March - April 2020
Has there ever been a month of days in the lives of most of us that has this perpetual cloud over it? How to cope?  (Of course, our lives have felt perpetually oppressed with an illness/death etc.  I'm talking about this perpetual grief of pandemic!)
We must keep our eyes looking up, toward the hills or sky or clouds!  From where does our help come?  Our Lord God Almighty, who made the heavens and the earth, alone will bring us through this epic period of living. 
On Facebook, I've created a NessDoor page where there are ideas for prayer and craft, but it is also a place of hopeful messages and encouragement. Friend me.
I will say with all certainty that this is HARD.  Not being able to see my granddaughter, kids, friends, have Day Retreats, go to church, go to retreats, freely and openly go to the grocery store! I HATE to go to the grocery, but today I long for that freedom.  Jody, as a public servant, goes to the Courthouse daily, sees 1 or two people, but that even that little exposure concerns me.  He goes to feed horses twice a day... now a Bronx Zoo tiger has the virus....

Do not hesitate to reach out to someone if despair grips you.  We are ALL dealing with similar feelings.  Live in the moment, 15 min. at a time.  Work the Grief steps.

ENTER HOPE!  Amidst our angst and anguish, our Lord shows us that through His angst and anguish all awhile begging for the cup to pass, He endured all we are feeling; He died and ROSE! 
As we are dying to self and sacrificing, please know I believe we also will RISE! HOSANNA! Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Amen. Selah.

November - December 2019
There's a lot going on in the life of NessDoor and Life! (Babe Finley Claire and fam have moved to Austin; we are getting out-buildings at the farm repaired.) NessDoor continues to be a sacred place of prayer, solitude, retreats, and creativity.
Please, if you are on FB, look for the NessDoor page with this photo (left), Friend me and join in.
There are words of wisdom passed along from scholars and friends, authors and artists.
NessDoor: Open Your Soul To Rest.
Spiritual Direction is available. Just contact me.
Space is also available for prayer/meeting groups. There's even a bed if you want/need to nap! The Lord continues to open up opportunities for the house to be used.

NESSDOOR RETREATS HAPPENED EVERY 5-6 WEEKS:
Here are some photos of retreat creative expression from August, September, October, and November and December. Retreats follow the liturgical year of the church. Ordinary Time ends the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the season of Advent is now!

The following photos are from NessDoor retreats and studio time at Laity Lodge. Enjoy the possibilities of Creating!

It's been a full, very Blessed year of being a grandmother, Nessi, to our sweet granddaughter.  Trips to Denver to keep Finn have been a rhythm I could not have imagined.  I'm so in LOVE!  I have a wonderful daughter in law and son who allow me to spend as much time as I can with her.  I suppose I need to add a page to this site: Life Loving Experiences all about being Nessi!
Personal creative endeavors slowed down, but NessDoor has flourished with lots of meetings, prayer, and day retreats:  Unmasking- Living as the One and Only YOU; Advent Quiet Day- A Soul Day just for you; Epiphany- Follow Your Star, See the Wonder; Lent- Rhythm, God's Beat for you; Approaching Ascension- Forgiveness. (Ck the NessDoor page)

Now that I'm about to embark on another Cody Center art offering at Laity Lodge, Dale Bruner, July 18-21, I'm preparing to spending time with people in the studios for two afternoons.  While I always leave the door open for any creative expression, my focus will be on Painting with Paper.  Other options will be PwP on cedar cuts, wood burning, and limited jewelry/Anglican Prayer Beads.  The Cody Center has it ALL!

Last June 2018 I had a grand time at the Studios at Laity Lodge during the Earl Palmer retreat.  Aside from just the wonder of the teaching, the people gathered there made the afternoon art offering truly rich.  Here are some of the creative expressions from that time:
​

Have Retreat Will Travel.
​Not only is NessDoor available for Soul Care Day Retreats, quiet, talk, study, art, coloring, and journaling, I'm branching out to do 4 hour retreats with groups away from NessDoor.  God's blessings abound whether I am home or away.  Also I am going back to Laity Lodge after a 2 year hiatus (while they remodeled) to  lead an art workshop or two, July 14-17.

​5-10-18  Next up: NessDoor: Open your soul to rest.
(Please see the NessDoor page.)
​There have been Soul Care Day Retreats and one on one art sessions as well as group projects and studies, meetings, and lots of prayer time.
​This photo reflects a painting with paper project for the great niece of the former owner of the home. The neighbor was an artist and needleworker. I chose a small canvas to embellish for the great niece's baby nursery. What a dear project to be able to do. The frame was found in the attic as well. God is good.
and stay tuned to the next generation in the Gilles family in July.

REDEMPTION TO RESURRECTION!
​In several sessions, brave souls came together with me to experiment with Dirty Acrylic Pour.  Layering acrylic paint mixed with Elmer's Glue All, with a shot of silicone in between, the process was powerful.  Naming each need to be "Redeemed" and assigning a color, the results were completely uncontrollable.  Paint oozed and slid and created 'cells' to the delight and consternation of most.  The process continued to journal the results of what color was prominent.  Three days later, the "set up" final product was returned to each participant.
​

Creative anticipation builds in my all blessed life.  Being in community with the most amazing people and reconnecting with the friends of a lifetime, the next chapter of living will be full to overflowing with Grace.  Selah.

5/19/2017
​It's hard to imagine I've had this site for 2 years!  What an amazing growth time.  Two sessions at the Pecos Benedictine Monastery, commissioned as a Spiritual Director.  Starting in early 2016, the Soul Care Institute, going to Colorado to Potters Inn (and The Franciscan Center in CO Springs)
​reading volumes of books, writing papers and learning more than I could have imagined.  The SCI will end in November 2017, and I will a Soul Care Provider.   It has been an incredible journey.

I left for the monastery.  Exciting adventures begin!  Check out The Monastery page for more...