Creative Art and Life-Journaling Classes Now Beginning

Celebrate You!

• Are you starving for more of God's presence?
• How do you want your life to be different?
• Are you longing for clarity in the midst of chaos?
• Are you having a hard time letting go?
• Are your hopes and dreams beached on a rocky shore?
• Are you hungry for a simpler life?
• Do you need time to reflect and renew?
• Are you ready for a life-changing experience?
• Do you know who God created you to be?

COME JUST AS YOU ARE ...

If you've said yes to any of these questions, and you want to escape to a place where you can relax, reflect, replenish and restore, then this pathway is for you! Come and find the beautiful, unique and amazing woman you already are!

Isn't it time to step back and see who you really are, where you've been, and celebrate where you are going? Become passionate about life once again through art therapy and life-journaling--and envision your life the way it could be. You will not only grow deeper in your walk with God, but you will make lasting friendships along the way. The only requirement on your part is a willingness to change. You will get a chance to look at all areas of your life in a loving, nurturing and safe environment. You'll leave feeling less stressed, and more inspired to make healthier choices. Isn't it time to take time out for you?

Darlene will be teaching these classes on a once-a-month basis (Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). Lunch and materials are included.

Life Journey One - Celebrating You!

Life Journey Two - Getting Back on Your Divine Path

Life Journey Three - Say What You Believe

Life Journey Four - Finding Joy Again

Life Journey Five - Less is More

Life Journey Six - Learning to Dance in the Rain

Life Journey Seven - It's Your Time to Fly

Books by Darlene

Learning to Dance in the Rain. A message of hope to anyone struggling with the loss of a loved one, a great hurt, fear, anxiety or depression.

You Go Girl!
Darlene Ballard has absolutely captured the heart of triathlon with You Go Girl! The best is yet to come …. Her book grabs the reader by the collar and says, “Get off the sofa, lace on a pair of running shoes, and hit the road.” Darlene smacks fear and intimidation squarely in the face. She encourages and entices the most dedicated couch potato to try something that may seem impossible—a triathlon! “If I can do it, you can too!” Darlene shouts out loud for all to hear. She leaves the reader with no excuses. She faced her fears and feelings of inadequacy and conquered them. She chose to “do it afraid.” “Life is too short to sit on the sidelines,” she says. What Darlene discovered with the sport of triathlon is a world of positive and like-minded people; people who encouraged her; people who knew how to laugh—sometimes at themselves. Darlene learned to “live out loud.” She entered a world previously unknown to her—a world of triathlon—and emerged with a bucket full of positive memories, self-confidence and a truckload of friends to boot. Her co-workers also share their triathlon experiences in this book. Each entered the 2008 Aflac Iron Girl experience with a motive and a mission. Some wanted to lose weight; some wanted to fight complacency; and some were seeking more energy in their lives. What everyone discovered in completing a triathlon is that an Aflac Iron Girl can accomplish her goal while having fun and meeting wonderful people. Along the road to finishing a triathlon, Darlene experienced a full range of emotions: procrastination, intimidation, fear, pain, and fatigue followed by encouragement, inspiration, joy, fulfillment, and thankfulness. Darlene should place a warning label on the cover of her book that says, “WARNING—read only if you are prepared to start training for a triathlon!” —Cecil Cheves/ Ironman Triathlete

Simple Steps. This book will help you simplify your life in these stressful times. It will become your own personal journal.

Treasures in the Darkness is a book of true, life experiences and stories written by Darlene and friends. It will entertain, enlighten, and encourage the reader to discover his/her own treasures in the darkness.

God’s Rose. God’s Rose tells about Darlene Ballard's own personal battles with rejection and depression, and her ultimate redemption through faith. God can turn devastation into restoration.

The Master Shepherd and Rose. This book is an allegory about a sheep and her journey. It is suitable for reading to children, but has a deeper meaning for adults. Jennifer Keim designed the cover of the book. For more information about her, visit her website at http://www.jkeim.com/.

"The Master Shepherd and Rose is a beautiful story of the pure grace of God that can turn a life from helplessness to joy and purpose. It is full of passion and hope, forgiveness and promise. God is always faithful to His character and His covenant, and by trusting in that faithfulness alone, all who feel rejected and thrown away can be found, set free and restored. Rose finally surrendered to the Master Shepherd and moved from the field of the Tormentor to the flock of Tranquility. You can too! Read and enjoy this book. It is the story of a journey from despair to hope, meaningless to mission, and uselessness to purpose."
Ronald E. Cottle, PhD., Ed.D.President/Beacon Universitywww.beacon.edu

Jesus Loves Me ... This I know! Insert your own child or grandchild’s picture on the cover. It’s so important for young children to know how valuable they are, and just how much Jesus loves them! This book will make the perfect gift for Christmas, a baby shower, vacation Bible school, youth ministry projects, birthdays or Mother’s Day.

