UNVEILED SUMMER 2024 EDITION
Mosaic Journeys FROM THE HEART: INSPIRING STORIES BY UNVEILED LIVING WRITERS
Our Mission
ISSUE 10
FROM THE EDITOR
Hello and welcome to 10th Edition Unveiled Living Emag!
Tracee Padilla
Editor-in-Chief, Unveiled Living E-Mag and Visionary & Founder of Unveiled Living Ministry
2022
It's hard to believe that just a few years ago, in 2020, I had a vision to create a digital magazine to inspire and empower women of all ages to grow deeper in their walk with God. I dipped my toes in the water mid-2021, and here we are, 10 editions later, moving forward with passion and purpose. In the beginning, I was writing every article myself, quickly realizing that this was a marathon I couldn’t run alone! In 2022, while attending the virtual Compel Conference by Proverbs 31 Ministries, I had an eye-opening revelation: the power of collaboration. It was then that I connected with incredible writers like Kathy Knapp, Mistie Doyle, Megan Wilzcek, Michelle Balts, and several others. I also reached out to family and friends who had a gift for writing, and before long, our Emag truly came to life.
2023
Celebrating Our Writers! What makes this edition particularly special is its theme, "Mosaic Journeys." Each writer has chosen a topic close to their heart, creating a beautiful tapestry of stories. Our writers have a story. Some have walked in grief and loss, some through mental health issues, and others through difficult divorces, or life experiences. Whatever the journey may be, they all share from the depths of their experiences—stories of navigating through unimaginable seasons, but yet, through it all, standing strong through God's power and mercy. I invite you to join me in celebrating our incredible writers— those who’ve been with us from the start all the way to our newest contributors. This edition includes a special page highlighting each writer at the end of their articles. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, or their websites, and be blessed by what God is doing in their lives. Today, we celebrate you, writers! You’re amazing, and I couldn’t be more grateful for you! Here's to many more Emags in the future—we’re just getting started! Share this with your friends and family, and spread the word. This is more than a magazine; it’s a resource to inspire and empower women like you and me to walk deeper, more authentically, and joyfully with God. Living life unveiled,
Tracee Padilla
2024
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EMAG
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Tracee L. Padilla Editor-in-Chief
Tracee & Edwin Padilla Creative Design
Janice Conyers
Content Editor
EDITION
THE POWER OF A HUG Sydne Chase
SURRENDER TO THE RAIN Kathleen Knapp
POSTURE OF A BELIEVER Simone Johnson
THE TREASURE BOX Heart Talk Vlog
REMOVING THE VEIL Tracee Padilla
LOVED DESPITE IMPERFECTION Megan Wilzcek
STEPPING OUT Interview w/Janice Conyers
LOST IN TRANSLATION Carmen Chase
FOLLOW THE CLOUD Jessica Thompson
CHANGE ON HORIZON
ALL SPUN UP
FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE
WEEKEND WITHOUT EGGSHELLS Tricia Clark
Tiffany Thompson Snyder
Beth Nelson
Cendrine Hosoda
A HARE, A TORTOISE AND A FOX The Posture of a Believer
EDITION
PURSUE WORSHIP
NOTES
Tracee Padilla
Feature: Tracee Padilla
SUMER SERIES
WHAT’S FOR DINNER? Janice Conyers
by Unveiled Living
COURAGEOUS FAITH
BRITE LIGHT MEDIA UL Video Production
by Janice & Tracee
UNVEILED LIVING WEBSITE JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST UL SOCIAL MEDIA LIGHTEN UP!
by Janice & Tracee
L.I.T. PODCAST
MEET OUR TEAM
TRACEE PADILLA
Founder
Tracee is the founder and visionary behind Unveiled Living, passionate about empowering women to walk in the true freedom God has called us to. Her greatest desire is to shine the light of Jesus to as many as possible. She has dedicated her life to ministry, from growing up as a missionary kid in Spain to roles in Youth Ministry, Worship Leading, and as Girls Ministry Director. Her greatest joys are her husband, Edwin, their three adult children, four grandchildren, her bundles of joy, and of course, Mr. Kiko the cat.
EDWIN PADILLA
JANICE CONYERS
Edwin, the husband of Tracee, is an Emmy Award winning videographer, having worked in the Media Industry for the past 25 years doing videography production for CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network, Joyce Meyer Ministries, and PBS). Check out his work at www.britelightmedia.com and www.notes.photography
Janice resides in New Hampshire with her husband, William, and their dog Mia. She has an eclectic background that includes expatriation in Japan, and reflects her diverse interests, skills, and experiences, including serving as the Connections Manager with Unveiled Living.
Video Production Connect Manager
UL Website
In addition to being an office and event manager with 20+ years’ experience, Janice is a writer currently working on getting her first book published and launching a lifestyle blog/website (www.janiceconyers.com). Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. She is passionate about furthering God’s kingdom by creating meaningful experiences and inspiring readers with engaging and informative content.
We’d love to stay connected with you. Subscribe on our website to join our email list. We’ll keep you updated on our latest digital magazines, blogs, Lighten Up! Podcast with Janice and Tracee, and more!
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JEREMIAH 17:7 NLT
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Hug BY SYDNE CHASE
I couldn’t pinpoint exactly when or why it started. I couldn't pinpoint exactly when or why it started, but around the age of 13, I began to struggle with two significant issues. The first was irrational thoughts and feelings of fear and anxiety. I rarely talked about what I was experiencing, but looking back, I'm certain that if I had seen a psychiatrist, I would have been diagnosed and probably medicated for a specific type of anxiety. Coming from a spiritual upbringing, I knew exactly what to call what I was battling: a spirit of fear. The second struggle at that young age was questioning God's individual love for me. While many people grow up in harsh, legalistic churches, I had a youth pastor who constantly reminded us that God loved us so much, even when we were angry or imperfect, that He just wanted to hold us close with loving arms.
