Me and My House...

There are certain verses in Scripture that seem to become part of your heart. For me, Joshua 24:15 is one of those verses.

It's more than a beautiful plaque hanging on a wall. It's more than a verse stitched onto a decorative pillow or displayed above a doorway. It's a declaration. A commitment. A decision that affects every part of life.

When Joshua spoke these words, he was addressing the people of Israel after reminding them of all God had done for them. God had rescued them, protected them, provided for them, and fulfilled His promises. Joshua challenged the people to choose whom they would serve. Then he boldly declared that regardless of what others decided, he had already made his choice.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

I think that's what makes this verse so powerful. Joshua wasn't waiting to see what everyone else was going to do. He wasn't taking a poll. He wasn't following the culture around him. He had made up his mind.

In today's world, that's not always easy.

We live in a culture that constantly pulls our attention in a hundred different directions. There are endless distractions competing for our time, our energy, and our hearts. The world tells us that success, achievement, popularity, and possessions should be our highest priorities. But Joshua's words remind us that our greatest purpose is to know God and serve Him.

Serving the Lord isn't just something we do on Sunday mornings. It's a daily choice.

It's choosing prayer before panic.

It's choosing faith over fear.

It's choosing forgiveness when holding a grudge would be easier.

It's choosing obedience even when it costs us something.

It's choosing to trust God's plan when we don't understand what He's doing.

For our family, this verse has been lived out in countless ways over the years.

When Scot and I married nearly twenty years ago, we made a commitment that Christ would be at the center of our marriage. Have we done everything perfectly? Absolutely not. But through every season—the good times and the hard times—we've tried to keep our eyes on the One who brought us together.

When we chose to homeschool Tim, it wasn't simply about academics. It was about discipleship. We wanted him to know that his identity is found in Christ before anything else. Long before he became a weightlifter, a graduate, or began planning for college, he was a child of God.

Now, watching him step into adulthood has given me an even greater appreciation for this verse.

As parents, there comes a point when you realize that all the lessons, prayers, conversations, and examples you've tried to set are being carried forward into the next generation. You pray that the faith you've lived before your children becomes a faith they embrace for themselves.

My prayer has never been that Tim would simply be successful. Success comes and goes. Trophies collect dust. Records get broken. Achievements fade with time.

My prayer has always been that he would love Jesus and follow Him wherever He leads.

Because at the end of the day, that's what matters most.

The older I get, the more I realize that serving the Lord isn't about having a perfect family. Every family has struggles. Every family faces challenges. Every family experiences heartbreak and disappointment.

Serving the Lord means choosing Him in the middle of those moments.

It means trusting Him when the diagnosis isn't what you hoped for.

It means trusting Him when you're grieving the loss of someone you love.

It means trusting Him when your plans change.

It means trusting Him when you're stepping into an unknown future.

I've seen God's faithfulness through seasons of joy and seasons of loss. I've seen Him provide when I didn't know how things would work out. I've seen Him comfort when my heart was broken. I've seen Him guide our family through decisions that seemed overwhelming at the time.

Looking back, I can honestly say that God has never failed us.

Not once.

That doesn't mean life has always been easy. It means God has always been faithful.

As our family enters a new season, my commitment remains the same as it was years ago.

The world may change.

Circumstances may change.

Children grow up.

Seasons come and go.

But our foundation remains unchanged.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Not because it's popular.

Not because it's easy.

But because He is worthy.

And after all He has done, all He has carried us through, and all the blessings He has poured into our lives, I can think of no greater purpose than to serve the One who has been faithful every step of the way.

Above All, Love Deeply...

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." — 1 Peter 4:8

In a world that seems to thrive on division, criticism, and offense, this verse stands as a powerful reminder of what truly matters.

Above all, love deeply.

Not love when it's convenient.
Not love only when people deserve it.
Not love only when it's easy.

Love deeply.

The kind of love Peter talks about isn't a shallow, surface-level love. It's the kind of love that chooses grace over judgment. It's the kind of love that forgives when it's been hurt, extends kindness when it's not returned, and continues showing up even when things get messy.

As Christians, we're called to reflect the love that Christ has shown us. The truth is, every one of us has flaws. Every one of us has made mistakes, said the wrong thing, or fallen short. Yet God continues to love us with a love that never gives up.

