It's been a long time since my words have found there way here....onto this screen......for all the world to see. 

I don't know why it's been so long, other than maybe I've been waiting for something. Maybe I thought something would change or something big would happen or I would have this great lightbulb moment. But nothing has really changed and nothing big has happened and I haven't had any major lightbulb moments. 

But my heart has been stirring to write again (as it always does when I'm not writing), and all the while my heart has been stirring, this mean voice in my head says things like "What do you have to write about?" and "Who do you think you are that anyone would care what you have to say." and "Why would your words matter?" and "Someone else can do it better." 

And then today I listened to what I would consider a life-changing podcast by the Influence Network featuring author Shauna Niequist. Shauna has written several books including Bread and Wine, bittersweet, cold tangerines and her most recent daily devotional titled Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are. 

Shauna said these words in that podcast that literally opened my eyes to why writing and sharing is so vitally important. 

When I look back at the times that I wrote here, that I shared openly and honestly about our life and our struggles and our journey, those are the times when people came to me and said, "I understand what you mean when you talk about _______. I'm glad I'm not the only one who fears __________. You reminded me that I'm not alone." 

That's ultimately what writing is about. It's not about having life changing stories happen everyday, it's about having ordinary stories happen everyday and having the eyes to see the beauty and perfection in the everyday mess and chaos of life. 

So here's who I am...right now...in this 31-year-old place. 

I am a Christ follower. I am a wife and a mom 1st. I am a leader and an influencer. I am a writer and a thinker. I am a natural introvert. I am a foster mom. I am a mom-to-be {again}. I am a BRCA 1 and 2 carrier. I am a dreamer and a doer. I am a planner. I am a friend and a sister and a daughter.  

And this is where I am. 

I'm in a season of change, not only as we prepare for the birth of our 2nd daughter, but as we prepare for the transition of our 3rd foster baby into another home. In the midst of all that change, I'm in a place of peace that I haven't been in for a long time. There are so many unknowns in our world right now, but I'm willingly resting in a peace that doesn't care about the unknown. I'm trusting that God can write a much better story than I could ever dream of writing. 

I'm in a place where I'm sick of doubt and worry, and I'm running towards grace and grace alone. 

I'm sitting in my quiet office savoring the last few days of a quiet house before all 4 kiddos are home for the Summer, and I'm eating Lucky Charms for lunch because I'm pregnant, and I can. 

I'm in a place where I'm thirsting for knowledge and understanding. I want to learn about (and am learning about) margin and prayer and giving my best yes and stewarding well what God has blessed us with and loving by doing and living a better story. 

I'm in a place where I'm seeking and creating community, where I'm investing in my kids and my spouse, and doing my very best to use the time I'm given each day in the best way possible. 

And that's it. There is no magic happening here. We don't have any brilliant stories to tell. We are simply living each day as it comes and chasing after a man named Jesus who desperately wants to use us to write one heck of a story. 

So instead of wishing for something else, I'm going to plunge right into this...this space and this time our lives that is exactly what it is and nothing more. 

Do Something Wonderful....even if you have to do it scared

I have put off writing this blog post this year because I've let myself get scared. I've let myself stop believing in the generosity of others. I've let myself believe that people are too busy or that no one really cares. I've told myself that we don't have enough time.

Fear can stop you, if you let it. 

But I've decided I'm not in the mood to let fear stop me this year, so I'm going to do it scared. 

We {that would be you and I and all the people we know} have the ability to make a big impact this Christmas as we help provide Christmas for 8 amazing Hope Link families. 

Hope Link is a non-profit organization that is incredibly special to me. I was shaken up and changed in the most amazing way by a little girl named Ellie Kate (whose birthday was this week!). Ellie was a gift to my soul. She never spoke a word to me but she changed the words in my heart. She helped me understand Christ's love in a way I didn't know was possible. 

Whether you can buy 1 gift or 100, we would love your support. Will you share with your friends, with your families, with your co-workers or teams? Will you challenge them to help us fulfill this giant list? We would be so grateful.
Please have all gifts sent to:

  

She taught me about love and sacrifice; eternity and hope. And I am forever grateful for that. Ellie is no longer here on this earth. But her influence and the influence of her family lives on for all to see. 

Ellie's mom, Ryan Elizabeth, started a non-profit organization with a good friend of hers, Amy, that provides support and hope to families who have children with rare, serious or undiagnosed conditions. 

