Hearts 'n Sync

I was delighted to find my heart 'n sink with God while doing my dishes tonight :-) Just what I needed to lighten my spirits...heart bubbles! God always surprises me!


Delight yourself in the LORD,
and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.
~ Psalm 37:4,5

A Child is Born...

For unto Us a Child is born
Unto Us a Son is given
And the government shall be upon His shoulder
And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
- Isaiah 9:6

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord"
~ Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas! May your hearts fill to overflowing with the promise of hope for better days ahead, renewed hearts and minds and restored relationships with family and friends.

Blessings of God's peace,
Kimberly

Hearts in Focus - 11/10/2008

'Hearts in Focus' - Please enjoy the latest updates from fellow Heart Rock enthusiasts...

Newsletters with Heart & Soul:

Found Heart's Newsletter
Check out Rick Ruggle's newsletter to learn more about his new photograph collections. Just in time for the Holidays...give a gift of the heart from the heart.
Subscribe


LovingBlind Productions Newsletter
Josie Iselin continues her soulful work in sharing her special vision of seeing the beauty in the gifts found in the earth, sea and all that surrounds us. Subscribe to her newsletter and keep up-to-date on her latest books and projects.
Subscribe

Heart stones hold precious memories...

"... found these on the river bank of the Ct. river in Northern N.H. before my Mom died...they are a source of great comfort, until next time....Gert"

Thanks to Gert Cote (Western, MA) for reminding us that our 'roots' (the people and places that shaped us) remain forever in our hearts. Welcome to the Heart Rock Collective, Gert!

To see more of Gert's collection, check out her heart rock stories and images over on Josie Iselin's blog.

Heart Shaped Rock in Memory of a Fallen Agent

I always love to receive emails from people who offer a piece of their hearts. The following email was received from Frances O'Connor on October 23, 2008...

I do not have an image to share at this moment, but pursuing a quest of over twenty years, last week I picked up a rock at the site of where my younger brother transitioned over 3 months ago in upstate N.Y. It had a piece off the top and looked like a broken heart. He was too young to die at age 62. He was a Criminal Investigator for ICE (Homeland Security). They are still investigating his death. A moment ago I went to look for the rock and panicked when I couldn't find it from my trip, but a prayer to St. Anthony quickly solved that.

Fran

Hearts in Focus - 9/13/2008

'Hearts in Focus' - A weekly addition to the HRC that will highlight newbies to the Heart Rock Collective. If you stumble upon an intriguing post, story and/or resource pertaining to heart rocks in your virtual travels, please forward the link and/or url so that I can add them to our collective and extend a 'Hearty' welcome.

Please enjoy the latest tales of hearts found and shared...

Writings from the Heart:

Cheryl-Anne Millsap is a staff writer for The Spokesman-Review and writes a weekly post on her blog, Home Planet. I discovered two articles she penned for the Spokesman Review a few years ago about her personal experiences collecting heart rocks and the flood of stories she received from others who shared a similar passion.

1. Take Moment to Cherish Love on the Rocks - March 20, 2006
2. Many Memories are Embedded in Hearts of Stone - April 3, 2006

Virtual Heart Heart Projects:

Hearts from All over the World

A beautiful testimony...this website chronicles one family's journey of discovering and observing heart rocks and shapes. After the passing of a loved, heart rocks and heart shapes became a way for each of them to honor the memory of their loved one and to celebrate and enjoy the love found in each moment.

Join a 'Heart' Centered Group:

Pawn Shop Hearts - Pawn Shop Hearts is a public collective of heart-shaped images discovered from all corners of the world.

Hearty Blogs:

Jim and Lea - Heart Rocks at Cradle

Matters of the Heart - Quotes & Inspirations:

"Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God and he is instantly free. If we understand our first and sole duty to consist of loving God supremely and loving everyone, even our enemies, for God's dear sake, then we can enjoy spiritual tranquility under every circumstance." ~ A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

Many blessings,
Kimberly

Allow Me to Explain: Collections

Hello, HRC Readers,

Please welcome the most recent addition to the Heart Rock Collective:

Nisha from TX shares her heart-warming stories about family, farm life and the treasured memories and lessons embedded in ordinary moments in her sojourn through life.

Check out her blog and read about her Collections of Heart Rocks:
Allow Me To Explain: A wife and mom trying to keep the memories fresh

**Please send prayers for Nisha and her family for safety, God's protection and blessing as Hurricane Ike heads towards landfall on the Texas coast.