I've seen this kind of love firsthand in my own life. In nearly twenty years of marriage, there have been moments when grace was needed. In raising Tim, there have been times when patience had to outweigh frustration. In friendships and family relationships, there have been opportunities to choose understanding instead of offense.

Love doesn't ignore sin or pretend problems don't exist. Instead, it chooses to see people through the lens of grace. It recognizes that everyone is fighting battles we may know nothing about.

The older I get, the more I realize that life is simply too short to hold onto bitterness. I've lost loved ones, experienced seasons of grief, and learned that the relationships we have are precious gifts from God. At the end of the day, people won't remember every word we said or every accomplishment we achieved. They will remember how we made them feel. They will remember whether they felt loved.

So today, choose love.

Love your spouse.
Love your children.
Love your family.
Love your neighbors.
Love the difficult people.
Love the people who don't think like you.
Love the people who may not deserve it.

After all, none of us deserved the love that Christ freely gave us.

And according to Scripture, above everything else on our priority list, above our opinions, our preferences, our schedules, and our agendas, there is one thing that should stand out the most:

Love deeply.

Tim's Medal Ceremony...

Here's the video of Tim's medal ceremony from June 24th...

The video is a little chopped up, but in Scot's defense, he's used to me being the one behind the camera...LOL! I was so excited and emotional for our boy that I just couldn't do the video myself. What a moment.

Tim's Winning Lifts from HOOKGRIP...

101kg Snatch Lift

130kg Clean & Jerk Lift

These are his best lifts that won him National Champion at USA Weightlifting Junior Nationals this year on June 24th. Enjoy watching them.

All of Tim's 2026 Nationals Loot...

All of Tim’s 2026 Nationals Loot…

Tim’s competition number, lift card, event tee, medals, and Champion patch from Nationals—each piece tells the story of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice it took to get here.

None of this came easy.

From intense training sessions, sore muscles, missed lifts, and learning to trust the process, Tim has put in the work day after day. To see it all come together on the national platform in his very first year as a Junior competitor makes this moment even sweeter.

He walked away with Bronze in Snatch, Silver in Clean & Jerk, and most importantly—Gold in Total, earning him the title of 2026 National Champion in the 71kg Junior Division.

And just to clear up any confusion—being a National Champion means finishing first in total. That’s the standard. That’s how it works.

So while others may try to claim the title, there’s no debate here.

Tim earned it.

We are beyond proud of him—not just for the medals or the patch, but for the grit, humility, and determination he’s shown throughout this journey. This is only the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for him next.

Forgiving the Inexcusable...

There are some quotes that stop you in your tracks, and this is one of them.

Forgiveness sounds beautiful when we're talking about minor offenses. It's much harder when we're talking about real hurt. The kind of hurt that leaves scars. The kind that changes relationships, breaks trust, and leaves you asking, "How could they do that?"

If you've lived very long, you've been hurt by someone. Maybe it was a friend. Maybe it was a family member. Maybe it was someone you trusted completely. The details may be different, but the pain is something we all understand.

I've learned that forgiveness is one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

Not because we don't know we're supposed to forgive, but because sometimes the hurt feels too deep. We replay conversations in our minds. We relive disappointments. We carry wounds long after the moment has passed. Sometimes we convince ourselves that holding on to the hurt somehow protects us from being hurt again.

But the truth is, bitterness doesn't protect us—it imprisons us.

Over the years, I've had moments when I had to choose forgiveness even when every emotion in me wanted to hold on to the offense. I've had to remind myself that forgiveness is not saying what happened was okay. It's not pretending the hurt didn't exist. It's not giving someone permission to continue hurting you.

Forgiveness is choosing to release the debt.

It's placing the situation into God's hands and trusting Him to handle what I cannot.

As a wife, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and simply as a person trying to walk faithfully with Christ, I've learned that relationships can be messy. People will disappoint you. They will say things they shouldn't say. They will make choices you don't understand. Sometimes they'll never apologize. Sometimes they'll never acknowledge the pain they caused.

That's when forgiveness becomes less about them and more about your obedience to God.

When I think about all the grace God has extended to me, it changes my perspective. There have been countless times in my life when I didn't deserve His mercy. Times when I failed. Times when I made mistakes. Times when I fell short of who He created me to be.

Yet God never turned His back on me.

He didn't make me earn His forgiveness.

He didn't keep a running list of my failures.

