Things I’m Loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately. And a side note – to see a comprehensive list of my favorite things – check out my Amazon Storefront! I update it regularly.

• Silicone baking mats. I used to be a parchment paper person, but now I bake cookies exclusively on silicone baking mats. I love them.
• Trouble. The unexpected favorite present at Christmas this year was trouble. The kids played it for days. The sound of the dice popping in that little plastic bubble was so nostalgic!
• Sinus rinse. This sinus rinse is my best friend during cold season. I use it at least once a day to clean out my sinuses – a first defense against colds!
• Milk Frother. I use this every day for my coffee and love it!

Recipes I’m Making on Repeat

We celebrated a lot in the last few months. Some of our favorite recipes we made are pictured below:

• Cinnamon rolls
• Dinner Rolls
• Pumpkin pie and of course homemade pie crust (all butter).
• Peanut Butter Blossoms (Peanut Butter Cup Cookies)

Life Lately

This fall and winter were so full of important milestones that I couldn’t keep up with writing these posts. So I’m going to give you some highlights!

New Church Building

If you’re new here, my husband is a pastor. We moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City and planted a church in our living room in 2013. Well, 11 years later we accomplished a huge goal and converted a horse barn into a church!

After a 4 year journey mixed with trial and triumph, we moved into our new church building. The photo on the left is our family (with only 4 kids) at the first service in the building we met in for 7 years. The photo on the right are my 3 oldest kids helping Ritch move out of that same building!

This is the new building from the outside. It took us 3 years to find and secure the property and another 1.5 to get permits and renovate. We feel so blessed to have this place to meet, and it has been such a gift.

Here’s our family on the first Sunday in the new space. It was an incredible first day, and many of our friends from all over the valley came to support our church and family. It was a wonderful reminder that the Lord is with us and everything we’ve been through the past 11 years was preparing us for this new and hopeful season of ministry.

There is so much more I could share about this, and imagine I will in months to come!

Another Year Older

I entered my last year in my 30s and it doesn’t feel real. Wasn’t I 18 yesterday? (Answer: nope haha).

I felt so loved by my family. We went on a beautiful hike and they made me a delicious dinner featuring my favorite salad: burrata salad. Bethany decorated the kitchen too. My husband got me a beautiful gift and it was overall a perfect day!

Skiing

This is the first year all 8 of us have Ikon passes. We got the two littles up before Thanksgiving in a lesson and they did great. Look at these squishy little skiers!

Then we spent 3 days up in Park City to get the kids in lessons and get all us back on the mountain. The first day, we put all 6 kids in ski school so Ritch and I got to ski together! It was so nice.

The second day, we only put the two littles in ski school, and by the end of the day Keilah was skiing greens with the family! It’s going to be a great year!

We enjoyed our family getaway so much. It was a much needed break from our routine and felt so nice to be outside and enjoy the mountains.

Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas as a family. We went to a friends house in the afternoon, then to our first Christmas Eve service in the new building. Afterwards, we got Chinese takeout (has been our tradition for 10 years) and watched home alone!

We keep Christmas simple in our house. The kids do a secret Santa with each other – which is always the best part because they get so excited to give their gifts to the sibling they shopped for.

Then, we gift each kid one present and fill their stockings with necessities. It really makes the day so nice and keeps the focus more on family time and enjoying each other than opening presents.

Snapshots

Thanksgiving is actually my favorite holiday. As always, we ran a 5K on Thanksgiving morning and it was our best one yet. Not ONE tear was shed in the running of 3 miles which is a huge win!

Ritch and I attended a fundraiser for the SLC pregnancy resource center. Basically everyone we know in the valley was there. It was one of my favorite nights of the entire year. Plus, we got to get all dressed up which is always fun!

Just my little pumpkins – who aren’t so little anymore.

For my birthday I told Ritch all I wanted to do was go on a double date with our friends! We went to my favorite UT restaurant (Communal) and it was such a nice night.

We had a great season of cross country, and Bethany learned that she loves volleyball. After a rec league season, we signed her up for a club team and we hope she loves it!

Halloween was amazing this year. We had almost 100 people over and the kids ran all around the neighborhood looking so stinking cute. It’s a holiday I don’t necessarily love – so we choose to “flood it with fellowship” and because of that – it has become a day we all look forward to so much!

