Hi, Friends. I love sharing the Behind The Scenes descriptions of the website elements as part of my journey with you. I know why I picked the elements and pages that I did, but you do not. I can’t speak for other websites, but every single decision from font choices to color schemes to pictures, had specific meanings for me. Let me explain so you can see the God-things in the visual elements and content of the website. I hope you feel more connected to me after reading the posts about the website creation. I hope you look at the site differently now when you go to stacyturley.com.
MY FAVORITE THINGS Page
So at the expense of sounding too redundant, one of My Favorite Things is to read about other people’s favorite things. This is true for gift giving ideas, home decor ideas, books, podcasts, crochet hooks / knitting needles, pens, websites, Bible studies, recipes, and so much more!!! I LOVE getting the BEST selections based on passionate referrals of other people’s BEST ideas. It may be an illusion that I am finding the best tools, books, and buys, but I have found some wonderful gems and ideas that I use all the time now.
So when designing the website, I really, really, really wanted to share with all of YOU, My Favorite Things in the hopes that you would be inspired and encourage to step out of your comfort zone and experience something new. And also, part of the fun of this page is the hope and desire that each of you would share with me some of your favorite things by emailing me at stacy@stacyturley.com. I would love to try out your ideas and then highlight them on this page of the website too!
I normally find recommendations from conversations with friends and family, podcasts, YouTube videos, Pinterest, books and magazines. I am inspired by so many types of stimuli and so many people. Trying out a new idea, whether it is a new gadget or new craft or new anything, is definitely one of MY FAVORITE THINGS!!
What are your favorite things? Please share with me some of your ideas! I can’t wait to hear form you at stacy@stacyturley.com!
Hi, Friends. I love sharing this part of my journey with you regarding the website. I know why I picked the things that I did, but you do not. I can’t speak for other websites, but every single decision from font choices to color schemes to pictures, had specific meanings for me. Let me explain so you can see the God-things in the visual elements and content of the website. I hope you feel more connected to me after reading the posts about the website creation. I hope you look at the site differently now when you go to stacyturley.com. I hope by revealing the meaning behind the details of the Gallery it allows you to see how it was inspired by God’s love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, creativity and relationship with us,
THE GALLERY – INSPIRATIONS, STORYTELLERS, WARRIORS, AND CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
We all have a story that describes our faith journey. We all want to be seen and known. This Gallery is where we are able to connect with, pray for, and celebrate with each other. My goal for this section is that we all “own” this part of the website. We can be seen and known through our submissions. I want us to celebrate each others’ gifts, to share our ideas, to give hope to others through our stories, and to encourage each other to step out of our comfort zones to help one another.
There are four sections to the Gallery for all of us to get connected and share with each other:
INSPIRATIONS: The INSPIRATIONS page is a place where we are able to share the people, places, or things that feed our creative side. I never thought I was creative. I was even intimidated by the word. That changed when I was in my 30s and someone said to me, “We are all creative. To be creative means to do something in a new or different way.” Well, we all can do that. So what are the people, places or things that give us ideas or inspiration? Is it a walk in the woods? Is it a magazine photo? Is it the textures, colors, and smells of a garden? Is it a recipe or pattern? Is it a handmade card? I love the idea of providing each other with suggestions to explore by sharing our own areas of influence and creations.
STORYTELLERS: We all have a story. Our journeys are unique and powerful. Every story needs to be celebrated. The STORYTELLERS page is a place for us to share our tales and narratives. To be known and celebrated. Our stories will provide hope for other women who may be struggling with the same issues or finding joy in similar mountaintop experiences. To laugh, to cry, to feel through the women who share a snippet of their life with us.
WARRIORS: How do you serve in the kingdom of God? What do you like to do to make a small change for good in your community? To be a WARRIOR for God’s kingdom, our acts of service to not have to be big or extravagant. We are all the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. We all have different gifts. Each gift and act is needed and valuable. Let’s spur each other on to try new things by sharing our favorite service ideas on the WARRIOR’s page.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS: This page is all about YOU!! I love seeing who you are and where you are from. I love knowing how you connect to God and if you have a favorite craft. When you Join the Circle of Friends, your information will be added here. (Although if you prefer not to be listed, then that is fine too!)
This is NOT about comparison or competition. It is all about celebrating each other!
Sometimes we simply do not know what to do to be creative or how to serve. Sometimes we don’t know if our story is worth telling. I am here…we are here… to tell you that it IS WORTH TELLING. I can’t wait to load glimpses of your journeys and gifts on these pages so we may all pray for and celebrate you! Your ACTION is needed by submitting your photos and/or stories to this page…to be an owner of the content. Go HERE for the permission form and email address for all submissions. You have an opportunity to bring encouragement and hope to others. I hope you join me in this effort today!
