The History of the Blessing Bowls and Stones

Dawn Deines-Christensen

The bowls and stones for Milestones Ministry,LLC are designed, handcrafted, and painted by artist Dawn Deines-Christensen. She began her career as a high school art teacher in Decorah, Iowa (home of Luther College, where she graduated in 1982) teaching full time from 1982 - 1994. Her art teaching career continued after a family move to Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Sioux Falls Christian School from 1994 – 2000 teaching middle & high school students. Her part-time teaching allowed her to pursue a Masters Degree at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, with an emphasis in Liturgical Arts. During this time, she also established her pottery business: Prairie Patterns by Dawn D-C.

The concept of Positive Ponder Prayer Pebbles was trademarked and copyrighted in 1999 and grew out of her personal art production during those years. Dawn’s Pebbles have gained a world-wide interest and following. In conjunction with colleague, Pat Eidsness, at the South Dakota ELCA Synod, Dawn created the first Milestone Blessing Bowl in 2002 which included a set of nine Pebbles, a Blessing Bowl, and a brochure describing the milestones in a person’s faith journey. The Youth and Family Institute (later named Vibrant Faith Ministries) recognized this set as a wonderful tool for Milestones Ministry and added it to their store along with another set Dawn helped design in conjunction with Lyle Griner’s ministry at the Youth and Family Institute in 2007 specifically developed for use in the home.

This ministry has been a true calling and honor for Liturgical Artist, Dawn. From the original Pebble in her studio in Sioux Falls, SD created with daughters, Chelsey & Lynsey, to the thousands of Pebbles that have touched lives both nationally and internationally, Dawn has found a purpose-filled way to meld together both her strong faith and strong talent.

A Pebble design with extra special significance to Dawn is the “Go-Lo” Pebble inspired by her father, Pastor John Deines, which recognizes Jesus’ final words to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew, “Go, make disciples of all nations…., Lo, I am with you always.” Soli Deo Gloria!