Our family’s costumes – cowboy, cowgirl, hippie, Aragorn, police officer, grumpy granny, dinosaur and angel!

Some of our dear friends from our church in Illinois came out to visit for a weekend. It was so nice spending time with people we’ve known and loved for so long.

A snap of Keilah I had to share.

Z has learned all his letters and is officially on his way to learning to read. He’s just the cutest!

We ended the year at our favorite place – the beach!

Goodbye 2024!

Overall, 2024 was a growing year for me in so many ways. Maybe it’s because of the things our family has been through, or maybe it’s because I’m almost 40, but healing was my focus in 2024.

I can’t say I’ve arrived, but who can right? But I have learned so many things I will carry with me forever…

• Forgiveness doesn’t mean restored relationship.
• My children are my favorite people.
• I’m not for everyone – and that’s ok.
• Discernment is a gift – there’s a difference between a Peter and a Judas.
• Healing often means letting go. If a snake bites you, let it slither away. Focus on healing from it’s poison, not trying to understand why it bit you.

If you’ve made it this far, leave a comment and let me know how your 2024 was! I love hearing from you!

Things I’m Loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately. And a side note – to see a comprehensive list of my favorite things – check out my Amazon Storefront! I update it regularly.

• Homeschool Curriculum. Every year I get many questions about our homeschool curriculum. I linked our favorites in my amazon storefront!
• Silicone Stasher Bags. I use these every day and love them. This color combo is so cute I had to buy them! I use them to freeze bananas for smoothies, store leftovers and to pack lunches for our family. (Clear Stasher Bags).
• This spatula. has been my favorite for so many years. I love how sturdy it is and that you can flip it and use both sides. Chef ‘N Spatula.
• This slip dress. Is a classic neutral print and the fabric is incredible – it doesn’t wrinkle at all! I have already worn it by it self, as well as with a sweater over it on a chilly, late-summer evening. I know I’ll be wearing this dress all year long!

Recipes I’m Making on Repeat

Here are some recipe I made this month.

• Burrata salad is my summer salad staple.
• Chocolate chip cookies. Of course.
• Cottage cheese pancakes. I’ve been eating these for breakfast every day with some maple syrup and peanut butter!
• Black bean brownies are my go-to healthy dessert right now.

Life & Faith

This summer we were blessed to spend a lot of time with lifelong friends who are very dear to us, and it was a healing balm for my soul!

To fully know and love someone through multiple versions of themselves, and to be truly known and loved in the same way, is a incredible blessing and gift. I am so grateful for the time we got to spend with so many people we love so dearly.

It started with our friends and their 6 kids visiting us in the beginning of the month. We visited them in the spring in Texas, and our kids became instant best friends. So, it was a HUGE gift to get to see them again so soon.

Ariel and I have been friends since high school. She was instrumental in my early years as a believer and is someone I feel supremely blessed to call a friend.

One of my babysitters agreed to watch our twelve kids so we could go on a date and it was the highlight of my year! Getting to catch up and encourage each other was one of my top 3 favorite nights of 2024.

We went hiking, made s’mores, swam at the pool and enjoyed being together. Some people just feel like home – and their family absolutely is that for us.

We downloaded a video messaging app so our kids could stay connected between visits. Keilah and Zach even each named one of their stuffed animals after two of Ariel’s daughters.

Also in the beginning of the month we had the blessing of a visit from a couple that was in our youth group 15 years ago and then got married. It was such a gift to get to see them again and meet their beautiful children.

Ritch, Bethany and Gabe also went on a missions trip to Ireland. We have a ministry partner there and our family helped their church put on a kids camp just like the one we hosted in Utah in July.

Our extended family, who currently lives abroad, met Ritch in Ireland to help too. This was the highlight of the month for Bethany and Gabe. To get to serve and explore a new place with their cousins, aunt and uncle was a huge gift. It was the first time they traveled internationally and it was so great for them.

Homeschool

We started homeschool this month! It’s the first year I am teaching all six kids because Zach started preschool. Unlike previous years, we hit the ground running and it feels really good. I usually start slower, but we were all ready to just jump right in. Plus, we have a handful of trips planned this year so I wanted to get a strong start and be ahead for those.