Through Jesus Christ, He offered forgiveness freely.

And if God can forgive me for all the ways I've fallen short, how can I refuse to extend forgiveness to others?

That question isn't always comfortable, but it's necessary.

The older I get, the more I realize that forgiveness is not usually a one-time event. It's often a daily decision. Sometimes you forgive someone, only to wake up the next day feeling the hurt all over again. In those moments, you choose forgiveness again.

And again.

And again.

Not because the pain magically disappeared, but because you've decided that Christ's example matters more than your feelings.

One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that forgiveness doesn't free the other person nearly as much as it frees you.

The moment you stop carrying the weight of bitterness, resentment, and anger, something changes. The burden becomes lighter. The wound begins to heal. The peace of God has room to work in your heart.

I've also learned that forgiveness and trust are not the same thing. Some relationships can be restored. Others require healthy boundaries. Wisdom and forgiveness often walk hand in hand.

But regardless of the outcome, God never gives us permission to hold on to unforgiveness.

As Christians, we're called to something different from the world. We're called to love when it's difficult. To show grace when it's undeserved. To forgive when it feels impossible.

Not because people deserve it.

But because we serve a Savior who forgave us when we didn't deserve it either.

The cross is the greatest example of forgiveness the world has ever seen. Jesus looked at those who mocked Him, beat Him, and crucified Him and still chose forgiveness.

If He can do that for me, then surely He can help me forgive those who have hurt me.

Maybe today you're carrying a wound that you've held on to for years. Maybe every time you think you've moved past it, the pain resurfaces. Maybe you've been waiting for an apology that never came.

Can I encourage you to give that hurt to God?

Not because it's easy.

Not because it's fair.

But because your freedom is worth it.

Forgiveness doesn't change the past, but it does keep the past from controlling your future.

And sometimes the most powerful testimony of God's work in our lives isn't what we've overcome—it's who we've chosen to forgive.

After all, every single one of us is living proof that God specializes in forgiving the inexcusable.

Becoming Who God Created You to Be...

Have you ever noticed that the closer you get to something God has called you to do, the harder the battle seems to become?

The doubts get louder. The obstacles seem bigger. The discouragement appears out of nowhere. Relationships get strained. Fear creeps in. You begin questioning things you were once confident about.

That's not a coincidence.

Satan is afraid of you becoming everything God meant for you to be.

He knows he can't take away God's promises, but he will do everything he can to convince you to walk away from them yourself. He wants you distracted, discouraged, offended, fearful, and exhausted because a believer who understands their purpose is a powerful force for God's Kingdom.

When I look back over my own life, I can see moments when the enemy tried to convince me to quit. There were seasons filled with uncertainty, disappointment, and challenges I never expected. There were times when I wondered if all the hard work, prayers, and waiting would ever amount to anything.

But God was working even when I couldn't see it.

Many of the struggles that felt like setbacks were actually preparation. The difficult seasons strengthened my faith, deepened my dependence on God, and helped shape me into the person He was calling me to become.

I've watched this unfold in our family as well. I've seen God guide Tim through unexpected changes, closing one chapter and opening another. What once looked like a painful ending turned into an opportunity for growth and blessing. Looking back, it's clear that God's plans were always greater than what we could see in the moment.

The enemy wants you focused on your current struggle. God wants you focused on your future purpose.

Don't let temporary battles convince you to abandon eternal promises.

If you're facing opposition today, maybe it's because you're moving in the right direction. Maybe the resistance you're feeling is evidence that God is doing something significant in your life. Maybe the enemy sees the potential God placed inside of you and wants to stop it before it fully develops.

Don't give up.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep showing up.

Keep becoming.

God created you on purpose, for a purpose. He has equipped you with gifts, talents, experiences, and opportunities that nobody else can fulfill exactly the way you can.

The enemy may fight against that calling, but he cannot defeat God's plan unless you stop pursuing it.

So stand firm in your faith. Walk boldly in your calling. Trust God's timing. And remember that every step of obedience is a step closer to becoming everything God meant for you to be.

The very thing the enemy fears most may be the person God is transforming you into right now.

(Jeremiah 29:11; Ephesians 2:10)

USA Junior Nationals 2026 Champion...

Today was an incredible day for our son, Tim, as he stepped onto the platform for the first time as a Junior competitor at the USA Junior Weightlifting Nationals in Colorado Springs.

