At the time, much of my life revolved around caring for the people I loved—helping with finances, special diets and shopping, doctor's appointments, emergency room visits, and the countless everyday responsibilities that come with caregiving.

Over a short period of time, loss seemed to come from every direction. I lost both my parents, my husband Michael, my son's father, my sister-in-law, and two of my son's lifelong friends took their own lives. Plus, I said goodbye to six beloved pets, some of whom I had inherited with the passing of their owners. My lifestyle forever changed and found myself living alone for the first time in my whole life.

It was the hardest season I had ever faced.

I was grieving, exhausted, and overwhelmed. I wasn't eating well. I wasn't sleeping. I withdrew from people, and when someone asked how I was doing, I usually said, “I’m fine.” But I wasn’t fine.

I had reached the end of my rope. I had nothing left to give and no idea how to move forward. One night, out of sheer desperation, I cried out to Jesus. I confessed my sins and surrendered everything I had been trying so hard to hold together—my grief, my fears, my pain, and my future. I simply asked Him to help me.

That night, I slept.

The next morning, something was different. I made a decision that would change the course of my life. I opened the Bible.

The more I read, the more I wanted to understand. And the more I learned, the more I recognized how much there was still to discover.

As a result, my relationship with Jesus became more personal and real. Prayer changed, too. It became less about bringing Him a list of my needs and more about simply talking with Him —sharing my fears, questions, gratitude, and the things I didn't know how to handle. I came to understand that I didn't need the right words or a perfect prayer. I could simply come to Him as I was. And the more I prayed, the more I learned to trust Him with the things I couldn't control and turn to God's Word when I didn't know what to do next.

Life didn't suddenly become easy. Challenges still came. They still do. What changed was the foundation beneath me.

I face life's challenges differently now. I’m learning to listen for His voice in the quiet, lean on His promises when life feels uncertain, and trust Him - one day at a time.

I’ve found community with others who were also pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly. Their stories inspired and encouraged me, reminding me that faith is a journey best traveled together.

I committed to reading the New Testament in 90 days. Having no idea where that would lead, I just knew I needed something more than what I’d been relying on.

So, I started reading. And I kept reading.

I joined online Bible studies. I found a church. I began volunteering. Continuing to study God's Word, I began to realize how much God's Word speaks into everyday life—relationships, decisions, responsibilities, fear, forgiveness, money, loss, hope, and the choices we make every day.

And somewhere in all of this, an old word took on a new meaning for me.

My husband Michael used to describe our relationship as our "heartnership." After he passed, that word stayed with me. Eventually, it became the inspiration for OurHeartnership—a place where I could share what I was learning as I continued studying God's Word and applying it to everyday life.

I don't have all the answers. I'm still reading. Still learning. Still asking questions. And through God's Word, I'm discovering the joy of Jesus meeting me right where I’m at!

So, I’m sharing this journey, not as someone who has arrived, but as a fellow traveler who has tasted the goodness of going ‘all in with Jesus’ and found it much, much more than sufficient!

Come join me. Let's journey together.

My Story