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
What have I created lately? How am I inspired to do something new or express my creativity?
What is my faith story? How has God met me in my highs and lows? Who has impacted my life or changed my course?
How do I love to serve? Where did I go to get plugged in? What feelings come to mind when I am helping other people?
PRAYER:
Abba, Father. Thank you for creating us in your image. (Genesis 1:27) Thank you for our gifts, our strengths, our uniqueness. We all come together to form the body of Christ. (Romans 12:4-5) We are your children. Help us to encourage each other, support each other and celebrate each other through our gifts and our stories. Help us to build each other up by serving each other well in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Hi, Sweet Circle. I love sharing this part of my journey with you regarding the website. I know why I picked the things that I did, but you do not. I can’t speak for other websites, but every single decision from font choices to color schemes to pictures, had specific meanings for me. Let me explain so you can see the God-things in the visual elements. I hope you feel more connected to me after reading the posts on the Design Elements. This is Part 2: the “circles” of the logo and the pictures I chose. I hope you look at the site differently now when you go to stacyturley.com. I hope the visual elements allow you to see the community we have with our Lord in a new and exciting way.
THE CIRCLES OF THE LOGO
Why are there circles in the logo? Why Circle of Friends as the group name that connects us? Why are the circles imperfect? Well, let’s start with the meaning of a circle. According to Webster’s Dictionary, two of the meanings of a circle are “a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center” and also “to move or revolve around”. This idea formed the central theme of what I wanted women to feel when they connect with each other through this website and with the Word of Jesus. The words that came to mind for me when I was brainstorming a logo were: connected, imperfect beings, wholeness together, bound, complete, surrounding, and revolving. I wanted a word that would encompass these ideas. For example, we support each other; we are connected together; and we are complete together. (Romans 12:4-6a) Where one is weak, the others in the circle encourage, support, and strengthen. (Romans 15:1) We are bound together in love as Christ loved us. (Colossians 3:14) I also love the idea that we are all revolving around our Savior Jesus. He is our center…our nucleus. We all have a shared sisterhood as followers of Jesus.
A CIRCLE seemed perfect. Yet I wanted the shape of the circles to be imperfect and I wanted many circles overlapping. None of us are perfect and we never will be this side of heaven. This idea is represented by the imperfect shape. We all have different experiences and challenges and triumphs. This idea is represented by the many circles of the logo which represents all our individual lives. And the intersections represent how our lives impact and interact with each other. We may not even know how we have touched the lives of others, but it is happening all the time. We are the circles bound together, intersecting each other, and revolving our Lord and Savior.
As the Circle of Friends, I hope that we recognize our Savior as the Center. I hope we recognize the we are better and stronger together. We learn so much about how we are to support and encourage each other when we study the One Another statements of the Bible. Click HERE for a post on In The Word #5: One Another… coming soon. Also, you may join the Circle of Friends to have access to our weekly newsletter and get a free download of the these One Another verses that you may use for Scripture journaling or topical Bible Study.
THE PICTURES
We all love pretty pictures. The colors and content draw us into the scene. A still picture may even portray movement and emotions just by looking at it and allowing the content to speak to us. I chose some of the pictures to expand on the theme of “the sand and the sea” that is also represented by the colors of the website. I also wanted to use as many personal photos as possible in order for you to feel more connected to me and what is important to me. Below are some descriptions of the photos that appear on the site:
The picture of the ocean at the top of the Home Page – This photo was taken on the coast of Oregon while my husband and I were visiting our daughter Madi. We drove from the southern coast of Washington to the southern coast of Oregon. We stopped at a variety of locations and witnessed the beauty of the West coast in the powerful waves and rock formations. The picture shown was one of my favorite locations. I loved how the huge rocks shaped and funneled the water into submission as it rolled onto the shore. Gorgeous!
The picture of hands knitting on the Gallery page – This is a photo of me working on a shawl for my daughter-in-law Shannon for her wedding gift. You may read more on the story is on the Gallery page found HERE. Whenever I am knitting, crocheting or using my hands to make things, I am always reminded of how God made me….how He created and crafted me for purpose. I hope to include more stories from you all in the Gallery under Inspirations. Please share with me what you like to create and why. Feel free to email me at gallary@stacyturley.com and complete the Permission Form found HERE.
Pictures of me on the Home page and About page – Photos of me were taken by Abby Chikkala, a classmate of my son Mitch. She is so talented and spent a couple of hours with me walking around downtown Noblesville, where I live, to capture some shots for this website. She even helped me pick out my clothes!
