Small Beginnings with Sara

In this episode, we sit down with artist and follower of Jesus, Sharon Elmendorf, as she shares her beautifully woven journey of life, art, and faith. Anchored in powerful scriptures like Genesis 1:3, Exodus 31:1-6, and Romans 1:20, Sharon reveals how creativity has been the golden thread connecting her to God's heart and purpose. Tune in to hear her wisdom, be inspired, and renew your hope as you discover the transformative power of art in her walk with Christ.

 The world may be shaking, but we belong to an unshakable kingdom. 🙌 Tune in to my latest podcast episode "An Unshakable Kingdom—Receiving All You Need" where I dive into Hebrews 12 & 13 and share powerful truths on standing firm in these times. 

In this episode, we dive deep into Isaiah 61:3, exploring how God takes us "from ashes to beauty" through His incredible grace and forgiveness. Today, we’ll share the powerful story of my dear friend and student, Alicia, and how her journey of obedience has led to a complete "restoration" of her life. Through God's love, she’s found redemption and purpose. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about healing, restoration, and the beauty of walking in God's ways!

As we step into the final quarter of 2024, it's the perfect moment for a fresh start and renewed focus. In this episode, we dive deep into Psalm 51:10, where we seek God’s transformation: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.” (AMP). The Message captures it beautifully: “God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.”

Join us as we explore how to set meaningful goals with God’s guidance for the last stretch of the year. We'll revisit the basics of holistic transformation:

🌟 Physical: Reflect on your diet and exercise. How are you caring for your body?

🌟 Emotional: Do you have a sacred space for solitude? Meditate on Jesus, the King who loves you deeply.

🌟 Spiritual: Find rest in the secret place with Jesus. Psalm 91:1 reminds us: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (NLT)

We’ll pray for God to be our Anchor, our King, and our Center, asking Him to renew our hearts and guide us through this season. Trust in His strength and peace as we navigate these last few months of the year, seeking a balance between our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Tune in to find inspiration and practical steps to embrace this final quarter with renewed purpose and grace.

In this episode of Small Beginnings with Sara, we're diving into Psalm 27:13 and reflecting on the goodness of God in the land of the living! I'll also be sharing updates on my recent travels to Michigan and Ohio, where I've been curating meaningful relationships and experiencing God's faithfulness firsthand. Whether you're on a similar journey or just need a dose of encouragement, join me as we explore how God shows up in the small beginnings of our lives. Tune in for heartfelt stories, spiritual insights, and a reminder of God's goodness in every season! 

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of living in God's presence during travel. Anchored by scriptures from Psalm 16:11 and Psalm 107:30, I share personal experiences from recent travels across the Republic of Georgia, Cyprus, and North Cyprus. From facing trials like being overcharged by a taxi driver to finding joy in creative prayer sessions and connecting with others, each moment was a testament to God's guidance and peace. I also reflect on the joy of painting with my grandchildren and the sweet reunion with my husband, Earl. Join me as I pray for God's presence to be tangible in your life, offering peace, joy, and guidance in every step of your journey.

In this episode, join me as I reflect on my recent experiences on the beautiful island of Cyprus. Over the past few weeks, I've gathered some profound learnings that I can't wait to share with you:

1. Matthew 18:3 - Embrace the Heart of a Child: Discover the importance of maintaining a childlike faith and trust in God.
2. Colossians 4:2 - Don’t Stop Praying! The power of persistent prayer and how it strengthens our relationship with God.
3. Rest, Slow Down, Walk with God: Learn why it's crucial to find rest and walk alongside God in our daily lives.
4. Psalm 37:23 - Just Do the Next Thing: How to take life one step at a time and wait for God's clarity and direction.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on faith, prayer, rest, and patience. Let's explore how these timeless truths can transform our everyday lives.

In this episode, I share an update on my life and reflect on overcoming the fear of death. Inspired by my anchor scripture for the week, Hebrews 2:13-14 TPT, I explore how Jesus sets us free from the tormenting dread of death.