Special Delivery...

Early morning light gently brushed across my face to awaken me this morning. Fleeting thoughts of a dream flickered in and out ...my mind grasping to piece together the wisps of memory dancing close to the edge of my consciousness...just out of reach. I dreamt about Andrea, my sister, last night. I awoke with an ache in my heart...I missed her.

Over the weekend, I'd spent hours pouring through dusty boxes of letters from friends and family - some dating back 30 years. Most of the them penned in the familiar graceful strokes by my sister. Letters flowed back and forth between us across the miles and years...She'd been on my mind since this weekend. Over the last few years, life circumstances changed the frequency and means of our communication.

Recently, a family reunion beckoned me home to the shores of the Peninsula in Erie, PA (my Mom's hometown). My sister didn't attend; I'd desperately wanted to see her, but respected the choice she made. I sent her a beautiful heart rock that I found on the sandy shores of Lake Erie to let her know I loved her; that across the miles in spirit we remained connected.

When I arrived home this evening, my eyes fell immediately to a yellow package stuffed into the mailbox. A quiet voice rose up within me...it's from Andrea - special delivery. Hesitantly, I opened the package not sure what to expect, not wanting to be reminded of the deep ache of missing her. Five years have passed since we've been together as a family. Pictures and occasional letters keep me updated on their lives, though I always want more.

A short note tucked into a pocket size book enclosed a picture of my beautiful little niece Nicole. She's growing up so fast...taller and more beautiful than I remembered. A quick note jotted on floral stationary expressed my sister's appreciation of the heart rock I'd sent her. A few lines caught me up on her daily life these past few weeks. Just enough connection to feel the love closing the distance I'd felt between us. As I turned over the small book in a my hand, a smile crept to my face. While shopping one day, the book Heart Stones by Josie Iselin caught her eye. She thought I'd enjoy it. (The book is a wonderful collection of heart stone images. Josie captures the beauty and universal appeal of the heart stones and the 'messages' offered in each.)

Ironically, my sister and niece share the same passion for heart rocks. For last decade, they've collected heart-shaped rocks. It amazes me that our connection remains so strong...one that transcends time and boundaries. Across the miles, two hearts forever share the bonds of family, sisterhood and love.

Heart Rocks...

Discovered a new blog called 'Reflections on Being Present' by Jenna from Nashville, TN. Her first post offers a personal reflection about the meaning of the heart rocks discovered during an important period of transformation in her life...

'Heart Rocks' ~ Reflections on Being Present (Jenna's Blog)

A Heart for Grampa...

Email received from Jean in Marshfield, MA on Sunday, August 24, 2008
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My story...

"My dad has been in the hospital for three weeks now. He went in for hip replacement surgery and has suffered one complication after another. At one point he needed to be put on a ventilator. As I was getting ready to go to the hospital one day, my daughter chose one of my many heart rocks and asked me to bring it to Grampa. It was picked specifically because the shape would be obvious to him if he held it in his hand! So, I brought it to him and placed it in his hand. I told him it was a heart rock form my daughter. For days I would check to make sure the nurses were keeping it in his hand. One day when I came in I noticed that since it kept falling out of his hand, one of the nurses had taped it on his bed right next to his head. It has been with him ever since."

Jean
Heart Rockin' Family: www.frecklesfilledwithlove.blogspot.com

Padova, Italy - Hearts in Stone

Email received from Jan, Connecticut on Saturday, August 23, 2008
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My daughter just spent the summer studying in Padova, Italy. The tiny cobblestone street in front of where she was staying had some heart rocks, and someone painted them all red. What a pleasant way to be greeted each morning as she set out for class!

Jan in Connecticut

PS I found your site through polly-vous francais

More than Meets the Eye

Email received from Neha of Kolkata, India on Friday, August 22, 2008
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Hi!

