art house and andi ashworth

Last Thursday, Troy and Sara hosted their first Art House North event. I am so excited about this new chapter they are beginning. They have moved their family into the smallest house I've ever been in, in order to purchase the church that is now the Art House.

Art House North is an offshoot of the Art House in Nashville, founded by Charlie Peacock and Andi Ashworth. Charlie and Andi are married, and my assumption is that Peacock is a stage name. Charlie has produced a lot of Sara's music and this couple has been hugely influential in how Troy and Sara approach their ministry, marriage, family and the art of weaving these callings together into a seamless life.

Sara gave me Andi's book, Real Love for Real Life for Ivar's baby shower and it was the first book I read after Ivar was born while nursing. I have sweet, sweet memories of one arm holding Ivar and the other trying to turn the pages of this book in the wee hours, reading by the soft light of the lamp covered in a baby blanket.

The book is all about living into our role as caregiver. To celebrate this call, to recognize the importance of caring for your neighbor, meeting the needs of your family, as well as caring for yourself, your passions, your dreams, your hopes. It is beautifully written and I believe I dog eared every other page because I didn't have a free hand to highlight.

I feel so grateful for this book. The timing was perfect for me when I read it. As a new mom I had a whole new life that was forming around me. I felt raw but open. And as I read this book I took hold of this vision and felt so secure in my new role of caring for this baby, caring for myself, creating a home for my family, caring for our neighbors, keeping an open heart.

On Thursday night, Andi and Charlie spoke at the Art House and told their story of intentional creative living, imaginative dreams and hopes, the art of a seamless life no matter who you are with and what you are doing. I was able to talk to Andi after and tell her how this book shaped my calling. It was a real privilege.

If you're looking for a good read. A book that may help set a new direction or a book that will surely help you create an imaginative vision, go get Real Love for Real Life by Andi Ashworth.

And if you're looking for some really great, thoughtful articles on artful living, check out anything Andi has written on the art house america blog.