These families are selfless, inspiring, and filled with joy. Many of our Hope Link families have buried children. And most of them have not only a child with special needs, but also typical children too.  Most of these families spend extended periods of time in the hospital every year, often multiple times a year and many battle medical debt, insane insurance issues, and are in a constant search for medical equipment that they need for their children. 

These unique families need all the hope and love the world can show them, and that's what we hope to do this Christmas. 

I know you have a budget and a plan to stick to. I get it. So do we, but there is something you can do. We've created a Hope Link Amazon wish list this year. Each of our nominated families (8 all together) sent in their wish lists, and we complied them into one big dream list! 

OR if you're feeling brave, we would love for you to adopt a family and shop specifically for that family. You'll be able to learn about the family and their special needs child and even make the delivery drop off if you live in the OKC area, if you want to.

We are strong together, and we can do great things when we're united....won't you join us and give hope to a few families who so desperately need it this Christmas? Will you help me do something wonderful this year? 

To buy a gift from our Hope Link Wishlist now or to share with others, go to our Amazon Hope Link Wish List. 

Hope Link OKC

c/o Allison Dalke 

23020 Lauren Lane

Edmond, OK 73025 

Would you pray for us?

I ate chocolate cake and a bowl of grape nuts for dinner, and now it's 11:30 pm and I'm sitting in my office attempting to catch up on work un-done this week. 

That worn feeling hasn't left. I still feel heavy and burdened from the weight of these babes. Specifically the newest addition. 

The foster mom who has Baby A's brother called today to tell me that our social worker called her on Friday asking if they (she and her husband) had seriously considered taking Baby A, because if they weren't willing to take him, the boys were going to be moved and moved soon. 

It's almost been a month. Four weeks of this baby's life have been spent with us, and they want to put them together. Baby A and his brother are both thriving where they are. Why move them? 

This is the part of foster care that is so incredibly hard. It's the reason we almost said no to him....I knew this would happen. I'm honestly a little irritated that our agency took the case and said they could place boys when they knew that they did not have a single family that would or could take them both. 

So, because of that, the boys were split up. And now it's complicated. We love Baby A. His brother's foster family loves him, and DHS policy says they need to be together. 

I understand the sibling bond. I do. I would want my kids together. But in the same breath, these boys are happy, healthy, thriving. And they are both with families who are willing and anxious to work with bio mom towards reunification. And we're committed to doing life together so these boys will continue to have a bond while they're in care. How does it make sense to move them? 

My heart is just heavy. This part is hard. I don't believe it's in the best interest of either of the boys for them to be moved at this point, but no one else seems to care. Policy is policy. Individual circumstances apparently don't matter. 

And I'm beginning to wonder where our advocate is. No one is standing on our side watching the way we love these boys. No one is fighting for what's best for the boys except for us. 

Maybe I'm being selfish because I want him here. But I don't think I am. I can see the way he responds to my voice. I watch him turn his head when I walk in a room. Why would we continue to break bonds that this baby has established? That's where the system is broken. Let us love him. Let us love his brother and his brother's foster family. Let us do what we can to help this momma gain the knowledge and skills she needs to get her babies back. We want to be a part of that process. We are willing to do the work. 

My heart's heavy. That's all. I want it to be different than it is. 

And at the end of the day, I will choose to trust that the Lord knows the end of the story and that He will guide the decisions of every person involved whether they stay or whether they go. 

Would you pray for our babies? We would so greatly appreciate it.

A Day of Waiting- My 1st Mammogram at 30

When everyone was picking a word at the beginning of this year, I resisted to pick a word simply because everyone else was doing it. I like to be a rebel like that. That is until the Lord placed the word trust on my heart. And He was pretty persistent about it, so I caved and decided to make trust my main goal this year. 

And I have definitely had to trust Him this year. With a BRCA 1 and 2 diagnosis and a journey back into foster care, I have needed to trust Him more than ever this year. 

Today was spent doing a lot of waiting and a lot of trusting. It was the day of doctor's appointments that needed to happen after the whole BRCA discovery. 

So today, I had an ultrasound of my uterus and ovaries. I had a blood test called a CA125, and I had a clinical breast exam and a mammogram along with a session with a high risk specialist. 