I'm Neha from Kolkata, India and let me just tell you that I was absolutely elated when I came across your blog....here's my little heart rock and its story :)

REWIND. . .Unbound and unleashed..Rethought from A to Z...Pages turned incessantly..In hopes of finding ME...
http://rewoundreflections.blogspot.com/2008/08/more-than-meets-eye.html

hope to hear more stories!!
thanks again :)

Found Hearts by Rick Ruggles ~ videos

You may remember one of my earlier posts (Feb) hightlighting the beautiful images of Found Hearts by Rick Ruggles. His photographic work reflects the beauty and love that surrounds us ~ primarly heart-shapes found in nature. Recently, I checked out his website for updated information about a gallery exhibit he had earlier this year. New additions to his site include the following two videos (worth watching!):

Saville Gallery Show 2008
Interview on Maryland Public TV

Heart Rocks of Alaska: Nature's Valentines

While conducting my daily internet search to network with other heart rock enthusiasts, I came across this delightful video, "Heart Rocks of Alaska: Nature's Valentines" produced by Evan Steinhauser. Evan works as a photojournalist in Alaska, surrounded by the majestic beauty of God's creation. His first heart rock encounter occurred on a daily hike through the Chugach State Park near Eagle River in Alaska. Check out his video to learn more about these amazing 'heart' treasures discovered along his many hikes.

*I contacted Evan and received his permission to include his work on the blog.

Sharing My Heart(s) with Others

A heavy rainstorm blew in from the west yesterday. Dark, billowing clouds hung draped over the landscape obscuring the clarity of the once crystal china blue skies. It reminded me how life can often feel at times...confused, full of darkness with the threat of storms brewing just ahead. Eventually, though, the storm passes...often with a rainbow to herald the return of sunny skies and a brighter outlook. Out of the confusion and chaos emerges clarity...hope.

Today, I had a breakthrough. I'd recently been praying for guidance and direction with this blog, about what to do with my growing heart rock collection. The clouds of confusion parted and the crystal light of clarity emerged. Quietly...this simple message was heard, "Share your heart(s) with others."

During my lunch break today, I took my usual walk along the Charles River and ended up at my favorite bench. Just before heading back to my office, I bent down to put on my shoes. There amidst the sand and gravel was another tiny heart rock. When I returned to my desk, I carefully placed it in my heart-shaped shell with two other hearts. A beautiful addition to my collection, though I felt a nagging voice inside me urging me to give these away...to share them with someone.

Just then, a colleague interrupted my heart-rock gardening to share some sad news about a colleague's loss of her father. My immediate thought was to give her one of the heart rocks. Offer it as a touchstone...a symbol of love...a remembrance of the love once shared with her father... of the Father's love that is everlasting.

Giving our hearts to another...sharing ourselves...offering love in times of need...this is what matters. God reveals to me each day His love for me...it's poured out in unending measure. In turn, I must pour out this love flowing within me to others. I cannot keep it for myself.

St. Francis Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

It's a Heart Rock Life!

One of my favorite movies is Field of Dreams. I love the idea expressed in the line, "If you build it, they'll come." When I started my blog, I hoped that others would join and/or contribute to the collective voice of the blog, sharing their stories and images of heart rocks. A year has passed and I'm overwhelmed at the numbers of people I've met who collect heart rocks and have started blogs, groups and written books expressing this shared passion.

When I logged in after an evening walk (found two heart rocks this time), I was delighted to read a post from another Heart Rock lover...all the way from California!

I'd like to introduce you to the latest blog addition to The Heart Rock Collective: It's a Heart Rock Life

Welcome to Sharilyn from California! Check out her blog...read her heart rock story; read her inspirational writings; meditate on her visual snapshots of everyday life which speaks of God's beauty surrounding us. Look around you to witness His creation, look within to experience His love and grace.

Birthday Wishes!

Tomorrow's my birthday! Thursday, July 31st. My birthday wish for the coming year is for God to continue to change and transform my heart. I pray that anything that blocks me from giving and receiving love be removed...let the barriers, the hurts and wounds be healed by God's loving mercy and grace. May I have a heart for service, a heart for healing, a heart for worship and a heart to share with others.

Since returning from my vacation, heart rocks appear in my travels on a daily basis. Wherever I look, I find one or two hearts. What's really curious is that many of them I find in the cracks in the sidewalk. Very tiny heart stones tucked quietly amidst the cracks...how odd...why do I find so many of them here? Want to know my theory? The souls that need love the most, to know that they are loved, usually walk downcast eyes, shoulders slumped weary by the burdens of the day. They're more likely to see them. God seems to be leading me to do more with my heart rocks...not just collect them, catalog them and photograph them, but to share them with others - to share the important messages contained in the heart rocks themselves. I pray that God continues to lead and direct the purpose of this blog and my passion for work with transformation of the heart and spirit. May my heart continue to open to the love around me that I might share it with others.

