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I attended a women's conference on January 12 with some friends and I am so glad I went. The key speaker, Susie Larson, was amazing! It was as if God was speaking through her to me. She talked about how she had struggles with finances and had babies in the hospital and came down with a disease after a pregnancy just like me, and always had a dream of speaking and writing a book. She talked about the struggles that related so much to me. I don't know how to explain it but it was like God was whispering to me the entire day. Telling me to follow my dreams and take a leap of faith. I came home that day and told Shawn about it all and he agreed that I should make it happen.
For those of you that don't know me very well, I have always had the dream of owning my own cake business. After graduating high school I had to make the choice between going to school for music or for cooking. I chose music, which I am glad I did because I may have never met my handsome hubby. After working in a bakery, being in cafe management for years and culinary school, this is still my dream.
The morning after the conference I woke up hesitant and worried about my decision and asked God to whisper to me one more time, just one more sign, nudge, anything. So I got up worked out and while I was getting ready for church he spoke to me again. This time he put a picture in my head. I pictured making cakes in my house and they were in churchs and shops but then I had this vision of giving them away to special heart kids like Gracie and having Gracie's love put into all of them. Before she passed I had this big plan for all the thousands of Cakes I would be making for Gracie throughout her life. I want every single cake I make to be in honor of her. I want to see other kids who are effected by congenital heart defects (CHD's) light up when they have one of my cupcakes. I want to spread awareness, I want to show my support to CHD families and give back!
There are two very special heart organizations in Minnesota that have supported and been there for our little family during the months that we were preparing for Gracie's arrival, during her first surgery and recovery, and still there for us after she left. One is called "Lasting Imprint" and the other "Parents for Heart." These two organizations have several events and fund raisers throughout the year and starting next month during CHD awareness week (2nd week in Feb), I will be donating my cakes and cupcakes to those events to show my support and to have the opportunity to share Gracie's incredible story.
I have been praying the passed few months to figure out a way to honor Gracie and continue her legacy. I think Gracie and God had this idea all along for our family. Now I need your help! I have been thinking of a name for this business and need some input/ideas. My favorite name that I came up with is Cakes for Grace. I would like it to have something either about Hearts or Gracie/Gracia. Any ideas? Any slogan ideas? There might be a cupcake in it for ya! ;-)
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Shawn and I just got home yesterday from a weekend away in Danbury, WI. We were at a place called Faith's Lodge. It's a place for bereaved parents to share their stories and spend time remembering their babies that have passed on. It was great to get away and meet some really great couples experiencing the loss of their babies as well. Yes, I even took over their kitchen and made everyone cupcakes, I couldn't go a few days without baking! :-) We did a lot of crafts; made journals, painted a birdhouse and heart-shaped rock, the guys did a wood project, we laughed, we cried, and we made some pretty good friends.
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I wanted to leave you all with this verse...
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your path.”
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Lasting Imprint- http://lastingimprint.org/
Parents for Heart- http://www.parentsforheart.org/
Faith's Lodge- http://www.faithslodge.org/
Good for you!
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