Here's what I learned:

I'm getting pretty good at waiting, and none of it was as bad as I made it out to be in my mind. 

The ultrasound was uncomfortable, but not painful, and the blood test was no big deal at all. 

After those lovely tests, I had to go across the street to the Breast MRI center for my session, mammogram, and breast exam. 

They treated me like a celebrity over there. Apparently my mom and I are the only two people in this particular high risk program (that follows hundreds of women in our area) with both BRCA 1 and 2 mutations. We're like super famous in the boob world. 

I was informed with new research on my gene mutations, a full list of my current options, and an explanation of what to expect in the coming months and years as we continue surveillance. Turns out that I'll have to be super serious about tracking my period since my next appointment (in 6 months) will be for an MRI and it will need to be done during a specific time frame in my cycle when the estrogen in my body is at it's lowest. Tracking my period is now on the To-Do list I guess. 

After the session, I was taken to a room for the clinical breast exam where Sharon was very thorough and explained to me exactly how I need to do my own exams. She was even sweet enough to remind me how how small I am. She assured me that she would still be able to feel things. 

Thanks, Sharon. I appreciate the reminder of my small chest size. 

I actually liked Sharon and couldn't help but smile when she commented on my small size. I was even more impressed with the non-paper gowns. I fully expected those horrid paper sheets they make people wear on TV. Nope. This was a real life, not paper sheet (or maybe it was old curtains or a tablecloth) with a hole in the middle for my head. I really did like it. 

Well, I liked it until they made me wear it to go to "the other side" as they called it, where they do the mammograms. 

You could totally see all of my side as I walked through the office. I'm sure of it. But I walked with pride through that office where I was, by far, the youngest person in the room. 

I had to sit in a waiting room all by myself and watch general hospital while wearing my floral patterned sheet. It seemed like I sat there for hours, but I think it was only 15 minutes. However long it was, it was just long enough to make me so very glad that I have other things to do in the middle of the day besides watch General Hospital (if you're a fan, I'm sorry). 

And suddenly, there was a lady in the doorway. She had obviously come for me since I was the only soul in the room. She said my name anyway, just to be sure, and off we went. 

The room with the mammogram machine in it is quite intimidating. I had to wear a giant and heavy lead skirt around my waist. 

Once the lead skirt was secured, it was time to face the machine. While I did not take this picture, this is exactly what it looks like. 

I've heard mammograms are painful. Maybe that's the case for some, but it wasn't painful for me. Maybe it's the size of my breasts (see above comment) that made it bearable for me. I don't know. 

It was incredibly uncomfortable. Mostly because there is no place to put your face when your boob is smooched in that machine. The hardest part (aside from where you're supposed to put your face) is that you have to hold your breath, and since you don't know what to do with your face, it's hard to hold your breath. If you have nice sized boobs, it may be more painful for you than it was for me. I really don't know. But I know it's short. Very short. Only takes a minute, and it's no big deal, so if you need one, you should go get one. 

And after the boob squishing, I was done. The day of waiting was over. For now. 

I really am learning more and more about waiting on the Lord. I'm not sure I understand where I fit in yet in this BRCA journey, but I'm okay waiting until the Lord shows me where I fit. I trust Him. I trust the process. I trust the journey, so here we go. 

At some point, we all break

It's been almost 2 weeks since I found out about my BRCA 1 and 2 mutation. (I'll be honest. I don't know if I should call it a mutation or a diagnosis or the "you don't have cancer yet, but you probably will someday" gene).

Whatever you want to call it, today was the day I broke. No reason. No warning. Just a breaking point. 

Brian kept telling me I didn't have to be strong all the time and that I didn't have to be brave for everyone else. 

And it wasn't that I was hiding anything or holding emotions back before today, they just weren't there. I didn't really feel anything.

And suddenly today, I felt everything at once. And I broke. 

I don't know why. But it happened. And I cried and cried and cried and promised Brian that I wouldn't complain about it all the time but that I wanted to complain today. 

I'm grateful for the knowledge. I truly am. But tonight, I don't want to make the decisions or be faced with the consequences of being BRCA 1 and 2 positive. 

That's just the honest truth. 

I guess I just wanted to say that everyone breaks. And we're not always as strong as we appear. And that's okay. 

And I'm okay. I don't want you to think I'm not. I just needed a moment to be honest and real. But from here on out, no more complaining or crying, just doing. Doing something for my family and my future that will matter. 