Blessings,
Kimberly

Finding Love in the Swiss Alps

While trekking up the trail from Gimmewald to the alpine village of Mürren, I discovered the heart rock pictured above. Another reminder of the abundance of God's love...wherever I go (far or near) love reveals itself in unending glory.

Highlights of the mountain trek included: breathtaking vistas, breathing in fresh mountain air, languishing in the beauty of the lush green valleys, hearing the chorus of bells as cows grazed lazily along the hillsides, feeling the deep sense of peaceful stillness of the surrounding mountains...moments and memories not to be missed!

Breaking Hearts in Salzburg, Austria

Spent a day exploring Salzburg, Austria. A city rich in history ~ known for the birthplace of Mozart; the setting for the Sound of Music; the stunningly beautiful Mirabel Gardens and quaint tightly packed streets with Baroque architecture. A virtual feast for the eyes and ears. Trekking up the hillside to see the twelfth century Hohensalzburg Fortress, my brother and I spied these heart rocks along the trail.

Hearts on High in the Swiss Alps

Just returned from an amazing 2 week vacation which included a 10-day road trip from Sweden to Italy. During the early part of the trip, we traveled through the Swiss Alps. Lush green valleys blanketed the landscape set amidst rising sheer monuments of incredible beauty. We stayed overnight in a quaint little town called Wengen (accessible only by train). The next day, as we meandered through the Alps headed towards Italy, I caught sight of this heart shape carved out of the snow on the side of the mountain! My brother quickly snapped this image as we rounded a curve down the mountain.



Wherever you go...love is...

Hej, Buon Giorno, Hallo, Guten Tag!

Marstrand Island, Svergie

Hej from Svergie! Just arrived in Göteborg again after a 10 day road trip to Italy with my brother Chris and his partner TJ! What an amazing adventure...my first experience traveling abroad! Found many heart rocks along my journey...will post pictures and stories of my travels when I return to Boston. God blessed me with His love and grace throughout the trip...despite myself. I didn't realize how scared I would feel stepping out of my daily routine into a fast paced foreign adventure.

The journey began with a heart rock discovery and hopefully will end with one. My friend Kelly arrived at my apartment on Friday, July 11th to take me to the airport. A little overwhelmed by the thought of traveling, I made a last minute sweep of the apartment making sure that I'd packed everything. When I heard her car pull in the driveway, I was still packing! We grabbed my luggage and headed out of the apartment...the door closing signaled the start of my adventure. While loading the luggage in the car, a sparkle on the pavement caught my eye. Bending down for closer inspection, I noticed the sparkle was a tiny blackish colored rock trimmed with a thin white edge. How perfect! - a heart rock for my departure. Caught up in my 'heart rock' swoon, I rambled on to Kelly about the 'symbolism' and serendipity of the moment. As she shifted into drive ready to pull out, a vague sense of dread washed over me...where was the plastic ziploc bag that I'd had in my hand before leaving the apartment? The one with that I'd thought I grabbed before I shut the door...the one with my housekey and the important papers I needed regarding my flight...the one that was still sitting on my wooden chopping block...in my apartment. AARGH! My mind whirled as I attempted to remain calm and rationale. Panic flooded in...my flight, I'd never make! How would I get into my apartment? Breaking in wasn't an option - my landlady agreed with me ;-) when I called and mentioned that I'd considered this option. I asked her if she had a spare key to my apt. Thank god, she did! One problem. I'd need to pick it up at her workplace - 20 minutes away. My friend, Kelly (a godsend) calmly drove the out of the way to pick up the key from my landlady and then circled back home to get the papers. I still managed to catch my flight with time to spare. That's about how the rest of the trip went...kept finding heart rocks, always with a bit of drama attached to each one.

Found my first heart rock in Svergie tonight walking through town. A tiny rubypink colored stone - precious and sweet. Just the little reminder of love from God that I needed tonight.

Look forward to sharing my hearts from across the miles and hope that you'll keep sharing yours, too!