Loved by the Rock. A great affirmation book for anyone suffering from anxiety, fear, loss or depression.

Love of a Different Kind. It is an allegory- a Cinderella story with a twist-but with Jesus as the true Prince and Savior. Read how Cinderella goes from hopeless to faithful and discovers her true prince.

My Kids Are Angels … How Are Yours, is filled with her two children’s antics, pictures, and precious memories. The contents of this book will bring forth laughter and give you a merry heart, which is good like medicine.

Learning to Dance in the Rain

Message of Hope (from Darlene's newest book, Learning to Dance in the Rain)


I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give another is hope.

I, too, have suffered many great hurts and losses—and there’s no words to describe how grateful I am for those who loved, supported, and prayed for me through thick and thin—especially during times when I felt I couldn’t make it another day.

When our hearts have been crushed and shattered into a million pieces, it’s easy to lose sight of our hopes and dreams. We may even wonder if God really exists at all—and if He does—has our Dream Giver abandoned us.

Some of my closest friends have expressed how overwhelming their great hurts and losses can also be—especially during the holidays—when they felt distanced by their loved ones who appeared not to care or understand how much they were still hurting. While others were consumed with cooking, shopping, and making new memories of their own, all they could focus on was the empty seat at their table reminding them of the past. Feelings of overwhelming grief, loneliness and despair almost crippled them from moving forward. Even when they did gather around to celebrate, they faked happy smiles behind their mask of painful tears. They craved sleep as their favorite pastime to simply stop the pain—like an addict craves a fix.

I can honestly say I don’t know what you are going through, and I am not claiming to be an expert or to fully understand your great hurts, losses or fears. I only know what I’ve experienced in my own personal struggles. My wings have been clipped many times over causing me to spiral out-of-control in the wrong direction. There have been times when I just wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. It took all my energy and strength to crawl out of bed—and face another day. When I should have been focusing on my own issues, I’ve tried to change a loved one’s behavior or to fix their situation in my own power and strength—only to clip their wings in the process. I’ve come to realize only God can change a person’s behavior—only God can heal a wounded heart—and only God can get us out of the miry pit from where we lay.

My message to you is that many of us do care. As much as we want to make your hurts simply vanish and go away, we can only understand your suffering from our own perspective and experiences. I’ve found what helps me the most is a strong shoulder to cry on, a warm hug, and an attentive ear. But, even if no one is there to offer you those things, I know the One who can. We can call out to God anytime—and anywhere.

Only our Creator can heal a tired and weary soul, because He knows all our struggles—as well as our potential. Even God knew felt indescribable pain when His only Son, Jesus Christ, was nailed unmercifully to a cross. But Jesus Himself proved that death isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning. Because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, death doesn’t have to be our final goodbye—because one day, for those of us who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will see our loved ones again on the other side. (See Romans 10:9-10). So, lift up your eyes toward Heaven, because hope is on the horizon.

When we reach out to God, He reaches out to us and will supernaturally cradle us in His loving arms. No matter how deeply you are grieving right now, quitting is never an option—especially in the middle of the storm! Healing will come, but it will take time—and no one can put a time limit upon it. It’s okay to be angry—it’s okay to cry—and it’s okay to be gut honest. Just be true to yourself! When we surrender our great hurts, losses and fears to our Creator, healing will come—even though the scars remain.

One day, you will marvel as you arise from your stupor to find that a new bud of hope has blossomed. My prayer is that in due time you will use the wisdom learned through your own valley of sorrow and suffering to minister to others who are going through similar struggles. A friend once shared our light shines brightest when we have learned to trust God in the dark. You may very well be that light shining the brightest … the candle lighting the path for others to follow out of their own dark tunnels of grief, hopelessness, and despair.

The storms of life have a way of silencing the songs we once sang; but a new and happier song is still waiting to be heard. Listen as God’s beautiful melody is whispered into your soul, beckoning for you to come closer. May God’s healing balm of faith, hope and love gently bind up your wounds and wash away your tears—giving you renewed strength—and the courage to stand strong—even in life’s most treacherous storms.

Your Heavenly Father is with you right now—whether you're in the valley, alone on the mountaintop, in the fiery furnace, or in the middle of a storm. Only He can pull you out of your deep despair. Reach out in faith and grab the lifeline—the hand of Jesus. Let Him be your guide as He teaches you how to ... dance in the rain.

inspiration

For inspiration, visit me at www.darleneballard.com

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Interview with Darlene

I hope you will find this helpful in getting to know me better.

What prompted you to write? And what do you think was the catalyst for this change?

My mess has become my message! I write about what I've been through, and how I have learned to overcome life's most difficult challenges. I have not arrived at any destination, but I am blossoming more and more each day, just like a beautiful rose.

My childhood was filled with lots of rejection, abuse, hopelessness and despair. For many years, I walked around feeling as though I had no worth or value. I was constantly searching for someone who would love me unconditionally—just for who I was—and I looked in all the wrong places. At the time, I had no idea that God had a wonderful destiny for me—a divine plan for my life.