The picture of me at the ocean on the About page at the section called About Me – Another picture taken by my husband on the trip to Oregon. I was actually taking a photo of the waves, while unknown to me, he was taking my picture! This is one of his favorites!! So I had to include it.
And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
COLOSSIANS 3:14 (ESV)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
What situations make you feel most connected to those around you?
Who has impacted your life the most? Does he/she know it? Consider writing them a note to tell them!
What are some of your favorite pictures? Why?
Do you find meaning in creating things? What is your hobby? Would you be willing to share your creative inspiration with others on this site? If so, feel free to email me and I will tell you how at gallary@stacyturley.com.
Hi, Sweet Circle. I love sharing this part of my journey with you regarding the website. I know why I picked the things that I did, but you do not. I can’t speak for other websites, but every single decision from font choices to color schemes to pictures, had specific meanings for me. Let me explain so you can see the God-things in the visual elements. I hope you feel more connected to me after reading the posts on the Design Elements. (I will break them up into several Parts to keep each post short and sweet.) I hope you look at the site differently now when you go to stacyturley.com. I hope the visual elements allow you to see the community we have with our Lord in a new and exciting way.
THE ONE-LINE FLOWER
This element is extremely important to me. I am drawn to the one-line flower every time I see it. Mostly because it reminds me of my life’s journey. I feel that my life has been filled with many ups and downs, turns and twists…just as you may feel about yours. For example, when I was younger, I was greatly impacted by an abusive relationship. It formed and impacted many of my relationships from that point forward regarding trust, control, connection and barriers. I also experienced some very deep friendships while I was healing from this experience that brought me great comfort and hope. In my 30’s, I spent several years struggling with eating disorders due to a time when my life seemed out of control. My husband, friends, and counselor helped me see my worth and value in Jesus during this struggle. They helped me feel loved and cherished at a time when I did not really love myself. And most recently, I was diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease. It has brought me physical pain and anxiety for my future, but also a sensitivity and compassion for those who are living with long-term, sometimes invisible, illnesses.
All of these twists and turns shaped who I am today. At the time they appeared to be leading me to unknown and unwanted places. But when I step back and look at my life as a whole, I see how beautiful these experiences have been to shape me, mold me and reform me into God’s beautiful creation…like the flower. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me see how every experience can be used by you to help others and myself see the wisdom and your glory born out of our journeys.
THE COLORS
I chose these colors around the theme of “the sand and the sea”. The sea, the sand, the sunrise and sunset are elements of the place where I feel the closest and most intimate with God. I wanted the colors to reflect the colors that I see when I am in this place of contentment, serenity, and peace with Jesus.
Shades of brown and tan – THE SAND. The sand reminds me of Genesis 22:17, when God promised Abraham, “I will bless you with every blessing and I will make your descendants very numerous, like the stars of the heavens or the sand on the shore of the sea.” It also reminds me of how God created each one of us uniquely. We are all different, special, and cherished by our Creator. And there are SO MANY OF US!!
Shades of blues – THE SEA. I love the sound of the sea. I love the crashing power and violence of the waves. I am mesmerized by the infinite shades of blue that exist when I gaze at the water from above. I love the mystery of the sea which is thousands of feet deep in places and filled with mammals, fish, and vegetation of all kinds. So much of these deep, dark places of the sea are yet to be discovered. That amazes me!! It reminds me of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
the mystery of God
the unseen and unknown characteristics of God
the power of God,
the rhythm of God in our lives
the beauty of who He is and how He loves us.
Shades of pinks and orange – THE SUNRISE AND SUNSET. The sunrises and sunsets remind me of the beginnings and endings of our lives, and that there is beauty in both. And also the chance to start each day anew as well as put the challenges of the past to rest.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14 (NIV)
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Where do you see God in your life?
What places make you feel closest to God?
Are there creative designs that have special meaning to you? If so, what are they and why?
Have you used these designs in some way to help you remember how God been with you in times of joy and struggle?
God works in mysterious ways…for sure. Sometimes He works in a coffee shop in Westfield, IN, through conversations that are overheard and misinterpreted! I hate to use the word “eavesdropping”. “Eavesdropping” sounds so wicked. I prefer to say “overheard” or it-was-quiet-and-their-voices-carried or something less intentional. 🙂 This was the case on an early weekday morning in the fall of 2021. I was sitting in one of my favorite coffee shops working on my Bible study, and I “overheard” a lady sitting at a table nearby talking to a client of hers. She was using words like “design”, “layout”, “color scheme”, etc. I thought she must be an interior designer. My husband and I had been contemplating talking to an interior designer to get some ideas on updating the interior of our home. So I decided to stop her on her way out if she left before I did since I was sitting near the exit door.
