For those of you who have been following Thy Olive Tree from the beginning, thank you. You've watched this space evolve through books, courses, textile design, and more. You've probably noticed I'm a multi-passionate person with a lot of ideas constantly flowing.

And I'll be honest with you. Lately I've been feeling conflicted.

What exactly IS Thy Olive Tree? What is my goal? Is the creativity too much? Do I need to pick a lane and stick with it?

The Brain Dump That Changed Everything

I recently enrolled in Molly Balint's Soft Business Club (affiliate link). Molly is a storytelling and messaging expert who used to teach in my Self-Publishing Academy. She encouraged me to brain dump every product, passion, and idea onto paper and find one umbrella term to tie it all together.

My pregnant brain could only come up with, "person with lots of ideas." Not exactly a brand strategy.

But as I kept drilling down, things became clearer.

I am a Creative Missionary.

The moment I said it, something clicked. That's exactly what I am.

What Is a Creative Missionary?

I've had to work through a few iterations of this, but I've landed on a definition. I believe a Creative Missionary is someone who uses their God-given creative gifts, whether words, art, design, beauty, or wonder, to help others encounter God more deeply and grow stronger roots in the Catholic faith.

It's not just about making Catholic products. It's about making products that make you a more rooted Catholic. There's a difference.

With this mission-first identity, Thy Olive Tree becomes more of a creative apostolate. The products can be diverse, but the mission doesn't change.

For My Fellow Multi-Passionate Catholics

If you've ever felt scattered, like you have too many ideas, or are unable to pick a lane, I want to offer you a reframe:

• You aren't scatterbrained. You are multi-passionate and multi-talented.
• You aren't chasing the shiny object. You are the shiny object.
• You don't need to pick a lane. You need to perfect the art of merging into a seven-lane highway.
• You don't have too many ideas. God is highly creative. Why wouldn't you be, too?

Maybe your creativity was never the problem.
Maybe it was the assignment.
Maybe He’s calling you to be a Creative Missionary.

What This Means Going Forward

As I gain more clarity on this mission, I'll be posting about it here. These posts are going to get more personal as I bring you behind the scenes of this journey.

And here's what I know about the people who find Thy Olive Tree. You're here because something creative and faith-filled drew you in, whether that's sacred art Rosary books, lectio divina journaling, keepsake scrapbooks, textile design, or writing your own book. I suspect the identity of Creative Missionary might resonate with more than a few of you.

If it does, stay close. This journey is just beginning.