He walked away the Champion in the 71kg Junior Men’s Division.

His results on the day:

Snatch: 98kg, 101kg, 104kg (attempted, but missed)
Clean & Jerk: 120kg, 124kg, 130kg (PR)
Total: 231kg (PR)

And the medals:

🥉 Bronze in Snatch (101kg)
🥈 Silver in Clean & Jerk (130kg)
🥇 Gold in Total (231kg) — making him the overall National Champion of his division.

To say we are elated is an understatement.

Tim has worked incredibly hard to reach this moment. In many ways, this has been years in the making—stretching back to his foundation in the sport he trained in before weightlifting, where discipline, perseverance, and grit were first forged.

To think that less than three years ago he made the transition into Olympic weightlifting, and today he stands as a USA National Champion, is nothing short of remarkable.

We are beyond proud of the young man, athlete, and competitor he has become. This is only the beginning.

Lift Day...

Lift Day...

Today, in Colorado Springs, Tim lifts at 2:00 PM local time (4:00 PM Eastern) for all of you back home cheering him on. The event will be available to stream online, though there may be a viewing fee—please check for the official broadcast details at USA Weightlifting National's Event page. There is a link as you scroll down the page for livestreaming. 

We’ll continue to update this blog with how Tim performs once his session is complete, so stay tuned for results and highlights.

As a first-year Junior, Tim is excited for the opportunity to compete alongside some incredible lifters today. More than anything, he’s looking forward to learning from the experience—watching how other competitors do, and continuing to grow in the sport he loves.

Seek First the Kingdom...

In a world that constantly tells us to chase more—more success, more money, more recognition, more security—Jesus offers a different path. In Matthew 6:33, He gives us a simple but life-changing instruction: seek the Kingdom of God above all else.

That sounds straightforward, but living it out can be challenging. We often find ourselves worrying about tomorrow, trying to control outcomes, or striving to make things happen in our own strength. Yet this verse reminds us that our first priority is not to pursue the things we think we need. Our first priority is to pursue God.

Seeking God's Kingdom means making Him the center of our lives. It means desiring His will above our own, trusting His plans above our fears, and choosing obedience even when the path ahead isn't clear. It means asking not, "What do I want?" but "Lord, what do You want for me?"

Jesus doesn't promise that we will receive everything we want. He promises that God will provide everything we need. There is a difference. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs better than we do, and His provision often comes in ways we never expected. Sometimes He opens doors. Sometimes He closes them. Sometimes He gives us strength instead of an immediate solution. But He is always faithful.

Looking back on my own life, I can see countless examples of God's perfect timing. There were moments when I didn't understand why certain prayers weren't answered the way I hoped. Yet later, I realized that God was working behind the scenes, preparing something better than I could have imagined. What felt like a delay was actually divine direction.

When we seek God's Kingdom first, we can rest in the assurance that He is taking care of the details. We don't have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We can trust the One who holds the world in His hands.

Today, whatever concerns may be occupying your mind, bring them to the Lord. Place Him first. Seek His Kingdom. Walk in righteousness. Trust His timing. And remember that the God who calls you to follow Him is also the God who faithfully provides for every need.

Prayer:

Father, help me to seek Your Kingdom above all else. Teach me to trust You more fully and to walk in obedience to Your Word. When I am tempted to worry, remind me that You are my provider and that Your timing is perfect. Give me a heart that desires You above everything else. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Work Is Done—Now We Wait...

There comes a point in every competition where there is nothing left to do but wait.

The training is done. The preparation is complete. The countless hours in the gym have been logged. The early mornings, the sore muscles, the victories, the setbacks, the lessons learned along the way—all of it has led to this moment.

Tim has acclimated as much as possible to the altitude here in Colorado Springs and has completed his training hall sessions. Tomorrow at 4 PM Eastern, he will step onto the platform for his first USA Weightlifting Nationals as a Junior competitor.

As a parent, these moments are bittersweet. For months, we've watched him prepare for this competition. We've seen the discipline it takes to pursue excellence. We've watched him push through difficult training days, trust the process, and stay committed to his goals.

Now there is no more training to squeeze in. No more adjustments to make. No more preparation left to be done.

Now we wait.

And honestly, waiting can sometimes be harder than the work itself.

