08/17/2026
August 17th will always be a very special day for me…
The first time I prayed to give my life to the Lord, I was just 5 years old, sitting with my grandmother. She was the one who taught me about Jesus, had me memorize scriptures, and planted those early seeds of faith. At that age, though, I remember not having a deep understanding.
Growing up, we didn’t go to church. Through my teen years and early 20s, I wasn’t living my life for the Lord. When I was older, my parents began attending church and faithfully praying for me to surrender my life. I started going with them. Not long after that, just before I turned 23, I prayed again. This time, I meant it with all my heart. My life and my heart completely changed.
Many years later, I came across the Bible my grandmother had given me. Inside, she had written the date of that first prayer when I was 5. That led me to look back on when I had prayed again as an adult. To my surprise, both dates were the same…August 17th.
This year is especially significant because today marks 23 years, which means I can now say I’ve been walking with Him longer than I ever lived without Him. 🤍
So today I’m especially grateful for my grandmother, for my parents, and for a God who has pursued me throughout my life and never let me go.
And if you didn’t know where the name JoyFull Balloon Boutique came from, it comes from Psalm 16:11:
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
My faith is such a huge part of who I am, and it’s also at the heart of this business. JoyFull was never just a cute name to me. It was a reminder of where true joy comes from.
