In my header, it says that this blog is “the stories of the journey we are all on”.

Well, this past weekend, I went on a journey that exceeded my wildest dreams.

When I first started reading blogs, I realized, I had found “my peeps” – people who understood me. Well this weekend, I got to spend time with and be part of such a wonderful event with fellow bloggers.

The Chapel Market

This event was dreamt up by and organized by the (even more kinder and gracious than you could hope) Layla of The Lettered Cottage. When Layla asked my sweet friend Kari to pull together a booth for the show, Kari asked me to be her partner in crime – and I am so thankful that she did.

Kari and I teamed up with Heather of At the Picket Fence to create a booth.

So now, one thing to keep in mind.

We really had no idea what we were doing.

All of the other vendors were pros. They were amazing with what they came in with. Mary from Urban Farmgirl had the most amazing booth and vintage treasures. In fact, when we pulled in, we saw here pile being formed in the parking lot.

I knew immediately that the day was not ending without me buying one of her amazing trucks. I have loved them forever.

This is my treasure I brought home – maybe someday I will have the life size version!

Thank you Mary - you are one smart and fun lady!

And although we were certainly not professionals like Mary, Marian, Lucy or Shauna – I think we pulled together kind of an amazing booth.

My goal when I sit here and write a post is to never be like “hey, look at the amazing thing I went to and you didn’t”. I share this part of my journey today because it was such an incredible full circle moment that we can all take away something from.

I think this past weekend was a testament to being willing to put yourself out there, to take a risk, be vulnerable and work hard. After three years of blogging and sharing. After getting over my fear of getting in small planes. After being willing to pick up the phone and call people I have never met. After not ignoring what I am so passionate about, but instead trying to figure out some weird version of making a living at it.

After so many people asking me, “you do what?”.

After all that, this weekend was such an incredible blessing.

From the kindness of all of the people involved, to the beauty of all that was pulled together in that chapel – and the best part, the customers and readers who came in.

I was overwhelmed.

People like this beautiful lady who came in and blessed me so much with her kind words it filled my heart.

And then there was the community of women from Pike Road. Why didn’t we take a group picture of all of them?

On Friday night, Layla’s amazing friends and neighbors invited us into their home. A whole group of them prepared the most amazing dinner and dessert to die for. We ate dinner on their porch with the most amazing southern breeze blowing through and a home filled with gracious laughter.

I wish I had taken a picture of us together, but this is Kathy, and she has a heart so kind it shines right through her eyes. It was her home where we enjoyed fellowship.

And only I would be the one to greatly embarrassed myself trying to figure out what type of fragrance in her home smelled so wonderful – only to discover it was her kind husband Eddie, which resulted in us both blushing greatly.

Layla and Kevin are so blessed with their community and they clearly care for them both.

As I stood in their courtyard trying to call home, I could not even speak because I was so filled with emotion.

All I could feel was an overwhelming sense of being blessed.

(Pictured: Evan, Shauna, Susan, Mary Kay, Lucy, Heather, Me, Rhoda, Mary, Southern Accents, Layla, Kari, Susie, Marian, Fritos Bag)

So thank you to each you who come here to read this blog that gives me a platform to do what I love.

Thank you to the community of Pike Road.

Thank you to each of the customers and readers that came and joined us.

Thank you to Kari and Heather for being amazing partners in crime.

Thank you to Layla for blessing us all.

And I will end with a question.

Are you doing what you love and putting yourself out there?

I never would have imagined spending a weekend in Layla's neighborhood, but I know it never would have happened if I hadn't pursued what I love and put myself out there.

Wishing you an incredibly blessed day.

P.S. – If you missed the show, the good news the beautiful pallet wood letters and tables can be purchased on line. Even better news, all proceeds go towards the adoption of a little girl for Kari’s brother.

P.P.S. - Here is a little gift for you, compliments of Rhoda. I thought I would shock her by jumping out the door while she took picture - never thinking she would get me in the air - but she did.