Leaving a Legacy...More BRCA 1 and 2 talk

We spent most of the day traveling, on our way to Boise for the very 1st Velata convention. But before we left town, we had my sister drop us off at our foster care agency to sign our papers and submit our home study! That means that we could have a placement by the end of the month! We're excited and anxious and ready to see how the Lord will use us in the life of a baby that we don't know yet or that possibly hasn't even been born. Will you join us in praying over the baby the Lord is planning on placing in our home? 

After signing our papers, my sister took us directly to the airport to head out of town. I didn't sleep much since I spent most of the night packing (as usual), but I wanted to use my time on the plane to start researching my options concerning my BRCA 1 and 2 mutation. 

I spent the majority of both plane rides reading through Previvors. It's an incredible book written specifically for women facing a genetic mutation and increased risks of breast or ovarian cancer. 

Last night, I read these words, and decided they were going to have to be my mantra: 

Some people say our high risk for breast cancer (and in my case, ovarian cancer) and the way we tackle that risk is the legacy we leave to our children. 

What incredibly powerful words! All I could think was, yes! That's exactly it. I know that not everyone will agree with the decisions I make one day about how to fight my risk, but those choices are ultimately my choices, and I will make each choice with my children and my husband in mind.

 

To be encouraged

Looking back on last Wednesday is a blur. We were preparing to leave for a 10 day trip to Boise and then Pittsburgh. We were excited to head to Velata's 1st convention. 

The day before we leave for a trip is always crazy busy and surrounded by packing and prepping and planning. 

Brian spent the day outside doing the yard work and cleaning out the chicken coop while I spent the day meeting and chatting with a couple team members, delivering Scentsy basket parties, and dropping off our final documents to our foster care agency. 

I am so incredibly blessed by the women on my team. I was able to sit across the table from a team member on Wednesday for our monthly chat and the first words out of her mouth were, "so how are you? Tell me about you?" 

She genuinely wanted to know about my diagnosis and everything that's happened in the past week since I got the news that I was BRCA 1 and 2 positive. She is a Christ follower who believes (just like I do) that the Lord has a beautiful story to tell through each of our lives, and this diagnosis is just part of my story. I couldn't agree with her more.

I have no doubt that the Lord will be glorified through all of this. I'm honestly looking forward to our time away. I'm looking forward to thinking, praying, reading, and researching, and to some much needed time with friends. I will miss my babies terribly, but I'm grateful for this brief moment that I'll get to think. 

And I am very grateful for the strong women of faith that the Lord has placed in my life for such a time as this. 

What a joyous thing it is to have someone to encourage you. 

Genetic Counseling

Brian noticed that her hands were shaking as she walked into the room. I don't know if it was because every one of these conversations she has must suck or if she had too much caffeine and not enough lunch. Either way, this was going to be an interesting conversation. 

Our genetic counselor had the less than wonderful job of explaining all our options today. There are options, and I'm in no rush to make a decision as to what should be done just yet. I don't have cancer, so I have time. I have time to research and study and interview and pray and gain the knowledge that I need to make the best decision for my body and my family and our future. 

That's the weird thing about genetic testing. A mutation doesn't mean you will get cancer for sure, it just means that you'll get cancer almost for sure. What a strange knowledge to have. 

Because I am a BRCA 1 and 2 carrier, I have a 80% chance of developing breast cancer and a 30% chance of developing ovarian cancer over my lifetime. The general population's risk is 12% for breast cancer and 2% for ovarian cancer. It's not the best odds, but it is what it is. 

Starting immediately, I'll have clinical breast exams every 6 months and an annual mammogram and breast MRI screening. I'll also have to have transvaginal ultrasounds and a blood test every 6 months to look for ovarian abnormalities. 

But I'll also need to seriously consider a Mastectomy (which would reduce my breast cancer risk by greater than 90% depending on the type) and/or a Hysterectomy (which would reduce my risk of ovarian cancer and additionally reduce my breast cancer risk by 50%). 

Those are serious surgeries that need a lot of thought, prayer, and education to make a decision about. Luckily, I'm not alone. There is support for women facing Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. There are two different organizations that exist to support women with a diagnosis like mine. 