Now I am not going to say that I dilly-dallied to make sure that she left before me, but I certainly did not speed up my quiet time to leave before her! Their meeting was wrapping up, so I rallied myself to speak up and stop her. I bluntly stated, “Excuse me, I overheard you speaking with that gentleman. Are you an interior designer by chance?” She stated that no, she was not an interior designer, but a graphic designer. Really!? Now that is a turn that I was not expecting. I let her know that being a graphic designer was even more intriguing to me than an interior designer. I told her that I was seeking a website designer and if she would consider meeting with me to learn more. She said, “YES!”
That is how I met Amy Durbin from Fat Cat Sam Designs!
Amy is amazing! We spoke on the phone first to talk about my vision for a website, the purpose and intention of the website, ideas/styles for a logo, audience, and ideas for the subpages and growth of the website, and also my personal story. She was interested and excited about the challenge. We decided to meet in December 2021 to talk about the specifics.
At our first meeting, Amy had already been noodling over logo ideas and colors. At the same time, I had been pulling examples of logo ideas that I liked for other companies. When we met, she brought in her initial drawings based on our phone call. She felt drawn to the idea of circles and how circles represent completeness, community, and wholeness. This is exactly what I had been thinking too and many of my samples included this idea. We already felt connected and in-tune with each other regarding the design elements. And I really felt heard by Amy. I was impressed with how well she listen to my ideas and was able to incorporate what I was speaking to a visual representation that portrayed the same message. The final logo is a very close edit of one of her original designs.
We worked closely together for the next four months. From December 2021 to April 2022, she created the website stacyturley.com. She incorporated so many of my ideas by using her own artistic flair. I love the result and I treasure Amy. I am grateful for the friendship that grew out of this relationship. She is so talented and you may contact her directly too! Her information is on My Favorite Things – Other Stuff.
I believe God had a hand in this chance meeting. Even if it was through eavesdropping or overhearing someone else’s conversation in a quiet coffee shop. I have experienced so much joy and gratitude by meeting Amy. Here are some of the things I am grateful for:
I am grateful that the Holy Spirit nudged me to speak up.
I am grateful for the change meeting as it reminded me how God provides for the little things in our lives if we listen and respond to him.
I am grateful for the easy way Amy and I communicate and understand each other.
I am grateful for Amy’s creativity and talent.
I am grateful for the final result. It so perfectly expresses my vision, Amy’s creativity, and God’s purpose to reach other women who need to hear how valued they are…how loved they are…just they way they are.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
What are the big things and little things each day that you are thankful for?
Take a moment to write these down in a notebook. How does it make you feel when you read over them?
Do you feel more joy or peace or contentment than before after reviewing this list?
How have even negative experience brought about change that you may be grateful for?
What has made me smile or laugh recently?
How can I make this a daily habit in my life to document the big and little things that I am grateful for? (Join the Circle of Friends and receive the Gratitude Worksheet and 34 Gratitude Prompts. Just mention GRATITUDE in the Message box.)
PRAYER: Abba Father, you love us more than we can imagine. You desire a relationship with us. You have a plan for us. You want to prosper us and give us hope for the future. (Jeremiah 29:11). I know we have this hope through your precious Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you, God, for your Son and the sacrifice He made for us to conquer sin and restore our relationship with You. Thank you for speaking to us through the Holy Spirit….through the tiny nudges we feel each day to respond to you. Thank you for the big things and the little things in our daily lives to remind us that you SEE us, you HEAR us, and you FEEL our pain and our needs. Thank you for never leaving us alone for you are always with us. Lord, help us to remember these promises. Amen.
In summary, the message I was hearing from God, “YES! But, WAIT!!” My response, “I hate waiting!” The truth is that God’s message for me to WAIT has been a saving grace. Over the next two years from Spring 2020 to Spring 2022, my life changed in many ways including times of high stress, moves, COVID pandemic, a wedding, multiple illnesses, and more. (More details on this in a future blog post in Life’s Journey. Blog post number to be updated soon.) The WAITing was a blessing! Thank you, Jesus, for your perfect timing.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14
Below is a summary of the steps… forward and back… over the last two years. More details will be provided in a future blog post in Life’s Journey.
Two Steps Forward: I completed my Calling Workshop with Dave Rodriguez in the spring of 2020 (Behind the Scenes #1). I received several affirmations of my calling from multiple other sources over the summer and fall of 2020 (Behind the Scenes #2). I was ready to GO!!
