When I look back, I realize that I have always been creative. I think ever since I could speak, I sang. Singing to me as always been like breathing. When I was a young girl, seminarians would come over to our house with there guitars and we would have jam sessions with me singing right along with them, loud and clear. I would sing along to the records of my older siblings with the likes of the Beatles, Paul Revere & The Raiders, and many more.
When I was in 6th grade, my best friend and I decided we were going to write a novel. Of course, it was a knock off of several other books we had read. Plagiarism? I still don't know how to spell it! Thank you Google. Being able to tie in the different stories was pretty good for 12 year olds. I think that was the beginning of my desire to write.
Being 12, our attention span was short, so we moved on to other things. She and I were also in the school choir all through elementary school. I can remember being so excited to go to choir especially when we had a chance to perform for family and friends. I also played saxophone in the school band.
I didn't have a lot of toys, so I often got creative and used the natural elements around me to create my playthings. A flower base became a teacup, clover flowers a necklace, and cane stalks swords to spar with my cousin. I used to take laundry detergent and make a "clay" with it and fashion different shapes with it. It would harden once it dried.
As I grew, music and writing continued to be something that felt natural to me. I was shy though because we moved to a new town when I was in the 7th grade, so I left the sax behind. I wasn't brave enough to take vocal until my senior year. I became a lead vocalist there.
When I graduated from high school, I wanted to study voice and dance at a university in another city. My mother did not want me to move away, so I was not allowed to go. I continued to sing for myself and my friends.
When I made my first retreat, I found another outlet for my singing with the Catholic Student Community. I became involved with them and with teaming on retreats and doing music. I also was asked to speak at one of these retreats. I received a lot of positive feedback on my talk.
I continued to sing for those around me and also enjoyed dancing with my friends. I was once told I danced like Ginger Rogers.
I got married, had 2 stepchildren, and worked full time at a very demanding job. I didn't have much time to myself and my creative self had to take a back seat. The kids grew up, my health became an issue and I had to quit work. What was I to do with myself?
I got back in touch with that creative part of me. I took a cake decorating class and began to express myself through those cakes. It is only a hobby, but it gives me great pleasure to create a cake that is specific to an individual or group making them feel special. I am also able to do some sculpting with this.
I got involved with my church choir and the ACTS retreats we host and have been able to use my love of song to worship The Lord. I have been able to write my story and share it with others hopefully inspiring them in some way. This allowed me to get back in touch with writing and allows me to minister to others.
I am discerning what my spiritual gifts are and what avenues I can take to utilize them. Whatever I do my creative gifts will be incorporated. I thank The Lord for gifting me with all I have and am. All Glory to Him!!!
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