A little more ABOUT ME

Its hard to write a few sentences to try and capture who you are and a lifetime of experiences.

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First and foremost I am a beloved daughter of God.  I am a follower and lover of Jesus.  I think He is the "bomb!"

Am I dating myself here?    :-) 

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My heart and passion have been focused on understanding the spiritual journey, Christian spiritual formation, inner healing and growth for myself and others over the past few decades.  This journey has been born out of my own needs and trauma and also the pain, confusion and hurt I saw in those around me- in and out of the church.  My hope is to to help people discover and grow a transforming and real live relationship with Jesus, where their identity is secure and their life flows from Him with meaning and love.

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My Faith Background...

I grew up going to our local Catholic church, stopped going during my college years (as I ignorantly didn't think that it was important or helpful), then came back to the Catholic church as a young mom.  This was followed by about 10 years at a large Evangelical Church where I really seriously began studying the Scriptures.  After years of feeling that something wasn't quite right there and maybe growing beyond what was offered - I've now happily found my home at a very loving and Christ centered Anglican church - with melds beautifully the sacramental and liturgical, the evangelical, great Bible teaching, includes creative arts, and is saturated with the charismatic love, healing and presence of Christ.  

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A little of my past, some transparency....   

I have had a lot of trauma, great loss and abuse in my life.  I won't recount it all here as I want to be sensitive.  But I do want to acknowledge it, for through it I came to know God in a way that I wouldn't have.  He has become my rock, my provider, my healer, my Savior and my salvation.  I would not be here if it was not for Him.

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Trauma, tragedy, unwanted drama and hardship had been my constant companions and the way I had defined my life previously. I just never knew anything different.  I have often identified with Job in the Bible... ...heartache and suffering were things I grew very familiar with.

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BUT NOW- after years of hard work, therapy, studying, a loving church, amazing friends & family and with God's help! ... I find myself very gratefully healing from traumas, multiple physical conditions, and unlearning many distorted beliefs that I had internalized throughout the years about myself, God, the church, and the world. 

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Today I can say- I have never felt so settled, peaceful, content, grounded, awake and loved deep in my soul than in all of my life!

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I finally know...

     Who I am!

       "Who's"  I AM!

              I know my purpose and the meaning and hope of my life

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It is really "well with my soul."  

Only God could do this, right?!!  Right! 

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This is my new continually unfolding story...

Then abandoned... now... Wanted

Then misguided... now... Guided 

Then violated... now... Protected 

Then abused...now... Tenderly Beloved

Then victim... now... Victor through Christ

Then helpless... now... Helped & helping 

Then betrayed... now... Faithfully Loved

Then lost... now... Found

Then hurt... now... Healed and healing

Then unknown... now... Known

Then devastated... now... Hope filled

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SOME AREAS OF DEEPER INSIGHTS I HOPE TO SHARE:

• Finding your true identity and value & worth in Christ

• Spiritual formation, the Process and the Stages on the Spiritual Journey

• Discovering your Purpose and Calling/Vocation

• Help with Discernment and Decision making

• Opening to healing from Trauma and Recovery in Christ

• Deepening your Connection with God, Hearing Him with more confidence 

• Mind-Body Connection & a holistic spirituality

• Christian Meditation and Contemplative Practices 

• Spiritual Disciplines and the Foundation of Scripture

• Relational Brain Skills, Renewing the mind, and the latest Neuroscience 

• Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology, asking the tough questions, finding some answers

• Small Group Leadership Training & Mentorship. Curriculum writing or selection

• Retreat Mentorship. The Creation Process; receiving the vision/ideas, writing, facilitating, organizing

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MY TRAINING & Ministry EXPERIENCE:

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My Spiritual Direction Training was done through "Tending the Holy" at the  Christos Center for Spiritual Formation and I am a current member of SDI/Spiritual Directors International, and ESDA/Evangelical Spiritual Directors Assoc. and uphold their code of ethics.

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I am also now a part of the Christos Center's staff as the Chicago Area Coordinator & as a Facilitator of the program.

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I have gone through St. Ignatian' s Spiritual Exercises myself (19th annotation), and now have been trained to offer Spiritual Direction for those going through the exercises, either individually or as a group.  

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My Immanuel Prayer Training was completed through Alive & Well Ministry in Wheaton, Il.

I have also attended and received advanced Immanuel training from Dr. Karl Lehman's conferences and writings. 

I am currently on staff part-time at an Anglican church ( Church of the Resurrection) in Wheaton, Il as the Finance Assistant. My prior employment history was in the Mortgage Industry for over 30 years, previously as a Loss Mitigation Coordinator in a large foreclosure department, until the Lord called me into ministry full time.

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I've been trained to facilitate and am licensed to offer the Life Model Works Connexus programs: Forming, Restarting & Belonging and others

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I've written various Classes, Retreats and Bible studies for over two+ decades, written small group curriculum, trained small group facilitators and led and organized numerous retreats.

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I am a life long learner and each year continue my education and training.

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I am an avid reader, a lover of music & deep conversations and attender to all things related to spiritual formation, the spiritual pathway, maturity and healing.  I have also done some advanced training in the areas of Christian Leadership, Meditation, Mind-Body connection, Contemplative Practices, Ignatian Spirituality and Mindfulness.

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I LOVE...

Spending time in nature, beauty, I am a musician, a poet, I love a good musical and singing in my car, I love simple things like; hanging out with friends drinking good coffee, spending time with my adult kids playing board games and talking. Growing up in Minnesota I will forever love lakes and water, wildflowers, fishing and sailboats AND(yes)snow! I love a yummy nectarine, fresh summer corn, birds chirping and some good Kansas City BBQ!   AND I love holding sacred space for people to find themselves within the love of God.

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I'M GRATEFUL...

I didn't start out to have a ministry, but began to gather on retreat and to study myself to survive after the death of my beautiful daughter and then later hitting my own "wall" or dark night of the soul in my spiritual journey.   I didn't start out wanting to be a teacher or facilitator, but just couldn't help share with others all that God was healing, doing and teaching me.  I knew there had to be more to this Christian life than I saw growing up, as Jesus said in John 10:10, and I have found that to be true with Him.

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Jesus said;

"I have come that they may have life, 

and have it to the full."

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I am humbled and feel so honored that God would use me in His kingdom work here on earth.  This redeemed, still healing ordinary woman- and I am privileged to walk alongside others on their journey - as we seek Him together.

Cecilia

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(I am not a licensed counselor or medical doctor, if you have mental health issues please contact a licensed professional.  I will gladly work alongside your therapist or medical professional)

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