One Step Back: August 2020, our daughter was moving from Plymouth, IN, to Corvallis, OR, to go to Oregon State University for Veterinary Medicine. The same weekend our daughter was driving to Oregon with my husband, our son requested help moving from one house to another house in West Lafayette, IN. I was packing, boxing, painting, organizing, cleaning and moving both of our kids within one month. WAITing for more time and less stress.
Another Step Back: By December 2020, I tested positive for COVID. Within two days, my husband tested positive for COVID. WAITing to feel better.
Two Steps Forward: I had a clear vision of the website flow, the tabs, the content ideas and the look & feel. It seemed easy enough. I will create my own website using YouTube videos. How bad can this be? Thank you, Jesus, for clarifying the purpose, flow for this website, and the online tutorial videos.
One Step Back: In the months of attempting to complete the website on my own, the instructions in the video no longer followed the reality of what I was experiencing online. WAITing for help.
Two Steps Forward: I set a budget and plan to find a website designer. No problem! I was introduced to a web designer by a group of men I bumped into at a coffee shop. Yay!! Jesus take the wheel! What a blessing!
One Step Back: I did contact the web designer who was recommended, but his offer and my needs did not align. WAITing again for new opportunity and a new contact. Ok, God. What now?
Two Steps Forward: In late Spring 2021, I was recommended two more website designer ideas through the church as well as through a friend of mine who had just published a book and started a website. (My Favorite Things – Book is called Finding Your Yes by Christine Wagoner) Fantastic! I love referrals. I interviewed the website designer from my friend Christine and we were a match! She loved the website idea and my story. And I loved her quote for her services and her excitement. We were moving forward.
“When God closes a door, He opens a window.” ~ Malachi 3:10
One Step Back: In the summer of 2021, I was experiencing multiple health issues: insomnia, headaches, muscle fatigue, trouble speaking complete sentences, exhaustion, brain fog, anemia, mouth blisters. I made a request to my website designer that we put a hold on our meetings until Fall 2021 with the hopes that I would feel better by then.
Another Step Back: In October 2021, I contacted my website designer to let her know I was ready to resume working on the design at a slow pace. I had upcoming treatment and tests to complete for my health. She offered her apologies as she had taken a new corporate job and would no longer be able to work on the website with me. WAITing for the next window!
Another Step Back: In November 2021, I had three weeks of IV iron infusions for the anemia. In December 2021, I had two biopsies in my mouth and tested positive for a rare autoimmune disease called Cicatricial Pemphigoid. I was emotionally and physically exhausted. WAITing for better health.
Two Steps Forward: I have a team of doctors now working with me to manage my autoimmune disease. Thank you, Lord, for your strength when I feel weak. Thank you for your support and encouragement through my friends and the doctors. I also bumped into another website designer in a coffee shop. Her name is Amy Durbin. (My Favorite Things – Other Stuff). She created this site and she ROCKS!!
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
WHAT DID I LEARN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS?
God asked me to WAIT. He was RIGHT! I learned to be patient through this process through the help of prayer, the support of my husband, family & friends, and the strength of the Holy Spirit. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” ~ Lamentations 3:25-26
Satan wants to slow me down. God has a better plan. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Romans 8:37-39
My timing is not so important. God’s timing is perfect and he has a reason for everything. “ In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” ~ Proverbs 16:9
Just because we have trials does not mean that God is saying, “STOP.” He may be saying, “WAIT! I am still refining you.” He uses our trials to build perseverance, character, and hope. “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:3-5
God will use all of our story for His greater purpose. We must NOT give up. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 1:6 AND “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10
My stretch goal for turning on this website was March 18th. My no-later-than goal was my birthday at April 10th, 2022.
We went LIVE on Good Friday, April 15th, 2022!!
I am grateful for ALL who helped me and prayed for me over the last two years. Thank you all for your encouragement, your kind words, your pushes when I felt like giving up, and your love through it all!
And most importantly, thank you, Jesus, for counseling, guiding, strengthening, and fulfilling your plan for me.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Where is God showing up in your life?
In your trials, where do you see His helping hand and encouragement?
In your celebrations, how is He celebrating with you? Are you giving Him the credit? Are you praising Him with gratitude?
Do you feel like giving up? What is the NEXT small step you can take to move forward?
If you are not seeing him in your daily life, take a moment to pray and invite Him in. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you in the small things. Ask Him to help you recognize Him in the daily moments. Then praise and thank Him!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for showing me your plan for me. You promised you would never leave us. You promised you had a plan for each of us. Help us all to see our next step in your plan and help us to have the courage to obey and take the next step. We are called to have no fear when we follow you, Lord. You have overcome death and evil. You will WIN always. May we trust you and allow our faith and hope to grown more and more each day as we let you lead in our lives. Amen.
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