If you had asked me at 18 where I thought I’d be by 28, my answer would have been much different from where I am today. Like most people, I had a plan—finish school, launch my career, maybe even start a family. I envisioned living life with energy, going on adventures, and achieving the goals I had carefully laid out. But here I am at 28, and my journey has been anything but typical. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade a single moment of it.
Life took a sharp turn when I was 23. That’s when I was diagnosed with cancer. The diagnosis itself was overwhelming, but even more so when I learned that I carry a gene mutation called Li-Fraumeni, which makes me more susceptible to various cancers. That news completely reshaped how I viewed my health and my future. Little did I know that diagnosis was only the beginning of the twists and turns ahead.
Fast forward to age 26. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to make one of the toughest decisions of my life—a double mastectomy and reconstruction. At that point, I felt like I had been through enough. Surely, this would be the last hurdle for a while. But God had other plans. I kept the cancer at bay but faced another challenge: back surgery. This surgery had complications, leaving me with no feeling in my right leg. I spend most days of the week in physical therapy as we work to regain function.
This wasn’t the plan. Not at all.
Plans? God Has a Sense of Humor
At 28, most people are chasing after career milestones, dreaming about starting families, or checking items off their bucket lists. But I’ve come to learn that life rarely follows the roadmap we create for ourselves. Proverbs 19:21 tells us, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” I can picture God smiling as we make our plans, knowing that He has something far more meaningful in store—something we may not understand in the moment, but something beautiful nonetheless.
The past few years have taught me that while I may not control what happens in my life, God is always in control. He knows exactly where my story is headed, even when it feels like everything is spinning off course. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And boy, have I clung to that promise.
God’s plans have brought me through seasons of suffering and loss, but they’ve also brought me unexpected blessings. I’ve learned to appreciate the small things—like a good meal shared with family, or the quiet beauty of a sunset. I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff, because life is far too precious to get bogged down by things that won’t matter in the end. As James 4:14 says, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” That’s not meant to scare us but to remind us to make every moment count.
Living Fully, Right Now
I used to think life would begin once I’d achieved certain goals or reached specific milestones—after I had the “perfect” job, the “perfect” family, or the “perfect” health. But now, I realize that life is happening right here, right now. I’ve learned to stop waiting for the “right” moment to enjoy life. This is the right moment, even with all its imperfections.
That’s why I’m committed to living life fully right now, not someday when everything is “perfect.” If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that we are not guaranteed tomorrow, so why not savor today? I don’t want to look back at my life and see that I spent it waiting for a better season. I want to look back and see that I embraced every moment—every triumph, every setback, and every lesson.
Discovering a New Passion: Gluten-Free Cooking
In the midst of all these health challenges, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. At first, I felt like it was another burden to carry, but then something surprising happened. I fell in love with cooking—specifically, gluten-free cooking. It became a creative outlet, a way for me to connect with my farming roots, and a way to find joy in nourishing myself and others.
I started experimenting with recipes, learning how to make delicious gluten-free meals that didn’t feel like I was sacrificing flavor or comfort. And that’s when the idea for The Salty Harvest began to take shape. My love for farming, food, and faith all came together, and I realized that this was my purpose—to share these recipes and stories with others, to inspire people to eat well, live fully, and trust in God’s bigger plan.
Finding Beauty in the Unexpected
If there’s one thing I want to leave you with, it’s this: life is unpredictable, but it is also incredibly beautiful. My journey hasn’t looked anything like what I had envisioned, but it has been filled with blessings I never could have planned for myself. God has guided me every step of the way, and I’ve found peace in letting go of control and trusting His purpose for my life.
Maybe you’re going through something unexpected right now, too. Maybe life isn’t looking the way you thought it would. And that’s okay. Trust that there is beauty in the unexpected. Know that God is with you, working all things for your good, even when the path seems difficult.
I invite you to join me on this journey—to explore my recipes, hear more of my stories, and maybe even find some inspiration for your own life. After all, we’re all walking through this unpredictable, beautiful life together.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28
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