Nikki's goal is to share her love and joy in the Lord first through her vocation as wife and home schooling mother, and then through her writings, illustrations, music and speaking.

Nikki received a bachelor's degree in journalism with minors in art and Spanish at the University of Kansas and went on to receive a master's degree in social work and art therapy at Saint Louis University. She worked as a prolife pregnancy counselor and art therapist at Catholic Services and Birthright Counseling. While working as an art therapy intern at a homeless shelter in St. Louis, Nikki met her husband, Bernie, a volunteer.

Bernie is currently Development Director and Sports Broadcaster at Spirit Catholic Radio in Nebraska. The Spirit Catholic Radio Network broadcasts both local and national Catholic programming with a listening audience of 1.2 million people.

Nikki is a mother and home school teacher to five children. Her home school philosophy stems from Matthew 19:14: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. This Scripture speaks that our children have the keys of heaven in their hearts and that our most important job is to allow the space in our families for the "kingdom of Heaven" to exist. Within this space, love is shared, learning never seizes, and gifts and talents are developed. Nikki calls this home school philosophy "Spirit-led Learning". Nikki's writings and illustrations flow from her experience with her children. Nikki is a member of the Catholic's Writers Guild.

Besides writing and illustrating, Nikki currently leads a Heart of Jesus prayer group for home school moms and has spoken at a Catholic Homeschool Conference about her Spirit-Led Learning philosophy. She has given prolife talks to parishes and Life Teen Groups, and has spoken about her journey with the Lord to teen groups. She has led writing and illustrating workshops for kids and has been been featured on Prosanctity's Holiness Helpers radio show. (www.prosanctity.org)

Nikki speaks on a variety of topics today, for children, teens, adults and homeschool groups.
To contact Nikki about a speaking engagement please e-mail her at nbschaef@aol.com

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