But there is a peace that comes from knowing you've done everything you can do. Tim has put in the work. His coach has guided him. His training partners have supported him. Our family has done everything possible to help him get to this point.

The rest is in God's hands.

No matter what happens tomorrow, I am already proud of him. Not because of the numbers on the bar, the medals, or the final standings, but because of the young man he has become through this journey.

Just a few years ago, Tim made the difficult decision to leave the only sport he had ever known and start over in Olympic weightlifting. That decision took courage. Since then, he has learned, grown, and achieved things many people thought were out of reach.

Tomorrow is another opportunity—not just to compete, but to see the fruit of all the hard work that has been invested over the past year.

So the rest of today, he rests. We enjoy the moment. We take a deep breath and soak it all in.

The work is done.

Tomorrow, he lifts.

What Real Freedom Looks Like...

When I first read that statement, it reminded me of how differently I define freedom today than I did when I was younger.

There was a time in my life when I thought freedom meant being able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, with no one telling me what to do.

If I wanted to party, I partied.

If I wanted to hang around the wrong crowd, I did.

If I wanted to smoke, use foul language, or make poor decisions, nobody was going to stop me.

At the time, I called that freedom.

Looking back now, I realize I wasn't free at all.

I was allowing my choices, my wounds, and my circumstances to control me.

The truth is that just because we can do something doesn't mean we should do it.

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:23:

"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything builds up."

That verse has taken on a much deeper meaning as I've grown in my faith.

God gives us free will. He doesn't force us to choose Him. He doesn't force us to make wise decisions. He allows us to choose.

But every choice carries consequences.

Some choices move us closer to God.

Others pull us farther away.

For many years, I made choices that weren't helping me become the person God intended me to be. Some of those choices were rooted in pain from an abusive childhood. Some were rooted in wanting acceptance from the people around me. Others were simply selfish decisions.

Thankfully, God didn't leave me there.

As He began healing my heart and transforming my life, I started to understand that real freedom isn't found in doing whatever feels good in the moment.

Real freedom is found in having the wisdom and strength to choose what is good for you, even when it's harder.

It's choosing forgiveness when bitterness feels justified.

It's choosing integrity when cutting corners would be easier.

It's choosing God's way over the world's way.

And sometimes it's choosing to walk away from things that aren't necessarily sinful but simply aren't beneficial.

I've learned that some opportunities aren't helpful.

Some relationships aren't healthy.

Some habits aren't productive.

Some activities aren't drawing me closer to Christ.

Just because something is available to me doesn't mean it's adding value to my life.

Today, when I look at the life God has blessed me with—a strong marriage, a family I cherish, a business Scot and I have built together, and the incredible son He entrusted to us—I can see how many blessings came from choosing God's path over my own.

Were those choices always easy?

Not at all.

But they were worth it.

The older I get, the more I realize that freedom isn't the absence of boundaries.

Freedom is having the wisdom to know which choices lead to life and which ones lead to regret.

God's boundaries aren't there to restrict us.

They're there to protect us.

They're there to help us become everything He created us to be.

So the next time you're faced with a decision, don't just ask yourself, "Can I do this?"

Ask yourself:

"Will this help me become the person God is calling me to be?"

Because everything may be permissible.

But not everything is helpful.

Waiting Different...

Waiting is one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

We live in a world that pushes speed—quick answers, fast fixes, instant results. And when life feels heavy, when prayers seem unanswered, and when doors stay shut longer than we expected, it’s easy to question if God sees us at all.

I know that feeling.

There have been seasons in my life where I cried out to God, desperate for healing, desperate for peace, desperate for Him to move. After walking through years of emotional and physical abuse in my childhood because of my father’s alcoholism, there were wounds I carried far into adulthood. For a long time, I wondered why healing didn’t happen faster. Why freedom seemed so far away.

But looking back now, I can see that God was never late.

Not in my pain.
Not in my healing.
Not in my freedom.

He was working in the waiting.

What felt like silence was actually God rebuilding me from the inside out. He was teaching me how to trust Him, how to surrender, and how to let Him heal places in my heart I had kept hidden for years. The freedom I found in Him didn’t happen overnight—but it happened in His perfect time.

And because of that, I wait differently now.

When I look at Scripture, I’m reminded that God has always worked this way. Abraham and Sarah waited decades for their promise. Joseph endured years of betrayal and prison before stepping into his calling. Lazarus’ story looked finished until Jesus showed up and changed everything.

