prayer painting in texas

Megan and I have been friends for about nine years online.

We’ve worked together and shared a friendship, even though she’s in Texas and I’m in Kentucky.

Through her and her business, Your Spirit Sparkle, I met Heather, who also became a good friend.

These are women I love.

This year, we finally got to be in the same physical space with one another when they flew me to Dallas, put me in a beautiful bed and breakfast in Ennis, then hosted me for two Prayer Painting workshops at Your Spirit Sparkle.

So much love and energy went into planning this weekend and I was incredibly excited to go to Texas.

I flew out of Louisville on sunny skies but stormy weather moved into Dallas just as our plane did, so we had to do some turbulent circling. We, and by we I mean our pilot, managed to land us in a space between wind shears.

Megan drove me to Ennis in the most intense rain storm I’ve ever experienced.

I mean, it was probably a cleansing rain, right?

I was the only guest that night at Hoefer House, a bed and breakfast in an beautifully restored home.

The rain and wind kicked up all night long, but I was cozy in my shelter - where there is a strong Marian presence.

Whenever I check in to a place and see her, I know I’m in the right I’m meant to be.

Though it was chilly and misty and grey, the rain let up on Friday morning.

I made a lot of coffee, because that’s what I do.

Megan and Heather and I had some time to visit .

It was surreal.

Even though it was the first time we shared a physical space, it felt like we’d been together many times and I kept having to remind myself that this was actually the first time we’d been all together.

When we walked through the door at Your Spirit Sparkle, it was exactly as I had imagined it to be - a space that feels light and warm and safe - and the aroma of nag champa to soothe the soul and delight the senses.

We set up the painting space.

I love that moment when the brown paper goes on the tables and the easels are arranged.

I had a little cappuccino from the sweet coffee shop down the street, lit a pink Guadalupe candle (listen, the stock of prayer candles at the grocery store was extraordinary), and they arrived.

The people.

The first workshop felt easy and harmonious.

The people who joined me really showed up, ready to be vulnerable and open, ready to drop down into their hearts and listen. Ready to paint and respond.

And they did.

And they painted.

And oh my goodness, the energy in that room!

The paintings!

They were amazing.

I made it back to my cozy blue bedroom exhausted in joy and gratitude.

Saturday morning began the way all good mornings do, with more coffee.

As I sat in the most comfortable chair ever enjoying my savory cup, the sun began to shine through the painted bluebonnets on the windows.

The actual sun!

It was Autumn Daze in downtown Ennis, and you know I love a good fall festival!

I was impressed by the prevalence of sugar skulls.

This one was painted on a hay bale.

Isn’t it incredible?

I got a feel for the town, had a delicious lunch Wildflower Cafe, then we set up the easels and went into the second workshop.

The energy in the second workshop was equally exciting and interesting, but completely different than the first.

It was beautiful confirmation that this process is energy work.

It’s healing work.

No two sessions are alike because no two gatherings of people are alike.

On Sunday morning, we came back to Your Spirit Sparkle.

I was a guest for Sacred Sunday meditation and journaling, which was lovely.

That afternoon, Meg and I had some back porch coffee. I was obsessed with these blue mugs.

Then I took a walk around the neighborhood where I saw charming houses and Halloween decorations.

And then it was time for Heather and Megan to drive me back to Love Field for my flight home.

Interestingly, we drove through fog, so I didn’t really get to see much of Dallas, just as I couldn’t see much of it during the rain of my arrival.

This was such a wonderful experience and we already have plans for a return trip.

I’ve come back feeling inspired and supported, and so moved by the women who came to these workshops, willing to be open, willing to be seen, willing to navigate the spiritual and emotional terrain of this process.

I don’t teach painting technique. I don’t show you how to make a painting that looks like someone else’s painting. This is something else entirely, and I am so happy to be stepping more fully into its depths.

Because I think it’s important.

And I think it’s important for women to spend together in creation.

And I think it’s important to be with people you love, to travel out of your comfort zone, and take your coffee in a new location now and then.

I’m so grateful.