Highlights

The Legacy of Life

Last week, I flew to Houston, Texas, for the CareNet conference, and what a week it was!

I met and talked with so many incredible life defenders who serve in pregnancy centers and clinics across the United States. I spent much of my time at the Ambassador booth, having wonderful conversations with my fellow Ambassador Speakers and hearing their stories. I was inspired by so many of them.

It’s amazing how our experiences—both the triumphs and the trials—shape who we become. We all have different stories, different journeys, and different experiences that have brought us to where we are. But there was one thing we all had in common: our love for the unborn and our commitment to what my daddy called the “Pro-Abundant Life” message.

These are my people.

Of course, there was plenty of fun mixed in with all the meaningful conversations. I ate lots of my favorite food—chips and salsa—enjoyed great restaurants, laughed with friends, and made memories.

One evening, Gloria and I were walking through the hot, humid Houston air when we decided to climb to the top of a hill and roll down it like we were kids again. Sometimes you just have to stop being an adult for a few minutes!

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Another special moment happened as our group of speakers was walking back to the hotel. We came upon a crowd gathered around a pregnancy mobile unit, and without hesitation, we all began to cheer. It was one of those moments when I looked around and thought, Yep. These are my peeps.

An Inspiring Conversation

One of the highlights of the conference was hearing keynote speaker Lisa Bevere. Afterward, I had the opportunity to talk with her, take a photo together, and have her sign her latest book, (click link for 2 free chapters)The Fight For Female.It was so fun watching my cousin Karla Sutter with Flutter, talk with her favorite author!

I told Lisa about my upcoming book, Rescue the Children: How to End Online Sexual Exploitation and Child Trafficking, which will be available in October. We talked about the urgent issue of child trafficking, and she graciously told me to reach out to her—that she is always willing to help.

I was so encouraged by her openness and generosity. You never know when one conversation can become part of something much bigger.

A Fellow Ambassador for Life: Mike Williams

One of the special blessings of this conference was being there alongside my fellow Ambassador speaker, Mike Williams. Mike was honored for his many years of service, and it was a privilege to celebrate someone whose life has been so deeply committed to making a difference.

Mike is the founder of CUPS Mission, a ministry that began in the Dominican Republic after he and his wife responded to the heartbreaking reality of young girls being trafficked on the streets. What began as a call to help has grown into a ministry serving vulnerable children and families in the Dominican Republic, Malawi, and Mexico. Today, Mike’s remarkable story is being brought to the big screen in RESCUED, a feature film based on the true story of CUPS Mission and the journey that led Mike to dedicate his life to rescuing children and transforming families. Stay tuned...

It was also fun to share some laughter at the conference. We were able to scan attendees’ information and give away copies of Mike’s book, Crazy Fundraising Banquet Bloopers: And How to Keep Them from Happening to You. Anyone who has ever planned a fundraising banquet knows that sometimes the things that go wrong become the stories we laugh about for years! Mike has a wonderful way of using humor to teach, encourage, and help others do the important work they have been called to do.

Mike's story is another reminder that a legacy of life is not built in a single moment. It is built through years of saying yes to God, serving others, and being willing to follow wherever He leads.

From Houston to a Baby Shower

I actually flew home a day early for something very special: my daughter Jazzi’s baby shower.

Jazzi and her husband, Dillon, have walked through years of infertility and the deep heartache that comes with it. After many years, they traveled to Thailand—and conceived their baby naturally.

So, of course, the baby shower had a Thailand theme!

There was delicious Thai food, elephants everywhere, beautiful greenery, and even adorable hand-shaped modeled elephants that one of Jazzi’s friends created for the tables. The room was filled with family, laughter, and children running all over the place. There were games, activities, wonderful food, and so much joy.

But more than anything, there was celebration.

Celebration of a long-awaited baby.
Celebration of family.
Celebration of answered prayers.
Celebration of life.

And his name is Josiah.

Josiah makes my baker’s dozen—13 grandchildren! Well, technically, one is still in the oven! And I have to say, my life is pretty sweet.

But the cherry on top? I have two great-granddaughters, with a new great-grandson on the way!