I listed a the curriculum we use in my Amazon Storefront since that is a question I receive often. If you have any other questions about homeschooling – please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below.

Snapshots

Keilah finished her reading curriculum and is doing so well reading books. I am blown away by how much she has grown in her ability and love of reading.

To celebrate, Keilah wanted to “go out for ice cream with Grace and James.” So we made it happen for her! I’m so grateful for these sweet friends my kids have!

Aquarium date with 3 of my most favorite people!

Our first week of homeschool – K reading to Z!

Our friends run a trout farm in Northern Utah, and we took a trip to visit them this month. It was absolutely breathtaking and so interesting to learn how they raise trout for incredible restaurants in Park City and Salt Lake City! Check them out here: https://whistlingspringstroutfarm.com/.

That’s it! How was your August? If you’ve made it this far, leave a comment and let me know how your month was! I love hearing from you!

Things I’m loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately:

• This beautiful song written, sung and recorded by my friend Katelyn. Our church sings this song together, and she professionally recorded it, and it’s absolutely beautiful!
• I bought this espresso machine on sale during prime days and I have absolutely loved it!
• The reading lesson. Keilah finished her reading curriculum this month! I’ve used this book to teach 5 of my kids how to read….5 down, 1 to go!

• Cheese Markers. I’ve been making a lot of charcuterie boards lately, and I have loved these chalkboard cheese markers I received as a gift this past Christmas. Here’s a similar set on Amazon: amazon cheese markers.
• I also love these cheese knives!

Recipes I’m Making on Repeat

Here are some recipe I made this month.

We had a team of 20 young adults and leaders in town to help us put on our church’s annual kids camp, and every year I make a huge batch of chocolate chip cookies for them!

Pizza night with homemade pizza dough and pizza sauce!

It was Ritch’s birthday this month. He requested I made a chocolate cake and let the kids decorate it (with vanilla frosting). They had a BLAST doing this for him!

JFS is Hiring!

I am hiring an executive assistant! I’m looking for someone in the Salt Lake City area who can work in person occasionally. Must have experience in affiliate and social media marketing and a passion for recipes/cooking. For more information please email me laura@joyfoodsunshine.com!

Snapshots

This month was incredible. We saw so many friends and people we love dearly, our church put on our best week-long summer kids camp yet, and we soaked up fun in the sun!

Things I’m loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately:

• Serving dish. I use a very similar white dish with handles to serve salads (see Burrata salad below), and it’s my favorite. I finally found a similar one back in stock at Crate and Barrel and I bought it right away! Here’s a similar one on amazon as well.
• Knee ice pack. Somehow I hurt my knee in May. I think it was an IT band issue, but I started seeing my chiropractor as well as icing it profusely in order to help it heal (and I’m almost 100% now)! This ice pack made for knees or other joints has been a total game changer. It’s easy to use and I love the soft-lined side.
• Cold Therapy Metal Roller. This has been a game-changer and a huge part of healing my knee. I roll my knee after exercising, and a few additional times every day and I have noticed a huge improvement. It works anywhere you have sore muscles, I’ve used it on my neck too!

Recipes I’m Making on Repeat

Here are some recipe I’ve been making on repeat (along with our chocolate chip cookies, of course).

• Black bean brownies – one of my favorite healthy desserts.
• Burrata Salad – I make this at least once a week in the summer. Sometimes for company, sometimes just for our family.

• Eclair cake – I’ve made this for a handful of birthdays this year!
• Ham sliders – I’ve made this three times to bring to friends this month! It’s so easy to prepare and is a total crowd pleaser recipe.

Life Lately

Some of you noticed I haven’t written a post in a couple months, that’s because life has just been busy! So here are some highlights from May and June.

Naomi’s Birthday

My sweet girl had a birthday! She is the last of our 6 kids to celebrate her birthday in a year (everyone was born between January and May).

Her name means “sweet” in Hebrew, and that is exactly what she is. On her special day she wanted to go mini golfing, so we picked up her bestie and took everyone out for a fun round of mini golf, then out to lunch.

For dinner she chose shake shack and an eclair cake for dessert! We had so much fun celebrating this amazing girl who is a complete joy and blessing in all of our lives.

Chicago

My husband and I were born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago. We moved to Utah 11 years ago, and hadn’t been back to IL together in 8 years! It was a busy trip packed to the gills with fun and fellowship.

