A Life of Gratitude

For Bryan's Birthday I gave him a very unique gift. It's a monthly subscription for a murder mystery game called, Hunt A Killer. Each month, for six months, we'll get a box of evidence, timelines, newspaper clippings, autopsy reports, suspect interviews, maps, puzzles, clues, etc. Each month we are expected to eliminate a suspect. By the end of the 6th month we should be able to identify the killer in a very intricate murder mystery. Bryan and I did our first box set alone to make sure it would be appropriate for the kids. Tonight, with our second box, we included our older boys. It was so much fun to watch them search through the information, find important clues, and form opinions. We were able to eliminate a second suspect and we can't wait until our next box arrives! Bryan had to test out the strangulation technique suggested on the autopsy report.  Hahaha Today I am thankful for a new, fun way to spend time together as a family, at least with ou

This weekend I had the honor of speaking at a Women's Conference in Galax, VA. The theme of the weekend was Seasons and it was truly a wonderful time of worship and learning. It's still hard for me to believe they asked me to be a guest speaker. This was my first time telling my entire story, with all its ups and downs. The ugly truth followed by all the ways God has turned things around for me. It wasn't easy to say out loud in front of hundreds of women but it was very fulfilling to hear so many of those women share their gratitude for my transparency. Many of them learned the truth of abortion. Some of them finally heard a fellow post-abortive woman share her story. A few even shared their stories with me for the first time. Thankfully, a couple of these ladies have signed up for Not Forgotten Ministries' upcoming Virtual Post-Abortive Bible Study where they will be able to find the hope and healing God wants for them. Today I am grateful

Today I attended the North Carolina Right for Life Rally and March for Life with my sweet friend, Linsey. It was really such an honor to be around so many people devoted to the pro life movement! We started the morning at the Prayer Breakfast. Sitting alongside congressman, senators, pro-life leaders, etc, we heard Kurt Kondrich tell the story of his daughter born with down syndrome, Chloe, and the amazing impact she has had over the past few years even though so many doctors recommend that babies like Chloe be aborted. We heard beautiful music, amazing prayers, and incredible stories. And out of nowhere, I was asked to pray in front of hundreds of people! I'm still unsure of how that happened! Me praying at the NC Right for Life Prayer Breakfast  Linsey and I got to meet Chloe Kondrich After the breakfast we drove downtown for the Rally and March for Life. There was a huge crowd! It was so powerful to see so many people of all ages, races, and backgrounds come

Yesterday I got to spend some time with a beautiful baby girl. She has the most hair I've ever seen a one month old have! She makes the cutest little expressions and she is content almost all of the time. While her mother is so grateful for this precious girl now, there was a time when she couldn't see past her circumstances and almost had an abortion.  By God's grace, her mother chose to leave the abortion clinic and I became her mentor. Throughout her pregnancy I encouraged her, talked her out of going back to the clinic a few times, and talked her through some very difficult days. I prayed for her, connected her with the pregnancy care center, and threw her a baby shower. It was my great pleasure to do these things. I am in awe of God's willingness to allow me to partner with Him as He saved this baby girl.  To think that God allowed me to be there every step of the way, through her mom's entire pregnancy, when we found out she was a girl, and even th

My favorite Christmas gift this year was given to me by my husband, Bryan. He ordered a "Heaven Inspired" necklace for me from The Crowning Jewels. These necklaces are like none other.  Once the order is placed and the recipient's first name is given, then the designers take over. They pray and ask God for some encouragement that HE wants to declare over the recipient. Then they create a one-of-a-kind, personalized keepsake. They also write a hand-written note sharing what they heard from the Father. Not only is this gift beautiful, it is FULL of meaning! When I opened the gift on Christmas morning tears filled my eyes. Out of all the words in the English language, the word engraved for me was, "Life." I'm not sure a more significant, affirming, confidence-building word could have been engraved. And they only knew my first name. The hand-written note is something I was always cherish as well. If you know me and how God has used my story over