Kisses of Eden

I am a very passionate girl, and I am passionate about many different things in life 

(God, the Spirit, Trinity, Art, Writing, Purity, Painting, Marriage, Creativity, Jewelry-making, Traveling, Health, Nature, Fitness, Animals, Photography, and the importance of LOVE in every area of life- especially when it comes to loving ourselves well). 

I know our passions and dreams are ways God leads us into our destinies... and when we believe in ourselves and partner with God, we see these dreams fulfilled in ways we could have never imagined.

I have been in England the past 3 months, unable to "work". Work is somewhere I use to really struggle with when it came to my identity. When you meet new people, so often the first question they ask you is "What do you do?". 

I think it's so common now that 'what we do' is interpreted as 'who we are'... and being in England these past 3 months, unable to work, I really struggled with this at first... until I took these struggles to God and He showed me that my identity is not in what I do... my identity is in who He made me to be- no matter what my job title is.

I started thinking of everything I am passionate about, and the season I was in, and decided to do something I do very well... Dream. 

So I started dreaming- what kind of influence do I want to have on the world? 

If I could be anything in the world, what would I want to be? 

The answer came very fast, and has been my answer since I was 5 years old...

An Artist. 

And my answer is something I already am, and have been since I could hold a crayon in my hand.

But an artist is a very broad answer- because then you can go into 'what kind of artist'... 

but I don't want to fit into a 'kind'... 

I want to be free to be creative in all areas of life- 

from writing, to painting, to jewelry making.

Then I thought of my jewelry, and my paintings, and the idea came to my mind of combining them. 

You see, when I paint, God speaks to my Spirit in such a powerful way. And if I could share this with others, to bring them hope and encouragement, I want to. 

My jewelry has always been something I have made to be one-of-a-kind, because I believe everyone is made unique in God's image, and there is no two human beings that are exactly the same. This truth is so beautiful to me, on how God made each and every one of us, so special and unique... 

and I want my jewelry to reflect that- so the wearer knows- 

"these are one of a kind, just as I am".

But then I thought- what if I made my paintings into jewelry, and could also write about them, and include what God spoke to my spirit while painting them? What if I could have it all tied together in one little 'business'?

I came across this verse last week in Proverbs... 

"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; Bind them around your neck; write them on your heart. So you will find success and favor in God and man. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways see Him, and He will make your paths straight." 

-Proverbs 3:3-5

My husband pointed out that this verse reflects my heart behind my jewelry, my paintings, and my writings-

For others to wear my creations, and to be reminded, continuously, to trust God above all else that may be surrounding us (circumstances, situations, grief, pain, loss...),

and in all those seasons it's even more important to cling to Him- 

like the mass of a ship in a storm, so we are not thrown into the sea, but sail safely through. 

This doesn't mean that life won't be hard... but it means we will find our strength in Him- and we will prevail. Because it's what we were made to do.

And to be honest- 

if life were easy, there would be no adventure.

If you've been following my blog, or seeing posts on my Instagram and Facebook page- You will have noticed I have created a new name for it all called Kisses of Eden- and have intwined everything together. (blog, Facebook, Instagram, Etsy Shop...) 

My hope behind ALL I do, is simply for my writings and creations to be those that encourage- bring hope, build faith, and help lead others to this same trust in God that I have been growing in since 2008. 

Why Kisses of Eden?

When I think of Eden, I think of creation, when Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. 

I think of the kiss of life that God gave Adam in that very Garden, and how, through Jesus, our relationship with Him now is one of intimacy and trust- to know Him more every day, and be known by Him. 

When I create with God, I sense His presence. 

I hear His voice and feel His love for me and for humanity- His children. 

Being connected to Him in this way, makes me dream of what life was like in the garden of Eden. 

A kiss is a very powerful thing, and says so much without a single spoken word. 

This is how I feel God's presence is- especially learning to hear Him in the Spirit... 

It says so much without a single spoken word.

This is where the name Kisses of Eden was born from. 

My dream for Kisses of Eden is that every creation, writing, painting, jewelry piece or sketch, would be one that God moves through to bless others to be able to hear Him, feel His presence, and know His love even more with every day. 

I don't really know where this dream will go... but the journey is just as amazing as the destination, and I'm excited for every new step that lays before me.

So if you are reading this- Thank you. 

Thank you for listening to my heart. 

Thank you for your support, and especially the encouragement so many people bring me with your kind words and purchases from my art shop.

May you be blessed- and never stop dreaming big.