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UNVEILED LIVING

Unveiled Living Emag Spring Edition 2025 Volume 13 Editorial Tracee Padilla Editor Contributors Jessica Thompson, Janice Conyers, Kathleen Knapp, Carmen Chase, Cendrine Hosoda, Tracee Padilla, Savannah Moore Marketing Design Tracee Padilla Edwin Padilla tracee@unveiledliving.org Editing & Emag Assistant Janice Conyers janice@unveiledliving.org Subscriptions Visit www.unveiledliving.org or contact - Janice Conyers at janice@unveiledliving.org

INSIDE FROM OUR AMAZING WRITERS

EDITOR'S NOTE You’re not alone in this journey.

WHERE THE WILDFLOWERS GROW They bloom where no one thinks they will - poem

GRACE WHEN I’VE BLOWN IT by Kathleen Knapp

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A SEED by Carmen Chase by Cendrine Hosed

ROCKY SOIL IS NOT A DEATH SENTENCE

JESUS TAKE THE CART - FAITH & FICTION SECTION by Tracee P̀adilla

THRIVING IN CHAOS by Savannah Moore

HOW TO WALK AWAY FROM ANXIETY - HEART TALK GRATITUDE IN THE WILDERNESS by Janice Conyers

EMBRACING THE WEEDS by Jessica Locklear Thompson

KIDZ KORNER: THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT by Michelle A. Balts

RECIPES!

FINDING GOD IN THE MESSY

It’s that time of year for delicious recipes. Check out Tracee & Janice’s recipes for adding some goodness to your kitchen table this spring.

by Tracee Padilla

MEET OUR TEAM - UL UNVEILED LIVING BIBLE STUDIES UNFILTERED FAITH WITH TRACEE

WILDFLOWERS PROMISES PDF DOWNLOAD

UL BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Editor’s Note FROM TRACEE If you’re anything like me, you know what it’s like to find yourself in the middle of a messy season. The kind where faith feels a little bruised, hope feels a little thin, and you wonder if you’ll ever see beauty grow out of it. If that’s you—you’re not alone. This Wildflowers Spring Emag is full of real stories from real people who have walked through their own messy middles and found that God was there all along. Not standing far off, waiting for them to clean up—but kneeling right there in the dirt with them. Kind of like the red poppy. It doesn't grow where everything's perfect—it blooms in ground that's been wrecked and torn up. That’s where the beauty shows up. And it’s the same with you, my friend. There isn’t a broken place in your life where God can’t plant something beautiful. So if you’re tired, worn out, or wondering if anyone else feels the way you do—come sit with us. Grab a few quiet minutes (even if it’s hiding in your closet with chocolate—been there, done that) and dive into these pages. You’re not the only one with messy places. And you’re not alone.

a l l i d a P Tracee

Editor-in-Chief

BY JANICE CONYERS

GRATITUDE IN THE

WILDERNESS Watching for the Activity of God

GRATITUDE IN THE WILDERNESS

So often, we expect God to show up in polished moments— in church, in our quiet times, in times of plenty. But what about the middle of a mess? What about when the fridge is empty, the bills are due, and hope feels paper-thin? I’ve been there. Years ago, work had slowed to a trickle, and I had barely scraped together enough to cover rent and keep the lights on. Food was not in the budget. I remember opening the fridge and staring at the few things left: ketchup, mustard, maybe a half bottle of soy sauce. There was nothing I could turn into a meal. No bread. No pasta. Not even a can of beans hiding in the back of a cabinet. I was bone-tired from trying to stay afloat and emotionally worn out from the weight of needing—again. I'd just come out of a season of homelessness, and this felt like slipping backward into fear. I was trying to be strong, trying to trust God, but the tears came easily those days. It was a man from a local church—one ’d never attended. He smiled gently and handed me a box filled with groceries. “We had some extra,” he said. “Just felt like I needed to bring this by.” My hands shook as I took the box. I managed a thank-you and closed the door, then slid down the wall and wept. Not quiet tears—deep, soul-wrung sobs of relief. Gratitude surged through me in waves. This wasn’t random. This was God. That box of food felt like manna. It was the tangible, unmistakable provision of a God who sees and provides – El Roi (the God who Sees) and Jehovah Jireh (the God who Provides).

WILDFLOWERS DON’T BLOOM...

Wildflowers don’t bloom where we expect them to. They spring up in cracked sidewalks, dusty highways, and forgotten corners of the world. They don’t ask permission. They don’t wait for ideal conditions. They grow where they are, daring to be beautiful in chaos. And I’m convinced God works the same way.

BY JANICE CONYERRS

THEN CAME THE KNOCK.

“Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10, NLT) It wasn’t wrapped in a miracle headline or a thundering voice from heaven. It was a knock on a door and groceries in a box. But it was sacred. That moment taught me to watch differently—to look for God in the wildflower places. In small kindnesses. In unexplained peace. In needs met at just the right time. He often doesn’t show up the way we imagined, but He always shows up. The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT God’s mercy doesn’t always come with fanfare. Sometimes, it’s quiet, humble, almost hidden. But it’s always faithful. So, how do we learn to see Him in those everyday moments? We start by looking back. One of the most powerful spiritual tools I’ve embraced is a gratitude journal. Each day, I write down even the smallest evidence of God’s goodness—a kind word, an unexpected answer, a moment of laughter in a hard day. Then once a week, I take time to read through the list. It always amazes me how much I would’ve missed if I hadn’t written it down. Want to go a step further? Create a Family Gratitude Journal. Share those moments at the dinner table with your family. Invite your kids, spouse, or friends into the habit of noticing. Ask, “Where did you see God show up this week?” You’ll be surprised by how He’s moving in their lives too. God is not only the Lord of mountaintop moments. He is also the God of the Wildflowers—showing up in unexpected places, growing beauty out of brokenness, and offering provision in the middle of mess. Trust Him there. Look for Him there. And when you find Him, give thanks—wild, weeping, soul-deep thanks.

Janice Conyers

Janice resides in New Hampshire with her husband, William, and their dog Mia. She is a proud mamma of two adult children, Jonathan, and Lydia, and new mom-in-law to Michael. She is often referred to as "Jan-of-all-trades" by her colleagues and friends. In addition to being an office and event manager with 20+ years’ experience, Janice is passionate about furthering God’s kingdom by creating meaningful experiences through events, and inspiring readers with engaging and informative content.