F.O.R.C.E stands for Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered and Bright Pink which is the only national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, while providing support for high-risk individuals both exist to provide support to women like me, and for that I am grateful. 

Plus, there are women that I know personally who have gone through this same thing who have reached out and offered their words and experiences to share with me. There is nothing like that. 

From here on out, I'm a book worm. Researching, searching, praying, and asking the Lord for the best option for me. Today begins a new journey on which I will choose to be braver than I feel. 

Being brave......

Love that matters

My husband made me write tonight. I just didn't feel like it. I don't feel like I have anything to say at the moment, and I had to clear a spot on my desk to put my computer because my office is so messy.

But my commitment to write everyday is not just about checking off a box, it's about writing down the bones about what really happens in life. Not scripted. Not planned. Not always edited. Just real and raw and honest.  

That's usually where the best stuff comes from....in those moments where I sit down to write and have no idea what I'm going to say, that's usually when the Lord shows up to remind me of something that I need to remember or write on my heart. 

Tonight I can't stop thinking about the amazing friends and family I have. I am so grateful to have people who love me and give of themselves so selflessly to do so. 

My husband is one of those people. He is my rock, and he has been the strongest I've ever seen him over the past few days. He has served my family and me in such a beautiful way. And I'm crazy about him. 

But I also have these friends who send me things in the mail. Things that somehow always come at the exact right moment. 

I received two necklaces in the past 3 days from two very dear friends. The first came on the day that I found out I was BRCA 1 and 2 positive. A small, silver circle, with an A in the middle of it and Jeremiah 1:5 attached to it: 

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. 

The perfect reminder that He knows my name. 

Then, just 2 days later, I received a necklace from a dear friend with a picture of my three babies on it and the words, with brave wings she flies. {And these beautiful and encouraging notes.}

Neither of them knew how timely their love mail would be received. Neither of them knew the impact the words attached to those necklaces would have.  

Here's what I know. I wanted to bawl when I opened that "A" necklace. The reminder that the Lord knows my name and knew me before I was born, makes me want to drop to my knees in praise.....gene mutation or not. I was no mistake. 

And when I went to the mail and found that necklace with my babies picture on it, I was on the phone with that very same friend who sent it. {We've talked on the phone maybe 3 times in our friendship.} It was a simple reminder that I am not alone; that I have friends and family who love me and will fight for me and support me no matter what decisions I make in the future. 

I tell you all this not to merely brag on my awesome friends, but to encourage you. When you think of someone, drop them a note, give them a call, send a text. Your words and your love are incredibly powerful in the lives of others. 

I know that there are days when we feel like we'll never get our own lives together, but there is joy that comes from encouraging someone else. Your words and your ideas do matter, and so often the Holy Spirit uses us to encourage others in only a way that He can understand. So no matter how silly it may seem, or how much it may not make sense to you, send the text, write the card, make the call. 

Your words matter. They truly, truly do.

Previvors

It's been quite the 24 hours. I'm still processing yesterday's phone call. It's not the best news I've ever had, but not the worst either.

My mind usually runs a million times a minute, and today it has literally felt empty. It's a strange feeling. Almost numb. 

Brian has been incredible.....wanting to tend to my every need and feeling. I think he's been waiting for me to break down. I haven't yet, but maybe I will soon. I don't really know what to feel. Maybe that's why I feel numb.

My family is here this weekend. My mom, my dad, my sister and brother-in-law all gathered around our dining room table tonight to eat and laugh and play and celebrate, and that's a good feeling.

Luckily, I'm not the first person to face this hurdle, and have had many people step forward with encouragement and an ear to listen. For that, I am grateful.

There is also research and books and options. I've already bought several books, including Previvors. 

 

So while there is a lot to process and think and pray about, I'm grateful to those who have gone before me. Here's to another adventure. 

The things we inherit {A BRCA1 and BRCA2 diagnosis}

We recently inherited a set of copper lined pots and pans that were my grammy's. They are pots that fed my family, pots that my mom remembers her mom cooking out of. And they are a treasure to me. I've come to love washing them in the sink every night. A simple act of daily living that has suddenly brought me great joy.

Today I learned that I inherited more than just copper lined pots and pans and serving dishes from my grammy. Today I got the call that told me I was BRCA1 and BRCA2 positive. 