When I look around at my family, I can’t help but think about how one little life can become part of something so much bigger. One generation becomes another, and the legacy continues.

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A T-Shirt and a Trip Down Memory Lane

While I was taking one of my granddaughters school shopping, I stumbled upon the perfect T-shirt at American Eagle.

The company was founded in 1977, which immediately caught my attention because 1977 is my favorite year.

Why?

Because it’s the year I became a mom!

I was just 15 years old when I became pregnant with my firstborn daughter, Arica. I gave birth to her in Montana in 1977. She will turn 49 on September 1.

As a young teenager facing an unexpected pregnancy, I had no idea what the future would hold. But I chose life—and that little girl became the beginning of a legacy that now includes 13 grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, and another great-grandson on the way.

While shopping with my granddaughter, I unfolded a burgundy T-shirt and discovered a campground scene with MONTANA across it.

I had to buy it!

What are the chances that I would find a shirt from a company founded in my favorite year, with Montana on it, while shopping with one of my granddaughters?

Some things just feel like a little wink from God.

Being a mom is my ultimate calling. And now I have a T-shirt to prove it!

That shirt reminds me of something I never want to forget:

One life can become a legacy.

Happenings

40 Years of Choosing Life

For many years, I have volunteered with Alpha Clinics, and I now have the privilege of serving as Vice Chair. This year is especially meaningful because Alpha Clinics is celebrating 40 years!

Forty years of serving women.
Forty years of supporting families.
Forty years of offering hope.
Forty years of choosing life.

We will be celebrating with a fundraising banquet at Wooden Valley Winery, Friday September 18th, and I would love for you to join us!

We Were Featured!

Another exciting update: Alpha Clinics was recently featured in Vacaville Magazine!

I’ll be sharing the magazine photos here so you can see the feature for yourself.

A Life Well Lived

As I’ve been thinking about The Legacy of Life, I can’t help but think about Dolly Parton, who we lost this week at the age of 80. Dolly lived a remarkable life, but what stands out to me most is the way she used her gifts and blessings to make a difference in the lives of others. She often spoke about her faith, her sense of purpose, and her responsibility to help others. One of her words that especially resonates with me is, “When people are in a position to help, you should help.” She didn’t just say it—she lived it. Through her generosity, her Imagination Library, and countless other acts of kindness, she used what she had been given to lift others up.

Dolly also understood the power of forgiveness and grace. When someone made a very public mistake, she responded with, “Let’s just forgive that and forget it and move on.” What a beautiful example of choosing grace over condemnation. She once said she wanted to “glorify God and uplift mankind,” and when I look at the legacy she leaves behind, I believe she did just that.

Dolly’s life reminds me that a legacy isn’t measured simply by how famous we become or how much we accomplish. It is measured by the lives we touch, the people we help, the love we give, and what we leave behind for the next generation. I thank God for Dolly Parton’s life and for the example she gave us of using the gifts we’ve been given to make this world a little better. May we each live our lives with that same sense of purpose—and may our legacy be one of love, generosity, grace, and faith.

The Legacy Continues

As I reflect on this past week—from Houston, to conversations with life defenders, to rolling down a hill like a kid, to cheering for a pregnancy mobile unit, to meeting Lisa Bevere, and finally coming home to celebrate a new baby—I am reminded that life is about more than a single moment.

It is about the stories we leave behind.

It is about the people we encourage.

It is about the lives we protect.

And it is about the legacy we pass to the next generation.

Today, our family celebrated as we sent my grandson, Jullian, off to begin his journey in the United States Air Force. We gathered around him with love, prayers, and encouragement as he takes this next courageous step.

What a blessing it is to have the opportunity to pour into the next generation—and to remind them that wherever life takes them, they never walk alone.

My daddy taught me to call it the Pro-Abundant Life message.

I became a mom in Montana in 1977. Today, I’m a grandmother to 13—my baker’s dozen—with one still in the oven! I also have two great-granddaughters, with another great-grandson on the way.

My life is pretty sweet.

And I’m convinced the sweetest part is watching the legacy of life continue.

Life is worth defending.
Life is worth celebrating.
And life is worth leaving a legacy for.

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