For this week’s 7 Quick Takes, I thought I’d share on a topic that’s been on my heart lately.

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Women are uniquely created to create. In our bodies we can grow and bear new life. That aspect of creation is a huge part of my current state of life as a mom of 3, and for a long time, I wasn’t thinking about the other ways that I’m made to create, being overwhelmed by the feeding, clothing, and raising of little people (go figure). But eventually, I felt God calling me to use the other gifts he had given me. And so I started writing again, and made it a priority to find time for that creative outlet in my schedule. It has been incredibly life giving and freeing.

Please note, the feminine genius that John Paul II talks about isn’t limited to those that are literally mothers, but is meant for all women who create from their hearts, some of the most creative amazing women I know are sisters with the Servants of God’s Love (more on them later).

In fact, JPII says of the feminine genius that “is a specific part of God’s plan which needs to be accepted and appreciated, but also in order to let this genius be more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church.”

So to that end, I thought I’d share the creations and work of 7 women I admire, who are using their gifts and talents to bring beauty into the world and help others grow in faith.

1. Sara Estabrooks, whose blog I have read for the last year or so, and her writing always inspires me. I appreciate her clear way of expressing the faith, and her virtue challenge last year was such a gift to be a part of. Her first book was just published with Our Sunday Visitor, and is on my wish list. I am so impressed and amazed by what she has accomplished.

2. Rebecca Gorzynska is a modern day St. Hildegard, the definition of a renaissance woman. Seriously- she embroiders, paints, draws, sings, the list goes on and on. A list of women who use all of their gifts in honor of Lord would not be complete without her work. Head on over to her website if you’re in need of inspiration (and to see some of the illustrations for our upcoming collaboration).

3. Jenny Uebbing has been writing and blogging about NFP and motherhood for a long time, and a little over a year ago (I think, time is pretty blurry right now . . . ) she answered a call on her heart and created Off the Charts, an online NFP community. It is chock full of resources on all of the NFP related topics that are hardest to find answers to, and for that alone, is worthwhile, but what I am most impressed by is that Jenny has created a space for women and men to be vulnerable about the most intimate aspects of their lives, a place where they can be known and encouraged. I think we can all agree that that is a very rare thing online these days. Membership is open now, so check it out if you’re in need of NFP support!

4. Aleesa McCarthy is another renaissance woman. If you haven’t seen her adorable line of saints for kids (we used them in our All Saints Day craft), check out My Little Patron. She also paints the most gorgeous landscapes of Alaska. And has created the absolute coolest graphic journal for kids who love to write their own comic books or graphic novels. We gave a copy to my nephew for Christmas, and by the next day he had already filled pages and pages. He was so excited by it.

5. Melanie Reyes photographed our wedding, and we were so blessed by her then. She managed to get incredible shots even though Mark was sick as a dog and was so flexible when he needed a nap (fun fact: Mark had mono at our wedding and barely remembers it). Recently she started a new company called Love Lundi, the goal of which is to help other entrepreneurs showcase and grow their brand. How cool is that? Every time I see her work, I am inspired and amazed at her gifts, and I am even more inspired by how she’s using them.

6. Lorelei Worland is a woman of many talents. I met her when I got involved in the Catholic Mom Bundle, because she is the genius behind it. Her idea to create a set of resources for busy moms that would be inexpensive and easy to access is brilliant. She works incredibly hard behind the scenes creating the marketing, the images and copy text, and putting all the pieces together for the whole undertaking. I have no charisms in that arena, so it is a gift to be able to work with someone who does, and her hard work allows a lot of creative women to share their work with a larger audience. I’m very grateful for her. (Side note: if you’re interested in learning hand lettering, you can find no better resource than her books.)

7. Okay, this number is not one woman, it’s a whole order of them. The Servants of God’s Love as individuals and as a group inspire me with their feminine genius. These women are teachers, ministers, mothers, caretakers, spiritual directors, authors, speakers, knitters, sewers, beekeepers, soap-makers, baristas, and artisans of every sort. They are also women who live their vocation fully and with such joy that it radiates through the communities they live and work in. Annnnd, if you’re a young woman discerning your vocation- take a look on their website, they have a discernment retreat coming up at the end of the month.

I’m linking up with Kelly this week, another amazing and creative feminine genius. Click on over to read the other 7QTs