The #Celtic Concept of #ThinPlaces Inspired My Story about #DominicanRepublic Published in #ChickenSoupfortheSoul #FindingMyFaith

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith - 101 Inspirational Stories about Life, Belief, and Spiritual Renewal

An inspiring and faith filled story by Heather J. Kirk titled Thin Places is included in the newest Chicken Soup for the Soul edition, which releases on October 16th, 2012.

The Celtic concept of Thin Places is where the membrane between Heaven and earth is so thin that we can see through or experience and know something of Heaven or have direct communication with God there.

Heather's story is about her decision to move to the Dominican Republic, the difficulties she encountered there, and the presence of God and the opening of her eyes and her breath that allowed her to experience life differently.

Heather's transformation takes place in the Jardin Botanico Nacional de Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana. (The National Botanical Gardens of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.) In her story she mentions photos she took and I'd like to share a few here.

Waterlily Wash Peekaboo - Copyright by Heather J. Kirk

Waterlily Wash Peekaboo - Copyright by Heather J. Kirk 

 

 

In the Palm of His Hand #1 - Copyright by Heather J. Kirk

 

 

Single Purple Water Lily #1 - Copyright by Heather J. Kirk

 

 

Without Protection #2 - Copyright by Heather J. Kirk

Heather Kirk: Invite to Dominican Gala and Seeking Sponsors and Auction Donations

My invitation here today has several aspects to it.

A.      To Attend an Event that is very special to me.

B.      To request donations for a Silent Auction – even if you don’t own a business,  I’ve come up  with several creative ideas for ways to participate.

C.      Seeking Corporate (or Small Business) Sponsors for the event – which would get your name before media, professional baseball players, celebrities and a middle to upper class Latino market.

 
A.      I’d like to invite you to join me at this year's Dominican Gala/Gran Gala Domnicana. I'm really excited to be a part of this event because there are so many things that come together in this event that are important to me personally.

1.       Celebrating the dance, music, food and Independence Day of the Dominican Republic.

2.       Youth - This event is a fundraiser for After School and Summer Therapeutic Dance and Art Programs for children and families in poverty, at-risk or victims of abuse. It has been more than 10 years since I had to stop working in Social Work due to my health. I have missed doing something that is purposeful and meaningful to those in need.

3.       Like Denise Ceballos Viner, President and Owner of Bella Q Dance Studios and Gran Gala Dominicana, dance was an integral part of my growing up and part of helping me get beyond my shyness. I believe it, and arts in general, are a powerful tool for transformation! I saw what a difference art can make in the art programs I created while working in inner-city schools: in behavior, self-esteem, and something we seem to have forgotten, in academic success!

I would like to invite you to join me on February 23, 2013 at 6pm at Crescent Crown Distributing

1640 W. Broadway Mesa, AZ 85202, and afterward at 10 pm for a dance party with live traditional Dominican music at The Hilton – Phoenix East/Mesa, 1011 West Holmes Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210.

For more information see http://www.bellaqdancestudio.com/Gran_Dominican_Gala_php.php or Contact me for tickets or purchase on-line.

$45 includes: Traditional Dominican dinner, drinks, celebrity speakers, entertainment and the after-party with a live band!

I’d love to see you there!

B.                  I am in charge of the Silent Auction. That means several things:

1.       My art will be available for bidding on, at potentially a nice price! I have several other artist friends who will also be generously donating.

2.       We are going to have quite a few nice items up for auction – great opportunities to try something new. You can preview her. I’m just starting to post things, so it will be updated several times a week.  http://www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/GranGalaAuctionPreview.html

3.       Yes, you guessed it, I am asking that you consider donating items to the auction. I’ve done some brainstorming, and even if you do not have a business, there are ways you can still give.

Ideas:

- A great bottle of red wine someone gave you – but you only drink white. Or vice versa.- That gift card you got for Christmas to a store you never go to.

- That piece of clothing in your closet, never worn, still with the tags on.

- One show from your season tickets to the theater you got, but you’ll be out of town on that date. *

- A signed copy of a book you have written. Or a signed music CD!

- A few extra tickets in to the ball game, or space in a box.

- A certificate from your seamstress, hair dresser, manicurist, spa or massage therapist who wants to find new clients.

- An item of your own creation: art, notecards, throw pillows, a gift basket you put together.

- Gift certificates to restaurants. *

- A weekend at an in-town or nearby time share that you won’t be able to use. *

- If you have your own business, items or certificate. *

 *Tickets must be for AFTER February 23^rd. Gift Certificates must have at least 4 months on them, preferably 6 months – 1 year.

There are promotional benefits to giving. Contact me to find out more.

C.      And finally, we are looking for Sponsors! We have many levels of giving, from sponsoring a child, to getting a booth, to being a Super Sponsor for a specific need – like flying in a speaker or providing for their hotel.

If you have wanted to break into the Latin market, this is a particularly good opportunity for you. Your name will get before a high-end clientele of Latinos, including Major League Baseball players, political figures, celebrities, doctors, lawyers and educators, as well as the major Spanish language media outlets in Arizona.

