About Me

Thanks for dropping in to get to know me!


So, who am I?
What you will find inside my heart is a love for my Father in Heaven, because He calls me His own.

Before I knew Christ I once lived a life where I was married and divorced, leaving the man because he was physically abusive.

I later lived in habitual sexual sin with another man.

I once denied the existence of God, was a feminist in every form of the word, and dealt with my own suicidal thoughts.

Then Jesus came in and saved the day and saved my soul when I gave my heart to Him at age 26. He has since radically transformed my life.

Who I am today:
I have walked with my precious Savior since 1996. (I'll save you from doing the math- that makes me 42 yrs. old)

I married 'My Beloved' (husband-Eric) in 1998; he's the handsome man above that I do not deserve!

I have two sons- Seth, age 12 and Noah, age 11 and I have homeschooled them since the time they were babes (and it is a daily challenge of dying to self as I do so!)



I never finished college (I have about one semester left) and I have chosen not to complete my degree because I would rather learn to be a Godly woman, wife, mother and keeper of the home.

I failed my college Writing Course, not just once, but twice, yet God has called me to write on His behalf. So with knees shaking, I write to my audience of One. May He be glorified (and may you look beyond all of my grammatical errors and run-on sentences!)

I am daily being transformed into a feminine woman rather than the tomboy I was raised to be. (Notice the sweet little flower in my hair?)

For 10 years, starting from the birth of my firstborn, I lived with chronic and debilitating illnesses that brought me to my knees. My body was riddled with disease and pain day in and day out. Just getting out of bed each day was an overwhelming task. (My marriage vows should have been, 'in sickness and in sickness' rather than 'in sickness and in health'!)

The last four years of my life we have faced one financial struggle after another beginning with the loss of my dream home not just once but twice, (it's a ridiculous story) and at the time of this writing, we have moved 4 times in the last 18 months. (Did I say I was exhausted?)

Our family currently resides in the Inland Empire of Southern California.


There's nothing special about me, I'm simply a broken vessel for the Lord.

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19 comments:

  1. Wow! I love hearing your story! I think God will use you to reach so many women and I can't wait to see all that He has in store for you!

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  2. I'm just a broken vessel for the Lord, wanting to be poured out to bring Him glory.

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  3. Jolene, I can relate to your story in so many ways and looking forward to reading more of your blog. I am also called by my Heavenly Father to write for Him and doing it with my knees not only shaking but buckling underneath me!

    I wish you much success and many blessings from your writing!
    http://innerangelsandenemies.wordpress.com/

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  4. Just found your blog this evening. Thanks for sharing your heart!

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  5. Welcome, Cora! I hope you're encouraged here.

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  6. You have such a sweet story of redemption in your life. I know I am going to love your blog.

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    1. Thanks, Judith. May the Lord shine forth through this sight!

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  7. Hello! I have been looking through your blog tonight. Many nuggets just for me! We have so much in common! Thanks for pouring out your heart for therest of us to learn from.

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  8. Hi Sylvia, so blessed to hear that what I've shared will minister to you. May you be encouraged in Christ while you're here!

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  9. Hello ~ I'm so glad I found your blog. :) Looks like we're about the same age, however I didn't come to Christ until I was 37. I'm looking forward to reading your blog. It's good to find websites that are Christ centered.

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    1. Hi Anonymous! Welcome, and it's my heart's prayer that you'll be encouraged here.

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  10. found your website this morning and I like it. :) I'm a former home school mom who is now mom to adults and a grandma. :) 4 kids/4 grands. I'm married over 30 years and have my own little business selling custom artwork, usually wedding cake toppers. I also blog. We moved every year for the past 7 or 8 years and are planning to do it again. LOL. We live in 2 states now. Life has definitely not been what I ever expected, and yet its all according to plan.. not mine, but His.

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    1. Welcome here, Mary. I hope you'll be inspired, equipped and encouraged as we hang out together!

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  11. Jolene,

    I just found your blog yesterday. The Lord has totally captivated my attention by the way He speaks through you. I too, am 42 years old. Four weeks after the birth of our 2nd child 10 years ago, I became physically broken with a disease and struggled for a few years before getting it under control. I still have times it inhibits my ability to do certain things, and definitely daily reminded of my brokenness. I grew up in a broken home and made choices that reflect that, including a suicide attempt. Asleep in a running vehicle in a closed garage, God saved me. Physically, and spiritually. I am daily learning what living for the Lord truly means. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you in such a powerful way through your blog ministry. God Bless you!!

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    1. Hi Anonymous,
      Well I'm blessed to hear that you're ministered here because that is my heart. Thank you for sharing your story, friend. It's okay to be broken because that's when the Lord's light in you shines through the most! We have a transforming, redeeming and healing God. Don't ever forget that!

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  12. Jolene ~ Thanks for your openness. There are so many of us that were broken vessels, and yet, God in His mercy and grace has decided to redeem us and make us useful vessels for the Master. May God continue to use you and your ministry in a big way for the glory of His Kingdom!

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    1. Hi sweet Ronda, so glad you are here! Yes, we are all broken vessels in some way, shape, or form. But that's okay because His light shines brighter through our brokenness!

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  13. Hello Dear Jolene,
    I just came upon your blog through pinterest and can I say what a breath of fresh air you are. I have laughed, cried and completly related to so far all the articles I have read. I feel like a friend in a far off distant state, sharing in your stories, wisdom and encouragement, so thank you. I guess I am just so excited to have found someone with the same beliefs and genuine love for Jesus Christ. So thank you for your thoughts, encouragement and wisdom that you share, I will be praying for you and thank you for opening up and sharing with others. What a blessing!! Have a beautiful week, Nicki

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    1. Hi Nicki! You just blessed my heart! So glad you're encouraged here, friend! Let me know where you're located and if I ever travel outside of my little neck of the woods and into yours, I'll have to stop by and give you a hug!

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Your kind remarks bless me tremendously!

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