To man, it looked late.
To God, it was right on time.

That truth has changed the way I walk through hard seasons. Waiting no longer feels like punishment—it feels like preparation. It doesn’t mean I always understand it, but I trust that God is doing something bigger than what I can see.

Even now, in the unknowns of life, marriage, motherhood, business, and watching our son step into adulthood, I’m learning that God’s timing can be trusted. Every closed door, every detour, every delay has purpose.

So if you’re in a waiting season today—waiting for healing, restoration, direction, or breakthrough—hold on.

God hasn’t forgotten you.
He isn’t behind.
He’s not late.

He’s working.

And when you truly understand that, you wait different.

Prayer

Father, thank You for being faithful in every season—even the waiting ones. Thank You for the ways You have healed me, carried me, and restored what was broken. Help me trust Your timing when I cannot see the full picture. Strengthen my faith while I wait and remind me that You are always working for my good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tim Found His Name...

Tim found his name on the board. Such an exciting time to be alive and thriving and going after goals and achieving them here in 2026...

Tim is really looking forward to stepping onto the platform again at USAW Junior Nationals 2026 this year. It will be his first time competing as a Junior.

Prayers that he meets all the goals he has set for himself at this year's Nationals. Also, prayers that his sinuses settle down and don't affect his ability to lift the numbers he's aiming for.

We love being part of the weightlifting community and seeing so many people we know succeed at their meets. It has been such a joy to be involved in this sport and to get to know so many wonderful people. We feel more connected to this sport than we ever did when Tim was competing in the sport side of TaeKwonDo.

Life has a funny way of working out the way it's supposed to, exactly when it's supposed to. I'm so thankful to God, whose timing is always perfect.

Pictures from Yesterday...

Here are some pictures that I was able to get as we drove into Colorado Springs yesterday. These were taken as we were almost there.

Left side of the vehicle. It had mostly blue skies and white puffy clouds.

Right side of the vehicle. You could see the pouring rain off in the distance.

It's so good to be here and to be well rested.

Now the Work Begins...

After days of traveling across the country, we finally arrived yesterday in Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals Week.

As exciting as it is to get here, the reality is that the competition doesn't start the moment you arrive. In many ways, this is where the real work begins.

Over the next couple of days, Tim will focus on getting his body acclimated to the elevation, adjusting to the environment, and spending time in the training hall preparing for competition day. Every athlete has their own routine leading up to a meet, and these days are an important part of the process.

It's always impressive to watch the level of dedication these athletes have. Most people only see the few minutes they spend on the competition platform, but they don't see the months and years of training, early mornings, sore muscles, sacrifices, and discipline that got them there. They don't see the countless hours spent perfecting technique, chasing personal records, and pushing through days when motivation isn't easy to find.

As parents, we're incredibly proud of the work Tim has put in to reach this point. His journey into Olympic weightlifting began after closing the chapter on a sport he had spent over a decade pursuing. Watching him embrace a new challenge, commit himself fully, and continue growing as both an athlete and a young man has been a blessing.

Now we wait for competition day.

Lift Day is June 24th at 4:00 PM Eastern, and we're excited to see all of his hard work put to the test. No matter what happens on the platform, he's already accomplished something special by earning his place here among the nation's best.

We're grateful for the opportunity to be here, grateful for the coaches, teammates, and supporters who have encouraged him along the way, and grateful for the memories we're continuing to make as a family.

The travel is done.

The preparation continues.

Now the work begins.

#USAW #USAWeightlifting #AthleticLabWeightlifting #CarolinasWSO #Nationals2026 #RoadToNationals #WeightliftingFamily #ProudParents

Let the Life of God Shine Through You...

I read this statement recently, and I stopped and paused in deep thought.

So often, we feel like we need to have all the right words to impact someone's life. We think we need the perfect Bible verse, the perfect testimony, or the perfect answer to whatever struggle they're facing.

But sometimes, the greatest testimony isn't what we say.

It's how we live.

As I look back over my own life, I realize that there were people who helped me see God long before I fully understood who He was. They weren't perfect people. They didn't have perfect lives. What they had was a genuine relationship with Jesus that shined through everything they did.