Healing has come slowly, and by no means am I finished yet. I have come to know just how much God does love me—in spite of myself—and in spite of my past! I’ve come to understand that my worth and value are not validated by what I do or don’t do—it’s because of who I am—God’s child!

How much time occurred from when you first began to dream or imagine you could write, and actually took steps to pursue it?

About 20 years … there was so much healing that needed to be done in my life—it was a step-by-step and layer-by-layer process.

What was your first step and what was the deciding factor?

After my experience at the Valley Rescue Mission, I was bursting at the seams to share with other hurting women the same love that Jesus had shown me. Although it had taken
many years for me to forgive those who had hurt me and to forgive myself—I wanted others to know that with God’s help, it could be done! I wanted the reader to know what Jesus did for me—He was waiting to do for them, too! I wanted to let them know that their greatest hurt in life could become their greatest gift if they would choose to become better for it and not bitter about the experience!

What did you hope to accomplish?

To become a reflection of Jesus to this lost and hurting world. To be His hands and feet.

Have you accomplished all of your goals?

No—God is still blessing me with more books to write. I don't believe I will ever accomplish all of my goals.

Whenever I have an epiphany moment (an “I finally got it” moment)—I write it down. Or when God delivers me from an old habit—from a fear—or from whatever—I write down the lesson that I’ve learned from it, and many times it eventually becomes a new book.

Did someone or something inspire you? Did you have a mentor or guide who
supported you while your pursued this dream?

God inspired me. My husband, Brett inspired me. The women at Teen Challenge and the Bethany House inspired me. Speaking with prisoners inspired me. Martha Ray, a dear friend of mine, inspired me to write my testimony in book form. She edited my book, along with my faithful friend, Bessie Barrick—who edits each of my books. My sisters inspired me. My treasured friends Sherry Jenkins, Allen Levi, Carol Hall, Rebra and Chet Draper, Blair Pennington, Janice Debice, Gloria Withers, Rubye and Jim Goodlett, Jason McDurmont at Quill Printing and Carolyn Ratcliff inspired me. They helped paved the way! Joyce Meyer has been extremely valuable in helping me take the steps to overcome my past.

If you could go back and change one experience from your pursuit, what would it be?

Every experience has drawn me closer to God and made me who I am today. It's not about how many books I have written, but who I have become in the process-victorious!

How has writing and sharing with others enhanced your life?

I’ve learned that I can NEVER outgive God! God has blessed me 100 times over and has been faithful to me every step of the way!

I’ve found that what I make happen for others—God makes happen for me! I have a wonderful husband, who has stood by me and supported me these past 30 years with two beautiful children and two precious grandchildren. I once heard someone say, “A rich man is not the one who has the most—but the one who needs the least.” I’ve found this to be so true!

What do you consider as the greatest change that has occurred in your life?

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves me! I’ve been set free from my past! I now understand that hurting people hurt people—the way others have treated me is no reflection upon my own self-worth and value—it’s only a reflection of how they feel about themselves.

How many people do you think you have affected positively because of your work?

My testimony has touched the lives of thousands upon thousands of hurting men and women around the world …

One thing that has surprised me the most is that more and more have read my testimony, God’s Rose. They can completely relate, and they respond almost weekly to our ministry by writing letters. They are becoming involved in prison Bible studies—and they share with me how their lives are being changed for the better because of my testimony. I give God all the glory!

What keeps you going?

The peace and joy of knowing that I am fulfilling my God-given destiny!

Have the people you associate with, those who keep you at your best, changed since this transition? How?

Yes, we are becoming closer and we’ve grown up together in God. We’ve been tested—tried and true! We’ve learned to love deeper, play more often, trust more, and walk in unconditional acceptance of one another.

When listening or reading the notes after an interview, it all sounds so easy for you now, but was it?

Not at all! There were times when I felt as though I had no strength left to press on—times when I knew only God could perform a miracle on my behalf—which He did! Times when I felt my heart would break when I saw others who were in far worse shape than I had ever been.

So what is next for you and your work? How do you see it expanding or evolving?

This is just the beginning. The best is yet to come! I'm working on a new book called Learning to Dance in the Rain. It's a book of how we can overcome life's greatest tradgedies. It can be seen on caramiasart.com. Look under, "Learning to Dance in the Rain." It's not finished yet ...

What advice would you pass on to other women who may be thinking of making
a change to pursue their passion?

Do It Afraid!

Pray—take baby steps—and walk in the light God gives you. If you don’t have peace about something—wait! And by all means, no matter what others may say about your dream or the vision planted deep inside your heart—DON’T QUIT! KEEP PRESSING ON!!!

Also, keep balanced in every area of your life, keep a positive attitude and a grateful heart. And don’t ever put anything above your relationship with God.


Dream Big,
Darlene