We took some time as a family to enjoy the city. Salt Lake is so small compared to Chicago, and the kids were floored to get to experience the magic of the Windy City!

We walked all over and ate so much delicious food. I was nervous about taking them to such a busy city, but the kids were amazing and it was one of the most fun things we did as a family so far this year! I can’t wait to take them to explore other cities now!

We stayed at an amazing hotel in a perfect location which was so fun. We also visited with family and the kids got to meet their new cousin!

After a couple days we drove out to the suburbs to stay with friends. Our first stop was a visit to my childhood best friend – who I’ve known for over 35 years!

I cannot express how wonderful it was to spend time with Casey and her family. Some people are just so much a part of who you are that being with them feels like home – and that’s how I feel about her.

She is the common denominator of all of my best moments and memories from childhood – and I just absolutely cherished the time we got to spend together.

Also – watching our kids become instant friends made my heart so happy. I had to hold back tears when I saw them playing spoons at the dining room table – because a good portion of my summers (and every rainy day) Casey and I spent playing cards together!

We visited some of my favorite places – including the best ice cream shop in the entire world. The midwest has the most delicious ice cream, hands down.

We also attended my 20 year high school reunion, which started off with a tour of my old high school where I both attended and taught at after college.

Seeing the pool felt like going back in a time machine – nothing had changed in that room. Since my kids are homeschooled, they loved getting to see such big high school.

On Sunday, we visited the church Ritch was a pastor at for 7 years before moving to Utah. Seeing so many people we know and love, and being back there was very emotional!

Ministry there was so safe and comfortable – which is the exact opposite of ministry in Utah. Many people we love deeply still attend, and it was a gift for the kids to get to see the place where our lives together began.

Life & Faith

A lot of introspection, reflection and conversations were had this month.

It has been one year since we went through the most profound betrayal we have ever experienced, and the “anniversary” of that fell while we were in Illinois. Being surrounded by our loving support system and friends who have stood behind us and prayed for us for almost 20 years was wonderful – while also making us realize how much we gave up to move to Utah.

I am grateful for those people and the foundation of love and grace they laid in our lives during our time in IL. I’m grateful to be reminded of where we came from and that even though we deeply love and miss it sometimes, we know we are where God called us and wants us to serve Him.

A lot about the last year doesn’t make sense to me. And my biggest learning recently is that I am grateful that none of it makes sense. I have lost count of the number of times I have questioned, “How could they?” and “why would they?” and the Lord finally helped me realize how good it is to feel that way. I have stopped asking and when those thoughts creep into my mind instead I say, “Thank you Lord, that I don’t understand.” He has granted me so much peace and I’m thankful.

Snapshots

Date night to celebrate my beautiful friend’s birthday! Our double dates are my favorite!

Kicking off the summer hiking with friends. I am so grateful to live here.

Brothers enjoying the sunset – a photo that I’ll cherish for a long time!

We drove up to Deer Valley for a day to hike and enjoy some good food!

We get free scenic lift rides with our ski passes, so it was really fun to just go up there and enjoy summer in the mountains. Look at my girls on the lift! I hope they recreate this photo in 10 years!

Ritch “practice camped” with the kids before we have our church campout this month. We often do test runs of potentially stressful activities with the kids to 1) make sure they can handle them and 2) prepare them with proper expectations. They all had a blast.

Swim team is in full effect! It is my favorite part of the summer!

That’s all so far for our summer!

How is your summer? What are you cooking and baking during these warmer months?

Things I’m loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately:

• Cookie scoop. I use this 2 Tablespoon Cookie Scoop every single time I bake cookies. It is the best quality – I’ve had it for 10+ years and it still is in perfect condition! Here’s a similar one on Amazon: Amazon Cookie Scoop.
• These jean shorts. I am not a huge fan of jean shorts (I prefer workout clothes) – however I found and love these shorts. They are the perfect length and are very comfy!
• Vitamix is having an incredible Mother’s Day sale until 5/18. You can get the Venturist (reconditioned – which is basically like new and comes with a warranty) for $199!!! It’s a smart blender and this is an unheard of price! Vitamix Venturist 1200. (you receive an extra $50 off using my links)!

