we can lead our families in the correct pathway. I support you 100%. from puerto Rico with love.
Nana, I don't know you as well as the rest of your readers, but I have been an art teacher for almost 14 years, and that is a call that only God give to special people. Like you and His Son. If you feel inside of your soul that you want to show to the rest of the people your knowledge and experience, teach us and we will learn.
What exactly I want you to teach me? Well , that's a question that even, maybe, my self , don't know.
When I used to teach, I always thought of what my students will appreciated and remember when there were older and never forget. The interesting part of my years of teaching, are when one of my student told me that she was teaching her son of 1 year things that I thought her. Soooo, my mustard seed did grow in her.
Nana, por medio del arte puedes crear milagros para ti y para tus estudiantes. A lo mejor algunas no sabran exactamente que quieren aprender, pero para eso estas tu, para ense~ar tus experiencias y que cada una de ellas decidan que necesitan de ti y que no. Tu simplemente eres un guia , un medio y poco a poco sabras que necesitan de ti. El dialogo entre tu y ellas es muy importante. Bendiciones y si necesitas alguna ayuda, con mucho gusto te ayudare.
Nana, I have always believed that if I wrestle with something like you have been wrestling with this… that Satan is alive and well and knows the impact you will have on others lives and that it will glorify God. Not really what Satan wants, ya know..
You can ask out opinions but it is ultimately what GOd wants and that is what you need to be sure of. How much of an effect will it have on your family time wise? Are you willing to let others help you or are you such a perfectionist that you can not allow yourself to delegate?
For me..I have no one here to help me but I also cannot afford most of the classes that are offered online and yet it isn't fair to expect your knowledge for free either. All I can promise you is that I will support you the best I can and I can always pray.
Nana,The Lord called you and the Lord will provide everything you need. This is one of my favorite stories and whenever I need inspiration all I do is read it and re-read it and remind myself that the Lord Himself called me to do this. He will do the same for you. Be encouraged and move forward.
The Lord himself chose Bezalel and filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. He also appointed Oholiab to help him. The Lord gave the ability to all the skilled workers to make everything he have commanded them. (Exodus 31:1-11.
YES, YES, and YES!!!! honey. if God is calling you to do this, He is expanding your territories and His hand will be with you and He will bless you. So don't worry about your business, God will bless it beyond measure!!! Go for it girl!! I have taught a designed a whole scrapbook Bible study for women to tell their life story and through it heal! Go for it and don't hold anything back! God with give you the strength and all you need. Love in Christ, Sandi Cooley Charlotte,NC
Waoo nana !! que te puedo decir si esta en tu corazon es por que Dios lo ha puesto hay.. y si para llevar el mensaje por medio del arte aqui estare siguiendo tus pasos, eres una mujer maravillosa y cuando te conocí el temple de paz y la humildad me llenaron de gozo . Waoo k mas puedo decir sigue hacia delante que por medio del arte Dios sane muchas vidas un abrazo esponjoso desde tu bella isla PR Yesy
I too was led in this direction and am moving into online classes for women as well as creating a weekend retreat for Christian women ( like the brave girls camp). I would love to talk to you more about your ideas. email me directly from my blog?
Diane Marra
http://dianemarra.typepad.com/
The real knowledge, and max experience is when you share. If you have that feeling that you should do something… pursue it.
Scrapper Myra, I think that you hit the nail on the head! It is true that you learn so much more when you share! Looking forward to sharing with you all!
Diane, the Lord KNOWS well what He does and when… I will contact you because the Lord had already placed you in my heart! 🙂 Love you girl!
Yesy, tu eres TAAN linda! Me encanta que hayas visto un temple de paz! 🙂 Seguire para adelante por mujeres como tu!
Sandi, I had goosebumps reading yopur exhortation! Thank you for reminding me of the fact that He will take care of it! 🙂
WOW BEATRIZ! I now have tears in my eyes! You will never realize the impact that Scripture has had. I am praying for very specific confirmation, and that Scripture brought me to His presence! Thanks for sharing!
Vicki, I love that you always put me back on the grounded faith- the practicality that I so need. 🙂 Even if you cannot afford the programs I put together, the Lord will always make a way if He desires that you are a part of them. The biggest support you can give me is to remember me in your prayers! :)hugs!
Anonimo, que pena no saber quien eres. Me encantaria saber para poder enviarte un abrazito! Gracias por esa perspectiva! 🙂 Un beso grande!
trflaw, more than hesitating I am making sure i get all the confirmation I need. There are times that we get side-tracked because of our own desires, and we claim it is the voice of the Lord. I do not want to mess up this time. 🙂
Thanks for pointing out that reality about women… I so desire to help women get grounded in the Word and in their purpose! 🙂 hugs!
Thank you Audrey for sharing you desire to do the same. I am convinced that if God has called you, He will provide! 🙂 Will be praying for you to be an impact in Mexico. hugs!
Sweet Mary! I love how you say that it would be a tragedy if i do not go forth with this. It is a tragedy that I did not make this my life-goal before I turned 30! Thanks for your kind words! hugs!
Thanks Theresa! Loved when you said: nothing can be more rewarding than knowing you walked in His perfect will for your life! It has become my life goal: to be intentional about living out His will!
Anonima, me hiciste reir con esto: enseñanzas vienen directamente de la Academia Divina de Scrapbooking en la 2da avenida del Reino Celestial. Es muty cierto! Besitos y gracias por tu comentario!
Thanks Pam! He indeed is leading me somewhere.. just excited that you are a part of it! hugs!
Christel, the Lord knows how much I appreciate your constant encouragement! 🙂 So excited that you are a part of this! HUGS!
Lizzie, I will give you the input! 🙂 Thanks for the support! hugs!
Kari, your prayrs are coveted! 🙂 Love you my dear sister! hugs!
I am so blessed that I received you email the other morning about you doing this program…I’m not sure what all it is going to entail (?) but I am at a crossroads in my own life and spiritual well being that I so know that God is directing me to whatever it is you are trying to teach us women.
I love scrapbooking and have met you at your store in the past and have not been very inspired over the past few years but feel that I need a “New Beginning” for myself and this may be the answer. Please know that you are being a tool for our heavenly father for many of us and I am very thankful that God directed me to you. Look forward to more…
Melanie, I have been blessed beyond words by your comment!! I so wish I had your contact information… I would love to chat with you! ;). I will be praying for you and am thrilled to be a part of what the Lord is doing in your life! ;). Hugs!