I hope you will be interested in joining me in some way in this very special effort. It means a lot to me.

 
I have fliers and applications available for anyone who is interested. Please e-mail: HJKirk@juno.com
Heather J. Kirk

Remembering Warmer days - Santiago DR, June 2012

So darn cold in Phoenix, AZ. 27 degrees last night - HUH? I've been here since 1987 and never remember a slew of nights so cold. So I decided to call up a memory to warm me up.

La Vena Concert (Lenny and Max of Aventura + Steve Styles). Fantastic!

And yes, a bit warm (okay hot...) in Santiago, Dominican Republic at Andy's Ranch.

I weaseled my way into the VIP section. They were hesitant to seat us there, not because  we aren't true VIP, but because it was in the sun. I told them, "I'm white, I like the sun." And though I'm not sure the others agreed about the sun (one Dominican, the other ending up sunburned), we were soon in shadow and ended up with PERFECT seats!

And who else was in the VIP section with us (in the shade the whole time...)? Luis Vargas!

Heather J. Kirk

Metal Prints and Chicken Soup Finalist...

An essay of mine titled "Thin Places" about my experience in the Dominican Republic, and the need to live by faith, has made it (so far) to the final round for an upcoming anthology titled Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I have previously had a limited number of metal prints up to 13 x 19. Now introducing Metal Prints up to 32 x 40!

All metal prints ship within 2 - 3 business days and arrive "ready to hang" with a hanging wire, mounting hooks, and nails. Grab a hammer... nail the mounting hook into your wall... and you're done!

www.heather-kirk.artistwebsites.com

Find new image "Dominican Cigars Being Made by Hand" in the Poster Prints Gallery or directly here:

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/dominican-cigars-made-by-hand-heather-kirk.html Photo copyright by Heather J. Kirk

 Heather J. Kirk

Jesus' Mardi Gras

As you know, I've been posting photos of a DR Carnival Parade, and here I post a few more. "But Fat Tuesday is over!" you exclaim. Not so in every part of the world...

I recently received an e-mail from a friend I met in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. She is an American who took the step I considered, but did not choose. She moved there permanently - bought a house, and has a job teaching math in a high school. She was going to La Vega for the first time.

I was invited to attend by a friend who worked for an ad agency, so I would have had prime access for photography. But I had a previous commitment - a bit odd because the first month or so I was still meeting people and did not have a "full calendar". While I always regret having to say no, I am not one to be fickle and cancel on someone because something "better" came up.

I don't even remember what I did instead - though it seems I could check my calendar to find out, there is one catch. La Vega (in the interior of the island), is "the place to go" for Carnival. Every weekend for a month or more they have huge parades, festival, parties. The costumes are amazing. It is a tourist attraction, not just for foreigners but for Dominicans as well.

Each city in DR has a Carnival, and award winners participate in a final parade in Santo Domingo. Here's what interesting as I check my calendar for 2010. Ash Wednesday was on February 17th, meaning the end of the party - at least in New Orleans and just about anywhere else. But my photos were taken on March 7th, along the Malecon (the name for most coastal roadways in Latin American cities), in Santo Domingo also known as Avenida George Washington. (Go figure.)

Is celebrating Carnival after during Lent blasphemous? Irreverent? Sacrilege? Or if Jesus were alive, would he be right there with them?

I would guess the latter. And here's why:

Matthew 9:14-15 'Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.'

I'm not saying Jesus would approve of the drunkenness or licentiousness that Mardi Gras has turned into in most places around the world. (Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday = the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when Lent and fasting begins.) But as far as I can tell the Dominicans don't consider Carnival that way anyway. It's a time for family, festivities, celebration, healthy competition, food, and yes a few cervezas. Actually quite similar to our 4th of July as their Independence Day is February 27th.

Am I saying we should not observe Lent? Of course not - the 'bridegroom' is not currently with us, and Lent is a way to look forward to his return. Something to really celebrate! And with Christ comes Independence at the fullest level - spiritually.

Text and photography copyright Heather J. Kirk

Carnival has already begun in the Dominican Republic - history and photos

Interesting info - and another first for the Dominican Republic: It is thought that República Dominicana was the first place in the Americas to observe the pre-Lenten carnival custom. The celebrations became an escape of the pressures and rigidity of religious tradition. By the late 1700's carnival had become a major celebration. Then when Dominican Republic won their independence February 27,1844 the celebration evolved to encompass the Independence Day commemorations as well. Finally, becoming what it is today. Beginning the traditional carnival with the pre-lenten celebrations, the climax concluding with the Independence Day observances. Combining both celebrations and making the entire month of February a celebration and time for enjoyment. Source and to see more... http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/traditions-carnival.htmltraditions-carnival.html

In February, Independence and Carnival are celebrated in the Dominican Republic - in honor of which I'll be adding some of my own photos throughout the month.

Photos copyright by Heather J. Kirk