Hej då, Ciao, Auf Wiedersehen

Stealing Hearts in Malibu

Large mauve colored heart rock from Malibu Beach, CA (June '07)

A Brother's Love

Last summer, my brother Chris invited me out to southern California for a visit. Finances were tight; I couldn't afford the plane fare. Knowingly, he purchased a ticket for me to fly out (not once, but twice) last year to spend time with him. His heart eclipses the one pictured above. How would you describe someone like my brother? His joie de vrie permeates his whole life. His wisdom exceeds his youth. I marvel at his ability to understand and accept himself - always seeming to move beyond the self-doubts and fears in confident stride. I find his generosity, caring and concern towards others incredibly genuine and selfless. Did we emerge from the same womb? :-)

So...back to my visit...

Everywhere we went in California was a special adventure. The itinerary on one particular day trip included a drive up the coastline -- destination Malibu beach. After a couple of hours spent lolling in the hot shifting sands and walking amidst the pounding surf it was time to pack up and head home. My feet dragged slowly as I headed towards the parking lot. Just one more rock...that's all I wanted to find...just one more. My two-year old inner child emerged ready for a full-on temper tantrum! My face flushed crimson as my selfishness overtook my sensibility. I was determined not to leave empty-handed. I frantically began searching for a heart rock. I told myself that I couldn't leave Malibu without one. My brother 'lovingly' gave me the 20 second "It's time to go!" warning (heart-rock withdrawal started to overtake me). I shot a quick prayer to God hoping to find a BIG heart rock before time ran out. Typically, my prayers to God don't include demands or 'wish lists', but this was a special situation; time was of the essence. A sign post or billboard with a directional would suffice- something unmistakable. An 11th hour miracle prayer never hurts either. Just as we passed an outcropping of rocks, a flash of mauve caught my eye. I thought to myself, "It couldn't be, could it?". I sprinted over to a rock wedged between two others. Just the corner was visible...just enough to pique one's curiosity. One swift tug on the rock did the trick. I flashed a Cheshire grin towards my brother as I hoisted up a HUGE heart-shaped rock. Unbelievable! I stole a few 'hearts' in Malibu ~ Writings from the Heart Rock Collective

Side note: Early this year, Chris and TJ moved to Sweden with the 'girls' Lily & Zoey. Before they even left US soil, an invitation was extended to visit them overseas. So yet another great adventure awaits. This Friday, I'm hopping across the pond for two weeks - itinerary: Road trippin' to Italy. Maybe I'll steal a few 'hearts' in Italy!

Will post again when I return sometime in early August. Happy Heart Rock hunting to all!

Healing Broken Hearts

When I first began to find heart rocks, my collection resembled a mass of rejects from the Lonely (and Broken) Hearts Club. I was a magnet for attracting 'broken' hearts. Many years later I discovered the message that each broken heart (rock) contained. These symbolized the places within my own heart that needed healing and restoration.

Burdened by years of unresolved anger, failed relationships and unfulfilled dreams, I felt heart-weary and hopeless. Prayer offered me solace; I began to ask God to show His love for me. That's when I began to find heart rocks. At my darkest moments, God offered me the most beautiful heart rocks. I began to share them with friends and family. Bits of joy began to replace the heaviness that weighed on my heart. The more heart rocks I gave away, the more love filtered into my life. Today my heart is full of hope...still healing and becoming whole!

The seeds for this blog were sown by my brother, Chris. I'd begun to write a collection of stories entitled 'Writings from the Heart Rock Collective'. He encouraged me to share the stories of my 'heart rocks' on the web. From this small seed, the collective voices of heart rock lovers emerged. My vision for this blog is to create a virtual community where people can share their heart stories freely, fully and openly.

Keep the Heart Streams flowing! Give away your heart rocks to those who need some love. Help participate in the movement of 'healing hearts' through sharing one heart rock at a time.

Take the Challenge: Put Your Heart On-the-Line

Challenge #1: Share your heart rock story with us!

Pick one of your favorite heart rocks and share about your experience in discovering it. Where were you? What feelings did you experience when you found it? What did you do with your rock(s)? How long have you been obsessed with finding heart rocks? :-) I started collecting them about 16 years ago. I know there are others besides myself who share this passion! I'd love to hear from you!

I'll share a story first...see my post below.