I hesitated to share here, but I don't know why I wouldn't. The truth about my DNA doesn't change who I am. I was the same person yesterday that I am today and the same person that I will be tomorrow. Mutation and all, I was made exactly the way that I was made by the creator of the universe and placed in this tiny spot in history to tell a story only I can tell. 

I believe that I am equipped with everything I need to overcome the overwhelming odds that I could develop ovarian or breast cancer. I am grateful to live in a time in history where we know what these mutations are and how to proactively decrease the risk associated with the BRCA 1 and 2 mutations. 

More to come....

About Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC): 

HBOC is a genetic condition that increases an individual's lifetime risk for cancer. HBOC is caused by mutations in one of two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes make proteins that are important in keeping tumors from developing. Mutations (or changes) in either of these genes allows cancers to develop in certain areas of the body.  

Home Study {Our Foster Care Journey 2.0}

This will be our second time being foster parents. But we aren't ready. It's not something you can really ever be ready for. 

There are too many unknowns and variables to truly be ready to welcome a child into your home. There is no "what to expect guide" or "how to be a great foster parent book." None of that. It's mostly about trusting the Lord in what he's called you into, knowing that he has someone prepared for you. 

Brian and I sat across the dining room table from our case worker today as she updated our previous home study. She seems smart and compassionate, and I'm excited to have her on our team. 

I attempted to line out the perfect placement for us. They want you to provide a 2 year age bracket, so we said we would be willing to accept children 0-2 years of age. But I lined out why anything other than an infant wouldn't work. 

We don't want to have to put a child in childcare, but we still have to be able to work from home. Wyatt is almost 2 and into everything and I can't spend my days chasing two toddlers around the house. 

We would prefer an infant. A non-mobile one. One that I can wear and take with me to coffee and work into our lives. 

Those are my perfect little outlines of how I would like all this to play out. In reality? Our 1st call will probably be for two-year-old twin girls. Who knows?

I know that me attempting to plan all this out in my mind is simply a coping mechanism....a way to deal with the chaos that comes in foster care. 

It's not that being a foster parent means there will always be chaos. It's just that you you have no control over so many things. You have to learn to let go of control.

That was the hardest part for me the 1st time. Losing control over situations that I desperately wanted to control was nearly maddening for me. 

Our "criteria" for the perfect placement is my attempt at one last swing for control. Ultimately, I know the Lord has already planned out something great. There is a child (or children) that He has in mind for us. To love, to serve, to give everything to. And we will. 

Now we wait for DHS to approve our home study, and our home will officially be "open" mid-September. 

Here we go. It's time to be brave. 

To Be Brave

I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be brave. The culture we live in is perfectly fine with people being average, normal, ordinary. 

It's not a bad thing necessarily, but being average, normal, ordinary.....those things don't require any kind of bravery. 

I've been talking to several people lately about what it means and looks like to start your own business. And whenever I talk to people about doing something like that, I can't help but think about the things I thought when I started selling Scentsy. 

I was worried that I didn't know enough people {no one does}. I was worried that I wasn't a salesperson {I wasn't then and I'm not now}. And I was worried that I had no clue where to start {and I didn't}. 

But what I've learned after 7 years of running a Scentsy business, is that none of those things matter. No one knows enough people to run a business like this, that's why they call it network marketing. Networking is key. You have to do it. 

I'm still not a salesperson, but I'm passionate about the product that I sell. I'm crazy about it actually, and it turns out, that's what it takes to sell a product...not a sales pitch. 

Honestly? No one knows what they're doing when they get into direct sales. 

Direct sellers are usually a bunch of moms and grandmas, and professionals, and leaders all looking to achieve something that we can't achieve by working for someone else. 

We're looking for something more. We're looking for a way to be brave. 

But the hardest part of it all? 

It's the 1st step. Making the commitment to try is the hardest part. None of us want to fail. What if I say that I'm going to do this and it doesn't work? Then what? Then it looks like I've failed. 

What's amazing to me is that the people who decide to try don't do it because they're not afraid of failure.....we're all afraid of failure. They decide to try because there is something bigger. Something more important that makes them overlook that fear of failing to step out in bravery and do something great. 

But so many people won't do it. So many people won't try because of that risk.....

How will you ever know if you don't take the 1st step and try. Whatever the Lord has put on your heart and in your mind, pursue it. Don't hide from it. Explore. Try. Do something new and different. 

Go ahead....be brave. 