Life Lately

This month we traveled to San Antonio to see the eclipse & our dear friends, we celebrated 2 birthdays, had our last ski day, and more.

San Antonio

We were so blessed to be able to travel to San Antonio to see our friends and the eclipse.

Ariel and I have been friends since high school. God used her to draw me to Him when I was 17. Her light and witness and friendship literally changed the course of my entire life in the best possible way and I will forever be grateful for her.

Our time together was the greatest gift. Our kids became instant best friends and it filled my heart with so much joy watching them play together.

There’s something so special about spending time with someone who has known you for so long – and my heart was filled to overflowing after our time together. We even got to attend their church – which her husband is the pastor of – and it was amazing watching her lead worship with her daughters. I was overwhelmed as I saw so many prayers from our youth answered in both of our lives.

We also did the touristy things and went to the Alamo and watched the eclipse and of course swam in the pool! It was a fun little family getaway – but the best part was our fellowship with our dear friends.

Birthdays!

We had two birthdays in our family this month.

Mara Turned 7!

Can you even believe it? If you’ve been with me since the beginning of JFS – then you’ll remember when I was pregnant with her and she was born – and now she’s seven!

She asked for a giraffe cake, donuts for breakfast and shake shack for dinner. We celebrated her well all day long and she felt so loved.

Gabe Turned 11

Gabe also had a birthday this month. He milked all he could out of his special day We went on his favorite hike, made his favorite lunch and he got In ‘N Out for dinner.

He chose chocolate bundt cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and chocolate crepes for breakfast.

He built lego sets he received as gifts and enjoyed watching a movie of his choice in the evening.

We had a great day celebrating the sweetest boy!

Wrapping up School

Our homeschool co op ended this month. Gabe achieved memory master for the 3rd year in a row. He also dressed up at Teddy Roosevelt and gave a presentation on his life.

We are now wrapping up the rest of our curriculum for the year and hopefully will be done and welcome summer the first week of May!

Life & Faith

My heart wasn’t fully ready for this sermon that my husband preached this month – however it was exactly what I needed to hear.

In the sermon he said, “Betrayal is an evil, against which, there is no God-approved defense. But there is a cure – look to Christ. He knows that pain.”

The fact that Jesus intimately knows the sting of betrayal has brought me so much comfort & peace. By the grace of God I have not been completely broken by it – and have learned so much from this past year.

Snapshots

I got to celebrate my beautiful friend’s birthday. We went out to a delicious dinner and had the best time.

We took the kids to the tulip festival and it was gorgeous. So many beautiful flowers and we lucked out with perfect weather!

This little ham is so stinking cute.

We had our last ski day of the season. We truly enjoyed getting into the mountains so much this year!

I took my sweet K on a mommy daughter date. She wanted to get donuts and then I took her to build a bear to make her own stuffed animal. She is a mommy’s girl 1000% and we had the best date together.

Also this month Bethany and I snuck away for a few days to go see Mariah Carey in concert. We had a blast shopping, eating and the concert was amazing!

I hope you had a great month as well!

Things I’m loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately:

• Peanut butter blossoms. but use leftover Reese’s eggs. They are so delicious!
• This clothing steamer has been a game changer for us. We’ve been using it for almost 2 years now and it makes clothes look so fresh and wrinkle-free!! 10/10 recommend!
• Yellow cake with Vanilla frosting, I made this for my friend’s daughter’s birthday and it was so yummy!
• Cinnamon rolls – made these for my friend’s baby shower and they are always our favorite!
• I have to mention this collagen powder. I put it in every smoothie I make (daily) and I love it so much! Plus there’s a 20% off coupon right now!

Life Lately

This month was a fairly normal month! We skied, got so close to finishing our homeschool year, and celebrated Easter!

Skiing

We enjoyed a family ski day to Deer valley. The weather was a little dicey (low visibility, lots of snow) but we had the best day. We all love Deer Valley so much.

Easter

We went to our neighborhood Easter egg hunt with our friends even though it was raining, and everyone still had a blast. Zach refused to pick up eggs and clung to my leg instead, but everyone else had so much fun!

The next day was Easter and it was just wonderful. We attended our church’s Easter service then went out to brunch.

