A chronic dreamer and doodler (with no shortage of ideas) I’ve always had a creative imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit. Mom to incredible kids who inspire me, sharpen my walk with Jesus and raise my parenting. I am a better person because of them. I enjoy writing, music, the wind on my face, my toes in the sand and the raucous sound of the kids home on holidays. There is truly nothing I long for more than holding Jesus’ hand one day, my Savior and my friend.

Widowed at the age of 56, I find myself accomplishing things that were previously unimaginable. Recently I took a biblical counseling course as The Comforter often touches those who hurt the most. I had flashbacks to my Bible college days and the passion I felt diving ever deeper into His Word. Wisdom and encouragement from family and friends, a huge leap of faith and I am excited to see The Comforter bless into the lives of others. I pray the work placed in my hands brings souls to the kingdom, changes lives and restores much needed peace to broken hearts.

We’ve had a few detours since we first started but I am humbled God continues to trust me with this calling. While I cannot lay claim to the original design and purpose for The Comforter, it was, however, an answer to prayer. Often I feel ill–equipped, but isn’t that when our trust steps up and God steps in?

I’d like to invite you along on this little journey as we stumble through, bringing hope to a hurting world, leaning wholly on Jesus. For His glory. By His grace. 

“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].” Acts 20:24 AMP

Be blessed, friends. Jesus loves you…. pass it on!

Love, Marla 

“God doesn’t call the qualified, but instead qualifies the called.”

This statement rings forever true for me as I’ve always looked for a creative outlet. From dance at a young age, to creative producing in college and many other things in between. To now being the full-time seamstress and partner for The Comforter and most recently taking my basic sewing knowledge to designing clothes on the side. As a creative, who is passionate about Christ and people, I have been involved in youth ministries for many years. I studied Pastoral Leadership in college and discovered my love for people, ministering to them and sharing about Jesus. While I have a competitive nature to be the best at everything I do…  I often fall miserably short.

That is when I am reminded that God hasn’t called me because I am qualified but has qualified me in each area that He has called me throughout my life. 

My world changed drastically when I found myself battling a debilitating chronic illness. I spent my days bedridden with little answers thinking this was going to be my lifelong reality. I often asked God what His purpose and plan was and sometimes I still wonder. While I continue to battle both a heart condition and chronic illness, thankfully over time God’s healing has been at work in me as He led me into this new opportunity with The Comforter. 

This is a season of life I never saw coming and honestly, I resisted a little at first. I try my best daily to pour my heart and soul into everything I do. I count it a privilege to sew for The Comforter, blessing others the way I have been blessed and giving back to Him who has given me so much. The knowledge that someone will be wrapped in the Word and comforted from this calling God has so graciously qualified me for provides daily motivation as well as purpose beyond measure. All while I rely on that same comfort and hope for my own complete healing. 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Matthew 16:24-26 NIV