When I was younger, I was headed in a very different direction than the one God ultimately had planned for me. I made poor choices. I surrounded myself with people who influenced me in all the wrong ways. I was carrying wounds from an abusive childhood and trying to navigate life without truly surrendering it to God.

Yet even during those years, God continually placed people in my path whose lives reflected something different.

There was a peace about them.

A joy about them.

A kindness about them.

They made people feel valued and loved.

Looking back, I realize that what I was seeing was the life of God in them.

Years later, after God began healing my heart through Mercy Ministries and deepening my faith through my time at Christ For The Nations Bible College, I started to understand something important: people aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for authenticity.

They want to know if the faith we talk about actually works when life gets hard.

They want to know if God's peace is real when circumstances aren't.

They want to know if grace and forgiveness are possible when you've been hurt.

The older I get, the more I realize that the life of Christ within us is often the loudest sermon we'll ever preach.

Sometimes it looks like offering encouragement when someone is struggling.

Sometimes it looks like extending grace when it's undeserved.

Sometimes it means simply listening when someone needs to be heard.

And sometimes it's allowing God to use the difficult chapters of our own story to give someone else hope.

I don't share parts of my testimony because I enjoy revisiting painful memories. I share them because I know there are people carrying similar hurts who need to know that healing is possible.

God took a broken young woman with a painful past and gave her a beautiful future.

Today, I have a husband who loves God, a family that I treasure, a business that Scot and I have built together, and a son who has brought immeasurable joy to our lives. None of that happened because of my own strength. It happened because of God's faithfulness.

And if my story can help someone believe that God can redeem their story too, then every difficult chapter was worth it.

The beauty of the life of God in us isn't found in our perfection.

It's found in His transformation.

When people encounter someone who genuinely loves Jesus, they feel seen because Christ sees them.

They feel valued because Christ values them.

They find hope because Christ offers hope.

So today, don't worry so much about having all the right words.

Simply walk closely with Jesus.

The more His life shines through you, the more others will see Him—and that may be exactly what they need to come alive.

We Have Arrived in Colorado Springs...

Well, we did it again—we drove all the way to Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals with Tim!

Thankfully, this trip got a little easier this year now that we can divide the driving between the three of us. I can still remember the days when Tim was competing in Taekwondo and Scot and I had to split all of those long drives ourselves. There were plenty of early mornings, late nights, countless hotel stays, fast-food meals on the road, and more miles than I could ever begin to count.

Looking back, I wouldn't trade a single one of those moments.

Those years gave us so many memories together as a family. Some of our best conversations have happened while traveling down the highway. We've laughed together, prayed together, dreamed together, and watched our son pursue the goals God has placed before him.

One of my favorite parts of road trips is seeing parts of the country that we'd never experience otherwise. Last year and this year are no exception. As we crossed through the Midwest, we saw what felt like endless fields and some of the largest windmills I've ever seen—it's impressive to see. Pictures truly don't do them justice. Standing hundreds of feet in the air, they seemed to stretch endlessly across the landscape. It's amazing to think about the engineering behind them and how small they make everything else look by comparison. They are a reminder of just how vast and beautiful God's creation really is.

Now we're settled in and looking forward to an incredible week together. We love supporting Tim on this journey he's on with Olympic weightlifting. Watching him grow—not just as an athlete, but as a young man—has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

This will be Tim's first Nationals as a Junior lifter, and we're excited to see what he accomplishes. More than the medals, records, or rankings, we're proud of the discipline, perseverance, and character he's developed along the way. Those things will serve him long after the competition platform is gone.

And yes, we still have a dream tucked away in our hearts. We can't wait for the day when we see "USA" across his chest. Whether that day comes or not, we're incredibly grateful to be along for the ride and to have a front-row seat to this chapter of his story.

Here's to another road trip, another competition, and more memories we'll cherish for years to come.

❤️🏋️‍♂️🇺🇸🚗

Happy Father's Day...

I know we are in the midst of traveling to Nationals with Tim but I didn't want to let this day go by without making this blog post.

Babe, There are so many things I could say about the kind of father and husband you are, but one thing is certain—you are such a blessing to our family.

Watching you be a dad to Tim over these past 18 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life. From the big milestones to the quiet everyday moments, you have always been there for him with love, wisdom, patience, and support. The way you have guided him, encouraged him, and shown up for him year after year cannot truly be measured.

