Retreat.

I did it. I left the kids with Ryan for three days. I had never left the kids up until this point – ever. The most I’ve never been away from any of my kids with a couple of hours. However, after earning my silver retreat with Young Living – I had to make a choice: stay home or go on a trip I earned. For some or you that would’ve been an easy choice. For many many years, I have turned down trips and things and I wanted to do to be home with my kids because I felt like that’s where I “should” be.

The few days leading up to my trip, I almost bailed. The kids weren’t feeling 100% – one in particular – and it made me feel like maybe it was selfish to go. However, Ryan assured me that everything was going to be just fine and that he had it handled and then I should go. And so I did.

I hopped on a plane to travel to Utah by myself. This was the first time I had traveled alone in a very long time. It was slightly intimidating but freeing all at the same time. I am so glad that I said yes and went on my trip.

After arriving in Salt Lake, I went to my hotel which was at the very top floor of grand America. My suite was huge and the view was amazing. I got settled in and then headed down to finally meet one of my business builders, Jenna, for the very first time. For the past 2 1/2 years we have been working together and texting, voxing, Marco poloing and zoom calling regularly, so it felt like we known each other forever but this was the first time you officially met in person. It was so great to finally be at the same place.

Retreat started off that evening with a welcome dinner. We met to get with other YL friends and made some new ones. I was so ready for bed though. However, it was very obvious that my body does not know how to sleep a full night because I woke up at least five times thinking it was morning. #JoysOfMotherhood

Friday we spent the entire day at the Young Living farm. The farm is one of my favorite places to go. It’s unlike any farm you’ve ever been to – heart and the history there is palpable. It was very much a “build it and they will come in “dream of Gary’s ensure enough, we did, have, and will continue to flood the grounds of the farm. The farm is incredibly peaceful and welcoming.

I met Mary Young and Jacob Young (their oldest son) while at the farm. It shows the humbleness of the company because they always WANT to spend time with the people. They never act “put out” by people wanting to meet with them and say hello. When we asked for a photo with Jacob, he seemed genuinely humbled we would ask.

I was awestruck but the peaceful spirit Mary had about her. She treated each person just like they were the only people there. I watched her switch from a Spanish dialect to a Japanese dialect without missing a beat. She transitioned between the two with incredible grace and striking ability. We stood in awe of her genuine presence. Mary didn’t want anyone squatting to her level for photos but rather stand tall, she wanted no accommodations – she simply wanted to be and to be with those who wanted her time.

We stayed past the departure of the buses and enjoyed the grounds for a while. The light was perfect so we got some fun lavender field photos, as well. We also got to listen to the Randy Rogers band play for the rodeo.

We just took our time and enjoyed just being present at the farm. We laughed by the floral water stream as we talked about life and shared stories. We literally spent 8 hours at the farm but it only felt like just a few. The weather was nearly perfect, too.

I’m not sure I can adequately put the farm to words to be honest. It’s stunningly beautiful but there’s a lingering peace about it. You feel connected to God, the earth, and the heart of the Young Living company while you’re there. I suppose it’s just something you have to experience first hand. I felt the same when we went back in July and I felt it again this time too.

That evening we wrapped things up with a dinner at squatters with good friends, good beer, and good conversation.

Our final day there was training day. We spent all of our day listening to wise business mentors sharping our business skills. All of the presenters came with their own testimony and their own genuine selves.

That’s something I love about this company – the ones who are confidently and authentically themselves are the ones that make a way. There’s a seat at the table for each person if you choose to show up and take your own seat. You don’t have to fit a mold – you just have to be genuine. That was a consistent theme throughout the entire day and I don’t think that it was planned; it’s just how the company culture is.

I said hello to Greg Larson who is the head of the Young Living Foundation. I adore the foundation and what they do around the world. It’s such an honor to donate to them consistently and I can’t make it through a foundation video without crying.

We finished out with dinner at Blue Lemon – which is an incredible little restaurant – and the Goodbye Party. We danced the night away at the karaoke party. None of us incredible dancers but in a position that we could be confident in having fun without judgement. No one cared who had the best moves or rhythm and to be honest, none of us were there to impress anyone. We just showed up and had fun. The weekend really was a gift and a welcomed little bit of time away.

I’ll be honest and say, the company that I had with my young living friends really made it fantastic. When you put together like-minded women who love Jesus, love epowering people all while loving their families well – it makes for a beautiful fit. All of us different but beautifully ourselves being simply accepted just as we are. Truly such a gift.

As much as I enjoyed the couple of days away, I loved coming home to this sweet little welcoming committee. They made this sweet little sign with their daddy and were so excited to show it to me. My mom guilt on the trip wasn’t as bad as I expected because I knew it was important for them to see their mom walking in where she’s been called.

They see the day to day gift that this job of mine is. They’ve heard conversations of people asking for help and guidance, they’ve experienced how it’s changed our own lives, they’ve heard the conversations of me empowering and encouraging others in this business. We’ve talked about the extra things we get to do or have because of what I do. As much as they wanted to come to, because they are so used to being in so much of this business with me, they got to see I can go and come right back to them.

If you’re on Instagram, you can see the full highlight here.