my story

SERVE. The word that set me on a path of growth and healing unlike any other.

My younger, wiser, 21-year-old brother, Dan, told me the key to building community and making connections was serving others—in our homes, churches & communities. He didn’t know then just how much those words tugged at my heart. And I didn’t know how meaningful those words would become as one month later, we would find ourselves in a fog of grief navigating life without him & his beautiful wife, Kayla. 

February of 2016, I watched hundreds of people gather to share the impact that Dan & Kayla had on their lives. They shared how genuine their love was, how joyful their servant hearts were, and how determined they both were to share the love of Jesus. I felt a deep desire to continue what they had started. 

A month later, I discovered a way to share what Dan & Kayla stood for and make their impact reach even further. This quote, that perfectly depicts their lives and the effect they continue to have on mine, made its way into my hands and into my heart.

The Impact of One Life

Roy Lessin

When a stone is dropped into a lake,

its impact leaves behind a series of ripples

that broaden and reach across the water.

In the same way,

the impact of one life lived for Christ

will leave behind an influence for good

that will touch the lives of many others.

The ripples of influence they left behind were moving me to transform my interior design career into a new, healing, mission-minded career. I sat down at my computer and scrolled through pages of opportunities that would allow me to spend time with my family and send me down a purposeful path. I reached Mary & Martha and the first words I read were, “Welcome, Serve, & Connect.” 

After jumping in with both feet, I realized that God led me to a place where I could live out that mission to serve. It was a place that would become a home for my heart. It was a place full of encouragers, comforters, and companions to walk through the hard years ahead. It was a place to share my story, Dan & Kayla's story, God’s story. Ever since, it’s been my prayer to use this ministry-minded business to serve God and serve others.

Today, the ripple continues as our community grows and our brand expands to include even more inspirational resources to help fuel our faith. 

Dan’s words weren’t just words, they were actions and I’m grateful his example led me to look for more—more ways to live out my purpose to serve.