While driving, I was listening to one of the Christian radio stations, and a caller shared their testimony. I do not remember anything about it but the phrase, “A Character-Building Day.” I do know that they said that instead of a bad or struggling day. From that moment on, I have taken that phrase and have coined this year, “The Character-Building Year”.
I am closing on the first year back in education. I taught 5 years of high school in West Dallas, then resigned to open my own bookstore, then closed that and worked remotely for two years allowing me so much time in my bible and creativity. I made plans based on that. But when I had to get back into education, my plans were quickly placed on the backburner.
This year took me out of my comfort zone and into the drowning zone. The position that God placed me in, I didn’t have the training and had to figure it out as time progressed. I worked two jobs because I have big bills. By the time I made it home, it was just enough time to walk my dog and go back to sleep. My plans of my art and stationary business, Sincerely, Peace by CicelyRenee and my creative arts ministry non-profit, The Creative Wellness Project suffered greatly. It broke my heart. I definitely felt some type of void.
April and May were filled to the brim, and I literally floated through it, my daily prayer was God please carry me, give me the supernatural strength, mental capacity, and focus to do the things needed. Everything was a bit of a blur, but everything was taken care of, and I know it was all God. By the end of last week, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, a huge weight was taken off of me. I could start picturing the summer, and y’all it looks AMAZING! It is filled with the Word of God, exploration, creativity, rest, and physical well-being.
This summer, I choose to create with boldness, grace, and joy. I believe creativity is a gift from God and it is meant to heal, inspire, and connect. I am not waiting for the perfect moment; I am showing up faithfully, with what I have. So, I created this summer manifesto:
I will:
Honor God with every stroke, word, and idea.
Create daily rhythms of reflection, expression, and renewal.
Share my gifts through art, writing, and teaching, not for applause, but for impact.
Build community around creativity and Christ.
Rest when needed, knowing that restoration fuels revelation.
Document my journey, because testimony is a form of truth-telling.
Say no to perfectionism, and yes to presence, progress, and play.
This summer, I am anchored in hope, led by purpose, and created to flourish.
What about you, what is God inviting you to create or release this summer? What do you need to let go of to flourish creatively?
My Summer Plans (You should join me!!)
Online Classes That I Am Taking
Workshop Week June 2-6, 2025: I have been attending for the past 3 years, and it is so amazing! You get all these workshops led by amazing artists. It is motivating, encouraging and empowering! I think you should register. This year, funny thing, it is themed “Fan Favorites” and many of my favorite artists that I follow and take classes with are teaching. I am so sooooo excited!
Skill Share: I have been paying for the premium subscription for the past 3 years. It is an amazing platform that houses 1,000s of courses, art, business, writing, and so much more. It is my favorite paid site. Many of the artists who will be teaching in Workshop Week teach on Skill Share.
Christian Leaders Institute: All things Bible! I have taken a few courses so far and want to continue diving into different subjects so I can deepen relationship and knowledge. I miss studying the Word of God on such a deep and intimate level. God has given me the gift of teaching and so in order to serve Him and His people well, I need to be all the way in when it comes to His Word and living it out daily.
Online Classes That I Am Teaching
Colors Oh My Weekly Art Camps: Over the summer I have three art camps that I am excited to be teaching. We have a Dogman Camp, Minecraft, and Lilo and Stitch Camp. If you are in the DFW area, check us out!
Outschool Summer Camps: This summer I have two camps that I am focused on, Quirky Creatures and Paint, Pen, & Play: Mixed Media Journaling. I enjoy sharing my love for creativity with the youth. It is cool that it is virtual too! Check them out!
Creative Wellness Project: If you are in the DFW area, you will have to come check out all the amazing workshops that I offer. Art, writing, hiking and more, it’s going to be amazing. The Creative Wellness Project is my Creative Art Ministry Non-Profit, sharing the Gospel through creativity. Feel free to donate.
Creative Routines
The Artist’s Way: A 12-week book to dive deeper into your creative self. I have never done it. I do know they talk about morning pages and artist’s dates. I am so ready for that! Have you heard of it? Tell me your thoughts!
Gospel Art Flow sessions: Just creating with God… spending time with Him, allowing Him to lead me through the art… yalllll worship music, the sun and more. I will be painting outside, inside, everywhere.
Business Elevation
Sincerely, Peace: My art business is going to be revamped to focus on a few new things… I can’t wait to share with you! I will be working really hard on getting a system down, updating the website, connecting with businesses to do wholesale, and more.
The Creative Wellness Project: We are updating the youth curriculum and adding videos to the sessions! We will be focused on partnerships and workshops. Social Media Marketing and Marketing in general is a huge focus as well.
Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Eating CLEAN and Working out is vital. Back in October I was diagnosed with Diabetes and I really want to get in control and reverse that! I am excited to get back into the kitchen and walk the nature trails with my dog!
Rest: REST… I mean it! Like I am not going to be overworking myself. I will e going to bed, sleeping in, and enjoying it!
Spending time with loved ones: Traveling to see my family, spending time with my boyfriend Nathaniel and his family, my homegirls… Being mindful and intentional with those relationships.
That definitely seems to be a busy summer, changes are being made. I will have to totally trust God in everything. Believe God… this has been popping up everywhere and I want to really live that out. Believe who He says He is! Promise keeper, Waymaker, Father, Friend…
What are your thoughts?!?!?!
The goal is to document everything for many reasons, to reflect on my journey, encourage others, glorify God, and be a living testimony.
Your Challenge
Prompt: Take 10 minutes today and write your own summer manifesto. What do you want this season to feel like?
Mini Challenge: Create something this week, anything that reminds you you’re flourishing. Then reply or tag me with it. I’d love to celebrate it with you.
Creative Journal Moment: Here’s a prompt to stick in your journal this week: ‘I feel most alive when I…’
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