I had specifically prayed for it NOT to happen. Not just once or twice, but with an earnestness that stretched over weeks. We often wonder if prayers are not just petitions, but opportunities for divine stretching, designed to strengthen us in unexpected ways.
That particular spring weekend was etched into our memory, a testament to the unpredictable nature of life and faith. For weeks leading up to our departure, my husband, Cade, and I had poured out our hearts in prayer. We were scheduled to speak at Time Out For Women, a truly inspiring event, and our most fervent request was for our children to remain safe, happy, and above all, HEALTHY in the care of their aunt. There was an unusual intensity to these prayers, a deep-seated feeling that compelled me to petition diligently against any illness striking our little ones while we were away. Every stray thought about our upcoming trip was met with a silent, heartfelt prayer that all would be well. I often rationalized this constant plea as mere stress, a common byproduct of parents traveling away from their children, even for something as profoundly rewarding as speaking to thousands of women seeking inspiration.
But despite our earnest supplications, there was no way for us to predict just how challenging things were about to become, nor the profound lessons we were on the cusp of learning about trust and resilience.
Balancing Purpose and Parental Duties
Our commitments as speakers at Time Out For Women are significant and fulfilling, yet they demand considerable sacrifice. Each engagement involves flying to another state, delivering a deeply personal and often emotionally charged 35-40 minute speech to thousands of women gathered in a conference hall, and then spending hours signing copies of our cookbook, Our Sweet Basil Kitchen, and engaging with attendees. It’s an experience that is at once utterly exhausting and wonderfully uplifting, a unique blend of spiritual service and logistical complexity.
However, the greatest challenge lies in the necessity of leaving our children behind. As parents who deeply value presence and connection with our little ones, it’s always difficult to depart for a weekend, especially when these trips occur almost monthly. The situation is further complicated by the fact that we don’t have immediate family living nearby to easily step in and help. This means that every speaking engagement requires meticulous planning, detailed scheduling, and significant coordination to ensure our children are well cared for. Frankly, we would not undertake these endeavors if we didn’t feel a strong, undeniable sense of purpose guiding us. We genuinely believe we are meant to be there, sharing our message and contributing to the spiritual growth of others.
After each event, we are flooded with emails from attendees, sharing their personal stories and how our words resonated with them. These testimonials serve as powerful affirmations, reinforcing our conviction that sometimes, making personal sacrifices is essential to help spread light, hope, and encouragement throughout the world. It’s this profound impact that fuels our determination, even when the path is difficult.
The Unforeseen Crisis: A Test of Faith at the Airport
And so, we return to that fateful spring day. Despite our weeks of fervent prayers, the day of departure arrived with an undercurrent of nervous anticipation. My sister, bless her heart, traveled all the way from Idaho to Utah to care for our children for the weekend, arriving safe and sound. We methodically packed the car, and while our older children were at school, my sister, along with our toddler, drove us to the airport. The atmosphere was a mixture of goodbyes and excitement for the journey ahead.
As we pulled up to the curb, the usual airport hustle enveloped us. We began the familiar routine of extracting luggage from the car. I turned in my seat, a final wave of affection planned for our little guy in the backseat, when suddenly, in a horrifying flash, our toddler vomited – a projectile eruption that coated his car seat and a significant portion of the car’s interior. 🤮 🚙
It wasn’t just a little spit-up; it was the kind of scene straight out of a horror movie, utterly overwhelming and nauseating. “Are. You. Serious?!” the thought screamed through my mind. How could this be happening? After weeks of specifically praying for their health, how could the exact opposite manifest in such a dramatic, undeniable way? Was this a sign? Were we not meant to go? Had our prayers gone unheard, or worse, been deliberately ignored?