Heart(s) of Forgiveness

Last week, I drove up to Maine to spend the day with my Mom and celebrate her birthday (June 20th). We took a long walk along the path that bordered the rocky coastline at Portland Headlight. As we started out on the path, I prayed that I would find a heart rock. I planned to make amends to my Mom that day. I needed strength and assurance from God that my conversation with her would be fruitful. I'd thought about making amends to her for years, but didn't have the courage, willingness or humility to follow-through with it...until now. About one month prior, I'd asked her to let me know when she was ready to have this conversation. As we were driving out to the headlight, out of the blue, she said, very quietly, "Do you remember awhile ago you mentioned you wanted to have a talk with me? Well, today would be a good day." Long pause...my mind raced back to that conversation. Yes, I'd asked her to tell me when she was ready. Today was the day. Was I ready? Honestly (in that moment) I wasn't. I prayed to God for a willing heart. We had a few miles to go before we arrived at the Headlight -- a few miles and lots of silent prayers.

When we arrived at the parking lot, I remember thinking to myself, "How and when do I start this conversation?" The words stuck thickly in my throat. Breathing deeply, I summoned my willingness...my prayers becoming deeper. I took a few steps as we started on our walk. I stopped in amazement -- a heart rock lay in my path. God had answered my prayer. Sending thanks skyward, I continued on. I noticed the tiniest heart rock a few steps from the first one; it was almost imperceptible to the human eye, except to the trained 'heart rock' aficionado (It's hard for me not to see hearts wherever I go). I picked it up and turned it over in my hand; just to make sure that it really was a heart rock. Yup...it was the real thing! I reached out and put it into my Mom's hand. To pass on to her a gift from God.

When I was little I remember that I would give her little 'gifts' that I would make or find. It reminded me that the simplest gesture from the heart reaches the heart. Shortly after I'd found these two hearts, my Mom found a few of her own. The day ended with a pocketful of heart rocks...we were showered in love.

Each piece of my heart that I offered to her; each acknowledgment of the hurt caused by my harsh words and judgments over the years began to loosen the hardness within my heart. How do you make up for lost years, words unspoken, actions not taken, love not shown? My eyes opened to see the truth. All those years that I spent blaming, resenting and misdirecting my anger at my Mother stole precious time and intimacy from our relationship. Nothing was ever resolved from my outbursts. Healing began with my admission and acknowledgment of my wrongs towards her. Forgiveness heals. Love heals. It begins with the decision to extend your heart to another...to put it on-the-line. What have you got to lose?

God's love exists all around. When I share my heart with someone, the love within me grows and expands. My stone heart of unforgiveness transformed into a heart of flesh as I mended the strained relationship with my Mom that afternoon.

I LOVE you Mom!

Flickr: Hearts of Nature

Interested in sharing images of Hearts found in Nature with other like-minded souls?

Check out this Flickr group: Hearts OF Nature

See images of all natural/nature hearts that are found in our natural world.

A Pug's Life...

Goodboy Norman Featherstone's blog chronicles his daily mischievous adventures in Asheville, North Carolina. Even this little Pug enjoys the excitement of finding heart-shaped rocks. Read his story.

Missouri Farm Yields a Crop of 250 Heart Rocks

What an amazing find! I discovered this blog, Farm Girl Fare, during one of my google searches for 'heart rocks'. Read about Farm Girl's dream come true of moving to the country...read about daily life on a 240-acre farm in Missouri, organic gardening, food and recipes and read about her incredible 250 piece heart rock collection that she's collected over the past few years on the farm.

Check out her latest 'heart rock' post, Tuesday Farm Photo: Still Collecting Heart Rocks.

The Heart Rock Buffet

From coast to coast, we hear from 'heart rock' aficionados who share a similar passion...sharing the joy and love symbolized in the 'heart-shaped' rocks they discover.

We recently received this email from Hannah Blaydes in California. Learn more about how her whole family collects and transforms heart-shaped rocks into beautifully crafted pieces of art.
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Email dated: Sunday, June 8, 2008

Hello!............

I just stumbled upon your blog!............ How wonderful!..
My husband,daughter and I have been collecting Heart Rocks for a while now, We have put them together in a way that has created Amazing Art Forms!.........

Please check out our website.. www.HeartRockBuffet.com
There are many more to come!... God has given us such beautiful things!...the journey of these rocks is amazing.

Thanks for visiting!
Heres to Heart Rocks!
Denise, Dave and Hannah

Anika's Heart Rock

Mary Grinaker contacted the Heart Rock Collective to share this touching 'Heart Rock' story and make a special request.
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"Yesterday while walking home from school my kindergartener ( Anika, age 6) found a
spectacular Heart shaped rock. She slept with it last night. Carried it in her backpack to school today. And then put it in her dress pocket to play in the park after school.