We hid the kids’ Easter baskets and these Resurrection Eggs (we’ve had them for over a decade now) around the house for a small little hunt at home. Then we came home from brunch and talked through the story of Easter with the eggs (we do this for a few weeks leading up to the day). We love getting dressed up and spending special time together as a family, and that’s just what we did!

Snapshots

The kids had their piano recital for the year and did great. Their besties even came to watch them play!

I got to celebrate my beautiful friend’s new baby and threw her a shower! It was the best day and it was so great celebrating her!

We went on a double date with our friends and it was a highlight of my month! We went to a new-to-us restaurant that ended up being very delicious! We all got extra dressed up and enjoyed catching up with each other! I’m so grateful for them in so many ways!

Well that’s all she wrote! If you made it this far, leave me a comment below! How was your March? Are there any questions I could answer for you about cooking, life, etc?

Things I’m loving

Here are some things I’ve been loving lately…

• Mesh Laundry Bags. I am not someone who will take my clothes to the dry cleaners. Maybe I need to change – but for now – my friend told me about these laundry bags and they have been an absolute game changer. I wash my more delicate wardrobe pieces in these bags on the delicate or hand wash cycle and it works really well.
• Sheet cake pan. I use this for so many things in the kitchen! A great purchase for sure!
• Cake Face Kit. I use this to make unicorn cakes, bunny cakes, etc. I’ve had it for many years!
• Puppy chow. I made this recipe a ton this month!

Life Lately

This month was a fairly normal month for us! I went on a trip, Keilah turned 5, we plugged away at homeschool and went skiing!

K turns 5!

We kicked it off with another birthday (that’s 3 so far in 2024)! My sweet Keilah turned 5 and she had such a great day. She requested donuts for breakfast, mac and cheese for lunch and Shake Shack for dinner.

For her birthday cake she chose a chocolate cake and wanted it to be a “princess bunny.” Which totally fits her personality.

She was thoroughly celebrated and felt so special on her day! I’m so grateful for this little sweetheart.

Mexico Trip

A couple days after Keilah’s birthday I traveled solo to Mexico for work. It was absolutely wonderful to get away alone and get to spend a few days thinking about JoyFoodSunshine!

The best part of work trips is connecting with other website owners. Melissa from Modern Honey is my closest blogging friend! I have known her for almost 7 years and enjoyed spending time with her – she is as kind as she is beautiful, check out her site!

We stayed at a great resort right on the beach and it was so fun to get to dress up, be wined and dined and mingle with other amazing women business owners like these ladies from The Modern Proper and A Couple Cooks!

Skiing

We got back into our skiing rhythm and it has been so great. The weather has been a little warmer and less snowy than last year, but it’s still worked out for us to ski about once a week.

My kids get better every time we get up on the mountain, and I am feeling more confident as well. My absolute favorite is when we get to ski with friends. What a gift it is to live in such a beautiful place!

Ear Piercing

For her birthday, Bethany asked to get her ears double pierced with her friends. So, we all went out to brunch and then got our ears pierced. I am so grateful for the beautiful friends God has gifted to Bethany, and it was so fun getting to spend a day together.

The girls did amazing and went through with the piercing even though they were nervous. I even got my ears pierced for the first time at 38! Overall it was just such a fun day getting to celebrate Bethany with dear friends.

Life & Faith

I feel like the Lord showed me many things this month – too much to share here. But the biggest “aha!” moment in my heart came when I was meeting with a wiser sister who shared this with me, “Never use the Word of God without having the heart of God.”

This struck me to my core. The Word of God is a sword, and the condition of your heart determines if you use it to cut people down or fight for them (and there is an enormous difference).

I’ve seen what’s in man, those who use God’s word to tear down, destroy and puff themselves up. To hear these words from my sister were like balm to my soul. The enemy used God’s words in the Garden and in the wilderness to tempt, destroy and distract. The Pharisees used God’s word to burden people with the law while their hearts were far from Him.

Just because someone uses the bible does not mean God’s love rules and reigns in their hearts. Just because someone can win an argument, or appears to be a wealth of biblical knowledge – does not mean they have been transformed by the radical love and grace of Jesus.

I cannot express how much these simple words, “Never use the Word of God without having the heart of God.” helped begin healing parts of my heart that were so confused and broken. I’m so grateful for those who have jumped into the trenches to fight with me – with hearts overflowing with the love, grace, kindness, goodness and patience of the Lord.