Last Friday evening I attended an event that was simply, magical.

A group of about twenty five food lovers, purchased tickets for $75 to have dinner in the middle of an orchard with strangers.  As an introvert, and one who often struggles with small talk conversations, this was truly stepping outside my comfort zone.

I had begun following CiderPress Lane on Instagram, shortly after attending a women’s conference outside Seattle in May.  The organization, Rescue Freedom International was highlighted during that conference and I learned about how Kelly Welk, of CiderPress Lane, began hosting #freedomdinners in order to raise money for Rescue Freedom International.

I had it on my wishlist to attend one of these dinners, to see what it was all about and that wish came true last Friday!  A few last minute tickets were released and I grabbed one!

One Dinner at a Time

As I sat next to Kelly that evening, she shared the story of how she was deeply touched to learn about the human trafficking industry over five years ago.  She had a desire to do something, and she had this ‘crazy‘ idea to host guests at her home ‘potluck style’, where those in her community would donate their services and food items, charge a ticket price for those dining and donate 100% of the proceeds to Rescue Freedom International.

Since that first dinner 5 years ago she has hosted over 500 people and donated over $35,000.

That my friends, is the power of making one small change and stepping out to do what you can.

My mind was blown away by her heart, her desire, her vision and how she has overcome obstacles to see lives changed.  This is the power of people giving what they can, and using their God given gifts for good.

It’s About Community

Here is the key piece to her vision that I want to make sure you pick up here. These dinners are not about one person doing it all, they are about everyone doing what they do best.   Everyone using their gifts and talents in a way to collaborate to create the most beautiful piece of art.

“When we invite people to help in a way that they love creating, we give them a place to connect their heart to purpose.”  Kelly Welk

The evening was simply relaxing, invigorating, full of wonderful conversation and inspiring.   I have been given a vision of how I could start these #freedom dinners in my own area – to use what I have to make a difference!

Kelly has step-by-step instructions on how you can host your own dinner.  And she has a beautiful cookbook, Dinner Changes Everything with wonderful set menus, recipes and instructions as well, I picked up my own copy and had it signed by Kelly!!

I am currently making a list of friends to invite over so I can practice making some of the recipes in Kelly’s book, as well as sharing this vision.  How incredible to create community alongside an urgent need to make a difference in the lives of others?

So how can you make a difference?  If it’s not dinner, perhaps it’s another fun gathering where you can invite people together.  A dessert buffet?  An appetizer evening?  A Saturday brunch?

The possibilities are endless my friend, just say yes!

A few years back I truly discovered the danger of chemicals in all our household cleaners. As someone who is in remission from an autoimmune disease, I need to be very aware of what I am coming into contact with in my home.

I’ve spent years educating myself about what we expose our bodies to on a daily basis…from what we ingest, to what we apply topically on our bodies, to what we inhale, and also what we come in contact with in our surroundings.

Because of my wellness journey, I’ve made chemical-filled cleaners a part of my past, and I am forever grateful!

When I discovered Thieves Household Cleaner, I was simply amazed. Did you know you can replace ALL the cleaners in your home with this PLANT-based cleaner—safe for everyone in your house, including little ones and furry friends. It’s a 100% plant- and mineral-based ingredient cleaner and will clean any surface in your home.

Not only is it safe to use, but it is cost-effective too. This concentrated cleaner can be diluted for an all-purpose cleaner at just $0.67 a bottle. I have several spray bottles mixed up in different ratios for different cleaning jobs. It’s so simple!

Learn more about dilution ratios and everyday household applications here. (link to other blog article)

No more having 152 bottles of cleaners under my kitchen and bathroom sink. Safe, simple, and perfect for a minimalist lifestyle.

Find out how to get wholesale pricing HERE.

Thieves Household Cleaner Recipes

Here are some of my favorite DIY Thieves Household Cleaner recipes I like to use in my home.

Scrubbing Soft Scrub Cleaner 

You can use your Thieves cleaner to make a heavy-duty Thieves scrub to get off hard stains.

DIY All Natural Whitening Bleach

When life gives you lemons, you make an all-natural whitener. Skip the harsh chemicals and make this safe and effective whitener. Use it in your laundry, the bathtub, and any other surface that needs a little brightening.

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Many of us have hardwood floors and need to keep all the outside stuff we track in cleaned off. I love to walk around barefoot, but not if I have to be worried about my feet absorbing toxins from the cleaner I am using. I love this simple way to clean all my floors!

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

No more streaks!! HOORAY!!! I love using easy-to-use toxin-free mixture.

Laundry Stain Prespot

Ever have nasty laundry stains and not sure what to do? This is a fool-proof stain remover!!

Which recipe are you excited to try?

Do you need to get your own Thieves Household Cleaner?

Find out how to get wholesale pricing HERE

You can get started with Young Living right now, and get this valuable cleaner for a 24% discount!

Let today be your day to step into a new wellness journey!!!

Learn the basics about how to use Essential Oils in a short 3 day text series, delivered right to your phone. I would love to answer any questions you have.

Text INFO to  360-712-7206

Is your marriage where you want it to be?

Perhaps your marriage is good, but what would it look like if it was better?  What if it was FABULOUS?!!

I just returned from a weekend with some sweet friends, where we chatted about our marriages.  We shared some very personal information, were extremely vulnerable, shed some tears and decided it was time to be powerful in our prayer life for our marriage and for our husbands.

Hope

If you’re anything like me, I have went through stages of being a wife who prayers consistently for her husband, to one who rarely prays.  It embarrasses me, but honestly, that is where the devil would like me to stay, embarrassed, helpless and powerless.  He wins then and can wreak havoc in our homes.

During the time I was together with my girlfriends, another friend of ours posted that she was feel very convicted to start a prayer series and a group to allow a sacred space for women to pray for their husbands.  When we first saw this announcement, we sat with mouths wide open – in shock!  We had said we wanted to start a 30 Days of Praying for our Husband’s, using a book we all had read years ago, The Power of a Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartian.

Be Intentional

My friend Erin Rodgers shared a heartfelt post on Facebook, the one that we read Sunday afternoon that had us in shock!  And, I knew I needed to share this resource and community with all of you. I asked her if that was okay and she replied back with a big YES!!!  There is a need for this space, this community and for a place for women to gather and pray.  So, this is an invitation for you to join The Excellent Wife Facebook group, a place you will find to share encouragement and prayer needs with one another.

“A Wife’s 40-day Fasting & Prayer Journal” by Kaylene Yoder, the resource we will use, is NOT 40 straight days of fasting, but rather a thought provoking daily journal & prayer with one fasting “item” each day.

Are you with me?  Are you ready to fight for your marriage and lift your husband up to be the man the Lord desires him to be?  This is your time friend… this is your time!  You will find a community of women who will encourage you and accept you.

Here’s what you need to do

• Commit to pray for this time period – we will begin Day 1 on Monday, March 25th.
• Grab a copy of the book HERE
• The Kindle version is only $3.99 or you can grab the paperback for around $18.00.  If you grab the kindle, I would encourage you to have a journal to write in, as there will be journaling prompts.

I am so excited to see how this group unfolds, the miracles that will happen and the marriages that will be restored and be used for His glory.  It will be amazing, and you need to be part of it!

I’ll see you there – don’t miss out!!