All was beautiful UNTIL she discovered the rock was missing from her pocket. We searched the park for an hour...until I could convince her that we would Google Heart shaped rocks and see if we could get one. That's of course, how I found you.

Any chance I could get another from your collection? My little girl is very sad and very desperate!"

All the best!
Mary Grinaker

Found Hearts by Rick Ruggles

I discovered the website, Found Hearts by Rick Ruggles during one of my google searches for 'heart rocks'. A fellow heart rock collector listed his site on her blog as a 'must see'...

With a keen eye and passionate vision, Rick Ruggles, captures inspiring and awesome images of hearts found in nature and the world around us. His creative vision speaks to the love that can be found all around...open your eyes and your heart and enjoy these beautiful images.

Heart Rock Shrine

"How deep is your love?" See how one couple's commitment of love found expression over time. Visit Daniela's travel blog, Mountainshine, to read how while treking through the Grand Canyon, she stumbled upon this amazing heart rock 'shrine'.

Click here for more details about the origins of the heart rock 'shrine'.

Be Still My Heart

Love everlasting...symbols of love...sweet 'heart stones' as described by this Californian blogger remind us that love is everywhere...you need only look for it.

Click on the link to learn more...Somewhere in Time (Linda's Blog)

Heart Shaped Rock

Ann shares a 'priceless' heart rock story of how a simple heart rock changed the heart of a tough Army Drill Seargeant. Read the rest of the story on her blog, Runandsew Quilts.

Blessed-By-Many-Hearts

Read Bridget's blog to learn more about her growing heart rock collection, check out South City Musings: Tower Grove, St. Louis, Missouri: If you try sometimes, you might find...

Additional posts:
Blessed by Many Hearts ~ heart rocks found/shared
Heart Rocks ~
I Love Heart Rocks

Willfull Grace: Heart Shaped Rocks

Check out Pam Ferguson's collection of heart-shaped Rocks on her blog, Willful Grace.

A River of Grace Flows Through You...

Learn the inspiration behind Kathryn Knoll's discovery of heart-shaped rocks. Check out her blog, Hearth Talks

Transformation of the Heart

© 2007 Kimberly Nyce ~ Writings from the Heart-Rock Collection

Walking in the woods today, I felt as I have so many times on my solitary walks - a sense of longing and hunger for God. Thoughts swirled in mind...silence is what I truly desired.

So much of life is wasted on thoughts that deplete, defeat and leave one feeling empty and hungry for something more substantial, life giving and satisfying.

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." ~John 6:35 NIV

Nothing in this world (be it a person, place or thing) can fill that space within that craves love - that hungers for peace and contentment. It's a place that only God's love can fill, to truly satisfy. His love is overflowing, abundant and poured out, if we will only receive it. But...sometimes the heart (the will) is unable to receive this love. The walls of bitterness and resentment hedge us in; at other times, our heart have turned to stone - full of fear, broken-hearted over life - unable to feel, to breathe, to open to the joy and pain of life.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." ~ Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)

When I read this scripture, 'heart' rocks came to mind which remind me (tangible evidence for me) that God's love is available, everpresent and patiently awaiting my invitation to receive it. When I look for it (in people, places, and things) I cannot find it. When I let go and let God bring me what I need (in His time), I am filled to overflowing.

To seek God first. To surrender your heart. To be content only in Him. I prayed that I might find a heart rock that would resemble the growing and expanding heart of Christ within me.

I found a large rock resembling a heart, though it wasn't quite perfect. It didn't express the perfect love of Christ that I longed for. I continued on my walk - determined to not settle for less than perfection.

Just as I released a prayer from my heart...I looked down at the trail before me. A perfect heart-shaped rock lay patiently in the earth, awaiting my notice. It was three dimensional - expansive and perfectly shaped on both sides. Another rock for my growing collection.

Christ's love is perfect. Why do I seek love from other sources which do not fill me? They only drain me of my hope and dreams. I'm left still longing - hungry and demanding to be satiated.

God can fill that longing, but first, I must I surrender and admit my weakness and brokeness. I surrender into God's powerful loving hands, my life and will to mold and shape as He so desires for his purposes.

The transformation of heart begins...

Heartrock (pictured above) discovered while meditating by a brook behind the Wilson House in East Dorset, VT. 1993