The next few minutes were a frantic blur. Cleaning the car at the airport, desperately trying to contain the mess, and having to discard clothes because we couldn’t find proper bags, felt like an impossible beast to tackle under such pressure. To compound the chaos, Cade’s wallet had inexplicably fallen out of his pocket, preventing us from boarding our flight. (Thankfully, my sister, ever the miracle worker, managed to locate it shortly thereafter.) Each setback felt like a deliberate slap in the face, pushing us closer to despair. Fear gnawed at us: How could we possibly leave? Why had our most earnest prayers seemingly been answered with the very opposite outcome?
Choosing Faith Over Fear in Moments of Doubt
In that moment of profound disarray and spiritual questioning, a calm, unwavering thought pierced through the fear: “Faith, not fear.” It was a simple yet powerful reminder that transcended the immediate chaos. I knew, with an undeniable certainty, that we were meant to be on that trip. We had received prior confirmations, gentle nudges, and a deep sense of peace about our calling to speak. In times of crisis, when our present circumstances seem to contradict our deepest convictions, it is essential to hold fast to the answers and assurances we’ve previously received. We had felt, unequivocally, that this was something we were supposed to do.
With heavy hearts and a fresh surge of resolve, we sent my sister off with our now-ailing “Barfy” toddler. As we boarded our flight, tears streamed down our faces, a mixture of parental concern, emotional exhaustion, and a renewed commitment to our purpose. Just before the plane took off, my sister called, her voice a balm to our worried souls: “The minute we pulled away, he fell asleep, and all is well. Go do what you’re supposed to do.” Her words were a divine affirmation, a much-needed confirmation that we were indeed on the right path, despite the challenging start.
The Time Out For Women event was, as always, an incredibly inspiring and powerful experience. Yet, our hearts remained anxious, eager to return home and check in on everyone. True to our fears, our poor toddler had indeed kept my sister up all night with the flu for the duration of our trip. She powered through, demonstrating incredible resilience. It was quite an experience for someone who wasn’t married and didn’t have children of her own, offering her an unexpected, hands-on lesson in the demanding, yet rewarding, realities of motherhood. Through it all, our faith was tested, but ultimately strengthened, proving that even in the face of adversity, purpose can prevail.
When Prayers Seem Unanswered: Finding Blessings in Adversity
It’s a perplexing aspect of the human experience: why do things sometimes happen in direct opposition to our most fervent prayers? It almost feels as if we put our heartfelt desires out into the universe, and a higher power responds, “Ah, this will be an excellent opportunity for them to practice unwavering faith.” Regardless of the mysterious reasons behind such events, I’ve learned a profound truth: there is always a blessing, always a hidden miracle, that emerges when we choose to move forward with trust and determination, even when the path is obscured by doubt.
Perhaps that challenging weekend was an opportunity for my sister to discover her own inner strength, to learn how to navigate difficult situations independently and rise to the occasion. Maybe our children, in our absence, learned valuable lessons in resilience, self-reliance, and helping each other out. For Cade and me, it certainly served as a powerful lesson in pressing forward with our calling, even when the circumstances seemed impossible, or when every sign pointed to retreat. Or perhaps, most simply, we all just needed to be stretched beyond our comfort zones, to undergo something genuinely hard, to appreciate the profound growth that follows.
Ultimately, the exact “why” doesn’t truly matter as much as our response to it. What matters most, I believe, is choosing to stand firm and declare, “Even if my prayers aren’t answered in the precise way I wanted or thought I needed, I still trust You implicitly. And by holding onto that trust, I hope You can know You can trust me to continue on the path You’ve laid out.” This unwavering faith, forged in the crucible of unexpected adversity, is the most precious outcome of all.
Time Out for Women: A Journey of Inspiration and Connection
Have we truly conveyed the essence and impact of Time Out For Women and Time Out For Girls before? These events are an incredibly significant part of our lives, yet we often wonder if everyone understands the scope of what we do and the profound experience they offer. Time Out For Women is a beacon of hope and inspiration, a truly remarkable two-day event where women from all walks of life gather to be lifted and inspired by impactful speakers and gifted musical artists. With locations spanning across the globe, it’s an accessible and transformative experience for countless individuals. Tickets and event information can be found on the official website, TOFW.
