What I’m About and Where This Blog Is Headed

It’s been a while since I’ve written here. That’s partly because the last couple of years have been filled with deep reflection as I’ve moved through my training in spiritual direction. In the past, this blog served as a kind of examen—a space to name and notice how God has been shaping me. But with regular written examens required throughout my training, my need to process publicly here has naturally quieted down.

Now, as that season begins to draw to a close, I find myself asking the big questions again (questions we all ask, and if we don’t, maybe we should be?):
What’s next?
What am I passionate about?
How do I most want to spend my time?

A recent retreat gave me the space to listen. I journaled. I made lists—of what I love, what I want to do more of, and what I want to release. And through all of that emerged something simple, honest, and energizing.

Here’s what I’m about:

Teaching kids and adults contemplative spiritual practices through:

• coloring books and journals

• picture books (mine and others)

• Godly Play and other contemplative curricula

• arts-and-crafts-based play

When I step back and look at it, the phrase that best captures all of this is “contemplative play.” Or, put another way, finding God in play—encountering the sacred through color, imagination, story, and creative rest.

So, I’ve been doing some refreshing behind the scenes—updating my website and narrowing my focus. I want this blog (and the monthly newsletters to come) to be a space where I share ideas, prompts, and resources to help you bring contemplative play into your own life and the lives of those you love.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, spiritual director, or creative soul just looking for something deeper—I hope you’ll journey with me.

Let’s make space. Let’s create and play. Let’s go deeper. Let’s rest and remember.

Making Cards

Here is a tutorial on how to make my collage cards! I have been so delighted at the interest people have shown in them, so I made this tutorial about a year ago to share. Please send me pictures if you decide to make some! Also, feel free to browse my Etsy store for more ideas!

What you’ll need:
-Pre-scored cards or cardstock (any size is fine!)
-Collage elements (book pages, tissue paper, etc.)
-Glue (I like using glue sticks. I have used mod podge and it eliminates some of the texture of the collage elements and I don’t like it as much.)
-Washi tape or stickers (This is optional! If you had enough collage elements, you don’t even need this! It’s just what I use.)
-Scissors
-Pens or markers