Hi!
My name is Kim Dent. I am married to my high-school sweetheart, Mark, and have two beautiful and talented daughters, Kaitlyn and Emily. I come from a large family of 3 brothers and 2 sisters so I have a slew of cool nieces and nephews, two grand nieces and one lovable rescued pit bull mix named Otis. I am also anxiously awaiting two new grand babies this spring!
I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BS degree in Child and Family Community Services. I am also a graduate of Christian Leaders, Authors and Speakers Services (CLASS) I love to encourage people and am finding ways to do that by serving on the leadership team of the charlotte chapter of Word Weavers International. My writing has won awards through the charlotte writers club.
I have had had several different career experiences along my journey... social worker for abused and neglected kids, crisis intervention counselor, detention home intake worker, certified home daycare provider, realtor, montessori aide, christian women's ministry director, speaker, mentor and most recently... distracted writer and grace seeker!
I have had the honor of being invited to be a member of a 12 person dialogue team. The topic was faith and sexuality and it was hosted with excellence by Kristyn Komarnicki from Evangelicals for Social Action. In addition, I have spoken at retreats and women's groups on the topics of authenticity, holiness, grace, mentoring and issues related to homosexuality.
I have had the honor of being invited to be a member of a 12 person dialogue team. The topic was faith and sexuality and it was hosted with excellence by Kristyn Komarnicki from Evangelicals for Social Action. In addition, I have spoken at retreats and women's groups on the topics of authenticity, holiness, grace, mentoring and issues related to homosexuality.
I am currently finishing my first book, Dandelion Winds - Rooted in Faith. Released to Love. A christian mom's quest to understand homosexuality. I am writing this with blessing and input from my daughter, Kaitlyn, who came out to us several years ago. Truly God has taken me to His "school of higher learning" as our family continues to explore new landscapes of unconditional love for each other. We are working toward a Mother's Day 2015 book launch!
You should know that my life has not been free from heartache...neither has yours. I understand the grief of losing loved ones to death too early. I can empathize with the one who has kept a dark secret of childhood sexual abuse, I know what betrayal feels like. I know what it's like to be a "poser" and hide who you truly are. I understand the drama of raising teenaged girls and I have felt the pain of broken relationships. I have unconsciously wounded the ones I profess to love, I have been judged for who I am and the moral compass that compels me. I have made many mistakes and will make more before lunch...I am one who stands in desperate need of the unconditional love and acceptance of Jesus.
So my life is, perhaps, a bit like yours. Sunshine mixed with shadows. My artist friends tell me the dark colors are important to the whole composition of the work. Without the dark contrasts & shadows, the beautiful colors can not be appreciated in their full glory. Such it is with life.
Several years ago we relocated from the "Football Hall of Fame City" of Canton, OH to Charlotte, North Carolina, land of Nascar, sweet tea and Barbecue! As a transplanted yankee, I am taking each day as it is gifted to me. I am enjoying the Carolina sunshine and the new friends I am meeting on this journey. I am timidly entering into a new stage of my life as a writer while taking with me all the colors of my life experiences and lessons learned. I have found a surprising sense of adventure as I enter into conversations that I never dared to have before. I am learning to listen better and the outcome has been humility and a sense of wonder and deep compassion. I pray that our story will make a difference in someones life.
You'll find me writing my book, Dandelion Winds in various places around Charlotte... my back deck, coffee shops, Freedom Park or anywhere else I am inspired to sit, open my heart and mind to the Holy Spirit and see what flows out!
Come say "Hi" if you see me out and about!
Hugs!
Kim