You are the kind of father every child deserves and the kind of husband every wife prays for. Through every season of life, you have loved us faithfully and sacrificially. Your strength, steadiness, and devotion have helped shape our home into a place of love, security, and encouragement.

As I look at the amazing young man Tim has become, I know so much of that is because of the example you have set before him. He has grown up watching what it means to work hard, love deeply, lead with integrity, and put God and family first.

We are incredibly blessed to have you, and I never want you to doubt how deeply appreciated and loved you are.

Happy Father’s Day to the best dad in the world and the best husband I could ever ask for. We love you more than words can say.

There are so many things I could say about this amazing man who is no longer with us, and somehow words still never feel like enough.

You were the kind of father-in-law every girl hopes to have. In so many ways, you were a better dad to me than my own father ever was. You welcomed me into the family with love, kindness, and acceptance, and from the very beginning, you made me feel like I truly belonged.

You loved your family deeply, and everyone who knew you could see it in the way you showed up for us year after year. You were always there with help, guidance, encouragement, and support whenever any of us needed you. No matter what was going on in life, we knew we could count on you.

You celebrated every milestone, every holiday, every birthday, and every special family moment with us. Your presence brought strength, stability, laughter, and comfort to our family. You were truly the heart of so many of our gatherings.

You were the best patriarch a family could ask for, and your absence is felt more deeply than words can express. There will always be a place in our hearts that only you could fill.

Though Father’s Day looks different now, we still celebrate the incredible man you were and the legacy of love you left behind. We carry your memory with us every single day.

Happy Father’s Day in Heaven, Pop. You are loved, honored, and missed beyond measure.

Losing a parent leaves behind so many emotions, memories, questions, and reflections that seem to grow deeper with time. It’s been 24 years now since you passed away, Dad, and there are still moments when it feels hard to believe how much time has gone by. 

You’ve missed so much over the years—the births of your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including my son, Tim. There are so many moments I wish you could have witnessed and so many memories I wish they could have made with you.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to understand so much more about your life than I did when I was younger. You loved your family the best way you knew how, shaped by the difficult and painful examples you were given growing up. Life was not kind to you in many ways, especially during your childhood, and I can only imagine how deeply those experiences marked your heart and followed you into adulthood.

You didn’t always know how to express love, but looking back now, I can see the ways you tried. Sometimes love is shown imperfectly through broken people carrying wounds no one else can fully see. You worked hard to make sure we had food on the table, clothes to wear, and a home to live in. You carried responsibilities and burdens that I understand far more clearly now than I ever could back then.

None of us are perfect. We all carry pieces of the lives we were raised in, and so much of how we move through life is shaped by the examples we were given growing up. But despite the imperfections, one thing never changed—you were our dad, and all seven of us loved you deeply because of that.

Time has softened some of the harder memories and brought greater understanding in their place. There is grace now where there once may have only been hurt or confusion. And even after all these years, you are still missed by all of us.

In many ways, pieces of you still live on. We see you when we look into the eyes of our children because so many of your grandchildren inherited your eyes. It’s a quiet reminder that even though you are gone, part of you remains woven into the generations that came after you.

Twenty-four years later, you are still remembered, still loved, and still missed. 

I hope and pray that I will get to see you in heaven someday—while I'm not certain if you ever made a profession of faith to God, I certainly hope and pray in those last moments of your life that you did.

There are truly not enough words to say about this incredible man—my mentor, my father figure, and one of the greatest blessings God ever placed in my life—John Gordon.

God brought you into my life when I was just 8 years old because He knew I needed someone I could look up to, learn from, and feel safe with. From such a young age, you became the steady, godly influence that helped shape so much of who I am today.

All these years later, the impact you had during my formative years is still influencing my life every single day. The love, support, wisdom, encouragement, and godly example you gave me helped mold me into the person I became. So much of the strength, faith, and perspective I carry through life was shaped by your presence and influence.

You showed me what consistency looked like. You showed me what kindness, faithfulness, and integrity looked like. You were there with guidance when I needed direction, support when life was hard, and encouragement when I doubted myself.

Having a strong and loving male role model like you in my life is something I will never stop being grateful for. The value of that kind of influence on a child cannot truly be measured in words. It changes the course of a life.

You were one of the biggest and best blessings I could have ever had growing up, and I thank God for you more than you will probably ever know.

Some people leave fingerprints on your life that never fade, and you are one of those people for me.