The day there were 2

We weren't always the best of friends. Jacquelyn lived with Brian and I while she was in college, and while we liked each other, we were far from good buddies.

We're the same age. We were both born in 1983. Her birthday is in October. Mine in December. 

She pretty much thought I was crazy when I started selling these "candle things" and claimed that I wanted to use this business to quit my teaching job. But she supported me. She hosted several basket parties at the hospital where she worked, and after she returned yet another successful basket party to me, I told her that she should just do this. She would be great at it. {She was basically already doing it.} 

Those words would change my life in ways I never could have imagined. Our relationship would never be the same again. 

Our Scentsy journey is completely intertwined. There was only about a 6 month period where Jacquleyn didn't really take her business seriously. She didn't need to. She had a great nursing job, and Scentsy was just a fun hobby. Then all of a sudden, something clicked, and there was no stopping her.

Orville Thompson, gave a beautiful keynote presentation this week at Scentsy's Family Reunion about journeys and living a life of significance. He used the phrase "a journey of abundance," and that is exactly is what our story is. 

We started working our businesses together. Celebrating every success. And every misstep. 

We overcame obstacles and tried new things. We earned trips together and travelled the world together. 

We've rocked each others babies and tackled Thanksgiving dinner for over 30 people year after year after year. {And that's saying something.} 

We have challenged each other, inspired each other, prayed with each other, and we constantly remind each other why we are a part of this "little candle company." 

Jacquelyn and I at Scentsy's Leadership Retreat in 2010 

The Bahamas 2014 

Hawaii 

Hawaii 

Jacquelyn with Luke when he was born in March of 2009

Leadership Retreat 2010

Scentsy Family Reunion 2013 

Boot Camp at the Shipping Container 

Spring Sprint 2012 

Throwing a baby shower for Amy Marc-Charles 

Convention 2010 Denver 

Convention 2010 Ft. Worth 

Leadership Cruise 2011

Leadership 2010 

Leadership Cruise 2011

Our Leadership Retreat 2014 

Hosting a mini convention 

I can't search for anything significant in my Scentsy journey without her being right by my side. 

And this week at family reunion was no different. It already feels like it was ages ago. Both of our names were called as Shining Star finalists. 

And we were elated. Overjoyed. I knew this was her year, and I was excited to be a close part of her success. 

We got to sit next to each other on stage on Friday during general session and tell part of our story. Sister-in-laws turned best friends thanks to our Scentsy Family businesses. We talked about how Scentsy literally changed our family dynamic.

And then it happened. Friday night at the awards ceremony. As they read the 1st letter, I knew it was Jacquelyn's letter. My heart filled with joy and pride. 

And then the 2nd letter described someone who claims to be an introvert. I knew Jacquelyn would never call herself an introvert. I started thinking that it must be someone else. 

And then, the shock.  Not 1, but 2. Two names. Two Shining Stars. 

My name and hers. And I threw my head between my knees because I couldn't believe it. 

And then I almost forgot to hug my husband because I was so anxious to hug her. But I did hug him! 

And then I ran to her. 

I don't have words to describe the joy I felt in that moment. I walked into that night knowing it was her night, and Orville and Heidi threw us a curveball.

I know that they partly knew how intertwined our businesses were. How each success and failure was walked together. But I never thought this moment would be shared together. I didn't know it was a possibility.

It still feels very much like a dream. I still can't believe it happened. But it's fitting and perfect and unforgettable.

Our story is one of friendship, family, trust, leadership, influence, and light. She is my light when I need an encouraging word, and I am her light when she needs a little spark.  We are so different. And it is our differences that make us one awesome team.

Her strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. But together, we do great things.

I never in a million years could have made this business work on my own, so I'm incredibly honored and glad that we got to stand on that stage together last night. It is a moment we will never forget. It is a moment that affirms what we already knew to be true. 

This journey is not walked alone. It is walked with friends and family and strangers who become friends. And that, is the most beautiful thing about the Scentsy Family....it is a family. Through the good and the bad, someone will have your back. Someone will pick you up and encourage you. 

 We're better together. We really are. We cannot fashion our world on needing to be significant at someone else's expense. We have to fashion our world where our significance comes from the success of those we love and serve. 

In the words of Orville Thompson, "When were are connected, we can do so much." 

Yes was can. We really, really can.