Nearly everyone has experienced some form of trauma in their life through the loss of a loved one, childhood trauma, natural disaster, or, most recently, a pandemic. Trauma sometimes makes connecting to God difficult especially during the holidays.
Nearly everyone has experienced some form of trauma in their life through the loss of a loved one, childhood trauma, natural disaster, or, most recently, a pandemic. Trauma sometimes makes connecting to God difficult especially during the holidays.
Join me and my co-host, Carla Alvarez for a time of refreshment and renewal as we read through “Light in the Darkness: 25 Devotionals for Trauma Survivors.” The book includes 25 simple and engaging daily devotionals covering 4 weekly topics: Hope, Love, Peace, and Joy.
Each devotional includes space for reflection and prayer. Each week of the read along you will have an opportunity to reflect and share your insights, joys, and struggles with others during the weekly Zoom meetings.
The workshop is less than a month away and we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure your experience is amazing and life-changing. Wondering what to expect at the workshop?
Watch for updates about Equipped for Recovery 2023!
What is Recovery?
“Recovery is commonly defined as the process of getting better from an illness or otherwise returning to a state of physical and mental health.” –Lives of Substance
Celebrate Recovery, a Christ centered 12-Step program, uses the phrase, “hurts, habits, and hang-ups” to describe the program’s focus. Everyone experiences one or more of these over the course of their life, making recovery an essential part of our lives. Overcoming the inclination to use unhealthy and destructive ways of coping with life stressors, hurts, trauma, or anything that disrupts our well-being is a lifelong process. Building and maintaining a Recovery Toolbox of healthy coping tools, knowing how to use them, and using them regularly greatly improves our chances of success. The “Equipped for Recovery Workshop ” offers the opportunity to explore your toolbox, add new tools, revitalize existing tools, and practice what you learn.
We are so grateful to our sponsors. Check out the video for more about our first Builder Level Sponsor, Michalek Plumbing, and see the list of Suppliers who provided gifts, resources, and snack items for the Equipped for Recovery Workshop.
I’m surrounded by an amazing group of speakers for the upcoming Equipped for Recovery Workshop!
Carla Alvarez-MAA, Author
Livestream Experience Host/MC
Carla Alvarez is a founding board member of and contributing editor to An Unexpected Journal. She lives in Houston, Texas with her three daughters. She holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. She is a writer for RaisedtoWalk.org, and a Bible teacher for Bright Sheep Ministries.
After great success in the corporate and non-profit sectors, Jillian is now a Professional Freelancer. Her services include Virtual Administration, Non-profit Financial Consulting, Personal Identity Coaching, and is a certified Notary Signing Agent. Single mom of two amazing teen boys, she delights in watching them grow into manhood. She is an engaging Public Speaker who is able to bring laughter and joy to any audience. Website
This mother-daughter duo brings energy, creativity, and passion for sharing God’s love wherever they go. Korine holds a Master’s degree in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University and currently teaches High School English at Hitchcock High School. Angel joined the staff at Hitchcock this year as an Aide. She also serves as the worship leader for The Way Worship Movement.
Krystl Michalek-Associate Professor, Doctoral Candidate @ Life Christian University
Speaker/Show Runner-Self-Care
Krystl has a passion for missions, teaching and conveying God’s Word to others. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Texas at Austin, a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Theology from Life Christian University and is a doctoral candidate at Life Christian University. She currently teaches at Life Christian University’s Lockhart Campus and serves as the CFO-Advertising Director of Michalek Plumbing. Website
Mike and Jennifer Orenstein have been married for 30 years. They raised three amazing men and are new parents to one feisty Australian Shepherd. Currently, they are pastoring and leading the recovery ministry at Shoreline Church. “God has called us to do hard things – really hard things. Things that will leave us marked forever, but will also leave a mark on the world.”
Kelly is passionate about helping people in a very authentic and practical way. She loves to share wisdom and encourage others and see them overcome whatever barrier, pain or challenge they may be going through, as they grow into doing the same for others. She loves to laugh and enjoys serving God as she serves people from all walks of life.
With a Master of Science in Social Work, a Master of Arts in Cultural Apologetics, over 30 years of experience in social work, and as a survivor of childhood trauma, Charlotte Thomason has seen, both professionally and personally, the devastation created by child abuse. She wants to use her experience to bring hope to those who feel lost and hopeless due to childhood trauma and bring encouragement to those who help them.
I am available to speak at retreats, workshops, small gatherings, podcasts, and social media interviews. I am available for virtual events and, to a limited degree, live events. I am willing to share on a variety of subjects ranging from my testimony, to teaching, or facilitating discussions including:
Reconciling Faith with the Existence of Suffering
Addressing the Emotional Problem of Evil
Moving from Surviving to Thriving
Contentment and peace are possible for Survivors of childhood trauma
The pandemic opened up new platforms for me and others and virtual events became more acceptable to media and the public. Since the release of my memoir, What Kind of Love is This? Finding God in the Darkness, I’ve participated in multiple interviews, podcasts, and events on a variety of topics.
Here is a sampling of recent events
Hope Today-Healing from Child Sexual Abuse Trauma
Today I had the privilege of being the guest on Cornerstone Television Network’s program, Hope Today. I must admit I was more nervous about the interview than normal because it was a live broadcast. However, the hosts immediately put me at ease. Their approach to the interview allowed me to share aspects of my journey that I’ve not shared on previous programs.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share moments when God showed up to give me hope in the darkest moments of my childhood as well as the importance of both counseling and faith in my healing process.
Talking to Keri Kitchen was like talking to a friend over coffee as we discussed my journey to find God in the darkness and move from victim mentality to realizing I am not defined by the trauma I experienced as a child.
Good Morning Ozarks
Interview with Annie Broughton on Niteline.
She asked some tough questions, but we had a great conversation. Click here to watch
August 7, 2021-Virtual Book Launch
July 10, 2021 Santa Fe, TX Book Launch Party
Celebrate Recovery Austin, TX June 10, 2021
June 10, 2021 CR Austin, TXMeet and Greet and book signingShe couldn’t wait to to start reading!
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