Two of my greatest passions and joys in life are art and sharing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ with others. When I gave my life fully and completely to Christ I was elated that He created me to be an artist. I was and am humbled that the Creator of heaven, earth, and all living things ordered my steps and made me a creator.

Loneliness is something many of us experience, whether we are single, in a relationship, or surrounded by family and friends. It’s a quiet, painful ache that sometimes feels overwhelming. It can creep in when we least expect it: during a busy season where we feel disconnected, after a major life change, or even in a crowded room where we still feel like no one truly sees us. Loneliness can be an isolating experience, and it often leads us to wonder if anyone understands or if anyone truly cares.

There’s a reality we all face in our faith journeys: sometimes, our prayers seem unanswered. We ask, we wait, and nothing changes. Or maybe the answer comes, but it’s not at all what we expected. This can lead us to wrestle with deep questions and even doubt. Why doesn’t God seem to be responding? Does He hear me? Is there a reason behind the silence?
But here’s a thought:

It is incredible to see the beautiful ways God weaves our stories. We often create plans of our own, only to realize that God’s way is completely different—yet it leads us to the same goal. Each twist and turn has a purpose, and every high and low draws us closer to Him.

As we step into March, we are excited to share the incredible ways God is moving through Dare for More Ministries. Your prayers and support continue to fuel the work happening both in Guatemala and beyond. Here are a few key updates:

As I was grabbing my cute valentine coffee mug from my cupboard for this season of love to bring into the office, a flood of the sweetest memories came rushing in.

We all know the feeling: the weight of responsibilities piling up, the pressure of deadlines, the demands of family, work, and everything else in between. Stress has a way of creeping into our lives and pulling our attention away from what truly matters. And when stress becomes overwhelming, it can feel like we’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of worry, striving, and exhaustion.

There’s something so refreshing about the start of a new year. It’s a chance to turn the page, to leave behind the mistakes, failures, and regrets of the past, and to begin again.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend three weeks in Guatemala attending a language school. It was an intense yet deeply rewarding time of growth and connection. With six hours of Spanish-only classes each day from Monday to Friday, my brain was constantly in overdrive, but the challenge was worth every moment.

Hello Friends!

We all have our own way of celebrating this season, don’t we? Some of you are Hallmark Channel regulars, watching each new Christmas movie where the snow falls, the inn is saved, the happy couple kiss, and where little holiday magic (and maybe a touch of mistletoe) guarantees a happy ending. 

I first learned about Dare For More in March of 2022 when they came to my church. I wasn't able to attend that year due to being induced with my fourth baby, but I remember the ladies in my family talking about how amazing the conference was and how wonderful of a speaker Reba was. I started to look into Dare For More after that and was amazed with their mission to help women and children and hoped that one day I could do something to help too.

Years ago, after reading Mark Batterson’s book The Circle Maker, I was struck by how the principles mentioned in his book—Dream Big, Pray Hard, and Think Long—aligned perfectly with the core values of Dare for More. We liked the way he worded things so good that we adopted his wording.

We are excited to introduce you to the newest member of our team at DFM.  Meet Ana Ricardo!

Imagine walking into a football stadium on game day. The energy is electric. Fans are roaring, their cheers so deafening that the quarterback has to call a time-out because he can’t hear the play. Flags are waving, hands are raised, and excitement is palpable.

I teach art history at a large public high school in Tennessee. Recently I asked my high school art history students to describe Donatello’s sculpture of Mary Magdalene in detail. They noticed all of the troubling details Donatello intended for his viewer to see. After doing so, they were asked to detail what they imagined about this woman and what they felt when viewing the piece. I found myself in awe reading student responses.

We talk about this struggle constantly. It comes up in Bible study, in small group discussion, one on one counseling, from the pulpit, and most piercing: in the quiet of the night as we are alone with our own thoughts, ….the struggle for who has our heart, who holds our highest affection, who is at the highest in our hearts. People or God.

Imagine this: You’re sipping your morning coffee, the warmth of the cup seeping into your hands as you take a deep breath. The world feels heavy today. Maybe it’s the weight of a broken relationship, the sting of betrayal, or the ache of a burden you never thought you’d carry. Whatever it is, it’s hard. It’s raw.

Being on staff with DFM for the last 2 years I have heard all about what is going on in Guatemala, but from a distance; the answers to prayer, the beautiful products, and the impact on the people, but I longed to see it for myself.

I was so grateful when an opportunity opened up during July of this year. But preparing for this trip was a big task for this mama.

Have you ever found yourself looking back and realizing you missed the significance of a moment? Maybe it was a conversation with a loved one, a moment with your child, an opportunity to help a stranger or a quiet moment with the Lord. Often, we are too consumed with our daily routines and distractions to notice these precious instances until they are gone.

Hope… when you are full of it, you and everyone else know it. When you are empty of it, you and everyone else know it too. Hope brings motivation, brings perseverance, brings determination, brings something out of us that people long for. Lack of hope brings fear, brings lethargy, brings despair, brings us to the place where we do not even want to get out of bed.