Meet Belinda and Ruth

As a child, two of the earliest loves of Belinda was drawing and entertaining the neighbor kids with funny skits she’d made up. She headed to college to become a drama teacher, but ironically ended up serving as a Houston Police Officer. After having three kids she eventually ended up the creative writer at her church writing sketches, monologues and plays.

This led to a co-acting business performing her skits at retreats, churches, school functions and an occasional roasting. From there she taught drama and watercolor classes. Realizing she missed the writing aspect, and true to a Jack-of-All-Trades fashion, soon found she could blissfully unite her two loves of writing and art through children’s books.

A God-inspired desire to look for joy in most things, that positive spirit shows up best in her writings/work as a children’s book author/illustrator. Viewing laughter as medicine for the soul she adds humor through her quirky-illustrated characters coupled with comical story plots.

The author/illustrator of “Go Away!”, “Catz & Dawgz - No Dawgz Allowed!”, “Chasing Reagan”, co-author of “Dear Bootsie”, several graphic shorts,  “Goodnight God, Bedtime Prayers for Boys” and “Goodnight God, Bedtime Prayers for Girls” through Barbour Kidz Publishing. Illustrator of award winning, “The Magic Blanket” and “TeaTime Under the Hyperion Tree books”.  Always some creative work-in-progress, she and husband Johnnie enjoy their quiet view of Lake Conroe. 

But it’s her devotion to studying/teaching God’s Word that keeps her grounded. That, and being cheerleader-in-chief for her six active grandchildren. Belinda feels there is no greater calling than to share God‘s love and His desire for us to have an abundant, joyful life through Christ. So it felt like a perfect fit when God opened up the opportunity to work with Ruth Wheat, a godly and multitalented friend, helping ladies retreat from their everyday grind, to gather, relax, refresh and renew through God’s amazing love. 

 Ruth Wheat describes herself as a daughter of Christ, wife, mother, and grandmother. She looks for joy in everything she does and was blessed with a positivity that keeps her looking on the "bright side!" She loves spending time with her and family, writing, speaking to women's groups and baking decorative cookies. Her 35-year career provided her the opportunity to plan and execute corporate events. Though event planning can be crazy stressful sometimes, she finds her reward when she sees the participants smiling, laughing, learning, and connecting.
During her career, she co-authored “Help! My Wonder Woman Cape is Caught in the Vacuum!” with her long-time friend Brenda Vicente. During her research, she was able to speak to women both domestically and internationally and learned that they all had busy lives and often found little time for themselves. During this time, she felt God tugging at her heartstrings, letting her know that she needed to create opportunities for women to gather, connect on a social and spiritual level, and re-energize the wonderous woman God created them to be.
At a neighborhood ladies’ Bible Study, she shared her heart’s desire to the women in the group. There was so much support of this idea! After this experience, Ruth knew that this was the path she needed to take. Not only did she have encouragement from this amazing group of women, she learned that Belinda Hamilton, one of her Bible study sisters, also felt led to develop women’s ministry materials and coordinate retreats. Voila, they started this endeavor together! Isn’t God great?!
Ruth’s prayer for the women who plan ladies' retreats will find all the support and ideas they need to create a memorable retreat that blesses all who attend!