Out of the five love languages, touch and affection have always been my number one, so this should have been the perfect message for me. However, this beautiful imagery couldn't keep doubt from creeping in. I knew God had to love the whole world, but that seemed so grandiose. Out of eight billion people, how could He really see and care about this one freckle-faced girl from North Carolina? I’d never heard of a Bible verse saying, “Thine Lord wishith to givith you a hug.” Still, God knew exactly how He was going to answer all my questions and doubts in a way that would become an unshakable anchor for the rest of my life.
“out of eight billion people, how could he really see and care about this one frecklefaced girl from North Carolina?”
I was invited to be a junior counselor for a church camp for kids. During one of the services, I pulled aside the adult leaders whom I knew and trusted and asked them if they would help me pray against the spirit of fear. They were, of course, ready and eager to stand with me in prayer, but first, the head of the camp asked me a seemingly strange question. "Before we pray, are you sure you are really ready to let go of the spirit of fear?" I was surprised by the question, and yet I found myself digging deep into my heart and realizing that old habits die hard. Fear, although torturous, was familiar. I've heard the saying, "throwing in the towel still takes some effort," and in that moment, I knew it was true for spiritual strongholds too. After all, you can't kick out a friend. I decided that the spirit of fear was not my friend, and I didn't want to tolerate it any longer. “Yes, I’m sure.”
He then led me in a prayer of renouncing the spirit of fear in the name of Jesus. I definitely felt the power of God's presence, but I also felt a battle taking place within me, somewhere in the gut of my spirit. As the battle continued, we found a corner of the room to pray to completion, as tears streamed down my face. After what felt like hours of seeking God and resisting the enemy, it seemed the spiritual fight was winding down, and there was a pause. The lead counselor for the girls, a lady I knew and trusted, leaned in and told me something my ears could hardly believe. "Sydne, right now I hear God telling me that He really wants me to hold you for Him. So I’m going to embrace you for Him, and just know that when you feel my arms around you, it’s really the arms of Jesus around you.” I melted. Every questioning doubt in my heart crumbled and broke as I moved from my place on the floor into her lap, and she practically cradled me while I wept. Love like I’d never known flooded my heart like a healing force. It was a force the enemy could never withstand. As I calmed down, it was evident that peace and joy had taken the place of fear and doubt. The feeling of the battle in my spirit had subsided, and a gentle yet radiant smile now accompanied the tears on my face.
With wisdom, the camp director made sure to first instruct me that as of that moment, I WAS free, and second, warn me that the enemy is a sore loser and will likely try to reclaim the territory he lost. Not if, but when that happens, it would not mean that I was still bound by fear; it was, in fact, the perfect time to walk out the freedom already won. Whenever I started to experience thoughts or emotions of fear from then on, I was to stand in the authority I have in Christ and rebuke the spirit of fear in the name of Jesus. As I continued to do just that in the weeks to come, the temptation subsided, and all symptoms of fear and anxiety ceased to occur.
That night, God delivered me from the torture of fear and tangibly showed me proof of His perfect, powerful, and individual love for me. One victory cannot be shared without the other. 1 John 4:18 sums it up beautifully: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love" (ESV). So it's no surprise that God displaced fear with His perfect love for me that night. In what ways has God shown His perfect love for you? Even if you're waiting to receive from Him in that way, I can tell you from experience, that is His heart for you. Receive His truth, and it will set you free.
Sydne Chase Combining 7 years of hairstyling success with a 5thgeneration ministry background, Sydne leverages her life coaching certification (IPEC) to guide individuals towards mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Her passion lies in helping people discover their purpose and thrive in all aspects of life.
06
Surrender to the Rain BY KATHLEEN KNAPP
I love the rain. Especially the heavy, soaking, spring rain. The kind of rain that fills your senses and changes the season from winter to spring, turning the parched, dry, dusty soil into a wet, slippery, muddy dark earth ready for planting. You can smell the rich, fertile ground as it thirstily drinks in the moisture. Turning the dry, dormant, crunchy grass into a dewy, green, lush grass of spring. The birds sing as the raindrops drip heavily from the trees which are just beginning to bud after a long, cold winter of bare branches.
The air smells sweet of fresh, cool rain as it splashes against the window panes. I love to sit beneath the covered porch to be in the rain, surrounded by the new life it brings, close enough to feel the occasional misting as the rain turns on the breeze. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater.” Isaiah 55:10 NIV As I watch the thirsty, dry earth soak in the life-giving moisture of the falling rain I think about my spirit. At times I am parched, dry and thirsty. I need the lifegiving rain of God’s spirit to soak into my being and fill me once again with fresh, new life.
“I need the life-giving rain of God’s spirit to soak into my being and fill me once again with fresh, new life.”
I can’t do it on my own. I often resist it. I’m not sure why. We all know you can’t pour from an empty cup, yet I still try to do everything with my own strength. After Covid restrictions ended it was difficult getting back into a routine, including church. For us, it is a new church in a new city, which makes it even more challenging since we have no previous relationships there. However, we committed to attending. Over time it has become a home and a haven for us. We’ve made new friends and I have been blessed beyond measure. As I stand and sing praises to my God, the tears flow like rain as my thirsty soul soaks in the fresh, dewy rain of God’s presence into my parched soul. My heart fills with joy as I sing praises to the one who made me, who knows me, and who loves me unconditionally.