Where the footsteps began

What started as a way to get out of the house turned into something we genuinely enjoyed. We began exploring different parks, discovering new trails, spending time together, and making memories along the way.

And somewhere between the trees, the trails, the sound of running water, and Summer enjoying herself, I started to feel something I hadn't felt in a while.

Peace.

Not the kind where all your problems magically disappear. Because trust me, they were still waiting when I got home!

But the kind where, even if just for a little while, I could breathe, clear my head, and enjoy the moment.

Looking back, I believe God was giving me something I didn't even know I needed.

A place to slow down. A place to breathe. A place to reconnect with myself and appreciate the beauty of His creation.

To understand why those walks became so important to me, you have to understand a little about my journey.

I became a mother at 14 years old. At 19, I took on the responsibility of caring for my younger brother. At 22, while preparing to welcome my daughter into the world, I lost my mother.

Those experiences shaped me in ways I couldn't fully understand at the time.

There were seasons when I questioned how I would make it through, moments when I felt overwhelmed, and times when being strong didn't feel like a choice.

But when I look back over my life, I can see God's hand in so many places.

Even during the seasons when I didn't understand what He was doing.

My faith didn't mean life was always easy. It didn't mean I never struggled, cried, or questioned things.

It meant that even in the middle of those moments, I had something greater than myself to hold on to.

For so much of my life, I was focused on what needed to be done, who needed me, and what responsibility was waiting next.

Somewhere in all of that, it was easy to forget about myself.

Hiking gave me an opportunity to reconnect with the person behind all those responsibilities.

I wasn't just somebody's mother, somebody's sister, or the person everyone counted on.

I was simply me.

A woman walking through the woods, enjoying the sunshine, listening to the water, and probably wondering how much farther we had to go!

I've always felt a special connection to nature, especially trees and water.

There's something about standing beneath a tree that's been growing for decades or sitting beside water that just keeps flowing, no matter what's happening around it.

And for me, it's impossible to experience those moments without recognizing God's presence.

The beauty of the trees, the changing seasons, the sound of water, the warmth of the sun—it's all a reminder of how incredible His creation is.

Sometimes I find myself praying while I walk. Other times I'm simply thanking God for another day, another opportunity, or a moment of peace.

And sometimes I'm not saying anything at all.

I'm just walking, taking everything in, and feeling grateful to be there.

Nature reminds me that life has seasons.

Sometimes we're growing. Sometimes we're changing. Sometimes we're standing strong through a storm. And sometimes, just like the trees, we have to let things go to make room for something new.

I don't believe you have to travel across the world or climb a mountain to experience that feeling.

Sometimes it's right there in your neighborhood park.

Sometimes it's a quiet trail you've walked a hundred times.

And sometimes it's simply stepping outside, putting your phone away, and paying attention to the world around you.

Over time, hiking became more than just something I enjoyed doing.

It became a place where I could think, reflect, pray, laugh, and have conversations with myself about life.

And believe me, I have plenty to talk about!

Motherhood. Relationships. Faith. Losing people we love. Friendships. Starting over. Finding happiness. Learning boundaries. Getting older. Trying new things. And those everyday situations that make you say, "You really can't make this stuff up!"

I started thinking about how many other people might be going through similar experiences.

How many women spend their lives taking care of everyone else?

How many people are carrying things nobody knows about?

How many of us are so busy trying to keep everything together that we forget to enjoy the life we're working so hard to build?

And how many people could use a little fresh air, a good laugh, a meaningful conversation, or simply a reminder that they're not alone?

That's where the idea for Unfiltered Footsteps began.

I believe God gives each of us a story, and while we may not always understand every chapter, our experiences can encourage, inspire, and connect us to others.

I wanted to combine two things I genuinely love: being outdoors and having honest, meaningful conversations.

Not perfectly scripted conversations. Not pretending that every day is wonderful. And definitely not acting like I have all the answers.

Just real life.

The beautiful parts, the complicated parts, the funny parts, and even the parts we're still trying to figure out.

My hope is that Unfiltered Footsteps becomes more than a place where you watch me hike or read a few stories.

I want it to become a community.

A place where we encourage each other to get outside, explore somewhere new, share our experiences, and make time for ourselves.

A place where you can laugh one minute and have a meaningful conversation the next.

A place where nobody has to pretend their journey has been perfect.

Because mine certainly hasn't been.

And while faith is at the center of my life, I want everyone who finds their way here to feel welcome, regardless of where they are in their own journey.

I believe God has a purpose for my life, and I trust that every experience has helped prepare me for what comes next.

I don't know exactly where this journey will lead, but I'm trusting God to guide my footsteps.

And for once, I'm okay with not having every detail figured out.

I'm just excited to keep walking, keep learning, keep exploring, and hopefully have some of you walking alongside me.

Because every step has a story. And God has been present through every one of mine.

Welcome to Unfiltered Footsteps.