For many women and their families, attending Time Out For Women has become a cherished annual tradition. They return year after year, finding solace, strength, and renewal within its embracing atmosphere. It’s more than just a conference; it’s a spiritual retreat, a communal gathering that fosters deep connections and empowers women to navigate life’s challenges with renewed faith and purpose.
The diverse array of speakers at Time Out For Women covers a wide spectrum of subjects, each offering unique perspectives and profound insights:
- Alisa Parker– Alisa shares her incredibly moving journey of faith and forgiveness, demonstrating how she courageously moved forward after the tragic loss of her 6-year-old daughter in the Sandy Hook shootings. Her story is a testament to the power of healing and resilience.
- Emily Watts– Emily, a vibrant bundle of joy, brings a refreshing perspective to life’s challenges. She humorously acknowledges that exercise can be an annoying “answer” to problems, but deftly guides attendees to discover inner inspiration and move through life with profound meaning and purpose.
- Carol J Decker– Carol’s awe-inspiring story recounts her survival of Sepsis during her second pregnancy, leading to multiple amputations and complete blindness. She courageously shares her unexpected life journey, a testament to finding immense joy and profound meaning despite unimaginable adversity.
- Jenny Oaks Baker– A Grammy-nominated musician, Jenny’s celestial violin performances fill the entire room with soul-stirring music. Her melodies resonate deeply, uplifting spirits and creating an atmosphere of pure inspiration.
- Tim Ballard– Tim’s powerful work began during his time with the CIA when he uncovered the horrific reality of children being sold into slavery. Recognizing jurisdictional limitations prevented direct rescue, he founded Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). Today, O.U.R. operates in 17 countries, actively rescuing children as young as toddlers from the horrors of child sex slavery.
- Cade and Carrian Cheney– And yes, that’s us! We speak about discovering and embracing the light even in the darkest of times, and how to harness the power of social media as a constructive tool for good, rather than allowing it to become a time-wasting distraction.
And these are just a few of the many other exceptional speakers who grace the Time Out For Women stage!
Time Out For Girls: Empowering the Next Generation
Complementing the inspiring experience for women, Time Out For Girls is an extraordinary event tailored specifically for girls aged 12-18. It’s truly amazing to witness mothers and daughters experiencing parallel journeys of spiritual upliftment and self-discovery, with women gathering in one hall and a vibrant group of young daughters doing the same in another. This unique dual-event structure fosters family connection and shared growth. You can easily find an event near you by visiting the TOFW events page.
Time Out For Girls provides a vital platform for young women to build confidence, understand their divine worth, and gain valuable insights from inspiring role models:
- David Butler– One of our absolute favorite speakers, Dave possesses a unique ability to inspire young girls, helping them understand their inherent worth, the power of scripture, and how they can cultivate their potential to become truly amazing individuals.
- Elaine Dalton– As a former global leader for young girls, Elaine spent many years guiding and mentoring youth. Today, she continues to inspire girls worldwide, encouraging them to remember their divine potential and to strive to live up to it with grace and determination.
- Kendal Levine– Kendal’s story is one of incredible resilience. While serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she was struck by a car whose driver fell asleep at the wheel, resulting in severe injuries. She suffered a traumatic brain injury that initially left her unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Imagine the fear of being told you might never regain these basic functions. Yet, Kendal defied expectations, choosing to overcome. She now bravely shares her journey of recovery, demonstrating how she found happiness and purpose through immense adversity.
- Al Carraway– Al is a warm, bubbly soul, easily recognizable by her distinctive tattoos. She captivates girls with her authentic message, sharing that the only true and lasting way to find happiness is through discovering and faithfully following their Savior.
- Madilyn Paige– Madilyn, a talented singer who competed on “The Voice” under the mentorship of Blake Shelton and Usher, now uses her powerful music to empower girls. Her songs inspire young women to embrace self-love, confidence, and their unique identities.