Highlights:

1. Upcoming Travels: I'm preparing for a two-week overseas mission trip to teach about using creativity in prayer and worship at a conference for the Russian-speaking world. My focus: packing light and preparing both my heart and my husband's heart for my time away.
2. Heart Preparation: Facing the fear of being apart, we turn to Hebrews 2:13-14 for reassurance. Having both lost our spouses, we choose to believe in Jesus' victory over death rather than succumbing to fear.
3. Healthy Refreshments: Fresh fruit is my go-to for meal refreshing—cherries, peaches, pluots, and a delightful aged sharp cheddar from Kerrygold.
4. Course Update: Incredible testimonials from my "Healing Your Heart Through Creativity Using Painting" course. It's ready to release this week. Whether or not you're an artist, God wants to heal your grief and trauma.
5. Prayer Against Fear: I offer a prayer for the removal of fear—fear of death, fear of the unknown, fear of getting it wrong. Jesus, our Prince of Peace, brings us eternal life and annihilates the sting of death.

Check out my digital courses at Stan Store and follow me on Instagram at @actsoneeightblessings.

"Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways, and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, and easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me.” — ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭29‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I've been on a journey, seeking to understand God's unforced rhythms of grace. This week, that journey took me through the release of a new digital course. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of working 12 hours a day, I embraced a new rhythm: spending late afternoons playing golf with my husband. This choice to balance work and play brought a refreshing change. God wants to give rest to our souls, but it's up to us to choose it. I've been having deep conversations with God about life-work balance, and prioritizing time with Jesus through prayer, reading His Word, journaling, and walking in nature. These practices have become essential for the well-being of my soul. Simplifying my meals, like baking chicken and making a salad, has also contributed to this better balance.

On top of it all, my golf game has seen remarkable improvement. Just yesterday, I chipped in a ball on hole 12, found myself mostly two-putting, and figured out my driver alignment. On a par 3, I hit my 7 iron onto the green and made par. These moments have been a testament to God's goodness. Join me as I share these insights and more, exploring how to integrate faith, work, and life in a way that brings true rest and refreshment.

If you want to check out my 100 days of Creating with God course click here: https://stan.store/sarathurman/p/100-days-of-creating-with-god

In this episode, I share my ongoing grief journey and the valuable lessons I've learned along the way. Grief is a deeply personal process, and everyone experiences it differently. Here are some key insights from my journey:

1. Individual Grieving Processes: Everyone grieves differently, with unique feelings, timelines, comforts, and ways to heal.
2. Embracing Grief: It's essential to acknowledge and process your grief in ways that work for you. Don't ignore your pain; let the tears come and allow yourself to heal.
3. Unexpected Grief Waves: Grief can hit you when you least expect it, like waves crashing over you. Allow yourself to feel the pain.
4. Unexpected Sources of Grief: You might find yourself grieving things you never anticipated. Recently, I've grieved my old backyard, my Wimberley home, my church, and more.

Grief is a process with its own unique timeline for each person. I was determined to grieve well, accepting the deep pain. If you love deeply, you will grieve deeply; it is a blessing to grieve. There's beauty in moving from counting the days of grief to counting the days of blessings you had with your loved one.

Daily thankfulness is crucial for making it through each day. Remember, you can't fix someone else's grief, and they can't fix yours. Instead, listen and witness others' grief.

As a certified Grief Educator through David Kessler’s courses and mentoring, I felt compelled to help others. Grief is overwhelming, and often we don't know what to do or say. I discovered that creativity was a significant part of my healing process. It wasn't until two years after Wayman died that I recognized the seven main creative processes I used to cope with my pain.

Here are some Bible verses that have been particularly comforting to me:

• "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest." (Psalms 126:5-6 NLT) Psalms 126:5-6
• "God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4 NLT) Matthew 5:4
• "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

Additionally, I recommend two books that have helped me reflect on grief and find new meaning:

• "Reflecting on Grief and Moving Beyond Pain: Living with Loss and Discovering New Meaning"
• "Companion Reflection Journal: Reflecting on Grief and Moving Beyond Pain"

I have been dreaming and knowing that I had an assignment to write and release a digital course on healing through the creative process. Grief is a process, unique to each individual, and we must process it to heal. I am excited to announce a new digital course on tools to help you heal from grief and trauma.

The course, titled "Healing Your Heart through Creativity: Painting Module 1," will be available for presale on July 17 at 12 noon Central Time for $27 (regular price $47). A bonus session will be held on July 18 at 12 noon Central Time. Sign up here.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope these insights and resources bring you comfort and help you navigate your own grief process.